➢𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚➢

『 I don't like your perfect crime
How you laugh when you lie
You said the gun was mine
Isn't cool, no, I don't like you (oh!) 』
𝐓𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐎𝐑 𝐒𝐖𝐈𝐅𝐓── 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐞 𝐃𝐨 ♫ !

⟶𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 9: 𝑴𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒍𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒌𝒆⟵

- 𝐍𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝟗𝐓𝐇, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 -

𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖, 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐉𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄𝐘

𝐔𝐒𝐀

In the real world, Monica, Jimmy, and Darcy are a trio.

Carrying a tray of coffees in his hand—as well as a bag from Dunkin Donuts—Agent Woo reports back to where Captain Rambeau and Dr. Lewis continue to assess the situation. The Hex... Darcy's idea.

They figure out that the new additions to the show haven't been cast. Wanda's twins are hers. Monica's intel on being inside the TV proves to be useful, as she was the one who delivered the newborns—created by Wanda. The created-sitcom world of the woman continues to be discussed, such as the insane amount of power she is wielding, far exceeding anything she has displayed in the past. Wanda was powerful.

Monica argues that when Wanda was against Thanos, she could've taken him down easily—if he hadn't initiated a blitz.

"Nobody else came close." She said.

Jimmy had argued that Captain Marvel—aka Carol Danvers—had come pretty close.

Monica refuses to talk about Carol.

Then, they go to the lab.

Darcy's remark about costumes and props has the three examining the clothes Monica wore when blasted out of Westview, and ironically—they were the ones she was sent in with. It was concluded: Wanda is rewriting reality.

Dani never knew she could even do that.

Altering people's perceptions, giving them nightmares—yes, after all, Wanda had once accidentally put her under a spell back at the Salvage Yard, and it was horrible. Dani never held it against her, though, for at that time—she knew she and Pietro were being manipulated. Their grief was being used. They were down the wrong path.

But Dani never thought Wanda would trek down there again. Maybe she should of.

Too much loss can affect a person, perhaps, tearing them apart on the inside, and without people to support them—bring them back up to the surface, it was inevitable. They were to turn to the dark side.

Dani never believed her older sister figure would make that turn.

She suddenly experiences a gut load of guilt.

But, compartmentalizing that, she takes a bite out of a chocolate glazed donut while sitting next to Darcy, back in the S.W.O.R.D. Headquarters tent set up outside Westview, and post-chew—she's asking, about WandaVision, "Just so I'm all caught up: Wanda and Vision got married, had dinner with Vision's boss, participated in a talent show, won that talent show, then became pregnant and had kids, and those kids are now five years old and they have a dog named Sparky...?"

Dr. Lewis, finishing a donut next to her, nods in agreement.

"Yep. And if you have any other questions, I'm your gal."

"So, you're a fan?" Dani asks her.

Darcy pleads her case, glasses-wearing gaze slanting at the last sentence, "TV is TV. Not to mention, you were just inside it not too long ago."

Gazes fall upon hers, those being Jimmy, Monica, and Darcy, and deciding not to hide the truth anymore, Danielle solidifies, "Except that I wasn't."

"And how is that possible?" Monica questions.

To Bexley's relief, Dani redirects the conversation, "Well, we should start with something else we need to figure out: why is Caitlyn back in Westview?"

The mention of the katana-wielding blondie causes her best friend's back to straighten. Bexley comes closer from the back of the room with her arms tightly crossed, long, black hair still straight, and containing streaks of purple in them.

Jimmy from memory reads off the sixteen year old's file, "Well, research says she was born there. To Paigelynn and Ethan."

He talks about her past in an appropriate tone as soon as things get serious.

"Both who died in a car accident on April 13th, 2010."

Darcy hangs on to the last detail.

"Died? Then why are they mentioned in WandaVision?"

Dani, from next to her, shrugs her shoulders in response—offering, "Continuity error?"

Monica who is no longer Geraldine brings them back on track, tilting her head to look at Bexley, "Anyway... how about Caitlyn's history, as a... magician?"

"Sorcerer." The seventeen-year-old corrects, "Caitlyn and her uncle came to Kamar-Taj a few years back before the Blip, where they both excelled at the mystic arts. That's when they found home at the New York Sanctum."

She takes over in speaking about Caitlyn's history, undeniably resulting in talking about how the two of them met. Warmth flutters in Bexley's chest.

The brown-eyed girl sparkles, "And, where I taught Caitlyn how to use a sword. A katana, actually."

She thinks back to when they first met, the blonde angry with her for "stalking" but really, Bexley was just curious. And... perhaps more.

Her voice softens with the additional note, about Caitlyn, almost in fondness, a small laugh coming through her nostrils, "She was... a lot better than me."

Dani is set on figuring out her parent-trap scenario, "Okay. And these sorcerers, have they ever been able to cast spells that create people?"

"No, that goes beyond the natural laws of space, time, and the laws of the universe." A firm shake of the head accompanies Bexley's reply.

Though, then the seventeen-year-old has something else cloud her expression—she realizes.

And with everything weird that JUST happened, she wouldn't put it past it being crazy. She doesn't want them to think she's crazy, though.

She mumbles to herself, "Unless, the multiverse..."

Dani's enhanced hearing picks up on it, "What multiverse?"

Brown eyes enhance, and removing her arms from their crossed position and turning around for a moment, her long, shiny hair accompanies her—along with a more edgy, unique outfit choice. Bexley is dressed mostly all-black with fishnet tights, black eyeliner, and of course—dyed hair. Her hands—but not fingers—are also gloved. The teenager somewhat felt herself at risk of slipping away, but in order to stay strong for Caitlyn, she remains.

The breath that seeps out of her throat, however, earns a mildly concerned call of her name—Dani the culprit.

"Bexley?"

She is hiding something.

And, much better at expressing her feelings than her blonde best friend and counterpart, Bexley willingly caves.

The seventeen-year-old turns back around quickly, lip-biting, "Okay, there's something you need to know. And... it needs... to STAY here."

She emphasizes the importance of secrecy, because what she was about to say—little to no one knew.

No one did know... except her.

And now, the trio investigating Westview plus the daughter of Captain America witness a teen of the mystic arts spill the beans about her friend. Another teen of the mystic arts. One... who'd been different lately.

Bexley begins with a swallow and a shaky breath, "While you were in Wakanda, Dani, Caitlyn was on another planet, called Titan. She was there with Iron Man, and Spider-Man, and... these Guardians—"

"Guardians of the Galaxy." Dani understands, bobbing her mid-length haircut, "Okay. And?"

Bexley, quakingly, continues, "And, that's also where they fought Thanos. And, he was so powerful. He had most of the stones, and with one of them, he hit Caitlyn."

"He put pieces of an infinity stone inside her?" Darcy is the one to break the brief silence on the matter.

The matter of exposing the niece of Stephen Strange. Bexley still doesn't know everything.

"No, not exactly." She tells them, it still unclear to herself—Caitlyn probably. Oh, probably, she's terrified right now.

The girl is able to solidify, what she knows without a doubt, "O-Or, I don't really know, but ever since then, she hasn't been herself."

"I mean," she stammers, trying to convey what type of person Caitlyn was—contrasting her sitcom counterpart, "She's kind of not herself sometimes. I mean, t-that's just how she is—kind of unemotional."

Dani—accidentally?—allows her dislike of the sixteen-year-old to slip out.

"A jerk."

They weren't compatible or friends, let's just say that.

But the one who is her actual best friend stands up for her, Bexley claiming, "No, people think she's mean but she's not, she's just... harsh sometimes. She has trauma."

Dani isn't buying the attempted excuse, frowning, "Who doesn't?"

"Dani." Monica's voice is stern as she calls out, and bringing a look the other girl's way, gently ushers, "Bexley, go on."

Dani munches on the rest of her Dunkin Donuts grumpily.

Bexley tells them, "Well, about the Infinity Stones, it was only one of them. Reality."

"And, if Wanda's rewriting reality," she says, the ones around her listening close—it's important, "Maybe she needs Caitlyn to do it with her. Or, maybe she has ramifications from being hit by one of the stones, and that's why she can't get out."

Sorcerers were usually able to go anywhere upon using a sling wring to create mandalas or conjuring portals, but for some reason—Caitlyn hasn't tried to. She's heard nothing.

Either that, or she has, and it's not working.

Why? Because of Thanos?

The thought of the purple-chinned space titan has Dani continuing to frown, "Yeah, usually that doesn't go down too well."

She delves into her own history with the former Sokovian subject, elbow propping up on the table, "Wanda was exposed, too."

"But to the Mind Stone."

Dani's breath on this is as cool as ice, and how her body used to get before learning control.

"And I have pieces from the Tesseract."

Dani must now control herself from fighting too much, helping, because... because of you know.

She still wonders how another version of her could exist in this so-called 'Hex', "So... that still doesn't answer the question: How is there someone else walking around with my face in Westview?"

She wants to get to the bottom of this. They all do.

But right now, there is only so much Bexley Nightingale can offer.

"I don't know. But, I think it might have something to do with Caitlyn."

The conversation trickles in and out after that, the trio trying to configure what they will use to get back into the Hex—after Monica composed the mathematical equation and planned to contact an aerospace engineer who'd be "up for this", and was unwavering on her loyalty to help Wanda. Even after the woman had hurt her.

The woman had also been hurting Caitlyn, by keeping her in the place where she was born—and unfortunately, does not share good memories. Her parents, as the record and her birth certificate, were deceased—only one person left. One man.

"Well, the last living family member Caitlyn has is her uncle, so, what about him?"

"What's his name again?"

Darcy snaps her fingers following a second, "Doctor Strange!"

Upon the idea, Dani turns her head, seemingly confirming—seeing as she calls him by his first name, "Yeah, why can't we contact Stephen?"

Bexley's explanation is solemn, "Because he doesn't remember her."

"And," her voice has a tremor again when saying, "Until she got a hold of me, neither did I."

It was the haunting truth... Why Doctor Strange himself wasn't storming the bases of S.W.O.R.D. and Westview to retrieve his niece? Because as far as he knew... she didn't exist. Imagine that.

Monica voices her awareness, "The temporary amnesia of Westview."

Bexley is terrified, "It was so scary."

The girl gulps and transforms into a semi-circular ball as her body slumps, Bexley remembering that sinking feeling that was her own—when not with Caitlyn, "Not able to remember someone that you..."

She shudders, and the room grows silent.

"That... you care about. So much."

The end of her tone is watery.

Monica's words are warm and comforting.

"Well, we'll regroup. And we'll get Caitlyn out of there soon."

Their meeting is unofficially adjourned.

And officially, Dani Rogers is on her way out.

Her flight back to Chicago she would make if she left right at this moment, and following one last sip of some good old New England Dunkin' hot chocolate, the eighteen-year-old senses an opportunity to sneak back to where she lives now and plans to do so—if not for an antsy seventeen year old stopping her.

"Where are you going?"

Dani replies like it is obvious, "I've got practice with the Wildcats."

She had other priorities.

Bexley's look back to her is one of incredulity, not exactly understanding what the term 'Wildcats' implied.

Dani explains that it was the name of the Northwestern Cheerleading Team.

She had practice the next morning, "Cheerleading."

"Well," she adds, rolling her gaze, "And there's a Halloween party, but that's after."

She doesn't lie.

Bexley doesn't hide her concern regarding the Hex.

"But what if something happens?"

Dani is not in the headspace to prioritize, she thinks about herself, "Then S.W.O.R.D. will deal with it."

She had her own things going on.

"Dani..." There is one more tug on her arm.

And the eighteen year flips around, stopping her.

Moving her hand down to grasp her wrist, the—now—older girl gives it a tight squeeze.

"Bex," she reminds Bexley, "living my life."

"You'll be fine." She assures her.

The seventeen-year-old doesn't seem so sure of her own well-being.

"And you?"

On that note, Dani's face freezes—falling, and then so does her hold, "I'm fine."

She wasn't.

With little to no patience, Dani heads out of S.W.O.R.D. Headquarters, truly needing to clear her head.

Meanwhile, Bexley isn't able to ask the last question swimming in a pool of anxiety inside her head.

... What about Wanda?

✦✦✦

WANDA TELLS HER SONS, SHE HAS A BROTHER.

While they question her about life moving just a little too fast—it now being Monday—Wanda tells her boys that she and their Dad, sometimes, aren't on the same page. That is why he is in the office today. Wanda compares it to Billy's relationship with Tommy. Twins.

Again she is reminded of her own life, in the past, with Pietro—her twin brother.

She tells the boys that he lives far away, but that isn't totally the truth.

In fact, there is a lot she still doesn't know—like how all this started, but when Sparky the dog goes from performing tricks to trembling in fear, Wanda knows something is wrong.

That some-one is interrupting the broadcast.

Sparky barks and runs away. Billy expresses distress and wants to follow him.

Wanda, upon hearing the sound of a drone flying in the air, instructs both of her sons to stay inside.

✦✦✦

Back in normal reality, a nervous Bexley chews on her fingernail while standing close to Jimmy and Darcy, watching from a small screen a distressed Billy and Tommy Maximoff trek outside their home, looking for Sparky. Wanda is outside as well.

Jimmy and Dr. Lewis comment on Wanda being the one in control of WandaVision.

"We can't see the drone on the broadcast. Wanda's framing it out of the shot."

"Just like all the jump cuts." Darcy adds, "Wanda decides what makes it onto her show and what doesn't."

The 80s-style drone sharpens its visuals, and when on-screen appears Wanda, Director Hayward encourages the woman controlling it, "And here we go. You're up."

Monica, through a headpiece, speaks up, "Wanda, this is Captain Monica Rambeau. Can you hear me?"

"I just want to talk." The woman says, "That's it."

Bexley's heart threatens to leap out of her chest.

But then, Wanda's eyes glow a heart-stopping red.

Her powers... she was gonna use them, and upon instinct, too. Why?

Monica finds out she has lost control.

Director Hayward continues to act suspiciously, "No joy."

"Uh... Wait," Monica is confused, "My controls aren't working."

"Reconnect patch." She instructs.

And her Director—and friend—steps over her.

Hayward denies, "Disregard. Take the shot."

"What?" Monica remains puzzled, "No. The drone isn't armed."

Hayward repeats, "Take the shot."

A cold breath shakes Bexley's throat.

Captain Rambeau rips off the headset and stands up, "What did you do?"

They were about to find out.

Alarm blares fill the air.

An Agent reports, "There's a breach, sir."

People move and clamor to get outside, the fizzy texture of the Hex beginning to ripple, and simultaneously the signal has been lost. WandaVision gets knocked offline.

Still not in her element, and sorely missing having Dani by her side, Bexley shrugs on her coat and follows Darcy and Jimmy as a crowd of people hoards the outside of the S.W.O.R.D. tents... all in preparation for what was next.

They could not prepare... for what was coming.

Vehicles swerve to get to the scene, men and women run, and weapons with green laser point directly at the spot of the Hex where a rippling effect occurs—and where a shadow implementing a woman's figure appears.

And, soon enough, out comes Wanda.

"Is this yours?"

Dressed in her Avenger-like apparel, Wanda Maximoff in the real world does not carry her happy-go-lucky sitcom persona. No. In the real world, she's pissed.

She's angry.

And the drone she drags behind her, coated with red energy is proof as she promptly tosses it at the S.W.O.R.D. Director's feet.

It fizzes.

Hayward explains himself, "The missile was just a precaution."

"You can hardly blame us, Wanda." He incites.

Wanda with green lasers pointed at her chest, insists, "Oh, I think I can."

The woman, from up close, has water brimming the corners of her eyes, and as her lip trembles in anger—lacking her accent, the observative Bexley Nightingale can tell there is pain behind her gaze. Her brows lift.

All as Wanda threatens, "This will be your only warning."

"Stay out of my home."

"You don't bother me. I won't bother you."

Hayward has reason in his statement, "I wish it could be that simple. You've taken an entire town hostage."

One Wanda seems to redirect onto him, "Well, I'm not the one with the guns, Director."

"But you are the one in control."

Monica steps forward.

In the night sky, Wanda's right hand begins to glow red.

"You're still here."

Before more can be said, the teenager interrupts.

Bexley interjects the conversation to take place between Wanda and Monica, and her questioning is straightforward and demanding—determined, "Wait! About who you're holding captive, why Caitlyn?"

"Why?" she steps forward, in a line between two green-lasered guns, a few feet from Monica, and turning to face the other girl—Wanda's expression remains firm.

However, upon the mention of Caitlyn Strange, she denies any kidnapping, "I'm not holding her captive. She came to me."

Bexley's fists clench and her teeth grit against one another, there is rising anger in her voice, "If you can't tell me the truth, then don't tell me she's okay because I know she's not."

"She wants out," Wanda replies after a moment, and that part, because she can read minds, she knows.

She knows Caitlyn is suffering.

But, at the same time, considers her predicament right now, and what is best for her.

She is helping her.

Bexley disagrees.

The Avenger adds, regarding Caitlyn's internal plea, "But not of Westview."

Her voice lacks an accent but has mistaken-for-malice in it, "Her family's there."

One Bexley takes personally, "What?"

The seal cannot be contained. Any and all restraint fades away, and the seventeen year old's rage is bubbling up and out of her chest.

"No..." she whispers, before growing louder—and Bexley takes on Caitlyn's pain as her own.

She fights for her, "It's not. We're right out here! I'm... How dare you!"

She... needs her back.

"You... You're a witch!"

"Bexley."

A much calmer and rational Monica stops her, and continuing to be levelheaded, she cautiously steps forward, speaking directly to the red-haired woman.

"Wanda, I didn't know the drones were armed. But you know that, don't you? A town full of civilians. And you, a telepath, brought a S.W.O.R.D. Agent into your home."

She points out, "You trusted me to help deliver your babies. On some level, Wanda, you know I am an ally."

"I wanna help you," Monica says.

Wanda, while still waving her right hand, asks her—pent-up, "How? What could you possibly have to offer me?"

A composed Monica drops her hands, "What do you want?"

Wanda is only collected when it matters when delivering her truth. Because she had power.

"I have what I want... and no one will ever take it from me... again."

Bexley wishes Dani was here and witnessed all this.

Witnessed... a 'hero', who was hurting people. Who was threatening people.

And before her exit, Wanda lifts that red hand, and after flicking it—begins to head back inside Westview.

But not before, in her signature fashion, playing mind games with those all around her. Who opposed her.

Wanda tricks the soldiers into pointing their guns at their Director, and after that, heads out.

It is terrifying. The woman is unstoppable, holding so much power no one knew she had—but at the same time, they did. It was her destiny after all... to rule over everyone and everything.

She was THAT strong, and if she and the Blue Phoenix ever went head to head, Lord knows they'd do a great amount of damage to one another.

Alas, Dani Rogers isn't here.

So Wanda returns back to the only family she knows. The one she created.

Hayward shouts and raises his hands, "Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Stand down!"

"Wanda!" Monica calls out, before gasping at the shape the Hex makes when Wanda inflicts energy onto it—her powers just as strong.

And the whole time Bexley stands with both legs apart, hands dangling at her side.

She had one shot, and she blew it. They blew it.

Oh, her heart constricts, Caitlyn...

WandaVision episode four resumes as normal, and both girls remain separated from one another on opposite sides of the wall.

✦✦✦

'LAGOS', 'WHEN YOU MAKE A MISTAKE, YOU DIDN'T MEAN TO', is WandaVision's next commercial break—all of them highlighting moments and/or references to Wanda Maximoff's troubling past. It was her show, after all.

And still, no one knew why Caitlyn Strange had a guest spot.

Neither did Caitlyn, but after her rather awkward return—the sixteen-year-old is limited in the number of hits she can take. Caitlyn isn't sure how much she has left in her.

She wanted to go home. Not to this home, with her pseudo, made-up, and even dead parents, but real home. New York. The Sanctum... Kamar-Taj—

Caitlyn's disagreement with her "parents" had shaken her more than she was letting on, for usually, she wasn't one to cry. It was that one time, with her uncle, after a lot of coaxing and holding back, that she finally decided she couldn't anymore. She cried in that small bedroom of a chamber, and her uncle—her only blood relative left—held her. He comforted her and told her it was okay. And, that he was sorry. For everything.

He was there for her. Not them. Him. Stephen.

But in this world, he didn't exist. Or, not yet... If Wanda wrote that shit into the script that'd be really messed up. And Caitlyn would need extensive therapy after that. Well, she already did need therapy, and so did Wanda, unarguably... so, there's a pin in that.

Anyway, she finds a way to trickle back onto the scene.

Before that, Billy and Tommy are still looking for Sparky.

Wanda is back in her sitcom outfit, hair big, and both the smile and nod from the mailman remain oddly chipper for the situation—he stares at Wanda just as all the others do, as Agnes did. As if she is their personal victimizer.

Unfortunately, Sparky soon becomes another victim—but not to Wanda. Hearing a rustle coming from the bushes, Billy and Tommy are hopeful, until Agnes stands holding a clumped blanket in her arms—Sparky in it. The boys are gutted to find that their dog they just got today, was dead—and as soon as they turn to look at one another, they know what to do.

Wanda stops them.

She talks to them, and while doing so—mirrors some of the life lessons she personally is toggling with.

"We can rush aging just because it's convenient," she tells the two, and then with further meaning—swallows.

"And we can't reverse death. No matter how sad it makes us. Some things are forever."

Tommy tries to convince her, Billy first reminding her of what she said earlier, in their house.

"You said family is forever."

"He is family. Bring him back, Mom."

Referring to the deceased dog in her arms, Agnes previously asked Wanda if it was true—if she really could bring back the dead.

Wanda, originally, had said 'no'.

Soon Vision, walking home from work, arrives on the scene—and first, he is befuddled, "Bring who back?"

His wife is quiet when stepping back, standing from where she speaks to their children, and when the camera shifts to Agnes—the woman sighs and has tears in her eyes.

The husband soon realizes what had happened, and embraces his children—he is a father, "Oh, boys. Come here."

Wanda watches as he pulls each of their sons close. She exhales a sigh while pursing her lips.

And with somber music still playing, the unusual family heads home.

✦✦✦

This was a nightmare. An absolute, total nightmare.

Caitlyn still wasn't sure how much time she had left, time where she could just play along, where she could suck it up—play her part.

The niece of Doctor Strange never thought she'd have to be faced with the losses that made her the way she is. That hurt her, and upon being here—it just hurts Caitlyn more.

Billy and Tommy are hurting too, Wanda coming down from tucking them both into bed for the night, and when her last foot hits the step of the upstairs—the doorbell rings.

Puzzled and not recalling inviting anyone over, the overall-wearing woman approaches the door, and when opening it—lifts her red-tinted eyebrows.

Wanda is surprised, "Caitlyn!"

"H-Hi." The sixteen-year-old stammers back.

The weather isn't that bitter but somehow Caitlyn is still trembling. Trembling... with fear.

She is uneasy, features crinkled and tilted inwards as are her boney arms—still covered by the pink sweater she wears. She never changed.

Something in Wanda does.

The magical gal watches as the blondie struggles to speak, shaking in her tennis shoes—and she can sense her anxiety, "I-I'm sorry to do this, but uh, I just got into a really bad fight with... my parents."

"And, I don't really know where else to go."

Caitlyn squirms at how weak she sounds, how vulnerable, but quite frankly, she isn't able to help it. She's scared. She is scared of what is real.

She tells Wanda what she knows is true, but questions every single day, "Even though I grew up here. It's... Different, now, and was just wondering—"

"Hold on," Wanda interjects, and with that, turns a new leaf, "let's get you inside, first."

The woman is kind.

Hands reaching out and motioning, Wanda Maximoff steps back to allow Caitlyn Strange into her home, and not with a purpose this time—instead, for comfort.

Still nervous, but freezing, Caitlyn enters and only flinches a little when hands hover around either side of her shoulders.

Wanda's hands move up and down in an effort to help warm her, only doing so when sensing Caitlyn is okay with it—she asks her, "Are you all right?"

Caitlyn is honest, "Um, not really, no."

Wanda replies with a light chuckle and a tight squeeze

"Well, we can't have that."

Momentarily removing her touch from the sixteen-year-old to shut the door, the woman replaces her shoulder-rubbing with a warm palm on her back—guiding Caitlyn forward and grabbing a blanket from the top of the closet right by. The coat she used when trying to conceal her pregnancy from Geraldine is still there, as fur.

Wanda only focuses on Caitlyn, "You can use the guestroom."

"Okay." The teenager nods and immediately loosens up when having the navy, wool blanket draped over her pale figure, courtesy of Wanda.

Whether inherently in the script or not, Wanda continues to act nurturing—the theme itself, of 'family' is pretty accurate to the show and time frame, but it wasn't about that.

Right now, it was about making sure this sixteen-year-old felt safe and taken care of. She needed a home.

She needed a mother... and while not understanding where or what happened with her real one, Wanda remains a secure base in opening her arms for a lost teenager to find solace and love. She cares for Caitlyn... Just like she cares for Dani.

Almost like an older sister.

"Wanda." The blonde teenager asks her, the two only a few feet away from where she came in.

Caitlyn's features are still goggle-eyed, mouth dropped.

The woman with all the power, hums softly in return, "Hm?"

Caitlyn locks eyes with her, "Thank you. For being so kind."

The look on Wanda's face is paused for a second, in between an expression of temporary shock before morphing into warmth and pleasantness.

She reaches out to rub Caitlyn's shoulder again, "Of course. Call it a 'motherly instinct'."

They are in the kitchen, Caitlyn sitting on a stool by the island, and to the right of her, Wanda tidies the space.

"Fights with your parents," she sighs, "I am not looking forward to when Tommy and Billy reach that age."

"And if I don't have my way, then it'll be sooner than I hope."

She turns around when saying her last line, and with a playful smile, her nose scrunches in delight when a small grin from Caitlyn follows. Wanda finishes making her some tea and promptly passes her a cup.

"Here, drink up. I don't want you catching a cold from being outside for too long."

Caitlyn mumbles a 'thank you' and begins drinking, the room filling with silence.

Cold fingers meshing with the hot temperature from the drink, and another memory of her past life sparks inside Caitlyn, "You know, one winter, I got the flu."

Wanda slows her tidying, picking up a large basket in order to start putting dog toys in it, and while doing so—diligently listens to Caitlyn.

The blonde cracks another smile when she is free to say whatever she wants, not under Wanda's control—and right now, not afraid of her.

There was no reason to be.

She continues her story, "And, I was one of those people who always got sick. Well, still do."

"I'm sure that must have worried your parents," Wanda comments with her back in view, though the teen's next phrase catches her off guard.

Caitlyn explains, "No, actually. My uncle took care of me. He was a doctor."

Intrigued, Wanda turns around and witnesses the teenager speak with a tone low, and fond—uncharacteristic of her real personality.

But yet, Caitlyn was carefree.

She goes on living through the past, most specifically, what happened after April 13th, 2010. Before a civil war.

"Before... I lived with him for a while."

"And, well, our relationship wasn't great." She admits, recalling the massive ego of the man of whom she was left in the care of, and how much of a jerk he was.

She then remembers the incident on the road, the second one to have happened to her family members.

Caitlyn remembers her erratic phobia of cars, shivers though holds the blanket closer to her, and stirs the string of the tea bag in her drink to distract herself, "But after time, after his accident, we got closer."

Wanda watches as Caitlyn intakes a big breath, something she usually did when suppressing her emotions, having that ability—and she's gotten pretty good at that by now. It was bad. It was a flaw.

She's working on it.

They are.

"Whenever I struggled, he's been there for me. And each time he always told me, 'I got you'."

"And, I believed him." She insists, not aware of Wanda's eyes on her, green swirling in awe of a person she still didn't really know—but who she cast as her best friend, "Because he was my uncle, but honestly, he's more of a father to me now."

The next sentence is a hard one for Caitlyn to get through, but it's honest.

She is always honest.

"He was my mom and my dad when my Mom and my Dad couldn't be."

Wanda is curious.

"What happened?" She asks, slowly.

Caitlyn isn't fast enough to respond before the back door opens.

In walks Vision, and first, he lays eyes on the sixteen-year-old whose blue eyes—now in color—look paler and duller than he's ever seen.

"Caitlyn?" His voice is laced with concern.

"Hi." The teenager replies.

Wanda turns her head and her face twists upon knowing his whereabouts.

Caitlyn apologizes for hers, "Sorry, Mr. Vision, I'll be going now."

"No, no, it's all right."

The man, as a man currently, politely stops her from trying to leave—and his wife soon lays another comforting arm across the teenager's shoulder.

"Vision," Wanda tells him, tone light and airy—but meaningful, "Caitlyn's had a bit of a rough night, so, she's going to stay with us. Is that all right?"

Her husband is consistently kind and polite, previous worries about her falling into place, and Vision steps forward, from across the table.

"Certainly." He nods, looking right into Caitlyn's tired eyes—that bring him ache, "Do you need anything, Love? Another blanket? More tea?"

Rolling her shoulders back and still adjusting to the kindness the unusual couple brings her, Caitlyn shakes her head, "No, Vision... I'm fine. Thank you, though."

"All right, then." He says, and the sixteen year old's next comment—well-intentioned—ignites the flame of bringing more tension into the room.

"I heard about Sparky. I'm sorry that's... hard."

Vision comes in from laying the poor dog to rest, and leaning over the sink to wash his hands, asks his wife how their sons are taking it.

"How are the boys?"

"A little heartbroken," Wanda replies, "but they'll be all right."

Vision's words—uncharacteristically—lace with malice, and harshness, "Well, it's not often you get a dog and bury them the same day."

Wanda ignores that, "Well, life moves pretty fast out in the suburbs."

She is picking up the basket of dog toys and moving it, when Vision recalls his earlier disturbance, back in his office. Everyone was speaking, like a cult, about this thing... something issued by S.W.O.R.D. Headquarters, and Dr. Darcy Lewis' findings regarding it.

Vision continues to be fed up with the whole 'sitcom world' idea, and upon having a creepy experience with one of his coworkers, feels the need to bring it to his wife's attention, "I spoke with Norm."

"Oh?" Wanda questions.

The one who is behind all this. The victimizer. The one who took Caitlyn.

The teenager is in shock.

Vision doesn't hold back, defending the citizens of Westview—no, what he thinks he knows, "I unearthed the man's suppressed personality and I spoke to him free of your oversight."

"He was in pain, Wanda."

The music dies out.

"Vision..." his wife chuckles quickly, before resorting to old tactics, "Listen, can we just..."

Which no longer work as Vision has realized.

"What?" He asks her, "Watch TV?"

Wanda and Caitlyn both wear stunned looks to see the synthezoid hubby act in this way, Wanda's chin is tipped further, "Turn in for the night so that you can change everything over again?"

"No, Wanda." Vision tells her sternly, leaning against the kitchen island, where Caitlyn still sips on her tea, "You can't control me the way you do them."

The green-eyed woman tilts her head, "Can't I?"

And with that, instructs the credits to roll.

Caitlyn Elizabeth Strange glances up to find words painting the screen, in orange, the applause that follows making her flinch—and undoubtedly reminding her of the nightmare she is still stuck in.

She needs help. She needs to get out of here.

Wanda does what she wants, "I'm going to bed."

"No! We're not done here." Vision doesn't let her.

"What is the 'Maximoff Anomaly'?" he demands.

The end credits still play from this episode's theme song, and from the swinging door, Wanda replies—genuinely confused, "The what?"

That same, searing hope fills Caitlyn's chest again when Vision seems more aware of the acute situation they are all in—the Westview residents, especially.

Caitlyn... Especially, and Vision circles around her while raising his hands and looking upward, "I have to believe that this, whatever this is, was subconscious at first... and that you only recently became aware of it."

Wanda pushes her way out, feeling insulted, "Aware of what?"

That is when Vision snaps.

"NORM HAS A FAMILY, WANDA!"

Electricity crackles and the credits and background music fizzle out of existence. No, everything is real now.

And, feeling a massive headache suddenly plague the center of her forehead, Caitlyn doesn't follow the two right away into the living room—not when they seem like they are about to fight.

Vision speaks in again, defense of Norm, of what he heard, "He has a family, and he can't reach them because you won't let him reach them!

Wanda turns around and yells out, "I don't know what you're talking about!"

Her tone is then equally matched by Vision's, who shouts.

"Stop lying to me!" He rises off his feet and into the air.

Wanda, after red aura trickles from her palms, soon joins him—and her teeth are gritted, brimmed with anger, "This, all of this, is for us. So let me handle it."

"What is outside of Westview?" Vision tosses another question at her.

One to which Wanda's gaze falters.

"You don't wanna know," she shakes her head. "I promise you."

The power imbalance in their relationship causes Vision to hiss out with rage, pointing a maroon-red finger, "You don't get to make that choice for me, Wanda!"

His unrecognizable tone and actions are not replicated by his wife, who instead lowers when insisting, when realizing, "You've never talked to me like this before."

Vision, unintentionally, catches onto her last phrase, and it brings him much anxiety, "Before what?"

"Before what?" his voice rises again, and this time, with fear, "I can't remember my life before Westview. I don't know who I am! I'm scared!"

Wanda Maximoff has tears in her eyes.

"You are my husband." She tells him, his figure lowering more and more and soon enough connecting hands with hers, "You're Tommy and Billy's father. Isn't that enough?"

Vision settles down after some breaths, and following another one, his gaze turns to look out at the window, "Wanda, why are there no other children in Westview?"

The woman is beyond emotional and irritated, walking away toward the couch—and at the same time, the sixteen-year-old rises, "Oh, God! There are! Just stop it!"

"No. No." Vision argues back, "The playground stands empty every morning I walk to work. Why? Tell me why?"

Wanda, from on the couch, lets out her own frustrations, pushing for her and others to believe them, "Do you really think that I am controlling everything? That I am somehow in charge of everybody in Westview? Walking their dogs, mowing their lawns, getting them to dentist appointments on time? I mean, I..."

She dryly laughs again and clutches her head, and with one honest statement for the night—admits, "I don't know how any of this started in the first place."

"And Caitlyn?" her husband's voice brings her out of her own self-discrepancies.

Now, Wanda only fills with guilt.

Her short figure is seen from the swinging door of the kitchen, right as Vision questions, "Why?"

"Why is Caitlyn here?"

"This... Westview... was my home."

The unusual couple both turn their heads to look at her.

Still wearing her blanket, the sixteen-year-old remains hunched as the effects of a pounding-headache reek havoc on her body and soul—but Caitlyn finds it in her to stand.

When, after hearing most of their argument, decides it is appropriate to keep revealing her truth, "But, it's not anymore."

"And it hasn't been for a long time."

One by one, the pieces were starting to add up.

About Wanda... about Caitlyn... about Vision.

But, it wasn't time yet.

It wasn't time to go back to the past.

Wanda was looking forward to the future.

Caitlyn, on the other hand, is not. She dreads it.

"And... I don't know why I'm here."

"Wanda," Vision says, now kneeling by her side, "What you're doing here, it's wrong.

"I..." She whimpers, hands by her face.

Her husband repeats, "It is wrong."

Caitlyn has faith built up inside her chest again.

However, the doorbell rings.

With her features in pieces, Wanda says to both Vision and Caitlyn, "I didn't do that."

"I..." she cognizes, based on their looks, Vision's annoyance, Caitlyn's disgust, "You don't believe me."

Vision speaks his truth, "Wanda, I want to, but at this point, I'm ignoring statistics entirely."

Caitlyn says nothing.

The doorbell rings again and so Wanda stands up, sniffling and doing her best to get rid of her puffy face and tears before breathing deeply—and opening the front door again tonight.

She opens the door, and her face... goes white.

Back in the real world, Darcy runs back to her computer—alarms still blaring, and upon seeing Wanda's shocked face, puts her headset back on to listen in.

"Wanda," Vision questions, from behind the couch, "Who is this?"

The figure Wanda opened the door to is a young man, one who sports silvery, gray-looking hair. Outward features that look familiar. That are familiar.

"What the hell?" Caitlyn whispers.

Wanda gasps softly.

And featured on-screen during a very special episode is none other than Pietro Maximoff...

The audience cheers!

He steps forward, and—wearing a completely different face—smiles, "Long lost bro get to squeeze his stinkin' sister to death or what?"

The audience laughs.

Darcy Lewis asks the obvious, "She recast Pietro?"

Wanda, back in Westview, brokenly whispers, "Pietro?"

He nods.

All remaining breath leaves his sister's throat and the two then embrace.

They let go of one another, and the silvery-headed boy, wearing an interesting-looking shirt and black leather jacket addresses Vision.

"Who's the popsicle?"

Yep, Caitlyn nods... still a nightmare.

--- Welcome to Westview, Fietro... 

xoxo, dreamkept