So, I'm really sorry if you guys have received a notification saying that I've updated a Twist in Time a few days ago.

I've accidentally clicked the publish button while halfway writing this chapter. I'm really sorry! xD

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"Natasha?"

The spy was startled when the sight of two fingers snapping in front of her face took her out of her reverie. She whipped her head around to see Bruce looking at her worriedly.

"You okay?" he asked.

It took her a few seconds to respond with a nod, "Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure? I've been calling your name for a while now. You seem pretty upset about something."

She shook her head, answering curtly, "I'm fine, Bruce. It's nothing, really."

Bruce had let out a sigh of annoyance while running a hand through his hair. "Natasha, Natasha, look at me."

"What?" she finally met his eyes. The moment she saw them, she was shocked why she saw a glint of irritation and doubt in his usually warm brown eyes. "What happened?"

"I think I should be the one asking you that question, don't you think?" he shot back.

She raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

"You've been pretty distant since yesterday and I can't help but wonder why. Did I do something wrong? Did I forget something?" asked Bruce with a look of confusion.

"No," Natasha quickly answered, "Why would you even think that?"

"Well, how would I know I haven't done anything if you won't talk to me?" Bruce reasoned, crossing his arms.

"I am talking. What do you call the thing we're doing this very moment?" she retorted.

"You know that's not what I mean. We've been dating for almost four months now and you still can't find the decency to just talk to me about the things bothering you?" he asked, a hurt expression stayed on his face despite his obvious tone of anger.

Natasha furrowed her eyebrows, taken aback by his sudden outburst, "Woah, big guy. Do you know that you're the only person who knows the secrets I had initially promised to just keep to myself?  But now it's as if you're saying I'm hiding a lot of things from you."

"If you're not hiding things from me then maybe we wouldn't be even having this conversation in the first place!" he exclaimed.

She couldn't help but let out a scoff, her voice raising in disbelief, "Are you demanding that I tell you every single thing happening to my life? Is that how low you think of me? To not trust me enough?"

"It's not that I don't trust you—"

"Oh, but it sounds like that." she bit out.

Bruce stopped for a moment, shifting his feet before suddenly laughing dryly. "You know what? This is the problem with you. Every time I try to make you see my side, you get defensive and mad, while here I am trying to avoid a fight which you come and make instead."

"That's because I know if what I did was wrong or right. And now I'm sure, I did absolutely nothing wrong."

"Maybe," Bruce shrugged and said in the most sarcastic tone he could muster, "but how would I know? You're probably more comfortable talking to Steve anyway, don't you? It seems like he's the one by your side these past days."

Natasha couldn't believe what she was hearing. She was seething with anger and disbelief, her fists already clenching together.

"Are you seriously dragging him into the conversation?" 

"I'm not just dragging him, I'm even thinking about calling him on. Maybe if he's here, you'll have the guts to spill really what's bothering you. He's the one you seemed to trust the most anyway, Nat." he claimed.

Natasha rubbed her face in irritation, "Can you please stop thinking that way? You know that Steve's just a good friend."

"Good enough for you to kiss him on the cheek the other night?" he said bitterly.

"For goodness sake, it was just one little platonic kiss! It didn't mean anything! It's just a part of the game? Why would I do it in front of you if that kiss meant something, huh?" she taunted.

Bruce sighed deeply, shutting his eyes in irritation, "I don't know. I don't have a damn clue."

"I don't believe this. You're acting like a child. There's no reason to be jealous at all especially if that guy is Steve. You know he means no harm, and you should also know me enough to trust that stopped doing that kind of thing a long time ago." 

Natasha turned on her heel to leave but not before stopping short to say one last thing over her shoulder. "Besides," she thinks about the possible sight of her and Steve together and just couldn't visualize it happening near reality, "whatever you're thinking, you know it's impossible to happen."

Unfortunately, she couldn't help but add right after, impossible indeed.

      —————————————————————————————  

"James!"

Allie had been looking everywhere for her brother. Apparently, their Uncle Tony had called for them and said that he needed to discuss something urgent.

The problem was, her brother didn't exactly got the memo and got off to who knows where in this large compound.

"I'm going to murder you once I find you." she muttered under her breath, running past through the hallways and the flight of stairs.

"James Rogers! Where in the heck are you— oof!" By the time she rounded a corner, she collided with a strong surface. 

The person she bumped into suddenly dropped all of what they were holding. The binders and files were suddenly strewn across the floor.

"Oh, God! I'm so sorry!" she quickly got down and helped in recollecting the scattered things.

"It's alright," a manly chuckle reached her ears. 

The second Allie looked up to meet the person's face she was almost frozen in her spot. Her hands momentarily paused at what it was doing.

"I bump into a lot of people a lot of times too." 

It was a guy. A very handsome young guy, as Allie had observed. He looked very formal and serious, wearing an actual suit and tie to complete the look. She guessed that he was probably just a little older than James. He looked pretty young for a SHIELD agent.

She quickly stood up the same time he did.

"Thank you," he said, slightly offering his arms.

Allie looked at it confusedly, "What?"

His eyes trailed down to the envelopes and folders currently in her hold.

"Oh," she felt her face heat up in embarrassment. "S-Sorry."

He gave her a warm smile, "I've never seen you around before, are you new here?"

Allie was surprised. She was already expecting the rumors about her and James to reach every person in this building, and the fact that she looked like her mom should've already given a dead away clue. Probably, this guy was too busy to even care about the rumors.

"Uhm... I—I mean—we, me and my brother, have just started working here a few days ago so... yeah, I guess you could say that we're new here." she stumbled over her words, trying to fight the blush spreading throughout her cheeks.

"Ah, I see." he said.

Allie couldn't help but notice how his eyes glinted in the light. It was almost as blue as her eyes, just a shade darker and greener.

"Well, I should be going." his voice interrupted her thoughts once again. 

She saw an amused smile spreading on the corner of his lips, and Allie wanted to slap herself in embarrassment.

He caught her staring at him.

"It's nice to meet you..." he trailed off.

"Allie." she supplied.

"My name's Lucas. I would've offered you a hand but... "

Allie gave him a smile, "It's fine, Lucas." She couldn't help but feel a little giddy inside the moment she tried out his name.

"See you around, Allie."

He gave her one final wink before disappearing from the hallway. Allie stood there for a while, unmoving and frozen before a cheeky grin spread across her face and the gush of warmth rose to her cheeks.

She glanced at the spot where Lucas was not a moment ago, and she couldn't help but think how right it felt the second he said her name. 

But then all this reminiscing was immediately put to a stop as she remembered the real reason why she was here.

Oh boy... she was in deep trouble.

  —————————————————————————————  

"A meeting?"

Tony gave him a questioning look.

"Yes, a meeting."

"What for?"

Clint shrugged, "Don't know. Cap just said it was something urgent, said that he needed everyone in exactly five minutes."

"And he said that when?"

"Ten minutes ago."

"I guess I'm fashionably late as usual."

"Yes, and you managed to drag me along with you, you jerk," Clint said, grabbing Tony's arm to make him stand straight.

"That's because meetings bore the hell out of me." Tony whined like a child while the archer rolled his eyes.

"You'll live." he patted his arm reassuringly before both headed for the assigned meeting.

Once they got inside, they were immediately greeted by the sight of the Avengers seated around the table. Steve, as usual, was sitting at the far end and was just preparing to start the meeting. He was giving them a look of disapproval.

"You're five minutes late." Steve chided.

Tony went around to take his seat, "Nah, you're all just five minutes early."

The Captain rolled his eyes, ignoring Tony's usual witty remarks and decided to do another head count again before officially starting on. 

Tony's eyes landed on the vacant seat across from him. "Hey," he raised an eyebrow, "Where's Natasha?"

Steve's eyes darted to the vacant spot and back to Tony, "I thought that maybe she was with you two."

"Me?" he pointed at himself like it was a ridiculous thing, "Why would little red hang out with me?"

"I haven't spoken with Nat this morning, yet," Clint remarked.

"Brucie should be the one answering your question, Cap."

Steve looked at Bruce, who was avoiding eye contact with everyone in the room. He arched an eyebrow, waiting for his answer, "Bruce?"

Bruce coughed uncomfortably, "I don't know where she is, sorry."

Tony's forehead creased, "You don't know? But how can you not know? You should know since you are her... oh." He let the idea sink into him first, "You guys had a fight?"

At this, Steve's ears perked up with immediate concern.

The scientist nodded weakly before turning to Steve, "Can we just get this meeting started?" he asked, not wanting to talk about the subject anymore.

"But aren't we going to wait for Nat?" Clint asked.

"Tardiness isn't an excuse nor should it be tolerated." Vision scolded.

All heads turned to the Captain, as the final decision lies with him. Steve cleared his throat awkwardly, standing up, "Yes, of course. Vision is right. Natasha will just have to catch up by herself later on. So, FRIDAY, you mind showing us the mission?"

"Mission?" All asked simultaneously.

Then a couple of video footages and pictures filled the table. It showed various attacks and shootouts throughout a particular area, and it was not a very pleasant sight to watch. Everyone winced at the sight.

Wanda was the first to speak in the midst of watching it, "Where is this?"

"Someplace called Marawi. It's in the Philippines." Steve answered.

"Philippines? But that's on the other side of the planet?" Clint gaped. "We're rarely called to help out the Eastern countries. This must be pretty huge."

"It is," Steve said, proceeding to explain the mission, "It started just a week ago. According to the Philippine government, the clashes began during an offensive in Marawi to capture Isnilon Hapilon—"

"Hapi—who?" Tony interjected.

"Hapilon." Steve repeated, before sliding his fingers across the table so that the image of the said person would pop up. "Hapilon, is the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or for short, ISIL-affiliated group."

A bald man sporting a thick beard showcased as a hologram.

"Yikes," Tony shudderd. "That guy has no regards for hygienic maintenance."

"Stark," the captain warned.

"Right, right. I'm shutting up now."

Steve continued on, "After receiving reports that Hapilon was in the city, possibly to meet with militants of the Maute group. A deadly firefight erupted when Hapilon's forces opened fire on the combined Army and police teams and called for reinforcements from the Maute group—an armed group that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and which they also believed to be responsible for the 2016 Davao City bombing. Well, this is according to military spokesmen."

Wanda nodded in understanding. "I see, and where do we come in this?"

"Since the siege started in Marawi, many innocents are also dragged down with this." Steve paused, muttering under his breath, "As always."

"And our mission is to rescue those innocents who have been taken as hostages?" Rhodey asked.

"Precisely," he answered, "I've read the reports. Many children and women were being physically and sexually abused while the war was ongoing. Even the infants were not spared."

"What kind of hell is that place?" Sam asked incredulously, "I mean, we've fought aliens and a crazy Artificial Intelligence before, but this is just extremely absurd."

"Aw, come on, the Philippines isn't so bad. I dropped by for a short vacation there when I was a kid. You gotta love nature." Tony defended.

"Yeah, except this is entirely different from your vacation mode, Tony." Sam chided.

Tony shrugged, deciding to get to the subject matter at hand, "Anyway, so what's the plan, Capsicle?"

Steve ignored the usage of such name and started to give out the instructions. "As shocking as this may sound, we're not all going to go there."

"What?" they exclaimed.

"I'm gonna have to ask the half of you guys to stay here and guide us throughout the place, as well as keeping us updated about anything. Since this is the first time we're picking a fight in a country we've never been to before—"

"Except me." Tony raised his hand.

Steve squeezed his eyes shut, annoyed at Tony's interruption once again. "Except you," he said through gritted teeth.

Tony grinned cheekily.

"We're going to have to need a team to guide us, while the rest of you and some other SHIELD recruits will be coming with me to the war." Steve explained.

"Wait, why are you bringing SHIELD recruits? Isn't that a little... dangerous for them?" Bruce questioned, expressing his utter concern. 

"I figured it was time for some of them to make their shot. I've been observing all of our SHIELD recruits, and I have my eye on those best for a job on the field rather than being behind a desk." Steve said, taking his former seat.

"Okay then, well, you're the Captain." Bruce agreed.

"Thank you," Steve smiled shortly, "Okay, so uhmm... how do we divide the team—"

"I can do it." Tony cut him off once more.

Steve glared at him.

"Sorry, can't help it." he apologized, scratching his chin as if he was thinking deeply, "As much as I love the Philippines, I think I'd be more comfortable staying here while my body still heals from my last mission."

Clint snorted, "Lazy ass."

Tony shot him a look.

"I think I'd rather not let them see the big guy again so I'll stay here." Bruce gulped.

"I'll go." the archer said.

"Count me in too, man," Sam said.

"I think I'll stay here with Tony." Rhodey told them.

Steve nodded in consideration. "Wanda, Vision?"

"I'd rather not risk in losing control over my powers again. Especially in a place like that." Wanda said, apologetically. "I promise I'll go in the next mission, once I'm sure that I have better control over it."

"It's fine, Wanda." Steve said reassuringly.

She smiled in return, grateful, "Thank you, Captain."

"If it would be alright, I would prefer to stay here as well. I feel like my presence in such a foreign place like that would cause only more disturbance." Vision stated.

Steve took in all of their answered and counted who were going, and who was supposed to be staying.

"I guess that just leaves me, Sam, Clint and—"

Just on cue, the door swung open and came in Natasha, who was clearly out of breath.

"—Natasha." Steve finished, smiling shortly at the sight of her.

"Sorry, I'm late!" she said, trying to catch her breath, "What's up?"

"You're coming with us on our little trip to Marawi, that's what's up." Sam asserted.

Natasha furrowed her eyebrows, "Where?" 

Clint shook his head at her disapprovingly, "I'm afraid that Cap's gonna have to explain the whole thing all over again."

The spy turned her attention to Steve who crossed his arms and with slight amusement in his eyes, said— "You're late."

"Obviously," she retorted.

Steve tsked. "Why?"

She hesitated to answer, her eyes filling with uneasiness, "I'll explain later."

The Captain immediately noticed the change in her demeanor and asked with immediate concern, "You okay?"

Natasha, even for just a millisecond, was surprised at the look Steve gave her. She had sensed the worry in his voice as well the way his baby-blue eyes were filled with concern. 

It made her feel warm inside.

"Yes, I'm fine, Steve." she assured.

That seemed to calm him a little bit, but he remembered to not let her off the hook so easily. "Okay,"

"Anyway, to cut to the chase, we're going to the Philippines to help end the war."

"A war?" Natasha's eyes widened.

Steve nodded, "And we are going there to help them. Clint, Sam, you, and me."

"Wait, just us? What about the others?" Natasha asked, gesturing to the other Avengers.

"Cap assigned us to the desk duties." Tony explained, shifting his weight in his seat. "He's also going to ask some other SHIELD recruits to come with you guys, so good luck."

"Isn't that... too risky?" Natasha turned to ask the captain.

"I'll make sure to gather the ones who are most experienced, and also ones we could fully trust." Steve stated.

Tony's face suddenly lit up.

"What about the siblings?"

Steve paused short, staring at Tony, "What?"

"Allie and James." he explained, thinking about the possible opportunity this could lead for the siblings to finish their real mission together. It was the perfect plan. "You know, your lookalikes?"

"Absolutely not." Steve disapproved, "We don't even know the range of their fighting skills and abilities yet."

"But you've seen them in the training room." Tony asserted.

"That's different." Steve argued, "And they're still kids. I'm looking for someone a little older—"

"Age has nothing to do with this. As long as you're good, then you're good. If you suck, then too bad." Tony countered.

"No, I refuse. I'm not comfortable with those kids engaging in a war like this." Steve reasoned. For some reason, he couldn't stand the fact that he would be asking to risk the lives of those two. He had always felt this urge to protect them. 

And he didn't have a clue as to why.

"I agree with Steve." Natasha said, "I know more people in the building that have more experience than those two. And we can't risk sending new recruits immediately in the open."

Tony mentally face-palmed himself. If these two only knew how Allie and James were frankly the most experienced out of anyone in SHIELD. Considering that the people who trained them were none other than the best master assassin and super soldier in the world— Tony beg to differ.

If only these two parents knew how good their daughter and son were.

"Ask them yourselves, and I'm sure they'll say yes in a heartbeat." Tony smirked, "Besides, you guys said someone you could trust right? I'm pretty sure they're the only people whom you two trust the most out of everyone working in SHIELD."

"I don't know..." Steve sighed.

Clint, all the while, kept silent. Unsure about what to say after his little chat with those two kids.

"I'll think about it." the captain decided. "Other than that, is everyone clear about the mission?"

"Yes, Captain." all answered.

"Good. We leave tomorrow at exactly 700." he stated.

"Why do we have to use military time?" Tony complained.

"Shut up, you talk too much." Rhodey remarked.

"Aw, you love me anyway Rhodes." Tony smirked.

"Gross."

Tony rolled his eyes, seeing that everyone was about to leave, he quickly stopped them, "Wait! I just remembered!"

Everyone stopped in their tracks to look at him.

"You guys still up for that party I was telling you about?" he asked.

They all nodded.

"Yeah, sure man." Sam smiled.

"The day after you all get back from the mission is the time to celebrate, alright?" Tony reminded them.

"You got it, Tony." Clint said, patting his arm.

"Great."

As all had left the room, Tony had heard Steve faintly call Natasha.

"Nat? You got a second?" he asked.

Natasha glanced back at him, "Sure." And she proceeded to approach him.

Steve asked her, concernedly, "What's going on?"

With that, Tony knew that it was his cue to leave the room. Leaving the future Mr. and Mrs. Rogers alone to clear up the things needed to be cleared out.

As soon as the billionaire shut the door, the moment he turned around, he almost jumped in shock.

"Tony!" 

A carbon copy of Natasha and Steve came running straight towards him.

"You kids are going to give me a heart attack as early as now." he scolded.

Allie smiled sheepishly, "Sorry."

"Yeah, and sorry we're late. Allie was too busy batting her eyelashes on a certain fellow." James rolled his eyes.

His sister glared at him, "I was not batting my eyelashes at him!"

"But you wanted to." James claimed.

"Oh, shut up."

The two glanced at their uncle who was staring at them flatly.

"You two done?"

They nodded in response.

"Listen," he lowered down his voice, "Your mom and dad's talking."

"So?" the both raised an eyebrow.

"Alone." Tony reiterated.

"Oh," they said. Allie let out a grin, "Are they finally confessing their undying love for one another?"

"Not yet, young cricket." Tony smirked, "But sooner or later they will, and that's why I need you guys to do this favor."

"Anything," James said.

"I need you guys to go on a mission with your mom and dad."

"What?" they gaped.

Tony repeated more slowly, "I need you guys to—"

"No, we heard it the first time it's just that..." James trailed off.

"What?" 

The siblings shared a look before smiling worriedly at Tony, "We've never been on a mission with them before."

This time, it was Tony's turn to be surprised. "What?"

"Mom and dad don't exactly let us go with them during their missions. They never allow us to." Allie explained.

"So, we really have no idea what it's like out there." James said sheepishly.

"Oh, this is just heavenly." Tony said, sarcastically. He turned to the siblings, taking a deep breath, "I guess we really need to shape you guys up to be able to convince your mom and dad to let you go with them."

"Yup," James sighed, "This is tough."

"I know, everyday training is not going to be easy."

"No, not that." his nephew disagreed.

Tony gave him a questioning look.

"Convincing mom and dad..." Allie explained, sighing, "That is what's not going to be easy."

      ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ END OF CHAPTER ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬      

Aww... let's all hope that Allie and James are able to convince their Mom and Dad to let them come to the mission.

And what do you think happened to the conversation between Clint and the siblings? 

And as well as the reason why Nat was late for their meeting in the first place?

And... is it possible that something personal happened in that private talk between Nat and Steve? (I'm not implying any... mature thoughts of course xD)

I just wanted to express my utter grief and condolences to the people who've been victims of the Battle of Marawi last May 2017. I know that it's a little late, but I just wanted to help them receive the love they deserve after going through a traumatizing experience in their life. And that's why I'm using my voice to help these people.

Thank you again for all your comments and votes guys! :)

Keep in touch for the next chapter! :)