It was three days later and the team was still gone on their mission. You hadn't heard from any of them other than a quick text from Tony to tell you that he wasn't going to make it back in time for Saturday. In fact, they had no idea when they would be back. So, you busied yourself with rearranging schedules as needed and checking in on Bucky and the twins.

They'd all taken to spending more time on your floor with the others gone, which you appreciated. You'd never been one to prefer your own company. You glanced at the time and frowned. Wanda was supposed to have met you half an hour ago so you could take her shopping for some new clothes. It wasn't like her to be late.

"Jarvis, can you give me a location on the team in residence, please?"

"Sergeant Barnes and Mr. Maximoff are in the training facilities and Ms. Maximoff is in her residence. Shall I summon them for you?"

You thought for a moment. "No, thank you anyway." You had to go by Wanda's floor on the way down, so you might as well stop and pick her up. After grabbing your purse, you made your way to the elevator and asked for twins' floor.

The silence made you frown when you stepped out of the elevator. Wanda almost always had some sort of music playing. You started to call out for her but stopped, an uneasy feeling settling in your gut. You stepped carefully, trying to stay quiet. When you arrived at the point you could see into the kitchenette, you stilled. Wanda was pressed against the wall, the look on her face full of fear and defeat. The new psychiatrist was towering over her, leaving barely any space between them.

"Dr. Bradford, I wasn't aware you were still here." Your voice cracked through the silence like a whip. The man turned to look at you. His movements were casual as if you hadn't just caught him preying on one of his patients. Wanda's gaze darted over to you as the doctor took a step back and relief flooded her features.

His smile was wide and friendly. "Wanda and I were just finishing up our session."

You arched a brow. "Is that what you're calling this? Step away from my friend."

His gaze narrowed as he tilted his head. Taking a step in your direction, he held out his hands in a gesture of innocence you weren't buying for a minute. "I'm not sure what you think you walked in on here, but I can assure you that I did nothing wrong."

"You can stop right there," you told him. If he thought you wouldn't notice him creeping closer to you, he was even stupider than you'd already pegged him. You shifted your gaze to Wanda. "Go to your room. Lock the door."

She hesitated, looking between you and the doctor and you gave her a soft smile. "It's fine. Jarvis will keep an eye on me." And you were far less likely to be distracted if you didn't have anyone to worry about besides yourself.

Bradford laughed and crossed his arms over his chest. "You're making entirely too big of a deal over this. I didn't do anything she didn't welcome."

You just continued to watch him. Wanda's questions of how to determine if someone is a good man made sense now. "Jarvis, is Happy here today?"

"Yes, Miss."

"Fantastic. Tell him his presence is required here ASAP. Also tell Buck and Pietro to return to the living quarters." You waited for him to verify the order before turning all of your attention back to the asshole in front of you. "Since you seem to not be as intelligent as your resume suggested, perhaps I should take the opportunity to advise you that you are fired. You will receive no further pay and you are no longer permitted on any Stark or Avenger properties."

He straightened his spine as he closed some of the distance between you. It was a tactic you were more than used to from bullies as he tried to make himself appear larger than he actually was. You weren't that easily intimidated. "I told you that nothing happened. I was simply talking to my patient. You can't prove otherwise. If you fire me, I'll take you to court."

"Try it. I'll place an ad on every station and in every paper asking for any of your former patients that have been sexually harassed or assaulted by you to come forward. Something tells me I'd get a response or two." You pressed your lips together to keep from saying the hundred other things that hovered on the tip of your tongue.

"I'll sue you and Stark Industries for libel, slander and anything else my attorney can come up with," he insisted. Dollar signs danced in his eyes and you resisted the urge to tell him the contract he signed prohibited him from proceeding with any court action without attempting mediation first. The contract was worded in such a way to ensure the case would never make it to court.

Just as he moved to take another step toward you, the elevator arrived. Happy called your name as he walked into the apartment.

You didn't bother to respond because he was at your side seconds later. He looked between you and Bradford. "What's going on?"

"The charming doctor here was harassing Wanda. I want him gone and make sure he doesn't come back, please."

Happy nodded once and strode over to Bradford. "It would be a pleasure." When the doctor tried unsuccessfully to remove his arm from Happy's grasp, you smiled. He used to be a boxer and still had the build. It was unlikely Bradford was going to be going anywhere Happy didn't want him to.

You stepped aside to make a clear path for Happy and his charge. The elevator arrived again, bringing Buck and Pietro with it. Their concerned frowns twisted to looks of confusion as they took in Happy and Bradford. "Would you gentlemen accompany Happy to make sure the doctor behaves himself?"

Pietro looked between him and you before trying to see further into the apartment.

"She's fine," you assured him in a soft voice and his features relaxed. You waited for them all to disappear behind the door before you went to find your resident witch. "It's me," you called as you knocked softly on the door.

It swung open and arms wrapped around you as she buried her face in your shirt. "He is gone?"

You returned the hug. "He's gone and not coming back."

After a moment you leaned back to look at her. "Did he do anything to you?"

Her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Did he touch you?"

"Just small touches. My arms, my hair. Nothing like what you are asking, no." She stepped away from you and crossed her arms over her chest, clearly not comfortable talking about this.

You steered her toward the living room with a hand on her back. "Has this happened before?"

She shook her head, her wild hair tossing with the motion. "No. He had made comments. I thought maybe I was misunderstanding him. Nothing like today."

Wanda sat in a chair and you perched on the coffee table across from her. "Is this why you were asking about good people and bad people?"

She nodded.

You sucked in a breath and asked the one question you really didn't want to. You were afraid it would sound like you were blaming her, but you needed to know. "Why didn't you defend yourself, Wanda? I know you're capable."

Her eyes widened in fear. "I do not wish to go back to the institute. I like it here."

"You believe the restrictions placed on you by SHIELD prohibit you from protecting yourself?"

"The document says no exceptions."

Indeed, it did. Likely, the agent that drafted it hadn't anticipated her being attacked before she was released as a full member of the team. You patted her knee. "I'll take care of this. Why don't you bring the boys up to my floor? We'll order pizza and have a sleepover. You guys can crash in the guest rooms."

She smiled. "Yes. That sounds perfect. I will tell them and we will be up shortly."

***

"I am sorry, but the Director is incredibly busy. He just doesn't have time today." You were speaking to Phil Coulson on the large screen in the main living area.

"You told me that the other three times I called, Agent Coulson." Your tone was short. You were beyond irritated. Not with Coulson. It was Fury that was refusing to speak with you, not the Agent currently on the screen.

He shrugged. "And I'm afraid the answer will not be changing today. Perhaps if you tried tomorrow?" As always, his voice was level, calm. You could see him giving orders in battle with the same demeanor.

"All right, Agent. Why don't you record and relay this message to your boss?" You waited for him to nod compliance before continuing. You were done playing Fury's games. "I need to speak with him. It is a matter of safety and security for Sergeant Barnes and the Maximoff twins. He will contact me to resolve this matter at his earliest convenience. He should also be aware that as soon as the courthouse opens tomorrow that I will be filing every injunction, cease and desist, order of protection, and anything else I can think of against SHIELD."

"I feel I should remind you that we are not without our own resources." His eyes were searching as if trying to ascertain whether you were bluffing or not.

"And I feel I should remind you that the courthouse opens at 8 AM." With that you disconnected the call.

The sound of clapping drew your attention and you turned to find your three dinner companions in the kitchen. "I thought Steve owned the title for biting off more than he could chew, but you might just have him beat, doll," Bucky said.

You chuckled. "I wouldn't worry about me, Barnes. I can handle myself."

"That's what Steve always said, too." He scratched the side of his head as he shot you a look that was a mix between disbelief and admiration.

"Menu's on the counter. Order the food," you instructed, knowing full well that was one of the first skills they learned upon moving into the tower.

"Director Fury is on the line," Jarvis interrupted.

"Of course, he is," you said with a grin. "Put him on."