"Save You"

by darthelwig

*** I own nothing. I'm just having fun. ***

"Victor," Clint said, smiling as they shook hands. "Glad you could make it. Are you looking forward to your first day?"

"Oh yes. I believe I'm up for the challenge. And please, I prefer to go by Vision." His answering smile was polite, but distant. Clint just chuckled.

"That's fine by me." Clint ushered Vision into the small bookstore. "So this is it. We're not one of the big retailers, but we do alright, mostly because we're able to get the hard to find stuff. Collectors come here a lot. We're close to the college, too, which helps. You'll see all kinds come through here."

Vision nodded politely as he looked around, taking in the small, slightly cramped space. The aisles were narrow, and the shelves were quite tall. The front of the store had the register, with a table across from it on which a number of books were on display. Not all of the overhead lights held bulbs, so the lighting wasn't as bright as in most stores. Sufficient for reading, but not likely to give one a headache. He could see a few customers quietly browsing the shelves.

All in all, he rather liked it.

"I have to admit, when Steve first approached me about the job opening, I had my reservations. Retail work is not something I've ever done before, but I think I will enjoy this experience."

"Good," Clint said, relieved. "I just lost one of our two full time employees, and we are in desperate need of the help. I'll introduce you to our other full timer. Her name's Wanda. We've got a part time kid too. That would be Peter. He's here in the afternoons. He's still in high school. Nice kid."

While he talked, Clint moved towards one of the aisles. Vision quietly followed, content to look and listen.

"There she is," Clint nodded towards a young woman who was shelving books halfway down the aisle. She left off what she was doing as they approached, and Vision's breath caught in his throat as he got his first good look at her. Big green eyes and a sweet smile greeted them.

"Wanda, I want you to meet Vision. He's going to take Sam's place. Vision, this is Wanda. She's gonna be showing you the ropes, teach you the register and all that."

Vision's heart skipped a beat as Wanda turned her gaze to him, but he managed to control his voice when he spoke.

"Very nice to meet you," he said as they shook hands. He couldn't help but notice how small and soft her hand was.

"A pleasure meeting you, Vision." Her voice was warm, and he found her accent intriguing. He couldn't quite place it.

"Vision has absolutely zero experience, so you're gonna have to teach him from the ground up," Clint said.

"No problem," Wanda replied. "I did the same with Peter." She gave Vision a reassuring look. "Don't worry. It's not hard to learn."

"I'm sure you will be an excellent teacher," Vision said.

"I'll let you two kids get to it," Clint said. "I've gotta get started in the back. Let me know if you have any questions."

"I suppose I should start with the register," Wanda said. "That would be best, I think. I started with inventory for Peter, but only because he was shy." Wanda glanced up at him, a teasing smile on her lips. "Are you shy, Vision?"

"N-no. Not particularly."

"Good." Her smile widened and he wondered where all the air had gone. He was finding it difficult to breathe all of a sudden.

"Come," she said, her hand brushing over his arm. "We have a lot to do."

It had been a long day of trying to absorb everything Wanda was teaching him, but by the end of it Vision thought he was getting the hang of things. He wasn't comfortable on the register yet, but he thought he could get by.

He also thought he was getting better at functioning normally while in close proximity to his beautiful new coworker. Focusing on work had helped a great deal. He also spent his lunch break familiarizing himself with the surrounding area, just so he could get some fresh air and perspective.

The last customers were out the door and they had locked up behind them. Clint came out of the back, and handed Vision a key.

"Key to the castle, so to speak," Clint said. "For now, I want you shadowing Wanda, so you'll be working the same days, but you're gonna need a key." He nodded tiredly at Wanda. "Thanks for this, Wanda. I've gotta split. Laura's waiting for me, and has threatened me with bodily harm if I don't come home soon. I'll see you two tomorrow."

"Not to worry, Clint. I've got this. Tell Laura hi for me."

"I will," he said as he headed out the door, and just like that, Vision found himself alone with Wanda.

He tried to concentrate as she showed him how to count the cash drawer, and where to put everything, but he was having a difficult time ignoring the way his body was responding to her. He had never experienced anything like this before. He wasn't some hormonal teenager who couldn't keep his impulses under control. He wasn't the type of guy who chased after women. So what was wrong with him?

"Vis, you okay?"

It took a second for it to register that she was speaking to him, and she looked concerned.

"What do you mean?" he asked. "She called me Vis, and God help me, I liked it."

"Well, you seem a bit distracted. It's okay. We can go over this stuff tomorrow. It's a lot to absorb in one day, I know. Let's call it a night." Wanda started gathering her things together.

"Yes. That might be best," he managed to say.

There were other things he wanted to say, but he kept them to himself as they locked up and went their separate ways for the night.

The next day found Vision waiting at the store, wondering what to do. He was there at the correct time, but no one else was here, and he was unsure of where to start. He was beginning to think he had misunderstood his start time when Wanda burst through the door.

"I'm so sorry, Vis! I woke up late, and then my car wouldn't start, and I'm so, so sorry."

She ran to the back, where she stowed her jacket and purse, and Vision couldn't help but smile. Her energy was infectious. His day had already brightened considerably.

When she came back, she was putting her hair up in a high ponytail. He couldn't help but stare at the slim, graceful lines of her neck and shoulders. She was so tiny, but with such distracting curves. He swallowed hard when her shirt rode up for a moment, revealing her flat, smooth stomach. God, she was beautiful.

"Come on. I wanna run you through a few things before we open up for the day," she said, motioning for him to follow her down the closest aisle. He did his utmost best to pay attention to what she was saying, even though he could smell the sweet scent of her hair.

Afterwards, they unlocked the door and started their day.

Vision managed to keep busy for most of the day. The workload was fairly light, as it was split between the two of them, and they found themselves with some time on their hands while they waited for their replacement to arrive.

"So Vision," Wanda said. "I know you haven't worked retail, so what have you been doing up until now? What business were you in?"

"Computers, mostly," he said. "I did a lot of computer repairs. I did some programming as well, for a while, but that career didn't pan out. Unfortunately. The repair job was good for a long time, but things started to dry up for the company, and they had to begin layoffs. I was one of the people chosen to be let go."

"Wow. That's awful." She was frowning, genuinely distressed at the situation he had found himself in. "I'm glad Clint had an opening. I guess it was fate," she said with a small smile.

"If you do not mind my asking, what happened to the previous employee? I believe his name was Sam?"

A strange look passed over her face, but before Vision could identify it, it was gone, leaving him wondering if he had seen anything at all.

"Sam had some...personal problems. He decided to quit before they got worse," she said. Vision could tell she was holding back, but he didn't want to push.

"Well, his loss is my gain. I am quite enjoying my time here," he said. He was rewarded with one of her radiant smiles and he was left breathless. How could one woman be so beautiful?

Wanda let her hair down so she could redo her ponytail, and Vision noticed the engagement ring she was wearing. How had he not noticed that before? Was it wishful thinking? Of course this woman would be committed to someone else. What man would be stupid enough to let her go? He tried to push away the twinge of jealousy he was feeling. He had no right to that emotion.

Just then, the door practically burst open as a young man ran in, a backpack slung over his shoulder. He was panting, and he bent over with his hands on his knees to catch his breath. Wanda glanced at the clock, her lips twitching in that teasing smile Vision liked so much.

"You made it on time for once," she said.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. I raced all the way here!"

"About time. I need to get going. James expects me home in about half an hour."

Vision filed that bit of information away. Her fiancé's name was James and they lived together. Good to know. He wanted to know everything about her. He couldn't help himself.

"Vis, this is Peter. Peter, this is Vision."

"Pleasure to meet you, Peter. Clint tells me you are still in high school," Vision said.

"Yeah, I got a couple more years to go, but I need the money, so here I am. Clint's real good about my schedule too. I got lucky finding this place." Peter's breathing had almost slowed back to normal.

"I think your decision to work even while in school is quite admirable. Not many teenagers these days would choose to do so."

"Thanks," Peter said, a blush creeping over his cheeks.

"Peter isn't used to compliments," Wanda laughed. If anything, Peter blushed even harder. Vision decided the boy probably had a crush on Wanda. Totally understandable, in his eyes.

"Alright, boys. I'm out. I'll see you tomorrow, Vision." Wanda grabbed her things and was out the door in a flash.

"Does Clint have you close up the store?" Vision asked Peter.

"No way. Clint comes in during the evenings to get his work done. He lets Wanda run things during the day unless there's something special going on. She's worked here for a long time."

"I see. Well, go put your things in the back. I will watch the register until you return."

"Thanks, man." Peter jogged to the back of the store, and Vision wondered if the young man even knew how to move at a slower pace. He smiled to himself. He was really enjoying this place already.

When Wanda walked in the next morning, she looked tired and was moving a bit stiffly.

"Are you alright, Wanda?" Vision asked, concerned.

"Hmm? Yeah, I'm fine. Just didn't sleep well." Her normally bright smile was missing, and it hurt Vision to see it.

"Would you like me to go buy you some coffee?"

"Would you?" she said, brightening a little. "That would be awesome."

"Not a problem. I will be back shortly."

Vision had walked for about lka minute before he realized he had forgotten his wallet in the office. He headed back as quickly as he could, irritated with himself. All thought fled from his brain, though, when he opened the door to the back room and saw Wanda there, holding her shirt up and examining a large purple bruise just below her ribs. She jumped when he came in, quickly pulling her shirt down.

He didn't know what to say, what to do. He just stood there staring at her.

"Did you need something?" she asked.

"Um, I forgot my wallet. I came back for my wallet." He paused. "Wanda- are you okay?"

"I'm good. I just fell last night. I can be pretty klutzy sometimes," she said.

This didn't fit with the graceful woman he had been observing for the last two days. Vision wasn't born yesterday. He could tell she was hiding something, and there was only one thing he could think of that would need to be hidden.

"Wanda, did James hit you?"

The flash of guilt in her eyes before she looked away was all the confirmation he needed.

Vision walked up to her slowly. She stood there, not looking at him, but crossed her arms. He put his hands on her shoulders and rubbed up and down her arms without saying anything, just watching her, and when she lowered her arms, he pulled her into a gentle hug. He could feel her hesitation, but soon she began to return his hug, her cheek pressed against his chest.

"Thank you, Vision," she said softly.

Vision pressed a kiss to the top of her head and cursed himself for being a dog. Even now, as he comforted her, his body reacted to their closeness. She was so soft and small in his arms, and she smelled so good. He was aware of every place their bodies touched. He wanted to kiss her, so badly, but this wasn't the time or place, and he sort of hated himself for his lack of control. She needed better from him.

It was almost a relief when she pulled away. Almost.

"Wanda, what can I do?"

"I'm okay, Vis. Really. But thank you," she said, looking up at him with a sweet, sad little smile. "You're so nice to worry, but I'm okay." She put her hand on his cheek, and he caught it, turning his head to press a gentle kiss into her palm. Her eyes widened, but she didn't pull away.

"You deserve better, Wanda," he said quietly, holding her gaze.

She pulled her hand from his, but only to run her fingers along his jaw and over his lips.

"Your lips are as soft as I imagined," she said, surprising him.

"You've thought about my lips?"

"Of course," she said. "You are very handsome, and kind. You have a good heart." She placed her hand on his chest, and his heart skipped a beat. "I find you very attractive, Vision." She looked at him very seriously. "But I love James. I'm committed to him. I can't be what you want. I'm sorry."

She stepped back from him and took a great shuddering breath.

"I'll go get the coffee," she said, not looking at him, and Vision could just watch helplessly as she left.