Pietro was quiet after that, so he wouldn't embarrass himself further. Not that he needed much help with that.

When the car parked outside the mansion, Autumn carefully got out and leaned on her crutch.

We're back, she thought at Charles.

Charles came around to meet them, smiling a bit when he saw Pietro practically hovering at Autumn's shoulder. "My office?" he asked, looking at Autumn.

Autumn nodded.

"We would have come to you, you know," she commented. "Saved you the trip to the door."

Charles shrugged. "It's not a problem," he said, leading the way back to his office. "I was just finishing some tea, actually."

That was good; if Charles was relaxed enough to make tea, or had enough time to make tea, then there was nothing absolutely dire going on at the moment, and it set Autumn a bit more at ease. She hobbled along after him, trying to use her crutch as little as possible to work her injured leg some.

Charles settled behind his desk, and Pietro kept hovering at her shoulder until she was sitting. Then he stepped back to pace the room instead. Charles ignored him and looked at Autumn.

"So, what happened?"

"SHIELD has been compromised," Autumn said as she settled into the chair with a faint grimace. "Completely corrupted, from the inside. Everything's been taken over by HYDRA."

"I see." Charles steepled his fingers, leaning back in his seat. "We saw there was some... excitement, at the Triskellion."

"Yeah, we heard about that after the fact," Autumn said, nodding. "We were trying to take care of things at Headquarters. A group of us got out, alongside Director Fury, but there aren't many of us." She sighed. "SHIELD is gone, Charles. We can't expect any help from that area anymore. We're all on our own."

"We have been on our own before," Charles pointed out. "SHIELD did not approach me for several years after Erik left."

"I just hate that this is going on now," Autumn said. "With the Registration Act coming down and everything, it's going to be rough trying to keep an eye out for HYDRA, too. They have all of SHIELD's intel, so there's a pretty big chance they'll go after all of the assets SHIELD claimed."

"We're capable of taking care of ourselves," Charles pointed out. "I'm not worried about us. There are enough of us here that we can defend ourselves. However, individuals will have to be much more careful."

"I can still help you with the government," Autumn said. "To a degree. I have contacts I can pull strings with who will work with me after this whole Hydra crisis." She sighed. "But there are a lot of things I can't access anymore, since I'm not an official agent anymore."

Charles nodded. "We'll manage," he said. "Don't worry about us. I know you still have other things on your mind."

"I'm going to worry," Autumn said. "It's always been my job to worry about you all, that hasn't changed." She was quiet for a moment. "Although I should look for somewhere to stay for now. I don't know if they're watching my apartment."

"You can stay here. You have been now for a little while, and this way you have a safe place to stay." Charles smiled a bit. "You'll even get your own room."

"I can't impose on you like that, Charles," Autumn said, looking at him. "I'm sure you'll need the space for newcomers who need a safe place to stay."

"There is still plenty of space for newcomers," Charles said. "I insist. It will make me feel better to give you one less thing to worry about, especially now."

"I should be the one saying that to you, Charles," Autumn said. "You've got just as much to worry about as I do."

"I didn't have my organization collapse," Charles pointed out gently. "Besides, you are always helpful and can continue to help out if it will make you feel better for taking a room."

Autumn sighed. She knew when she was beaten.

"Alright," she said. "Thank you for the offer, Charles. I do appreciate it."

"It's my pleasure." Charles smiled a bit. "Pietro, why don't you take Autumn up to her room? She looks like she could use some quiet time."

Pietro nodded and walked over to her, offering her a hand up.

Autumn accepted Pietro's hand, getting up and momentarily putting her weight onto her good leg until she could get her crutch up. She was so tired of the crutch, and was looking forward to not needing it anymore.

Pietro helped her up to her room. All her things that were in the mansion had been moved into that room already.

"You sure you're okay?"