Electric Storm

Chapter 14: Not getting Involved

'Katy?' Sam whisper-shouts at me. 'Have you seen the news?'

My eyes dart around behind my Stark sunglasses. 'Yeah.' I reply, keeping my voice low. 'I came to find you. I thought you were with Steve?'

'I thought he and Sharon could use some alone time.' 

'Is he ok?' I ask worriedly. 

Sam grins. 'Yeah he is.'

Oh. 'Where is he now?' 

'Somewhere around here I think.' Sam replies. We start searching the lobby. 'Nice hat by the way.'

'Baseball cap and sunglasses. Best disguise there is.' I shrug. 'Look, they're by the elevator.'

Sam's smile widens. Sharon is about to step into the lift but reconsiders. Steve steps closer... I almost feel bad for interrupting the moment.

'Steve, we've got a problem.' 

His eyes bounce between Sam and I. 'What is it?'

'There's something you've got to see.' Sam replies, his voice dangerously low. 

'Hey Sharon.' I smile respectfully. 

'Katy.' 

'So you two know each other?' Sam raises an eyebrow. 

'Well, we are almost family.' I shrug. 

The ride up to Steve's hotel room is as awkward as it gets. No one says anything about the almost kiss. No one attempts small talk. I glance between Sharon and Steve, who avoid eye contact, as if what nearly happened two minutes ago didn't happen. I know that feeling too well. I always thought that Steve and Nat would one day get together, especially now since Bruce is no longer here. Nah, Nat and Steve are more friends, and now's not the time for love stories, I argue to myself as my almost creeps into my mind. 

I imagine what it will be like when I see Peter again. 

Do I kiss him?

Do I tell him straight away?

Will it rain?

My fantasy is interrupted by the door opening and the news instantly switching on. It's like Lagos, again. Playing and replaying the explosion. It's weird to think that if I pause before the bomb, the people are still alive. I almost believe I have the power to save them from the hotel room. But I can't. The bomb explodes. Fire spreads. Bucky's face appears. All in that order, again and again and again. 

Nat isn't on the list of deceased, not yet at least. I imagine she'd be at the top if she was so I hold onto the hope that she's ok. The Wakanda King wasn't so lucky. 

I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling as Sharon paces up and down the room on her phone. The white sheets and blank ceiling ground me and keep me focused. 

At the mention of the Winter Soldier, of Bucky, I'm taken back to Washington. That was two years ago. I was younger then: eager, keen and new to the avenging world. But we're in a different world now. It's not that simple anymore. 

'I have to go to work.' Sharon says, hanging up the phone. 

Steve nods then turns to Sam. 'We need to get to Vienna.'

Sharon sighs and shakes her head. 'I can't take you.'

'I know. But she can.'

Everyone's heads turn to me. 

I sit up on the bed. 'No.'

'Katy-'

'Steve, I can't, the accords won't let me and I said to dad I would come straight home.'