Electric Storm

Chapter 18: United We Stand

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. I count my breaths as Steve and I run to meet dad and Rhodey. He's not going to step aside, he never has, but it's worth one last attempt at reconciliation. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. I play nervously with the lightning at my fingers as we step closer and closer. I try to avoid eye contact. He is too. We both know how this will end. Anyone can betray anyone. One. Two. Three. Four. I know that my choice is a betrayal to dad. I know that I am hurting him. All the reasons I had not to fight, are dad's reasons too. At the end of the day, his priority is protecting me. One. Two. Three. I need to be careful. My actions have hurt him. If we fall out now, it may never be fixed. The saddest thing about betrayal is that it's always from those closest to you. One. Two. I need him to understand that I love him, but this is just something I have to do. One.

'Katy.' Dad's stern and angry facade falters when his eyes land on me. There's so much he wants to say. Katy, don't do this. Katy, what have you done? Katy, I understand. But there isn't time, so I speak first.

'Dad, I know what you must think of me, but I need you to know this is my choice. Please, just let us go.' I keep my voice firm and my hands steady. My eyes stare into his.

'Katy, if you go with Steve, if you defy the accords, there's nothing I can do. But if you step over now, none of this has to happen. Rhodey can take you home, the UN won't do anything, we can still fix this. I promise.'

When he offers out his hand, I feel like it could just be me and him. That I could take it. A part of me will always want to take it.

But my gaze falls. 'I'm sorry dad, I can't.' I can only imagine the disappointment he feels as I say those words. 'Please, listen to what Steve has to say. You'll understand. You'll understand why I've chosen to do this.' My words have left no room for misinterpretation. It crushes him. The scowl reclaims his face and the dark eyes return. His head snaps to Steve.

'You're after the wrong guy.' Steve starts to explain.

Dad's face narrows. 'Your war buddy killed innocent people yesterday.'

'And there are more super soldiers just like him. I can't let the doctor find him.'

'Steve, you know what's about to happen. Do you really want to punch your way out of this one?'

I never thought I'd see the day when Nat would side with dad. But she has her reasons for not wanting to run.

'Katy.'

I look up to meet her stare. She takes a little step towards me. 

'You don't need to do this. This isn't your fight.'

'I'm sorry Nat.' I say boldly again. 'But Bucky saved my life and now he needs my help. So this is my fight.'

She doesn't look disappointed like dad, but I imagine I've bruised her heart too.

Dad sighs. 'Alright, I've run out of patience. Underoos!'

Before I can breathe, Steve's shield is stolen midair and my hands are tied up with... no, it can't be.

'Thanks. I could have stuck the landing a little better it's just the new suit. It's nothing Mr. Stark, it's perfect.'

No, that's not fair.

'Yeah, we don't really need to start a conversation.'

My eyes fall on my dad, purple lightning starts to prickle around my body. I've been saying it for years and now, I've finally learnt my lesson. Anyone can betray anyone.

'How could you?' My lips tremble with all the darkness within. The way dad looks at me, he knew this would hurt. Even though I never told him, he knew. This is the lowest blow. Any hope I have is gone. Any humanness I had left has disappeared. It's all replaced with anger and rage.