Electric Storm

Chapter 20: Civil War

There isn't much to be said about the plane ride to Siberia. It was mostly just silence. Steve took over flying at one point and I ended up sitting opposite Bucky. I regret not saying anything to him. All I could think about was the people we left behind. Would the team be ok? Was Rhodey alive? Did Spiderman get hurt? Did Dad know that I still loved him? 

That's the worst part about being a hero, the choices you have to make. I don't think there's anything heroic about what I did. I chose to help someone, but I chose to hurt people too. You can never win. If the Sokovia Accords had taught me anything, it was that heroes don't exist. 

As the door to the carrier opens, I have to take a breath, like I always do, and push away my wandering mind so I can focus on the now. 

Steve and Bucky laugh at something, a memory about a redhead. I'm not sure who or what they're referring to, but it's a side of Steve I've never seen before. Something relaxed, something happy, something that never came out of the ice. 

I suddenly miss my dad. I want to go home. I want to shower, and then I want us to watch tv and eat pizza together. But most of all, I want my friend back. I long for everything to pause momentarily so I can turn back time to our sunset rooftop, where both of us are sipping warm cans of coke, and I can tell him everything before it's too late. 

The howling wind reminds me of where I am. Siberia. It's bloody freezing and I have a mission to finish. We follow Bucky through the snow, searching for the bunker. I really, really hate the cold. Snow always tastes like hyperthermia in Tennessee.

'He couldn't have been here more than a few hours.' Steve says when we've reached the door to the former Hydra base. 

'Long enough to wake them up.' Bucky replies. 

The three of us cram into the elevator that creaks and groans it's way downwards. I don't say much, the way the lights flicker puts me on edge and I'm waiting for the moment a hand will reach through the grail and yank me out. It doesn't. 

As we creep around the facility, Steve keeps his shield up, Bucky has his gun poised, and my lightning twirls at my fingertips, illuminating the grey walls with a purple glow. I listen for a sound but it feels like no one is-

A loud bang instantly turns me on my heels. My hands race to create an electric shield. Steve crouches in front of me, Bucky prepares to shoot. The door slowly grinds open... 

'Dad?' What's he doing here? My electricity doesn't lower as I watch dad slowly walk towards us. 

'You seem a little defensive.' Dad observes the three of us. 

'It's been a long day.' Steve replies curtly, his shield still guarding him. 

Dad glances up Bucky. 'At ease soldier, I'm not currently after you.'

'Then why are you here?' I question slowly, not moving from my spot. Am I about to be ripped out of here like a teenager who's been caught sneaking out? 

'Because maybe your story isn't so crazy.'

My jaw drops. He believes us?

'Ross has no idea I'm here and I'd like to keep it that way. Otherwise I've got to arrest myself.'

'Well, that sounds like a lot of paperwork.' Steve smirks, lowering his shield. I lower mine too.  'It's good to see you Tony.'

'You too Cap.' Dad smiles in return. 'Katy, are you ok?'

'I'm fine dad.' I reassure as I walk towards him, feeling less guarded. I whisper so Steve and Bucky can't hear me. 'Thank you... for coming.'

'Well, I couldn't let you have all the fun.' He smirks.