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CHAPTER NINE — long goodbyes
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AS IF THINGS COULDN'T GET ANY WORSE. Rhodey was in the MRI while Talia and Vision watched from outside. The two didn't have a close relationship but they had one thing in common, they both cared deeply for Wanda. Talia shook her head as she looked at Rhodey, "It shouldn't have gone this way," she said with sorrow in her voice. Vision snapped out of his thoughts when the teenager spoke up, "I agree," he said. Talia could hear Tony coming up behind them. He stood on the other side of Vision, "How did this happen?" he whispered. Vision didn't even turn his head to look at Tony, his guilt wouldn't let him, "I became distracted," he said. Tony shook his head as he stood behind him, "I didn't think that was possible," he scoffed. Vision finally turned his head to look at his creator, "Neither did I," he said then looked back at Rhodey. Talia didn't even acknowledge Tony as he walked away from them. She turned her head and looked up at Vision, "You know this isn't your fault, right?" she asked. Vision turned his body to face the girl, "How is it not?" he asked. Talia put her hand on his upper arm, "It's not a crime to love someone," she whispered. Vision could see the sincerity in her eyes, she knew he loved Wanda. Who wouldn't?
Talia walked through the building to her room. But she ended up running into her mother. Natasha and Talia stopped and looked at each other. It was like looking in a mirror, both women stood with their arms crossed over their chests and their feet planted on the ground. Talia knew her mother was leaving, she betrayed them after all, "Was it worth it?" she asked. Natasha exhaled and looked down for a moment, "You would have done the same," she said. Steve meant everything to Talia, he was like her father, "Not if it meant I couldn't see you again. I would've killed him if it meant we could stay together," she said as her eyes started to water. Natasha could feel it, like a knife to her heart seeing her daughter cry because of her. She let her arms fall as she walked over to Talia and wrapped them around her. Talia relaxed as she hugged her mother back. Her head was against her chest as Natasha petted her daughter's hair attempting to comfort her, and it was working. Talia's heart slowed as she succumbed to her mother's embrace. Natasha couldn't believe that she found her daughter after all these years and now she has to leave her... again. Natasha knew that Talia wouldn't come with her, she couldn't. She could feel the tear slip from her eyes as she comforted her daughter, "You have to leave, don't you?" Talia asked. Natasha nodded as she kissed her forehead, "I'm so sorry sweetheart," she whispered. Talia could feel her heart breaking, "I love you, mama," she said letting one final tear slip from her eyes. Talia pushed off of her mother and walked in the other direction as she wiped her tears away. Natasha hadn't felt guilt in so long, but watching her daughter walk away from her made that feeling familiar. She wanted to collapse onto her knees and sob, "I love you too," she whispered knowing that only Talia would hear it. But she didn't know that Talia would ignore it as she walked up the stairs to find Tony.
