On The Run

The Talk

Chapter 5: The talk

"I'm worried about her," Clint nodded at Wanda, who had finally managed to fall asleep.

Steve sighed, glancing up at the rear view mirror while keeping one eye on the road. "Yeah. Me too."

"She's been in a maximum security prison cell for the past four days-not to mention the world still blames her for what happens in Lagos...the last thing she needs is to worry about being caught by the government again. They'll only see her as more dangerous than she already is...and I don't even want to think about what they'd do to her to remedy that in the interests of 'public safety'," He sighed, drumming his fingers on the windowpane. "I'm starting to think it might have been a bad call to rescue her from the compound. I mean sure,she was confined there...but she had Vision to keep her company and she seemed fairly happy. She was hesitant to go-but I'm the one who pushed her."

"She made her choice. Yes, I agree that it wasn't fair but...we couldn't have left her there. She's a member of the team, Clint. If we're gearing up for a fight, of course she wants to be a part of it. She's an adult-I think sometimes we forget that. You gave her a choice and she made her decision, just like we all did when we decided not to sign the Accords. But I agree; she has to learn how to control her abilities-for her own sake, just as much as for others. Any good ideas?"

"I'll look something up in the yellow pages," Clint replied sarcastically.

They lapsed into an uneasy silence as the miles slipped by, the only ones still awake besides Bucky-who sat very still and looked directly forward as though he was guarding them.

"I don't think I was able to thank you for what you did," Clint continued after a suitable interval had passed. "For rescuing us. I have to admit, I figured you wouldn't be able to come through. The Raft isn't exactly the easiest place to break into."

Steve grinned, "You didn't think I was just going to abandon the four of you-did you? You're my team-we look out for each other."

"Not that we're much of a team anymore," He thought about Vision, Rhodey, Natasha, and Tony and how they might never see each other again.

"Yeah, we're a team," Steve countered. "We're not the one we were before, but we're still a team. You can be sure of that," He took a sharp left, taking an exit that would get them off the highway. "And I don't think Wanda is the only one who needs a little bit of time to recuperate."

"Can you tell me where we're going now?"

"When we stop to get something to eat."

"When will that be?"

"Another couple of hours at least."

Clint just rolled his eyes, "I know this is stupid, but did you by any chance happen to pick up our phones?"

"As a matter of fact, I did-but I'm going to need Scott's help making sure they're wiped and untraceable. It might take a few days. Why? Do you need to call your wife?"

"That would probably be best. I need to tell her and the kids that I won't be home for dinner. Cooper and Lila are going to be so disappointed; we were going to go water skiing this weekend. First time this season."

"I'm sorry," It was blatantly obvious that they wouldn't be going water skiing again anytime soon.

"What do you think is going to happen to them when General Ross realizes we escaped?"

Steve sighed, "It's impossible to say. I think they should be fine-but I'd wait a few days to call so they can have as much deniability as possible. After all, they know just as much as everyone else does right about now-they don't need to lie to the law enforcement," He cleared his throat and handed him his cell phone. "But they're probably worried sick...Call Laura. Just for five minutes."