The Winter Witch

Chapter 18: New Feelings

After my conversation with Vision, I felt more at ease with everything that has been going on. He kept me well grounded and he knew how to keep me in check. Something that even Clint was still working on. Maybe it's just because Vision has more leverage, being an android and all. I'm still surprised how all of the Avengers are treating me. They treat me like family, something I had never expected from them. The battle of Sokovia changed me. When Pietro had died and I lost control for the first time, I figured the Avengers would see me as a villain and a major threat. Turns out I was wrong. Way wrong.

Steve knew what I was going through and he made sure that I was protected at all times. Clint on the other hand, perhaps he thought he owed me since my brother saved his life. Over time, I could tell that his feelings changed and he looked at me more of as a little sister than an IOU. It took a while for me to get used to Tony. I wasn't sure how to feel about him. Then one day he was arguing with Steve like a stubborn child, being all sarcastic and I couldn't help but laugh. I realized he was a human too and he's made mistakes he regrets.

Natasha and I hit it off really well. She's helped me train and she also tells me stories of her missions to help me get my mind off of things. She's definitely my go-to source for advice on just about anything.

I've made so much progress with everyone and I feel so great about it. Everything is starting to feel normal again.

Except Bucky.

After what happened on the subway car, Steve made sure Bucky was taken back to the Avengers facility. He's locked up downstairs somewhere so he can't hurt anyone. I'm supposed to head down there so I can restore his memories but I'm hesitant to. Last time I saw Bucky, I was actually terrified of him. Something I thought I'd never be. Vision said he would accompany me and I'm grateful for his offer. I've been avoiding it for a while and I think Steve is starting to get concerned. I suppose it's time I stop putting it off...

I walk down the hallway and go down the stairs. As I head to where Bucky is, I call out for Vision.

"Vision." I simply say. In seconds, he appears right beside me.

"I see you decided to finally meet Mr. Barnes." Vision says.

I nodded slowly. "I am scared. I don't know what I'll see, but I am glad you are here with me."

I see Vision smile out the corner of my eye. It makes me smile. As we reach his cell, Vision reaches out and takes my hand. Without thinking, I clasp my hand tightly around his.

He looks at me. "Ready?"

I nod.

We both phase through the wall and enter Bucky's cell. When I saw Bucky, my heart sunk to the floor. My chest felt so hollow. I gasped at the sight of him. He was shackled to the wall, a muzzle covering his mouth. Part of the wall was magnetic and his metal arm was latched on tightly. There was no chance he could ever escape.

He looked up at us, his eyes full of rage but with a hint of sorrow. I felt completely terrible.

Vision placed his hand on the small of my back. The warmth of his touch instantly soothed me. I no longer felt afraid, for Vision would protect me if anything were to happen.

"Mr. Barnes, Wanda is here to help you...get better." Vision spoke with such softness in his voice. Bucky of course, didn't respond.

I walked towards Bucky, my hex boiling in my veins. As I neared upon him, I noticed that some of the shackles weren't attached to the wall. I peered closer and saw that the magnetic part of the wall wasn't glowing when it should have been.

"Vision..." I slowly started to back away but I was too late.

Bucky backhanded me across the face and I flew across his cell and hit the wall. I landed with a thud and pain surged through my body.

Vision called out my name but I was slowly submerging into an unconscious state.

It was lights out for me.

I awoke in the infirmary, not remembering what happened. The memory suddenly rushes back and I am terrified for Vision. Horrible thoughts of what could have happened to him race through my mind.

I lose my train of thought when I feel someone clasp their hand in mine. I look over and see Natasha. She has a small smile on her face but her eyes tell a different story.

"What happened to Vision? Is he okay? What about Bucky?" I spew out all of these questions but Natasha stops me.

"Barnes got away." She said quietly.

I curse silently. "What about Vision...?"

Natasha doesn't say anything for a moment which makes me incredibly nervous. Finally, she spoke up. "Tony is working on Vision. I guess Barnes was so out of it, he went full on psycho."

"What did he do?" I demanded.

"He tried to take out the mind stone." Natasha said.

I looked at her in horror. How could someone like Bucky take on someone like Vision? That seemed almost impossible to me.

"Will he be alright?" I ask.

"I believe so. Tony called in Bruce and with those two working on him, he'll definitely make a full recovery. You on the other hand, need some more rest. Nothing is broken but you'll be super sore and you may have some nasty bruises on your arm." Natasha replied.

I look down at my arm and see that it's wrapped up in bandages. I hadn't even noticed the pain.

"Clint wanted me to come get him if you woke up, so I'll go fetch him for you. He was really worried, Wanda." Natasha squeezed my hand and with that, she left to go get Clint.

I closed my eyes and tried to reach Vision's mind, but he was too disconnected for me to read him.

While laying there, my mind flashes back to the moment in Sokovia. The moment that changed everything forever.

"You walk out that door, you're an Avenger."

If only Clint had told me what it would cost...