Night Visions

Chapter 11

"What happened?"

Rogers hid his anger well. Wanda studied him as Vision recounted the tale, wincing as Romanoff dabbed at a cut on her elbow. She hadn't known Steve long – and he said that he understood, that it was just a mistake – but disappointing him was more unsettling than she would have thought. On top of everything else, they now had to deal with stories of Avengers attacking citizens in the streets. So much for their "normal" date.

Despite the scrape, Wanda wasn't hurt, not really, but Vision was taking it hard. He had barely spoken on their flight back to the base, and then only to ask if she was okay. She tried to reassure him, but the relief in his eyes lasted only a moment before he turned his gaze back to the horizon. Wanda hadn't known what else to do. She had reached into his mind, as she had so many times before. He was seeing it again, replaying it over and over – the fear on the faces of the crowd, the snap of the man's bone breaking. As she watched, the image disappeared, replaced by a sudden flash of anger as he remembered the way that they had knocked her to the ground. Then his mind was empty, showing her only a reflection of the night sky stretching ahead. Vision had shut her out.

She watched him now, sitting stiffly in his chair. Catching his eye, she tried a smile, but he turned his face away.

With a sigh, Rogers leaned forward. "Word's going to get out. Stark's going to use this."

Natasha arched a brow. "We're talking about him like he's the enemy now?"

"He's made his position pretty clear. Maybe thinks he's atoning for what happened with Ultron, and maybe he should. But this affects all of us." He looked to Vision, still staring down at the floor, still lost to his thoughts. Then he turned to Wanda and Natasha. "Will you give us a minute?"

Wanda had no intention of leaving Vision's side, not with him like this, but Romanoff had known Steve longer, knew that tone in his voice. Standing, she offered Wanda a hand. "Come on."

She stood reluctantly, looking to Vision. When at last he met her eyes, his expression was resigned. "Please, Wanda. I would speak with Captain Rogers alone."

Romanoff led her to the kitchen. Opening the refrigerator, she did her best to keep her tone light. "Want a beer? You look like you could use one."

Wanda shook her head. "I would rather be alone." She turned to leave, but Romanoff called after her.

"Just don't leave the compound." Her smile was sympathetic. "We're not on lockdown just yet, but..." She shrugged.

So she was a captive again. The urge to flee overwhelmed her, but where would she go? It was hard to believe, but this place had become... home.

But she was not in a cell, not yet. Natasha had only said not to leave the compound. Slipping through the nearest door and out into the night, Wanda peered up at the clouds. Then she spread her arms, lifting herself up into the sky. Just like he had taught her. But he had told her to go.

They had come up to the roof before. Just over there they had watched the sunrise in each other's arms, had done more than that beneath the light of the moon. Turning away, Wanda stepped to the edge and stared out into the darkness.

Behind her, someone coughed. Wilson was sitting on a nearby ledge, a beer resting on his knee. He raised the bottle in her direction. "Hey."

"Hey." Wanda came to stand beside him.

"Thought I was the only one who came up here." He smirked. "But I'm guessing you and Vizh are making time wherever you can, huh?"

"Not tonight. Tonight he would rather be with Rogers."

"Steve's got a lot on his plate right now, but he'll come up with something." There were more beers waiting beside him and he offered one to her. "I heard what happened."

This time she accepted and sat down beside him. Sam clinked his bottle against hers.

"He didn't mean it."

"From what I heard, it sounds like the guy deserved it." He gave her a thin-lipped smile, his eyes searching her face. "You okay?"

She nodded. "I just wish I knew what happens now..."

"Me too." He sighed. "Might be Steve'll bench him, keep him off TV for a while. We don't need to lose anyone else."

Wanda reached out with her mind, searching the compound. "Rhodes."

Sam took another drink. "Had a meeting with Stark and didn't come back."

"Do you think they... took him?"

"Nah. Don't think we're there yet. And I knew what he was thinkin'. Don't know why I'm surprised. Stark makes a play and he backs it."

"Like you do for Rogers."

He chuckled. "We had that in common. But I ain't buying what they're selling. Not like this. Things keep going this way and it won't be long before we're fighting each other."

Wanda took another sip. "But you don't have to." She conjured a thin stream of light, making it dance between her fingers. "The wings aren't a part of you. You can just—"

"Hang it up?" His laugh was bitter. "Might look like that to you, but it's not that easy."

"Because of Rogers?"

"Because it's the right thing to do. I've been there – fighting, following orders. This was supposed to be something different, something... unique. We register, we're all on the payroll. We'll be Washington's personal strike squad. You heard what happened with S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

She nodded. "But if things get bad... if you have to, you can hide." She made a fist, sending the energy scattering in fading red tendrils. "It is not so easy for people like me."

"Or your boyfriend. He does kind of stand out." Sam rocked against her playfully, but then his expression grew serious. "So maybe I'm fighting for you. This country doesn't have the best track record with people who are different."

Wanda finished her drink, offering him a grateful smile before setting the bottle aside. "Then thank you."

"Super-hero, remember? It's what I do." He uncapped another bottle. "But your hero's downstairs. Go check on him. I know you want to."

She shook her head. "He told me to leave. It's like he doesn't even—"

"Care?" Sam laughed. "A guy breaks someone's arm, he definitely cares. Probably just needed a little time to get his head straight. He might be new to all this, but I gotta say, he's got the brooding thing down."

Wanda smiled to herself. "Yes... he does."

Sam rolled his eyes. "And you ladies just love that stuff, huh? I might have to give it a try."

Pushing to her feet, she shook her head. "You are perfect, Sam, just as you are."

He raised his bottle in salute. "Glad somebody around here's noticed." He grinned. "Now go cheer your man up before those tears start to rust."