Whisper

Reminiscing

A/N: Hi, don't feel like you need to be a silent reader. I love hearing from everyone. Comment with kindness.

O - O - O

Bruce agreed to take a shower after several minutes of convincing. As soon as she heard the water turn on, she laid out his change of clothes and went to the bathroom door. She told him she was going to speak with Steve and Tony before rushing out of the room. The two men were chopping wood in an attempt to be helpful and relieve stress that had built up from their encounter with Ultron. Niobe closed the distance, listening in on their conversation.

"Thor didn't say where he was going for answers?" Tony asked. 

"Sometimes my teammates don't tell me things. I was kind of hoping Thor would be the exception," Steve said. "Hey, Obe."

Niobe walked over to Tony, giving him a quick hug.

"Yeah, give him time. We don't know what the Maximoff kid showed him," Tony said.

"Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Pulled us apart like cotton candy," Steve said.

"You are not accustomed to mental manipulation. What she did is new to all of you. Do not blame yourselves," Niobe said

Tony made a noise of agreement before focusing in on Steve. She could see the men were at odds with one another. Both were angry at something the other was unable to budge on. 

"Seems like you walked away all right," Tony said.

"Is that a problem?" Steve asked.

"I don't trust a guy without a dark side. Call me old fashioned," Tony said.

"Well let's just say you haven't seen it yet," Steve said.

Niobe sighed. Maybe she should have stayed with Bruce.

"You know Ultron is trying to tear us apart, right?" Tony asked.

"Well, I guess you'd know. Whether you tell us is a bit of a question," Steve said.

"Banner and I were doing research," Tony said.

"That would affect the team," Steve said.

"That would end the team. Isn't that the mission? Isn't that the "why" we fight, so we can end the fight, so we get to go home?" Tony asked.

"Every time someone tries to win a war before it starts, innocent people die. Every time," Steve said. 

Laura stepped in, interrupting the pissing match.

"I'm sorry. Mr. Stark, uh, Clint said you wouldn't mind, but, our tractor, it doesn't seem to want to start at all. I thought maybe you might..." Laura said.

"Yeah, I'll give her a kick," Tony said. 

He looked to Steve who's chest still heaved with anger.

"Don't take from my pile," Tony said.

They watched Tony head to the barn, his head hung low. Niobe could tell he was hurting. He regretted what happened with Ultron, but he still believed his idea had potential. Laura walked back to the house offering an awkward smile as she said goodbye. Niobe opted to stay with Steve, hoping she might ease the tension.

"That was interesting," she said.

Steve scoffed and began chopping again.

"Want to talk about what happened?" She asked.

"Maybe," he said.

He sat the hatchet down and looked at the Jedi. Steve wore a look of uncertainty. He wasn't sure he wanted to relive the memories.

"If you want," she said, "I can look. You won't have to say a thing."

Steve nodded. Niobe closed her eyes, zeroing in on Steve's mind. Within seconds she was in a room with jazz music. She glanced around. A woman with dark red hair stood across from Steve. Niobe listened to the exchange and as if answering her questions, Steve's memories went to before the ice. 

The woman was called Peggy and Steve was in love with her. Wanda had caused him to experience a moment he would never get. He was in pain.

Niobe opened her eyes. She wanted to reassure him, but she was unsure of how to go about doing so.

"Steve," Niobe said. "I'm sorry you saw that."

Steve laughed.

"No words of wisdom?" He asked.

"I'm not Yoda," she teased.

Niobe hugged him. Steve seemed to relax at her touch. Niobe smiled into his chest. She had been told once that she had a magical touch that made people swarm to her. She was glad that magic could help someone.

"You have a life here, Steve," she said. "A new family, one that needs you."

"Am I supposed to forget her?" He asked.

"No," Niobe said. "You remember them, but you cherish what you still have. Bucky is alive. Tony loves you. Natasha TRUSTS you, which is near impossible. I need you too."

Steve stepped back. His eyes went to the house, trying to avoid meeting Niobe's gaze.

"This is where you were meant to be," she said. "Trust the will of the force."

Steve's brow furrowed.

"I know," she said. "I know you don't have that concept here, but the force connects all living creatures. The force has a plan and that plan means you stay in this future. There is a reason you are here. Do not take that for granted by reminiscing about the past and what could have been."

"Maybe you are Yoda," Steve said.

The two laughed.

"Tony means well," she said. "He has a difficult past too. One with darkness he cannot bear. I am working with him."

"Is this your way of saying forgive him?" He asked.

"No," Niobe said. "I'm saying, be compassionate and trust him. He looks to you as a friend now. Betraying that would destroy him."