The sympathy in Natasha's tone made Olivia snap her head up fiercely. "So he woke up and randomly decided to bomb the freaking UN? He's not us, Nat—he didn't choose to be a killer!"
Her unprecedented outburst shocked Natasha. It was meant for herself, but without thinking rationally, it became an unintentional low blow for Natasha too.
Natasha recovered quickly, ungainly patting her back, "We haven't eaten all day. I'll go get us something."
"Nat–"
Unlike her, Natasha never displayed an ounce of emotions on her face to her enemies. And right then, staring at her friend's expressionless face, Olivia really messed up.
"You be careful with that chip on your shoulders, Olivia. If you continue to let it cloud your judgments, hold everybody at arms length. There won't be anybody left." Natasha said flatly before sharply turning on her heels.
Way to go, Liv, Olivia hung her head in shame.
This entire thing took a toll on her. It dreaded her to consider that someone might have gotten to the Winter Soldier. Or worst, if Bucky's nightmares turned him again—like the diner. That night, the damage he caused to others, to himself. It frightened her enough to whip out her phone, only to find Carter's name already flashed across the screen.
"Olivia? Where's Nat? I can't reach her!"
"She's fine. And wow, thanks for the concern too, C," she rested against the bench, impatiently checking on how her wounds were healing.
"See, you being so snarky means you're totally fine."
She briefly looked to her bloodied clothes on the floor. "...Carter, tell me it's not him."
"It's not, I had eyes on him the entire time. Liv, there's no way that's him on the screens, somebody set him up to take the fall."
"Yeah, I figured. It's laughable to think the Winter Soldier will pose for the cameras. But I doubt the UN is in a speaking mood..." She thought about T'Challa, who sat idly in a corner just staring into the space. A certain kind of panic flooded her veins when she said, "If it comes down, we'll use our alibi."
Carter's momental silence made her cringe, "...Then Steve will know you lied. About Barnes."
Olivia grimaced at the reminder of Natasha's words, making her wrangle her fingers anxiously. "Guess we gotta clear his name before that happens. Listen, Fury's bunker, you still remember where I showed you?"
