Can't Ask, Don't Need, Won't Acknowledge

Chapter 18: Civil Discourse

Wanda looked up and stared at Tony, “you’re saying they’ll come for me.”

Natasha noticed she said ‘me’ in stead of ‘us.’ Vision spoke up quickly, “We could protect you.”

Natasha kept replaying Tony and Wanda’s words over and over in her head as if they were on continuous loop. She had to protect Wanda at any cost. “Maybe Tony’s right. If we have one hand on the wheel. We can still steer. If we take it off…”

Sam interrupted her, “aren’t you the same woman who told the government to kiss her ass a few years ago?”

“I’m just…. I’m reading the terrain. We have made some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back,” Natasha hoped she had managed to deflect the attention away from Wanda. She hoped the team didn’t realise her true intentions.

“Focus up, I’m sorry, did I mishear you or did you agree with me?” joked Tony.

“Oh I want to take it back now,” responded Natasha sharply.

“No, no, no. You can’t retract it. Thank you. Unprecedented. Okay, case closed. I win.”

Steve glanced towards his phone, he drops the accords onto the table. “I have to go.”

Natasha glanced at her own phone and sighed before turning to Wanda, “Wanda sweetheart I need you to stay with Uncle Tony and Aunt Pepper. I have to go with Steve, I won’t be away for long I promise.”

Wanda nodded mutely, Natasha hated herself for being torn between the two people she cared for most in the world.

……………………………………………………

Steve stood alone in the church aisle, dressed uncharacteristically all in black. Natasha approaches him slowly she doesn’t need to say a word to prompt him speaking.

“When I came out of the ice, I thought everyone I had known was gone. Then I found out that she was alive. I was just lucky to have her.”

“She had you back, too.” Replied Natasha lightly.

“Who else has signed?”

“Tony. Rhodey. Vision.” Stated Natasha.

“Clint?” questioned Steve.

“Says he's retired.”

Steve took a deep breath, “Wanda?”

“Wanda is a minor, she can’t sign, but as her legal guardian I’m responsible for her. I'm off to Vienna for the signing of the Accords. There's plenty of room on the jet.” Natasha trailed off at the end almost willing Steve to agree with her, “Just because it's the path of least resistance doesn't mean it's the wrong path. Staying together is more important than how we stay together.”

Steve can see by Natasha’s tone that she does not really believe it. “What are we giving up to do it? I'm sorry, Nat. I can't sign it.”

“I know,” replied Natasha sadly.

“Then what are you doing here?” asked Steve, looking around the church.