Wanda Maximoff slid around a corner, trying to detect any life forms. Her nerves were shot- the Avengers, her new family, were disassembled. Cap was now a fugitive, and because she supported him, so was she. But Cap's shield was taken away to the Avengers facility, and someone had to retrieve it. That someone being her. She wasn't alone, which was somewhat comforting. She was accompanied by Clint, who she considered one of her best friends. They weren't very far when she felt someone's presence. She concentrated, trying to figure out who it could be, wrapping around the person's mind…
Vision. Her other best friend.
They had become close after the Battle of Sokavia. They spent hours talking about meaningless topics as well as meaningful ones. He had sided with Tony, her with Steve. He had sided with the government, her with rebellion. She knew he would arrest her in if he saw her or Clint. It was just how he was- he had an innate sense of doing whatever he considered right, even if it meant betraying her.
"Clint." She whispered. "I can sense someone. It's Vision."
Clint muttered something under his breath. "Where is he?" He asked.
"I can't tell exactly, but he seems to be in the room where they're probably keeping Cap's shield. Maybe we should leave and come back later?"
Then, a thought entered Wanda's mind, one that was not her own. Wanda? It questioned. What are you doing here? It was Vision sensing her own presence.
"He knows we're here." Wanda breathed. "He just sent me a thought."
Clint drew an arrow. Wanda gasped. "No. You wouldn't shoot him. Would you?"
"I don't want to..."
Wanda knew the end to that sentence. But I would if I had to. Clint's loyalties lay with Steve, not with Vision.
"What do we do?" Wanda asked.
"We wait." Clint answered. "He'll come to us. He'll have to throw the first punch. We need to at least try to get the shield."
Wanda knew this was a bad idea; that they should leave now, before Vision alerted everyone in the building that they were there.
There were no alarms and no announcements. Vision gradually moved towards them, eventually turning around the corner where they were. Wanda heard Clint's bow stretch.
"Why are you here?" Vision asked. His voice lacked the gentleness it usually had. He was on edge, which was unusual for him.
"We're here for the shield." Clint stood.
"Well, you're not getting it." Vision said, awfully stern for his character. "Please leave. I don't want to have to have you arrested."
"You haven't already alerted the authorities?" Wanda questioned.
"No, I haven't." Wanda didn't believe him, even though lying was out of his character. Although, lately, everyone was acting strange.
Clint pointed the bow at Vision, even though Wanda knew Vision could vaporize it in a millisecond. "Let us through."
"No, I will not let you through." Vision said, with more conviction this time.
"Vision, please..." She pleaded, stepping forward. "I know we're on different sides of this issue. But we're friends, remember?" She tucked her hand into his. He looked torn apart. "We're not going to fight over this, are we? Just let us through, and we'll get Cap's shield, and we'll be on our way."
"Wanda, don't make this harder." He implored.
"It doesn't have to be hard. Steve is your friend. That shield belongs to him. So, the government stole it from him, and now we're just getting what is rightfully his."
"Wanda, I-"
"Please." She cupped his face in her hands. Wanda felt like she was manipulating him in some sort of way, but she couldn't figure out how.
"I can't." He sounded heartbroken.
Wanda nodded slowly, and backed away. "I understand."
Then, with a flick of the wrist, she took control of Vision. Tears sprung to her eyes. Red auras entwined along his body, but he was able to shoot a ray of light at Clint. Wanda screamed.
"I….can't...let...you….pass..." Vision grunted.
The tears were streaming now. Clint. He was on the ground, probably dead. And it was her fault.
She had to focus on the shield now. Too much had been sacrificed for her to leave it.
Wanda increased Vision's mass, making him sink to the ground. The ground cracked.
"Wanda..." He trailed off.
"I'm sorry." It was all she could muster. With Vision detained, she dashed for the shield. Wanda grabbed it and took control of Clint, scooping him off the ground. She let go of Vision- the strain on her powers was excruciating -and made a dash for the exit. She knew Vision would be calling the authorities now. She realized that when she took control of Vision, it was about more than getting the shield. It was about proving her loyalty.
The guilt tugged at her. Clint has a family! You didn't have the right to sacrifice him! That wasn't your choice! And then there was Vision- who she thought she loved. She was willing to give it all up for the cause, for her ideals. She knew, deep down, that she did the right thing- standing up for what she believed in.
It didn't mean, though, that it didn't break her heart.
AN: I know everyone's terribly out of character, but I just HAD to write this after seeing the new trailer. It broke my poor shipping heart. I hope you enjoy it! I've decided to make this two shot into a full length fic (around 5 chapters or so, I think. Not sure yet.)