Vision watched as Lieutenant Rhodes lay still on a white surface, slowly sliding into a tunnel-like machine. Tony Stark stood next to him, studying his best friend.

"How did this happen?" Tony demanded.

"I...became distracted," Vision admitted.

"Distracted?" Tony echoed disbelievingly. "I didn't think that was possible."

"Neither did I," Vision replied, looking down.

And he had been distracted. By the young woman in his arms.

Wanda Maximoff.

She'd looked so small and fragile, on the ground. Disoriented from a sonic blast, and he wasn't sure where it had come from; he suspected it had been Tony.

He'd been worried about her.

Worried that her brother's death was still affecting her. Worried about how she was harnessing her powers; how she reacted when they got the better of her.

Worried about the almost wanton way she'd used those powers during the battle. At certain points she'd seemed completely out of control, right up until she lay on the ground and whispered her apology to him.

Worried. A relatively new emotion…

He'd just wanted to keep her safe, away from a world that called her a monster.

He didn't just want the Earth to be secure. He wanted to make sure Wanda was protected as well.

She was so young, and so utterly human. But there was a power within her, threatening to consume her.

Similar to his predicament with the Mind Stone. They were sympathetic to the other's plights.

Sympathy. Another emotion.

Vision had discovered emotions to be unbearably raw, endless, and overwhelming. There were some he didn't mind, like the amusement he felt whenever Tony became exceptionally intoxicated.

And then there was the odd tugging in his chest whenever Wanda was around.

Well...he wasn't quite sure how he felt about that one.

He did know that he was not at all fond of the heavy guilt weighing on him.

The guilt that had been present since the hurt look in Wanda's eyes at the compound. It had carried on after she had incapacitated him and escaped with Agent Barton. It had doubled when the distraction of her in his arms caused him to miss and hit Lieutenant Rhodes, rather than the helicopter.

And Vision found himself strangely desperate to alleviate the guilt.

Tony didn't want apologies, and Rhodes wasn't well enough for visitors.

So that was how he found himself standing in front of Wanda's cell, in a giant prison in the middle of the ocean.

He could feel the eyes of the others on him as he walked by, sensing the questioning stares.

"Hey." He stopped, and turned to face Clint Barton.

"Yes, Agent Barton?"

"Go easy on her, alright? Otherwise I'll have to kick your ass."

"I was not intending on being harsh," Vision replied.

"Good. Because I have a feeling that in reality, you'd kick my ass." Barton paused. "Scratch that. I could take you."

Vision allowed him a small smile. "I'm sure."

"Don't give me that sarcastic crap, man. I don't need that."

"I am an artificial intelligence, Agent Barton. I am not capable of sarcasm."

"Go talk to Wanda and leave me alone, man. I don't need your sass."

Deciding not to press the matter, Vision turned and made his way to Wanda's cell.

The minute he saw her, he wished he hadn't come.

He'd expected her to be restrained, but not like this. Not immobilized in a straightjacket, black straps criss-crossing her body and secured with a collar that was most likely restricting her abilities.

She looked tiny, huddled and sitting with her head leaned against the wall, eyes closed, face glittering with dried tears.

"Wanda," he said quietly.

Her eyes snapped open, and she turned her head to face him in shock.

"What are you doing here, Viz?" she rasped softly.

"I came to see you," he said simply.

"Well, don't worry," she said, looking up at the ceiling. "You and Tony should be satisfied now, what with the dangerous Wanda Maximoff hidden away where no one will ever find her."

Her tone was bitter, and he was surprised at how much her words lodged in his chest, in the space where his synthetic heart was.

"I did not want this, Wanda," he said, gesturing to the cell and her restraints. "Any of this. I only wanted you safe."

She gave a dull laugh. "I am safe now," she scoffed. "With these restraints, I cannot move. All I can do is sit here and think about how uncomfortable they are."

"I can speak to Mr. Stark-"

"He approved these, Viz. He might have designed them, for all I know."

For a moment, Vision could not say anything. Finally, he said, "I am sorry for your discomfort, Wanda. I will address it."

She smiled, a real smile. "You're always so sweet. What will I do without you?"

"You will not be in here forever, Wanda."

"No, I won't. But I'll be here for a while. With Clint and his horrible singing. No one to attempt making paprikash to cheer me up." She winked at him, a bit of her playful side showing.

"I can visit again, if you wish," he offered, feeling oddly hopeful.

Her expression became sad. "They'll never let you," she said. "And...I don't know if I'd want you to."

"You dislike my company?"

"No, Viz. Never. I just…" she sighed, and closed her eyes for a moment. "I don't want you to see me like this. Tied up like some lunatic in an insane asylum." She met his mechanical blue gaze. "It's not what you want anyone to see you as."

"I do not see you as insane. I would never classify you anywhere in the range of unsound mind," Vision said quietly. "And even if you were, I would be proud to call you a friend."

She made a small laugh. "We're still friends, then?"

"Of course, Wanda."

"Good." Her face became serious. "I'm sorry, Viz. For everything."

"As am I."

"Sir." Vision turned to see a guard gesturing towards the exit.

"One more moment, please," Vision said politely. He turned back to Wanda.

"It appears I am being called away."

"Yeah…" she mused. "Hey, Viz?"

"Yes, Wanda?"

"When I get out of here, I'll teach you how to make paprikash, alright?"

"I look forward to it," Vision replied.

"Bye, Viz," she said softly.

"Goodbye, Wanda."

The guilt had lessened some as Vision left the prison. He only hoped that one day, he could make it fully disappear.

Review, please!

Also, there is a Vision/Scarlet Witch playlist on Spotify!

It's called Vision/Scarlet Witch: Snapshots, and it's by caleopercebeth#1

So, yeah, check it out!