A/N: I apologize for posting a day late, but I was busy buying a car yesterday. Even with an expedited program, it took all morning.
A Matter of Trust
Steve Rogers sat at a table on the Avengers back porch, making entries in a large ledger. Two manila file folders lay on the table beside him and he periodically referred to the papers inside.
"Would it not be more efficient to do that on a computer?" Vision asked politely, as the android Avenger emerged from the building.
"I'm still a little old-fashioned," the man out of time said good-naturedly. "And I don't like to use Avengers' resources for personal projects."
"The expense would be minimal," Vision assured him. "Or you could get a personal computer if you do not wish to use the Avengers' equipment."
"You're missing the point, Vizh. This is … personal."
Vision understood that the project must relate to the hunt for the captain's long lost friend, the former Winter Soldier. "Perhaps I am prejudiced," the android said gently. "But I think that the search for your friend would be facilitated by using computers. I would be glad to volunteer my time to assist you."
Steve sighed and folded his arms over his paperwork. "It's not that Sam and I don't use computers. I'm not as backwards as some people believe. But this material relates to my childhood and youth, to places Bucky might be drawn to. I may be the only person alive that remembers these things and I don't want them to become public knowledge. I don't want it in the computer."
"I can guarantee its privacy," Vision offered.
"Can you tell me what the computer says about tomorrow's training schedule?" Steve asked Vision, seeming to change the subject.
"Of course. Do you wish me to recount the timeline?" Steve waved the offer away.
"Can you read this?" Steve asked, holding up a manila folder stuffed with papers.
"Not without opening the folder and perusing the documents visually," Vision confirmed.
"And that's the way I like it. See, I knew a guy once who put his mind in a computer for safekeeping. He tried to take over the world. I knew another guy, made a computer with a sentient mind. It tried to take over the world. I've had some bad experiences, so there are some things I like to keep out of the computers."
"Do you not trust me, captain?" Vision asked curiously. He didn't sound offended, but as if it was one of several multiple-choice possibilities.
"Not what I meant," Steve answered. "You proved yourself in battle. You're one of us now."
"And yet you keep secrets."
"We're all entitled to some privacy," Steve pointed out.
Vision's lips quirked in amusement. "I could simply read your mind, to find out what is in those files," he pointed out.
Steve returned the smile. "Or you could tear the lock off the filing cabinet with your bare hands and read the files. But I don't think you'll violate my privacy."
"Then you do trust me," Vision said, as Steve began shuffling his papers neatly into the file folder.
"Of course," Steve said matter-of-factly. "You're an Avenger. But of the three sentient computers I've met, you're the only one who hasn't tried to kill me. It's not a matter of not trusting you. It's a matter of not trusting everyone who might be able to link with a computer."
"A sad position, but understandable," Vision admitted. "Thank you for this enlightening conversation, captain." He started back inside.
"Thank you for trying to help," Steve answered.
"If I come across any information about Sgt. Barnes, I will inform you."
"I know you will," Steve said. "I trust you."
And now Vision understood what a gift that was.