A/N: Hey, so you might have noticed the last chapter didn't have a beta credit. Spoiler alert, this one doesn't either. However, I'm currently working on remedying that for upcoming chapters. Hence, the super early update. I'm not sure if the first chapter was long enough to be a decent sample so here's chapter two, too. Future updates will likely be more spaced out. Thank you for your support so far and I hope y'all enjoy! ;)
Chapter 2: Wait
{A month and a half earlier...}
Wanda was no stranger to imprisonment long before she arrived at The Raft. Before those damned Sokovia Accords. Even before she and Pietro had volunteered for Struker's experiments. Living on the streets, they'd been arrested at least a dozen times. Sometimes for something they'd actually done, like stealing food. Other times, for simply being seen using their powers. Prior to all of that, as far as she and Pietro were concerned, the orphanage was just another version of jail, too.
It's this familiarity that cues her into the wrongness of the Raft. The side glances she catches guards exchanging when they're brought in. The slight smirk she sees when one of them clicks a collar into place around her neck and pinches her skin. The hand lingering too long on her back as they zip her into a straightjacket.
When they leave her alone in her cell, Wanda tries to reach out with her powers, to break the contraption. Without her hands to direct the energy, she struggles for control. After a few hours of attempts, she finally manages something. She must, anyway, because it triggers the collar. Immediately, she's struck by what feels like lightning before she blacks out.
{A month and a half later...}
Vision crosses the bleek cell and is by Wanda's side in an instant, running as many diagnostics as he can. She's unconscious, balled up in the far corner of the room. Her skin is pale where it peeks out from between the bruises. There are shackles on her ankles, with spots of dried blood caked on the edges from where they bite into her.
Her breathing's shallow and her pulse is slow. When he kneels beside her and shifts her weight onto him, she doesn't react. The Vision can access every medical text ever written by man. However, without the diagnostic tools he'd need to apply them, they're useless. As useless as he feels.
"I'm so sorry, Wanda." Even if she can't hear him, he's compelled to say it. He lifts her with an arm under her legs, the other supporting her head and neck, careful not to jostle her. Vision thinks he sees her wince when he stands, and tries not to feel guilty for the small victory. It isn't much, but he'll take any signs of life he can.
"Captain Rogers, I've found Miss Maximoff. She requires immediate medical attention. What is your current status?" He tries to concentrate on getting to his teammates as quickly as possible. He can't help her here and any distractions he allows will only serve to delay him further.
"The jet's in stealth and I'm right on top of your location. Have you found the rest of the team, yet?"
Vision's about to reply when he comes face to face with one of the Raft's guards. He's been lucky, having avoided them since leaving the control room. With Wanda in his arms, his only option for combat is the mind stone. He slices through the ceiling above the man like butter and it falls just in front of him, effectively blocking his advances.
"Negative, I'm on my way now," Vision replies, turning to find a new exit from the hallway and bounding off.
"She's not with them? Nevermind. Just get Wanda to the jet. I'll take care of the guys."
Vision starts up a staircase towards the rooftop, stalling at Steve's words, "Is it not still in the air?"
Opening the door to the harsh elements outside, the Vision gets his answer.
"Not quite. Where can I find them?" Captain Rogers has landed the quinjet directly on top of the complex, officially laying waste to whatever remnants may have been left of the plan.
"Their cells have already been unlocked. Eighth floor, center of the facility." Vision pauses before ascending the ramp, "And thank you, Captain."
Laying Wanda across a bench, Vision prepares the quinjet for take-off. He opens a screen that displays the Captain's position and begins gathering medical supplies, glancing back at Wanda constantly as he moves.
Vision kneels by the bench and gets to work, finding scissors in one of the first-aid kits. He uses the mind stone to slice through the chains on her ankles and the monstrosity on her neck. The raw, angry patches of skin left behind affect him in a way he doesn't have time to try to understand. Instead, he whispers more apologies she can't hear while he cuts the straightjacket and prison regulation clothing away.
The quinjet is loaded with tech, but the Vision is mostly thankful for its extensive array of medical equipment. He's drawing Wanda's blood for testing, prepping an i.v. for pain meds, and assembling the portable MRI and CT scans. All faster than any human could, yet not nearly as quickly as he'd like.
By the time Vision hears footsteps heading towards the jet, he's finished running all of the tests he can think of on Wanda. A quick look at Cap's location assures him it is indeed the team returning. It gives him enough time to gather blankets for a makeshift curtain, cover her up, and provide Wanda with a semblance of privacy in the small aircraft.
Clint is the first in the quinjet, followed by Scott, Sam, and Steve. Clint stares at Vision for a moment, but the hard look falters when he asks, "How is she?"
"Miss Maximoff is gravely injured. It appears she's suffering from multiple fractures in her collarbone, ribs, left wrist, and right hip. I believe she also may have some lung damage and internal bleeding..." Vision trails off, unable to finish his sentence. He has suspicions about the bleeding, it's possible sources and causes for it.
There's a chorus of reactions to fill the space he leaves.
"She's just a kid..."
"Oh, Christ..."
"Assholes."
"I know where we can get help."
They all turn to Steve, watching as he takes the controls. The jet takes off, with little more for anyone else to do but wait.