When Rob and Wanda exited the bathroom, some new guards had arrived to escort them to the holding cells. Wanda had been extremely nervous once she saw the guards and had clutched onto Rob's arm with such a fierce grip he wondered if she would bend the metal of his armor. Luckily, she hadn't tried to use her powers so the collars on her neck weren't activated. As they neared the cells, they saw Ross and another guard, who held a strait jacket, awaiting them. Rob grew furious when he saw the jacket and his hands closed into fists. When Wanda saw them, she moved slightly behind him as if to hide from the men.
Ross, sensing the situation was about to explode stepped forward, his arms raised and a pacifying gesture. "Calm down, we just need her to put this on and then she can enter her cell." When he noticed Rob stiffen, he added, "The men who attacked her have been dealt with. Well, the ones that are alive anyway." He mumbled the last part but Everyone still heard it.
"What do you mean the ones still alive?" Rob asked. "Those were stun rounds, non-lethal."
"Well apparently Stark put a little more punch in your rounds than normal. 2 of those men suffered heart failure after you shot them." Rob paled behind his mask and Wanda gripped his hand from behind him.
"Am I in trouble?" Rob asked and tensed when Ross didn't immediately respond. Wanda started shaking at the possibility of Rob being taken from her.
Ross shook his head. "No, you will not be punished." Rob and Wanda both looked relieved to hear that. "But you will stay here as her personal guard until I can get replacements for the ones you killed. Is that clear?"
Wanda stood behind Rob beaming as he nodded his acceptance. "That will be fine sir."
"Good, now escort this woman to her cell and make sure she wears her power dampening collar. I won't push the others so long as she wears that one."
Rob hesitated before slowly turning to Wanda. He knew that he couldn't truly refuse Ross anymore. Especially after he dropped the whole murdering his employee's incident. He just hoped Wanda would understand.
Wanda had retreated back into herself once she learned about having to wear the collar. Of course, she knew she would never be allowed to roam free in this place but she felt naked and scared without her powers. She was virtually defenseless without them. She was really regretting not taking Natasha up on her offers for hand to hand training. Wanda shuddered as she looked at the collar again before forcing her attention to the young man in front of her. Rob was still standing in front of Ross keeping her well behind him and she was immensely grateful he was here and saved her. She owed him so much after today and with that thought she swallowed her nerves and moved forward to put the collar on.
Rob stayed close as Wanda let Ross put the collar on her. He watched as she grimaced and swayed a bit when the collar was turned on. Moving forward he held his arms out in case she started to fall. She flinched slightly away from him before rushing forward into his embrace. Rubbing her back, she continued to shiver as he led her down some corridors towards the cells. When they made it to the circular room, all the other avengers were in their cells. They watched anxiously as Rob led Wanda into her cell before stepping out.
Wanda freaked when he took the step out and cried out, latching onto his arm with all the strength she could muster. Rob froze before gently taking her hand in his. She seemed to calm slightly as he used his thumb to rub circles on the back of her hand.
"I'll be right here just on the other side of this glass panel. I won't leave, I promise." Rob stated as Wanda started crying and shaking her head.
It was all too much. Too many emotions in too short a time. Barely an hour ago she was almost raped and the only one who provided her with any sense of security was going to be out of her reach. Tears continued to fall as she continued to squeeze his hand.
"Please don't leave me alone." The soft whimper escaped her lips. She stared at the floor unable to lift her head to look him in the eyes.
Rob smiled softly behind the mask. Releasing the clamps, it opened revealing his face. Hearing the hiss, she glanced up before quickly averting her gaze. "I'll never leave you. I will stay right here; we can even keep the food hatch open if you need me to hold your hand until you're ready but you need to get in before Ross decides to be an ass again." Rob spoke softly and she whimpered again but nodded.
She was slow to release her grip on him and as soon as her hand left his she hugged herself as tightly as she could. Rob closed the door and Wanda shut her eyes, trying to erase the images that flooded her mind, threatening to drive her mad. Rob was quick to open the food hatch and rend his now bare hand into the cell. When Wanda heard the hatch open, she once again lunged for his hand. She took a shuddering breath when she felt his smooth skin against hers. The others around them watched silently. They had heard her screams for help as they were led to their cells. They knew what was happening to her, all of them powerless to stop it. All except the one they fought against. That was how the rest of the day went, in silence. Eventually Wanda grew too tried to hold his hand and after some urging from Rob, took to the bed in her cell and fell into a fitful sleep. The others soon followed her example, eager to see this day behind them. Rob however put his armor back on and stood vigil outside Wanda's cell.
The night seemed to stretch onward and soon Rob was having trouble staying awake. He could hear Wanda whimper and groan behind him as she shivered in her sleep. He wished to comfort her but was unable to reopen the cell. Once the door closed the command center was the only place that could open the cell. He sighed as he once again tried to shake himself awake. A guard had come by earlier to try and get him to leave. Rob had refused. He couldn't just disappear on Wanda like hat. Especially after what happened to her.
Soon the day shift started and Wanda wandered towards the door to see Rob leaned against her cell door, snoring in his suit. Wanda sighed as she tried to wipe the sleep from her eyes. Looking over his slumbering form, guilt gripped her heart. He stayed up late into the night and refused to move even as he fell asleep, all for her, so she wouldn't be alone when she woke up. Her heart swelled as she tried to reach his mind with her powers, only to feel nothing as the collar hummed its warning. Wanda grasped it as her eyes widened in fear. Taking gasping breaths, she moved backwards until she hit a wall then slid down it. Her legs felt like jelly, her chest felt like caving in and her mind was a jumble of thoughts and emotions. It was too much, all of it was too much. A scream ripped itself from her throat as she clutched her head and closed her eyes.
Rob startled awake at the scream and almost fell over from his position. Taking a moment to remember where he was, he swiftly turned around to find Wanda against the far wall crying and clutching her head. Opening the food hatch Rob removed the gauntlet and shoved his hand through. "Wanda!" He shouted trying to get her attention. "Wanda, I need to you to look at me!" Orb shouted again and this time Wanda opened her eyes. His mask retracted and their eyes locked. Her cries stopped for a moment as she took him in. "It's going to be alright Wanda. I promise you Everything will be alright." Rob really hoped he was getting through to her because he had no idea what he was doing. When Tony Stark came to him, he definitely didn't think being someone's rock in a cruel world would be what he would do. Life really did love throwing him curveballs it seemed. By now her cries had completely ceased and only tears continued to roll down her face. "Come here and take my hand. I got you and I promise I won't let go." Rob sent her a small smile in the hopes of getting her to him.
Wanda watched him for a moment longer before slowly rising to her feet. Using the Wall as leverage she made her way towards Rob's outstretched hand. Each step seemed a mile as her legs shook with each movement she made. When she reached his hand, she grabbed it with all her might. Taking solace in his touch she tried to ground herself in his presence. Once the feeling of safety enveloped her, she sighed in relief.
The others were awoken by her screams as well and all of them watched on as Wanda calmed down. Even Sam was now thankful for the new guy. Rob was still watching Wanda intently as she clutched his hand. He could see how she finally relaxed and took solace in his presence. A wave of relief flooded him as he was able to help her. He remembered watching videos on the Avengers and she always seemed to capture his attention. She was perfect in his eyes. A true hero that everyone should aspire to be. While that image hadn't faded, it now had more depth and substance as he learned about the woman beneath the Scarlet witch. He just hoped that she would soon recover from her trauma. He could hear the others talk amongst themselves behind him but he paid them no mind. Now all his attention was on the Woman who held onto him like he was life itself.
Later that same day Tony Stark arrived, after Rob had gotten a few more hours of sleep on the floor outside Wanda's cell, much to her chagrin and delight. Rob had removed his helmet entirely as the man strolled into the round chamber of cells. He nodded to him when they locked eyes but Stark quickly averted them when he noticed Wanda behind him. Of course, everyone else couldn't keep quiet.
Clint started clapping mockingly. "The futurist is here! Everyone look the futurist is here. He sees all. He knows what's best for you whether you like it or not."
"Give me a break Barton." Tony walked towards his cell. "I had no idea they'd put you here. Come on."
Clint spit on the floor before looking up at him. "Yeah, well you knew they would put us somewhere Tony."
"Yeah but not some super-max floating ocean pokey. This place is for maniacs, for.."
"Criminals?" Clint interrupted and finally stood. "Criminals Tony. I think that's the word you are looking for. Right?" He looked around briefly. "It didn't used to mean me, or Wanda or Sam. But here we are. At least the kid you dragged into this has a heart."
"You're only here because you broke the law." Tony stated ignoring the dig at his heart. "I didn't make you. You read it; you broke it. You are all grown up, have a wife and kids, how come you didn't think of them before you chose the wrong side?" At that Rob shot a glare at Tony. He was being way to antagonistic in his opinion. While Wanda was asleep, he had talked to the others and found out more about why they were all being held.
Clint who had sat facing away from Tony at that point got up and moved towards the glass doors. Tony moved on thinking the conversation done. A slam caught his attention.
"You better watch your back with this one. There's a chance he's gonna break it." Clint looked at Rob the entire time and Tony noticed but kept moving on.
"Hank Pym always said you could never trust a stark." Lang snarled as Stark passed his cell.
"Who are you?" Tony kept walking as Scott scoffed.
Tony made his way to Sam Wilson's cell. Stopping before the man he turned back to Rob. "I'm assuming since you never contacted me, they didn't tell you where Rogers and his assassin buddy went?" Sam and Scott quickly turned and glared at Rob while Clint and Wanda seemed ready to jump to his defense.
"I never bothered asking." Rob explained. "They don't know me so I figured it would be pointless to ask." He shrugged as Tony gave him a stink eye.
Shrugging his shoulders Tony turned back to Sam Wilson. "How's Rhodes?" Sam spoke up first.
Tony sighed. "They are flying him to Columbia medical tomorrow so fingers crossed." Tony shuffled around. "What do you need, they feed you yet?" Tony asked and Rob had to roll his eyes. HE was by far no expert but even he could see what Tony was trying to get at.
"You're the good cop now?" Sam asked incredulously.
Tony shook his head. "I'm just the guy who needs to know where Steve went." Tony and Sam locked eyes and the battle of wills began.
Sam scoffed before advancing towards the cell door. "If you think I'm telling you shit after all this, you have another thing coming."
Tony sighed before playing with his wrist. "Well I just knocked out their ears so we have about 30 seconds before they realize it's not their equipment." Tony did some more things and started talking about some dead guy who was supposed to interrogate the Winter Soldier. Rob slowly advanced on them hoping beyond hope that he would get a chance at vengeance. Wanda grasped his arm through the slot quickly when she noticed him moving away and let out a slight whimper. The thought of him leaving terrified her. That Whimper alone erased all thoughts of leaving from his mind and Rob quickly recomposed himself.
Soon enough Stark turned to leave but not before Talking to Rob. "So I heard you are gonna be taking a job here." Rob nodded his head. "I'd ask you to come but, that's no longer and option. Sorry about the Barnes guy. I do promise you I will bring him in. That's the best I can do." Rob nodded stiffly.
"Make him pay for all that he has done Stark and you can consider me your biggest fan." Rob growled.
"I'll see what I can do." Tony waved as he left the room.
Once he was gone Wanda quickly got Rob's attention. "Why do you hate that man so much?" Rob stood there, as still as stone. Everyone else soon moved towards their cell doors so they could hear his answer. They had all been wondering about that ever since the airport. Now it seemed Wanda wanted answers.
As the silence stretched on Wanda shrank into herself, thinking she had offended the young man. Rob eventually sighed and turned towards her. Licking his lips rob took a few deep breaths before finally telling her, and all the others how he came to hate the Winter Soldier.
So the 3rd chapter is finished and civil war is almost complete. I originally wanted to end civil war here but thought why not move it into the next chapter. Anyway I hope you enjoyed this, and that it still remains superior to the original. I have officially decided to make a few major changes to the MCU plot in this story and in the sequel. It won't affect the sequel so far but I might hold off on it for now until I make those changes. Anyways please review as that really helps me get out of whatever is going on with me. I have had zero motivation for anything for a while hence why this took so long. Reviews really brighten my day. Have a wonderful day/night Love you all and thank you for reading!