Ok guys I did some editing and reloaded all the chapters. I was having some character motivation and timeline problems. I reorganized it and it should be good to go! Here is a new chapter for those of you who have been waiting so patiently!

Steve's forehead was wrinkled in stress as he sat massaging his temples. They were making progress now with Valeria on board. The young Widow had a serious attitude, refusing to talk to anyone but Clint. Even he didn't trust her enough to unchain her, so the process was slow. Clint sat in the interrogation room sketching out a map based on what Valeria could describe about the location of the other widows. Her answers to questions were coy, she didn't quite seem to be taking the situation very seriously. Everyone was on edge.

Steve's head was aching, but he attributed it to the stress. He was irritable, and longed for action, but until they had more information there was nothing to be done. His mind seemed to hum with stress, and it was making him anxious. Wanda sat down cautiously beside him, making him jump.

"Sorry," she said softly, "I didn't mean to startle you."

Steve looked up at her, her kind face full of compassion. He looked down, ashamed, "Wanda, I'm sorry for snapping at you on the quinjet. You did what needed to be done."

She smiled, "You weren't yourself. I understand."

Steve looked into the interrogation room, then put his head in his hands, "I haven't felt myself in what feels like years. I'm normally so calm under pressure but I can't think straight! My mind is just buzzing and I can't focus."

Wanda looked at him thoughtfully, "Can you hear her?"

Steve shook his head, "I don't know if she's just not thinking of me or if they figured out a way to block her. Her shield is down, I can feel that, but all I hear is my own stress. Our connection doesn't seem to be working."

Wanda frowned, "Would you mind if I listened? Just to Natasha?" Steve looked at her a moment and then shrugged. "Go ahead."

Wanda touched her fingertips to Steve's temple, her hand glowing red. Her eyes grew unfocused as she listened. Steve's mind was full of noise, and only part of it was his own. It was as though Steve's brain was tuned into a radio station that played nothing but static.

"Steve, you are hearing her but it sounds-" Suddenly, Steve and Wanda's mind erupted with emotion. Grief, hatred, and anger coursed through them both, accompanied by images that confused them. Steve watched from Natasha's perspective as he kissed her, and then stabbed her; he saw himself drawing a blade across Clint's throat. Steve stared blankly as the memory concluded, and felt the white hot heat of Natasha's hatred for him like a physical pain. With a gasp, Wanda withdrew, unable to bear it. Bucky and Tony came over quickly to see what was happening.

"What is it? Can you hear her?" Bucky looked at Tony with dread, "Are we too late?"

Slowly, Steve looked up at Wanda, who was breathing heavily, her expression horrified, "Wanda… What did we just see?"

Wanda swallowed, "Natasha's memories…"

Steve shook his head slowly, still battling the fierce emotion Natasha was leaking into him, "We both know they aren't real.! Clint is in the other room for God's sake!"

Bucky paled, "Her memories are wrong? Steve… That sounds-" He sat down in a chair beside Steve, "That sounds way too familiar…"

"Would someone please explain what's happening here?" Tony said impatiently. Wanda reached her hands out to both Bucky and Tony, and her fingers glowed crimson as she showed them what had transpired. Both men fell silent, looking at Steve solemnly.

Suddenly Wanda took Steve's hands, "Steve, you have to block her. Put up the shield, if she becomes aware of your connection now after they…." She trailed off, seeing his blank face, realizing that Steve still couldn't, wouldn't understand. "Steve… They've wiped her. Like James. The only memory she has of you is what they planted there."

Bucky stood so forcefully that he knocked over his chair.

Steve shook his head, his voice failing him. His eyes darted all around as though looking for a way to escape. Wanda squeezed his hand, "Steve, you need to put up your shield. She could seriously harm you if she discovers your connection, your location. She can probably feel your reaction right now. Steve are you listening?"

Steve suddenly looked at Bucky, "The Wakandans. How did they fix you?"

Bucky's fists were clenched, he shook his head, "This can't be the same thing. It was hardware in my brain combined with standard brainwashing. The Wakandans just figured out a way to get the hardware out without killing me. She hasn't been gone long enough for them to have put all that in her Steve, that took years. They must have outdated tech or they invented their own way..."

Steve stood and started to pace, his mind taken up with creating a plan, "They're spies Buck, not scientists like the Germans, so whatever they have, they stole, and I'm betting it's similar to what was used on you."

Bucky paled, "Then we need to find her yesterday, because very few survive the older versions of the chair."

Steve blinked, refusing to consider what Bucky's words meant, "Tony, get T'Challa on the phone. We are going to need him."

"What's your plan Cap?"

"I'm bringing her home."

Clint burst through the door to the interrogation room breathlessly, "I know where she is! They have shielding technology and that's why we haven't been able to-" Seeing all their somber faces he paused, "What did I miss?"

"I'll fill you in on the way there, Clint you're with me. Bucky, let's go"

Tony looked incensed, "You are going to need more than just Clint and Bucky, this is the Red Room you're dealing with!"

Steve shook his head, "I need everything prepared for her care when we get her back. Make it happen." Steve headed towards the door, but Tony stepped in his way.

"Well who's going to deal with the itsy bitsy spider in there?!" Tony exclaimed jerking his thumb towards Valeria.

"Just deal with her Tony!" He tried to push past but Tony was bristling, "I am not your slave that you can just order around. I don't think this is a good plan, the Red Room is serious, we need a strategy. You felt her, Nat hates you now! She won't just-" They never heard what Natasha wouldn't have done, because Steve hauled off and punched him straight in the jaw. Tony stumbled backwards, falling to the floor. When he came to a few seconds later, Steve and Bucky were gone, and Clint stared at Tony, horrified.

"I'll talk some sense into him," Clint said hastily.

Wanda caught his hand,"Get him to block out Natasha Clint, she can't have access to his mind!"

Clint nodded, "Tell Laura?" Wanda nodded, and Clint ran after Steve.

Catching up to him, Clint called out to his back, "What is happening to you?!"

Steve turned, "I'm done. Too many times I've let my "duty" and the high expectations people put on me keep me from following my heart. I'm getting her back, and no one is going to stand in my way. I'll do whatever it takes. Are you coming or not?"

Steve looked steadily at Clint, and Clint knew just by looking at him that he wasn't going to change his mind. Clint nodded grimly, "Let's bring her home."