A/N: Hey everyone. Hope you all enjoyed the last chapter, this one alternately is going to be quite a bit shorter, but another update is fast in the coming, so with that said, please enjoy and I hope to hear your thoughts. -Cat
Chapter Thirteen
Steve
Maybe she did see me... She knew I wasn't alright, even when no one else seemed to. And then last night, on Clint's front step... I felt like she actually trusted me with herself. A small, but treasured truth. Something she doesn't give up very easily. But she did. To me.
But in an instant I had to make a choice. I sent Barton on with the cradle to get it to Tony. He kept asking about Nat, but I had to stop the train. And we couldn't let Ultron get the cradle back. Nat and I had barely been able to get it from him in the first place. Besides, I thought I had time, she had been right there. Right beside me on the truck. I thought I could keep up with Ultron but in an instant he was gone...
With her.
And I was the one who made the call. It was me who sacrificed her. I let her down. I should have been there.
We are on the Quinn Jet. About to head in to start the evacuation of Sokovia. I am alone in the hold with Banner, who is putting on his jacket. He is going to follow Thor in with the intention of getting Nat. That is his main focus, main objective. A task I gave him specifically.
He goes to leave the jet when I can't stop myself. We are alone, it's my only chance. I walk towards him, "Bruce," He stops and looks up at me, "Make sure you get her out." I say quickly, breathlessly.
He nods, "Yeah, I'll get Natasha."
"No, when you find her. Get her out. Out of this, out of Sokovia. She's been through enough already, been let down enough." He does a double take and looks at me. I know he is confused, by what I am saying, the implications. But I don't care. I couldn't care less. "Get her clear. I know you have your own motivations to stay away." I take an unwitting step towards him as if to drive my point home. His eyes bulge at my words, evidently shocked by my behaviour. "Please Bruce, it's my fault Ultron has her. I need to know you will look out for her."
He slowly nods, "I - I promise." I nod once at him and then turn walking around him, wanting to start the mission ahead, be distracted from the fact I am sending Bruce to do something I want to.
"Hey Steve...?"
His voice makes me stop, I turn my head but don't turn around all the way. He isn't looking at me anyway, just at the floor. "Yeah?" I ask.
He opens his mouth to say something and then stops as if second guessing himself. "Nothing." Maybe he doesn't want to know. Maybe he prefers to not know. Not over-complicate things that I already complicated with my uncharacteristic overly-emotional plea. Good choice, Banner.
I nod and walk off the jet, "Thought not,".