Chapter 18
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
AN1: Thank you so much for the support. IT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME.
November 14th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Early morning.
It is early morning and Natasha and Tony are lying in Tony's bed together, neither asleep, but rather just enjoying each other's company, the two of them having done nothing more than kiss the night before.
"BOSS. Miss May is on video call for you and Miss Romanoff." FRIDAY reveals.
"This early never means anything good." Natasha realises, becoming concerned.
"No, it doesn't." Tony confirms, "Okay FRY. Put the call through to the office, we'll be right there." Tony says.
"Yes Boss." Friday responds and after exchanging a quick kiss he and Natasha both get up, get ready, and head out of the room.
A couple of minutes later, both of them completely dressed and looking wide awake, Natasha and Tony walk into Tony's office.
"Connect the call, Friday." Natasha requests and seconds later Melinda appears on the screen.
"You look like you haven't slept." Tony comments, seeing Melinda.
"That's because I haven't." Melinda admits.
"Problem?" Natasha asks.
"I'd call it more of a complication than a problem." Melinda admits, "Any chance you two can come here? There's some things I need to discuss with you both and it would be best if that's done in person." Melinda admits, causing Tony and Natasha to exchange looks.
"Sure. We can come there once we take Peter into the city." Tony explains.
"Sounds good. I'll see you both soon." Melinda says, ending the call.
"You as concerned as I am right now?" Tony asks Natasha, who just gives him a look, "Thought so." He admits, wondering what is going on.
November 14th 2016. The Playground.
Morning.
As they knew that they had to travel to The Playground too Natasha and Tony elected to use a Quinjet to take Peter to The Tower and then go onto The Playground, where they have just landed.
Walking out of the Quinjet Tony and Natasha aren't at all surprised to find Melinda and the man who they know to be the new director waiting.
"Mr Stark. Miss Romanoff." The Director greats.
"Director." Natasha and Tony responds.
"It's good to see you, Mel." Natasha tells her friend.
"You too." Melinda responds, giving Natasha and Tony a smile.
"What, no Coulson?" Tony asks, as the truth is that he was looking forward to seeing Phil.
"Agent Coulson is on a mission with Agent Mackenzie." The Director explains, "Now, Agent May has some matters she would like to discuss with you, feel free to use my office." He says.
"Thank you, Director." Tony says, giving a fake forced smile.
"Follow me." Melinda requests and she leads the way, Natasha and Tony following behind her.
A couple of minutes later Natasha, Melinda and Tony walk into The Directors office and once they do Melinda secures the office.
"It's really good to see you, Mel." Tony says before hugging her.
"You too." Melinda responds, returning the hug.
"So, what's going on?" Natasha asks.
"Last night we intercepted this phone call." Melinda says before pressing play,
"911, what's your emergency?"
"Hello, I didn't mean to, I just wanted him to stop hurting me. I didn't mean to hurt him!" the distressed voice, clearly belonging to a male, who sounds to be a teenager.
"I need you to calm down and tell me exactly what you did, and where you are." The 911 operator says.
"I threw him across the room, with my mind, and he tried to come for me again, and I threw him back again and he broke the table and I tried to scare him by moving the glass, but then he moved and oh god, I hurt him, I didn't mean to! I don't think he's breathing, I just wanted him to stop." The voice says, clearly starting to cry and as he does Melinda pauses the call.
"Did that imply what I think it did?" Tony asks, trying to keep the anger out of his voice.
"Yeah." Melinda confirms with a nod, "A teenage boy who will be fifteen next month, Vance Astrovik, used telekinetic powers to try and stop his Stepfather from abusing him and ended up killing him." Melinda explains, pain in his voice, "From the medical tests we've done it wasn't the first time he had been abused, in fact it seems like he has been suffering from long term abuse."
"Can't blame the kid from snapping." Tony admits, feeling sympathy for him, "But why didn't his powers take over long before now?"
"They seem to be recent, as there was still a broken cacoon in his room though it looks to be at least a week or so old." Melinda explains, "This a life stream." Melinda says, putting an image of the screen of a clearly terrified young boy who is curled up in a corner of a small box "We've given him the usual room, for a powered individual we bring in, but he refuses to come out of the containment module. He's terrified that he will hurt someone else." She explains, both her and Tony noticing that Natasha is silent as she stares at the screen, though neither doubt that Natasha is hearing everything they are saying.
"Does he have any other family?" Tony asks, desperately hoping that the answer is yes.
"No, his biological father died when he was a baby, his mother died when he was six; it seems like that's when the abuse started. He has no other extended family. He's alone." Melinda explains and as she does Tony clenches his fists, trying to keep his anger down.
"Why'd you call us?" Tony asks, knowing that Melinda would have had a reason.
"The person on our team who would usually help him is still MIA and I thought considering everything you two and the others, are better suited to helping him than us." Melinda explains, leaving out the 'especially with the new director' that she is thinking', "We've dealt with the authorities and they know that Vance was acting in self-defence, but unless he gets help from people who understand having powers and dealing with the kind of guilt he is feeling then either he is going to be taken into custody or lead down the wrong path." Melinda explains and as she does Natasha takes a couple of steps closer to the screen.
"Nat?" Tony asks, being a little confused about what she is doing, though he suspects that she is seeling something that he and Melinda aren't.
"I want to talk to him." Natasha says, turning around to face them.
"You sure?" Melinda asks, like Tony she is wondering what she isn't seeing.
"Positive." Natasha answers.
"Okay." Melinda says, pressing something on the phone, "Billy can you please tell Agent Simmons that she is needed in the office." Melinda requests.
"Of course, Agent May." Billy's voice responds.
"Simmons is our bio-chemist. She'll be able to explain Vance's injuries to you." Melinda explains to Natasha, "And it might be best if you don't take anything extra with you." She advices.
"I figured." Natasha says as she pulls a hair tire out of her pocket, which she uses to put her hair in a high ponytail, and then puts all her weapons and other stuff out of her pockets, which she puts on the table before taking off her jacket, which she throws at Tony, leaving her in jeans, boots and a tank top, trying to make things as open as possible, in an attempt to get Vance to see that she isn't hiding anything that could hurt him.
"Come in." Melinda says as there is a knock on the door.
"You wanted to see me Agent May?" Simmons asks shocked, but then she realises who is in the office, "Oh my gosh." She says, shocked.
"Simmons I would like you to meet Natasha Romanoff and Tony Stark, Nat, Tony, this is Dr Jemma Simmons." Melinda introduces.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, like a real pleasure." Simmons says, sounding amazed.
"it's good to meet you Agent Simmons. We've heard great things." Tony says with a smile.
"You have?" Simmons asks shocked, looking at Melinda as she figures that she's the reason that two Avengers know about her.
"Agent Simmons please escort Natasha down to the containment modal that Vance is in, and explain his injuries." Melinda requests, wanting to do so before more questions can be asked.
"Of course." Simmons answers and Natasha and Simmons head out of the office.
As they walk Natasha can tell that Agent Simmons would very much like to ask questions, but she seems to be withholding herself.
"What are Vance's injuries?" Natasha asks the younger agent.
"Three broken ribs, a lot of bruising and some cuts, as well as a fractured wrist." Simmons explains, "I have put a special cast on his hand to help him heal, and he has a lot of old injuries that haven't properly healed." Simmons explains, "It has been hard to get a better insight into his injuries as he is, understandable, hesitant about allowing letting anyone close, even if it is for medical tests." Simmons explains, "Of course his psychological health is still in question, especially considering we don't know the kind of effects his powers are going to have on him." She explains.
"Thank you Agent Simmons." Natasha informs her.
"Here is the room. He is still in the containment module which is on the right side of the room." Simmons explains.
"Thank you." Natasha says before heading into the room.
Walking into the room Natasha looks through the window of the containment module where she sees the teenager huddled in the corner and it's even easier to tell that he is completely terrified.
Taking a breath Natasha rounds the corner and walks into the containment module, making sure that she is just inside the door.
"Vance." Natasha says, making her voice as kind as possible, and as she speaks the boy looks up, "Hi, I'm…."
"Natasha Romanoff." Vance finishes.
"Yes." Natasha says with a nod.
"You're an Avenger." Vance says, not looking as scared, but amazed.
"Yes." Natasha says, taking a couple of slow steps forward.
"No, stay back. I don't want to hurt you!" Vance says, sounding terrified, trying to move back more but he is as far away as he is going to get.
"You won't. You're in more control than you think." Natasha tells him, taking a few more steps forward.
"No, I'm not! I killed him!" Vance says, once more becoming upset, and right away Natasha notices that he doesn't look at her in the eyes, but just off to the side, a reaction that Natasha assumes was conditioned into him.
"You did what you had to do to stop someone from hurting you." Natasha reminds him, "Did you mean to kill him?" Natasha asks, already knowing the answer.
"No. I just wanted him to stop hurting me." Vance explains, "I didn't mean it! But I'm happy he's dead! I'm horrible!" Vance says, becoming even more upset, but Natasha notices that nothing is flying around so he is definitely in a bit more control than he thinks.
"No, you're not." Natasha assures the teenager as she squats down in front of him, "You've been hurt by the person who you thought was going to protect you, it's okay to feel relief now that he's gone, to be glad that he won't be able to hurt you again." Natasha assures him, meaning that, "And the fact that you're feeling so guilty for that, and what you did tells me that you're a good person." Natasha explains to him.
"I don't want to hurt anyone else!" Vance says, finally looking at Natasha in the eyes, it being clear that he means that.
"I know you don't." Natasha tells him, "That's why I'm here. Agent May's a friend of mine, she asked me to come, and if you'll let me I want to help you." Natasha explains.
"Why?" Vance asks, feeling that he is beyond help.
"Because I've been you." Natasha reveals, "Being hurt by the people you thought were meant to protect you, feeling as though you are completely alone and that all you can do is hurt. I remember what that is like, and I'm here to tell you Vance, that that's not all you are, you are worth help, you deserve help." Natasha tells him, and she can tell by the look Vance is giving her that she has never heard that before, "I was once offered a chance, and I'm offering you one too." She tells him, "I want to help you, Vance. I want you to come with me and I'll help you learn about your abilities, help you figure out how to control them, and even use them to do good, but only if that's what you want." Natasha explains, "You can make your own choices Vance. I'm not going to let anyone force you to do something you don't want to, not anymore. You're free from the life you've been living, and you're not alone." Natasha says, saying what there was a part of her that craved to hear when she was Vance's age.
"Thank you." Vance says, sounding amazed and before Natasha can react Vance moves forward and hugs Natasha, "Thank you." He says and Natasha responds to the hug in a positive way as she knows that it is what Vance needs most.
"Do you think you're ready to come out of this room?" Natasha asks, as they break apart, "I meant what I said when I said that I wouldn't force you to do anything you don't want to do." Natasha assures him, "I don't see a reason for you to continue to shut yourself away in here, unless it's what you want." Natasha explains to him.
"Can I stay in here for a little longer?" Vance asks, his voice nervous.
"Is that what you want?" Natasha asks him and Vance gives a hesitant nod, "Then of course." Natasha says as she slowly moves so that she is sitting next to Vance, who honestly can't believe that he is able to make his own choices.
In the office Tony and Melinda are watching what is going on in amazement.
"She's really opening up to him." Melinda says, sounding surprised, as she knows how rare it is for Natasha to do that.
"She can see his future, all possibilities." Tony realises, "She wants to help to make sure that he has a chance at a good one." He says, a look of amazement on his face.
"How long have you been together?" Melinda asks curious, turning to look at Tony.
"What? Why…..?" Tony starts to ask, but Melinda just gives him a look, "Not long." He answers.
"Huh." Melinda comments and the two of them go back to just watching the feed.
It has been an hour since Natasha sat down next to Vance, and in that time she has been watching him closely which has led her to realise he has been moving as little possible as well as being nearly completely silent. Even though Natasha knows that there is a possibility that he isn't moving because he is in pain Natasha knows that the most likely reason is that he has forced himself, after years of abuse, to be as still and silent as possible at all times.
"I think I'm ready to leave this room." Vance says, finally speaking, though his voice is quiet.
"Okay." Natasha says with a nod.
"Can you stay with me?" Vance asks, sounding completely terrified.
"Of course." Natasha assures him, giving him a supportive smile, and seeing that Vance stands up and starts to walk to the door, "I'm right behind you." Natasha assures Vance as he hesitantly walks to the door.
"Can you be next to me instead?" Vance asks curious.
"Sure." Natasha assures him, walking several steps forward so that she next to him rather than behind him and together they walk out into the main room, "This room is like the module. You're safe in here, and you can stay in here as long as you like. Or you can come with me and I'll take you to New York." Natasha explains.
"I don't know how to control these….. abilities. What if I cause some trouble or hurt someone?" Vance asks.
"That's a possibility." Natasha admits, knowing that she cannot lie to him, not after everything he's been through, "But nothing is moving right now, Vance." Natasha points out, "How long have you had these abilities?" she asks.
"Two week." Vance answers, "I had some old tuna and I went into some kind of cacoon and then suddenly I could move things with my mind." He explains.
"Do you always moves things or is just sometimes?" Natasha asks him.
"Just sometimes."
"Then you have some control, Vance." Natasha tells him, "Maybe even more than you realises, and with time your control will only just increase." She explains to him.
"I can't see people. I want to go to New York, but I can't be around people." Vance admits.
"I'm sure that Agent May can make a way for us to leave without anyone coming." Natasha says, her eyes flickering to the camera, "But I didn't come alone. Tony Stark is with me." Natasha says and Vance tenses, "I trust him, Vance, but I would understand if you don't." Natasha assures him.
"I can trust him?" Vance asks, sounding uncertain.
"You can trust him." Natasha assures him, "We'll just wait in here until Agent May makes a way for us to get upstairs without you having to see anyone, okay." Natasha tells him and Vance nods.
For a few minutes Vance and Natasha stand in silence, Natasha noticing that ever second Vance looks like he wants to run back to his corner of the containment model.
"It's okay, Vance. You're safe." Natasha assures him, being positive that she is going to have to assure him of that a lot, and Vance nods, though it is clear that he doesn't completely believe that.
A couple of minutes after Natasha assured Vance that he is safe the door opens, causing Vance to move backwards, as Melinda walks in.
"Here, Tony has the rest of your stuff." Melinda says, handing Natasha her jacket, phone and wallet.
"Thanks." Natasha responds as she puts her jacket on, and puts her other stuff in her pocket.
"If you'd follow me I've arranged an empty way up to the hanger." Melinda explains and she turns to head out of the room.
"I'll be right beside you the whole time." Natasha assures Vance, "And if you need to you can hold my hand."
"I can?" Vance asks and Natasha nods.
"You ready?" Natasha asks after a moment, and the two of them head out of the room, Vance reaching out and taking Natasha's hand the second they leave.
It takes a few minutes, Natasha feeling Vance's hold on her hand tighten with every second, but finally Natasha and Vance, who are following Melinda walk into the hanger where Tony is waiting.
"Vance, this is Tony Stark." Natasha introduces.
"it's nice to meet you." Tony says, trying to make himself seem as un threatening as possible.
"Yeah, you too." Vance responds, hiding slightly behind Natasha, though still holding onto Natasha's hand.
"The jet ready?" Natasha asks.
"Plane." Vance says, his voice shaking a little, "What if I accidently use my powers? What if I cause an accident?" he asks, it being clear that he is terrified, "I can't go on a jet." Vance says, Natasha noticing that some things are starting to move.
"Okay. Mel, can we borrow a car?" Natasha asks, keeping her voice calm as she doesn't want Vance to panic more.
"Sure." Melinda answers.
"You okay taking the jet back?" Natasha asks Tony.
"Sure." Tony says with a nod.
"You're going to get back first, and the room to the left of mine is empty, would you mind getting it ready?" Natasha asks curious, thinking that having Vance as close to her as possible might be good.
"Not at all." Tony answers, "I'll see you when you get home." He assures her.
"Yep." Natasha says with a nod.
"Here." Melinda says, throwing Natasha some keys, which she catches with easy, "Third SUV on your left."
"Thank you." Natasha says gratefully and Melinda and Vance head to the car that Melinda directed them too while Tony heads to the jet.
November 14th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Afternoon.
After a long drive, that Vance is silent for, Natasha and Vance arrive back at the Avengers compound and Natasha leads Vance straight to the Avengers only area.
"Welcome Home Miss Romanoff, Mr Vance. Boss has made it so you have an empty path around." FRIDAY explains.
"Thank you FRIDAY." Natasha responds.
"What was that?" Vance asks, there once more being fear in his voice.
"That was FRIDAY, she runs basically everything." Natasha explains, "If you have any question you can just ask out loud and FRIDAY will hear and answer." She says and Vance nods.
"How many people live here?" Vance asks curious.
"Not counting you and me, five adults, two teenagers, two kids, and an Artificial Intelligent." Natasha explains, "And you don't have to meet anyone yet, not until you're ready." Natasha assures him, "Do you want me to show you around or do you want to go straight to your room?" she asks curious.
"Can I look around without seeing anyone?" Vance ask curious.
"FRIDAY where is everyone currently?" Natasha asks.
"Boss is his lab with Doctor Banner. Miss Van Dyne is in her office. Colonel Rhodes is in his rehabilitation room. Mrs Barton is in Boss's office with Mr Nathaniel, and Vision is practicing with the mind stone in the Hulk room." FRIDAY explains.
"Okay, inform me if anyone moves from where they are." Natasha requests.
"Of course, Miss Romanoff." FRIDAY answers.
"Okay, I can show you around without you needing to see anyone." Natasha informs Vance.
"Thank you." Vance says and Natasha starts to show Vance around the Avengers Only Area of the Compound.
Twenty minutes later Natasha has shown Vance all around the compound and the two of them are walking into the room that Tony set up for Vance.
"So this will be your room for as long as you want it to be." Natasha explains to Vance, "My room is directly to your left." She explains and Vance nods, "You can make it yours in any way you want." She explains, "If there is anything you need or want just ask and I'll do my best to get it for you." Natasha explains and as she does she notices that Vance looks like he wants to say something but then doesn't, "Vance?" Natasha asks, trying to encourage him.
"Can I borrow some books from the library? I like to read." Vance reveals, his voice barely loud enough to hear.
"Sure. You read any book, bring any book back here." Natasha assures him and Vance looks thankful, "So, let's go back to the library." Natasha says and that's just what they do.
A couple of hours after Natasha and Vance arrived home at the Compound everyone else has arrived back and Tony has called everyone, except Natasha and Vance, to the living room.
"What's going on?" Peter asks curious as everyone sits down.
"This morning Mel called Nat and I and asked us to come to base." Tony reveals, "Last night S.H.I.E.L.D intercepted a call that was from a teenager, named Vance, who had telekinetic powers that he used to accidently kill his abusive step farther." Tony reveals, causing everyone to look shocked, "Considering the circumstances Mel didn't think that S.H.I.E.L.D was best to help him and so she brought in Nat and I." Tony reveals, "The kid is tearing himself apart over what happened. Nat talked to him and I think she has gained some level of trust, but the kids scared, terrified of what he did, and that he's going to hurt someone else. He probably won't trust anyone for a long time." He explains.
"What's going to happen to him?" Hope asks, looking interesting.
"He's here. In the room next to Nat's, we're going to help him, but he's got a long road ahead of him." Tony explains, "We're going to have to give him space. I'm sure Nat will let us know when he is ready to meet everyone." Tony explains and everyone nods.
November 14th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Evening.
It has been a few hours since Natasha and Vance got back to the Compound and after collecting some books from the Library Vance has been sitting in his room ready and Natasha has been sitting with him as Vance asked her not to leave, something which didn't surprise Natasha at all.
"Miss Romanoff, it's dinner time." FRIDAY reveals, causing Vance to jump and look afraid.
"Everyone eats dinner together, but if that's not something you think you're ready for I can go and get us some food and bring it back here." Natasha offers.
"I…. I'm not ready to meet everyone at once." Vance admits.
"Okay. Is there any food you can't eat? Or really don't like?" Natasha asks curious.
"No."
"Okay, I'll be right back." Natasha says before heading out of the room.
A couple of minutes later Natasha walks into the dining area where everyone is sitting and starting to eat.
"Natasha, how is Vance?" Laura asks, seeing her first.
"Scared." Natasha answers, "And doesn't know how to ask for anything for himself." Natasha explains as she picks up two plates.
"I'm guessing he's not ready to meet everyone." Tony assumes.
"No, not yet, not that I blame him." Natasha admits as she collects food.
"If there is anything we can do let us know." Bruce requests.
"I will." Natasha says, heading out of the room, carrying food and drink.
Hours later Vance has fallen asleep and Natasha is just heading out of the teenager's room, having stayed with Vance until he fell asleep so that he would be more comfortable.
"FRIDAY please let me know if Vance wakes or if he's in any distress." Natasha requests, once she closes Vance's door behind her.
"Of course Miss Romanoff." FRIDAY answers.
"Where's Tony?" Natasha asks.
"In his office." FRIDAY answers.
"Thank you." Natasha says before heading there.
A couple of minutes later Natasha arrives at Tony's office where the door is open.
"Can I come in?" Natasha asks from the doorway.
"Sure, you never have to ask." Tony says, looking up from what he is doing, "How's Vance?"
"Asleep, he just drifted off." Natasha explains as she walks over and sits down across from Tony.
"Good. I've talked to Doctor Cho. She'll be here in two days and is willing to do all his medical tests. I figured that Vance would be more comfortable with her than Bruce." Tony explains.
"Yeah, he would be, but it's still going to be a struggle." Natasha reveals, having spent enough time with Vance to know that getting him to spend time with anyone will be difficult, especially if someone is running medical tests.
"I thought so, but we need to know how hurt he is, so we have a better idea of how to help." Tony comments.
"Yeah." Natasha says with a nod.
"I'm also working on a room like the Hulk out room so that Vance can spend time there and learn to control his powers by using things that won't hurt him, or anyone else." Tony explains to Natasha, "I'll have it done within a week."
"Thanks Tony." Natasha says, looking grateful.
"Don't mention it." Tony assures him, "How's he really doing, Tash?" he asks, his voice serious.
"Not good." Natasha admits, "He hasn't talked much but I know that the last time he experienced kindness was when his mother was alive, but since then all he's known is pain. He doesn't know how to want, or trust, or even really live. He doesn't know that life can be anything other than fear and pain." She explains sadly.
"Poor Kid." Tony says, sympathetically, "I've never seen you open up to someone that quickly." He notes, "What do you see in this kid?" he asks, honestly not expecting an answers.
"Myself." Natasha answers, "The way he acts, the fear in his eyes, the guilt he's feeling, the fact that he is sure that he's only going to hurt the people around him, he reminds me of me, how I was during my early years in the Red Room, before I was completely broken." Natasha explains to Tony, who looks surprised, but he doesn't say anything as he knows that Natasha so rarely speaks about those years so he doesn't say anything, "Vance has been hurt, but what he's been through hasn't broken him, not yet." Natasha explains, "I want to, I need to, make sure that that never happens. I don't know if I'm the right person to help him, in fact I might be the worst, but Tony he's not even fourteen, he deserves to see that he world can be more than the hell he's been living in since he was six." Natasha explains and as she does Tony stands up.
"You're the perfect person to help him." Tony says as he walks over, "You get him Tash, you get the pain he's in, and I have faith in you, I believe that you're going to help him." Tony reveals as he walks over and leans against the table right in front of her, it being clear that he completely means that.
"Thanks Tone." Natasha says, reaching out and taking Tony's hand as the two of them drift into silence.
"Miss Romanoff, Mr Vance seems to be suffering from a nightmare." FRIDAY reveals and without a word both Natasha and Tony go running out of the room.
When Natasha and Tony run into Vance's room a couple of minutes later they see Vance tossing and turning in his bed as there are things flying around the room, it being clear that he cannot control his powers in his sleep.
"Stay at the door." Natasha tells Tony as she hurries over to the teenager, "Vance, Vance wake up." Natasha says, forcible, as she gets to his side, "Come on, Vance, it's okay, wake up." Natasha says, making her voice louder, but not losing the kind tone as she knows that if she did she would just scare him.
Seconds later Vance opens his eyes, looking terrified as he bolts upright.
"You're okay, Vance. You're safe, no one will hurt you here." Natasha assures the teenager.
"Natasha?" Vance asks, still looking afraid but as he sees Natasha he looks slightly more relaxed.
"Yeah, I'm here. You're okay, you're safe." Natasha once more assures him and then before she can ever react Vance throws himself into Natasha's arms and holds onto her slightly as he starts to cry, "It's okay, let it out, you're okay." Natasha assures the young boy, as she comforting rubs her hand on his back, "it's over."
From the doorway Tony nods and heads out of the room without even acknowledging his presence, having become even more sure that Natasha is the perfect person to help Vance, she's exactly what he needs right now and he's pretty sure that Vance is going to help Natasha too, maybe without her even realising.