Ellie Bishop: Ah, okay. Well, it has merit but honestly, with Palpatine pulling the strings Anakin turning was probably inevitable like you said. Let's be honest, what Disney is doing is not Star Wars, its poorly made fan fiction. I'll stick to the first six movies, Clone Wars and Legends. Well the Wanda/Bucky dynamic is something I absolutely plan to explore in this story.
Guest: Glad you enjoyed. Probably. Agreed on Steve LOL!
Wakanda
Morning
In the palace, T'Challa stood looking out the window that overlooked the city, deep in thought. It was something he had often seen his father do during his reign. Now that he was king, T'Challa understood why. It was humbling and reminded him of what he was right for.
T'Challa heard someone approach but did not turn around. He knew who it was.
"Permission to speak freely my king?" W'Kabi requested.
"You need not my permission to speak your mind W'Kabi. But you have it," T'Challa said without turning around.
"You have been…different these last few days. Distant with everyone. And now you want to sit down with M'Baku?" W'Kabi said in disbelief.
"Things have happened that have opened my eyes W'Kabi, things you would not believe if I told you," T'Challa said, thinking of going to the future and all he had seen. "Wakanda cannot remain divided, from itself or the rest of the world any longer. It is time we join them. Unity is not a weakness, but a strength."
W'Kabi stared at T'Challa for a long moment, so long that T'Challa worried that, Killmonger or not, Klaue or not, W'Kabi's betrayal might end up being inevitable.
Avengers Compound
Same time
Tony's car pulled up in front of the Compound and he put it park before shutting it off. Tony took a deep breath before stepping out of his car. Shutting the door, he looked up at the Compound with a since of apprehension. He hoped this would go well.
In the kitchen, Bruce was eating a yogurt when he heard someone walk in. Looking up, he saw Natasha.
"Hey," Bruce said.
"Hey," Natasha echoed and there was a pause. "So, think we cannot make this awkward?"
"We can try," Bruce said with a slight laugh before frowning. "Nat-"
"Before you say anything, I have something to say and would really appreciate it if you'd let me do it without interrupting," Natasha quickly cut him off.
Although confused, Bruce nodded, giving her the floor.
"You're a good man Bruce. You're kind, gentle, loving. You're one of the smartest people I've ever met and I know that one day, you're going to change the world for the better," Natasha told him gently.
"But you don't love me," Bruce said, smiling tightly. "Sorry, I know I promised not to interrupt, but I think I know where you're going with this."
"No, I don't," Natasha said gently.
"Can't say I didn't see this coming. The moment I saw you again, I just didn't…feel anything. I think I used you as my rebound from Betty," Bruce mused. "I love her, but I could never be with her because of Ross or the other guy. I'm sorry, that wasn't fair to you."
"It's okay Bruce. I think I kind of used you to," Natasha admitted, to his surprise. "I wanted Steve, I've had feelings for him for longer than I've been willing to admit, but I never felt worthy of him."
"Because of what happened to you in the Red Room," Bruce realized and she nodded.
"How could he know me completely and see me as anything but a monster?" Natasha said with a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Nat, Cap would never do that," Bruce was quick to assure her.
"I know. I told him yesterday. He just…he looked at me like he wanted to take me in his arms and make sure nothing hurt me again," Natasha said with a slight smile.
"So you two are together now?" Bruce inquired and her smile became strained.
"No. I told him how I felt, he said he needed time," Natasha said, sighing wistfully.
In his office, Steve sat staring at the walls, deep in thought. He had not had a restful night's sleep and this morning was not proving to be any better.
Nat had feelings for him. It had completely thrown him for a look. Although a voice in his head that sounded suspiciously like Bucky told him that some part of him had suspected the truth for some time now.
And maybe on some level, Steve could admit that he had known and simply hadn't wanted to go there. But now it was out in the open. So the question was how did he feel about her? That was the question Steve had been wrestling with all night.
"Steve? You alright?"
Steve was broken out of his thoughts by the unexpected voice. So consumed with his thoughts, he hadn't noticed Sam enter his office.
"Cap?" Sam asked in concern.
"Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine," Steve said as he ran a hand over his face.
"You don't seem fine," Sam pointed out and Steve sighed.
"Just got a lot on my mind," Steve admitted.
"Thinking about Barnes?" Sam asked and Steve smiled tightly.
"That would actually be a lot easier. No, it's about…well, it's about Nat," Steve said awkwardly, not really comfortable with discussing it, even if it was with Sam.
"Ah. So she finally told you, huh?" Sam said and Steve looked at him startled.
"You knew?" Sam couldn't help but laugh at Steve's reaction.
"Steve, you two have been dancing around each other since the day you showed up at my apartment. And she's been giving you moon eyes for just as long. I think I knew before she did," Sam chuckled. "So what are you gonna do about it?"
"I don't know," Steve said lamely. "I just…I wasn't expecting it."
"So you can fight off Hydra, genocidal aliens and robots with no problem, but this leaves you without a plan," Sam said amused, trying not to laugh.
"I'm glad you find this so amusing Sam," Steve said dryly and Sam held up his hands.
"Okay, sorry. So Nat likes you, is that a problem?" Sam inquired.
"I just…I don't know what to do now," Steve said lamely, at a loss.
"You really are hopeless at this, aren't you?" Sam noted, not amused, just stating a fact. "Steve, do you have feelings for Nat?"
"I don't know. I've never really thought about it," Steve admitted. "All I know is she is one of my dearest friends and I don't that to change."
"Hate to break it to you Cap, but it's already changed," Sam pointed out and Steve was silent for a long moment. "Maybe you have feelings for Nat you haven't completely figured out yet. And maybe you and Nat won't work out. But isn't it worth a try? Isn't it worth exploring what those feelings are?"
Steve frowned, considering Sam's words when someone knocked on the door. They looked up to see Tony standing in the doorway.
"Hey. Am I interrupting?" Tony asked, sensing he had just walked into something.
"No, I was just on my way to breakfast," Sam said before looking back at Steve. "Just think about what I said, okay?"
Steve nodded, clearly already think about it and Sam walked out, nodding to Tony on the way.
"Well that sounded serious," Tony mentioned as he walked in.
"It's not, it's nothing," Steve told him. "You stop by to see Bruce?"
"Kind of. I mean, I'll check in on him before I head out, but that's not why I'm here," Tony said and Steve raised an eyebrow. "I'd like to borrow Vision tomorrow, if it's not a problem."
"You're not going to perform another experiment, are you?" Steve asked dryly and Tony held up his hands defensively.
"Hey, I learned my lesson from Ultron. I just need his help with something," Tony said and Steve eyed him for a minute before nodding.
"I think getting away from the Compound might do Vision some good. He's been withdrawn since we got back, and it seems like he and Wanda have hit a road block," Steve mentioned and Tony frowned.
"So they're not making the most of the time have together then," Tony noted, having to resist every temptation to go to Pepper and make up for any lost time they might have had in the other timeline and would have thought Wanda and Vision were doing the same.
"Doesn't seem like it," Steve said, as surprised by this as Tony.
"Guess something changed in the future between them," Tony mused.
In her room, Wanda was awakened by a load scream. She sat up, looking around wildly. She didn't see anything in there.
Bucky, it was Bucky, Wanda realized. His dreams and thoughts were so loud she was able to pick up on them even she wasn't trying to.
Wanda sat in bed for a moment, thinking. She had stayed in Bucky's mind for a few hours, with his permission of course. Wanda could tell she was a welcome break from the dreams of torment Bucky had endured. They had talked for hours; he was unlike anyone she had ever met before. He seemed to understand her in a way no one besides Steve and Natasha ever had.
As long as he was trapped in the box, Wanda couldn't stop the nightmares. But she could give him a little break, she decided. And until he decided he didn't want her to that was what she would do.
Wakanda
Same time
In the throne room, T'Challa stood waiting before the doors opened. Okoye walked in, leading M'Baku inside. Okoye and M'Baku wore matching displeased expressions, neither happy at M'Baku's presence there.
"Thank you for escorting M'Baku here Okoye. You may leave us," T'Challa told her.
"My king, I must protest," Okoye said, eying M'Baku wearily.
"And I appreciate it Okoye. But M'Baku means me no harm. He owes me a debt," T'Challa said as he and M'Baku stared at each other for a long moment. "Leave us."
Looking mutinous, Okoye nevertheless left the room, closing the door behind her. For a moment, it was silent.
"From up here, we all must look so small to you," M'Baku said, a hint of condescension entering his voice as he looked out the window, seeing the view over Wakanda.
"Perhaps," T'Challa allowed. "Perhaps that is why my father lost sight of his goals. Would you like to sit?"
"I would prefer to stand," M'Baku said stiffly and T'Challa nodded.
"Very well. I know you are a busy man, as am I, so I will not waste your time. I brought you here to make you an offer," T'Challa said and M'Baku raised an eyebrow. "I would like to offer you a seat on the council."
For a moment, it was silent. Then, M'Baku let out a loud, bellowing laugh.
"The Jabari have managed fine without the rest of Wakanda for centuries. Why would we wish to join you now?" M'Baku asked amused. "You are the first king to meet with me in centuries, and yet you presume to ask me join you?"
"I cannot speak for past kings, only myself," T'Challa told him firmly. "A new day is dawning in Wakanda, in the world. I plan to bring Wakanda out into the world."
"You wish to bring the truth about Wakanda to light," M'Baku realized in disbelief and T'Challa nodded.
"It is it time we become part of the outside world, rather than merely observing it. It is up to you whether you wish to be part of that. I shall meet with the council tomorrow to announce my plans. I shall save a seat for you, should you wish to join. But it is your choice. I have made an offer, and you have fulfilled your debt. If I do not see you at the council tomorrow morning, I will know you have refused," T'Challa told him.
M'Baku stared at him for a long moment before nodding at him. M'Baku then turned and walked out of the throne room. As he stared at M'Baku's retreating form, T'Challa hoped that M'Baku would join them without the melodramatics of a revolution and potential civil war this time around.
Avengers Compound
Mid afternoon
In the longue, Natasha was sitting in a chair, reading a book. Bruce had gone to the lab, she didn't know where Sam and Rhodey were, Vision was probably around her somewhere and Wanda was in the kitchen making something for lunch, although she seemed preoccupied about something. But Natasha was the last person to try and push someone to open up.
"Good book?" she looked up to see Steve enter the room, gesturing to her book.
"It's okay," Natasha said as she closed her book. "What did Tony want?"
"He says he needs Vision for something tomorrow, and it'll probably do Vision some good to get out of the Compound," Steve noted as she sat down and Natasha nodded.
"Probably," Natasha said and paused. "Did I make things weird between us when I told you how I felt?"
"No. I'm glad you told me. Whatever else, I'm your friend and I'm glad you trusted me enough to be honest," Steve said and paused. "You of all people I don't do relationships."
"I know. Why do you think I kept trying to set you up?" Natasha asked with a grin and Steve chuckled slightly.
"Okay, point. Nat…I don't know if there's something here or not, but I'd like to find out. So, since we're not really doing anything tomorrow…would you like to go for some coffee or something?" Steve asked lamely and Natasha couldn't help but laugh.
"Sorry, it's just you are so old fashion," Natasha said, regaining control of her laughter. "Steve, I don't want to force you into anything."
"You're not. I want to do this," Steve quickly assured her and Natasha looked at him, looking for any signs of uncertainty and, finding none, she nodded.
"Okay. Coffee sounds great," Natasha agreed, trying not to get her hopes too high.
Steve had extended an olive branch, which she was grateful for. He really didn't owe her anything besides that. They'd see what tomorrow would bring.
Not my finest work I know, this was really filler to set up T'Challa's storyline and further the Steve/Nat subplot. But I do hope you all enjoyed it.
