Chapter 3
She descended down, past clearance and into the room he was being kept in.
Barnes was still, his breaths ragged through his movements.
Heard he was pounding on the cell incessantly, trying whatever method he could to break it. The harsh & cold truth being if Stark wanted you there, there you'd stay.
Or, more accurately, if Ross did.
She walked a little closer up, Barnes still quiet.
"I wish this could have been another way."
Barnes raised his head slightly, looking at Natasha. His face showing the extent of his fatigue, as if he hadn't slept in weeks.
His expression went from angered, to searching, and then hidden pain.
So he hadn't gotten his full memories back.
"....You remember me."
He continued his distant stare, before looking back down.
"...What else do you remember?" She asked, maintaining sickening, & led on loyalty for the cameras.
He remained quiet.
Hated herself for this. But it was the only way, this whole recording being out on record for military trial, in front of 4 witnesses, in addition to Gyrich & Stark.
"....The Red Room days? Being a POW in Soviet custody?"
Barnes controlled his breathing. Hated herself even more.
"What about when Rogers broke through your conditioning, that was done by a former SHIELD head?"
Her comms systems buzzed to life "Agent Romanoff, I'm asking you to use another interrogation tactic, you are releasing classified information."
"And how you've been on the run because since Austria-"
"Stop." Barnes spoke, coming out as a near whisper. "....Please." the last word, hinging on heart shattering.
She waited, contemplating how to help. "....Do you remember where you were during the UN explosion?"
"I didn't do that." He replied, his voice again, barely audible.
"Then where were you?"
More silence.
"....I know this is personal." He finally said, the words echoing through the room. He slowly looked up to the 2 Way observation windows above. "& I'm sorry." Barnes' face drenched in guilt & memory. Looked back down. "....But I wasn't at the UN." Barnes' gaze turned cold and pained. "That, I remember."
& somehow, understanding.
Her scar felt it was toward it, as well.
Natasha began to walk away, deserving the hatred, & taking it. Hoping if Rogers couldn't make it here, and push came to sickening shove, this would help.
She stopped before she reached the door. "....I am sorry."
On that note, she left. Reminded that it isn't just "justice" they fight for.
It's truth.
And without it, there is no accountability that could be trusted.