It's All Our Fault...
***BACK IN NEW YORK***
When the Avengers got back to the compound Wanda and Veronika immediately shut themselves in their rooms. Wanda just sat on her bed, head in hands and crying. Veronika, well she locked her door and sat on her floor with her legs to her chest and her head hanging as she pictured the scene over and over again. Tears running down her cheeks. Artemis beside her trying to lick the tears away she’d just push her away, the dog understanding after a minute.
“It’s all my fault” She sobbed into her knees. She didn’t want to blame Wanda, ‘cause she knows Wanda is blaming herself…but she knew she could’ve been stronger. She should’ve been stronger.
Keeping herself locked in her room people tried to come for her but she ignored them. Laid in her bed or sat in her bathroom for hours on end. Artemis even never left her side, the only companion she granted herself, her dog. Though when Nat, Steve and Pietro tried to get to her she wasn’t moving for anyone.
Only when she couldn’t stand being with herself and her nightmares did she leave the room finally. It was probably a half a week after the incident. She came out at around midnight one day. The dalmatian follows close behind. She went to get a snack to quench her hunger. As she was walking, she saw Wanda in the living room staring at the windows.
“Couldn’t sleep either?” Wanda asked.
“Not really.” Veronika whispered as she went to the living room to sit with Wanda. “The faces can’t shake them.”
“You shouldn’t blame yourself, Ver. it was both of our faults…”
“No. Wanda you were trying to help. I- I messed up. I should’ve been strong enough I should’ve-”
“We both used our powers on him, and we both threw him in the air. The blame is shared. You blame yourself for too much Veronika.” Wanda said and Veronika chuckled painfully. Wanda could reach her sometimes and honestly it was nice because Wanda understood her, and she understood Wanda in ways the team did not. Even Pietro, Clint, Steve, or Nat, the people they’re closest to, didn’t have as close a clue to understand them.
“We’re pair of weirdos.”
“Exactly.” Wanda had a painful chuckle now.
Veronika sighed and looked out the window at the forest around the compound. Maybe things will be okay…for them. But she couldn’t stop her mind from racing to the poor families of the people they killed. She wished she could go back. She wished she could fix this.
***A MONTH LATER***
Both girls migrated from their rooms once and a while. They had hung out with the team for family nights and stayed together. Veronika with Steve, Nat and Piet again and Wanda with Vision.
But today…today the news decided to make their incident in Lagos center of attention.
Veronika sat in her room, Artemis lying beside her. She was hearing the news coming from her dad’s office but mainly focused on her own TV.
“A month ago in Lagos, Nigeria devastation hit.” The female started the report. “During a head-to-head battle with the Avengers and a group of mercenaries. Two enhanced individuals of the names Wanda Maximoff and Nightshade AKA Veronika originally Preston now Romanoff-Rogers destroyed a building killing many and among those were Wakandans.” She expressed her expression of sympathy for the small country.
The man next to her sighed in exasperation. “The Avengers and the people they take onto the team are reckless. They are operating outside and above international law!” The man on the report said. “Because that’s the reality, if we don’t respond to act like these. What LEGAL authority do enhanced individuals like Wanda Maximoff and Veronika Romanoff-Rogers have to operate in Nigeria!” He said, shaking his head. “And according to reports should an ex-killer with her status really be considered a hero-”
The TV turned off before the man could continue and she shook her head.
“Mama it’s my fault.” She cried slightly and Artemis whimpered as she started. Veronika looked at her pillow she was clutching, slightly reaching over to pet her pup.
“It is not you or Wanda’s fault.”
“Turn that TV back on…they’re explaining every reason to believe that.” She whispered tears still rolling down her cheeks. Her green eyes are all puffy now.
“Your dad talked to you about this. You and Wanda SAVED his life-” Nat said coming over and sitting on her daughter’s bed.
“But I took others' lives in process. All those people…they didn’t deserve that!”
“Listen to me Veronika!” She grabbed the younger girl’s hand that was still holding the pillow. “You tried. That explosion wasn’t your or Wanda’s fault, it was Rumlow’s if anything! We weren’t predicting he’d get a bomb. You were trying to save people and what happened was an accident.”
“Their families don’t think that. Their king does not think that…” She sighed pulling back her hand and played with the pillow in her hands.
Natasha sighed and looked down then at Veronika. “Do you remember when your dad first talked to you about how it happened?”
“What?” Veronika said confused.
“Do you remember?”
“Y-yes but why this-”
“He didn’t tell you all of it, he said he stopped when Rumlow was talking but didn’t say what was talked about.” Natasha said and Veronika waited for her to continue. “Rumlow mentioned your dad’s best friend-”
“Bucky.” Natasha tilted her head in question. “That was name Rumlow and Dad said.”
“Oh, well yes, you’re right. Well anyways, before you came to us your dad and I were on a mission. We used to work with Rumlow and at that time we didn’t know he was a HYDRA agent.” she looked down as she continued. “This is when S.H.I.E.L.D. fell. Things were becoming horrible, but as the fall was happening we found an assassin who was behind it and seeing as you’re a product of Red Room and HYDRA…you may know his name. Credited with many kills from almost 50 years ago to now, he’s called The Winter Soldier.”
Veronika’s eyes widened.
Not him. Anyone but him.
Natasha didn’t really see the way the girl’s eyes widened as she was still looking down.
“He was found to be at the beginning of the domino effect.” She looked up “Steve went head-to-head with him and found out that he was Bucky. Well at one time the Winter Soldier was Bucky, not currently. Your father before this had thought him to be dead but from that day on, he’s been searching for him.” Veronika was trying to swallow this information.
“Th-the Winter Soldier was once dad’s friend?” She gulped. The only man who’s ever struck her with fear by just his name, other than… well you know, Was the Winter Soldier. He was someone she’d fought and lost (sometimes won VERY few matches just not enough to mention) against many times.
“Well, the altered version of your dad’s friend. According to Steve in 1945 Bucky fell off a train when hunting a man named Johan Zola. When that happened, your dad thought he’d lost his best friend and almost three years ago he came face to face with a changed and broken version of Bucky.”
“Wait so what does The Winter- Bucky have to do with Rumlow, and Lagos?”
“Well you heard Rumlow and your dad say his name. Rumlow used that to get to him. Talked about how Bucky had remembered him, Steve hearing this froze. The people in Lagos weren't your fault but it was Rumlow’s because he knew that would affect your dad. You and Wanda were trying to save him. The rest was an accident okay?” Natasha grabbed her daughter’s hand. “Besides you’re 17 you shouldn’t be wasting your youth doing this and I’m sorry we kept you in this.”
Veronika ran over all of this in her head. It was all so much to deal with.
“Wh-where is this Bucky Barnes now?”
“We don’t know. We’ve been trying to find him, but he’s gone ghost mode again. He could be anywhere-”
A gush of wind blew Nat’s hair all over the place, Veronika’s having been tied back was safe as Pietro entered the room.
“Prințesă- Oh, hello Ms. Romanoff.”
Veronika held back a laugh, as he glared slightly at her. Ever since they started dating, he’s been terrified of being disrespectful towards Natasha and Steve because whenever Veronika decides to tell them they’re dating he wants them to like him.
“What is it Pietro?” Veronika asked as Natasha gave him a confused look for the ‘Ms. Romanoff’.
“Vision wanted me to tell you both that Tony is here.”
“Okay we’ll be right there Pietro thank you.” Natasha said and stood. “Anything else?” ‘Cause Pietro was still just standing there.
“Yes, he’s here with the Secretary of State…”
Natasha looked immediately at Veronika who sighed.
“I knew this was going to happen…” She mumbled as she stood. Artemis stood trying to follow her. “Let’s just go.” she sighed then looked at her pup, “you stay Artemis, stay girl.” the dog whimpered and sat on the bed again.
“I’m sure it’s nothing bad right?” Pietro said and Natasha gave a shrug.
“I’m sure it’s just a talk about a budget?” She obviously lied because everyone knows Tony pays for everything.
“Yeah right.” Veronika scoffed and walked out her room Pietro followed close behind and stayed next to her.
“You okay?” He whispered. She shrugged.
“No.” She said truthfully. “You?”
“I’m more worried about you.”
“Don’t I’ll be fine.” she said and he shook his head.
“You’ve helped me why can’t you let me help you Ver-”
“I don’t want you to worry about me Piet…” She whispered.
“But I want to, you’re my…” He lowered his tone and looked at her “girlfriend and you’ve been off I know you and you have. This hiding in your room and endless crying isn’t like you. Talk to me please.” He pleaded.
She turned her head to him and smiled slightly at him. He truly cared about her. “I’ll meet you in your room later. Okay?”
He nodded and gave her a small nudge. She chuckled a little as they walked.
“How the hell does he do that?” They heard Natasha in front of them and they smirked at each other.
They all got to the conference room and took their seats Steve, Wanda, and Vision all already sitting. Tony in the far corner and a man, in a suit, with grayish mostly white hair and a mustache standing at the front of the room.
“Sit, sit, sit, get comfortable,” the man said as Veronika, Pietro, and Natasha came in and sat around the table. Soon many minutes later Sam, and Rhodey joined them. Nat sat with Steve, Rhodey next to them, Piet sat between Wanda and Veronika holding one of each of their hands under the table and Vision and Sam sat behind the three teens. “All accounted for?”
“This is all of us Mr. Secretary.” Natasha said with a bow of her head.
The man clapped with a sigh. “You know five years ago, I had a heart attack…and I dropped right in the middle of my backswing.” He shook his head and leaned onto the table. “Turns out though, it was the best round of my life…because after THIRTEEN hours of surgery, and a triple bypass.” He slowly nodded “I learned something, the Army never taught me.” He paused and looked at everyone with a small smile. “Perspective.” He finished.
Veronika stared at him feeling nervous, not really enjoying his vibe either. And Tony looked unnerving for some reason.
“The world owes the Avenger an unpayable debt. You all have fought for us…protected us, risked your lives for us. But while many people see you and call you heroes, there are some who would rather use the word ‘vigilantes’.”
“And what word do you prefer Mr. Secretary?” Natasha asked with a playful smirk.
“How about ‘dangerous’?” He now had a glare mainly pointed to Wanda and Veronika. Then he looked around. “What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals, who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will, wherever they choose and who, quite frankly, seemed unconcerned about what they leave behind?” He looked around at all of them as he spoke. His words are very harsh and filled with venom.
They watched him as he moved away from the screen behind him and played something.
“New York” he started a video.
An alien army was racing across the screen. People running, screaming and some crying. The Hulk smashing buildings. Rubble falling everywhere and more screams.
Tony, Nat and Steve all looked sad and afraid of these past events. Of the 2012 incident.
“Washington D.C.”
Another video of helicarriers falling into water and the destruction of the S.H.I.E.L.D. building. More screamings of people just trying to get away. Waves of water splashing, possibly drowning people.
“Sokovia.”
The next being when the teens had all joined the team. The video showed the city being picked up, robots crawling all over it, blue streaks passing the camera and purples and red. Mainly heard was screaming and cries and the looks of destruction. The twins looked at each other with sadness in their eyes as they watched what happened to their home.
“Lagos”
The building Wanda and Veronika destroyed the main center of attention. People crying…body bags, people being carried injured from the sight. But what hurt the most, the final picture they zoomed on, a girl lying dead.
Veronika turned her head to look at Wanda and they both saw the pain and guilt in the other’s eyes.
“Okay. That’s enough.” Steve said, looking at Secretary Ross who motioned to a guy on the side to stop.
“For the past four years, you’ve operated with unlimited power and no supervision.” he looked around at them. “That’s an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution.” He turned to the man that came with him, he was being handed a book of some kind and he dropped it in front of Pietro. He moved his hands hesitantly from his sister and girlfriend’s hands to the book. Slowly opening it to scan it. “These are the Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries, it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization.”
“This says we give our right to governments to choose what missions we do.” Pietro looked at the man, he’s a fast reader, so he swallowed the information quickly as he passed the book to Rhodey.
“Exactly, you shall operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel…only WHEN and IF that panel deems it necessary.”
Steve shook his head, eyes narrowed. “The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we’ve done that.” He looked at Ross.
“Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?” Steve and him looked at each other. “If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes…you can bet there’d be consequences.”
Steve sighed and he and Natasha shared some looks and Veronika was staring down the man as he kept walking around the table like a vulture around a dead animal on the side of the road.
“Compromise. Reassurance. That’s how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground.”
“So, there are contingencies.” Rhodey said.
“In three days from now, the UN will meet in Vienna to ratify the accords. Talk it over.”
Veronika saw Steve looking at Tony. Seeing that both of them were kind of in their own heads.
“Talk it over.” Ross said, looking at all of them starting to walk out.
“And if we come to a decision you don’t like?” Steve finally asked.
“Then you retire.” Ross said and finally left. Leaving them all with looks of worry and questioning at each other.