Chapter Text
Natasha never expected things to be like this.
She had miscalculated, she mad miscalculated so badly.
What the hell had she been thinking. Siding with Steve over Stark ? She liked Steve more than the Iron Man. He was egotistical, and it granted her everytime he thought that he was better than her.
She didn't like, she wanted to stand that he wasn't fit to be an Avengers. But...he had the brains, the power, everything that Natasha wanted. Steve didn't. Steve had the reputation of Captain America, but outside the US, that really didn't meant anything.
She had allowed herself to believe that in the end, the golden american boy would aways stand above the billionaire with a dark past. That siding with him would make Natasha's problems go away.
But now look where she is at. In prison, with no way out. Completly screwed.
Unlike the others, she had seen the cells on the tower before. She knew how much Stark worked on them.
She knew escape was extremely hard.
This was not going according to plan. She should have left them behind, or just taken Clint and go. The mission in Colombia had disaster written all over it. But she hadn't seen it at the time. All she cared about...was winning. Was proving to Stark that she would come in top, and put him back on his place, he had been getting to out of hand after he was found innocent over Ultron.
She wanted to remind him of his place on the team, but it has come to bite her on the ass again.
The Avengers, the team she had and liked being part of it, was over. Steve is done. She had heard how his first days in trials had gone, and he was diging himself a deeper hole every day. He had nothing to defend his actions. Being Captain America didn't mean anything to anyone any longer. Today, the Avengers members start testifying. It will be Steve's doom. Yet for some reason, he still believes that he is gonna get out scott free. That somehow he is gonna convince the world that he did what he had to do. Because he had to protect Bucky Barnes.
Barnes, the man that Steve cares so much about, will ultimately be his downfall. How ironic.
Sam had resigned to his fate. Her lawyer had told her that he had accepted a plea deal, and got 14 years with parole at 7. Sam had less charges than anyone here, his fate was always gonna be better than hers. A plea deal for her will probably end up with 20 years, maybe more. She can't have that. Clint was no longer caring about anyone here. All he cared was getting back to Laura, in any way possible. He doesn't care who he has to bring down in order to get back to them. Wanda....Wanda was a suprise. Natasha would have thought the video of Siberia, of Steve almost killing Tony, would cause her joy. It didn't. It actually brought her to think of her actions and....she was being strangely cooperative. Natasha would never have imagined that.
Steve was still trying to talk to them all, but try to unite the team. But the team is done. This team at least, is never going back to the way it was before. The only thing they can all do now is to safe themsevles.
It sadden her to leave Clint to his fate, but she has to do it. Natasha had to save herself no matter what. She had to get out of this one. There is no way that she had messed up so badly.
Her first day of trial is tomorrow. She has to think of any way to get her way out of here. SHIELD could be an option, if she could get ahold of Coulson again. But after he confronted them, he never came back.
She could try with Stark, see if any of her manipulations worked again. She didn't want that really, but if sucking up to the man meant her freedom, she would do it. If only Danvers wasn't around, she could have used the sexual atracion.....
This wasn't gonna be the end of the Black Widow, there is no way that is gonna happen.
"Romanoff." That asgardian woman came in. "You got a visitor."
This woman, Valkyrie, is the one escorting her to trial. Natasha had tried to gain anything from her before her capture but was unable to do so. She had to find something.
"Why can't they come here ?"
"She has requested privacy." Now come on.
Natasha was let out of her cell. She ignored the look Steve gave her. The man looked at them longlely everytime one came out. The others ignored her.
She was brought to a table, and chained to it. But unlike her interviews with her lawyer, Valkriyie didn't stay. She left.
Natasha thought who could be her visitor. She wished it was Stark, so she could gain something from him, see what she had to do to get him to bail her out. But she had been told her visitor was a woman. Could it be Pepper ? She would take that as well. Natasha just hoped it was someone she could use.
However, when the person came in, she was frozen.
Wha....what is she doing here !
Her vistor sat down in front of her. Natasha was still not believing who it was.
"So...got nothing to say ?"
"ye...Yelena ?!"
Her adoptive sister, Yelena Belova. Was the one in front of her.
"Hey Natasha, it's been a long time. You know since you left me on the red room."
"Yelena....how..."
"So...you know I never imagined this. I thought you had, cleaned the red of your ledger, but here you are. In prison, with the great Captain America. Turns out he is not that different from Alexei after all."
Natasha got her bearings back. This was a...very surprising development, but she could use it.
"How are you here..."
"Shortly after your Civil War, a former Widow freed me from the Red Room. I spent some months in hiding, had to avoid the Taskmaster. Then I got to the Avengers, and asked for their help. They helped me dismantle the Red Room, and finally kill Dreikov, who you failed to kill. Then, since I had no where to go, the Avengers welcomed be here, so, here I am."
"But...how...you weren't on the news."
"I haven't been on the team up until recently. Tony was helping me with my legalities, clearing my legal status, talking with the Russians so they aren't angry with me being here. I have also been in therapy, because the Red Room leaves more than physical scars."
Natasha thought about that. Yelena's entry to this world was certainly different than hers. Natasha never went to therapy (she didn't need it) or Fury never cleared her legal status. She became a SHIELD spy, and started working.
Her sister's path seemed long an unnesecary...but with how things are now, it might be better on the long run.
"I like them. The New Avengers. They have been so nice to me, and helping me particulary on this world. Tony and Carol in particularly....they are very nice."
She saw the look in Yelena's eyes. That looks...if Tony and Danvers returned it..
Before Ulton, Clint had asked on one of their parties (how she missed that, how she missed the luxurious life) to Tony if he would be on a polly relationship if he could. He had said if all parties involved agreed to it, he would have no problem.
Regarthless, it seems Yelena had become close to the New Avengers. She could use that.
"Yelena..please, you have to help me.."
"Oh god I knew this was coming. If you think I am gonna bail you out, you are sorely mistaken."
"Please..we are family remember."
"Yes, family. Family doesn't leave each other behind Natasha, and that's what you did. I've been on the Red Room all this time you were a super hero. You could have helped me, SHIELD would have the resources, Tony certainly has them. But you forgot about me, you left me there to rot, just because i wasn't useful. Alexei and Melina would be so proud of you you know. They are both at prison now. Alexei got 30 years for all he did for Dreikov, no parole. Melina faired better, she got 22 years, with the chance of parole at 16. They are both in the Raft, where you are going."
Natasha sighted. If Melina had been convicted, this did not fare any good for her. This was bad. Really bad.
"Yelena...please."
"I wanted to know if you felt any remorse. But the first thing you did was think of me as a way out. You know you screwed over every Widow that wants to proof that they are better than what they made us. I'll have to fix that, to give the others a chance to live. I won't help you Natasha...goodbye."
Yelena stood out and left the room.
Natasha looked at the floor.
Dam it...what now ?
"Please state your name and job for the court sir."
"Colonel James Rhodes. Air Force Colonel, and leader of the Avengers." Rhodey said, following all procedures.
His time had finally come to testify against Rogers. Today, Rhodey could speak.
The man in question did not look at him. He was looking at the desk, and his papers.
The first day had been victims of Rogers' actions, civilians, coming to speak. Family members of the police men in Romania came to talk. A police men came to speak himself, and told the court about the life long injuries Rogers gave him.
Still, from what Carol, Sharon, and FRIDAY said, somehow it hasn't hit Rogers that he is guilty of all of this. He somehow still thinks he is gonna get out of this one.
But there is no way out, and when it finally hits him, Rhodey will enjoy it.
But for now, he had a job to do.
"When did you first met Mr. Rogers ?" Jenifer asked.
"Shortly after New York. I was at Hong Kong during the invasion."
"Where you present when former Secretary Ross presented the accords to Mr. Rogers ?"
"Yes. I at the time was a reserve member of the team, and was present for the meeting."
"Where you informed of the accords at the meeting, or before hand ?"
"I knew them before hand. The news were already discussing the idea of UN intervention, and I had been consulted alongside Tony Stark for some points."
"Do you know why Mr. Rogers was not informed of the accords, as the leader of the Avengers at the time ?"
"Beats me. The idea was already on the news. However, it always seemed that Rogers relied on Romanoff telling him everything, he never took the time to search himself for stuff. And he was contacted by the board via email, but he never answered."
"You were unaware of the mission in Lagos right ?"
"Correct. I was not informed of it, as was Vision. I think we all know why that was the case."
"Indeed, we'l get that in time. According to the records, Mr. Rogers seemed to leave on many trips, to what we now know. Was to search James Barnes."
"Indeed. Like I said though, I was only a reserve member. With my career on the air force, i was unable to join full time. So many of this times, I didn't know they had left."
"Uhum. You were on Romania when the chase was over. Tell me, did Mr. Rogers show any remorse for the carnage he had left behind ?"
"No." He said that part very seriously. "I saw remorse in Barnes, Wilson, and King T'Challa, but not on him. All he cared about, was Barnes."
Rogers glared at him for that. Well too bad for him if he can't handle the truth.
"Let's get moving to the airport. You went with Dr. Stark, the Vision, and Ms. Romanoff to capture the fugitives."
"Yes. The plan was to talk them down before a fight began. When we heard of Barton and Maximoff breaking out of the compound, we knew it was better to get back up. Tony contacted Spiderman, and King T'Challa agreed to help us."
"And did you try to talk to him ?"
"Yes. Tony tried to talk to Rogers. He told us about some super soldiers, and Zemo, but made no effort to continue talking after that. Tony begged him to stand down, to resolve things peacefully, and Rogers instead began the fight."
"How would you describe the fight ?"
"It was chaotic...we knew we had superior fire power, but our orders, and intentions, were to capture, not kill or give severe injury. We held back, intentionally targeted anything but them. Vision stood down most of the fight because he knew his power could be deadly. Rogers and the others, well they didn't hold anything back. Threw fire trucks at us, didn't hold their punches. Pleas to stand down were ignored. We managed to capture most of them after some time, thanks to the quick thinking of Tony and Spiderman, but Rogers and Barnes got to the hangar, were Romanoff turned tail and let them go. Tony and I chased them, Wilson after us. I instructed Vision to shoot at his thruster, knowing he could glide down safely with his wings. But Vision was overwhelmed, and he missed, and.....shot me instead. Tony and Wilson tried to catch me but....there was nothing they could do."
"Can you tell us the full extent of your injuries ?"
Rhodey closed his eyes, and told what the doctors told them. Every word they said to him.
"At the time, I wasn't gonna walk ever again. It's thanks to Tony that I'm standing here, and not in a wheel chair. It's also thanks to him that I didn't die on that fall. If I happened to be a bit higher.....I would not be here."
"Do you blame someone for your accident ?"
"Yes. I don't blame Vision. Despite what he looks like, he is young, and was on the process of finding himself. I should not have made that call. I also don't blame Wilson. He dodged the hit, which is something i would have done as well. But Rogers...his insistence of a fight, his refusal to talk...that's what caused this. I blame him, and no one else."
Rogers was turning a bit red at that. He seemed like he was gonna talk, but a stern talk from his lawyer made him stand down.
"You were in a 4 day coma after you're fall. What happened after you woke up."
"I woke up, drugged for the pain. Vision was there. He told me of...Tony's fight with Rogers. On how he left my best friend to die at Siberia. He told me that Tony was in surgery, fighting for his life. That if it wasn't for King T'Challa.....he would be gone. I spent days at his bed side, begging for him to wake up."
"When you were told of what triggered the fight, on the lie that Mr. Rogers had been keeping from Dr. Stark for two years, how did you feel about it ?"
"I was angry. God I was so angry. I don't have the best opinions of Howard Stark, but Maria Stark was a benevolent woman that loved everyone she came across with. She didn't deserve that. I was so angry, that Rogers here, thought that it was ok, to use Tony's money and resources, to search for his parents' killer, regardless if it was his intention or not, and had no intention of telling him the truth. However..I wasn't tat suprised at that."
"You weren't surprised ? Can you please explain that ?"
"Rogers never liked Tony. He was amicable to him sometimes, and a bit friendly sometimes. But for most of the time, Tony was treated like dirt by Rogers. Every time Tony tried to do a suggestion, or add a bit, Rogers yelled at him, told him to remember his place. He made Tony work for hours for his equipment, that he wasn't even thanked for, and Rogers ignored that Tony even had a life. He made him the Avengers' banker, without any consideration. I saw my best friend, with bags under his eyes, his relationship at the time crumbling. I saw the abusive nature of most of the Avengers, with the exemptions of Vision, Dr. Banner, and Thor, and did nothing. Rogers specially was like that."
At that, Rogers was unable to keep quiet.
"I didn't abuse Tony !" He yelled. "He..."
"Mr. Rogers !" The judge yelled. "You will remain silent until this court allows you to speak !"
"But I..."
"Ms. Worginton, please calm your client down, or he'll be gagged."
"Yes your honor." Nicole gave Steve some hushed (angry) whispers, and the man finally calmed down.
Rhodey wanted to shout at him. He wanted to tell him every single thing he thought of the man. But he held back. He knew that Rogers was getting what he deserves.
Jenifer stopped her questioning after that. The defense tried to counter some questions, but Rhodey easily answered them back. He felt for Rogers' lawyer, he really did. He used a neutral tone because she didn't deserve his anger. He could rant to Rogers himself once he is imprisoned.
Soon the time was over, and Rhodey left the courtroom.
The place was in total chaos today. Three of the rouges were here. Today was the beginning of Romanoff's trial, and Wilson was being sentenced. SHIELD was working hard on keeping everything safe.
Rhodey really couldn't wait until this was over.
Sam has been on courtrooms before. But never on this place.
Today he was being sentenced. Today his life was over. After this, he'll be a convicted criminal.
He was brought in on the morning. First he would go to his sentencing hearing, and then he would testify on Steve's trial. After that, he would return to the tower, and wait for the time to go to where he'll serve his sentence.
"Are you ok Sam ?" Mr. Tao asked him.
"Ye..yes."
"Good..just remember. It could have been a lot worst. You are doing the right thing."
The right thing...that's what he thought he had done when he followed Steve, and looked where that ended.
The court was called into session, and then the judge came in.
"Samuel Thomas Wilson. You have agreed to plea guilty to all the crimes you are being charged with. Was this a choice made by your own validation ?"
"Yes your honor." He said quietly.
"This court will allow you to give a statement before the sentence is announced. Will you do it ?"
"Yes your honor."
The room was quiet, and Sam sighted.
"I just want to say...I'm sorry. For everything. There is no excuse. I never meant for any harm to come, when I joined the Avengers I wanted to do good. But I did the opposite. I will give no excuse about it. Yes I followed Steve Rogers' orders. I was...blinded by the legend of Captain America, but never cared to look past it, and see the man behind the shield. I should have done that. It was a mistake I will own up to it. To all the victims of Nigeria, Romania, Germany, the Raft, and Colombia. To my former teammates, James Rhodes, Tony Stark, Vision, and to anyone else that was hurt by my actions...all I can offer you is my apology. I hope you find the healing you deserve. That's all your Honor."
"Very well Mr. Wilson. Your words have been recorded on the record. Now, in acording to the plea deal made with the Accords prosecution, Sam Wilson, you have accepted his guilt on all the crimes, and this court is now sentencing you to 14 years in prison, with the possibility of parole at 7 years, depending on good behavior." The judge smashed his gravel, making the sentence official.
Sam sighted. It was official. He would now spend the next 7 years of his life at least, on prison.
It's what he deserves.
Mr. Tao brought him outside the courtroom and into a bench outside.
"It will take a bit of time before you must testify. Can I bring you anything Sam ? A cup of coffee maybe ?"
"A cup of coffee would be nice, thank you."
His lawyer brought him a cup of coffee, and a muffin. Sam ate them both quietly. Enjoying the breeze of the air.
Who knows when he would get to do this again.
The time then came for Sam to testify against Steve.
The courthouse were Steve was, was much bigger than his. It made sense. Everyone had made their own choices, but Steve had been the leader of all of it.
Steve tried to look at him, but Sam ignored him, he went to the stand, and sat down.
After the introduction, the prosecution started.
"Mr. Wilson. I would like to clarify this to the court. Was the mission in Lagos meant to go hunt down Brock Rumlow, or was it a search for James Barnes ?"
"It was for Barnes. We didn't learn of Rumlow until we were there."
"So there was no plan of attack ?"
"No there wasn't."
"And you didn't feel that warning the police of Lagos would make sense to avoid casualties ?"
"I...I didn't think about it. Steve said he didn't want to risk tipping Rumlow off."
"Hm. And when the fight reached a crowed market, did you feel any concern for the civilians, who were brought in to the crossfire ?"
"I..." He had no answer for that.
"Mr. Wilson, did you or did you not, read the accords when they were brought to you ?"
"I ....took a look at them. I didn't really think about...Steve didn't trust them, and I allowed myself to believe in him blindly."
"Yeah, well you certainly did that a lot of times. You were a councilor. Working with veterans. Didn't you feel that Mr. Rogers would be emotionally unstable when Mr. Barnes was involved."
"I..." How could he explain that. That was supposed to be his job. He should have seen that Steve was unable to keep his head clean when Barnes came into the picture. "No...I didn't though about it. Steve said he wanted his friend back..I thought he was the best person to bring him." He wasn't. He was the worst one.
Sam was asked other questions that filled him with shame. How he didn't thought about talking or holding back on the airport, how he never questioned why Steve didn't want to talk about Siberia or didn't allow them to see the news. The choice to go to Colombia, without any information. Things that Sam should have asked himself a long time ago. But were no good now.
"Mr. Wilson. Where you or where you not, aware of the role Mr. Barnes had, on the deaths of Howard and Maria Stark ?"
"No. I had no idea up until recently. When Thor and Bruce Banner came and showed me the truth."
"Did you ever question why Mr. Rogers always refused to call either Colonel Rhodes or the Vision in those search missions. Or why he refused to contact Dr. Stark, when his recources would have made finding the Winter Soldier a lot easier.
"I..." god how many signs had he missed. "I didn't..Steve never really trusted Stark. But now I know why he didn't. Why he was afraid of Rhodes and Vision learning the truth, they would have told Stark."
"Mr. Wilson. If you had learned the truth about the death of the Starks, before the events of Siberia. Would you have told Tony Stark the truth ? Or would you have kept it to yourself, because Captain America said so ?"
Sam remained quiet. What would he have done, if Steve had told him the truth. Would he had done the right thing and tell Stark the moment he knew. Or..would he have kept quiet, because Captain America asked him to..
The answer now seems obvious. But at the time.....
"I....I don't know."
"No more questions."
Rhodey arrived with Carol back on the tower, after a long day.
She told him how his and Sam's testimony had shaken Rogers. But she didn't think the man realized yet that there was no way out. FRIDAY also updated them on Romanoff's trial. Seems the spy is frantically looking for a way out now, as she realized the trial will do no good for her.
Rhodey was there for Sam's sentencing, and for his testimony against Rogers. Rhodey, despite his anger, found he had no ill will towards Sam. He wished once the man faced his punishment, he would be able to reconstruct his life. The story would be different if Sam had not accepted his guilt, but...well he might not be as forgiving as Tony, but Rhodey did have some of that.
He really didn't forgive Sam, but he accepted his apology, and wished him well.
Rhodey rather have his anger at Rogers. That man made it so easy to be angry at him.
"I swear everytime he speaks he makes me want to punch him." Carol groaned. "He always asks, and even demands, that I bring Tony to speak to him."
"He'll get what's coming to him Carol, he'll get it."
They went to the top floor. Where Tony was talking to Yelena on the bar.
He noticed the fond look Carol had, not only at Tony, but at Yelena as well. Both him and Thor already knew, that the former Widow would soon make her way to the relationship. Tony never thought he would get another woman after Pepper, but he will get two. He is happy for his brother, really.
And because Stephen fixed any damage the Red Room did to her, that means Tony could have children from both of them. Children that Rhodey would spoil so badly. He would be cool uncle Rhodey.
Carol went to the pair, while Rhodey went to call Pepper but then Bruce came in.
"Guys, you won't believe this. I just got a call from Jenifer and..."
"What is it Bruce ?" Tony asked.
"It's Maximoff. She is pleading guilty. To everything !"
And that was....a huge suprise.
Out of all the possible outcomes, he never considered this one happening. Wanda Maximoff has chosen to accept responsibly and face the consequences.
"I did not see that one coming." Yelena said. And really, there was nothing else one could say about that.