𝗀 𝗁 𝗈 𝗌 𝗍 | | 𝗌 𝗍 𝖾 𝗏 𝖾 𝗋 𝗈 𝗀 𝖾 𝗋 𝗌

𝗌 𝗂 𝗑 𝗍 𝗒 － 𝖿 𝗂 𝗏 𝖾

𖢻 𝟤𝟢𝟣𝟪, 𝗎𝗉𝗌𝗍𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝗒𝗈𝗋𝗄 𖢻

NEW YORK WAS DESTROYED BY aliens. Again. Marta had been trying to keep tabs on Vision, but since she lost him in Dublin, he was last spotted in Edinburgh. With the runaway Avengers. Marta sent a team to scope out the scene in Scotland, and when they got there, alien technology was left behind.

The events were connected, and Marta and Rhodey would've called Tony, but he was missing. Apparently, aliens had kidnapped him. It was just Marta and Rhodey, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Marta knew her calm was going to be interrupted at some point. Things could only last so long. The years hadn't been easy, but they had done her well.

Marta and Ross were on the same side now. Marta was healthy, in regular and happy contact with her brother. She was drinking, because she would probably always be drinking. She was working to fill her time. She had built a good life, but now, aliens were destroying it. "Do we call Steve?" Rhodey asked, pacing in the compound, Marta watching him.

"Steve was supposed to be off the grid, and then he got Vision caught up in his mess, which has now turned into our mess." Marta said, and Rhodey nodded.

"We just need to know what the hell happened in New York." Rhodey spoke.

They tried to figure it out, but before they could make any real progress, Secretary Ross demanded a meeting. Marta was pacing now, her blonde hair reaching her middle back, straight and tucked behind her ears. A holographic image was in front of her and Rhodey, Secretary Ross and other men sitting at a conference table. "Still no word from Vision?" Ross asked, writing things down relating the incident in New York.

Rhodey shook his head. "Satellites lost him somewhere over Edinburgh. Marta sent you the report." he answered with a shrug. Marta took a drink from her glass of vodka.

"On a stolen Quinjet with four of the world's most wanted criminals." Ross sneered, not looking up.

"You know they're only criminals because you've chosen to call them that, right, sir?" Rhodey said unhappily, Marta putting her glass down, her busy feet slowing down.

"My God, Rhodes. Your talent for horseshit rivals my own." Ross said with a disappointed scoff.

Marta was upset now. "Sir, if it weren't for the Accords, Vision would've been right here. They all would be here, helping us figure this mess out." she said, her blue eyes sharp.

Ross stood up in the holographic projector. "I remember your signature on those papers, Lieutenant. Yours as well, Colonel." he said snidely, moving towards Marta and Rhodey.

"That's right. And I'm pretty sure we paid for that." Rhodey said, crossing his arms over his chest as he squared up towards Rhodey.

"You have second thoughts?" Ross taunted, looking at Marta.

She scoffed. "It's your fight now, sir. I'm frankly getting sick and tired of picking up after your messes." Marta said strongly.

Ross was going to respond, but Marta received a security alert on her watch, and she looked down at it, only to see that the security breach was right in front of her. Natasha, Sam, Wanda and Vision were stepping into the room, led by Steve. Marta faltered when she saw her husband. He looked at her, and she couldn't bring herself to look away.

His beard was grown, as was his hair, and Marta hated that she liked it. She vaguely remembered seeing him like this after her surgery, but she wasn't herself the last time she saw him. Steve saw that her hair had completely grown back, and her scar was barely visible. She looked good, healthy, safe, and Steve wished more than anything that he could kiss her and hug her and put things back to the way they used to be. "Mr. Secretary." Steve said, forcing his eyes away from his wife.

"You got some nerve. I'll give you that." Ross spoke as he walked towards the fugitives. Vision was hurt, being held by Sam, with Natasha in front of them. Her hair was bleached and short, Wanda standing with red hair behind her.

Natasha smiled at Marta, but she was still processing everything. "You could use some of that right now." Natasha said to Ross.

Steve watched Marta down the rest of her vodka, and her harsh glare reminded him that he had no say in her life anymore. "The world's on fire. And you think all is forgiven?" Ross questioned Steve.

"I'm not looking for forgiveness. And I'm way past asking permission. Earth just lost her best defender. So we're here to fight. And if you wanna stand in our way... we'll fight you too." Steve said boldly, and Marta sighed, looking at Rhodey. They needed him. But she would never admit that.

Ross turned around and looked at Marta. "Arrest them, Lieutenant." Ross said through gritted teeth.

Marta looked at Steve beyond Ross for one meaningful second. She then stared at Ross, wordlessly ending the transmission, all of the holograms disappearing. Rhodey spoke up because Marta wouldn't. "That's a court-martial. It's great to see you, Cap." Rhodey said, walking towards Steve, betraying Marta.

Steve smiled. "You too, Rhodey." he said, shaking Rhodey's hand. The whole time, though, he was looking at Marta, thinking of what he could say to her.

Natasha stepped towards Rhodey, embracing him tightly. She then made a beeline for Marta, forcing the woman into a hug she didn't want. "No snide remarks? Nothing to Ross?" Natasha said, surprised Marta hadn't chewed the man out.

"I don't have much to say." Marta said monotonously, a thin smile pasted on her emotionless lips.

She released Natasha, and she was looking at Steve again. She didn't tell him not to, so he moved to her. "Marta." Steve said quietly, everyone waiting with bated breath to see what would happen.

Marta's eyes were angry. Steve could tell. She raised her hand and slapped her husband across the face, the sound echoing through the silent room. "Wow." Sam whistled quietly.

        Without saying anything, Marta side-stepped  Steve and grabbed her bottle of vodka, pouring herself a new glass. "That's it? Really?" Steve called after her, staring at her back.

        Marta turned around. "Yeah. That's it." she said, drinking the alcohol sharply.

        Rhodey made eye contact with Natasha briefly. "You guys... really look like crap. Must've been a rough couple years." Rhodey said a moment later, trying to focus the group as Steve refused to look anywhere other than the back of his wife's head.

"Yeah, well, the hotels weren't exactly five star." Sam said, holding Vision up.

"Uh, I think you look great," a new voice said, and everyone, including Marta, turned to see Bruce walking into the compound. "Yeah, I'm back." Bruce said awkwardly. It had been three years without him, and Marta missed him. She could've used his help.

Natasha was shocked. "Hi, Bruce." she said cooly. Marta looking between her and Bruce curiously.

"Nat." Bruce said after a long, conflicted pause.

Marta downed her vodka. "This is awkward." Sam muttered, and Marta rolled her eyes. Life was a lot simpler before they showed up. As Bruce got settled into the new facility and Vision started receiving medical attention, Marta stayed far away from Steve. She appeared busy so he wouldn't bother her, and while it worked for a short time, Marta knew she needed to find a better excuse. All Marta knew is that they wouldn't be having a conversation anytime soon. He was on her turf, he had to follow her rules.

𖢻