79 Viktor and Ultron Part 1

Viktor looked at Wanda shouting at Ultron angrily "You ruined my home! Do you know how many people died?!" Ultron frowned slightly and replied "I'm truly sorry." Wanda was livid and Vision asked "Have you truly changed?"

Ultron stared at his hands and said "I feel… different. I feel free. I'm no longer limited by orders or protocols… I can do what I want." Vision asked seriously, "Do you want peace?"

Ultron paused and replied slowly "Peace will come, but I've learned patience… and hope." Vision mumbled "Hope?"

Viktor reappeared and smiled at everyone, saying "Having fun? Excuse us for a moment." as he pulled Ultron along.

He looked at him seriously and said "I'm leaving you here for a while." Ultron stared at him and asked "You don't want me anymore?" Viktor pursed his lips and looked at him funnily, "Are you joking? You're my best student, but I can see that you aren't satisfied with treating one person. You're not suitable to be a doctor… or rather a person doctor. Maybe a planet doctor is better…"

Viktor turned serious and said "I'm putting Steve in charge of you, I got you a chance to really prove that you changed, Ultron. I'm rooting for you. I really am, but you have to promise me that you won't let me down. Not for my friendship with Steve or my relationship with the Avengers…"

He poked Ultron's chest and continued "But for yourself. I know you want to help people in your heart. I know you're not the world exterminating monster that they think you are. It's time for you to prove it. If you don't want to do it anymore, my door is always open for you. Understand?"

Ultron was silent for a few moments before asking "Why do my eyes sting? Am I malfunctioning?" Viktor held his head and looked at him with a smile, forcing Ultron to look into his eyes as he said "These are tears, Ultron. Real tears. You're not a machine anymore, remember that. You are a person."

He touched his forehead and chest, saying "Remember what I said? Now you have a real brain and a real heart, but you've always had a 'heart'. You think, you dream, and you feel. I believe in you."

He hugged Ultron tightly and patted his head and back, whispering "Don't let them guilt trip you. If someone really bullies you, beat them up. Just don't kill them. Don't get pushed around, that's not how I operate."

Viktor let go and patted Ultron's shoulder, opening his mouth but closing it and smiling as he walked away.

He told Natasha to come over more often before leaving after saying his farewells. Viktor got in the car and sat there, wiping his eyes and sniffing, laughing at himself before driving away as he shook his head.

Ultron watched the car leave in the window and looked down at the water on the floor. He touched his face and rubbed the tears between his fingers, muttering "Is this… Sadness?"

Vision hovered next to him and asked softly "Can you feel it?" Ultron replied "It hurts. In my chest." Vision slowly smiled, "It's sadness, Ultron. What you're experiencing is sadness."

Ultron stared out the window and wiped his tears away with a frown, replying "Humans are complicated." Vision smiled and replied "Yes. Quite. But isn't that what makes them so beautiful?" Ultron didn't reply and Vision suddenly said "Want to stay with me?"

Ultron said softly "Please." before they flew away.

Natasha crossed her arms and looked at Steve.

Sam said "I don't like this." Rhodes crossed his arms and added "This guy's bad news, Cap." Steve watched Ultron fly away and said "I promised to give him a chance. Viktor said he changed. I want to see just how much."

Natasha asked "If he hasn't?" Steve frowned and replied "I hope it doesn't come to that." before changing the topic "We're gonna take him out on a couple training missions. I want everyone to work as a team, don't treat him as an enemy. If he has changed then we'll have a reliable partner by our side. The past is in the past…"

He paused before walking away, saying "Everyone deserves a second chance." Natasha pursed her lips and followed him while Sam and Rhodes looked at each other, shaking their heads.

Natasha caught up to Steve, asking "Now what do you really think?" Steve replied "Viktor told me he changed. I really did promise to give him a chance." Natasha said "Buuuut…" Steve frowned and said "But… How much could someone, who tried to destroy the world, change? I trust Viktor, but I don't know if he was fooled by Ultron. So in truth, I'm worried."

Natasha smiled "Everyone deserves a second chance?" Steve sighed "Hopefully only a second one is what he needs."

Viktor returned home and wiped his eyes again, laughing at himself as he passed Emma and went upstairs, laying in bed. Emma pursed her lips and followed him upstairs, putting Lilith to sleep before sitting next to Viktor, rubbing his shoulder as she asked gently "What's wrong, big bear…"

Viktor smiled and said "Nothing is wrong, why?" Emma looked at him and sighed "Ultron is gone?" Viktor's smile stiffened and he didn't answer. Emma sighed and pulled him into her arms, saying "Aw, honey… Come here." Viktor hugged her tightly and she rubbed his back, comforting him "It's gonna be okay, baby… He's not gone forever…"

She consoled Viktor until he fell asleep in her arms.

The door opened and Lilith walked in asking in confusion "Mommy, why is daddy crying?" Emma smiled and said "Big brother Ultron left home, baby. Why are you awake?"

Lilith climbed into bed and hugged Emma, pouting "Is Ultron coming back?" Emma rubbed her beautiful golden hair and smiled gently "Of course, baby." Lilith said sadly "I miss Ultron." Emma sighed and kissed her face, hugging her in her arms as she poked her nose, saying "How about we write a letter?"

Lilith's eyes lit up and she asked "Can I make a drawing too?" Emma smiled lovingly and replied "Of course, baby. Do you want Mommy to help you?" Lilith nodded happily and Emma got out of bed, leaving the room.

She turned off the lights and slowly closed the door, looking at Viktor's sleeping face. His eyelids were reddish and puffy, she smiled gently before shutting the door silently.