Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel Cinematic Universe.
This story is not Tony-Stark-friendly, so if you stan him this story is not for you.
14. Pepper & T'Challa
T'Challa steered Pepper Potts through the throne room to the more private rooms, which lay behind it.
"Something to drink, Ms. Potts?"
"A glass water would be nice." T'Challa put a glass and a bottle water on the table before Pepper and poured water in the glass. "Thank you, your highness."
"Please call me T'Challa, Ms. Potts."
"Then call me Pepper please." Pepper took a sip water. "In the last few months I investigated the events surrounding Ultron and the Sokovia Accords and what I found out alarmed me.
I find the way the Accords were created and the circumstances they were introduced to the Avengers very suspect. I never understood why Wakanda was so in the forefront by the presentation of the Accords in Vienna. Can you explain it to me?"
"After the bomb in Lagos killed twelve of our people, we wanted accountability."
"It was Rumlow a known Hydra agent who detonated the bomb not the Avengers. If Wanda hadn't contained the blast it would have killed hundreds of people alone on the marketplace. I am very sorry for your loss but I think we all got away very cheap with a death toll of only twelve.
But Lagos was only a few weeks before the Accords were presented to the Avengers and they are called the Sokovia Accords for a reason. I read them and this is not a document written in a few weeks or months especially because I know that Tony learned about them long before you did. So tell me, when did you or your father see the Accords for the first time?"
"After Lagos. Senator Ross came to my father, showed him the Accords and asked him to support them. That it would have more impact when he as the king of the killed people who would introduce the Accords and plead for their ratification. Ross showed him evidence for the reckless endangerment of civilians and said to him that it was time that the governments took action to protect the normal humans."
"Oh please don't give me this bullshit that the governments only wishes to protect his citizens against these bad enhanced beings. We both know, that they only want power and to further their own agenda. When governments speak about accountability, they mean control.
And if you are honest to yourself you must admit that governments never react in a timely manner. Every time you wait for permission, it will cost more lives than the possible damage that the Avengers may do.
If the Avengers had not fought Rumlow he and his co-conspirators would have stolen a biological warfare agent. Can you imagine how many 'normal' humans Hydra could have killed if they had gotten it in their hands?
What did the government of Lagos do to protect their citizens? How high are the chances that Hydra paid them so that they would look the other way?"
T'Challa did not answer, he had to admit that Pepper were likely right in her assumptions.
"Didn't you or your father see the violation of human rights or did you simple didn't care because you thought the people of Wakanda were safe from the repercussions which all others enhanced humans would have to face. Tell me did you sign the Accords, T'Challa?"
"No, I didn't", answered T'Challa who did know why Pepper asked this question.
"You take away the humans rights of millions of people and cause them to suffer, they are imprisoned without trial if they refuse to sign, and when they sign they are practically the slaves of their governments. And even when they retire they can be imprisoned if the government deems them a threat to the 'public security'." Pepper scoffed at the last two words.
"Why are you not in prison too? After all you and Tony broke the Accords even worse than the Avengers, they at least didn't sign or fought for something they couldn't support with a good conscience. Why didn't force Ross you to sign the Accords?"
"Diplomatic immunity", replied T'Challa and could not hide the shame he was feeling in retrospect.
"How very convenient for you and Tony! It is only too bad that millions of enhanced humans don't have the privilege to be the son of a king or a billionaire who is used to throw money at all his problems and if that doesn't work let other people pay for his mistakes. How can you reconcile it with your conscience? And I think you have a conscience, something I'm not so sure anymore regarding Tony."
"My hate blinded me after the death of my father. I know it does not excuse my actions against Bucky Barnes und the Avengers. As a start to make up for my mistakes, I gave the Avengers sanctuary in my country. Of course, my guilt because of my actions against them is nothing to the guilt I feel due to my actions against Barnes. I owe him more than I can ever repay."
"It is definitely recommendable that you stand by your mistakes and try to make reparations to the people you wronged, this is more than what Tony ever did. But what is with the millions of other enhanced humans, can you give them sanctuary too?"
"Regrettably I can't and I do not know yet how I can improve their situation."
"But you want too?" asked Pepper and looked at him seriously.
"Yes, I want to repair the damage my father and I did to these people", replied T'Challa and looked Pepper straight in the eyes, willing to let her see his shame and determination to correct his mistakes.
Pepper smiled. "I'm glad. I know from a reliable source that the Avengers are here. I would like to meet them if they agree."
T'Challa laughed. "Oh they want to talk with you too. It will be the first time that they can tell an outsider their side of the events."
"I have a few interesting things I have to tell them too. Can I ask you for a favour? I know that your communications equipment is state-of-the-art but if you get calls from Stark Industries which are very", Pepper hesitated delicately, "frantic, could you have problems to put them through to me?"
"Can you tell me why?" asked T'Challa intrigued.
"I investigated a few departments and their products which were developed under Tony's orders and with his approval and what I did find out…" Pepper shuddered with abhorrence. "Let's say you are not the only one who has guilty feelings but in my case it is more about my failure to question Tony's projects.
I am the CEO and to discover that Stark Industries created most of the instruments, which Ross uses to control and torture enhanced humans forced me to act. I do not want to say more because I have to protect the people who help me with this. And I don't want to bring you in an uncomfortable situation either."
"In this case I will be more than happy to help you. I can promise you that my communication department will never be more incompetent than in the next few days. And don't hesitate to bring me in an uncomfortable situation if it helps the people I wronged."
"Thank you, T'Challa."
"No, thank you for giving me the chance to clear more of the debts I owe. It is late and you had a long journey. One of my servants will bring you to your rooms. My family, the Avengers and I eat every morning breakfast together when they are here. Would you like to join us?"
"With pleasure. Thank you for your gracious hospitality, T'Challa."
"It is my pleasure, Pepper." T'Challa stood up from his seat and gave Pepper his hand to help her up. Pepper took it and they both knew that it was less the polite gesture of a host but rather the establishing of an alliance.