Flashback

"Barton?" Clint answered the phone and Jessica smiled when she heard his voice.

"Hey you," Jessica replied, "just making sure you're gonna be back Friday?"

"Of course, I've basically completed this golf course. Didn't miss a shot." Jessica could hear him smirking over the phone, "you all set for our holiday?"

"Of course," Jessica paused, "I better go, Tony is about to call me out on stage. Love you."

Jessica hung up and carried on listening to Tonys speech, "no strings, no taxes... just reframe the future starting now." Tony paused, "now I would like to introduce the head of the foundation: Jessica Wade."

After the speech Jessica met Tony back at the car and something seemed wrong, "is everything okay?" She asked him touching his hand cautiously. Tony shook his head,

"The Secretary of State has contacted me over Lagos." Tony told her,

"What have I missed?" Jessica asked and Tony projected the footage from the news. She could feel her stomach flip. This wasn't good.

"I'm meeting him at the compound." Tony told her,

Jessica nodded, "I'm coming with you."

Jessica sat at the back of the room, Tony was on the other side of the room at the back while Rhodey, Natasha, Steve, Tony, Sam, Vision, Wanda and Pietro gathered around.

"Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my backswing. Turned out it was the best round of my life, because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass... I found something 40 years in the army had never taught me: Perspective. The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You have fought of us, protected us, risked your lives... but while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some.. who would prefer the word 'vigilantes'.

"And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?" Natasha asked.

"How about dangerous? 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, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?" Secretary Ross activated a screen behind him, "New York," the screen showed a Chitauri leviathan, terrified citizens and the hulk smashing into a building. Jessica watched their reactions and she could see Rhodey looking uncomfortable and glancing back at Natasha. "Washington D.C" three helicarriers falling into the Potomac and the wave engulfing citizens, Jessica remembered that event as it was just before she met Steve. She glanced at Sam who was now looking down. "Sokovia" terrified citizens were running and the city was rising along with buildings falling. Wanda and Pietro looked uncomfortable and she glanced at Tony who was now staring at the screen. "Lagos" The burning building was showing on the screen and then a dead body. Jessica looked at Wanda who looked completely distressed. Jessica turned down to her tablet and over rode the system just as Steve shouted,

"Okay, that's enough."

Secretary Ross went to switch off the screen to find it was already off and Steve glanced at Jessica and gave her a nod. Secretary Ross gave Jessica a scowl and she continued to hold his gaze.

"For the last four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution." He takes a thick book and slides it across the table to Wanda. She glances at it and then passes it to Rhodey. "The Sokovia Accords, approved by 117 countries... it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organisation. Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel seems it necessary."

"The avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we've done that." Steve told him,

"Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?" Secretary Ross asked and the mention of Thor's name caused Jessica's heart to pang. Steve looked up and met Ross's eyes, "If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes... you can bet there'd be consequences. Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground."

"So, there are contingencies." Rhodey said.

"Three days from now, the U.N. meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords." Secretary Ross stated and Steve turned to glance at Tony. Jessica watched as Tony's face had no reaction and that's when she knew, he agreed with Secretary Ross. "Talk it over."

"Secretary Ross," Jessica said, "what happens if they come to a decision you don't like?"

"Then they retire." Secretary Ross told them.

Jessica was sitting with Steve studying the Accords while Rhodey and Sam are arguing behind them. Jessica can just about remember the conversation but it was only when Natasha had mentioned him being quiet and Tony agreeing with Ross. His words of "there's no decision - making process here. We need to be out in check! Whatever form that takes, I'm game. If we can't accept limitations, if we're boundary-less, we're no better than the bad guys."

End of flashback

Jessica wasn't sure where she was, everything was... well it looked like space. But it can't be...Jessica sat up from the floor and she looked over and there was some sort of thrown. "I wondered how long it would take for you to wake up little one," a voice said, coming from the thrown. She watched as the figure stood up and he towered above it, even with facing the back of the throw this guy was tall and wide. She couldn't say anything and continued to watch as he now faced her, "do you believe in destiny?"

Jessica nodded, "it depends on how you see destiny. Was it really my destiny to be captured and tortured?"

"I believe so, yes," the guy told her approaching her, "I rescued you from that place. I see great things for you. For your powers,"

"You're mistaken, I have no powers." Jessica told him,

This guy chuckled, "oh little one you have a lot to learn. Don't worry I will teach you and you together, with you by my side you will see no danger."

Jessica went to argue with him, what about Clint? Tony? Steve? Thor? Bucky? It was like he read her mind, "those people who left you behind? Do you really think they're coming back for you?"

Jessica closed her eyes tightly, trying not to let his words affect her. "Who are you anyway?"

"Thanos."

"So you're who the guy was talking about?" Jessica asked him and he smiled. Jessica gulped, she had no idea what to do.

Had her soulmates really forgotten about her? This guy had rescued her from one captive, but now she was caught again. Her thoughts were interrupted, "don't worry little one, I will take good care of you."

. . . . . .

Clint had finally been able to track Jessica down, he had managed to hijack his anklet and follow the leads he had found. He surveyed the area and made his move.

No luck came by, it was now abandoned and the remains of the abuse the individuals had suffered were there. He looked around, blood stains, chains, cages and other devices of torture.

After what felt like an eternity he came across a board with photos on and then he saw it. Jessica's photo, he took it and on the back it stated, 'project x - success. Mutant. Alive.'

Clint closed his eyes and took the photo. He started looking through the files, he needed to bring his Jessica home.

. . . . . . .

Tony had just got off the phone to Barton, someone he never expected to hear from. It had been months since he had seen him and Jessica. He knew they had both been mad over what had happened and a few heated words had been said, but Jessica had forgiven him. They were moving past it and that's why he didn't understand why she wouldn't return his calls.

But then Barton had contacted him and his stomach dropped. He looked at his desk and opened the drawer that had Steve's phone in, he shook his head. No! He had left them! All of them! He couldn't, he couldn't admit to his actions and seeing Steve would make it worse.