Disclaimer: I don't own anything Marvel. I just own Anna and Rey.

Chapter 31
The Accords Decision

Since the bathroom was empty and the text sounded a bit urgent, Anna decided to give him a call back right then. After all, the Accords were to be signed in just a few hours. If Phil had some information about it then she needed to know before she made her final decision. "TADASHI, call Phil," Anna instructed.

"Hey, Anna, you doing okay?" Phil greeted.

"As good as can be expected," she answered. "Steve is holding it together pretty well, but you can tell it's hit him hard."

"He loved her, so I can get that," Phil said. "I don't mean to sound insensitive or anything, but I really need to talk to you about the Sokovia Accords."

"I figured," she said. "What's up?"

"The new Director, Mace, he says if there's to be any affiliation of the Avengers with SHIELD, specifically you and Rey since we have the most contact with you two now, that you need to sign the accords. We had to have Daisy sign them too."

"Right, I forgot Daisy would have to sign them after the whole terragin stuff happened," Anna said. "And she was okay with it?"

"No, but she wants to keep doing what she's been doing, so she had to," Phil answered. "Rey is going to have to if he wants to stay on Earth freely. Otherwise he's going to be sent out or kept in prison."

"Seriously? But he hasn't done anything," Anna said. "He's not going to be happy about that."

"Well, if he wants to stay with you he's going to have to do it," he said. "And you're going to have to too if you want to keep doing what you are too. I don't like it any better than you. I mean, we know how well the Index ended up working. We don't want a repeat."

"No," Anna said. "But at least right now it's just the people like us, those that are fighting and stuff that need to sign."

"For now," Phil said. "We'll wait and see if that stays or not."

There were both pros and cons to the Accords. Cons: It was unlike the SHIELD Index in a way because the Index was a list of all the enhanced individuals whether they wanted to be on it or not. The Accords was only required signing if enhanced individuals wanted to take action like the Avengers. The Accords restricted how quickly they could respond to an urgent situation, or if they could even act upon it at all. She hadn't found if they could refuse acting on something they thought was unjust or not, but honestly, she wouldn't put it past them to make them do their dirty work for them.

Pros: There was some accountability. Not that they didn't take accountability for their actions like the news was saying. They had foundations set up to help rebuild anything that got damaged, insurance for anyone that got hurt. Tony had a whole army of lawyers ready to cover their backs for anything that could possibly go wrong for when missions went south. It wasn't like we weren't being responsible.

Peggy had said compromise where you can, and don't when you can't. Anna felt like this was a compromise that needed to be made in order to stand her ground later on. After all, this thing was so big that there had to be things changed in it after it passed. She wanted to make the point that there should be a smaller group appointed by the United Nations that they reported to, and that way in case of time sensitive issues they could get their response far quicker than getting the whole One hundred seventeen countries' opinions on the situation.

Natasha was right when she said one hand on the wheel. Anna wasn't ready to give up the chance to change the world for the better just yet. Plus, if there was any chance of her finding her husband she was going to take it. Maybe working under the UN would open up different resources for them. Maybe some new leads.

"What do you think you're going to do?"

Anna had nearly forgotten that she was on the phone as her mind drifted to her decision. "The only thing I really think I can do," Anna said. "I'm going to sign."

It had honestly shocked Steve and Sam that Anna told them she was going with Natasha to sign the Accords. Rey too had been a bit shocked, but he was more annoyed that Anna told him he needed to sign the damn paper too. But if Anna said it was the only way for him to stay there with her, he was going to do it. That didn't mean he wasn't going to complain and grumble that leaving Earth was less hassle than staying.

Nat and Anna signed the accords behind the scenes before the big news conference to announce the passing of the damn thing. Rey retreated to the Quinjet, grumbling in her mind until she was finally out of eyesight. Anna could still remember reading the wordy declaration at the top of the paper: In accordance with the document at hand, I hereby certify that the below mentioned participants, people and individuals, shall no longer operate freely or unregulated, but instead operate under the rules, ordinances and governance of the aforementioned United Nations panel, acting only when and if the panel deems it appropriate and/or necessary.

It would be a lot easier if they just said something like "We're not gonna do anything that the UN doesn't want us to do, and do some things that they want us to do too." Far. Simpler.

"Does it feel like you just signed a deal with the devil?" Anna asked Natasha as they entered the room.

"The path to hell is paved with good intentions," she answered back.

"Yes, that's what I thought."

"Excuse me, Ms. Romanoff?" one of the UN staffers asked, approaching the two. "These need your signature." Anna was just glad she didn't need to sign anything else. She felt like she'd just signed her life away. "Thank you," he said before retreating.

"I suppose none of us is used to the spotlight."

Anna and Nat turned to look at the handsome young man with brown, nearly black eyes dressed all in black. His accent was familiar, something African Anna knew, but she needed to hear more of it to be able to distinguish which language or region it was actually from.

"Oh, well, it's not always so flattering," Nat answered.

"You seem to be doing alright so far. Considering your last trip to Capitol Hill," he said. "I wouldn't think you would be particularly comfortable in this company."

"Well, I'm not," Nat said. "Anna and I prefer behind the scenes."

"That alone makes me glad you're here, Ms. Romanoff," he said. "And I'm afraid I don't know your name Miss."

"Anna," she answered. "Anna Barnes."

"Anna worked for SHIELD, and was a lesser known Avenger from the beginning," Nat clarified.

"I'd hardly say I was from the be-"

"You're too modest," Nat interrupted.

"It is nice to have more like minded people here," he said.

"Why? You don't approve of all this?" Nat asked.

"The Accords, yes. The politics, not really. Two people in a room can get more done than a hundred," he said.

"Unless you need to move a piano." Anna glanced over to see a man she'd only seen on the news before. King T'Chaka of Wakanda walked up to the young man and placed his hands on his shoulders.

"Father," the younger Wakandan greeted.

So that makes him Prince T'Challa, Anna thought, storing that information away in her brain for future reference.

"King T'Chaka, please allow us to apologize for what happened in Nigeria," Nat said.

Anna pursed her lips and remained silent. SHe was sorry that some of those that had died were Wakandan. She was sorry that people died at all, but she didn't necessarily think they needed to apologize like it was their fault. Apologizing for the loss, yes, but it was Rumlow's doing. Anna couldn't get over the fact that the blame was being put on Wanda for all this. It was like saying it was her fault that she hadn't managed to snap out of it and prevent herself from killing those SHIELD agents. She still felt guilty, but it wasn't technically her fault. Or how it wasn't Thor's fault for the people that got hurt in Greenwich because the battle with the Malacath took place there.

She knew she just needed to keep her mouth shut. Pick and choose your battles, she reminded herself.

"Thank you. Thank you for agreeing to all this. I'm sad to hear that Captain Rogers will not be joining us today," the King said.

"Yes, so are we," Nat said, glancing at Anna.

"If everyone could please be seated. This assembly is now in session."

"That is the future calling. Such a pleasure," T'Chaka said, taking his leave.

"Thank you," Nat said, pulling Anna gently by the arm. They stood off to the side to stay out of the way as the meeting began.

"I never thought I'd meet so many royal people in this line of work," Anna chuckled as they took their places.

There was a controlled chaotic situation as everyone took their rightful seats. Anna and Natasha remained off to the side, out of the way, but with a clear view of the front podium in front of the large windows overlooking the street below. The room fell silent as T'Chaka made his way up to the podium.
"When stolen Wakandan vibranium was used to make a terrible weapon, we in Wakanda were forced to question our legacy. Those men and women killed in Nigeria were part of a goodwill mission from a country too long in the shadows. We will not, however, let misfortune drive us back. We will fight to improve the world we wish to join. I am grateful to the Avengers for supporting this initiative."

The speech was good, and despite the difference in their thoughts, Anna had to agree with what he was saying. It was one of the reasons she was signing the accords. She wanted to make the world better.

"Wakanda is proud to extend its hand in peace-"

"Everybody get down!"

There was no time to react as an explosion overtook the conference hall.

So now you all know what Anna's decision is. I'm sure most of you are suprised. We'll see just how this decision effect Anna here on out. It'll sure be fun for me...most likely not for Anna though. lol

Thanks to the following for their review on the previous chapter:

Jedi Jesla777 - Oh, this story is only going to get even more heartbreaking.