Chapter 4 – The Accords are Presented

'Ladies and gentlemen,' T'Challa's rich voice fills the room without, it seems to Wanda, the need for the microphone in front of him, 'I stand before you today to raise my concerns that the Sokovia Accords have not completed the task they were originally created to do. While they have, indeed, stopped the Avengers from crossing international borders with little regard for the destruction they leave in their wake-'

'Isn't he supposed to be on our side?' Sam mutters in her ear, and Wanda smothers a giggle.

'-they have also impacted on their ability to come to the aid of those who need it. Only recently Wakanda faced an enemy not of this world. An enemy determined to destroy Earth and the rest of the galaxy itself, and we were only able to withstand this assault thanks to the intervention and support of the Avengers. But they were not supposed to come to our aid. The very fact that they did, that they helped to save my country, my people and the world itself means they will now face disciplinary action from the council set up to monitor their actions. So I am here to ask: what did we gain with the Sokovia Accords? Are the Avengers really able to protect us? Or are they simply now only to be used as certain countries see fit?'

'King T'Challa,' a voice comes from somewhere in the room and Wanda isn't able to identify who it belongs to, 'why are you raising these concerns if the Avengers did help you?'

'Because as I said, in order to do so they broke the limitations of the Accords and will now face the consequences. Perhaps I should remind present company just what those consequences are? Members of the team can face imprisonment, and some may not be allowed to return if and when they are released. The price of fighting for other's freedom is the loss of their own.'

'I am sure that the Council set up to oversee the Avengers will not impose such a punishment on them,' a woman calls out, 'not with your testimony to take into consideration.'

'I am not so certain,' is the king's response. T'Challa looks to where Steve is sitting and gestures for the soldier to join him at the podium. 'Captain Rogers? Could you join me?'

Steve gets to his feet and, after straightening his suit jacket, makes his way to join the king at the podium. 'Good morning ladies and gentlemen,' he greets the assembled group, and Wanda wishes she could learn to communicate telepathically because even from here she can sense Steve's nervousness, his worry over what they're having to do now, and his worry for Tony left behind to face Hammer's trial. 'I'm here today to ask you to allow the Avengers to do what we were meant to do. When Nick Fury first formed our team he told us "there was an idea to bring together a group of remarkable people to see if they could become something more. To see if they could work together when we needed them to, to fight the battles that we never could."'

Steve pauses and then continues. 'Before the team separated, and since we have reformed, I hope you will agree that we did what we had been asked to do: we have worked together for years, and we have fought the battles we were asked to fight when the rest of the world felt unable to face the threat. Some, admittedly, we created ourselves. Others turned up on our doorstep and we had to find a way to fight without really knowing what we were facing. We've fought, and some of us have given our lives to the fight,' Wanda looks down, fighting back tears at the thought of her brother and Vision, 'but if changes aren't made to the Accords, we are not going to be able to fight when the next threat emerges. I am not asking for the Accords to be removed. We know the Accords had to happen, we recognised that and we still do. We are simply asking to be able to do what we need to do, what we were asked to do right at the start.'

'Forgive me, Captain Rogers,' the first man that had spoken pipes up again, 'but it simply sounds that you do not like the Accords and want them removed so you can go back to doing what you were before.'

'It's not just us that are feeling that the Accords are impacting on what we can do,' Steve argues calmly, 'recruitment into the team from other enhanced individuals we have come across has been nearly impossible because of the restrictions placed on us. Most would prefer to work as vigilantes outside of the law than step into the spotlight of working with the team, no matter how much they might believe what we stand for.'

'I can testify to the truth of that statement,' T'Challa adds, 'as the Black Panther of Wakanda was asked if they would be interested in joining and aiding the Avengers, but the limitations of the Accords prevented them from agreeing.'

'Do you actually have a suggestion for us, Captain Rogers, or are you just intending to open up a dialogue on the Accords?' a third voice asks.

'Actually,' T'Challa is the one to respond, 'I said to the Avengers that I would draft a suggestion to be presented. I thought it more sensible to edit the Accords from the perspective of a nation hoping to have aid from the team in the future.'

'Very well, King T'Challa,' another woman says, 'present your suggestion.'

Tony sighs in relief as the car door closes and blocks out the noise from outside the courtroom. He shoves Clint as the archer stretches, moving into his space.

'There is literally enough room in here for a party and you still manage to get in my space,' he gripes.

Clint just grins at him and, taking off his tie, throws it in his face. 'I just thought you'd like having someone to snuggle up to seeing as Cap's off on a different continent.'

'I genuinely struggle to understand how you guys managed to save the Earth as many times as you have,' Rhodes shakes his head from the opposite seat.

'I mean they could be worse,' Wade pipes up.

'Yeah they could be like you,' Bruce sighs, rubbing his temples tiredly.

'Harsh,' the merc puts his hand to his chest.

Tony rolls his eyes and blocks out the familiar bantering as he takes out his cell. He frowns at the message he sees there.

'Fury is not allowed near my friends again. Hope today went well. Miss you.'

'What did Fury do this time?' he sends back.

'He drugged Ned to get me to talk to him.'

'Were you still ghosting him?'

'Maybe? Ned thinks it's cool he got knocked out by Fury so at least I'm not in trouble there. Has he told you guys about the elemental monsters?'

'He mentioned it in passing but didn't go into details. He ask you to help?'

'Yeah, he's already got someone from another dimension helping but he wants me to go along.'

'What did you say?'

'I told him I wasn't interested. I just really hope he listens.'

'You let me know if he doesn't.'

'Everything alright, Tones?' Rhodes asks.

'Wade?' he looks at the merc instead of answering his friend's question.

'Please tell me you're going to give me the go ahead to shoot Hammer.'

'I need you to go to Europe and shadow Pete.'

'What's happened?' Bruce asks.

'Fury knocked out Ned and took Pete for a chat, he's told Fury he isn't interested but we know how long Fury's going to listen to that.'

'Boss? You might want to check this out,' FRIDAY says, bringing up a news story onto one of the screens.

'What the hell is that?' Rhodey asks as they watch the footage from Venice.

'Is that Pete?' Wade frowns. 'I thought he said he was staying out of it?'

'Looks like he didn't have much a choice,' Bruce points out.

Tony has the cell to his ear before he fully processes the fact he's pressed call. 'Care to explain why you left out the attack from the water giant in your message?'

'I thought the fact Ned had been knocked out was more important.'

'You…never mind. Are you alright?'

'I'm fine,' Peter huffs. 'Do you really think I'd be texting you if I wasn't?

'Yes.'

Peter huffs again. 'I'm fine.'

'And your classmates?'

'We're all fine Tony I promise.'

He feels his shoulders loosen and sits back in his seat. 'You staying in Venice?'

'No, we're moving on.'

'Ok, good. Message me where you're moving onto next alright?'

'Will do. I've got to go we're supposed to be getting ready to leave'.

'Be careful, Peter.'

'Bye Dad,' he can hear the eye roll as the teenager hangs up.

'You still want me over there, Tin Can?'

'If this,' Tony gestures to the muted screen in front of them 'is what Fury is facing he's not going to leave it with Peter telling him he's not interested. Shadow him and if he needs back up you can go in. Alright?'

'More than alright,' Wade nods, 'though I'm not sure about leaving you guys a man down.'

'I'll keep an eye on things,' Clint reassures him.

A/N: Hi everyone. I updated like I promised for once! Hope you enjoyed these two chapters and sorry it's little slow. Next chapter we wrap up Far From Home and things start moving a bit quicker.

Do let me know what you think and if there's anything you'd like to see in the future.

Love always,

L x

As always here's your sneak peek:

'Boss?' FRIDAY cuts across them. 'You might want to see this. News footage from London.'

'London?' Tony frowns, then feels the breath catch in his chest when FRIDAY brings up the footage. 'You all seeing this?'

'Yeah,' Steve's voice is strangled. 'Yeah we are, Tony.'