"What the US is offering is not something you should dismiss out of hand, Ms. Wilder. The presidential medal of freedom, medal of honor and," Everett Ross said. He leaned forward confidentially; his hands folded together on the glossy surface of the table. "there's talk about awarding you a purple heart as well."
"I'm not U.S. military." Shay said, her arms folded tight across her chest and sitting stiffly upright against the curved back of the chair. "And I'm not interested."
"I understand that you've not had the most… convivial relationship with the US Military, but this is an olive branch, an opportunity to repair the governments relationship with the Avengers."
"And it's a PR stunt that'll make them look good to the public." Sam added cynically. He'd been standing over Shay's shoulder for the last ten minutes, glaring daggers at Ross.
"I won't deny that's part of this whole song and dance, look, you know how it works Sam, the public needs to see their heroes and their government can cooperate in the interests of national security. And we both know that Ms. Wilder has more than earned the accolades she's being offered." Everett spread his hands wide and straightened up. "All we ask is that you attend the award ceremony Miss…"
"I'd rather not." Shay stated bluntly, uncrossing her arms and leaning back, "and you can call me Sharice."
Everett matched her posture and raised an eyebrow. "Is that your name? Sharice Wilder?"
"It's the one on my ID."
"That's not exactly what I asked." Everett waited for a count of four and when she didn't offer more, he waved it away. "Alright, Sharice. What will it take to convince you?"
"To attend a fancy party and be given shiny medals for killing someone?" Shay's tone was dry and even, her expression- impassive. But she wasn't fooling anyone. Her fingernails were gauging into her palms and her heel had been tapping a staccato beat into the floor ever since she sat down.
"For risking your life to save so many more." Everett answered steadily, his expression softening. "You did what you had to do."
Shay looked down sharply and the tapping stopped.
"What does Shay get out of this?" Sam stepped forward to say.
"What is it, you want?" Everett directed the question to Shay.
Shay chewed on her lip and her fingers began the distinct winding motion, calm filled the room like an evening breeze. "I'm not the only one who fought Thanos, I shouldn't be rewarded just because I was the one that happened to succeed."
"Would an address to thank the Avengers for their service suffice? T'Challa and his people are already invited, and I understand the ah, guardians, is it? I understand they are already off world, but we can mention them as well."
Shay nodded slowly, "add Sargent Barnes and Loki and I'd consider it."
"Loki is on house arrest with the Asgardians, but I suppose if Thor attends..." Everett considered the possibilities. Having Loki acknowledged by the US as a redeemed villain, have him seen to be cooperative... "We can work with that. As for Barnes he will be arrested and brought to trial the moment he steps foot on US soil."
"Bucky was a p.o.w. for seventy years, he is not responsible for Hydra's actions." Sam objected, restrained fury evident in the tight coil of fists and the tension in his jaw. "How are you arresting him but allowing Loki to attend?"
"And he'll have the opportunity to prove it, at trial." Everett responded. "As for Loki, the Asgardians are self governing as a dependant state of Norway, we will not interfere with their system of justice."
"A trial in the US will take years, and what happens in the meantime? Bucky goes to prison?"
"He's a flight risk and dangerous, we can't exactly offer him bail."
"That's not good enough Ross."
"I understand this is difficult but justice requires a trial." Everett said, gritting his teeth.
"And the wheels turn slowly, you know that." Shay sighed and leaned forward, suddenly intense. "I will attend your fancy party, and I will accept your shiny awards, but these are my conditions: The Avengers are recognized, including Loki, Sargent Barnes and Dr. Strange if he wishes it- and Barnes is pardoned and given the pension he is due."
"That's a big ask, Sharice."
"I'm not asking, Everett." Shay said with cool finality, rising as Sam pulled out her chair. "Those are my conditions."
"I might be able to convince the higher-ups to hold a trial at short notice but Barnes will still have to be held until the verdict is given."
"Do better." Shay said, holding her head high and staring him down.
Everett shifted, tried to match her gaze, folded his hands and finally blinked. "Trial to be held in Wakanda, if you'll be his surety."
"Done." Shay answered, offering her hand.
Everett Ross stood also, eyeing her hand with apprehension for a long moment before taking her hand in a firm grip and shaking to seal the deal. "I'll be in touch with the details, thank you for your time."
"Likewise." Shay dipped her head in acknowledgement and exited the room.
"I'm not saying you were wrong back there, but Shay, if things don't work out?" Sam said, panting a little as he caught up to her a full minute later. "If they put out an arrest warrant for him and he doesn't surrender, you'll be on the line for it."
Shay glanced at him and over his shoulder at the conference room once. "I know."
"The Accords can and will send you to the raft for assisting a convicted 'gifted person' Shay, come on, slow down, we need to talk about this."
Shay stopped and faced him, speaking low so no one else would hear. "I know the risks Sam. And he'll win his case, he has to."
"And if he doesn't?" Sam insisted.
"If he is convicted"- Her eyes darkened and Sam felt the tingle of dread that signaled her defensiveness. It wasn't directed at him but it still brought the hairs on the back of his neck to attention. -"They'd never find either of us."
Sam put a hand on her shoulder. "Again, I'm not saying I disagree, but Bucky won't risk it, not if you put yourself on the line like that. He'd rather go to prison than be the reason you're under fire."
"Then we'd better make sure that he never has to make that choice." Shay swallowed, dropping her gaze and began nodding slowly. "Do you have any connections at the VA that could help? And we'll need a good lawyer, I'll talk to Tony."
"Bucky's not exactly Tony's favorite person." Sam suggested cynically.
"Maybe not, but I'm pretty high on his list at the moment." Shay smirked wickedly as she pulled the phone from her pocket.
"Tony, am I catching you at a bad time?" Shay asked as she studied the ruffled hair and half lidded eyes on the screen.
Tony rubbed a hand over his eyes with a groan. "It's 6am Shay, what do you think?"
"Friday wouldn't have sent the call through if you'd been asleep, I was expecting to leave a message."
The irish lilt of the AI echoed on Shay's end. "It's true Boss, the call was directed as not-urgent. And you have been staring at that worktop for twenty minutes."
"Traitor," Tony muttered mutinously, "alright Shay, I'll bite. What's up?"
Steve was riding high on the hope Shay and Sam had brought back with them. two pages of his favorite notebook were already filled with that thin looping scraw as he put everything on paper. Strategy was his wheelhouse and planning a defense gave him something to finally apply himself to.
Bucky wasn't similarly satisfied, though he didn't object, unwilling to pop Steve's cheerful bubble. Instead, he clenched his fists until the knuckles of his right hand shone white. Sam met his deadly glare and refused to blink as he explained the deal that had been reached that morning.
Shay would serve as surety on his behalf, and if he failed to attend court or submit himself to their ruling, she would pay the penalty.
She wasn't looking in Bucky's direction, appearing to be preoccupied with the steaming mug of chai in her hands instead of the discussion a hand. Those hands were steady when she lifted the cup to her lips. No hint of regret or worry.
"I'll be heading back tomorrow," Sam said, "It'll be easier to coordinate with the VA in person."
Steve nudged him with a wink, "not to mention that pretty brunette in Louisiana."
"I won't deny that's an added motive." Sam grinned and shrugged, changing the topic to, "so Bucky, there's going to be an opening in the night rotation."
"What?" Bucky asked. He had only been half listening and the mention of his name pulled him from his contemplation of Shay's face.
Shay raised her hands placatingly, "it's alright Sam, I'll be fine on my own. I need to learn how to sleep alone some time, and now's as good a time as any."
Steve looked concerned, Sam smirked and Bucky caught her eye and then looked away, the pulse visible in his tense jaw.
