After that, it all happened very quickly. An old FBI logistician, a woman named Deborah Marceaux, was suggested as a third handler. She answered every question Romanoff and Barton put to her without turning a hair, and Barton wasn't polite about it. Steve and Bucky spent the five days it took for Barton to be satisfied that Marceaux was trustworthy, in protective custody, which was deathly boring, but that was the worst you could say about it.

Two days after that, they met at Stark Tower to sign. Some members of the team were more resolute than pleased. Banner went as far as taking Steve aside and telling him he felt betrayed by Steve and Bucky agreeing to provide samples. Steve repeated what Coulson had told him, Banner wasn't convinced.

"That doesn't change things. You don't give a kid a gun just because Jimmy down the road has one." Steve thought that comparing the US government to a kid was at least unkind, but didn't think it would help anything to say so.

When everyone except Banner had signed and was back in the room, Cheney clapped his hands together and smiled.

"So, who's up for a jaunt to The White House for pardon signing, photo ops, and maybe a sneaky little tour?"

"For real?" Rhodes asked.

"Well, Mr Barnes is going anyway, I doubt he wants to go without Captain America, we can't take Captain America to The White House and not take photos, so why not everyone?"

Romanoff shook her head, smiling "I don't do photo ops. I'm a spy."

"I'm down." Rhodes said.

"I'm with Nat." Barton said. "No photos. That wasn't part of the deal."

"No, Agent Barton, this is completely voluntary." Cheney said. "No pressure."

"We got time to change?" Sam asked. "I didn't bring a jacket."

"I was hoping you'd come in your wings."

"So you want us in the suits." Stark said. "I'm game."

"Thank you."

"And you want Cap Star Spangled?" Stark asked.

"If you're okay with that."

"Dress uniform or combat?"

"Either."

"I don't have a suit." Bucky said slowly.

"Ah, of course. Not officially an Avenger until The President signs." Cheney said.

"No, I literally have four T-shirts and three pairs of pants."

"Then I guess you meet The President just as you are. He won't think any the less of you for it."

.

Three hours later, while Captain America, The Falcon, Iron Man, and War Machine posed on the steps of The White House, James Buchannan Barnes sat on the grass, sniggering, his copy of a full pardon in his lap.


Now, gentlefolk, what do we do at the end of Marvel media?