Apologies ahead of time my 'r' key has been on the fritz lately so you might see some 'of' where there should be 'for.'

I smiled politely at the woman who requested my signature on the log of attendance, but the moment I turned away, the smile fell. I searched through my blazer pocket and dropped a couple of anti-anxiety tablets and something for my headache into my hand before plopping them in my mouth and snatching the nearest glass of water without anyone noticing. I'm just glad the UN panel agreed to the amendments I offered. I think all of the Avengers are here except Thor, Banner, and Steve. I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to ease some of the tension there. I really wish he would have come. I made most of these changes for him, but I know it's the principle of the thing that's making him refuse. Natasha confirmed it when she went to check on him after…

"God, I could do with some alcohol," I murmured under my breath, before spotting Natasha. "Good. Someone I can talk to without plastering on a smile."

I headed over and nearly resisted a groan when my plan was foiled by the Prince of Wakanda—T'Challa.

"Considering your last trip to Capitol Hill, I wouldn't think you'd be particularly comfortable in this company," he questioned her, his eyes lifting to meet mine as I hesitated on heading over and interrupting.

Natasha turned though, giving me a reassuring smile and nodding for me to head over. "I'm not the only one."

"Miss Norris," T'Challa greeted, forcing a smile as I did the same, offering a hand to shake.

"Price T'Challa."

Natasha jabbed me in the side with her elbow, making me cringe, losing my smile as I scowled at her and she cracked a grin. "Being so uptight doesn't suit you."

I rolled my eyes, turning back to the prince. "My apologies."

He smiled though, relaxing a bit. "No need. We were just discussing how glad I am for someone like Miss Romanoff to be here where the company is a bit…"

"Stifling?" I offered, relaxing a little myself. "Yeah, well, it's not my first choice either."

"See?" Natasha smirked, seeming to have cracked both our polite shells.

"If anything, I should be offering my own apologies," T'Challa replied with a small chuckle. "I am so used to seeing you at the meetings. Formality is not my strong suit, whereas you appeared far more comfortable."

"I'm an ex-lawyer by trade and have a good mask, nothing more. I'm as displeased by this mess as the rest of you."

"I thought you, of all people, would approve, considering the amount of work you put in to adjust the accords."

I wrinkled my nose. "I'm the type of person who tries to avoid conflict. That's all this is. I saw the difficulties arising and stepped in to try and calm the flame before it could spark and start a forest fire."

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

He glanced away briefly. "The accords, yes. The politics, not really. Two people in a room can get more done than a hundred."

I hummed in agreement before his father stepped forward.

"Unless you need to move a piano."

T'Challa smiled, bowing his head. "Baba."

"Unyana," T'Chaka greeted as I bowed my head as well, avoiding eye contact as I knew was custom with someone of a far higher rank.

"Miss Norris, Miss Romanoff."

"King T'Chaka," we both greeted, though Natasha continued.

"Please, allow me to apologize for what happened in Nigeria."

"Thank you, though I do believe Miss Norris has apologized enough on behalf of all of you," he commented, making me flush a bit and rub the back of my neck. "For, while it is not entirely custom in my country, prostrating oneself on the floor to beg forgiveness is something that deserves to be acknowledged."

Natasha looked at me in surprise, but I just bowed my head.

"I felt that no apology would be enough after what happened because of the negligent training of an Avengers member. It was the only way I could think of to properly express our regret."

He nodded with a soft smile. "Thank you for agreeing to all of this, and for all the work you put in, in order to get as many to accept the terms offered. I am sad to hear that Captain Rogers will not be joining us today, however."

"Yes, so am I," Natasha offered in return and the King looked to me.

"He was the one you hoped to convince the most, was he not?"

I nodded. "Yes, though he is against the very idea of having politics holding the reigns. And while I can see his side of things, I also understand the other side as well. Too much is being overlooked, even with my best efforts."

He reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder, surprising me and his own son at the fond action. "You have done your best, even before the accords, and for that I am grateful."

I bowed my head once more in thanks as an announcement was made for everyone to be seated.

"That is the future calling," T'Challa mused, bowing to us. "Such a pleasure."

We stepped away and took our seats as the King addressed everyone.

"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."

Though, since when was it their job to improve a world they've chosen not to be a part of until now? I wondered, quickly stuffing the thought to the back of my mind. Behave. Now is not the time to question something like the words of a country's king.

"I am grateful to the Avengers for supporting this initiative. Wakanda is proud to extend its hand in peace."

I spotted T'Challa moving towards a window, making me frown. He hasn't moved until now. Something's changed. Something outside distracted him. I nudged Natasha at my side, nodding to the prince to draw her attention and she too frowned. Something was going on.

"Everybody get down!" T'Challa shouted, rushing for his father as Natasha covered the woman to her right and I shoved down another to my left just as an explosion went off.

My ears were ringing, but I shook it off as best I could, calling for Natasha. She came up from under the desk and I gestured to my ear, asking if she could hear. She shook her head and I grimaced, miming a phone for her to call for emergency services as I hopped the desk and went to check on those closest to the windows where the explosion had come from. My hearing came back slowly, and I felt my heart stop in my chest at the sight of T'Challa holding his father and rocking back and forth.

"Oh, no…" I breathed, hesitating on heading over, before begrudgingly doing so. "Prince…"

He looked up, tears in his eyes, but also a fire. "Find who did this."

I grit my teeth but nodded. "I'll get people on it. The best I can find, but I need to check on the others too."

He bowed his head in acceptance as I waved Natasha down again.

"Get to calling people. Anti-terrorist groups, governments, the lot. We need people investigating this asap. The Wakandan King has been killed."

"On it," she said solemnly as I went around checking on those hurt or not moving.

I swallowed back bile at the scent of burnt flesh, forcing myself to don that mask I'd gotten so used to wearing when times grew tough. I clenched my eyes shut for a moment, inhaling as I counted to five and exhaling before resuming my task. With every dead body I found, my chest only seemed to grow tighter, and my mind began to race. This was planned. Someone's trying to start a war with the Avengers and or Wakanda. It's the only thing that makes sense. This was a peace meeting for the accords, but also the first time the King has been out in the open. I need to know if this has delayed the accord's effects or not. If not, then we have to send in a request to investigate and take action as soon as we can.

"Jess."

I blinked, not knowing when I'd been led out of the building by paramedics and settled on a bench beside the also shocked T'Challa. Natasha hovered over me in concern, but I soon shook my head and waved her off, letting her know I was fine.

"Sorry. Caught in my head for a second."

She nodded, giving T'Challa a sympathetic glance. "I'm very sorry."

"In my culture, death is not the end," he explained slowly. "It's more of a stepping-off point. You reach out with both hands and Bast and Sekhmet, they lead you into the green veldt where… you can run forever."

"That sounds very peaceful."

"My father thought so… I am not my father," he ground out, putting his father's ring on.

"T'Challa, the Task Force will decide who brings in Barnes," she said, giving a name to the suspect that had apparently been the one who bombed the meeting.

T'Challa stood though. "Don't bother, Miss Romanoff. I'll kill him myself."

I sighed heavily, as he walked off, running my fingers through my hair. "Have I ever mentioned how much I hate people seeking revenge?"

"No, though I can see why."

Her mobile went off and she answered, mouthing 'Steve' to me to let me know who was calling.

"I know how much Barnes means to you. I really do," she said, informing me that we were definitely going to have a problem. "Stay home. You'll only make this worse. For all of us, please."

"He's not going to," I mumbled, tipping my head back against the bench as my own phone began to ring.

I knew who it was and didn't want to answer it. I couldn't handle dealing with Tony's high-speed frustration right now. I need to figure out what's going on. Read up on this Barnes guy. Double-check the footage and everything to make sure it was him who did this. I need to get into contact with Steve as well, but I can't be trying to discourage him, or he'll shut me out.

"Why do men have to be so frustrating?" I asked Natasha who managed a grimace of a smile.

"You have a plan?"

"The shell of one. I need info. All the info."

"I'll see what I can get on Barnes."

"I'll need more than that. If he's got a relation with Steve who—I have no doubt—is friendly with him, then I need to prove he was the one who did this."

"Camera footage, multiple angles, background information on him and Steve. Anything else?"

I shot her a suspicious look. "Why are you so eager to help me with this?"

"I don't want Steve getting hurt by this any more than he has to. And for whatever reason, you're decent at making sure we Avengers don't get hurt." She squeezed my shoulder. "Believe it or not, Jess, but you're damn good at your job and I respect that. Or, well, I respect anyone who's dated Tony for this long without bailing or chucking him off a bridge."

I snorted, showing her my phone and the caller ID. "Oh, I don't know about that. I might chuck him off a bridge now."

"I'll get you your info," she agreed, and I hummed.

"Oh, and get me everything you can about T'Challa and the king, as well as what's known about Wakanda. I get the feeling that it's vital we know what to expect from him since he's going all vigilante on us. And could you pass on Steve's number?"

She gave me a look. "You think you could stop him?"

"Who said I'm trying to stop him?" I challenged, earning a suspicious look and I sighed. "I figure, if I can find proof that this isn't what it looks like—or at least show him that I'm willing to try looking into it, he might be a little more forthcoming about what he's up to. If I'm going to prevent this from becoming a mass war between the Avengers, Wakanda, and whatever organization or person started this, then I'm going to need to know all sides. His, T'Challa's, the anti-accord section of the Avengers team and the pro. I've got no doubt that they're going to send those who signed after those who didn't or who are willing to risk saving Barnes with Steve."

She smirked. "And you wondered why we wanted you put in charge of keeping track of those missing Avengers."

"I only changed the accords so both parties had to agree on someone neutral to keep track of the individuals instead of using tracking bracelets," I grumbled.

"And we picked you."

"They haven't had time to agree—"

"Jess," she pressed, patting my shoulder and starting to head off. "You've managed to get everyone in our team to accept the accords but Steve, and he's only not signing it based off principle. I don't think anyone's capable of that. So, don't be so down on yourself. You're an Avenger just as much as the rest of us… Phoenix."

I groaned, calling after her. "I still think it's a stupid name!"

Steve stepped into the apartment, giving it a once over before reaching up for his comm. "He's definitely been here, Jess. Good work."

"Don't praise me. I told you. So long as you keep me in the loop, I'll be able to help. I know what Tony's side is up to, and now yours, but Prince—King T'Challa is in the dark. I've done my research, but there's only so much you can get from rumors about a place that's been in the shadows until now."

"Still, thank you," Steve muttered, picking up a book from on top of the fridge and going through it as Sam chimed in.

"Heads up, Cap. German Special Forces approaching from the south."

"Understood. Jess?"

"They're under government orders to search all the safehouses in the areas they know about, but this is quick for them. I'm guessing he got spotted somewhere. They narrowed the location based on where."

He grunted in acknowledgment, before sensing someone behind him and turning around to face Bucky.

"Do you know me?"

"You're Steve. I read about you in a museum."

"They've set the perimeter," Sam warned, keeping him up to date on what the government agents were doing.

Steve placed the book down, approaching him slowly. "I know you're nervous, and you have plenty of reason to be. But you're lying."

"I wasn't in Vienna. I don't do that anymore."

"They're entering the building."

"Well, the people who think you did are coming here now. And they're not planning on taking you alive."

"That's smart. Good strategy."

"They're on the roof. I'm compromised."

"This doesn't have to end in a fight, Buck."

"Kind of does, if you're going to get out of there," Jess commented. "I'm trying to pass along information to ensure they don't try to kill you by the end of this, but it will take a minute to relay it."

Steve let out a soft sigh of relief, glad he'd chosen to believe in Jess when she'd offered to be the mediating party between everyone. He knew it was going to take a toll on her though and vowed that when he got out of this—preferably with Bucky—that he'd definitely owe her one.

"Five seconds."

"You pulled me from the river," Steve reminded Bucky hastily since they were running out of time. "Why?"

"I don't know."

"Three seconds."

"Yes, you do."

"Breach! Breach! Breach!" Sam shouted and he used his shield to knock a gas canister out back out the window while Bucky kicked the second towards him so he could cover it with his shield.

A flashbang flew in and Bucky used a mattress to stop it, before kicking a folding table in the gap where the door was to prevent them from bursting in there. Both him and Steve worked together to take out the men who crashed in through the window, and Steve stopped him when he made for the back sliding door.

"Buck, stop! You're gonna kill someone."

Bucky threw him to the ground and punched right beside his head, throwing a backpack out the window. "I'm not gonna kill anyone."

"So, I'm leaning towards him either not being in Vienna or forgetting he was there," Jess chimed in, making Steve crack a smile for a second.

"Told you."

"Don't get your hopes up. I told you, I'm looking for the truth, and if that means he did it—knowing full well that he did it—then I can't help you save him."

Steve understood where she was coming from, but he was determined to prove that Bucky was innocent. This went beyond their friendship. He knew what kind of person Bucky was, and knew he wouldn't do anything like killing someone without a reason. What he was doing now, only proved that. Jess helping was an added bonus he hadn't expected, but one he appreciated more than she knew. He admitted he would undoubtedly give Bucky up if he had done something wrong with the intention of killing, but not condemn him to death. For now, though, he was giving Bucky the benefit of the doubt.

Another soldier flew in, firing off shots that Bucky used his metal arm to stop before Steve covered him with his shield. When a soldier came through the window, however, Bucky threw him back into the man and took care of the others in his apartment. Hearing that they were again breaking through the door, Bucky moved first, landing on the stairwell and moving in to fight the men there. One began to relay orders to others, but Steve entered and stopped the comm before making to continue helping, even saving one soldier who'd been about to fall to his death.

"Come on, man."

Steve soon had to wrestle his shield out of a wall while Bucky threw himself down the stairs, catching himself before he could fall too far. Bucky ran out, jumping to the next roof over and attempting to make a run for it before someone tackled him from the sky.

"Jess? We've got a problem," Steve said when he caught sight.

"What now?"

"New person. All black with… claws?"

"Cat woman?"

Steve nearly snorted, calling Sam towards the rooftop as he jumped over himself—a helicopter closing in. "Not quite."

The helicopter began firing off shots, and Sam moved to take care of it before Jess chimed in through the comms.

"Okay! The order has gone through! Non-lethal force will be used for you three and the cat person, but guns will still be used to threaten. Any lethal force taken by you lot will be treated as an attack though, and lethal force permitted."

"Thanks, Jess!" Steve replied as the three made their way off the building and down onto a road in a tunnel.

Police officers drove their cars over, attempting to catch up and Steve stole one to do much the same.

"Steve, give me more details on your cat woman."

"First off, it's a man."

"Uh-huh. Sure."

"Jess."

"Yeah, just messing with you. Come on. Details."

"About six foot, slim but muscular, all black clothing impenetrable to bullets and some sort of metal claws from the fingers. Sam, I can't shake this guy," Steve said, swerving his car to try and get said person off.

"Right behind you."

More officers joined the chase and Steve attempted to use the car to get the newcomer off, before following Bucky to the other side of the road. Bucky had since stolen a motorbike and the newcomer used Steve's car to jump at him. The bike was nearly on its side with the two fighting each other until Bucky kicked the man off, only for him to get picked up by Sam—not intentionally. Bucky used a grenade, but Sam threw the newcomer through the debris and he managed to get Bucky off the bike just as Steve sped through to meet them, tackling the man off Bucky.

"Steve, you guys need to stand down," Jess informed as the police surrounded them and the War Machine landed there as well, ordering the same. "Remember, they won't fire on any of you unless you attack them. Bucky's in the clear for the moment. Also, I think I've figured out who your friend is."

"It's the Wakandan Prince," Steve announced as said man took off his helmet to reveal himself.

"Yeah, I really wish you all would stop causing wars with each other."

"'A pinch of paprika,'" Vision read off the recipe he'd printed out, making me lift my gaze over the rim of my glasses as I typed on my laptop on the counter across from him. "A pinch…"

"It's not a mathematical measurement," I explained to him.

"Why not?"

"A pinch is different for every person. They say a pinch because you don't need a lot, just enough to alter the taste. It's… subtle, if you just take a pinch."

"I see," he murmured, taking a pinch of a red spice off a plate though I struggled to remember if that was paprika or something else.

"Is that paprikash?" Wanda asked, wandering in and giving me a small smile as she snuck over to join Vision.

"I thought it might lift your spirits," Vision replied, offering her the pot and she took the spoon for a taste.

She smiled. "Spirits lifted."

"In my defense, I-I haven't actually ever eaten anything before, so…"

Wanda looked to me and I held up a hand as my eyes strayed back to my computer.

"Other than having to leave for a flight in a bit, I'm not exactly very taste oriented. If it's edible, I usually eat it. I've learned to not be picky." I gave her a wrinkle of my nose. "The joys of being dragged into numerous business meetings at an assortment of restaurants and being an ex-military brat. Anything tastes better than what they serve."

She nodded, searching through the spices to alter what Vision had started as he moved around the counter, watching her.

"Wanda?"

"Hm?"

"No one dislikes you, Wanda."

We both looked at him, confused as to where this was going.

"Thanks."

"Oh, you're welcome. No, it's an involuntary response in their amygdala. They can't help but be afraid of you."

"You need to work on your tact there, Vision," I muttered, listening in as I continued working.

"Are you?"

"My amygdala is synthetic, so…"

She chuckled, thankfully not offended by Vision's blunt and methodic speaking, making me smile as well. They get along pretty good. A decent match. Natasha will definitely tease them about it.

"I used to think of myself one way," Wanda said, stirring the pot. "But, after this…" She twirled some red energy between her fingers. "I am something else. I'm still me, I think, but… that's not what everyone else sees."

I felt my smile drop, knowing exactly what she was feeling in regards to myself.

"Do you know, I don't know what this is?" Vision said, tapping the gem on his forehead. "Not really. I know it's not of this world, powered Loki's staff, gave you your abilities, but… its true nature is a mystery. And yet, it is part of me."

"Are you afraid of it?"

"I wish to understand it. The more I do, the less it controls me. One day… who knows? I may even control it."

"I get it too, you know," I added, closing my laptop, removing my glasses and leaning on my elbow on the table as I lifted my other hand—willing that heat to make it burn red. "I wasn't given a choice, sure, but I've never been judgmental to the enhanced. Never disliked the idea of superpowers or superhumans. Just, never expected to become one."

"Are you afraid?"

"Oh, every day," I mused, watching the heat flow through my arm. "I worry I'll hurt those closest to me. That one day, I'll just turn on and not know how to turn it off. As it is, I take suppressants. I've been too stressed the last few years to trust myself with controlling it properly. Slightest bit of anger or frustration and I fall through the floor because I melted it. Or maybe I hurt Tony without meaning to."

"I am… surprised you tolerate him."

I chuckled, cooling my hand once more. "Most people are. I've got the patience of a saint, thanks to my old job, but Tony is… complicated. I know you're not his biggest fan, but for me, I understand him. We're similar, in a way.

She raised a brow. "Similar? You are… calm, patient, thoughtful and open-minded. Stark is…"

"Calm in how he deals with my hectic emotions. Patient when dealing with my frustration and while working on his machines. Thoughtful when he can see I'm struggling with something and going out of his way to help make it better. Open-minded when considering what I have to offer him in regards to ideas on his suits, his business, the Avengers. And we both have similar faults," I explained. "We both dive into our work when something troubles us. We both push people away when we feel they might be in danger. To me, Tony is kind to a fault. People just tend to not look below the surface, whereas I grew to always look beyond that."

She listened silently along with Vision as my expression shifted slightly.

"My father was… He was the kind of person people looked at and thought how great of a man he was. Widowed husband taking care of his kid all on his own. They never looked past that. Not when I came in to the hospital with a broken arm. Not when I was absent for school pictures and forged his signature on documents to get me out of physical education. No one blinked an eye when I wore a sweater in the middle of summer and how I cowered when he took me home after a bad parent-teacher meeting or after getting caught trying to steal a packaged meal from the convenience store. He taught me early on, that not all people are as they appear. That even the nicest guy could be an abusive, terrible person behind their smile.

"I became a lawyer to make sure other kids never had to deal with that. And it's because of that, that I look past what people display on the outside. It's why Tony and I are together, because I see him for who he really is, and he respects that and helps me see past what my father made me think of myself. He supports me with these new abilities. He doesn't understand them any more than I do, but he tries, and I try in return. I try my best to learn how to control them—even though I'm terrified of them—because I never want to be the one who hurts him by losing control. And he understands my fear but is helping me with that too. He may not always want me on the front lines, but he's willing to accept that I am different now because of this."

"And… do you accept yourself?"

I considered it. "I'm… getting there. I understand that it's a part of me now. It's who I am. I know that controlling it will help me in accepting it, and that I definitely need to put more practice in. But… I think a little fear is good. Fear pushes us to do better, don't you think?"

She looked down, before giving Vision a wrinkle of her nose. "I don't know what's in this, but it is not paprika."

I snorted at Vision's mistake before she moved to leave.

"I'm gonna go to the store. I'll be back in twenty minutes."

Vision though blocked her path. "Alternatively, we could order a pizza?"

"Vision, are you not letting me leave?"

"It is a question of safety."

"I can protect myself," she said, making to move, but he still stopped her.

"Not yours. Mr. Stark would like to avoid the possibility of another public incident until the accords are on a more secure foundation."

"And what do you want?" She challenged.

"For people to see you as I do."

"Wanda, please," I pressed, making her turn with a hint of betrayal. "Tony is lying, first off. It is to protect you."

"But he said—" Vision started but I shot him a look.

"Trust me. What he said was a clever lie to make her angry at him instead of you or the others who would try and stop her." I looked back to her, though she was still suspicious. "He's doing what I said. Pushing people away to protect them. Besides, I'm the one who suggested keeping you here for now."

"You did this?" She questioned, glaring and I held up my hands.

"I believed that keeping you away from the public would prevent them from harming you."

"I can protect myself," she snapped.

"Physically, yes. Emotionally?" I questioned, eyeing her as she hesitated. "Because I was there when they brought up Lagos at the first accords meeting. Now, imagine walking out and having photographers in your face, questioning you, showing microphones under your nose and quoting you out of context to ruin your public image further. And sure, maybe you don't care about public image. I don't honestly know your views on it, but the news won't be the only ones you get abuse from. Civilians might show up too. You might get kicked out of places, stoned, spat on, attacked. And I don't want that to happen to you, because I am proof of what that sort of abuse does to a person. And trust me, you haven't seen half of how it has hurt me."

I stopped, taking a deep breath and trying to relax once more, allowing my shoulders to slump from their tense posture as I stood.

"Now, I have a plane to catch to help those idiots in Berlin. Please don't make a mistake by stepping outside to experience that sort of hell. Vision will get anything you need. If you want to get out of the house, there's a VR headset in the living space you can use. If you need a private moment to yourself, feel free to lock your door and shoo Vision away. I've explicitly told him to give you privacy if you need it—though he will monitor your position to ensure you don't do something stupid like sneak out your window, though he won't physically restrain you." I looked at her apologetically. "I don't want to do this, believe me, but I don't know how else to help you. I can't protect everyone, much less from something like this."