Cameras flashed as Tony walked across the stage. This was his first public appearance since Siberia. Unlike his infamous 'I am Iron Man' conference, Tony stuck to his cards this time.

The chatter died when he stopped behind the podium and cleared his throat. "I would like to begin by first apologising, not just for the damage caused over the last few weeks by the Avengers, but also for any damage we have caused in the past. We need to be held accountable for our actions. The Accords are by no means perfect, and I intend to spend the upcoming weeks in discussion with the UN to work on this document."

"Accountability begins now. On that note, I need to address something that is not yet public knowledge. Two weeks ago, I went to Siberia. I had reason to believe Captain Rogers and Sergeant Barnes were there and I did this behind General Ross' back." Tony knew the government wouldn't try to arrest him whilst he was on stage, and when he was done, there would be a very low chance they would arrest him at all. They were too afraid of what would happen if there were no Avengers left.

"I believed that the Captain and Barnes were in danger and I was right. It was a trap, set up by Helmut Zemo, who is now in US custody. Zemo was behind the bombing of the UN summit and framed Barnes, triggering the events of the Civil War and when I arrived in Siberia, we walked right into his web. That said, we are not blameless, I am not blameless."

He shifted a little restlessly and took a deep breath, "In the heat of the moment, I attacked Sergeant Barnes. Captain Rogers attempted to stop me and we fought. For this, I would also like to apologise." Exhaling slowly, Tony continued, "Accountability is not just apologising but also taking responsibility. Stark Industries be funding the repair in the aftermath of the Civil War and I will personally be working on the negotiations for pardons for Captain Rogers and his team."

Tony looked tiredly across the room. He had originally intended on answering questions but the speech had taken more out of him than he had expected. "Thank you for your time, I won't be taking questions today." With that, the room exploded in noise. Tony gathered his cards and shuffled off the stage, leaving Happy and the rest of the security to deal with the reporters.

He was ushered back to his car, Nat pushing a path through the crowd that had already gathered outside. The concierge opened the door as he slid into the driver's seat, Nat taking the passengers side. The engine was already running so the moment the doors shut, he took off.

"Good job, you did well Tony." Nat broke the not entirely comfortable silence.

Tony shrugged, flicking his eyes towards her before returning his attention to the road. "I'm getting better."

Nat agreed, he was getting better, but only at pretending he was fine.

—

The news of Tony's press release reached Wakanda the same evening. Steve, Clint, Wanda and Scott were eating dinner in the kitchen of their fairly expansive floor when T'Challa arrived to inform them of the news.

"Good evening, I am only here briefly to give you an update. Mr Stark is currently working on pardons for you all, Sergeant Barnes is likely to be cleared of all charges in the coming days. I recommend you read some of the news articles from America for more in-depth information."

"Thank you." Steve made to stand up but T'Challa waved him back down.

"I will leave you to your dinner. I will bring you more information once negotiations have begun." With a small nod to the group, T'Challa left them to discuss the news.

Clint had already started googling and had found a recording of Tony's statement. "Look at him, trying to get in their good books again. That's the only reason he's doing this. Makes him look good."

"Thats a little unfair, don't you think?" Steve frowned a little but his heart wasn't in it. After New York, Steve had thought maybe his first impression was wrong. Then Tony created Ultron, and signed the Accords. And then Siberia, all just served to reinforce that first impression. Stark was arrogant, didn't think things through, and he only cared about himself.

—

Whilst Tony occupied himself in his workshop and in meetings about the Accords, Natasha took it upon herself to get to know Peter better. She began teaching him how to fight properly and take the fullest advantage of his powers. They were taking a break during one of their sparring sessions when Peter suddenly blurted "Why is Mr Stark helping Captain America?"

Nat put down her drink bottle and turned to face Peter. "I'm not sure Peter."

"But, wasn't it Rogers who hurt him? Why does Mr Stark have to apologise?" Peter frowned at the floor, his fists clenched in frustration.

"Tony is doing all he can to keep the Avengers together, that's all he's ever done." She had noticed it too late, too caught up in her own survival instinct and too stubborn to see past her initial assessment. Iron Man: Yes, Tony Stark: Not Recommended. We took Tony for granted, and he paid the price.

Peter huffed a little. "I still don't see why Rogers should be allowed to come back."

It would be hypocritical of Natasha to criticise Tony for helping Steve. He'd done basically the same thing for her. To be fair, she hadn't tried to kill him. Peter saved her from having to reply, changing the topic in his next breath.

"Hey Tony." Hurt flashed quickly in Natasha's eyes at Tony's flinch.

Tony didn't turn around, continuing to work on the blue hologram schematics around him. "Nat."

"Why did you help me?"

"You didn't do anything I didn't end up doing." He said with a shrug. She had let Steve and Bucky go, Tony hadn't told Ross he was following them to Siberia. If he got to come home at the end of the day, then Nat deserved that too.

"Still, you didn't have to help me." Natasha didn't understand why, sure what Tony said was true. But she betrayed him. She wouldn't have helped herself if she had been in Tony's shoes. "You didn't have to invite me to stay here either."

She'd only agreed after Rhodes had called her and basically threatened her to accept the invitation, that had been entirely unexpected. Tony hadn't gotten back with Pepper and she was too busy with Stark Industries in any case. Rhodes was still learning to walk and Vision didn't quite understand the lasting effects of their fallout. As much as he was annoyed with her, he knew Tony needed someone who could help.

Tony shrugged again, waving a hand dismissively. Nat knew his act of nonchalance was exactly that, an act. She didn't call him out on it though.

"Mmmm. That's not why you came down here though." Tony could be surprisingly perceptive. Nat wasn't sure why it still caught her off guard, she'd been around him often enough.

"Peter asked me something today." Nat crossed her arms and lent against one of the benches. "I didn't know the answer and I'd like to know. Why are you helping Steve?"

Tony turned around and ran a hand through his hair with a sigh. "I'm not helping Rogers."

Nat raised an eyebrow at him.

"I mean yeah, I'm helping him, but that's just because I'm trying to help Barnes." Tony rubbed his chest absentmindedly. "I shouldn't have attacked him. It wasn't his fault. I mean I see that now and I should have then too. I was just so angry, but it was my fault. I shouldn't have let it get to me. I should have thought it through better, and just …"

"Tony. Tony! Take a breath." Nat interrupted him before he could work himself into a panic again. "Breathe okay? And explain, what happened in Siberia? And don't give me the bullshit from your press conference, obviously there was more to it."

Tony exhaled loudly. "There was a tape, of my parent's car accident. Only, it wasn't actually an accident."

Suddenly Nat knew exactly what it was. "It was Barnes. Your parents' accident, it was the Winter Soldier."

Tony's eyes flickered up and met Nat's. "So you knew too?

"I," Nat swallowed, "I knew it was Hydra, and I guessed it was the Winter Soldier."

Tony only smiled sadly.

"I'm sorry Tony."

"At least you didn't try to lie to me."

"Ah." The final piece clicked into place. "When you saw the tape, Steve said he didn't know, that's why you fought them."

"He tried to say he didn't know it was Barnes. I actually punched Rogers first." Tony grimaced. "I should have let him explain."

"Tony you just saw your parents murdered, no one would expect you to act rationally."

Rogers did, Tony thought to himself, but he just shrugged again.

"Anyway, what's done is done. I made a deal, if I want to bring Barnes back and cure him, they want the rest of Team Cap to come back as well. Mostly, they want Rogers back. And they all have to sign the Accords, or retire. Same deal you got offered."

"Ross can't be happy about that."

"He's in trouble for putting them in the Raft. That hadn't been approved by the Council either. So looks like we're all playing nice for a little while."

Nat hummed thoughtfully but said nothing further.

—

Bucky's eyes snapped open, darting around the room rapidly. He went to test his restraints only to find he had none. The room was too bright, too clean. Then it came flooding back, Steve, the airport, Siberia. Wakanda. He'd gone back into cryo. They must have found a way to remove the triggers if he was being woken.

"Good Morning, Sergeant Barnes." The King's soothing voice washed over him as he finally focused on the figure in front of him.

"Your Highness." His voice was a little rough. He swallowed a couple of times but waited for the King to speak.

T'Challa waited until the doctors had left before speaking. "There have been some discussions in the US. It seems your pardon will be successful. The others will be pardoned and will be returning to America. If you wish, you may join them. Mr Stark was able to adapt his Binary Augmented Retro Framing technology to target your triggers and if you so chose, will treat you upon your return."

Bucky wasn't sure how to respond, he was still processing the fact that he had a chance to remove the triggers and have his mind back again. "Wait, Stark? Why…?" Why was he helping? Didn't Stark hate him?

"I do not know the motivation behind Mr Stark's actions, but I can assure you there are no tricks here. Shuri has been helping Mr Stark with the technology. He has also been the driving force behind your pardons." The King shrugged slightly. "You will have to ask him his reasons yourself. You do not have to make a decision yet, although I warn you I will be informing Captain Rogers that you have been woken. I expect you will see him in the next hour."

Bucky nodded. "Thank you, Your Highness." Bucky didn't need much persuasion, he would take any chance to scrub his mind clean of the programming.

Bucky knew rationally, that it wasn't his fault. The things he'd done, the people he'd killed. But they still haunted him. He didn't need much sleep due to his own serum, but before he'd been put into the cryo chamber, he'd been plagued with nightmares. Watching as he carried out the missions, killed people and could do nothing but watch them die.

After Siberia, before he'd gone under again, the dreams had focused on the Starks. He could hear Howard Stark almost pleading "Sergeant Barnes." The gurgling as he strangled Maria Stark in her seat.

He didn't deserve Stark's help.

Bucky was still sitting in the med bay lost in his thoughts when Steve burst in.

"Buck!"

"Steve."

"Have you heard the news? We're going home." Steve's face was bright with excitement but Bucky couldn't summon the same enthusiasm.

Bucky tried a smile but he was fairly sure it came out as a grimace. "I'm not sure I'm worth all this trouble Steve."

"It wasn't your fault Bucky." Steve's eyes were big and earnest.

Bucky shrugged a little awkwardly, "That doesn't change anything though. I was still their weapon."

"It wasn't you." Steve insisted.

Bucky just shrugged again. "Yeah, the King said Stark has some tech to fix my head too." Bucky offered a small smile until Steve frowned. "Whats wrong?

"I, I don't trust him Buck. He tried to kill you."

Silence hung in the air for a moment before Bucky replied tentatively. "Steve, I don't think he was."

"What do you mean Bucky?" Steve's frown deepened as he bristled at the idea.

"I've seen what that suit can do Steve. He didn't hit us with anything lethal, even when I was down, he could have killed me then. He was just angry, and hurt." Bucky stared intently at the floor. Who wouldn't feel that after watching someone kill their parents. "But I don't think he was trying to kill me."

"Buck he tore your arm off. Just think about it pal. You don't have to accept anything from him."

Bucky looked up at Steve slightly incredulously. "Don't you want me to get rid of the programming?"

"No of course I do." Steve was quick to reassure him. "Just, be careful. Alright?"

"Yeah, alright." Bucky went back to staring at the floor.

"We'll get a place together, maybe go back to Brooklyn again!" Steve grinned at Bucky, his concern forgotten.

Bucky didn't reply other than a quiet hum. Honestly, Steve's mood swings were going to give him whiplash. He let Steve ramble on for a bit, not really paying much attention.

Why was Stark offering to help him? The King seemed to think that his motivations didn't matter. The Wakandans had also helped in developing the technology so he could at least be mostly sure that it was safe. As safe as trying to rewrite his brain could be he supposed.

"So whaddya think Buck?"

Bucky glanced up realising Steve was waiting for a reply. He tried to remember what Steve had been saying but came up blank. "Sorry, it's a lot to take in," he murmured apologetically.

"It's okay, we'll work it out when we get back." Steve placed a comforting arm on Bucky's good shoulder. "I'm with you till the end of the line pal."