AN: I'm so sorry, I have been bogged with so much work from my classes and I'm still not done with all of it. Anyway I hope you like this chapter.
"Secretary Ross has a Congressional Medal of Honor...which is one more than you have," Rhodey argued with Sam, as I rubbed my temples, all while Steve read the accords.
"So let's say we agree to this thing. How long is it gonna be before they LoJack us like a bunch of common criminals?" Sam fought back, just as stubborn.
"A 117 countries want to sign this. A 117, Sam, and you're just like, 'No, that's cool. We got it,'" I rolled my eyes at the two.
"How long are you going to play both sides?" Sam asked.
"I have an equation," Vision spoke up.
"Oh, this will clear it up," Sam spat sarcastically.
"In the eight years since Mr. Stark announced himself as Iron Man...the number of known enhanced persons has grown exponentially. During the same period the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commensurate rate," Vision explained.
"Are you saying it's our fault?" Steve asked, looking up from the Accords in his hands with his cocked head, challenging Vision.
"I'm saying there may be a causality...Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict...breeds catastrophe," Vision said. "Oversight...Oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand,"
My blood began to boil, I could feel my head spinning. I'm sick of people trying to control us like they own us. I'm sick of people trying control me. I'm definitely not signing these papers.
"Boom," Rhodey said as he looked at Sam.
"Here's the hiccup in your equation, Vision," I chimed in. "You mean, the man who had a hand in creating the Abomination, who need I remind everyone, destroyed Harlem. That's the man who's lead we should follow? I'm sorry, but I find that a little hypocritical," I commented incredulously throwing my hands up. "Also, do you remember that last time we operated with a government, we found out it was HYDRA. Sorry not sorry, but my trust in the government isn't exactly sound," I added, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Tony," Natasha spoke up, catching the attention of the man who looked like he just wanted to sleep. "You are being uncharacteristically non-hyper verbal,"
"It's because he's already made up his mind," Steve deadpanned.
"Boy, you know me so well," Tony muttered as he sat up from the lounge chair, "Actually, I'm nursing the electromagnetic headache. That's what's going on, Cap. It's just pain," He grabbed a cup. "It's discomfort. Who's putting coffee grounds in the disposal? Am I running a bed and breakfast for a biker gang?"
I rolled my eyes and then I heard a small beep. I looked up and saw a picture of a young African American boy who looked he was my age or slightly younger than me. I noticed the guilt that appeared on Tony's face, but I had no idea what he had to be guilty for.
Tony sighed, "Oh, that's Charles Spencer, by the way. He's a great kid. Computer engineering degree, 3.6 GPA, had a floor-level gig at Intel planned for the fall," Tony said as he poured himself a drink. "But first, he wanted to put a few miles on his soul before he parked it behind a desk. See the world. Maybe be of service," He added, and I raised eyebrow confused to where this was going.
"Charlie didn't want to go to Vegas or Fort Lauderdale, which is what I would do. He didn't go to Paris or Amsterdam, which sounds fun. He decided to spend his summer building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where. Sokovia," He answered his own question with bitter anger. "He wanted to make a difference, I suppose. We won't know because we dropped a building on him while we were kicking ass!" He raised his voice in frustration, everyone was shocked as I was speechless. "There's no decision-making process here. We need to be put in check! Whatever form that takes, I'm game,"
"Tony..." I began. "I get it. It's really tragic, and I feel sorry for that kid, but we can't do that," I explained softly. "Living a life thinking about all the people we couldn't save, will not bring them back," I added gently.
Tony has really beat himself up over a year from the whole Sokovia debacle, he tried to cover it up with his usual snarkiness, but it's hard to mask your true feelings around an empath.
"And our carelessness doesn't bother you at all?" Tony questioned, looking at me. "I guess since you're a trained assassin, innocent casualties were never a concern...because nothing ever haunts you, right?" he questioned, with a sneer.
I scoffed and glared at Tony, "You know it does!" I spat, slamming my hand down on the soft cushion of the couch. "And if we're going talk about carelessness, let's not forget one small fact. You and Bruce created Ultron. You're the main reason, why Charles Spencer was crushed to death by a building in Sokovia," I stated coldly, knowing that I hurt Tony, but I frankly didn't give a damn at the moment, he hurt me as well. "Remember, I told you not to do anything rash, but your ego just couldn't listen!"
Tony narrowed his eyes at me before looking around the room, "If we can't except limitations, if we're boundary-less we're no better than the bad guys,"
Steve sucked in a breath, "Tony, someone dies on your watch, you don't give up," Steve reasoned, trying to ease the tension between us.
"Who said we're giving up?" Tony asked, taking his gaze away from me and to Steve.
"We are if we're not taking responsibility for our actions. This document just shifts the blame," Steve pointed out.
"I'm sorry, Steve," Rhodey said, cutting him off. "That is dangerously arrogant. This is the United Nations we're talking about. It's not the World Security Council, it's not S.H.I.E.L.D., it's not HYDRA,"
"No, but it's run by people with agendas, and agendas change," Steve defended.
"That's good. That's why I'm here," Tony said as he walked over to us. "When I realized what my weapons were capable of in the wrong hands I shut it down and stopped manufacturing,"
"Yeah, but you chose to do that! If we sign this we surrender our right to choose," I fired back.
"What if there is somewhere we need to go and they don't let us?" Steve asked. "We may not be perfect, but the safest hands are still our own," Steve explained.
I looked at the man who had practically been first friend when I was forced out of seclusion, "I'm sorry Tony, but I agree with Steve on this one," I commented with a shrug, bringing my gaze to Tony's blank stare.
I could feel a hint of shock from Tony almost a hint of...disappointment, Tony was astounded, he really thought I would be all for this. Does he not know me at all at this point?
"If we don't do this now, it's gonna be done to us later," Tony replied calmly. "That's the fact. That won't be pretty," he assured us.
"You're saying they'll come for me," Wanda replied bluntly.
"We would protect you," Vision reassured her immediately, and she glanced at him.
"They'll come for us," I corrected, meeting Wanda's tired gaze. She looked like she was five seconds away from having an emotional break down. "You all know how the government views me, I'm nothing more than dangerous lab experiment turned weapon that needs a collar around my neck," I stated grimly, my eyes shifting to everyone's before finally meeting Tony's eyes. "I rather not repeat my traumatic childhood, if that's okay with everyone,"
"Maybe Tony's right," Natasha stated. I snapped my head from Tony's direction and towards Natasha and gave her a surprised look as my jaw could've dropped to the floor, I thought for sure that she would side with Steve and I. Hearing Natasha agree with Tony was almost unheard of, the two never agreed on anything. "If we have one hand on the wheel, we can still steer. If we take if off-" she started.
Sam also looked at her in shock, "Aren't you the same woman who told the government to kiss her ass a few years ago?" Sam asked rhetorically.
"I'm just reading the terrain," Natasha said finally. "We have made some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back," Natasha explained, meeting my gaze.
"Focus up. I'm sorry. Did I just mishear you or did you agree with me?" Tony asked relishing the moment.
"Oh, I want to take it back now," Natasha groaned, shaking her head now realizing how cocky he was going to be for the whole day if not forever.
"No, no, no you can't retract it," Tony shook his head, and even waved a finger. "Thank you. Unprecedented. Okay, case closed - I win," Tony cheered, which made me crack a smile, despite our heated argument only a few minutes ago.
It went quiet for a minute, Steve had received a text message that made his face drop. That's when I felt it, a wave of sudden emotion, the stifling mournfulness, cloying despair, and an overwhelming sense of loss. I put my hand on my chest to steady my breathing and catch my breath.
"I have to go," Steve said abruptly, getting up sharply and leaving the room, I watched Steve as he left, concerned.
"Steve?" I called as he hurried down the stairs.
Sam and I give each other a knowing look, "You know sometimes we hate it when you two do that whole talking-by-looking thing," Rhodey joked, crossing his arms.
I jogged out the room and down the stairs where I find Steve on the floor, "Steve," I called softly.
His eyes were glossed as I just sat down by his side. Steve handed me his phone, the screen was darkened and I tapped it and the phone lit up with a short and terrible message. 'She's gone. In her sleep.' Peggy Carter had died.
"I'm so sorry...Steve," I muttered to Steve, handing him his phone back
"I need to be alone," He whispered, walking away, leaving me alone in the hallway.
AN: Can't believe how long it took me to post chapter, I hope you enjoyed it.