Natasha had spent here time in Wakanda without Steve successfully. She spent some time with Pietro and Wanda making sure that they were adjusting then she did what she did best she started spying. For several days the Black Widow hacked through systems, broke into offices and apartments, and found a trial of deception and betrayal. She collected intel and evidence then she waited for King T'Challa and Steve to return.
Now that they had come home she waited for them in T'Challa's study. They entered looking concerned. T'Challa spoke.
"Natasha, how was your hunting?" he asked.
"Your highness," she said then took out a thumb drive and placed it on a table, "you'll find intel and evidence on that thumb drive that your prime minister and head of the Council of Elders are both in contact with members of Hydra. I suspect a coup is being planned."
T'Challa growled. The son of the prime minister was M'Baku, who some thought to be Wakanda's greatest warrior not T'Challa. It made sense, but the Lead elder was a different story. T'Umba was a family friend and supporter, but he was also an isolationist and T'Challa was slowly opening Wakanda up. An official investigation needed to be done.
"I will have my Dora Miljae start an investigation along with security police," he said.
"I'm sorry, You highness," said Natasha.
"You have done me a great service. You have no reason to be sorry," he smiled. "It appears that my inviting you and Steve to my country has been a great benefit."
"I hope that remains true, sir," said Steve.
T'Challa looked over his shoulder and nodded at Steve then he looked at Natasha and said, "If I need your further skills I shall let you know."
"Yes, sir," she said.
"Now, it is time to get my house in order and make sure Hydra gets no hold on my country," he said.
"Any help you need just ask," said Steve.
"I shall," smiled T'Challa.
AVENGERS
Natasha didn't want to admit to herself but she was worried about Steve. Steve was always tightly wound. What some people thought of as aloofness, she knew was a combination of shyness and awkwardness. Even though he was now six foot three inches and two hundred and forty pounds of muscle, an Adonis statue come alive, he still thought of himself as pre-serum Steve Rogers. He was smallish, sickly, and awkward.
But now it was aloofness. He spent much of his day training. Anyone who sparred with him found out that he still held back, but not as much as he used to hold back. Egos were bruised as well as bodies. The Dora Miljae tried some sparring rounds against him and were treated to a gentlemanly thrashing. She knew his style and moves better than anyone, so when she sparred against him she was shocked to find that she lasted only a few minutes against him. He used his superior speed along with his agility and tactical genius to end the match as quickly as possible. This was not her Steve.
Yet, now in the room at night he made love to her like a man possessed. All his energy, frustrations, and, yes, love, he poured into their activity taking her to places she had never gone before. After an hour long lovemaking session, where he proved his stamina was impressive, he finally brought her to a final orgasm then came himself in a torrent of growls and groans that sent a shiver down Natasha's spine. As he lay naked on his stomach on the bed, she lay naked on top of him. They were both sweaty and hot. Of course because of his metabolism his body temperature ran a little hot, which she enjoyed. Her Russian blood made her able to deal with the cold, but she preferred warmth.
"Steve, you're been pulling back lately. I don't like that," she stated then she gently kissed his cheek that wasn't against the bed.
"Nat, I'm... I no longer have a country. I no longer have a duty to fulfill. Hydra is still out there and needs to be stopped, but there is no Howling Commandos, no team working with me to stop them, just me and you. I know T'Challa is helping but it's different. He is protecting his country. I'm just fighting Hydra right not because I started to fight them back in War World II and need to finish what I started," he explained. "I'm sorry if I've been pulling back. You are the only thing I've got left in this life. I love you, Nat."
"I love you, Steve," she whispered in his ear.
"Thank you, Natasha Romanov. Without you I'd be lost again, just like when I first got out of the ice," Steve admitted.
"You have me and I won't let you get lost again," she purred then she started to kiss her way down Steve's back. By the time she got to his buttocks, Steve was ready to show her that his stamina was even more impressive than what he showed before.
AVENGERS
T'Umba knew T'Challa was finally on to him. Being the Lead Elder on the Council of Elders this meant he had room to manipulate. At the council he suggested that T'Challa wasn't worthy of being king, that he had polluted their kingdom with outsiders and was going to continue this travesty. He then suggested a battle for the crown between M'Baku and T'Challa. The council voted that their would be a traditional battle between M'Baku and whoever is the champion for the king.
T'Challa agreed to this. He knew M'Baku well. When they were young they were almost equals being raised on the same herbs and plants that gave T'Challa his added strength, agility, and speed. M'Baku's father Prime Minister M'Benku wasn't in favor of this traditional battle, but T'Umba convinced him that this was the way to weaken T'Challa. The traditional fight was set for two weeks. T'Challa went into training with Steve as his sparring partner.
The sparred in the T'Challa's personal gym. Inside the ropes of a ring, Steve and T'Challa fought barely holding back. Natasha and the head of the Dora Miljae Nikia watched them spar.
"I have studied many martial arts styles since I was a child, but you are my equal. It is invigorating," said T'Challa.
"I had to pick up a few new styles once I came out of the ice," said Steve.
"You revert to boxing when you want to put someone away, though," said T'Challa.
"I've been fighting my whole life, so I guess I resort what I'm used to," said Steve.
"Shall we go another round?" asked T'Challa.
"Your majesty, why don't you let me be your champion and fight M'baku?" asked Steve.
"I can't. The Black Panther is the champion of Wakanda. I am my own champion," said T'Challa.
"But you are walking into their trap. If you beat M'Baku, it is the Black Panther that wins, not King T'Challa. They can foster resentment that the Black Panther is the king, that is too much power in one person," explained Steve. "Be Wakanada's protector not its champion. Let me be its champion, T'Challa. Let me do the dirty work and you do the important work, which is expose your prime minister and council elder."
"Steve, I cannot ask you to do this for me. It is my duty," said T'Challa.
"Good leadership knows that duties are best shared. Let me deal with M'Baku and you be king and deal with the true problems here," said Steve.
"Nikia, what do you think?" T'Challa asked.
"Sire, I should face M'Baku for you," she said.
T'Challa laughed then he looked at Steve and said, "So a Nomad is my champion."
"Teach me what I have to know," said Steve.
AVENGERS
A traditional battle meant that it was viewed by the public in the public stadium. The two combatants wore only loin clothes and chose one weapon. Natasha was pleased with this setup, especially when she found out that M'Baku was almost Steve's equal because of being trained to be the Black Panther. When they fought T'Challa barely beat him, and since then M'Baku had done nothing but gain experience as a merc outside of Wakanda.
The stadium held sixty thousand people, who had gathered there to watch this important match. According to Nikia many believed M'Baku a better leader because he was an isolationist like his father. The outside world didn't entice many in Wakanda, who viewed it as violent and chaotic. Like his father T'Challa believed that Wakanda had a role to play in the world, an important role. Dressed as the Black Panther, except without his helmet, T'Challa stepped forward with Steve into the stadium. He was cheered. M"Baku stepped into the stadium with his father. He was also cheered. M'Benku spoke.
"I see you have chosen a champion," said M'Benku. "An outsider."
"Steve Rogers has fought for the world against Hydra. He has freed many people, saved lives, and even saved us when he, as part of the Avengers, saved this world. I don't think of him as an outsider but as a fellow warrior and brother," said T'Challa.
The crowd cheered. A referee of sorts made announcement.
"It is time to chose weapons," he announced.
M'Baku chose vibranium claws. Steve chose his new shield. The men now went into the center of the stadium where a dirt patch was laid out. The referee checked each man then looked at the Council of Elders, who sat in the first row. T'Umber gave the thumbs up.
"For a technologically advanced people isn't this a bit primitive?" asked Natasha, as she came up beside T'Challa.
"Tradition is important, Miss Romanov," said T'Challa.
Both men sprang into action. T'Challa watched as M'baku used his training and experience to try and draw first blood. He tossed dirt into Steve's face. Steve did an instinctive forward roll to avoid a kill shot but M'Baku was able to rake his claws down Steve's back shredding his skin.
"Steve," growled Natasha, as she moved forward. T'Challa grabbed her wrist and kept her in her place.
Steve ignored the pain, got the dirt out of his eyes, and took the offensive. In an assault of Parkour moves and agility, Steve drove M'baku back on his heels until the man was swinging wildly with his claws. Waiting for the right opening Steve kicked M'Baku in his stomach sending him flying back. As the man struggled to get up, Steve waited until he was on his feet then he blocked the claws with his shield and became to pummel M'Baku into submission. The referee stopped the match leading T'Challa to come forward. He addressed the Council of Elders.
"I have information that one of the Council of Elders has been in contact with Hydra. He along with our Prime Minister have been working on a coup of Wakanda. They wish to trade vibranium for isolation. They wish to trade out soul for folly," he stated. "I won't allow this. We are Wakanda. We are strong, independent, and free. And I am your protector. The Black Panther will not allow this. My Dora Miljae will take into custody those who have failed our country and they will be exiled. This is the final judgment Black Panther."
He waved his hand and M'Benku and T'Umber were taken into custody then he turned his attention to Steve, who was standing there ignoring his pain.
"You need medical attention," he said.
"It'll heal," smiled Steve. "Maybe a little slower than normal because of the vibranium but it will heal."
Natasha strode up to him and kissed him in front of the crowd. A cheer went up.
"Rogers, we have some talking to do," she stated.
AVENGERS
With a towel around his waist Steve lay on his bed on his stomach. Natasha gently bandaged his back, which was healing slowly. He breathed easily resting and trying not to think of the lecture that was to come.
"You're an idiot," Natasha stated. "Champion. T'Challa can handle his own battles. You don't need to risk your life."
"Yes, I do. I owe him. He's taking care of Wanda and Pietro and Bucky and is allowing us a safe harbor," said Steve.
"You're an idiot," she sighed.
Natasha grabbed his towel and pulled it off of him leaving him naked on the bed.
"Nat, this is embarrassing," Steve complained.
"It's a great butt," she smirked.
Natasha grabbed hold of one of his butt cheeks then leaned down and bit it. Steve jumped slightly then he stopped moving as she began kissing his cheeks. He started breathing heavily. Soon Natasha was doing other things to him that had his breathing to pick up even more. She reached underneath him and freed his penis and started stroking it. Steve started to move onto his back, but Natasha stopped him.
"Don't get on your back," she demanded.
"But...," he started.
"But what?" she asked.
With great speed Steve got out of bed. She started to move away from him, but he grabbed her by the waist, turned her around, and bent her over the bed. He was surprised to find that she was already wet when he entered her.
"Steve," she shivered.
"Nat," he growled then he began to move slowly.
"I love you," she said in Russian.
"I love you, too," he breathed.
AVENGERS
Tony wasn't happy to find that Steve Rogers was now an employee of the Wakandan government. He had hoped to convince Steve into signing the accords and re-joining the Avengers, even though it seemed that Secretary Ross wanted him in a cell forever. Then again what was forever for Steve Rogers. Because of the serum he aged slowly. The man only had officially twenty-seven years, but because of the ice he was in his nineties. That would be a long prison sentence.
Of course public opinion was weighing against the accords right now. The accords had turned Captain America into a criminal, made him resign his commission, and give up his medals. He was no longer America's greatest solider or America's greatest hero. In a time of crisis no one knew how he would act, or if he would act. It was a shame to lose an asset like Steve Rogers.
The elevator doors opened and Pepper entered Tony's favorite research lab in the tower. She carried with her a thermos full of coffee and a bag with a couple corned beef sandwiches. He swiveled around in his chair and looked at her.
"Hey, Pep," he said.
"I brought sandwiches, including coleslaw and pickles as well as coffee," she said.
"Thanks," he smiled.
She came up beside him and placed the thermos down as well as the bag.
"What are you working on?" asked Pepper.
"Armor that will bond with my molecules and act as skin," he stated.
"I don't want to know," sighed Pepper.
"Bruce was helping me with this, but he's gone. Disappeared," sighed Tony. "And I have no idea where he is. Luckily, neither does anyone else. The Us government was put a General Talbot in charge of finding those who haven't signed the accords."
"This is going the way you thought it would, is it?" she asked.
"No, it isn't," replied Tony. "Rogers is in Wakanda along with Romanov, the Maximoff twins, and Bucky Barnes. We can't touch them, even though the artist formerly known as Captain America is the number one most wanted hero."
"I feel bad about that," Pepper said. "Steve was special."
"Is special. Oh, so very special," said Tony.
"Are you back to hating him?" she asked.
"No, I don't hate him. I've ruined his life so how could I hate him. But I do intend on kicking his butt and taking him into custody," said Tony. "He can't be allowed to do what he wants. He has to be reigned in."
"Why?" asked Pepper.
"Because otherwise he makes a mockery of the accords," said Tony. "I can't let that happen."
"Don't take this personally, Tony. It will only cause you pain. I don't want to see you in pain," Pepper consoled him.
"This is personal, Pepper. I put my reputation on the line supporting the registry. Peter Parker is going to sign because of me. Rhodey signed because of me. And whoever I bring into the Avengers will have to sign because of me," he stated. "This is very personal."
Pepper stroked his cheek and looked at him sadly then said, "Poor, Tony."
AVENGERS
Clint came out of the barn to see Director Fury standing there. He looked grim, which put a smile on Clint's face.
"Nick, long time no see," said Clint.
"Time to pack up the family and come with me, Barton. We have to find a safer place for them," Fury said.
"Why?" asked Clint.
"General Talbot is in charge of hunting down those who don't sign the registry. He wants you," said Fury.
"Can't have me," smirked Clint.
"I don't trust the bastard and he has Secretary Ross backing him. Ross puts his head down on the pillow at night and dreams of being president. The man is a menace," said Fury.
"And you let him stay in office," said Clint.
"For now," growled Fury. "Now get the wife and kids pack. I have a place for you on the coast of Ireland. You'll be safe there for a good amount of time."
"Ireland huh?" smiled Clint. "What are you black Irish?"
"Yes," grinned Fury.
Clint laughed.