While T'Challa and his entourage boarded the Jumbo jet, Steve and Natasha took one of the other Wakandan jets to make a detour flight. Natasha called ahead to let the Barton's know that they were coming then they settled into their seats and waited for takeoff. She noticed that Steve was deep in thought.
"What is wrong?" she asked.
"Red Skull. It was a brilliant maneuver. He came to the UN not to be stopped but to stop several countries from moving against him. He cut deals with several African nations, as well as threatened most of the Mideast with destruction if they tried to stop him. He came, he threatened, and he conquered," Steve explained. "And the US failed to stop him, as did Wakanda or any other country. The UN is still debating. I have no idea what the US response is going to be. Sanctions probably."
"The man was more powerful than Hitler by the end of the World War II. Hydra would have succeeded where Hitler failed if it wasn't for you," she pointed out.
"He still might succeed. I only delayed him. I didn't stop him," said Steve.
"You're still here to stop him. Plus, my fiance doesn't fail," smiled Natasha.
"I want to marry you the moment this crisis passes, Nat," Steve said. "And I know where I want to live for a while once we get the chance."
"Where?" she asked.
"That's a secret for now," he teased her.
"You know one of my skills is getting secrets out of people. They tell me without even knowing," she warned him.
"I know," smirked Steve. "I'd give you my name, rank, and serial number, but all I've got left is my name, which I'm willing to share with you."
She smiled at that smirk and comment. If there was one person even more stubborn than her it was Steven Grant Rogers. He knew that and she knew that.
"Clint expecting us?" he asked.
"He's getting someone to take care of his place and his sheep for now. They don't know if they're going back there once this is over," she told him. "I think they liked it, though. But the weather is a little too much."
"They don't like Ireland?" asked Steve.
"Ireland is fine. It's the weather that they hate," said Natasha.
"Can't say that I blame them about that. It's called the Emerald Isle for a reason, pleanty of green grass," smiled Steve.
The jet made a Harrier jet-like landing on the farm. The Barton's were still packing when Natasha and Steve entered the house. Steve cornered Clint alone for ten minutes then he burrowed their car and disappeared with the promise that he'd be back in three hours. Clint started loading up the plane, leaving Laura with Natasha.
"Belly is bigger," noted Natasha.
"And it will be even bigger before I pop," smiled Laura. "How is it going with you and Steve?"
"He asked me to marry him," Natasha answered.
Laura looked at her and smiled then she excitedly asked, "And what did you say?"
"Da. Of course. I'm not an idiot," she said. "I know a good thing and this is a very good thing."
"Good move," Laura said then stood up and walked over to her. She gave Natasha the warmest hug she ever received. "I am so happy for you. No one deserves some happiness than you and Steve."
"Now if we can just survive what's to come," sighed Natasha.
Laura touched Natasha's cheek and smiled, "Listen, if Clint can survive what he has to become a husband and a father than Steve Rogers can become whatever he wants to be. Instead of acting Russian have some faith that everything will work out. Think happy ending for a change."
"I may no longer have my Russian accent, but I am still Russian, Laura," said Natasha.
"The Black Widow I met all those years ago would never have fell in love with Captain America. You have, Nat. You've changed, more than you realize," grinned Laura. "Enjoy this and don't over think it."
"Laura, I'm not sure I'm good enough for him," she admitted.
Laura smiled and said, "What is important is that he is good enough for you, Nat."
"You are too nice," Natasha said.
"No, not really," grinned Laura.
AVENGERS
Steve came back three hours later. He looked happy with himself, even content. Helping Barton with what was left to load into the cargo hold, the Barton Family was ushered into the jet by Natasha. Steve and Clint were the last two to get on the plane.
"So do you need a sniper who never misses in your fight against Hydra?" Clint asked him with a smirk.
"Arrow or rifle?" asked Steve.
"Rogers, I never miss. It doesn't matter which I use," he chuckled.
"Yeah, we can use your help. I can especially use your help. I need people I trust," said Steve.
"I heard that Wakanda has been surrounded by Hydra bases," Clint noted.
"It appears that way," Steve replied. "It won't last for long, though."
"Really. T'Challa, have a plan to get rid of them?" Clint asked.
"No. I do," grinned Steve.
"That's the Cap I know and love," Clint laughed. "We just need a good team."
"We'll put one together," Steve said.
The jet took off. Clint joined his wife and kids, while Steve found Natasha. She was in the pantry making coffee.
"Hey," he said shyly.
She looked at him knowing he had something he wanted to share but wasn't sure how to do it. Natasha thought she'd give him a hand. He deserved it now and again.
"Okay, Rogers, what is it? Don't dance around the subject but get to the point. I don't have the time," she told him.
He reached into his pocket and took out a ring box. Handing it to her he smiled then cleared his throat.
"This is your engagement ring," he said. "I wanted to get something that reminded me of Ireland because of my parents. I hope you like it."
She opened the box to see a gold Claddagh ring with a diamond for a heart. Taking it out of the box she put it on her ring finger of her left hand then she moved in close to Steve and kissed him.
"I like it very much," she said.
"I'm glad. The crown stands for loyalty, the hands for friendship, and the heart for love," he told her. "I think that sums up how I feel about you."
"Ditto," she smirked. Nat put in the ringer and smiled at it. "Finish fixing the coffee for me. I have to show Laura my ring."
"Isn't that girly for you?" he asked.
"I have my moments," she laughed, gave him a kiss on the cheek and then left the pantry.
Steve finished up the pot of coffee then he rummaged around for something to eat. His stomach was growling. As he rummaged, Clint came back into the pantry.
"Congratulations," he said. "Nice ring."
"Thanks," smiled Steve.
"Looking for food?" he asked.
"At least snacks," said Steve.
Clint started opening cabinets until he found a box of packets of mixed nuts. He opened it and tossed Steve two packets.
"That should hold you for and hour or so. I'd try the honey roasted nuts," he said.
"This wouldn't even hold me during the depression," grinned Steve.
"What was your favorite meal back then?" Clint asked.
"Oh, Jesus, it was a simple one, but we didn't have too often because it was hard for my mother to get the tomatoes to make the soup. A grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup. It wasn't canned soup because that was like a nickle a can and it really only fed one person, but homemade tomato soup," he told him. "I loved that."
"In the circus my favorite food was Sheppard's pie," Clint told him. "It had everything you could want to eat in one bowl."
"Simple foods. Simple times," sighed Steve.
"The past but we still carry it with us, Steve. Laura makes me Sheppard's pie once a month," he told Steve. "My kids even like it. You should have a grilled cheese sandwich and a bowl of tomato soup more often. It keeps the good memories fresh and helps to make new ones."
"Thanks, Clint," said Steve.
"You have a sister-in-law or soon to be sister-in-law to get a hug from and Lila wonders if you have your sketch pad," said Clint.
"I can't disappoint the females in my life," grinned Steve.
"Live by that and you'll do fine," said Clint.
AVENGERS
Steve met with T'Challa in a private meeting. It appeared that T'Challa realized that he had an asset Steve and he was going to use him as much as possible. Natasha used the time to settle the Barton Family in their new home. Unlike their other homes, it was bright, modern, and neat in a way that depressed Clint. He loved his lived in homes where he was forever working on a project to improve the home. This was a large impressive four bedroom apartment.
As the kids chose their rooms, Clint stood in the living room feeling anger slowly overtaking him.
"This is wrong, Tasha," he said. "This isn't a home. It a freaking condo."
Natasha knew Clint well enough to know that he needed to vent. He also needed something to occupy his time.
"I know," she agreed. "It will get better in time, Clint."
"I want a home for my kids. This isn't a home. It's a place to live, sleep, eat," He growled.
"This is temporary," she said. "And for temporary it isn't bad, Clint. It could be worse and you know it. Things will get better."
"It better be," he stated then he turned to look her in the eyes. "What can I do to make sure this is temporary?"
"Let's wait for Steve. He's talking to T'Challa," she said.
"He better point me at the enemy and let me go. I need something to shoot at," spat Clint.
"Just wait for Steve," she said.
"Cap. I know he'll have something good for us," Clint said.
AVENGERS
It was four hours before they saw Steve again. He and T'Challa went over his plan over and over again until T'Challa was satisfied with it and approved it. The most important thing for Wakanda to do was infiltrate the Hydra Bases surrounding them, get intel, and leave the bases diminished. It was also best to hit all three at once with Steve taking a team to hit the largest one in Nigeria. The base in Nigeria was being turned into a FOB, forward operating base, including air strips, air support, an a place for troops to be sent to in order to be sent out into the field. This base would have the most intel and needed to take the most damage, including destruction of all air strips and planes. Wakanda had drones with hellfire missiles that could be used to cause destruction.
Natasha had left him a message that she was having dinner at Clint's and that she'd be there until he came to get her. Steve rang the doorbell to the apartment. Cooper answered the door. He smiled at Steve and invited him into their new home. Steve messed up his hair and then entered the place.
"Steve, you look tired and hungry. Can I offer you leftovers?" Laura asked.
"What do you have?" he asked.
"Wakanda's version of BBQ ribs," Clint answered as he entered the living room. "We even have potato salad and onion rings, which aren't half bad. I have to doff my hat to them."
"I found the place by asking one of the Dora Miljae where she likes to pack on some calories after working out," said Natasha, who was sipping a beer.
"Sounds delicious," he smiled.
He looked for a dining table, saw one, and sat down. Clint and Natasha joined him.
"What's the plan, Cap?" asked Clint.
"We are surrounded by three Hydra Bases. My plan is for three teams to hit the bases, gather intel, and diminish capabilities," he said. "The biggest base is in Nigeria. It's the most important one and the one we will hit. Air strips and planes need to be taken out, as well it acting as the forward operating base."
"Sounds like a party," smiled Clint.
"I thought that was my line," said Natasha. "How many on a team?"
"I was thinking our team would be a maximum of ten," he said then he looked at Natasha. "I need you to help me fill out the team. You spar with the Dora Miljae."
"We can use them?" asked Natasha.
"Yup," nodded Steve.
"Okay," smiled Natasha. "I feel better about this. The are more than competent warriors."
"They're good?" asked Clint.
"Think amazons," smirked Natasha.
"I always wanted to fight with amazons," chuckled Clint.
AVENGERS
The stealth helicopter flew low to the ground. Steve had already given everyone their orders. Natasha and Clint were a team. She collected the intel and he protected her back. Steve and the Dora Miljae did the rest, which included setting up laser targets for drones to destroy air strips and planes. As they got close to the base, Steve looked at his team. He smiled at Natasha then gave the thumbs up and jumped out of the helicopter.
Coming out of a tuck and roll, Steve began his work. According to the Dora Miljae he took out nine soldiers to everyone they took out. He was a man obsessed with his body and shield acting as a lethal weapon. By the time they reached the helicopter for exfil and the drones began their work, the Hydra Base was diminished just as Steve planned.
Once on the helicopter, Steve checked his team. One Dora Miljae was injured with a bullet through her side. She was being treated by one of the other Dora Miljae. Other than that everyone was fine. Steve looked at Natasha, who gave him a thumbs up. Clint was wiping the black off his face with wet wipes. The mission went better than he expected.
"Well done," he said.
"They weren't expecting it," said Natasha.
"It went better than I thought it would," added Clint.
"Let's hope we have some good intel," said Steve.
"Captain," one of the Dora Miljae spoke up.
Steve looked at her.
"It was an honor to fight with you," she said.
"The honor was mine," smiled Steve.
AVENGERS
According to the intel Hydra and AIM had planned a series of weapons using vibranium. They were to be used against ships and helicarriers, as well as whatever tech Stark could come up with. T'Challa was disgusted by these weapons. He looked at Steve, who sat at the conference table waiting for him to finish up his review. Also at the table was his military advisers.
"We cannot allow any vibranium to be stolen, sold illegally, or smuggled," he said. "The consequences would be devastating."
"Yes, your highness," responded the group.
"Steve, I need your overview of our defenses," he stated. "If things can be made better I want them made better."
"I can give you that in twenty-four hours, sire," said Steve.
"I do not intend to let Hydra have a victor using Wakanda or anything from Wakanda," T'Challa said. "We will send a diplomatic team to the UN to fight for sanctions against Sokovia. Also, we shall send diplomatic teams to make allies with the US and EU. Our days of isolation are almost over because of the Red Skull. Are there any objections?"
"Your highness, we support you," said his chief adviser.
"I also want to reach a hand out to Nigeria and the other African countries that house Hydra Bases," said T'Challa. "It is time to become a leader in this region, which means we need to prepare to offer aid to these other nations. We may even offer military aid to these nations."
"The military should be part of those negotiations, sire," added his chief adviser.
"I agree," nodded T'Challa. "Let us reconvene tomorrow."
The meeting was over. Steve waited until the room thinned then he approached T'Challa.
"Sire, I'd like to let Clint Barton review my recommends of your defenses. He's a sniper, nicknamed Hawkeye. He doesn't miss anything," said Steve.
"Use whatever personnel you need to use, Steve," said T'Challa.
"Thank you, sire," said Steve.
"If I have to go to Washington DC, I will expect you to be with me as one of my top advisers," said T'Challa.
"Anything you need," said Steve. "I should get to work."
Steve turned to leave when T'Challa stopped him.
"Dora Miljae are praising you as a leader and warrior. You impressed them, which is not easy to do," smiled T'Challa. "They say that all you are missing is claws."
"Claws?" asked Steve.
"Yes, my suit has claws," chuckled T'Challa. "It is a compliment."
"Well, they were a great team to lead," he said.
"Well done, Captain," nodded T'Challa. "You are the man I thought you were."
"Thank you, sire," Steve said then he started to leave again.
"Oh, Steve," T'Challa stopped him again.
Steve turned.
"This time when we go to the US I expect you to show me a good time," T'Challa said.
"Bring your Black Panther gear and I will," said Steve.
"Now that sounds like a good time," laughed T'Challa.