Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
AN1: Thank you for the incredible response to this story. So I might not be able to update tomorrow because there is a part of the next chapter that isn't written even though I have written the five chapters that follow.
June 17th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Afternoon.
"Tony? You wanted to see me?" Rhodey asks, wheeling into the lab.
"Yes, yep, I did." Tony responds, turning to look at his friend, as he does Rhodey notice just how big the bags are under his friends' eyes.
"Are you okay?" Rhodey asks concerned.
"Fine." Tony says, "I have another, improved, version of my device to help you walk again. They're even more customized to your specific needs and should be easier for you to use. Would you like to give them a try?" he asks Rhodey.
"Sure."
"Great. Let's head down to the room." Tony says and Rhodey nods.
A few minutes later Tony and Rhodey arrive in the room that Tony has been calling the rehab room in his head.
"What do I need to know?" Rhodey asks once they are in the room.
"Just to take it slow. They should respond better, but they may not work perfectly." Tony says as he walks over and attaches the device to Rhodey.
"Okay." Rhodey says as Tony moves him over to between the parallel bars.
"When you're ready, try to stand." Tony says to his friend.
"Okay." Rhodey responds and after spending a couple of minutes collecting himself Rhodey puts a hand on each of the bars and pulls himself up to a standing position.
"How does that feel?" Tony asks his friend.
"Better than the others, more comfortable." Rhodey admits.
"Good, that's good." Tony says, "Try and take steps when you're ready." Tony suggest and after pausing for a few minutes Rhodey takes a hesitant step, and then once he manages to do that he takes another, and then another.
"Wow." Rhodey says, feeling amazed and then he continues to take steps, with a bit more confidence.
"So, how do they feel?" Tony asks, wanting to make sure that he is really helping his friend.
"Good, really good." Rhodey says, taking a few more steps, without holding onto the bars, "But I think I have to rest a minute." He admits.
"Okay, okay." Tony says quickly hurrying to get Rhodey his wheelchair before bringing it over to his friend. Once He has Rhodey slowly lowers himself into his chair, "So, there's still room for improvement, and I can change anything you need me to change."
"Tony, they're good." Rhodey assures his friend, "So much more amazing than I was expecting. Thank you Tony." He says, sincerely.
"There's no need to thank me." Tony assures him and the two of them drift into silence.
"So, I talked to Hope last night." Rhodey reveals.
"Oh?" Tony asks, giving his friend a look.
"She said everything's on schedule." Rhodey says, purposely avoiding the look, "So, she should be here before long."
"That's good. The sooner she's here the better." Tony says.
"Yeah." Rhodey confirms.
"I'm pretty sure that we have different reasons for thinking that." Tony says with a teasing smile, causing Rhodey to just give an annoyed look back.
"Have you heard from Mel since she went back to S.H.I.E.L.D?" Rhodey asks curious, purposely changing the subject.
"No." Tony realises, with a frown, "It's been days."
"We would have heard if she wasn't okay, wouldn't we?" Rhodey asks, there being worry in his voice.
"Yeah, we would have." Tony says, though he still looks concerned, "Think you're ready to try standing again?" he asks, wanting to distract them both from the worry they are feeling.
"Sure." Rhodey says and he once he attempts to stand and walk, while worrying about Melinda.
Hours later, having spent most of his time with Rhodey watching him take hesitant steps, Tony is in his office. As he sits Tony can't help but remember the conversation he and Rhodey had, as well as remembering the last thing Melinda said before she left the compound, and so, even though he knows it is a risk, Tony pulls his phone and calls Melinda's number.
"Hi." Melinda's voice answers after a couple of rings.
"Mel, how are you? Are you okay?" Tony answers worried.
"I'm not hurt." Melinda answers, pain in her voice.
"But you're not okay." Tony realises.
"No. A member of my team was killed, sacrificed himself actually." Melinda corrects, not wanting or truthfully able to talk about what happened to Andrew over the phone.
"Damn, I'm sorry Mel." Tony says sadly, it being clear that he means that.
"Yeah, he stopped the devil, and no I'm not exaggerating, but he died in the process." Melinda reveals.
"Okay we'll be talking about that next time we see each other." Tony says, being confused, "And damn, that's not fair."
"No, it's not."
"I guess now's a bad time to ask whether you've given any thought to the offer I made you." Tony assumes.
"I can't think about that right now, Tony. Not yet." Melinda admits.
"Okay. Let me know when you do get a chance." Tony requests.
"I will." Melinda responds, "I should go."
"Yeah." Tony responds.
"Bye Tony."
"Bye Mel."
They both respond before hanging up.
June 20th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Morning.
After being up most the right working on altering the Accords and his plan to get Ross fired Tony is in desperate need for coffee before he does what else he plans to do and as he makes his way for to the kitchen he notices something.
"Nat? What are you doing?" Tony asks his friend as by looks of things Natasha is running around the base.
"Aren't you a genius? Shouldn't you know?" Natasha asks as she stops running and walks along with Tony.
"It looks like you're running around the compound, I'm just not exactly sure why." Tony admits.
"I'm going a little stir crazy." Natasha admits, "That helps."
"I've almost finished what I need to get rid of Ross. I'm just waiting to hear back from the United Nations about a hearing." Tony explains to Natasha, "You should have that thing off your ankle soon."
"Hopefully." Natasha responds.
"I'm going to see Laura and the kids today. Is there anything you want me to take, or say?" Tony asks curious.
"Just that I miss them, and that I'll visit when I can." Natasha admits, then smirks as she gets an idea, "Race you to the kitchen?" she says before starting to run.
"Oh, you're so on." Tony says before chasing after her, not even caring about how stupid they must look.
June 20th 2016. Barton Farm.
Mid-Morning.
After racing Natasha to the kitchen Tony spent a little while longer at the compound, finishing what he had to do, before getting in one of his suits and making his way to the Barton farm.
"TONY." Two excited voices yell the second he lands.
"Hi, Cooper, Lila. Where's your Mom and brother?" Tony asks as he exits the suits.
"Inside." Cooper answers and the three of them head towards the house
"Did you bring presents from Auntie Nat again?" Lila asks curious.
"Not this time." Tony answers, "But she hopes to see you soon."
"When?" Cooper asks curious.
"I'm not exactly sure, but it shouldn't be too long." Tony admits.
"What about Daddy?" Lila asks, "When will he come home?"
"I don't know." Tony says sadly, feeling bad about letting down the kids.
"MOM, Tony's here." Cooper calls as they walk inside.
"Hi." Laura says from walking out from the kitchen, looking glad to see him as even though it's only been a week since his first visit, and he's visited one other time since then, Tony has answered the phone every time she called, no matter the time, and even though she felt bad about bothering him he assured her that she wasn't being a problem.
"Hey." Tony responds, walking over to Laura, "So there's a fair in a town not fair form here. I was thinking that it would be something that the kids would like to do. If that's okay with you." Tony explains to Laura, honestly feeling a little worried that he is overstepping.
"I think that's a good idea." Laura says, being pretty sure that the kids deserve something fun, "What do you two think?" she asks Lila and Cooper, "Do you want to go?"
"Yes!" Cooper says excited.
"Please!" Lila adds, sounding just as excited as her big brother.
"When can we go?" Cooper asks.
"There's a few things I need to do around here first, so not for a little while." Laura admits.
"How can I help?" Tony asks.
"Tony, you don't…." Laura starts to say.
"Don't even start, I want to help." Tony assures Laura.
"My dishwashers broken." Laura admits, "If it wasn't too much could…."
"Sure. I can take a look." Tony assures her.
"Thank you." Laura says gratefully.
"Not a problem."
"And you two, I don't think we can go anywhere until your rooms are clean." Laura tells her two oldest children.
"Yes Mom." Cooper and Lila say before hurrying downstairs, leaving Tony, Laura and Nathaniel who is in his playpen downstairs, all of them, even Tony, looking forward to going to the fair.
June 20th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Night.
Arriving back at the compound after spending the day with the Barton family Tony is a little surprised to find Natasha playing chess against Vision in the lounge while Rhodey watches on.
"Are you seriously playing chess against an Artificial Intelligence?" Tony asks curious as he sits down next to Rhodey.
"Yep, it's actually fun." Natasha comments, "You actually provide a challenge." She tells Vision.
"Thank you Natasha, you provide a challenge too." Vision responds.
"How long have they been playing?" Tony asks Rhodey curious.
"At least an hour." Rhodey responds, "It's actually been an amusing sight."
"Huh." Tony says, looking interested.
"How's Laura? How's the kids?" Natasha asks, not even looking away from the chess board.
"They're doing okay." Tony answers, "We went to a fair." Tony reveals, causing Rhodey to look at him in surprise.
"You went to a fair with three kids?" Rhodey asks surprised.
"Yeah, Cooper and Lila had a good time, I think even Nathaniel did too, it was actually fun." Tony admits, surprising everyone.
"Wow."
"Check Mate." Vision says, "You put up a good game."
"So did you." Natasha responds.
"Okay, my turn." Tony says, standing up, "Let's see if you can beat your old man." He comments as Natasha gets up and moves out of the way and he takes her empty seat.
"This is going to be good." Natasha comments to Rhodey.
"Yep, it is." Rhodey confirms and he and Natasha make themselves comfortable watching Vision and Tony play chess.
June 24th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Early Morning.
"Okay, since when does Tony ever call a meeting this early?" Natasha asks Rhodey as the two of them, and Vision, make their way to the conference room.
"He doesn't." Rhodey responds as he pushes his chair, as even though he has gotten better with the device Tony made him he's not completely ready to use them all the time, "Whatever's going on must be big."
"Would have to be." Natasha admits as they walk into the conference room where there is not just Tony waiting but T'Challa waiting.
"Your Majesty." Natasha says, sounding surprised.
"Miss Romanoff." T'Challa responds as Natasha, Vision and Rhodey sit down at the table.
"Coffee for all." Tony says, putting coffee down in front of everyone.
"What's going on, Tone?" Rhodey asks his best friend.
"We've got the meeting with the UN, today." Tony reveals.
"The one about Ross?" Natasha asks, actually managing to feel hopeful.
"Yep. Kitty here and I are going to give all the evidence we have against Ross, and introduce a motion on behalf of both The Avengers and Wakanda." Tony explains.
"What kind of motion?" Rhodey asks curious.
"To make it so that Thaddeus E. Ross has no role connected to the Sokovia Accords, which will likely result in him being removed from the role of Secretary of State." T'Challa explains.
"Do you think that's even going to be possible?" Natasha asks.
"We have a lot of evidence against him, it should be enough." Tony explains, "If we manage to make it so Ross has nothing to do with the Accords then we'll be able to stat the altering process." Tony explains, "Of course that will also mean that, if all goes to plan, you'll have that thing of your ankle in a matter of hours." He tells Natasha.
"Don't get ahead of yourself." Natasha tells him, "When's the meeting?"
"Ten, at UN headquarters." Tony answers, "T'Challa and I are going in as a united front that should play in our favour."
"It will." Rhodey comments, knowing that.
"Our intention is to make it clear that Ross being corrupt doesn't mean that the Accords are bad. Which is why we're going to explain some of the chances that the five of us have agreed on recently." Tony says, "Use it as evidence that we're not doing all this as just a reason to get rid of the Accords. If the committee were to think that was our reason then chances are they would be less likely to get rid of Ross, which is what we need."
"So, if you two succeed today, then…." Natasha starts to say.
"We'll be one step closer to making the accords something better, maybe a step closer to giving some kids their fathers back." Tony says.
"As Miss Romanoff said, we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves, though that is one of our goals." T'Challa admits, "But it may not be up to us. For us to give Mr Barton and Mr Lang's children back their fathers they will likely have to agree to the New Accords, or completely retire."
"Which may not be something either of them agree to." Natasha realises, not being able to help her frown.
"Exactly." Tony says, "That's one of biggest problems, but for now I'm focusing on getting thought today. Once today's done we can move on to what we have to do next." Tony explains, and as he does T'Challa checks his watch.
"We should go." T'Challa informs Tony.
"Right, see you all later."
"Good Luck." Rhodey says as Tony and T'Challa walk out, "Think they're going to be able to pull this off?" Rhodey asks once the door closes behind Tony and T'Challa.
"I think they've got a chance, and that may just be enough." Natasha admits and the three of them drift into silence.
June 24th 2016. United Nations Headquarters.
Mid-Morning
Not long after their conversation with Rhodey, Natasha and Vision Tony and T'Challa are sitting in the front row of the United Nations Panel room.
"King T'Challa, Mr Stark, I understand that you have a presentation to give." The speaker says.
"Yes, we do." Tony says as he and T'Challa get up and head to the podium, both holding the folders of their evidence.
"Good Moring esteemed members of the council, thank you for allowing us to speak today." T'Challa greats.
"Today King T'Challa and myself will give evidence against Thaddeus E. Ross detailing multiple counts of violating of human rights as well as laws, both federal and international." Tony reveals, causing muttered conversation to break out among the delegates, "We will also be putting forth a proposition to remove Secretary Ross from having any role relating to the Sokovia Accords."
"Mr Stark, King T'Challa those are serious accusations to make." One of the Delegates informs them.
"We are aware of that, but given the evidence that Mr. Stark and myself have compiled we feel comfortable in doing so." T'Challa explains.
"Very well, explain your evidence." The Delegate says and Tony and T'Challa do just that.
It takes almost four hours, partially thanks to all the interruptions they got, including a lunch break, but finally Tony and T'Challa are able to finish explaining all the evidence they have against Ross.
"Mr Stark, King T'Challa, I cannot deny that your evidence against Secretary Ross is compelling, but how do we know that this isn't a way for you to make the Sokovia Accords Void?" one of the delegates asks.
"Well I could point out that King T'Challa and I were two of the first to sign the accords, but that's not all." Tony, "For several weeks now King T'Challa and I have been working with the members of the Avengers who signed the accords to come up with changes we would like to make, changes to make the Accords more effective." Tony reveals, "We feel that the Accords are important. The Avengers should have supervision and we shouldn't be above the law. It's Secretary Ross we have a problem with, not the Accords." Tony reveals.
"My father's intention was to make the Accords a good thing for this world, and I believe they can be, but not if Secretary Ross has anything to do with them, not after all the things he's done, the evidence we have provided you with today." T'Challa explains.
"Very well." The Speaker says, "I believe we can take a vote, "All in favour of removing Secretary Ross from his current role in regards to the accords?"
Holding his breath Tony isn't at all surprised to see T'Challa raising his hand, voting yes on behalf of his country, but as he looks around and sees other hands raise too he feels relief, relief that is only increased when more than half the room vote yes.
"Motion passed." The speaker says, "Secretary Ross will be removed from having any roll in regards to the Sokovia Accord."
"With the motion being passed and the evidence that King T'Challa and I gave I would like to request that Natasha Romanoff's punishment be made void and for the tracking bracelet to be removed from her ankle." Tony requests.
"Granted."
"Thank you." Tony says, feeling glad about that.
"You'll need this." Someone says, handing Tony the way to get the tracker off Natasha's ankle.
"Mr. Stark, King T'Challa, as you both have ideas about what the Accords should look like this council is giving the two of you, as well as the other Avengers who have signed, four months to come up with an alternative version of the Accords. On Monday the twenty fourth of October you will present these new Accords to this council for assessment and voting, until this point you, and any Avengers including Captain Rogers and his team, who are still considered fugitives, will sign and follow, the current accords or face the consequences. Do you both agree?"
"Yes Sir." Tony answers.
"Of course Sir. Thank you." T'Challa responds.
"Good, dismissed." The person say says and Tony and T'Challa head out of the room.
"We really did it." Tony says relieved once he and T'Challa are out of the room.
"That we did. I believe the council may have more faith in our judgement, which should make the approval of the changes we would like to make to the accords easier." T'Challa responds.
"Hopefully." Tony says, "I know you're busy, but do you have to get home right away?"
"Not necessarily." T'Challa answers, "Why do you ask?"
"Would you like to come back to the Compound? It would be my pleasure to show you around properly and of course I would insist that you stay for dinner." Tony offers.
"I would very much like that." T'Challa responds.
"Great." Tony says with a smile and they both leave T'Challa feeling that there may be a lot more to Tony Stark than meets the eye, and honestly he is very much looking forward to getting to know the different sides.
As they step out of the United Nations headquarters neither Tony nor T'Challa are surprised to be greeted by a lot of reporters, but neither are phased by them either, they both have too much experience.
June 24th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Afternoon.
As Tony and T'Challa arrive back at the Avengers Compound Tony isn't at all surprised to find the others waiting for them.
"So, how'd it go?" Rhodey says as soon as he sees them.
"Ankle up." Tony comments, looking at Natasha.
"You got rid of Ross." Natasha realises, as she puts her leg up on one of the chairs.
"Yep." Tony answers as he starts to disengage the tracker on Natasha's leg, "We also have four months to come up with an altered version of the Accords, all in all I think it was a good day." He comments.
"That's more than good. It's great." Rhodey says with a smile.
"You're free." Tony tells Natasha, "You can leave, go anywhere you want, for however long you want." He tells Natasha, who realises what he is really saying.
"I'm not going anywhere." Natasha informs Tony, "Well not counting visiting the Barton Family of course." She adds.
"Really?" Tony asks, there being some level of disbelief in his voice.
"Really." Natasha assures him.
"Cool." Tony says, trying to keep his voice casual, "So, I got King Kitty here to stay for a dinner and a tour."
"We'll be glad to have you Your Majesty." Rhodey comments.
"Please call me T'Challa outside of formal occasions." T'Challa requests.
"Of course."
"So, where would you like to see first?" Tony asks curious.
"Wherever I am very much interested to see your entire Compound." T'Challa admits.
"Okay, how about we start with the labs." Tony suggests.
"I would like that." T'Challa responds.
"Okay, anyone who is joining in on the tour, follow me." Tony requests as he starts to walk and after exchanging looks Rhodey, Natasha and Vision follow Tony and T'Challa and the group of five spend the rest of the afternoon showing T'Challa around the compound before they sit down to an enjoyable dinner together.
June 25th 2016. Avengers Compound.
Early Morning.
While on her way to the gym to do her usual morning training Natasha walks past the lab and as she does she can't help but frown as she notices something as she looks through the windows.
Knowing what she has to do Natasha walks into the lab and over to the work desk where Tony is asleep next to the leg braces that Tony has been working on for Rhodey.
"Tony." Natasha says, gently shaking the genius awake, "Tony, wake up." She says, shaking him with a bit more force.
"Huh? What? What's going on?" Tony asks as he sits up, still looking asleep.
"You fell asleep in your lab, again." Natasha informs him, "Have you slept in a bed since you got out of medical?" she asks curious.
"I'm fine." Tony says, wiping his eyes.
"That doesn't answer my question." Natasha tells him, "You actually need to get some proper sleep."
"I will, once I've done everything I have to." Tony responds.
"If you wait until you have to do everything then you're never going to sleep." Natasha says as she sits on the edge of the table, "You can't do everything alone. I may not be a genius but I can help you, if you let me."
"Help by betraying me again?" Tony asks and the second he speaks he winces as he realises what he said, "Sorry, that wasn't fair."
"That's exactly why you need to actually rest." Natasha informs him, not letting it show that that actually stung, "Look, I'm going to go spend the day with Laura and the kids today, you should come." Natasha says, "It will give you a chance to get away from all this, get away from the lab, The Accords, worrying about what Ross is going to do in retaliation, everything. It could be just what you need and then tonight you're going to go to bed early even if I have to lock you out of this lab myself." Natasha informs him.
"Do you really think you can?" Tony asks, giving her a look.
"I think you should know not to test me." Natasha responds simply.
"Good point." Tony admits, "When are you leaving?"
"Nine." Natasha answers.
"Okay. I think I can get away for a day." Tony responds.
"Good." Natasha says before getting up and heading to he door.
"Nat." Tony says and she turns back around, "You were going to get me to go whether or not I agreed, weren't you?"
"Of course I was." Natasha says before walking out of the lab, causing Tony to give an amused laugh as she goes.
June 25th 2016. Wakanda
Afternoon.
Having seen something on the news that he feels the others should see Clint is going searching though the rooms that T'Challa gave them, trying to find the others. As he has found both Scott and Wanda it is only Sam and Steve that Clint is looking for.
"There you two are." Clint says, walking out into a garden area and finding Steve and Sam.
"Something wrong?" Steve asks concerned.
"There's something you should see." Clint says before heading back inside, causing Steve and Sam to exchange looks before heading inside too.
As they walk inside Steve and Sam find Scott and Wanda looking just as confused as they feel.
"This has played several times today. I recorded it the last time it was on." Clint says before pressing play.
As Clint presses play Tony and T'Challa, clearly standing in front of reporters come on screen.
"Are they in front of UN headquarters?" Sam asks as that's what it looks like to him.
"Yep." Clint confirms.
"Today King T'Challa and myself came to the United Nations to give evidence against Secretary Ross. Evidence of the crimes he has committed, and the rights he has violated. This includes locking up several former Avengers in a facility that wasn't authorized to be used, in conditions that violated their basic human rights." Tony reveals.
"He's talking about us." Scott realises, sounding surprised.
"Due to this evidence the United Nations has decided to remove Secretary Ross form his roll relating to the Sokovia Accords, he'll have nothing more to do with their management or enforcement." Tony reveals.
"What does this mean for the Accords? Will they be revoked?" A reporter asks, causing those in Wakanda to exchange looks.
"No. Mr Stark and I believe that The Sokovia Accords are important and we have been given four months to propose an Altered version of the accords. Something that we will be working on together with the help of the other Avengers who have signed the current accords." T'Challa explains.
"What kind of changes?"
"We aren't ready to reveal those changes yet. Excuse us." Tony says before he and T'Challa walk out of frame as they do Clint turns off the TV.
"Tony got rid of Ross." Steve says, sounding surprised.
"New guy here, is that good?" Scott asks confused.
"Yes." Sam answers, "It's good and very big too." He says, sounding amazed.
"But he's still fighting for the accords." Steve says with a frown, "When will he see that they're not the answer?" he asks.
"Who knows." Sam says, looking far from happy, though he can't help but wonder just what the new accords will say.
"What changes do you think Stark and T'Challa are going to make to them?" Clint asks curious, actually being interested.
"I don't know, but whatever they are they won't be good enough." Steve says and the group drift into silence.
June 25th 2016. Barton Farm.
Lunchtime.
As there are two of them traveling to the farm Natasha and Tony have elected to take one of the smaller jets which Natasha has perfectly landed in one of the paddocks.
"You're really excited." Tony notes as he and Natasha head towards the house, being a little surprised.
"Yeah, I am." Natasha admits, "Clint's family are important to me. I like spending time with them."
"It's a good look on you." Tony admits, smiling at Natasha.
"Thanks Tony." Natasha responds, also responding with a small smile as they continue to walk towards the house in silence.
"AUNTIE NAT."
"TONY."
Two excited voices yell as Cooper and Lila come running up to them, Laura, holding Nathaniel walking up behind them.
"Hey Kid." Tony says, feeling quite surprised as Cooper hugs him, while Lila jumps up to Natasha's arms.
"I've missed you Auntie Nat." Lila informs.
"I've missed you to." Natasha tells the young girl as she holds her close.
"What about me?" Cooper asks.
"Yeah, Cooper. I've missed you to." Natasha says, reaching out and ruffling his hair.
"Can you build us the tire swing again? Mom won't." Lila says, sounding annoyed in the kind of way that only a kid can pull off.
"I think that's up to your Mom, if she says it's okay I will." Natasha says as she, Tony and the kids reach Laura and Nathaniel, "Hi." She says to Laura.
"Hi, it's really good to see you." Laura says, leaning forward and hugging Natasha, being careful of her son that she is holding and her daughter that Natasha is holding.
"You too." Natasha responds.
"Mom can Aunt Nat and Tony build us a tire swing for the lake?" Cooper asks, looking excited, as Nathaniel reaches out and tries to grab Natasha and so she reaches out and takes him so that she is holding Lila in one and Nathaniel in the other.
"I don't know; they might not have time." Laura comments, not wanting to be even more of a burden than she already feels she is being.
"We do." Tony answers before Natasha can say anything, "I'll be happy to if it's okay with you."
"Same." Natasha adds.
"Then sure." Laura answers, causing both her older children to look thrilled, "But first you're all going to eat the lunch I just finished, no arguments."
"Yes Mom." Copper and Lila say together.
"Yes Laura." Tony and Natasha respond, and they follow Laura into the house.
For the rest of the day Natasha and Tony spend time with the Barton children and as they do they find everything they're worrying about just slip away.