Traveling guest: Than you. Indeed it will. You'll see. Oh yeah. It was hard for Tony to hear, but he does understand that he has a long way to go to earn Peter's trust. Indeed. You'll see soon enough.
TW: Almost.
Ellie Bishop: Yep. Poor George. Indeed, Peter's experiences in the previous story certainly opened his eyes about responsibility and trust. You'll see. Yep.
Barton Farm
Morning
"Wanda? Wanda!"
Wanda stirred, the voice waking her from… interesting dreams about a certain Winter Soldier. She opened her eyes, adjusting to the darkness, even as the sun began shining through the window in her attic room. Lila was standing at the foot of her bed, looking at her curiously.
"Why is your face all red? And you were making strange sounds, were you having a bad dream?" Lila asked innocently.
"Something like that," Wanda said awkwardly, not wanting to explain before realizing something. "What are you doing in here?"
"Dad said to wake you up, that he wants you to help him out with some chores this morning," Lila said and Wanda nodded.
It had been like this every day since she got here: she'd start the day helping Clint, sometimes Cooper would join them, then they'd have breakfast. She'd then help Laura make lunch, and then after they ate, she'd spend some time with the kids. Lila seemed to really take to her; Clint muttered something about her always wanting a sister. Cooper was a bit more wary than his sister but he seemed to warm up to her after a few days.
"Well, better get started then," Wanda noted as she threw the covers off, ready to start the day.
Berlin
Same time
In her apartment, Sharon Carter was eating breakfast when her phone rang. Pulling it out of her pocket, she frowned, recognizing the number before answering.
"Nat?"
"Hey, Sharon. Now a bad time?" Natasha asked on the other end.
"No, I don't have to head into work for another hour. What's up? I doubt this is a social call," Sharon noted.
"No, it's not. I know you're part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Berlin, how much sway do you have?" Natasha asked and Sharon frowned.
"I work closely with Everett Ross. Why, what's this about Nat?" Sharon inquired.
"I can't explain how I know this, but at the signing of The Sokovia Accords in Vienna, there's gonna be an attempted terrorist attack. A bomb is going to be delivered to a power station outside the city," Natasha explained and Sharon was silent.
"Not a whole lot to go on Nat," Sharon pointed out.
"I know, I wish I could explain more, but the man behind this is going to kill a lot of people if you don't," Natasha explained and Sharon sighed.
"I'll see what I can do. Is there anything else you can tell me about the man orchestrating this?" Sharon inquired her mind racing.
"His name is Helmut Zemo, he was part of a Sokovian Black Ops team before Ultron attacked it. He'll be at a hotel in Austria before the attack," Natasha explained.
"With just a few days, not a lot of time, but we'll keep a look out for him, thank you," Sharon said before pausing. "So, how's Cap?"
"Good. He's good. He and I are…" Natasha trailed off, trying to find the words and Sharon laughed.
"It's all right Nat, I know," Sharon said, surprising her.
"What?"
"Captain America and Black Widow are seen out on a date and you think people won't notice? Social Media's been blowing up about you two for weeks," Sharon said with a laugh.
"You okay with that?" Natasha asked warily.
"Steve and I never really had a chance to be anything besides neighbors. Maybe in a different life…" Sharon trailed off before moving on. "But if you two make each other happy, that's all anyone can want."
"Thank you," Natasha said and it was silent for a moment.
"I'll see what I can do about Zemo. But it's not my call. I'll be in touch," Sharon said before hanging up, wondering how she would explain this to Everett.
Avengers Compound
Not long after
After her call with Sharon, Natasha made her way into the kitchen, finding Steve sitting at the island, staring into a cup of coffee.
"Must be a pretty interesting cup of coffee," Natasha noted as she approached Steve. "Everything ok?"
"Yeah. Just a lot on my mind. How'd your call with Sharon go?" Steve asked as he looked over at her.
"About what I expected, she promised to do everything she could to help but with only a few days before The Accords signing…" Natasha trailed off.
"It was our only option. We know Zemo will head there to plan the bombing, and with Ross showing up tomorrow, we're running out of time," Steve said and Natasha nodded with a sigh.
"She also knows about us, said she's happy for us," Natasha said and Steve looked surprised but didn't say anything. "Any regrets about not taking that road?"
"No. I'm sure she's great, but I don't think I was ready for a relationship back then. Besides, I got no complaints," Steve said, smiling at Natasha, who returned his smile.
"You know, you still have some time if you'd like to go see Peggy before…" Natasha trailed off and it was silent for a beat.
"I said goodbye to Peggy Carter over seventy years ago. And knowing what I know now, that she let Hydra into SHIELD…I'll always hold some affection for the woman I met, who had faith in me, in spite of her flaws. But the woman she became…is not someone I want to know," Steve finished before taking her hand. "And like I said, I have no regrets."
Natasha smiled slightly before leaning down, their lips meeting in a kiss.
Wakanda
Same time
In the throne room, T'Challa sat on his throne, having a meeting via hologram. Unfortunately for him, it was not with someone T'Challa particularly wanted to speak to, especially given the subject matter.
"Three months ago, when Wakanda was approached about the Sokovia Accords, Wakanda agreed they would sign," Ross said irritably.
"When my father was King. I am not my father," T'Challa said firmly. "And I will not support something I see as wrong, nor will I subject my people to it. This is not up for debate. If that is all, Secretary Ross? I am a busy man, as I'm sure you are."
T'Challa found some sense of amusement in how Ross's face turned red but he said nothing, no doubt realizing lashing out would not be a wise move.
"I can't say I'm not disappointed, but I will let the UN panel know Wakanda will not be supporting The Accords. I hope you see sense, Your Highness," Ross said before the hologram faded.
T'Challa put a hand to his head, sighing. It had been almost a month since Lagos, and T'Challa knew the signing of The Accords was almost here. But that was far from his only problem.
T'Challa had sent his War Dogs to search for Killmonger. Unfortunately, they could not seem to find him. Which was concerning, but T'Challa knew where Killmonger would strike first. For now, unfortunately, all he could do was wait.
Barton Farm
Later that morning
Wanda held the axe in hand, using her powers to levitate the piece of wood onto the stump before bringing the axe down on it, cutting the piece of wood in two. Wanda smiled when she heard a voice speak up behind her.
"You definitely do it in a more…interesting way that I do," Clint noted as he walked up behind her.
"It helps me focus my powers. Wood is surprisingly easy to break. I put too much power into it and it blows up," Wanda explained and Clint nodded.
"Makes sense. So, Lila mentioned you were having a bad dream and that your face was red," Clint said, smirking as he saw Wanda flush. "Kind of like that."
"Lila talks too much," she muttered and Clint laughed.
"She does," Clint agreed. "So, you having dreams about Vision?"
"No. Not Vision," Wanda said awkwardly and it was silent for a moment.
"Oh," Clint awkwardly, trying to put his thoughts in order. "So…there's a new guy you like? Or is it girl?"
"Guy, it's a guy. I'm straight I guess is how'd you say it in this country. Can we please change the subject," Wanda almost pleaded, not wanting to talk about her dream about Bucky.
"Just…do you like him?" Clint asked awkwardly and Wanda was silent for a moment.
"I think I might…like him," Wanda said lamely and Clint was silent, gathering his thought.
"Not gonna tell you what to do. Just…make sure he's worth it before you start anything," Clint advised her.
"I think he is," Wanda said and Clint chuckled.
"What I mean is make you sure you know the kind of man he is. You don't wanna start something and then find out he's not who you think he is," Clint said.
Wanda frowned, thinking on this but, before she could respond, they heard Laura call out to them.
"Clint! You've got mail!"
"Duty calls," Clint joked and Wanda smiled.
Wanda went back to chopping wood/practicing her powers and Clint walked inside the house. As he walked in, he was surprised to see a package in the living room about half the size of the kitchen table.
"Who do you know from Wakanda?" Laura asked, taking Clint aback.
"That where it's from?" Clint walked over, seeing it did indeed have a Wakandian label on the side.
"Doesn't say who it's from, just that it's from Wakanda," Laura said with a shrug.
Clint frowned before opening it up. Inside was a briefcase made of metal. Taking it out, he saw a button on the side and pressed it. Immediately, the brief case opened. Clint stared, dumbfounded, at the Vibrainum bow and quiver full of Virbrainum arrows.
"I thought he was joking," Clint muttered to himself, remembering T'Challa promising to have a bow sent to him.
"Thought who was joking?" Laura asked in confusion.
Clint didn't answer, picking up the bow. It fit perfectly in his hands, he noted before spotting a piece of paper in the box. Picking it up, he found it was five words written in elegant hand writing.
'A king keeps his promises.'
Avengers Compound
Afternoon
Steve stood next to Natasha silently, watching as Bucky's Cryo-Chamber was loaded into a truck. He knew why it was necessary, but it still felt like a knife in his heart.
"Hey. It's only temporary Cap," Tony said from where he stood and Steve nodded silently.
"Thank you for doing this Tony. I know it's…difficult, given what happened," Steve said and Tony grimaced.
"He and I will never be friends, and I doubt I'll ever be completely okay with what he did. But last thing we want is Ross seeing we have the Winter Solider on ice. I'll keep him safe," Tony promised.
"I'll be sure to keep an eye on him too," Bruce said, walking over.
"Hey, it'll be good to have you around the mansion pal," Tony said, clapping Bruce on the shoulder.
"I'm just trying to stay away from Ross. I really don't want him knowing I'm back," Bruce said with a grimace.
"We understand. We'll try to keep it under wraps until we can find a way to deal with Ross," Natasha assured him.
"Either way, it starts tomorrow. Ross'll be dropping by to deliver his ultimatum about The Accords," Steve noted.
"And we'll be ready," Natasha promised, taking Steve's hand.
Something Bruce and Tony both noticed. Tony tried not to smirk but silently began planning all the teasing he would do later.
Bruce, on the other hand, was just happy Steve and Natasha had come to an understanding. At least one of them deserved to be happy, he thought, thinking of Betty with a sad pang.
"Either way, that's a problem for tomorrow," Bruce said and Steve nodded his agreement.
"Until tomorrow," Tony said as the workers finished loading Bucky's chamber into the truck.
And so, they began closing it up as Tony led Bruce over to his car. As the couple watched the car and truck drive away, beginning to make its way towards Tony's mansion, they all knew that things were just beginning.
Mostly a filler chapter, but it does set up the events of Civil War, which does finally start next chapter.