𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐆𝐍𝐀𝐍𝐓 𝐁𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐄 ~ 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐤

Part 32

"What are we going to do about this?"You asked Tony as you watched the news report of a burning building and the people that died in the fire.

"For now, nothing. We'll issue a statement, and lay low for some time. And cancel all missions."

"Wanda won't come out of her room."You told him, a frown on your face. "I'm worried for her. It's been a week."

"And you need to stop worrying so much. We're here, too. We'll take care of her. It's not only your responsibility."

Only a couple of weeks later, the team was gathered around the table after the visit of Thaddeus Ross, Secretary of State. As far as you could gather, the United Nations have made the Accords in which Avengers would be under the supervision of United Nations and therefore, would not be a private organization anymore.

You were sat on a chair as Rhodey and Sam were arguing. Steve was reading the Accords.

"Secretary Ross has a Congressional Medal of Honor, which is one more than you have." Rhodey said.

"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 asked.

"A 117 countries want to sign this. 117, Sam, and you're just like, "No, that's cool. We got it. "."

"How long are you going to play both sides?"

Vision spoke up in that moment, making both men turn towards him."I have an equation."

"Oh, this will clear it up." Sam sarcastically said.

"In the eight years since Mr. Stark announced himself as Iron Man, the number of known enhanced persons has grown exponentially. And during the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commensurate rate."

Steve looked at him. "Are you saying it's our fault?"

"I'm saying there may be a causality. Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict... breeds catastrophe. Oversight... oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand."

"Boom." Rhodey said.

Natasha looked at Tony, who was laid on the couch. He was quiet the whole time. "Tony. You are being uncharacteristically non-hyper-verbal."

"It's because he's already made up his mind." Steve said.

"Boy, you know me so well." Tony said as he got up and winced, rubbing his back."Actually, I'm nursing an electromagnetic headache."He walked to the kitchen, passing by you and grabbing a mug. "That's what's going on, Cap. It's just pain. It's discomfort."His face changed into a one of disgust. "Who's putting coffee grounds in the disposal? Am I running a bed and breakfast for a biker gang?"He put his phone in a basket and tapped on it. The phone projected an image of a smiling young man. Tony looked down at it, then back up."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. 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. 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."

The whole team shared knowing looks and you looked down. You couldn't say anything, as this didn't concern you.

"He wanted to make a difference, I suppose. I mean, we won't know because we dropped a building on him while we were kicking ass." Tony took some pill with some coffee, then faced the others."There's no decision-making process here. We need to be put in check! Whatever form that takes, I'm game. If we can't accept limitations, if we're boundary-less, we're no better than the bad guys."

"Tony, someone dies on your watch, you don't give up." Steve said, making everybody look at him.

"Who said we're giving up?"

"We are if we're not taking responsibility for our actions. This document just shifts the blames."

Rhodey spoke up."I'm sorry, Steve. That - that is dangerously arrogant. This is the United Nations we're talking about. It's not the World Security Council, it's not SHIELD, it's not HYDRA."

"No, but it's run by people with agendas, and agendas change."

Tony spoke. "That's good. That's why I'm here. When I realized what my weapons were capable of in the wrong hands, I shut it down and stop manufacturing."

"Tony, you chose to do that. If we sign this, we surrender our right to choose. What if this panel sends us somewhere we don't think we should go? What if there is somewhere we need to go, and they don't let us? We may not be perfect, but the safest hands are still our own."

"If we don't do this now, it's gonna be done to us later. That's the fact. That won't be pretty."

"You're saying they'll come for me."Wanda said.

"We would protect you." Vision assured her.

"Maybe Tony's right."Natasha said and Tony looked at her, surprised. "If we have one hand on the wheel, we can still steer. If we take it off -"

"Aren't you the same woman who told the government to kiss her ass a few years ago?" Sam asked.

"I'm just... I'm reading the terrain. We have made... some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back."

"Focus up. I'm sorry, did I just mishear you or did you agree with me?" Tony asked.

"Oh, I want to take it back now."

"No, no, no. You can't retract it. Thank you. Unprecedented. Okay, case closed--I win."

Steve's phone buzzed, and he pulled it out to check it. You noticed his face change and he got up, sharply, then dropped the Accords on the table."I have to go."He said and quickly walked away.

Later that day, you were sat in the living room when Steve walked in, carrying a suitcase. You looked at him in confusion. "You going somewhere?"

"Yes. To Vienna."

Your lips parted at his answer. "You're going to-"

"To sign the Accords. Yes. As Nat told me, staying together is more important than how we stay together."

You offered him a smile and nodded your head. "See you when you get back, Cap."