Chapter One
Soroya

I look outside the ship's window as we land in front of the palace, seeing my brothers waiting for us. I jump out of my seat and run down the ramp, flinging myself into the open arms of my brother. He hugs onto me tightly before letting go to do the same to Bucky, asking me over his shoulder: "Did you two have fun?"

I nod, hugging onto Khari, whose standing next to Alex with his spear out for balance. "The cabin was beautiful, we loved it. How have things been going here?"

"About as well as can be expected," Khari replies, letting go of me to embrace Bucky. "Everett has been gone as long as you two have, he's packing up for the move here and he's getting orders from Ross."

"What kind of orders?"

"The ones on how to run Wakanda. Ross wants to make it so Everett oversees everything decision made and act as an overseer to T'Challa. He called us early this morning and told us some of what Ross is planning."

Alex lets out a sigh, mumbling to himself: "I just want to punch that mustache right off his face."

"Don't we all," I reply with a sigh myself, turning my attention back to my brother in law. "Will it still just be Everett here in Wakanda?"

"I don't know. Everett did mention that the UN wants to set up border patrol outside the barrier, as well as security measures put in place for anyone coming into or leaving Wakanda. Everett said that's just the beginning of what Ross wants to do."

The bliss from my honeymoon has officially worn off. My tone comes off aggravated as I ask Khari: "Where's T'Challa?"

"He's in the throne room wrapping up with his meeting with the council. He's telling them about what Everett told us."

"Why aren't you up there with them?"

"The council is angry, there's nothing that will change that. We all want to help our country but there's nothing we can do." He says disappointedly.

I lean forward and place a soft kiss on his cheek, giving my brother in law a small smile. It's not much, but it's all I can give.

"I'm gonna go up there to see him. Why don't you three go back to the house and continue painting the kitchen. Aren't you almost done?"

Alex nods proudly. "Yes, I've proven myself to be a great artist."

Khari, an actual artist, chuckles to himself, mumbling to me: "This isn't the first time he's said this."

"Not surprising," I mumble back, walking past the boys towards the palace entrance. "Go be productive, I'll meet up with you soon."

"You just want to get out of painting!" Alex yells to me as I walk through the doors. I pretend not to hear him.

-

When I make it to the throne room, the meeting has ended. T'Challa is in the throne room with just Nakia and Shuri, all of whom look absolutely miserable. Their expressions lighten slightly though as they notice my presence. Shuri runs up to me and envelops me in a hug, her expression looking almost relieved.

She tells me why as she pulls back. "Thank god you're back. Alex has been pestering me to make a machine that will paint his house faster and he won't shut up about it."

So much for 'proving to be a great artist'. I chuckle to myself, giving her a reassuring look. "I'll talk to him. You have enough on your plate already, have the remaining agents given you anymore trouble?"

"They've left. According to Everett, he will be the only agent permanently relocating here. Except of course for the—"

"The border patrol? Khari told me. It makes me so mad. It feels like they're trying to babysit Wakanda."

T'Challa and Nakia walk up to me hand in hand, nodding along to what I just said, with T'Challa saying gravely; "We should be thankful it isn't worse. At least with Everett here we will be able to keep some semblance of power."

"I'm sorry there isn't anything I can do," I tell the three of them. "You should have seen Wakanda during the blip, it was one of the biggest providers of supplies and aid to the people affected by Thanos. Everyone worked together to help the world heal, it was everything you ever wanted. I hate that the UN is trying to undo the beautiful dream you and Khari had. It's wrong."

T'Challa lets go of Nakia's hand and steps closer to me, placing his hands on my shoulders. "You have done plenty, Soroya. You are a loyal citizen of Wakanda and we are all lucky to have you here. Your support is more than enough help. What's important now is for you to help track down the remaining HYDRA agents. Look at what Bauer was able to accomplish alone, if HYDRA isn't stopped then all we have worked towards will truly be gone."

I half heartedly smile at him, my gaze falling onto Nakia, more particularly her right hand. She's wearing a vibranium ring.

I look back up at T'Challa, watching his smile grow into a grin. I let out an excited squeal and fling my arms around his waist, pulling him in for a tight hug. I go to hug onto Nakia next, asking no one in particular: "When did this happen?"

"A few days ago," Nakia answers, pulling back from me to show me the ring. "We made Alex and Khari keep it secret because we wanted to surprise you."

"I am surprised! This is so incredible, I'm so happy for you. When are you thinking about getting married?"

"We need to wait until at least things settle down a little. Things are too chaotic right now."

"I have a feeling that isn't going to change. You shouldn't wait for things to get normal, they never do."

Nakia glances at her fiancé. "She has a point."

T'Challa smiles softly, glancing from her to me. "Just a few weeks for Everett and the border patrol to settle in, that won't take long. Besides, we can't get married without you and Bucky."

Nakia wraps her arms around my shoulders and leans the side of her head against mine. "Yeah, I can't get married without one of my bridesmaids."

I squeeze her waist, truly touched. "I'm honored."

Shuri comes over to Nakia and I, wrapping her arms around the two of us. "I'll miss you while you're gone." She whispers.

I lean my head against hers, whispering back: "I will, too, but it won't be forever."

I look over to T'Challa and gesture him over with my head. "Come on, get in here."

T'Challa joins in the group hug, and as I hug onto three of my closest friends, practically my family, I realize just how much I'm going to miss them while I'm gone. Who knows how long taking down the remnants of HYDRA will take. I hate being away from them, and being away from Wakanda. But that's the thing about family and about home, it's always there for you when you need it.

-

Before we went on our honeymoon, Thunderbolt Ross told us that he approved of our mission to track down the rest of HYDRA. He said he would have a list compiled of agents and officers unaccounted for and give it to Everett, who will be arriving in Wakanda sometime tomorrow. Ross said he wants to talk to us before we head out on our mission, and I'm worried about what he's going to say.

Bucky and I have been helping Alex and Khari paint their kitchen as we wait for Ross, and I find this act very therapeutic and calming. I certainly need to be calm if I'm going to deal with Ross.

After a little while of waiting, Ross finally calls my cellphone. The four of us crowd around the phone as I put it on speaker. Ross doesn't waste any time and gets right to the point.

"Roberts, I have given the list to Agent Ross, he will be arriving to your location shortly. As far as your request for Wilson to join you, I have three conditions; Major Walker must accompany you, Wilson has to sign the accords, and he must turn over Rogers' shield."

I glance at my husband, sharing an unspoken exchange of annoyance. I nod my head to the phone and shut my eyes, hating myself for agreeing to his demands. "Alright. I'll contact Sam."

"I expect results, Ms. Roberts. Major Walker will be reporting your every move, so don't think about doing anything funny. Before doing any arrests or searches you must contact me first, I want updates in your every move. Do I make myself clear?"

"Like crystal, sir. It's always a pleasure talking to you." I say to him, thankful that he hangs up the phone.

Alex takes the words right out of my mouth. "What a jackass."

"Unfortunately that jackass is our boss," Bucky says with a sigh, taking his own phone out and bringing it to his ear. "I'll talk to Sam, get him to agree to the terms."

"Do you think he will?" I ask him.

Bucky nods, kissing my cheek briefly. "He will, I'll make sure of it."

I turn my attention back to my brothers as Bucky leaves the kitchen to talk to Sam in private. "I'll call John and tell him we'll pick him up when we leave Wakanda."

Khari turns to his husband and smiles, sitting himself down on the chair behind the counter. "I'm feeling a bit tired, do you mind finishing up the painting?"

Hard to say no to a man with a bullet wound. Alex doesn't look to happy to finish painting by himself, but when he looks to me for sympathy, I give him a firm nod while saying: "You said yourself you've got the artist touch, you can handle finishing off your kitchen wall."

Alex picks up the paint brush and grumbles to himself as he begins painting, making Khari and I chuckle lowly.

I dial John's number and wait for the dial to ring, and as I wait, Alex turns around and flicks paint my way, snickering to himself in triumph.

I feel my nostrils flare, hear annoyance spring into my voice as I tell him: "You're lucky I won't fight back, because unlike you, I am a mature adult."

Alex replies by sticking his tongue out at me, to which I reply by doing the same.

"Yeah, real mature." Alex comments.

"Shut up."