"So, you like cats?"

I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose at Sam's ice-breaker question to T'Challa. I'd learned his name not long after we had been taken into custody. "Sam."

"What? Dude shows up dressed like a cat and you don't wanna know more?"

"Truthfully, I'd rather not be in police custody right now, so yes, I'm not curious to know more about the man who suits up as a feline."

"Your suit...it's Vibranium?" Steve asked.

"The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda for generations," said T'Challa, completely ignoring my response. "A mantle, passed from warrior to warrior. And now, because your friend murdered my father, I also wear the mantle of king. So, I ask you...as both warrior and king...how long do you think you can keep your friend safe from me?"

Casting a side eye, I noticed Steve's tense posture.

I couldn't wait to leap out of the SUV once it stopped. Nearby, Bucky, who was stuck in some sort of pod contraption, was carried away via a forklift.

I know it wasn't you, I tried to tell Bucky. I didn't think my message got through, as I heard no reply and I saw no cringe movement to indicate my intrusion. We didn't get to you fast enough, but you didn't make it easy on us, either.

Steve moved forward, with me at his side, T'Challa and Sam on our flanks.

"What's gonna happen to him?" Steve asked aloud. We were heading towards Sharon and a man I had never met before. He was on the shorter side, his hair graying. I wasn't sure if he was an all-out enemy just yet, the jury was still out on that one.

"Same thing that ought to happen to you," said the short man. "Psychological evaluation and extradition."

"This is Everett Ross," Sharon said diplomatically. "Deputy Task Force Commander."

"What about our lawyer?" asked Steve.

"Lawyer," snorted Everett Ross. "That's funny. See their weapons are placed in lockup. Oh, we'll write you a receipt."

"I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that," Sam said warningly.

"I just got all of my gear," I protested. "I've barely broken any of it in!"

Begrudgingly, we followed Everett Ross and Sharon. Currently, we were walking across a sky walk. Natasha had decided to join us along the way. While she was a welcome face, I didn't appreciate that she wasn't on our side at the moment. I knew she was trying her best to be on the right side of things and all, but still.

"You'll be provided with an office instead of a cell," Ross told us. "Now, do me a favor, stay in it?"

"I don't intend on going anywhere," said T'Challa.

"For the record, this is what making things worse looks like," said Natasha.

"He's alive," said Steve.

While not being thrown in a cell was a plus, being watched still wasn't welcome. As we continued our trek across the covered sky walk, we came across Tony, who seemed to be a heated discussion on the phone near his ear.

"No," he was saying. "Romania was not Accords-sanctioned. And, Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup."

"Try not to break anything while we fix this," said Natasha.

"Consequences?" Tony continued his rather loud conversation. "You bet there'll be consequences. Obviously you can quote me on that 'cause I just said it. Anything else? Thank you, sir."

"Consequences?" I asked curiously once Tony finally ended his call.

"Secretary Ross wants you prosecuted. Had to give him something."

"I'm not getting that shield back, am I?" asked Steve.

"Technically, it's the government's property," said Natasha. "Wings, too."

"That's cold," said Sam.

"Warmer than jail," said Tony. "Can't believe you abused the extra wedding gifts I got you, Kia. You just got them."

"I wasn't abusing them. I would say 'thank you' but given things right now, it doesn't seem like the best time," I said stiffly.

"Well, I heard the words anyhow. You're welcome."

After some time, Natasha and Tony departed from us. T'Challa disappeared as well, though it was for the better. Sam ventured off somewhere, probably to see if he could negotiate getting his suit and wings back. I should've told him to try and negotiate my gear's freedom too.

"Too bad the bunker isn't at a bigger vacation destination," I said to Steve. "After all this is done, we could've gone sightseeing."

Steve didn't seem to appreciate my humor. I stood nearby in the glass-walled office, watching my husband look out at the control room. So many monitors kept an eye on so many things. I knew what Steve was looking for.

"Oh, good, you two aren't in the heat of anything," came Tony's greeting quip. I could barely smile at the moment. "Hey, you wanna see something cool? I pulled something from Dad's archives. Felt timely."

Steve took leave of his post and sat in one of the chairs at the desk. I remained standing near the glass wall, trying my hardest to not lean against it.

Tony dropped his coat on one of the chairs, producing an open, thin black box. In it were two pens that looked brand new.

"FDR signed the Lend-Lease bill with these in nineteen forty-one. Provided support to the Allies when they needed it most."

"Some would say it brought our country closer to war," said Steve, who didn't seem up for Tony's history lesson.

"See? If not for these, you wouldn't be here. I'm trying to...what do you call it? That's an olive branch." Tony took the seat across from Steve. "Is that what you call it?"

"Is Pepper here? I didn't see her."

I closed my eyes. Steve, stop trying to open a wound. I know you don't know, but why would you do this now?

Tony tensed slightly. "We're kinda...well, not kinda..."

"Pregnant?"

"No. Definitely not. We're taking a break. It's nobody's fault." Thanks for keeping the secret, firefly. He held no sarcasm in his voice, he genuinely knew that I hadn't told Steve a word. It was something Tony needed to say himself, anyhow.

"I'm so sorry, Tony. I didn't know." That was it, wasn't it, Kiara? Why you were so worried about him?

I worried about them both, but I hear from him more. I figured him checking in while we were away...

I know. You're a good friend to him.

It was something the two could agree on, at least.

"A few years ago, I almost lost her, so I trashed all my suits," said Tony. "Then, we had to mop up Hydra and then Ultron. And then, and then, and then, I never stopped. Because the truth is I don't wanna stop. I don't wanna lose her. I thought maybe the Accords could split the difference." No longer sitting, Tony began to pace in the office. I made room so I didn't get in his way. "In her defense, I'm a handful. Yet, Dad was a pain in the ass, but he and Mom always made it work."

I swallowed the words of agreement in my throat. Now was not the time to build on the fire.

"You know, I'm glad Howard got married," said Steve. "I only knew him when he was young and single."

"Oh, really?" said Tony. I sensed a mocking undertone in his voice. "You two knew each other? He never mentioned that. Maybe only a thousand times. God, I hated you."

"I don't mean to make things difficult."

"I know, because you're a very polite person."

"If I see a situation pointed south...I can't ignore it. Sometimes I wish I could."

"No, you don't."

A thin smile reached Steve's lips. "No, I don't. Sometimes."

"Sometimes I wanna punch you in your perfect teeth. But I know firefly would never let me get that far."

"Unless it was warranted," I piped up.

Steve gave me a look. "Whose side are you on, dear?"

"But I don't wanna see you gone," said Tony, who ignored our little squabble. "We need you, Cap. So far, nothing's happened that can't be undone, if you sign. We can make the last twenty-four hours legit. Barnes gets transferred to an American psych-center...instead of a Wakandan prison."

Steve picked up one of the pens from the box. He now stood, taking the same pacing method as Tony before turning to the man himself. "I'm not saying it's impossible, but there would have to be safeguards."

"Sure. Once we put out the PR fire, those documents can be amended. I'd file a motion to have you, firefly, and Wanda reinstated..."

"Wanda?" The witch's name caught my attention. "What about Wanda?"

"She's fine," Tony said nonchalantly. "She's confined to the compound, currently. Vision's keeping her company."

A nice way of saying she's caged in like a zoo animal. How was that any way to treat her?

"Oh God, Tony!" Steve exclaimed, exasperated. "Every time. Every time I think you see things the right way."

"What? It's one-hundred acres with a lap pool. It's got a screening room. There's worse ways to protect people."

"Protection?" I asked. "Is that how you see this? This is protection? Wanda is no fool, Tony. I don't think she will see it like that."

"It's interment, Tony," said Steve.

"She's not a US citizen," said Tony.

"Oh, come on, Tony."

"And they don't grant visas to weapons of mass destruction."

"She's a kid!" I burst out. "Gods, you're acting as though what happened in Lagos is what she wanted to do. You weren't there, you wouldn't—"

"GIVE ME A BREAK!" I stopped my rant at Tony's loud words. "I'm doing what has to be done...to stave off something worse."

Steve nodded faintly to Tony. "You keep telling yourself that." The pen went back into the box. "Hate to break up the set."

Do you have no trust in us? I kept the thought to myself. Steve made his abrupt exit from the office, leaving me alone with Tony. The air certainly felt different than when we had first got here.

"How was the honeymoon? Never got around to asking, you know, with everything hitting the fan lately."

I swallowed. "You're really making small talk right now, Tony?"

"I wish you'd understand, firefly. You're looking at me like I'm the villain of the month."

"We're in the midst of a storm right now, and I don't know when it's going to end."

"You gonna turn your back on me?"

"I go by what I feel is right. We don't have to agree, and that's fine, but at some point, things go too far. You're heading down that path, Tony. Pull away before you can't turn back. I need to go find Steve."

I hesitated at the doors. I knew Tony was by no means seconds away from having a meltdown because of our talk, but I didn't want to leave the air like this.

"Tony." I kept my voice soft. "I don't want to lose you as a friend. I really don't."

"Same here, Kia. Same here."

**The Ironfly brotp is hitting some snags now, oof.**