James Rhodes "Rhodey", Natasha, Tatiana, Ana, Jax, Tony, Steve, Bree, Wanda and Sam sat around the table.

The secretary of state, Secretary Ross, stood in front of them nearby a screen. "Oh. Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my batting swing. Turned out, it was the best round of my life, because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass, I found something 40 years in the army never taught me. Perspective. The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You've... fought for us. Protected us. Risked your lives. While a great many people see you as heroes, there are some... that would prefer the word 'vigilantes'."

"And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?" Natasha asked.

"How about 'dangerous'?" Ross asked. "What would you call a group of US-based, Enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose? And who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind them." He showed them the damage caused in the fights they had fought as the Avengers. "New York." A Chitauri Leviathan was seen chasing Tony and Jax in their suits. The Hulk was seen jumping from building to building. "Washington DC." The helicarrier Bucky and Bree had been in was seen crashing into the Triskelion, destroying the building. Bree looked down. "Sokovia." Sokovia was seen flying above the ground. Buildings were seen falling over. "Lagos."

The explosion with Brock was seen taking out the people in the building.

Wanda looked down in guilt.

Bree looked up. "Okay. That's enough."

"For the past four years, you operated with unlimited power and no supervision," Ross told them. "That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution." The security guard handed Ross a large bound document. Ross placed it on the table. "The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries. It states, that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization." Rhodey took the Accords to look. "Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations Panel, only when and if that Panel deems it necessary."

"The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place," Steve told him. "I feel we've done that."

"Tell me, Captain," Ross told him. "Do you know where Thor and Banner are right now? If I misplaced a couple of 30 mega tonne nukes, you can bet there'd be consequences. Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground."

"So, there are contingencies?" Rhodey asked.

"Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords," Ross told them. Ana looked at Jax, noticing how he was detached and unlike himself. Jax looked up. "So, talk it over."

"And if we come to a decision you don't like?" Tatiana asked.

"Then you retire," Ross answered. 

The team had conflicted feelings about this.

      ✯     

Bree, Natasha, Ana, Tatiana and Wanda were still sitting at the table.

Tony and Steve were nearby, pacing.

Bree reading the Accords.

Rhodey and Sam were standing behind Bree, arguing.

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

Jax was sitting in a chair, a hand to his head.

"So, let's say we agree to this thing," Sam told them. "How long is it gonna be before they lo-jack us like a bunch of common criminals?"

"A 117 countries want to sign this," Rhodey told him. "117, Sam, and you're just like, 'No, it's cool'?"

"How long are you going to play both sides?" Sam asked.

Vision was sitting in another chair. "I have an equation."

"Oh, this will clear it up," Sam told them sarcastically.

"In the eight years since Tony and Jax announced themselves as Iron Man and Gold Strike, the number of noted enhanced persons has grown exponentially," Vision told them. "And during the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commissive rate."

"Are you saying it's our fault?" Tatiana asked.

"I'm saying there maybe a causality," Vision answered. "Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict... breeds catastrophe. Oversight. Oversight is not an idea that could be dismissed out of hand."

"Boom," Rhodey told them.

"Jax, you're being uncharacteristically non-hyper verbal," Ana told him.

Jax looked up.

"That's because he's already made up his mind," Bree told them.

"Girl, you know me so well," Jax told her. He stood. "Actually, I'm nursing my electromagnetic headache." Tony walked toward the counter. "That's what's going on, Bree. It's just pain. Discomfort."

Tony looked into the skin. "Who's putting coffee grounds in the disposal? Am I running a bed and breakfast for a biker gang?"

Tony poured himself some coffee.

Jax put his phone on the counter, bringing up holograms that he wanted to show them. "Oh, that's Charles Spencer by the way. He's a great kid. Computer engineering degree. 3.6 GPA. Had a floor level gig. An intel plan 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. Sounds fun. He decided to spend his summer, building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where. Sokovia." Everyone had been confused as to where he had been going with this up to this point, realizing what must have happened. "He wanted to make a difference, I guess. I mean, we won't know because we dropped a building on him while we were kicking ass."

Jax turned the hologram off.

"There's no decision making process here," Tony told them, putting his coffee cup down, crossing his arms over his chest. "We need to be put in check. Whatever form that takes, I'm game. If we can't accept limitations, we're boundless. We're no better than the bad guys."

"Guys, someone dies on your watch, you don't give up," Steve told them.

"Who said we're giving up?" Tony asked.

"We are for not taking responsibility for our actions," Steve told them. "These documents just shifts the blames."

"Sorry," Rhodey told him. "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 S.H.I.E.L.D, into not Hydra."

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

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

"Tony, you chose to do that," Tatiana told him. "If we sign these, we surrender our right to choose. What if this Panel sends us somewhere we don't think we should go? What if there's somewhere we need to go, and they won't let us?"

"We may not be perfect, but the safest hands are still our own," Bree told them.

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

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

"We will protect you," Ana told her. She looked at Tatiana. "I mean, Tati, I get why you don't want to hand over your freedom. Not after Hydra and Loki."

Tatiana shook her head. "That's not what this is about."

"Oh, right, right," Ana told her. "You just don't like the government. Remember when you told them to kiss our ass a few years ago?"

"Maybe Tony and Jax are right," Natasha told them. Tony and Jax looked at her in surprise. "If we have on hand on the wheel, we can still steer. We have made some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back."

"Focus that," Jax told her. "I'm sorry. Did I just mishear you, or did you agree with me and my dad?"

"Oh, I want to take it back," Natasha told them.

"No, no, no," Jax told her. "You can't retract it."

"Thank you," Tony told her. "Unprecedented. Okay, case closed."

Steve's phone vibrated. He pulled it out reading his text message.

She's gone. In her sleep.

"I have to go," Steve told them, standing, walking out of the room.

Everyone watched him go in confusion.

      ✯     

Steve walked into the hallway to take a moment to himself.

      ✯ 

London    

It was the day of Agent Margaret "Peggy" Carter's funeral.

Bree was sitting in a pew, waiting for Steve.

Children were singing in choir.

Steve helped carry Peggy's coffin down the aisle.

A picture of Young Peggy was nearby the coffin.

The priest stood nearby. "And now, I would like to invite Sharon Carter to come up and say a few words."

Bree and Steve sat together.

Agent Sharon Carter walked up to the podium.

Bree looked at Steve, nodding to Sharon.

"Margaret Carter was known to most as a founder of S.H.I.E.L.D," Sharon told them. "But I just knew her as Aunt Peggy. She had a photograph in her office. Aunt Peggy standing next to JFK. As a kid, that was pretty cool. But it was a lot to live up to. Which is why I never told anyone we were related. I asked her once how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage at a time when no one wanted to see a woman succeed at either. And she said, compromise when you can. When you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move. It is your duty to plant yourself like a tree, look them in the eye and say, 'No. You move'."

      ✯     

The funeral was over.

Steve was standing alone in the church.

Bree walked back inside after having taken a phone call, walking toward Steve. 

Steve turned to face her, sighing. "When I came out of the ice, I thought everyone I knew except for you was gone. When I found out that she was alive, I was just lucky to have her."

"She had you back, too," Bree told him. 

"Who called you?" Steve asked.

"Tatiana," Bree answered. "She told me about some of the team's decisions."

"Who signed it?" Steve asked.

"Tony, Jax, Rhodey, Vision," Bree answered. 

"Clint?" Steve asked.

"Says he's retired," Bree told him.

"Wanda?" Steve asked.

"TBD," Bree answered.

"What about Natasha and Anastasia?" Steve asked.

"They're off to Vienna for the signing of the Accords," Bree answered. 

Steve shook his head. "Sorry, Bree. I can't sign it."

"I know," Bree told him. "I can't, either. At least we still have Tatiana on our side." Steve nodded in agreement. "Maybe she'll take after her dad and retire early."

Steve chuckled, unconvinced. "Yeah. Like a Spider would ever retire early." Bree smiled a small smile. Steve sighed, shaking his head. "What are we gonna do, Bree?"

Bree sighed, shaking her head. "I don't know."

      ✯     

Vienna

Natasha and Ana arrived to Vienna for the signing of the Accords.

A man was broadcasting in the building. "At a special United Nations congress, 117 countries have come together to ratify Sokovia Accords."

Prince T'Challa was looking out of the windows.

Ana and Natasha were walking along.

A woman walked toward Ana and Natasha. "Excuse me, Anastasia and Natasha Romanoff?"

"Yeah," Ana answered. "Just call me Ana."

"I just need your signature," the woman told them. Natasha and Ana signed the paper she was holding. "Thank you."

"Thanks," Ana told her.

T'Challa walked toward Natasha and Ana. "I suppose neither of us is used to the spotlight."

"Well, it's not always so flattering," Natasha told him.

"You seem to be doing all right so far," T'Challa told them. "Considering your last trip to Capitol Hill, I wouldn't think you would be particularly comfortable in this company."

"Well, I'm not," Ana told him. 

"That alone, makes me glad you're here," T'Challa told them.

"Why?" Natasha asked. "You don't approve of all this?"

"The Accords, yes," T'Challa answered. "The politics, not really. Two people, in a room, can get more done than a 100."

King T'Chaka walked closer. "Unless you need to move a piano."

T'Challa smiled, speaking in Xhosa. "Father."

T'Chaka nodded, speaking in Xhosa. "Son. Natasha and Anastasia Romanoff."

Natasha nodded. "King T'Chaka. Please, allow us to apologize for what happened in Nigeria."

"Thank you," T'Chaka told them. Ana nodded. "Thank you for agreeing to all this. I'm side to hear that Captain America and Star Mistress will not be joining us today along with your missing Spider, Tatiana Romanoff."

"Yeah, so am I," Ana told them. "My sister had to speak to our father before she came to a decision."

"Everyone, please be seated," a man told them. "The assembly is now in session."

"That is the future calling," T'Challa told them. He nodded to Natasha and Ana. "Such a pleasure."

"Thank you," T'Chaka told them. Natasha and Ana nodded, walking away to take their seats. T'Chaka turned to T'Challa, speaking in Xhosa. "For a man who disapproves of diplomacy, you're getting quite good at it."

T'Challa smiled a small smile, speaking in Xhosa. "I'm happy, Father."

T'Chaka put a hand on his head, speaking in Xhosa. "Thank you."

T'Challa kissed his hand, speaking in Xhosa. "Thank you."

      ✯     

Everyone but T'Chaka and T'Challa had taken their seats.

T'Challa was standing nearby the windows.

T'Chaka was giving a speech. "When a stolen Wakandan vibranium was used to make a terrible weapon, we, in Wakanda, were forced to question our legacy. Those men and women killed in Nigeria were part of a good will mission from a country too long in the shuttles. We will not, however, let misfortune drive us back. We will fight to improve the world we wish to join. I am grateful to the Avengers for supporting this initiative." T'Challa looked outside stepping closer to the window. "Wakanda is proud to extend its hand in peace." 

Police dogs were outside, barking at a van. 

T'Challa realized what it was, running away from the windows. "Everybody, get down!"

Everyone was forced to duck.

T'Challa tried to reach his father in time, but the explosion forced him to fall away.

T'Chaka was on the ground, unmoving, unblinking.

T'Challa crawled closer, trying desperately to find a pulse, crying when he couldn't, holding his father's body in his arms.