Finding Death

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Captain America

Thaddeus Ross stands at the head of the table, monologing about golf swings and perspective. I'm not really listening- Rikki's making comments to Sam, and that's much more interesting. I seriously cannot believe Tony brought this man here.

"The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt," Ross continues. "You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives. But while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some who would prefer the word 'vigilantes'."

"And what word would you use, Mr Secretary?" Natasha questions, completely cool.

'How about 'dangerous'? 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?" With a click of a button, Ross turns on the screen behind him.

All we can do is watch as a highlight reel of our greatest moments and mistakes plays in front of our eyes: Chitauri from New York; Bucky and Washington D.C.; Ultron and Sokovia. Then finally, Lagos. Wanda can't look at the screen and I'm not surprised.

"Okay. That's enough," I interject. The screen turns black.

"For the past four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision," Ross continues. "That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution." He takes a book from his assistant and passes it to Wanda, who just slides it over to Rhodes. "The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries; it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization. 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. I feel we've done that," I'm trying to be diplomatic here but I don't think it's working.

"Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?"

"No, but I know someone who does," if Tia ever shows up, which she probably won't.

"If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes, you can bet there'd be consequences. Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground. Do you know the cumulative death toll because of the people in this room? Do you even think about it?"

Rikki scoffs, but it's in a sad kind of way. "It's impossible not to."

"Unsurprising, considering most that figure is you, Sergeant Carter. You should've been arrested when we had the chance."

"You've never had the chance," they retort, folding their arms. "And if you think I don't regret everything I've done then you're wrong. Even so, what you're trying to do is complete bullshit. There was an accident. It was a mistake: everyone makes them."

"Not everyone's mistakes cost lives."

"I know that. I used to-"

"Yes, Sergeant Carter, we all know about your stellar military career," Ross interrupts. I almost want to yell at him for being rude, especially considering he misgendered Rikki when he first got here. And a couple of times after that. "I also don't care. Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords. Talk it over."

"And if we come to a decision you don't like?" Natasha asks, stifling a smile.

"Then you retire."

Nice and ominous.

*

I'm reading over the Accords, deep in thought while Rhodes and Sam are having a maybe-argument behind me. Across the room, Tony looks like he's asleep but I know he isn't whereas to the left of me, I think Rikki is actually taking a nap.