Undercover Agent *old*

Chapter 51

June 23rd, 2016
Joint Counter Terrorist Centre
Location: Berlin, Germany

“Consequences?” Steve asked Tony.

Tony had a discussion with Secretary Ross before Captain America, Falcon and Black Widow walked into the room.

“Secretary Ross wants you both prosecuted.” Tony explained. “Had to give him something.”

“I'm not getting that shield back, am I?” Steve asked again.

“Technically, it's the government’s property.” Natasha said.

“Wings, too.” Mia added.

“That's cold.” Sam shook his head.

“Warmer than jail.” Tony spoke.

“And that's where you both would be if we didn't do something.” Mia told them. She stepped back into the glass room she likes to call ‘aquarium’.

Mia sat back down and made another phone call with someone higher up who wants to put the Avengers behind bars.

Outside the room, television screens showed several footage of the surroundings. On one, James Barnes was shown and Steve was looking at it.

Tony had gathered the Sokovia Accords and a pencil case and walked back to talk to Steve.

“Hey, you wanna see something cool?” Tony said while he walked into the room. “I pulled something from dad's archives. Felt timely.”

Steve sat down beside Mia, who just closed off the conversation she was having on her phone. She looked at the two men next to her and raised an eyebrow. What was Tony up to?

“FDR signed the Lend-Lease bill with these in 1941.” Tony spoke about two pencils. “Provided support to the Allies when they needed it most.”

“Some would say it brought our country closer to war.” Steve said after a glance at the pencils.

“See? If not for these, you wouldn't be here.” Tony said, but it didn't sound genuine. Mia leaned back in her chair, but was ready to step in when needed.

“I'm trying to…” Tony went on. “What do you call it? That's an olive branch. Is that what you call it?”

“Is Pepper here? I didn't see her.” Steve looked around, but when he saw Mia shook her head no, he knew something was off and he shouldn't have asked that question.

“We’re kinda…” Tony began an Mia could feel his heart break again. “Well, not kinda…”

“Pregnant?” Steve asked and Mia face palmed herself.

“No. Definitely not.” Tony said. “We're taking a break. It's nobody’s fault.”

“I'm so sorry, Tony.” Steve apologized. “I didn't know.”

“A few years ago, I almost lost her, so I trashed all my suits.” Tony said and Mia felt her own heart drop. She knew what he meant. The Extremis almost killed Pepper and then she fell from up high.

“Then, we had to mop up Hydra…” Tony went on. “…and then Ultron. My fault. 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.”

“Tone…” Mia began, but she didn't know how to proceed.

“In her defense, I'm a handful.” Tony said with a smile. “Yet, dad was a pain in the ass, but he and mom always made it work.”