•{Condemned}• 2

{4}•The Accords•

[4] •The Accords•

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ELENA JUMPS to her feet, causing JB to release a yelp, as Vision phases through the wall. He holds up his hands innocently and Steve shakes his head.

"Sorry, Miss Johnson."

She cringes at the name. After all this time it still doesn't feel like hers. Vision hesitates, looking to Steve. "Captain Rogers wished to know when Mr. Stark was arriving."

"Thank you, we'll be right down," Steve tilts his head.

"And apparently he's brought a guest. The Secretary of State."

Vision doesn't notice how Elena stiffens at the name. Instead, he walks out through the door, oblivious. Steve isn't so naive.

But she had had her breakdown and the girl would be damned if she would do it again, so she straightens, pushing down all her worries. Steve opens his mouth but she holds her free hand up. She shakes her head. "Let's go."

Since Sokovia, she had been dubbed an Avenger. She wouldn't allow herself to get distracted by her emotions or her past.

He presses his lips in a line, inclining her head and follows her and her dog down to the conference room. The team aren't one bit surprised when JB hops onto his own leather seat, however the Secretary of State's eyes narrow, his left eyebrow raising slightly at the sight.

Perhaps if she had respected the man, or even liked him, she would have brought JB down to the floor. But she didn't. So the dog remained beside her.

She doesn't meet his eyes, her stare fixed on the blank screen behind him. She didn't know why he had his men follow her two days ago and truthfully, it makes her nervous.

Secretary Ross turns back to face the entire team who sit around the long table, all except Tony. He sighs. "Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my back-swing. Turned out it was the best round of my life, because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple by pass, I found something 40 years in the army had never taught me: perspective."

She resists an eye roll at his speech. Her past had given her plenty reason to despise or even fear the men in charge, the men in suits. And she does.

Ross is no exception.

Nor can she imagine the man anywhere near the army.

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

She notices how his eyes address every other person in the room except her. She swallows, realising it's because he doesn't view her as an Avenger.

Maybe he's right.

"What word would you use, Mr. Secretary?" Nat wonders sweetly.

"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?"

Nobody seems to have a response for his point, so he turns, flicking on the screen in front of them.

"New York."

Footage of the invasion of the Chitauri invasion plays in front of them. Citizens screaming and bloodied.

"Washington DC."

The helicarrier falls into the Potomac, it's wave engulfing the camera man.

"Sokovia."

Terrified citizens running through the rubbled streets.

"Lagos."

A burning building. A young girl, sprawled dead in the street. El turns her head.

"OK, that's enough," Steve intervenes.

El glances over to Wanda whose eyes are on her lap. This guilt isn't familiar to the Sokovian, but it is sickly familiar to El. However, being scolded about it isn't any easier for her.

Ross nods and the footage ends. "For the past four years you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution."

Ross' eyes still haven't met the teens as he slides a thick document in front of Wanda who passes it onto Rhodes.

"The Sokovia accords. Approved by 117 countries, it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organisation. Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if the panel deems it necessary."

"The Avengers we're formed to make the world a safer place, I feel we've done that," Steve says pointedly.

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

"Then you retire."

The room falls into an ominous silence and El looks up at the man, finding his eyes lingering on hers. She stiffens.

"Not to mention you're harbouring a HYDRA assassin, who hasn't answered for her crimes as of yet, with dangerous abilities."

Without looking, El sees Steve's head snap up. She doesn't want him to speak for her. She shifts in her seat. "You've had something to say to me since you walked in here Mr. Secretary. You'd save us all a lot of time if you stop beating around the bush."

She surprises herself with the confidence in her voice and judging by his expression, him too. He tilts his head, now addressing the adults. "You all can't see a problem here?"

There's a pause. "Why don't you tell us?" Natasha responds smoothly.

"I understand you suffered at HYDRA's hand. But the people, the victim's families need to feel like justice has been brought. This," he holds out his hands. "And a public school, is not justice. If you turn to page 200, you will see our compromise. Your alternative, is a max security prison for the rest of your life. I suggest you sign it."

With that, the man strides out the room, leaving Elena staring at the document on the table. The document holding her best option apparently.

Maybe she does deserve to be imprisoned. But the girl is a teenager. Naturally, the thought makes her sick. But then this life, her newfound family, does seem like a luxury after everything.

She doesn't turn around, knowing everyone's eyes settle on her. Instead, JB follows her out of the room, her thumb tucked into her fist.