•{Condemned}• 2

{5}•Fate•

[5] •Fate•

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"SECRETARY ROSS has a congressional medal of honour, which is one more than you have," Rhodes states exhaustively.

She sighs, though it isn't heard over the arguing, continuing to run her hands over JB's upturned stomach, his tail wagging uncontrollably.

"So let's say we agree to this thing. How long is it gonna be before they LoJack us like a bunch of common criminals?" Sam's eyes widen as he counters Rhodes.

Both men are the most vocal out of the team, but then Sam always voices his opinion on everything. She likes that about him. It means that she doesn't have to talk, he carries the conversation for her. He doesn't make her talk.

But they're irritating her immensely. The girl has just been told she may spend the rest of her life in a maximum security prison, and they are worried about their suits being taken away.

"117 countries want to sign this. 117, Sam, and you're just like, "No that's cool, we got it.""

"How long are you gonna play both sides?"

"I have an equation." She looks up, Vision settled on the edge of the couch. "In the eight years since Mr. Stark announced himself as Iron man, the number of enhanced persons has grown exponentially. And during the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commensurate rate."

"Are you saying it's our fault?" Steve's chin rests on his hand in thought.

"I'm saying there may be causality. Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge invites conflict. And conflict... breeds catastrophe."

Elena dips her head, her back resting against the foot of the couch. She finds her mind drifting elsewhere as Tony stands up, informing them about Charles Spencer. The guilt, she sees written across their faces, she holds twice it every day. She doesn't need reminding. That's the problem.

And this, this mess? Is not helping her progress.

She's being dragged back into the vicious circle she fought so hard to get out of and it pains her.

Her eyes flicker to Natasha when she hears her agree with Tony. She can't deny that hurts. But then, El agrees with Tony. It isn't right, their ability to go and fight where they please. She doesn't believe that their fights are without consequence. But she believes they save people. She doesn't like the idea of being controlled again.

"I'm sorry Steve, that's dangerously arrogant, this is the United Nations we're talking about. It's not the world security council, it's not SHIELD, it's not HYDRA."

And suddenly, something within her snaps. She jolts up from her position on the floor, her brows furrowing deeply, her eyes landing on Rhodes.

"No," she barks. "You are dangerously arrogant. You're a soldier. They won't lock you up. They won't stick needles into you and put you in solitary confinement. The worst thing that you have to worry about is your precious suit getting taken off of you."

She blinks the tears out of her eyes, the realisation of the possibility of her future becoming too real for the teen.

"I don't have a suit. We," she gestures to Wanda. "We don't have a suit. And it terrifies them. Because we're a weapon they can't control. I'm not pretending I'm a hero. I know I'm not. But I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be brainwashed, or become an assassin, or to be a test subject, but it happened. And I know I shouldn't even hesitate to sign those papers, but I can't help it. Because I know what it means for me. And yeah, I know that's selfish. But please, don't pretend this is an easy, no questions decision."

For the first time today, Rhodes and Tony's argument falters. She inhales slowly, her skin burning as she feels the eyes of the room on her.

"We'll negotiate something, El. We won't let them hurt you," Tony says softly after a pause.

"Don't bullshit me," she replies stiffly. There's no emotion in her voice.

She straightens, rubbing a hand through her hair. "I'll sign them, I just need time."

"You won't sign them," Steve interrupts sternly. She glances over to him, his eyes pleading with her.

Elena had been on her own her whole life, Steve knows better than to try and behave like a regular parent, setting her out rules and making demands. But he had just gotten a family. She is his family. And as selfish as it is, he won't lose her.

Her jaw visibly tenses, not out of anger. Something else. The decision is hard for her and Steve is making it harder. But she owes everything to him and the look in his eyes breaks her. "I don't have a choice," she replies quietly.

Her eyes drop to the floor and she makes her way out of the room, JB on her heels.

                          >>^^<<^^>>

The blue fizzles on her finger tips for a split second before she pushes it towards the target on the wall.

"Hey squirt."

"Sam," she greets monotonously, without turning around.

"How you holding up?"

She expects to be annoyed by his inquiry. She isn't. She's tired. She's accepting her fate.

"I'm alright."

"Really?"

"Besides being told my sweet sixteen will be in a prison with a group of old guys if I'm lucky. Or maybe solitary confinement. Who knows? Can dogs come to prison?" She glances down to JB.

Sam breathes a laugh. "You're not going to prison."

"I definitely am."

"Steve will die before he lets that happen and that guy has been alive for 100 years. That motherfucker is unkillable."

She half smiles. His expression falters, his lips pursing. "What is it?" She asks urgently.

He hesitates. "We have to go to England."

She frowns. "Why?"

He swallows. "Peggy."