Frostbite |The Alternate Timeline

Mine

Between worrying about when the Flag Smashers would be popping up again and the refreshed worry over Peter and how he was fairing... I hardly slept the next few days. It had been solemn and quiet in the apartment without Bucky, but I was glad he was taking a few extra days with Sam. It was good for him.

I had tried to keep myself preoccupied. There had been no leads on any of the missing items yet and I was sure that there were things missing that I wasn't even aware of. Likely everything would end up on the black market. And just like Bucky had said, it would probably be a headache later.

I took a sip from the cup in my hand, focusing on what the contractor was telling me as we walked up the freshly paved drive. The compound was similar in many ways to the last, with a few upgrades and modifications. There hadn't been a need to increase it's space so there hadn't been many changes to the original blueprints.

"We should be done in a months time, probably sooner," he told me, nodding his head to the nearly finished building, "Most of the hard stuff is out of the way. Once we're done with everything on our end, I'll be in touch with you so we can arrange for all the equipment to be delivered."

"That's fantastic. I'm impressed with how-"

The slamming of a car door made me pause. Turning, I watched as Secretary Ross approached, nodding to the man beside me. I suppressed a sneer and motioned discreetly for the contractor to flee. He most likely wouldn't want to witness this conversation. I hadn't seen the man since I'd been a fugitive; I'd made sure to steer clear since we'd all been pardoned.

"It's been awhile, Stark. It's good to see you," he started, his words not matching his tone.

"I'd say the same, but I was taught not to lie... Or that if I have nothing nice to say then to not say anything at all," I quipped, flashing a fake serene smile. His eyes slightly narrowed at that but he chose to ignore it, jumping right into why he was there.

He waved a hand toward the buildings before us, "I see you're rebuilding the Avenger Compound."

"Yes, as we can both see, a building has been built here. Sharp eyes," I drawled coyly. I wouldn't openly tell him a damn thing.

"Let me remind you that the Sokovia Accords were never actually lifted," he told me flatly, a hint of warning in his voice.

I tsked, tapping my heel against the concrete and took a long sip of my coffee, which seemed to irritate him. I nearly rolled my eyes as I said, "I am fully aware. And let me remind you, Mr. Secretary- that an organization by the name of S.W.O.R.D violated those accords fairly recently. A government agency stole Vision's body and tried to make him into their own personal weapon and then tried to trick Wanda Maximoff into bringing him back for them when they failed." He cocked an eyebrow and I continued, growing more agitated with every second he stood in my presence. "Yes, word gets around fast. So, maybe you should be knocking on their doors about that, because I'm pretty sure that creating any type of A.I was clearly highlighted as a big no-no in your precious Accords."

He blinked at me with no readable expression. A few heartbeats later, a yellow cab came into view, catching both of our eyes.

"My only intention was to come here and remind you of how well the Avengers faired last time. The Accords might not be fully enforced at the moment, but that can change. That's all."

My free hand curled into a fist as another figure approached cautiously from behind Ross, hovering there. He was so full of it. My voice dripped with disdain as I spoke.

"We both know why you came out here. Threat heard and understood. I'll keep this conversation in mind. The Avengers saved all your asses, remember that. Despite the unholy things that occurred in that prison. I haven't forgotten Mr. Secretary, and don't for a moment think I will anytime soon."