romeo and juliet (peter parker)

3. the man

~*~

They had all been placed in the back of a SUV. Traffic rolled around the victory column, and as Margaret looked out the window she saw the river Spree, which would've been beautiful under different circumstances. Bucky had been placed in a completely different vehicle which Margaret didn't get to see. She sat in the very back with Steve with Sam sitting next to T'Challa in front of them.

Sam stared directly at Steve and said, "So you like cats?" which Margaret couldn't help but snicker at.

"Sam," said her father sternly.

"What? Dude shows up dressed like a cat and you don't wanna know more?" Sam said, sneaking side glances towards T'Challa occasionally. He wasn't wrong, Margaret thought.

"Your suit . . . It's Vibranium?" Steve asked T'challa.

T'Challa's eyes narrowed as he glanced sideways. Now that they weren't battling against each other, Margaret finally got a good look at him. He had a very sleek physique, which reminded Margaret of elegance. He had a slight stubble which added to his attractiveness. He kept a very mysterious expression, though his eyes were filled with many emotions at once; rage, vengeance, authority, intimidation. He kept a very calm voice as he spoke, "The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda for generations. A mantle, passed from warrior to warrior. And now, because your friend murdered my father, I also wear the mantle of king. So, I ask you . . . as both warrior and king . . . how long do you think you can keep your friend safe from me?"

Margaret turned towards her father, waiting for his response. All he did, though, was keep a stony face as the convoy headed underground.

~*~

As Margaret got out of the SUV, she watched Bucky's pod be carried away by a forklift. She saw Steve had glanced at him as well, but Bucky hadn't seemed to notice. The four of them approached Sharon who was standing with a gray-headed man, who was peculiarly small.

"What's gonna happen to him?" Steve asked. Margaret assumed he was referring to Bucky.

"Same thing that ought to happen to you. Psychological evaluation and extradition," said the small man next to Sharon.

Sharon sighed, "This is Everett Ross, Deputy Task Force Commander."

"What about our lawyer?" inquired Steve.

Ross chuckled, "Lawyer. That's funny. See their weapons are placed in lockup. Oh, we'll write you a receipt."

"I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that." Sam interjected. Margaret was lucky not to have any government issued, one-of-a-kind technology with her, not that she owned any. It was just her knives, which really posed no threat whatsoever, unless used correctly of course.

Ross and Sharon led them inside the building. Margaret felt Steve's head turn to sneak one last glance at Bucky before they walked in.

"You'll be provided with an office instead of a cell. Now, do me a favor, stay in it?" Ross said as they walked in.

"I don't intend on going anywhere," T'Challa said as Natasha walked towards the group.

"For the record, this is what making things worse looks like," she said.

"He's alive," Steve said.

"No. Romania was not Accords-sanctioned. And, Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup," she heard a voice over the phone say which she recognized as Tony Stark.