Whatever It Takes

2.4

Natasha and I make our way through the facility, meeting them on the skywalk that connects the garage to the main hub. Ross leads them, explaining their situation.

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

"I don't intend on going anywhere," T'Challa remarks dryly.

Natasha and I sidle up alongside the Captain.

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

"He's alive," the Captain says plainly, justifying all of his actions in just two simple words.

We approach the main floor. Ross leads T'Challa down a hall, and Stark comes out of his conference room on another call.

"No. Romania was not Accords-sanctioned. Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup," he speaks.

Natasha taps my arm to follow her, looking back at the boys. "Try not to break anything while we fix this."

"Consequences? You bet there'll be consequences. Obviously, you can quote me on that because I just said it, anything else?" Stark stalks closer to the Captain and the Falcon. "Thank you, sir."

"'Consequences'?" the Captain asks.

"Secretary Ross wants you both prosecuted. Had to give him something." He steps into stride with Natasha and me, the boys watch us go.

"I'm not getting that shield back, am I?"

"Technically, it's the government's property," Natasha notes, looking back at him. "Wings, too."

"That's cold," the Falcon retorts.

"Warmer than jail," Stark calls.

He motions for the Captain to follow him into a conference room where they can talk privately, his way of a last-ditch effort to get the man to sign. Natasha and I know he won't, but it still shows Stark's willingness to keep us together.

I glance down a hall and see T'Challa in a small room, phone in his hands as he stares down at it seriously. I nudge Natasha, who turns to me and then follows my gaze to him. When I start down the hall she follows me.

"So I guess when you said you'd do it yourself, you meant you'd do it yourself," she says, walking into the room and leaning against the armrest of a chair. I sit down in it, leaning forward with elbows on knees.

T'Challa narrows his eyes, flicking between us. "You are not used to the truth, are you?"

Natasha and I both stare at him, the words hitting us even deeper than he intends.

"I got a look at your suit," she says, changing the subject. "Vibranium weave. I'm very impressed. You realize that this puts you under the Accords' jurisdiction?"

"How long do your psychological evaluations usually take?"

"Why, you bored?"

"Not currently. But my prisoner and I have a plane to catch."

"I realize you're not one for politics. I think there's a chance you may be being a bit naive."

Loud sarcastic clapping from the hall fills the room, and Ross steps into the doorway. "Congratulations, Your Highness!" He looks to us. "He got extradition." Ross carries on his way.

Natasha tilts her head softly, amused she misread him.

"Yes, Ms. Romanoff, I'm sure I have much to learn," T'Challa quips.