Inescapable

Ch. 31

The amount of press that surrounded the UN building was more than you could have imagined. As the car came to a stop your heart started to beat frantically in your chest. A warm hand in yours stilled your racing heart, "everything will be okay сестра, together what's a little UN Council?" You chuckle and squeeze Nat's hand as you turn to look at her. "Says the woman who told the government to kiss her ass." The smile she returns is genuine and reassuring, giving you the final strength you need for this endeavor. You smile back and give a small nod, turning you reach for the door and get flooded by the screams and cameras flashing. It's a bit disorienting, the cacophony of sounds; you internally thank the security guard guiding both of you to the entrance.

Once the two of you pass the threshold and enter the building the noise is automatically muted. Your shoulders sag in relief, the tension in your shoulders releasing minutely. While there are still murmurs inside the building at the appearance of Natasha and yourself, they're quieter in nature. Quiet enough that you can hear your stilettos clicking down the halls, following the security guard towards the intended meeting room. Natasha saddles up next to you and flashes you a deadly smile before sending you a wink. She quickly overtakes your steps and places herself neatly behind the guard, assuring that she would be the first to enter the room and the proverbial line of fire. When the guard opens the door to usher you both in, the loud clamoring quiets so that all that is heard is the steps you are both taking on the dark tiled floor. You take in the bright room and all its inhabitants, not really recognizing any faces. You practically bump into Natasha when she comes to a stop in front of you, a woman in a light brown cardigan asking her to sign in on the meeting minutes. You go to stand next to her as she signs, and the woman smiles at you, "if you can please sign in, we should be getting started momentarily." You nod and take the sheets from Natasha when she hands them over, signing your name just below hers.

"Well, I was expecting the Captain and Mr. Stark to appear. I am surprised you have been sent instead." Ross' voice says as he approaches, it grates something within you.

"Yes. Well, I will send your regards. But we are both more than capable of representing the Avengers and their interests." You say saccharine sweet, trying to not let your general distaste for the man shine through.

"I will say I am surprised for your arrival Miss. Y/N. It will certainly make it much easier that you are remanding yourself willingly into custody." Ross says, smiling and placing a hand on your shoulder. You tense under his hold, fighting the urge to rip his arm from its socket.

Nat immediately reacts though, stepping into Ross' personal space, effectively making him back away from you unwillingly. "These accords have yet to be ratified General. Unless you say they have been finalized without the committee's full approval."

"No. Of course not. But they will." He smirks and holds his head up high as he retreats to whatever dark corner he crawled out from. Nat turns to look at you and you give her a small smile, grateful. A man, who seems to be the moderator for today's event, pulls Natasha aside to discuss the order of speakers. You decide to take the one opportunity you may have and go to the large wide windows at the end of the hall, to enjoy the view. You glance down at the area below, half looking out for something you know can't be there anymore. A white news van that would cause damage and harm in the name of the Winter Soldier. But just as you knew, it wasn't there, because there was no reason for it to be. You sigh and look up at the bright sky before turning away from the window, hoping things will go your way today.

The moment you turned the same man that approached Natasha, approached you. "If you'd please head to your signaled seat. We are about to begin." You nod searching to find Nat in the sea of people. When you spot her in the second row to the right you start heading that way, you stop in your tracks when in the corner of your eye you catch a figure entering the large room. It takes just a second in your recognition for the figure to raise his hand and shoot a couple of times into the air. Screams echo in the room, people duck down, and you turn to set your sights on Nat, trying to formulate a plan on the fly.