Tearing Relationships Apart (Book Eleven of The Bad Wolf Chronicles)

Chapter Six

The one bad thing about writing on the plane was how cramped I was. The lid had to be slightly down, so it made it pretty hard to see what I was typing. Nevertheless, I prevailed - and I got to watch the Doctor Strange fight scenes again before we landed! :D

Last update of the night, guys! Enjoy!

***

The procession of police cars went on for several minutes. Steve, Martha, and Sam rode with T'Challa in an SUV towards the back of it. "So," Sam broke the silence. "You like cats?"

"Sam!" Steve hissed.

"What? Dude shows up dressed like a cat, and you don't wanna know more?"

Steve conceded the point, turning back to T'Challa. "Your suit . . . it's vibranium?"

T'Challa gave him a sideways glance. "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?"

Steve stared straight ahead as the convoys headed underground.

***

Steve, Martha, Sam, and T'Challa were escorted out of the SUV into the bunker, Steve watching Bucky's container be carried away. Steve turned and looked ahead, seeing Sharon standing there with a grey-haired man in a sharp suit. "What's gonna happen to him?" he asked.

"Same thing that ought to happen to you," the man in the suit answered. "Psychological evaluation and extradition."

"This is Everett Ross, Deputy Task Force Commander," Sharon introduced him to the group.

"What about our lawyer?" Steve asked.

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

Sam tilted his head, watching as their equipment was hauled off. "I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that!" he shouted.

Martha looked to the side and watched Bucky leave. He caught her eye and gave her a small smirk before making his face emotionless again.

***

"You'll be provided with an office instead of a cell," Ross told the group as they walked down the skywalk. "Now do me a favor – stay in it."

"I'm not intending on going anywhere," T'Challa smirked.

Steve didn't turn his head when two sets of footsteps joined them. "For the record, this is what making things worse looks like," Natasha told him.

"He's alive," Steve countered as they entered the main command center.

"For how long?" Saleen retorted.

"No, Romania was not Accords-sanctioned," Tony was speaking on the phone as they entered, the Doctor and Clara walking up, Jessie standing from inside the office she was in. "And Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup."

"Try not to break anything while we fix this," Natasha glared at Steve.

"Consequences?" Tony spoke into the phone again. "You bet there'll be consequences! Obviously you can quote me on that because I just said it. Anything else? Thank you, sir."

"Consequences?" Steve repeated.

"Secretary Ross wants the three of you prosecuted," Tony told him. "Had to give him something."