Weightless

Chapter 5

Berlin, day. Traffic rolls around the victory column. Police convoy drives beside the river Spree. Amidst the convoy is a gray armed truck. Inside Bucky wears restraints inside a prison pod. Three armed guards sit on the other side of the glass-walled pod. A police motorbike stops traffic and a van driver looks affronted. The convoy turns a corner onto a bridge across the river. In an SUV T'Challa sits in front of Steve who sits in front of Sam who sits in front of Athena.

---Athena's P.O.V---

I was in the back with the boys. Tony sent me to 'lift my spirits'. It was sad to disagree with the first real father figure I had.

"So you like cats?" Sam asked T'Challa.

"Sam" I scolded.

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

"Your suit... it's Vibranium?" Steve asked.

"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?" the king asked as the convoy drove underground.

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When I got out of the truck I ran off and found Tony in the room with all the computers.

"I never wanted to pick a side" I stated as I stood next to him.

"Why did you then?"

"So no one fought over me" I answered and he nodded.

"So, lets talk about As-

"I don't want to talk about Asgard" I sneered and he sighed. Steve, Sam, and T'Challa walked in and we walked up to them.

"No. Romania was not Accords-sanctioned. And, Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup" Tony said as he answered a call from his phone.

"Try not to break anything while we fix this" Nat stated.

"Consequences? You bet there'll be consequences. Obviously you can quote me on that because I just said it. Anything else? Thank you, sir" Tony thanked as he ended the call.

"'Consequences'?" Steve asked.

"Secretary Ross wants you both prosecuted. Had to give him something" I answered.

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

"Technically, it's the government's property. Wings, too!" Nat answered.

"That's cold" Sam said.

"Warmer then jail!" Tony called as him and Nat walked off. The guys looked at me.

"I'll help you guys and Bucky get out" I offered and the nodded.

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Steve, Tony, and I were in the glass office in the middle of the room. Steve was counting on me.

"Hey, you wanna see something cool? I pulled something from Dad's archives. Felt timely" my boyfriend stated. He pulled out a black box and opened it revealing two pens.

"FDR signed the Lend-Lease bill with these in 1941. Provided support to the Allies when they needed it most" Tony informed.

"Some would say it brought our country closer to war" I retorted and both guys looked at me.

"See? If not for these, you wouldn't be here. I'm trying to... What do you call it? That's an olive branch. Is that what you call it?" Tony stated while walking over to me.

"Neither would I" Steve said while trying to defend me.

"Is Pepper here? I didn't see her" Steve added.

"Oh she was fired, I was hoping to appoint someone new but they decided to become, what is the term? Salty" Tony insulted. I ignored him.

"I'm so sorry, Tony. I didn't know" Steve responded.

"A few months ago, I almost lost her, so I trashed all my suits. Then, we had to mop up HYDRA... and then Ultron. My fault. And then, and then, and then, I never stopped. Because the truth is I don't wanna stop. I don't wanna lose her. I thought maybe the Accords could split the difference" Tony explained as he glanced at me.

"In her defense, I'm a handful. Yet, Dad was a pain in the ass, but he and mom always made it work" Tony added.

"You know, I'm glad Howard got married. I only knew him when he was young and single" Steve stated.

"Oh, really? You two knew each other? He never mentioned that. Maybe only a thousand times. God, I hated you" Tony informed.

"I don't mean to make things difficult" Steve apologized.

"I know, because you're a very polite person" Tony complimented.

"If I see a situation pointed south... I can't ignore it. Sometimes I wish I could" Steve informed.

"No, you don't" Tony threatened. Steve smiled thinly.

"No, I don't. Sometimes..." Cap admitted.

"Sometimes I wanna punch you in your perfect teeth. But I don't wanna see you gone. We need you, Cap. So far, nothing's happened that can't be undone, if you sign. We can make the last 24 hours legit. Barnes gets transferred to an American psych-center... instead of a Wakandan prison" Tony offered. Steve glanced at me.

"I'm not saying it's impossible, but there would have to be safeguards" Steve responded as he picked up a pen and paced around the room.

"Sure. Once we put out the PR fire, those documents can be amended. I'd file a motion to have you and Wanda reinstated..." Tony confessed.

"Wanda? What about Wanda?" Steve freaked.

"She's fine. She's confined to the compound, currently. Vision's keeping her company" I answered.

"Oh God, Tony! Every time. Every time I think you see things the right way." Steve muttered.

"What? It's a 100 acres with a lap pool. It's got a screening room. There's worse ways to protect people." Tony rejected.

"Protection? Is that how you see this? This is protection? It's internment, Tony!" I responded.

"She's not a US citizen" he retorted.

"Oh, come on, Tony" Steve complained.

"And they don't grant visas to weapons of mass destruction" Tony informed.

"She's a kid!" Steve reasoned.

"Nor is she a weapon!" I added.

"GIVE ME A BREAK! I'm doing what has to be done... to stave off something worse" Tony shouted. It's scary when he's mad.

"You keep telling yourself that" Steve said as he put the pen down.

"Hate to break up the set" Tony retorted as he walked out. Steve looked at me.

"What's the plan?"

"I'll give you the signal then you run and get out of this building" I answered then Sharon walked in.

"The receipt for your gear" she said as Sam walked in and sat down. I stayed standing.

"'Bird costume'? Come on" Sam complained as Sharon pushed a button that put the audio in this room also.

"I didn't write it" she said in defense. While the room was distracted I slipped out and headed down to the power room.