Glory and Gore [3]

Chapter 4: Vienna

Third Person POV-
"I have to go." Steve gets up sharply and goes downstairs. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs he leans against the bannister and bows his head.
London-
Steve is one of six pallbearers carrying a coffin draped with the Union Jack. At the altar a candle burns by a framed photograph of Peggy Carter in military uniform. The label reads "Margaret 'Peggy' Carter". At the front of the pallbearers tearful Steve looks bereft.

The Priest adresses the mourners.

"And now, I would like to invite Sharon Carter to come up and say a few words." As he says this Sharon Carter Steve and Elli's next door neighbor walks onto the stage.

Steve sits beside Sam in a pew at the front. Sam nudges Steve who looks up. Sharon steps into the pullpad, glances at Steve and takes a deep breath.

"Margaret Carter was known to most as a founder of SHIELD... but I just knew her as Aunt Peggy. She had a photograph in her office. Aunt Peggy standing next to JFK. As a kid, that was pretty cool. But it was a lot to live up to. Which is why I never told anyone we were related. I asked her once how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage in a time when no one wanted to see a woman succeed at either. And she said, compromise where you can. But where you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you that something wrong is something right. Even if the whole world is telling you to move... it is your duty to plant yourself like a tree, look them in they eye and say "No, you move."

Later Steve stands alone in the isle, dressed in black. Natasha walks up to him and he turns to her.

"When I came out of the ice, I thought everyone I had known was gone. Then I found out that she was alive. I was just lucky to have her." Steve says without looking at Natasha.

"She had you back, too." She replied.

"Who else signed?" Steve asked changing the subject.

"Tony, Rhodey, Vision." She says.

"Clint?"

"Didn't make it." She replies.

"Wanda?"
"Undecided." She replied again.

"Elli and I are off to Vienna for the signing of the Accords. There's plenty of room on the jet." She says trying to convince him.

Steve just sighs. "Just because it's the path of least resistance doesn't mean it's the wrong path. Staying together is more important than how we stay together." He counters.

"What are we giving up to do it?" He shakes his head, unconvinced. "I'm sorry, Nat. I can't sign it." He says.

"I know." She replies.

"Then what are you doing here?" He asked.

"I didn't want you to be alone." She puts her arms around him and hugs him tightly. "Come here."

Vienna-
"At a special United Nations conference 117 countries have come together to ratify the Sokovia Accords." Says one of the news reporters.

"Excuse me, Miss Romanoff?" Says a UN staffer.

"Yes?"

"These need your signature. " He explains. "Thank you." He says walking toward Elli.

"Thanks."

"I suppose neither of us is used to the spotlight." Prince T'Challa says.

"Oh, well, it's not always so flattering." Natasha replies.

"You seem to be doing alright so far." He says.
"Considering your last trip to Capitol Hill... I wouldn't think you would be particularly comfortable in this company." He says bringing up an event of the past.