Eye for an Eye (sequel to Protecting Spirits)

Chapter 1

Asha nodded to Sam as she sat down in the seat beside him. Glancing up, she watched as Zola took the spot next to Wanda.

"Hey, kid." Asha turned to look at Sam, who was looking at her intently. "You doin' okay?" he asked in a gentle voice.

"She's alive, Sam," she whispered back. "After all this time, she's alive."

Sam nodded, placing his hand over hers before turning to look at the Secretary of State.

"Five years ago, I had a heart attack," the white haired man started. He raised his arms as if he were golfing. "I dropped right in the middle of my backswing. Turned out it was the best round of my life, because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass, I found something 40 years in the Army had never taught me: Perspective. The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives." As his voice trailed off, Asha couldn't help but glance at her sister who silently rubbed her shoulder as if there was pain. "But while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some who would prefer the word vigilantes."

"And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?" Natasha inquired. Zola was playing with her white gloves as Asha half paid attention to the secretary.

"How about 'dangerous?'"

Everyone looked at him with various faces as Asha looked at him with an eyebrow raised.

"Dangerous?" Asha repeated.

"What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?" He stepped to the side as the screen behind him came to life, revealing a map. "New York."

Aliens and large metal creatures flew through the sky. Natasha sighed when they saw Hulk go flying across the scene.

"Washington DC."

People were running through the streets. In the air, three giant Helicarriers were on fire and were shooting, eventually crashing into the water. Sam bowed his head, prompting Asha to gently place a hand on his shoulder.

"Sokovia."

Building were falling over and people were screaming. Asha flinched when she caught a glimpse of Pietro running around. Zola cringed as she watched Sokovia fly by on the tv screen.

"Lagos."

A building was on fire and people were crying. Medics rushed around to help people. Wanda looked away when they saw someone lying on the ground, dead.

"You've made your point," Asha snapped, glaring at the Secretary after seeing Wanda's pained expression. She was also enraged by the images, one of which had been Pietro after he saved Clint.

"Mr Secretary, I suggest you take those videos down before I make you," Zola offered, causing everyone to look at her in shock. Natasha put her hand over Zola's as the girl calmly looked at him,

The man nodded, the videos disappearing from sight.

"For the past four years you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision," he said. "That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution." He pulled out a large booklet and set it on the table. "The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries. It states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization." Wanda slid the book to Rhodey after she glanced through it briefly. "Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel deems it necessary."

"The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place," Steve said. "I feel we've done that."

"Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?" Asha caught Tony looking at her as Ross asked the question. She shook her head as Steve looked up at the Secretary. "If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes, you can bet there'd be consequences. Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground."