Alone

20: Sokovia Accords

I took a seat next to Wanda and the Secretary of State.
"Well five years ago I had a heart attack, I dropped right in the middle of my bat swing. Turned out it was the best round of my life because after thirteen hours of surgery and a triple bypass, I have found something fourth years in the army that never taught me, perspective." Secretary Ross began. I looked around the room and saw Tony sitting in the back of the room, guilt and pain radiating off of him. I turned back to Secretary Ross  as he began to speak again. "The world owes the Avengers an unplayable debt. You have caught for us, protected us, risked your lives, 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 spoke.
"How about dangerous, what would you call a group of U.S based enhanced individuals, who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict there will where ever they choose and who frankly unconcerned about what they leave behind." He said moving to the side of the screen behind him. Suddenly a map showed up on the screen and videos of the New York battle appeared "New York." Now the battle of Washington DC was displayed "Washington DC... Sokovia." I watched the screen as my home was destroyed some videos of me, one when I had collapsed on the ground my screams echoing through the city. Painful memories once again flooded my mind, my brothers last word piercing my memory. I looked away from the screen and fiddled with my necklace as the memories played in my head, tears began to form in my eyes. I heard Steve about to speak but he was interrupted by Secretary Ross. "Lagos." The sounds of sirens filled the room from the video only tow days earlier. I did not pay attention for my mind was too busy on the thought of Sokovia.
"Okay that's enough." Steve said. The sound stopped, and I looked up at Steve who looked at Wanda and I worriedly.
"The past four years you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision that's an arrangement the governments of the world will no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution." Secretary Ross said making me turn my attention towards him. He was handed a book and then handed to me. I pulled it towards me reading the words Sokovia Accords I stared at the cover for a couple seconds hating the name they used for it. I handed it not wanting to look at it any longer to Wanda.
"Sokovia Accords approved by a hundred and seventeen countries it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organization instead they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel only when and if that panel seems it necessary."
"The avengers were formed to make the world a safer place I feel we've done that." Steve spoke up, I turned to him seeing the annoyance in his eyes.
"Tell me Captain do you know where a Thor and Banner are right now? If I misplaced a couple of thirty megaton nukes you can bet there'd be consequences. Compromise, reassurance, that's how the world works. Believe me this is the middle ground." Secretary Ross answered.
"So there are contingencies." Rhodey said speaking up.
"Three days from now the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the accords... talk it over." Secretary Ross said.
"And if we come to a decision you don't like?" Natasha asked.
"Then you retire." He said before saying his goodbyes and leaving.
We all sat now around the table silent my mind going over the events of today and the memories brought up with the conversation. I felt the uneasiness in the room. I looked at Wanda who nervously fiddled with her fingers, seeing her nervous made me nervous causing me to fiddle with my necklace. Wanda placed her hand on mine and when I looked up she gave me a reassuring nod and tight squeeze of my hand. I smiled trying to convince her I was okay but failing as the concern and fear showed across my face. I then turned to Steve who looked at the Sokovia Accords quietly, mixed emotions in his eyes. Tony in the back of the room, looked tired I could tell he had not gotten much sleep. The others in the room all pondering over their choice to support the Accords or be against it. I now pondered over it, thinking of every option but there were only two, and I didn't like either of them. If I was against it my sister and I could be kicked out of the country or worse taken to a facility, if I agreed to it our team could become broken and we would not be able to choose our fights. We pondered over this for what seems like forever until someone spoke up.