Earth's Mightiest Heroes

Sokovia Accords

***A year later***

I sighed and looked up at the compound. I had gotten a text from Natasha that said I was needed here. I didn't want to come but Steve had insisted I go. So here I was, not wanting to be here, but here because a friend needed me. I walked into the main hallway just as Tony and some other guy did.

"Kennedy?" Tony questioned.

I gave him a small smile, "Hi Tony."

His face said that he wanted to yell at me, but he wasn't going to do it in front of whoever this guy was.

"Captain Rogers," the guy said holding his hand out, "I'm Thaddeus Ross, Secretary of State."

"It's an honor, sir," I said shaking his hand.

He smiled, "Please, the honor is all mine. Now I have some things I would like to discuss with you and your team."

I nodded, "Of course."

We headed into the conference room. The whole team gave me a weird look but didn't say anything. They were all most likely going to yell at me later. I sat at the head of the table and propped my feet up on the table. Bucky gave me a look and I shot one back that dared him to say something.

"Huh," Secretary Ross said as he pulled up some things on the screen, "Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my backswing. Turned out it was the best round of my life because after thirteen hours of surgery and a triple bypass, I have found something forty 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. 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 asked.

"How about dangerous?" Secretary Ross asked, "What would you call a group of US based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will whenever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned with what they leave behind?" Footage from New York played on the screen. "New York." Next was D.C. "Washington D.C." Then Sokovia. "Sokovia." The last bit I didn't know where that was. "Lagos."

"Okay," Bucky snapped, "That's enough."

"In the past four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution." Secretary Ross slid a huge packet of papers on the table. "The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries." Wanda picked up the Accords before sliding it over to Rhodey. "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 deems it necessary."

I sat up in the chair, "The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place, I feel we've done that."

"Tell me, Captain," Secretary Ross said, "Do you know where Thor and Banner are now? If I misplaced a couple of nukes you could bet there'd be consequences. Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me this is the middle ground."

"So," Rhodey said, "there are contingencies."

"Three days from now the U.N meets in Vienna to ratify these accords."

Bucky looked back at Tony who looked up and then away.

"Talk it over," Secretary Ross told us.

"And if we come to a decision you don't like?" Natasha asked.