Flame

Chapter 27

Today I'm signing the accords on behalf of the rest of the team who also want to. Today is also Peggy's funeral so I'm just going to the church to see how Steve is and if I can get him to change his mind. I walk into the church where I see Steve standing alone so I walk over to him and hug him.

"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 as I move to stand beside him

"She had you back, too." I tell him with a sad smile

"Who else signed?" Steve asks changing the subject

"Tony. Rhodey. Vision. Nat" I tell him

"Clint?" He asks

"Says he's retired, and I don't blame him" I say with a smile

"Wanda?" He asks

"TBD. I'm off to Vienna for the signing of the Accords. There's plenty of room on the jet." I say hoping to convince him "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." I continue trying to convince myself that this is the right thing to do

"What are we giving up to do it? I'm sorry, Doll. I can't sign it" Steve apologises

"I know." I mutter " My father used to say the right choice was the hardest choice" I add on

"Then what are you doing here?' Steve asks

" I didn't want you to be alone." I tell him with a sad smile "Come here." I say pulling him into a hug and I kiss his cheek "Promise me, no matter what happens we won't let this come between us" I tell Steve

"I promise"

Now after an emotional goodbye from Steve I'm with Nat in Vienna to sign the accords"Excuse me, Miss Stark? Miss Romanoff?"A man asks us making me turn and look at him

"Yes?" I ask politely

"These need your signature" He says and I sign the piece of paper before handing it to Nat who signs it. "Thank you." He says before walking off

"Thanks." I mutter

"I suppose your more used to the spotlight than I am" a voice says and I turn to see Prince T'challa standing there

"Oh, well, it's not always so flattering." I say with a smile

"You seem to be doing alright so far" he says smiling

"You don't approve of all this?" I ask him

"The Accords, yes. The politics, not really. Two people in a room can get more done than a hundred." He says before another man joins us

"Unless you need to move a piano." The man says

"Father." T'challa says to him

"Son. Miss Stark, Miss Romanoff." His father says to us and we both nod in respect

"King T'Chaka. Please, allow me to apologize for what happened in Nigeria." Nat apologises to him

"Thank you. Thank you for agreeing to all this. I'm sad to hear that Captain Rogers will not be joining us today" T'Chaka says to me making me for a sad smile

"Yes, so am I." I say as I fiddle with my ring on my finger

"If everyone could please be seated. This assembly is now in session." A man on the speaker says

"That is the future calling. Such a pleasure." T'Chaka says to us

"Thank you." I say with a nod before I go and find my seat beside Nat

"When stolen Wakandan vibranium was used to make a terrible weapon, we in Wakanda were forced to question our legacy. Those men and women killed in Nigeria, were part of a goodwill mission from a country too long in the shadows. We will not, however, let misfortune drive us back. We will fight to improve the world we wish to join. I am grateful to the Avengers for supporting this initiative. Wakanda is proud to extend its hand in peace." T'Chaka says to everyone as we sit there listening to him

"EVERYBODY GET DOWN!" T'challa suddenly shouts and I immediately duck down beside Nat as an enormous explosion goes off sending everyone down and destroying the conference hall

"I'm very sorry." I tell T'Challa as I sit on the bench beside him outside where the explosion went off

"In my culture death is not the end. It's more of a... stepping-off point. You reach out with both hands and Bast and Sekhmet, they lead you into the green veldt where... you can run forever." T'Challa explains to me as he plays with a ring on his finger

"That sounds very peaceful" I reply smiling slightly

"My father thought so. I am not my father." He says to me

"T'Challa. Task force will decide who brings in Barnes." I reassure him

"Don't bother, Miss Stark. I'll kill him myself." He says before walking away and my phone starts to go off making me pick it up and answer it

"Yeah?" I ask as I stand up and move away from the crowd

"You alright doll ?" Steve asks me

"Ah, yeah, thanks. I got lucky." I say standing up and looking around "I know how much Barnes means to you. I really do. Stay home. You'll only make this worse. For all of us. Please." I beg him not wanting him to get into trouble

"Are you saying you'll arrest me?" Steve asks me

"No but Someone will. If you interfere. That's how it works now." I tell him as I look around me

"If he's this far gone, Doll I should be the one to bring him in." Steve says to me

"Why?" I ask

"Because I'm the one least likely to die trying." Steve says before ending the call

"Shit."