Torn Between Lies

Chapter Three~Unexpect Opinion

Steve is sitting, studying the Accords, while Rhodey and Sam argue behind him. I just sat still not believe this was happening.

"Secretary Ross has a Congressional Medal of Honor, which is one more than you have," says Rhodey. "So let's say we agree to this thing. How long is it gonna be before they LoJack us like a bunch of common criminals?" asked Sam. 

"A 117 countries want to sign this. 117, Sam, and you're just like, "No, that's cool. We got it. "

"How long are you going to play both sides?"

"I have an equation." says Vis I look up at him "Oh, this will clear it up." finishes Sam.

"In the eight years since Mr. Stark announced himself as Iron Man, the number of known enhanced persons has grown exponentially starting with Illisha and so one. During the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commensurate rate," explains Vision.

"Are you saying it's our fault?" I ask.

"I'm saying there may be a causality. Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict . . . breeds catastrophe. Oversight . . . oversight is not an idea that can be dismissed out of hand."

I look to the side, Tony is lying on the couch, one hand over his face. When Natasha speaks, he removes the hand to look at her. "Tony. You are being uncharacteristically non-hyper-verbal."

God Tony, out of all the people here I thought you would have reason "It's because he's already made up his mind." I say turning away from me. "Sis, you know me best," he says getting up and winces, rubbing the back of his head. "Actually, I'm nursing an electromagnetic headache." He walks to the kitchen and grabs a mug. "That's what's going on, Illisha. It's just pain. It's discomfort. Who's putting coffee grounds in the disposal? Am I running a bed and breakfast for a biker gang?"

He puts his phone in a basket and taps it. The phone projects an image of a smiling young man. He looks down, then back up, and pretends to notice the picture for the first time. "Oh, that's Charles Spencer, by the way. He's a great kid. Computer engineering degree, 3.6 GPA. Had a floor level gig at Intel planned for the fall. But first, he wanted to put a few miles on his soul, before he parked it behind a desk. See the world. Maybe be of service. Charlie didn't want to go to Vegas or Fort Lauderdale, which is what I would do. He didn't go to Paris or Amsterdam, which sounds fun. He decided to spend his summer building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where Sokovia."

I run a hand through my hair, he knows how much I hated this "He wanted to make a difference, I suppose. I mean, we won't know because we dropped a building on him while we were kicking ass." says Tony taking a pill with some coffee, then faces us "There's no decision-making process here. We need to be put in check! Whatever form that takes, I'm game. If we can't accept limitations, if we're boundary-less, we're no better than the bad guys."

"Tony, someone dies on your watch, you don't give up," I explain.

"Who said we're giving up?"

"We are if we're not taking responsibility for our actions. This document just shifts the blames!" I start, Rhodey walks over and puts a hand on my shoulder "I'm sorry. Illisha. That - that is dangerously arrogant. This is the United Nations we're talking about. It's not the World Security Council, it's not S.H.I.E.L.D., it's not H.Y.D.R.A."

"No, but it's run by people with agendas, and agendas change." I say pushing his hand away standing up "That's good. That's why I'm here. When I realized what my weapons were capable of in the wrong hands, I shut it down and stop manufacturing." says Tony walking over to me.

"Tony, you chose to do that. We chose to do that! If we sign this, we surrender our right to choose. What if this panel sends us somewhere we don't think we should go? What if there is somewhere we need to go, and they don't let us?!" I shout. I look around the room for some help someone to back me up.

"We may not be perfect, but the safest hands are still our own."

I look down at Steve next to me and nod my thanks "If we don't do this now, it's gonna be done to us later. That's the fact. That won't be pretty." says Tony, Wanda stands up walking around standing behind me putting a hand on my shoulder "You're saying they'll come for us." she threatens.

"We would protect you," says Vision.

"Maybe Tony's right," says Nat, we all look at her, surprised. "If we have one hand on the wheel, we can still steer. If we take it off -"

"Aren't you the same woman who told the government to kiss her ass a few years ago?" asked Sam.

"I'm just . . . I'm reading the terrain. We have made . . . some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back."

"Focus up. I'm sorry, did I just mishear you or did you agree with me?" asked Tony.

"Oh, I want to take it back now."

"No, no, no. You can't retract it. Thank you. Unprecedented. Okay, case closed--I win."

Steve's phone buzzes and he pulls it out to check it. "I have to go." Steve gets up sharply, drops the Accords on the coffee table, and goes downstairs. I look after him "Steve." I start and begin to walk after him.

Tony grabs my arm "Spirit please, to protect you, you have to sign." I look back at him, he was my brother, the one who took me in, but I could agree with letting my freedom go again "No..." and with that, I pull my arm away and run after Steve.

I find in the stairway, he looks up at me and takes a breath "Do you mind doing me a favor?" I nod walking down a few steps "Yes, of course."

"Come to London with me." 

I look at Steve confused before he hands me his phone, his text was open 'She's gone. Went in her sleep.' I look back at Steve who had a few stray tears. Peggy Carter, the woman he loved, was gone.

"Oh, Steve." I start and give him a hug, he cries silently into my shoulder "It's okay Steve, everything's going to be okay...I know what it's like." I say my mind wondering to Loki "To lose someone you love." I finishes my voice cracking at the end.