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The Avengers Team sat around a large table with Tony in a chair in the back ready to listen to Secretary Ross' presentation.
"Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my back-swing. 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 un-payable 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 cut him off.
"How about "dangerous"? 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?" Ross said activating three screen behind him.
"New York." Rhodey looked away regretfully.
"Washington D.C." Steve tensed looking to his fiancé who put her hand on side helping him relax.
"Sokovia." Tony and Wanda stared at the screen blankly.
"Lagos." Wanda seemed most affected looking away quickly with sorrow-filled eyes.
"Okay. That's enough." Steve interjected.
"For 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 dropped a thick packet on the table which is soon passed around the table.
"The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 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 deems it necessary."
"The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we've done that." Steve said looking at the Accords.
"Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?" Steve met Secretary Ross' eyes, "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."
"So, there are contingencies." Rhodey spoke.
"Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords." Secretary Ross says as Steve looked to his fiancée and her brother.
"Talk it over." Ross finished.
"And if we come to a decision you don't like?" Natasha asked.
