Not Quite a Soldat

6

While still being arrested since she was at the scene, Rhodey had convinced them to let Chanel sit in the passenger's seat of the van currently carrying Steve, Sam, and T'Challa. The three men behind the caged area. Chanel ignored most of their conversation— checking out after Sam asked T'Challa if he liked cats. To say she was pissed was an understatement. The men were all in comfortable outfits that they had under their suits, Sam and Steve were even allowed their jackets. Chanel hadn't been allowed to go back home and change, not even with an escort.

They had wanted everyone on planes to Berlin immediately. And with no other women on the squad that had come to collect Bucky, Chanel was stuck in her sundress. The only satisfaction she got was no one had searched her, Sam and Steve would've put up a fight and even Rhodey knew a line would be crossed. So Chanel still had all the contents of her and Bucky's bags in her backpack as well as the knife still hidden on her thigh.

"And now, because your friend murdered my father..."

Chanel checked in when she heard T'Challa speak those words.

"He didn't murder anybody," she said but she was ignored.

"So I ask you as warrior and king, how long do you think you can keep your friend safe from me?"

"He didn't murder anyone," Chanel said loudly.

The three men got quiet. Chanel turned as best as she could to look T'Challa in the eye. King or not, he had no right.

"I've been with him every day since being in Romania. So tell me, king, how can a man be in two places at once? I don't care what you think you know and I'm sorry for your loss, I understand how that feels but the man who murdered your father is not the man locked up in the van behind us. He's innocent."

"You would vouch for him?"

"With my life... and my life is not cheap, Your Highness."

Sam and Steve smirked when Chanel turned back around. T'Challa grabbed his necklace that held his father's ring and rubbed it between his fingers. He didn't know Chanel very well but the bandage around her leg, the sundress, and clear lack of fighting... not even a spy could act that natural, she was clearly not an accomplice of any kind to Barnes. He knew what he saw, what everyone said but T'Challa wanted to believe her.

They were escorted out of the car to the garage of a very secure building. In front of them was a CIA man and the familiar face of Sharon Carter who looked very puzzled to see Chanel with them.

"What's going to happen to him?" Steve asked as you guys spotted Bucky's containment unit being wheeled in.

"Same thing that ought to happen to you," the man said. "Psychological evaluation and extradition."

"For what?" Chanel asked. "He didn't do anything."

"I'm sorry, who is she?"

Sharon stepped in before Chanel could say something. "This is Everett Ross, Deputy Task Force Commander."

"How about a lawyer?" Chanel continued.

"Lawyer. That's funny. See that their weapons are locked up, we'll write you a receipt."

Ross was grating on her. He looked her up and down with a raised brow and air of condescension. "And figure out what she knows."

"Sir, I don't think..." Sharon protested along with the others.

"Only if I stay with him," Chanel said.

"No," Ross pressed.

"I'll run."