The Sokovia Accords

- - - - -

"Eleven Wakandans were among those killed during a confrontation between the Avengers and a group of mercenaries in Lagos, Nigeria, last month. The traditionally reclusive Wakandans were on an outreach mission in Lagos when the attack occurred."

Ana sat on the edge of her bed and stared at the monitor in front of her, removing the white tape off her hands. The news was all over the incident that happened in Lagos. Wanda was blaming herself for the entire thing, and anything Ana tells her doesn't seem to get that out of her head. She knows Wanda wasn't fully used to her powers, she didn't even know how far they go to.

She threw the clumped ball of tape behind her and reached for her soft towel on the ground and wiped her wet face. When a familiar voice came from the monitor, she glanced at the King of Wakanda, T'Chaka.

"Our people's blood is spilled on foreign soil. Not only because of the actions of criminals, but by the indifference of those pledged to stop them. Victory at the expense of the innocent, is no victory at all."

"No. No it isn't."

Ana sighed and dropped her head, letting her hands dangle across her knees. She was drained, ready to close her eyes and sleep for an entire week. She thought that pushing herself further in her combat skills and track would improve her abilities. She was a peak health, physically that was.

"Hey, there you are." Natasha hummed. She smiled warmly down at her, walking into her bedroom and stopping at her side.

Ana felt Nat put a hand on her shoulders. "We have a guest downstairs. Remember General Ross?" She asked.

Ana lifted her head to look at Natasha, "Thunderbolt? Oh God, I can't stand that guy." She shook her head, making Nat laugh.

"He didn't like how SHIELD was poking into his business with Bruce." She replied.

Ana stood up, putting a loose black shirt over her sports bra and put her damp hair in a ponytail. She followed Natasha out into the hallway and they headed for the stairs. "Yeah, when Fury assigned me to the case, Ross got so angry I thought he was going to turn into a Red Hulk." She chuckled. Ana was glad Fury swapped her out for Natasha. She would've lost her own temper if she continued to work for Ross.

"One Hulk is enough." Natasha agreed.

- - -

"Five years ago, I had a heart attack."

Ana was sat at the head of the table, with Steve, Natasha and Rhodey down to her right, and Sam, Vision and Wanda down to her left. Tony was on a chair separate from the table, having his head down as the new Secretary of State, Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross, talked to the entire group.

When Ana walked into the briefing room, she was surprised when he greeted her kindly. Something told her it was all an act, but she guessed she would have to wait and see what this meeting was all about to fully understand his behaviour.

Ross was standing on the other side of the table in front of the large screen, his arms in a position as if he was golfing. "I dropped right in the middle of my batting swing." He explained, "Turned out, it was the best round of my life because after thirteen hours of surgery and a triple bypass. I found something forty years in the army never taught me — perspective." He said, glancing at the group.

"The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You've fought for us. Protected us. Risked your lives." He listed, clasping his hands behind his straightened back. Ana had one hand on the surface of the table, lightly tapping the wood.

"While a great many people see you as heroes. There are some who would prefer the word vigilantes." Ross stated.

Ana raised an eyebrow, "You've got the wrong team of heroes, sir." She muttered to herself. She had seen the newspapers about the Devil of Hell's Kitchen. But he wasn't the only defender in New York.

"And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?" Natasha asked.

"How about dangerous?" He offered, causing Ana's light tapping to stop completely. She glanced up at him, seeing he was staring right at her.

"What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals, who routinely ignores sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind them." He stepped back and pressed on a small device that controlled the screen behind him. Footage of the battles in the countries the Avengers have fought in played like a movie reel.

"New York. Washington DC. Sokovia. Lagos." He named as the footage switched from country to country.

Wanda looked down at the sight of an unmoving woman amongst the rubble in Lagos. Steve noticed and looked at Ross, "Okay. That's enough." He said sharply.

"For the past four years, you operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate." Ross informed. "But I think we have a solution." He put down a large folder in front of Wanda,

"The Sokovia Accords."

Ana straightened in her seat, wanting to get a better look at the book. "Approved by a hundred and seventeen 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." Ross explained.

"The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we've done that." Steve said, looking at his friends protectively. Ana looked down with a frown, remembering the damage they have caused into making those moves that lead to a safer place.

"Tell me Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?" Ross asked with raised eyebrows. Ana was pretty sure the two brutes were having fun in Asgard without her.

"If I misplaced a couple of thirty mega tonne nukes, you can bet there'd be consequences. Compromise, reassurance — that's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground." He pointed at the Accords that were making their way up to Sam.

"So, there are contingencies." Rhodey wondered and Ross nodded.

"Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords. So, talk it over." Ross said, walking to the door. He was finished, now all that had to be done was the decisions.

"And if we come to a decision you don't like?" Ana spoke up, grabbing the book gently. She looked to Ross, seeing a small glint in his eye as if he was amused.

"Then you retire."

- - -

Ana was nervous. And when she was nervous, she would usually pace around. And after their meeting, the Avengers went back up to the living room, only for Ana to start pacing in front of Steve as he sat down on a seat reading the Accords. She was keeping to herself, thinking over the proposal. She had two choices.

Be registered as an enhanced person under full-time government supervision for the rest of her life.

Or, retire.

Ana either signs on the dotted line, giving up her freedom to the government and potentially letting them take control of her abilities — just as Hydra did. She understands it is supposed to protect the people, make them feel safer by knowing any super humans are under surveillance at all times. But her mind was yelling at her to walk away.

She didn't want anyone to control her again. If she signs, she's letting them tell her what to do, where to go and what to say. She doesn't want to be in a situation where there's trouble and the government is telling her not to do anything about it. She's a goddamn Avenger, she helps people wherever they are no matter what. She had the abilities, the will, to help those in need.

After all, the government was an easily persuaded organisation. Their views and opinions change all the time. They have corrupt followers and leaders, and who is to say they won't take advantage of her and everyone else who decides to sign.

Ross wanted her to sign, seeing as she was one of the strongest allies they — the world — had. She used to be a great agent, she was good at following orders and carrying out missions to completion. And Ross wanted her to continue being an agent for the US government.

He needed her.

She didn't need him. Or the Sokovia Accords.

Sam started talking about he thought they didn't need the Accords. And Rhodey was arguing to him that it was a right thing to do. They were all approaching the subject differently, some for and against the Accords.

"Secretary Ross has a Congressional Medal of Honour, which is one more than you have." He said, pointing at Sam. Wanda watched Ana silently, eyes moving side to side before she propped her elbow up on the armrest and sighed.

"So, let's say we agree to this thing. How long is it gonna be before they lo-jack us like a bunch of common criminals? Sam asked.

Rhodey rolled his eyes, "A hundred and seventeen countries want to sign this." He repeated, trying to get it through his head. "A hundred and seventeen, Sam, and you're just like, 'Nah, it's cool.'" He shrugged before shaking his head.

"How long are you going to play both sides?" Sam crossed his arms, getting frustrated.

"I have an equation." Vision spoke up, getting everyone's attention. Ana was forced down by Steve, he had grabbed her shirt and made her sit down on the armrest of his chair. He shot her a concerned look and she just crossed her arms, facing Vision.

"Oh, this will clear it up."

"In the eight years since Mr. Stark announced himself as Iron Man, the number of noted enhanced persons has grown exponentially." Vision began, his hands clasped in front of his crossed legs. "And during the same period, the number of potentially world-ending events has risen at a commissive rate."

"Are you saying it's our fault?" Ana asked, wide eyed in disbelief.

"I'm saying there maybe a causality." Vision stated. He looked to Wanda before back at the group, "Our very strength invites challenge. Challenge incites conflict. And conflict... breeds catastrophe. Oversight. Oversight is not an idea that could be dismissed out-of-hand." He finished. He was for the Accords.

"Boom." And so was Rhodey.

Natasha peered to the side, glancing at Tony who was on his back, his hands over his face. "Tony, you're being uncharacteristically non-hyper verbal." She said.

"That's because he's already made up his mind." Steve said from beside Ana. She took the Accords from him, closing it shut and giving him a nod. His eyes showed how appreciative he was.

They were both against the Accords.

"Boy, you know me so well." Tony said sarcastically.

He rolled his eyes and got up, rubbing the back of his head. "Actually, I'm nursing my electromagnetic headache. That's what's going on, Cap. It's just pain, discomfort." He walked to the sink and breathed out heavily in annoyance, "Who's putting coffee grounds in the disposal? Am I running a bed and breakfast for a biker gang?"

Ana glanced up at Sam and he gave her a look. She shrugged and Tony took a few pain relief pills, he also happened to not-so-accidentally bring up a holographic photo of a young man. He feigned surprise and pointed at the boy, "Oh, that's Charles Spencer by the way. He's a great kid. Computer engineering degree. 3.6 GPA. Had a floor level gig. An Intel plan 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 which is what I would do. He didn't go to Paris or Amsterdam. Sounds fun." He scoffed, "He decided to spend his summer, building sustainable housing for the poor. Guess where," He slammed the cup of pills on the counter and Ana shut her eyes with a sigh, "Sokovia. He want to make a difference, I suppose. I mean, we won't know because we dropped a building on him while we were kicking ass. There's no decision making process here."

Ana looked down. This was all so wrong. She could already see the rift being made between them all. She just hoped it didn't get any worse than simple arguments.

Tony walked around and leaned on the counter behind him. "We need to be put in check. Whatever form that takes, I'm game. If we can't accept limitations, we're bounder-less, we're no better than the bad guys." He added.

"Tony, someone dies on you watch, you don't give up." Steve replied.

"Who said we're giving up?" Tony shot back.

"We are, for not taking responsibility for our actions." Ana answered.

"These documents just shifts the blames." Steve said, gesturing to the book in Ana's lap.

"Sorry. Steve, Ana, that..." Rhodey shook his head, "That is dangerously arrogant. This is the United Nations we're talking about. It's not the world security council, it's not SHIELD, it's not HYDRA."

Steve sighed, "No, but it's run by people with agendas and agendas change."

"Sometimes they're forced to change." Ana included.

"That's good." Tony walked closer to Ana and Steve, "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 them." He told them.

"Tony. You chose to do that." Steve argued. "If we sign these, we surrender our right to choose. What if this Panel sends us somewhere we don't think we should go? What if it's somewhere we need to go, and they don't let us? We may not be perfect, but the safest hands are still our own."

"If we don't do this now, it's going to be done to us later. That's a fact. That won't be pretty." Tony shrugged.

"You're saying they will come for me." Wanda said. Ana shook her head sternly.

"We would protect you." Vision voiced Ana's thoughts. He and the Scarlet Witch shared a look.

"Maybe Tony is right." Natasha said, causing Steve to look down and Sam and Ana to gape at her. "If, we have one hand on the wheel we can still steer."

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

"Nat..." Ana shook her head.

"I'm just... raiding the terrain." Natasha explained, "We have made some very public mistakes. We need to win their trust back." She glanced at Ana, who lowered her eyes. Natasha was for the Accords.

"I'm sorry, did I just mishear you or did you agree with me." Tony said.

"Oh, I want to take it back." Natasha scoffed lightly.

"No, no, no. You can't retract it." Tony smiled, "Thank you. I'm impress by what you did. Okay, case closed. I win."

Ana looked at Steve when his phone signalled he had a message. She looked away to give him privacy and frowned when he stood up abruptly.

"I have to go."

Ana stood next to Sam, both of them dressed respectively in black as they watched Steve and a few other service men lift up a coffin from the back of a hearse. Peggy Carter's coffin. Steve got the news earlier that one of his oldest friends had passed away in her sleep. After he had stormed off, Ana followed and found him on the staircase, head in his hands as he wept. She had taken him into her arms, telling him softly that she would make arrangements for him to go to the funeral. He wanted her and Sam to join him. He didn't want to be alone.

The children's choir sang softly inside the church as the men delivered the casket inside. Ana and Sam shuffled to the left as Steve walked next to them, giving them a nod. They offered him a small smile and waited until the priest allowed everyone to sit.

"And now, I would like to invite Sharon Carter to come up and say a few words." He said and everyone turned their heads when a blonde woman stood up to the podium.

Ana was surprised when she recognised her as Agent 13. She never had the pleasure to meet her officially, but from what Ana heard, Sharon was a great SHIELD agent. Sam nudged Ana, who nudged Steve when his head was down. He looked at his friends and they both nodded to Sharon, getting him to look up.

Steve widened his eyes slightly.

Sharon shyly glanced at the Captain before taking in a long breath, and holding her head up. Ana could see the redness in her eyes and it only made her frown. "Margaret Carter was known to most as the founder of SHIELD. But I just knew her as Aunt Peggy." She started. Steve was having trouble comprehending it all, as he took in a deep breath.

"She had a photo in her office. Aunt Peggy standing next to JFK." Sharon smiled, nervously rocking on her heels. "As a kid, that was pretty cool. But is was a lot to live up to. Which is why I never told anyone we were related." She said, specifically aiming it at Steve as an apology.

Steve nodded, and looked down.

"I asked her once how she managed to master diplomacy and espionage in a time when no one wanted to see a woman succeed in either. She said, 'Compromise where you can. But where you can't, don't. Even if everyone is telling you something wrong is something right, even if the whole world is telling you to move, it is your duty to plant yourself like a tree, look them in the eye and say — No, you move.'" She said passionately, keeping her lips pursed when she could feel her eyes sting.

"We spent our best time together in the past few years. I asked her out of all of her achievements, which she was most proud of. She patted my hand, smiled, and said, 'Dear, I'm afraid that's classified.'" Ana smiled softly as Sharon looked down with grin, remembering that precious memory of her great aunt.

"She inspired me to take a stand and follow my heart. And I am eternally grateful for her support and love each step of the way. Aunt Peggy, I love you and I wish you peace. You will always be in my heart, thank you." Sharon forced another smile and stepped down from the podium. Steve watched her until she was out of sight, before dropping his head.

Ana and Sam shared a look of worry.

- - -

"You think he'll be alright?"

Ana walked with Sam, arm in arm, down the steps of the church when the service was over. Steve wanted to have a moment alone on his own and they promised to meet up again at the pub where the wake was to be held.

"Yeah." Sam nodded, "He's the strongest man I know. I just feel bad for the guy, y'know? He lost his first girl."

Ana sighed and tightened her jacket around her shoulders when the cool London air chilled her skin. "All that pain and misery and loneliness, and it just made him kind." She mumbled.

"That's his superpower." Sam smiled gently.

Ana returned it and they walked into the pub on the corner of the stone street. People from the service where already talking amongst each other, a drink in their hands and a smile on their faces as they remembered Peggy as the woman who triumphed every path she took.

Steve had came in, joining his two friends at the bar. Sam had ordered three drinks and they all took one, clanking it against each others. "Here's to an honourable discharge." Sam toasted and they all took a sip.