Heroes Never Die

The Sokovia Accords

(so I've been writing this in the midst of a week long room-quarantine and I'm watching Civil War right now and I'm sitting here going "Tony Stark Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo Gods help me)

~Chapter 1~

It had been a year since the events of Sokovia

Life had actually settled down a bit. Hero work had slowed down and being able to focus on a normal life had become more and more of a possibility for Hadley and Tony

Well as normal as life can be when you're dating a genius billionaire.

Tony was constantly inventing new things and creating new marks for both their suits.

Even earlier than day he'd given a presentation at MIT with his company's newest invention

B.A.R.F.

Yes it was a strange acronym but it meant Binary Augmented Retro-Framing

She was very proud of everything he was accomplishing

Right now she sat in her room at the compound, waiting for Tony to return

It wasn't long before Vision phased through her wall, startling her

"Vision!" She said

"The door was open I assumed I could come in" Vision said

"Come through the door" she said, gesturing to it

Vision sighed "Captain Rodgers has asked me to inform you that Mr. Stark has returned" he said

Hadley smiled and nodded "Great" she said, standing

She was quick to head to the door

"And he has a guest"

"A guest?" She looked at Vision in surprise, "who?"

"The Secretary of State" Vision replied

~

Hadley frowned as she sat between Sam and Rhodey.

Secretary Thaddeus Ross stood in front of them

"Five years ago, I had a heart attack and dropped right in the middle of my backswing." He said, pacing in front of the large screen set up in the meeting room, "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 unpayable 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"

Hadley frowned quietly

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

"How about dangerous?" Ross asked

"Dangerous?" Hadley asked in disbelief, "We're not... We're not 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 asked, crossing his arms

Hadley fell silent, looking up at him as he turned to the screen, pressing a button

Soon videos appeared on the screen, showing New York in the midst of the battle with the Chitauri. People running and screaming

"New York" Ross said, watching the screen quietly

Hadley watched for a moment or two before looking away, glancing at Tony who was staring at the screen in an upset silence

"Washington DC" Ross continued, clicking another button

The scene changed to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s flying air craft crashing into a harbor in the Capital, sending large tidal waves over civilians

Hadley put a hand over her mouth quietly and glanced around. Everyone looked solemn as they watched the screen

"Sokovia" Ross said, changing the scene again

Hadley winced quietly as she watched the footage of people running in terror from the destruction of the floating city

She looked away quietly

"Lagos" The Secretary continued, showing more videos and imagery

"Alright that's enough" Steve said finally, having enough of the discomfort of his teammates

Hadley looked back at Tony, who looked at her solemnly

"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." Ross continued, then he picked up a packet of paper, "But I think we have a solution. The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries... it states that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organisation. Instead... they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel... only when and if that panel deems it necessary."

Hadley eyed the packet quietly before looking back at the Secretary

"The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place." Steve said, "I feel we've done that."

"Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?" Ross asked, Steve looked down, "If 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." Nat said

Hadley looked at her then Steve. They both looked defeated.

"Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna... to ratify the Accords." Ross explained, "Talk it over"

"And if we come to a decision you don't like?" Nat asked

"Then you retire." Ross replied before leaving the room