Quake

CA:CW 13

Tony Stark: That shield doesn't belong to you. [Steve turns his back.] You don't deserve it. My father made that shield! [Steve stops, raises his chin, then drops the shield and walks away with Bucky's arm around his shoulder.]

Everyone takes a moment to process what just happened. Tony and Steve both look to each other in apology, as do Tony and Bucky.

They regret ever letting go the accords come between them. They may not be able to change the past, but they'll be able to change the future. After all, that's why they're here, isn't it?

[In a secure chamber at the Berlin UN bunker Zemo's contained in a prison pod, his ankles cuffed to his seat. Everett Ross enters the chamber.]

Everett Ross: Meals at eight and five. Toilet privileges twice a day. Raise your voice, zap. Touch the glass, zap. You step out of line, you deal with me. Please, step out of line. Hmm? [Zemo just stares.] So how does it feel? To spend all that time, all that effort . . . and, to see it fail so spectacularly?

Helmut Zemo: [He looks up to meet Everett's gaze.] Did it?

"The sad thing is, he's right. He got exactly what he wanted." Peter says quietly. Ana puts an arm around his shoulders and pulls him closer to his side.

[Back at Avengers HQ, Tony is with Rhodes as he tentatively walks beside parallel bars with tech on his legs.]

Tony Stark: It's just the first pass.

James Rhodes: Yeah.

Tony Stark: Give me some feedback. Anything you can think of. Shock absorption. Lateral movement. Cup holder?

James Rhodes: You may wanna think about some AC down in . . . [He falls onto his hands.]

Tony Stark: Let's go. I'll give you a hand.

James Rhodes: No, no, don't. Don't help me. Don't help me. [He rises to his hands and knees, turns to sit on the floor beside Tony.] 138. 138 combat missions. That's how many I've flown, Tony. Every one of them could've been my last, but I flew 'em. Because the fight needed to be fought. It's the same with these Accords. I signed because it was the right thing to do. And, yeah, this sucks. This is . . . this is a bad beat. But it hasn't change my mind. I don't think. [He gives a crooked smile and takes Tony's hand.]

Tony pats Rhodes on the back, and the two share a smile.

Tony Stark: You okay

James Rhodes: Oh yeah.

FedEx Driver Stan Lee: [Knocks on the window with a packet in his hand.] Are you Tony "Stank"?

"Oh for fucks sake! Who the hell is that guy?!" Sirius asks.

The avengers all look at the screen. "We don't know, but it's getting kinda creepy at this point." Tony says, the other avengers agreeing.

James Rhodes: Yes, this is--this is Tony "Stank". You're in the right place. Thank you for that! I'm never dropping that, by the way. Table for one, Mr. "Stank". Please, by the bathroom.

Everyone is crying with laughter at this point. What a great way to end such a stressful movie.

[Tony is alone, opens the package and finds an envelope and a phone inside.]

Steve Rogers: [letter to Stark] Tony, I'm glad you're back at the compound. I don't like the idea of you rattling around a mansion by yourself. We all need family. The Avengers are yours, maybe more so than mine. I've been on my own since I was 18. I never really fit in anywhere, even in the army. My faith's in people, I guess. Individuals. And I'm happy to say that, for the most part, they haven't let me down. Which is why I can't let them down either. Locks can be replaced, but maybe they shouldn't. I know I hurt you, Tony. I guess I thought by not telling you about your parents I was sparing you, but I can see now that I was really sparing myself, and I'm sorry. Hopefully one day you can understand. I wish we agreed on the Accords, I really do. I know you're doing what you believe in, and that's all any of us can do. That's all any of us should . . . [As Steve reads his letter off screen it's indicated that he breaks his team out of the Raft.]