Divided |2|

eleven

After much complaining, a soldier allowed Victoria to sit in the SUV with T'Challa, Sam and Steve. Her hands were still bound and she was itching to cross them. She stared at the back of T'Challa's head and glared at him, not quite annoyed at him – but at the situation.

"So, you like cats?"

Her head snapped to Sam, who was staring at T'Challa too. She wanted to laugh, but a stern warning from Steve made her swallow it. He gave Sam a look too before speaking. "Sam."

"What? Dude shows up dressed like a cat and you don't wanna know more?"

"Your suit..." Steve trailed off. "It's Vibranium?"

T'Challa glanced backwards slightly before speaking. "The Black Panther has been the protector of Wakanda for generations. A mantle, passed from warrior to warrior. And now, because your friend murdered my father, I also wear the mantle of King. So, I ask you—as both warrior and king—how long do you think you can keep your friend safe from me?"

Victoria frowned when Steve set his jaw. She knew Bucky meant a lot to him, but this would just create a war. One she wasn't sure if Steve could carry on his own. One she would now be involved in.

They drove into the facility and Victoria spotted a blonde woman giving Steve a look outside the van. She sent an accusing look to the soldier, and he just shook his head slightly. They let Victoria out and took off her cuffs.

They exited the SUV and Victoria's eyes met those of a short man who stood, cockily, before her. She broke out into a small smile and Sam nudged her. "What are you all smiley for?"

"I'm finally taller than someone!" She gestured to the man before them and Sam chuckled, shaking his head.

"You're truly special, Baby Bird."

"Yes, yes I am."

Their conversation halted when Steve nudged the pair. His eyes were fixed on Bucky though, who was currently in a pod and being rolled away on a forklift. Their eyes met and he sent her a sad smile, before he looked away. Steve voiced the question on her mind to the man she was taller than.

Yeah, so not letting that go just yet.

"What's gonna happen to him?"

"Same thing that ought to happen to you. Psychological evaluation and extradition."

"Charming."

The blonde gave Victoria a short look, before speaking. "This is Everett Ross, Deputy Task Force Commander."

How was anyone intimidated by a man practically the size of Cooper? And he's their Commander?

"What about our lawyer?"

"Lawyer. That's funny. See their weapons are placed in lockup. Oh, we'll write you a receipt."

"I'd like my bow back, thank you very much."

"Sorry to break it to you, princess, but they're not yours anymore."

"You do realise I was trained to hit a target at bullseye with my eyes shut, right?"

"Was that a threat?"

"Won't be a threat if I make it a reality."

"Victoria," Steve snapped. "Cool down."

"I better not look out the window and see anybody flying around in that."

Victoria figured they had brought out their weapons when Sam remarked. They were escorted through the building and the girl sulked the whole way. They walked onto a covered skywalk and she felt her nerves bubble up from being so high off of the ground with no literal floor. She didn't mind being on a normal floor so high, but clear glass made her uneasy.

T'Challa placed a hand on the small of her back to try and ease her nerves. She gave him a small smile, one he returned surprisingly. She had nothing against him, and he had nothing against her. Her attention was brought back to the situation when Ross spoke again.

"You'll be provided with an office instead of a cell. Now, do me a favour, stay in it?"

"I don't intend on going anywhere."

T'Challa removed his hand from her back as he spoke, and his gaze was fixed on something before them. Victoria turned and saw Pietro glaring at T'Challa, as he stood next to Natasha. His eyes caught Victoria's and she smirked.

Payback is a bitch, she thought.

Natasha smiled softly at Victoria before speaking. "We need to get you a little bell, it seems. You always seem to just vanish into thin air without me even seeing you."

"I had to do it, Nat."

Her smile morphed into a sad one, and she turned to Steve. "For the record, this is what making things worse looks like."

"He's alive."

"No. Romania was not Accords-sanctioned. And, Colonel Rhodes is supervising cleanup."

Victoria turned to Tony when his voice cut through the air. He was on the phone with someone, and rolled his eyes at least twice before he spoke again. Natasha looked at the group with a sarcastic smile.

"Try not to break anything while we fix this."

"Consequences? You bet there'll be consequences. Obviously you can quote me on that 'cause I just said it. Anything else? Thank you, sir."

"So, we've been downgraded to five-year-old children?"

Tony put down the phone and looked at Victoria. "You wanted to go off and try to save the day with the Captain. You should've stayed in Vienna."

"Don't." Victoria let out a humourless laugh. "Don't try to act like you're the hero here, Tony. We all know it's your guilty conscience that's playing the holier-than-thou card."

Steve, wanting to prevent as much tension as possible, interrupted their argument.

"So, 'consequences?'"

"Secretary Ross wants you three prosecuted. Had to give him something."

"I'm not getting that shield back, am I?"

"Technically, it's the government's property." Natasha sat down, sending another sarcastic smile to them. "Wings and bow, too."

"So I've heard."

"That's cold."

"Warmer than jail."

After Tony left, Victoria found the familiar blue eyes just staring at her. She stood up to go over to him, but he ran off. Victoria sighed, walking out of the office and into the hallway again.

Now to find a certain speedster.