Rhodey will never forget the sound of Tony's suit crashing into the Earth. Everything seemed to slow down and the world grew silent- except for the deep 'boom' that he was sure ended his best friend's life. His heart seemed to restart at hearing Jarvis report signs of life after he wrenched the helmet off of his friend's face.
Rhodey barely remembered shooting Sam, but just hearing his voice made a new type of anger course through him.
So, staring at the team six months later on the compound's landing pad, he just knew that he would never EVER forgive them.
They weren't there when his friend crashed to the ground, almost breaking every bone in his body. They weren't there when his friend was stuck in a coma and wouldn't wake up for weeks. They weren't there when he had to break the news to him when he woke- that he would never walk again. And they certainly weren't there every day after that- watching as he struggled to learn to live again, to move in constant pain.
He got the email with the details of the pardon in the middle of Tony's physical therapy. He was watching the nurse bend Tony's unresponsive legs over and over, heart breaking every time Tony winced at the pain lacing through his back from the surgery. The email, with a large 'CONFIDENTIAL' on the subject line, was from Secretary Ross. After a nod to Tony and the nurse, he stepped outside the hospital room to read it in private. It was a good decision, because he almost smashed his phone in anger. He immediately called Ross, ranting in anger at the UN's decision. After 30 minutes of the two arguing back and forth he finally got it through his head that the decision was final, and they would be arriving at the compound in two weeks.
Breaking the news to Tony was easier than he thought, but he should have known that since the billionaire thought the whole situation was somehow his fault. This was an opportunity to make reparations for him. He couldn't hide the anger when he could see on his friend's face that a part of him was happy he would get his friends back, his family back. He hoped Tony wouldn't be disappointed, but deep down he knew that was inevitable.
When the team arrived, there was only Vision and Rhodey to greet them. Tony was being released from the hospital that afternoon, despite his begging to be at the compound when the team arrived.
As they walked toward the pair, their scowls became visible. Rhodey and Vision had talked about being civil to the team, at least for Tony's sake, but they both couldn't help a frown replacing their fake grins.
"Where's Tony?" Steve said as soon as he got close enough.
"Mr.Stark is not here, though he sends his welcomes. Rhodey and I will get you settled in though," Vision said in his British accent.
"Wow, playboy couldn't even show up," Clint snorted, before being shoved slightly by Sam.
Rhodey swallowed down his retort and turned to walk inside. "Your rooms are still the same, but you no longer have access to the upper floors- only your personal floors and the common room."
"That's not fair, we need to have complete access if we are going to be a team. How are we going to train?" Steve frowned.
"You will have access to the gym, pool, and other amenities which are located on the lower floors, but you will not have access to our personal quarters in the upper floors- that being my, Tony, and Rhodey's rooms," Vision responded calmly.
Rhodey and Vision moved to the conference rooms before anyone else could respond. "Please take a seat," he directed everyone. They all made sure to sit on one side of the table, a silent unity amongst the Rogues. Vision and Rhodey stood at the front.
"In front of you are packets filled with any questions you may have about the compound, the Avengers, or the Accords," Vision said.
"Read them, or don't. I really don't care. But follow the rules or you will be removed," Rhodey said flatly before turning to leave. He felt bad about leaving Vision, but he knew he wouldn't be able to last much longer staring at their faces.
