Chapter 1
Chapter 1
Steve was watching the phone. He was simple and unpretentious, he didn't look like what she was used to. She would recognize him right away because even though he had attached a letter to tell her that he was not angry with her and that he forgave her. He couldn't sign the letter if it was ever intercepted but he was sure it wouldn't last. He had heard that she was out of the hospital. When he had left her, her wounds seemed slight. He wasn't worried, she was a survivor, she was Toni Stark. He was happy that T'Challa welcomed them and that he recognized his mistake about the Accords. Besides, his sister was taking care of Bucky's problem. He was innocent, but HYDRA couldn't control him anymore. Steve had been fighting this scourge all his life. But he had managed to save his best friend. If only Toni had seen her mistake, they would be planning their wedding and he wouldn't have had to write her a stupid letter. She knew him, she knew that he only wanted what was best for her and that she was not perfect with her hateful friends like this Stephen Strange, he didn't trust him. He didn't think their story was over. Steve loved his fiancée despite her arrogance and irresponsibility. She had to be convinced not to invite the consulting neurosurgeon to their wedding. He hoped he could go home soon. He missed her.
6 months later
T'Challa had summoned them to the video conference room. When he arrived, they were all already there. Nat looked pensive and calculating. They had never been in this room before. Why were they there? T'Challa entered the room with her sister and his guards. They were scary, but they were loyal to the king. Fortunately the king of Wakanda was their ally. Toni Stark appeared on the screen. He was relieved to see her blossom. She seemed to have put on a little weight, but she looked good. He turned to see how the others reacted. Wanda made a face with hateful eyes. Steve understood her, she had lost her whole family because of Toni. Pietro had saved Clint and they were very close. Wanda was still young, she didn't understand everything. Her attitude towards her fiancée was a bit mean but Steve supported Wanda, Toni was wrong. The press conference started with a representative of the United Nations, he didn't say anything interesting. His voice was monotonous and he managed to grab hold of the Johannesburg agreement and the Avengers initiative which was about to undergo changes. Good, because Steve was struggling to enforce his authority over Rhodes and Vision. No information had leaked out about the person who looked like a spider with superhuman strength. He didn't know where Toni had found him but he hoped she wasn't blackmailing him. Toni approached the podium and began to talk. She thanked the people who had wished her well and that she was feeling much better and she will not talk about the“ Rogues“. Steve couldn't understand why they were still considered criminals. Steve had tried to talk to T'Challa but he had no more information than they did. He wasn't worried because if Toni was talking to the press it was because she had something to announce. She thanked the Germans for their understanding but did not say any more. Then she took a deep breath of oxygen and said:
"I'd like to announce my withdrawal from the Avengers Initiative. I've reached a point in my life where I want to go back to my youthful love life. I will continue to appear in Iron Maiden's armour, but I will be much less present. I'll take your questions for 15 minutes".
Chaos erupted: "Why are you withdrawing from the Avengers Initiative? Who will be responsible? Who will pay for the damage? What were your childhood sweethearts? Is it true that one Avengers had been injured? "
"I see you're all excited and missed me. So just to respond to Christine, my withdrawal is personal and does not in any way call into question my support for the UN or the agreements. Stark Industries remains committed to global security and will continue its humanitarian work through various initiatives. As far as responsibility is concerned I am no longer an active member of the Avengers, I don't know any more than you do Jim. It is true that Colonel Rhodes was wounded in action but he always moves too fast for me to catch him when he finishes the ice cream without warning. I really encourage you to talk to him about it next time he comes to entertain you on that podium without telling a lie. Watch out, I've got my eye on him. »
She continued the impromptu question and answer session. Steve noticed that she wasn't wearing the ring he had given her at their engagement party. But he reassured himself that they had not announced their relationship to the world and she wanted to keep their secret. He was modest, he wanted to keep her happiness to himself, but he wanted the world to know that she was taken. He'll have to tell her about it. It was true that she still hadn't called with the phone he had sent her, but it was only a passing anger. She was beginning to listen to him: for a year he had been asking her to follow his instructions or to stop putting herself in danger by taking part in the fighting. Maybe he will come home soon. She left the podium after a final not-answer about her love life. Steve looked at T'Challa, he looked surprised. The king had told him the truth, he knew nothing. He knew that his team was waiting for him in their living room, they had a debriefing to do.
The first to speak was Wanda, "She doesn't even take responsibility. At the time when she is needed most, she is retiring from the Avengers. I always knew she couldn't be trusted. And I'm sure her childhood loves were building weapons to destroy families like mine. When I see her I'll teach her a lesson, she's nothing compared to me" and she let some of her power slip out of her hands. Clint went to comfort her by supporting her and giving her even more of Toni's flaws. It is true that she had many. Scott was reading an article on a tablet he had stolen. He became whiter and whiter and ran out of the room. Steve will talk to him tonight and ask him what was wrong. He wasn't worried. Nat and Sam were exchanging ideas about why Toni might have given up on the Avengers. He didn't join the conversation but nothing productive came of it. They were in total darkness. He really needed to talk to Toni.