If Morgan was enhanced, Pepper would flee with Team Cap
There was a great series of blog ficlets recently (here and here) about what would happen if Morgan was born enhanced post-Civil War. Pepper comes to realize that Tony was lying about his ability to get the Accords amended (which was proved by Infinity War). In that series, Pepper sends Morgan into hiding with Hope Van Dyne, Ava Starr, and Betty Ross rather than let Morgan grow up in a country where she must wear a tracker and be stripped of her human rights.
In this scenario, at the end of Civil War Pepper realizes she's pregnant while she's "on a break" from Tony, and that there's a good chance the baby will be enhanced. What will she do when she realizes that the UN has no intention (or reason) to amend the Accords, and Tony's already signed them knowing that his "sign this now and we'll fix it later" claim isn't how contracts work?
***
Rhodey was still chuckling over the Tony Stank package later in the evening as he relaxed at the compound. Vision was off somewhere avoiding Rhodey and Tony had driven back to the city after their physio session.
His expression sobered as he thought about what a long road could be in front of him and the challenges he'd face.
He startled when he saw Pepper enter the room. She smiled and said, "Hello, James."
Rhodey lifted his arms for a hug as Pepper sat down beside him. He said, "Didn't know you were coming. Tones is already on his way back to New York."
Pepper withdrew and shifted on her seat to face him. Her smiled turned a little sad as she said, "Yes, I know."
Rhodey frowned as he asked, "What's wrong, Pepper?"
Pepper held his hand as she said, "I came to say good-bye."
Rhodey gripped her hand tighter as he asked, "What do you mean?"
Pepper replied, "Did you read the Accords, James?"
Rhodey scowled and crossed his arms. He said, "We need to be put in check, Pepper."
Pepper frowned and said, "That doesn't answer my question. Did you know exactly what the 'Registration and Deployment of Enhanced Individuals' really entailed?"
Rhodey looked away. After a moment he said, "Tony said that after we signed we could get the UN to change them."
Pepper stood and pressed a hand to her middle as she said, "James, do you really think the leadership of the 117 countries who are willing to ignore due process to get control of enhanced people are going to be persuaded to change their minds?"
Rhodey looked back at her, unfolded his arms, and said, "I have to believe it, Pepper. If I don't, then all this...was for nothing."
Pepper nodded and said, "I'll miss you, James. Remember that I truly didn't think I had another choice. When Tony contacts you, tell him I'll call him here at noon in three days."
She bent down to kiss his cheek and continued, "I wish you all the best."
As she left the room, Rhodey wondered when he'd see her again.
***
"Where is she? Where is she?" Tony asked as he walked around the couch, making Rhodey dizzy.
Rhodey put his hands on the rails of his wheelchair and closed his eyes. He replied, "I don't know, Tones. Maybe ask her when she calls."
Tony stopped and said, "She can't DO this to me. Do you know she resigned with no notice whatsoever? Sure, she arranged for interim replacements and took care of everything pending before she left, but she LEFT. Without telling ME."
Rhodey said, "Maybe she'll explain when she calls."
Tony muttered, "She damn well better."
In the next moment, Friday said, "Incoming call from Pepper Potts."
"Trace it," Tony ordered.
After a moment, Friday replied, ""No can do, boss. It looks like it's coming from your own phone. Do you want to answer?"
Tony looked at Rhodey and sank onto the couch. He said, "Put her through."
The call was voice only. Pepper said, "Hello Tony, James."
Tony snapped, "What the hell is going on, Pepper?"
Pepper replied, "As I said in my resignation letter, I do not believe Stark Industries is the best place for me right now."
Tony said, "I mean, sure, I maybe dumped too much on you, but you could have just yelled at me. You didn't have to leave. Why are you doing this?"
Pepper replied, "Tell me, Tony, what would you have done if I still had Extremis? Would you have told me to sign the Accords? I would have had to register and give up DNA and wear a tracker for the rest of my life. And live in fear of what would happen to me if I ever used my powers. Would you have wanted that for me, Tony?"
Tony shifted in his seat and replied, "I would have protected you, Pepper. If nobody knew about Extremis, you wouldn't have even had to sign. I'd have covered for you, just like--- no one would have had to know."
Rhodey narrowed his eyes at Tony's slip. He thought about the young-sounding web guy from the airport. Was he enhanced?
Pepper asked, "Why would you do that, Tony? I thought you approved of the Accords. You signed them."
Tony said nothing.
Rhodey said, "We're going to get them amended, Pepper. They won't be so bad when we're done."
Pepper sighed and said, "It's not that easy, James. When SI was still a weapons manufacturer, you saw how long it took SI to negotiate our contracts with our government. We made changes before we signed, because there was no guarantee we could get anything changed after. And that was with one government who was forced to make concessions because they wanted something from us. How long do you think it will take to get 117 countries on board to change an agreement they just ratified without even consulting you?"
Rhodey swallowed.
Tony looked uncomfortable as he asked, "What's all this about, Pepper?"
Pepper replied, "I know about the Raft. I found out how Secretary Ross used the Accords, Tony. And I thought about what would have happened to me if I was enhanced."
Tony stood up and said, "I'd never let ANYTHING happen to you!"
Pepper replied, "That's the problem, Tony. You wouldn't let anything happen to ME. Someone you...someone you care about. But what about all the other enhanced? They have to live under the Accords as they're written right now."
Tony opened his mouth, then closed it.
Rhodey thought about what Pepper was saying, and not saying. He asked, "You're somewhere safe?"
He could hear Pepper's smile as she answered, "Yes, James, I'm safe. So are the others Steven freed from the Raft."
Tony clenched his fists and asked, "You're with HIM?"
Pepper replied, "With them, yes."
Tony sank back down into his seat and asked, "Are you ever coming back?"
Pepper said, "Not until the Accords are abolished or amended, Tony. I hope you can do that, the way you said you could. But I'm not going to take your word for it. I can't."
After a moment of silence from Tony, Pepper said, "Take care of yourselves. Good-bye."
Rhodey thought about the conversation and the things Pepper hinted at. He had some questions for Tony, none of them good.