Now we are free (Steve x Reader) Part 3

Vienna, 2016 – Three days later: day of the signing of the Sokovia Accords

“When stolen Wakandan Vibranium was used to make a terrible weapon we, in Wakanda, were forced to question our legacy,” the king of Wakanda – T’Chaka – said, starting off the Sokovia Accords signing speech in Vienna. “Those men and women killed in Nigeria were part of a good will mission from a country too long in the shackles,” he continued.

    You were sitting beside Natasha – the only one of the Avengers to accompany you to Vienna – as the king continued, talking about how he wanted Wakanda to join the Western world and make it a better place for everyone. His son – T’Challa – was standing a few feet behind him, looking outside the window as his father thanked the Avengers for supporting the Accords. You watched him carefully as he walked closer to the window, looking at something that was taking place outside the secure building.

    For moment your thoughts shot to Steve, who hadn’t come to sign the Accords – which wasn’t a real surprise to you – but who instead was still at Peggy Carter’s funeral. You felt bad, knowing she was the woman who had founded S.H.I.E.L.D. and who he had loved with all his heart until their lives had been ripped apart by time and a thick layer of ice.

    You were still lost in thought, staring at T’Challa – though barely seeing him – when the prince started yelling at everyone to get down. In a reflex you pulled Natasha down with you as a large explosion shattered the windows, spreading glass everywhere. You were knocked to the ground before you knew what had happened. Thick, black smoke filled the air, a loud beep echoing in your ears. People screamed around you, though your eyes were focused on the Wakandan king who had been slammed to the ground with great force.

    You could hear Natasha’s voice in your ear, but you didn’t hear a word she said. Small fires burned around you and you slowly pushed yourself from the ground, wiping the dust from your dress. You watched T’Challa rush towards his father, though you already knew there would be a new king today.

    “Check on the wounded,” you told Natasha, who kept looking at you in anticipation. She didn’t let you tell her twice and was quickly running around, helping people on their feet and out of the building. You let your gaze pass through the room, not paying any attention to the smell of blood and despair that filled the air. At least half the representatives from all the countries were wounded, or worse, and you started giving orders to the agents still left standing, telling them to gather as much resources and get everyone that could still walk the hell out of the building.

    You couldn’t be sure, but a second bomb could be on its way.

    “Your majesty,” you started, walking up to T’Challa and laying your hand on his shoulder as he cradled his father’s lifeless body in his arms. “I’m sorry for your loss, but I need you to follow me outside. The danger might not be over yet… T’Challa?”

    He slowly looked up at you, an angry haze blurring his common sense. For a moment you thought he’d yell at you to leave him be. He let his eyes shift over your face, seeing the genuine concern you had for the new – young – king of Wakanda. A sigh escaped his lips and he nodded, slowly letting go of his beloved father and pushing himself from the rubble. You quickly gestured several agents to come to his aid, but T’Challa refused their help, telling you he was fine, or at least was going to be.

    You stayed in the room until everyone had left and the deceased king was carried out by paramedics. You explained what had happened to the police, the CIA and even your own superiors. You had told the story of the explosion at least ten times when you learned yourself no one other than James Buchanan Barnes – the Winter Soldier and the Captain’s former best friend – was assumed to be responsible for the attack. Which only confused you more.

    You reached for your phone and dialled the Captain’s number, knowing if – when – he’d hear of the attack and Bucky’s involvement, he’d try to help his old friend. You waited for a moment, but immediately got Steve’s voicemail. You cursed softly, knowing he was either ignoring your call, or he was already putting himself in the middle of something that could put not only himself in danger, but everyone who followed him as well.

    When you walked outside of the building, holding your hand against your brow to protect your eyes from the sun, you could see Natasha sitting on a bench a few feet away. She was talking to someone on the phone and something told you it could be no one else but Steve.

    “Natasha,” you said, walking up to her and gesturing her to give you the phone. “I need to speak to the Captain.”

    She looked up at you, confusion frowning her brow, telling you she was talking to Stark instead. You knew however that she was lying and asked her again. She sighed, reluctantly giving you her phone.

    “Steve,” you said, watching one of the ambulances rush off towards the hospital, the sound of its siren echoing through the streets as well as in your ears.

    “Boss…” he replied, though it didn't have the same sneer anymore as when he had called you ‘boss’ for the first time only a few days ago. You thought he had come to terms with you being his superior and for some reason the word had stuck with all of the Avengers. Including Steve.

    “Listen, I know how much Barnes means to you. I really do,” you started, “but you have to stay out of this. Stay home,” you said, even though you knew he was in Vienna and had no intention of going back. “You’ll only make this worse. For all of them.”

    “Are you saying you’ll arrest me?”

    You sighed. “No, I’m saying you need to let me handle this… I don’t want you to get arrested, Steve, but you will if you interfere. That’s how it works now.

    “With all due respect, agent [Last Name], but if he’s this far gone… I should be the one to bring him in.”

    “Why?”

    “Because I’m the one least likely to die trying,” he said seriously before hanging up the phone.

    “Damn it,” you cursed, handing Natasha her phone back. “Stay here,” you told her, letting your eyes shift through the streets, trying to determine where he could be, “and call me as soon as he contacts you again.”

    You looked left and right before crossing the street, walking around frantically, knowing Steve was getting himself, or someone else, killed if he went in blind and reckless. You ran towards one of the café’s on the street corner, but if the Captain had ever been inside, he was no longer. You turned around again, watching all the people that had gathered on the intersection and were moving around like ants. Amidst all the commotion you could see a tall, blonde woman push her way towards the CIA station. You squinted your eyes as she turned her head and quickly followed her when you realized it was one of Steve’s former S.H.I.E.L.D. colleagues – and niece to his old love – Sharon Carter.

    “A word,” you said, grabbing the files she was holding in her hand from her and quickly scanning them, seeing that the CIA’s most reliable source said the Winter Soldier was hiding in Bucharest. “Has the Captain read these reports?” you asked, reading further and seeing an address somewhere in the middle of the city.

    “Hey,” she replied. “Those are classified.”

    “Did...the Captain...see this?” you repeated slowly, handing the files back to her.

    “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied, her brow furrowing, telling you she was lying.

    “Look, Sharon, I don’t really give a shit about what your boss or my boss thinks is the right thing. I only care about keeping the Avengers safe – keeping Steve safe – and I can’t do my job if I don’t know where he is. So I’ll ask you again. Did he see this?”

    She swallowed hard and you could see her weighing your words for honesty as her eyes shifted over your face, trying to read you. Eventually she sighed, nodding her head. “Yes.”

    “Thank you,” you smiled shortly, not knowing whether to be relieved or not to know where he was going. You got your phone from your pocket and dialled Secretary Ross’ number.

     “Agent [Last Name],” Sharon called out for you, just before you walked away. “Take care of him…”

    You swallowed hard, nodding at her words just before Ross answered the phone. “Sir, this is agent [Last Name]… I’m going to need a plane.”



TO BE CONTINUED...