3 C (20)

"It will be easier to prepare the world this way," said Tony. "Minimise the damage Thanos may make." He glanced up as the doors to the chamber opened and they were beckoned inside.

The room was circular and a long table was set up in the middle of it. Six seats were positioned on one side with the other two seats on the other side for Tony and Natasha.

The six seats were filled, three men and three with women representing the six continents across the world. Each person represented the wishes and desires of the nations within those continents.

Thaddeus Ross was the representative for North America and he sat at the table, his eyes piercing bright as he watched Tony and Natasha take a seat each.

He didn't look happy, his cheeks slightly red as if he had already been arguing with his respective counterparts.

"Secretary Ross," Tony inclined his head.

He turned his attention to the other representatives in the room, introducing each one to Natasha. "Laura Templar, representing Europe; Sergio Ballard representing South America; Marcel Kech sits for Australia; Georgianna Melhar represents Asia and Afolabi Adebayo stands for Africa."

"It's good to meet you all," said Natasha. "I hope you do not mind me accompanying Tony to this meeting. He has-" She was cut off by Thaddeus Ross's very loud voice as he attempted to discredit him.

"In fact, we do mind. This is supposed to be a classified meeting between us and Mr. Stark. I respectfully ask you to leave." His counterparts all gave him a look but Ross ignored them.

Natasha folded her arms across her chest. "No. I'm staying here."

"If she's not allowed in the meeting then I refuse to attend." Tony got to his feet.

"It is compulsory for you to attend, Stark," warned Ross. "You are already in enough trouble for talking to the Avengers about the Accords. Do not make me have you arrested."

Twisting to glare at the man, Tony had the overwhelming urge to punch him.

He'd forgotten what an arrogant prick the man was. He was looking forward to taking him down, something he had not dared to do before because of how much power had been bestowed upon Ross once the Accords had been signed.

They were not law yet.

"Have the Accords been made law yet, Secretary Ross?" Tony asked sweetly. "I would not be breaking the law by leaving. Talking to the Avengers? I wasn't prohibited from doing so. How do you expect us to consider the Accords if the majority of the team are not involved in the ratifying of it? Or were you hoping the less time they had to read them, the more chance you had of bringing them into line under yourself?" Because that was Secretary Ross's play.

He wanted the Avengers under his control. Tony wasn't going to allow him to succeed this time. "How do you expect the rest of the Avengers to accept the Accords as they are when they are hardly given any time to consider them and request changes?"

"The wording of the legislation does not concern them. They will follow the law or be arrested or retire," stated Ross harshly.

"Thaddeus, stop making a fool of yourself and sit down!" Laura Templar spoke up, her eyes peering over her round glasses. "We all agreed the Avengers should be given access to the Accords before the signing date. If Mr. Stark had followed your plan of introducing them three days before the selected signing date, problems could have been created. This way we can still debate them and discuss any concerns the Avengers may have."

Tony inclined his head. "Thank you, Miss Templar."

Ross glowered at them.

Tony knew he wasn't going to like what happened next. Ross would fight him every step of the way.

But this time he had Natasha with him to back him up. "Much as you may not like it, Ross, I do not work for you."

"Yet."

"Clearly you are not the right man for the job," stated Natasha. There was anger glittering in her eyes.

"I have been appointed by the President himself!" roared Thaddeus, his face becoming redder.

"You have it in for us based on some of the legislation you proposed, Secretary," swallowed Tony, shifting the papers out of the folder he had brought with him.

He cast his gaze around the room. "Rhodey has already agreed to sign the Accords as has Vision and Wanda Maximoff has made a provisional guarantee to sign. However, the other members of the team are more apprehensive about some of the legislation proposed within the Accords themselves. Natasha and I would like to discuss with you today about potential changes to the Accords which would then enable Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson agree to sign and work with the governments of the world."

Ross's lips were twitching and it was clear he wanted to say no however the other five representatives seemed happy to listen.

Tony passed his notes over to Natasha who took up the discussion.

"The tracking bracelets are a no from the Avengers," she began. "It violates our rights of freedom and none of us will consent to be tracked twenty-four seven. Perhaps if we are considered dangerous because of something we may have contributed to in our efforts to save the world, it may be up for discussion, however, it is not legal for us, as heroes, to be tracked at all times."

"And those with powers like Miss Maximoff?" inquired Georgianna.

"She has abilities which need to be tracked," added Sergio Ballard.

Ross looked smug.

Tony smiled. He had a plan. "Easy. She's human. All of us are. She doesn't need to be tracked. She needs to be given the chance to learn to use them in a safe and controlled environment. Wanda has agreed if she needs to be tracked she will consent to it, but only in the event, she is under investigation or it has been proven she is dangerous, neither of which occur currently."

"She may have done questionable things in the past," interrupted Natasha, "but so have I. Should I not be tracked too?"

"You do not have super-powers, Ms. Romanoff," pointed out Marcel Kech. "The two cases are entirely different."

"If we start tracking people with powers they may feel less inclined to help us in our hour of need." Tony cast a glance at Natasha before turning his attention back to the committee. "Put it this way, how would you feel if you were in Wanda's position and were told you had to be tracked at all times just because you have powers?"

"It's for the greater good." Ross folded his arms over his chest, stubborn as always.

However, the response from the other five members was more positive.

"It wouldn't be fair to be feared for our powers," confirmed Sergio.

****

There will be a extra chapter if we hit 1100 power stone by midnight.