LATER, that month Lana leaned over Steve's chair in the compound listening to the news. They had been keeping a low profile until it blew over.

"11 Wkandans were among those killed during a confrontation between the Avengers and a group of mercenaries in Lagos Nigeria. The traditionally reclusive Wakandans were on an outreach mission in Lagos when the attack occurred."

The king of Wakanda appeared, "Our people's blood is spilt on foreign soil... not only because of the actions of criminals... but by the indifference of those pledged to stop them. Victory at the expense of the innocent... is no victory at all."

"The Wakandan king went on to s-" Steve shut the Tv of and Lana sighed. She pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek.

In another room, a man on the Tv spoke, "They are operating outside and above international law. Because that's the reality if we don't respond to acts like these. What legal authority does an enhanced individual like Wanda Maximoff have... to operate in Nigeria?"

Lana shut the Tv off. The two adults leaned against eh doorframe.

"It's my fault," Wanda said without turning around.

"That's not true. You shouldn't be listening to that it's bad for your mind," Lana said.

"Turn the TV back on," Wanda demanded, "They're being very specific."

"I should have clocked that bomb vest long before you had to deal with it," Steve stated as he pushed off the doorway and walked fully into the room, "Rumlow said 'Bucky' and... and all of a sudden I was a 16-year old kid again, in Brooklyn."

He sat beside her, "And people died. It's on me."

"It's on both of us," Wanda replied.

"This job... We try to save as many people as we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everybody. But if we can't find a way to live with that then next time... maybe nobody gets saved," Steve said.

Vision phased through the wall and Lana almost jumped out of her skin, "Jesus," she muttered.

"Vis! We talked about this," Wanda scolded.

"Yes, but the door was open so I assumed that..." Vision trailed, "Captain Rogers wished to know when Mr Stark was arriving."

"Thank you we'll be right down," Steve nodded.

"I'll use the door," Vision stated awkwardly, "Oh and apparently he's brought a guest."

"We know who it is?" Lana asked as she looked up at his red face.

"The Secretary of State," Vison replied before leaving.

"Well shit," Lana mumbled.

The three walked to the conference room and sat as Secretary Ross started.

"Ah... five years ago I had a heart attack... and dropped right in the middle of my backswing. Turned out it was the best round of my life... because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass I found something 40 years in the Army never taught me. Perspective.

"The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You have fought for us... protected us, risked your lives... but while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some... who would prefer the word, 'vigilantes'."

"And what word would you use Mr Secretary?" Natasha wondered.

"How about 'dangerous'," Ross replied, "What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals, who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who frankly seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?"

He stepped aside and a map of the world came onto the screen with small dots. It zoomed into one, "New York." It showed one of the alien slugs crashing through a building with people screaming and crying and a military official shooting at it. The Hulk then jumped across the building and then into another before the screen went dark.

Rhodey looked at Lana, Steve and Natasha.

"Washington D.C."

It showed the three helicarriers exploding, the Triskelion smoking, a helicarrier falling into the lake causing the water to overflow and crush people.

Lana sank into her chair.

"Sokovia."

People were running and a video of the floating piece of land showed. A building fell onto some houses and Tony looked down at his fidgeting hands.

"Lagos."

The building was on fire, sirens wailed and people were coming out in body bags. Some were gripping the police officers. Next, a woman was shown, unmoving and eyes wide in fear.

Wanda gulped and looked away.

"Ok that's enough," Steve said noticing her discomfort. The video stopped.

"For the past four years, you've operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrangement the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution."

The man next to Ross handed him a thick document. He placed it on the table and slid it towards Wanda, "The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries... it states that The Avengers shall no longer be a private organization. Instead... they'll operate under the supervision of the United Nations panel only when and if that panel deems it necessary."

"You've got to be joking," Lana scoffed.

"I am not, Ms Romanoff."

"The Avengers were formed to make the world a safe place. I feel we've done that," Steve said.

"Tell me, Captain, do you know where Thor and Banner are right now?" Ross asked. Steve looked up at him, "If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes you can bet there'd be consequences. Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground," he pointed at the document near Rhodey.

"So there are contingencies," Rhodey stated.

"Three days from now, the UN meets in Vienna to ratify the Accords."

Steve looked at Tony who looked down.

"Talk it over."

"And if we come to a decision you don't like?" Natasha asked.

"Then you retire."