THE METAL CUFFS dug into Lana's skin. She attempted to ignore the pain but the dull silence as she tried to call her abilities made it worse.

She had never been without her powers for too long. The cuffs S.H.I.E.L.D. had placed on her were taken off after a few questions from Fury but she was given ones that dampened it so it wasn't as strong.

She yearned for the feeling of those cuffs compared to the cage around her hands at the moment.

Her head rolled so she could see Steve who was looking at the monitors that showed Bucky.

"Hey, you wanna see something cool?" Tony asked as he stepped onto the raised platform, "I pulled something from Dad's archives. Felt timely. FDR signed the Lend-Lease bill with these in 1941."

He placed a case containing two fountain pens on the conference table. Lana leaned to look at them as he continued, "Provided support to the Allies when they needed it the most."

"Some would say it brought our country closer to war," Steve replied.

"See? If not for these you wouldn't be here," Tony said.

"Yes, Steven you would be a pile of bones," Lana added causing Steve's lips to tug into a smile.

"I'm trying to... what do you call it? That's an olive branch. Is that what you call it?" Tony questioned.

"Is Pepper here? I didn't see her," Steve asked avoiding the question.

"We're kinda... well not kinda..." Tony tried.

Lana looked at him in shock, "Pregnant?"

Tony chuckled, "No. Definitely not. We're taking a break. It's nobody's fault."

"So what you're saying is she broke up with you?" Lana joked.

"Shut up," Tony muttered.

Lana stared at him in shock, "Oh my God, she broke up with you." She gave him a pitiful smile.

"I'm so sorry Tony, we didn't know," Steve said.

Tony stared blankly at the wall behind him, "A few years ago, I almost lost her, so I trashed all my suits. Then, we had to mop up HYDRA... and then Ultron. My fault. And then, and then, and then, I never stopped. Because the truth is I don't want to stop. I don't want to lose her. I thought maybe the Accords could split the difference," he turned in his chair and stood, "In her defense, I'm a handful. Yet, Dad was a pain in the ass, but he and Mom always made it work."

"You know I'm glad Howard got married. I only knew him when he was young and single," Steve said.

Tony turned and asked sarcastically, "Oh really? You two knew each other? He never mentioned that. Maybe only a thousand times. God, I hated you."

"I don't mean to make things difficult," Steve replied.

"I know because you're a very polite person," Tony replied walking around him.

Steve replied, "If I see a situation pointed south... I can't ignore it. Sometimes I wish I could."

"No you don't," Lana and Tony replied. He cracked a small smile as he looked down.

"No, I don't. Sometimes..."

Tony cut him off, "Sometimes I want to punch you in your perfect teeth. But I don't wanna see you gone. We need you, Cap. So far nothing's happened that can't be undone if you sign. Lana already did."

Steve looked towards her and she shifted under his gaze.

"We can make the last 24 hours legit. Barnes gets transferred to an American psych-centre instead of a Wakandan prison," said Tony.

Lana glanced at her boyfriend and he picked up one of the pens, "It's a good deal, Steve."

He paid no mind and just stood, twirling the pen in his hands. He then looked at Tony, "I'm not saying it's impossible but there would have to be safeguarded."

Tony replied immediately, "Sure. Once we put out the PR file, those documents can be amended. I'd file a motion to have you and Wanda reinstated..."

"Wanda?" Steve questioned.

"What about Wanda?" Lana added.

"She's fine she's confined in the compound currently. Vision's keeping her company."

"Oh, God Tony," groaned Steve, "Every time I think you see things the right way..."

"It's 100 acres with a lap pool. It's got a screening room. There are worst ways to protect someone," Tony replied.

Steve looked at him, "Protection? Is that how you see this? This is protection? It's internment, Tony."

"She's not a US citizen," Tony responded.

Lana scoffed, "Oh, come on Tony."

"They don't grant visas to weapons of mass destruction," he replied.

"She's a kid!"

"Give me a break!" Lana passed a hand through her hair as he continued, "I'm doing what has to be done. To save off something worse."

Steve nodded, "You keep telling yourself that." He held up the pen before resting it on the table, "Hate to break up the set."

"Steve..." Lana trailed as he left the room.