Author: @dm1n (Page 6 of 25)

Next Loki went to wake up Fury who wasn´t at all pleased to see him.
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“Fury, we need to …” Loki started to say when Fury snapped at him.
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“Loki! I thought we already went through this. I don´t care how young are Okanjo’s soldiers or if they had all been brainwash. They might be teens, but they are teens with guns. Goddamit they are guns themselves! Need I remind you that you´re not immortal?”
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Loki growled displeased by his last comment, he knew it. “I agree” He dryly answered.
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Fury raised his eyebrows surprised as he added. “All right. Then what do you want to talk about?”
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“About how to get this mission done right without getting ourselves killed in the process. 10 against two thousand or more … the stakes are too high for my liking.” He answered grimly.
“Ok.” Fury accepted as he walked back to his room “I´m listening.”
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Loki walked in and closed the door behind him before getting Fury up to speed. “I´ve just talked to Mysterio, he thinks he can produce enough paralyzing gas to spread through one maybe two levels.”
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“We won´t have any certainty about how long will it work on the soldiers.” Fury reasoned.
“No, we won’t. That´s why we have to act quickly and time this to the minute.” Loki agreed.
“Sounds like you have a plan.” Fury acknowledged.
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“I do.” Loki confirmed slightly nodding his head affirmative. “I´ll teleport Mysterio, chameleon, Electro and Venom to the third level, as soon as Mysterio has spread the gas he will go to the labs with Chameleon and start working on properly disabling any threats.”
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“While Venom and Electro …” Fury pointed out.
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“Yes …” Loki agreed with a scowl.
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“You´ve spend too much time with the Avengers.” Fury offered.
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“Maybe.” Loki accepted. “But I still know when things have to be done. It’s not honourable but it´s the closest to mercy we can offer them.”
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Fury pondered his words. “Right.” He agreed heavily; he too wished there was another way but even using the Tahiti program to erase the soldier’s memories in the remote case they were able to imprison them was far-fetched. He wasn´t even sure the deleting memories process would work on them with their healing factor. Leaving them loose in an unsuspecting world would be like setting loose a pack of rabid wolves between a placid heard of sheep; he simply couldn´t do it. “What´s the rest of your plan?”
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“After the paralyzing gas has been spread Octopus, Rhino and Doom will attack their outer perimeter. We need them to draw everyone back inside the base so we can seal it. Once inside they can help Venom and Electro finish the job.” Loki volunteered disgruntledly.
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“All right.” Fury agreed with his hand on his chin. “What about Sandman, you and me?”
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“The three of us will go to the mine to make sure that reopening it ever again proves to be … inconvenient.” Loki ended explaining his plan with those last words.
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Fury stayed silent for a moment mentally searching for the plan’s weak point. “I´m not sure this is fool proof but at least is better than what we had. What does Mysterio needs to get this plan going?”
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“We´ll find out in the morning.” Loki volunteered displeased.
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“Then we should try to get some rest.” Fury offered as he stood up to show Loki to the door.
Loki stood up ready to step out into the hallway when Fury suddenly stopped. “And Loki…”
Loki looked up intrigued, had he forgotten something?
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“Good job.” Fury congratulated him looking back he added. “You´ll make a fine addition to the team once this is over.”
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Loki looked surprised by fury´s compliment. “Um, thanks … I guess.” It was the first time Fury had told him anything of the kind.
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As he walked back to his room Loki dropped into his bed. As he closed his eyes he sighed. “You’re not immortal.” Fury’s words echoed in his ears.
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“I know.” He thought to himself. “Regardless of my sentiments on the matter once we are there I won´t hesitate to do whatever it takes to survive. Whatever it takes to come back to them.”
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With that las thought he surrender to dreamless sleep.
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As the day progressed and all the preparations had been made there was nothing left to do but wait. Loki retired to his room; it had been a while since he had been in a war… a war yes, there was no mistake there. It would be war.
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He was familiar with the excitement before a battle but now one thought weighted heavily on his heart; what if …
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​​There were so much he hadn’t told her, so much he wished they had shared. Writing a letter was pointless; if they didn´t succeeded there would be no one left to deliver it. A communication was out of the question as well as a visit or a spell. He needed all his strength for tonight.
“I´ll just have to make sure to come back.” He told himself out loud moment before he raised from his bed. “Whatever it takes.” He muttered as he put his helmet on.
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His accustomed armour was too flashy for this mission. He had magically made himself a new one, opaque grey that matched the darken green shades of his clothes. However, he had not changed the original design of his helmet that now portrayed the same opaque grey that his armour. Daggers as well as a short sword were hiding between his armour and clothes in case he had to defend himself on a body to body fight. A three-point spear completed his attire.
Shedding his mind of any concerns he walked sternly to the entrance of their base. His bearing betrayed his royal education. The feeling was oddly familiar; going to battle to defend his realm once again. Midgard had become his realm unexpectedly despite the fact he no longer desire to rule it.
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Fury watched him as he arrived and smirked, he had never seen any resemblance to Thor until that moment. “Finally! Are you ready?”
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Loki smirked back. “I’ve never been more ready.”

It was late at night when Loki finally returned to his room in their improvised headquarters. He dropped in bed overwhelmed by his current situation.

“As long as you remember at the end of the day why are you doing it you´ll be fine” Clint words echoed in his mind. “I hope he´s right.”

He had been thinking for hours trying to come up with a solution that didn´t involve killing all of Okanjo´s army but he had found none. Even taking some of the soldier’s prisoners represented a big risk, not to mention that imprisoning them all was as the Midgardians said pissing into the wind. At one point he had even considered going to Frigga for help, but dismissed the idea quickly. Even if she could somehow forgive him for all that he had done and agreed to help there was always the risk of running accidently into Odin. Not even his mother would be able to shield him from his father´s wrath. Suddenly he realized it was the first time he had thought of them as his family in a good while.

“Why do I keep calling them my parents?” He thought to himself frowning. “Probably the same reason I keep calling Thor my brother.” He sighed as he mentally reprimanded himself. “One problem at a time.”

“It´s useless, we´ll have to do this Fury´s way” He reluctantly accepted his role on their mission. “But now, I´d better come up with some strategies to improve his plan, there´s too many holes on it and I intend to get out of this in one piece … for her.” He wondered what Leah could be doing at the time. Or would she be as sleepless as him? Would her nightmares had left her alone? Was she all right?

Fury had assured him that Andrew would contact them should anything serious happened.

“No news is good news” Fury had told him at a point.

“That’s the most moronic statement I have ever heard” Loki complained to himself as he wondered what would Andrew call something serious.

“If Doom hadn´t tried to kidnap her and Eerika we wouldn´t be in this mess.” He growled angered as he tossed in his bed. He was glad their current headquarters had enough rooms to accommodate them all in separate rooms. If they had been forced to sleep in the same room … he might have accidently given Doom a piece of his mind.

“He crushed her. She even … how could she ever thought Eerika and I would be better off without her?” He sighed displeased. “He ended the job the drunk driver started …. And regretfully I continued.” He sat up crestfallen. “If only I had made a better job protecting her. Sometimes I really don´t know why she loves me, but … I´m glad she does. Maybe I should follow Bruce´s advice and take her on vacations once this is over. Just the two … no the three of us. That would be nice.” He laid back onto his bed smiling.

“I wonder if …” He nodded his head negatively. “Why do I keep doing this to myself?” He admonished himself mentally again “I cannot set foot in Asgard again, not until Odin forgives me, and that’s not going to happen … But I miss her, she might not be my real mother but she´s the only mother I’ve ever known. I wonder if she knows about Eerika… Stop dwelling on it Loki!” He sighed, he could even imagine his mother playing with Eerika in the palace gardens. “Finally a baby girl, she would be thrilled.” He smiled sadly at the thought.

“Will Leah be all right?” He couldn´t stop wondering, but he wouldn´t risk scrying for her. At least all would be over soon; they had decided to strike on their enemies the following night. They would seize the opportunity to cause the biggest damage possible before their troops could react.

“There must be a better way.” He pondered looking at the ceiling. “One that also buys us enough time to dispose of all the chemical and biological weapons permanently. I´d hate to come back to clean up another mess because a spill up mutated due to the vibranium and caused another problem. Maybe …” He suddenly got up and walked over Mysterio´s room. He anxiously knocked as he waited for Mysterio to get up; busting into the room and startling a supervillain wasn´t a good idea. He knew first hand that strike first find out later was an unwritten rule they all abided; and also the best way to survive in their world.

As he heard some noise he kept knocking until a rather angry and dozy Quentin opened up. “Whoever the fuck is knocking at …? Loki! What the hell do you want at this hour?”

“You can complain later.” Loki ignored his outburst. “I need to know. That gas you use to immobilize people … can you make enough of it? To spread it through an entire level, maybe two?”

Quentin scratched his head. “Umm, yes I think so … I might need some chemicals and figure a way to disperse it, but yes, I think I could do it.”

“How long do you think the gas would work on the super soldiers?” Loki asked anxiously as a plan formed in his head.

“Their metabolism is what? Four times faster than a normal human … maybe 7-10 minutes.” Quentin volunteered, that wasn´t much time.

“Can you increase its potency? Make it last longer? Maybe 15-20 minutes?” Loki inquired in hope.

“Maybe … I would have to make some tests.” He volunteered.

“We don´t have time for tests, we are striking tomorrow!” Loki growled frustrated.

Quentin looked at him with a scowl as he tried to come up with a solution, finally he told him. “I´ll ask for the Doctors’ help, and even Doom´s If I have to. It will be ready.”

Loki frowned displeased, he hated to have to rely on Doom’s help but knew they didn´t had a choice. “All right” He reluctantly agreed.

“Fine. Now unless you need to ask me something else I´m going back to sleep.” Quentin told him before yawning, noticing Loki´s bemused look he added. “Handling chemicals is better done in the morning with a clear head.”

Loki couldn´t argue with that. “Are you sure it would be ready by tomorrow?” He asked sternly.

“Not if you keep grilling me.” Quentin spat annoyed.

Loki felt quite irritated himself but getting into a quarrel about it wasn´t the best idea. “Start working on that gas first thing in the morning. I want it ready as soon as possible.” He started walking away but changed his mind and turned back. “And Mysterio … don´t confuse my haste to resolve this matter with weakness. Don´t forget who you are talking to.” He stared directly into his eyes.

Quentin paled, Loki could squash him as a bug if he wanted. “No … I´m just moody when woken up. I didn´t …”

“Forget about it.” Loki interrupted him. “Just make sure the gas is ready on time.”

“Yes, I will.” Quentin quickly replied.

As he got back to his room Loki laid down again trying to calm his mind from the whirlwind of ideas that flooded his mind. Mysterio was right about something he´d better get some sleep too. He sighed upset, he too had become accustomed to sleeping with Leah by his side; he felt as if a part of himself was missing. If everything worked out, he should be back at her side in a couple of days’ top. There was nothing else to do but to concentrate on the mission. Except for a constant nuisance … Doom. Besides of being an incessant reminder of Leah´s downfall he was also a risk. He had to make sure he couldn´t get his hand into any vibranium … what if they divide into more than two teams?

After Andrew left Tony walked right back to be with Leah. “So? What did he say? Are you in trouble?”

“Umm … actually … no.” Leah answered shrugging her shoulders; she hardly could believe it herself.

“You are kidding me! For a moment I thought he would send you to the looney bin.” He confessed with irony.

“I´m not crazy!” Leah adamantly defended herself; then she looked at her injured hands. “Even if …” She didn´t knew how to end her sentence; even if she understood her reasons they didn´t seemed to justify her actions.

“What´s wrong?” Tony asked concerned by her change in demeanor. “I was just messing with you. I didn´t meant anything by it. I really don´t think that …”

Leah interrupted him. “No, it´s not that.” She sighed. “It´s just … can we just stay in my room for the rest of the day?”

“Sure, we could. But why?” Tony asked baffled by her request.

“I just … I´ve had enough for a day.” She answered in a gloomy voice.

“Enough of what?” Tony asked her out loud; suddenly he realized what she had meant. “You don´t want to face everybody else, am I right?”

“They´ll find out soon enough anyway; I just … I can´t do it, not twice in a day …” She didn´t knew how to explain it to him.

Tony looked at her confused. “Ok. You know what? We can´t keep doing this. I need you to tell me what´s going on. Exactly what is it that you can´t do twice?”

Leah looked at him nervously; he was right, she needed to tell him. “It´s just that … every time.” She sighed disquiet.

“Leah you can tell me anything. What´s bothering you?” Tony tried to comfort her as he held her hands gently.

Leah bit her lower lip as she nodded her head in agreement. “Every time I screw up since … since Doom … most of the time … most of you don´t get angry at me any more … you just give me this look. I can´t stand that look, so full of pity. At first it just bothered me but lately …” She stopped for a moment as she sighed again, why was it so hard? “Lately I´ve been feeling that … that maybe you are right to look at me that way. That it doesn´t matter what I do or how hard I try I´ll always be a screw up, that I´ll always be the damaged one, that I do deserve your pity cause I´m never going to get any better.” She kept her gaze to the ground.

“Leah …” Tony was speechless, he had no idea. “I … I don´t know what to say. Why didn´t you told us you felt like that?”

“I didn´t wanted … I´ve caused enough trouble already … I know you didn´t … I didn´t wanted to hurt your feelings.” She looked at him apologetically; it sounded worse than how it had sounded in her mind.
“Instead you just let us hurt yours.” Tony motioned her disaprovingly.

“I know; it sounds really bad said like that.” Leah acknowledged. “I´m sorry; I just didn´t knew how to tell you. And every time it happened I just felt angrier at myself and … Tony I’m so sorry I snapped at you in the morning.” Leah apologized heartily.

“And I´m sorry I overcrowded you.” He scratched his nape, it hadn´t been her fault alone. “It´s just that … you´ve been through so much I just wish … I don’t want … it´s just that … I want you to be safe and happy. Seeing you having a nightmare; it just drove me crazy because I can´t protect you from that, none of us can. I don´t want anything happening to you anymore.”
“I know Tony. But you can´t protect me from everything.  And I need to know you have faith in me; I need to know you trust me, maybe then I will be able to do it myself. I just want to know I´m not completely useless.” Leah admitted.

“You are not completely useless” Tony responded adamantly. “And I´m sorry if we ever made you feel that way.”

“It´s not your fault; I should´ve said something sooner.” Leah told him with sincerity. Maybe if she had she wouldn´t … she looked at her hands worriedly.

Tony looked at her hands too. “I know you don´t want to, but I really think you need to talk to everyone and let them know how you feel.”

“Maybe.” Leah agreed reluctantly. “But I´d much rather get scolded by Bruce again than facing that look.” She dreaded to think about the look in their eyes when they finally saw her injured hands.

Tony hugged her. “Forget about that, just tell them how you feel. And when Loki gets back make sure to tell him too.”

Leah closed her eyes as she let Tony´s warmth comfort her; suddenly she asked gingerly. “Can’t you tell them for me?”

Tony scolded her immediately. “Leah!”

“All right. I´ll tell them myself.” Leah pouted as she reluctantly agreed.

“Tony is right. If it bothered, you so much you should´ve said something sooner.” Bruce suddenly told her; he was about to enter the room when he overheard them talking.
“Bruce … you heard everything?” Leah asked embarrassed.

“Yes. I´m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I didn´t wanted to interrupt you either so …” He apologized while running his hand over his hair nervously.

“It´s all right Bruce. Tony is right I should talk to all of you about it.” She shrugged her shoulders. She didn´t wanted to do it, but knew she had to.

“Stop worrying, they will understand.” Tony reassured her. “Now let´s grab lunch. I´m quite sure you missed breakfast too.”

Bruce immediately scolded her. “Tell me you didn´t.”

Leah pouted slightly. “I´m sorry?” She didn’t knew what else to tell him.

Bruce nodded his head negatively as he sighed loudly next he rubbed his forehead with his palm. “Stop skipping meals Leah! You aren´t invulnerable you know?”

Leah bowed her head down while he scolded her. “I know Bruce. I´m sorry. It won´t happen again. I know I keep saying it every time this happens but I really am. And there´s something different this time, I don´t feel so scared any more. I …I” She frowned uncertain. “I don´t know how to explain this.” They had always been there at her side, but somehow she had felt alone; not anymore.

“You don’t have to.” Bruce volunteered, he and Andrew had talked for a good while. Even if he hadn´t told him anything specific he had been rather optimistic about Leah´s recovery. “Andrew told me he believes you will get better and I want to believe him.” Bruce acknowledged. “Now, don´t disappoint us.”

“I won´t.” Leah promised.

As the tree of them walked into the dining room Clint spat shocked. “What the hell happened now?” He had noticed Leah´s splinters the second she walked in.

“I … I …” Leah stammered taken by surprise as she instinctively took a step back.
Bruce intervened. “She broke two fingers on each hand; but If you let her explain. We have much to talk about.” Next she gave Leah a small push as he invited her to sit.
Leah sat nervously rubbing her palms. “First of all I want to apologize to all of you about this morning; I know I screw up.” She frowned abashed by the memories. “I … I´m really sorry. I shouldn’t had said any of those things. It´s just that …” Next she explained them what had happened that morning leaving bits and pieces out of her recollection. The last thing she needed was making them worry.
Everyone listened attentively. One by one they became self-aware about how they looked at her.

“Why didn´t you said something before?” Clint asked her bemused.

“I´m not sure … at first I thought it would pass. That if I somehow got better you wouldn’t have a reason to look at me like that anymore but things just got worse. I don´t know, I felt foolish.” She lowered her gaze discomforted.

“There’s no point on dwelling on that.” Steve told them. “What´s important is that now we can do something about it.” They all agreed with him. “Leah …” Once she looked up he continued. “We have to reach an agreement so that this kind of thing does not happen again. I think I can speak for all of us when I tell you we only want to do what´s best for you. But if you don´t tell us how you feel or what you need we can´t help you. “

“I know Steve. I´ve been so wrapped on sorting things out by myself I forgot I didn´t had to. And I just made an even bigger mess.” She sighed as she looked at her splinters.
“What happened?” Natasha asked calmly.

Leah sighed again before telling them. “Tony and I got into a big fight earlier, and I kind of lashed out at the punching bag.”

“Leah!” Natasha scolded her while giving Tony a disapproving look.

“I know.” Leah whined. “I just was so angry I couldn´t help myself. If Tony hadn´t found me when he did …”

“But I did.” Tony interrupted her. “We both said things we shouldn´t have but we worked it out.”

“All right.” Steve acknowledged, seemed neither Tony or Leah felt especially talkative about their fight. “Does Andrew know?”

“Yes, he does.” Bruce asseverated. “Curiously he thinks that lashing out was good for her. He even said it might have been worth some broken bones.” He ended with irony while looking at Leah.

They all looked surprised by his last statement. Leah knew he was still angry at her for being so careless and shyly volunteered. “I´m sorry.”

“All right.” Tony told them chirpily. “Now that we all know what happened can we eat? I´m famished! “ He had skipped breakfast too, but mostly he was eager to change the subject.

When Clint served Leah her plate she looked worryingly at it “How am I supposed to…” was her thoughts when Tony interrupted them.

“Do you need any help?” He animatedly offered.

Leah looked at him and then again at her plate. “I don´t know.” She answered doubtfully; she had broken her middle and ring finger of her right hand and her ring and baby finger of her left.  “Let me give it a try.” She finally answered.

“All right.” Tony agreed.

After a couple of minutes fidgeting with her cutlery Leah gave up. “All right.” She sighed displeased by her defeat. “I might need some help.”

Tony quickly snatched her plate before she could change her mind and started cutting her food into small pieces. She wouldn´t have much trouble just to pinch them. “Leah, I´m afraid you are going to need help with tons of other things, like bathing for example.”

Leah ducked into the table; she knew he was right but she hated it. She mumbled something beneath her breath, she hadn´t expected anyone to hear it except she had forgotten about Steve who suddenly busted laughing.

“What?” Tony asked intrigued.

“Ahh, nothing.” Steve answered trying not to laugh.

“She said something, didn’t she?” Tony asked again.

“I don´t think she would like me to repeat her words. “Steve volunteered.

“What did she said?” Clint asked too.

“Leah?” Steve asked politely.

Leah suddenly answered their question without raising from the table. “I´m not bathing until Loki gets back.”

Everyone busted laughing.

“It´s not funny.” Leah complained without moving.

“I´m sorry. I know it´s not funny to you, but it’s hilarious for us.” Tony admitted still laughing.

Leah raised her head giving Tony a dirty look that clearly spelled I hate you. “At least can you tell me if you can build some nanobots?”

Tony ignored her stare and plainly told her. “I´m afraid no. We simply don´t have the materials necessary.”

“Can´t you just go out and get them?” Leah asked frustrated.

“And risk Loki´s anger?” Tony asked surprised. “No, he left clear instructions about not leaving the mansion unless there was an emergency. And I´m sorry baby but that …” He pointed to her hands. “… that doesn´t qualifies as one.”

Leah sank her head into the table again. “I’m so death.” She exclaimed disheartened.

“Come on it´s not that bad.” Tony tried to reassure her.

“Really? You don´t think Loki is going to freak when he sees this?” Leah raised her hands as he gave Tony an annoyed look.

“Don´t worry Leah” Thor intervened. “He might beb very upset at first but i´m sure he will understand.”

“You really think so?” Leah asked in hope.

“Yes, I do.” Thor volunteered. “And look at the bright side, he´ll certainly heal them for you.”

“Either way.” Tony interrupted them. “I was going to suggest Natasha helped you. You´ll be more comfortable.”

“All right.” Leah sighed, it didn´t seemed like she had much of a choice.

Loki looked attentively at the base entrance; he could see some transports and troops deployed in the field surrounded by the rock formation he was hiding in. The dense jungle vegetation protected him from any unwelcomed eyes. He had been there for a long time; enough to notice that most of the officers were members of Hydra, their arrogant ways betrayed them. Okanjo´s army was composed mostly of young people of not more than 30 years, probably even younger. The discipline with which they followed orders and their almost mechanical movements surprised him; even Asgardian soldiers didn´t showed that level of discipline at such a young age.

Something was wrong; Okanjo should´ve recruited them a very early age to get that kind of result was his first thought; although according to the reports Okanjo hadn´t been in power long enough, he must have cut some corners somehow. Then it occurred him, the only way he could´ve manage to create this kind of army in such a little time was if most if not all of his army was composed of brainwashed super soldiers. It was unlikely that they were all volunteers; he must have forcible recruited them. That could work either in their favor or against them.

Suddenly he remembered the mission directives, no prisoners, no witnesses; he sighed annoyed. If someone had told him over a year ago he would be having second thoughts about killing he would´ve laughed in their faces, but too many things had happened; he wasn´t the same man he once was.

He cursed both Doom and Fury under his breath; if it wasn´t for them he wouldn´t be in such a position. He knew he didn´t had a choice, not if he wanted Fury to fulfill his promises; he would have to do whatever it took to accomplish their mission successfully even if he despised himself for doing it.

“How did this happen?” He questioned himself mentally. “When did I became so soft? I would have had a problem killing them all if I hadn’t met her. Is this really what I want? To be like … Thor? To strive to do the right thing? Is she really worth it?” He immediately answered his own question vehemently. “Yes, she is.”

With that final thought he discarded his reserves about the mission and resumed his surveillance; it was just one mission, the only mission of this sort he would embark on ever again. “What had she said to Doom? Oh, yes, that she would forfeit her soul for our sakes, it seems it´s my turn to make good on her word.” He sighed decided, he couldn´t lose her, he knew the price when he accepted the mission.

He needed to gather more information, walking undetected to the base wasn´t a problem; he could just shapeshift into a soldier and mingle in. What worried him was how to move inside the compound without restrictions and not raise any suspicions. He would have to get a closer look; he needed to understand their enemies better, learn about their ranks, uniforms, rules and procedures if he was going to successfully infiltrate them. Becoming invisible was an attractive option, but although he could hide without a problem of the security cameras; doors opening by themselves would certainly call someone´s attention. No, a simpler solution would be best.

He teleported from his current position to only a few meters from their perimeter where he could observe them closely. After thoroughly learning the uniform differences between ranks and many other useful facts he shifted into a young soldier; he contemplated for a moment his current darker skin and uniform. “This should do just fine.” He thought pleased by the result. “Now let´s find out how far can I go into this rabbit´s hole.” He waited for the perfect opportunity and joined a column of soldiers that were returning to the base after their watch had ended.

Once inside he noticed Fury´s assumptions had been right; the first level was the transports hangar. He could see tanks, trucks, jeeps and even some small airplanes and helicopters lined around. “No sign of the armory yet” He thought as he slyly memorized every detail. “It must be on the next level.”

A couple of hours later he returned to their base.

“Where have you been? And why did you turn your communicator off?” Was Fury´s irritated greeting.

“I went to see if your intel was right.” Loki answered unconcerned.

“I thought we agreed that Chameleon would do that.” Fury scolded him coldly as he crossed his arms.

“I decided I wanted to see the place for myself.” Loki told him with a smirk as he added. “You´ll thanks me when I teleport us safely in.”

“You said you could do that successfully without even knowing the place.” Fury sternly answered while looking him in the eye.

“I could, but why risk it?” Loki just brushed off Fury´s comment as if it wasn’t important.

“What do you mean risk it?” Fury asked a mix of anger and concern in his voice.

Loki frowned annoyed; why was Fury interrogating him? He would make sure they get the mission done; what did it matter if he had gone by himself? No one had noticed him.

“Don´t worry about it, as I just said there´s no risk now. No one suspected anything and either way two pair of eyes are better than one.” Telling him that there was always the risk of teleporting in the middle of a crowded room instead of an isolated hallway didn´t seem like a good idea.

Fury grunted annoyed. “Loki might be right. We need all the information we can get.” He thought to himself. “All right; I´ll let it slide … for now. Tell me what you got.”

It wasn’t long before Chameleon returned to the base too; between his information and Loki´s they had enough information to understand what they were up against.

The compound was 9 levels deep, the first level was the transportation hangar; the armory and the mining equipment was on the next level. The 3^rd and 4^th levels were living quarters of the army as well as the kitchen and mess hall. The following level was shared by Okanjo and Hydra´s officers; they had learned that the Hydra leader was Deiter Eberstark. Levels 6 and 7 were the shooting and training facilities and probably also the seat of their super-soldier program. Levels eight and nine were the labs; strictly off-limits unless you had a special identification badge which unlocked the elevator and allowed you to descend to those levels. The last level was the entrance to the mine shaft; the mine had its own elevator and could only be reached from the second level.

“Wouldn´t it be better if we created a diversion and get everyone out of the way?” Loki suddenly asked Fury once they were alone; Fury looked up at him surprised by his suggestion. “That way it would be easier to break in.” Loki added quickly.

“You know our orders Loki.” Fury responded sternly.

“You gave the orders; you can change them.” Loki volunteered.

Fury stared at him for a moment. “All right. Let´s say we do that. Then, what am I supposed to do with hundreds of enemy super-soldiers running around? He asked him defiantly. “Wait until something goes wrong?”

“Many of them are barely in … their teens.” Loki elaborated; it didn’t hurt to try to change his mind.

“I already know that Loki!” Fury acknowledged displeased. “It doesn´t matter. Okanjo and Hydra have molded them to serve their twisted purposes; there´s no turning back for them. We simply can´t afford such assets to fall into the wrong hands. I might not like it either but it´s necessary.”

“But …” Loki tried to protest.

“I said no; if you have a problem with that you can go back right now.” Fury menaced him angered.

Loki clenched his jaw angry at Fury´s negative and answered between his teeth. “I don’t. I just think it is a waste.”

Leah´s and Tony´s argument worried Steve; after some consideration he decided to try to talk to Tony again. It didn´t took him long to find him; he was in the communication room working busily while he ended his second bottle of vodka.

“Tony, what are you doing?” Steve asked worryingly eyeing the empty bottles.

“What does it looks like I´m doing? I´m working!” Tony spat annoyed.

“You know that´s not what I meant.” Steve told him sternly.

“As soon as Loki returns I´m out of here; I don´t want to leave any loose ends.” He replied dryly as he kept working in some wires.

“Tony, you don´t need to do that! I´m certain Leah will apologise to you about this morning. Just give her a chance; she´s having a bad day …” Steve tried to reassure Tony who just kept working as he wryly answered. “Well, I´m having a bad life. I don’t care.”

“Tony I know she hurt you, but you can´t do that. Think about how Leah will feel if you leave.” Steve kept trying to reason with him.

“I don´t know and I don´t care. She made it very clear. I´m done worrying about her.” He furiously glared at Steve.

“But Tony …” Steve started to say when Tony interrupted him.

“I don’t care Steve. Beat it! I´m working.” Tony growled.

Steve sighed disappointed and told Tony before he left. “Just make sure you won´t regret it later.”

“Regret it later? Regret it later!” Tony mumble between his teeth. “The only thing I regret is getting caught in this mess.”

Leah didn’t have a hard time looking for Tony either after her session with Andrew ended.

Tony had piled three empty bottles by the time she arrived to the communications room. As Leah walked in she looked nervously at the bottles. “Oh God! He´s really angry. Dammit Leah! You just couldn´t keep your mouth shut.”

She swallowed hard before frightfully calling his attention. “Tony?”

“So you finally came!” He spat slyly. “Save it! I don´t care.”

“But Tony, I’m sorry …” Leah nervously told him as she clutched her hands.

“I don’t care how sorry you are! I´m not forgiving you this time.” Tony yelled at her spitefully. “I´m done playing this game!”

Leah looked at him hurtfully and gingerly volunteered. “I know I deserve your anger; but please Tony listen to me.”

“Why on hell would I do that?” Tony spat enraged. “So you can tell me again how sorry you are until the next time you conveniently forget and do some stupid bullshit again. No, Leah; if the other´s put up with your crap that´s their problem; I´m done with you.”

“Tony please. I didn´t meant it. I just was so angry …” Leah pleaded anxiously.

“Why should I believe you?” Tony asked her wrathful.

“Because I’m telling you the truth!” Leah cried desperate.

“The truth?” Tony laughed wryly. “Like when you told us the truth about just wanting to take a stroll before you tried to escape? I should’ve learn my lesson then. No, I wouldn´t believe you even if you got Saint Rogers to vouch for you.”

“Please Tony, just give me a chance to explain.” She begged again; she was trying very hard not to cry. Even so, her eyes threatened to overflow with unshed tears.

“And for God´s sake don´t even start crying! The broken girl routine is getting old.” Tony harshly admonished her.

“But tony, please! Think of everything we´ve been through together …” Leah tried to appeal to Tony once more.

“I am.” Tony assure her. “I´m sick of your martyr routine too! Yes, Doom; you can rape me if you let Loki and my child go.” He mocked her merciless. “Who does that?” Tony ranted against her again.

“Tony!” Leah looked at him appalled. “Why …?”

“What?! Does the truth hurts?” Tony mocked her. “You can stop trying. As soon as Loki gets back I’m out of here. And then we won´t have to see each other ever again.”

Leah´s tears pour freely by now; she didn´t even though of defending herself against his accusations; she didn´t wanted to fight with him anymore. She bit her lower lip before gathering herself to tell him. “It doesn´t matter if you don’t believe me. I …am … sorry. You were the best friend I´ve ever had and I´m so sorry I hurt you. I … I will miss you!” Her voice broke; unable to stop the outpour of emotions she ran out of the room crying.

Tony just looked at her leave before resuming his work; after a couple of minutes the full realisation of what he had done settle in. As she stopped working he spat out loud. “Dammit Leah!” Next he rushed out to find her.

First he tried her room, next the interior garden; there was no sign of her in the nursery or the kitchen. He felt too guilty to ask the rest of the team to help him find her; suddenly he pass through one of the training rooms and thought he had heard her voice. As he peaked in he saw a shocking scene. Leah kept ranting against herself while she punched the sandbag placed in the back of the room with all her strength; sand was pouring out through a dozen holes. But what made him open his mouth horrified was the blood smeared all over the bag; the same blood that dripped down from Leah´s knuckles into her arms and clothes. After his initial shock Tony was able to make out Leah’s words between her sobs. “Stop doing everything wrong … stop being so stupid … stop failing every time … you´re doing it wrong … you´re doing it wrong … can´t you do anything right? The accident … your escape … Doom … Loki …. Tony … Thor … stop doing everything wrong … “ She kept repeating the same words over and over in the same cycle as she bawled her hear out completely unaware of Tony´s presence, venting all her anger in every single blow; she didn´t even acknowledge the pain in her bloody hands anymore. She kept playing everything in her mind again and again; she needed to get things right, she couldn´t afford to keep failing … she just couldn´t.

Tony was taken back by the heart-breaking scene; seeing all the pain reflected on Leah´s face made his heart cringe. Swiftly he walked behind her and in one swift move embraced her while pulling her away from the punching bag.

“Leah stop! Please … stop.” He pleaded with tears in his eyes.

Leah looked back at him astonished before wailing. “Tony, I’m sorry! I´ll get things right, I promise. I promise … I won’t screw up anymore. Please, I’m sorry.” She kept crying with her head bowed down. “I´m sorry, I’m sorry!” She was sniffling so hard she was shaking.

“I know, I know, i´m sorry. I shouldn´t have said those things to you. Please stop crying.” He held her tight against his chest leaning his head into hers. For a couple of minutes they didn’t said a word comforted by each other´s presence. It was Leah who broke the silence as she leaned her head to look at his face; with great effort she managed to tell him before starting to sob again. “You are all my family.”

Tony´s eyes watered again after hearing her confession; he turned her to face him so he could embrace her, resting her head in his chest he told her. “And you are ours.”

“I´m sorry.” She said once more.

“Shhh, it´s all right. It´s al right.” He rocked her against his chest for a while until she stopped crying. Suddenly he sighed as he told her in a joking tone. “If I didn’t know better I would swear we are related. We sure know how to make a mess.”

Leah couldn´t help to laugh. She looked up at him as she answered. “Yes, we do.”

“Let me take a look at your hands.” He told her next trying to hide the concern in his voice.

Leah felt like a child about to get a scolding and shyly lift her hands for him to see with a worried expression in her face she realised how bad they look.

Tony sighed disapprovingly as she examined them. “We are going to need Bruce to take a look at this.”

“But …” Leah pouted with a pleading expression in her face.

“Sorry love; not this time. We need a doctor.” Tony told her firmly.

When they found Bruce Tony approached him; Leah stood nervously behind him hiding her hands which Tony had provisionally bandaged with a piece of his own shirt.

“Bruce, before you start nagging us … we know; we are a couple of fools, but …” He pulled Leah in front of him showing Bruce her injured hands. “We need you to take a look at these.”

“So Andrew, what do you think?” Bruce asked him as they watched through the glass at Leah and Tony chatting animatedly.

Andrew stared at the pair teasingly joking with each other. “She´s going to be all right Bruce. I think we can relax now.”

“But Andrew; she just managed to break four metacarpals not to mention the damage she inflicted on her knuckles. Without the nanobots it will take her a week or more to heal …”

“Bruce …” Andrew interrupted all the time keeping his eyes on Leah and tony. “What do you see?”

Bruce looked up. “They are fooling around.” He finally suggested.

“Yes.” Andrew smiled. “When was the last time you saw her that relaxed?”

Bruce considered his answer for a while before admitting. “When her child was born.”

“So, you would say she looks happy, am I right?” Andrew asked him.

“I guess so.” Bruce reluctantly volunteered.

“Whatever happened it looks like it might have been worth a couple of broken bones.” Andrew suggested kindly.

Bruce looked at them attentively before acknowledging “Maybe … are you going to talk to her?”

“I you allow it I would like to.” Andrew admitted.

Meanwhile inside the room Tony teased Leah about her new splints. “Even with your healing factor you won´t be able to get rid of them before Loki arrives. I would hate to be you when he sees them.”

Leah pouted, she knew she wouldn´t heard the end of it if she had to explain o Loki how she managed to break two fingers of each hand. “You´re supposed to cheer me up, not get me down. What kind of friend are you?”

“The one that puts up with you.” Tony jokingly answered. “And …baby. You´re going to get it!” He nodded his head negatively faking a concerned look.

Leah pouted even more. “That´s not fair. It isn´t all my fault!”

“You´re the one that decided to knock the hell of the punching bag … so it is your fault.” Tony told her with irony.

Leah whined. “Can you make some nanobots to fix my bones? Please Tony…”

“I don’t know.” Tony told her. “What´s in it for me?”

“My eternal gratitude.” Leah suggested hopefully.

“Mmm… I don´t know.” Tony kept teasing her.

“Come on Tony, you´re so smart … I´m sure you could make some with your eyes closed.” Leah compliment him trying to get him to help her.

“Maybe if you compliment my skills again.” Tony joked.

Leah sighed amused. “All right…. Tony …”

Tony hurried to suggest her. “Please help me …”

“Please help me …” Leah repeated.

“Cause you are the only one smart enough.” Tony continued.

“Cause you are the only one smart enough.” Leah repeated.

“And also handsome and great …” Tony added.

Leah whined annoyed. “Tony! Are you going to help me or not?”

“I´ll do my best girl” He finally agreed. “But remember I can´t make you any promises; most of my equipment is in the tower.”

“Thank you.” Leah smiled him with a smile.

They were just changing the subject when Andrew walked in.

Leah´s first thought was “I´m screwed.”

“Tony, could you give Leah and me a minute?” He nicely asked.

Tony looked at Leah´s guilty expression and considered it for a while before acceding.

“I´m out of the rescue team.” Leah plainly volunteered before Andrew said a word.

“Actually not, you´re still in.” Andrew told her with a smile. “Strictly off field till you are healed, but you can still lead the team.”

“But… why? “Leah asked intrigued before adding “I broke my hands.”

“Yes, you did. But I have a feeling you will manage one way or the other. “Andrew volunteered.

Leah expression changed to a thankful one. “I … thank you.” She hugged Andrew warmly.

“No.” Leah whispered agitated in her dream waking up Tony who drowsily complained. “What …?”

“Shh…” Thor shushed him, he had noticed her restlessness too. “she´s dreaming.”

Tony looked at Leah´s concerned expression and replied quietly with a frown. “No, she’s´ having a nightmare.”

Leah whined softly as she tossed in her dream.

“Shouldn´t we wake her up?” Tony asked anxiously.

“I don´t think so.” Thor volunteered in a low tone.

Tony pouted slightly unconvinced of letting the nightmare to continue and turned left to gently shook Bruce who was still asleep.

“Mmm? What…?” Bruce frowned about being abruptly woken up.

“Bruce, should you wake up someone who´s having a nightmare?” Tony asked without waiting for Bruce to be fully awaken.

“Should you … what?” Bruce asked as he yawned.

“Leah´s having a nightmare.” Thor explained. “should we wake her up?”

Bruce sat up as he took a glimpse at Leah who had curled up while mumbling something he couldn´t quiet discern. He scratched his head for a moment before answering. “No, not unless it gets worst.”

“Worst how?” Tony asked impatiently.

“Only if she starts screaming or if there was a risk of her hurting herself or any of you.” Bruce elaborated.

“so we just watch and do nothing?” Tony angrily huffed.

“It might fade by itself.” Bruce suggested in hope.

“what´s happening?” Steve drowsily asked as he stretched beside Thor; he had heard something going on.

“Leah´s havinga nightmare.” Thor explained again.

“Is it bad?” Steve asked concerned.

“Do you know any good nightmares?” Tony asked in irony.

“No.” Leah said softly.

“Did she just answered us?” Bruce asked intrigued.

“I don´t know; she might have.” Tony answered confused. “Are you sure we can´t wake her up?”

“No, Tony; we shouldn´t. You would startle her.” Bruce asseverated.

“I´m sure that´s not a good idea.” Natasha volunteered, both her and Clint had also woken up at the sound of their voices.

“Go back to sleep.” Clint complained while hoping the nightmare would stop by itself.

Suddenly Leah sat up startled by something im her dream, her breathing was ragged, her eyes were unfocused and misty.

Tony leaned to hold her shoulder as he asked. “Leah, are you ok?”

Leah looked at him confused for a moment, suddenly she noticed everyone staring at her; with a big frustrated sigh she buried her head between her hands, her long hair hid the rest of her face. “It´s just a nightmare.” She plainly told them. “Why now? Couldn´t it waited until I was alone? The look on their faces …” She complained mentally. “They think … I´m broken, and why shouldn´t they? Maybe I need to accept I’m never going to be all right ever again.” Regardless of her thoughts she told them. “I´m fine.”

“Are you sure?” Tony asked again as he gently placed his hand over her back.

His touch made Leah snap annoyed. “I said I was fine.” For a second he glared at him angrily before closing her eyes as she sighed with frustration. “I´m sorry. I´m fine.” The moment she opened her eyes she asked. “What time is it?”

“Around eight.” Clint answered drowsily; he had turned his back to the whole scene and was lazily hugging the pillow.

“I´d better take a shower before Eerika wakes up.” She volunteered; without giving them any time she jumped out of the bed and walked to the dressing room. No one spoke again until they heard the sound of running water.

“She´s … angry.” Tony told them bemused.

“Of course she is, you all just had to stare at her.” Clint complained angrily.

“And you weren´t?” Tony asked incredulous.

“Of course I was, I just wasn´t that obvious.” He answered as he sat up. “How would you feel if you were in her place?”

“Angry.” Bruce suggested. “Clint is right; we all need to stop treating her as an accident waiting to happen.”

“But …” Tony began to say when Bruce interrupted him.

“Just think about it Tony; we all have been treating her as you treated me the first time we met on board of the hellicarrier. Take my word on it, it´s frustarting.” Bruce confessed.

“I guess you are right.” Steve volunteered next. “We need to start trusting she will get through this.”

“It’s hard to trust yourself when no one else does.” Natasha added in a pensive tone.

Tony huffed, he knew they were all right but he didn’t felt comfortable with the idea. “so what? We leave her alone?” He asked vexed.

“No.” Thor answered. “We just give her some space. She will ask for our help should she need it.”

As they kept discussing the matter a complete different scene was taking place in the bathroom.

Leah had turned on the shower and crumbled under it; she hadn´t even bothered on removing her clothes.

“I´m never going to make it.” She repeated to herself mentally as she silently cried under the spray of the shower; the cold water hit her merciless but she didn´t cared. She just sat there shivering; at least the cold distracted her from the pain she felt in her chest. After a while of debating with herself she whispered. “They can´t know.” Trembling she closed the shower faucet. “Maybe If I´m convincing enough I can fool myself.” She wryly reasoned as she removed her clothes.

“Do you think she´s all right?” Tony asked worryingly. “She´s been there for a while.”

“Tony … for love´s sake; let her be!” Natasha admonished harshly.

“But …” Tony started to complain when Leah walked out of the dressing room; she had changed into a pullover and jeans. She hadn´t even dried her hair in her hurry to get out; despite her best efforts to hide it the redness in her eyes betrayed her; she had been crying.

“I´m going to check on Eerika.” She informed them sternly before walking out of the room. She felt too angry and embarrassed to be amongst them.

Thor sighed concerned, but knew she would need some space before calming down. He already had made the mistake of overburden her once.

Before anyone could prevent it Tony rushed out to follow her; she was a couple of steps from the nursery when he managed to grab her arm. “Wait! Leah!”

“What, Tony?! What?!” She asked trying unsuccessfully to hide her anger.

“Are you all right?” He asked again ignoring her tone.

“I already told you I am. What else do you want from me? Why won´t you leave me alone?” She growled defiantly. “I don’t need you to watch over me, I don´t need any of you to watch over me. We are not related; we are not family, you are not my brother; stop acting as you fucking were. “

Tony was unprepared for her reaction; as he opened his mouth to say something Leah just snapped. “You know what? I don´t have time for this. Stop following me! And get this through that thick skull of yours I want you to leave me alone!” With that she rushed into the nursery leaving tony alone in the hallway.

“I´m sure she didn´t meant any of that.” Steve said to Tony trying to comfort him. “Just let her calm down.”

Tony expression changed from hurt to angry. “She´s right! Why should I care? After all we are not family, she´s not my sister.” He huffed angrily before turning walking back to his room.

Steve watched him with a concern look on his face before walking back to Leah´s room. Everyone had overheard Leah´s and Tony´s argument and were lost in their own thoughts.

Steve sighed before telling them. “I think we should fix her room up before we leave. And … we should give her some space; at least for a while.”

They all agreed quietly.

When Leah closed the nursery door behind her she leaned her back into it as ash let herself slide down. “What´s wrong with me?” She asked herself before answering with irony. “As if you didn’t know …” Eerika´s cry pull her out of her thoughts; as she cleaned her tears with her sleeve she answered in a soft voice “I´m here.”

She stayed in the nursery until it was time for her session with Andrew; she really didn’t wanted to see anyone but knew that if she skipped a session Fury may had left instructions to leave her out of the rescue mission; and she couldn’t let that happen. Clint would surely check on Eerika as he did every time she went to her sessions. Unwillingly she walked into the studio where Andrew was already waiting for her.

Andrew watched her attentively as she sat in; it was obvious something was wrong. “How are we doing this morning?” He asked in a casual tone.

Leah looked at him annoyed. “As fine as I can be.” She spat angrily.

“That´s not true.” Andrew volunteered.

“So?” Leah answered back irritated.

“I thought we had already agreed that you wouldn’t lie to me.” Andrew admonished her.

“What does it matter? I´m never going to get any better than this. I might as well accept it” Leah huffed vexed.

“What happened?” Andrew asked her calmly.

“I decided I should just accept it; everyone keeps looking at me as if I were broken. They can´t all be wrong, then why keep on trying?” She volunteered as angry tears threatened to pour out.

“What happened?” Andrew asked again in a firmer tone.

“What do you think?” Leah wryly asked. “I did what I do best, a mess.”

“Ok, tell me …” Andrew told her sternly.

Reluctantly Leah told him about the incident; as she ended she added. “See? I´m hopeless; you should all just stop wasting your time. It´s pointless.”

Andrew frowned while watching her attentively; she had hit rock bottom; either she snapped out of it or she would drown in self-pity.

“I see.” He told her calmly. “It´s a good thing then that Fury let to me the final decision about you joining the rescue team.”

Leah looked at him panicky. “No, you can’t. I have to be on it.”

“Why? According to what you have just told me, you wouldn´t bring anything positive to the team. Loki will be better off without you.” He told her harshly.

“No, please! You can´t! Fury promised …” Leah pleaded anguished.

“You really don´t think I would let you lead a team, do you? You would most probably get everyone killed including Loki.” Andrew told her slyly.

“I …” Leah didn´t knew what to answer to that; thick tears rolled from her eyes. What if he was right? She thought before breaking down crying; what if he was right?

“He´s not.” A small voice in her interior told her but she refused to believe it.

“I´m sorry Leah.” Andrew added. “But there´s no way that I can in good conscious let you participate even less lead the rescue mission. I think you are right; you were broken even before Doom crushed you. For a moment I too deceived myself thinking you might pull through but as you so clearly pointed out there´s no hope you will. If I were you I might even consider leaving Loki in case he does comes back. You will only be a burden to him; to him and to your child.” With that last comment he stood up. As he was walking to the door a voice stopped him.

“No.”

“Excuse me?” Andrew asked as if he hadn’t heard her; all the time hoping that all that reverse psychology act had finally got through her.

“I said no.” She replied in a more confident tone.

“No … what?” Andrew asked as he turned to face her.

“I´m not a burden.” She told him sternly; she had stood up and was staring at him with her fists clenched. “I´m not a burden.” She repeated. “It doesn´t matter if you add me or not to the rescue team. Loki is smart, he will succeed and in the rare case he doesn´t I have friends that will help me get him back. Even if I´ve been horrible to them I know they will forgive me and they will help me.” Tears kept flowing from her eyes as she told him. “I´m not broken. I will pull myself together one way or the other, they need me … and I won´t let them down. Not any more … I won´t.

Andrew walked back to her with a serious expression on his face, Leah looked at him intrigued; unexpectedly he hugged her. “I believe you, I always did. I´m glad you finally were able to figure it out.”

Leah looked at him confused. “But …” She started to say when Andrew interrupted her. “You didn´t gave me much choice, did you?”

Leah realised what he had done. “You didn’t mean any of it.”

“Not a word.” Andrew confessed with a smirk.

“You tricked me!” Leah complained.

“That, I did.” Andrew acknowledged. “Sometimes the end does justify the means.”

“But … but …” Leah studded uncertain if what to say. “What now?” she finally asked.

“I would suggest you to go look for Tony and apologise.” He offered with a smile. “I think we can call it a day; it was a good session. We can continue this tomorrow.”

“Ok.” Leah agreed a bit unsure; he was right she needed to find Tony and somehow apologize for all the stupid things she had said.

Loki went through the plan in his mind as he prepared for disembarking, it was more like a sketch of a plan which trouble him the most; they would have to gather more information before being ready to attack.

“So, you are telling me that you really don’t have reliable intel about this base?” Loki spat bewildered as Fury first explained him the situation.

“Regretfully no, I don´t. There wasn´t enough time to infiltrate someone.” Fury admitted.

“How do you even expect us to prepare for this mission then?” Loki asked irritated as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“Well … that´s where Chameleon will come in handy. We´ll need him to corroborate or disprove all the information we have at this moment.” Fury volunteered.

“I like this mission less by the minute.” Loki complained.

“Let´s concentrate on what we have and work it out from there.” Fury suggested sternly.

“All right.” Loki agreed reluctantly with a big sigh. “What do we know?”

“The vibranium mine is 2.4 km deep, the base was built over it; so if we take other Hydra bases as reference there should be only a small number of levels over the mine shaft.” Fury explained him.

“What do you suggest we do about that? Vibranium is practically indestructible.” Loki asked with a concern look on his face; this mission was going to be one of the hardest ones he had ever been on.

“You are right; we can´t destroy it. We´ll just have to content with collapsing the mine… and the base.” Fury agreed, at least they would buy time for coming up with a more permanent solution.

“That´s only a momentary solution; nothing will stop them from reconstructing it again. Especially with Hydra behind them; in a couple of months they will be mining again.” Loki pointed out.

“Do you have a better idea?! Fury spat angered, he also preferred a permanent solution but couldn´t find one.

“Not yet.” Loki admitted. “But there´s another problem; I don´t know if you have considered that the real reason Doom agreed to participate in this mission is to get his hands on some of that vibranium for himself. The rumour says it can amplify mystical powers.”

“Actually I have.” Fury admitted, Doom had been too easy to recruit. “We can´t let him get anywhere near that mine.”

Loki looked at him sarcastically. “How do you propose we do that while we fight an entire base? We simply can´t keep an eye on him at all times.”

“That´s why I´ve been thinking we should split into two teams; the first one will be in charge of sealing the base and preventing anyone from leaving as well as start the cleanup.“ After making sure Loki was listening attentively; Fury continued. “If I were them I would have the vehicle hangar on the first floor; and the armory either on the same level or the next one. There must be two or three levels for the chemical and biological labs which should be on the lower levels, that way they would have a chance to evacuate in case of a spill. Between those levels should be the living and training quarters. Doom, Venom, Octopus, Mysterio and Rhino should be on that first team.”

“Sounds good, but how will you guarantee Doom won´t just abandon the mission and try to seize some vibranium?” Loki interrupted him.

“We won´t have too, Dr. Octopus will take care of that.” Fury revealed.

“Why would he do that?” Loki asked intrigued.

“Because if he does I´ll get him something even better than money.” Fury smirked.

“Better than money?” Loki thought to himself. “And what can that be?” He asked Fury out loud.

“Our Doctor is dying.” Fury simply stated. “His body has sustained too many injuries over the years and is failing; but I promised him we would use every available technology to save him if he … helps us keep an eye on Doom.”

Loki looked at him surprised, he had negotiated every payment except for that one.

“Don´t worry, we´ll deliver on our word.” Fury reassured him. “I already have a team working on that.”

“All right.” Loki finally said. “Any more secret deals I should know about?”

“None that should concern you.” Fury dryly told him.

“As you like.” Loki conceded slightly annoyed.

“On the second team should be Chameleon, Electro, Sandman, you and me. We´ll be in charge of neutralizing the weapons in the labs and setting up the explosives to collapse the mine.” Fury explained over some diagrams he had sketched on the screen.

“I´m guessing you don´t want to risk any quemical or biological spill, even if that could do the cleanup … faster.” Loki volunteer.

“You´re right. Besides the point that not all of us are immune to earth diseases like you there´s the matter of the vibranium, it´s highly mutagenic so I´d rather not spill god knows what around.”

“Known one at least.” Loki added. “You are right; we have no idea what have they been playing with in those labs. But I´m sure you know that incineration alone might not destroy all the threats.”

“I know, but we hardly will have time to neutralize them one by one.” Fury acknowledged grimly.

“Maybe we can.” Loki told him pensively, they would need to have more information to come up with an effective plan.

“We´re five minutes from the drop point Sir.” Melinda informed Fury.

“All right people, get ready to jump.” Fury told to no one in particular.

Loki and Doom eyes each other zealously, as the rest of their team mates put on their parachutes.

“I´m not wearing that.” Loki pointed to the backpack Sandman was offering him. “I have my own means of getting there.” He added with a smirk.

Doom had also refused to wear a parachute; his suit had minor flying capabilities.

Fury gave some final instructions to Agent May before finishing strapping his own parachute.

The back door opened and a strong cold wind flooded the inside of the Quinjet; Fury yelled. “Remember you have a tracking device in your equipment; should you get separated during the landing it will guide you back to the drop point.”

The first to jump was Chameleon, followed by an overly enthusiastic Venom and theatrical Mysterio. Sandman was amongst the last to jump; he had to be pushed out of the aircraft by Fury when he failed to jump by himself. Loki simply teleported to the drop point after Fury jumped. Doom had left the aircraft moments before Sandman did.

Loki watched as some grey spots slowly descended into the jungle. The first one to arrive was Chameleon, he glided into the drop point; it was safe to admit he had done it before.

The rest for the team except for Fury weren´t that skilled and ended up somewhere in the jungle. Doom landed a few seconds before Fury did. The last one to arrive was Rhino who have had some trouble figuring the tracking device operation.

After everyone had arrived they travelled by foot a couple of miles till their provisional base.

In the morning Chameleon left early to infiltrate the enemies base; he had been equipped with all sort of interesting gadgets from SHIELD´s scientists that would allow him to find any vulnerabilities in the base and exploit them.

Loki watched him worryingly as he walked away; the reconnaissance mission would take at least a day. “How will Leah be doing?” He thought to himself allowing the thought linger for a while before grunting displeased; he couldn´t scry fop her to find out.

“I´ll better do some reconnaissance myself.”

Loki chuckled softly at the images that his water glass reflected, he had scry for Leah as soon as he found himself alone in Fury´s office. Luckily the sleepover was well advance when he casted the spell and caught a glimpse of Thor getting his hair braided by Natasha which caused everyone to laugh heartedly.

“You know you can´t do that once we start the mission.” Fury dryly told him catching Loki off-guard.

Loki grunted annoyed as he dissolved the images “I know.”

“I sure hope so, you´d better not do that again unless you want doom to find out she´s still alive.” Fury nagged him.

“Dammit Fury! I know!” He snapped furiously, almost immediately he changed his tone. “I … I just had to see her, make sure she was all right.”

“And is she?” Fury asked hopefully.

“It seem so, yes.” Loki admitted still a bit unsure.

“then stop worrying. We are leaving within the hour; you need to concentrate in the task at hand.” Looking at Loki´s indecision he added. “The sooner we finish this mission the sooner you´ll get back to her.”

“You´re right.” Loki agreed. “Let´s get this over with.” With that he raised from the chair he had been sitting on and walked out of the room towards the hangar.

Fury smirked and followed him out; all the members of their team were already on board. The only members from SHIELD in the Quinjety were himself and the pilot Melinda May; he had borrowed her from Coulson´s team for a couple of days.

“I don´t like this sir.” She had told him when he recruited her for the mission. “What if something goes wrong?”

“If something goes wrong I want you to run straight back to Coulson, he will need your help.” Fury told her sternly.

“But, Sir….” Melinda started to say when she was abruptly interrupted by Fury. “No buts agent, you will do as you´re told.” He reprimanded her harshly.

“Yes Sir.” She agreed reluctantly with a scowl, getting in a mission with 9 villains even if one of them was allegedly reformed was a very bad idea on her book.

“Agent May.” Loki greeted her formally as they approached the Quinjet; her feelings about him weren’t any secret.

“Loki.” She greeted him back seriously, she still had her doubts about his change of heart. “Sir.# She greeted fury next.

“Is everything ready?” Fury asked her quickly.

“Yes, all of our … guests are already on board.” She informed him dissaprovingly.

“Are you going to give me any trouble agent?” Fury glared at her sombrely.

“No sir.” Melinda adamantly responded.

“Good, now loose the attitude. You don´t have to like the mission to get it done.” Fury admonished her.

“Yes Sir, we are ready to depart at your command.” Melinda informed him.

“And our special guest?” Loki scowled as he heard fury ask her that; the special guest was no other than Doom. He hadn´t seen him since that day, when he …killed her; and now he would have to work with him.

Fury noticed Loki´s discomfort and reminded him. “Remember our deal, I´ll give you what I want if you give me what I want. And right now Doom alive and in one piece is part of what I want.”

“You should just let me kill him.” Loki spat enraged as her stared into fury´s eye who stood his stare without flinching. “Fine.” He finally snapped. “Have it your way, but remember if he betrays us he´s mine.”

“Agreed.” Fury accepted then turned back his attention to Melinda who had been watching their disagreement attentively.

“He´s in the front as you required.” She quickly informed him.

“Let´s go then.” Fury ordered them.

Both Melinda and Loki agreed disgruntledly, this was a mission they both wished they had skipped.

As Loki walked into the Quinjet he could see all of his new teammates already on board, some of them were checking their seatbelts, while others were lively talking about shared adventures, weapons or whatever was in their minds at the moment. On the farthest corner he could see Doom´s figure already strapped to his seat; unconsciously his jaw tightened as his fists clenched up. It was the first time they saw each other after the battle in the tower; Loki kept reminding himself why he couldn´t just kill him right there. You´re doing it for Leah, just think about Eerika, they need you back, remember the deal. With a final furious grudgeful glare he turned to an empty seat next to the Quinjet´s loading ramp; he planned to keep as furthest away from Doom as he could, if not he might be tempted to … a maniacal evil grin appeared on his face reflecting much better than words could what was in his mind; if anyone could´ve heard his thoughts …

“You´re not going to salute me Loki Laufeyson?” A sarcastic loud voice snapped him out of his machinations, it was doom´s.

“The only manner I wish to greet you is with a blade through your back, you coward.” Loki growled back as his fists clenched up again; did Doom has a death wish? Cause if he wasn´t careful he might just get his wish true.

Everyone went silence; eager to find out the source of such animosity.

“Are you still mad at me for killing your pet?” Doom mocked him unconcerned.

“She was not my pet!” Loki spat back furiously as he stood up.

“I´m sorry, your mistress then? Or maybe I just should go with stud mare?” Doom kept taunting him.

Loki´s hand´s flared up magically the instant he heard Doom´s crude remark; only the constant reminder of Leah´s nervous breakdown kept him from annihilating Doom right that instant.

“You killed her!” Was Loki´s response through clenched teeth; it didn’t matter if they had luckily been successful at bringing her back, the fact was that Doom had killed Leah, he had killed his sweet brave girl who had put herself on the line just to keep him and their daughter safe; she had fought as hard as she could knowing all the time that she couldn´t succeed only to be cowardly shot out of spite the moment he had vanquished Doom.

“I think we already have established that.” Doom answer somehow annoyed. “Get over it!”

Loki blanched with rage. Get over it? How dared he? Without a second thought he hurried to close the gap between himself and Doom only to be cut off by Dr Octopus who step between them with his mechanical arms.

“I don´t know what´s going on between you too nor do I care, but your little quarrel is jeopardizing the reward SHIELD have promised me for taking part on this mission.”

Before he ended his phrase both Venom and chameleon had step between them too. “Ours too.” They added almost at unison.

Doom let out a sly laugh that infuriated Loki even more.

“If you want me to respect our deal you´ll stop that right this instant Doom.” An unamused voice sounded behind him, it was Fury´s. The strife had call his attention.

Doom stopped laughing instantly and barely answered in a tone that resembled a child that has grown bored with his toy. “If you insist.”

“I insist.” Fury adamantly asseverated, then added. “The same goes for all of you, get back to your seats, we are leaving.”

Loki growled annoyed by the interference and glared Fury angrily without moving an inch.

“You heard me Loki, get back to your seat. If you want your child to be safe you will do as you´re told.” Fury menaced him, it was in their best interest to keep Loki´s change of sides unknown to all for as long as they could; his new team mates might not take it kindly, even Doom could only speculate about who´s side Loki was in due to the recent events.

Loki expression changed from furious to concerned, Fury had been right to remind him the real reason he was doing it.

“You can have that pathetic snivelling bastard.” He finally spat as he turned back to his seat.

“What? You…!” Doom complained only to be silenced by Fury´s disapproving glare.

When Loki reached his seat a question welcomed him. “You have a kid?” It was Sandman, who had taken the seat next to him.

“A daughter if you must know.” Loki volunteered, he knew that Sandman being the only member of the Sinister Six with a kid would most likely sympathize with him immediately. He didn´t knew for sure but he suspected he might need to align their allegiances towards him regarding Doom.

“How old is she?” Sandman asked again, he had a daughter himself.

“Three weeks.” Loki answered with a sigh, everything had changed in such a little time.

Sandman opened his mouth shocked, that meant Doom had killed his daughter´s mother. “I’m sorry.” He finally said.

“Me too.” Loki agreed heavy hearted.

“Was she your wife?” Another voice asked; it was Octopus; he had overheard their conversation.

“No.” Loki dryly answered then shrugged his shoulders as heh added. “But who knows, she might have been … someday.” Octavius’s wife had died, why not rally his sympathies too?

Surprisingly a third voice stated. “she was the pretty girl in the Tower, wasn´t she?” It was Eddie Brooke, he had reassumed his human appearance. “Pregnant with a hell of an attitude.” He added.

“Yes, it was her.” Loki smirked, it was a good way to describe her. “She´s … was a handful.” He corrected himself as his expression changed to a sad one; you need to talk of her as is he was dead, he reminded himself mentally.

Octavius looked at him sympathetically, he knew first hand that people tended to forget to talk about their loved ones in past tense.

“What was she doing with the Avenger´s?” Chameleon asked suspiciously.

His question caught Loki off-guard; discussing his love-life with that special crowd was not what he had in mind, he made a small scowl as he rubbed his chin. “Mm … that´s a … long story.” He finally ended purposely trying to look uncomfortable hoping they would let it go.

“I think we have the time, it´s bound to be a long flight.” Electro added; it seemed they were all curious about what had lead former allies to become such obvious enemies.

“Damm!” Loki cursed mentally, he would have to change some facts, especially the details about changing sides as well as omitting as much as he could of the story; specifically, the details about him changing sides. “I don´t want to bore you.” He answered in a half-voice.

“Rhino wants to know.” A voice with a strong Russian accent said suddenly.

“Of course you want to know, your love life amounts to zero.” Mysterio mocked him.

“That´s not true. Ladies find Rhino attractive. I get letters when I´m in jail.” Rhino defended himself.

“He does.” Electro asseverate, under everyone´s surprised stares he shrugged his shoulders as he added. “Don´t ask me why, I don´t understand it myself.”

For a moment everyone talked at the same moment volunteering their own theories about it until Chameleon interrupted them. “Never mind. Are you going to tell us or not Loki?”

Everyone´s silence showed they agreed with Chamaleon.

“If you insist, don´t say I didn´t warned you.” Loki accepted unhappily and proceed to tell them about how he met Leah, what happened between them and how he tried to send her away by delivering her to the Avenger´s.

“You really just let her in SHIELD´s hands?” Sandman asked surprised.

“I didn´t knew she was pregnant at the time.” Loki defended himself.

“And if you had known what would you have done?” Chameleon asked him interested.

“I don´t know.” Loki answered. “What would any of you done in my place?”

“Not deliver her to your enemy for starters.” Eddie volunteered.

“For the last time I was trying to send her to my brother.” Loki spat angered, what gave them the right to criticize him?

“So, now he´s your brother?” Electro asked.

Loki sighed annoyed. “He has always been my brother as much as I hate to admit it. I knew he would protect her.”

“I assume he eventually did.” Octavius volunteered. “She was in the Tower.”

“For all the good it did to her.” Loki scowled eyeing Doom.

“Don´t let us hanging Loki, tell us the rest of the story.” Eddie urged him.

Loki couldn´t fathom why they all were so interested; it must be a human thing he concluded.

Loki reassumed his story alleging he was fooling the avenger´s about changing sides so he would be able to get his lover and daughter back while in the process getting their aid to fight the once unknown threat against them; and how everything went wrong when doom attacked.

“And now, you keep pretending or are you changing sides for real this time?” Chamaleon asked sternly.

“Just until it serves my purposes.” Loki volunteered in a low voice, then he added. “I´m not going to lose her like I did her mother. No matter what it takes. “He hoped that should clarify that his allegiances were with himself as they always had.

“Why didn´t you just took your daughter and went back to Asgard?” Mysterio asked.

“And do what? Hide as a commoner? Besides Odin´s justice is both cruel and imaginative; I’d rather take my chances with Fury any day.” Loki spat back, he wasn´t lying about that.

“You sound scared of this Odin dude.” Eddie half-mocked him.

“You would be too if you had seen what I have.” Loki volunteered. “Or … experienced it.” A slight tremor ran through his voice; no one was eager to ask what he meant by that, except for Octavius.

“About that … I´ve always have meant to ask you about the veracity of Norse mythology.” He asked unashamedly. “Especially the myths regarding your person, I find them rather disturbing actually, is it true that …”

To Loki´s relief Fury interrupted them. “We are half an hour from the drop point. I suggest you stop your knitting meeting and concentrate.”

Loki frowned, he didn´t understood the reference but he had the distinct impression Fury had insulted them. Either way he was relieved he didn´t had to go with Octopus over the non-sense myths ancient humans had invented about them; most of them were lies … most of them anyway, and the one´s that weren’t … well they had fell short.

“If he wasn´t paying us a King´s ransom I´d feed him his words.” Eddie grunted while turning back into Venom.

“Back to work.” Mysterio added checking his gear and walking back to his seat as everyone.

Loki kept sitting eying angrily at Doom until Octavius interrupted his thoughts. “Unfortunately you´ll have to forget about your quarrel with Doom.” Then he added in a low voice. “At least until the mission is done.”

Loki nodded his head in agreement; he was right, that he couldn´t deal with Doom right there didn´t meant he wouldn´t be able to … eventually.

“This is it.” Leah thought to herself. “Please don´t screw this up! Whatever you do, don´t cry!” She bit her lower lip nervously as everyone said both farewells and advices to Loki; every piece of advice made her feel even more anxious. If everything was going to be all right why so many take care and don´t do that. She didn´t knew what to do with herself, she knew all her telltales and was making a conscious effort to avoid them all. “Keep breathing, don´t start shaking, don´t cry, stop biting your fingers, no, no, no, don´t stuff your hands in your pockets… it looks even worse. And for the love of God smile, no, no like that … no teeth, casual, Leah get real that looks so fake, loosen up.” She had been practicing on the mirror over and over; she was determined to avoid making a scene even if her heart felt like it was breaking.

She had been so concentrated she almost didn´t heard Loki asking. “Are you sure you are going to be all right without me?”

“Of course I am.” She answered wearing her best fake smile. “I … I just want to apologize for making you worry so much. I understand now why you have to do this … I´ve been a fool, haven´t I?” She looked at him apologetic; she didn´t had to fake that part.

“You just weren´t yourself. I´m glad you´re feeling better now.” He smiled warmly at her. “Are you really sure you are going to be all right?”

Leah smiled back at him. “You make it sound as If I was the one leaving on a mission and not you. Stop worrying! We´ll be fine.” She volunteered kindly.

“Yes Loki, we´ll take care of them. Don´t worry.” Tony added putting his arm protectively over Leah´s shoulder.

“See, we´ll be fine. Just concentrate on coming back soon.” Leah told him.

“That I will.” Loki responded eyeing jealousy at Tony.

“If you don´t mind.” He told Tony while snatching Leah from his side. “We´ll need a moment.”

“Of course.” Steve agreed while motioning everyone to the side so Loki could have a word with Leah in private.

“I´ll come back as soon as I can.” Loki told her sincerely. “Are you sure you are going to be all right?”

Leah felt a knot on her stomach every time he asked her that; disregarding her nauseas she answered. “I´m the one who should be asking you that.”

“That was so smooth Leah… really! Why don’t you just tell him that you´re not going to be all right?” She kept reminding herself to avoid getting into a fight with him.

“I´ll be fine.” Loki just brushed her comment off. “It´s you I´m worried about. After what you told me last night …”

Leah interrupted him before he said another word, was he purposely telling her that just to see if she would break down? “I just wasn´t prepared to tell you, I never meant for you to find out. I´m sorry, please trust me Andrew is helping me a lot. I´m learning how to handle my emotions, I´ll be all right. You don´t need to worry about me. Just come home safe.” She hugged him. “Keep breathing Leah, keep breathing, no tears, just as you practiced.”

He hugged her back. “Home.” He repeated, it had been a long time since he had a place he could call home. “She seems all right” He thought. “No one could’ve guessed what happened last night. Will she be trying to fool me? No, I don´t think so I can´t see any of the anxiety signs; and after all I did pushed her too far.” He felt a pang of regret, he had provoked the whole incident.

“Yes, home.” She agreed snuggling against him as if she could retain a part of him somehow.

He tilted her chin up to see into her eyes, Leah smiled softly at him. “Don´t cry, don´t cry, please don´t cry, I know, think of… puppies ….no, no, no; that will get me crying even worse. Think Leah, think … yes … think of … Loki naked … oh, no! No, no! Don’t think about that right now …” A slight fluster ran through her cheeks. Looking into his eyes she could feel the entire world fading.

Loki smirked when he saw her blushing and ´passionately kissed her. “I´ll be home before you know it.” He volunteered. “Give Eerika a kiss for me every night please.”

His comment caught her off guard. “Good Lord no… Leah don´t.” She bitted her lower lip hard while trying to avoid her misty eyes of becoming a torrent.

Loki noticed her mood change and worriedly asked her. “Are you all right?”

Leah sniffed as she dried a single tear that had outrun her best efforts. “Yes, I´m sorry … it´s just that … I´m going to miss you so much.” It wasn´t a lie, the idea of sleeping alone again was almost unbearable. “I´ve got used to waking up by your side; I´m going to miss you terribly.” She told him while looking into his eyes. “Please Loki, don´t say anything else.” She pleaded mentally, she had almost lost it; and she didn’t felt strong enough to stop the pour of emotions that was building up again.

“I know, I´m going to miss you too.” He confessed lovingly, she did seem all right; for a moment he thought she was going to break down but she didn´t; he felt relieved. Then he mischievously whispered in her ear. “I´ll be back as soon as I can to warm up your bed.”

Leah blushed shyly as she did her best effort not to burst laughing; Loki smiled with a big grin on his face, it was so fun to make her blush.

Suddenly he changed into a serious manner. “It´s time love. I have to go, but I promise I´ll come back as soon as I can. Don´t worry about a thing. Take care of Eerika and yourself, all right?” She was right, he made it sound like she was the one leaving; he should start following his own advice and stop worrying. After all he was going to have a lot on his mind the next couple of days.

“I will if you do.” Leah answered as she had read his thought.

“It´s a deal.” Loki agreed. “Let´s join the others.”

Leah nodded affirmatively as she tentatively reached for his hand, Loki smiled at her loving gesture and hold her hand in his as they walked back to the Avengers.

“Take good care of them please.” He asked to all while looking directly at Thor.

“We will brother, come back soon.” Thor volunteered.

Loki kissed Leah gently once more before letting go, the next second he was gone.

The silence that followed was interrupted by a loud sob coming from Leah, she covered her face with one of her hands; bawling like a child she just ran past them towards her room. She didn’t wanted them to see her cry like that.

“Wait! Leah!” Thor called her worried. “What happened…? I thought she was all right.”

“And that´s what she wanted Loki to think Thor.” Natasha volunteered.

“How do you know that?” Clint asked her with a frown.

“Well, you gave her all those files to read back in the tower Clint; what do you think?” Natasha responded wryly.

“Hell no! Please tell me you didn´t.” Clint spat nodding his head in disbelief.

“She asked me to; considering both outcomes I chose the lesser evil.” Natasha confessed.

“What are you two taking about? What did Leah asked you?” Tony intervened frustrated by their evasive conversation.

“As a spy you get in undercover missions all the time. Your life depends on how convincing you are while selling your story… she wanted me to teach her how to do that.” Natasha volunteered.

“So she could deceive Loki.” Tony spat bewildered. “I can´t believe it! You seriously taught her to lie?”

“What did you wanted me to do? To refuse her? Do you really think that breaking apart like she just did would help either her or Loki? He need to focus on the mission, and he wouldn´t be able to do so if he saw her like that. She knew it, but she also knew she wasn’t ready, so yes, I taught her how. Did all of you really expected her to be all right after just one week on therapy? It´s not fair! I had to help her!” Natasha bitterly acknowledged; no wonder she always ended putting her down when they always demanded too much of her.

“Should we call Andrew?” Bruce tentatively suggested.

“What? No! Give the woman a break!” tony buffed angrily. “Have you seen her after a therapy session? She practically drags herself to bed. No! She need to relax, to forget everything even if it´s just for as moment.”

“and how do you propose to do that? Drinking away like you do?” Natasha interrupted him annoyed.

“I …” Tony began to reply angrily at her remark when Steve interrupted them.

“do you realise that while we are arguing she´s all alone?”

“Fuck!” tony cursed out loud; Steve was right. It wasn´t the right time for them to be arguing.

“We´d better look for her.” Thor suggested concerned.

“No, I´ll do it. I made this mess I´ll fix it.” Natasha volunteered.

“Now that you have taught her to deceive; how can you be sure she won´t try to deceive us to think she´s all right?” Clint asked her dryly.

“Because she promised.” Natasha confessed.

“Really Nat? You´re just going to take her word on that.” Clint answered sarcastically.

“Clint, if she wanted to deceive us she would´ve waited until she was alone to break down. She knows she need help, that´s why she didn´t even try to hide it.and yes, I trusth her; so I will take her word on it.” Natasha asseverated. “I´ll talk to her.” With that she started walking towards Leah´s room.

Tony considered ir for a few moments before starting walking in the same direction Natasha had gone.

“Wait tony! Where are you going?” Steve stopped him.

“I don´t know about you, but I’m going to see Leah.” He volunteered firmly decided.

“Natasha said she´s going to talk to her, give them a moment.” Steve suggested.

“I don’t want to give them a moment. My friend is hurting and I want to be with her. I want her to know I care.” Tony spat angrily. “Are you coming Doc?”

“If you are I guess I’d better join you.” Bruce volunteered. “Even if it´s just to stop you from doing something foolish.”

“Why do you always assume I´m going to do something stupid? Expect for you I have the highest IQ in the room.” Tony huffed irritated.

“What is an IQ?” Thor discretely asked Clint.

“Something that tells you how smart you are.” Clint answered quickly.

“He´s calling us dumb?” Thor asked irritated while raising his voice.

Tony ignored Thor´s question as he started walking again. Thor considered his options for a moment before telling Clint and Steve. “I’m going too; I have a promise to keep.”

“Wait Thor, I´m coming with you.” Clint hurriedly added.

Steve stood alone for a moment watching everyone walk away before angrily buffing while nodding his head in disapproval before walking to join them.

Meanwhile Natasha had arrived at Leah’s room, as she leaned to knock on the door she could hear Leah´s sobbing’s and kindly asked “Leah, may I come in?” She really didn´t waited an answer and was surprised to hear a whining yes. When she walked in she could see Leah crying with her face buried in a pillow while lying over the bed. Natasha sat by her side and gently touched her back while asking “Are you all right?” She knew she wasn´t , but she couldn´t think of a better way to initiate a conversation.

“I … just … didn´t … thought … it … was … going … to … be … so … hard!!” Leah confessed between sobs.

“I know, just let it go. If you need to cry just do it.” Natasha kindly suggested.

“You must all think I´m being silly.” Leah said sniffling.

“We would never think that. As a matter of fact I think it´s normal for you to be so upset; after all for you it´s the first mission he has ever gone to; although …”

“Although what, Natasha?” Leah asked anxiously.

“Loki is one of the best warriors I have ever met; and don’t you forget he has taken on us all more than once and we weren´t able to capture him before. Plus he is a great sorcerer, he should be all right. He´ll be back before you know it.” Natasha volunteered.

Leah sniffled as she confessed Natasha. “I don´t want to sleep alone … I´m scared to.”

When Tony arrived at the door he raised his hand to knock but overheard Natasha and Leah talking and just lingered there overhearing their conversation. Within seconds everyone had joined him.

“What are you…?” Bruce started to ask before being shushed by Tony.

“I’m trying to listen.” Tony whispered.

“Shouldn´t we knock?” Thor asked Clint worryingly.

“Thor, I can´t hear. Keep it down!” Tony spat annoyed.

“What are you all doing eavesdropping?” Steve admonished them.

“What did she said?” Bruce asked Tony, he had missed on their conversation due to all the noise outside.

“Something about being scared of sleeping alone.” Clint responded.

“I might be able to help you with that. How about we have a girl’s night? I can sleep with you if you want. That way you wouldn´t be alone.”

Leah cleaned her running nose with her sleeve as she nodded affirmatively. “I would like that.”

“How about a sleep over?” Tony burst in suddenly making everyone but Steve to fall to the ground; they had all been leaning on the door trying to listen.

“What the hell are you all doing?” Natasha spat enraged. “You were eavesdropping on us?”

“Technically…” Tony accepted without any shame. “But admit it, my idea is better than yours; girl’s night …” Tony buffed. “No, a sleep over is way more fun; we can do all sort of fun things.”

“Fun things?” Natasha snarled. “Somehow I doubt it.”

“Come on Natasha, don’t be so uptight!” Tony wryly teased her.

“I´m not uptight.” She growled annoyed. “Why do I keep forgetting I live with a bunch of frat guys!” she complained bitterly.

“Who are you calling a frat guy? For your information …” Tony raised his voice hurt by her comment.

Their discussion was interrupted by the best sound they have heard in a good while; the sound of Leah laughing full hearted. The scene had been hilarious, Thor Clint and Bruce sprawled on the floor looking embarrassed while Natasha and Tony argued disregarding them completely. Steve looked the scene totally amused as he tried to refrain form laughing.

Natasha and Tony turned their heads to see Leah before busted laughing themselves.

“You see?” Tony told Natasha when he finished laughing. “We´ve only been here a couple of minutes and she´s already laughing. What do you say Natasha, sleepover?”

Natasha sighed defeated, still smiling she answered. “If Leah wants.”

“I´d like that.” Leah acknowledged.

“Perfect!” Tony cheered while walking over Bruce, Clint and Thor before motioning them to follow. “Come on guys, we need supplies, and also something we can use to expand the bed.”

“Did he just said?” Leah asked Natasha in disbelief.

“Yes, I’m afraid he did.” Natasha answered jokingly, it was going to be a fun night; that was a certainty.

Just then Eerika’s cry could be heard over the baby monitor that rested over the night stand.

“I´d better go check on her.” Leah acknowledged.

When she got back Tony and the rest had moved a single bed into the room and were manoeuvring to position so they could expand the king size bed.

“He wasn´t kidding.” Leah said surprised.

“He almost never is.” Steve agreed. “Are you sure you are all right with this? It´s bound to get a little crazy.”

“I don’t mind, maybe I need a little crazy, either way I don´t want to sleep alone.” Leah confessed shyly.

Steve looked at her moved by her words and warmly put his arm over her shoulders as he reassured her. “Don´t worry kiddo. It seems you won´t have to, at least tonight.”

The sleepover went almost uneventful, except for Tony trying to outsmart everyone while playing truth or dare, which incidentally ended with Thor having his hair braided, Bruce having his nails done and Steve dancing at the sound of Gangnam Style. Clint refused to participate on the dares and resigned to tell the truth whenever it was his turn. “By the looks of it I might end up with my hair dyed blue or something like that.” He jokingly told Leah.

They ate pizza and popcorn until everyone was stuffed and ended up falling asleep while watching a movie marathon of Star Wars which gave Steve a chance to cross something of his list.

Early in the morning Leah rolled off Tony’s embrace and suddenly found herself resting her head an arms in an unfamiliar chest; the moment she realised it wasn´t Loki she gave a small jump opening her eyes startled only to find Thor staring back at her; she blushed instantly as she whispered. “I´m sorry.” Then she started to slowly rolling off his chest.

“Don´t be.” Thor whispered back which made Leah stop doubtful as Thor added. “Dr. Garner is right; we can´t keep avoiding each other.”

“I know.” Leah admitted. “I just don´t know how, I´m so sorry. I never meant to mislead you, I genuinely tried to love you, but …”

“The heart has a mind of its own.” Thor ended her phrase.

“Yes.” Leah acknowledged. “I´m sorry I hurt you, I´m a terrible friend.” She sniffed as a single tear rolled down her cheek.

Thor reached for her face and dried the tear gently with his fingers. “Don´t cry; Loki hates to see you cry, and so do I.”

“Can you ever forgive me?” Leah asked nervously. “Even if I don’t deserve it?”

Thor smiled kindly at her as he asked in return. “Why wouldn´t you deserve it?”

“I don’t know.” She acknowledged nervously. “I just feel like I don’t.”

“Leah, you have done what I thought was impossible, you reunited Loki and me. He finally changed his ways and I ow it all to you. You gave me my little brother back; whatever pain you caused me doesn´t compare to that joy. You also gave him a beautiful daughter and me an amazing niece. Even if Loki is too slow to ask for your hand I already consider you my sister. Whatever wrongs have passed between us I choose to forgive and forget them, would you do the same?” He told her with complete sincerity.

Leah was taken back by his words, she had never thought he would be so willing to forgive her. She tried to refrain her tears unsuccessfully as she told him. “I would.”

Thor smiled as he hugged her tight. “It´s ok little sister; whenever you need a shoulder to cry on, you can rely on mine.”

Leah sobbed for a while until the warmth of Thor´s embrace comforted her, then she raised her head and told him open hearted. “Someday you´ll make a lucky woman very happy thor.”

“I sure hope so.” Thor acknowledged.

“I know so.” Leah added. “Your urd lies somewhere, you just need to find her.”

Thor smiled as he asked her. “Did Loki taught you that word?”

“Urd?” Leah asked back. “Yes, he said it meant destiny, and something about the Norn’s carving something in Yggdrasil. “

“Yes, the ancient goddesses carve on the roots of Yggdrasil the destiny of every child. Did he told you were his urd?” He asked pleasantly surprised.

“Yes.” Leah acknowledged.

“He really loves you.” Thor asseverated. “ Destiny doesn´t mean the same to us than to you, what the Norns carve on Yggdrasil can and is changed by our actions in the present reflecting on our past than in return change our present. “

Leah looked at him totally confused by his explanation.

Thor noticed her confusion and added. “What I meant to say is that he wants you to be his urd; that he actively tries to keep you in his life. I´m surprised he hasn’t asked you to marry him already.”

“I don´t think I would make good wife material right now.” Leah bitterly told him.

“Nonsense.” Thor brushed her comment off. “He´ll get to it, eventually. That I promise you.”

Leah smiled warmly at Thor´s comment, it didn´t matter if Loki ever got around to ask her; as long as he returned safely to her she would feel blessed.

After they ended taking Leah rolled over to Tony’s side again; she was beginning to dose off when Tony playfully poked her ribs with his elbow.

As she questioning opened her eyes she found Tony smirking back at her. “So, you finally made peace with your brother-in-law?” He jokingly teased her.

Leah pouted pretending to be offended. “Oh, shut up!”

“Only if you give me a hug little sister.” He kept teasing her.

“Jealous?” Leah teased him back.

Tony turned to face her and hugged her tightly. “Not at all.” Next he kissed her forehead. “Now try to get some sleep before Eerika wakes up again.”

“All right, I will.” Leah agreed. “And … Tony?”

“Yes?” He asked her back.

She kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

Tony smiled warmly. “Don´t mention it love. Seeing you smile again is payment enough.”

“So, what do you think Andrew? Can I trust her with a team?” Fury asked sternly.

“As long as you don´t put her on the field, I think you can.” Andrew volunteered to the image appearing on the hidden communication device.

“What if she makes that decision herself?” Fury asked worryingly.

“If she does, you´re not the one who should be worried.” Andrew answered wryly.

“What do you mean?” Fury asked taken by surprise by his answer.

“She doesn´t wants to get into another battle, she´s scared to; and not without good reason. Also there´s the matter of Eerika, she won´t risk her becoming an orphan. With that said, if she decides to get in the field it will be only because she has the complete certainty she will succeed.” Andrew explained, no hell as a woman´s wrath had never been truer.

“All right. I hope that it won´t be necessary, but I´ll leave sealed instructions for her to take over Coulson’s team should we fail.” Fury revealed, he would make Coulson her right hand. He couldn´t think of a better team; Leah had the drive, Coulson the experience.

“You won´t tell Coulson?” Andrew asked surprised.

“No, he doesn´t need to know unless …” Fury stopped considering his next words.

“Unless everything goes wrong.” Andrew finished his sentence for him. “I think you are taking a big risk leaving everyone in the dark about this mission Nick.”

“Not everyone Andrew. Besides you know the drill; need to know basis. And for now … they don´t need to know.” Fury elaborated, he had kept the whole operation in the dark, only a handful of people knew about the real purpose of the mission.

“Are you sure she´s not going to have another nervous breakdown the minute loki leaves?” Fury asked again, it seemed too little time for Leah to had make such a progress.

“I´ll admit I´m a little surprised myself but after our rough start she had behaved like a perfect patient. She has done everything I´ve asked her to.” Andrew volunteered.

“are you sur she´s not just playing a part?” Fury asked concerned.

“Nick, I don’t tell you how to do your job …” Andrew responded irritated.

“And I’m not telling you how to do yours either.” Fury volunteered. “ I just want to know if you are sure.”

“I am.” Andrew asseverated.

“Then that´s enough for me.” Fury agreed, he could easily disregard the deal he had made with Leah, but his instincts told him against it. “Truthfully, what do you think of her?”

“She´s quiet an interesting woman, she was thrown into a world she´s still trying to figure out; but I think she will succeed in the end. Either way if all this works out as planned do not expect her to thank you for it.” Leah´s feelings about SHIELD ans specifically Fury were crystal clear on her mind, she abhorred them.

“That´s not what I´m asking Andrew and you know it.” Fury told him with a serious look.

“All right, If you insist.” Andrew huffed annoyed. “There´s nothing that could indicate mental instability due to the super soldier serum, she won´t turn into a full fledge psychopath if that´s what you are worried about. She´ll still has to deal with feelings of guilt and inadequacy but that´s almost a must among your top personal. Her tremors have diminished as well as the anxiety symptoms; but it will take her more than a week to get rid of them totally.”

Fury smirked, Andrew was right. Most top operatives had similar issues, it was a job hazard they had all come to accept. “It´s settled then.” Fury volunteered. “When the moment comes you´ll have to explain everything to both of them.”

Leah had dozed off in their room; her sessions with Andrew tended to leave her exhausted both emotionally and physically. When she woke up she found herself alone, she frowned upset; Loki wasn´t back yet.

She drowsily sat up already admonishing herself for all the feeling that waking up alone stirred in her. “If you are going to be like this every time he´s not around we´re not going to make it. Yes, you are alone; he´s gone. Stop worrying! He´s coming back …at least today he is.” The thought made her sad all of the sudden, he would be leaving tomorrow night.

“God dammit Leah, stop that!” She reprehended herself out loud as she tried to dry the tears that ran through her face. “If Loki saw you he would be upset, he can´t afford to right now. Get a grip! What did Andrew had said? Oh, yes! Take your mind of it, do something else.” She recollected one of their conversations. “I´d better check on Eerika. Maybe later a sparring session if I can find Steve. “ Now that Loki was going out every day she wasn´t certain who was in the mansion. “He´s still kicking my ass every time.”

After tending to Eerika she look for Steve unsuccessfully for a while. “I´m too anxious, maybe I should do some training by myself.” She told herself, maybe that way she could shut everything else out.

When Loki finally returned from making the last preparations for the mission he found her still training, she must have been at this for a long time he thought to himself; at least a couple of hours. Even if her blows were powerful they were kind of slow; her tank top was drenched in sweat, as her face which had a deep concentration stare while punching the bag.

“How long have you been here?” He suddenly asked her.

Leah was startled by his voice, she had been too distracted by her own thoughts. As she rubbed her sore knuckles she admitted. “Maybe a little too much. Everything is ready?”

“Yes, it is. I´ll stay here until tomorrow´s departure.” He volunteered, as he absentmindedly stared at her chest, some sweat drops were running down her neck and into her cleavage.

Leah was too occupied trying not to show her concern to notice. “I think I need a SHOWER.” She simply told him as she ran her hand though her hair that was arranged in a single braid, it was soaking wet.

“Care for some company?” Loki flirtatiously asked her.

Leah was caught off guard by his comment and just opened her mouth while trying to think of something to say when Loki suddenly pulled her to him and passionately kissed her.

Leah just let herself melt into his kiss, no matter how many times he had kissed her before she always felt lightheaded. He swooned her away every time.

“Company would be good.” Leah smiled mischievously, a bath was most certainly not what Loki had in mind.

As soon as they had reached their room Loki pushed Leah down to their bed as he climbed on top of her kissing and nibbling her neck extracting little pleasure moans from Leah who arched her back as Loki kept kissing her.

“Mm, you taste so good.” Loki purred in her ear. “I can´t wait to taste the rest of you.” He travelled down her neck and eagerly pushed his hand under her top uncovering her breasts. Hungrily he took one of them into his mouth while fondling both extracting a louder moan from Leah. The first time he had done it after she began breastfeeding the appearance of milk had taken him by surprise, but only for a moment.

“I bet you´re already wet my love.” He grinned as he licked his milk stained lips in anticipation.

“Find out.” Leah said in a whisper as she grabbed Loki´s hair with both her hand and guided him down to her navel.

Loki laughed delighted, she was always so receptive to him. “Let´s” He answered as he yanked her leggings and underware down.

Leah gasped as the cool touch of his fingers reached inside her.

“So wet…” Loki purred, he could feel his manhood becoming constrained under his trousers as he began pushing his fingers in and out rhythmically.

Leah panted as the arousing sensation pushed her to the edge, she wanted more than his fingers. “Loki…” She pleaded.

“Not yet.” Loki answered fully aware of what her plea meant as he pulled his fingers out causing a disappointed grunt from Leah.

Leah leaned up and saw Loki removing his shirt.

“Are you going too strip-tease for me?” She jokingly told him.

Loki frowned amused by her suggestion. “As if you were that lucky.” He jokingly spat back.

“Aw” Leah pouted disappointed, she would find a way to convince him to do it someday. “I´d do it for you.” She volunteered still pouting.

Loki raised his eyebrows while considering her offer, they had never done that before; it might be … fun. He bit his lower lip still debating with himself while he refused. “Maybe another day.”

Leah frowned disappointed and rolled out of the bed while rearranging her clothes. “As you wish.”

“Who said I was done with you?” Loki quickly caught up with her holding her through the waist as he nibbled her neck.

“I´m not in the mood for games.” Leah told him pretending to be upset.

“Too bad, because I am.” Loki shamelessly told her before biting her lower neck as he rubbed himself against her. She loved games even if she sometimes pretended she didn´t.

“Ngh.” Leah moaned arching her back exposing her neck to him; he knew her too well. Within moments Loki had undressed her again; suddenly he carried her over his shoulder as he walked back to their bed.

“What the hell you think you’re doing?” Leah complained about being carried so unceremoniously.

“I´m taking back what´s mine.” He teased her playfully.

“I´m not …” She had started to talk back when Loki laid her back into bed; and without further explanation slid his fingers back into her vagina causing Leah to gasp surprised.

“You were sating?” Loki teased her as he started pulling and pushing his fingers rhythmically.

Leash only moaned suddenly overwhelmed by the arousing sensation when Loki used his free hand to fondle her clitoris at the same time he kept trusting his fingers into her.

“I thought so …” Loki grinned satisfied while slowing his trusts to find Leah´s g spot. A louder moan told him he had succeeded, he continued fondling her g-spot until she came.

“Let´s see how fast I can make you to cum again.” He challenged her while finishing undressing himself.

“Uhhh?” Leah had barely registered what he had said when Loki slid his hardened member inside her moaning in delight, she was so wet. Leah moaned too, she still hadn´t recuperated from his previous orgasm; the feeling of his cock burring deep inside her was exhilarating.

Loki smiled at her flustering face. “Fast enough for you?” He teased her as he started trusting into her.

“I never …”Leah couldn´t end her sentence as another moan escaped her lips, he seemed bent on making good on his word. It only took a couple of minutes for Leah to cum again.

Loki still his movements while contemplating Leah´s ecstatic expression. “Are you going to be more patient next time?” He jokingly scolded her.

“Mm-hmm” Leah agreed while nodding her head affirmatively, it felt so good to have his penis inside her like that.

“I could do this all night.” Loki heart fully told her, they had only been together for a couple of weeks as a … normal couple; well as normal as they could be under the circumstances. But even with all the troubles he couldn´t picture his life differently now.

His comment casted a shadow of concern over Leah who worriedly asked him. “Shouldn´t you keep your strength for the mission?”

Loki smiled warmly at her, he knew she couldn´t help to feel concerned about his departure, but he was also determined to cast aside her fears… at least for a while. “So you think I’m tired already, uh?”

“Fuck!” Leah cursed mentally. “Now I´ve really done it.” His mischievous ardent glare told her of his intentions even before he started trusting vigorously into her again as he informed her with a big grin. “I´m going to show you exactly how tired I am.”

“Wait! I didn´t …” Leah tried to explain herself but was silenced by Loki´s fervent kiss. She surrendered totally to him; that was an argument she had no way of winning, even if she wanted to.

After a couple of hours of unrestrained sex Loki finally decided to give her a break after he had cum for the third time.

“Who´s tired now?” He teasingly asked her while snuggling against her.

“That´s not fair.” Leah pouted. “I was already tired when you found me.”

“How long had you been training?” Loki dryly asked her.

“I´m not sure, a couple of hours maybe. I dosed off after lunch …” She started to explain him.

“You had a hard session?” He worryingly asked her, it was unusual for her to sleep in the middle of the day, and she had been napping almost all week. Whatever happened during those sessions exhausted her.

“Yes.” Leah said with a sigh as she remembered today´s session.

“I don´t understand why you can talk to Andrew and not me.” He complained bitterly.

“I …” Leah frowned upset trying to figure out an answer. “I don´t …” Why did her mind kept freezing every time he asked her that?

Loki could feel the sudden change in her heartbeat, whatever it was the mere thought of telling him seemed to scare her deeply.

“No, I´m sorry. I shouldn´t complain, he´s helping you; it’s just that … he knows things about you I don´t.” He quickly apologised. Why did he even mentioned it? That wasn´t the way he wanted to spend the night, arguing.

 

After a couple of seconds Leah turned to him, with a serious frown she asked him. “Loki…? Are you jealous?”

Her question caught him completely unprepared. “ I … mmm …. Maybe.”

Leah´s expression softened as she told him. “There´s nothing to be jealous about. I just … there are things I can´t tell you.”

“Like what?” Loki snapped at her, his temper kept pushing for answers even if he knew he shouldn´t.

“Stuff.” Leah acknowledged bitterly. “There´s stuff I´m not proud of …”

“We all have love.” Loki volunteered. “I you don´t want to tell me I won´t make you. I just want you to know I wouldn´t judge you.”

“Yes, you would.” Leah bitterly said in a whisper.

Her last statement worried him. “No Leah, I swear I wouldn´t.”

“I … I don´t want to risk it.” She confessed fearfully.

Loki sighed frustrated, that conversation always ended the same way. “suit yourself.” He ended annoyed.

“I …I” Leah stuttered. She didn’t wanted that conversation to end like that again, with both of them upset, not that night. “If I … tell you one of this things, would you stop asking?” She looked sternly at him, tears threatening to pour out of her eyes, pain already settling on her heart.

Loki regretted instantly pushing her too far, he just couldn´t understand why she felt she couldn´t talk to him; against his better judgement he told hr. “I promise.”

Leah sighed defeated, she had hoped in vain for him to reject her offer, she could feel a lump on her throat forming already as she tried to decide what story to tell him.

Finally after a minute or so another sigh marked her decision; with trembling fingers she pointed to a ten centimetres scar on her right side over her ribs. “Do you remember when I got this?” she asked him.

“By Odin´s ravens! How could I forget! You really scared me that day, I was that close to tell you the truth. As a matter of fact that was the day I decided to lead the Avengers to you.” Loki spat jolted by the memories; he had found her curled up in her bed with half a dozen cuts and bruises. The most serious of them was the one she had referred to, someone had stitched it; she claimed she had been mugged while looking for information. She refused adamantly to go to the police or a hospital; she didn´t wanted to draw that kind of attention to herself.

“I lied.” She suddenly confessed. “I wasn´t mugged. I was too ashamed to even acknowledge what had happened.” She bitterly told him as she sat up; lying in the bed make her feel more vulnerable.

Loki sat up right after her with a distraught glare he asked. “What happened?”

“You know there are things money can´t buy, some people will only accept … another kind of payment. I thought … it was a good lead … and it would only be a moment. I thought I could handle it.”

“Leah, you are scaring me, what kind of payment?” Loki asked her bewildered by her revelation.

“What else did I had to give Loki? Just myself.” Leah´s voice break.

“You can´t be serious. Did you really accepted that?” Loki´s eyes widened with horror, the thought of some low life taking advantage of her like that.

“Yes … I did. It wasn´t like I was a virgin. It was … only sex.” She dryly answered; that was the rationalization that had led her to believe she could go through with it.

“Who was he?” Loki growled furious. “I´m going to skin him alive!”

“It doesn´t matter.” Leah nodded negatively. “I couldn´t go through with it … I chicken out at the last moment.”

Loki sighed relieved for an instant before realising what had happened. “He´s the one that hurt you.”

“Yes.” Leah dropped her head. “He wasn´t happy when I changed my mind. If someone hadn´t interrupted him he might had killed me.”

“By the norns Leah, why didn´t you told me?” Loki asked her anguished.

“I was too ashamed, I couldn´t believe I had actually consider doing it. I just wanted to forget it ever happened.” Leah confessed as thick tears ran through her cheeks. “ I couldn´t go to the police, or a hospital they would´ve asked too many questions. The rest you know I found someone to patch me up and went back to the motel.”

After a moment of silence Leah asked him. “Do you understand now why I can´t talk to you about this … things? It hurts too much to know that you know…” Her voice broke again, it had been bad enough to retold Andrew her story, but telling it to Loki made the pain excruciating. “ I don’t want you to know this sort of things!” she whined as she bolted out of the bed, she feared the look on his eyes.

Loki reacted only a second too late, he was shocked, he had never expected to hear something like that, the thought that she had chosen that story specifically made him realise that the stories she wasn’t telling him were probably even worse.

“No, Leah wait!” He stood up just as she locked herself in the dressing room crying her heart out. “I´m sorry Leah, I didn´t knew. Please, I´m sorry. Let me in.” He pleaded as he leaned into the door, he could easily break in, but knew it might only make things worse.

“Why did you make me tell you?” Leah cried. Why had she told him that story? Because it was the only one she was willing to give up, she didn´t knew it would hurt that much. “Why did you make me tell you?” She asked again. “I´m disgusting.”

“No Leah, that´s not true. I understand now, I´m sorry. I´ll never force you to tell me something ever again; if you don´t want to tell me I will respect your wishes. Please come out.” Why did he had pushed her like that? Hadn´t she suffered enough?

“I´m nothing but a whore who sells herself to the highest bidder.” She spat back. “How can you even stand to be at my side?” Andrew had reassured her she wasn´t, that desperate people make desperate decisions that it only had been a mistake, one that could´ve been worse. But none of it mattered, he wasn´t Loki, and now Loki knew; she couldn´t think of something worse. “I´m trash.” She whined between sobs.

Loki couldn’t take it anymore. “Leah either you open this door or I’m taking it down.” He couldn´t comfort her from the other side, he knew her, she wouldn´t listen.

Leah didn´t answered, she just kept crying broken hearted.

Loki grunted annoyed as he took a step back to kick the door open. Leah let out a startled yelp when she heard the door breaking, and looked at the door scared as she kept sniffling. Loki had never done anything like that before, he must be very angry was her first thought, he hates me was her second. She was trembling visibly as he knelt beside her, he was angry, she could tell by the look on his eyes; she flinched as she closed her eyes scared, she didn´t knew what to expect, would he hit her?

Loki´s heart cringed by her frightened reaction, his features softened with remorse, tears already ran through his face when he embraced her. “It´s all my fault.” He confessed with a heavy heart. “ If I had tell you the truth sooner none of that would´ve happened. I´m the one who is worthless, not you.” He kept crying while holding her tight, he had failed her…. Again. “I´m the one who doesn´t deserve you.”

Leah had opened her eyes surprised at his outburst, she had never imagined he would react like that. She raised her arms and hugged him back. “That´s not true.” She tried to still her sniffling’s. “It was my decision, my mistake, not yours. You couldn´t have known I was going to do that. It´s my fault.”

“No, it´s not.” Loki contradicted her. “It´s mine. I should’ve known better. I was just too scared of losing you, I was selfish.”

“Scared of losing me?” Leah asked surprised.

“Yes.” Loki confessed.

Leah smiled between her tears. “You could never lose me, don´t you know?”

Loki raised his head to look into her eyes. “Know what?” He asked her unsure.

“That I loved you since the first instant we met.” She volunteered a little scared of her own confession.

“You did?” Loki asked confused, eh had felt a connection with her in that single moment when their eyes met barely seconds before Thor´s lightning hit them, he had never dreamt she had felt it too.

“Mm-hmm.” Leah answered nodding her head affirmatively.

“We´re a couple of fools!” Loki laughed wryly.

“Maybe.” Leah agreed. “But I´ll stay by your side as long as you want me to.” The pain was gone, only a leftover sorrow lingered, but she knew it would fade away soon.

“Then I guess we´re stuck with each other for eternity, because I’m never letting you go.” He told her with a smile as he helped her up. “Now, I don´t want to fight anymore, can we just pretend this didn´t happened?”

Leah looked at the broken door. “I think we can try, though … what made you break it?” She asked with curiosity.

Loki looked back at the door too, it had been a rather impulsive reaction, something Thor would´ve done. “I…” He looked back at her. “I just had to get to my damsel in distress.” He volunteered with a smile.

“My prince!” Leah smiled delighted throwing her arms around his neck as she kissed him.

Loki kissed her back full heartily before sweeping her up and carrying her back to bed.