The Captain and The Asgardian

Chapter Seven

The moment Gem was stood across from Nat, she knew this wasn't going to end well. She saw friendships breaking and their way of life coming to an end. Gem felt like she was in someone else's body, she had to fight, but she didn't want to hurt these people who had become like a second family. All families fall out from time to time, she just needed to find a way of keeping everyone out of too much harm.

Standing next to Steve and Bucky, Gem looked about seeing that the pair might have a chance if they managed to get to the hangar if she kept Stark busy. "You two need to go."

"Come with us." Panted Steve as he caught his shield having ricocheted it off Rhodey's armour.

"Don't panic, I will see you soon." She kissed him and put her hand over his heart. "Trust this. It has never done you wrong."

Steve placed his hand over hers. "I know."

...........

The cell she found herself in wasn't much different to those that sat under Odin's throne room on Asgard. She could see Sam opposite her, he hadn't quite come to yet, but he was breathing. Gem looked down at her bound hands, she had given up trying to get out of the restraint's hours ago. Her uncle had once told her that when a Deer is relaxed when bound up it is at its most dangerous. By relaxing its body, the ropes lose their tension and it is free to give a well-aimed kick. Gem now took this teaching and hoped it might work here. If they thought, they broke her they won't expect her to fight back when the time comes.

"Gem you ok?" Sam's voice was a husky whisper as he had clearly only just come round.

"I'm fine Sam. What about you? You've been out for a while." Gem scooted towards the bars so she could see him better.

"Can you get us out of her?" Gem gave a sad smile before holding up her bound wrists and yanking at them. Sam could see her magic straining to break the metal, but it just faded away to nothing.

The main doors into the cells opened and in walked Tony. He spoke to them all in turn until he finally arrived at Gem's cell. He looked at her bound hands. "I made them to hold your father."

"They aren't bad quality." She said leaning against the wall, looking for all the world that she couldn't care less that she was trapped in a cold concrete cell. "We make better ones on Asgard."

"Ever used them with Steve?" He asked with a smirk.

Gem pulled a face at him. He clearly wanted a rise out of her as well as information.

"Where are they?"

"I have no idea. You know you don't tend to get letters from people on the run. especially when you yourself are in jail."

Tony smiled at her. He had an idea as to where they were, and he needed her to help to get to them. She didn't trust him, and he knew it, so he'd have to watch his step. He headed towards the door and began to talk with the guard who looked both shocked and confused at whatever Stark had said. Tony looked over his shoulder at her and smirked as the guard made a phone call.

"For you sir."

"What are you playing at Stark?"

"Trust me sir, I need to take her to the compound, she needs to be returned to Asgard. With her gone it's one less to worry about getting in the way. I'm sure Odin would prefer to keep her close seen as she is Loki's daughter."

Ten minutes later Gem was pulled from the cell with her hands still bound. As she walked down the corridor with two armed men at her side and Tony in front Gem began to plot her next move. Tony put her in the helicopter and surprisingly it was he who was flying. She was about to speak when he beat her to it.

"You know full well that I am not returning to Asgard." He said briefly looking over his left shoulder.

"I know. But I need you to tell me the truth, Stark. Do you still agree with the accords now you have seen what they have caused?"

"Right now, I don't know what to think, but I know they are keeping something from me. You know I don't like being left out of the loop. So, I need your help Steve will listen to you."

"What do you want me to tell him Tony? I agree with him. We cannot and should not sign our rights away. I cannot change his mind on that."

Tony was silent a moment and then pulled a key fob from his pocket, pressing the top left button he undid her bounds. Gem rubbed her wrists and looked at him in the mirror one eyebrow lifted as she stated very clearly. "I will not go back in a cell."

Tony landed the helicopter in the grounds of the compound. He got out and opened her door then handed her a piece of paper.

"This is where I think they are. Meet me there."

Tony disappeared out of sight as she read the foreign address. She looked up and saw a suited-up Tony fly through the sky overhead. Gem used her magic, envisioning the address, to take her to Steve.

..........

The building was old and covered in snow. She met the black panther on the way in. "Your highness."

He bowed to her. "I think that works both ways."

"Vengeance is not the answer. I've seen wars fought over it as forgiveness is far harder."

T'challa looked at her. He only had a brief idea who she was. Daughter of an Asgardian prince, a goddess, she was also Steve's partner. She was here to protect him and Bucky.

"Will you stand in the way?"

Gem looked at him.

"I will stand in the way of things I think unjust. I don't think or believe Bucky was responsible for your father's death."

"Because he is Steve's friend?"

"Because he was a good man once. He was used and abusive and bewitched to be something else. But deep down he is still a good man, at least I hope I get to prove he is."

T'challa liked this girl. She was very wise.

Inside Gem found Steve and Bucky, but it was too late. He, Bucky and Tony were tearing chunks out of each other. Gem watched as Steve slammed his shield into Tony's chest, she had screamed, at least she thought she had. She didn't want to leave Tony without checking on him knowing full well how dangerous a hit to the chest could be for him. However, as she stepped forward, she saw him move and Call Steve out on his Shield. His words were cruel and signalled the end of their friendship, but at least he was alive. Steve walked away and towards her she took his hand and left Tony alone.

Outside, T'challa had offered a place for Bucky to hide from the world that now turned against him. Accepting it was his only hope and so he agreed they boarded his plane.

..........

Wakanda was beautiful. Gem realised what a great place this was going to be for Bucky to heal. She and Steve were shown to a room in the palace. This was a very different palace to the ones she was used to. They were brought some clothes by the servants while Steve was in the shower. Gem looked out the window at the city below, in some ways it reminded her of Asgard. She was so lost in thought, that she didn't know Steve was standing behind her till he had wrapped his arms round her.

"You look very lost in thought."

"I was for a little while but I've made my decision" He rested his chin on her shoulder and waited for her to continue "I want to take you to Asgard someday, to show you where I grew up."

"I'd like that." He then sighed. "I have to go get the others out of those cells."

"I know, I will come with you." Gem placed her hand on Steve's as he kissed her neck, she leaned back against him. For all she wanted to lose herself in him right now, she couldn't. they had to go get Clint, Sam, Wanda, and Scott out of those cells.