What are the Odds? ~ L.Odinson

NINE

Stella Rogers

I walked into the medical room, finding Barton strapped down, and Nat watching over him.

"How's he doing?" I asked, and she shrugged.

"Just trying to shake off Loki's mind control."

"Well, he's a fighter." I smiled softly, taking a seat next to her.

"Clint, you're gonna be alright." I said, patting his knee, but he shook his head.

"You know that? Is that what you know?" He asked me, and I nodded.

"I do."

"I gotta go in though. I gotta flush him out." He said, and Nat looked at me.

"We don't have that long, it's gonna take time."

"I don't understand," Clint started, and I turned to look at him.

"What is it?"

"Have you ever had someone take your brain and play?"

Does being manipulated count?

'Pull you out and send something else in? Do you know what it's like to be unmade?" Clint asked, sounding defeated, but Nat sighed.

"You know that I do."

"Why am I back?" He questioned, looking between the two of us.

"How did you get him out?"

"Call it, cognitive recalibration." I shrugged nonchalantly, and Clint looked confused.

"I hit you really hard in the head." Nat said, unfastening Clint's restraints.

"Thanks." He said, rubbing his wrists and locking eyes with her.

"Tasha, how many agents?"

"Don't." I said before anyone could say anything, knowing that was a rabbit hole of guilt, and there was no climbing out.

"Don't do that to yourself, Clint." Nat sighed, and I nodded in agreement.

"This is Loki, not you?" I smiled softly, making him bite his tongue.

'This is monsters and magic, and nothing we were ever trained for." Nat said, and Clint looked uncomfortable.

"Loki, he got away?"

"Yeah." She answered, and I leaned forward in my chair.

"I don't suppose you know where?" I asked, but Clint shook his head.

That's unfortunate.

"I didn't need to know, I didn't ask." He said, and seemed worried.

"He's gonna make his play soon, though. Today."

Shit, we need to figure out where he's going.

"We gotta stop him." Nat said, and Clint rubbed his eyes.

"Yeah?" He asked, looking around the room.

"Who's we?"

"I don't know." Nat sighed, making me cross my arms over my chest.

"Whoever's left."

"Well, if I put an arrow in Loki's eye socket, I would sleep better I suppose." Clint sighed, and I felt my heart tug.

Why did that bother me?

Loki threatened us, and he killed Coulson.

He wants to take over the world, and rule as a king.