The Hermit Herbalist

Chapter 34 - Under Observation

The next week passed in relative peace until the Avengers received a notice from SHIELD that them and other government facilities wanted to observe Loki to guarantee that she was not a threat to their security. Clint and Thor were up in arms and Loki could hear them arguing and shouting from Tony's rooftop garden. He had had it built in the weeks preceding Loki and Darian's arrival. The glass ceiling let the sunlight in and sprinklers ran through pipes all along the metal framework. Loki was kneeling along the plots, tending to her vegetables and herbs. She was content here, away from the technology and the advancements of Midgard.  While they had their uses and were in face useful, Loki missed nature and the calmness it brought her.  Darian was sitting in a rocker, waving his hands and smiling at her by the door to the elevator. Loki grinned at him, flicking a droplet of water at him and going back to her leeks. "I think I'll use that modern machination called a 'crock pot' tonight. What do you think, Darian?" she asked and the baby blew bubbles at her. "I'll place chicken breasts in there with garlic cloves, white wine, butter. A little salt and pepper. I think I'll try that British chef's risotto," Loki said. She pulled the ready leeks out and brushed the dirt off them. She put them in a basket and grabbed the chest strap and went to Darian. She put him in and left the garden, taking the elevator down to the common kitchen level.

Upon arrival, she was startled to see the Avengers there, along with Director Fury of SHIELD, Agent Coulson, and Secretary Ross. "Oh! Gentlemen!" she greeted with a small curtsy. Coulson's eyebrow went up, Fury's face stayed the same, and Secretary Ross glowered at her. "I'll bring out more meat for dinner. I had no idea we were having guests."

"Save it for someone who could fall for your wiles," Ross said and Loki's lips crimped up.

"Have a care what you say to my wife," Clint reminded, standing in front of Ross. "She's done nothing wrong."

"That's to be determined by us," Fury stated and Clint also glared at him.

"Well, let me start by inviting you to dinner," Loki said, standing straighter as she looked at the three men, who were clearly hostile to her. "It is a new recipe I found and I'm hoping everyone will enjoy it." Loki unstrapped Darian and handed him to his father. Her hand lingered on Clint's cheek before she turned to the stove top and began to lay out her vegetables. The conversation had ended upon her entrance and the silence was deafening to her. "May I ask how I know you?" she queried.

"You killed me," Coulson commented and Loki smirked at him over her shoulder.

"Clearly it didn't work," she said as she began to wash and season the chicken.

"Not really," Coulson admitted with a hint of a smile in return.

"Well, apologies for that. I wasn't quite myself at the time," Loki said as she heated a pan on the stove and put butter, lemon juice, and white wine in it. She began to cut up onions, and the leeks and simmer them in the pan.

"What is this bullsh*t?" Ross asked condescendingly.

"Just shut up," Tony said as he got wine glasses out of a cupboard and got a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. He had become more of a wine drinker because all of Loki's meals tasted better with wine than straight liquor.

"I'm willing to listen," Coulson countered and this made Fury and Ross glance at him with funny expressions on their faces. "Hey, if I can do it, you can too." Loki chuckled a little as she placed the fried vegetables in the crock pot and put the chicken on top. The lid was placed and she set a timer. Turning away from that, she got some rice, washed the starch of them, and put them in another pan to make risotto.

"Want some help?" Natasha posed as she slid up along side her.

"Want to mind this for me?" Loki asked and the spy nodded.

"I'll start cutting some broccoli," Pepper insisted and she got a cutting board out and placed it on the counter. The men watched as the women moved about the kitchen; a natural environment for Loki. The woman was clearly happy there and had made it her sanctuary. The three strange men glanced around and saw sealed glass jars with labels of herbs on them. Coulson picked one up and saw in tinier print what the herbs were for. She had crushed Valerian in the jar and it said 'take for sleep aid, or alcohol withdrawal [Tony]' and Coulson smiled.

"You an expert with herbs?" he queried.

"I don't have a piece of paper that states I'm an expert on the subject, but I was the village herbalist on Nornheim. I made medicines from my garden and from the intestines of animals I caught in my snares. People traded with me at the market for supplies," Loki said as she took the jar from Coulson and put it back on the shelf. She then began to heat up rice in a pan with butter and carrots she had cut up earlier. "You can put him down for a rest, darling," Loki told Clint. He placed Darian in his counter seat and gave Ross another glare as he moved the little chair as far away from the government official as possible. Loki went to her spice rack and began to collect the spices that she wanted. While they were working, Fury found himself eyeing little Darian. The boy was adorable, but surprisingly observant for a young baby. The boy's eyes seemed drawn to the three strangers in the room, and his expression was not one of curiosity; but of wariness. He looked at Fury and the SHIELD director felt like those eyes were boring into his soul, peeling it back one layer at a time. Ross glared at the baby when he looked at him, but the child was not perturbed by glance.  He yawned and stuck his fist in his mouth

"That child-" he started to say before a knife was placed at his throat.

"I allow much, but word of threat or derision against my son, and I will end your existence without hesitation or mercy," Loki told him as she coldly applied pressure and almost broke skin. She withdrew the knife and shook her head at Clint. Ross then realized that Barton also had a kitchen knife and it was pointed at him.

"I recommend you don't do that again," Fury advised and he actually smiled at Loki, respecting her standing her ground. "Thank you for the invitation. Coulson and I are staying for dinner."