The Sweetest Rose-LokixOC

Chapter 7

Disclaimer: Loki painting (c) deviantart artist.

"The director wants to see me?" Cassandra said skeptically following Agent Banks into a more crowded section of the underground base. People in uniform streamed all around them going about their business. "Why?"

When the agent came to her room to fetch her this morning, he came without Agent Ross in tow. Given what occurred the last time Ross came into close contact with Loki, Cassandra was relieved to only have the mild-mannered agent as an escort. One close call with a gun was more than enough for her.

Agent Banks shook his head regretfully. "I'm afraid, I don't know ma'am."

Don't know or won't say? Cassandra's shrewd gaze drilled into the side of the agent's head as she paced alongside him, hoping to glean something from his expression. Dr. Novik had cleared her this morning after declaring her ankle healed so she had no trouble keeping up with Banks' long strides. "Will Loki be there?"

"I believe so, ma'am."

It had been three days since their midnight encounter. Loki seemed to have vanished off the face of the earth, but Cassandra knew he still lurked somewhere around the base. She had given a lot of thought to their conversation and about Loki in general.

Cassandra would not excuse the things he had done. If she ignored all the deaths, he caused she'd be a piss-poor excuse for a human.

However, she told him the truth when she said his life mattered. Maybe not to a lot of people but surely even Loki had a purpose in life. Otherwise, what was the point?

Instead of an office, Agent Banks showed her into a conference room that would be at home in any major corporation in the city. Several figures sat around a glass-topped table facing the blank TV screen at the front of the room.

Loki hovered off to the side, leaning against a table loaded with breakfast refreshments. His blue eyes flickered briefly in her direction before he turned his head slightly away as if the sight of her offended him.

Cassandra felt a little hurt by the snub. Logically there was no reason to be upset. They weren't friends but she did wonder if his attitude might have something to do with the last thing she said to him. Something about Loki pushed her buttons and she said things she'd normally never say to someone.

Fury in his usual leather ensemble held court at the head of the room. He nodded at Banks to shut the door before leaving. "Have a seat, Dr. Pierce."

Cassandra headed for an empty chair at the end of the table and froze when she noticed who was sitting there. The Avengers: Black Widow, Hawkeye, Thor, the Hulk, Iron Man.

Superheroes straight out of a comic book. Cassandra quickly curbed her awe, reminding herself these people might have special powers, but they weren't any better than the average individual. She dealt with billionaires, spoiled socialites and dilletantes daily at the auction house. She could handle speaking with the Avengers.

Cassandra hitched her professional smile into place and slid into the vacant chair nodding at the group. Once she was seated, Fury introduced the heroes.

Tony Stark dressed in a rock band t-shirt and jeans, twirled a Montblanc fountain pen between his fingers, studying her carefully. "So, this kid is some kind of wizard, huh? Nice to meet you Gandalf."

Cassandra scowled at him. "I'm not a wizard."

"You have magic and a staff?" Stark tossed the pen into the air and caught it. "You're a wizard."

When Cassandra opened her mouth to fire back, Fury held up his hand to stall any fruitless arguments. "As of right now, we cannot conclude anything. I had a team of scientists running tests, but the staff is completely dormant. Nor has she exhibited any sign of magical powers."