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Chapter Eighteen: Director Fury

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"You all know each other?" Natasha asked, looking between me, Thor, and Loki.

"Oh, Alivia and I know each other very intimately," Loki's mouth curled into a smirk.

I flushed a bright red and hoped beyond hope that Loki's comment went over everyone else's heads.

"Where exactly does S.H.I.E.L.D. think I disappeared to for three months after what happened last year?" I asked Natasha.

"We suspected you went underground," Natasha answered, "Space didn't occur to us."

"I was eighteen, working at a gas station. Believe me, if I'd have still been on earth, you would've found me." As I spoke, I walked to the front of the jet to peer out the window.

In front of us was nothing but clear skies, and an endless expanse of water stretched out below us.

"Well that makes things easier," Steve said, "A few less introductions to make."

"You'll be helping us to keep him in custody," Natasha informed me, "And once we locate the Tesseract, you'll be part of the team we send out to bring it back."

"I very much doubt the lot of you will be a match against me," Loki smiled, "After all, you seem too occupied fighting each other."

It was then that I noticed how battered up Tony and Thor were. It looked like their introduction hadn't gone very well.

"Ignore him," Natasha told me, pulling me by the shoulder so we both faced away from him.

"I won't speak," Loki said, "I'll stay quiet and enjoy the view."

"I sure hope you're talking about the pretty ocean," Natasha spat.

"Can I suggest strapping him to the roof?"

"My, three minutes in and you're already trying to have me tied up."

"I strongly suggest you tie him to the roof," I said, folding my arms, "Or at least let me singe his eyebrows off."

Natasha turned back to Loki. "Keep talking, and I'll let her."

"Right. You do that and the whole plane will catch flame," Loki chuckled.

Without turning back to look at him, I used my hand to summon a small flame, which I sent in Loki's direction. It flew toward his face, and extinguished inches before making contact.

I smiled, smug. It worked nicely. He didn't speak again for the remaining duration of the flight.

"We're almost there," the man piloting the jet said, after the better part of an hour had passed.

I'd spent the flight seated next to Natasha, stealing glances at Thor and Loki. I planned to corner Thor as soon as I could get him alone. I had too many questions shooting around in my head, I could hardly remember them all.

"Almost where? There's nothing around us but water and sky."

Natasha looked at me and then Steve, the both of them smiling like they were sharing some sort of inside joke.

I frowned, keeping my eye trained on our surroundings. The jet pulled up, and suddenly, a massive platform came into view. It looked like a runway at an airport. I glanced at Natasha.

"Retro-reflective panels," Natasha said, "Helps us to stay hidden when we want to."

"S.H.I.E.L.D.'s base is in the air?"

"One of them, yeah," Natasha smiled, as the pilot maneuvered the plane to land on top of the platform.

As the door lowered to open, Natasha led me out, Steve, Tony, and Thor following behind us. Once we'd all exited, a group of what looked like guards poured in to collect Loki. His eyes never went from me as they escorted him out of the jet and off across the runway.