The Reluctant Hero

Live a Little - Chapter 9

     "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Bruce asked Tony yet again. 

     "Of course not! This whole idea stinks, but we were getting nowhere with her and he's managed to get her to talk and cooperate so what am I supposed to do?" Tony said exasperatedly. 

     "We're still able to track them. We know where they are and we're watching. If this goes south, we can always bring them back," Steve reminded them. 

     "Sure, because Loki always comes willingly and the woman will just suddenly stop trying to run." Tony ran a hand through his hair frustrated. He'd wished he could have come up with a better, less risky plan. 

     "Natasha is babysitting with Barton. Strange is a call away should we need him. We have it covered," Steve said patiently.

     Tony just shook his head. Time would tell.

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     After about an hour of driving, I saw a small festival of some kind going on with food truck vendors and plenty of people milling about. Few cameras, everyone in a good mood, and plenty of distractions. I parked the beater a couple of blocks away and headed back. Loki followed but was unexpectedly quiet. We passed a few people on the way, and then we entered the throng of people. Within moments I had what I needed, and looked at the food trucks almost excitedly. So many choices of hot and fresh food and I could have any of it. 

     I looked back at Loki, who was very clearly uncomfortable and confused. He stayed close and his eyes darted everywhere as if he expected someone to attack. I knew the feeling but I knew I had a little bit of time.

     "Hungry?"

     "Famished, but surely you don't expect me to eat here!" His expression was utter disgust. 

     "Eat or don't, your choice." I wasn't going to waste time arguing. My stomach had been growling for what seemed like forever. As I walked, I acquired a few more things I needed with no one the wiser. I couldn't help grinning when I walked up to the truck that had caught my eye in passing. Loki stood with me, arms crossed and a scowl. I ordered two servings of Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and pulled out the wallet I had lifted moments ago. I caught Loki glancing at me, but he gave nothing away. 

    As we walked away to find a place to sit, he asked, "I don't recall that being part of our previous attire," in reference to the wallet.

     "I'm hungry. Let's eat." He gave a grin and sat on the bench with me. I handed him his food, which he held begrudgingly as if it were diseased, and watched me dig into mine. The music in the background, the twinkling lights hung between vendors, people laughing and talking were so normal, I felt a lump in my throat and had to swallow hard to turn the emotion back off. 

     As I took my last bite, I turned to check on Loki and was surprised to find him raising the spoon to his mouth, braving a taste. I found myself waiting anxiously for his reaction and wasn't disappointed at the shock on his face when he actually liked it. 

     While he ate, I pulled out one of the cellphones I'd pocketed and worked on unlocking it. I'd watched the woman unlocking it so I only messed up once. I spent several minutes looking up information I'd need if I were going to escape everyone who was after me while Loki ate. This was likely the last calm moment I'd get for a while.

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    Loki had watched the woman lift at least three things off of people they'd passed. He guessed there'd been more but she was so smooth in her movements that he was actually impressed. She was also of few words. She didn't seem to be warming up to him, but she wasn't as closed off as she'd been. He grinned to himself. His charm was one of his favorite traits.

     So far things were going according to plan and he was sure the babysitters were watching from somewhere discretely. What they didn't know, was that Loki wanted to move this along faster and had a plan to do just that. He just needed an opportunity and hopefully, their shadows wouldn't interfere when the time came. He was deliciously curious about how the little Imp would react. 

     When she'd given him food despite his protest, he'd been sure she was far enough along to consider him a kindred. She could easily go her own way without him but for now, he must still be useful to her and he wanted to know how. It meant she had a plan but the question was, was it for Hydra, or against them? Had she ever been on her own before without a handler was something Bruce had wondered. Steve had been curious about what she would do given a chance. 

     Loki was prepared to test just that.