The God Of Surprises

15 - The Mission

*Y/N'S POV*

I watched as Loki and Steve figured out the coordinates. Where we were headed was just outside our orbit. Thor had some asguardians, who were their equivalent of mechanics, make adjustments to our Quinjet. So many of them were excited to see Earth, only hearing about it from Thor and Loki. Watching so many Aguardians get emotional over Loki's sudden reappearance was surreal. He felt the same way. Loki was never one to understand when others cared for him. And now he knows for certain. He had a new look about himself and it was obvious.

What else was obvious, Nathan and Lily's new obsession with everything Asguard. They already loved it based on Thor but between Nathan learning more about Loki, and our new visitors, Bucky and I had to promise to bring them to visit there soon enough. We were both a little hesitant but Loki's eyes lit up at the thought so we caved.

"Okay, everyone. We have the element of surprise here. Our mission is simple. Rescue hostages. Fight. Win. Get out alive. Any questions?" Steve stood and spoke.

I raised my hand. "Yeah. My first mission in like 5 years and that's our speech? Come on, Cap."

"You know what, Y/L/N?" He rolled his eyes and I smiled.

Bucky turned to me. "I love you."

"I know. I love you, too." I reached out and grabbed his hand as we landed, seeing the ship Thor and his people were in last next to us. Both ships emptied with the exception of Bucky, Loki, and I. We stayed back, waiting for the right time for us to proceed with our own mission. I could tell Loki was nervous so I looked over at him.

"Loki. Hey, look at me." He turned his head. "Do you want to stay on the ship?" Loki shook his head but didn't speak. "We got this."

Bucky spoke. Trying to reassure him as well. "They won't take you again. We wouldn't let it happen. We got you."

Loki smiled at Bucky's words and then nodded. "I trust you both." My other hand reached out and grabbed Loki's. I stood there holding both their hands until we heard Tony on the intercoms.

"Okay, team 2, get those hostages now."

I looked at my two men and took my hands back before nodding. I walked out first, with my hands raised. Grateful for Tony's sudden insistence on making me wear one of his suits, there was an alien in front of me and without hesitation I shot at it with the hand repulsor.

"Oh, goodness. Heads up, these dudes are weird looking." I turned to Loki and Bucky and they both smiled at me.

"Not the time, Y/N." Steve spoke over the comms.

I rolled my eyes and started to walk forward again, Loki behind me, and Bucky behind us, watching our backs. We walked for a while, undisturbed by an enemies when Loki spoke. "Right there. That's the entrance."

I turned to Bucky and he pulled the door open, then walked inside scoping it out. He waved for us to follow him. I let Loki walk in first, then followed after them.

It was dark, the only light was scarce, it seemed to be a light every 3 cells. They were small, gates rusted. I was thankful to see that they were mostly empty. We walked for two minutes before we even saw a hostage. Bucky stopped at the gate and gestured for me to come closer. I aimed my repulsor at the lock and blasted it open. I walked inside the cell, Loki following.

I saw a woman, lying on the floor instead of on what I'm assuming was meant to be a bed, made of rusted metal and a tattered blanket. As I got closer I saw splatters of blood on the blanket, which matches the spots I also saw on her waist length blonde, matted hair. My heart ached for this woman and all the other prisoners we were about to find. Suddenly Loki gasped next to me, I turned to look at him as he fell to his knees and cried out, "Lilianna..."