A Child of Mischief (Loki/Avengers story)

39. A Lie Unveiled

"You get one chance, brother. Did you know?" Loki says as everyone stands in the throne room.

"Know what, exactly? I haven't the slightest idea as to what you are talking about." Thor answers honestly. Cora's eyes narrow as she keeps her eyes on Odin and Queen Frigga. Loki laughs and grabs Thor by the throat and shoves him up against the wall closest to the doors.

"I think he's telling the truth." Cora says with no emotion in her voice. Loki looks at her and see's she is still looking at Odin and Queen Frigga.

"What are you two talking about?" Thor chokes out as a Loki tightens his grip on Thor's throat.

"My mother! Who all knows the truth?" Cora screams from anger. Queen Frigga lowers her head and shakes it, Odin's one good eye goes wide. Natasha steps forward slightly.

"Cora, that's one of the things I came to talk to you about." Natasha calmly says, Cora turns her gaze to Natasha and her eyes go wide.

"What do you mean it's one of the things you came to talk to me about? How long have you known?" Cora asks as her eyes start to turn red.

"I found out last night. After I got back to headquarters, from the assignment I was on. I was going to tell you, but you were asleep from hashing it out with Thor." Natasha says defensively as she holds her hands up.

"What you know is true. She is alive, as to her current whereabouts, I cannot say." Odin says, Loki let's go of Thor and rushes to Odin.

"Dad, stop. You can't say, or you won't?" Cora says looking at Loki and then looks to Odin and asks.

"I cannot say, because I do not know." Odin says both Cora and Loki look at Odin with wide eyes.

"How do you not know? Don't you keep track of people?" Cora asks as her breathing begins to turn to hyperventilation.

"Cora, hey breathe. Listen to what he has to say." Peter comes up and says, taking Cora's hand in his.

"We managed to keep track of you. But, your mother was more difficult, her memories of Asgard started to fade not long after her banishment. Once the memories faded, it was impossible to track her." Odin explains, Loki's eyes go wide with shock and he falls to his knees and screams. Now seeing red, Cora let's go of Peter's hand and walks over to Thor.

"Did you know any of it?" Cora asks as her anger gets worse. Thor looks at Cora with fear filled eyes.

"Cora, I swear, I didn't know." Thor says as he puts his hands up defensively. Cora's anger boils over and before she can think about what she's doing, she slaps Thor hard across his face. Everyone gasps, Peter comes up behind Cora and pins her arms behind her back, Cora struggles against him to try and break free.

"Liar! You've lied to me about everything, why start telling the truth now?" Cora screams and tries to shake her way out of Peter's grip but it does no good.

"He tells the truth. He did not know of that plan. Only myself, Frigga, and the two nurses that were there that night knew." Odin says defending Thor. Gasps can be heard from everyone, as they all look to Odin.

"When Thor had come to me that night, just after Loki had gone and fetched her. I went to the nurses before either of them got to the infirmary. I had told the nurses to give her medication that would knock her unconscious as for easy transport through the Bifrost. I instructed the nurses to take her to Midgard after Loki was put in the dungeon." Odin explains, Cora and Loki both stare at Odin with shocked wide eyes.

"And that is where I now come in." Natasha says as she walks up to Cora. Cora struggles against Peter again, and this time he lets her go.

"Nat, what all do you know?" Cora asks as tears begin to fill her eyes. Nat puts her hand against Cora's cheek and lightly strokes it.