Worthy

Part 8 - Save It Goldilocks

After walking around Central Park for hours you stop and sit at a bench; letting the warm day calm your mind after your blow out with Tony, trying not to overthink the conversation. Forgetting that you had given Tony back the car keys, you decide the only other option to make it back quicker is to call Happy.

Standing by a coffee vendor you're shocked to find that Happy was a little longer than you'd expected; Happy never liked to keep anyone waiting. He gives you a sheepish grin as you get in the car. "Sorry Kate, needed to pick something up." He nods to the back of the car, and you see Peter Parker, already sleeping in the back seat. "Surprised you called, thought you were still mad at me about last night?"

"I know you were only doing Tony's evil bidding. Can't ever stay mad at you." You wink, handing him over a coffee. "Probably be best if you give that to the kid?" You laugh as you look over at Peter as he snores.

"As if, that kid is walking, talking caffeine!" You smile at his reply; grinning even wider when he spits the coffee back out after taking a sip. "Is this salt?" You can't help but laugh. "But you just said..."

"Told you to give it to the kid. I learnt from the best," you wink. He just shakes his head, before taking off; driving back to the compound at top speed. "Thanks for coming to get me Happy."

"Anytime." He fidgets while he's driving; playing with his collar, tapping his hand on the steering wheel. Something was up.

"What?" You ask, he just looks at you, confused. "What's wrong Happy?" He hesitates before speaking.

"Tony will kill me," He shakes his head, turning back to the road.

"I'll kill you. What's the guilty face for?"

"You should call Tony."

Before you can respond your phone starts ringing; looking down at the caller ID you see it's Fury. Something must be up, you never get a call from him. "What's up boss?"

"I'm guessing Stark didn't tell you. Figures." He huffs down the phone. "I need you to get back to the compound now and get to work."

"What I am looking for?"

"Ask Thor." Fury hangs up.

***

You storm back into the compound, rage filling you. Steve and Nat try to grab your attention but you just throw a hand up to them before spotting Tony. Walking over and grabbing him by his arm, turning him to face you, he looks surprised before the realisation hits him. "What the fuck do you think you're playing at Stark?"

"In my defence, I was trying to..."

"Not when it's my job. I may hate the son of a bitch, but this is what I do best." Happy had filled you in on all the details on the journey back; the glare you had given him had been enough to make him spill. "You may be my best friend, but you don't get to make those decisions for me. Understood?" He simply nods.

"Crystal clear."

"Good. Now if you excuse me, I have some work to take care of."

"Is that the research, or Thor?" Peter questions, still catching up after waking up as you shouted at Happy. You throw him an icy glare, while Tony slumps his head, shaking it.

"Both," you grumble to yourself before heading into the meeting room. Throwing the doors open wide, both men jump at the sudden noise entering the room. Bruce gives you a welcoming smile, glad to see that you've finally arrived to let him escape this. But Thor simply turns his attention back to the files laying in front of him. "What have I missed?"

Silence is your only response. Thor, seething inside at your sudden appearance, doesn't even acknowledge your words. Bruce looks between the both of you, a panicked look on his face as he tries to decide what to say. You try to keep your eyes on Bruce, but can't help but throw daggers in Thor's direction. It's bad enough that your going to have to work with him; the least he could do was act as if this was important.

"Miss Brooks," Vision's sudden appearance breaks your attention, making you jump slightly. You catch the small smirk finally breaking across Thor's face. "We're glad to have you back. We've had very little success."

Striding over to the table, hoping that Bruce will hand over the file but Thor keeps a hold of it. "Seriously?" You question him as Bruce gestures for you to take his seat, but you just grab the file away from Thor's reach and walk to the other side of the table; earning an aggravated sigh from the god of thunder.

Focusing completely on the task at hand, you don't recognise the cold stare that is being thrown in your direction. After a while Thor finally breaks the silence. "Are you really just going to sit there and say nothing?"

"Don't you know how research works? Why don't you go and play with your hammer?" You reply, not even giving him a glance; but you can feel the mood of the room change. Scanning through the file you recognise a few key words from the information Danvers had passed over. "I may have something?" You reply, getting up and walking over to the computer.

"Already?" Bruce questions, coming over to grab the paper you're looking at. "We've been looking at this for hours."

"Yeah well, this is what I do," you smirk at him.

"Of course, you're the Goddess of Research!" Thor exclaims, with a slight clap of the hands. "No-one compares to the great Kate Brooks!" He slams a hand down on the table, before getting up and starting to walk away from the room.

Something snaps within you; not wanting him to get the upper hand over you again like the night before. This was important; information the team needed and it was your job to find it and all that asshole could think about was himself, as per usual. "Better than being the god of bullshit!" You shout back at him, making him stop in his tracks.

Thor doesn't turn around; but suddenly the room gets dark. A rumble of thunder echoes over the entire compound making Bruce jump and Vision look around curiously. The doors of the meeting room burst open as some of the team come through to inspect the commotion; while you stand still - eyes fixed on the data you're entering into the computer, not reacting to Thor's display of anger.

"Do not test me Brooks." Thor growls as he turns, taking a few steps towards you. Tony starts to make a move to stop him as another roll of thunder crashes above, followed by the crack of lightning. You had gotten under his skin, a small part of you proud of that after how he had treated you.

"Save it Goldilocks." You grab the paper from Bruce and start to head out of the room. Stopping at Thor and slamming the paper into his chest. "There's our lead." As you start to walk you stop yourself to look him directly in the eye. "Not bad for a simple Midgardian huh?" As you say that the computer lets off a series of beeps, drawing Bruce's attention back. You wink at Thor before walking away; Tony giving you a thumbs up as you pass him.

Another thunderous episode hits the compound, however, this one is slightly smaller than the rest. All eyes are on you as you walk away, before they all turn to Thor; who's grasping the paper in his hand, scrunching it so tight before throwing it to the floor; the urge to follow you intense.