Worthy

Part 21 - Enough Of This Charade

You and Frigga walk quickly, having no problem getting past the guard that watches over Loki in his cell. "Be honest, and open with him." Frigga urges you. "It won't be easy to make him admit it, but if we push him just enough he may slip up." She rubs your arm as you walk away, before gently grabbing you. "Just like we discussed, be patient Kate."

Your mind is swimming; memories of Loki as he commanded the Chitauri to attack New York are mixed in with the current situation. How were you supposed to show this madman patience? You simply nod at Frigga, before taking a few steps closer to Loki's cell, while she remains in the shadows.

The interior looks very similar to your room at the compound; almost completely furnished, books piled up high in the corner. You sweep your eyes quickly around the room before your eyes lock with Loki, standing dead centre like a statue, staring deep into your eyes. "My my," he gives a sly grin. "I heard the guard talk about visitors from Midgard. To what do I owe this pleasure, Miss Brooks? "

"I wanted to talk to you about the tesseract," you lie, although only slightly. This was part of the reason you were here on Asgard in the first place. Loki's smile simply widens, while he nods gently. "And to get some information on someone named Thanos." Instantly the smile drops from his face, turning into a sneer.

"And if I had that information, why would I share it with a mortal like you?" He takes a step forward; a small part of you wanting to take a step back before remembering that he was behind glass. "Are you really so desperate that you would come to me and bargain for my help?Or am I part of your research?"

"Desperate, no." You shake your head, trying to keep your nerves under control. "But clearly I was misled about you." You hope that he'll take the bait.

"What do you mean?" his face awash with confusion, letting you know he had. You simply shrug.

"Thor always said you were the smart one, why don't you tell me?" Loki simply looks to the floor, before once again looking over to you, still trying to process what you had said. "I would have thought a man as knowledgeable as you would understand." you shrug again.

A small impish grin appears on Loki's face. "As if my brother would speak of me so lovingly," he takes another step closer to the glass. "Especially to you after you ripped his heart in two. The whole of Asgard knows the story." You feel a rush of annoyance, but swallow it down, determined to stick to Frigga's plan. "Imagine the embarrassment, the shame." He shakes his head. "My poor brother: future king of Asgard, turned down by a simple Midgardian like you." He looks you up and down. "Still, I could see the attraction."

You simply shrug your shoulders, despite feeling the lash of his words; that fateful night on the roof resurfacing in your memory as you think of how Thor had uttered almost those same words. Knowing now that it could have been Loki saying that made your nauseous. "Well, what can I say? He had his uses," You start to walk up and down along his cell, continuing to play along. "Maybe you could have yours?"

"You're a lot more devious that I had you pegged Miss Brooks," He laughs, starting to follow your movement, still slightly confused. "I can see why my brother liked you." Giving away nothing but a small smile, you continue to pace, Loki matching your rhythm.

"It was quite a scandal, tearing your brother down like that." You feel even sicker having to play along with this game. "But that night on the roof gave me time to reflect," you sigh, looking Loki dead in the eye.

"Yes," he stammers out, trying to contain his confidence. "That night, my brother, his moods..." He tries to play it off, but you know you have him.

"Enough about Thor," you sigh. "His bullish antics are fine, but what we really need right now is brains, not brawn." Again a wicked smile is your response. "So, I'll ask again, what can you tell me about the tesseract, and Thanos?"