Worthy

Part 31 - He Goes Nowhere

Storming back into the compound, you ignore everyone as you head straight to the kitchen. "Let him out," You yell at Thor, who joins you before the others can get there.

"Kate..." he hesitates before you throw him a look.

"Why thank you brother," Loki smirks as Thor releases him - standing and stretching exaggeratedly. Taking a step towards you before Tony jumps in front of you, seemingly appearing out of nowhere.

"Back off Snape," he says defiantly but you push him away, earning a look of surprise from him.

"Save it Stark," you snap, before marching out of the kitchen. "With me Odinson." You stop as both Thor and Loki start to follow you. "Not you," you say directly to Thor; making him stop in his tracks, confusion mixed with sadness etched on his face while Loki smirks and continues to follow you. Both of you heading to the meeting room.

"Why the sudden change of heart?" Loki asks, grinning from ear to ear. "Ready to upgrade to the superior Asgardian?" he winks.

"You can quit the act Loki," you snap. "It's just you and me. I saw you in Asgard, stuck in that cell." You stand arms crossed in front of him. "I know you're glad to be out of there - so here's how it's going to go." He gestures for you to continue - admiring your confidence. "You're going to talk, I'm going to listen. You're going to behave, I won't have to get that team through there to hurt you. You cooperate," you shrug. "Maybe you go free."

"Your director made it very clear that you don't have the authority to decide that," You think back to what Fury said to you, determination kicking in.

"I could also help you patch things up with your brother." You hint, wondering if the softer approach would work.

"What makes you think that's what I want..."

"Because it's been a full five minutes and you haven't tried to escape. What else is keeping you here?" You shrug, "Besides, I saw it. That look on your face when your mother told you how hurt he was."

Loki's eyes almost turn black as he snaps his head towards you. "Don't you dare speak of my mother again after your last little stunt."

The anger in his voice terrifies you, but you remain in place, not daring to blink. But he can tell your still wary and nervous of him. His face softening, he takes a slow step towards you. "Maybe I'm planning on some mischief." Nerves are rushing through you but you stand firm - channelling the strength you had on Asgard - trying not to panic knowing that Frigga didn't have your back.

"I really don't think you've got the balls to do that with the Avengers in the compound." You smirk, but Loki takes another step towards you, his grin growing wider and more devious.

"I'd love to you see you try and stop me," he says as he reaches you, barely an inch away from your face; looking down on you, breath hitting your face. His eyes roam down your face stopping at your lips.

Suddenly the door bursts open - immediately you take a step back, looking over to see Thor standing in the doorway - pain and shock on his face. "What's going on in here?" he looks between you and Loki.

"Oh," Loki turns to his brother. "Just saying my apologies. Working out a schedule, that sort of thing." He walks out the door, meeting Bruce on his way, who had followed Thor, trying to stop him from causing another scene. "Ah, Dr Banner, be a lamb and show me where I'll be staying." He looks over to you and winks. "Till tomorrow Kate," He runs his hands through his hair before wrapping an arm around an alarmed looking Bruce and leading him down the hall. You let out a breath finally not having Loki so close to you.

Thor steps into the room - closing the door gently before turning and looking at you - slight hint of fear in his eyes. "If he hurt you..."

"He didn't." You snap, instantly regretting your tone when you see the hurt on his face once again. You were glad to be rebuilding your relationship with him but what Fury had said had ignited something in you - something that meant you'd have to shelf any feeling you had for Thor. "Now I need to go and update myself on what I missed earlier." You head towards the foor, but Thor blocks your path. "Excuse me?" you whisper not daring to look up at him.

"Please Kate," his voice barely a whisper as he reaches over to gently place his hand on your chin - lifting your head to look at him. "You don't have to do this. I can take Loki and hide him somwhere..." he starts to say with a small smile before you bat his hand away.

"He goes nowhere," you try to brush past him for the door. "I need him to help with finding the stones, and Thanos..."

"Of course," he nods, still not moving. "I just thought that you and I could..."

"There is no you and I!" You yell - loud enough that probably the whole team would hear. "Now could you please move so I can do my job." Your tone is cold and feels cruel - even you hate it - this wasn't like before when you genuinely disliked being in his presence. - this was as hurtful for you to say as for him to hear.

Once again he nods, finally moving to let you go. As you march down the hall you can't stop yourself from feeling the tears creeping. You were mad at Loki, Fury, everything. But right now you hated yourself for shutting out Thor like that. You don't even realise that you've bumped into someone. "Hey, you ok Kate?" Nat grips your arm, giving you a sympathetic look.

"Far from it," you wipe a stray tear away - determined not to let her see. "I need a drink."

"Need a friend too?" She asks - you just nod. "Hey, how about a girls night? I'll grab Wanda - meet you in my room - ten minutes?"

"Sure," you nod. "And I know where Tony keeps the good stuff - I'll go grab a bottle."

You don't see what Nat sees - as a broken hearted Thor enters the hallway - looking in your direction before quickly catching Nat's eye and walking in the opposite direction - mimicking your last action by wiping a tear from his eye - not knowing that Nat saw all of it.

"Grab two." She half heartedly smiles before you head off. She instantly runs after Thor, desperately chasing him even as he runs out onto the lawn - not catching him as he gestures his hand out for Mjolnir and taking off to the sky. "Dammit." She yells as a crash of thunder hits far away from the compound and the rain starts to pour.