Worthy

Part 67 - I Have To Try

After being forced to his room by his mother and the rest of the team, Thor has a quick shower before he heads back to your bedside. Desperate to go find Quill, Rocket and Tony head off to the Milan to finish off the repairs, while Groot sneaks into the medibay. "I am Groot," he whispers quietly as he climbs into Thor's lap.

"She will be," Thor gently pats his head as he moves gingerly, crawling every so tenderly over your bed, resting his small head on your stomach.

"I am Groot." He let's out a little smile, looking back at Thor who can't help but grin at the wonderment on Groot's face. "I am Groot." He yells a little more enthusiastically.

"Yes," Thor leans over, taking your hand. "There is a baby in there."He looks lovingly across at you. "Our baby."

Still completely enamoured by the news, Groot presses his head back to your stomach, closing his eyes and once again drifting off to sleep. Starting to feel himself tired, and feeling comforted by the thought that you'll be ok, he leans back in the chair, still holding your hand and closes his eyes.

***
"I'm sorry," Danvers yells across the room before Bruce tries to make her soften her tone. "You're saying that you're going to do nothing. Thanos is still out there."

"We're not doing nothing," Steve replies. "But we have to be smart about this. Half the team are still drained from what happened with Ego, and we almost lost Kate..."

"Which I'm sorry about but Thanos doesn't care about that. You heard the god woman. She's going to be fine. Instead of sitting on his ass, Thor could be out there with me helping stop him."

"I really want to be there when you tell him that." Nat scoffs, irritated and standing close to Danvers, anger flashing across her face. "That's my friend through there, have a little more respect. I don't give a damn how powerful you are, I will hurt you." Danvers put her hands up in defeat.

"I'm sorry," She sighs. "But we have to be smart here Nat. He's coming for those stones. He's coming here." She points at Vision. "He's going to rip that stone out of your head and then he'll kill Strange."

"I'd like to see him try," Strange appears out of nowhere, standing in between the two women, orange sparks making them step back.

"What are you doing here?" Danvers asks, even more irritated.

"Had to check on my patient." Strange smirks, before walking over and sitting next to Steve. "But my ears were burning." His smug smile makes Danvers roll her eyes. "But you're right. We need to be prepared for Thanos. Which is why I've looked at ALL possible futures. looked at every possible outcome." He rubs his head in frustration, before turning to Steve.

"What do we need to do?" Steve asks, leaning forward, interest piqued. Strange doesn't answer immediately, taking a small look over his shoulder towards the medical unit.

"Have patience." Strange sighs, knowing exactly the way things have to go. "For now, all we can do is wait."

"Good luck with that." Balling her hands into fists, Danvers marches out of the compound, taking to the skies in frustration.

"She'll be back," Fury announces out of nowhere. "I'm assuming you already know that?" He chuckles a little bit as he points at Strange, who simply nods; smug smile etched back on his face.

"If I could offer a solution." Vision pipes up, everyone turning to watch him. "I've been giving a lot of thought to this," He gestures to the stone embedded in his forehead. "I think if we were to expose it...."

"Nope." Strange shouts defiantly. "I know what you're thinking Vision, and I'm sorry to tell you that it won't work."

"But..."

"You sacrifice your life destroying that stone and we lose." Strange admits, making Vision slump his shoulders. "There is no other way of doing this than how I've seen..."

"Then tell us," Steve yells in frustration. "Give us something!" Marching over to Strange, grabbing him by his cloak and lifting him to eye level. "You have all the answers..."

"Uh...Steve," Nat grabs onto his arm. "Maybe we should take a minute."

"No," He snipes back, turning back and staring at Strange. "I'm done waiting. Waiting for the next bad thing to go wrong. Waiting for my friend to wake up," he chokes out, his grip tightening on Stranger's collar. "Waiting for Thanos to come to us. I'm done."

"There's nothing you can do Steve," Strange's voice is quiet, consoling, typical doctor tone. "Except wait." He calmly brushes Steve's hands off of him, adjusting his collar as he takes a step back. Understanding that he's hurting, Strange shakes his head, unsure if telling them would make too much of a difference to what he had seen. "Thanos will be here tomorrow." He sighs, having regretted his earlier cockiness, but he had desperately wanted to let him revel in the joy that you would be OK.

As the shock of his statement ripples around the room, Fury takes a few steps closer to the medibay, ready to warn Thor, when Strange holds up one hand. "Are you kidding me?" Fury demands, "I need my full team."

"Just give him this time," Strange looks down at the floor, cursing himself. "He doesn't have much left." His voice is a whisper, but he's sure at least one person heard it. As if on cue, Loki emerges from the kitchen, having been listening in the whole time.

"Explain yourself wizard." He bellows, daggers drawn.

"I've said too much already." As Strange begins to open up a portal back to the sanctum, a hand grips his forearm tightly. "I'm sorry." He sighs, looking up at the tearful eyes of Frigga; like Loki she had overheard everything. "But there's no other way."

As Strange disappears, the weight of his words carry around the room. Everyone looks at each other, except for Steve; guiltily staring down towards the medibay. His guilt and rage fighting each other. "I'll get Stark." Fury hangs his head.

"No. Let him be." Frigga's tone is cold, her voice wavering as like Steve she let's her eyes drift to where her oldest son sits. As Loki stands before her, teary eyed, she reaches up and cups his cheek. "I do not wish to watch this." She struggles to speak. "Let me go home Loki."

Simply nodding, Loki takes his mother's hand, squeezing it gently. "I have to stay," he sighs. "I have to try."
Frigga nods, kissing him on the cheek before leaving.