Working Title : Loki & Annie

116 Change of Plans

After J.A.R.V.I.S. had explained several possible scenarios that were prepared for an attempted entry by either Ross or Fury or any unauthorized entities Bruce seemed to be soothed a little bit. At least the tension he always carried had leached from his shoulders which were once more lowered to below his ears.

Tony had listened while grabbing his welding mask after setting up his cutting torch to have a go at the collar still held in the vise while he gave his customary snarky responses to J.A.R.V.I.S's conversation. As soon as Bruce was fine he made to leave and Tony told him he would see him later. Which could mean in a few minutes or a few days.

Bruce had known Tony had contingency plans in case there was a Code Green, as he teasingly called it, but he hadn't known the layers of details that had been incorporated into each scenario. Knowing something plus having it explained made him feel much less anxious. He hadn't fully passed through the doorway when he stopped at J.A.R.V.I.S.'s announcement. His eyes darted back to look at Tony.

"Sir. Doctor Strange seems to be violating the terms of your previous agreement. He is in Prince Loki's room."

Tony had started moving at the first mention of Strange's name because he knew exactly what the rest of the sentence would be. "I don't think so."

Annie stood next to the bed Loki lay in with an arm out over him as if that would protect him while facing this crazy magician who couldn't seem to get the point that no one wanted him around. She watched as he finished stepping through the glowing sparkly circle, behind him seemed to be a really nice room and Annie tried not to be distracted by the furniture she got a glimpse of before the view disappeared.

Strange tried to make his smile appear natural and not the one he normally gave which he had been told was annoying and condescending. His effort slipped when he took in the absolutely livid expression on the woman's face and he held up his hand to her. "Ah. Please don't slap me. Again."

In no mood to play nice Annie got to the point. "You need to leave. Right. Now."

Strange wanted to ask what she would do if he didn't because he found it humorous that she seemed to think she could enforce her order. 

"Doctor Strange. I must inform you that both doctors Stark and Banner have been notified of your trespass and are en route. It would perhaps be best if you were not here when they arrive in approximately thirty-eight seconds."

Strange cocked an eyebrow up, not certain if his amusement was from the robot's pretentiousness of putting doctor in front of Stark's name or at its rather exact time frame for their arrival. He decided to use those seconds wisely, ignoring the ticking countdown he asked, "Will you allow me to explain my reason for coming back?"

"No, because you don't have any reason to be here." Annie felt her face heat up and start to tingle, she must be turning a blotchy red. What made this guy think she would want anything to do with him? "You agreed not to come back so no way do I want you here."

 He spoke the magic words, "It's about Loki." Without taking his eyes from Annie he motioned towards the figure behind her, knowing she was in no position to refuse him. Not now.

Those were the only words that could cause Annie to be torn between wanting this guy gone versus needing to know what was happening because it was about Loki. She made a decision based on the fact that she was only going to have to face him by herself for a few seconds. "Fine. Go ahead. But talk fast." She added, "And don't think about putting your hands on him. Stay over there." She waved in his general direction.

There wasn't even time to start before the sliding glass door opened and PA Jefferson came in, a rather large male security guard taking up a position behind her. Giving Strange a tight smile she told him, "Doctor Strange. You should come in through the front door like the rest of us."