Feel Something

Chapter 17: You're My Only Refuge Now

Tony collapsed roughly to the ground just outside the burning rubble of the warehouse, sending Natasha and Loki sprawling across the rough terrain. Loki felt a sharp pain in his left shoulder, which took the brunt of his fall, and his cheek felt rubbed raw, but he paid no mind to these injuries as he scrambled to his feet and ran for the Quinjet just behind Natasha. Stark was still pulling himself out of the crater his suit had created on impact.

He was practically humming with energy from the excitement of it all, eager to slaughter Rumlow for daring to attempt to assassinate him. That's obviously what this was, after all. Why else would the man arrange for Loki and Natasha to enter a trap completely alone if it wasn't intended precisely for them?

The only question that still nagged Loki was: Why?

Halfway up the Quinjet's ramp, Loki froze. "Natasha," the sudden gravity in Loki's voice caused her to draw up short, turning to hear what he had to say. "This Agent Rumlow...you say he is the one who provided the information that led us into this ploy. Where is he now?"

Natasha's eyes widened as she answered quietly, "The lab. He was assigned to watch over Dr. Foster's research."

Dread solidified in Loki's stomach as his fear was confirmed. Darcy. Propelling himself into the cockpit, Loki scanned the pages of the Quinjet manual in his mind and frantically began to start up the aircraft. "We need to return to headquarters. Now."

"Wait, who's Rumlow? What's he talking about, Red?" Stark questioned as he entered behind Natasha, yanking off pieces of his seemingly malfunctioning armor as he went.

"Loki, calm down. We don't even know what the situation is over there yet. Let me contact Fury—"

Natasha cut off abruptly as the windshield blackened and Agent Hill's face appeared in place of the desert horizon. "Agents, return to headquarters immediately. We've been compromised."

Before Natasha could respond, Loki shouted, "Where is Agent Rumlow? Where are Darcy and Dr. Foster?"

Hill's composure didn't break, but Loki could hear the concern in her voice as she answered, "Darcy is fine. Rumlow took Dr. Foster hostage...along with her research. They're gone."

At the mention of Jane's research, Hill gave Natasha a pointed look that further confirmed Loki's suspicions regarding the secrets housed within SHIELD's laboratory that morning.

"Copy that, Agent Hill. We're on our way, and we're bringing Tony Stark with us."

Hill visibly resisted the urge to groan, instead nodding in confirmation before ending the call.

"Wait, wait, who says I'm coming?" Tony interjected halfheartedly, "Maybe I don't wanna get roped into a mission that nearly got us all killed after all."

"You're sitting in a jet with the God of Mischief, Mr. Stark, who you just rescued from a rather untimely death," Loki grumbled, "Don't bother pretending this isn't the most exciting thing to happen to you in months."

Stark settled into the seat behind Natasha and exhaled in mock surrender, "Fine, fine. I'm practically wetting myself with excitement back here. Hey Jarvis, let's start up that hyper-drive and get us on over to New York, stat."

"Right away, Sir," came a polite voice from the Quinjet itself, which shot into the sky and took off at much greater speed than when Natasha flew it earlier, leaving Loki staring dumbfounded at the controls.

"Next time, I'd prefer it if you asked permission before modding my ship with your AI, Tony," Natasha said dryly, "Hey there, Jarvis."

"Good evening, Miss Romanoff. Mr. Cooper."