Frost Bite

Iron Will

While Loki, Sif and Fandral searched for - and saved - Amy, the other part of their little team was less successful.

Thor, Volstagg and Hogun searched the buildings around the club to no avail. Pepper and Morgan were definitely NOT there. Not a trace, not a whisper. Retreating to the alley outside the main club, they were about to radio Loki when suddenly there was a commotion and a squad of Hydra guards barrelled out the door and into a waiting van.

"Let's get them moved. They need to be moved to the boss's penthouse. Fisk has said it's the most secure location. " The voice of the team leader sounded over the gap between them.  The three of them exchanged glances. Thor raised a hand and indicated they should follow. Running along the alley to the main road, they were just in time to see the van speed off towards the Upper East Side.

There was no way to follow them, but in fact, it didn't matter. They didn't know where the hostages were at the moment, but they knew for sure now where they would be.

"Hogun, you make your way to Fisk's and keep it under observation. Report anything out of the ordinary. Got it?" Thor grabbed him by the arm, "Be CAREFUL. These idiots have no respect for our formidable reputation. They won't hesitate to try and kill you. I know they won't but I still don't want you to risk anything.  I just need you to pinpoint when Pepper arrives, ok?"

"With pleasure, my Prince. Can I crack some heads, too? " The fearless warrior grinned despite the serious situation, and Thor shook his head laughing.

"No, you cannot!" He slapped Hogun on the back, "plenty of time for that later, my friend. For now, just watch and take note."

"Agreed. Till later." He exchanged a man-hug with his two companions and jogged off towards his post.

Thor turned to Volstagg, "Well, old friend, ready to teach these idiots a thing or two?"

Volstagg grinned, "by the Gods, yes! I may not be headed for Valhalla any time soon, but I can still enjoy myself!"

The two of them set off to join Loki and the others when they were stopped in their tracks. Sif was coming out of the building with Fandral, both of them looking like they'd been ten rounds with a Bilgesnipe.

"Lady Sif!" Thor called her over to them, looking around for any remaining guards.

"My Prince," she greeted him with a slight bow, even in the midst of a mission, she deferred to the only man she thought her true equal. "Loki has found Amy and taken her to the London house." She looked pale and drawn.

"London? Why in Odin's name has he gone there now?" Thor was astounded at the news. In the middle of a mission? Half way across the world?

"He...he wanted her to be safe while she... recovers" Fandral arrived and joined the conversation. He too looked like death warmed up. Ironic really Thor mused briefly, given what they were.

"What do you mean 'recovers'?" Thor frowned and laid his hand on Fandral's shoulder. "Is she hurt in some way?" He was worried.

"Actually, well, not any more." Fandral paused and Sif looked at the ground.  Neither quite sure how he would take the news.

"Go on..." Thor's voice was low and not without menace.  

"Well, Fisk shot her twice in the stomach" Sif began and Thor punched a nearby wall, cracking the brickwork. "She was dying in front of us, bleeding terribly.  She begged Loki to help her." emotions resurfaced as she recalled the look on Amy's face and the terror in Loki's eyes - that he would fail her.  "So Loki... turned her" she ended on almost a whisper.

For a moment, there was silence.  Neither Sif nor Fandral had known about Loki's promise and they were equally unaware Thor knew.  He stood, eyes closed, fists balled.  Small sparks ran through his fingers as he processed the information.

"I will kill him" he said, his eyes turning to pure energy "I will kill him for hurting my little sister" the veins in his neck and temple started to bulge in his fury.

"But Thor!" Fandral grabbed him "No!  He helped her, Loki saved her! It was the only way!"  His companions had all seen the results of Thor's rage before and much as they'd all wanted to thump him at one time or another over the years, none wanted to see Thor kill Loki.

Thor turned to them with a frown "Not LOKI you morons! FISK!" a spark jumped from his hand to a nearby overhead cable and it exploded in a shower of sparks. 

"No need my Prince" Fandral exhaled in relief "Loki killed him on the spot."

On hearing this, Thor calmed instantly, "he did?  Oh well, that's ok then!" the others exchanged incredulous glances. Thor's mercurial temper never failed to surprise them, all lightning one minute and happy sunshine the next!

"There's a problem though" Sif said, bringing them all back down to Midgard with a bump.  "Well, two problems really - Tony is nowhere to be seen and once Hydra find out we've dispatched their kingpin, they're not going to be happy.  We need to get Pepper and Morgan as soon as we can." 

Thor walked off towards the direction of the apartment, "Come on, let's reconvene back at base.  Hogun is tracking Pepper's movements, we can wait there for news and decide what to do.  Doing anything while they're on the move could cause more problems than it solves.  And we need to wait for Loki." he turned away and started to twirl Mjolnir.  With a mighty whoosh, he was off into the sky and away.

The rest just watched him go, shaking their heads. Volstagg spoke for all of them "Never even offered us a lift!"  and they trudged off behind him.

When Thor landed on the balcony of Loki's apartment, he knew instantly he wasn't alone. Looking in through the balcony doors, he could see his brother sitting on the couch, head in his hands, exhausted. He smiled, God of Mischief he may be but he was still his little brother and sometimes, he just needed a hug.

"Loki" he said quietly, walking into the room, sliding the door shut behind him. Loki looked up and smiled, his normally alabaster skin now looking almost translucent.  He was worn out.  The battle, the turning, everything had taken it's toll and he was quite simply done in.

"Thor" was all he said and nodded "It's done. She's asleep still so I came to see how things were faring here.  I'm still with her though for now." Thor put his hand on Loki's shoulder and it went straight through it, a ribbon of green energy indicating he was no more than a projection illusion.

"I understand. You had no choice brother" Thor nodded "If you were here, I might even give you a hug!" he smiled and so did Loki.

"Thank you Brother - where are the others?" he looked around and Thor shrugged a little embarrassed now he thought about it. They'd had to walk miles while he....

"Just coming?" he said with a small grimace.

"Oh Thor!" Loki smacked his forehead, sometimes he truly was grateful he was adopted.