The Before [Prequel- Part 1]

Going Home

~~~Loki's pov~~~

Once the agents left, I sat on the bed next to Catherine.

"I knew I shouldn't have let you go on this mission. At least not by yourself. I promised to protect you if anything happened, but I wasn't here for you when it did." I confessed quietly.

"But you were here for me when I needed you the most."

I looked down and saw that she was awake.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like I was just hit by a truck." She groaned. "But better than before."

"That's good to hear. You scared me when you passed out."

It really had scared me. I thought, just for a moment, that I might lose her.

~~~Catherine's pov~~~

"That may be, but it would have been a lot worse if you hadn't gotten here so fast. I know Phil must've had a few questions."

"Yes. But that's to be expected when the God of Mischief suddenly appears on a plane after the woman he cares about most in the world has a panic attack." He brushed some hair out of my face, checking to see how bad the cuts were. "What happened to you?" He asked softly. "Coulson told me he sent you into a Hydra base."

I blushed at his words. Hopefully, the blood on my face covered it.

"I won't go into specifics, but let's say Hydra had eight years worth of anger to let out on me. If you want to know more, you can look through my memories. I won't stop you." I shrugged, leaning back against his chest.

He shook his head. "Knowing that you're okay is enough."

I tried to sit up again but winced at the pain coming from the bruises and cuts that littered my skin.

"Okay might be a stretch," I murmured in pain.

"You need to get back to the compound for some medical attention." He looked down at me with worry.

"No, it's fine. Once we get Jemma and Fitz back, they'll be able to help."

"I wouldn't be so sure. Coulson mentioned that Hydra took them as well. It could be a while before they get back here."

"Okay, fine." I sighed. "Leaving them with Hydra doesn't sit well with me at all. But I can't help them if I'm laying here, bleeding out. So, let's go."

~~~Tony's pov~~~

Today has been hell.

After I finished my BARF presentation at MIT, a woman came up to me and told me her son was killed during Sokovia. And she blames me. As if I didn't have enough guilt these past seven years, now I have another death on my shoulders!

I wish Catherine was here. She always helps me out with stuff like this, my guilty conscience. But I haven't seen her in months. Thanks a lot, Fury.

And on top of all that, yes, there is more; Pepper and I are taking a break. So now, I really have no one to talk to.

I groaned as I sat at my desk in my office back at the compound.

"Hey, Friday. Did anyone call while I was out?"

"Yes, boss."

"Who? And did they leave a message?"

"Catherine. No. She did not leave a message."

Wait. Catherine?

She hasn't been in contact with us at all these past few months. Is she okay? Why was she trying to call me?