Shattered (Sequel to Shadowfax)

New Problems

                  

"I still think we should've put him in solitary," Nutsy stated. Steve sighed in exasperation.

              "Nutsy. Wakanda is one of the most heavily fortified countries in the world. Not to mention, also a leading power in technological development. The room Loki's currently confined to has a top-notch security system, and that's just a bedroom. I think we'll be alright."

              "It's not Loki I'm concerned about," Nutsy responded. "It's Jade. If she gets him alone, we'll be scraping his entrails off the ceiling. I, for one, don't want to be the one to explain to Thor why we're mailing his brother back to him in bite-sized chunks."

              "I don't know what you blokes are so worried about. This sounds like a win-win situation to me," said Jax, smirking. Sphinx rolled her eyes.

              "That's because you suffer from a chronic case of 'Over-Protective Brother Syndrome,'" Sphinx told him. He shrugged, not about to deny it.

              "Guys? Focus?" Steve ordered, snapping his fingers and drawing their attention back to the matter at hand. T'Challa, Scott, Sam, and Wanda all chuckled softly. Nutsy moved to stand before a giant monitor (one Nutsy had been drooling over a few hours ago) embedded in the wall. After tapping a few buttons on the screen, a file with a picture of a beautiful young woman popped up on the monitor.

              "This is Rika Lawson," Nutsy addressed the room. "She's number ten on both the Russian and French governments' watch lists. She's a master of espionage, expert on most ammunitions, and fluent in twelve different languages."

              "Sounds like the love child between Stark and Romanoff," Scott observed.

              "Not to mention she's a top-notch galla."

              Everyone jumped as Jade melted out of the shadows, her eyes glowing demonically. Smokey was hot on her heels. The cat glided soundlessly across the floor, and Scott hopped nervously out of the animal's way. Wanda raised an eyebrow at him. Who knew the same guy responsible for frying Sam's wings got jumpy around overgrown balls of fur?

              Jade crossed to the front of the room, giving Sphinx's shoulder a reassuring squeeze as she passed her. She shot Rika Lawson's picture a dirty look, huffing and crossing her arms.

              "This woman," she growled, "Is one of the most sinister creations on Earth. When I was still running with the Professor, she was a sort of mentor for me. And trust me when I say that Hell hasn't got anything on her teaching methods. Though I suppose the desire to be a world-class pain-in-the-arse is in the genes."

              Wanda blanched. "You don't mean..."

              "Aye." Jade nodded. "You're looking at none other than Professor Junior. She and the old man didn't get along, but when it comes down to it Rika will do anything for pride's sake. Nutsy's been keeping tabs on her since the professor's death. A few days ago, she made contact with one of her blokes in Russia. He gave her all the info he had on Steve's attack on the lab. So far, she's slowly been making her way to Wakanda via a series of private charter planes. When she comes for revenge, I want to be ready."

              "We should be able to take care of one girl though, right?" Sam piped up.

              "No. Rika's not alone. She and about four other genetically modified patients from the Professor's lab make up Rika's strike team. They'll be a force to be reckoned with. We're going to need all the firepower we have. Which, unfortunately, includes Loki."

              "No." Jax's expression was stone-cold. "If he tries to come anywhere near you, I'll castrate that guy myself."

              Jade shot her brother a venomous look. "Sorry lad, but I survived the better part of my teenage years without you. I think I can handle myself."

              Jax deflated like a popped balloon. Sphinx rested a hand on his shoulder, only to have it abruptly shrugged off. She grumbled in frustration and threw her hands up before stalking to the door. Punching the access code into the keypad, she moved out of Jade's way.

              "I think it's time for you to have a much-needed chat with Loki. I can cover the rest of the debriefing." Sphinx shot Jax a heated glance. He paled, not totally sure of why he was suddenly being stabbed in the back.

              "Thanks lass," Jade told Sphinx. Jax found himself on the receiving end of another glare before Jade left the room.

...

              Loki was sprawled across the bed, a small book hovering inches from his nose, when the door to the room opened. He put the book down, sitting up and staring at the person who entered the room. Jade stared back. A long silence stretched between them.

              "I take it you missed me?" Loki finally asked, grinning like a cat.

              Jade stared flatly back at him. "Sorry love, but you're not as charming as you might think. You may be a looker, but once you open up your mouth you're nowhere near as attractive. If anything, these past few months have been a nice reprieve."

              "I'm sorry to say that there is large number of Midgardian women that would beg to differ."

              "Yes, I'm sure they love hearing about your various failed attempts at world domination over coffee," Jade said drily.

              Loki's expression grew serious. "Really though Jade, are you alright?"

              "Oh, don't act like you care all of the sudden. If you actually gave a crap, you wouldn't have said what you did and abandoned me in New York." Jade's eyes flashed angrily, and Loki got ready to dodge a few punches. Lucky for him, Jade was quick to compose herself.

              "Look, I'm not here to air any grievances or bury any hatchets. I'm here for one reason only. I need your help. After that, hopefully I won't even have to make eye-contact with you." Jade shot him a humorless grin. "Savvy?"

              "Very well," Loki conceded. Satisfied, Jade turned on her heel and was halfway out the door before Loki piped up again. "You do realize I wouldn't be here unless you held some kind of value to me?"

              Jade laughed bitterly. "If that's your attempt at an apology, it still needs some work." Not turning her head, she whispered: "When you stop seeing me as an ant beneath your boot, then maybe I'll consider forgiving you."

              When the door had slid shut behind her and the lock had engaged with a final 'click,' then Loki allowed himself to fall back against the wall with a sigh.

              "You're anything but an ant, Jade Tarrow."

A/N Sorry this took so long! I hope you guys liked it. Please like and comment if you have any thoughts or suggestions!