Stark Tower (Loki and the Avengers)

Planning?

Steve stalked through the halls of Stark tower, looking for Bruce while simultaneously wondering how he would explain the situation. While Bruce was an extremely intelligent man, Steve wasn't so sure how he'd react to finding out Fury had been keeping Loki on earth without the knowledge of the team.

He grumbled to himself as he walked, partially rehearsing what to say to Bruce and partially voicing his own opinions about the situation.

Steve was so caught up in his thoughts about finding Bruce that he didn't see said doctor turn around the corner and stop in front of him.

"Steve? Are you alright? What are you doing?" Bruce stopped right in front of Cap, who was stumbling over his tounge trying to for words.

"Uh, um..." Cap straightened his posture and put his hands behind his back, rocking back and forth like a nervous childhood. "Well, you see, Stark kind of..." Bruce raised his eyebrow, setting the Stark pad that had been his hand down on the hallway table.

"Steve, what's going on?" Bruce crossed his arms. "What did Tony do?" Steve froze.

"He uh, Stark, he..." Steve took a deep breath. "Stark found hidden S.H.I.E.L.D. files containing videos of Loki. And Fury. Well, it was really just one video of Loki, being interrogated by Fury, for like, twenty seconds. Tony decrypted it using that program you came up with. I think he stayed up all night doing it, he downed a bottle of vodka..." Steve trailed off, glancing up at Bruce.

He still had his arms crossed, and his face was completely void of expression. What startled Steve though, was the gradual whitening of Bruce's knuckles and the slight but growing shakiness of his posture.

"Bruce, calm down! Loki's in holding, we'd know if he was out and about!" Steve took a step forward, raising a hand in effort to calm and steady Bruce, but he just took a few stumbling steps backward.

"I'm fine! I'm fine, hold on." Bruce spat out, more like he was trying to reassure himself that Steve. He kneeled down, putting his head between his hands as he tried to control his breathing.

Steve got down on his own knees a few feet from his struggling friend. He reached his hand out again, but pulled it back as he remember what happened the last time he tried to reassure the doctor.

After what felt like hours, but was more than likely less than a minute, Bruce, lowered his hands and raised his head. Steve stood up slowly, offering his arm for Bruce to grab. As soon as the doctor was steadily on his feet, he nodded to Steve, not trusting his voice yet as the two started towards Tony's work room.

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"Tony, what the hell were you thinking?!" Bruce wasted no time in confronting the offending scientist.

Tony whirled around in his chair, eyes opened wide as he stood to hide the screen behind him. He had a half finished bottle of beer to his lips, and Bruce didn't miss the same empty Vodka bottle that Steve had first noticed underneath Tony's desk.

"Bruce, wait!" Tony took a step forward, but Bruce had already turned his attention towards the video upon the screen. Steve leaned around him to get his own glimpse.

"What's that?" Bruce gestured to the screen, where the video had started back at the beginning. Tony sat his bear down and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I decrypted the second video. There's hundreds of these things, and they're all pretty heavily encrypted." Tony stepped to the side so Steve and Bruce could get a better look at the screen. "This one's shorter than the last one, and Fury's in it again." Steve stepped forward to stand beside Tony, while Bruce took his seat in Tony's office chair by the desk.

The video again had no sound, and it was in the same room from the last. This time, Loki had no smile on his face. The date in the bottom corner told the three of them that this video took place less than a day after the last one, but Loki already looked tired. Bruce stiffened a bit when Fury stepped into view of the camera, but he relaxed pretty fast when Steve hesitantly placed his hand on his shoulder.

Fury's back was to the camera, so they couldn't read his lips, but whatever Fury said next made Loki growl in contempt. The three avengers could barely process the level of hate in Loki's eyes before the video ended, pausing for a split second before replaying again.

The three of them exchanged confused glances before Tony kicked Bruce out of his chair and took a seat. He closed out the video, picking up his beer again and opening the next file.

"So what's the plan?" Steve took his natural, soldier like position just behind Tony, with his arms crossed and feet shoulder length apart. Bruce just plopped down in his own chair, rolling it over to the desk and leaning back. Tony didn't even flinch when Bruce put his feet upon the desk.

"Why aren't we confronting Fury?" He asked, putting his hands behind his head. Tony sighed heavily, looking towards Cap to answer before returning his attention the task at hand.

"Tony doesn't want Fury to know about your guys' little S.H.I.E.L.D. file decryption mission." Steve gave Bruce a glare, calmly reminding him that he had actually started the program. Bruce returned with a weak smile before turning back to Tony.

"So what are we supposed to do then?" Tony again tossed his head to Cap, taking a swig of the beer in his hand.

"Tony wants us to go infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. and confront Loki." Tony nodded, keeping his eyes on the screen.

Bruce opened his mouth to speak, but Tony interrupted him.

"I've almost got this file done, how about you two go get your mission started and let me be." Steve glanced at Bruce before shrugging his shoulders and starting towards the door. With a worried glance towards Tony, Bruce got up and followed him.

As soon as the doors shut, Tony let out a deep sigh. He clicked open the video file he'd just cracked. Leaning back, he whispered to Jarvis as the video started to play.

"We're in for some deep trouble buddy."