Every Villain is a Hero

Chapter Five

Norse proverb: There is mingling in friendship when man can utter all his whole mind to another.

Chapter Five

Stark tower had changed little from the last time Loki was here, even the destruction. The hulk had obviously been busy. Loki's reception was just about as warm as then too, except he wasn't offered a drink this time. Shame, he would have said yes.

"Hey, Che Guevara, long time no see." Stark said as the party entered. "Someone want to tell me what the hell is he doing here?" he asked as he crossed to Loki.

Stark looked pretty beaten up, despite having had the protection of his Iron Man suit when the attack happened.

Steve Rogers and Clint Barton also approached them.

Thor stepped between Loki and the Avengers, placing a hand on Stark's chest to stop him.

"I would not," Thor warned. "Loki is no threat to you but if provoked, I could not guarantee your safety."

Barton scoffed but was clever enough not to take on Thor. "Did you know he was back on Earth?" he demanded of Fury.

"I did."

"After everything he did last time? You just allow him to come back? I thought he was being punished on Asgard!"

"We can argue about Loki later," Steve interrupted, ever the diplomat. "Right now we need to focus on finding Banner and having two Asgardians could be useful."

"I'm not here to help," Loki said.

Thor shot his brother a disapproving look. "No, he's here to be babysat."

Loki glared at Thor.

"Well if you aren't here to help, better get out," Stark said, backing away but not turning his back on Loki. "You don't have security clearance; only good guys get clearance high enough to know what's going on here."

Loki saw Lisa backing away slowly, so as not to draw attention to herself.

"Not you, Blondie," Tony called out to her. "Pretty women are always welcome, security clearance or no."

Loki realised that Stark was just trying to goad him.

"Jarvis, show Russell Brand the way to a guest suite, the smallest we have."

"Of course, Sir."

Loki didn't move.

"Perhaps it is best, brother," Thor prompted.

Loki considered arguing but he knew that battles had to be chosen carefully and in all honesty, he wasn't interested in finding the Hulk.

With a nod to the room, Loki turned to leave. Lisa clearly did not intend to take Stark up on his offer and was waiting by the door.

"You too, Miss Lewis," Fury added and reluctantly, Darcy left with them.

Using vocal commands, Jarvis directed them down in the elevator, then gave them directions to their respective rooms.

Loki's room was acceptable and he doubted it was the smallest, but it was far from the grandeur he had enjoyed as a prince. It was better than his cell though, especially the second cell he'd occupied.

Loki shuddered at the thought and quickly brushed those memories aside. He had no need to unpack because a magician doesn't need to bring a change of clothes with him, but he did need a distraction.

"Jarvis?" he said aloud to the room.

"Yes, Sir?"

"Is there a library here?"