Salvation (My MCU #2)

Chapter Eight

Isolde walked into the room where Fury waited with the female Agent Barton, Captain America, and Stark. Loki, Thor, Coulson and Agent Oliver followed her. "What is this man doing out of his cell?" Fury demanded the moment his gaze landed on Loki.

Isolde once again moved herself between Loki and danger. "I have cleansed his mind of the corrupting influence. He will assist as he is able," she stated.

Stark stood and stared her down. "Yeah, well, he can assist  from his cage."

"I am a warrior of Asgard. I do not fear you, mortal. Loki, sit," she ordered, not looking to see if he obeyed. "Your Coulson is very brave and managed to wound the Chitari general. He has also placed Loki in magic dampening cuffs."

Stark and Fury continued to stare down Isolde. Thor stood to the side with a smirk on his face as he watched the interplay. Coulson and Agent Oliver took seats at the table. Isolde focused her attention on Fury. "You have eight people at this table that will intervene should Loki do anything. His magic is useless, he no longer has the scepter and his mind is his own. Do you sincerely still fear him?"

"Pretend gods don't scare me," he responded. 

"Then sit and let him talk," she insisted. He hesitated only briefly before nodding at Stark who resumed his seat. Seeing the situation was resolved, Thor took a seat as well. Isolde sat in the open chair beside her prince and Loki began to talk.

***

Barton tugged against the restraints on the bed as he woke. His brain still felt fuzzy, odd. Memories flashed through his mind reminding him of all the things he'd done. 

"Clint, you're gonna be all right," Natasha said. 

He laughed. "You know that? He was in my brain, Nat. He messed with my mind. The things he made me..." He trailed off as pure panic filled him. "Raven. Where's Raven? Why isn't she here?" he yelled and pulled frantically against the restraints. She was his wife. She should be here. 

"Calm down, Clint," Natasha told him and rose to pour a glass of water.

"Don't tell me to calm down, Nat. Where is my wife? Did I kill my wife?" His voice broke at the end. 

"She's at a meeting, Clint. She's fine. I swear."

He sucked in a deep breath. "Thank God. Why am I back? How'd you get him out?"

Smirking, she resumed her seat. "I didn't. Raven did. Cognitive recalibration. She hit you really hard in the head."

His lips twitched in amusement. "I suppose I should thank her for that."

Natasha winced. "I'm pretty sure she enjoyed it. You shot her. It was a vest shot but still."

His eyes went wide. "Shit. She's going to kick my ass."

"She already did." Natasha undid the straps holding him to the bed. "Loki's supposedly on our side now. Thor brought a friend with him that says he wasn't in control of his mind either. I don't trust it."

Clint turned to hang his legs off the side of the bed. "As much as I hate to say it, he wasn't in charge. There was some sort of alien. Ugly ass thing. Anytime Loki would get out of line in the smallest way, it would hurt him. Loki may have given me the orders but they came from that thing."

She grunted. "I suppose that makes me feel a little better. Not much, but a little."

They looked up as the door opened. "We need to move. Now. Suit up and head to the hangar."

"Where are we going?" Natasha asked getting to her feet. 

"We'll fill you in on the way."

***

Loki was to remain behind on the helicarrier. He didn't like it, but he was no warrior. Not without his magic which the human still refused to give him access to. Isolde was to leave with Thor while the other left in his metal suit. They were hoping to get to the tower and intercept Selvig before the portal was opened to allow the Chitari army into this realm.

Coulson and Agent Oliver stayed as well to monitor and act as support for the Avengers as needed. Raven Barton was ordered to the hangar, to run the preflight checklist on one of the jets and make certain it was fueled up. Loki was allowed to go with Thor and Isolde as they prepared to leave.

"Wait," he called just before they left. He reached out and tugged Isolde toward him then smashed his lips against hers. His Isolde. He'd just gotten her back and he was afraid he'd lose her again. "Come back to me," he said.

She smiled. "Of course, my prince." She kissed him again quickly then moved back to Thor's side. 

"Marry me," he yelled as his brother spun the hammer preparing to take off. 

Her grin lit her whole face but she didn't get a chance to answer before they were gone. "You're a fool to not let me help," Loki said to the aptly named Fury who stood beside him.

"Fine. Why don't we leave it up to him?" Fury said as Barton strode into the hangar with the red-head and the soldier. "Barton."

The man in question turned at the sound of his name, his eyes narrowing when they fell on Loki. He jogged over to stand in front of them. "Yes, sir?"

"Loki says he can help. I told him that was up to you. Do you trust him enough to take him with you?" The tone in Fury's voice said he already knew what the answer was going to be.

Barton locked gazes with Loki. "Your eyes are green," he said.

"They are," Loki confirmed. 

"We'll take him," Barton said and started to remove Loki's cuffs.

"What?" Fury yelled. "Are you sure you're right in the head?"

Before the archer could respond, his wife stuck her head out of the back of the jet. "Fury, quit yelling at my husband. We got shit to do." She disappeared without waiting for a response.

Barton smirked and grabbed Loki's arm to drag him toward the jet. He glanced over his shoulder at his boss. "You heard the lady."

They stepped inside and the doors closed immediately behind them. The red-head and the soldier both stared at Loki, anger coloring their features. Loki gave a little wave. "Hello."