HERO [ TONY STARK ]

5- LOKI'S PLAN

RALEIGH IS NO LONGER in the lab with Bruce and Tony, but instead sitting at the glass table on the bridge, elbows on the surface, watching Loki on the screen. He is pacing in his cell, probably plotting a way to kill everyone. At least, this is what Raleigh thinks. She stares at the screen so hard, as if she could figure out why he is the way he is if she stares at him long and hard enough.

Raleigh's shoulders straighten up as she sees Natasha appear on the screen, approaching Loki's cage. She stops a good distance away from him, but not good enough, in Raleigh's opinion. She looks around to make sure no one is near her before she turns the volume up on the video, to listen to what Nat is saying.

"But you figured I'd come," she is saying to Loki. Her arms are crossed over her chest. Raleigh knows that whatever information Nat wants to get from Loki, she will get. She's very good at this sort of thing. Raleigh's always admired her for it.

"After," Loki replies. "After whatever tortures Fury can concoct, you would appear as a friend, as a balm. And I would cooperate." Raleigh narrows her eyes at him, even though he can't see her.

"I wanna know what you've done with Agent Barton," Nat continues, ignoring Loki's previous comment.

"I'd say I've expanded his mind," Loki responds. Raleigh sighs in frustration. She, too, would like to know where Clint is, or that he's safe, at least.

"And once you've won, once you're king of the mountain," Nat says. "What happens to his mind?"

Loki's head is turned to the side so Raleigh can't see his face, but she guesses that he is smiling mischievously at Natasha. "Is this love, Agent Romanoff?" He taunts her. Raleigh scowls. Nat would never think of Clint that way, just like Raleigh wouldn't.

"Love is for children," Nat tells the god, unfazed by his accusation. "I owe him a debt."

"Tell me," Loki demands.

"Before I worked for S.H.I.E.L.D.," Nat begins, "I, uh, well, I made a name for myself. I have a very specific skill set. I didn't care who I used it for, or on. I got on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s radar in a bad way. Agent Barton was sent to kill me, he made a different call."

Raleigh already knows all of this, as she happened to be with Agent Barton that day.

"And what will you do if I vow to spare him?" Loki asks.

"Not let you out," Nat responds.

"Ah, no," Loki says, not very surprised at the answer. Raleigh looks around again to make sure no one is spying on her. Even though her and Nat are like sisters, she isn't sure if she should be watching this. But honestly, she is amazed at how Nat interrogates. She can't help but watch now that she's already started. "But I like this," Loki continues, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Your world in the balance, and you bargain for one man?"