The Bargain

Chapter 4: Fourth Installment

Fourth Installment: A Lack of Trust

"It's been three days. Exactly how does a person regenerate . . . magic?" Tony asked no one who would know the answer.

Namely Bruce, because his tightly-wound friend was the only person in the room. Bruce blinked, looking up from his screen in a confused manner.

"Was that a rhetorical question?"

Tony sighed, flipping his pen and not trying to catch it. It clattered to the floor. "Unfortunately."

The beginnings of a grin started on Bruce's face. "I could go wake up Loki and we could—"

"Yeah I'm gonna stop you right there Oz. Far as I'm concerned, a sleeping Loki is the best kind."

Banner chuckled.

Tony crossed his hands behind his neck and leaned back in his chair. "Magic. I seriously just said that. And I'm not a kid. And I'm not dreaming. Who the hell sits around and has conversations about magic?"

"I'm sure they do in Asgard," Banner suggested mildly.

Raising an eyebrow, Tony shot him a look. "You weren't this mouthy when we first met."

"I wasn't?" the other said, smile threatening again. "Maybe you caught me on a bad day."

Now Tony chuckled. Then he frowned. "Wait, it was because of Loki that we met last time. Why do we always wait until there's a catastrophe before we get together for tea?"

"Is that what we're doing?"

"It should be. Jarvis, how about some tea?"

"Certainly, sir," the disembodied voice of his most faithful servant floated around them. "Shall I call back the maid?"

"Are you kidding?" Tony said, shuddering. "What if Loki woke up and threw her out a window?"

"An excellent point, sir," Jarvis agreed blandly. "Shall I—"

"Forget the tea," Tony cut him off. "Scan the damn ward again. And I don't want a list of anomalous energy spikes this time. I want hard, scientific data—"

"Sir, the ward no longer exists," Jarvis informed him.

Tony stopped dead. Well, shit. That could only mean one thing. His eyes met Banner's at the same moment, and he could see his friend having the same thought. He's awake.

They rose nearly as one, heading for the door to Tony's lab. "Jarvis, where is he? I want you to keep tabs on him at all times. If he comes anywhere near my lab, I want it to sound like World-fucking-War III."

"I'll emulate cataclysm when I sound the alarm," came the blasé response.

Damn Jarvis. "Where is he?"

"Top floor of the Tower," Jarvis said.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me!" Tony snapped, charging into the elevator with Banner on his heels.

"Forgive me sir, I will inform you of all his movements from now on."

"Please tell me he's not alone," Tony said as the elevator started moving.

"It would seem Thor and Steve Rogers are both with him," Jarvis replied. "There is no need for panic, sir."

"Easy for you to say," Tony grumbled, folding his arms and willing the elevator to go faster. "He didn't throw you out a window."

"If it makes you feel better," Banner said in a tone as mild as Jarvis', "it probably won't happen again."

"Which part of that is supposed to make me feel better?" Tony demanded.