I Die Without You

Prompt 11: Curve Ball

Knowing that Dr. Lowenstein would not be there when they arrived at the Med Centre, it had prompted Loki and Beverlee to feel quite uncomfortable. 

For them, aside from his office, everything they knew of this location in the auxiliary SHIELD facility - the waiting room, the examination room and the patient ward - had Lowenstein's fingerprints all over it.

When they reached the waiting room, a doctor was already there waiting to escort Loki to the examination room. 

"I'm Doctor Reiss," he said to Loki and Beverlee, "I'm temporarily taking over Tom's workload until they can find someone permanent," he looked at Loki, "Please follow me."

As Beverlee was about to also follow the doctor, she was prevented by   Nurse Halsey, who placed a restraining hand on her shoulder.  

Beverlee struggled, "Let me go! I have permission to accompany him for these visits."

"Not for this type of visit," Halsey said quietly. "He may be innocent, but we have to be sure of that."

Loki overheard Beverlee and turned around to face her. He attempted to walk back when one of the armed guards put a hand on his arm in warning. Loki gave the guard a hard stare until Doctor Reiss put a hand on the guard's shoulder - allowing  Loki to go to his friend.

"Beverlee, it's all right," Loki said softly, "I'll be okay. Maybe they can make sense of why I'm having these nightmares," he touched her cheek, "when they're done, we'll get some lunch?"

"Yes," she replied, just as soft, "I'd like that." She took his hand from her cheek and kissed his palm. "I'll be right here waiting for you."

He gave her a soft smile, then turned around and left with the doctor and the guards.

**** 

As Nurse Halsey returned to her duties, the armed guards stood by the entryway which left Beverlee to sit in the waiting room alone.

Picking up a magazine from a pile on the coffee table, she attempted to read. But in her current state of mind, neither could she focus or seem to have the interest, and returned it to the pile. 

She looked around the waiting area and remembered fondly how Thor, Coulson, and Lowenstein gathered here when she first became Loki's advocate and told them his testimony when he was under suspicion of murder. 

She remembered Coulson's words to her, "... He just can't stop himself from getting into trouble, can he?" 

And then Thor's, "I am simply concerned that when Loki is freed... he in time, may put you in a bad place."

And now, Loki was in trouble again - and she was guilty by association.

But she could see the other side of this - and not many would unless they were placed in this very situation. Loki was innocent and whatever shade was cast in her direction, it would also clear up - once the powers that be were able to recognize that.  

However, she still had some worry.  Despite Coulson being more than tolerant of her friend, she knew many others, if given a chance, would not forgo the pleasure of crowing over Loki's discomfort.  

And without Lowenstein, getting out of this situation could become difficult.

****

Beverlee folded her arms, clutching the fabric of the sweater closer for security. She wasn't sure how long it was going to take for the medical staff to examine Loki, and it bothered her that she wasn't allowed to be there to observe the procedure.

They better not hurt him...

When suddenly she heard her name being called. She turned her head to see who it was - but it wasn't Loki.