A Tale of Mischief and Mutants

Courtroom

—-Sam—-

I don't know how but somehow S.H.I.E.L.D was able to keep me going to court off of the press's radar. I would've thought that the press would be swarming this place because of the involvement of several predominant Avengers but there's not a reporter in sight I sigh in relief.

We get out of the car and walk into the building. Agent Hill, who I'm a bit wary of stays at my side. She's better than having a male guard leading me along but I'm still intimidated by her I'm certainly not in the best shape I've ever been and she's probably a good fighter if she's working for S.H.I.E.L.D. Yeah I'm not comfortable with Agent Hill at all but Loki's at my other side so I grab his arm and let him lead me through the lobby area.

There are plenty of people here so I draw closer to him feeling particularly fearful of the crowd. Anytime I'd been in a crowd these past five years it was never for anything good. People stop and stare when they see us which just makes me even more anxious. When we step into the courtroom Hill backs off and Thor comes to my side blocking my view of what seems to me to be a sea of people who are sitting and waiting for the proceedings to begin.

Though I'm not comfortable with Thor I'm thankful for this. Thor's just so tall and I know he's beyond strong enough to do whatever he wanted with me if he chose to. Rationally I know he wouldn't he's Loki's brother and a hero but I'm still uneasy about him. On instinct I thought of running and trying to find someplace to hide when I first saw him somehow I was able to stop myself and I even managed to get a word out of my mouth Loki's reassurance helped a lot.

We go up to the front I see a woman with an open briefcase and a stack of papers I assume this must be Jennifer Walters. Thor moves aside and gestures for me to go sit in the aisle. I freeze for a moment thinking I'll have to sit next to a stranger before I notice Peter giving me a small wave.

I take a seat with Peter on one side and Loki on the other. We sit for what seems like forever and when they finally start the case I'm overcome with anxiety. First up is the M.R.D's lawyer who goes on a spiel about the dangers of mutants, they also attack Loki and his involvement in the case.

Loki looks angry but I actually don't think it's for his own sake I think it's because of what they're calling people like me. I'm angry too his case is closed and it's got nothing to do with this. I don't realize I'm crying until I see tears drip into my lap. I have my head hanging down as if I can hide behind my long brown hair. Peter notices me crying and puts a hand on my shoulder. He whispers.

"Sam, it's ok Ms. Jennifer's about to throw the book at them."

I watch as Jennifer Walters takes the stand. She begins by talking about what happened to me. I start to feel sick to my stomach as her words bring back memories, memories I had tried to bury, this is when I completely zone out. I know they're going to need Loki on the stand so I bury my face into Peter's chest and he hugs me.

I focus on my breathing as I once again feel as if I'm choking on anxiety. We stay like that for a long time I can hear them talking but I'm not comprehending anything, I just want this to be over, I want to go back to the room with Loki it's safe there. Finally something shifts in the room.

"We won!"

I draw away from Peter and give him a confused look what he said didn't register through my very loud fear filled thoughts. From behind me I hear Loki reiterate what Peter was saying to me.

"Sam we won, it's over you're safe."

I turn to look at Loki he's smiling and holding out his hand for me to take. I take it and stand up starting to feel better. I smile at him then he does something unexpected even by his standards. He leans down and kisses me I'm shocked but surprisingly this kind of physical contact from him isn't unwelcome.

I didn't think I'd be ok with this kind of physical affection after everything but I find myself kissing him back. In the mere seconds it lasts sparks fly in my head. The kiss was quick and I don't think a majority of people present even noticed it happened. I feel my cheeks turn red, this day has suddenly turned completely around in less than a couple seconds.

He flashes that charming smile at me again and I forget about the anxiety that had enveloped me a moment ago. I walk with him back out to the car barely noticing the M.R.D people glaring at me, Agent Hill trailing at my side, or even the handcuffs still on my wrists. We had talked about it before but I guess I'm just so used to everything going wrong in my life, that I never considered that it could actually happen. Tomorrow my New Asgard citizenship will be finalized and we leave for New Asgard first thing in the morning.