Working Title : Loki & Annie

Chapter Eight

Immediately after Thor left, Tony and Steve began intensely discussing how they were going to keep the building safe while Bruce was reminding them that he still needed to be able to have access to medical equipment. They found a solution and worked on tweaking it to make sure it would work for all of them.

Tony had J.A.R.V.I.S. shut down the Avenger floors, it wasn't difficult, the three of them were the only ones there today. No one else was given access. Not even Pepper or the other Avengers excepting Thor. Which shouldn't be a problem since Pepper was in Japan for a conference and everyone else was out on various missions or other business. Anyone else trying to contact them got to talk to J.A.R.V.I.S.

Steve was making sure that there was no way Loki would be able to escape their custody. He prepared for every contingency and had J.A.R.V.I.S. plan out multiple scenarios with solutions. This situation was not going to fall apart on his watch.

By the time Thor returned they had at least prepared the medical space and Bruce had his equipment laid out. He had been thinking about what Thor had said and while he was also feeling anxious, it was for an entirely different reason. He knew Thor. Or at least he knew what Thor wasn't. And Thor wasn't normally an emotional person unless it was all the positive ones. This time he had been destroyed. And for him to feel that deep, something very bad had happened. Add to that the injuries he had described, cuts, bruises and burns? None of those were good but add all of them together and they could add up to some serious complications.

Steve was waiting on the roof when Thor landed. He took note of the lack of the red cape flowing out behind Thor but rather that it was tied in a bundle that was slung over his shoulder. He also took note of how gentle Thor was when he brought it from his back to his front and cradled it. Suddenly Steve felt a very unsettled feeling in his chest and when he looked into Thor's eyes Steve wondered if the world had tilted slightly. Was Loki in that tiny bundle?

Thor said nothing as he followed the Captain into the Tower and remained stoic as they stepped into the elevator. J.A.R.V.I.S. didn't need to be told where to take them however Thor felt an uneasy feeling come over him when the metal conveyance did not stop on the floor that he knew held the healing ward. As they continued down the feeling increased along with a growing one of distrust mixed with a growing hurt.

When the doors opened Steve waited for Thor to step out, when the god made no move to exit Steve went out first. He felt Thor follow rather than heard him, he was deceptively quiet when he chose to be.

They entered a windowless space. They were in an unlit observation area, the computers off, the two chairs still covered in their protective plastic. No one had ever sat at these terminals. Beyond this ten foot observation room was a clear wall allowing anyone to see into every corner of the two rooms beyond. The one on the right was small, a bed and a toilet were the only accommodations.

The room to the left was an obvious medical room. It looked like an actual surgical suite, overhead lights, a medical bed, the walls covered in glass fronted cabinets stocked with supplies. Medical equipment sealed in plastic, these too had never been used. Inside this area both Bruce and Tony waited. The double doors stood open.

Thor looked at the two men. As the doors to the elevator had opened he had known what he was going to find and yet seeing it still caused him pain.  When he spoke his voice could be compared to the low thunder that was rolling through the city above their heads.

"You would have me put my brother in a cell?"

Bruce and Tony didn't know what to say. Since the moment J.A.R.V.I.S. had told them Thor had arrived they had been waiting in strained silence. However they had been expecting to see some version of Loki come walking out with Steve and Thor. To not even see Loki was freaking Tony out and making Bruce edgy. The bundle being so carefully carried by Thor held their eyes.