A Tale of Mischief and Mutants part 2

Barley Porridge

—-Loki—-

I wake to the fire alarm going off and the smell of something burning I become a bit panicked when I find Sam's not at my side. I quickly get up and head into the living area where I deduce the source of the sound is in the kitchen. Ignoring the ridiculous animation on the television screen I make my way into the kitchen as I do the fire alarm stops blaring.

Mary bumps into me in the doorway and I raise an eyebrow at her wondering if she's yet again accidentally set fire to something. She laughs a little shaking her head.

"It wasn't me this time."

She passes me and her gaze is fixed to the tv screen as she sits down on the couch. Filled with curiosity I make my way further into the kitchen finding Sam cleaning up something burnt. I silently begin helping her though it's obvious Mary already helped to clean the majority of it. She tries to wave me away.

"Lo' please I got it. I'm sorry did the noise wake you up?"

I ignore her attempt to stop me from helping and dispose of the rest of the foam from the fire extinguisher into the trash bin before saying a word.

"It's fine darling I only wonder what you were trying to accomplish."

"I well... somehow I screwed up porridge."

"Porridge?"

This isn't a breakfast food Sam's ever shown interest in.

"Yeah I just wanted to make something you'd like the internet told me Vikings liked porridge so I figured Asgardians might like something similar..."

She's not wrong it's a common breakfast food. As I often do with Sam I find myself feeling a swell of sentiment. She attempted making a food she's unfamiliar with just because she thought I'd enjoy it. I smile a little at that fact as she goes on.

"I should have known better I'm a terrible chef. I just followed what the recipe said for time I should have known it was too long or maybe the temperature it said was too hot..."

I cut her off.

"It seems to me the error was with the oven or with the instructions not the chef had it heated properly I'm sure it would have turned out beautifully."

I'm pleased to see her blush at my assessment. She smiles slightly but then it fades.

"We don't have any breakfast now..."

I smile as I take a hair tie Sam has on her wrist and begin putting my hair up.

"Fret not my dear I'll handle it."

Her smile which I adore so much returns.

"Thanks Lo' sorry I screwed it up."

"Nonsense, I only regret I wasn't able to try it before the damn oven set fire to it."

She giggles and nods slightly then heads into the living room to join Mary her face still turning shades of pink. I almost feel content as I begin making pancakes. The only thing holding that feeling back is the fact that later today I'm going to have to sift through the memories I took from Amora a task that won't be enjoyable. For now though I'll focus on making sure Sam's helping of pancakes come out right.

———————————————————

Sam insists we go downtown for a bit it's a huge step forward for her even if it's only grocery shopping. People seem surprised but happy to see her out and about again. I don't fail to notice that she buys ingredients for Barley Porridge. I know she'll get it right on the second try. Sam doesn't bring up her dream so I don't either she'll probably tell me about it tonight. Finally we return home and I begin sorting through Amora's memories.

They were pretty careful with what they told Amora but they did slip up in several ways when they interacted with her not realizing her memories would be scrutinized so closely. The most obvious helpful piece of information that they didn't even bother to hide was a name Doctor John Sublime.

Other details of importance are Department K logos on some of the equipment they gave Amora while they would mean nothing to Amora its very clear to me that they are significant. If S.H.I.E.L.D has anything about a Department K in their database it could lead us right to those responsible. I make up a story about Sam telling me she saw the logos on equipment they were using and call Fury with the information.

He clearly doesn't buy that Amora's current condition doesn't have anything to do with me knowing this new information but he's not inclined to look into the matter either. I'm shocked by the realization that he's on my side that because there's no obvious evidence linking me to what happened he's willing to let it go. I'm almost certain he knows I did it yet he's elected to ignore it.

"Is that everything she told you?"

We both know we're not talking about Sam anymore.

"She heard the name John Sublime."

"Ok I'll get my team right on it, and Loki..."

Here it comes a warning to never try something like that again, A waste of breath, if it's for Sam's safety I won't hesitate to repeat the offense.

"We'll figure this out and bring them in don't worry about coming in for missions just focus on Sam she needs you right now."

I'm surprised yet again by Fury but I'm not about to let him push me out of bringing these swivers in.

"That's appreciated but I need to be there when they're brought in."

"If you're there you'll allow us to do this by the book?"

He's got me there I don't know if I'd have the restraint to bring them in alive. My silence must be enough to answer his question.

"Look we all understand your instincts in this situation and don't hold it against you myself along with many of my agents would probably do the same if we were in your shoes but as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D I can't knowingly allow you on the team that brings them in."

I sigh. 'Knowingly.' I could.... no going on the mission when I'm not supposed to could get me thrown off the team should I be discovered and with what I'd have in store for Weapons Plus I certainly would be. I hate it but I've made a promise to Sam.

"Alright."

"Just like that?"

"Yes."

Of course he's suspicious I don't blame him in the slightest.

"I got my eye on you Odinson."

"I know, I need to get back to Sam."

"Then I'll let you go."

He hangs up the call. I'll just need to get in and get out before S.H.E.I.L.D even gets there which means I'll need to pay someone off to tell me where these people are before they tell anyone else. I promised Sam they'd die and I intend on keeping that promise. No one will be able to prove it was me and no one will care.