Mischief & Mayhem: A Collection of Peggy Carter & Loki Laufeyson Short Stories

Shame

It was never any other way: The Commander and the Snake.

The crime and cruelty of the realization that cooperation was necessary...

Cooperation or correlation?

~~~~

Peggy Carter was anything but thrilled at the turn of events. Breaking in and sneaking around Area 51 with Loki Laufeyson of all people wasn't on the top of her bucket list, nor was it even on her list, but in the end, she gave in and agreed to help him "retrieve" an artifact that "belonged" to him. She wasn't sure she bought the story he tried so convincingly to sell her and thoroughly disliked aiding and abetting the God of Mischief on a mission like this, but she felt much more comfortable with the idea of being able to tag along and keep an eye on him. Someone had to make sure he stayed on track and didn't steal anything else along the way and it might as well be her.

Just a few minutes he said. No one was supposed to see them he said. No one was even to know they were in the building he said. He promised all these things before their infiltrated the secure area, but promises only go so far... Everything was going according to plan until a security guard decided he could get a longer break if checked the remainder of the rooms on his beat now instead of after his smoke break. It was then that he unlocked and opened the door to the room they were standing in. He flashed his light directly at them, catching them red-handed in a room they definitely weren't supposed to be in. With them held highly classified documents and objects of such secrecy that the public would be in an outcry if they knew what was stored there.

Peggy tried her best to cover their tracks, rapidly thinking of a legitimate excuse as to why they would be in that particular wing of the building, but there was only so much she could do to get out of the situation with Loki standing next her, the artifact in his grasp. In a flash, the guard radioed for backup and bolted from the room, knowing full well who was standing before him.

❝ Now would be a fantastic time for you to magic our way out of here. ❞ Peggy said hurriedly, turning to face her partner.

❝ I can't. ❞ He stated simply.

❝ Why not? What do you mean you can't? You do it all the time, so don't give me that. ❞ She said as her enhanced hearing began picking up the footfall that echoed down the hallway. It grew nearer every second. ❝ Do something! ❞

❝ Why must it be me? Why don't you figure a way out? ❞ He queried innocently. ❝ This is what you do on a regular basis after all. ❞

❝ First of all, I wasn't the one who got us into this situation in the first place! I didn't even want to be here! And second, breaking in to top secret facilities to steal alien artifacts is not what I do on a daily basis, Loki! ❞ She exclaimed in a hushed tone, her eyes gazing wildly about the room for an exit as the alarm began to scream obnoxiously, warning all that intruders had infiltrated the facility.

❝ You needn't get hysterical about it. ❞ He replied, rolling his eyes. ❝ Come. Arguing won't keep us from getting caught. ❞ With that, he walked stoically out of the room through the door with which they originally came through and hurried down the hall. Loki's strides were long and quick so Peggy had to adjust her speed to match his, which would've been no easy feat for anyone else, especially in heels, but luckily for her, she wasn't like most women and managed to stay close behind.

The steps of their unseen pursuers echoed loudly behind them. Soon voices could also be heard, growing more distinct with every second. They were no longer walking, but running. As the footsteps came closer, Loki's eyes darted from one door to another. He could tell all had been automatically locked once the alarm has begun to screech. He cast an irritated glance around him when his eyes fell upon the broom closet, the only door that hadn't been locked.