One

I balanced the two trays of coffee as if my life depended on it. There was only one thing worse than an early morning meeting with director Fury and the avengers and that was an early morning meeting with Fury and the avengers with no caffeine.

I nudged the button for the elevator with my elbow and tapped my foot anxiously in time with the flash of the level buttons. They say that powerful people always reside on the top floor of the building but in this case everyone powerful, dangerous and truly terrifying was settled around a large steel table five floors beneath ground level. I walked into the meeting room feeling both under dress and under prepared. My worn in converse squeaked against the freshly polished floor and I couldn't help but wonder where S.H.I.E.L.D. found their cleaners, was there an agency of top secret janitors nobody knew anything about? Each and every set of tired eyes lifted to meet my own as I reached the table, a motion that didn't exactly help the feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach go away.

"Miss Valentine, how nice of you to finally grace us all with your presence," Fury bellowed sarcastically as I flicked through the notes in front of him.

"Sorry sir, I learnt at the last meaning not to bore you with explanations so instead, here's your coffee," My voice was audibly trembling along with my hands as I placed a Styrofoam cup in front of the director. He lifted his eyebrow in question but accepted the steaming brew without question.

"Very nicely done," Tony winked as I handed him one of the cups.

"I do try," I smiled in return and quickly fell quiet as Fury cleared his throat. All eyes were on him as he spoke.
"I've been informed that our resident demi-god has some…alternative plans for our newest captive," He said and my eyes lifted suddenly. I took note of the fact that Thor was nowhere to be seen, something that made me start to feel ever more on edge.

"You've gotta admit, shipping the guy back to where he came from doesn't seem like too bad a plan," Banner added, his voice low and calm as he fiddled with the lid on his coffee cup.

"Of course, it's a fabulous idea," Fury began, causing every member in the room to look up with suspicion.

"Asgard is more equipped to hold the god of mischief captive," Fury continued "Admittedly it would be easier to send him home and forget the Chitauri attack never even happened."

"Why am I getting the impression that you've not ade the point you want to make yet?" Tony questioned.

"For once, you're right," Fury replied.

"Ouch," Tony uttered with an animated expression.

"If we send Loki back we lose the ability to keep an eye on him, that make…uncomfortable."

"So what? We're just going to keep him here under surveillance, one of us with him at all times? You're underestimating him, Fury, he'll find a weak spot with someone, whether it's half an hour or a year from now. He'll worm his way out of that cell," Natasha argued, clearly agitated by the situation. I sipped the last few mouthfuls of my now cold coffee before raising my hand. Everyone turned to look at me and I felt the sudden urge to leave – I didn't belong at this table.

"Sorry, I don't understand my role at this table?" Fury shook his head and pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers. Just then the doors slammed open and Thor entered, he stood broadly at the head of the table.

"The reasoning behind your presence lady Valentine is the same behind those that had me cast from this hall," He announced, a combination of anger and concern flooded his voice.
"Well isn't this a regular Friday night dinner," Tony stage whispered to Steve who merely shook his head.

"It's a little tense in here that all I'm saying," Tony mocked.

"What's he getting at?" I asked finally, awaiting Fury's answer.

"I want you to oversee Loki's captivity."

My mouth dropped open as my eyes widened, "You're aware I'm not a field agent, right?"

"I'm aware," Fury replied nonchalantly.

"This is insane," Barton scoffed "You can't expect her to go in there with him alone?"

"I would just like to take this moment to remind you that I catalogue the books, the weapons, the random objects not of this earth that you find lying around post battle," I paused "Unless you've forgotten, the god of mischief isn't exactly an artefact, he's quite capable of killing me." I hadn't realised just how loud I had been talking until I had finished, my cheeks flushed pink and hot with embarrassment.

"You're also a psionic, one of the only ones we know about that would be willing to work with us," Fury stated matter-of-factly. I stared towards his, my feelings genuinely hurt.

"That's what this is about?" I kept my eyes locked on Fury but he refused to meet my glare.

"This is what you've been waiting for? All these years keeping me safe, putting me to work, making sure I was cared for, had a roof over my head…it as all part of your plan, wasn't it?"

"This isn't personal, you're purely convenient and I am endlessly curious," Fury's words hit me like a tonne of bricks right to the chest, every other person in the room fell deathly quiet.
"If you think I can get you any information from him you're sadly mistaken. He's a god, Fury. I'm on par with a fair ground psychic. You'll get me killed."

I stood from my chair and turned from the table, the moment I was out the room every voice was raised and all hell broke loose. But I refused to turn back, this was a step too far – even for S.H.I.E.L.D.