Verity chewed her bottom lip whilst drumming her fingernails on the table. She was nervous. It's not every day S.H.I.E.L.D came a-knocking.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid" Verity admonished herself under her breath. Why did she have to show off her powers? Now she was likely to be locked up and experimented on. Or worse, asked to join a super-group.
The door swung open halting Verity's self incriminations as a beautiful red-head in a skin tight leather cat suit entered. Verity exhaled trying to calm her nerves. Watching the woman cross to the table, Verity tried to read her movements. Friend or Foe?
I wonder how she pees. I mean it must be awkward in that outfit. Verity smiled at her inner thoughts easing some of the anxiety in her stomach.
"My name is Natasha Romanoff."
"I remember seeing you on TV in front of congress after that Hydra blow-out. I know who you are. Why am I here?"
"I just need to ask you a few questions and then you'll be on your way" said the red-head as she sat down across from Verity
Lie
"That's a lie, you want something from me. So how about we skip the small talk and you just ask me whatever it is you want"
"Verity, may I call you Verity? "
"Sure" Verity pushed a stray hair behind her ear. Her hair was currently dyed a bright shade of purple.
"Verity, we know you have a unique ability and we need your help"
Truth
Verity's interest piqued.
"Go on"
"We have a ...a person of interest who is a notorious liar. We need you to find out why he is here"
Truth
Verity's face scrunched in confusion.
"All we want is for watch the interview and tell us if he is lying or not"
Truth
"Then I can go on my merry way"
"Yes"
Lie.
Thought so.
Verity chewed her lip. What to do? Sounds like one of those offers you can't refuse. Okay let's gamble. It's only your life Verity.
"Fine"
Dice rolled. Here's hoping it doesn't end with snake eyes.
Verity watched "the person of interest" on the computer monitor as he lay on a camp bed throwing a ball up and catching it with one hand. He looked calm.
"What's with the cosplay outfit?" Verity asked looking at Natasha who was doing something with a tablet.
"His name is Loki" a gruff male voice answered "Those are his clothes"
Verity spun on her heel towards the sound of the voice. In the doorway stood a giant of a man with long blond hair.
"Verity meet Thor, Thor meet Verity" replied Natasha without even looking up from the tablet.
"Thor as in Thor Thor" Verity burst incredulously
"It is my pleasure to meet you Lady Verity" Thor extended his hand "As a truthsayer, we hope you can help us"
Verity looked at his hand and shook her head.
"Sorry I don't do human or in your case alien contact." Verity gestured towards the monitor "So he's of Asgard like you?"
"He is my brother"
Verity looked at the screen. Loki had stopped throwing the ball and was looking direct at the camera like he was looking directly at her. Her nerves calmed. Curiouser and curiouser.
"Ok Verity, this is how it's going to work" Natasha handed her the tablet "This is Loki's file, read as much as you can. I'll be conducting the interview and you will watch through the monitors with Thor"
"Umm, I don't mean to be a party pooper or anything but I'm not sure if that will work"
Both Avengers looked at her.
"I need to be in the room at least. I mean he's not human and I have no idea if my ... uh...abilities will work on non-humans."
"That is not what was agreed. Loki is dangerous and you are a civilian. You are not trained to deal with these situations" growled Thor.
"No offence mate but you have no idea what I am trained to deal with" Verity faced Natasha "You said you needed my help and here it is. If it makes you feel any better I'll sign a waiver relinquishing any personal injury claim or whatever"
Natasha's glare gave Verity an onceover before shrugging.
"Fine. But you don't talk, just listen. Agreed?"
"Agreed"
"Don't worry Thor, I'll be in there with her" Natasha swept from the room.
Thor grunted.
"Sorry big boy but looks like the girls have got this one covered"sang Verity as she ran to keep up with Natasha.
The door clicked shut behind them. Verity looked around expecting to see Loki sitting on the camp bed but all she saw was two chairs facing a wall. Natasha hit a button on the tablet causing the computer generated wall to melt away revealing Loki standing in front of the two chairs.
Verity inadvertently gasped causing Loki to smirk.
"Agent Romanoff, what a pleasure to see you again."
Natasha ignored the jibe and sat in one of the chairs. After a few seconds Verity joined her in the seat.
"And who do we have here?"
"Loki, this is Verity Willis, she will be sitting in on our little chat"
"Verity. And who is Verity? She isn't a S.H.I.E.L.D agent"
Verity looked at her clothes. A baggy stripy t-shirt over ripped skinny jeans with biker boots.
"No I guess I don't look like a S.H.I. agent".
Natasha glared at her.
"Shit sorry, no talking. Totally forgot. Won't happen again" Verity mimed zipping her mouth shut
"I like her" laughed Loki
"Who Verity is, is unimportant. You came to us Loki. Why?
"Getting right to the point Agent Romanoff or is this another ploy?"
"Just answer the question"
"The other way is a lot more fun but if you insist. I came to warn you."
Truth
Natasha looked at Verity. Now or Never
Verity shrugged.
Without warning, Natasha hit a button on the tablet and the wall re-materialised. Verity had to run to keep up with Natasha as she headed back to the Communications room.
Thor and another man who Verity recognised as Captain Steve Rodgers aka Captain America stood awaiting their arrival. Well well well we do have a little Avenger party going on.
"What happened?" asked Steve
"It's not working" stated Verity slightly breathless.
"What does that mean" enquired Thor
"It means I can't get a read on him. I don't know if it's the wall that's interfering or if I just can't read him"
"No" stated Steve
"Excuse me?"
"There is no way you are going in that room with that maniac. That is what you were hoping for, am I right?"
Busted
"Well I guess you will never know. So if there isn't anything else, I'll be on my way" Verity turned to leave
"You have no idea what he is" warned Thor
"Yes I do, I read his file remember"
"You had that file for a matter of moments and you only glanced at it" Natasha added sceptically
"I have an eidetic memory capable of reading up to 15,000 words per minute. Trust me I've read his file. Not to mention a certain agent named Black Widow dumped all of S.H.I.E.L.D's Intel on the internet and I happen to be a computer genius. I know who Loki is and what he is capable of"
Verity looked at them all as if to challenge any rebuttal.
Natasha nodded in approval and looked at Steve.
"She has signed a waiver and I can be in there with her"
"I think I should be the one with Lady Verity as I am the only one that control my brother" insisted Thor
"I don't think that's a good idea Thor, Loki knows how to manipulate you. Natasha should be the one who goes in with Verity. They've already established a base for questioning." countered Steve
Brilliant, let's get this show on the road
They had moved Loki to another interrogation room. Verity wasn't entirely sure who they were, but she assumed it took several S.H.I.E.L.D agents and probably Thor. Everyone seemed on edge and she had spotted a few agents giving her side-glances. Finally she was given the signal by Natasha to follow her.
Everything in the room was steel from the walls, to the chairs and even the table. Loki sat on one of the chairs with his wrists chained to the table. His blue eyes mirrored the chilled air of the room as he watched them enter the room. Verity felt sick as butterflies gave chase in her stomach. She willed herself to stay calm. Natasha looked at ease like she had done this before. She's probably done this a million times.
"May I ask why the change in venue" enquired Loki with a mischievous grin "Or did you just want to get a bit more intimate Agent Romanoff?"
Loki leaned in as best he could as he was limited by the handcuffs and winked at Verity who couldn't help smirking in response. Charmer
"We had to check with Thor that you were real. I mean it was reported you were dead and it's not like you haven't tricked us before." Natasha remained unruffled by Loki's charms. At the mention of his brother's name, Loki leans back on his chair. His face flashed with anger. Sibling rivalry or something more?
"Don't believe everything you read Agent Romanoff" Loki 's words addressed Natasha but his eyes remained on Verity as if she was a puzzle he was trying to figure out. Verity leaned on the table with her elbows keeping her gaze on this mysterious person. Verity could safely say she had never met a guy like Loki before.
"Let's get back on topic. You said that you were here to help us. Why?"
"I said I was here to warn you not help you. You Midgardians have proven you can take care of yourselves. Why would you need my help?" spat Loki
Truth
Verity tapped the table. They had worked out a code to signal if Loki was lying. Once for Truth, Twice for Lie, Three times for Unsure. Natasha waited to see if another tap was to come. When it didn't, she continued.
"Warn us against what?"
"Thanos"
Truth
Verity tapped the table again.
"Who is Thanos?"
"The one who put the sceptre in my hand"
Truth
"You're talking about the Loki-Poki stick that tried to rip a hole in space so you could destroy Manhattan. Why is it that bad guys always try to take over New York?" pondered Verity before realising both Loki and Natasha were staring at her. Loki was smiling barely able to contain his mirth whereas Natasha looked at her thunderously. If looks could kill.
"I think what Verity is trying to ask is; are you working with Thanos?"
"No and to answer your earlier question, I did not try to take over New York, I tried to take over your whole pathetic planet"
Truth
Tap
"Next time, you shouldn't go in guns blazing Independence day style, you should sneak in through the back door when no one is looking like Hydra tried to" joked Verity
"I'll try to keep that in mind"
"There isn't going to be a next time Verity, please remember we took down Hydra. Earth is protected by the Avengers Initiative. You remember the Avengers Loki?" teased Natasha.
"Vividly"
"Good, keep that in mind. What can you tell us about Thanos?" asked Natasha
Verity straightened in her seat successfully mollified by Natasha.
"He is searching for the infinity stones. He is hoping to use them to destroy the universe. A bit drastic in my opinion but you have to admire his zeal"
Truth
Tap
"We know about the infinity stones and rest assured they are safe. Anything else?" Natasha's voice was steady and clipped.
"You are fooling yourselves if you think you can keep the stones from his grasp. He is stronger than your Avengers Initiative. If you do not destroy him before he retrieves the stones, all hope is gone. That is my warning"
Truth
Tap
"Your truthsayer agrees with me" chides Loki "That is your ability Verity, being able to see through lies"
Natasha looked flustered for what felt like the first time in her life.
"Amongst other things" choked Verity slightly shocked
"Interesting gift"
Truth
"I would call it a curse"
"Why? To have the ability to see through any enemy's bluster would have its advantages, one would think?"
"I don't know how things work where you're from Loki, but on Earth, we kinda need lies to help society function. We tell lies everyday to each other, even to ourselves. From the little white lies like "of course you look great in that dress" to "no way babe is my ex a better lover than you". Not being able to lie or believe in them. Well it makes the world a very lonely place. So no I don't see it as a gift"
"With your ability, you could achieve more than this world has to offer. You only have to take it"
"Like you did?"
Loki fanned out his hands as if in agreement.
"And look where I ended up. I deserved to be king"
Lie
"You don't believe that"
"What?!" bit Loki
"Can see through lies remember? You don't actually believe you deserved to be king, you just wanted it because of Thor."
Before Natasha could react, Loki had thrown off his handcuffs and launched himself at Verity. He yanked her from the chair and pinned her against the wall causing Verity's feet to dangle.
"What do you know?" snarls Loki
Verity smiles before grabbing Loki's hands with hers. Both of their skin starts to turn blue as the air in the room begins to dramatically drop causing Natasha's breath to become visible. Verity's head snaps back as the blue sinks into her green eyes. Natasha takes a Widow's bite and is about to attack Loki when he suddenly drops Verity.
The door burst open as Thor and Steve come crashing through. They pull Loki away from Verity.
"Let him go!" growls Verity.
Loki is stunned and looks at his arms as the blue begins to fade. Loki's eyes lock with Verity as she stands to face him before the world fades to black as Verity collapses.
Verity's eyes fluttered awake. Her head pounded and she felt dizzy. Well that was certainly a trip and a half.
Verity tried to sit up and take in her surroundings. A hand stops her.
"Woah slow down there, you've been out of it for a while"
Verity looks at Natasha. Her face has concern written all over it.
"How's the patient?" Captain Rogers asks. Verity takes the time to survey her surroundings. It looks like she is in some kind of Medical Bay. Steve is standing next to Thor who does not look happy with Verity. Yeah well suck it up Thunder-God, I'm not happy with you either pal.
"A little shaky due to the adrenaline crash. I guess that possessing a God can take it out of you" Natasha turns to Verity "You'll be fine, once you get some sugar in you"
"Thanks. And I didn't possess Loki. Where is he?"
"You have not been honest with us, Lady Verity" countered Thor.
Verity sprang from her bed and faced Thor.
"Me! Not been honest. The only person who has been honest with me since I arrived is Loki."
"Loki is my brother. He must have..."
"He is not your brother. He never was" spits Verity "Now tell me where he is because we are running out of time"
Verity squares up to Thor, her body vibrates with anger. Shocked, Thor takes a physical step back.
"Ok everyone needs to calm down. Verity, we will take you to Loki but you need to tell exactly what happened in there?" asked Steve calmly.
Truth
Verity takes a deep breath then turns to face Steve.
"We all wear masks Steve. No one is 100% honest even with themselves. But when I touch someone... well it's like I see through to their very soul. All lies are stripped away and only the real person remains. It's why I don't like shaking people's hands. I avoid all skin to skin contact because once you see someone' soul, you know them better than they do. It can be very..." Verity faltered struggling to find the words
"Disconcerting?" suggested Natasha
"I was going to go with fucked up. It's why I need to see Loki. He says he is only here to warn us but he can help us."
"Loki will not help us. Loki is a monster. He won't change just because he managed to fool you" stated Thor. Rage raised in his voice.
"I don't believe Loki can't change. But I do know he won't change if you stick him in a big box marked "Loki" and nail the lid down. Loki did not fool me. He is the only one who knows what Thanos is capable of and he can help us. It's why he is here. Now please take me to him."
Somehow Verity had managed to convince Captain Rogers to let her see Loki on her own. Thor was not pleased but when it came to Loki, Thor never exactly thought straight anyway.
"We will be watching the whole time and the force field will remain up at all times. Understood"
Verity agreed but if meant getting to speak to Loki one on one, she would take it.
Verity walked in and the door clicked behind her. The wall melted away. Loki was lying on the bed staring at the ceiling.
"Back again. What is it this time? Want to read my thoughts too"
"I'm sorry Loki."
Loki sat up and faced Verity. He was not expecting an apology.
"I should never have done that without your permission. I don't ever do it" continued Verity as she sat down. She held two books in her hands.
"Then why did you?"
"I needed to know why you were really here. You are the God of Lies after all. I could have been misreading you. I needed to make sure if you were telling the truth. I could convince the others"
"And have you?"
"Thor isn't convinced. Which is rather shocking if you ask me, especially after you saved his precious Jane Foster"
Loki raised an eyebrow clearly amused by Verity's outburst.
"Sorry. When I...uh...when... we connected...well it allowed me to...uh." Verity scrambled for words as Loki continued to stare at her.
"I understand. You were able to see me, all of me including my past"
"Yes. I know everything that has been done to you and everything you have ever done. I can still feel your rage"
"And still you choose to come here alone. That is either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid Miss Willis".
"It was neither. I trust you. Now we haven't got time for deep chats. We have a world to save"
"And why would I want to save your world"
"Because you know Thanos isn't just going to stop with us. Thanos won't stop until the whole universe is screwed. Despite what you tell yourself Loki, you like being alive and stopping Thanos is the only way to ensure your survival. It just so happens to coincide with saving Earth."
"I won't be much help languishing in here now will I?"
"I'm working on that. But you need to give me something, anything that will help me convince them to let you out"
"I thought you knew everything about me."
"I can't read minds Loki only truths. When we connected I saw the real you but I don't know Thanos. You do. Plus you are an evil genius. You can think like him."
Loki considered Verity for a moment before answering her. Loki could honestly say he had never met a girl like Verity before.
"Thanos has failed to retrieve several stones. He has used pawns, including myself, because we are expendable to him. However we have proven not to be trustworthy therefore he will want to do it himself"
Truth
"Does he know where the stones are?"
"Yes. And it is only a matter of time before he retrieves them"
Truth
"Do you know where he is?"
"No but I can find out"
Truth
"Can we beat him?"
"Not alone"
Truth
Verity stood up.
"Thanks" Verity turned to leave but stopped "Oh before I forget. I brought you something. I'm not even sure you can read English"
"I can"
Truth
"Cool, I have a feeling you'll like these"
Verity looked at the camera. A small opening in the forcefield allowed Verity to slide the two books over to Loki. Picking them up, he glanced at the spines. One read Hamlet and the other Othello.
"You seemed like a Shakespeare kind of guy. Enjoy"
"Thank you."
Truth
"You're welcome" smiled Verity. The wall re-materialised. Loki sat on the bed and started reading. On the other side of the wall, Verity closed the door behind her. Well Verity that was interesting. Now for the hard part, convincing the Avengers to let Loki go. Piece of cake. Right?