CHAPTER ONE:
"We have to bring in the big guns," Director Fury murmured almost to himself, despite the team of larger than life characters surrounding him.
"And what do you call us?" Bruce Banner asked.
"Why bother?" Thor asked, a note of sorrow tinting his normally bold, bright demeanor and tone. "The cage will hold him. It did last time until we let him get the better of us."
"Which is precisely the problem," Fury said. "He got the better of us. And we need someone who he can't outsmart or outgun, no matter what happens." Bruce thought he felt Fury's eye dart ever so quickly in his direction. But soon enough, Fury's gaze went up and he rubbed his face.
The Bifrost hadn't worked. Thor and Loki had waited a moment before the realization had hit. Even coming to Earth in the first place had taken up enough of Odin's strength to leave him weary, Thor always had a worry this might happen. He knew he and his brother would return to Asgard soon, but it was now clear they would have to stay in this realm a few days longer.
Now they all stood, except for Loki who sat back in his cage along with his cuffs and gag. They huddled in a conference deck with monitors in Loki's direction and a long table around which only Tony sat.
"Just leave him to one of us," the playboy philanthropist almost guffawed. "Just keep me or Steve in there with him until the…bicurious chill thing?"
"Bifrost," Fury and Thor said together.
"Until that thing opens again." Tony leaned back in his chair, putting his feet on the table.
"I'd be more than happy to take a turn babysitting, sir," Clint Barton said coldly.
Natasha nodded. "You could count me in for that."
"I don't doubt any of your willingness to oversee our hostile guest," Fury said loud enough to put any further redundant suggestions to a halt. "What I doubt is the merit of the idea. Loki's already shown he can get to us which is precisely why I think it's time we call in a specialist."
The group scanned each other's faces, looking for someone who knew what Fury was talking about.
"We need an outside party. Someone as strong as Thor but without the…" Fury weighed his words as the Asgardian threw a defensive glance his way. "Emotional bias. Or," this time he looked at Bruce. "Lack of consistency. Someone as cunning as Hawkeye or Widow, but with…less of a score to settle."
"Like I said," Tony chirped. "Me or Steve."
But Steve Rodgers shook his head. "I agree with Fury. We need all hands on deck in case something happens, but having someone whose sole responsibility be to make sure nothing happens isn't a bad idea. Someone who isn't previously involved is a good way to go. In case of any incidents like we had with Barton, there won't be any conflicts of interest."
"There weren't last time," Tasha said heatedly.
"Enough," Fury concluded. "I'm putting in coordinates for Gotham."
"Gotham?" Stark snorted. "Oh please tell me you're not thinking of getting that morbid imitation of me."
"Bruce Wayne is a good man," Steve said curtly. Tony put up his hands in surrender and the Captain turned to the Director. "Are you getting Mr Wayne, sir? I don't think he'd agree."
"No, I don't either. He's too busy. All of the big hitters will be. We need muscle for hire. A mercenary."
Natasha was the first one to put it together. "You can't be thinking of sending in for…him."
"And why not, Agent Romanov?"
"You want to talk about emotional biases? Lack of consistency? He's proven time and time again he's pure evil, will do anything he wants!"
Fury had already buzzed in Agent Coulson. "He's necessary evil. And he'll do anything we want if given the right incentive."
Coulson waited by the door. "Who are we bringing in, sir?"
It was with an admittedly heavy heart that the Director sighed and responded: "Get me Bane."