Chapter 1

Chapter Text

"Back in New Mexico ? Is Fury so cheapskate that he refuses to provide a high tech lab in New York ?" , Darcy asks mockingly.
"His plan", Jane explains laconically, finishing packing her bags. "In a secluded place, I will work in safety."
"Hey boss", Darcy frowns, "why are you saying "I"? Do you imply that I'm on the touchline ?"
"Darc', don't be angry", Jane answers in a concilatory tone. "How could I tell you, since I didn't know where you were !"
"True", Thor nods.

He squints at Darcy.
"Why aren't you with your mortal boyfriend anymore? We thought that you were in a honeymoon... or sort of."
He puts his hand on her shoulder.
"Is there trouble in paradise ?"
Darcy frees herself from his sympathetic grasp.
"None of your business, buddy !" , she mumbles.

"Mind your tongue, young lady ! You're talking to a God".
Darcy stares at the woman who's just come in.
Tall. Stilettos. Very Stylish. Glamorous.
Darcy glares at her.
"And you are... ?"
"Laureen Lower, Miss Foster's assistant."

"What ?", Darcy gasps in shock, "Jane's assistant ? Am I sent in an episode of the series "Twilight Zone"? You can't be her assistant. I am."
"Yeah, right", Laureen says disdainfully, "an assistant who was unreachable. And who doesn't even know the research miss Foster is going to conduct."
"I'm here now", Darcy barks, "and I will follow her anywhere. Unquestioningly."
"Funny", Laureen comments coldly, "I thought that miss Foster needed an assistant, not a minion."

"Hold me back or I'm going to do someone some damage", Darcy groans.
"Calm down. Both of you", Jane steps in, to stop the 2 women coming to blows.
"I don't like her", Darcy mumbles, clenching her fists.
Jane can't help smiling.
"Neither does she. Obviously."

Thor shakes his head.
"Tsk Tsk, women, it isn't funny. The results of your research are said to interest ...", he hesitates, "...some malevolent people".
Darcy raises her chin.
"I fought the fucking Dark Elves, remember ?"
She puts her hands on her hips.
"Who's the big bad guy this time ?"

Thor coughs, unsettled.
"Loki."
Darcy blinks.
"Ugh ! Your psychotic brother ? Raised from the Dead ?"
Thor sighs heavily.
"Yeah...He might have faked his death. That's why I 'll come in New Mexico as well: I will protect miss Lower and Jane."

"And I will be there too !", Darcy says emphatically." When do WE leave ?"
"Tomorrow morning, 7 am", Jane winks at her. "Don't be late, assistant !"
Darcy beams at joy whereas Laureen makes a face.
Thor shrugs.
"OK then, you can join us."

Under his disguise, Loki gives a faint scowl.
"The more, the merrier."