dwayne's room.
Laurel's eyes are cast downwards, a sign that she is thinking, and she stays in the position for at least two minutes before looking up at Dwayne again. "Since I need to carry this out in the simplest way possible, tell your friends that I'm here, call for backup and whatnot. "
"Wait, what?" Dwayne crossed the room to grab his communicator – he looked back at Laurel as if to make sure, and she nods.
"I just need you to do it. You'll understand soon."
Dwayne raised the device to his mouth, and called for backup, claiming that Laurel was here and she was in a 'threatening position'. Laurel smirked, going out into the hall and throwing him another glance before closing the door behind her.
Soon, S.H.I.E.L.D employees were handcuffing Laurel's hands, somewhat confused by the lack of resistance, and she was taken to the briefing room.
The team was called back there, as well.
briefing room.
Laurel had sat down in the head chair herself, without the guidance of the S.H.I.E.L.D officers, and smiled at them, tilting her head slightly, "Don't worry, sir. I have t controlled from here." She held up her handcuffed hands as proof. The officers made no attempt to leave, which Laurel was completely fine with.
In the short time she had to herself (kind of), she went over her plan in her head, and when she was finished – You made me like this, Father. You made me do this.
One by one, the team had come in, and then Fury. Dwayne first, then Lauren, Rex, and Cynthia and Fury.
"Surprise, surprise," Fury said, leaning on the table with one hand as the team took their seats around the table.
Cynthia glared at Laurel, while Dwayne just glanced between Fury and Laurel occasionally. Lauren and Rex just looked up at Fury, unquestioning. Laurel just stared at Fury with a look of amusement.
"Now that we have you again," Fury started, "I have no choice but to ask some questions."
"Ask away, man with one eye."
Dwayne snickered at this but was quiet once again when Cynthia shot a glare his way.
Fury rolled his eyes – or, eye – and raised a brow at Laurel, wondering why her behavior wasn't as hostile as the other encounters had been. "Where is Loki?"
Laurel thought for a long moment, because she genuinely had no idea where he was. He could be in any of the nine realms. Possibly Jotunheim, if anywhere. That was where their home was, anyway. "I do not know – for I am not his keeper. If anything, he is mine."
Fury accepted her answer, for now, and continued, "Why didn't you prevent Delano Clein's death?"
Laurel cast a sad look at Cynthia, who turned her head from Laurel, rejecting it. "I tried, but the girl put me down, you see. I was pushed down – I tried using some of my magic, but she was too overpowered my father's own magic." She explained, and Dwayne held a look of confusion on his face, wondering what the plan was himself.
She had never explained the plan to Dwayne, anyway…
Cynthia was quiet, but in her head, she was beating the shit out of Laurel six times over.
Nick Fury listened, staring ahead, and stroking his chin. Laurel stretched her arms out on the table, trying to somehow stretch her wrists in some way.
He looked back at Laurel, "What are you doing here?"
Laurel stood, deciding she should stretch her legs instead. She would need to be seen as confident, and she noticed the other officers in the room tense up and set heavy hands on their pistols. Her eyes darted everywhere for a minute before she put her eyes on Fury.
"I came here to give my condolences – but that is not the only reason. The threat my father puts up is still strong, whether his location is known or not. Your… team fights against the same evil I wish to fight against as well, and I only have one request," Laurel paused, sighing, and cracked her knuckles with the handcuffs on.
"I request a position in this team of yours."
The room was silent, as members of the team contemplated this, but Cynthia was the first one to speak.
"No. No. Absolutely not."
Nick held up a hand in her direction, to which she scoffed. "Your 'request' is awfully broad, Laurel. You seem like you could be a valuable ally, but this particular decision is for the team to make. All I have to say is – majority rules."
The team shared glances and glares among each other, but Lauren held up a hand first. Cynthia was shocked about this, asking why.
Lauren kept her hand up as a whole- hearted vote, and glanced at Laurel. "Listen, you guys. I know it's risky. I know it's weird. I don't care what you guys think, but I think she deserves a second chance."
Rex nodded, and raised a hand, "I agree with Lauren. I say it's time we give someone a second chance. Someone who needs it." He gave a small smile to Laurel, who returned it beautifully.
Laurel looked at Dwayne with those green eyes, and Dwayne's hand was immediately up in the air.
"What? Are you shitting me?" Cynthia shook her head, and punched Dwayne in the arm. "Why? Why! Just because she gives you doe eyes, you just…" She stood up in her place, and moved towards the door, planning to work the day off at the gym after she left on a last note.
"Y'know what? Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you," She pointed at her siblings, and then at Nick, "you're cool, I'm out." Cynthia slammed the door behind her as she left, and that was it.
"So is she on the team now?" Dwayne asked, turning to Fury.
"I would say she is. After all, majority rules."
Laurel sighed with relief, and with a simple spell she muttered, the handcuffs cracked off and fell to the floor. She rubbed her wrists, and chuckled. "Thank you, all of you. These handcuffs were starting to aggravate me."