A/N Message me if you have time. Let me know what you think. Willow is my own character as well as her roommates and Agent Wilson. All else belongs to Marvel.

Chapter 2

I woke with a groan. My alarm was blaring next to me. I couldn't remember setting it last night, but it was faithful to my job, so it never failed to wake me. I slowly rose from my bed and peered at the clock. Four in the morning, my shift started at six and would continue until four in the evening. To my left was another narrow bed like mine. My roommate slept soundly in her bed. Her shift had ended at two this morning. She snored softly as she slept. With a natural tan of a dark complexion and smooth, curly hair, she was surely the prettiest woman in our hall. She was a quiet and contemplative woman, her mission was to be accepted in a male dominated organization, so far, she was doing very well.

The room we shared was small, and painted grey with metallic panels lining the door to the hallway outside, our closets, and our shared bathroom. Two other officers in another room shared our bathroom. It was like living in a dorm, a tiny, tiny dorm. None of us spoke to each other much, we each had different shifts and different jobs. Shandra was a graduate of MIT and worked the computers on the command deck. I paled in comparison to her, my achievements were far and few.

Our neighbors had their own tasks. Kassie was a large girl who poured over laws and rules, she knew S.H.I.E.L.D. codes better than anyone, Maria Hill adored her. There wasn't a policy that Kassie hadn't memorized. She would label me a traitor and demand my execution for what I promised to Loki. Despite never having had any conflicts with her, I knew I would find no ally in her. Then there was Greta, a linguist of stunning beauty. She was no fighter of course, but she could immobilize an opponent just by looking at them. Agents and officers alike spoke of her too often. She could speak ten different languages and read fifteen. She spoke Latin all the time with her fellow linguists. From my days in school, I could only remember sum meaning "I am".

I finally roused myself from my bed. I was still dressed. Quickly, I undressed and entered the bathroom for a shower. The light went on and I glanced around at the mess four grown women could make in a matter of days. Greta's bra hung from a hook while Kassie's enormous Michigan Law School shirt sat crumpled on the floor. A narrow, but tall organizer stood next to the toilet. We each had two draws to ourselves. Cosmetics dusted the handles of three shelves, toothpaste was smeared against another. Greta had been brushing her teeth when the ship rose out of the water and into the sky. Shandra told me all about that when I came back for a new pair of socks. We laughed for five minutes straight over the whole ordeal. Still, she neglected to clean it.

With my left foot, I tossed the Michigan shirt to the side. If Maria commanded an inspection, we would be in serious trouble. The metallic tiles were cold, freezing really. If only I knew who designed this, I would certainly have a word with them about it, even if it was easier to clean and more orderly looking. What was it that Maria said when I came aboard? Oh, right! "This is not a hotel, do not treat it as such. You are your own house keeper."

I grabbed a green towel from my drawer and threw it over the towel rack next to the shower. Stepping from the mat before the tub, I enter in and turned on the water. The water jolted me, there was nothing like a warm shower to relax my muscles for their impending usage. My mind trailed to Loki. I imagined him with me, examining me so startlingly naked before him. I felt myself blush and quickly began my shower ritual.

I finished in fifteen minutes and stepped out to dry myself. I was glad that a mat lay outside, without one I surely would have slipped on the floor and broken my neck. Only an idiot would have designed this floor, at least in a bathroom. I oiled my hair before brushing it and drying it as quickly as I could. Wet hair was forbidden while in uniform. I pulled my dark hair into a tight pony tail and brushed it once more. It was a blessing that my hair was so straight, I could only imagine how long it took the other women to do their hair. Kassie's hair was unruly, but she was instructed that it had to be mastered, we were to look presentable at all times. Curling gel filled her drawers and it took her nearly and hour and a half each day to maintain it.

Once dressed in my uniform, my gun strapped to my hip, I left. It was five now. I traveled a distance to a lower level to grab my breakfast. The espresso machine sitting on faux granite counter clicked mechanically. I worked as a barista while in school at Xavier's School for the Gifted. It had been a relaxed environment and thanks to my powers, our espresso machine never broke down. It did exactly what I wanted. I took a ceramic mug from a cabinet. The effort it took was worth it: they were secured in their spots in the cupboard, no sense in wasting the governments money on replacing mugs. Two pumps of chocolate and three shots of espresso along with steamed organic, one percent milk, the only milk allowed by our superiors.

Toast and an orange completed my breakfast and for the remaining few minutes I had before I was required to travel to the command deck, I sat eating and thinking of Loki. He would not leave my mind no matter how much I attempted to suppress him from it. When my shift started, I knew my mind would be engaged else where, I would be free of him, I hoped, but then I didn't.

I placed my dirty dish in the dish washer, several other dishes were already there. I checked the roster next to the refrigerator. Today was my day to clean. As long as no one else made a mess of things, it would be simple to tidy up before visiting Loki. There were, after all four other kitchens here, and the men had their own. I would hate to see what theirs looked like, perhaps I should glance at it on my way to the command deck. It was just past the door to the conference rooms, only a little out of my way. Not really worth it, though, I reminded myself.

The door to the command deck slid open as I approached it. Already, my fellow paper pushers were rushing about. Several leads had come up during the night in regards to the tesseract, but none panned out to be right. The chatter was incessant, and was startling tome after having been in such quiet isolation for so long. I saluted Maria Hill upon entering. Did she ever sleep?

"Officer Turner, come here," she instructed. I complied. "During the night, Agent Romanoff was able to gather some information from Loki. We are on alert, there is a possibility now that Loki could be manipulating Dr. Banner."

The blood drained from my face. That was what she went to talk to him about? I felt faint, and sick. I think my knees began shaking, I suddenly found myself in the arms of a colleague, Agent Coulson. He steadied me. I was thoroughly embarrassed. He was a senior agent and I was an officer. I looked up at Maria, her disapproving glare tore at me.

"Remain calm, officer. No need to panic. Director Fury is dealing with it. Agent Hill, please follow me," said Coulson. His dark suit jacket was buttoned up and covered his gun. He was so professional. I blushed even more. He gave a me a short smile before whisking Maria away. She glared at me before following Coulson. Barely started my shift and already I was in trouble.

Agent Wilson called me over to him. He sat before a computer on a raised platform along the wall of the command deck. I followed the flooring, avoiding others scurrying past me to their duties. The sun shone brightly through the massive window before me. The floor at the nose of the ship always unnerved me, I felt like I was falling without moving. Clouds danced below my feet when ever I stood over it, I felt sick each time. I preferred the ship when it sat on the ocean currents.

Several agents whispered to each other, reviewing their screens and discussing what they had found so far. Two huddled close discussing wire problems with the ship's planes. One was decommissioned as a result of haphazard repair work from three months before. Another group of Agents I passed were discussing the hydraulic levels on the ship, so far everything seemed normal.

Once I reached Agent Wilson, he stood and promptly shoved a folder into my hands. "Take this to Dr. Banner." His sandy blond hair seemed to dance with the movement of his large head. He wasn't ugly, just when his hair had a mind its own did he seem repulsive to me.

I studied the file a moment. They could have easily sent it to him through the computer, but then I reminded myself that my other duty was to train as a spy. I was being sent to check on him. I didn't want to go, but Agent Wilson was a superior, most of the men and women in the room were. I obeyed and took it from his meaty hands.

My boots clicked the ground as I walked, somehow, I would have to master the art of keeping my steps quiet. I followed the long hall around to a flight of stairs. I descended them and pushed open a thick, grey door. It slowly shut itself as I pass through. I continued my way, addressing those who bustled about with their own menial tasks. Some how, everyone had a job to do. It took me twenty minutes to reach Dr. Banner's lab. I glanced inside and saw Loki's scepter resting atop a glass line table. Doctor Banner stood next to a screen, moving around images that I could not see from where I stood. Despite the security of this quarter, I could clearly hear the voice of Tony Stark.

I knocked lightly on the door. Bruce motioned me in and I entered as the door slid open. Tony was silent now and pretending to mess with a massive computer. It looked old, but capable of doing what ever it was he was programming it to do. I didn't question what he was doing, in truth I had no idea what he was up too. Shandra's department was computers, not mine. I could break the machine if I wanted too, to change the image, but I opted not too. No need to risk exposure.

Bruce took the file from my hands and quietly thanked me. It was nice to be appreciated. But I was expected to leave and quickly. I cast a side glance to the scepter, and again, my mind raced to Loki, I wondered what he was doing. The door opened and I disappeared from their view. As I walked, Director Fury quickly passed by me. I was much quicker this time and moved out of his way and against the wall. He did not acknowledge me but kept at a rapid pace towards Dr. Banner's lab. Then, suddenly Natasha was briskly walking through the hall in the same direction as Director Fury, followed by Thor thundering past me.

To say I was startled was an understatement. Remembering Maria's words regarding the Hulk, I picked up my pace and went as quickly as I could without running down the hall. I reached the door I needed and pulled it open. I did not glance back behind me, but I could hear and argument brewing among those in the lab. I quickly raced up the steps.

I raced down the hall, my heart pounded. A humming sound was ringing in my ears, I could not find the source, but it grew louder. It wasn't a sound I was accustomed too, it was something mechanical, but not. That was when it happened. It sounded like a bomb and it felt like an explosion. I was knocked from my feet. Panic filled me, fear over came me. The ground was no longer stable beneath me. Quickly, I grasped onto the rails lining the walls. Looking up, I realized that several of the suspended lights had come down around me. I heard screaming and shouting. People were running through the hallway and the red alert light was flashing. My hearing was messed up, nothing was in focus, my world sounded muffle.

Arms lifted me to my feet, I could not place who it was that picked me up, I couldn't remember him or his name. He snapped his fingers by my head, but I could not focus enough to respond. A man grabbed his arm and pulled him along in the direction of the explosion. They left me there, clinging to the rail. I needed a moment to gather myself.

Loki! Adrenaline filled my blood. I had to get to him. What if he was hurt? I stumbled onward, trying to get through the wreckage. Then I heard it, that awful sound: the roar of the Hulk. I froze, the heat fled my body and my legs felt like lead. I crouched on the ground, whimpering. Where was he? Back at the lab? I was too close for comfort. I sat, breathing shaky breaths, listening to the chaos from adjoining halls. Orders were being barked over the intercom. My radio sounded.

"Officer Turner," cut it Agent Wilson. "Where are you?"

With trembling hands, I replied. "Near Banner's lab. This area is a wreck. Oh, God, I'm not ready to die!" Tears streamed from my face, my breath quickened, panic filled every corner of my body.

"Hide, Turner. Don't make a sound, and hide. If the Hulk is loose, you are in danger. We'll find his location."

I said nothing, but nodded, forgetting that he could not see me. I crawled along the wall, whimpering and crying, blood hit the floor below me. I touched my face, I was bleeding, I don't remember being hit with anything. What had happened to me? I cried even more. I never dealt with this while being an X-Men. I was never given much of a task with them because of my limited powers. Aurora Monroe, better known as Storm wanted me wanted me to teach the students, add my talents to their staff. I complied for two years, and I loved it until Agent Hill contacted me with an offer to join S.H.I.E.L.D. I wish I had stayed with the X-Men. I wish I had gotten the cure, I wouldn't be here if I had, I would never have been asked to join this agency, instead I would be a barista competing in latte art competitions or preparing students for their ACT tests or even getting my masters in education. But, as fortune would have it, I am here aboard a floating ship, bleeding and terrified.

I heard an announcement about Thor and the Hulk. I was safe. I stood weakly, clinging once again to the railing and hobbling along the wall. I had to get to Loki, nothing else seemed to matter. My hair was a mess, I couldn't seem to get it fixed behind my ear, it stung bitterly with each effort. I pushed open a door with great effort. Something block it, but I managed to move it. I grunted with the effort, it was frustrating. Once past the door I saw what had blocked my path, an mechanic lay dead on the floor. Blood seeped from four visible bullet holes in his chest. I think I recognized him, but I could not remember his name. Davidson was the name listed on his uniform. Wasn't he working on the deck when I arrived two weeks ago?

He was murdered, the thought made the hair on my neck stand up. We were under attack, but by whom? I had to get to Loki, I had to protect him. My gun rested faithfully on my hip. I removed it and held it up. I pressed my back against the wall. I hoped I wouldn't have to use the weapon, perhaps if my enemy were near some wires, I could electrocute him; or even more gruesome, if he stood in a door frame, I would squish him like a bug in the door. I shuddered, I was desensitized to the horror of it, I was required and trained to be.

I scaled the wall, peeking down halls to check if they were clear. I moved slowly, painfully slow. What if they had already reached Loki? What if he was dead. My rage fueled me. If our men couldn't kill him, out attackers wouldn't be able to either.

Suddenly, the ship started tilting, I tumbled down the hall opposite of where I wanted to go. Someone screamed, but I think that it was me. I hit a wall and then it went dark, my head hurt, oh, how it hurt.

Best place to stop until next chapter. Comments? Questions?