Chapter 3

Loki heard the crunching of underbrush and looked up, green eyes wide and wild. His heart pounded against his rib cage and his legs collapsed under him. Thor was standing in front of him; the all mighty Thunder God with his faithful hammer hanging at his side. Loki's hands shook but his mind was steady and he frantically thought through every possible scenario.

"Brother," Loki said loudly, knowing that if he used the term, Thor would provide him more leniency. Sentimental fool. "Please."

"Begging will not get you out of this, this time Brother." Loki's body was tingling with nerves and his stomach churned.

"Thor, please, he's just a baby. He needs me."

"Loki, what are you-" His words stopped when Fenrir jumped into the clearing.

"Mama! Mama come see what I've found!" Fenrir's high child voice reached Loki's ears and he could have sobbed with relief and fear. Fenrir was safe. He had been exploring. Thor didn't have him. Thor hadn't known. But now blue eyes followed the wolf's movement. Loki pulled on the scruff of Fenrir's neck and he went limp, allowing himself to be pulled into his mother's arms.

"Mama?" Fenrir asked softly, not yet noticing the stranger. His ears laid flat on his head and his small tail curled under his round belly. "What's the matter?"

Loki could not answer; his attention was only for Thor.

"Loki? What is the meaning of this?" Thor took a step forward and Loki wished he were closer to the cave. He tried to stay kneeled but Thor's advances weren't slowing and so he stood on shaky legs, clutching his frightened wolf-child in his arms.

"Loki," Thor said again, roughly. His patience was wearing thin and his team was eager to get home. Loki felt his fingers twitch in anticipation. A spell danced its way into Loki's mouth but died on his lips when the rest of the Avengers stepped into view, weapons drawn and trained on him. Fenrir squirmed fearfully as they stepped closer, surrounding him in a half-circle.

"Get back!" Loki growled throatily. Fenrir whimpered against his chest and Loki stroked the pup's head reassuringly.

"Loki, you need to calm down-"

"No!" Loki ignored the words Thor was speaking and shouted at Steve. "Don't take another step closer!"

"Don't move!" Someone barked at him when he took a step back and he froze. Fear shot through his body and before they could blink, his free hand flew into the air and pulled, causing their weapons to fly out of their hands. Loki put his son down and they ran.

Faintly, Loki registers the sharp whirring of Iron Man's machine and cursed his luck before being blasted sideways. He crashed into a tree, his body being wrapped around it before he fell to the ground. Loki heard his ribs crack and he cried out. He tried to push himself up but pain erupted in his chest and stole his breath.

Fenrir heard his mother and ran back to him, sniffing worriedly. Loki's fingers ran through the soft fur and he felt a wet tongue on his face.

"Go, keep running," Loki said frantically, pushing on Fenrir. He heard the Avengers running to him and tears fell from his eyes.

"Please, Fenrir, for mommy. Go!" Loki was jerked upright and he let out a small cry of pain when metal fingers gripped him much too tightly. Fenrir growled, baring his teeth in a pitiful attempt to look frightening.

"What's up with the dog?" Hawkeye asked Loki irritably, aiming his arrow at Fenrir's face. Loki struggled against Iron Man's grip. Hawkeye would never hurt an animal, but it was nice to see the god panic. Must be a pet or something. Strangely, Hawkeye envisioned Loki more of a cat person.

"Please," his voice cracked and Hawkeye looked over in slight confusion. The Trickster God never asked, let alone beg. Clint lowered his bow and Loki sighed in relief before struggling again as Thor grabbed the snarling puppy by the scruff of its neck. Natasha put a hand around its snout and took it from Thor's grip, holding it to her chest. This seemed to calm Loki a little and gave Thor enough time to trap Loki's wrists in Asgardian cuffs.

For a moment they stood in silence, watching Natasha try and soothe the writhing puppy in her arms. Fenrir tried to bite at the fingers around his mouth and he whined fearfully, blue eyes meeting his mother's green.

"Shh," Loki said softly, the noise for Fenrir only. It seemed to soothe the puppy enough into submission that suited the Avengers.

"Alright, let's head back," Steve said, breaking the stillness and making Fenrir's ears lie flat on his head.

"Let me guess," Tony said bitterly before putting an arm around Loki's waist. Loki gasped and bit his tongue sharply to keep from crying out as his ribs were jostled.

"Tony," Steve said warningly and Tony sent the Captain an annoyed look before jetting off.

As the wind bit Loki's face, he tried very hard not to think about how scared his son must be. The Widow seemed gentle enough, and he would much rather S.H.I.E.L.D. have him than Thor.

Yes, he would be kept jailed, probably locked deep under the earth, never again to feel the soft sunlight or smell the fresh air; but it would be a better fate than on Asgard. At least here, Loki might have a chance to steal him back.

He was in the middle of planning how he could convince S.H.I.E.L.D. to keep Fenrir from Thor when Tony landed on Avenger Tower. He was then taken from the iron grip and herded into a concrete room.

Loki wondered what the purpose off all of this was. Surely they would ship him and Fenrir back to Asgard, where he would be mocked again as he begged the All-Father for more time. Where he would be denied everything and left alone; just like the last time.

Loki jumped when the door opened loudly and his head whipped around. Greasy strands of hair hung around his face and he stared up at the entering Avengers with watering eyes. His breathing sped up when he saw the Widow enter with her arms empty.

"Where is he?" He asked her, trying to read the answer in her face.

"I don't think you get to ask the questions," Nick Fury said, sweeping in the room. Loki's chest heaved as the director seated himself on the other side of the table. The Avengers were lined along the back wall, looking dramatic with their arms crossed and faces grim.

"Do you recall a man by the name of Kevin Helgo?"

"What? I demand-"

"You are in no position to make demands. Now I'll ask again. Who is Kevin Helgo to you?"

"I- No one," Panic built in his chest as the Director stared at him with one dark eye. "I don't know who that is. Please, can I just- can I just see Fenrir?"

"If you answer my questions. Now, why did he say he knew you? He delivered a message from you."

Loki's eyes narrowed. "I don't know who he is!"

"What were you planning to do with him? Why'd he surrender?" Fury asked, ignoring Loki's outburst.

"I do not know what plans you speak of! You stupid apes don't listen!"

Loki saw Thor shift and Fury stood. "Let's see if you want to talk in a few hours."

"No! Wait, I'm sorry!" Loki shouted as the Director walked to the door. What did they have planned for his young son? Would these mortals lower themselves to such a degree to hurt a young child? Yes, his mind answered, if they hate you enough.

Fury turned around slowly. The Avengers exchanged startled glances and Loki swallowed thickly.

"I-I confess," Loki looked at the Avengers nervously before looking back at the Director. "Now, may I see my son?"

So, I hope you liked this chapter. Thanks for reviewing and Story Alerting!