AN: Wow, this chapter was longer that I was planning, but there were some things that I wanted to get into this chapter. So enjoy! Thanks for the favorites, follows and reviews
The AvengerJet landed on the launch pad of the tower. Jarvis had the bots bring a wheelchair up to the deck. Bruce convinced Loki to sit in the chair, citing that it would be easier to for him to hold Vali close if he was wheeled down to the med bay. Once they all had gotten into the building, Bruce, Hela, Loki and Vali were heading down to the med bay. Steve told the rest of the group to get cleaned up and changed and meet back in the conference room on the common floor.
Bruce wheeled Loki into the med bay room, followed by Hela.
"Can you get up on the exam table here?" Bruce asked as he put the brake on the wheelchair.
Hela stepped forward and took Vali from Loki as he stood and made his way to the exam table. She handed the baby back as Bruce approached Loki.
"The other guy and I want you to know that you are safe here. No one is going to hurt you or your baby. Do you understand?" Bruce asked gently.
Loki nodded his head as he cradled Vali closer. Upon hearing Bruce's statement ensuring Loki's safety, a gold light shimmered around Hela as her armor and weapon faded away and was replaced with black gown with silver accents woven in.
"I would like to check Vali out, just to make sure we don't see any effects from being out in the cold. Would you let me look him over?" Bruce asked.
"Yes." Loki said softly.
"Why don't you lay him down, beside you and we'll take a look." Bruce suggested.
Loki laid the baby down and Bruce open the blanket, he was swaddled in. He removed the sleeping gown that he was wearing that looked a little too big; leaving Vali with only a cloth diaper on his bottom. There didn't appear to be any signs of frostbite or hypothermia.
"Jarvis, did any of the supplies that we requested arrive?" Bruce asked the AI. Tony had given Jarvis the task of tracking down basic baby supplies that could be delivered on short notice.
"Yes, Dr. Banner. I will have the boxes delivered to the med bay." Jarvis replied.
"Thanks." Bruce replied as he continued with the examination of the baby.
Bruce listened to the baby's heart and lungs. "Is the father the same species as you?" Bruce asked.
There was a long pause before Loki answered. "The father is a Midgardian." Loki stated.
Bruce just nodded his head as he turned the baby on his side and continued with the exam. He weighed the baby as a large box made its way into the room, transported by a small bot that was used on these floors. Bruce got out the disposable diapers that were in the box and explained to Loki how they worked compared to a cloth diaper. He diapered Vali and pulled out a pastel blue nightgown and matching hat to put on the baby. He wrapped him in a clean blanket and gave him back to Loki. "I don't see any signs of exposure or related problems. He is a little small compared to human infants. Loki, I'm assuming you didn't receive any care while you were carrying him; were you adequately fed with what you were receiving in the prison?" Bruce inquired.
"I was still considered a prince so my food rations were more than the standard prisoner receives in Asgard. My magic helped sustain us but it exhausted my stores of energy." Loki answered.
"Do you have any injuries that need to be looked at Loki?" Bruce asked. Loki shook his head.
Bruce handed Loki a hospital gown. "Can you change into this, so I can exam you as well?"
Bruce pulled a curtain closed around the table and stepped out so that Loki could disrobe in relative privacy. Hela stepped up to take her brother from her father as he began to change.
Bruce pull the curtain back when Loki was finished and began a clinical examination of Loki's hands and feet; looking for sign of frostbite on his extremities.
"I assure you Dr. Banner, the cold has not affected me. My true nature was intended to handle far worse conditions than the land of our worshippers of old." Loki commented.
"If you don't mind me asking…Thor told us about the artificial womb to carry the fetus; but how did you deliver him?" Bruce asked as he guided Loki back to lie down on the table. He gently examine Loki's abdomen looking for any abnormalities; not that he was well-versed in Aesir or Jotun biology, mind you. But, it helped put Hulk more at ease and kept him settled.
"A birthing canal was created for delivery. Once the birth was over, it sealed closed and disappeared. Hela was able to use the healing magic to dispose of the remnants of the created womb. I just needed the rest until my body recovered."
"That's understandable." Bruce pulled the gown back down over Loki's abdomen and slide the top of the gown down to examine the chest area. He wanted to check for signs of clogged milk ducts, which could be quite painful until they cleared. Seeing nothing standing out to him, other than the obvious, he replaced the top of the gown. "I want you to stay in the med bay today so we can monitor you and the baby while you rest. I want you to get plenty of fluids so that you do not become dehydrated from nursing. You should get some sleep but if you want to bathe, first, we can find you some clean clothes to wear." Bruce explained.
"I would like to bathe after I feed Vali Heidir." Loki answered as he adjusted himself so he could feed the child.
"That sounds like a great idea. You can bathe the baby as well. We usually say not to submerge an infant until the umbilical cord stub falls off, but since he doesn't have one, you should be fine. But you've done this before, haven't you?" Bruce looked over at Hela. Hela smiled back and gave her father a big grin.
"Yes, but it's been quite a while." Loki replied with a smile for his daughter.
I'll find you some clothing and make sure the bed is ready in the other room. I'll be back after I check in with the team. I want you eating too, to keep up your strength." Bruce left the room that Loki and Hela were in and checked the room next door. The room was prepped and included an assembled bassinet next to the bed. Jarvis had thought of everything they would need in a pinch. He headed upstairs to get himself cleaned up and changed before he went to brief the team.
Once Cap had dismissed the team to cleanup before reconvening in the conference room, Clint headed to his floor in one of the elevators, alone.
Clint got off the elevator on his floor and proceeded to his bedroom and shut the door. "Jarvis, initiate lockdown C for my room."
"Lockdown initiated, Agent Barton." Jarvis said.
Clint fell to his knees and started breathing in panic gasps. He leaned for forward bracing himself with his palms on the floor as he continued to pant for breath.
After a few moments, Jarvis cut in. "Agent Barton, you are showing signs of hyperventilation. Follow my directions to get your breathing under control or I will have to lift the lockdown protocol and summon someone to help you."
Clint nodded his head so the AI could see that he understood.
"Breathe in…2…3…4…5…. out…2…3…4…5…in…2…3…4…5…out…2…3…4…5." Jarvis commanded. This went on for a couple of minutes until Clint was breathing at a satisfactory rate for Jarvis's standards.
Clint maneuvered so that he was leaning against his bed with his head cradled on the crumbled comforter at the foot of the bed. Clint surprised himself that he kept it together long enough to make it to his room without arousing suspension from the rest of the team. Clint sighed.
"I still don't know why I kept it," Clint said to himself after a few minutes. He closed his eyes and laid there for a moment and then got up and made his way to the closet. Tuck back behind extra gear was a wooden box. He pulled it out and sat down, leaning against the extra pillows he had in there for we wanted to camp out in a secluded, tucked away spot. He opened the box and looked in. Amongst the random collection of odd trinkets and remembrances was a four-inch lock of raven black hair, secured together with a small piece of twine. Clint picked it up and stared at it.
He had found it in a compartment in his quiver a couple of days after the Chitauri battle, for some reason he couldn't throw it out, so he put it in the box and let it be. He had told Dr. Martin about it. Loki had told him that on Asgard, closely knitted shield-brothers took a lock of hair from each other. Loki explained that if the parties were separated by war or death, they would still have the essence of their shield-brother with them and it would give them strength. Loki had asked Clint for a lock of hair. Being under the control of the mind gem made this seem like a logical thing to request to Clint; he was Loki's second in command and his top advisor; he was seeing to Loki's needs, making sure he ate and rested.
When he shared with Dr. Martin that he wasn't sure why he kept it in the first place; he suggested that Clint keep it until he knew; then he could make an informed decision about whether or not he should continue to keep it.
He needed to remember not to flip out. He didn't want to have to start going back to the shrink. He needed to remember to think the situation through. Just because Loki used a lock of hair doesn't mean it was his that he used. Hela has said on the flight that Loki said he loved the person that the hair came from; maybe it wasn't his. Maybe it was someone on Asgard. Thor had asked Loki if the baby was named after the father; he didn't answer but the look he gave Thor pointed to the answer being yes. Clint's name obviously wasn't Vali Heidir. He was probably jumping the gun in all this. He needed to calm down and get himself together. He needed to get back up to the team and see what the status of the situation was. He put the lock of hair back in the box and tucked it back in its resting spot.
"Jarvis, you can end the lockdown of my room." He quickly showered and dressed and headed back up to the common floor.
Once the team was reassembled in the conference room; Steve began to debrief the situation with the team. He told the team that he and Natasha had called Fury to brief him on the situation. After the fiasco with the World Security Council launching a nuke on New York, SHIELD was able to break away from their control. He was still Director of SHIELD and used Maria Hill and a very not-dead Phil Coulson as his top advisors. The Avengers and SHIELD had a fairly good working relationship. Natasha told the group that Fury asked to be kept in the loop with what was going on.
It was Bruce's turn then to update the team. "Well, I've delivered babies in similar if not worse conditions than where they did and Vali seems to be in great shape, considering." Bruce stated. "He's alert and active. He's a bit small by human standards; 6lbs 7 oz. and 19 inches long. Being that Loki received no prenatal care, that he was eating only what he was given in the prison and that the other parent is human; the baby's size is understandable. With proper nutrition and care, Vali should grow as he should."
"The baby-daddy's human?" Tony asked, eyes wide.
"Yes. I asked him if the baby's father was the same species as him and that's when he told me that the other father was a 'Midgardian.'" Bruce confirmed.
Thor gave a slight nod of the head that only Natasha had caught.
Clint's nails dug into his palm as he fisted his hand under the table, away from the view of others.
"So what is our plan of action from here?" Cap asked the group.
"I would like him to rest for at least the day. Childbirth itself is strenuous; with the conditions that he dealt before and after, he needs some time to recuperate. The wave of protectiveness coming from Hulk is almost overwhelming." Bruce gave his thoughts.
"I've noticed you've got a green hue to your eyes there, Big Green." Tony observed.
"I guess that I have obstructed the communication between the two of us, or I never really tried before. He told you that he woke me up so I could see. That's exactly what it felt like, waking up, but like waking up in a dream. I could hear and see everything going on around me, but I could control my body. But, I could talk to Hulk and he talked to me. It almost felt like some kind of telepathy. Now, I feel that's he's pushed his way to the top and is looking out, but he isn't pushing for control. He has talked to me since we've been here; mainly about Loki and the baby. He…" Bruce stopped short…he looked down at the table and spoke with a slight hitch in his voice. "He was happy when we saw the bassinette in the recovery room…because Vali would have a bed to sleep in and be warm." Bruce cleared his throat. "Sorry, it's been difficult to process everything that's been going on."
"Bruce, we appreciate what you've been doing. Let us know how we can help, with anything." Steve reassured.
"So, J, apparently, you came through on the baby gear." Tony called out.
"Yes, sir, it appears so." The AI replied. "Please let me know if something more needs to be ordered."
"So I think, we are at a stopping point for now. I think we all need some rest. Thor, do you think Loki would answer some questions in the morning. I want to get a better handle on this situation and I think some direct information from him is needed." Steve explained.
"I plan to seek out my brother when we conclude out discussion. I shall inform him of your wish for knowledge to make a more informed decision." Thor replied.
"Tell him we want to know who the hair donor was?" Tony interjected. "Get hair-donor instead of sperm-donor?" Tony looked around the table, seeking a reaction.
"Damn, I thought that one was good." Tony pouted. "Anyway, Jarvis will keep watch for any more energy fluctuations in case someone's on the tail of the prison break. He'll also keep watch on said prison breakers."
"Okay, everyone gets some rest. Let's regroup in about 7 hours." Steve dismissed the group.
Bruce caught up to Thor. "Hey Thor, Loki mentioned wanting to bathe before he settled in to bed. Did you want to see about helping him with that or did you want me to? Bruce asked.
"I can assist my brother with his cleansing, Friend Bruce. I am also indebted to you and your other self for the compassion and care you have shown my brother and new nephew." Thor answered, with a pat on Bruce's back.
"Uh, thank you." Bruce replied. "I have some soft pants and a shirt he can wear for now." Bruce handed Thor the clothes and proceeded to the elevator.
Thor was grateful for the intervention of Bruce's berserker side when they were in the wilderness. He was glad to have an ally in the protection of brother. When the elevator opened he proceeded down the hall to the room that Jarvis had indicated Loki and Hela were in.
Thor saw the exhaustion on Loki's face when he entered the room.
"Brother, the good doctor indicated that you would like to bathe before sleeping. There is a large soaking tub in the next room over. I can assist you with its use and maneuvering with your little one in tow." Thor said as he approached the exam table that Loki was reclining on.
Loki thought for a minute. "Yes Thor, I will accept your offer for assistance."
Thor helped Loki to the next room. With the help of Jarvis, Thor drew a warm bath in the large soaking tub. Loki carefully removed Vali's clothes and diaper and handed the naked bundle to Thor while he disrobed. Loki settled into the tub and Thor handed the little naked baby back to his parent. Loki settled Vali onto his chest and the baby nestled down, listening to Loki's heartbeat. Thor proceed to retrieve various washing implements and soaps from the cabinet in the room. He helped Loki to wash, since his hands were full with the dozing newborn.
Thor was making Loki's hair wet when Hela came into the room.
"Uncle! Father! Look what I found!" Hela said and she approached the tub, unfazed that her father was currently bathing; she did just help him give birth a day ago. "The spirit in the palace said that this was for Vali to rest on while bathing." Hela produced what looked like a miniature partially reclined beach chair with a seat made of a soft mesh-like fabric that was blue with little orange fish.
Hela sat the chair into the water. Loki gently placed Vali into the chair. Vali looked around and gave out a perturb cry, disliking his removal from his comfy place cuddled up to Loki. Loki used his hands to spread the warm water over Vali's body. Vali calmed down at the sensation of the water. Loki buckled the belt to secure Vali into the seat and leaned back so that Thor could continue washing his hair. Hela returned to the other room to explore the other baby items Jarvis had acquired.
Thor and Loki talked about the Captain's request for information. Loki said he would consider answering questions they may have but, he would hear them first.
As Loki began to wash little Vali, discussion turned to the topic of his other father.
"Brother, I think you should reveal the identity of Vali's other father. I think you need to do it before we leave for Alfheim." Thor said.
"Thor, I do not think that is a wise plan." Loki responded. "I am most certain that he hates me. It was not our intention to cause problems here and Hela and I hoped to remain on Midgard undetected."
Thor chuckled at Vali's reaction to being rinsed with the warm water. "Loki if it was you, wouldn't you want to know that you have a child. Wouldn't you want to experience these things, even if the child was unexpected? I can already see how much joy this child is bringing you. Shouldn't his other father have that chance as well?" Thor implored.
Loki looked up into Thor's face with eyes cloudy with tears.
"Loki, I would let no harm come to you or Vali. You have that assurance from Banner and Hulk as well." Thor held Loki's head with one of his hands. "Your soul needs to heal, Loki. I think this would help."
Loki wiped the tears from his eyes and nodded his head. "I shall tell the other father, after we have rested."
Thor helped Loki and Vali from the tub. Vali was wrapped in a fluffy white towel and dried. Loki redressed him in the blue nightgown and hat that Banner had pulled from the package of baby items. Loki dried off and dressed in the borrowed soft pajamas Bruce had obtained for him.
They went to the room that Jarvis indicated that they could sleep. Loki placed Vali in the bassinet and Thor helped him into the bed.
"Thor, return to your sleeping quarters, we shall be fine here." Loki told Thor. Hela had made herself comfortable in a reclining sleeping chair that was in the room, having already shifting her outfit into something that was similar to the pajamas Loki was wearing. Jarvis had sent a transport bot in with some snacks and drinks for the two of them.
The three bid each other a good rest before Thor retreated to his designated floor and they settled in for sleep.
Nick Fury sat at his desk with his fingers steepled as he continued his deep thoughts. He had processed everything Rogers and Romanoff had shared with him and did a little research of his own. He was surprised Stark or any of the other had come the conclusion he had yet. To be fair, he was removed from the situation. He had consulted with Hill and Coulson and they had agreed with him as well.
The proposal was complete and ready for consideration.
Fury placed a call.
"Yes, Director Fury?" Stark's AI answered the call that was placed on the secure line.
"I want to make an appointment to speak with your guest and then with the Avengers."
AN: Drop me a line and let me know what you think. Thanks!