Author's Notes: Sorry, guys. This is a really short chapter. I'll try to get another one out sooner. Thanks a bunch to everyone who favorited and is following this story. It means a lot to me, and I hope I don't let you down. Also, in case you haven't figured it out, I really mess with the events of the movie. Like, a lot. Thanks!
Chapter 4: The Safe House
Carolina didn't know how long she had been in the back of the fake catering van with Loki's brainwashed agents. She was seated between two men and Barton sat across from her, watching her every movement as if anticipating another attempt at escape. She couldn't formulate a shopping list in her head at that moment, let alone an escape plan. She was numb with the reality of the situation she was in. Her mind was full of so many thoughts and, at the same time, nothing at all. She briefly noticed the agent in the front passenger seat making phone calls, but she didn't try to figure out what she was talking about.
At some point Barton's attention was drawn from Carolina to some small, beeping, hand-held device he took out of his pocket. Barton told the driver to make a quick detour before the vehicle stopped, and he and two other agents got out. Then the van continued on its path and she was left with the remaining five agents. Again, she didn't know how much longer they traveled before they eventually stopped.
The back doors of the van opened, but she didn't make a move to leave until one agent hopped out and told her to get out. She hesitated before making her way out of the vehicle and walking up to the agent. Her body tensed at the anticipation of whatever was to come. She looked up at the agent but his face was expressionless. Then she noticed they were outside of a huge mansion.
She only had enough time to notice the dozens of agents scattering around as well as the many hummers, trucks, and SUVs gathered in front of the mansion before the first agent told her to follow him. They began walking towards the mansion, and she was immediately flanked by the other two agents. They were clearly taking no chances with her. Upon passing the threshold of the house, she was amazed by the expansive decorative hall and the tiled spiral staircase to the side.
The four were met by a middle-aged woman a couple of inches taller than Carolina, with short brown hair, dressed in black dress slacks and a light, pink cardigan. The first agent addressed the woman, "Agna Huber?"
"Yes," answered the woman in a German accent. She turned to Carolina and looked her over before smiling. "And this must be the King's companion?" Carolina was bothered that Loki was already calling himself a king. She was also surprised to be given such a strange title. She didn't answer the woman; she just looked at her confused. The woman walked ahead of the first agent and politely said, "This way, if you please."
The older woman led them up the stairs and down one of the long corridors. They passed by a few closed doors and a sitting area. Carolina noticed portraits hung on the walls-some painted, some photographed. The older woman was in a few of them. Was this her home?
Finally they stopped in front of a pair of giant double-doors. The woman opened both doors, turned on a light switch, and stepped to one side. None of the agents made a move to go inside. Carolina looked up at the agent she was following, and he beckoned for her to enter the room. She took a deep breath and walked in. As soon as she did, the doors closed behind her and she was left alone with the middle-aged woman.
The woman's smile was friendly, but there was no mistaking the familiar blue glow in her eyes. "I hope you find the accommodations to your liking, Miss."
The room…or rooms…were magnificent. There was a small sitting area off to the right of the doors, and to the left was the bedroom. An elegant four-poster bed, king-sized by her guess, with fine linens and matching bedside tables on either side. In front of the bed was a stone fireplace. There were various doors around the bedroom alone. Was this a room or a suite?
Carolina gave the woman a confused look. She was still in her waitress uniform and she felt completely out of place. She crossed her arms, a bit embarrassed by her appearance. When her catering company worked in mansions and castles such as these, she and her coworkers were confined to the kitchens, dining areas, and main halls. She had never dared venture to any of the private rooms, and yet, here she was. This room was probably one of the main suites.
The woman pointed to the door on the far right corner of the room. "This is the washroom, Miss," then she pointed to the door on the left corner. "That is the closet," then she pointed to a pair of glass doors to the left of the room, "Those lead to the balcony," then to the door at the corner of the wall to the right of the fireplace, "And that leads to the king's suite."
Carolina's head snapped to face the woman. "The king's suite?" she repeated, fear threatening to overcome her again. She was not looking forward to seeing Loki again. Especially after her failed escape attempt. He made it clear before that he wouldn't hesitate to kill her to make an example out of her.
"Yes, child. The king would like to keep you close." The woman gracefully walked over to Carolina, took her arm, and gently led her to the door to the closet. Carolina let her. Despite the fact that the woman was under Loki's influence, she did not scare her like the agents did. She felt oddly at ease with her. She was more afraid of seeing Loki again. "Come and tell me if you approve of the clothes."
When the woman opened the door, Carolina was surprised by how massive the closet was. It was bigger than her bedroom in the tiny flat she lived in Stuttgart. The walls were lined with dressers, mirrors, hanging clothes, and even a sofa. It was like a mini department store.
"I'm sorry, Miss, but we had such short notice of your arrival and we did not know your size," explained the woman. "Some of these we bought this evening, some are my daughter's, she is away at university, and some are mine…when I was younger. Would you like to try anything on?"
There was so much to absorb. She was standing in a suite in some stranger's home she was expected to stay in, with clothes she could never expect to afford herself. The door to where Loki would reside was just a few feet away from the bed she was to sleep in. She didn't know what to say. She just looked at the woman dumbfounded.
The woman looked back at her worriedly, "Are you alright, my child? We will measure you in the morning and buy new clothes for you if you do not approve of these." Carolina didn't respond, so the woman continued, "Would you like something to eat? Would you like to sleep?"
The latter seemed like a good idea, so Carolina nodded. "Maybe I could go to bed?" Perhaps this way, she could be left alone with her many thoughts.
The woman smiled as she walked over to one of the chests of drawers. She opened one and pulled out a brand new thin, white night dress. "You can wear one of these," she handed the young woman the article of clothing.
Carolina accepted it and let the fabric run through her fingers. It felt like it was made of silk. It was exquisite. Although she knew the woman was helping her because she was following Loki's orders, Carolina was touched by her kindness. "Thank you, Frau…" She had already forgotten what the agent called the older woman.
"Frau Agna Huber at your service, Miss." The woman nodded her head politely.
Carolina gave her a small smile. "Carolina Leon," she nodded back. Agna Huber. The name sounded familiar. "Were you at the charity event this evening in Stuttgart?" She recalled seeing the name on a plaque of some sort.
"Yes, Miss Leon," her eyes lit up. "That is where my husband and I met the king. We were to be honored for our charity work, but that is nothing compared to the honor of serving the king. He had us return home and prepare for his arrival and that of his men. A few hours later, we were told that you would also be joining us."
Carolina nodded in understanding. Even though the woman looked more than happy to have her stay in such a beautiful room, Carolina couldn't help but feel guilty about Loki taking over her mind and her home. "Is this your room?"
"No, Miss Leon. This is your room." She politely corrected. "And it is an honor to have you and the king stay here." Frau Huber really did look like it was a privilege.
"But before…" Carolina pressed on, "Was this your room?"
"No," Frau Huber patiently answered, "My mother stayed here until she passed away a few years ago. My husband and I stayed where the king will stay now."
Carolina felt even worse. The false king had kicked the sweet woman and her husband from their bedroom. "Where will you stay now?"
"We are staying in one of the many guest bedrooms. I am so very glad the rooms are finally being occupied after so many years, and by the king's many agents, no less."
Carolina could not remove the worried expression from her face, but she knew it was useless to try to explain how sorry she was for Frau Huber and her family. "Thank you, Frau Huber. You are a gracious hostess."
Frau Huber nodded in response, "I live to serve the king. I will leave you to rest now, Miss. If there is anything you require, please let one of the agents know, and I will come at once."
Carolina was about to protest and say that the woman needn't worry about her but thought better of it. She merely sighed and said, "Thank you. I will."
Frau Huber made her way to the double doors and left. Before the doors closed again, Carolina saw the two agents standing outside the room, no doubt to keep her from leaving. She sat on top of the bed with the night dress still in her hands and sighed. She desperately tried to keep the tears that were threatening to spill at bay. What had she gotten herself into?
Xxx
It had been hours since Loki's disappearance from the woods and the search party had given up hope. Thor, Captain Rogers, and Tony Stark had been joined by Agent Natasha Romanoff and another group of SHIELD agents in the search for the missing dark god. It was time to call it a night.
"Guys, he's gone," said Agent Romanoff to the three men. "Two of you are capable of flight, and the other is an enhanced super soldier. If you guys and two SHIELD Quinjets can't find him, then he just isn't here. Agents," she called out to her scattered subordinates, "Head back to base!"
The agents made their way back to the second Quinjet and took off. Romanoff watched as Rogers reluctantly made his way into their air craft carrier. Stark gave Thor an evil glare before following behind Rogers. Thor stayed where he was, still looking through the woods. "Thor," called Romanoff, "We could really use your help."
Thor began swinging his hammer and said to the woman, "I will help you and the people of Earth, Natasha Romanoff, by finding my brother and the tesseract, and taking them back to Asgard." Before the agent could say anything, Thor was in the air.
Romanoff watched the god fly out of sight, then joined the crew inside the Quinjet before the door closed behind her. She was disappointed Thor wouldn't join them, but at least they had the scepter to study. A voice started speaking into her earpiece. Apparently, there was some interesting information coming in about what happened on the ground in Stuttgart hours ago.
