Disclaimer: Don't own anything!
AN: I was amazed by the amount of reviews I got for the previous chapter. A lot of you think Thor's an idiot and Odin a cruel man... I have to agree with that. I won't keep you any longer, though, so enjoy the new chapter :)
~ Start Over Again ~
Chapter 7
Thor was watching the news, the remote control clenched between his fingers and Mjolnir within his reach. Tony eyed him cautiously. The thunderer looked tense and perhaps he should be left alone, but Tony was also worried. Not that he would ever admit this to anyone - not even Pepper - but he felt like he should do something.
Slowly, as not to startle Thor, he approached him. The last thing he wanted was a hammer coming his way and so he cleared his throat as to announce his presence. Thor instantly turned to look at him with wide, blue eyes.
Thor smiled, albeit weakly. "Is something the matter?"
"I was just about to ask you the same thing," Tony said, grinning although he didn't know why exactly. He dropped down next to Thor on the couch and focused his gaze on the TV. The news-reporter was explaining something about a financial crisis in Europe. "You look troubled," he added.
"Everything is fine," Thor said flatly, clicking off the TV and throwing the remote control to the side. It was enough to proof his statement wrong.
"Leave the lying to Loki," Tony joked, instantly regretting his words. Subtlety was not his strong suit. "All I'm saying," he quickly said before Thor could react, "is that I completely understand that you're not pleased with the whole situation."
"Leave me be, Tony Stark," Thor growled, his eyes dangerously small, "I have agreed to let Loki live a lie. What more do you want?"
Tony licked his dry lips. He was not made for such conversations and he didn't know what the right words were now. "For you to have peace with it. Moping about it isn't going to help anyone and you said it yourself, Loki seemed happy with his new life. He didn't even recognize you yesterday."
Thor rose from the couch and turned to look at Tony who suddenly felt very small. "I just lost my brother, can I not mourn him?"
Tony hadn't thought about it like that. "...I'm sorry."
Thor didn't listen. He simply strode from the room and left a mortified Tony behind. How had he not understood what Thor was going through? Oh, maybe because he didn't know what it was like to lose a brother! He would kick everyone's ass for this. As he was about to turn on his heels and leave the living room as well, he saw Coulson enter his mansion.
Tony stopped dead in his tracks. He worked with Coulson enough times, but never did the man come to his home, not unless it was very important. He couldn't help but think this had something to do with Loki. Honestly, when didn't everything have to do with Thor's brother?
"Is Thor here?" Coulson asked in his usual business-like voice, "I must speak with him urgently, with all of you actually."
Frowning, Tony nodded. "I'll get him. What's wrong?"
Coulson clasped his hands before him, only offering Tony a polite smile. "I'll explain in a moment."
Tony hurried upstairs and called for Thor to come with him. He ignored the thunderer's many question simply because he couldn't answer them. He also gathered Steve, Bruce, Clint and Natasha and guided them back towards the living room. He fount Coulson in the exact position he'd left him in and Tony wondered for a moment whether the man from SHIELD was at least partially statue.
"What is it?" Steve asked, being the first to break the silence.
"The authorities aren't pleased with you all," Coulson began to explain, "Colonel Fury and I have done our best to keep them at bay, but all we've been able to do, is buy you time."
"We're not following," Clint noted.
"You've met a man called Stian Berg yesterday," Coulson's eyes fell upon Thor. They almost appeared accusing, but Thor remained quiet and unmoving. "We're all aware that he is actually Loki and we were willing to let the matter slide since he has a changed personality. Many want him arrested, however, and sentenced for his crimes against humanity."
"Like you said, he isn't Loki anymore," Natasha argued, "he doesn't even know about that."
"We understand," Coulson sighed emphatically, "but not all of us do. Like I said, Colonel Fury and I bought you time. We are playing a dangerous game, all to protect your brother, Thor, and I suggest you play along. Things might get ugly, fast."
"Does anyone have a clue what he's talking about?" Bruce asked, pointing towards Coulson.
"We shall retrieve my brother," Thor spoke for the first time, his hands balled into fists, "and we shall keep him safe from the authorities. Thank you for informing us."
"Hurry," Coulson said, talking in a dense voice, "if they get to him before you do, they will not treat Loki kindly."
Thor was the first one to move, but Coulson was not done speaking. "Oh and Thor," he added, "if we managed to find him, be sure that others will know about his whereabouts as well."
The words made Thor shiver.
-o-o-
Stian had not expected visitors this late in the afternoon, but when three short knocks echoed through his apartment, he instantly went to open his door. He was greeted by two, suited men. They both appeared strong and strict and Stian frowned. Hadn't he known better, he would think they were from the men in black.
"Can I help you?" He didn't motion for the men to enter. In stead, he gazed at them, taking in every aspect of their face. They looked strangely alike, both having short, blond hair and a round face.
"Mr. Stian Berg?" One of them asked.
Stian nodded.
The other man smiled politely, but it was too fake for anyone to believe it was genuine. Stian still kept a hand on the door knob, prepared to slam it into their faces. They didn't move to enter the apartment, however, but Stian noticed they were both armed.
"We are agents from SHIELD," the left one began to explain, "a government organization. We have reason to believe you are in danger."
A frown spread across Stian's face. For some reason, he did not believe a word these men told him. He had always been good at reading people. He even had to admit he was good at lying and spotting lies. These two men might really be from SHIELD, but they were most definitely lying about something.
"I don't know why I would be in any danger," Stian told them. He shifted his weight and eyed both men carefully. "SHIELD deals the Avengers, right? With villains and other threats?"
Again, a fake smile filled their faces. "Yes," one of them said, "we are a secret military law-enforcement agency, although we aren't secret anymore. The entire world knows of our existence and respects us for keeping them safe."
"I'm sorry," Stian said, still confused, "I really don't know what that has anything to do with me."
"If you will not come willingly," the man's voice had turned dangerously soft, "we are legally allowed to use violence."
Stian did not like that thought one bit and tried to close his door quickly. The agents were too swift, however, and prevented Stian from shutting them out. They threw themselves against the wood and pushed the door from its hinges. It knocked all the air from Stian's lungs who instantly gasped to breathe.
Spinning around on his heels, Stian turned to run further into his apartment, but he was dizzy and disorientated. Desperately seeking support, he grabbed for the wall, but found himself too far away from it. He fell down, the shock sending a shiver down his spine.
The two agents bend over him, one of them holding cuffs and the other a weapon which was pointed towards Stian's head. Stian blinked, trying to focus and he suddenly felt a thrill enter his mind. He felt strangely exited and he'd never experienced anything like it before, but he allowed it to consume his mind and body.
"Just stay calm," the agent with the cuffs warned.
Before he managed to put them on Stian's wrists, Stian pulled back and found a power in his hands he was accustomed to. He had never known what it meant, or whether is was even normal, but right now, he understood its meaning. Stian pushed his hands against the agent's chest and felt the energy burst from the tips of his fingers. The agent flew back and through a wall.
The second agent did not make the same mistake as his partner and in stead of heading straight towards Stian, he pulled back and ran further into the apartment where he hid behind a couch. Stian didn't hesitate. He was under attack and he had just found a way to defend himself.
"We need back-up," the agent yelled into his phone, "hurry!"
Stian walked around the couch and found the agent pointing his gun at him. "Why are you here?" he demanded to know.
The agent held a finger against the trigger, but did not fire. "You are a threat," he said, sounding out of breath, "just because you don't remember, doesn't mean it isn't so."
He didn't have a clue what the man was talking about, but he didn't have time to digest his words. Six more agents walked into his apartment and Stian realized they had anticipated a fight from him. It only made more question rise in his mind, but Stian decided to focus on the agents first. He could win this battle if he could understand what his powers meant.
Lifting an arm, he prepared himself to tap into that energy again, but he found the source suddenly too large. It felt like he had fallen from a pool into the ocean and he couldn't control the power. Energy burst from his fingers and burned two agents where they stood. Quickly, Stian withdrew his arms and stared at them. He had never meant to kill anyone.
His moment of shock was an advantage to the agents who instantly closed in and pulled his arms behind his back. Stian was too dazed to react, still trying to comprehend that he had just ended two lives. More footsteps sounded, however, and those definitely did not belong to an agent of SHIELD. Another man entered the apartment and Stian could only stare.
He had seen the newcomer before, in the newspapers, but he looked larger in real life. The stranger raised his arms and electricity radiated from them. It hit the other agents instantly, killing them all. Stian stumbled back, his eyes never leaving the masked face of his savior. Because that was who he was; his savior. Could it really be?
"I heard you were in trouble," the man explained, stepping over the bodies to reach Stian, "and I would never abandon my ally."
"W-who..." Stian forced himself to inhale deeply. Now was not the time to stumble through his words. "Who are you?"
"My dear Loki," the man sighed, "do you really not remember anything?"
Stian remained absolutely motionless. What had that man just called him?
"I am your friend and ally. I am doctor Doom and I will help you."
