Chapter 9

Tony froze. It was a good thing he didn't have any wine in his mouth, because he would've done a spit take all over the monitor. How did Fury know about the kids? Tony hid his insincerity by fiddling with a few glasses in front of him.

"What kids?" Tony asked innocently.

Fury scowled through the screen, the glare burning straight through Tony as well. Tony hated the little runts, but he and the other Avengers would be in real hot water if Fury knew they'd been harboring potentially dangerous kids. Plus, Tony hated it when Fury knew things that weren't any of his business in the first place. Stark set down his glass and shrugged, stepping around the bar and giving a truthful, sideways grin. He would just finagle Fury and get him to look the other way.

"You know darn well 'what kids'." the older director snarled.

Tony threw his hands up dismissively. "Look, we honestly don't know anything about it."

In the back of his mind, Stark kept thinking, Don't say anything, Rogers, and glancing at his co-worker on the couch. The old-fashioned dope would most likely give away the whole thing and dig them into a mess of trouble. Fury furrowed his brow even farther (if that was even possible) and bared his teeth just slightly.

"You should know that it's a federal offense to hide secrets." Nick said.

"You should know that you don't have a search warrant." Tony countered.

"What does that have to do with anything? We're not searching your HQ." Fury queried.

Tony opened his mouth to retort again when Steve butted in, "Sir, I assure you that if we knew anything more, we'd inform you."

Nick Fury stared for a moment, as if having to process what he'd just heard. He then simply nodded his head and said, "Alright. Fury out." and the screen went blank.

Tony was in semi-fake awe. "Woah, Steve, you just lied."

Steve shook his head, "Technically, I didn't. We don't really know any more than Fury does."

Tony yawned and stretched. "Looks like we have a new reason to look for the twerps: to keep 'em outta Fury's clutches."

Steve stood up and padded over to the elevator doors. They dinged and slid open. Rogers turned and looked at Tony.

"If Loki hasn't already found them himself." Steve added grimly as he left.

Loki held his breath for a moment. What was that blundering oaf doing here? True, Thor was part of the Avengers, the protectors of earth, but how did he find Loki? The mischief-maker stared at the bulky silhouette in the doorway. Blue eyes glowed in the dark like twin moons. As the two blue orbs searched the dark, Loki never shifted his gaze. For a heart-stopping second, Loki thought Thor had seen him. The eyes paused on him and peered at him for a short jiffy before dismissing him. Loki watched as his brother walked to the center of the warehouse where the two assassins hung stiffly.

"Widow? Eye of Hawk? What are you doing here?" Loki heard his brother ask in a warily low voice.

"Thor! Thank God you're here!" Barton exclaimed. "Loki's skulking around here somewhere! You gotta be careful!"

Thor nodded. "Aye. I know of my brother's presence." he said almost ominously.

So much for subtlety, Loki thought. For a moment, he actually thought about turning himself in. Thor and the others already knew he was here, so resistance was basically futile. Then, he thought of the kids. How far he'd come just to see them. To talk to them. To hug them. He'd broken out of the Asgardian prison, something that would most likely add to the many things he was to be prosecuted for. He would find a way out of here, at least for the children. He didn't want them to be persecuted for the things he'd done. (Even though he had a very good reason to do these things.)

All was silent for a couple minutes and all Loki could hear his own heart hammering in his chest. He needed to do something and do it quickly, before Thor or his friends could catch on. Loki turned swiftly and crawled away to his children's resting spot. He had no problem finding the soft quilt he'd placed over them amid all of the solid concrete and wood. Loki squinted in the dimness to where LJ and Lilli slept peacefully. Or, where they should have been sleeping.

"What?" Loki couldn't stifle the whisper of surprise.

He began to panic and search the napping area, ripping away the blanket and pillows, hoping to find a clue. Surely they couldn't have gotten far.

Lilli and LJ crawled along the concrete floor, awakened by the sudden sounds a few minutes ago. Now, they freely roamed behind crates and boxes, exploring the new territory. As Loki Jr. wandered with his sister, he wondered what made his father so hastily put them to bed. The way he swiftly ushered them inside bothered LJ. It was as if Loki had expected something to jump out from around the corner. Stop doubting, LJ told himself, if it were that important, Father would surely tell us. Right?

LJ continued along, unaware that his sister had come to a halt. He collided with her flank, making her squeak in surprise. He jumped backwards and they stared at each other for a second, trying to figure out what just happened. Loki Jr. put an index finger to his lips in a gesture to silence her.

"Shh!" he hissed.

Lilli nodded and whispered, "Sorry,"

She then turned and continued across the floor, carefully slinking into a gap between crates. LJ passed her, taking the lead in both speed and curiosity. He could hear murmuring from the other side of the boxes. One of the voices was deeper and louder, the owner sounding like he couldn't grasp the concept of quiet talking. Another sounded feminine but raspy, like someone who'd been screaming in the closet for a few days. The next was raspy, too, but male. The kids strained to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"I say we hit fast and hard!" growled the female.

There was a cracking noise. "I agree!" concurred the raspy male.

"Nay, friends." the deeper and louder voice differed. LJ held his breath for a second when he recognized his uncle. "We must create a plan of attack before we begin a conflict." After a brief pause, Thor asked, "Tell me, have you seen any…children around here?"

Another pause was followed by, "Yeah, Loki's kids."

"My niece and nephew," Thor added. "I feared this would happen."

"Feared what would happen?" the woman asked.

LJ mustered up his courage and peered around the crates, being careful to avoid being spotted. He watched his uncle bite his lip and look to the ground on his left hesitantly, as if he were about to lie. Loki Jr. scoffed mentally, pure blonde oaf, he cannot tell a lie.

"If the children have found their father, it could be catastrophic for the entire world." Thor fibbed.

The boy felt a hot rush of anger run through his veins. Why was his uncle so intent on lying like that?! What was wrong with his father that Thor did not want them to know? Did Loki do something so vile that it was necessary to separate the three? Another tall figure appeared in the center. It appeared in a green haze, veiling the person in a somewhat majestic fog. Finally, the cloaking smoke dissipated, revealing the lanky, skinny, man. LJ's eyes grew wide as he realized who was there, appearing before the do-gooders.

His father seemed nervous as his green-eyed gaze shifted from one Avenger to another. The small boy behind the crates let out a small gasp of horror.

"What?" Lilli whispered.

LJ sat up and shook his head, unable to process the things that seemed to be happening so fast. His sister's curious look turned to slight frustration as she lightly pushed him out of the way to see. She slowly peeked around the corner, yelped, and jumped back into the safety of the shadows. For a moment she was silent, gazing fearfully into the face of her older brother. Suddenly, LJ's face seemed to turn into determination. He balled up his fist and stared around the box at the grown-ups again. Surely his father hadn't just given in.

"Where are they?" Thor demanded instantly.

Loki scowled at him, green eyes aglow with flaming anger. "I don't know."

"They're here, we know it." Natasha insisted, looking as if malice was the only thing on her mind.

Loki looked her straight in the eyes. "I really don't know. If I did, don't you think I would have been out of here by now?" the mischief god reasoned.

"Maybe," Clint mumbled.

"You're still under arrest, Loki." Natasha argued. "Courtesy of SHIELD."

The red head stepped forward to bring Loki down, grabbing his shoulder, but her hand went straight through. The apparition faded into nothing, leaving the three to stare at each other in shock.

"It's a fake!" Clint yelled.

"Trickster!" Thor bellowed furiously as his eyes searched the dark room for signs of his little brother. "Your sorcery cannot hide you forever!"

LJ and Lilli watched the spectacular illusionary sorcery display with both amazement and joy. Their father escaped! Now all they had to do was figure out how to do that as well. The siblings glanced around nervously, hoping for an exit. Please, great Odin, let us get out alive! LJ silently prayed.

The Lokison felt something tug on his shirt collar. The small tug became a violent drag, carrying him away to wherever he was to be going. Loki Jr. twisted and struggled, turning to see that his abductor was actually his dad, pulling him and his sister to safety. LJ fought to regain his foothold on the ground. Loki let his collar loose and the boy raced to keep up. Lilli ran on the other side of their father so the three were a line of trench coats and dark, greasy hair. Loki pointed up ahead to a door with a red glowing sign that said "EXIT" above it. LJ and Lilli flung themselves toward it, bursting through the door and into a cold back lot.

LJ hit the ground painfully with a thud, along with the sickening scraping sound of gravel. He opened his eyes and looked around. Loki stood and was dusting himself off and offered a hand to Lilli, who was still trying to comprehend what just happened. LJ opened his mouth to make a comment when his dad grabbed him and his sister and ducked into some shrubs to the side.

"Sanctum illusio," he heard Loki chant in a whisper.

The three disappeared within the thicket, invisible. LJ recognized the spell as an illusion, hiding them behind a thick patch of brambles. However, it allowed the user to see through the apparition. Lilli was petrified as footsteps could be heard coming around the side of the building. LJ kept his breaths short and soft. He didn't want to be heard. The hulking frame of Thor loudly made its way around the corner, shouting.

"Brother! I know you are out here! Come out! Come home!" Thor pleaded with the night air. Then, his expression changed. "I will break down every last rock or plant to find you!"

The thunder god began smashing through shrubs and rocks with the mighty Mjolnir, turning all to rubble with a hearty flick of his wrist. Thor neared the illusionary briar patch where LJ, Lilli, and Loki hid and raised his hammer. Loki grasped the children's shoulders and briefly recited: "Morphus Felina,"

The boy felt himself shrink down and fur grow. His eyes became sharper and able to see in the darkness surrounding him. New smells and sounds came to him as he became shorter and shorter. He felt warmer now, under a coat of well-groomed, dark fur. He was a cat again!

With urgency, Loki yowled at Thor. The tenacious uncle stopped and stared down at the three felines. Thor grinned peacefully.

"Hello, little mortal creatures!" Thor greeted, buying that these were actual cats. "Humph, perhaps Loki isn't here…I shall look somewhere else."

Thor began to walk away, his cape billowing out behind him, when he abruptly turned and came back. He scooped up Loki and the kits at his side.

"You know, they say it will be quite cold tonight…Maybe I can bring you home with me! I'm sure Mr. Starkson won't mind! In fact, he seems to fancy you and your species! It's settled! I'll take you back to the tower!" Thor said, mostly to himself.

"Was this part of the plan?" LJ dared to ask in cat-speak.

Loki shook his furry head. "No."

LJ's father then bit Thor's bare arm, enough to draw blood on a regular person. However, Thor wasn't fazed and continued to carry off the cats, only a couple of dents in his skin. All three clawed fruitlessly, trying to scramble away. Alas, they were taken to the front parking lot where Clint and Natasha stood looking bored.

"Thor, what the heck do you think you're doing?" Clint asked as the Asgardian padded over to them.

"I am walking, as you can plainly see." replied Thor.

"Not that!" Clint growled in frustration. "I mean, why are you carrying those cats?"

"And why do they look familiar?" added Natasha suspiciously.

Thor shrugged. "I am taking them home, because I do not want them to freeze tonight."

"Tony doesn't like pets in his tower." Clint warned.

Thor frowned. "He seemed to like them before…"

Natasha walked over and eyed the three animals struggling in Thor's grip. She bent over and raised a brow. LJ stared into her eyes for a minute, making him frightened and uneasy. He quickly shifted his gaze, trying to get his stomach to stop churning like butter.

"Sure," Nat agreed; something was up her sleeve. "Let's take them to the tower and take care of them."

"But 'Tasha-" Clint argued, earning a glower from Natasha. He quickly shut his mouth and stayed silent.

"Come friends! The rest of the team awaits us at the Tower of Stark!" Thor bellowed and prepared blast off, swinging his hammer around.

Loki began to growl, alerting Asgardian and human alike.

"Are you sure they have their rabies shots?" Clint asked, half joking, half nervous.

"Thor, put the cats down." Natasha commanded quickly, her voice grave.

Thor frowned harder but did as he was told, setting the trio of black felines down onto the pavement. Loki stood on his four paws and hissed at the heroes, spitting and cursing in cat tongue. The fluffy black cat then scooped up Lilli by the scruff in his jaws and nudged LJ with his tail. Loki and his kits retreated to the bushes, hoping the Avengers wouldn't catch on. When they made it into the shelter of leaves and sticks they watched Thor and his friends finally give up and leave.

"That was close," muttered Loki. "We will have to find another place to shelter."

LJ nodded. Lilli clung to her father's leg, holding on tightly as if her life depended upon it. She didn't want to go anywhere her father wasn't and neither did LJ. Loki looked through the bushes one last time. He swiveled his ears like a real cat would, trying to pick up any noise of an intrusion. When he found none, he turned back to the kids. His eyes flitted between the two, studying them.

"Can you two hold your forms for the night?" Loki asked.

LJ thought for a moment. He hadn't practiced too much with his shape-shifting ability. The only other time he'd ever morphed was when he was escaping the alley. He decided he'd give it a good try. He nodded, as did Lilli.

"Very well," Loki said and then curled into a ball in the dirt. His son and daughter snuggled close, taking in the warmth.

LJ closed his eyes but found it impossible to sleep. His thoughts wandered to his mother. He wondered what she looked like. Did Lilli look anything like her? What did her voice sound like? Was she kind? Better yet, was she alive? Where was she? His head swam with questions that he couldn't answer. He glanced at his dad, who seemed to be sound asleep. He should ask later…but the curiosity was getting to him. He shuffled uncomfortably against his father's side. The movement must have disturbed his parent, because one green eye opened.

"Hm?"

"Father," LJ whispered wary of his sister, who was dozing.

Loki turned his head and his green eyes glowed. He hadn't really been asleep, just waiting for the morning to come.

"Yes?"

LJ hesitated and bit his lip. Finally he asked, "Where's Mum?"


Sensitive question! Oh no! Thanks for the reviews, faves, and follows, and I'm sorry for the long wait for this chapter, but it's up now! Time needs to go slower or something! Anywho, bye! Stay tuned to learn the answer to the sensitive question! XD