The Perils of Being a Stark- Chapter 10

Author: Ambur

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author: Thanks to webofsmiles, guest, and Cassie, you guys made my day and this chapter is dedicated to you.

Chapter 10

Coulson surveyed the room with veiled disinterest. The Avengers with the exception of Thor were all seated around the oblong table looking worse for wear. Thor sat quietly in the corner beside his brother who was shackled at the feet and ankles. Fury stood quietly at the head of the table looking into the faces of each Avenger waiting for someone to speak.

Coulson noticed that Loki looked rather bored and amused. The war criminal had the nerve to even wink at him when they made eye contact. Loki's smirk turned into a scowl when he got no response from Coulson, but then nobody ever got a response from Coulson. The man was as cool as a cucumber pretty much most of the time.

Stark sighed heavily and finally spoke. "So, Point Break, what are your plans for the kidnapper/ child molester now?"

Thor blinked and looked at Tony wincing at his words. It angered him that the Iron Man called his brother a child molester, but he could understand the man's anger so he said nothing. Loki however chose not to keep his mouth shut per usual.

"I have already informed you mortal that I did not put my hands on your child. You would do well to remember it. I do not like to repeat myself and do not think for one moment that just because I chose in the end to save you all that it makes us allies. Do not think you can speak so freely to me."

Stark's stare was murderous. "Who said anything about being allies, Chester Chester child molester…and if I recall I wasn't speaking to you. I was speaking to your brother so keep that silver tongue behind your teeth."

"Alright, enough of this!" Steve said forcefully. "This is getting us nowhere. Thor, I think Mr. Stark is trying to ask what's your next step? I mean, will you be taking your brother home or will you leave him here to face our justice?"

Thor glanced at Loki who was glaring daggers at Stark. Stark was returning his glare. Thor cleared his throat uncomfortably. "My brother and I will be returning to Asgard with the Tesseract. Our fath…"

"Your father…" Loki hissed.

Thor sighed, rolling his eyes. "Our father…" He began once more reaching over and giving Loki a painful squeeze on his shoulder. Loki winced but said nothing. "would want me to return home with Loki to face Asgardian justice. You must forgive me when I say this my friends, but your justice system would not be able to hold my brother."

Steve nodded thoughtfully. "Will your father take into consideration that Loki helped us in the end?"

All eyes fell on Steve, but the solider did not even flinch. Loki's lip quirked. So the boy truly did have unmatched morals and a sense of justice. He wanted Loki punished, but only to the extent that it matched his crimes.

Thor gave Steve a grateful smile. "Yes of course. The All father is just but merciful. Loki will be punished accordingly."

"Will he be punished for what he did to my daughter?" Stark hissed through clenched teeth glaring at Rogers.

"Of course. Lady Darcy is my friend as well. You must not doubt my affection for her. I would never allow his transgressions against her to go unpunished and neither will my father."

Fury finally spoke. "And when will you two leave?"

Thor swallowed hard. He had wanted to see Jane desperately. He did not know if he would ever be able to return to Midgard again. Coulson cleared his throat.

"Ms. Foster is on a plane as we speak, Thor. We informed her of your presence several days ago. She requested to come to you immediately. We informed her when it was safe that we would allow her to come back. We put her on a plan two hours ago. She will be here by tomorrow."

Thor beamed and went to Coulson, slapping the man on the back. "Thank you my friend." Thor boomed excitedly. Coulson straightened himself after nearly being knocked to the floor and gave the god of thunder a small smile.

Fury smirked at Coulson. "Thor, if you wouldn't mind taking Loki to the holding cells, we have some business that we need to attend to here."

Thor nodded, still grinning goofily and jerked his brother up by his collar shoving him not too gently in front of him. The two Asgardians followed Coulson out the door.

After Coulson had left the two brothers, Loki sat down on the bench in his cell. He watched Thor out of the corner of his eye. He wondered if he should tell his brother of their mother's visit. Loki still was not sure that he had not dreamed the whole thing, but he had smelled her perfume. He had held her in his arms, so no; it had not been a dream. But how was it possible? He could not imagine his father allowing her to come unaccompanied to Midgard. He could not even manage how she had been able to conjure herself to Midgard without Hemdall or Odin knowing. He looked at his brother once more and decided that for now he would remain silent. He knew Thor would have many questions and Loki was in no mood to be obliging. Instead, his mind went to something else precious to him.

"Where is Darcy? I know she is here somewhere. I can sense her presence. I want to see her before we leave." Loki said softly

Thor shook his head stunned. "You cannot be serious? Loki you cannot see her. After all that you have put her through, can you not leave her in peace?"

"No I cannot. She is mine and I wish to speak to her. I want to tell her how sorry I am that I hurt her so."

"We have been through this Loki, she is not yours! She did not know what she was doing when she made that bargain, you cannot mean to hold her to it?"

Loki growled in annoyance. "And I have already explained this to you. She is mine. She gave herself to me."

Thor's patience was wearing then. "She promised herself to you under a farce! You cannot have her. She is a young woman with her own mind and spirit and you…"

"It is already done. I put the ring on her myself."

Thor froze instantly and Loki winced at the horror in his brother's eyes. "The ring? Loki father told you to destroy that ring! Its magic is evil and wicked. How could you condemn her to this? She is innocent and…"

"I know she's innocent!" Loki roared. "She is innocent and pure and beautiful and kind and everything that I am not and I WANT her, brother. I want her more than I have wanted anything and I will have her. She is already mine and I will not release her!"

"The magic of the ring will destroy her you fool!"

"I will protect her! Do you think I would let anything harm her?"

Thor shook his head flabbergasted. "It cannot be love what you feel for this girl. What is this obsession you have? Where did it come from?"

Loki sighed heavily. "I am not obsessed. And you are right; I do not love her, not yet. But I am fond of her."

"Father will not allow you to keep her. He will force you to remove the ring from her hand."

Loki chuckled. "Father will be bound by the magic of the ring to uphold the power of the ring. The ring will answer to no one but the wielder of its magic. It will not obey no one but me."

"She cannot love you. She cannot make you happy. She will hate you until her dying breath."

Loki swallowed hard, knowing the truth of his brother's words. "I am not as heartless as you think. I am not cruel enough to force her into a life with me until she has had a life of her own. "

Thor laughed humorlessly. "And what is it that you offer her then? A few years before you come and claim her?"

Loki looked at the floor and spoke softly. "I am done speaking of this with you."

Thor lunged forward and grabbed Loki by the shoulders, jerking him up. "And what if she is married and with children? What of the life she is leading then?"

"I will allow her to keep her children and I will give her more should she want them."

Thor's frustration was tangible. He shook his brother when he spoke. "This is absolute madness Loki! Take the ring from her finger before this becomes any worse."

Loki smiled a sad little smile. "And what if I could make her chose me? Really chose me and love me and want a life with me?"

Thor shoved Loki back down onto the bench. "You are a fool. She will never love you and you know it. Not after all that you have done."

Loki's expression became guarded "I will have eternity to make it up to her."

"You think Father grant her imortality?"

Loki chuckled darkly. "Always so small minded brother, there are other ways to make her immortal."

"You are beyond reason. I no longer have the patience to fool with you." Thor snapped walking out of the cell and slamming it shut so violently that it shook the foundations of the walls. Loki gave his brother and elegant shrug and leaned back against the cold wall of the cell. Loki closed his eyes and began to ponder his next move.

Steve Rogers couldn't sleep. Visions of the war plagued his dreams along with the visions of her, the one he had lost. He still had never been dancing and he did not know if he would ever have the heart to try. The war veteran had gotten up over two hours ago deciding that this was as good time as any to check out SHIELDS training facility. The room was spacious and had several cardio and weight machines. It also had a full sized ring for boxing. He had been taking out his stress for over an hour on the poor unsuspecting punching bag when he heard a small sound behind him. He stopped and turned around, his eyes widening in surprise at seeing her up and about this late.

"I'm sorry." She said softly, clearly embarrassed. "I thought you might have been my dad. He uh…boxes too."

Steve smiled and began to unwrap his wrists. "No problem. I was just finishing up."

Darcy stepped further into the room. "Do you make it a habit to exercise at three in the morning?"

Steve shrugged. "Do you make it a habit to walk around in the early morning looking for your dad?"

"Touché'" She said laughing softly. "I don't think we've actually met properly have we? I was kind of falling apart the last time you saw me."

Steve jumped the ropes of the ring and walked towards her. "No, we haven't. And I wouldn't say you fell apart. I thought you have done quite well considering what you have been through." Steve extended his hand to Darcy." Hello, I am Steve Rogers."

Darcy giggled softly and took his hand. "Darcy Stark. Nice to meet you Steve." Oh My God he is sooo hot.

Darcy could feel the flush coming over her face and she looked down before she spoke. "Well, I guess I had better call it a night finally."

Steve nodded and smiled, still holding her hand. After a few awkward seconds Darcy cleared her throat. Steve looked down at her hand in his and his face turned bright pink.

"Oh…I-I...I uh didn't realize…sorry I wasn't paying attention." As he stumbled over his words he still had not released her hand. She smiled widely at him and glanced down. Steve followed her eyes and flushed even brighter. The man was the color of a tomato. He let go of her hand and stepped back.

"Again…I'm sorry…it was nice meeting you." The words were rushed. Steve walked passed her and out into the corridor.

Darcy watched his retreating back with both eyebrows raised and a smile on her face.

It was around 7 am when Darcy got the news that Jane would be there in a few hours. Darcy was searching diligently for Thor. She had heard that Loki had been moved to another room for interrogation and that Thor was probably close by. Darcy was practically running down the hallways. "Thor!" She yelled. "Thor where are you big guy?" Finally after turning down a hallway that looked exactly like all the others, she caught a glimpse of his blonde head as she ran past a room. She backed up and shoved the door open barreling inside. She ran into the room, her excitement at seeing her friend bubbling over. She ran straight to Thor and through her arms around him. "Guess what!" She squealed excitedly into his ear. His chest rumbled in laughter against her as he lifted her off her feet into a hug. She pulled back, her eyes bright with happiness and looked into Thor's handsome smiling face.

"What is it Lady Darcy?" Thor asked forgetting momentarily his brother's presence in the room.

"Jane will be here in a few hours. She was picked up by a navel pilot and they are bringing her straight here. I haven't seen her in forever…I'm so excited!" She pressed her small hands into his chest before gasping and bringing her hand to her mouth. "Sorry…I know it's been almost a year since you've seen her. I can only imagine how you feel."

Thor laughed again and hugged her to him before putting her down. "It is alright Darcy. I know you wish to see your friend as much as I do."

"Yeah but for different reasons." Darcy teased.

Loki watched from the corner of the room how his brother interacted with Darcy. He could not stop the rush of jealousy that coursed through him at how open and happy she was with him. Loki did not know why, but he longed to have that kind of relationship with her.

Darcy bounced on the balls of her feet as she talked rapidly to Thor about Jane and Erik. Her little hands were flailing out in front of her as she spoke, her voice and body becoming more animated as she spoke and she was talking so fast he was surprised that Thor could understand her.

It was several minutes before Darcy even noticed Loki setting in the corner. His felt as if his heart would break when he saw her smile falter and her lovely chocolate eyes cloud over guarded. "Oh…I'm sorry, I didn't know you weren't alone. "She said softly to Thor. "I'll come and get you when she gets here."

Thor nodded solemnly and looked at his brother. He was confused by the pain he saw in Loki's eyes. Maybe Loki had true feelings for this girl. Darcy turned to go but halted when she heard Loki's voice.

"Darcy, please wait a moment."

Darcy stopped but did not turn around. Her whole body tensed involuntarily and her skin crawled at the sound of his voice. She could feel the familiar prickles on the back of her neck and she jumped and yelped when she felt hands on her upper arms.

"Darcy, it's alright. He cannot harm you while I am here."

Darcy could feel the tension leave her body when she heard Thor's voice. Darcy turned and looked up at Thor who gave her a reassuring smile before giving her attention to Loki. Loki stared at her a few moments before speaking almost cautiously. "Have you attempted to remove the ring?"

"Yes I have, but I knew it would not be that simple. Thor has already promised to speak to your father about it."

Loki stood and stepped towards her. Darcy stood her ground and stared at him defiantly.

"Of course it is not that simple pet…"

Thor noticed when Darcy flinched at his brother's term of endearment for her.

"The ring cannot be removed except by me. Not even Odin himself will be able to remove it."

Darcy's eyes narrowed. She lifted her chin and took a step towards him.

"You're even more pathetic than I first took you for if you think this fucking ring means anything to me." She snapped.

Both Asgardians were impressed with her bravery despite the fact that Thor was with her.

"Your feelings towards the ring matters little pet. It only matters that it marks you as mine and I will only remove it when I see fit."

Darcy small hands balled into fists at her sides. "And when will that be exactly. "She spat out.

Loki shrugged nonchalantly. "When you love me."

Thor's expression was incredulous, but he said nothing. Loki expected screams and tears, but Darcy just stood and looked at him. The room because almost unbearable tense. She stood staring at Loki silent as death. Loki began to become uncomfortable under her gaze. Her expression gave nothing away. Suddenly she approached him, raising her hand and slapping him soundly across his face before turning and storming out of the room.

"The level of your cruelty is unfathomable brother." Thor said disgustedly as he turned and walked out after Darcy. He stopped and turned back. "I will be outside of this door, should you try to escape, I will break your neck."

"When will she be ready?" The man hissed impatiently from the shadows.

The Russian turned to regard his employer. "Is taking longer than expected. Have patience."

"You will be able to revive her with no damage? What shape will her mind be in?"

The Russian could not stop the shudder that moved through his body when he felt the other man brush up against him as he spoke. His employer had been so badly disfigured from the accident he was almost too repulsive for the physicist to tolerate.

"She will be how you say, good as new…she sleeps now."

The Russian released the breath he had been holding with the man moved away and disappeared back into the shadows.

Darcy had put her earlier unpleasant experience with Loki out of her mind despite the fact that she was once again in a room with him. But this time not only did she have Thor with her, but she had the company of the man she owed her freedom too. She had been looking for Clint all afternoon and late into the evening before she discovered him in the same interrogation room with Thor and unfortunately Loki. But her joy at finally seeing Clint since before the battle overshadowed her loathing of seeing Loki.

She hugged Clint tightly. He returned the favor by lifting her into a bear tight hug and holding her in his arms thanking God that he had been able to get her away from Loki. She was safe and Loki was going back to Asgard.

"Thank you so much for helping me. Thank you for getting me away from him."

Clint sat her back down on the floor but did not release her. "No worries kid. Just doing my job."

Loki watched the display with growing anger and jealousy. How disgustingly sentimental and pathetic. And they dared to speak about him as if he wasn't even in the room with them. Were they trying to mock him? A wicked grin crossed over Loki's face. "Tell me archer, did she not inform you of our little bargain?"

Darcy gasped audibly and Clint turned to look at Loki. Thor took a step forward. "Brother please. Let us not play games now."

Loki chuckled. "I am in earnest brother." Loki turned back to Clint. "Did Miss. Stark inform you of the price of your freedom?"

Clint looked at Darcy. Her eyes were wide and full of unshed tears. Her hand was over her mouth.

"Darce, what's he talking about?"

"Come pet, we must share our good news." Loki said smugly. "She made a bargain archer, her freedom for yours."

Clint's eyes widened as a sickened look crossed over his face. "Darcy, what does he mean?"

"Have you not shown him my gift to you? Come now pet, you wound me so." Loki was absolutely beaming now. His eyes glinted wickedly and his smug grin was unbearable. "The little one has bound herself to me archer, for all eternity."

The color drained from Clint's normally stoic face. His eyes were livid as he stared at Loki. "Darcy, tell me he's lying. What gift is he talking about? What did he give you?"

Darcy shook her head, the tears falling freely now. Clint moved towards Darcy and she took a step away from him, her right hand now behind her back.

"Darcy…" Clint began gently, taking her arm and pulling it from behind her back just as gently. He held her small hand in his large one staring down at the ring that had sealed her fate.

Clint looked back at Loki, his expression hard. "What does this mean Loki?"

Loki sighed with impatience. "I have already told you what it means you daft mortal. She has bound herself to me and the ring was my gift to her, signifying the binding."

A growl erupted from the archer's throat. "Fuck that and fuck you!" He roared grabbing Darcy's hand again and attempting to pull the ring from her finger. Clint yelped sharply dropping her hand when he realized he had been burned. He hissed from pain and turned to Loki seething with rage. "Take. It. Off. Now." Clint whispered dangerously stepping towards Loki.

Loki laughed mockingly as Thor moved to stand between Barton and his brother.

"Or what my friend? What will you do to me hmm?" Loki snorted derisively. "No, I will not remove it. She is mine and my gift ensures that she stays mine. You should be falling to your knees thanking her for her sacrifice, it is what saved you in the end. Now run along to your other little friends and leave me and my brother be. We have much to discuss before I return to Asgard." Loki's eyes turned to Darcy. "But fear not little one, I shall return for you in due time."

Darcy looked at Clint, her eyes pleading as she stared at him. The shock and horror was evident on his face. He stared at her a few moments longer before turning on his heal and walking silently from the room.

"Clint please…" Darcy started to go after him, but Thor grabbed her and pulled her back. She struggled against his hold. "Let me go Thor, I have to talk to him."

Thor held her at arms length by her upper arms. "Darcy, you must give him time. Think on how he feels at this moment. Think on how you would feel if someone that you loved had given up their freedom for you."

Darcy whirled around and stalked towards Loki. He was stunned when he felt a tremendous sting to his face. This was the second time she had slapped him. "I HATE YOU!" She screamed pummeling his chest with her small fists. "I HATE YOU!" She choked through her sobs. "You're wicked and cruel and I would rather die than belong to you."

Thor pulled Darcy away from his brother and into his embrace. He held her while she cried. He stared hard at his brother who swallowed hard and had the decency to look ashamed. Loki could not hold Thor's gaze and looked away.

Natasha needed some air. It had been a long two days and she was exhausted. This battle had taken more out of her than she had realized. She walked the long corridors of the SHIELD complex looking for Banner. She hadn't seen him since he had "Hulked out" and actually helped Loki on the roof of Stark Tower. Now that had been a sight to behold, the god wrapped tightly in the massive green paw and then the Hulk actually protecting Loki from the fire of the alien army. Everything had happened so fast it had almost felt like a dream. Natasha sighed as she peered into yet another empty room. It looked like she wasn't going to find Banner tonight, so she decided to make her way to the roof.

She expected everyone to be resting after what they had been through. She knew that Fury and Coulson were still up of course. The two men worked tirelessly always and she knew that they would still be discussing strategies and of course the future of the Avengers. She also knew that Fury was, well, furious at the committee for launching that nuke. She also knew that Fury didn't believe for one second that it had been for damage control as they had claimed. No, those stuffy old suits had wanted to take not only Loki and his army out, but the Avengers also. Now Fury and the Avengers just needed to know why.

Natasha made her way to the roof thinking she would be alone. She was pleasantly surprised to see that she was not. She slowly made her way over to her friend who was sitting quietly on the edge of the building staring up into the night sky. The smile that was on her face faltered when she took in his grim expression.

Natasha reached out and touched Clint gently on the shoulder. "Clint? Are you alright?"

"No I'm pretty fucking far from alright Tess."

She sat down beside him. They sat in silence for a few moments before Clint spoke. "She sold her soul to him for me."

"What?"

"Darce…the price of my freedom apparently, I mean if you hadn't of gotten me back. He was going to free me and let me live if she promised herself to him."

"Oh…" Natasha's voice trailed off, not sure what to say next.

"Stupid, stupid girl!" Clint yelled. "God, why would she do that? How in the hell are we supposed to save her from that!"

"We can protect her if he tries to take her again. Considering that this All father guy ever even let's Loki out of Asgard again."

"It's not as simple as that Tess. Loki said she bound herself to him by magic. I saw the fucking ring. I tried to take it off her myself and it burned the shit out of me. She can't even take it off. What the fuck can we do against magic?" Clint stood and began to pace back and forth. "How am I supposed to live with this Tess? Knowing what she promised…knowing what she gave herself too…for me."

"Clint…"

"I mean why is he even doing this? What could he possibly hope to gain by this? He can't take her with him when he goes home?" Clint's fists clenched tightly by his side. He stopped pacing and whirled around to face the small red head. "What could he be thinking? This is insane and to what purpose huh? I mean is he just a completely sadistic bastard, making sure that she can't have a life of her own? That she can't ever marry, have children, and fall in love because she's bound to him? Why did he even help us in the end if he was going to do this?"

Natasha stood and grabbed his arm. "Hey, calm down. We will figure this out okay? And just because he decided that he didn't want to destroy the world or take it over doesn't mean he's still not a spoiled self serving self pitying little prick. Besides, this Odin person, they call him the All father right? He has to have more power than Loki. I'm sure he won't allow his own kid to keep a mortal girl prisoner against her will. Thor says he's a very wise man with a strong sense of justice."

Clint sighed deeply and nodded, placing his hand over hers. "It'll be okay Barton."

Loki sighed deeply. He hadn't meant to be so cruel to Darcy, but when he had seen her in the archer's arms he could contain his jealousy no longer. It was bad enough he had to witness how she had flung herself into his brother's arms. He knew his anger at how safe she felt with his brother was unjustified just as his jealousy had been. He knew that he had given her no reason to trust him or feel anything but fear when she was around him.

He loathed that he had to deceive her, deceive his brother even, but it had to be done. The alchemist that had created that ring centuries ago had been a wicked and cruel man. The ring he had created mimicked its master cruelty. Loki had to deceive the ring of his true purpose even more so then he had to deceive his brother and Darcy. He had to be cautious and tread carefully. Loki needed the magic of the ring to fulfill his plans, but he had put Darcy in danger by doing so. If the ring ever found out what Loki was trying to do, it is possible the magic within the ring would destroy her. But Loki was confident in his own magical abilities that she would be perfectly safe, that he could protect her.

It was going to be nearly impossible to make her love him after all of this, but there is where his magic would end. Yes, he would use magic to bind her to him, to make sure that no one else could take her from him, but he would not use force to make her love him. He wanted her to love him all on her own.