" What's the diagnosis Dr. Banner?" Agent Coulson's stoic facade was cracking. His eyes followed every move the doctor did on his agent.
" Well she seems to be fine, all vitals are normal. Same for your brother." Added Banner after catching the concerned look on the gods face.
Phil looked over to the trickster, his body had taken quite a beating despite its accelerated healing. A since of pride flushed in him that his girl could take down a god. He returned his gaze to Lyla's quiet figure, Fury was upset that his prisoner was sharing the hospital ward with a fellow agent.
Fury had believed that it was a ploy to escape planned by the trickster. In his mind he did not readily believe that the god of mischief was being mind controlled by some higher force. After all he had witnessed him gain control over Barton and Selvig. This just had to be a trap and that the trickster should stay in his cell. Phil however held his ground against his boss, Thor had made it quiet clear that they should not be separated.
" Quite an unusual maiden you have son of Coul." Rumbled the god of thunder watching him intently. " Who is she to you?"
Phil couldn't help but give a small smile, not taking his eyes off his agent.
" She is the best agent I could ever had, more importantly she is the family I never knew I needed." He sighed wistfully. Lyla had been a handful when he first recruited her. Then over time she had grew on him. Despite the controlled exterior she had developed there was a vibrant person beneath. One he couldn't see his life without.
He could still remember the little things she would do for him.
" Happy Birthday Phil!" He jumped at the loud voice, coffee spilling onto his desk. Looking up he was perplexed by the sight. A small cake with a single candle lit was being offered to him. Lyla's smile beamed from over the cake, her eyes bright with her enthusiasm.
" How'd you know?" Phil said as he cleared his throat, dabbing at the coffee that had spilled. He hadn't had a birthday since before his recruitment into SHIELD.
Lyla shrugged, not wanting to admit the numerous protocols she had broken to inquire his date of birth. Or the huge mess that was left in the kitchenette back at their apartment from her baking.
" Lucky guess! Now make a wish!" He couldn't deny the happiness he felt at the moment. She was sure bringing some vibrancy to his normally routine life. A good thing compared to when he had to baby sit a super hero playboy.
Shaking his head with a chuckle he blew out the candle. Not needing to wish for anything but thanking whatever fates had tied this girl to him.
" Yay! What did you wish for? Wait that would make it not come true." Phil smiled at the rambunctious girl as she started cutting the cake.
" Curious girl, I have not encountered a being who has been able to go against my brother. And to defeat him is even rarer." Thor said offhand. He was unsure to whether to trust the girl, though at the moment she was unconscious.
He had been furious when he saw her attacking her brother. At the first sight of blood he had stormed off to rescue Loki from the agent harming him. Though he mused to himself, she is the only one possible to save his brother.
Loki was being controlled. The thought enraged him more, he had thought his brother lost. He had mourned along with his parents when Loki disappeared off the destroyed Bifrost. They all believed him to be dead, lost to them forever. Then when Heimdall had brought news of sighting Loki on midguard he was beyond relief and joy!
His brother was alive! Though he was troubled by what Heimdall had told him next.
" Be weary my lord, this is not a Loki I recognize." The gatekeepers voice was troubled.
" What do you mean?"
" He is clouded with darkness sire. Not even when he was here wreaking havoc in Asgard did I witness him in such a state. Something has changed in the young prince."
" Heimdall I still believe he is my brother, and I shall be able to rescue him from whatever demons he has."
" Of course, but I caution Prince Thor, that Loki may not be acting on his own accord."
It seems now that the great gatekeeper had been right. Someone was controlling the trickster, had a very strong hold the princes mind by looks of it.
" Son of Coul do you believe that the Lady Lyla will be able to break whatever hold that is on my brother?" The agent turned to look at him, worry etched onto his features. Straightening up he let his stoic mask back into place.
" Of course, my agent is anything if not tenacious and determined. She will free herself and your brother." Coulson smirked, Thor had mentioned that Loki may not want Lyla's help in freeing himself. " Whether he will appreciate the help or not. Lyla will not abandon anyone, she has the habit of putting other before herself."
" Right miss little spitfire here does pack a wallop. Should see what she did to my shirt the one time she dropped by on a visit with Coulson here." Stark strutted into the medical bay munching on a bag of blue berries. Coulson merely sighed at Tony's loud exclamation.
" Should have listened to me Mr. Stark. I had warned you against upsetting her."
" Your such a kill joy Phil! Besides I've grown fond over the kid, she certainly knows how to speak her mind." Banner shook his head in agreement while checking over some last vitals. This did not go unnoticed by the genius.
" See even Banner agrees!" The attention turned onto the doctor. Geez he's been getting more attention on him in past couple of hours then he had in his years of hiding. Mostly because of the Miss Lyla Evanson.
" So Banner whats the prognosis on the kid. Is she a mutant? Some kind of higher life form like our friend point break here?" Coulson's mask cracked for a moment before sighing. It was no use, not when Stark was had his teeth in information that he wanted.
" Couldn't hack into her file Stark?" Romanoff bit out from the doorway. No one had noticed the widows appearance.
" Oh Miss Romanoff lovely to have you join us! And of course I have hacked into her file already!" Tony paused to munch on another handful of berries. Neither Coulson nor Romanoff could ignore the look of pity that flashed into his eyes. " However it did not answer some questions for me. I like having the full picture in all things."
Coulson rubbed at his temples. Stark was up to something, and with him involved it would lead into trouble.
" Coulson, Fury would like to debrief the both of us." Natasha said, her glare never leaving Stark. The widows glare did nothing to him, and he returned it with a smile.
" Right away." With a final glance to Lyla, he stepped away to Natasha's side. Glancing back he knew he had nothing to worry about. His agent was going to be watched over with possibly the worlds best body guards. Thor stood watch between both hospital beds, meanwhile Tony and Bruce stood to the side analyzing some data off a monitor.
There was no doubt that her body would be kept safe. It was now all up to her to fight the current battle with her mind.
