New Start: Chapter 11

So, I'm back...and it's late. I love you guys, but my AN wit has flown out the window as of five minutes ago, so please enjoy the new chap:)

I'm sorry about the cliffies! (not really *evil laugh*)

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters or the Avengers:( No sueing please! Only reading.

Morphine is not good for the mind, Hulk and Banner agree, and Clint claims family.

Odd Family

Loki was growing more and more comfortable with Doctor Banner, especially now that he knew the Hulk actually liked him. He sighed contentedly against the pillow. Bruce looked up from the book he was reading, with a good natured smirk on his face.

"Feel better? Morphine does wonders in place of magic doesn't it?" Loki was feeling quite happy indeed and just nodded a heavy head in response. He barely heard Clint chuckle through the haze that was filling his head and weighing it down. The drug was breaking down his mental defenses, though. So, yes it would help him sleep, but it was also making the mental walls it created a little weaker each time, getting the Chitauri that much closer to having a hold back over his dream state. Unfortunately, Bruce couldn't possibly know that, and Loki was too busy marveling over every kindness shown him, that he didn't even notice the far off hands slowly curling back around his mind and digging their claws deeper in.

"Get some rest, Loki. We're right here. The drug should give you at least a few hours, so you don't have to worry." Another smile graced Bruce's lips. "No need to even think. Just get some sleep. You need it. I'm having a hard time deciding whether the darkness under your eyes is from exhaustion or from you saying something that pissed Natasha off." Loki smiled softly at that and before he knew it, he was pulled into the darkness.

Bruce smiled down at the young man when he saw him finally fall asleep. He looked up towards Clint, and they shared a knowing look. Though Loki was a few thousand years old, he still looked and, technically was, barely an eighteen year old. Bruce hesitated a moment before reaching out a hand and gently stroking the raven black locks. The time spent talking with the Trickster brought on new feelings that Bruce had never felt before. Not the creepy kind, no; feelings of protectiveness and fatherly love towards the intelligent, kind, and strong young man. You're growing on me, kid. The crazy cats in your head are nothing more than the gentlest kitten. Bruce made a face. I will never tell him that if I want to live. So, the older man settled back down into his chair to watch over his very unexpectedly, and quickly, adopted family. A faint smile pulled at the corners of his mouth when he felt a small approving vibration in him coming from Hulk. My puny god.

Barton watched the interaction and smiled to himself. The kid had grown on him, and he was starting to figure out why. His time as 'Loki's' slave had given him some personal time with their then archenemy. When they were alone, he swore he saw his shoulders slump and his footsteps drag on the ground, as if he was forcing himself to do what he was. Though the thought never occurred to Hawkeye then, he could look back now and see the signs. His empty gazes, the never ending speeches that seemed... off. Almost like the words were being physically torn from him. A memory hit Clint, almost to the point of knocking him off his chair/perch. There was one time when he and Loki had been alone...

FLASHBACK

Loki is sitting at the table looking over estimates and schematics and supply lists. He appears unaware of his servant's presence. Suddenly, sweats crops up on his brow and upper lip. He starts to convulse. Barton rushes forward to help his 'Boss' when the man stops shaking and turns toward him. His green eyes are wide and afraid and in pain. He doesn't want to be here. He doesn't want to have any part in this. His eyes are pleading with Barton for help, but before he gets a word out he freezes, then his eyes glaze over as blue rushes back in drowning out the piercing green. The now blue eyes turn a scowl on the archer.

"Yes, Hawk? Is there something you wish to inform me of?" Barton simply stares, a quite part in the back of his mind filing what he just saw far away for later. Finally, he responds.

"Only came to tell you that Dr. Selvig is nearly done, Sir." Loki's eyes grow with an eagerness that was obviously not something shared with the strange, green eyed version.

"Good. The time is drawing near. Midgard and the Tesseract will be mine."

END FLASHBACK

Clint felt an uncharacteristic wetness form around his eyes as he remembered. He had fought. He had gained freedom for a single moment, before it had been ripped from him with a vengeance. Barton felt his hands clench into fists. Loki was part of the team now, their family, granted a pretty odd family, but family nonetheless. And no one hurts Clint's family. No one.

Sorry this chap wasn't as long as the last one, but hey, whatcha gonna do? Don't kill me...please. Please review! They make me smile and help with writers block:)

BTW's I am always open to suggestions when it comes to where the story is headed, so if you want something specific, or maybe want me to write you your own little story I'm all up for it:) But I don't do crossovers or anything that would be rated M or slash. Only F/M relationships and nothing above T.