Almost done.


Talia had once again been brought to the infirmary where Loki was being held. She had no idea how long it had been since she had last seen the Jotun but he was already worse than he had been the first time they met. Sweat dotted his brows and it took all of whatever strength he had left to try to squirm away from the pain in his body.

"Fix him!" Sigyn snarled at the Midgardian, pointing the sceptre menacingly at her as she did. Talia did not even care about the magic that the sorceress could do to her; she was more worried about the fact that Loki was dying and she might already be too late.

"Mistress! The Avengers are on the bridge!" Sigyn let out a scream of frustration before turning to the agent who had brought her the news.

"Who?"

"Captain America, Thor and Iron Man, mistress."

"No one else?"

"No ma'am."

"Search every inch of this ship. They would not have come without their other allies." she was already striding out of the room as she gave out her orders. "And get someone to watch the healer. Make sure she does not hurt my Loki."

"Yes mistress!" soon Sigyn was out of sight and the agent was left alone with Talia. She didn't care that she had been left to someone else. She was silently praying that Bruce would arrive soon with the antidote they had engineered for the poison that had been originally intended for Steve. "You~" his words were cut off when he was struck with an arrow to his shoulder. The agent was down in a matter of moments and Talia was accompanied by someone else.

"Talia!"

"Bruce!" she turned swiftly to find her fellow doctor approaching her. He had her roll-up bag of weapons slung over his shoulder with Clint following behind him. The archer was watching the door for other agents after he had pulled the guard's body inside the room. "Thank God you're here!"

"We don't have much time!" Barton hissed at the pair and they both nodded.

"Are you sure this will work?" Bruce asked his friend while he handed her one of the syringes he had brought with him.

"No, but it's worth a shot. Otherwise Loki's dead." she took it and turned back to the man who was becoming more pale by the second. "Loki," she called out to him, hoping that in the haze of his pain he would still recognize her voice. "I'm going to inject you with the antidote now." he couldn't answer and she didn't wait. Quickly, ignoring the pain in her fingers as she touched his bare, blue skin, she injected him with the formula. She and Bruce waited with baited breath but moments came and nothing happened. It seemed as if their work had not been successful.

"All agents report to the infirmary. There has been a security breach. All agents report to the infirmary. There has been a security breach." Red lights started flashing around them as the alarms began to blare.

"Barton!" Talia turned to face the archer as she tossed him a vial which he caught only by pure reflex. "Did you bring one of the new arrows Tony made for you?" he looked at the vial in surprise before nodding.

"Guess it's time for a field test?"

"You got one shot Hawkeye."

"I never miss." they both nodded and Clint removed one of the panels above the vents and climbed inside.

"We're not going?" Bruce asked Talia once they were left alone. Behind them, they could hear Loki's labored breathing.

"I refuse to leave him behind." she shook her head. "Besides she's on her way here now with all the other agents. We'll be trapped in no time." just as she said it, Sigyn appeared at the doorway. Bruce wasted no time in transforming to his other self and then the Hulk was attacking the sorceress as he tried to protect his friend but his attention was otherwise engaged when a small army of agents appeared in the hallway and started to attack him.

"I warned you not to cross me mortal." Sigyn hissed as she stepped forward menacingly. "I do not know how you were able to send out a message to the Avengers," she spat. "But I assure you it is futile."

"Where is my brother?"

"The Man of Iron? I believe he is quite occupied dealing with his team mates." Talia's blood ran cold at the thought that they were fighting each other but she had to buy time for Clint to get in a clear shot. "The Captain was indeed a righteous man, but he was so easy to trick and Thor, well, I have been playing with Thor's mind for a long time. It was a matter of making them both see an enemy in their friend's presence."

"All this and for a man whom you have killed!" Talia glared at the other woman who faltered at the accusation.

"You lie!" Sigyn snarled at her, sparks of magic flying from the end of her sceptre.

"Loki died because of you. You poisoned him and his body literally killed itself."

"I took you so you could prevent something like this from happening!" Sigyn screamed at Talia.

"Well it was too late. His heart gave out before I could administer the antidote."

"I warned you what would happen if you lost him mortal!" the sorceress began to glow with magic. "Just as you took everything from me, so shall I do the same for you!" Talia realized what she meant to do moments before the beam of light hit her right in the abdomen. Before then, she didn't even know and yet before she could confirm anything it was taken from her. She crumpled to the ground when the light was suddenly gone but there was another brighter light that surrounded both her and Loki. She felt like she was floating, she had no idea what had happened but at the moment she was safe and that was all she cared about.

XoxoxoX

"The sorceress is down." Barton reported through their comms. He had been occupied with four agents who were already there waiting for him in the vents and it took him a while to take them down. By the time he was in position to use the arrow that Tony had made for him, Sigyn had already shot Talia with a strange beam of light. He let the arrow loose and hoped that Talia would be alright.

"Copy that." Iron Man replied.

"Talia!" the voice was one of Hulk's and the two conscious Avengers wondered how he was able to keep his communicator on.

"Seems like all the other agents went down with the sorceress."

"Cap and point break were dancing around me before you got a hit in birdie."

"Are they okay?"

"They look kinda hungover but I guess they'll be fine. The bitch hit them with some sort of magic and then suddenly they were on me."

"I'm going to go check on Talia and the big guy."

"We'll head into the infirmary once these two can walk in a straight line."

"Alright. I'll keep you informed." he dropped down from his perch and back into the room where Talia was lying on the floor beside Loki's bed. Bruce was already leaning over her and checking her pulse. "How is she doc?"

"She's just unconscious." Bruce sat back and regarded Clint with a watchful eye. "Where's Sigyn?"

"Writhing on the floor." the archer pointed just behind them where the sorceress was doing just as he said. Neither of them knew what it had been that Talia had given him to use against the sorceress but at the moment neither cared. Their attention was taken away from the Asgardian by someone taking a big gasping breath.

"Talia, you're okay." Bruce cradled Talia as she shot up from the floor, holding her against his chest and grounding her. "You're okay luv, you're okay." he could feel the wetness of her tears against his bare skin but he paid it no mind. His friend needed him and he would be there for her. They still didn't know what it was that Sigyn tried to do to her and they would get their answers soon but not yet.

"Loki," Talia whispered into his chest. "Where's Loki? Is he alright?" Bruce and Clint shared a look because they really hadn't thought of checking on the other man. Mostly because they were otherwise preoccupied and they had thought him dead after Talia's declaration to Sigyn but also because they didn't quite care enough for Loki to actually check on him.

"I~"

"Did no one actually think to make sure that she wouldn't try to run away?" Tony's haughty voice came to them and they all looked up to see him discharge an electrical weapon towards the sorceress who was trying, and failing, to crawl out of the room. Behind him stood Steve and Thor who looked disdainfully at the woman who was then jerking with the volts of electricity that she was being shot with. Before anyone could say anything a loud wail echoed across the infirmary and Talia abandoned her position in Bruce's lap to check on the crying child. "What in the world~?" but Talia was swaying where she stood and Steve was running to catch her before she could fall flat on her face.

"Are you okay?" he asked his girlfriend who ignored him in favor of looking at the boy who was lying on the bed clutching at the clothes that were much too big for him as he regarded them with frightened jade eyes.

"Bruce, please." Talia whispered to her friend with tears in her eyes and he sighed. He didn't care at all that she was still in her lover's arms. He just kissed her forehead and then turned his attention to the crying boy.

"Loki?" he just cried louder at the sound of Bruce's voice. "It's alright Loki. We're not going to hurt you." Loki attempted to curl himself into a ball, the sight tugging at Bruce's heartstrings and he took a deep breath before trying again. "I'm Bruce and I'm a doctor, a healer. I would like to check if you're okay Loki. Would you let me do that?" he said in a voice that was both soothing and calming but Loki seemed to shake harder.

"Loki, do you remember me?" this time it was Talia who spoke from Steve's arms. "It's alright Loki. I promised I would get us help, didn't I? Bruce is just here to help us." bright green eyes stared at her curiously, tears now gone as she continued to speak. "No one here is going to hurt you, I promise."

"Are you okay?" she heard his voice in her own head but she answered anyway.

"I'm fine Loki. I'm just a little tired." he was calming down as she talked to him. Slowly uncurling from his ball, Loki looked at Talia in Steve's arms. "Will you let Bruce check you over?" he looked uncertainly at the bare-chested man but shook his head after a few moments of contemplation. "What about if I hold you? Will you let him see you then? I promise I'll stop him if he tries to hurt you." he stared at her for a while but then he nodded. "Steve," Talia looked to the man holding her who was looking at her worriedly. She met his gaze and he searched her eyes for the truth before he seemed to see what he had been looking for and he nodded. He kissed her softly before assisting her to the bed. Loki shrunk back into the corner when Steve was near him so the blond stepped back as soon as Talia was settled properly.

"Someone should go check on the director." Bruce said with a pointed look at Tony who was still directing electricity at Sigyn at odd intervals.

"Right, come on Cap. Let's go look for Nicky. You and Point Break are coming with me."

"I'll look after them Cap." Clint offered when the blond sent a look towards the two patients on the bed. He just nodded in thanks before leaning down to grab Sigyn off the floor and walking after his two other team mates.

XoxoxoX

"How long have you been here Agent?" Tony asked Phil who was leaning over Nick Fury's dead body in the director's - former director's - office.

"I arrived a few minutes after you did. I knew you would forget to check on the director so I followed you."

"I didn't forget."

"None of you remembered to look for him until Bruce told you to." Phil deadpanned before looking at Thor who was not his usual cheery self after a battle.

"How did you know that?"

"I've been listening in on the comms." Phil shrugged.

"How long has he been dead?" Steve asked as he stared at the dead body.

"Don't know."

"What's going to happen now?"

"From what I can tell, Fury took the majority of the operations here but there are still a few bases on the ground. Also, all the agents who were controlled by Sigyn seemed to have lost their memories about SHIELD."

"Speaking of Sigyn, what are we going to do about her?" they all turned to look at Thor who was still not listening to their conversation.

"Thor?" Steve prompted.

"I apologize. The sight of my brother as a child ~" he couldn't continue but they all nodded in understanding. "I shall take her back to Asgard and present her to the AllFather. She will pay for her crimes and justice will be brought upon her."

"And Loki?"

"I believe he should stay here until he is better. Only lady Natalia knows what has happened to him and until I have further knowledge, I would prefer not to take him back home." he was so subdued it was a bit surprising but they all agreed with him.

"We'll take them back to the tower while you sort out Sigyn."

"You have my gratitude Man of Iron."

"You're welcome Thor." Tony smiled genuinely at his friend who returned it albeit reluctantly. He was obviously still worried about his brother but knew that at that point it was important to bring Sigyn back to their world so that she may face her punishment.

XoxoxoX

Talia awoke to the sound of loud cries. Her eyes snapped open and she turned her head to the noise to find that Loki was wailing at the top of his lungs in a hospital bed. Thor was standing a little ways away from him unsure what to do because every time he tried to approach the boy, Loki cried louder. Talia stumbled out of her own bed trying to reach Loki but she was beaten to it by Bruce who quickly placed the tray of food he had been holding on the table at the end of the bed and scooped the little boy up into his arms. Almost immediately Loki quietened, especially when Bruce brought Loki to Talia's bed where Natasha had helped her back but this time in a sitting position. He placed the boy onto her lap with a kiss to Loki's ebony locks just in time for Steve to enter the room with Tony and Pepper trailing behind him. The ginger haired woman was carrying their four and a half month daughter with her as they entered the med bay.

"Where's Phil?" Talia asked. "And Clint?"

"They're at the helicarrier, trying to fix what Sigyn had destroyed." Bruce replied.

"He shouldn't be there." she argued. "Friday, call Phil. I need to talk to him."

"Right away Boss."

"Coulson."

"Where are you?" Talia asked but even as she spoke, her eyes were on Tony who was also looking back at her. In the few moments while she waited for Phil's response, her brother understood what it was she wanted and immediately began to fiddle with his tablet.

"At the helicarrier."

"What are you doing there?"

"SHIELD is in the wind."

"What do you mean?"

"Whatever Sigyn did to the other agents erased their memories of SHIELD."

"All their memories?" Talia asked.

"Yes. From what I could gather all their memories of SHIELD are gone. They have no recollection of the agency at all."

"So, there's no one left from SHIELD?"

"No. At least not from here. We haven't tried to contact the other bases yet." Phil was silent for a few moments clearly waiting for another question.

"Come home Phil."

"What? I can't do that!" Phil protested.

"And why not?"

"There's so much to do here!"

"You listen to me this instant Philip Coulson, you better get your ass into a VTOL in the next ten minutes or I'm coming there to extract you myself." Talia threatened.

"You just got back from being kidnapped."

"And you just woke up from the dead." she retorted.

"Talia, I can't come home right now. There's no one to take charge here."

"From what you just told us, there's no reason to take charge." Tony muttered to the glares of both Steve and Natasha, in the background they could hear Clint's muffled laughter in response. "Besides, as it turns out Agent Hill was assigned to the DC branch two months ago. I have now informed her of what happened. She's on her way there ETA..." he paused dramatically just as they heard the sounds of another aircraft landing on the helicarrier. "Now." Tony's grin matched that of his twin's as they listened for Phil's reply.

"I'm not even going to ask how you knew that when I didn't." They heard their handler mumble. "We'll be home soon."

"As soon as you finish the debrief Phil. I've got eyes on you." Talia said. "Clint, don't let him stay there too long or I'll ground both of you."

"With what?"

"I have a good feeling you might be missing your bow for a few weeks if you don't get here soon."

"Fine." Clint replied after a pregnant pause which was quickly followed by the dial tone signifying the end of the call. Talia looked down at the child laying quietly on her lap who was wide awake despite the exhaustion obvious in his eyes.

"You should get some sleep Loki." Bruce was telling the young boy, whose age they had yet to determine. Loki shook his head at the suggestion clearly stating that he was uncomfortable doing so in a room filled with strange people.

"I'm tired." Talia whispered. "Can I lay down Loki?" she asked the boy as she yawned. She actually had no plan on sleeping but she could feel the exhaustion creeping towards her consciousness. Loki shifted until she was able to lie down and then he was snuggling into her with Talia's arms wrapped around him.

"You won't eat?" Bruce asked quietly, aware of the eyes on them but at the moment not caring.

"Later." Talia brushed her lips against ebony locks before settling in to sleep. Bruce tucked them both in properly and stood back to watch. It took but a few moments before Loki was breathing evenly, safe in the arms of the person who had freed him.

XoxoxoX

He had thought that he understood their relationship but apparently he was wrong. Baby blue eyes hardened at the obvious affection between his girlfriend and their resident genius with a dangerous alter ego. Large hands rolled into fists at the tenderness with which they cared for the trickster. He was sure that there was some sort of trick involved, otherwise Banner who had hated the God of Lies, would not be so taken by the man turned boy.

"Dr. Banner," all eyes turned to him at the tone of his voice. "Are you compromised?" normally warm brown eyes hardened at the question and Bruce shook his head.

"Captain, I understand that you think we're being controlled but we're not."

"How can you be so sure?" Steve demanded. "He's the God of Lies."

"He's also a child right now."

"It must be some kind of magic."

"Of course it's magic," Bruce snorted, his attitude so different from the way he usually spoke that Steve was momentarily taken aback. "He's a God, as you so aptly put it."

"Then how do you know that you're not being controlled?"

"Why would I be taking care of both him and Talia if Loki was controlling me?"

"To make you seem normal of course." eyebrows rose at his declaration and even Natasha began to wonder what was going through his head.

"Loki is powerless right now. The antidote that Talia and I engineered not only returned him to his younger form but it also suppressed his magic."

"How do you~?"

"How do I know?" Bruce snapped. "Because I did try to talk to Loki while we were on the way home. Because I trust Talia, something that you seem to be failing to do and you've been together for what, almost a year now?" he shook his head at the blond man who seemed shocked that the normally mild-mannered doctor was speaking to him in such a way. Steve gaped at the physicist, unable to think of a response because somehow Bruce had gotten right to the point of his problem. "Maybe you should start trusting her. She has secrets, but who doesn't?"

"Well, we're going to bed." Tony announced, sensing the tension in the room. "Here ya go Cap. Put her to bed will you? Give you some bonding time with your goddaughter." this time Steve gaped at Tony as he placed Carina in the super soldier's arms.

"What?"

"You are Talia's beau, are you not?" the blond could only nod dumbly at his lover's twin. "Then logic dictates that you are my daughter's godfather since your -ugh! I hate to say it - lover is Carina's godmother."

"Get her to bed soon Steve, it has gotten past her bed time." and then the couple was out of the room leaving behind an amused audience. Steve turned to look back at Bruce and Natasha who were by then sharing the dinner that they had previously brought for their patients.

"Go get Carina to bed Steve. We'll take care of Talia." Steve nodded and walked out of the door in a daze. He looked at the child in his arms and wondered at the trust given to him by his teammate and his fiancee. He'd get his answers soon. For now, he should get his goddaughter to bed.


So, this is almost done. Maybe one or two more chapters left.

aLy0:)