Alright everyone, here we go. As they say in Jurassic park "Hold onto your butts." ********************************** Chapter 14 **********************************
"It's really good to have you guys back," Steve remarked as they sat at the little outdoor cafe, enjoying their lunch. "The place is just too quiet without you."
"Steve, that's just creepy," Luke admonished with a sly smile. "If you want to watch sometime, just ask."
Steve choked on the drink he was taking, and blushed fiercely. Luke didn't often catch him of fguard with his sly comments, but that one definitely hit him out of left field. "No…that's …that's not what I meant." He croaked
Thor chuckled and patted his friend much too roughly on the back. "It is alright Steve, we missed you as well. This is home and it is good to be back."
"Does that mean we're moving here permanently," Luke asked a bit hopefully. He did enjoy London, despite the food differences that didn't always work out in his favor.
"Perhaps," Thor admitted with a thoughtful head tilt.
"I wouldn't go putting down roots just yet," Steve warned, knowing first hand how temporary their homes always were with SHIELD. "They could move us at any time, you know?"
"Maybe we should go to Australia," Luke remarked offhandedly, then quickly added. "The REAL Australia."
"That might be an option in the future," Steve said shrugging. Truth was he never knew.
The sound of a woman screaming and yelling suddenly drew their attention. Apparently somebody had just stolen her purse and took off running.
"Well boys, you're up," Luke said, a bit sad to have their perfect afternoon interrupted. "Thor, do be careful. You are still healing."
Thor and Steve were already looking at each other, both knowing what came automatically. Steve took off first after the perp and Thor gave Luke a chaste kiss before following behind. Luke just smiled and shook his head. Such was the life of a superhero.
"They are nothing if not predictable, aren't they," A far too familiar voice announced it's presence, just before Tony sat down in the now vacant seat across from Luke.
Luke was instantly on his feet, ready to retreat. He knew from their last meeting that this man certainly didn't care for , now dressed in a more casual business suit, rather than a robotic one, just held up a staying hand. "Stay, please, let's have a chat."
Luke hesitated, looking around as if hoping Thor would show back up, as he lowered himself back into the seat. "You weren't much for chatting last time."
"Yeah well, I thought I'd try a different approach," Tony responded easily. "I've since been filled in on the particulars of your….situation. I don't believe it, of course, but I've been filled in."
"What do I care, what you believe or not," Luke bit back sharply. He certainly didn't like this man, he was smug and self centered and basically everything Loki was.
"See, there's the Loki I know," Tony remarked with a far too knowing smile.
"I'm not this Loki," Luke argued vehemently.
"Oh no," Tony asked in mock surprise. "Funny, because it seems you've put on a bit of weight since our last visit. Body temp seems a little cooler as well. And don't think I'm the only one who's noticed."
Luke narrowed his eyes at the man, wanting nothing more than to pick him up and throw him across the patio. It would be just his luck to have everything finally going right for him, only to have it ruined by this puny little man.
"Nice tracking device you got there, by the way," Tony continued motioning to the ring and now he did Throw Luke off guard. He looked at his finger in dismay and reactively covered it with his other hand. "Oh don't be upset, I'm sure Thor has no idea we can track you using the Asgard metals you wear. It's sweet really. What you two are doing. I have to ask, what must it be like fucking your own brother?"
That was all Luke could take, all Loki could take. He stood up flipping the table out of the way as he approached Tony. Hate and anger clearly written all over his face. He was over this man and his words. All he wanted was a second chance, and this man was threatening to take all that away from him.
Tony seemed to note the change in the situation and was instantly on his feet backing away from the taller man. People around them quickly scurrying out of the way as well. "Oh wait, now I remember," Tony was continuing on, egging the man into showing his true self, just so he could smugly pronounce I told you so. "You're adopted. Nice loophole."
Suddenly a great explosion shook the ground, and Luke and Tony both looked in the direction it'd come from. It was the same direction Thor and Steve had just turned accusingly to Tony, even as he was jumping over the small railing to the restaurant.
"Don't look at me," Tony said holding up his hands and following suit. "I've nothing to do with that."
He was then talking into his earpiece , but Luke didn't hang around to listen. Already rushing off in the direction as another explosion rocked the ground. Whatever was up, it was big, and Thor was in no condition yet to be fighting anything big or little at this point. As Luke rounded the corner, he had to grab the corner of the building to stall his momentum. His eyes wide and mouth held open in aghast at what he saw. There was his brother trapped in a large glass looking cage. One that looked painfully familiar, especially to Loki.
"Thor," Luke gasped running to him heedless of his own safety.
"Luke, don't," Thor warned holding out his hands to try to stop him. "It's a trap!"
He just managed to get the words out, when the ground in front of Luke exploded, causing him to jump back. Luke looked up to see the giant robot, he then noticed Steve laying off to one side, wrapped up in a giant steel cable. What was this? Who was doing this?
He was on his feet again and running and dodging as he made his way to the cage. The robot firing a nearly constant barrage at his feet. He didn't care, he needed to get to Thor. A quick jump and roll and he'd finally made it, just arriving though, he realized he couldn't open it any more than Thor could. There didn't appear to be any sort of door and it was far too thick to just break.
"Thor, Thor are you okay," he asked looking the glass cell over desperately. "I'll figure out how to get you out." he assured him, still searching desperately for the opening. It had to be here somewhere.
"No Luke," Thor pleaded desperately from inside, pressing his hands against the glass wall. Luke suddenly wanted nothing more than to touch those hands, feel those fingers twined tightly with his own . "You have to go, run. He's not after us."
"He?" Luke suddenly paused looking up at Thor. Just then a the arm of the robot descended beside him, bashing through the pavement just to his right, causing Luke to cringe,flattening himself up against the smooth glass wall to avoid being crushed. He was literally trapped between the robot and the cage.
"Hello again,Luke," A voice emitted from the robot. One that sent a chill running straight down his spine. No, it couldn't be. The man from the rooftop.
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