If you recognise it… I don't own it.

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Hawkeye followed the instructions Lord Loki gave him. He organised transport to New York. Why Lord Loki wished to go to New York, Hawkeye did not know. He did not need to know. All he needed to know was what Lord Loki required.

What is he planning?!

The most important thing was that Fury could not find them. If Fury could not find them, the Initiative could not find them. And if the Initiative could not find them, they could not be stopped.

He has to be stopped!

Meanwhile the scientists Lord Loki had recruited could work on the Tesseract, while Hawkeye oversaw the guards who were protecting Lord Loki and his glorious work.

"The Tesserract has shown me so much!" Selvig was ecstatic, "It's more than knowledge. It's truth!"

"I know. It touches everyone differently." Lord Loki smiled indulgently. Hawkeye could tell that Lord Loki was not too interested in Selvig's discoveries, except how they related to Lord Loki's destiny.

Kill him!

"What did it show you, my little Hawk?" Loki asked. Hawkeye could see that the God was actually curious as to see what he had learned from the artefact.

"My next target." Hawkeye replied. Lord Loki had no need to worry himself with anything else that Hawkeye had been shown. His life was only important in how it could assist Lord Loki.

"Stick in the mud." Selvig laughed; his self-obsessed superiority clear in every syllable. He believed himself to be better than Hawkeye. To be more important to Lord Loki's glorious message than Hawkeye, because of his knowledge of science. Hawkeye thought it was a shame that Tony was not an astrophysicist. He would have been a better choice to serve Lord Loki. He had a greater need of the Peace that Lord Loki provided. He would also work better and faster. He was, after all, a genius.

No! Not Tony! Protect Tony!

"You've got no soul," Selvig continued, "No wonder you chose this, this tomb to work in."

"Well," Hawkeye was angry at the implied insult, "The Radisson doesn't have three levels of lead lined flooring. Between SHIELD and that cube…"

Hawkeye was bristling. If he had his choice he would have ensconced Lord Loki in the most luxurious palace possible. However Lord Loki had made his wishes clear. The mission came first. To that end any luxury had to be put to one side to complete Lord Loki's goal. It was not disrespect that had caused Hawkeye to choose such ill-suited accommodation for one of Lord Loki's status.

"I can see why Fury chose you to guard it." Lord Loki sounded pleased and proud at Hawkeye's knowledge of the risks.

"You're going to have to contend with him." Hawkeye led Lord Loki away from the scientist, "As long as he's in the air, I can't pin him down. He's got a team. And he will be expanding it."

Don't tell him! Don't!

"Are they a threat?" Lord Loki was irritated about the suggestion of an obstacle in his path.

"The original team alone would not be," Hawkeye shrugged, "There are only two currently active members. However Fury has another member who assists and the plans for the Initiative do include at least one other member that I am aware of. Together they are a threat, to each other more than likely, but if Fury can get them on track, then he might be able to throw some noise our way."

"You admire Fury." Lord Loki accused.

"He's got a clear line of sight." Hawkeye confessed. By his standards one of the highest compliments he could give.

"Is that why you failed to kill him?" Lord Loki's voice was cold.

Hawkeye froze for a moment. He had failed Lord Loki? He had misunderstood Lord Loki's desires? He had thought that Lord Loki had not ordered Fury's death. But Lord Loki had thought that he hadn't needed to state such an order. He had thought it was implied. He had not done right by Lord Loki.

"It might be," Hawkeye conceded, "I was disorientated. And I'm not at my best with a gun."

Hawkeye knew they were empty excuses. He should have been better. Lord Loki had chosen him to be his chief guard, at least for now. So he should have been better. He should have done what was required of him by Lord Loki.

"I want to know everything you can tell me about this team of his. I will… Test… Their mettle. I'm weary of scuttling in the shadows. I need to rule this world, not borrow it."

It was right that Lord Loki would rule the world. However Hawkeye knew they could not move until Selvig had completed the science project of the Tesseract. Hawkeye knew it was not Selvig's fault that he was slow to work. There was no doubt that the work was difficult and would of course take time. However Tony would have been quicker. If he had studied Astrophysics.

Forget Tony! Forget about him!

Hawkeye shook his head slightly. He didn't understand why his mind kept returning to Tony. He needed to serve Lord Loki. He could not afford for his mind to get distracted.

"Of course, my Lord." Hawkeye bowed his head respectfully, "It's a risk."

"Oh, yes." Lord Loki smiled. He looked like he was relishing the idea of the challenge. Hawkeye knew that inactivity could easily become stifling to himself. How much worse would it be for one such as Lord Loki?

"You're set on making yourself known," Hawkeye accepted his Lord Loki's decision, "I could be useful."

If his Lord Loki was going to fight, Hawkeye wanted to be there to protect him from the underhanded blow. Not that Lord Loki couldn't defend himself. But he shouldn't need to exert himself in such a way. And there were those who were too insignificant to deserve the honour of being slaughtered at Lord Loki's hand.

"Tell me what you need." Lord Loki was firm, but also excited at the possibility.

The tight ball of worry inside Hawkeye relaxed slightly. His Lord Loki still trusted him. Still believed he had some value. He would not be cast aside for a more worthy candidate. He was still of use. He could still serve Lord Loki.

He stalked over to where his bow was lying, still in its case. He'd managed to pick it up in all the earlier confusion. He took out his bow and jerked it into its proper form.

Kill him!

"I need a distraction and an eyeball." Hawkeye informed Lord Loki.

He had no doubt that Lord Loki could achieve both of these things. Though how he did not know. It was enough to know that that was what he needed and therefore that Lord Loki could provide it. Everything was so much simpler now.

Kill him! Stop him! Do something!

The confident, but also proud, smile that Lord Loki gave him reassured him. Lord Loki knew that he had a plan and knew that he would be able to carry it out successfully for the glory of Lord Loki.

"Tell me your plan, my little Hawk." Lord Loki instructed, "Then tell me of Fury's team."

Don't!

It was easy for Hawkeye to lay out his plan. Lord Loki stood there smiling his approval. He was doing what Lord Loki desired. Telling him about the team was just as easy. Though he knew he did not have to go into details in certain areas. What did it matter to Lord Loki that the Black Widow had been trained as a ballet dancer to such an extent that she could pass as one, should it become required? What did it matter if Captain America loved to draw and was actually an extremely talented artist? What did it matter if War Machine was a highly skilled engineer? What did it matter that Bruce Banner had spent a good amount of time in Calcutta as a doctor?

None of these facts would help or hinder Lord Loki in his mission. Therefore it was not necessary to burden him with the information.

Lord Loki required information about their abilities and personalities. He had need of information about their personal histories that had shaped the people they had become today. He needed to know their strengths and their weaknesses.

"You have provided me with much information, my little Hawk." Lord Loki had taken it all on board, "However you have not provided me with the Soldier's weakness."

No! Not Tony!

"Captain America is married," Hawkeye spoke softly, "His husband is his weakness. He is called Tony Stark."

"The great Captain America has a husband?" Lord Loki was surprised, "Is not his husband well-guarded?"

"Tony Stark is unaware of his husband's status." Hawkeye informed him, "We have worked hard to keep him ignorant of SHIELD and anything to do with it."

"I would imagine he is fair of face indeed," Lord Loki mused, "In order to captivate the Soldier."

Protect Tony!

"My Lord," Hawkeye knelt down, "I would ask a boon."

"What is your boon, my little Hawk?" Lord Loki sounded amused, but Hawkeye could not see his eyes, his head bent as it was.

"Tony Stark is an incredibly gifted scientist and inventor," Hawkeye explained, "He would do great things in your service."

"You wish me not to harm him," Lord Loki breathed, "To refrain from using violence against him in order to use him as a weapon against the Soldier."

"My Lord," Hawkeye continued, "Tony Stark has been hurt grievously in the past. By those who would dare to command him. Such a mind as his should only ever be commanded by yourself. He is worthy indeed of your gift of freedom. However due to his history, he will rage against it. He will fight at first. From fear and misunderstanding of what you are offering to the World. I would ask that you allow me to calm him, before you claim him as one of your own. I would rather he not have memories of fear, which I can prevent, my Lord."

"You care for him, my little Hawk."

"Tony Stark is like a brother to me, my Lord."

"You believe he would serve me well?"

"In one month," Hawkeye elaborated, "He designed and built the suit of armour used by War Machine. When held captive by the Ten Rings in Afghanistan he built a weapon, which he then used to kill all of those who held him captive, before escaping."

"A fierce spirit." Lord Loki agreed, "Indeed one whom I would be interested in freeing personally. I shall consider your boon, my little Hawk. For now, you must content yourself with the fact that using Stark against the Soldier is not beneficial to my current plans."

"Of course, my Lord."

"Arise," Lord Loki instructed, "You have much work to do."

Hawkeye rose and started to organise the men. Lord Loki was right. They had much to do and little time to do it in.

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Please Review.

Thanks to my reviewers:

DaemonWolfe – Thank you. Glad I could creep you out… In a nice way.

The Shadow Keeper – Hope you enjoyed. Tony's will be there eventually.

Once again thank you.