New Start: Chapter 36

I know it's late! I was away on a college trip. I'm sorry. If it makes you feel better, I was taking a tour in 20 degree weather in the sun with a wind chill of like -5. My cheeks still sting and I got home a few hours ago.

Hope this chapter fills your need for more. :)

Please enjoy and review! :)

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

Warnings for angst and pain. (Shameless in Loki!whump and proud!)

Doubt

His second mistake was not telling anyone.

Naturally that was his first instinct when he woke up. He even made it all the way to his door, about to run to Thor, when he came to a full stop. Doubts out of nowhere started to creep in. They had already dealt with this issue, so this could truly just be a ruse. Something to make him wary and suspicious, not trusting his teammates and friends. And then there was the way Thor had grown so...odd when around him. Whatever Odin's raven said to his older brother had seemed to have Thor walking on eggshells around Loki. It annoyed and unnerved him all at the same time. But, what if whatever it was that made him act so strangely made him...not believe Loki? It made sense. Something happened in Asgard; that much was obvious. But the fact that he was not being told, and by Thor no less, led Loki to think that he was being pointed at for some far off mischief that he could not have created. His brother should know that, but-the way he was acting indicated that he had some doubts. Loki telling him what happened could make things worse between them.

That kind of thinking was way out there for someone as cunning as Loki, but combined with a general lack of sleep and the heavy (very obvious, though obviously trying to be discrete) suspicion from his brother, his mind was frazzled and just a bit close to the edge. So, instead of rushing out the door to his brother, he calmly exited his room to get some coffee. The sun would not be making an entrance for a few hours yet, so it was no doubt going to be a long day. Loki had a lot to think about.

This explains my little episode from a while back. It must have been them establishing a temporary connection, and having a little fun while they were at it. Loki, deep in his thoughts, didn't hear the footsteps coming up behind him. So, needless to say, he jumped when a hand ruffled his hair.

"What you doin' up this early kiddo? I usually don't see you until six." Loki shot Tony a weak glare for the 'kiddo' comment as he tried to fix his hair. Tony just smiled and waited for an answer.

"I was having trouble sleeping, and decided my time would not be a complete waste if it involved coffee." Tony barked out a laugh as he went about getting his own cup.

"It's official. We have turned you into an Earthling." Loki, in a slightly loopy mood from lack of sleep and lots of sugar in his coffee, shuddered.

"Oh. The horror." Tony flopped onto the couch next to him, and they looked at each other at the exact same time. Loki tried to keep a giggle inside, but his lips were twitching so badly that Tony's started to join them. Before long they had nearly woken everyone else with their laughter.

It was the larger gathering of people that brought Loki back to himself. He quieted down and set himself to the task of observing. Who could it be? Has Thanos already started to infiltrate their minds? Did he already have a hold on one of them? What if-? Loki caught Natasha giving him an odd look, and he realized he was apparently trying to choke his coffee mug. First rule of observation: Don't look like everyone in close proximity is trying to kill you. The next time he really did try to relax. 'Act natural' as the team liked to say. After thirty minutes of watching everyone trickle in, and merely grunting or nodding when appropriate to Tony's ramblings, he decided to just take a moment and breathe. He needed to get his head on straight if he was going to accomplish anything. Besides, Thor was trying his hardest to not be as tense as Asgardian granite when sitting next to him, but the thunderer was obviously finding the task above his capabilities. Best place to think: Stark's labs.

After his little 'panic spazz moment' a week or so ago, the inventor came to the conclusion that it was a build up of his magic shocking his system. Loki could have told him (even before the recent revelation) that that wasn't it, but he just looked so, eager. Like a puppy. Who could refuse? So to help with that, Tony had given him his own space to practice his magic in. He developed a room that could take the shock waves of his magic and absorb them like insulation. Loki found it perfect for letting off a little steam without breaking anything too expensive and having a space to himself to really think. Now would be a great time to utilize it.

"Excuse me. I'll be downstairs if you need me." Without another word, he set his mug in the sink and left. Tony gave Clint and Bruce a shrug for their questioning looks.

"I don't know. He was up really early, so maybe he's hoping to work out whatever's been keeping him up lately." They didn't notice how squirmy and uncomfortable Thor was getting, until he spoke up.

"My friends, there is something I need to speak to you about." Clint looked at him suspiciously.

"So, why do you want to say it when Loki isn't here?" Thor opened his mouth to speak, but Jarvis interrupted.

"Sir, Director Fury is on the line. He is rather upset." Tony rolled his eyes.

"Well, doesn't he have perfect timing. Sorry, Thor. Let me get him off the phone first. Jarvis, put him on." A very angry one-eyed director popped up on the big screen...and he was staring directly at Thor.

"I said, one thing. One suspicion, and he was back in chains. You want to tell me why I just got a raven call from Big Daddy about something that happened way too long ago? I warned him, and I warned you. Bring. Him. In." And just like that the screen cut out.

Silence. Then Natasha crossed her arms and turned a steely gaze to the thunderer.

"Thor. Explain. Now." The blonde nodded his head solemnly and bowed to the request.

"Why didn't you tell us about this, Thor!?" Thor really didn't have an answer for that. But, in all honesty, he had put off even confronting Loki, because he was scared. Scared of what the answer might be.

"I just...I feared that- if you knew then-"

"Then what!? We're a team, Thor! We have to make decisions like this together. Especially about something this big. SHIELD could have busted down my doors, and we wouldn't have a damn clue why!" Steve had been quite up until this point. He let Tony have his say, before he spoke.

"We have to bring him in." He held up a hand when Bruce and Thor started to protest. "So Fury doesn't think we are rebelling or whatever and come take Loki himself. One of us can go with him, while the rest of us stay to gather enough proof that it wasn't him." Clint had been standing as still as a statue the whole time. His eyebrows were drawn together in constant confusion.

"This just doesn't make sense. How could he have done it? He was with us the whole time wasn't he? And his magic isn't strong enough to travel between the worlds without the Rainbow Bridge you guys are so fond of." Thor hung his head.

"I must confess something, my friends. I asked your Jarvis what was happening the night the murder took place. We were all scattered about in our respective rooms ,and Loki was not on any of the mechanical eyes you have in your tower." He let that sink in, before he gave his next deduction. "My brother's magic is more powerful than most realize. I also know that there are many things one can use to jump between the worlds without detection and by using very little of one's own energy. My brother knows of such things as well, and can create them if necessary. Man of Iron. You have been giving him access to your labs have you not?" Tony felt like punching a wall.

"Man, if you can say all of this...Fury will be able to hold him as long as he wants. But- damn! I don't know!" Bruce laid a comforting hand on Tony's shoulder, even as he fought his own rage building. He could see the gears all turning in his friend's head, and he had a feeling where it was all going.

"What is it, Tony?" The inventor was shaking his head, but finally looked up.

"He's been acting funny lately, you know? Getting up really early. On edge a lot. Then there was that whole episode from the other week! You all saw how angry he was. It was like we were back to the Battle of New York." Black Widow stepped forward.

"Tony, you know that's not true. We got the Chitauri out of his head. He's changed." Tony swiped Bruce's hand off of his shoulder.

"But is he really? How can we be really sure? I just- I don't think we can take any chances. I mean...what if he really hasn't changed?" They were all caught up in Tony's little outburst, so they didn't hear the footsteps coming down the hall.

"Loki." Thor had spotted him first. He was standing by the wall, eyes wide and confused and hurt. His hands clenched into fists as sparks of anger started to erupt in his chest. Without giving them another glance, he turned right back around to head back to where he came from.

"Wait-" Thor was stopped by a hand on his chest.

"Thor, don't. Let me go talk to him." Steve patted the frowning god on the shoulder, before he proceeded to follow the Trickster down to the lower levels. The rest of the team was left to stew in the growing doubt and tension.

I finally got time to post. I got home and was all excited and then my computer gave me the blue screen of death, so I restarted it. Then it wouldn't connect completely to the wifi network so I couldn't get on the internet, so I restarted again. BTW, my computer is so old that it takes about 20 minutes to completely warm up and allow me to try to open the internet and wordperfect.

Yeah. So, interesting night, but let me know how you liked the chapter! :)

So, if any of you are interested in a Harry Potter abuse reveal fic, check my profile in the next couple weeks for it.

Review please!

*****As always, open to suggestions and prompts ;)*****