Chapter 53: Unexpected Reunion and Painful Betrayal
All Brigid and Loki could do was stare at the babies they held in their arms. Brigid held Astrid, Loki with Baby Thor in his arms. As she beheld her only children, Brigid felt that there was nothing else in the world.
"I feel as if a great weight has been lifted off my chest," Brigid said. "It's only when I'm holding them, looking at them."
"The feeling is mutual," Loki said, and he pointed to Baby Thor's tiny cheek. "Look, he smiles! He missed you."
Indeed, as Brigid looked at her baby boy, a broad smile was shining on his chubby cheeks.
"He has your mischievous grin, my love," Brigid said. "I can see that twinkle in his eye."
"Well, I believe all of our children inherited that. It's part and parcel being a child of the Gods of Mischief," Loki laughed. "But I was being sincere when I said they missed you."
Brigid smiled but it quickly faded.
"What troubles you, my love?" Loki asked.
"I am grateful to be reunited with our children, but do you not know what day it is?" Brigid asked.
"I believe it is January 2nd in your Midgardian days," Loki replied.
"Right. A new Midgardian year. That means our children should be a year older. Our twins should be five years old. Our Princess Frigga should be two years older. But they are not here to celebrate that. I can't help feeling troubled."
Loki held her free hand. "My love, optimism never really was my strongest suit but that is what we all need now. I miss our children more dearly than you know but mourning them will not help them. If you do not have hope, if we do not have hope, then there they truly are lost."
Brigid smiled. "Well, in that case, I shall have to keep my spirits up for all of us then, shall I?"
"And you won't be alone," Loki said.
The next day, Brigid was in the lab where she found Bruce and Tony looking very grave as they stared at a screen. The screen contained names and faces of each person missing or dead in the snap. Brigid saw Tony look particularly troubled at the face of Peter Parker and under it was written: Dead. Brigid choked back a flicker of fear as the boy was far too young, much like that of Princess Shuri, whom she noted was labeled as Missing. Brigid shuddered as there were too many gone. Slowly she approached Tony and Bruce.
"Dad, Uncle, how are we looking?" she asked shakily.
"Not good," Tony said sadly. "Too many people either killed in the Snap or missing. We don't know if Shuri is alive. We can't find Scott, and everyone else was wiped out."
"Any good news?" Brigid asked.
"Yes, but I don't know if it is for you," Tony replied.
"At this point, any news is good news," Brigid replied.
Tony was silent, but Bruce spoke up. "Nat found Clint."
"Barton? I thought he took a pardon," Brigid said.
"He did, but losing your family has a way of making you change priorities, as you well know," Tony said.
Brigid sighed. "So, where did she find him?"
"Japan," Bruce said. "They'll be back any moment now. If I were you, I'd make yourself scarce."
"I'm not afraid of him, and New York is past business in the scheme of things," Brigid said.
"I can't argue with that, but I doubt he'll see it that way," Tony said.
"Well, then we shall have to change his mind," Brigid said. "I am not his enemy, and I never was."
"As I said, I don't think he'll see it like that," Tony said.
"Tony, they're at the door," Bruce said.
"Let them in," Tony said before turning to Brigid. "Please, don't let him see you."
"I'm not going anywhere. We're all common allies here," Brigid said.
Tony rolled his eyes. "I'm going to regret this."
Tony left Brigid where he met Romanoff and a sullen looking Hawkeye at the door.
"Good to see you, Nat. Barton, you're looking good," he greeted. "Liking the new look."
"Save it, Tony. Do we got a plan or what?" Barton asked.
"I'm afraid to say we don't," Tony said.
Tony jumped in front of Barton and Romanoff.
"Tony, what's going on?" Romanoff asked.
"Get out of my way," Barton growled.
"I will, but you have to promise me that you won't shout," Tony said.
"Only if you keep talking," Barton said.
Barton pushed through Tony, who dreaded what would follow. Much to Tony's horror, Loki came to Brigid's side in the lab and Barton's eyes met his, like he had an eye on his prey.
Quicker than sight, Barton drew a kitana. "Freeze, A-hole!"
Loki rolled his eyes as he heard his children wail in response to Barton's shout. "I hope you're happy. You just woke my children."
Loki turned and left leaving Brigid with her arms crossed. "Not even a hello? You did wake my children."
"Since when did you become mother of the year?" Barton spat.
"Barton, don't!" Tony said. "I told you not to shout."
Barton kept his kitana at the ready. "Seriously? Give me one good reason why I shouldn't! What the heck are they doing here!"
"It's complicated," Tony said. "but I assure you, they're on our side."
"Last time she said that, she played you," Barton said.
"I was protecting my children but I assure you, it's in the past," Brigid said.
"Where's Fenrir?" Barton asked.
"We'll explain, please, just put down the sword," Tony said.
Reluctantly, Barton put down the kitana. "So, where's Fenrir?"
"Fenrir? My Royal Guard?" Brigid asked. "You knew her?"
"She left me for you!" Barton said angrily. "I loved her, I was gonna...before I met Laura. Where is she?"
Brigid shook her head. "Barton, I'm so sorry. Fenrir is dead."
Barton was overcome by rage. "No! No! You, you killed her!"
"Barton, she didn't. Fenrir died protecting her kids on Asgard," Tony explained.
"Sure, protecting the ones she didn't already sacrifice," Barton said.
A chill went about the room. Brigid's eyes went red and her blood boiled. Unable to contain herself, she lunged forward and slapped Barton several times before Bruce could pull her off and usher her away.
"Really, Barton? You had to go there?" Tony asked.
"Why not?" Barton asked bitterly. "And since when are you so sweet on them?"
"It's complicated," Tony replied.
"That's an excuse," Barton replied. "Are you sleeping with her, too?"
"Barton, come on!" Tony said, aghast before he sighed. "Look, she thought Loki was dead, alright. She needed someone to help her through that pain, so I adopted her. She's my daughter. She and Loki aren't the enemy here, Thanos is."
"Don't expect me to trust her," Barton said. "I'm here to get Thanos for my family. That doesn't mean I trust them."
Later that night, Brigid fed her children when she felt a presence over her. She turned, drawing a knife to find Barton behind her.
"You are hasty, aren't you?" Barton asked.
"I'm a mother. I have to be," Brigid said. "What do you want, Barton?"
"I came to make a peace. I shouldn't have said what I did back there," Barton said.
"If you only knew what you said, then you'd understand," Brigid said bitterly. "I had four beautiful children. Twin boys, Bruce and Tony, a girl, Frigga, and my baby Thor. I watched Thanos wipe out all of them. All but one. One. Thor and Astrid are all I have left."
"And what about Fenrir? What about her?" Barton asked.
"Do you want me to recount every torture?" Brigid asked angrily. "I watched Fenrir die before my eyes at the hands of my own sister in law! She died defending my children! If you truly loved her, you'd honor her sacrifice and help me protect them."
Barton nodded. "I won't do anything for you, but I loved Fenrir and I know she would've loved those kids and defended them with her life. So, if that is what I have to do, I will."
"Thank you, Barton," Brigid said, warmly shaking Barton's hand.
Suddenly, just as Brigid shook Barton's hand, she felt her limbs go numb, as if they were jelly. She crumbled to the ground, like a building without foundation. Barton towered over her.
"Yeah, you can't move right now," he said. "That's the toxin getting to you. All it took was one touch. I wasn't lying when I said I would defend those kids for Fenrir, but I think those kids need protection from you."
Brigid blacked out before Barton could speak any further.
Meanwhile, Loki was attending to Baby Thor an hour later when he entered the lab to find Tony, Steve and Bruce.
"Where is she, Stark?" he demanded.
"Who?" Tony asked.
"Don't play games, Stark. Your daughter. My wife. Brigid," Loki said. "She's missing. I haven't seen her all day. Now where is she?"
"Don't look at me. I didn't ditch her, of course not," Tony said.
"She's been missing ever since...Barton!" Loki gasped.
"Oh great," Tony said. "Nat, you might wanna come with us."
"Be right there," Romanoff said over the intercom.
Tony and Loki made their way down to Barton's chambers where they found him lounging on his bed.
Loki snatched him up by the shirt. "Where is my wife, Barton? Talk, you puny scrap of human spawn!"
"Well that's not very nice," Barton snickered.
"Barton, this is serious," Tony said. "Where is my daughter?"
"Stark, I'm not telling him, what makes you think I'll tell you?" Barton asked.
"Clint, come on."
Barton turned to find Romanoff standing in the room. "Nat, what are you?-"
"Clint, please. Loki and Brigid are our allies now. You may not like it, but that doesn't matter," Romanoff said. "What did you do with Brigid?"
Barton sighed. "I know it won't bring them back. I just thought it would take the pain away."
"What did you do, you filth?" Loki demanded.
"I drugged her and turned her over to Secretary Ross in exchange for immunity," Barton said. "She's on her way to Raft Prison now."
Tony's eyes were on fire. "Ross won't show her any mercy. We gotta go now!"
Loki glared daggers at Barton. "You're lucky I don't kill you now."
"Loki, come on!" Tony said. "Barton, I just hope you realize you screwed up."
Loki and the others rushed out of the room leaving Barton alone, but he wasn't alone. Barton could feel there was still a presence with him.
"Clint," a voice called him.
Barton turned to find Fenrir standing before him just as she had before she left him.
"Fenrir," he gasped. "I thought you left."
"I never left you, Clint," Fenrir said. "but you've forgotten me."
"I couldn't," Barton said tearfully. "I would never. You know I would have asked you...before."
"You betrayed the ones I love and so you have forgotten everything that made me love you and us," Fenrir said.
"Fenrir, I love you so much," Barton said.
"If you do, then fight for those I loved," Fenrir said.
Blinding, hot lights snapped Brigid awake as she found herself hanging by her wrists in a freezing cell. A collar was attached to her neck and she wore nothing but a simple smock. Strangely, no one was in her cell. Brigid was only left hanging in front of the blinding light. Slowly time began to wear on as Brigid hung there, the light burning her, her arms separating.
"Is this your way of frightening me?" she demanded.
"This is our way of making you talk," said a voice.
"And just who are you?" Brigid demanded.
"Secretary Ross and you are Brigid Regan and you're going to tell us where your husband is," Ross said.
"I think not," Brigid said.
Brigid saw only black and blue as a cane made contact with her head. The searing light still blinded her and burned her.
"Where is Loki?" Ross demanded.
"You miss him?" Brigid teased.
Ross brought his stick down on Brigid's arm, causing her to cry out as she heard a deafening snap. Again the stick was brought down on Brigid's head, giving her a bloody nose.
Brigid only chuckled as Ross continued to beat her. "You actually think this will make me talk? I'm a goddess. I don't answer to you, tiny man."
Ross punched her in the gut with his stick, making Brigid gasp for air, but she continued to snicker at him.
"You'll talk. I want Loki, and you'll tell me," Ross said.
"You can't be very good if you need me to help you do your job," Brigid mocked.
Ross furiously cut Brigid down before retying her hands behind her. He dragged her over to a tub of water and before she could breathe, he dumped her headfirst in the tub. For at least one and a half minutes he held her there until he let her up with a gasp.
"Where is he? Where is Loki?" he questioned.
"You know...this is very impolite," Brigid said.
Again, Ross dunked her head in the tub before Brigid had a moment to breathe. Ross held her there for almost two minutes before letting her up.
"Where?" he asked.
"Piss...off," Brigid breathed.
Once more, Brigid was held underwater until she was barely moving before Ross brought her back up.
"Where is he?" Ross questioned.
Brigid only smiled as she caught her breath. "You missed him. You walked right passed him when you got me. Now he'll come to kill you."
Ross had enough. "If you don't talk, I'll make you scream."
Brigid shivered as she felt a knife tear her smock, stripping her. She had hoped Ross would not notice her fear.
"This will only hurt a lot," Ross said.
Brigid cried out but before Ross could proceed, a voice stopped him. "Secretary!"
Ross turned to find Tony and Loki before him.
"Stark, what are you doing?" Ross said. "I hope you're bringing me a gift."
"Not exactly," Tony said.
In rage, Loki grabbed Ross and dunked his head into the tub several times before punching him.
"Okay, Loki, you've made your point," Tony said.
"He should be dead!" Loki said.
"Loki, Brigid needs you," Tony said, pleading in his eyes.
Loki nodded and unbound Brigid and began to give her CPR. Alas, as he desperately tried to revive her, Brigid would not budge.
"Stark, I can't revive her. She's dying," Loki said urgently.
"We gotta get her to the hospital," Tony said.
"You're not going anywhere with her," Ross said. "She's a threat and needs to be punished."
"Ross!" cried a presence.
Tony and Loki turned to find Barton standing behind them. "Brigid is getting out of here. Our deal is off. You can put me in this cell, I don't care, but she walks away. Got it?"
Ross shook his head. "I'll get you for this, Barton. I'll get you good."
"I'm sure you will," Barton said.
Brigid was rushed to the infirmary in grave condition. Loki sat by her side as a breathing mask was strapped to her face and her arm wrapped in a sling.
"How is she?" Barton asked.
"The healers say her sight was greatly damaged, her right arm broken, and her lungs are filled with water," Loki said sadly. "She's lucky she's alive."
"I know it doesn't mean much, but I'm sorry for what I did to her," Barton said.
Loki nodded. "Thank you for admitting your faults. You're truly a brave man, Barton."
Later that night, Barton was asleep in the nursery with Astrid and Thor when he swore he heard singing.
Hush now little babies,
Still love, don't cry, sleep
Like your being rocked by the stream
Sleep and remember my soft lullaby
And so I will comfort you and be with
You while you dream
Barton jumped up and saw Fenrir standing before him, rocking the babies to sleep.
"Fenrir," he said, tearfully.
"Clint, you've finally remembered," Fenrir said.
"Yes, yes I have," Clint said.
"You protected my Queen, just as I would have done," Fenrir said. "I am so proud of you."
"I did it for you, and the children," Barton said.
"I know, my love, and you showed yourself to be everything I loved once more," Fenrir said.
Clint sighed. "I just heard on the news that Ross' wife killed herself, reasons unknown."
Fenrir was grave. "These are the consequences when my queen is threatened. Now Ross knows never to hurt my queen again."
"Fenrir, I love you," Barton said.
"And I you," Fenrir said.
Barton tried to reach her hand, but she was fading. "Wait, please, please don't go!"
"I must go," Fenrir said.
"But you can't leave me," Fenrir said.
I won't," Fenrir said. "I will be always watching over you, Brigid, and the children, as long as you know to watch the stars."
With that, Fenrir's presence faded away leaving Barton on his own.
Brigid found herself in the middle of the courtyard on Asgard. Her wounds were still very heavy as she dragged herself along the courtyard. Suddenly, Fenrir approached her.
"My Queen," she said. "Your wounds will be diminished and you shall live!"
With one touch, Brigid's sight was restored, and her lungs were lightened and all of her wounds melted away.
Brigid slowly awoke to find herself surrounded by Loki holding Astrid and Barton holding Baby Thor. The sight of her children being cared for by her husband and former enemy eased her heart as Loki saw her eyes open.
"Brigid!" he gasped. "Brigid, my love!"
As Loki kissed her hand and praised her strength, Brigid nodded to Barton. She knew he was truly on the right side now.
A/N: Yay, Brigid is awake! I apologize for the torment! This is for my readers, reviewers, followers, favorites, etc. This story is for you and would be nothing without you!
