Chapter Forty - Revelations

With their new staggered duty schedule, it was practically impossible to get everyone together for a briefing. Clint considered himself lucky to catch Odin, Rosner, Coulson and Montoya in the command center at the same time. Natasha was with him, but hadn't heard the story yet of what he wanted to discuss.

"The missing children are Jotun," Clint announced as he strode up to the group. "I had a vision; and Bad Loki is planning to hurt at least one of those kids."

"When? How?" Montoya asked.

"I don't know, but we've got to find them as soon as we can," Clint said.

Skye moved toward them, staring at Clint with awe. "You're psychic, Agent Barton? Seriously?"

Her interest freaked him out a little bit. "Yeah, occasionally psychic."

Dr. Simmons chimed in with equal enthusiasm, "Maybe we can map your brain some time when you're having a vision."

Coulson looked to his agents. "Not a good time," he said and tapped his mouth with his index finger in a casual shushing motion.

Clint studied their' deflated expressions as the young women returned to their work and instantly missed Cami, which clouded his thoughts with other troubling aspects of his vision.

Rosner gave an amused half-smile as he confided to Clint and Natasha, "They want to run tests on me while I'm shifted too. I find their excitement and curiosity refreshing."

"We know the double and Jahla are somewhere in the mountains of Frost Giant territory," Odin said, bringing them back to the issue. "We just don't know which mountains or the tunnels they are using."

"In the vision, Bad Loki commented that the kids had gone on an adventure into the caves. If we find out which settlement the children are from, we'll narrow down our search range," Clint said.

"After the controversy over the rescue in the hunters' village, we'd better get Queen Farbauti's permission to enter the Jotunheim," the spymaster advised. "Who among us are the best negotiators?"

"You should go," Odin said decisively to the Elf.

"Agent Coulson is an excellent negotiator," Dr. Montoya admitted.

Coulson added, returning the compliment, "And Dr. Montoya is well educated on situation assessment. Her insights will be useful."

Odin agreed. "Now who is going along for protection? I'd send Thor if he was here."

"Personally, I'd vote for Bruce," Natasha uttered.

Clint laughed. "Can we possibly name some people not currently on the helicarrier and neck deep in research and development? Sif and the Warriors Three have all fought Jotun before."

"I think you should go, Agent Barton," Odin said. "Your sleep toxin has proved quite effective and you might see something that anyone else would miss."

"Alright."

"Is there something wrong with that suggestion, Dr. Montoya?" Natasha asked, drawing everyone's attention to the psychologist's paling features and stiffening frame.

Montoya shook her head and tried to smile, but she wasn't recovering her wits well and jumped when Coulson reached out to touch her arm.

Clint focused his mind, feeling the warm pressure spread through his head. He blinked as the sensation settled into his eyes then with a start, drew his sidearm, pointing it at Montoya's head, which was about four and a half feet below the head of the ghostly Jotun form encompassing her.

"Don't move or I'll shoot," he threatened.

Coulson, Rosner and King Odin all stepped aside.

Clint noted that Natasha already had her guns out and aimed when he activated his comm. "All combat-trained agents to the command center. We have a Jotun infiltrator."

Montoya took shallow, tense breaths, but didn't make any motion to disobey the order. "I'm just a shapeshifter, not a warrior," she said, casting her gaze around. "I'll cooperate; just give me a chance to explain."

"I'd really like you to be quiet right now," Clint hissed at her.

"Do we have access to Dr. Montoya's personnel file?" Coulson asked the techs.

Skye answered, "Not currently. We're off the grid here and personnel records weren't deemed necessary."

Agents Stott, Kotter, Ward and May rushed in with weapons drawn, pointing them at Montoya as well, but looking confused.

Indicating the far wall away from Coulson's technicians and the computer terminals, Clint said, "Now move—nice and slow. Have a seat there on the floor."

Montoya complied, looking up with trepidation as the armed agents advanced and fell in around her.

"Show them," Clint demanded.

"No," Montoya said and her face flushed with color. "My clothes won't fit if I shift."

Rosner spoke up. "She has been cooperative. Leave what is left of her dignity intact."

Clint slipped his gun back into his leg holster and studied the Jotun's spectral features. A startling realization came to him. "You're Queen Farbauti's sister."

Montoya was visibly stunned.

"Farbauti had only one sister, Ashaunti," Odin said, sounding skeptical. "She was reported slain in the last war with the Jotun."

"Sorry, your majesty, but I saw her in my vision too; and I think she'll discount the rumor of her death."

"Are you Ashaunti?" Rosner asked, his tone respectful.

"Yes," she said, getting emotional. "I have been stuck on Midgard a long time."

"And you just wanted to go home," Clint surmised. He could understand, but chose not to sympathize at that moment as his mind still worked at the task of both integrating and separating out the facts offered from the visions.

King Odin called to Volstagg and the guards as they entered the room. "Escort her to the dungeons."

Loki observed Cami's interactions with her former foster parents. They were intriguing games of balancing wit, fact and sincerity with misdirection, apology and sometimes a tinge of guilt thrown in for good measure; and yet, Cami wasn't the only one actively playing. Joyce and Bobbie had their own skills and intuitions that added entertaining layers to the most basic of conversations.

Cami walked the line of telling them enough about her work to appease and yet not disclose too much. "I'm forced to keep secrets," she insisted. "Be proud that people feel I can be trusted."

Loki knew that staying in the house made Cami restless and activity helped to manage her power. So, he wasn't nearly as cross as he could have been when he found the group out in the backyard the first afternoon. Cami gave the Murphys an impromptu demonstration of her staff skills with a discarded broomstick, striking at a sizable tree in the distant corner of the yard. Loki broke up the fun. A six-foot privacy fence didn't provide sufficient cover when Cami was making such an attention-grabbing racket.

"There wasn't enough room in the house," Cami said with a pout, "or in the garage."

Loki sympathized, but held his ground. So, Cami stormed upstairs to burn off some of her frustration at him on Joyce's treadmill.

The situation worsened when Joyce called over a hairstylist to color and curl Cami's hair. Though the results were quite fetching, Loki emphasized again the importance of no one knowing he and Cami were there, strangers included.

It had been a while since Loki felt like the bad guy, but that's exactly how the morning turned out. When the Murphys left for another round of shopping, he escaped to the living room to work on the puzzle book Bobbie had picked up for him and sulk a little.

Cami found him awhile later, sitting on the couch to lean against his side. Loki gave her only a quick glance before returning to his efforts as he needed only a minute longer on the current puzzle to complete it.

She said with a chuckle, "You don't have to do them all in one day. It's not homework."

"I'm enjoying myself immensely," Loki insisted.

"Are you hungry? I can get us a snack."

Loki shook his head; and Cami fell silent while he finished off the empty spaces. Then he distractedly started a new puzzle, enjoying the increasing difficulty. He barely noticed when Cami got up and walked away. He did look up later when loud music started at the top of the staircase. It was a bit softer and slower than Cami's usual dance music, but still a far cry from a waltz with the percussion, screechy instruments and an angry-sounding woman crooning about her attempts to win over a non-committal lover.

Cami strutted down the stairs barefoot, wearing her robe and a pouty expression. Loki studied her features and multiple bruises with uncertainty when she took the book and pen out of his hands and tossed them away.

Closing her eyes, Cami began to sway her hips with the music, seductively running her fingers through her hair then down the sides of her neck and front. She paused to cup her concealed breasts then her hands moved to the ties of her robe.

A split-second decision kept Loki from saying anything. He was intrigued by her blatant, sexual display and wanted to see where it would lead.

Cami tugged the ties apart, easing open the front of the robe to give him a quick glimpse of the silky pink underwear she wore underneath before turning away and dropping the robe to the floor. She continued to sway, leaning forward to draw Loki's attention to the taunting movements of her firm, sweet ass as she peeked over her shoulder at him.

He reached out, eager to feel her soft flesh, but Cami twirled around to evade him and casually push aside his hand. "Only good boys get their presents," she teased.

Loki gave her a small, unwitting smile. She was young, naïve and getting used to having her way with him. If she felt she had to use her beauty and sexual prowess to make some point, he'd give her a little leeway.

Her tempting dance continued, displaying not only her magnificent body, but also her grace and building confidence. It was an incredibly arousing performance, and, despite his best efforts, Loki eventually had to shift his position to relieve some of the rising pressure in his groin.

Cami touched his chest, pushing him back against the cushions then blocked his touches again. She placed his hands on the couch and gently patted them before gripping his knees, urging his legs farther apart and kneeling down.

The seduction left her eyes. She asked with a pointed firmness, "Do you see me?"

Loki realized what she was doing and presumed this whole thing had been a reaction to him scolding and then ignoring her. Whether meant as a game, lesson or something else, Loki kept his pride in check.

"Yes."

She looked sad as she admitted, "I like to be seen."

Guilt nagged at him with the realization of how lonely she must have felt lately with the team away on assignments. "You don't have to do this to get my attention," Loki said, trying not to lecture.

She shrugged and eyed his crotch. "It worked."

He reached for her, but stopped his hand a few inches from her face. "Forgive me?"

Her smile was slow to surface with her upset, but she couldn't contain it once it did appear. Cami kissed and nuzzled his palm before sliding her hands up his thighs to boldly invade his pants and free his erection. Glancing up with sly eyes, Cami took him in hand and leaned forward to flick the sensitive tip with her tongue.

Loki didn't know if he was being rewarded or primed for another lesson. Sometimes he couldn't predict the path of Cami's thinking.

"What?" she asked, noting his look. "You don't want your present?"

"Of course, but are you sure I'm deserving?"

Cami answered by vigorously licking and suckling Loki's penis. Her mouth danced skillfully around his shaft, producing copious amounts of lubrication and invigorating sensation.

Loki's hands rested on her head, his fingers tangling in her soft curls as his body tensed with pleasure. How badly he wanted to get his hands on more of her.

With a gasp, he ordered, "Come to me," snatching her up when she stood.

Cami settled straddling his thighs. She gripped him with a firm hand, managing to get a rhythm going as he attacked her mouth and throat with strategic, stimulating kisses. He lingered at the cluster of marks where he'd pinched her neck, swirling over and around them while he rubbed her heat through dampening underwear. His aggressive attentions made her whimper like a scared animal, but she didn't try to pull away when he loosened his hold.

"Fuck me," she pleaded between pants and ground down on his hand.

They had no condoms and the sitting position limited their movements. Loki made a swift, cautious shift to lie down then drew her forward and pulled aside her panties so he could lap hungrily at her sodden folds.

Cami shuddered and tried to squelch a scream, which escaped in a series of weak whimpers. "I can't reach you," she insisted in desperation and pushed up to turn around. She stretched out on top of him and quickly sheathed his erection within her hot mouth again.

Now Loki couldn't continue the oral stimulation on her and secretly cursed their differing body lengths. He caressed and kneaded the mounds of her ass before thrusting a long finger deep into her enticing womb and slipping his other hand between them to apply pressure and stimulation to her clitoris. He matched his thrusting to the pace of her frantic bobbing, soon adding a second finger as she writhed from his ministrations.

"I'm coming soon," he warned her with an appreciative groan only to unexpectedly feel her body lurch atop of him in orgasm. It was surprising that Cami was able to hold it together long enough to finish him seconds later with body-tingling and explosive results.

Loki licked her juices from his fingers as Cami flipped back around to settle on his chest with a tired, contented smile.

"Still my God of Sex," she affirmed.

Loki kissed her head and caressed the flesh of her bared back. He wasn't going to admit out loud the tremendous amount of confidence and inspiration he gained from her compliments.

A brief silence followed before another song started. Then their cuddling was abruptly interrupted by the low rumble of the garage door.

"Shit! They're home," Cami panicked. She and Loki jumped up, fixing the cushions and their attire before making a fearful dash up the staircase for the bedroom. Only after they got themselves in order, which included having a good laugh over the incident, did they come back down to help carry in the shopping bags.

At breakfast the second day the Murphys shared stories and pictures of Cami's teen years while everyone feasted on stacks of pancakes. "She always was a striking girl," Bobbie complimented, winking at Cami before rising from his chair. He grabbed his jacket off a hook beside the door. Then he looked to Loki, "You're welcome to escape to the garage with me, Thomas."

There had been something in Bobbie's tone that made Loki think he had a reason for the invitation. He finished the last of his coffee and followed Bobbie out the kitchen door into the garage where tools and a couple parts had been laid out on a long work table beside a gray Dodge Durango.

Bobbie opened the garage door, letting more light into the confined space then popped the car's hood. He asked, "You know much about cars?"

"Not really."

"I've been fixing stuff since I was a kid. My dad taught me. It was our way of spending time together."

Though his thoughts tried to slip to memories of Odin and his own childhood, Loki pushed away the distraction. He sat on the stool beside the work table, watching Bobbie begin his task.

"When Cami first came to us, I worried that I wouldn't be able to connect with her. She was twelve—a difficult age—had been in several homes and sent back to the children's center because of her behavior problems. Some people warned us not to take her in."

Loki asked, "Then why did you?"

"We never met the Bartons," Bobbie admitted, "but we have family down in Waverly where they lived. From what I heard, they were friendly but private people. Edith had chronic migraines and other health issues that made it impossible for her to hold down a job for long. Harold worked two or three jobs at a time to cover medical costs and keep the family afloat. When they died and the kids were separated, it touched a lot of people. Joyce and I were finally in a position to help."

"Obviously you two were the right fit for Cami. She adores you."

Bobbie looked pleased, but shrugged it off. "We needed her as much as she needed us. That's why it worked."

Since Bobbie didn't give any instruction or explanation to what he was doing, Loki felt even more certain this time together in the garage wasn't about bonding.

Bobbie's frame stiffened as he asked, "How well do you know her brother?"

"Clint is my supervising officer and a friend. Sometimes we spend time together at the shooting range."

"Ah, you're a gun guy," Bobbie said, nodding his head with approval. "I never did have much contact with Clint. I know he's one of those Avengers. We caught a glimpse of him on television a while back. He's got you both involved in dangerous work, I assume."

"Clint is very protective of Cami. He's a good man," Loki said, letting Bobbie read into the comments what he wished instead of giving a drawn out explanation.

Bobbie moved back to the worktable, eying his tools before turning to Loki. "Are you a good man?"

Loki realized that Clint might not have been the only one Mr. and Mrs. Murphy had seen on television, but couldn't assume that was the case.

Bobbie reacted to whatever he saw in Loki's expression. "You seem like a kind, decent man, but my little girl came home bleeding and covered in bruises. You're obviously hiding from something."

"Mr. Murphy, I care about Cami and her safety is my utmost concern."

"Good. Then I think we understand each other," Bobbie said, seeming to calm. He returned to the car, casually tossing out the question, "You're not really engaged, are you?"

Loki should have known better than to perpetuate the same lie that caused so much trouble back home. "No. It's a rumor that someone started about us. I suppose I've let myself believe it."

"Can't fault you that, I guess. Legally, she's not my little girl either."

He took care in asking, "Why didn't you adopt her?"

"I don't want to start nothin'," Bobbie said, focusing on his work. "It just wasn't an option."

Loki guessed, "Because of Clint."

Back on edge and sorrowful, Bobbie explained, "Clint contested the adoption. Joyce wrote him a long, agonizing letter about how much we wanted to be Cami's legal parents and begged him to reconsider. His lawyer showed up about a week later with a check to cover everything we'd already paid in the adoption and court costs. Then Clint came and took her away."

"You didn't tell her."

"No. The adoption was going to be a surprise… for her birthday."

As soon as Loki noticed Bobbie blinking his eyes with sudden tears, he chose to be distracted by the tools and parts laid out beside him, feeling a swell of pity for the kindhearted man.

"Don't tell Cami," Bobbie requested. "She has a hard enough time dealing with Clint. In a few more years, it won't matter that much. Cami will find her footing and make her own way."

Loki would have liked to discuss the topic more, but movement drew his gaze to a broad, sturdy-built man with wavy blond hair walking up the driveway. Large sunglasses hid his eyes; and he wore a thin jacket over casual clothes with muddy patches on his knees.

It was too late to retreat out of sight as the man was looking right at him.

"Who is that?" Loki asked.

Bobbie straightened, quickly collecting himself then stepping away from the Durango and in front of Loki. He whispered back over his shoulder, "He's our new neighbor." Then he raised his hand to wave. "Hey Dalton," Bobbie called. "Haven't seen you all week."

The man explained, "I had a tournament in Dallas."

Bobbie moved forward to meet up with him at the back of the vehicle. "How did it go?"

"Not as well as I hoped," Dalton said. He pulled off his sunglasses to show a bruised and swollen left eye. His gaze shifted between Bobbie and Loki before donning the eyewear again. "Sorry to stop by unannounced when you've got company. Any chance I could borrow that shovel again? I've still got a leak in my back sprinklers."

"Sure." Bobbie headed around the car to the far wall where various tools were hanging from mounted racks.

The man took this opportunity to approach Loki. He held out his large hand and smiled as he introduced himself. "Dalton Peck," he said. "I moved in next door about a month ago."

Something about this man's features, battered as they were, seemed familiar. Loki shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Dalton. I'm Thomas."

"An accent," Dalton pointed out. "British?"

Loki nodded, thinking that he could hear a definite difference in the way Dalton spoke than Bobbie and Joyce did.

Bobbie stepped close with the shovel, holding it out.

Dalton took the shovel, but lingered. "What brings you around our parts, Thomas?"

"Traveling," Loki said. "I'm renting the Murphys' spare room for a few days."

"I see." Dalton asked, "So, is that your wife I saw with Joyce?"

I don't trust this man, Loki decided.

"Girlfriend," he said then excused himself and stepped inside.

"What's wrong?" Cami asked as soon as he entered and she looked up from the picture albums and at least her second plate of pancakes.

Loki gestured for her to follow him to the front room. He pulled her aside to peek around the drapes at Bobbie and Mr. Peck now standing together in the driveway beyond the front porch.

"Do you recognize that man?" Loki asked.

"I don't think so."

"That's our neighbor," Joyce said, peeking around his side. "He travels a lot because he's a professional fighter of some sort. Maybe you've seen him on television."

Loki wasn't completely convinced, but he began to feel a little foolish. His mind had a tendency to pick up small details, even when he didn't actively take notice of something. Maybe he'd glimpsed Dalton on some program in passing while in Arizona or on the helicarrier.

"Go take a nap," Cami suggested. "You haven't had a full eight hours of sleep in days, no wonder you're anxious."

Loki hesitated, his mind still questioning.

Cami took his hand, urging him toward the stairs. "I'll join you. I'm sure Joyce will be happy to close all the drapes for us and lock the doors if it will help you feel better."

Loki didn't quite catch Joyce's soft response, though she nodded in agreement.

Cami appeared to forget about Mr. Peck as she tugged off Loki's coat and shirt as soon as they entered the bedroom. Her amorous touches and kisses made her intentions clear.

"This is not a good idea," Loki said, pulling her wandering hands back and taking a step away from her and the bed. He expected her to put up a fuss or at least pout, but Cami only grinned, prompting him to ask, "What's so amusing?"

"I'm prepared to counter any argument you have. You will be persuaded."

Perplexed by her confident display, Loki reminded her, "We left our condoms in Asgard."

Reaching her hand under the nearest pillow, Cami produced a red and gold box, which she held up for him to see. "We're covered."

A stir of embarrassment heated his core and features. "The Murphys bought those?"

"Joyce asked if there was anything more we needed," Cami explained with a nonchalant shrug. "Come on. I'm super horny."

Loki rubbed at his face and pushed his hair behind his ears. He hoped to remain patient, but already felt hindered by his lack of decent sleep lately.

When he didn't respond or look her way, Cami whined, "Are you really doing this to me?" She threw the box on the bed and growled.

Noting the tantrum, Loki persisted firmly. "Cami, we're guests in this house. Joyce and Bobbie are within shouting distance and we are not quiet."

"So? We're all adults."

"Exactly. Let's try acting like it."

Cami glared before she turned and stomped away. Loki followed her into the bathroom, watching as she took deep, calming breaths, splashed her face with cool water at the sink and avoided his gaze.

"Something's wrong," Cami confessed and dried her face with a towel.

His guilt flared. "With us?"

Her gaze shifted to his reflection in the mirror. "With me… and maybe us too."

Loki stepped up and wrapped his arms around her middle.

Cami laid back into him, wringing the towel in her hands. "I felt a little nauseous this morning."

"If you are pregnant, it's much too soon for you to be having morning sickness," he insisted.

"I'm an emotional mess. My body aches. Also, Joyce pointed out that I've been eating a lot."

Mood swings, nausea and increases in appetite and sexual desire were all symptoms of pregnancy, but not at one and a half weeks. Of course, they didn't know everything about Cami's magic or the curses Jahla had placed on her.

Loki slumped against the door frame, feeling more tired. "Maybe you are pregnant."

"What do we do?"

Loki left the bathroom, picking his discarded shirt off the floor and pulled it on.

"Wait. What are you planning?"

"I'm going to ask Joyce to get you a pregnancy test."

Cami panicked. "No. You can't. She'll freak out."

Loki almost laughed at her since she'd had no qualms asking for condoms. "Without my magic, I can't tell if you're pregnant, my dear, and taking you to the doctor would be another foolish risk."

"Then we can wait," Cami insisted. "Please don't force this now."

"You stood before Director Fury and a room full of hostile agents and asked them to show compassion and forgiveness to their enemy. Surely, you can face the Murphys."

Cami slipped into the limited space between him and the door, her eyes pleading. "I'm tired of disappointing everyone."

That particular desire struck much too close to home. Loki's chest panged in recognition of the nagging torment such emotions could inflict on a person over time.

Loki sighed. "Coming here wasn't such a good idea, was it?"

Cami backed him toward the bed. This time he complied, stretching out with her. He accepted and gave comfort with each shared touch and made no judgments as she sniffled against his chest.

Loki asked after a long while. "Boy or girl? Which would you prefer?"

"You really want to talk about this now, even though we don't know for sure?"

"I do." A long silence followed, forcing Loki to spearhead the conversation. He spoke with sincerity. "I think you'll be a wonderful mother."

Cami thanked him. Then she added in a lighter, happier tone, "A little Loki would be really cute. I'd dress him in black and let his hair grow out long."

Loki approved. "What if it's a girl? A little you? Will she be always in piggy tails with colorful ribbons?"

Cami's response was emphatic. "No way. Someone will eventually tell that story of you cutting off Sif's hair and Little Loki will probably go after her."

He laughed. "Amazing how in mere seconds we've gone from discussing one possible child to two."

"Maybe we'll have twins," she suggested, but flashed him a distressed look that made it clear that she did not desire that particular outcome.

"If so, we'll dress them in matching black and purple." He teased, "Surely, Clint would approve."

"Be nice," Cami demanded, poking him in the ribs. "My mom loved blue. Dad liked red. As a kid, Clint figured out that if you mixed them, you got purple. It just became a thing."

He decided from her quick anger that she must have felt the purple jabs were an attack against the entire Barton Clan. Her poke actually hurt, serving as a lingering reminder that any topic that touched on her family was dangerous territory. "I apologize. I didn't mean anything by it."

After a short nap, they joined Joyce and Bobbie for their favorite games and television programs, which only reinforced in Loki's mind that he wasn't meant for a carefree, relaxed lifestyle. Such activities were fine in moderation, but he longed to accomplish something more meaningful than winning at cards or firing off answers to game show trivia.

That night Loki slept only an hour at a time, plagued with unsettling dreams. Around three o'clock in the morning, he rolled out of bed, careful not to disturb Cami and went down to sit in the recliner. He worked on his puzzles, which helped to ease him back into a state of mind for problem solving. Then his focus shifted to the conundrums presented by Bad Loki and the events of late, which he pondered and deconstructed into smaller, relatable pieces of fact.

Hel wanted a new life.

Bad Loki hinted that Hel chose Cami to help fulfill that promise.

To succeed at their plan, Bad Loki and Hel needed Jahla.

Jahla had put a controlling curse on Cami's body that Jorn and Mahlora couldn't identify.

Cami was likely pregnant.

Goosebumps rose on his flesh and his guts knotted painfully as Loki came to the horrifying conclusion that Hel planned to use Jahla's spirit powers to put her soul in the baby's body and, therefore, start over away from Niflheim with Cami as her new mother.

Now it made sense why Hel wanted to meet Cami and had asked Loki to protect her. Except, why would she take the chance of them hiding away and not being found later for Jahla's ritual? Unless, of course, they had a way to track them.

Loki's senses heightened with rising fear as he abandoned the armchair, then stood still and silent to scrutinize the sounds inside and outside the house.

The training facility in Arizona. Stark's rental house in Naples. Bad Loki had never been to either place and yet he'd found him.

No. He didn't find me. He followed me, Loki thought. We're two halves of the same soul tethered together.

Cami isn't safe.