Chapter 9: Interrogation

"Tony, how long have you been hiding this from us?" Steve asked flatly through a deep frown. It made his blood boil that Tony had kept Pepper's safe return a secret. Surely even a self indulged egotistical jerk like Tony Stark must have know the rest of the team were wracked with guilt because of her disappearance, and working tirelessly day and night searching for her. Steve's clenched his fists at his side, 'Or was he that selfish that he didn't even care?'

Tony rubbed the back of his head nervously. Why had Pepper and Thor shown themselves!? He was handling things. Now he looked like a royal ass.

"Don't look so surprised Cap. I've hid worse things." Tony replied lightly after which he comically thought to himself 'like for example the fact that Loki is currently sprawled out on one of my guest beds. You remember him, insane powerful god, tried to take over the world, brought an army of aliens to kill us all, number one enemy of earth.'

"Don't avoid the question!" Steve barked loudly which made the billionaire and SHIELD agents in his vicinity startle. It wasn't common that Steve would let out a frustrated outburst like that.

"Only a few days Steve." Pepper answered in a calm voice as she approached the bar, giving the soldier an apologetic look. "I am sure Tony wanted to tell you as soon as possible, but we had some other pressing matters to attend to first."

Steve looked down at his shoes guiltily focusing on collecting himself and his wayward emotions. He sighed, raising his sights to the group and noticed that Clint was eyeing him anxiously from across the bar counter. The archer knew what it was like to be overcome with anger and lose your temper, even though he rarely saw it from the Captain. That was more something that was expected from Banner, or a drunken a Tony after having a flashback to his Afghanistan experience.

For Clint, the mood swings started after the tesseract incident, and he found himself being angry at a lot of things, not because the feeling was merited, but more because he was involuntarily and constantly aggravated and that feeling seemed to rear its ugly head at the slightest provocation. A symptom, he reasoned, of being unmade and the weakness of being unable to control what happened to you. Clint understood that when a soldier feels weak, he feels frustrated and angry which spirals into some sort of inferiority complex. Ironically, all the avengers in that room understood this inner turmoil, but they were all too fixated on proving their worth to share their imperfections.

Noticing his concern, Steve gave Clint a reassuring nod that he was in control and the archer reciprocated the gesture before returning to focus on the new arrivals.

The air hung heavy as Thor and Pepper joined the rest of the team. Tony knew the next question that was going to be asked, and he really did not want to be in the room when the remainder of his team found out who was hijacking one of his beds. As to the said soldier and assassins, no enthusiasm was to be found on their side of the table either. Since Pepper's return had been kept a secret, the three avengers were reluctant to find out why and absolutely dreading the answer they were going to be given, all anxious that Tony had done something stupid... again. Or worse yet, Pepper's return was going to result in some dire consequences for the team, or even earth. Their imaginations ran wild with possible scenarios from deals with the devil, to Pepper being compromised.

Then Natasha broke the silence and asked the inevitable question, "What kind of pressing matters Tony?"

Thor went to answer the question, thinking somehow since the topic involved his brother it was his duty to inform his team accordingly. But Tony interrupted, "If we tell you, you have to promise, hands over hearts, pinkie swears, blood oaths, whatever your fancy, that this will not go back to SHIELD. This needs to be handled delicately and SHIELD is not, with respect to the people present with current membership, the way to handle it."

Tony was being annoying obscure and it made Natasha and Clint nervous. They did not want to agree to something which they had no idea what they were agreeing to. But considering the circumstances, and the fact that they were now external agents that could make the call whether a matter is to be taken up with SHIELD or handled externally, they decided along with Steve to agree with Tony's condition.

Tony nodded, pushing off the bar and turning towards to the staircase, "Alright, then follow me."

Pepper caught up with Tony and took him by the arm as they ascended the stairs together. Leaning in closely she whispered in explanation, "We could hear you upstairs, we thought it was better to just come clean. It was only delaying the inevitable."

Tony grasped Pepper's hand on his arms in acknowledgement and understanding. He knew Pepper and Thor had made the right move. As much as he hated to admit it, he was failing epically at getting him friends to leave, so the cat was going to come out of the bag eventually. Or the crazy bag of cats.

Half way to the guest room he heard Steve ask from behind him, "Where is Banner? Isn't he here staying with you?"

"He is taking a time out." Tony coughed a short laugh, he knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't help it. He was a sick puppy. Pepper just shook her head but didn't let go of his arm.

Seeing the door across the hallway which would lead them to Loki, Tony decided since this was going to happen whether he liked it or not, might as well make a show out of it. A perfect theatrical moment, since the door to the room had been pulled closed.

Everyone rounded around Tony as he grasped the door knob, overdramatically announcing before flinging it open, "Ladies and gentleman, I believe you know Loki."

Everyone knew the archer knew his skills set, and knew well that Clint was deadly fast. The man could fire an arrow through an enemies eye socket faster than Natasha could let off a shot from her gun. Yet despite how helpful that was on the battlefield, it wasn't a favourable trait right now because before anyone else could react, Clint had his bow transformed and an arrow cocked ready to shoot at Loki from the bedroom doorway.

Thor was the first to respond, grabbing Clint by the shoulder and pulling him away, which earned a threatening series of screaming protests. Tony decided to act as the human barrier, so he stepped into the doorway and blocked off the archer and Natasha, who had unsheathed her guns and was ready to back up Clint. Steve just stood to the side horrified, looking at Loki and back at the fumbling avengers, then back at Loki. Pepper had decided it was safest to step away from the group for a moment.

In all the disarray no one had noticed Loki eyeing them disdainfully from the guest bed, a familiar hammer sitting motionless on top of his left arm. He scoffed at how utterly foolish the people before him were acting. How humiliating Loki mulled to himself - this had been the team that foiled his plans for world domination.

It took few moments for Thor and Tony to subdue Clint, which resulted in turn calming Natasha. Steve wasn't a problem; the soldier could see that Loki was not a threat. The guy was in Tony's bed, and he had Thor's hammer on top of his arm pinning him down, and it looked like he was recovering from some serve wounds to the face, and possibly across his body if the blood stains on his lime green garments were anything to go by. The garments alone made Loki appear pacified, which was unsettling, since the last time he saw Loki, all armoured and leather, he had conveyed nothing but terrorising hostility.

Tony couldn't help but laugh to himself when Thor went into the bedroom and lighted Mjolnir off Loki's arm. He wondered how often Thor had done that to Loki. It was really a dog move on the older brother's part to have such an advantage over his little brother.

There was a short argument exchanged in whispers between Clint and Tony, along the words of, "Why isn't he in chains?" to which Tony replied words to the effect, albeit in that sarcastic way Tony was a master of, that Loki was harmless considering his present medical condition and the addition of magic preventing runes around his wrists. Clint contradicted that last part with the fact that all Loki had to do was to smurf himself up to be a danger to everyone. Tony shrugged it off, saying Thor wouldn't allow that to happen again, conveniently omitting the recent events with Bruce in the containment area. Less Clint knew, the well, less he had reason to arrow Loki in the eye before Tony got his answers.

Observing the segregated debates, all which excluded his inclusion but revolved around him somehow, was Loki who was being uncharacteristically quiet. He shifted himself into a sitting position, his back against the bed head, eyeing the group of people who had now entered the room and were taking their preferred positions around his designated recovery bed.

Even though they tried to keep their voices down, Loki could hear everything said between the team. Everything from Clint's questions to Tony of why Loki was here, to Tony's explanation of an impending interrogation and Clint's snide remark of, "You expect the God of fucking lies to tell you the truth!"

It was, to say the least, uncomfortable. True he had at one point been the centre of attention, being the steward King of Asgard, but this was not like being looked upon with respect and adoration. No, this was the accusing eyes of your enemies gathering around and circling like a pack of wolves. Loki swallowed hard, but did not let his intimidation show; instead he gave his onlookers a crooked smile and a teasing glare.

"Fuck, what happened to its face!" Clint remarked breaking the silence, which earned him a harsh glare from Loki, the god's smile disappearing instantly. "Do not refer to me as an animate object!" he spat back at the archer standing at the end of the bed.

"Oh yeah, try and stop me!" Clint challenged, crossing his arms in defiance to the demand.

"Ok knock it off." Steve interrupted, like a parent scorning troublesome children.

Tony moved himself to the front of his team, taking position next to Thor who was seated in the couch at Loki's bedside. No one else a part from Tony and Thor came within a three metres distance to Loki, which was understandable, Tony mused. This was Loki after all.

"Ok, just to bring the three of you up to speed," Tony began, looking at Steve, Clint and Natasha in particular, "Loki here was just about to tell us where he has been for the past two weeks."

The whole group turned their gazes to Loki in wait. Loki swallowed, the presence of these particular people around him sparking a similar memory whereby he awoke to see all the Avengers staring down at him. He thought carefully before answering. He hoped that he could, rather than outright lie, weave half truths. He didn't want to risk Thor discovering that he was lying, and there were definitely things he did not want his brother and his rag tag team to know.

"I do not remember." He replied, simply and to the matter of fact.

"Fucking Bullshit!" Tony and Clint yelled in unison. Pepper just shook her head at the filth that came out of those two mouths whenever they were together.

Thor learned forward from his seat towards Loki, concerned emanating from his expression, "Brother, what do you mean you do not remember?"

"Exactly what the words entail Odinson, I have no memory, no recollection, no knowledge, of why two weeks have passed since I was abducted."

"Abducted?" Natasha repeated raising her left eyebrow, "And exactly how do know you were abducted? Since you just told us you do not remember."

Loki rolled his eyes, "I was asked about where I had been for the past two weeks. That was the question, and I answered it."

Tony huffed in annoyance, "Stop being such a vague annoying pest and just answer us straight."

Loki glared at Tony answering through gritted teeth, "How more straight forward can I be Stark! You need to ask the right questions."

Tony coughed an amused snort at Loki. He was so infuriating annoying, and he wanted so much to ask Thor how it was that he put up with such a little shit of a brother. But he had to focus right now.

"Fine," Tony said, looking at Loki with stern eyes, "how do you know that you were abducted."

"I know my own magic Stark, I know it was not my own that was used to teleport me from SHIELD headquarters, and your lady Potts, and it was not at my bidding I can assure you." Loki gave Pepper a glance that appeared to be almost apologetic. The look made Tony slightly nervous, and jealous, even though he knew being jealous of Loki was just plain ludicrous.

Regaining the god's attention Tony continued, "So whose magic was it?"

"If I had to speculate," which Loki didn't, but it's not a lie if he had to, "I would say it was the same magic wielded by the Chitauri." Not a lie, they did wield that type of magic, or more specifically, their leaders did.

"So you think the Chitauri abducted you and did, that, to you?" Natasha posed motioning her hand to Loki's wounds, which pretty much meant waving her hand over his whole body.

Loki smiled, "They have no degree of fondness for me," avoiding the question with a factual statement.

Tony rubbed his goatee in though before turning to Thor and stating, "Could I have a word with you outside" turning to leave the room expecting Thor to follow, which he did, without question.

Once Tony was sure they were far enough away from the bedroom to be out of hearing range of Loki, Tony asked directly, "Is he lying?"

Thor's brow furrowed apprehensively, "I do not know. Loki has always been a talented liar. Sometimes I think he is so talented that even he believes his own mistruths."

Tony shook his head. It seemed just too convenient that Loki couldn't remember anything. Thor shared the same worry, it wasn't common for an Aesir to experience memory loss. But then again, Loki was not completely Aesir, and his story did match Pepper's.

Thor considered, for now, perhaps they could receive Loki's words, but not take them as complete truths. "I will not dismiss the possibility that my brother is deceiving us, though for now I have no reason to distrust him. Loki's lies usually have a greater agenda, and if he is lying, his schemes will reveal themselves in time."

Tony shook his head, "What, like last time, where he opened the hell gates to an alien army and almost levelled New York City. Shall we make popcorn and wait for armageddon again?"

Thor put his arm on Tony's shoulder in reassurance and smile, "Unlike last time my Friend, we are not divided. If my brother is planning something, we will stop him before he has a chance to move."

Tony sighed, knowing that they really had no other choice.

"Hey guys." A voiced called out from across the hallway. Thor and Tony looked up to see Bruce strolling towards them, shirtless, but thankfully, wearing pants that now looked far too big for him.

"Hiya green machine." Tony greeted giving the doctor a warm smile. Once Bruce had joined them Tony laughed in realisation, then put his hand to Bruce's shoulder remarking, "Oh man, did you miss out on some fun."

A quick trip to his guest room closet in Stark Tower and Bruce joined the rest of his team in Loki's designated recovery room, acting like he had just arrived from running a few errands, and explaining that he was the one who had treated Pepper when Tony found her and that he knew about Loki. Tony, Thor and Loki kept their mouths shut about the whole incident in the containment area. The three Avengers thought it best not to tell the rest of the team about the little, mishap, at least for now.

Bruce would be lying if he said he didn't think the jig was up when Loki had asked, "Feeling better Doctor Banner?" when he joined the team half way through the interrogation wearing a fresh set of clothes. Bruce gave the god a smile and a, "Much better, thank you" and that was the end of it. Loki smiled mischievously but said nothing further. Bruce and Tony hoped this didn't mean this secret keeping meant they owed Loki one.

Loki's interrogation continued into the afternoon. The questions mostly resulted in 'I do not recall' or when questioned about Pepper, he merely shrugged and hypothesized (since of course, he did not remember) that perhaps the Chitauri had no interest in the human, hence she remained unharmed, and he certainly would have played no part in keeping her unscathed from the Chitauri. "What do I care what happens to the human" he shrugged. Pepper eyed his suspiciously, but she dropped the look when she noticed Tony looking at her curiously. Pepper usually gave Tony that expression whenever he lied, like when she asked him 'have you been drinking' and he denied it, but she already knew he was lying because she had either found the empty glass that smelt like liquor, or he smelt like liquor. It was Pepper's, I know you're lying face.

He would have to bring this up with her later.

While, as far as the group knew, Loki couldn't give the Avengers a definite answer as to why the Chitauri had left him alive, they did ask the god to hypothesise an explanation on the subject. Loki shrugged, and gave his interrogators a sarcastic smile suggesting, "Perhaps their idea of adequate punishment is what was carried out, or perhaps they judge being in your company is a more severe punishment than torture or the sweet release of death, or perhaps you have a spy in your midst. You will count me a liar no matter what I advance so why bother asking questions that you cannot confirm to be true."

Then Clint said something no one expected, "He is right."

Everyone, including Loki, eyed him in silent surprise.

"I know, never thought I'd agree with this prick on anything. But I can't be the only one in this room not believing a word that comes out of his mouth."

Loki gave Clint a smirk but said nothing, letting the archer continue. "So, I say Loki here recovers and then gets the hell off our planet. The sooner the better."

Tony was irritated he wouldn't get his answers, but gave Clint a nod. Without anyone else to confirm or deny Loki's words, they were out of options to dig for further intel, and Natasha's training on lie detection was not aiding the situation in the slightest. The SHIELD spy confirmed that Loki didn't appear to be lying, but nor did he appear to be telling the truth, and the god was being very careful not to let emotions control his words like the last time Natasha and Loki engaged in conversation. Yes, Loki did learn from his mistakes, unfortunately for the Avengers. They weren't getting anywhere with Loki, and the guy was a ticking time bomb. Better he explode far far far away.

Loki however, had other ideas rather than being shipped off at the first available opportunity."Not before I made my repentance to your leaders." Well, that was surprising.

Tony shook his head, "No dice."

Thor was also shocked to say the least. "You still wish to apologise brother?"

"Of course," Loki answered like it was a stupid question, "after what I have been through I will not waste the effort."

Bruce snorted, "I would advise against a second attempt at approaching SHIELD for a formal address. After what happened last time, I doubt Fury will change his tune. Face it Loki, no one wants you here. White flag or not." Bruce being the only one apart from Thor actually concerned for Loki's safety. Side effect of being a doctor Tony reasoned.

Tony rubbed his goatee in thought. "Well, I do have a few ideas on that matter." If Loki couldn't go to SHIELD, perhaps SHEILD could come to Loki. So Tony suggested a plausible arrangement to get Loki both off earth and make his amends, leaving no reason for Thor to bring his brother back to earth, Ever. Tony emphasised the ever.

By night time everyone was utterly exhausted. Questioning Loki was frustrating and tiring, and Thor assured his friends that they could take their leave to rest while he watched over his brother. Bruce was eager to get some rest, the recent hulking had left his absolutely drained and in dire need of solitude. Tony wanted some alone time with Pepper so he asked her to meet him in their bedroom, he graciously offered to fetch Loki's healing stones from the containment area. After which he showed his new guests where they could sleep for the night. It was ridiculous how Tony's Tower seemed to never lack in spare rooms.

That left Clint and Natasha in their shared twin bed guest room discussing Loki's interrogation; their conversation sounding too closely to that of a debriefing. You can take the spy out of SHIELD, but you can't take SHIELD out of the spy. Both of them decided that they would take turns throughout the night scouting Loki's room.

This left Steve to mull to himself and his topsy day. He wouldn't admit it to Tony, but it had actually taken him a lot of effort to gather the nerves to come to the decision to stay at the Tower. He knew their personalities clashed, and they would never see eye to eye, but he did respect the billionaire and valued him as a friend. He had hoped that after everything they had been though Tony shared the sentiment. Perhaps he had been wrong, since Tony obviously did not trust him enough to tell him about Pepper and Loki.

It was ironic. He was the person considered to the leader of this little group, but he felt like the most alone out of all of them. Tony and Bruce got along like two peas in a pod. Clint and Natasha were inseparable. And Thor, well, he wasn't a permanent member, more like an external specialist when the situation called for his assistance.

Yet despite the inner turmoils, Steve had resolve. He had a job to do. Loki was back on earth, and he would not be naive enough to consider the guy did not have an ulterior motive to wanting to make amends for his past misdeeds.

He had his world to protect.

Although Steve would not know it, the same thought was running through the minds of Tony, Clint, Natasha, Bruce and even Thor. Whatever Loki was planning, they would be ready this time.

A/N

Hi guys, sorry for the slow update. I had to rewrite this chapter a few times because i just wasn't happy with it. I know there are a lot of unanswered questions, which I will get to in the upcoming chapters :)