I am planning on uploading once to twice a week, maybe more.. We shall see.
Thanks for reading! And the chapter after this finally has some Loki content...yay!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Marvel related stuff
I have been standing in front of the massive building for way too long now. Just staring, frozen and unable to go inside. First of all, who has their headquarters upstate and what the hell am I doing here? I was surprised to get the call. Why would a top secret institution need the helping hand and insights of a Forensic Anthropologist. Have they not got the government and CIA working for/ sorry with them? I clench my hands, I can't feel my fingers. When I am cold, stressed or anxious the blood supply to my fingers gets cut off and they turn white and purple. Remind me to never play poker. Not that that would matter, it's a constant state for me anyway.
"Let's go Ashley, you've literally seen worse", I mumble though my teeth, "Be professional!"
One step after another I walk into the building, My red soled heels click-clack in the entrance hall, I confidently grab my identity card from my black leather Chanel bag just to swipe it at the lift. Yeah that's BS. Let's start again.
One step after another, I walk/ stumble into the building in my classic black heels, I am carrying a large leather bag, a total mess inside and I have a small carry-on behind me. I am not only starting this new "job", I am also moving in. Bloody fantastic (definitely an upgrade from my previous flat). And yes, the rest of the luggage is arriving later.
I spend ages trying to find my swipe card in my bag, if we were in London everyone in the queue would've been huffing and puffing. Americans are different. Simple, yet innovative. There is no queue.
Finally! With a grand gesture I fish the card out of my bag and enter the lift. "Good afternoon Miss Jones", a voice says. I jump, I wasn't expecting the lift to greet me, "My name is FRIDAY and I am an artificial intelligence created by Mr Stark. If there is ever anything you need, please do not hesitate and let me know. Mr Stark and his guests are expecting you shortly. Estimated time of arrival is T minus 2 minutes."
2 minutes… what a slow lift. Also, I am starting to panic. 2 minutes! I was never so glad about a mirror in a lift. My dark red hair falls down in loose waves. I am wearing very light eye makeup, bringing out the green tones in my blue eyes, paired with a subtle lipstick enhancing my natural colour. My outfit consists of a dark long sleeved blouse and high waisted straight legged cream trousers. Shit, some of the make-up I used to cover up the tattoo on my hand had transferred on my bag. Whatever, hopefully no-one will notice. One last look at myself, thank god for botox.
The lift door slides open and reveal a short and narrow corridor with one door at the end.
"Just through the door, Miss Jones", the lift says, "You are welcome to leave your luggage, Mr Starks employees will be able to handle it for you"
"Thanks", I mumble a bit confused, am I trusting this machine?
I take a deep breath, Nope. Why am I here? And no it's not imposture syndrome, that's a genuine question. Why the hell would they need a Forensic Anthropologist? Who died? Who died that they can't identify?
I start walking, slowly because I'm nervous, duh. Just as I am about to press against the door, it swings wide open and I am in a room with the Avengers, or whatever is left of them. And I thought meeting Prince William was uncomfortable. What do I do, do I bow?
"Hi!", I smile, cool as a cucumber Ashley.
"Good afternoon Dr Jones and thank you for accommodating our request over the next few months", now I see him, Nick Fury, head of S.H.I.E.L.D.. We've communicated, a very professional man but he has been nothing but friendly since reaching out to me.
"It's just Miss Jones", I laugh uncomfortably, didn't have the money to pay for a PhD,"just Ashley is fine actually", I add. I can feel that I am blushing.
Still, I step forward and start shaking everyones hand and introducing myself, I meet Fury, Hill, Stark, Parker, Romanoff and Thor. The team has shrunk since their last media presence. I think I can see Happy carrying my luggage in the back of the room. Holy shit, I only now pay attention to the room. It's very modern, with a bar on one side and a dining table on the other, a few steps down is a lounge area looking at a massive window front with an incredible view of well upstate New York… it's a nice scenery.
"No title? You are one of the few in this room", Hill has made her way over to me… is she insulting me?, "I have heard of the work you have done and I have to say it is an honour to meet you in person. Thank you for keeping the children of this world save"
"I am just doing my job", eww since when am I so diplomatic.
"I need to get back downstairs. Tony?", says Fury into the room, "Will you give Miss Jones the briefing and then show her where her apartment and all the necessary amenities will be?"
Visually Stark is obviously not happy to take charge of my induction, however he agrees with a firm nod and then shifts his look at me.
"Thank you Mr Fury, it was a pleasure to meet you!", I shake his hand one more time. I am guessing nobody really ever talks to him that much.
"Ready?", Stark asks me pointing towards one of the doors going off of the main area.
I give him thumbs up and follow. This should be interesting. Using my incredible deduction skills I know, definitely none of the people in this room are dead.
The room we enter is a true contrast to the one we just came from. No windows, white artificial lighting, grey walls and just a plain desk with two chairs. Looks like an interrogation room, good, familiar terrain. He takes a seat, I take a seat. Suddenly a large holographic display appears between us, with one smooth arm movement he shifts it to the top of the table so we can both see it.
"How much has Fury told you about your project with us?"
"That's an easy question", I laugh, "Nothing."
Stark looks somewhat taken aback, I guess he wasn't expecting that.
"So who died?", I ask nonchalantly.
He looks confused, "Died?"
Now I look confused, "I had assumed that's why I'm here? I specialise in juvenile remains, sex trafficking and modern slavery." You'd think he would've at least read my resume.
"I know. Trust me I've seen plenty of you in the press", what a snarky comment to make. I keep my cool but I am getting a bit annoyed internally.
"My methods might be a bit different at times but I get the job done", I lift one eyebrow, are you challenging me Iron Man? "I think I am right to assume that that attitude is what brought me here?"
He gives me a quick smile, as if I had just passed a test, "As you know two years ago Manhattan was under attack by an alien species led by norse god Loki", he scans my face, making sure I can follow, meanwhile snippets from said attack are playing on the screen," He was taken back to Asgard for his sentence. We thought that meant he was locked away for good.", he sounds disappointed… if only he knew how little the sentence is that some monsters of this world get, "However, 3 months ago he has been spotted on earth and S.H.I.E.L.D. managed to capture him. Thor has been requesting to take him back to his world. He insists that he is the only one who knows their fathers location. While we trust Thor and his kingdom, we need to assess the risk that Loki is posing. His brother seems to be convinced that he changed and would not hurt a fly."
I am still confused, I must look confused because Stark continues, "You have seen and worked with a variety of perpetrators and our intention was to bring you in to make an assessment on Lokis current state"
"I'm sorry but I am not a psychologist" I interrupt him. Has anyone read my resume?
"But your background gives you the necessary experience.."
"Just because I've seen pure evil doesn't mean I am the right person to profile someone", I thought he was a smart guy?
"Quite frankly, that's what I said when the idea was brought up", alright, that's a good pep-talk, "But, given what the press has to say about you and reading your personal file I have come to believe that you are the only one fit for the job"
"Don't get me wrong, I am not someone to step away from a challenge", I smirk, "I just feel bad you're actually paying me for this", I shrug my shoulders, "So you want me to just chat to him?"
I am in complete disbelief.
"And take some notes, make an assessment, write a report.", he adds and I can tell it's not him who cares about the paperwork. He thinks this whole situation is bizarre just as much as I do.
"Alrighty", I agree, "When do we start?"
"6pm, just before dinner", that gives me, shit, 1h and 4 minutes. Thanks for the heads-up.
"And by the way" he points at my left hand. The make-up has nearly all rubbed off and red lines are shining through marking out the contours of all the bones of my hand. So much for smudge proof make-up. "There is no need to cover up your tattoos, we know you have them", he winks and points at the screen. Yep there they are, all of them, left hand and my back and neck.
He proceeds to show me my apartment which is on the ground, I barely have time to explore. Basically it looks like a very fancy hotel, entering through the door I find myself in a modern living room area with an open kitchen to my left. Straight across I have a massive glass front opening up to a small garden with a little pond and tree in the middle. To my right a sliding door leads into the generously sized bedroom with an ensuite and walk-in closet. Beautiful. All my clothes are already unpacked and organised, man if all I have to do is chat to a maniac, sign me up!
"FRIDAY", I say hesitantly, " May I access Lokis file, please?"
"I am sorry those are classified, Miss. Can I help with anything else?", the robot voice replies.
Okay then…guess I am not getting any hints. Maybe they don't want me to cheat.
I grab my tablet and type in Loki, Google still exists.
I'm pretty sure he didn't shag a horse though…and I definitely won't kneel before him.
A knock on my door, man that was quick. I didn't even get the chance to change, guess I am going with this look then.
I open the door, "Ms Romanoff" I nod "Is it time?"
She gives me a quick laugh, "It's Natasha. There is no need for that crap, we will be spending a lot of time together here"
"Yeah I figured I should at least seem professional on my first day. Are you taking me to see my new best friend?"
Her face immediately change, darkness in their eyes appears. Guess someones not over it yet.
"I should warn you, he can be quite nasty, he will try reading you, try not to be an open book", Natasha must speak from experience.