"So, let me get this straight? Loki will be staying here? In the tower with the rest of us?" Nick Fury angrily said, while looking at both Tony and Steve. Both men gave each other worried glances.
"Yes, you heard us completely right. I was just as surprised as you are," Tony replied.
"Why?" Fury simply asked.
"What I just told you. Thor needed us to look after Loki so that we can help him become better" Tony answered back angrily.
The rest of the heroes came to the meeting room to discuss their new assignment. When the team were already seated, Fury wasted no time explaining some important matters.
"The reason I called in all of you was because there are some things I want to say. First things off, Loki will be under your surveillance, no matter what you say. Second of all, Thor next time you'll be bringing Loki with you, please warn us ahead of time. Third, all of you have a mission next week. It is something to do with Hydra and Bucky".
"What!?" Both Steve and Bucky screamed in disbelief. Hydra?
Bucky didn't want to believe it. He wanted to forget them at all costs. And now Fury is dumping on him all the bad memories and the trauma he had faced under the same roof as Hydra.
Seeing his friend's shock, Steve spoke up, "You have to bring those people up in Bucky's presence Fury".
"I am sorry Captain. But he is in this too, like the rest of you. Bucky has an advantage in this".
Tony, although a bit angry, then said, "So, What is exactly is going down?"
"I don't know what this Hydra people are up to, but what I know is that they want something from Bucky. And that something? I don't know either".
Both Tony and Steve gave each other worried looks. Thor, Clint, Natasha, Bruce, Wanda and Pietro were all wearing confused looks on their faces.
"So, what exactly are we doing?" Clint asked, wanting to know more about their upcoming mission with Hydra.
"I wish to know the answer to your question, Barton. All I know is that they want something out of Bucky and it is not something pretty".
Listening to their conversation, Tony sat in silence. His mind went to Loki and how he is doing.
'What the hell am I thinking about Loki? He causes nothing but mischief wherever he goes. Although he does have a nice smile'.
Unconsciously smiling, Natasha noticed Tony with a curious eye.
"Hey Tony, why are you smiling about?"
Bringing him to his current state and forgetting where he was for a couple of moments, Tony blushed since he was caught.
"I was thinking about something personal. I am not planning to say what it is, so don't ask because I don't plan on telling".
"Really Stark? You're going to keep us in the dark on the thought that caused you to blush?" Pietro suddenly spoke up. He was staring at both Tony and Natasha.
"Yes I am Speedy Gonzales. Why should I say anything? What do I gain from saying?"
"Well, I don't know, help you or something. Unless you're hiding the fact that you done something behind our backs" Bruce gave his opinion. He was secretly hoping Tony said something about what he was thinking about.
"Okay if you insist, it was about the mission. You're all happy now?"
"Why do I get it's not the correct answer to everybody's question," Fury added his comment to the conversation. He was just listening and watching everything unfold in front of him.
"Well, that's up to them" Tony answered him. He secretly didn't want all of them finding out that he was really thinking about Loki. If that were to happen, then he would may have a problem with Thor and that would be something he did not want.
"Okay, bringing the conversation to the one prior discussing Tony's thoughts, we need a plan. And I think I have to leave that task to no other than Steve. Steve, do you mind? Because I trust you on leading the whole team on missions" Fury said, trying to convert the conversation to the one he planned to say before it got turned into teasing poor Tony.
"Yeah sure Director. Although we have only a week notice, but we can handle it" Steve answered. His mind is now occupied with how to save his teammates, especially Bucky. He better have him on priority.
Bucky, who was completely silent on the whole ordeal, looked at Steve, whom was sitting right next to him. Steve then whispered to him, "Don't worry Bucky. I promise I won't let Hydra hurt you in any way. Don't worry about them coming for you". Steve then grabbed Bucky's hand for confirmation. A shy smile appeared on Bucky's lips and that made Steve smile.
"Okay, the meeting is now over" Fury now said.
The whole team then retreated to their floors. Tony was approached by both Natasha and Thor. Tony's mind raced with questions and he felt his heart race.
"What were you really thinking back there Tony?" Natasha asked, wanting to know the answer to her question. She felt that Tony wasn't honest with her the first time she asked him.
"Are you going to keep insisting Natasha? I already told you".
"Are you being honest with us, brother Stark?" Thor questioned him.
''Like hell I am telling that I was actually thinking about Loki".
"Yes I am telling the truth. Why?"
"Because if it was about the mission, then why did you smile?" Natasha kept questioning.
''Oh shit, I am officially caught'.
"Sorry, I am not telling on that thought. See you later, you two".
When Thor and Natasha saw Tony leave on an elevator, Thor asked Natasha, "So what caused him to smile? Because no mission can cause someone to smile".
"I am not going to rest until I find that out. Until then, I have to talk to Clint about this. See you later Thor," Natasha said and left Thor to his own thoughts.
Then Fury appeared behind him. "Thor?"
"Yes?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Yes, you can".
"It's about Loki".
With a small frown, Thor then asked, "What about him?"
"I was planning to bring Loki to next week's mission. Can you keep an eye on him? Make sure he doesn't do anything illegal. Just think of this as a test. If he behaves and actually helps, then Loki will have more freedom that he currently has. Can you do that for me?"
With a smile on his face, Thor said, "Yes, I can do that. I promise. I won't let you down".
"I know, I believe you Thor".
Now, Thor left Fury alone and went to see Loki to tell him the good news.
''I hope you'll behave this time, Loki. This is your only chance to prove yourself'.
