After her first evening with her prince, the remainder of her week seemed uneventful. Of course the both of them had acted civilly the next day, and Paige tried her hardest to stay out of Loki's way whenever he got moody.
Four days in captivity worked negatively on Paige. She was able to handle the hesitant conversations of the second day, the boredom of reading the same book again on the third day, but was beginning to get a nasty case of cabin fever on the fourth. If only she had her violin.
Ugh! Paige slammed her same darned Robin Hood book closed and telekinetically tossed it across the room. Why keep me hostage if he doesn't plan to do a darn thing with me? I'm not a pet!
Paige stomped over to the window and opened it, pushing her hand against the barrier he had put up. Green light shimmered around the palm of her hand. A blast of telekinetic energy sent a ring of green light out from the center of the barrier to the edges of the window.
Let me out!
Loki watched from inside the door. The past several days had seen him busy trying to throw The Avengers off his trail. He had to admit, part of his reason for being gone so often was that he did not want to threaten Paige's life again. Perhaps he had neglected to pay her heed as he should have. The fact that she had tried to break through his shields with telekinetic energy amused him endlessly.
He let down the invisibility shield and chuckled. "Still so defiant after these past days." He clucked his tongue. "Perhaps you wish to learn how to fight back. How to use your powers to your advantage. I can show you how, but only if you wish it."
Paige jolted, startled by his sudden voice. She hadn't heard him come in.
I'm sorry. She sighed, referring to her constant act of trying to break through his shields. I'm just so... bored. She brightened at the thought of actually doing something. Of course I'd love to learn how to control my powers. I mean, I'd be learning from the best. Paige smiled at him and walked toward him, stopping a few feet away. What did you have in mind?
Loki smiled and sauntered closer. "To show how great your powers can become. But, first, there is something I wish to do... for you." He extended a hand, hoping she'd take it. He could work her into trust from there.
Paige took a step back as he moved closer. Ever since their little incident, Paige was terrified of her prince. Rather, not of him, but of his temper and how suddenly it could be triggered. She knew he hadn't meant to harm her. He probably hadn't taken into consideration how delicate her throat was because of her paralysis. But, the fear he had caused her was very real, and she did what she could to avoid him.
Over the past few days, she'd hardly broadcast more than a few words to him, and only when he spoke to her first. She also avoided eye contact with him whenever she could, which was difficult for her because she really did enjoy looking into those beautifully expressive green eyes.
Paige glanced down at his extended hand, unsure if she should trust him. But, then she remembered the promise she had made to herself, to accept whatever her prince had to offer her. Hesitantly, she took his hand. She forced a smile and looked up into his beautifully expressive eyes.
Loki grinned. It was the first time in days she had looked at him earnestly. It brought hope with it, a feeling he hadn't felt for far longer than necessary.
He clasped her hand gently. "Before we go, I need you to swear to me one thing." He studied her eyes, searching for honesty. "Swear to me that you will willingly return here with me when all has been said."
Paige's heart nearly stopped. He was releasing her? But, only if she promised to return. How could she return when she was so fearful of him?
But, then again, he was willing to help her. He understood her like no one else could. Despite his temper, he was still usually kind to her. And he was still her prince.
Yes... She finally replied, still fearful of his purposes. I will return to you. But, only if you promise me something. Promise me that you will try to control your temper. I mean no disrespect, your highness, honestly. But, last time you lost control, you nearly killed me. I know you only meant to scare me – and it worked, believe me – but you did more than that, too. Please, try to understand. I'm only fearful for my own safety.
She looked away from him, wincing, afraid that he would strike her.
Loki used his thumb to gently rub the back of her hand. She was genuinely afraid of him. Her tense posture bespoke her terror that he would harm her again. "I was drunk and enraged when this unfortunate happenstance occurred. My temper is a wild animal, I cannot tame it. But know this, I will never harm you again."
He squeezed her hand more tightly and pulled her to him, wrapping an arm around her waist. "Hold tightly."
And Loki teleported them both to another locale.
/
Two days went by. Drake couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. All he could think about was Paige, alone and cold in a dark cell somewhere as that monster tortured her. While the "city's greatest heroes" did absolutely nothing to save her. He tried to call Mrs. Barnett, but she never answered her phone.
On the third day after Paige's disappearance, Drake was awakened by the thundering sound of a heavy fist pouding on his door. Still in his underclothes, which he slept in, he answered his door. A group of policemen stood glaring at him.
"Are you Drake Kier?"
"Yes. Is this about Paige?"
"Yes, it is. Please come with us. We have some questions for you."
/
Brooke stood on the edge of the Stark Tower terrace, closed her eyes, and spread her arms wide. Wind up here, good wind. Noise and silence all at once. For once, the arrows and lines didn't talk to her.
"Brooke! Thor told me you had come back. Mind if I give you a physical while you're here?" Beasty's voice.
"I'm a bird," Brooke responded, not budging. "Fly away now."
Bruce laughed from his spot by the door and scratched the back of his head. "No experiments. I promise. I know what those are like, remember?"
"Beasty smash," Brooke sing-songed. "Mind plays tricks, talks without speaking."
"Come on," Bruce prodded. "You can listen in on the meeting while I check your health."
Brooke spun and narrowed her eyes. "Meeting?"
"I dunno. Tony has something to say, per usual. Come on." He stood aside and motioned to the door.
Brooke rolled her eyes and shuffled her way inside, despite the protests she wanted to make. Too tired to argue. Bruce followed her and snatched a doctor's bag on the way to the couches. Brooke flopped onto one and sat cross-legged.
Bruce knelt on the floor beside her and wrapped her arm in a blood pressure cuff.
"So glad I gathered you all here today," Tony started. "According to the big guy over there, we have a bit of a situation on our hands. Nothing we can't handle. Just some avenging stuff. Reports indicate that Loki has returned to earth. Woohoo!" He waved his hands sarcastically.
Bruce rolled his eyes and took the cuff off Brooke's arm. "That bag of cats? No way. Hey, Brooke, anything unusual going on up in that brain of yours?"
"Arrows and lines. Words without speaking," Brooke answered with a shrug.
"We have evidence from a reliable young man." Tony held up a bag with a scrap of green cape in the bottom.
"Who brought that?" Bruce asked as he pulled out a popsicle stick. "Open up for me."
Brooke opened her mouth wide.
Tony furrowed his brow. "His name was... wait, I remember this. Don... Dan... Dax... Dex... Oh, where's Pepper when you need her?"
Brooke answered, with Bruce's popsicle stick still in the middle of her tongue. "Dake."
"Yeah, Dake! That was it! Hey, kid, you're more useful than you let on. What say I give you a job? You could come live here, follow me around, remember things for me—"
"—Stark," Thor interrupted. "The young man's name was Drake. Please remain on topic, or I shall have to take over this meeting, as you call it."
"I'd like to see you try," Tony snapped.
Brooke pushed Bruce's hand away and sat up straighter. Something terribly wrong. Arrows and lines, calling to her. Telling her where to go. Who to see. She shrugged and stood. "Time to go, can't stay long. Something bad out there."
"I'll go with her," Bruce offered. "Not sure where we're going, but at least someone stable will be there."
"Haha, stable, that's a good one," Tony laughed.
Bruce pinned him with an icy glare.
Brooke ignored everyone and dashed for the elevator, which JARVIS opened before she even got there. Bruce raced to join her.