Chapter Four
Loki slouched in the uncomfortable metal chair, trying to give an impression of insolent unconcern. The truth was, he was slumped like this because he lacked the strength to pull himself upright. He could hardly raise his head. It transpired that SHIELD did, apparently, have some experience in dealing with magic: he was shackled to the chair by a series of restraints around his ankles, waist, chest, and wrists, and they had clearly been designed for the containment of sorcerers. The damnable things were draining him, exactly as if he was casting continuous magic while simultaneously bleeding to death. He was so light-headed he could hardly concentrate on the implacable face across the table.
"What did you do to him?" Nick Fury demanded, again, his single dark eye an abyss.
"Nothing," Loki insisted, again, wincing as the word slurred. He closed his eyes in an attempt to focus on his lips, to force them to obey, but as he did so the darkness whirled around him and he had to open them again. Concentrating on a speck on the tabletop to steady himself, Loki repeated, "I did nothing to Steve."
"Oh, so it was all a striking coincidence," Fury said, his tone rising into a parody of surprised innocence. "One of my guys gets a spell put on him that turns him into the Cowardly Lion and makes him think his friends are all trying to kill him or worse, and there just happens to be a damned exiled wizard right there who's already tried to kill another of my guys."
"That is indeed a striking coincidence," Loki agreed, struggling to enunciate his "s" sounds. He tugged weakly at his wrists, where the restraints were actually burning his unprotected skin.
"Nothing to do with you being a power-crazy little psychopath?" Fury demanded.
"Me?" Loki countered. "I am but a humble custodian."
Fury slammed his hand down on the table, and Loki barely resisted the instinct to flinch. He had never been afraid of a human before, but apprehension gripped him now. He was utterly helpless, and Fury was so convinced he was lying, seemed to see the prisoner before him as a problem to solve and nothing else. Loki was beginning to wonder whether Fury would ever release him from the restraints, and what would happen if he did not. Once his magic was gone, would the shackles continue draining him until there was nothing left at all?
Loki fought against the shiver of panic that trailed down his spine.
"Is my brother here?" he managed to ask. He was holding on to the belief that Thor would arrive soon. Surely even Nick Fury would listen to Thor.
The door of the cell slid open and Tony Stark walked in, carrying a cardboard tray with three steaming paper cups upon it. Stark was now in jeans and a t-shirt imprinted with the likeness of Iron Man. Loki could not believe how relieved he was to see him. Anything was better than being here alone with Fury.
Stark handed one of the paper cups to Fury and said casually, "Why don't you leave our friend to me for a bit?"
Fury took the cup of liquid, grunted at Stark, and walked out without a glance at Loki. Stark sat down the chair Fury had just vacated, then leaned across the table to place one of the cups in front of his prisoner.
"I wasn't sure if you'd prefer tea or coffee, but I figure you're practically English so I went with tea. Hope that's all right." Loki looked down at the dark liquid in the cup, and then turned his eyes back to Stark. "Yeah, I see your problem. Tell you what: my buddy Agent Coulson is up in the control room above us. I can get him to release the restraints around your chest and wrists, if you like. Sound good?" Loki remained silent. "I'll take that as a 'yes.' Now, keep in mind the rest of them will still be activated, so if you try anything- if you make any sudden moves- if your nose itches and you lift your hand too fast to scratch it- Coulson will hit you with a jolt that'll make that first one feel like a kiss from your mother. Understood?"
"Understood," Loki murmured.
"Good. You behave yourself and we won't have any trouble," Stark said affably. "I don't particularly want to hurt you." Stark paused, thought, then clarified, "I mean, I don't care, but it'll suit me just as well if I don't have to. All right?"
Loki considered this comment did not call for a response, so he made none. Stark looked up to where, presumably, this Coulson overlooked the cell, and made a gesture. A moment later the restraints around Loki's wrists and chest popped open and retracted. The draining sensation became almost bearable. Loki remained still for a moment, and very carefully did not look at or rub his wrists. However, when he followed Stark's directive to put keep his hands within sight and laid them on the table, the other man took note of the burn marks.
"Restraints too tight?" he asked casually, sipping from his cup.
"No," Loki replied.
"Then what happened there?" Stark persisted. Loki examined his wrists as though noticing the wounds for the first time. He shrugged.
"Magic cannot be bound without consequences to the sorcerer," he replied, trying to match Stark's detached tone.
"Hurt?" Stark asked, and though he had claimed not to care whether his prisoner came to harm, his regard was sharper than it had been.
Loki shrugged again. "Painful, but not serious."
"Are you burned like that anywhere else?" Stark asked.
"No, only where the restraints touched bare flesh." Loki sighed. "This show of concern is unnecessary, Stark. I presume you and Nick Fury are engaging in the tactic depicted in television programs about law enforcement agents, in which one portrays himself to the prisoner as hostile, while the other acts as a friendly and understanding presence."
Stark blinked, appeared to play Loki's words back in his head, and then laughed. "Good cop/bad cop, you mean?" He put down his cup. "Since you're on to me, should I drop the friendly act?"
"Not unless you wish to," Loki replied. "As I am telling you the truth, there is no requirement for manipulation."
Stark leaned back in his chair. "You know, I nearly believe you, when you look all earnest like that. And then I remind myself you're the God of Lies."
Loki shifted to a slightly less uncomfortable position. "Strictly speaking, of course, I am not a god at all. That was a misconception by a primitive society."
"Oh yeah? They told some pretty good stories, though," Stark persisted. "I particularly liked the one about you giving birth to your dad's eight-legged horse. Any truth to that?"
Loki cocked an eyebrow. "You do realize the Vikings drank a great deal, do you not?"
Stark grinned. "How about the one where the dwarves sewed your lips shut?"
Loki produced what he hoped was a convincing facsimile of his old sarcastic smirk. "Now that just sounds like wishful thinking."
"So that isn't where the scar on your lip came from?" Stark persisted.
Loki reached up to touch the mark on his upper lip. "No. This is the result of an altercation between myself and my friend the Lady Sif, when we were children." Stark looked inquiring and Loki elaborated, "I gave her... an unfortunate haircut... and she gave me a blow to the mouth." He joined Stark in a cackle of laughter at what, after centuries of resentment, now struck him as a harmlessly amusing memory.
"You friend must pack quite a punch," Stark observed.
"You have no idea," Loki replied. "I lost two milk teeth in the incident." He laughed again, at the memory of Eir alternately scolding and comforting him as she healed his mouth.
Stark smiled companionably and said, "Seriously, Loki, what did you do to Steve?"
Loki sobered. "Seriously, Tony Stark, I did nothing to him at all. He was, as the children say, like that when we found him."
Stark looked disappointed. "And here I thought we were getting along so well."
Loki felt the shiver of fear return. "I am telling you the truth."
"You can't possibly expect anyone to believe that. Not a guy with your history."
"A history invented by drunken primitives," Loki snapped, anxiety making him sharp.
"I mean your fairly recent history," Stark clarified. "The attack on Puente Antigua, that whole business of trying to kill Thor-"
Loki felt himself go stiff. "I am truly sorry for all of it."
"Really? Well, you certainly created the impression of being quite an aspiring young supervillain," Stark said relentlessly.
Loki felt a rush of genuine emotion, which he tried to mask with the comment, "Oh, really, you try to destroy one realm-"
Stark tilted his head on one side. "I can't imagine you actually think that's funny."
"I do not," Loki admitted. "But my apologies are not owed to you, Tony Stark." Stark nodded, as though conceding the point. Slightly calmer now, Loki went on reasonably, "Heimdall, the Guardian of Asgard, has his eyes upon me. When Thor arrives, he can speak to Heimdall and relay to you what he saw." Loki clung to the idea that Thor would come. Sooner or later, he would arrive, and they would listen to him, and these accursed restraints would be removed.
It occurred to Loki that he could not recall the last time he had found himself in trouble and had been so certain his brother would take his part.
Stark looked thoughtful, as though, against his will, he was beginning to believe Loki.
And just at that, there was a commotion outside the cell. Loki's heart gave a violent thump of relief as he recognized his brother's voice. Stark turned as the door opened behind him and Thor stalked in. Ignoring Stark completely, Thor went to Loki, laid a hand on his shoulder, and looked up to where Coulson presumably overlooked them.
"Release him," Thor commanded. "Do you hear me?" He could probably be heard in Asgard. "Release my brother now." Nothing happened, except that the fear went away. Thor patted Loki and started for the door, presumably to go deal with Coulson himself. Stark, apparently still relaxed in his chair, reached out and caught Thor by the arm.
"Okay, buddy, how about you calm down here."
Thor looked down at the Iron Man. "Do not interfere, Stark. You have no need to become involved in this."
Loki was not terribly surprised when Stark ignored the suggestion. "It's just an investigation, man. We need to figure out what happened to Steve."
"My brother is not to blame," Thor insisted, flicking a reassuring glance at Loki. "He has already explained the nature of his involvement."
"And you believe him?" Stark asked, releasing Thor's arm and then raising his hands at the expression on Thor's face. "Sorry, fine, of course you do. He's innocent as a spotless lamb. Have you spoken to Steve yet?"
"That is not my primary concern," Thor ground out, and looked back up at the observation window. "Coulson, if you do not free my brother immediately, I will do it myself, and the effects on this vessel will not be pleasant."
"Thor, that's enough," Loki said quietly. He was beginning to think Thor was actually angry enough to carry out his threat. Thor was perfectly capable of getting himself and Loki out of the vessel before it crashed, but there were a great many other people in the helicarrier. And on the ground beneath it.
"Listen to him, Thor," Stark said calmly.
The door opened again and Nick Fury walked in.
"Odinson," the one-eyed man said flatly, "I appreciate your loyalty to your brother. I do. It's touching. But I've spoken to Rogers, and all he remembers before he blacked out is a figure in a green cape. You got a green cape?" he addressed Loki.
"Yes," Loki admitted. "At least, I believe I still do. I seem to recollect packing it in a box in the cellar, along with my other Asgardian effects. I have not looked for it in months."
"Anyone might have a green cape!" Thor protested, replacing his hand on Loki's shoulder.
"Does 'anyone' have an alibi for the night of the storm?" Fury asked. Loki looked blankly at him and Fury elaborated, "Can anyone vouch for your whereabouts?"
"My housemates, Mitchell and Annie," Loki replied. "We were all at home together. When the power failed, we lit some candles. I cast a few illusions to amuse them, and then Annie showed me how to make a shadow that resembled a rabbit." Stark let out a muffled snort of laughter. Loki, addressing him directly, went on earnestly, "Annie's were more lifelike than mine."
"I'm sure she's very talented," Stark snickered.
"I already have spoken to Heimdall the Guardian," Thor spoke up, which at least explained where he had been all this time. "He confirms my brother's account."
"What, that Annie makes better shadow-bunnies?"
"Shut up, Stark," Fury snapped. "Odinson, I'll need more than the word of some intergalactic doorman before I let my only suspect go."
"Look, Fury, it's pretty clear Loki's telling the truth," Stark said unexpectedly. "I've read about this Heimdall character. He doesn't lie, and you know Thor doesn't, either. Besides, those restraints are obviously doing a number on him. It'll be hours before he's strong enough to cause any trouble even if he wants to. How about we just leave him loose in here while you do whatever you need to do to verify his story?"
Loki turned a look of disbelieving gratitude on Stark as Fury demanded,
"Have you lost your damn mind?"
Stark shrugged. "He might still turn out to be a deranged little maniac, but I've got to admit, I'm starting to like him. And as I say, I think he's telling the truth, which means he's a wizard who could be on our side. That's what we need to fix Steve, right?"
Fury glared generally around the room, then gestured at the observation window and stalked out of the cell. As the door closed behind Fury, the last of the restraints opened. Loki reflexively shot to his feet and would have fallen if Thor had not caught him. Stark, apparently understanding the impulse driving Loki, pushed the second chair toward him.
~oOoOoOo~
Loki had no sense of how much time passed while he waited for Nick Fury to return. Thor remained protectively beside him, so Loki gave in to weakness and stayed in the second, harmless chair, arms folded on the table and head resting upon them. After apologizing for taking so long to arrive, Thor had very little to say, but he laid one hand on the back of Loki's head and the weight of it was reassuring.
Fury would end in believing the truth of Loki's story. He had to. The alternative was simply not to be considered. If Fury's men tried to put him back in the restraints, they were just going to have to be prepared to kill him.
Which, of course, they probably were.
When the cell door slid open again, Loki raised his head to see not Fury, but Stark. The Iron Man smiled in a perfectly friendly way.
"Can you walk?" he asked. "Fury wants to speak to you, and I figure you might be just about ready to get out of here."
"Good cop," Loki murmured as he rose to his feet. Thor looked puzzled, but Stark's smile widened.
"Yes, exactly. Come on up to the observation deck."
The observation deck overlooked the flight deck of the helicarrier in one direction, and from the other commanded a view of the vessel's flight path. It appeared possible to see all the way to the ocean.
The chairs in this room looked a great deal more comfortable than the ones in the cell, but Loki preferred to stand, at least as long as his strength lasted. He leaned against the wall, hands in his pockets. as he waited for Fury to speak. Stark copied Loki's pose, although with a greater degree of insouciant elegance than Loki could command in his current condition. Meanwhile, Thor folded his arms and took up a posture that indicated anyone who attempted to harm his little brother again would live to regret it, but not for very long.
Fury, unsurprisingly, seemed entirely unintimidated.
"Sorry about the misunderstanding," he said flatly, which Loki understood was the closest thing to a heartfelt apology he was going to get from the one-eyed man. Loki was in no mood to argue.
"These things happen," Loki replied agreeably.
"Right. Okay, if I accept that you were actually trying to help Rogers, it seems to me you're probably still willing to do so."
Loki smiled at Fury. "And, naturally, if I refuse, I am perfectly free to go."
"You are indeed," Thor growled.
"Oh, yes," Fury nodded. "You're perfectly free to go back to your job and explain why Iron Man showed up and arrested you."
"Sorry about that," Stark murmured.
Loki had been thinking about it. "Yes, I'm quite aware how that incident must have looked. I probably have no job to go back to."
"I'm sure those two little rock-throwers would vouch for you," Stark said.
Ignoring Stark, Fury offered, "Of course, if you chose to help us, I'd be willing to speak to your employer."
"I'd be likelier to believe the two kids," Stark mused.
"Shut up, Stark. What do you say?"
Loki smiled again. "I appreciate the offer. And you are correct about my willingness to assist Steve. I like him." A thought struck him. "He reminds me a little of my friend Annie."
Thor looked startled. "That had not occurred to me, but-yes. Their personalities are similar."
Stark opened his mouth and, without looking at him, Fury said, "Stark, if you say one word about Rogers and shadow-rabbits, I'll kill you myself. All we need you to do, Odinson, is take the spell off Rogers."
Loki gently shook his head. "I"m afraid it is not that simple." Fury became much larger in his chair and Loki went on, "I am not refusing to help. But one cannot simply remove a spell as though it was an unwanted coat. It is more... like the effect of your pharmaceuticals." Fury frowned, but this time in thought. Loki elaborated, "If someone has taken an unknown drug that affects him badly, you do not simply give him more drugs at random to try to reverse the effects. You would be likely to kill him."
"So you need to know what kind of spell it is," Fury said slowly.
"Exactly. Or at least something about the sorcerer who cursed him. It can be done, and I am willing to do my best, but I will need assistance, and you will need to be patient."
"Fair enough," said Fury.
Somewhat encouraged, Loki broached another matter that had been worrying him. "The other thing that concerns me is this: as you have noticed yourself, one of the effects of the spell was to make Steve afraid of his old associates. My friends and I showed him a picture of Thor and it terrified him. Stark's and your descriptions of his demeanour since your arrival make it appear he has not lost any of that fear."
"No," Fury admitted. "When I talked to him it was pretty clear he expected me to drag him outside and shoot him any minute. And he kept wanting to know what we were doing to you. He was pretty worried about that."
"Being brought here by force cannot have helped the situation either," Loki noted. "Very well. You say he appeared concerned about my fate?" Fury nodded. "In that case, it would probably be best if he maintained contact with my friends and me. It would certainly be unsafe to return him to our house- " Stark looked sheepish and Loki sighed. "Even if it is still in habitable condition." Stark shook his head sadly. Loki tried not to think about it. "It is also possible that whoever placed the curse on Steve will come looking for him, and may even track him to our house. What is left of our house. It would certainly not be safe to take him back there."
"Damn straight," Fury said flatly. "He's definitely staying here. But now that you mention it, it's probably best if you stay here and we bring your friends to join you. I'll send a couple of agents to pick them up."
"Would it be possible for Thor to go as well?" Loki requested hesitantly. "My housemates know him." And he could see all of them.
"I would be happy to do that," Thor spoke up instantly. Fury shrugged.
"Sure. Fine with me. The last thing we need is for whoever did this to Steve to grab your friends and try to distract you."
"You're all heart, Fury," Tony Stark said pleasantly.
"Shut up, Stark."