Merciful

Chapter Five: Curious Convictions

Loki and I ended up sleeping in the living room. No, actually, that was incorrect; Loki slept in the living room. I sat perched on the open window sill, simultaneously making sure Loki didn't make a run for it and waiting apprehensively for the return of Jane and Thor.

When the sun had just begun peeping over the horizon, I heard a rustle from outside. Slipping off the sill into my human form, I tiptoed across the room and out the door, meeting the couple outside.

"Hey, Jay!" Jane said, giving me a quick hug.

"Hey," I said, returning the hug. "Hello, Thor."

We shook hands, and Thor looked past me to the rented duplex. "Is Loki in there?"

"He was a minute ago," I muttered.

"And he has behaved since he arrived?"

"You all speak of me like a child," a smooth voice said, exiting the duplex. "I am anything but. Jaida Liao, did you truly believe that I did not notice you awake all night?"

I winced. Truthfully, I hadn't thought of that.

"Hello, Thor," Loki said icily, glaring at his brother. "I thought I was rid of you for a while."

Thor frowned slightly. "I see you are upholding your end of the bargain."

"What bargain? I was under the impression that bargains gave something to both sides. I only see you gaining anything here."

While the two squabbled, Jane and I stood next to each other and watched.

"I don't think Loki sees how much he still cares for Thor," Jane said in a hushed tone. "They act exactly like two siblings, regardless of blood. I don't know of anyone other than siblings who can argue like that."

"Did you have any siblings?" I asked. Jane shook her head.

"No, but I've seen my aunt and father interact. They were almost exactly like this. Ah, without the medieval armor and grudge match stuff."

We watched the two bicker in amusement for a few more minutes before finally intervening.

"Alright, cool it," Jane said, placing a hand on Thor's forearm. His hand was clenched as if he was about to call for Mjolnir.

"Stop fighting and take a breath," I said, stifling a yawn. "It looks like it's about to rain, so let's get inside. And be quiet; Darcy is still sleeping."

"I refuse to stay here," Loki said, glaring at Thor.

"Then why did you agree in the first place?" I countered. "You're the god with the power to transport, so why didn't you just disappear when you realized where we were?"

"I need answers," the god growled. "I am also required to remain with S.H.I.E.L.D. You currently represent S.H.I.E.L.D."

Jane raised an eyebrow. "What kind of answers?"

"Nothing," Thor said quickly, seeming to warn Loki into silence with a look. "Lady Jaida, I have had the honor of sparing with both of your comrades, Natasha and Clint. Perhaps you would do the honor of facing me?"

"Maybe later, Thor," Jane said quickly. "Jaida looks asleep on her feet. Jay, would you like to rest in the guest room? I'm sure Thor and I are capable of handling Loki."

I hesitated slightly, but another yawn rose up, and I nodded in defeat. Yesterday had been a long day, and coupled with last night's stake out, I was exhausted.

Loki

What had been going through my head yesterday when I agreed to stay here in London? That had been happening often lately, making me feel as if I were trapped within my own body, unable to make my own decisions. When I had seen Thor this morning, I had been overcome with fury, perfectly willing to destroy him for sending me here, but again I was held back. Simple bickering was the most I could do.

Until now.

"I cannot believe that you did that!" Thor roared in anger. "Why do you tell me now of all times?"

"I was bored," I said silkily. "I was hoping that perhaps you would provide a stimulating argument. This works."

Thor gaped. "You don't just tell someone you made out with their betrothed!"

"What?" Jane said, exiting the kitchen. "I feel like you two have some explaining to do."

I leaned back on the chair and smirked. "I was just telling brother dear about the time I made out with his betrothed. I thought it was about time to confess."

Thor gritted his teeth as Jane nearly dropped the plates in her hand. "Jane, it is nothing; a few centuries ago, Sif and I were arranged to be married, that is it. We were friends and friends only, so I convinced Father to break it off."

Jane shrugged. "Okay." I stood in annoyance.

"You learn that he was engaged, and all you say is 'okay?' I don't understand Midgardians!"

"Well," Jane reasoned, "I've dated before, and Thor knows that. We don't really delve into the past."

I grumbled and fell back onto the chair before muttering under my breath, just loud enough for Thor to hear, "Darcy said yesterday that she wouldn't mind… cuddling… with me."

Thor leapt up in anger, Mjolnir suddenly in his hand, and leapt at me. "You stay away from her, you hear me?"

Surprised at the sudden reaction - quicker than I believed possible - my armor formed around me. When I didn't reply, Thor ordered Jane to stay back and then attacked me. I smirked in satisfaction; finally, a worthwhile brawl!

Jaida

I didn't often have dreams, so when I heard huge crashing noises, I thought for a moment that I was remembering the explosions, but then I realized that I was actually awake and the crashing noises were coming from a nearby room. Cursing the fact that I was a deep sleeper, I dashed out of my room… and gaped at the disaster. The whole living room was completely demolished, even the walls beginning to wear from the hard beating they were taking from Thor and Loki wrestling. Jane and Darcy both stood near me, equally amazed by the amount of damage.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" I yelled over the noise. Jane and Darcy jumped, not having noticed my arrival over the commotion.

"We didn't want to, you didn't even get one wink last night, and anyone who can sleep through this deserves to sleep!" Darcy yelled. I sighed and studied the fighting gods.

It was utter chaos, and hard to follow the punches. I winced several times when Mjolnir met skin - and not even always Loki's. Finally, when Thor grasped Loki by the hair, I found an opportunity to jump in, knocking Thor's feet from beneath him and shoving them both away from each other. When they stood to charge again, I automatically kicked at Loki, slamming him right in the chest. He stumbled backwards and took a minute to recover. I knew Thor wouldn't attack, so I finally relaxed slightly.

"Alright boys, cool it," I said loudly. "Now, what is going on?"

"Nothing of import," Thor growled, brushing past me. He stopped near Darcy and whispered in her ear, probably assuming I wouldn't hear.

"Stay away from my brother; he is nothing but trouble and will hurt you in the worst of ways."

Loki just smirked triumphantly as I turned to glare at him.

"What? He struck first; I was acting purely in self-defense," he said innocently. I sighed.

"You're the magician; clean this up."

"But Thor-"

"You said you weren't a child," I interrupted, "so act mature and prove it."

That silenced the silver tongue, allowing me to head to the kitchen. Thankfully, the coffee pot was still intact.

Loki

The impudence! That woman still believed that she was allowed to order me around like some commonplace servant. However, I would admit that she was good with words; her final statement had most certainly caught me off guard; refuse to complete a simple task below my standing and show her that I was a child that needed to be babysat, or agree and prove my maturity over Thor. Besides that, I was sure Jaida would not be pleased, and rubbing my still sore chest, I was fairly certain that she would definitely be able to dish it out when angered.

Pursing my lips, I took the second action, however degrading, and snapped my fingers, allowing the items in the room to fly back together and replace themselves in their original positions.

"There. That wasn't too bad, huh?" a patronizing voice said, entering the room as Jaida with a steaming mug of some Midgardian drink.

"That was completely belittling," I sniffed. Just because I had complied with the request didn't mean that I would not let her know how I felt about the task.

"You got it done with a snap of your finger," Jaida said drily and sat at the table, sipping at her cool mug. "What did you say to Thor?"

"Oh, nothing much," I replied nonchalantly. "He should have been angrier at Darcy; she is the one who originally spoke the words."

Jaida's eyes widened. I knew she had heard Thor's words earlier, and she seemed to finally realize what they meant. "You heard us last night?"

"I am not deaf," I said, offended, cautiously sitting on the couch across from Jaida. I perched carefully on the edge, suddenly uncomfortable in the house. I was about to transport away to somewhere less stifling when I realized that Jaida would consider that as rebelling or something of the sort. "Must I ask your permission to leave for a short walk?"

"Yes," Jaida said, "since I would have to go with you. Just give me a minute; I'm still waking up."

"That is your strength when you are still exhausted?" I asked in surprise. "What of when you are at full strength?"

"Would you like an example?"

I smirked. "I wouldn't mind; what would you say to a spar later today?"

She hesitated, but I could see that she was tempted. "I don't think that would be utterly appropriate, let alone smart," she said slowly. "After all, you could easily defeat me, and I would just be giving you a chance to kill me."

I raised an eyebrow. "And yet, if you believe that, why have I not yet murdered you? I have had plenty of chances, plenty of slip ups. I could have allowed you to die in those explosions."

Jaida was wavering now. "What's the point? If we already know you'll flatten me, that is."

"Practice. Strategy; you would know how I fight if ever I got on the bad side of S.H.I.E.L.D. again. Can you really not think of all of the pros?"

"Thor has already challenged me."

"Will you not do better against him if you have already sparred against a god?" I heard a sigh, and smirked in triumph.

"Fine. Let me finish my coffee."

3rd Person

As soon as the bomb squad had determined the ground base clear, Natasha and Clint went directly against Fury; after all, he wouldn't know. He had left for a meeting with the World Council. In person. Even he had seemed nervous.

The two assassins scoured the mess hall, unable to find evidence of Jaida's body, nor Loki's; no one but two cook assistants.

"Give up, Clint," Natasha said in irritation. "She isn't here. That's a good thing, right? It means that she got away somehow."

"Or that Loki kidnapped her. I would rather find her body here, and I'm sure she'd feel the same."

Natasha bit her lip. "Alright, I know you feel guilty and all, but this isn't your fault. You were arguing with her and requested she stay away from you; how did that get her kidnapped? Or killed?"

Clint sighed and finally stood from the wreckage. "Because. If I hadn't, then she would have been eating with us, and wouldn't have had to make such a hard decision with that stupid Asgardian! She would have been with us, not in the mess hall, and not caught in this mess."

Natasha sighed. "I thought you didn't believe in the butterfly effect, and yet here you are, claiming that it's exactly what took Jaida from us. I understand that you're frustrated; Jaida was my friend too, but standing around here looking for nonexistent clues won't get us anywhere. If we find Loki, we find Jaida, so let's get to work."

Natasha and Clint didn't notice their little tag along; a small mouse that hopped up and hitched a ride in Clint's arrow quiver.

A/N: I was going to post this yesterday, but my parents had thought waking me up at seven in the morning on winter break for no reason was a good idea. Aka, I was waaaaayyyyyy too tired, so you have it today instead! Also, as you may have noticed, as we get to know the characters, there will be less and less flashy-backy-thingies. Thanks to taggering for favoriting, and MuchoMangoz1734 for another review! And wait… wow, you fell asleep after me! Expect another chapter early tomorrow. If not, feel free to spam me. Review, please!