Chapter 10
Andrea
Andrea looked at Tony after he spoke through the sound system. "Do you think Thor found something?" She asked Tony.
Tony stood up and walked over to Andrea. "I hope so. Whatever Loki is up to, it can't be good. We need to stop him no matter what." Tony sat next to Andrea and wrapped his arm around her. "Any luck finding Loki?" Tony asked.
Andrea shook her head. "From all the activity Thor said he was doing, he went silent over the last few days. I can't find anything that even seems to be like Loki activity. It is like he knew we were looking for him."
"Well let's get some soda and meet Thor in the kitchen. We can see what he found and maybe that will help our search," Tony said standing up and pulling Andrea up with him. Andrea walked out of the lab with Tony's arm still around her. She couldn't shake the thought of how Loki could know they were looking for him. Andrea hoped Thor could help with something; any information would help at this time.
Andrea and Tony walked into the kitchen. Tony pulled out the chair for Andrea. "Such the gentlemen," Andrea said as she sat. Tony kissed her on the cheek when she sat down. "Just to you," Tony said. "Don't let the world know, though. I need to keep the Tony Stark reputation up." Andrea smacked Tony for referencing his past life. Tony laughed and went to get soda for Andrea and poured himself a cup of coffee. Thor walked into the kitchen.
"Greetings Stark and female assassin. I have news from Asgard. We need to tell the others soon," Thor said.
"Andrea," Andrea shouted to Thor. "My name is Andrea. I will not have any of this female assassin nonsense. You value your life then you will say my name," Andrea threatened.
Tony looked over to Andrea as he put down her soda, "You just threatened a god, you know that?"
"Your point?" Andrea asked as she looked at Thor. Thor looked stunned Andrea said those words. "Call me Andrea and we will be okay Thor. Or would you want me to call you Donald Blake?"
Tony looked at Thor, "The doctor?" Andrea nodded answering Tony's question.
"Your skills are great assass… Andrea. No one could figure out my human identity." Thor said with respect for Andrea.
"It wasn't too hard to find out. I thought something was up since you never stayed here when you were in our world. A few camera searches and a bug I put on you helped me figure it out," Andrea said opening her soda.
"I will be sure not to anger you, Andrea," Thor said.
Tony shook his head as he sat down at the table. "You can even put a god in line. What type a woman are you?"
Andrea smiled as she looked at Tony, "A woman who can manage Tony Stark. Would you expect less from someone who can hold you as a boyfriend for this long?"
Tony smiled as he sipped his coffee. "No, I expect you to hold me for a very long time."
Andrea was a little thrown by that comment from Tony. She instead turned to Thor, "Want anything to drink, Thor?"
"No, I am more concerned about the information I hold. We figured out what Loki is seeking in the Highlands, at least, the Temple he seeks," Thor answered.
"Maybe thirty minutes is too long for everyone. Maybe we should get them here now, and fill in others when they get here?" Andrea asked.
Tony paused for a moment, "Jarvis let everyone know Thor has valuable information and to come to the kitchen at once," Tony said.
"I will, Sir," Jarvis said.
Natasha and Clint walked down the stairs.
"So Thor found something out?" Clint asked.
"Well, of course, Tony wouldn't have Jarvis ask us to come down now if it wasn't important," Natasha said. Both Natasha and Clint took a seat at the table. Andrea looked around and didn't hear any noise from the stairs. "Should we wait for Mark and Steve?" She asked.
"Those two were training and then headed into Steve's room after Tony's announcement. I think they will be busy with something before coming here," Natasha said.
"Why do they get to have some fun before coming to this meeting?" Clint asked.
"Cause they didn't know Thor had answers until now. We will just have Thor speak, and we will fill them in on what we know," Tony said. "So what did you find out in Asgard?"
Thor walked in front of the table to talk to everyone. "Frigga found the Temple, which Loki seeks. It is in the Highlands. It is the Temple of Huginn and Muninn. They are the Ravens of Odin. Huginn brings Odin information on thought and Muninn controls memory and the mind. They circle the world collecting information about the people and return it to Odin when he awakens. The Temple holds artifacts imbued from the blood of Huginn and Muninn. Loki seeks something in the temple to use."
"Artifacts of memory and thought," Andrea said. "Loki can use anything against any of us. It helps us know where he is going, but we don't know which item he wants. This is bad," Andrea said.
"Indeed, it is. Has Loki shown himself here in the human world? Frigga did not sense his presence in Asgard and no one used the Bifrost other than myself," Thor said.
"No," Andrea asked. "It's like Loki knew we were watching him. He went down to zero activity. I couldn't find anything that looked like Loki activity."
"I fear he knows we are watching him. We will need to work harder to find him. I know he remains here on Earth for now. The Bifrost…" Thor paused and looked out of the window.
"Everything okay big guy?" Tony asked.
"The Bifrost. It was activated. Loki must be returning to Asgard. We need to plan something to stop him," Thor said and then he looked curiously out of the window. "I must be imagining things," Thor said.
"What is it?" Andrea asked.
"I believe two people used the Bifrost. This is impossible. Who would be working with Loki?" Thor said.
"Well, this is bad. We killed Red Skull but who would Loki find to help him now?" Tony said.
Everyone saw Steve walk into the kitchen holding his phone. "Guys I think I know who is helping Loki," Steve said. Steve handed his phone to Andrea.
Andrea looked at the messages and slammed the phone on the table. "That idiot, what is doing now?"
"I don't know if he is, but he sent that to me a little while ago. I heard what Thor said about the Bifrost, two people. It can't be a coincidence," Steve said.
Thor looked at Andrea, "The assassin works with my brother?"
"Give me a second," Andrea said as she blinked. Her eyes went green. "Thor, can you tell how far away the Bifrost was activated?"
"Not far, maybe about six city blocks away from this location," Thor answered.
Andrea's eyes turned back to Hazel, and she slammed her fist on the table. "That idiot's cell phone signal stopped broadcasting about that far away. He is working with Loki for some reason. Our only clue is he is doing it for Steve and him," Andrea said.
"Romance and betrayal, Mark has style I will give him that," Clint said.
"Why would he do this," Steve said shocked as he looked at the messages again.
"I don't know Steve," Andrea sighed. "But we need to plan to stop him and Loki." Andrea stood up and walked to Thor. "So how do Asgardians feel about humans?" She asked.
"You are not saying what I think you are," Tony said as he stood up as well.
"You two have a secret language? What is she saying?" Clint said.
"A plan to go to Asgard, idiot," Natasha said.
"What?" Clint said.
Thor looked at Andrea who stood in front of him with her arms crossed. "Frigga will welcome the help. She worries what Loki plots. We will need to prepare for the trip. Your technology will not work as well in Asgard. The properties will be able to function but not as well," Thor explained.
"I am going," Steve said.
"I figured you would. We will need some to stay behind, in case something happens here. I am going, I am going to punch Mark in the face for doing something stupid like this," Andrea said.
Natasha laughed. "If you promise to make it a strong punch, I will stay back. That is the only reason I would go anyway. I will make sure everything is safe here."
"I will stay behind too, I don't know how I feel about going to Asgard and Natasha will need some back up here," Clint said. "I am not sure I want to see what you will do with Mark."
"If Andrea is going, then I am as well," Tony said. Andrea looked over at him and smiled. She walked over to Tony, "It's sweet of you to offer, but we need to make sure this will work," Andrea put her hand on Tony's Arc reactor. Tony looked down and then looked at Thor. "I will figure it out. The team going to Asgard will be me, Andrea, Steve, and Thor. Thor, I need your help to ensure my Arc reactor will work. Follow me to my lab. Andrea, you and Steve pack for the trip."
"Frigga will offer supplies for us there. Pack only what will be needed from this world. We will get other supplies from the city," Thor said as he followed Tony.
The team watched as Tony and Thor left. Andrea grabbed Steve's arm. "We have to pack. Come," Andrea said as she pulled Steve along.
"Mark is in major trouble, isn't he?" Clint asked.
"Major trouble doesn't even begin to describe it," Natasha answered.
Andrea walked Steve to the stairs and pulled him up with her.
"Why would he do this? What does he want that he didn't have before?" Steve asked Andrea. Andrea walked with Steve for a moment before answering. "He wants to have an ordinary human life. He wants what you do, and to life it together. He doesn't want to be a ghost, remember. I am figuring Loki found something that allows Mark to age normally to live the rest of his life with you, Steve."
Steve remained silent when Andrea answered. Andrea stopped in her room first and grabbed a few clothes. She left and pulled Steve along to Tony's room. Andrea grabbed three bags and put her clothes in one along and grabbed some of Tony's clothes and put it in another. Steve remained silent while Andrea packed. Andrea worried about what Steve was thinking. She pulled Steve to his room and handed him a bag. "You need to pack. I will grab your shield," She commanded. Steve packed some clothes in the back, and Andrea handed him his shield. Steve went to the nightstand and pulled out a note. Steve sat down on the bed and read the note. Andrea walked over and sat next to Steve. Steve handed Andrea the note.
"You make my life brighter," Andrea read out loud. "That idiot. He never wants to put any of us in danger. He always goes at it alone."
Andrea handed Steve the note. Steve put the note in his pocket. "He didn't want us to get hurt?" Steve asked.
"This is Mark's style. Do all the dangerous stuff by himself. He would rather he be hurt than any of us. This is Loki though, not Red Skull. He can't trust Loki at all. Who knows what Loki has planned," Andrea said.
Steve sat there silently before he spoke. "He almost died in the factory when we found Red Skull," Steve said.
Andrea turned to Steve, "What?" She shouted.
Steve looked up to Andrea, "He told me he didn't tell anyone, but I didn't know if it was true. Mark fought Bucky. Mark won, but he didn't kill Bucky. Bucky pulled a revolver out and shot Mark. If I didn't get the essence from the dagger to him when I did, then he would have died in that factory that day. He asked me not to remember the day, but I remember it too well. He was in my arms when his eyes shut. I thought he was dead. The only thing he said to me was 'I am sorry.'"
Andrea's fists clenched when Steve told the story. "I should have shocked Bucky a few more times or killed him myself if I knew this."
"I think that's why Mark didn't tell you. He does do these crazy things. It is the impossible tasks, putting himself in danger and not us. He wouldn't live it down if any of us were hurt, would he?" Steve asked.
Andrea grabbed Steve's hand, "No he wouldn't. The dangerous combination Mark holds is he has a big heart to those he cares about, and he has a power which makes him indestructible. He will forever put himself in danger for us, and not tell us. It is something you will need to get used to, Steve."
"I am not sure I can," Steve said. Andrea squeezed Steve's hand. Andrea saw his drawing. She knew what Steve was struggling with right now. She didn't want Steve to give up on Mark. "You love him, right?" Andrea asked.
Steve nodded his head, "Of course I do. More than anyone in my life."
"Wouldn't you do stupid, crazy things for him? If I recall you did a few times," Andrea said. Steve laughed at Andrea's questions. "I remember."
"Mark will always be the gold medalist for doing crazy stupid things for the ones he cares about, but that gold medal is because he cares. He might be finding a way to take his powers down. If that happens, things will calm down. He would be able to stay here with no fear of the UN. He sees so much more gain in this plan for you and him. That's why he did it," Andrea said. Steve smiled. "You're right. Are you still going to hit him?"
"Of course, I am! It may have the best intentions in the world but still pissed me off. I am going to punch him right in that smile you love so much," Andrea said.
Steve laughed louder. "I can never hurt him like that. I just wish he told one of us."
"If he did, we would never let him go through with the plan," Andrea said.
"That's true," Steve said.
"Mark thought this through and saw the best option was this plan. It will solve multiple problems for you both if it works. The pros outweigh the cons. Still is stupid, but this is Mark. He comes up with crazy ideas all the time; sometimes I love them. Like the date he took you on," Andrea explained.
Steve smiled remembering that day. "He promised me another day like that."
"If he promised it, then he will keep his promise. Mark doesn't make false promises," Andrea said.
"Ms. Andrea, Master Rogers, Mr. Stark requests your presence. Mr. Stark contacted Fury, and he has information for Master Rogers. If you could, come to the lab," Jarvis said.
"I wonder what that is about?" Andre asked. Andrea stood up and offered her hand to Steve. Steve grabbed it, and Andrea pulled him up.
"Are you going to hit him?" Steve asked as he grabbed the bag and his shield.
"I don't know," Andrea said grabbing the two other bags. "Talking with you made me realize how Mark was thinking. He did this for the two of you and to make life here better. I got angry because I still think it is stupid, but he didn't have any other choice. We will see when I see him in person," Andrea said with a smile.
Steve smiled and led the way out of his room. "Let's see what Fury has for us," Steve said.
Andrea followed Steve. "Remember, Mark's only fault is his big heart and not wanting us to be in danger. You know as well as I do, he will take a bullet for us without question."
"I know," Steve said. "I never met a man like him. It's hard not to love him this much knowing why he does what he does."
"And the more he cares, the dumber his plans get," Andrea said as they walked down the hall.
"And what do you think this plan says about me?" Steve asked.
"He wants to spend his life with you, and he will do all he can for that to be a reality," Andrea said. Steve hugged Andrea. "Thanks, you always know the right things to say."
"If Tony sees this, his jealousy will go up," Andrea said and then she thought for a moment. "Hug me again when we get to the lab."
Steve laughed. "We need to prepare for Asgard; you better help Tony figure out the Arc reactor."
"I rather not," Andrea admitted. "It will be a dangerous trip. I would rather Tony stay here, only one of us should risk our lives."
"I think that's how Mark feels right now," Steve said.
"Are you saying I am acting like him?" Andrea said with a glare. Steve nodded. "Damn,' Andrea whispered.