AN: Here we go! Sorry it took so long. I got distracted with Thanksgiving and then going back to school... Anyway, thanks to all those who have read, favorited, reviewed, and followed. I appreciate very much. Each time i get an email from fanfiction i save it XP. I don't own anything... sadly XP

Lara followed Agent Hill down the long series of hallways. They had previously stopped at Lara's room, to drop off her items before continuing on their way to Director Fury. Lara studied the architect as they traveled to their destination. The place was plain, with white walls and some rooms had large metal doors guarding them. Most agents they passed wore black suits or outfits more like Agent Hill's.

"We're here." Agent Hill stopped and turned to Lara.

Lara managed to halt herself before running into Agent Hill. They had stopped in front of a large grey metal door, guarding the entryway to Director Fury's office. "Oh, thank you."

Agent Hill gave her a curt nod and then turned on her heel. Lara faced the door, wondering if she should knock. She raised her hand hesitantly and knocked softly on the door.

She heard a soft 'Come in.' and the door slide open. Lara entered. This room was different than the rest of the building. The walls were made out of metal, like the door. Director Fury sat in the middle of the room behind a desk.

"Hello, Ms. Croft. I…" Director Fury greeted until he was interrupted.

"Please, call me Lara. I hate formalities." Lara explained.

Director Fury nodded. "Alright… Lara. I trust you had a good flight."

"It was fine." Lara replied, not wanting to admit to her 'nap' on the flight.

There was a slight pause in the conversation. "I'm sorry about what happened to your father." Fury gave his condolences.

Lara raised an eyebrow. "Little late for that, isn't it? It happened a few years ago."

Fury shrugged. "I meant to go to his funeral. We were friends."

"Friends? Or business partners?" Lara asked. "I never knew he worked for S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Well, I wouldn't say he worked for us. But he kept us up to date on his projects. Just in case they ever got out of hand." Fury revealed. "We were both. He asked me to keep an eye on you, but S.H.I.E.L.D. was going through difficult times. Every time I contacted Winston, he acted like you were doing well enough."

Lara paused for a moment, taking in all this new information. "That's why you hired me isn't? You asked Winston how I was doing and he…"

"He told me about the events with your mother." Fury finished for her. "It isn't the only reason. I need someone like you on the team."

Lara wasn't happy with the situation. She didn't like the idea that people were taking pity on her. But perhaps this was for the best. She needed something to do, or was she was going to lose her mind. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"

Director Fury looked down at his hands. "I was worried you would decline."

Lara laughed. "So you dragged me here, thinking I wouldn't change my mind after my trip. Well, I'm considering leaving."

"I don't think you will." Fury responded.

Lara froze, unsure of how to respond to his comment. "I don't like being manipulated."

Fury chuckled humorlessly. "Neither do I. And that's not what I'm trying to do."

"Really? I did my research on S.H.I.E.L.D. before I came." Lara spoke. "You wanted to make weapons with the Tesseract and didn't tell the Avengers about it."

Fury glared at her. "How do you know that?"

Lara shrugged and shifted on her feet. "I have a good hacker."

"It wasn't my decision to make the weapons." Fury clarified.

"As it wasn't your decision to send that missile to Manhattan?" Lara queried. She held her hand up as Fury began to interrupt her, silencing him. She walked towards his desk. "I may help S.H.I.E.L.D. when the next catastrophic events begin," Lara placed both hands on the Director's desk and bent forward to look him in the eye. "But I will not follow orders that endanger harmless civilians."

"I was not the one who authorized that missile." Director Fury spoke clearly and strongly.

"Just so we're clear." Lara backed up and moved away. "Is there anything else you wish to speak to me about?"

Director Fury stood quite suddenly. "I think it's time for you to meet the other Avengers."

Fury walked past her, expecting Lara to follow. She started to leave the Director's office, but she had an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach that she couldn't place. Lara had learned in the past to trust her instincts. She put up her guard as she followed Fury down the hall.

It took Lara a moment to notice how quiet it was. When Lara had formerly walked these hallways, they had been bustling with activity. Now it was empty and silent. Lara stopped and glanced behind her to find nothing.

Director Fury halted when he noticed Lara. "Is something wrong?"

Lara looked back at him. "Where are all the agents?"

Fury gave her a confused look. "Why?"

"Nevermind." Lara realized how ridiculous she sounded.

They continued walking down the long corridor until Lara heard a sound behind her. She whipped around to find herself face to face with the God of Mischief. Lara reacted quickly by pulling out a 9x19 mm Walther P99 from the holster hidden under her leather jacket.

Loki wore his less extravagant Asgardian armor and minus the golden horned helmet. He assumed a stance preparing for battle. Lara took aim and was about to pull the trigger when Director Fury stopped her.

"I wouldn't do that. The bullets just ricochet off him." Fury warned.

Lara readied herself incase Loki decided to charge, but he made no move. He was waiting for her to make the first move.

With them standing about five feet apart, Lara determined her first course of action. She tucked her pistol back in her jacket quickly, but Loki took that moment to attack. He lunged forward, thrusting his spear towards Lara. She barely managed to dodge the weapons vicious point.

Lara grabbed Loki's staff and yanked it away from him, causing him to come closer. Lara used the moment to strike. As she brought her fist back, she felt an electric charge pulse from the Norse gauntlet. Lara punched the evil god, square in the jaw. She could feel the electricity leave her hand as it collided with Loki's face. He landed hard on the floor with a grunt.

Lara flipped the scepter with the pointed-end facing down, and raised it above her head about to bring it down.

"Wait!" Fury stopped her before she could give the killing strike. "As much as I would like to let you kill him, I can't."

Lara stared at Fury as Loki groaned on the floor. He sat up slowly, wiping the blood away from his mouth. "I thought you said she was a mortal." Loki growled.

"She is." Fury confirmed. "She's just a bit… special."

Lara glared at the Director. "Explanation. Now."

Director Fury sighed. "Loki is serving his punishment here on Earth. But he's not allowed to stray too far from Thor. We would keep him in a cage, but Thor won't let us."

Lara watched as Loki stood slowly. "And why did he attack us?" Lara questioned.

Director Fury hesitated before answering. "It was a test. I wanted to see your reaction to the situation."

Lara felt a small spark of fury begin to brew in her, but she let it die quickly, not seeing the point in being angry. "You could have just told me to attack him. I would have had no problem with that."

Loki glared at her comment, but remained silent. Fury chuckled. "I wanted it to be a surprise attack. You did well." Fury faced Loki. "How's it feel to get beaten by a 'mortal'?

Loki let a sound that was equivalent to a growl and then turned on his heel and left them.

"Isn't he dangerous with his magic?" Lara wondered aloud.

Fury shook his head. "He's very limited. Apparently Odin built something that restricts him from using magic. I don't know what it is, but Thor assures me that he is powerless."

Lara nodded, and Fury continued walking down the hallway. "Now, let's meet the Avengers."