XXVIII
"Peggy? Peggy!" The young woman, who had been enthralled by the news playing on the café's television, turned when Loki tapped her shoulder with the cup. "Your tea, darling."
"Yech. Don't call me that. And thank you," Peggy said as she accepted the cup. Sherlock, who was paying for the group's pre-theater drinks, flicked his gaze to the TV to see what held her attention. The college student was not fond of watching the news to begin with unless Tony Stark or the Avengers were involved.
"'The Sokovia Accords?'" He asked as he read the headline. Hearing over the din of the café was impossible. Peggy shrugged but her frown spoke volumes.
"Enhanced Registration basically," she explained, taking a sip of her tea. "The Avengers either agree to be under the control of the United Nations or retire. Those who refuse… are labeled vigilantes and risked imprisonment." She swirled her cup, looking away when a clip of Iron Man flying a nuclear missile through the New York wormhole was played. Sherlock was surprised to see the wear of being a SHEILD agent on the young girl's face. "'Who watches the watchmen?'"
"Do you think it'll pass?" Loki asked, finding Sherlock's hand. "I would figure the Avengers would never agree to it."
"My understanding is they're split on the issue," Peggy explained as she led the way out.
"And what do you think?" Sherlock asked, taking a sip of his coffee. He could read that something about the Accords was bothering the young woman. Something about the fact she never looked at them as she spoke but rather at something of in her own world told him it just might be more that the SHIELD effects he assumed a minute ago. Frankly, he was becoming more concerned as he learned more about them. How would these affect his relationship with Loki, who often employed his magic on Sherlock's cases? Or SHEILD for that matter? Peggy simply shrugged again, zipping up her jacket from the spring breeze.
"I think I understand both sides of the argument. But considering the US government tried to nuke New York… I don't think they have any business trying to control the Avengers. And then there's Wakanda."
"Wakanda?" Sherlock and Loki asked in unison.
"It's a small kingdom in Africa. Bit of a recluse of a country," Peggy explained, bobbing her head from side to side in an ambivalent motion. "But also one of the more technologically advanced on Earth."
"If they are so advanced, why have we heard nothing about them till now?" Sherlock asked.
"Well, like I said. They're full of recluses. Wakanda is home to the rarest metal on Earth so they tend to be protective and secretive. So the fact that their king chose to come out just for this vote, you know trouble be brewing." The detective stopped listening after "rarest metal" to try and figure out what that was. "The word you're looking for is vibranium, Rookie," Peggy supplied.
"I thought that was just theoretical."
"Uh oh. Someone better tell Cap that. We also really need to work on your ideas of what can or cannot be believed, Sherlock. You are marrying a god after," she responded, finally looking at Sherlock with knit brows.
"Not everyone is as unflappable as you are, young lady," Loki pointed out. "Poor Dr. Watson is still trying to cope with Elsa's presence."
"Meh. Fair point I suppose." Peggy shrugged, taking a bigger swig of her tea.
"So what exactly is this legendary vibranium anyway?" Loki asked, but like his fiancé previously he wasn't paying that much attention. Something had set the god's senses on high alert and he couldn't quite discern why. He couldn't see any obvious threat to his odd little party, but somehow he was certain this wasn't just a side effect of previous traumas. "Rarity is not always a guarantee of value."
"Captain Rogers might disagree with you. His shield is made out of vibranium. And what has you bristling like a cat, Loki?" Loki thought several different curses at the girl's observation skills. "See something that spooked ya? Or walk on your grave?"
"Not as of yet…" Loki didn't turn back to the pair until he felt Sherlock gently squeeze his hand. The detective looked uncharacteristically concerned.
"Should we head back to Baker Street? The cinema isn't going anywhere," he offered. Peggy nodded in agreement.
"If necessary, I can even just go by myself."
"No. I'm sure it's nothing," Loki assured with a well-practiced smile. "I've been extra – what's the word – jumpy since Sherlock's news, I suppose." The god watched in wonder as the girl tilted her head in confusion and managed to not spill a drop of the tea currently attached to her mouth. "Sherlock hasn't told you yet?" She shook her head.
"I hadn't had a chance to tell her yet," Sherlock explained. "I didn't want to worry her during her final exams." Peggy made a rude noise at that.
"Oh please, I wrote my papers two days ago. Believe me, if I never have to write another paper on Desdemona's damned handkerchief it will not be soon enough." She accented her frown by sticking her tongue out. Both Sherlock and Loki chuckled at that. For someone who adored Shakespeare, she seemed to really despise that play. "So what are you not telling me, Sherlock?"
"Nothing serious. Previously deceased criminal mastermind may be loose again," Sherlock explained taking a sip of his coffee. Loki shot Sherlock a godly stink eye as he felt his phone vibrate.
"You made it sound quite serious over dinner the other night," he pointed out as he checked his phone. On it was a text alert from "the king of keys." Loki had a sneaky suspicion that it was supposed to be Moriarty.
Lovely day for a family outing, isn't it? So they were being watched.
"I have it under good authority that Miss Stark can protect herself. And might kill me if I delivered the news the same way I did you," Sherlock explained. Peggy just smirked. Loki shook his head as his phone buzzed again. "Frankly, you'd be a bigger target anyway."
"Oh thanks, I feel so loved," Peggy commented. The Mischief God chuckled as the two began to bicker.
We need to talk. ASAP. Loki rolled his eyes and stuffed his phone back into his pocket. If he wasn't concerned about the Stone falling into the hands of a mad man who knew nothing of its power, he would take care of Moriarty himself. He was fairly certain Sherlock's ass of a brother would actually bail him out of prison for murdering the menace. The "criminal mastermind" was beginning to overstep his boundaries. NOW, was the next command that accompanied Loki's text buzz. He growled softly at the arrogance of Moriarty's message.
"Everything alright, love?" Sherlock asked. Loki mentally cursed himself for growling but hid it behind a smile.
"It's nothing, Sherlove," he answered with a Trickster's grin. Sherlock wasn't quite sure that he believed him. Whenever Loki gave him one of those grins, it was guaranteed to be trouble. "I'll meet up with you in a few minutes, love. I'm afraid I'm being summoned." Loki kissed his cheek before turning to leave.
"Excuse you," Sherlock scolded as he grabbed Loki's hand to stop him. The god had the audacity to look confused. "You had best be giving me a proper kiss." Loki chuckled and kissed him before going on his way. Peggy just scowled at them.
"Ugh. Couples," she remarked. Sherlock rolled his eyes.
"That was quite a bit of acting you pulled, young lady," he said, refusing to otherwise acknowledge her comment.
"When?"
"Moriarty. I almost believed you hadn't ever heard of him," he explained. The young agent shrugged, tossing her now empty cup into a nearby waste bin.
"A skill honed over several years of experience, Rookie. I got nothing on May though."
"Oh, I don't doubt that." Sherlock had only met the infamous SHIELD agent once, but she left quite an icy impression. "Still. You can't have been a SHEILD agent very long. And Loki is a tricky one to fool."
"Yeah, well. I've had some pretty good teachers," she answered with a smirk. "And like I said a hell of a lot of practice." One corner of her mouth quirked upwards in this coy smirk, as if she was amusing herself with her inside joke.
"So these accords… how will they affect us?" Sherlock asked, addressing the elephant in the room (or rather the street). Peggy sighed, tugging on her braid.
"Well… I don't really know. The director hasn't contacted me yet." She sighed. "But I have no doubt he'll side with Captain America, no matter what."
"Really?"
"You have no clue just how much of a nerd Director Coulson is for Captain America. My word," she explained, shaking her head. "Even had a Captain America shield cake for his birthday a year or two back."
"Interesting," Sherlock commented, not actually paying attention. He was starting to wonder where in the world Loki could have gone. The Mischief God did not socialize much outside of Sherlock and Mary's circle of friends. A side effect of having formerly attempted to take over the world.
"You're worried," Peggy observed, watching his face. "Which may not be a bad thing… I suspect Loki's up to something…"
"That does not mean he's reverted to his old ways," Sherlock defended a touch too quickly. "Loki is allowed his occasional secrets."
"Meaning you don't want to believe it's a possibility." He didn't respond to that, swirling the almost empty coffee cup in his hand. "I never said that he is reverting to his 'old ways', Sherlock. That is something to keep in mind though," she explained.
"So what do you think he's hiding?"
"Not sure. He is the Trickster God after all. You can never be quite sure with him…"
***Burdened with Glorious Deductions***
It did not take long for Loki to find Moriarty after receiving another text providing the god with his location. The criminal was contently sitting at a small café, enjoying his cup of tea. Loki frowned at the sight.
"Oh there you are," Moriarty greeted warmly as Loki stalked towards him. "I was starting to wonder if – ACK!" He was cut off by the mischief god wrapping a hand tightly around his throat.
"Let me make one thing perfectly clear. I am not some pet that heels at your beck and call. I am a god. I may not be as conspicuous about it as I once was, but that does not change the fact." He gave the mortal a good shove deeper into the chair before releasing him. "Now. Why did you so rudely summon me?" Loki asked over Moriarty's coughing, taking a seat across from him.
"Was that… really necessary?" Moriarty sked as he caught his breath. "It is not typically considered good form to just choke your colleague in public."
"Answer the question." Loki began to tap his fingers on the table. The criminal mastermind rubbed at the angry red handprint forming on his throat.
"You're kind of sexy when you're angry you know. I can see why Sherlock keeps you." Loki simply glared. "Fine. But in my defense you did not tell me you and Sherlock were sheltering Iron Man's daughter." Loki's glare and heart dropped.
"What the Hel are you talking about?"
"That adorable little brunette you and Holmes were strolling with. You really think people believe Sherlock has a cousin he's never spoken of but is more than happy to let live with him?" The man hissed dramatically in disbelief before taking a sip of his tea. Loki was still slack jawed at his suggestion.
"Iron Man's daughter?" Loki began to rub his forehead as Moriarty nodded. Yes, he had suspicions as to Peggy's family, but even so… "I did not know he had a child."
"Most don't. Very private young lady. Took me aaages to find that little nugget," Moriarty explained around a mouth full of apple. "Twerp is good at hiding it." Loki rubbed at his lower lip as the new information sank in. "No doubt Sherlock knows alrea-"
"He doesn't," Loki quickly answered. He knew without a doubt Sherlock had dismissed any possible deductions towards Peggy's parentage when she first answered his question about it. For a genius, he was remarkably clueless. Not that Loki was much better at putting two and two together. "Does this affect our plan?" The god asked, completely ignoring the look of surprise on Moriarty's face.
"Dunno. Does it?"
"I do not appreciate my questions being repeated at me," Loki said, glaring. "Does Iron Man's daughter pose a threat to our plan?" He suspected he already knew the answer, but this mortal would probably be offended if he didn't get to speak.
"By herself…" Moriarty's head made a bobbing motion as he thought that reminded the Trickster of a calculating snake. "Probably not. But if you're watched closer, that would be quite the problem. So I'm moving the plan up. Unfortunately, that does mean that the containment unit will not be completed."
"You cannot wield that Stone," Loki reminded him. "That containment unit is vital to our plan."
"I understand. But vibranium is quite difficult for mere mortals to achieve even with its king and prince out of the country, you know." Moriarty emphasized his point with a pout. "Not all of us can control minds…"
"Neither can I. Drop the childish act. I do not find it amusing." Loki began to twist his engagement band around his finger. "You would do well to finish that containment unit before even considering going after that stone."
"That may not be an option. If Daddy is keeping an eye on his precious baby girl, then we may be caught," Moriarty pointed out. "And jealousy should be settling into Sherlock over your disappearances soon. Human nature, you know." Loki just smirked.
"I think you underestimate Sherlock's faith in me. But then again, you have a nasty habit of underestimating him, don't you?" The god merely leaned back with a smirk when Moriarty nearly lunged at him. "Push your men faster if you must, but you have to finish off that unit."
"That may be impossible," Moriarty affirmed through his teeth. "We need the vibranium."
"Then find a substitute. Surely with Midgard's vast wealth of metals, there is something that can replace it," Loki responded coolly as his phone buzzed.
"You don't know much about Earth's metals do you?"
"I am a sorcerer, not a scientist. I tend to bend metal to my whim."
"Doesn't exactly work that way for us mortals. Not having magic and all," the criminal pointed out. "Buuuut… If someone were to share…"
"You are planning on stealing an artifact that is powerful beyond your feeble imagination in order to take over this world. And if I allowed you to, you would happily murder my fiancé. Why in the Nine Realms would I give you even a sliver of my magic?" Moriarty shrugged.
"I had to try."
"And I'm afraid I must go. Family emergency," Loki explained as he read Sherlock's text. "Finish that unit." He left before Moriarty could respond, texting his fiancé to find out where he was. Loki was so focused on his family, he didn't notice Moriarty smirking at the camera phone taking pictures of them.