Sorry for not updating sooner fellow readers, please don't hate me!
I still hope you enjoy this chapter!
As of this day, I am officially a member of S.H.I.E.L.D.
I sat my coffee mug down as I sighed wearily. The all-nighter I pulled wasn't agreeing with my head. Small threads of pain throbbed at my temple as I tried to focus on the numerous files in my lap. I had read and re-read the contents but still, I found it quite hard to believe.
The first file spoke of an object called the tesseract that had been taken. Its current whereabouts is unknown at the moment but it is presently being tracked by a Dr. Banner which says on the next page that he turns into a massive raging green monster called the 'Hulk' when he gets extremely angry. This object is said to be an energy source from out of space. The world sorely needs an energy source that's for sure. I opened the next set of files and began to read its contents-again.
'The Avengers Initiative 'was the folder that I had heard of a while back when S.H.I.E.L.D. had come knocking on my door asking for potential candidates for recruitment. A snort escaped my nose as I turned a few pages into the file, remembering exactly how… well that conversation went.
The damage I had inflicted on the S.H.I.E.L.D. group was minor; save for a few unconscious agents and a grimacing Phil Coulson. My eyebrows drew together as I thought of Agent Coulson… I wonder if he's still working for them.
An exhausted sigh brought my attention back to the troublesome files I was inspecting. They were all the same: Name of the candidates that made the 'Avengers Initiative' list, except for Tony Stark even though his file was still present in this folder, abilities, threat levels, history… the list goes on.
Wow. They sure are thorough. I thought with a small whistle.
I continued to turn a few pages before my hand stopped. Eyes entranced by the picture of the figure that was highlighted as a Global Threat.
His tall, lean frame was wrapped in some form of clothing that I could only describe as not-from-this-world odd - but a good odd as its deep hues of green, black and interlacing gold accentuated his regal stance. His posture was very confidant and had a certainty and poise of a coiled snake, ready to strike its opponent at any given time.
My spine shivered at the thought of this man being labelled a global threat. However his eyes betrayed him. They were so blue and clear that I drew my breath at their clarity although my common sense told me not to trust them as they were filled with endless mischief and some sort of silent humour, as if he had an inside joke with himself. His raven black hair was elegantly sleeked back providing more light to shine on his high cheekbones which made his persona glow with unequalled beauty.
It was him.
My lungs gulped for air as I realised that I had been holding my breath for more than a few moments. My hands wiped my tired face as my breathing steadied. I spared another look at this man – no, this God.
Loki.
My legs raced to my phone that had been lounging on my bed. I swiftly picked it up and dialled Fury; with the number he had left me. My leg tapped in agitation as I counted the tones ringing before it was diverted into "Leave a message after the beep". The 'beep' only sounded for less than a fraction of a second before I verbally exploded.
"It's me, Amelia Crawford. I will do it. I will help you. You can get back to me on this number…"
I ended the message before collapsing back onto my bed with a groan. My life is going to be so messy from now on, which is totally not what I wanted. My eyelids fluttered shut as I conjured a string of obscenities at S.H.I.E.L.D. in my mind. Well, there goes my normal life.
Dreams met me on the other side of my unconsciousness. Dreams of social parties hosting for social butterflies that were all adorned in long evening dresses and formal attire. Warm hands held glittering champagne glasses as a cold figure stood above the scene of flitting conversations.
I glanced down at the party, recognising my target from a day ago easily as he laughed heartily at someone's joke. I needed to get him alone before I could start interrogating him for information. I had decided in this method instead of asking questions in an acquainted conversation. He was already under the influence of alcohol, so it wouldn't be too difficult to overpower him, not that I doubted my abilities.
My focus shifted to the tall figure standing at the railing still. His hand occupied a cane, whilst the other was seated on the granite railing, admiring the soothing slides of the bows hitting the stringed instruments. A smirk tugged at his finely carved lips as his twinkling eyes held the buzzing room with heated mischief. His posture was erect and fitted in a fine suit that was completed by a long green and black scarf. He looked at ease in his position, so much, that he looked like he held some level of authority over his situation.
I recognised this person. But a name failed to appear in the front of my mind. This scene seemed all too familiar but I couldn't place my finger on it. My deep emerald gown swished around my legs gracefully as I walked up to this figure with full hands. A shimmering glass of champagne was grasped between my fingers in each hand.
My mind raced at a tremendous speed arguing about the sanity of walking up to a complete stranger instead of my designated target. I offered my outstretched hand, inviting him into a conversation.
Oh-well, I'll deal with that daft idiot of a man that is my target later. I told myself.
His cool gaze registered my presence as he accepted the glass. His icy eyes raked over my body. I felt as if he delved into my inner core and ripped out every secret I ever kept locked away. I swallowed down my unease before placing a well moulded smile on my lips. Those blue calculative eyes of his never left my own tentative brown ones as he downed the champagne in one mouthful.
"I believe that champagne is meant to be sipped slowly rather than mercifully gulped." I spoke with a slight smile. His eyes crinkled with amusement as I continued speaking, "So, are you here to enjoy the party firsthand or are you here to observe?" My hand swept across the entire room that was lavished with upper class persons and dignified art pieces before resting on his godly, solitary figure.
A controlled smile graced his smooth features as he parted his lips, "I will be joining soon. As for now, I am merely entertaining my own whims." His voice was so deep and full that it had a likeness to purring rather than speaking. I blinked my shock away as his eyes searched my own before looking back at the crowds down below.
I spared a small smirk before asking, "And pray tell, what exactly are these whims?" I leaned forward in interest at this puzzling persona.
A mad smile lit his dashing face as he engaged heatedly into his answer. "I am observing the futile nature of the crowd below, laughing at their inferiority, before I make my scene. I will soon grace them with my presence and when I do," he turned his scrutiny to me, "they will know true power."
He faced the crowd again but with a hungry smile spoiling his features. Okay this guy was slightly crazy. That was an understatement, I emphasise the crazy.
I hid my discomfort with a humourless smirk before asking an important question: "And what exactly is your name? I didn't quite catch it in your little speech." If he saw my discomfort, he didn't reveal it.
Deceitful bastard. Well, two can play at this game.
"You will know soon enough but I guess it won't hurt to tell you." He looked down on my blank expression with a smirk. "I am Loki, mere mortal and what is yours?" He obviously didn't like giving away too much without gaining some kind of compensation and what was with the "mortal" talk?
I looked around the room, stalling for time, trying to steady my racing heart at the mere sound of his melodic voice. My eyes darted from conversation to conversation before I spotted my target leaving the room to venture down a small corridor. I recall that I was meant to interrogate him for information. I need to get to him before he slips away. How could I forget my task?
My stare tore from the man to meet the calculative look of the man beside me, called Loki. This beautiful man next to me was the reason. I remember now. I needed to hurry if I wanted to catch up to my target in time.
"Well…" I pretended to contemplate telling him my name, "That is for me to know and for you to find out." I said with a flirtatious wink before gliding down the nearest stairwell, my sight locking onto my target's head.
I heard a small chuckle from behind me at the top of the staircase, his dark mesmerising voice slowly fading with each step, "We will meet again mortal."
I supressed a shudder at his chilling words and the heavy disdain on the word 'mortal' before taking a turn down the corridor, mentally preparing myself for the interrogation that was about to begin.
I drew a shaky breath as my silent pace caught up to my target's silhouette. I loosened my gun from its secure strap around my upper thigh before allowing it to make contact with the back of his head. My arms caught his falling body as I dragged him towards the vehicle that was awaiting me outside. The smell of alcohol was extremely apparent on him, so much that it could be considered the scent of his aftershave.
I had successfully dragged the passed out man out of the corridor and past the looming pillars of the building to my awaiting colleagues that were guarding the SUV. The car's side door opened to reveal a close colleague and friend of mine, Brayden. He helped me manoeuvre the man's unconscious body in the car before turning to face me.
"Is everything alright Amelia?" The sound of his rough voice broke my scattered thoughts. It was weird hearing his voice after having Loki's words echo in my mind.
"Yeah. Everything's fine."
He noticed my hesitation but didn't question it. I half-smiled at his concern even though Loki's words were plaguing my mind. I wouldn't admit to my colleague, and close friend, that I veered away from the task to talk to some deranged stranger who managed to intimidate me. I couldn't, I had far too much pride for that.
A loud thud could be heard from Amelia's apartment door as she tossed and turned in her sleep. She awoke with a startle at the tedious noise before tying her hair back in a rough impression of a ponytail. She then flew down the hallway and opened the door where she was greeted with a smirking Agent Coulson.
"Miss Crawford, It seems you haven't changed a bit." He pointed to her dishevelled attire and the files being messily laid out everywhere as if a family of racoons had made the apartment their personal residence.
Amelia smiled dryly at his comment before perking up at the entire irony of the situation.
It wasn't that long ago when S.H.I.E.L.D. had asked for Amelia's assistance in the Avengers Initiative. Which ended in her refusing the job, aggressively, and now they were back however because of Amelia's enthusiasm to join the Avengers Initiative.
"Phil! I can't wait to work with you and the rest of the team." Amelia had beamed. She even threw in a small giggle to scare him. She got her desired reaction as Agent Coulson attempted to supress a shudder down his spine at the thought of having to work with this crazy agent.
"Once you are dressed in something more appropriate, we'll debrief you on the current circumstances of our situation as we move you to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s location."
"Okay Phil. Try not to miss me too much." Amelia sang as she ran down her hallway to her bedroom stripping her wardrobe bare as she hunted for a clean pair of jeans and a tank.
As she left her apartment for the last time, following behind Agent Coulson, she thought:
"Damn, that was quick of them to get back to me."
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Lots of love and tea...
Jess