Meeting the Team

I walked beside Agent Coulson; my legs keeping time with his stern stride. He continued to ignore my curiosity that had since become a tangible thing due to the fast arrival of S.H.I.E.L.D agents escorting me to their headquarters. My eyes darted to his face to try to find some sort of explanation but it was clear of any emotion. I looked back to the aircraft that was a small distance in front of us, which was becoming larger and larger by the second. Coulson came to a halt at the machines entrance and was handed a file from a colleague before boarding the aircraft. I followed suit and surveyed the interior.

Seats lined the edge of the plane with a cockpit at the front. Its dark tones made it feel like the designer wrapped the night sky inside the passenger compartment. I decided to stand beside Coulson at the cockpits entrance, hoping he would soon sate my curiosity.

'So when exactly do I get updated information on the war criminal Loki?' I asked him directly.

Coulson flipped the papers in his hand for a few seconds. The plane's engines roared to life and consecutively lifted the occupants higher and higher into the sky, heading to God knows where.

He looked up at me as if he just remembered that I was standing right next to him.

'Fury will debrief you on what your job is, as a part of the team, once we land.' He then returned to his files.

I huffed a sarcastic thanks and then proceeded to slump into a seat on the plane. I didn't even know how long we'll be in this damn thing before we actually reached S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters.

I snapped myself awake as I felt the plane jolt on something solid. My thoughts of the aircraft finally landing were affirmed by the hangar opening and Coulson filing out with one of the other agents.

Without waiting around for directions, since I would probably be given none, I followed the pair like a lost Labrador.

My fuming ceased as I realised we had not landed on the ground but inside a much larger… plane? It was far too ginormous to be considered a plane.

So this must be S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters.

A voice from behind jostled me from my awe of the large aircraft being suspended in mid altitude. 'I see that you find the base to your liking Agent Crawford.' I turned towards Coulson in distaste at the title.

'It's just Miss. Crawford or Amelia, no "Agent" business. And yes this… plane is very interesting.' I peered over the edge of the landing strip to see that there were more landing strips above and not just inside the ship.

'In that case Miss. Crawford, you better follow me as Fury requires your assistance straight away.' Nodding, I strode behind him as he veered left and right down corridors and other crew members.

As if I knew my way around here. I thought as I continued to walk silently after his form.

Agent Coulson left me outside the door to the room which held Nick Fury and consequently, my orders. 'Do call Miss Crawford if I can assist you with anything else.'

I was about to ask how I was meant to call him when he handed me a metal object that resembled an ear piece. 'Will do Agent Coulson,' the ear piece fit snuggly around my ear as I smiled at his retreating form. 'And thank you.' Coulson turned his head to cast a rare smile in my direction before giving orders to two people who wore S.H.I.E.L.D uniforms.

Pulling a sharp breath, I steeled myself for what was to come. The man wasn't called Fury for nothing. I walked through the automated sliding door and took a good glance at my surroundings, mapping possible escape routes and seeking out any potential threats.

However I was sorely mistaken.

Nick Fury stood arguing with a man that resembled in great detail Tony Stark. The media that portrayed him as being egotistical and narcissistic was an understatement to what I was seeing. A man in a blue, red and white spandex uniform sat in one of the rooms chairs, his arms leaning on the tall rectangular table, accentuating his muscle and strength that from looks, he was about to use to retain the billionaire.

He must be Steve Rogers, or Captain America from the files.

My gaze swept to the far left of the room to reveal a giant of a man whose arms were the diameter of tree trunks. His armour seemed slightly medieval but fitting for the regal aura he emitted.

He must have noticed me staring at him for he turned in my direction and offered me his hand.

'My name is Thor Odinson and what is your name fair maiden?' His gravelly voice sounded like thunder in a summer storm.

'Amelia Crawford. It's nice to meet you but I was sent by Coulson to see Fury who seems rather… occupied as of late.' I offered him my hand and he leant to kiss my knuckles. My eyes bulged at the grand gesture but it seemed befitting for the God of Thunder as he was not from this planet. Maybe because he's royalty he has to do that to every girl he meets or it's a tradition in his home on Asgard, were my only theories at the moment.

Fury took note of my presence after scowling at something Stark had said. 'Good of you to join us Agent Crawford.'

'Just Amelia or Miss Crawford – please, you know how much I hate that title.' Everyone turned to stare at me as if I sprouted a second head. I maintained eye contact with Fury, not wanting to seem intimidated by the band of rogue heroes.

'It's nice to see you again Amelia.' A feminine voice spoke to my right and I noticed Agent Natasha Romanov standing tensed with her arms crossed.

'It's good to see you as well, though this time I'm actually here to help you guys. At least that's what I've been told by Fury.' I struck a glance to Fury who had finally collected himself and proceeded to pass a file to my hands.

One look at the file told me everything I already knew. Hacking to S.H.I.E.L.D's system was a good decision on my part as I didn't want to be surprised by anything when I arrived however a part of me wanted new information on my subject as the information that they already had was extremely minimal.

The file slapped against the table and I pulled a chair out and sat, knees crossed, back straight staring at the man in charge – Fury.

'I see you didn't waste time doing your homework.' He spoke evenly, his eyes continued to stare at me.

'Let's just say your security system was… lacking. Also I don't like any surprises, you know how I work.' I rested my arms on the table, mimicking Steve's. A flicker of movement registered in my peripheral vision and my eyes darted to Natasha's hand hovering over her gun. 'Agent Romanov, I'm not here to harm anyone, I'm here to help.'

Fury's face looked relieved for a split second before turning serious, 'Good. Now let's get introductions out of the way so you can do what you do best.'

Stark decided to pitch in, as being silent wasn't his style, 'And what exactly is it that you do besides look good in a pair of jeans?' Fury gave him a look that clearly told him to shut it.

I smirked at his compliment. 'My name is Amelia Crawford and I'll be working with you guys from now on. It's a pleasure to meet you all. Captain Rogers,' I nodded in respect in his direction, 'Mr. Stark, from what I've seen your reputation seems slightly understated.'

'It just goes to show that you can't trust outside sources, hun.' He said before tapping at a screen.

The swish of the door opening drew my attention and my retort died in my mouth as I watched Doctor Banner walk to the computer next to Stark and twist something on the screen. Without much caution or thought for the matter I walked up to him and gave him my hand. 'Hi Doctor Banner, I'm Amelia Crawford. I must say that your work is amazing.' The man looked genuinely surprised at the compliment.

'I'm glad you think so Amelia and please just call me Bruce.' He smiled whilst shaking my hand.

'Well I'm glad introductions are over. Bruce any results on the tesseract?' Fury chipped in sternly.

'None so far, but when we get a signal it will give us a location.'

'Crawford,' Fury said to me, 'if you talk to Loki do you think you can get any information from him?'

I snorted and watched around the room as the separate conversations that had started immediately died at Fury's question. 'Isn't that why you brought me here?' I sat back deeply in my chair, my eyes never leaving his, a small smile on my lips.

In the next second that passed, everyone began to shout at once.

Tony's obnoxious voice was heard above the others, 'How come she gets to chat with reindeer games?' My brows creased in confusion over the nick name given to Loki.

'Ma'am, I don't think that it's a good idea for you to talk to Loki.' Captain Rogers' face held concern over my choice.

'I'm a big girl Cap. I can take care of myself.' I tried to reassure him.

'I don't doubt you capability to defend yourself I just don't think that it's exactly safe as he is unstable-'

'Be careful how you speak of my brother!' Thor's voice boomed.

The arguing had turned into something different entirely. Their petty arguments seemed childish like siblings fighting over a toy. Fury intervened by shouting, 'That's enough! Agent Crawford is more than capable to handle herself otherwise I wouldn't have given her this task. Her ability, if you will, is best used in interrogating. At this very point, she is a much needed resource to find out what Loki's plans are.'

Steve opened his mouth to argue but quickly shut it when Fury set his one eye on him. Stark and Bruce began to work on their computers, not really fazed by the rise in volume that occurred. Natasha still seemed uneasy with my recruitment which was to be expected. When we last met it was on different circumstances and they were less friendly so it was understandable that she felt cautious around me.

'Don't worry, I'll be fine. Just don't be disappointed if he doesn't give much information though. I don't expect him to be malleable.' I stood up and was about to ask Fury for directions when a well-muscled arm blocked my path. My head turned to meet Thor's face.

'Be careful with my brother. He is in great pain and just needs someone who can reach him but he won't let me.' I looked at the big God's eyes and saw the grief and sorrow that filled them. But there was also hope and love for his brother. A hope that he will overcome his wrongdoings and return home with-

I tore my eyes away from his and placed a calm expression on my face. 'I can't promise you anything, but I'll try my best.' Warmth filled the large God's eyes and a smile lit his face. It was a little too bright for this kind of situation.

'Thank you Lady Amelia.'

'I'll take you to Loki's cell.' I turned to expect Fury to be my guide but found none other than Natasha. Her face showed nothing but business however her eyes said otherwise. Uncertainty and distrust lay thickly in her blue eyes but among the emotions was fear.

A fear for what?

I wasn't sure if she was afraid of me but it sure wasn't for me. The fact that I was about to face a war criminal who not only was a threat to the world but was from a completely different planet and is a God didn't exactly give me a peace of mind. Also if my memory serves me he is the God of Mischief.

Well this is going to be fun. I thought darkly as Natasha led me to the room that housed the criminal who was planning to take over the Earth.