Circumstances
Chapter 3
Author's Note: I own nothing to do with Marvel and Norse mythology, it would make an interesting life but I just wasn't that lucky.
So sorry the update has taken so long. I have no excuse but lack of motivation, which I am trying desperately to correct.
After a few stops along the way, Steve and Natasha finally made it back to the tower. Steve turned her over to Pepper for some care and a hot meal before leaving to report to Fury. Bruce stopped in to carry out a few required tests and then left fairly quickly breathing deeply and holding back a green tint. He had treated injuries in some of the further corners of the world, and had treated more injuries in back alleys for cash than he cared to recall. But he had never had a gun pointed at him while carrying out a routine check on a pregnant female. Hulk hadn't been pleased at that, but he was willing to let Banner hold on until he got to the play room.
Pepper had not been deterred by the spy's frosty attitude to everyone and everything since coming home. She had been in a mood ever since Pepper and Tony explained where Thor and Clint had disappeared to.
Natasha sank down into the hot bath that Pepper had prepared for her after she threw up most of the dinner from earlier. She felt like crap and although she wouldn't explain this to anyone else, she was scared. She had just stared at the tiles for the last twenty minutes with her jaw clenched as she tried to process everything.
They were trying to bring in Loki? What the hell were they thinking? She was tired and hungry and her stomach had already started to round. She felt a slight hum from inside and absently rubbed her bump. She wondered where he was, if he would even care, if after the baby came, would they be safe? At this point, she had no idea what was worse. Maybe she should have left Loki where she found him…
"Sir". Steve Rogers snapped off a quick salute as Deputy Director Coulson entered the living area of Avenger's Tower. Coulson nodded, his face a pleasant stoic mask.
"Captain Rogers", he replied evenly. Inside, his fan boy screamed in delight.
Fury stalked in after grunting various greetings left and right. Most people steered clear and avoided direct contact. His one good eye was still twitching.
"Agent Barton and Thor are on their way back with Subject 22", Coulson reported once everyone had settled.
"Any problems"? Bruce asked cleaning his glasses.
"Only on a personal note", Phil said, amused. "Clint is ecstatic we can't have children".
"Seriously Fenrir, sit down NOW!... No, don't touch that! That's the missile launcher!... I swear to God kid, if you kick my chair one more time"!
"Friend Hawk, why is Fen sitting in the corner"?
"There was a boy who was a wolf, Hawkeye is a lameo"!
"Quit singing you little bas"-
"Hawkeye! Fenrir! Please stop"!
"L-a-m-e-o, l-a-m-e-o, l-a-m-e-o, Hawkeye was his name-o"!
"Clint, what are you doing with that tape? Clint! No"!
"Natasha"…
She sighed softly and sank back into the warm water.
"Natasha"….
Sleep was safe, finally. No nightmares and peace. She wanted to sink further. Something kept pulling.
"Natasha"…
"Loki", she breathed softly. Cool fingers traced her skin. Comforting, soothing, knocking…
"Natasha, wake up".
Natasha jumped, water splashing over the side of the tub. Pepper crouched down next to her and rubbed her shoulder.
"Hey, where were you"?
"I don't know. A million miles away", Natasha said softly. "Are they back yet"?
"Not yet", Pepper replied. "But Phil and Director Fury are here to see you".
"Great".
If anyone was aware of the foam stress ball in Fury's hand, they took great effort not to mention it. Phil sat politely drinking coffee and making small talk. His face lit up when Natasha entered the room, wearing a loose sweater and leggings with Pepper flanking her on the left.
"Hey Nat, you had us all really worried", he enveloped her in a massive hug and pulled her down to sit next to him.
"I know, I'm sorry. I just- it was a lot to deal with", Natasha admitted. "Thank you for caring, all of you. Is Clint mad"?
"He'll get over it", Coulson shrugged. "Oh, you know I saw the cutest pair of cream booties in that little shop over on 23rd, I'll pick them up on the way back to HQ. Remember any time you need a babysitter just call"-
"Coulson, please focus", Fury pleaded, face palming to the humour of several others.
"Sorry", Phil said. "I just had to see the look on his face".
He and Natasha started laughing while Fury threw the stress ball at them. After a few moments, Phil reverted to form.
"Apologies Director, just trying to defuse the situation".
Fury just grunted and fixed Natasha with a stare. "I want the whole story".
"Apologies Sir, Thor and Agent Barton have returned with an unexpected guest", JARVIS interrupted.
Natasha grabbed Phil's hand. "I'm not ready to see him".
"It's OK", Phil soothed. "It isn't Loki, but we think he can help".
Clint entered first, visibly pissed. Phil rose to meet him across the floor.
"What happened"? Coulson crossed his arms and stared Clint down. "Where is Thor"?
"He's… untying Fenrir", Clint admitted grudgingly, finding the carpet very interesting.
"Were you trying to cause an intergalactic incident"?
"Back off Phil, he started it. Little brat", Clint huffed and stalked off to sit next to Natasha. "Nice to see you Nat".
Natasha leaned against him and he held her close.
"I'm sorry", she whispered.
"Me too", he replied. "Guess I kinda freaked out there".
"Given what Loki put you through I'm not surprised".
"Yeah, but I should have cut you some slack. You're right, the kid is innocent. I'm here for you".
Phil kept his distance to give them their privacy, at least they were OK again.
"Fenrir, come. Please stop chasing friend Stark's robots. They are not rabbits", Thor shouted from down the hall.
He entered the room and threw the group a huge smile. "My friends, I have the honour to present my nephew, Fenrir Lokison".
Most people in the room instantly recoiled as soon the giant wolf stalked in, and regarded them all speculatively through large eyes and fangs.
"Holy shit"! Fury leapt to his feet with a gun in hand, and Pepper darted behind Tony who looked at the wolf with nothing more than a "huh", and a sip of his scotch.
As if this was the craziest thing he had ever seen…
"Please, my friends, he will not hurt anyone", Thor reassured them.
Fenrir just rolled his eyes and padded over to where Natasha was sitting. He sniffed her belly slightly and then morphed into a child again. He hopped up onto the couch and leaned into Natasha, never breaking his gaze.
"So, you're my new mother? I like your hair, it's pretty. I'm Fenrir, but everyone calls me Fen. I'm the youngest, well not anymore I guess. I live in the forests in Germany. Will you come visit me there with my sister? Uncle brings me meat every time he visits. Will you bring me some too? I like cows the best", he rambled quickly.
Natasha stared at him in undisguised horror.