Nobody expected Killer Robots.

Although, given how things usually went in their individual crime fighting experiences and as a group in the JLA, perhaps they should have.

Their current mission involved a smuggler who supplied guns, drugs, and other illegal merchandise internationally to whoever was willing to pay. Recently he had been upping his game, branching out into missiles and other high end ordinance as well as bioweapons. Unfortunately the most recent rumors indicated he might also be involved in large-scale human trafficking. Which meant that they had to be careful when taking him down, or the victims could be caught in a crossfire or killed to conceal any evidence.

Batman had organized some of the more covert JLA members into a small task force to track some of the criminal members of the man's organization and surveil likely locations. When they had intercepted some chatter about a special delivery, they had quickly converged on the warehouse with the intent to infiltrate and release the captives before taking on any guards.

Except the special delivery wasn't the cargo of young women they were expecting. Instead it was a small army of elite Killer Robots that activated when released from their shipping container and went on a rampage when a proper authorization code wasn't given. Later they would need to find both the source and the intended recipient of the army, but for now they had their hands full just keeping the Robots contained to the warehouse district and away from the more populated areas of the city.

The covert nature of the initial mission meant that none of the JLA heavy hitters were included, as few beside Martian Manhunter had a "stealth mode." Most of the big guns were as obvious as their brightly colored costumes. Of course Batman had sent the request for backup, so they just had to keep the Robots contained until help arrived. Hopefully at least some of the heavy hitters that were currently on Earth were not already dealing with a Super Villain or natural disaster.

He was relieved when he caught a glimpse in the sky of a blue figure with a red cape streaking towards their location, but had to refocus on his battle to land what he hoped was a decisive hit on the Robot targeting him. He quickly checked to see if any of the other Robots that had exited the warehouse were about to break loose from the perimeter the JLA members had set up around them. It was just as he had picked his next target that the blue-and-red streak plummeted to Earth to land in the midst of the Robot horde with a mighty THUMP. As expected, a number of smashed Robots soon began to be flung out in all directions. The mass of functional Robots was being quickly reduced, and the damaged or demolished ones cast out were examined to ensure that they were no longer a threat before being dragged away by the tired JLA members who were no longer being targeted. The sounds of conflict slowly dimmed, and after checking the last defeated Robot near him, he turned toward the epicenter of the battle to make a surprising discovery: that wasn't Superman – it was the Avenger Thor!

"Greetings shield-brothers of my nephew" the blond proclaimed as he looped his hammer back at his waist. "I have heard tales of your many valiant battles at the side of my brother's son. And you..." he said as spied Batman stalking towards him. "I have heard much of you Man-of-Bats!" Before anyone knew what was happening Thor had darted forward to grab the Batman and envelope him in a fierce bear hug!

THOR

Thor ignored the man's squirming and low growls, glad that he had been able to get past the other's defenses to provide the much-needed hug. Training with Captain America and the Black Widow had taught him several moves for fighting a more agile and quick opponent. Not to mention Thor had much experience with his brother trying to avoid unwelcome hugs!

Thor had been thrilled when Loki had sought him out at Avengers Tower and requested his aid. He was overjoyed that his little brother trusted him enough to help his youngest nephew. Of course if the lad needed time with his Midgardian parent Thor would stand in his place and fight with his Shield Brothers! Though the two teams rarely interacted, Thor had heard about some of the exploits of the members of the other team, the Knight of Gotham especially.

He had been filled with sympathy when his brother had confided some of the Man-of-Bats tragic history, so that Thor would understand and not take offence at the other's brusque and surly manner. Thor asked if there was anything he could do for his nephew's shield brother. Loki had been hesitant to suggest it, saying only if Thor felt comfortable, but that the other had no doubt grown up a bit touch-starved with no family and only an elderly servant as a companion.

Thor nodded eagerly. Yes, he had on occasion heard his team mates mutter that this or that villain 'hadn't been hugged enough as a child' – sometimes even in reference to his own sibling! While Loki made rectifying that situation difficult (even though Thor would have thought from his brother's actions while they were younger that Loki received an excess of hugs in his youth) Thor could ensure that the Man-of-Bats suffered no longer from such a lack!

SUPERMAN

Clark had been concerned at first when he saw on the news some of the JLA fighting a mob of Robots. He might have left the farm to help if Loki hadn't texted to tell Clark not to worry, that he had the situation well in hand. Leaving then would have shown a lack of trust in his birth mother that Clark was sure would hurt the other deeply. And he was glad he apparently wasn't needed this time. Martha hadn't shared with him what was bothering her, but he could already see that his presence on the farm was easing her mind. The worry on her face when he first arrived had quickly been replaced by joy. Since then all the fussing over him she had done seemed to take her mind off of whatever her problem was. And Clark would have to admit he had been rather enjoying his stay. It was nice to relax for a bit and just be "Clark" with no demands on his time but a few chores.

LOKI

Loki laughed maniacally as he ate ice cream and watched events unfold in his scrying mirror. His not-brother made his typical flashy entrance before commencing to whack away at the enemy in his usual blunt and brutish manner. Then the meeting of the oaf and his son's comrade occurred and it was everything he had hoped it would be! Loki just couldn't resist pranking at least a little someone so very very serious, and his foolish not-brother made the perfect tool.

Loki was glad he had managed to convince his son to take a little time off. From what Martha had said when she called to thank him for arranging Kal-El's visit, the vacation was doing the boy good. Of course ensuring that the lad didn't go running off at the first sign of trouble was the next hurdle. Loki had ordered his fellow Super Villains to lie low, and would personally deal with any contrary enough to take his warning as a dare. Certainly heads would roll (perhaps literally – although that might upset his son) over this whole Robot fiasco. And he should find and liberate those human women so that the JLA buffons didn't stumble into another mess.

But Loki had known from the start that even if all of the Super Villains played nice, there could still be natural disasters or other crises that might tempt his son to cut his stay at home short. Which meant someone would have to take Superman's place, at least for a little while.

Of course Loki could have done it (it wasn't like the JLA could stop him from doing anything, even helping them) but his son's comrades would have been unlikely to welcome him and precious time in a crisis could have been lost to their distrust. Why should Loki waste his time and energy playing substitute when there was a much better candidate? His not-brother certainly owed Loki, and the oaf actually enjoyed fighting and being a hero. The only downside was that Loki would need to meet with the big lug and order him to do his family duty (Loki was not looking for an excuse to visit Thor - most definitely not!)

Things had been going well so far, but perhaps Loki should be wary in case he had created a monster – a hug monster. Growing up in Asgard Loki certainly knew how over-the-top the Aesir tended to be, boisterous in all things including physical affection. Recently Thor had scaled back, no doubt in deference to Midgardian customs and the frailty of his companions. Now that the hug gate was open again Loki would have to make sure to stay well out of arms reach, or to distract the man with several doubles. Thor was big but he could also be fast, although most wouldn't suspect that seeing as his primary fighting method was standing there and whacking the enemy with his hammer!

If necessary, perhaps Loki might employ his son as a sort of hug-blocker. Kal-El would be one of the few people impervious to even the strongest of Thor's hugs. While his son might be slightly embarrassed, Loki didn't think Kal-El would really mind all that much receiving a hug that for once he could really feel. Hulk was one of the others who could withstand a Thor hug, and shouldn't his brother have already done something about the great-green-ogre's obvious need for this kind of attention? That suggestion might be a suitable diversion if Loki found himself in danger of being a hug recipient.

Not to mention the probably hilarious results of a Thor/Hulk hug attempt!