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I was standing in the bathroom again. A steaming tub of water waited for me and a new, clean dress lay folded beside the towel. I wanted to relax, to lose my worries in the inviting water. But I did not want to give in to any request from Loki. Even if the request was something I genuinely wanted to do.
I turned to the mirror. My feeble attempts to remove the collar last night had left the fragile skin on my neck bruised and battered. The cuts had oozed disproportionately large amounts of blood. All of it was dried and discoloring my skin.
Sufficiently disgusted by the sight of myself, I relented to bathing and dressing in the new dress. This one was much the same but instead of a black girdle, it had subtle gold embroidery under the bust and around the hem. I decided that, despite my irritation at its perfect fit, I did like how I looked.
I tried to take as long as possible in the bathroom in order to avoid Loki, but he called me out not long after I had finished. He commented on how much more pleasant I looked and I gritted my teeth to keep from saying anything stupid. He took my hand and the pulling sensation whisked us away again.
When the gold light receded, I realized that I was clutching his pale fingers much more closely than I had intended. I looked up at him to see that he was wearing a rather showy helmet accompanied by armor. I remembered the curving gold horns from pictures I had seen on the television. They made him look comical and menacing at the same time.
I lowered my eyes and set myself to inspecting our surroundings. We were standing in a pleasantly furnished room. The modern furniture betrayed the wealth of the owner. Suddenly a soft ding interrupted the quiet and a swish of elevator doors announced the arrival of another person. Loki and I both turned to look at the intrusion.
/
Coulson had been having an almost pleasant conversation with Stark. The man had even begun to address him as Phil. He felt he should make an effort to keep Tony happy since he owed the genius his life. After the attack on the helicarrier, he had been clinging to the last strands of life before Stark stepped in with an experimental artificial heart. Now that he had mostly healed and was back to doing what he normally did, he tried to repay his debt by helping Stark study the effects of the artificial heart. He also stayed very close to the Avengers initiative.
He was just leaving a checkup from Stark when Jarvis interrupted the elevator ride. "Loki has appeared on the lounge floor sir." Stark had begun to suit up immediately. "Take us there" he commanded.
Coulson watched with mild fascination as the pieces of the Ironman suit appeared from seemingly nowhere and assembled themselves. Jarvis interrupted again. "Sir, it appears that he has Elizabeth with him." A flicker of something showed in Stark's face but was quickly concealed by the metal faceplate.
Coulson felt his artificial heart pump harder. He hadn't been in any sort of combat since the helicarrier. Both Stark and Doctor Banner had advised him against any excitement. No time to be cautious now, he thought to himself as he drew his sidearm.
He was angry at Loki for so many things. Some he could forgive. Even almost killing him was simply water under the bridge. But kidnapping and using an innocent little girl was too far. Coulson had grown attached to Elizabeth. Just as he had become attached to each one of the Avengers. They were almost like a family. He relished that feeling. The door slid open and he raised his pistol.
/
Tony was confused. Why would Loki bring Elizabeth with him to meet the people most capable of stopping him? He pondered this for a moment before he realized he did know why. He had been in Elizabeth's position. Why do you send film of your hostage to the people trying to stop you? Bile rose in his throat. She was a pawn. A tantalizing bit of emotional meat to dangle in front of the enemy.
/
When Coulson and Stark appeared from the elevator, I found myself wanting to run to them. Especially Phil. While I had been attached to Loki I enjoyed his company the most. I had even begun to think of him as a father figure. What I saw now reminded me that he was still an agent for the government. He wore his signature suit and tie but his eyes held a coldness all too similar to the pistol in his hand. He looked tired and a little sad too behind his stoic mask.
Tony was unreadable and a tad bit menacing in his suit. The glowing blue eyes had always reminded me of a cold crackling electricity you felt when you were home alone at night.
Only two things kept me from rushing at them like a sappy movie: their clear looks of menace and Loki's firm grip on my wrist. Suddenly I felt very small and weak. The grandeur of Loki and the tension radiating from the two heroes seemed to press my being down to an infinitesimal speck. For a moment no one said anything.
/
Coulson mentally ran through the situation. Loki was looking very calm in the presence of a hostile force. Training had taught him how to deal with hostage situations but he decided that this was a different case. Normally a kidnapper would make a demand. But then again, normally a kidnapper would not bring the hostage with him. Coulson looked Elizabeth over. She was dressed in a rather tastefully flattering dress. She seemed well fed and she had no visible marks of violence. She was scared and lost, the dark circles under her eyes betrayed her lack of sleep, but she had not been physically harmed. Coulson found a measure of relief from this knowledge but tucked it away to be contemplated later. The last thing he noted was that the gold band he had assumed was jewelry seemed to be completely solid. This was no trinket, it was a sign of possession.
/
Tony noticed Elizabeth's dress first. He felt a pang of guilt at thinking her rather pretty before noticing her expression. Her eyes were wide and her cheeks pale with fatigue. He quickly turned his attention from her and to Loki. He seemed very pleased with himself. The way he was holding her hand angered him. Loki looked like he was escorting her to a formal party rather than flaunting his stolen object. His rage at the mocking formality threatened to silence his biting wit.
/
Loki was thoroughly pleased with himself. He had picked the two best subjects to show his obedient pet to. The metal man harbored scars from his own captivity and the son of coul was endeared to the plight of the girl. He could not keep a small smirk from his expression. He let the mortals contemplate the moment before speaking. "I am sure you have been wondering how I have been faring. As you can see, I have been very well. I also wanted to show you my pet. She has been most entertaining and obedient. Clearly, she understands my benevolence to those obedient to me." He paused for effect.
Gently drawing the girl forward he noted her downcast face with satisfaction. She was the portrait of obedience. Releasing her hand, he gently stroked her chocolate hair. "Kneel"
/
I wanted no more than to disappear. To melt into the floor. Loki spoke with broad gestures but he never let go of my hand. Rather he remained holding it as though he was leading me in a dance. When he had finished speaking he pulled me in front of him.
I felt frozen by the gaze of everyone in the room. I looked at my feet as though they would magically get me away from there. I felt his long fingers caress my still damp hair with mocking tenderness. A shudder ran down my spine. I was a trinket to him. An object to be flaunted and used. I was the knife to be twisted into the sides of everyone I knew.
"Kneel" the command echoed in my head. The smooth voice dripping with sadistic glee. I knew that my obedience would seal the purpose in coming here, but I also knew that to disobey meant torture. Not just for me but for the two men carefully watching my reaction. Already my skin prickled and my gut clenched. Slowly, I lowered myself to my knees. The prickling sensation disappeared and I could feel the eyes of everyone on me.
/
Tony knew what Elizabeth felt. Unable to do anything but give in. He understood her shame. She had not wanted to defy her captor for fear of hurting others. From her posture, he knew that to disobey meant pain. His anger welled up inside of him and he disregarded any better judgement not to attack. He rocketed himself at the grinning demigod only to meet empty air. He turned to the chuckling form materialized several feet away. "You cannot touch me, mortal. Why do you still try?"
/
Coulson took the opportunity provided by Stark to get Elizabeth. He rushed to her side. The surprise attack of Ironman had knocked her to the floor. Phil quickly raised her to her feet and began pulling her over to the elevator doors. Jarvis had kept the doors open and waiting. Elizabeth looked dazedly at the agent.
Before they could reach the open doors, Loki appeared in front of them and reached for Elizabeth. He grabbed her arm and wrenched her away from Coulson. The last thing he saw was Elizabeth reaching back toward him, her mouth open in a silent plea for help. Then the golden light enveloped captor and captive, spiriting them away.