Jane was incredibly groggy and it took several tries before she finally managed to open her eyes. She was sore and her abdomen felt tender. The careful probing resulted with feeling of bandage under her fingers and a sharp pain that left her gasping for air.
In that moment her memory cleared and she remembered the events on the fjord.
The men in suits that shouted orders. The sensation of coldness behind her when an odd anomaly opened behind Lael and started to pull him in.
The panic she felt the moment the first gunshot echoed, even before the bullet hit her. It was only milliseconds between those two events but it felt like everything moved in slow-motion.
Once the pain subsided she turned her head to look around the place she was in. At first it reminded her of her old dorm room on campus, it was tiny and contained only the bed she was lying on, a table and a chair. But it was sterile, nothing like the warm room she turned her dorm into with the starcharts on the walls and a pile of Astronomy and Astrophysics books in the corner.
When her mind finally cleared enough she realized what else it reminded her of; a cell.
The sound of footsteps outside of the door made her carefully sit up on the uncomfortable cot. Seconds later the metal door opened and a person she knew well, or so she thought until few days ago, stepped in.
"How are you Jane?" Erik Selvig asked gently, worry apparent in his voice. But he received no response from the young woman.
Instead Jane looked away from him and focused on the pale gray wall. She didn't want to talk to Erik, not now. What she found on his phone, the proof of him working against her, hurt her more than the bullet wound on her abdomen.
Erik just sighed. He asked Phil to allow him to talk to Jane first, but it was obvious she wasn't willing to talk to him and more then likely didn't care to hear his explanation.
That meant someone else would be conducting the interview, and he had a pretty good idea who that someone would be.
The agents reported the blue man and a portal that opened out of nowhere. The camera on the helicopter confirmed it, and Erik hoped he would get to see the recording personally.
Erik phone beeped and he checked the message. He didn't realize Jane turned to look at him until he heard her speak, "Who is your boss ordering you to betray this time? It can't be me, you already did that."
A sigh escaped the older man once more. He knew she wouldn't understand, but he had to try and explain, "Everything I did it was for your own good. They would have shut down your research months ago if not for me."
"I would be more inclined to believe you if I didn't know for a fact how easy it is for you to lie to my face."
He didn't deny it, just shook his head, "Come with me. There is someone who wants to talk to you."
He didn't hear her mutter a question if she had any other choice but to go with him. She didn't need her doctor's degree to realize she was basically a prisoner, no matter how the people that held her make the things seem.
So she quietly followed Erik down a long corridor; identical metal doors on both side made the whole experience unnerving. It felt like she was in a prison block. For all she knew maybe she was.
Finally Erik stopped in front of the last door on the left and opened it for her.
Walking past him and entering the small room the first thing Jane noticed was a pretty imposing black man who stood in the corner and observed her with his single eye. The second one was covered with a eye-patch, giving him an even more menacing look.
In the middle of the room was a table with two chairs, one on each side. All it lacked was a two-way mirror on the wall to look like a interrogation room from every single detective show she watched.
"Miss Foster, have a seat." the unknown man said after Erik closed the door, with him on the inside.
She wondered how high in the hierarchy her old mentor was, if he was allowed to be present for her interrogation. But she didn't voice that question. Instead she corrected the man in long black leather coat.
"It's doctor Foster."
"Considering your latest association it wouldn't surprise me if you are stripped of that title soon."
Jane's heart skipped a beat, but she refused to show fear in front of this guy. He reminder her too much of a bully from her Middle school that made fun of her for liking something so stupid like stars.
Erik moved forward and placed Jane's notebook on the table. It was the one she got in duty-free. It was the one she wrote her observations and notes in from the moment she stepped in Tromso. It was in her jacket pocket and now they had it.
She reached for it but the man with the eye-patch was faster.
"In your notes there is a fascinating entry about a letter from the museum. One that mentioned a monster with blue skin. Like the one you were seen with just three hours ago on top of a fjord."
Erik took Jane's hand in his and she turned to look at him, "We can help you but you have to tell us everything you know about him."
She huffed at his words, "What you are saying makes no sense."
And it didn't. She didn't need their help; she needed to get out of wherever they held her and continue her research on the Einstein-Rosen bridge. Now that she had proof there were other realms out there she was even more driven to succeed.
"It makes perfect sense." the unknown man growled at her, "I am Nicholas Fury, director of SHIELD. We are the ones defending Earth from creatures like your blue monster."
"The only monster on that fjord was that agent who shot at us, despite the fact we were unarmed." Jane growled back. It wasn't as impressive, but she refuse to listen to him speak about Lael like that. She had a deep urge to defend him.
"From what I heard the creature was armed with a blue glowing box." Fury pointed out.
"A box. How menacing." Jane muttered.
The SHIELD director was fed up with her attitude and lack of cooperation. Doctor Selvig ensured him Jane would willingly explain what was going on once she woke up. But so far she was as uncooperative as a feral cat.
He slammed both hands on the metal table, making Jane flinch at the loud bang, "Who is he?"
The words were barely out of his mouth when the alarm blared all around them, the lights suddenly changing from normal white into red.
The sensors have discovered an intruder in the desert compound.
Fury moved past Erik and reached for the doorknob when the metal door opened forcefully, pushing him back and knocking him out. Erik, who was focused on Jane at the time, jumped in fright and turned to see who it was that barged in.
And instantly he took a step back from the man at the doorway.
A relieved sigh escaped Jane's lips before she stood up and moved towards him. It happened naturally, like they did it a million times before.
Loki reached out for her and she stepped right into his arms, wrapping her own around his waist.
"You are really here." she muttered only for him to hear.
Jane always considered herself an independent woman, but this togetherness felt incredibly right. She couldn't explain it; it was almost like she found a peace of herself she wasn't even aware was missing.
"I have come to retrieve you, and I hope you will accompany me. We are eagerly awaited by many."
"Go?!" Erik snapped as he heard the words the blue skinned man told Jane, "She isn't going anywhere with you! I have promised her father I'll look out after her and-"
"You have failed for she was hurt by those you call allies." the foreigner looked at him over Jane's shoulder, his blood red eyes so unnerving Erik had to look away. The motion had nothing to do with the fact he spoke the truth, it was a SHIELD agent who shot Jane.
"Jane..." Erik wanted to make her see things from his point of view, but she wasn't interesting in his excuses.
"I'm not a child Erik. You made your choice and you chose this SHIELD. I chose to follow someone who can show me the stars."
"You are being childish and too trusting, Jane! He is a-"
"I am her mate. I will protect her better then you ever could."
Jane turned to look at Loki, "You're my what?"
Loudspeaker in the interrogation room activated, and moments later a serious female voice spoke, "Director Fury, a second intruder spotted. He flew and landed by the East entrance, the camera shows he punched the door with a hammer to break in. He is heading towards the main laboratory. Director Fury, come in."
Loki pulled away from Jane, and placed his hands on her shoulders, "Wait here please while I investigate."
"Why would you do that?" she asked with a frown.
"I do not wish anyone to be harmed." when he noticed she was about to protest he touched her face. The sensation was foreign and familiar at the same time.
"I don't want you to be harmed either."
A small smile appeared on his face, "Already protective of me, Jane? But there is no need. I will be alright."
Finally she just nodded and watched him walk away, turning right once he stepped in the hallway and walk towards the direction Erik and she walked from when he led her to this room.
Erik, who watched the whole exchange, focused solemnly on Jane the moment the blue man was out of sight. He even ignored the usually stoic director lying motionless on the floor, still unconscious from the blow to the head when this creature Jane obviously cared for burst in.
"Jane! Have you seen yourself act? This is not you! This is not the Janie I knew since she was a small child!" he bellowed but it had no effect on her.
Jane simply moved past him, throwing a glance at director Fury who just started to stir, and sat back down on the metal chair.
Loud footsteps were heard coming their way, someone was running full speed towards the room. Moments later a middle-aged man appeared on the doorway. His eyes scanned all those present, lingering on Jane a bit longer, before he focused on the director.
"Sir, what happened? The cameras are still offline since-" he stopped himself before he completed the sentence, and instead waited for Fury to regain his balance again.
Once he did the SHIELD's director leaned on the metal table and leaned forward, his face only inches away from Jane's.
"I will ask you one last time. Who or what is this blue bastard?"
Jane was used to persons of power who liked to express their superiority by making themselves look large and intimidate to get what ever they want.
It didn't work on her but still Jane decided to answer his question. Just so they would know exactly with whom they are dealing with. She wasn't certain her theory about his true nature and bloodline is correct, but they didn't need to know that particular detail.
"He is prince Loki of Jotunheim."
Loki entered a large open space, so unusual after walking through narrow hallways of this odd place. The equipment around it looked unfamiliar and he didn't even try to figure out what it's used for. It wasn't important.
What was important was the loud man that entered the same room through the large doorway opposite of him.
He was tall and blonde, dressed in armor, that reminded him of the one king of Asgard wore when he visited Jotunheim, with a red cape moving with his every step. And in his hand a stone hammer that hummed with energy.
He was shouting, not caring who heard him and how many of armed men in suits appeared as a result of his inability to be stealth.
And seconds later his blue eyes focused on Loki. And a particularly crude curse left his lips.
"Give me the cube monster, and go back to Jotunheim. Go in peace or I will obey my father's edict and send you to Helheim instead." the blonde man growled at him, lifting his hand and pointing the hammer in his direction.
Loki survived for a millennium because he knew when to retreat in the safety, but right now he refused to stand down. He was no monster, Jane said so, and the Casket belonged to his kind. He wasn't giving it away to the first person who threatens him with a rock on a stick.
"The Casket belongs to Jotuns." he pointed out calmly.
He wasn't sure if the other man didn't pay attention to his words, or was deaf, but he started to walk forward, still pointing the hammer in Loki's direction.
Thor was surprised when he saw the Jotun in front of him, but instead on his curiosity he focused on his anger and the mission his father gave him.
For a thousand years no Frost giant left their realm, some rumors said they lost the ability to travel the realms around the time the warriors of Asgard foiled their plan to conquest Midgard. King Laufey claimed it was because All-Father stole the Casket of Ancient Winters from Jotuns, but Thor knew it wasn't true. His father was a hero who protected other realms from those who desired more than they were entitled to.
Because of that he never saw a Jotun in real life, but it was a common knowledge they were much taller than the one who stood opposite of him. They were known as Frost giants after all.
"I know you came here for the Tesseract." Thor informed him, "I will not let that happen."
"I am here for my mate." the Jotun spoke back and Thor clenched his fist around Mjolnir tighter. It seemed there was another Frost giant around on Midgard... how did that fact escaped Heimdal's all seeing eyes?
Loud orders informed the them they were getting company. And to confirm that just seconds later two dozen armed agents stormed in and pointed their guns at the two intruders.
Somewhere behind Thor the agents parted and a woman stepped forward, "Identify yourself!" she ordered.
Thor turned to look at her, and against his instincts turned his back to a Frost giant, but he didn't fear this odd small one. He was a trained warrior, he defeated more dangerous enemies.
"I am a prince of Asgard and I demand you release the Tesseract to me so I can return it where it belongs."
Agent Maria Hill was unimpressed by the blonde man. He reminded her of an airhead she used to date in college, all bark but no bite. Instead she focused on the other man, the blue skinned one that appeared in the compound when a portal opened out of thin air, identical to the one the agents who were send to find doctor Foster reported.
He remained quiet under her gaze; made no threats or demands.
"Director Fury." she nodded to her superior who just entered through the door behind Loki, "What are the orders?"
"Contain them for further questioning." Fury was irritated, and would have gladly ordered for these two to be taken down for the safety of the planet, but the risk was too great.
Doctor Foster said the blue one was a prince of something, through the comm in his ear he heard the blonde one with the red cape say he is also a prince. That represented a complication. They had to treat them with gloves just; in case something happens to them SHIELD, and him personally, would be held responsible.
"I will not be contained!" Thor was displeased and he ensured they know it in his usual loud way, "I am here to retrieve the Tesseract before the Frost giants get it!"
Fury didn't know what the hell a Tesseract was, and he didn't care. No one goes anywhere until he gets some answers.
And while Thor kept clenching his hand around the handle of his hammer, upset that the mortals aren't doing exactly what he told them to, Loki watched the one-eyed man warily. He was in the small room with Jane when he burst in, it was possible he held her responsible for that.
"Where is Jane?" he asked, trying to remain calm and not show fear for his mate, "Is she safe?"
Thor focused on the Jotun in front of him and frowned.
Fury opened his mouth to speak when an agent in the control room spoke through the comm in his ear, "Sir, an anomaly is appearing in the sky."
"Understood." he said back before focusing on the two intruders, He had a feeling one of them will know what the hell is going on this time, "A portal of some sort is opening in the sky. Which one of you is responsible?"
"He is." Thor instantly pointed at Loki, "Frost giants are once more attacking Midgard. They are monsters who tried it once before a thousand years ago."
Fury's single eye focused on Loki, who turned towards Thor the moment the Asgardian prince blamed his kind.
"You are a fool. The Jotuns have no reason or means to attack Earth." he pointed out.
"Like they had no reason or means to do so before. My father led the army that banished Jotuns from Midgard, and I will follow his footsteps!"
"Your father arrived on Jotunheim before I came back to Earth, and he now knows the error in his choice. The Jotuns were leaving when the Asgardian warriors attacked them, and as a result I was left behind as a newborn, and forced to live hidden among humans."
Fury was uninterested in the history lessons so he snapped, "Silence!"
Just as everyone present turned towards him an explosion shook the walls and threw few of the agents of balance.
Unlike these two who arrived at the compound, and who were more interested in arguing with each other, who ever was outside wanted in. And they obviously didn't pick the means how.