After unzipping my straitjacket haphazardly, she walked out of the room a little too urgently for my liking, still talking to the Director through her ear as she carried on. I got up and began to pull the tarplike garment off of me, reflecting on my mile-long lie. I had only realized after Black Widow's reaction that I had subconsciously been describing a man who looked a lot like Loki, who was currently S.H.I.E.L.D.'s public enemy numero uno. I didn't know why I had lied so badly-I'd never done that for anything, to anyone. I'm sure I would've made Loki proud, if I actually knew him. It suddenly hits me how deep I've gotten myself in. A not-so-little fib has guaranteed me extended stay in custody of the Avengers, possibly worse if I'm not careful. But I'm not the best liar in the world...far from it, really, which is why I'm amazed that Natasha apparently believed me. Whom could I trust to help me out of this?

In walk two new people, both of which I instantly recognize from the movies. The buff guy with the blondish-brown hair was Hawkeye, which was pretty awesome by itself. But that wasn't not the best part, not by a long shot. The handcuffed guy he was pushing in front of him had shiny black hair, semi-medieval apparel, and greeny-blue eyes. No joke.

It's Loki.

Loki loki loki loki.

Oh my gods.

What is that in his pocket?

"Hawkeye, right?" I chirpped, smiling at him. I was trying as valiantly as I could not to show my overreaction to Loki's presence. Hawkeye just looked at me like I'm weird and cuffed Loki to the chair that Fury had just vacated. Sighing and rolling his eyes, surprisingly similarly to a teenager, Loki took that as an invitation to sit down. I still had that song stuck in my head, so I inadvertently started humming it. Loki glared at Hawkeye, undoubtedly asking him why he is being faced with this imbecile.

"If I may ask, why am I being interrogated by a Midgardian child?" he demanded. That kinda hurt my feelings, so I shut up. No doubt they were both grateful for that.

"Because you two know each other, as far as Fury is concerned," replied Hawkeye stoically. "If I told you more, I'd be burned."

With that, Hawkeye was outta here before either of us could say another word. Loki smiled at me fakely.

"Hello, 'friend,'" he introduced. I wasn't sure how to reply-my brain tends to go AWOL at the least convenient of times.

"Yes, hi," I replied, a little too woodenly. I glanced around the room, certain that there were cameras somewhere. But I could find none. I still knew that they were watching, but there wasn't much I could do about that. I leaned over the table casually, gesturing with a flick of my head at Loki.

"Can you see the cameras?" I whispered in a low voice. He cast his gaze around the room. I couldn't check behind me, as that would be too obvious a gesture. And in any case, perhaps his alien vision was keener than mine.

"How do you know there are cameras?" he replied, narrowing his eyes at my apparent paranoia.

"C'mon, man, this is S.H.I.E.L.D.," I pointed out, glaring slightly. In honesty, Loki should've known that...I had a feeling that had just been a test. "They've got to have cameras."

Loki looked up at something behind me, then turned it into a sigh and a backwards stretch to conceal his actions. "Yes. One behind you in the top left corner, and there are doubtless others. Why?"

"Can you fool them?" I asked, ignoring his question for the time being. He nodded, waiting for me to explain. I took a deep breath, pressing my forehead to the steel tabletop for what felt like eternity.

"I'm waiting," reminded Loki in a bit of a singsong voice. I looked up finally, bracing myself for my confession.

"I convinced Fury that I'm one of your ex-agents," I admitted, speaking in a low voice even though I knew that Loki had it covered. "which I'm obviously not. You would know. That's why you were sent in here. They doubtless want to catch our reactions to each other to determine if I'm telling the truth."

"You could've told me that before I pulled the illusion," he growled. I shrugged guiltily.

"In any case, if they find out I'm lying, who knows what they'll do to me?" I insist, my inner fear bleeding into my voice and giving me a panicky tone. "I don't know why I lied, I just did. Getting to hang with the Avengers is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, you know? But I'm in too deep and I don't know how to dig myself out of-"

"Hey," Loki silenced me. I whimpered and concealed my face within my folded arms. I was about to cry, which would have been pretty embarrassing to a god. But I was just overwhelmed all of a sudden. I had no idea how I'd gotten myself in such a fix, it had all happened so fast. And why the heck would a fugitive god stoop to help me out of a fix that just so happened to involve him? For all I knew, he would condemn me to a mindwipe and/or execution. Loki isn't known for his mercy, just his lies. But at the same time, his smooth talk and animosity towards the Avengers is the only thing that can help me. He nudged me, causing me to look up at him again. I know how cliche this is going to sound sound, but I can't stop myself from thinking it:

Help me, Loki. You're my only hope.

"I'm the God of Mischief," murmured Loki sensitively, inexplicably calming me. I was fully aware that he could be manipulating me into my grave, but I was powerless to fight his enchanted wordplay. "I've conned my brother, my enemies, whole realms, even."

Here he gave me his most winning smile, which secretly made my fangirl's heart flutter.

"Your secret is safe with me."