Summary: Loki finds himself in a new place. Xavier and the Avengers plan to speak with Loki's saviour.
Chapter 14:
The constant shift between heat and freezing cold plagued Loki's body. In the few moments he was coherent, the Jotun was bemused at being chilled. His only indication of being in a place of safety was that he was no longer on the paved streets, but in a warm comfortable space that was likely a home. It was this unforeseen comfort that gave Loki pause. His mind could only register dimly that there was comfort in a bed under him.
His head throbbed mercilessly in his skull though, keeping him from opening his eyes very often. The nightmares persisted, leaving Loki frightened to sleep for fear that they would be present. The Chitauri were always there, wrapping their cold hands around his neck, suffocating the air from his lungs. Coughing made everything in his body ache even more. He cried out, fearful of the shadows that were ever present in his consciousness.
"Calm down!" A deep voice called out. He was struggling as arms held him down while he thrashed. Loki became frantic as he kicked out at his assailant, a crash of dishes following it. He smelled herbs that were a painful reminder of 'home' on Asgard. Loki's agitation grew worse as he suddenly wondered if Thor had brought him home to be imprisoned again.
There were words that Loki did not recognize, spoken in a whisper. Loki's muscles relaxed and fatigue washed over him, and his fear of sleep diminished into the darkness he was plunged into it.
A towering screen flickered with life as Charles Xavier sat at the computer console. Behind him, another pair of eyes scanned the 3-D image of the city. Steve Rogers' eyes were following it, trying not to disrupt Xavier's concentration. They had been scanning Manhattan for several hours. The software designed by Tony Stark scanned the streets and every person on it within the last 24 hours, a time stamp at each frame.
"Could Loki be in the alleyways? Or maybe he managed to slip into another one of the Burroughs or farther?" Steve finally wondered aloud.
"Given his condition?" Xavier shook his head. "It's possible, but not likely. He's clever enough to move about the alleyways so he wouldn't be seen."
Steve's eagle eyes watched the various images until his eye finally caught something on the screen, "Wait! Jarvis, can you go back about eleven hundred hours yesterday?"
Without comment, the A.I. carried out the order. The super soldier called to stop at eleven hundred and thirty-six seconds and had J.A.R.V.I.S. enlarge the footage. They could see two men, one which Steve recognized, but the other did not.
"Jarvis, do a profile scan of the other man in the footage," Xavier commanded the computer.
This done, the screen showed a profile of information on one Stephen Strange.
"I've never heard of him," Steve rubbed the back of his neck, "but then again, I've been out of the loop for a while."
"Doctor Strange was a neurologist at a prestigious hospital until he was in an accident that crippled his hands. All we know is that he traveled to Tibet and returned a sorcerer." Xavier explained. "What he would want with Loki, I don't know. Though it could be something to do with his magic."
Steve's eyebrows knit together, "But Loki doesn't have his magic anymore."
"We will just have to ask him directly," Xavier concluded while turning to look at him. "However, we will have to proceed cautiously, he is a power sorcerer."
"We don't know how Loki will react, but it seems as though he'll need some psychological therapy after all he has been through." Another pregnant pause ensued before Xavier continued, "I suppose it might offer him some comfort and reassurance that he does not have to return to the Tower if Strange's intentions are indeed good. In the meantime, I will speak with Doctor Strange, as Loki was supposed to start sessions with me."
"Maybe we should send a small.." Steve paused, looking for the right word, "delegation to speak with Doctor Strange. People who can be calm and not provoke this man's sorcery. I think we'll need to meet with all the Avengers to discuss our strategy," Steve replied while heading toward the door.
Loki finally broke free of the nightmarish burning that had consumed his body. He woke in short bouts, and could hear the pittering of rain on the rooftop. It also came with snippets of voices humming in the background. At last, the raging fire within his body began to extinguish. The scent of blazing firewood assailed his senses.
Loki peeled open his eyes, the blurred images coming into focus. He was indeed in a bedroom, one that was somewhat sparse with the bed, a dresser, a side table with a tea set on it, and a deep-seated burgundy chair that was occupied at the moment. He still couldn't move, there was little strength in his limbs.
The man in said chair was slightly portly, beige skin and bronze pupils under hooded eyes, watching him with some relief on his countenance.
"I am glad that you've woken up," The masculine voice was husky, but gentle. He moved to the side of Loki's bed and put his fingers to the trickster's wrist for a pulse.
"Whaaa-" was all that Loki could rasp, wincing as he broke into a harsh cough.
The man poured tea from the pot into a cup, and lifted Loki's head so that he could drink from it. The tea tasted sweet, likely sweetened with both sugar and honey, but still had an earthy almost bark-like taste to it. The empty cup was set aside after being drained, and Loki was lowered back to the pillow.
"Who are you?" Loki asked, eyeing the man.
"I am Wong," he pressed his hands together and bowed slightly, "Your servant, Mr. Laufeyson."
Loki started slightly, "H-How did you know my name?"
"Doctor Strange knows all in regards to you." Wong answered simply.
Loki's eyebrows furrowed together, "Who is this Doctor Strange, pray tell? And why did he save me?"
"Doctor Strange is the Sorcerer Supreme." Again the answer was short and un-detailed, making him wonder what the other man was withholding. He was being treated well, but Loki wondered if that would change or if it was simply a ploy to pander to him. He did know much about the Avengers and SHIELD after all.
"I only seek to help you, Loki of Asgard." A baritone voice from the door frame. The tall man that had saved him on the street, his arms crossed over his chest.
Loki didn't look at him, but rather at the rain soaked window, "But why?" he hissed.
"I think the word that you're looking for is 'thank you'. I thought it would be a word taught to a prince. Is that any way to speak to the man who saved you?"
Loki's eyes snapped to Strange. "How-?" He began, but suddenly had a flash of memory of this man touching his forehead, reading everything in his mind. Finally, he cleared his throat, "I suppose I should thank you for saving my life, for what little it is worth. There are many more on the streets of this city that are more honorable than I, and I know not why you would take me into your home. I have nothing that can be to your advantage."
"Every person is capable of change, Loki." Doctor Strange returned in a quiet tone. "It is just a matter of if they want to or not."
Loki's eyebrows rose with that statement, and he snorted, 'You've obviously not heard of all my ill deeds."
Again, Doctor Strange did not answer, only speaking to his servant, "Wong, let's leave our guest to rest for a while." Nearly out the door, Doctor Strange nodded a polite goodbye and left Loki slightly uneasy about their intentions.
TBC...