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Mischief Makers Ch. 01

By: Diezi



Cami matched Natasha's hurried, angry strides the best she could. The people and equipment that filled the corridors hardly seemed to hinder the graceful Black Widow.

"What were you thinking?" Natasha asked. "How do you expect Clint to not find out about this?"

"I didn't hurt anything. I just wanted to see the jet in action," Cami said, trying to get Natasha to understand. Sometimes the two women could connect on certain issues- like Cami applying to become a field agent. This time, however, Natasha was just too frustrated with her recent string of antics.

"An important mission was delayed because they had to fly you back here to the helicarrier. You could have just asked Clint to take you up if the jet was so interesting."

"No I couldn't," Cami insisted. "He'd just tell me no."

"Then give him a reason to say yes," Natasha said, stopping a few paces down the corridor from the conference room. "Your brother doesn't trust you because you constantly get into trouble."

Cami looked at her shoes. "You'll help smooth things over with Director Fury right?"

Black Widow sighed then frowned. "What choice have I got? Fury sends you away and Clint will go too. He's needed."

Once again staring into the beautiful eyes of Natasha Romanoff, Cami asked softly and hopefully, "You need him?"

Natasha hesitated then clarified. "We need him. S.H.I.E.L.D and the Avengers need him."

"I thought that was what you meant," Cami said sadly.

"Hey," Natasha said, lightly touching her shoulder, "after this meeting, we can hang out for a little while."

Cami tried to smile at her generosity. Natasha understood her so much better than her brother ever would. "What's the meeting about?"

"I don't know. There are a lot of people in there."

"Move aside please!" a voice bellowed from the end of the corridor.

The women turned in that direction in time to see people dodging out of the way of two tall figures clad in more colorful and decorative clothing than the norm around S.H.I.E.L.D. Cami recognized Thor, though she'd only seen him from a distance on a few occasions. His wardrobe was hard to miss.

"Loki," Natasha muttered, looking and sounding in complete disbelief.

Cami turned her attention to the other man. He was dressed in black, dark green and gold with long dark hair, slicked back from his forehead. His clothing seemed to weigh heavily on his tall, slender frame. His features were dull and pale. His gaze was cast downward, hardly paying heed to his surroundings. Cami might have guessed that he was comatose if his long legs hadn't been propelling his body forward.

"That's Loki? Really?" Cami asked, though she spoke only because she didn't have a proper response to the situation. She might not have been in the service of S.H.I.E.L.D. for that long, but everyone knew of the events two years ago in New York. Loki was enemy number one.

Natasha's gaze on Loki was venomous as the Asgardians passed. "I've got to go," she said, following the men into the conference room.

Cami wanted to know what was happening, so she tagged along. The room was full of higher-ranking agents, some seated at the large table, most standing. Either no one noticed her enter on Natasha's heels, or they were too preoccupied with the tense atmosphere to care.

Thor and Loki continued to the front of the room where the director, Nick Fury waited.

"Quiet down, and shut that door," Fury ordered.

Cami froze, mostly hiding behind Natasha, who was close to the same height and body size as her. She held her breath as someone passed her to close the door. Still her presence was not noted.

"Thor has requested this meeting. I know there's a lot of animosity in here at the moment, but let's hear what he has to say."

Thor did not step forward to take the spot relinquished by Fury. Instead he chose to remain at Loki's side. "The citizens of Asgard are sympathetic to the horrific crimes Loki has committed against the peoples of Earth and the Frost Giants of the Jotunheim. As part of his punishment, he has spent two years in the Jotunheim helping to rebuild their kingdom."

"I'm surprised they didn't kill him," Nick Fury said candidly.

"Or that he didn't escape," Clint Barton interjected from a seat near the front of the room.

"Loki was stripped of his powers at his trial," Thor explained. "He is mortal."

"Then how did he survive in the Jotunheim for two years?" Fury pressed.

"My father made an agreement with the Frost Giants. Loki would remain to serve out his sentence only as long as they didn't try to end his life."

"Two years hardly makes up for mass murder," Clint said, showing little restraint from his anger.

"His sentence was supposed to be much longer," Thor said, taking a side glance at Loki. "The Jotun did not keep their promise."

Cami found herself staring at Loki and his expressionless eyes. Even as Thor admitted to the group that the Jotun had tried to kill his adopted brother, Loki didn't flinch, frown or show any other sign that he was actually taking in this conversation.

After a brief pause, Thor continued, "Odin wants Loki to be useful and to learn the virtues of serving others. Therefore, he requests that Loki be allowed to join S.H.I.E.L.D."

Shock kept most of the room silent, but not Maria Hill. Cami saw Maria push forward from the back of a group; her features were tight with rage. "Joining S.H.I.E.L.D. is a privilege! What has Loki done to deserve such an honor?"

"If he's really mortal we can just throw him in jail," Clint added. "Let him live out his life in a cell."

"You have rehabilitated criminals before," Thor countered. "People who have taken the lives of others and still been allowed to redeem themselves."

He might have been speaking in general, but Cami knew Thor was referring to Clint and Natasha, the two S.H.I.E.L.D. agents that he knew more than any others. Both had done questionable things in their pasts, hurt people and regretted it. 

Cami studied Loki, searching for anything that resembled an emotion, but he was an empty void. In fact, the longer she stared at him, the more Cami realized that she was thinking about herself and how terrible it felt when no one believed in her or stood at her side when she made mistakes. She'd been there a couple of times at least.

Fury put up his hand, silencing the awakening noise in the room again. "You can't guarantee that he's safe, no matter what rehabilitation he's already been through." 

Cami leaned forward, uttering into Natasha's ear. "We should give him a chance."

Natasha turned on the spot and spoke in harsh whispers, "You don't fully understand the situation, and you shouldn't even be in here."

Cami discovered the words only as she spoke them since her thoughts were chaotic. "I know, but if you and Clint offered to supervise him, I think Fury would agree."

"No." Natasha shook her head, which caused her crimson curls to bounce a bit. This time she was much louder, instantly drawing attention to them.

"Is there a problem?" The director asked. Then he spotted Cami. "Miss Barton," Fury said with a scowl, "I don't believe you were invited to this meeting."

Cami fought the urge to retreat from the stares around her and Fury's disapproval. With some trepidation she stepped out where everyone could see her. She chose to focus on the director instead of the group at large. "Can I make a suggestion?"

"I don't think Director Fury is interested in what you have to say right now," Clint said, rising from his chair. He started toward her as quickly as the tightly-packed crowd would allow.

Cami persisted. "I think we should give him a chance. People can change if their environment changes and they have a strong support system. Loki is super smart; we could use that to our advantage."

Clint had reached her by then. He took Cami firmly by the arm and escorted her from the room. Once in the corridor, he glared at her in silence for several moments before speaking. "Haven't you been in enough trouble this week?"

"I want to help."

"He doesn't deserve your help."

"Why?"

"He's a monster."

"Let him prove that to me himself. I think you are all too blinded by what he's done in the past."

"We are not going to continue this conversation," Clint said with exasperation.

"Come on, where would Nat be if you hadn't given her this second chance with S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

Clint wasn't really hearing what she said. "Go to your quarters. We still need to talk about you stowing away on that jet this morning. Don't think I'm going to let that slide."

Cami wanted to come back with some sort of a retort, but she was too emotional and Clint moved quickly to rejoin the meeting, shutting her out. She cursed and stormed off to find something that she could hit repeatedly without getting in more trouble.

At dinner Cami had filled her plate with delicious foods from the mess hall in the hopes that she would be tempted to eat. Unfortunately, her appetite had been affected by the events earlier in the day that lingered in her thoughts, making her angry and even a bit depressed. It didn't help that everywhere she went people were either looking at her too much or not looking at all. It appeared that word had spread of her suggestion in the meeting and her view of Loki's fate was in the extreme minority.

She knew Loki was currently in a cell in the detention center. At some point he was going to be transferred to a maximum security prison to await trial for war crimes. No one had mentioned to her when that would be. Guilty or not, Cami figured he was the one person on the ship that felt remotely like she did right now.

Taking her plate with her, Cami headed down to the detention center where four armed guards blocked the entrance.

"Can he have visitors?" she asked the steely-faced guards.

"Not without the director's authorization," the closest man named Mike Hopper informed her.

"I see. We got any other prisoners in there right now?"

"No."

"You guys heard that I stowed away on a jet this morning and caused all kinds of trouble, right?"

None of them responded to this question.

"I really want a chance to talk to Loki," she confessed. "Can't you guys put me in there for a few hours for bad behavior? I'd have to serve some jail time for the same offense if this was the air force."

"Don't be crazy. Clint will kick our asses if we let you anywhere near this wacko," Hopper said.

"Yes, he would," the familiar voice of Natasha Romanoff said from behind Cami. The crimson-haired beauty walked up and gave the situation a quick once over. "He's not going anywhere boys. I think you can get some dinner."

"I don't know if that's a good idea, Ma'am," Hopper said.

"It's OK. I'll keep an eye on him. Give us an hour."

Cami was watching this exchange with wide eyes. She didn't know why Natasha was helping her out instead of lecturing her, but she knew better than to speak up now and possibly jinx her chances.

"Alright," Hopper gave in, handing Natasha the keys to the cells and waving his guys off. He peeked at the food on the plate Cami carried. "They're serving the chicken parmesan tonight. I'm going to get me some of that."

Cami thanked the men as they departed, though she knew they weren't doing this for her.

Natasha was studying her with a worried expression. "What do you think you're going to get from Loki?"

"I don't know. I guess part of me thinks I understand him and some of what he's been going through."

"I think you're feeling a little singled out lately and under appreciated. Do you want someone to empathize with you? Because I doubt you'll get that from Loki."

Cami didn't know what she wanted. Having Natasha throw out ideas for her motives didn't solidify her thoughts any. She felt like she was running mostly on a form of instinct.

"Can I see him?" she asked politely.

With a sigh, Natasha unlocked the door. "Stay away from the bars. He's probably still stronger and faster than the average human. And remember, he's all about deception."

Loki was stretched out on his bunk with his eyes closed as Cami approached. His Asgardian fashions had been swapped out for a long-sleeved, dull gray prisoner jumpsuit, which was far from flattering on him. Considering the scene, the God of Mischief didn't look so extraordinary.

There was a table and chairs in the center of the room with the cells lining the outer walls. Cami considered pulling a chair closer to Loki's cell, but decided to take a seat on the floor instead.

She put down her plate, noticing that his dinner tray resting on the floor just inside his cell. Everything on the tray was white, brown or yellow. While the food was probably nutritionally sound, it looked utterly unappetizing. It didn't appear that Loki had touched the tray at all.

Loki remained as he was, giving no acknowledgement of her presence. He could have been sleeping, but Cami didn't think so. He was ignoring her.

"Um..." she said, searching for just the right words as apprehension rose in her chest. There were so many things she could say, like 'I'm sorry the Jotun tried to kill you. I bet that hurt coming from your own people' or 'I understand what it's like to not quite fit in', but none of that would matter to him coming from her. He didn't know her at all.

"I'm Cami."

Several seconds passed. Loki just laid there, the slight rise and fall of his chest the only indication that he was alive.

Cami wondered if this had been a stupid idea. She didn't know what to say to him and he wasn't responding anyway. He had no reason to take an interest in her considering the burden of his own situation.

"I brought you some food," she tried again, doubting herself more with every word. "These are some of my favorites." Cami slid the plate close enough to the bars that he should be able to reach out for it if he wanted. "Sorry it's already getting a little cold."

Loki remained unchanged and the silence grew heavier as time passed. Cami endured it as long as she could then pushed to her feet to find Natasha, Clint and Thor standing just outside the open doorway. Clint looked pretty angry as he and Natasha talked quietly.

Thor came into the room, casually eying the surroundings. Finally his gaze fell on Cami. "Barton says you are his sister. I am Thor."

Cami decided a simple nod was a sufficient response.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to visit with my brother in private."

Cami looked back at Loki. "He doesn't want to see you right now," she said, softly voicing the thought that came to her.

Thor's tone was urgent as he asked, "Did he say this? Did Loki speak to you?"

"He didn't have to."

Thor was looking at Cami curiously and it made her feel a little self conscious. It definitely felt like time to leave. "I'll come see you tomorrow, Loki," she promised then met up with Clint and Natasha in the hallway.

"Don't be mad at Natasha," Cami said immediately when Clint looked at her. "She was just helping me out. She stayed to make sure I didn't do anything stupid."

Clint was pretty wound up. The tension radiated from him and it was a wonder to Cami that he managed to not explode. After a few deep breaths, he admitted, "I don't even know what to say to you right now."

"Maybe we can talk tomorrow," Cami suggested, barely meeting his eyes.

He thought about it. "Fine. 7:30 for breakfast."

Cami agreed then fled the area.

There was a lot of stuff they could talk about when the Bartons met up in the mess hall the next morning. Surprisingly, Clint was in a pretty good mood and didn't jump right into any particular topic as they cut into their waffles and sipped coffee. It was Cami who finally said something.

"Loki ignored me."

Clint finished chewing then took a few moments longer to respond. "Thor says he's kinda been like that for a while now. He had some pretty severe injuries from the Jotun and had to return to Asgard to recover. He wouldn't talk to Thor, Odin or anyone else the whole time."

"Do you think he's pretending?"

"Probably. What do you think?"

"I think he feels alone, like he doesn't belong anywhere."

"He's burned every bridge he had. He chose to do that himself."

Cami continued to eat while she contemplated.

"You sure you want to see him again?" Clint asked in a guarded tone a little while later.

"He expects us to be horrible to him. Some forgiveness might be just the shot in the arm he needs to start new."

"It's unfair for me to flat out say you're wrong."

"Then don't."

Clint searched her features, looking visibly moved by her conviction. "If you make it to all your training sessions on time today, I'll request that Fury give you visitor clearance for Loki."

Cami leapt from her seat to come around the small table and give Clint the strongest hug she could muster. "I will be so good today," she promised.

He pushed her long hair back from her face. "I guess forgiveness works pretty well on you too."

"Yeah, it does."

Cami returned to her seat. It was tempting to keep talking, but things had gone pretty well thus far and it seemed dumb to tempt the fates.

Natasha came by to get Clint about 8:00. Calm and collected as usual, Natasha didn't seem to hold any grudges against Cami for getting her in hot water with Clint. Cami knew those two had been good friends for too long to let occasional disagreements come between them.

It took valiant strides for Cami to keep her promise about the training sessions. Some topics she really liked - computers and gadgetry being highest on her list. The classes she dreaded the most were for hand-to-hand fighting and firing guns, which she didn't show much aptitude for -- unlike her brother.

Finally at the end of the day she rushed off to find Clint, hoping he had been able to keep up his end of their bargain. It just so happened that he was in a meeting with the director and when they realized Cami was standing outside the door, she was immediately asked to join them.

Fury cut right to the chase. "Clint says you want a free pass to Loki."

Cami shifted uncomfortably under the director's scrutiny. "Did he explain why?"

"Somewhat, but I am very concerned with your preoccupation with him. Loki is not a good person, no matter what you might think."

"We're not giving him anything good to live up to," Cami said. "Everyone here has expectations for how I should behave; and though I might fall short sometimes, at least I know those goals are in place."

"I don't think positive guidance will work in this case. Loki was never playing with a full deck," Fury said.

"We won't know if we don't try. Odin seems to think there is something redeemable in him," Cami responded, knowing that she was grasping for straws because she couldn't seem to make them understand how important this was becoming to her.

"Are you sure you're the best person to undertake his rehabilitation?" Fury asked, still looking skeptical.

Cami bit at her lip, looking between them with uncertainty. "Well, actually... I was hoping that Natasha and Clint could supervise and let me be more of a supportive element."

"You don't think Captain Rogers or Thor should be involved - just for safety sake?"

Her head was shaking before she managed to put her thoughts to words. "Captain Rogers is a glorified boy scout and Thor is the privileged older sibling. Loki isn't going to relate to either of them. In fact, they would make things worse."

Director Fury asked Clint, "How does this sound to you?"

"Like we're giving him that second chance."

Fury feigned a scowl. "We must be crazy and the Council is going to be pissed."

"And most of the crew," Clint added.

Fury activated his com link and ordered Natasha to his office. "Let's talk more about this plan, because I'll pull the plug in a heartbeat if this doesn't go off as expected."


Mischief Makers Ch. 01



With the exhilaration also came fear. Cami had said a lot, but not proved a word of her theories. She was all too aware that there was a lot riding on this - especially Loki's future.

After the meeting with Fury, there were details to prepare, including telling some key personnel the gist of the plan. Lucky for Cami, she didn't have to talk to anyone other than Loki.

Cami knew it was pretty late, but she'd made a promise to come back and see Loki and she meant to keep that promise. Getting past the guards into the detention center wasn't nearly as difficult with Director Fury's authorization. The room was still completely lit and she could see Loki flattened out on his bed as before. Only, this time, he really was asleep. That is, until the guards slammed the main door shut behind Cami and woke him.

Loki drew in a deep breath, turning his head in Cami's direction and slowly opening his eyes. His hand came up to cover his face and block the harsh white lights glaring down on him.

"It's really late," Cami said, letting her apology come through in her tone. "It didn't even occur to me that you'd be sleeping. I just..."

His hand moved. His electric green eyes were actually looking right at her now.

Trying not to lose her cool, Cami continued, "I wanted to let you know that we're moving you out of here in the morning. I'll be here... unless you don't want me to be."

He continued to stare for several long moments before turning away from her onto his side. Cami decided not to take that as some sort of insult. The guy was tired.

"Good night," she said softly, leaving the detention center for the long trek to her own small quarters.

At breakfast the next morning, she could hardly eat. Clint and Natasha didn't seem to share her nervous stomach. They ate and talked over plans while she fretted and fidgeted in her seat.

"People are giving me evil looks," Cami complained. "I take it everyone knows what we're planning to do?"

"Since when do you care what other people think of you?" Natasha asked. "Thoughts like that sure don't seem to keep you out of trouble."

Cami frowned at her pancakes that were soaking through with butter and maple syrup and couldn't make herself try them. "What's Loki having for breakfast?" she wondered out loud, which drew very strange looks from the present company.

"Just eat," Clint said sternly. "I don't know how much patience I'll have today."

"Long night?" Natasha asked.

"Yeah."

Cami said, "Me too."

The redhead nodded knowingly. "Things are about to get really tense around here."

"I heard Steve and Tony are coming on board today," Clint confided. "You know we're not going to be able to keep them away - no matter what Fury says."

Cami interrupted the brief silence that followed this news to say, "Thanks guys for helping with this. I know you really don't want to."

There was more silence and an exchange of looks.

"I just hope this doesn't blow up in our faces," Natasha said softly.

"Well," Clint surmised, "he can get with the program or he can go to jail for the rest of his life. Those are the only options."

Their trio picked up curious strays as they moved through the helicarrier to the detention center. When they reached the main door, Clint asked Hopper and his guys to clear the hallway for them. "We don't need an audience," he insisted. "Loki will be on parade once we hit the main hall to the infirmary anyway."

When they entered the room, Loki was sitting upright on the bed, his back against the wall, head hanging forward, and legs crossed in front of him. His hair, no longer slicked back, was hanging down into his eyes.

"Looks like Loki didn't like the pancakes either, Cami," Natasha said with amusement as she indicated the untouched tray on the floor of the cell.

Cami couldn't smile. She was a ball of nerves as she stepped up to the bars, far closer than she'd ever ventured, and addressed Loki. "Ready to go?"

His eyes shifted to peek out at her through a gap in his long bangs. She thought there was an emotion visible in those gorgeous green orbs, but she wasn't able to decipher it before it flitted away.

Clint joined her at the bars, slipping the key into the lock. "We've got quite a few things to accomplish today," he explained in a flat, no-nonsense tone. "First we are going to escort you to the infirmary for a complete physical. Cami is going to lead the way. We," Clint indicated Natasha, "will be with you for every step between here and there."

"You cause any problems," Natasha added, "and we'll drag your ass right back here to stay."

Loki drew his hand through his hair, uncovering his features which actually looked a little apprehensive before going dull and unemotional again.

Cami moved back to the main door, giving Clint room to open the cell. Natasha took a position on Loki's other side as he stood and stepped out. The plan was not to cuff him. It was going to be a huge leap of faith on their parts.

Clint, Natasha and Loki formed a tight group with Hopper's crew as they started the longest march of Cami's life past a sea of resentful faces and angry mutterings. She tried not to think about any of it, only how this wasn't about her and they just needed to reach their destination.

The infirmary was cleared of patients and most of the medical staff. Only Dr. Lloyd, the senior physician, and a few of the stronger orderlies were standing by as their group entered.

"Hopper, have your guys take position outside the door," Clint said, giving instructions to keep the gawkers away.

Cami pointed toward the nearest medical bed. "Let the doctor look you over."

Loki sat on the bed, but kept his head down. His face was once again hidden behind the curtain of dark locks.

Cami pulled a stool out of the corner, preparing to take a seat too when the doctor said, "This examination will require the patient to disrobe."

Clint immediately turned to her. "OK. Out you go."

With an instant frown and a bit of a pout, Cami responded, "I didn't hear Loki say that he wanted me to leave."

"Funny, 'cause I didn't hear him say that you could stay either," Clint said with an edge to his voice.

Natasha stepped between the Bartons. "This is not a big deal. Us girls will leave and send in more of the guys."

"Maybe you two could walk over to supply and pick him up some clothes," Clint suggested.

Natasha said that wasn't a problem and shooed Cami out of the infirmary ahead of her. "Patience," she reminded him softly before slipping out herself.

They had been walking for a bit before it occurred to Cami that they had to be taking the longest route possible to the supply room. She stopped in her tracks, looking around. "What the hell, Nat? We're a mile away from where we need to be."

"I know," Natasha said, continuing to walk, "but it won't do us any good to rush back and have to wait in the hall. Clint will call if he needs us."

Cami caught up with her, wanting the secure feeling Natasha's proximity provided as they passed through hallways crowded with people who wanted to glare at her.

"Did Fury have to promise that Loki wouldn't be executed for his crimes?" Cami asked, not sure what brought the question to mind.

"Yeah, that was the deal," Natasha confirmed.

"Bet that angered a lot of people."

Natasha nodded.

"You ever think about getting married?" Cami asked next, causing Natasha to balk.

"How does your mind jump from Loki to me getting married?" She chuckled lightly. "No wonder you can't concentrate in classes."

"I know; it's an enigma," Cami joked back. "But do you think you'll ever want to settle down with someone; leave the spy life behind?"

"I'm sure anything is possible if and when the time is right. Why? You think I'm planning to run off?"

"It would be pretty rough for me if you weren't around," Cami admitted. "Clint would miss you a ton, too."

"I don't know about that," Natasha said, managing to hang on to her smile even as the emotion in her eyes cooled a bit. "He's a popular guy with lots of friends."

"We've only got one of you, though."

"Believe me, I'm not making any plans to go anywhere just yet," Natasha said, offering a wider, bigger grin to solidify her point.

Cami wasn't trying to be so cheesy and sentimental, but it still sounded that way. So, she shrugged and gave up on yet another failed attempt to get Natasha talking about Clint.

Finally reaching the supply room, Cami held the articles of dark clothing as Natasha pulled them off the stacks. "I'm not sure on some of these sizes. So, we'll bring extras." They decided to get Loki the uniform that field agents wore rather than the styles seen on the bridge crew or the suits that face men donned to deal with the public.

"I think Loki will look good in black," Cami said, juggling the pile in her arms.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't say that," Natasha muttered, grabbing three pairs of shoes of consecutive sizes and marking them on the checkout log. "Besides, just about everyone looks good in black."

"That's what I meant," Cami tried to insist.

"Right," Natasha teased. "Sure you did."

Back at the infirmary a short time later, the clothes were handed through the doorway, but the women had to wait outside. Clint stepped out though to talk to them.

"Loki's not leaving the infirmary today. He's got some pretty nasty scars on him," Clint said, actually sounding concerned. "The doc says he is malnourished and dehydrated. So, he'll have to have some nutritional supplements. He's on an I.V. right now to replenish his fluid levels and get some vitamins into his system."

"Sounds like he wasn't eating much at home in Asgard either," Cami surmised. Her own empty stomach was aching and she couldn't imagine not filling it with something for days on end.

"How's his behavior?" Natasha asked with a frown.

"He's compliant, but pretty much uncommunicative."

"Did the doctor say if there is any physical reason that he isn't talking?" Cami asked. "The Jotun didn't cut out his tongue or something gross like that?"

"Nah. Dr. Lloyd says he should be able to talk if and when he wants to," Clint said.

"Nick wants him to see the therapist, but what good will that do if he won't talk to her?" Natasha asked.

"I don't know. Other than what we've planned out with Fury, I'm making it up as I go."

"Can I come in?" Cami asked, nearly pleading. With all the bad news from the doctor, she couldn't just walk away and hope to accomplish much with the rest of her day.

Clint was considering the request when Natasha tapped his arm. He glanced at her, and then turned to see Steve Rogers and Thor walking together down the main corridor towards the infirmary.

"Wonderful," Cami said, her tone contradictory to her choice of word. "We're not letting either of them in, right?"

"We'll do what we can," Natasha promised.

"If push comes to shove," Clint said, "we won't be able to keep them out."

Though she felt she had a vested interest in the coming confrontation, Cami chose to enter the infirmary instead, leaving the project supervisors to manage the 'undesirables'.

Loki was now in a more secluded back area of the infirmary, though still under armed guard. He had changed into hospital pajamas and was lying in bed with various medical paraphernalia hooked up to him. As she stepped up to his bedside, Cami could better see some of the scars that his long-sleeved jumpsuit had hidden. They varied in color, size, shape and age from what she could determine. Clint must have chosen not to mention to her that the Jotun had hurt Loki more than once.

He was back to not looking at her, staring off into some other place. Cami was tempted to reach out and touch him, smooth his blanket or hair, but didn't feel she had the right. So, she dropped into the bedside chair, wondering if she should talk to him or just let him be.

"Guess this isn't much different than the cell," she muttered, eying the guards outside the doorway. She stole another look in Loki's direction, trying to read his eyes. He chose to give her nothing, which actually hurt enough to surprise her.

Clint appeared in the doorway. "Crisis averted. You might want to thank Nat when you get the chance."

"I will."

"Are you planning to do any training today?"

Cami exaggerated a look of displeasure. "Maybe I can just study my tech manuals in the infirmary."

Clint did not look satisfied. "I suppose, but the areas you really need to work on cannot be practiced in here."

"Range isn't for another hour," she reminded him.

"You haven't eaten anything today," Clint countered, "and since you were brilliant enough to make me a supervisor for this project, you have to follow my orders now or face real jail time."

"Rats; foiled by my own fiendish plot," Cami said, climbing back out of the chair and crossing to the door. The exchange left them both smiling, even though Cami realized she was being thrown out again.

"Try to focus on your classes," Clint advised. "You'll never make it out into the field if you can't handle yourself and a gun in combat situations. Let us worry about Loki."

"Three classes, then I'm coming right back."

"Fine, as long as you aren't late for any of them."

Cami had the sneaky suspicion that Fury and Clint were using this situation to work some rehabilitation magic on her as well. She didn't know how to feel about that. "Agreed," she said, taking one last look at Loki's distant gaze then headed out to find something to eat before reporting to the range.

Natasha was waiting for Cami when she returned to the infirmary after classes. "We need to talk," she said seriously, pulling her away from Loki's room.

After being in classes for hours, this was not the tone Cami wanted to return to. She really just wanted to see Loki. "What's going on?"

"Some of the preliminary tests have come back. The doctor is very worried. He is threatening to put in a feeding tube if Loki doesn't eat soon. Do you want to try talking to him?"

Cami realized that they were just beginning to understand Loki's extreme circumstances. She bit at her lip and tried to think of what was best to do.

"Is Thor still here?"

Caught off guard by the question, Natasha stammered, "Uh... yeah. I think so." She activated her com line. "This is Agent Romanoff; I need a current location on Thor." She got an immediate response. "He's in the mess hall."

"Perfect. Hopefully, I'll be right back." Cami left the infirmary and broke into a run, weaving in and out of obstacles in her path to the cafeteria. Upon arrival, she took a few moments to catch her breath before actually stepping into the large room.

As always, Thor was easy to spot. He was sitting at a table on the far side of the room with Steve Rogers and Tony Stark. Cami walked over, stopping at the end of their table to wait for a break in the conversation.

"Thor," she said loud enough to get his attention above the many voices around them, "can I talk to you?"

The imposing Asgardian put down his drink and looked up at her, instantly frowning in displeasure at her presence.

"Well, well, if it isn't Baby Barton," Tony said in a condescending tone. He turned in his seat to look her over. "I hear you're calling the shots on who gets to see Loki. Who nominated you to be his warden?"

Cami wasn't in the mood to deal with Tony right then. "Excuse me, Mr. Stark. I'm here to talk to Thor."

"Well, he's mad at you. So, you'll have to deal with me first."

With her emotions already unsettled, it didn't take much for her to get angry. "You can just kiss my ass then. What I have to ask him is urgent."

"Kiss your ass, huh?" Tony leaned out from the table to catch a glimpse of her butt. "It's quite nice, but I really don't think Clint would approve."

"Shut up," Cami said to Tony and turned back to Thor. "Loki is starving himself to death. Is there a food that he's never turned down? A childhood favorite or something I can bribe him with?"

Thor studied her for several long moments while his friends sat in respectful silence. "Gravlaks," he finally said, a small smile stretching his mouth as some memory struck him. "He asked for it all the time when we were boys."

"So, what's gravlaks?" Cami asked, having never heard of it before.

"It is raw salmon cured with salt, sugar and dill, but it takes days to cure properly," Thor admitted with a shake of his head.

That wasn't what Cami wanted to hear either. "OK. Then how about some smoked salmon. We have that here sometimes. The kitchen staff should be able to cook some up."

"It might work."

Tony slipped a specialized tablet from his pocket. 

"You have an idea, Stark?" Steve asked, leaning closer to Tony as he typed away.

"Gravlaks is a Norwegian, viking-like food," Tony said, summarizing the info on the screen then continuing to type. "And you can get it from three different restaurants nearby."

Cami was surprised by Tony's sudden urge to help. "Um, thanks."

"I'm willing to call in the order and pick it up myself," Tony said, "if Thor gets to see his brother."

Of course there had to be a catch.

"I'm not trying to be mean," Cami said. "Loki has strong resentment towards Thor. He's just not ready to bury the hatchet."

"He's not even talking," Steve said. "How do you know anything about what he's thinking or feeling?"

Cami couldn't answer. She shook her head. "I need to go. Thanks for the information."

"I'll get the gravlaks," Thor said before she'd moved. His features were sad, yet determined. "I'll bring it to you there. You won't have to let me in."

She was relieved by his offer and thanked him.

Tony rose from his seat. "Since I know where to go and I doubt you have any of the local currency, I guess this is a team effort. Let's fly."

Cami watched Thor and Tony walk out of the mess hall. "Sorry to bust up the party," she said sincerely to Steve.

"That's alright. You did manage to convince Nick Fury to let you try this your way. So, I have to respect that you think you're doing the right thing."

"Thanks, I guess." Cami didn't have the time to debate the issues with him. She excused herself and left the mess hall. She really wanted to see Loki and hoped that he would be coherent enough for a serious conversation.

Loki was asleep when Cami entered his room, so she took the bedside chair and studied his features. She could see it better now, the signs of death slowly consuming him. He was even paler and losing what little fat he had in his features. She wondered how she could have missed these signs before. Surely they didn't appear just today.

"Did you find Thor?" Natasha asked softly from the doorway.

Cami was startled by the sound.

"Sorry," Natasha said. "You were pretty engrossed, huh?"

Cami nodded. "Thor is running an errand for me. We can expect him to come by with something special for Loki."

"OK. Good."

"How long has he been asleep?"

"Off and on all day, really."

"Did the I.V. help?"

"Some, until he pulled it out."

That wasn't good to hear. He was becoming less compliant.

"Where's Clint?"

"There was an emergency. Top secret stuff," Natasha said. "He had to fly out with his guys. He'll probably be back in the morning."

Cami returned to looking at Loki, feeling a swell of sadness rise up in her chest. "I think he wants to die."

"Maybe he does or just wants someone to care enough to force him to live."

Natasha's words soaked into Cami's brain and she pondered them in silence.

"Dr. Lloyd is going to place his feeding tube tomorrow," Natasha told her.

"Unless we get him to eat."

"Yeah."

Natasha walked out, closing the door behind her.

Cami sat and watched him sleep, letting time slip from her notice until eventually he stirred, taking a deep breath to fill his lungs and opening his eyes. Cami stood and stepped forward to grip the support rail on the bed.




Mischief Makers Ch. 01



His eyes shifted to her to see what she was up to.

"Hi," she said, pausing only a moment to allow his lack of response. "I need to talk to you."

Loki sighed and looked away, settling his gaze instead on Natasha who re-entered the room, carrying a covered tray. "We've been keeping this cool for when he woke up," she said and placed it on the side table.

"Thanks," Cami said. "Good timing."

"Do you want me to stay?"

"No thanks."

Natasha closed the door behind her again, stepping far enough away from the room to not be seen through the window.

"I need to apologize to you," Cami said, shifting her gaze to his blankets as he seemed content to stare at the wall. "I really only had one important assignment to fulfill and that was to tell you what was happening. I realized as I sat here watching you sleep, that I did a terrible job. I should have been clear that we weren't moving you from the cell to go to a prison somewhere."

Cami glanced up to catch his reaction to this news. As she suspected, he was looking at her, but there was confusion in his eyes.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. is recruiting you," she clarified in a firm tone. "You're getting a second chance."

His eyes narrowed with distrust and his emerging frown deepened.

"I don't know how to prove it to you since you don't know me from any other person, but I need you to cooperate with the doctor."

Loki stared at her, no longer shifting his gaze away or letting his mind drift. He was one hundred percent focused on her, but still disbelieving. His look challenged and accused as well as dared her to say the wrong thing.

Cami didn't like his defiant stare when she was trying to be cordial and apologetic. She exploded, using the nastiest, confrontational tone she'd ever tried on someone. "Tomorrow the doctors are going to ram a camera down your throat, cut a hole in your gut and start feeding you through a tube," she said. "We're trying to help you avoid that unpleasantness. Hell, we want to get you out of here and put that clever mind of yours to work for us."

Threats mixed with flattery didn't cause much change in his demeanor. The way he stared, it was like he was drinking her in with his eyes.

"Well, fine. Whatever." She pulled the cover off the tray, revealing the cured salmon filets. "Here's the gravlaks that we went through the trouble to get for you because we heard you liked it. Why would I bother if I didn't want to keep you around?"

Loki hardly looked at the fish on the tray.

"I guess I might as well let them sit here and rot along with you."

Maybe she thought it would make a difference, but she took the cover for the tray with her as she stormed out of the room. She didn't go far, just found a distant corner where Loki couldn't see her from his bed.

"Loud much?" Natasha teased her, looking up from a file she was studying.

"Just blowing off steam." Cami leaned back into the corner with a pout. "I'm obviously in over my head."

"Beating your head against a rock gets annoying after a while, huh? Thor did offer to force feed him if we wanted."

"No. We apply force of any kind and he'll just get more stubborn," Cami decided. "Maybe you should have a try talking at him."

Natasha chuckled, apparently finding Cami's choice of words amusing. "You know what I could use right now?" she asked with a hint of a naughty grin.

Cami couldn't even begin to guess. "What?"

"A chocolate milkshake and a burger with fries."

"That does sound great, but shouldn't we be keeping an eye on him?"

"The guards will be here. We'll just slip away for a few minutes and bring it all back. Maybe he'll get really annoyed if we eat in front of him."

"Why would I want him to get really annoyed?"

"I don't know; having you scream at him couldn't have been that enjoyable."

Cami frowned as guilt bit at her insides. "I should go apologize to him again."

"There's only so much you can apologize for. He certainly isn't offering any. Just go keep him company then. I'll pick up some food."

Cami let herself back into Loki's room. As she walked silently to the bedside chair, she placed the cover in her hand on the tray of gravlaks. She saw that Loki was watching her, but his attention shifted to the guards that pulled closer to monitor them while Natasha was away.

"Backup, just in case you try to hurt me;" Cami explained; "or to protect you if any of the crew comes around looking for revenge."

The contradiction wasn't mind-boggling really, but Loki seemed to think on it for a while.

Cami sat down. She laid her head back and closed her eyes, mulling over her troubles. She wished Clint wasn't off on some secret mission. He had a way of seeing things that others often missed. She craved his insight into this mess.

A bit later, a touch on her shoulder brought Cami out of a light slumber. Natasha leaned close to speak to her. "Don't be mad. The director said I should let him in."

Craning her head to see past Natasha's curls, Cami finally caught sight of who she was talking about and felt immediate dread. "Oh... no way." She pushed up from the chair, moving to stand close to the bed.

Loki's eyes betrayed his fear, even if he was managing to control his features.

"How did he get here? He's supposed to be halfway across the world or something," Cami asked Natasha, though she kept her gaze mostly on the man standing in the doorway.

"He was. Stark..."

"That bastard!" Cami exclaimed. "Loki is in no condition..."

"Miss Barton," Bruce Banner interrupted, "please calm down. I'm not here to harm Loki." He moved into the room, but kept a respectful distance.

"Right, and Tony Stark flew you all the way here to do what exactly? Attend the Avengers' Reunion?"

"Huh; that's funny, but no," Banner said. "This is really about Thor. He's genuinely worried about his brother and you keep telling him that he has to stay away. I'm a doctor. Stark wants me to make sure that everything that can be, is getting done."

Cami didn't like it, but she didn't know what to say either. How did you argue with the Hulk when it was stupid to get him angry?

"Why don't we eat while he examines Loki," Natasha suggested softly. "We'll be right out here."

"No."

"Cami..."

"It's OK, Natasha," Bruce said. "She can help."

Bruce approached the bed, making eye contact with Loki who looked on the verge of bolting. The doctor used a reassuring voice. "I skimmed through your medical file and saw the pictures Dr. Lloyd took of your scars. Can I look at them?"

Loki drew his arms out from under the blankets. Bruce pulled a pair of glasses from his shirt pocket, putting them on before leaning in to take a good look. His gaze shifted between the scarred arms and the perfect skin on Loki's hands. Then he turned his examination to Loki's face and neck, going so far as to reach out to lift his long hair to reveal the pale, smooth skin underneath.

"You must have had scars everywhere at some point," Bruce said. "How did you get rid of them on your face, neck and hands?"

There was a long pause while Loki tried very hard to look away from Bruce, but didn't manage to do it.

"He's not really talking right now," Cami uttered softly. "I've been wondering the same thing, though."

"Is he eating yet?" Bruce asked, eying the tray.

Cami was sad to admit that he wasn't. "I told him that Dr. Lloyd wants to fit him with a feeding tube. He doesn't seem to care."

Turning his attention back to Loki, who was staring at his blankets, Bruce spoke poignantly. "You must know that you're killing yourself. Really, I don't care and neither do a lot of people. You should realize, though, that you are being given a rare opportunity here. Cami stuck her neck out and convinced Nick Fury to give you a shot at something good instead of wasting away in a prison. He doesn't do that sort of thing for everyone."

Natasha also chimed in from the doorway. "She's been your biggest advocate and defender."

Cami felt her face grow hot with embarrassment as they spoke about her to Loki. She didn't expect him to care, but deep down, she wanted him to.

It was also painful to admit that Banner's words were just as valid in regards to her own situation. Fury had given her a shot despite her history, and how had she repaid him?

Don't go there, she told herself. One strong emotion at a time.

"Let's just leave him alone," she said, barely managing an audible whisper. She felt too embarrassed to look at him now. It had been one hell of a day and she was quickly growing exhausted from her efforts.

Natasha pulled Cami into the other room to join the guards in eating pizza, burgers, fries and milkshakes while they started up a game of poker with the spare change they had in their pockets. Cami ate and played halfheartedly, aware that Dr. Banner had taken two heaping plates of food back into Loki's room and shut the door behind him.

"Don't worry. I think Bruce got his attention."

"I feel dumb," Cami admitted, hardly caring that the guards heard this confession too.

"Why?"

"I actually believed I could convince him on my own. How stupid is that? I'm nobody going up against the God of Mischief."

The guards were waiting for her. So, Cami decided to fold and let them have her few coins in the pot. She couldn't focus well enough to try to pass off a pair of fours as a possibly great hand.

"You look tired. There are plenty of beds here if you don't want to walk back to your quarters," Natasha suggested.

After weighing the options, Cami changed into a spare pair of infirmary pajamas and climbed into the bed farthest from the poker game and the lights. She had high hopes for the next day, mainly because she couldn't take much more bad news.

Cami pulled herself out of bed early the next morning. The temptation to spend some time with Loki was squelched by the presence of Dr. Banner dozing in the bedside chair. So, she gathered her things and left the infirmary.

It was a Saturday, which meant Cami had gymnastics class. She shocked her instructor by being the first student to arrive in the gym for once.

"Won't happen again," Cami promised, not wanting to make a big deal over something that she hadn't done on purpose. She'd been perfectly oblivious to the time as she walked to class and had slowly come to realize that she was in a contemplative funk.

After class, Cami showered in the locker room, thinking the hot water would lift her spirits, but she felt almost claustrophobic in her misery. She chose to shun the infirmary or any of her usual hangouts around the helicarrier because she needed to be alone. If someone came looking for her, she wanted it to be damn hard for them to actually find her, which meant she had to avoid as many of the security cameras on the ship as possible, which was not an easy feat.

Cami made her way outside and to the stern of the ship, carefully climbing down a service ladder to perch on a small platform that the crewmen used while doing repairs. They were currently at sea and miles from everything. Cami put in her earbuds, using music to drown out most of the noise from the ship and just stared out into the sparkling, sun-touched water. The breeze off the ocean was cool on her skin. It smelled and even tasted salty. She closed her eyes, enjoying the increasing warmth of the day and letting her mind drift until later when the platform shook from the weight of a new arrival.

Discouraged by the discovery of her hiding spot, Cami soon realized that it was Steve. She pulled out her earbuds. "Can I help you?"

Steve activated his com line. "This is Captain Rogers. I found Miss Barton. We'll be in presently."

"Is the whole ship out looking for me?" Cami asked in such a way to show that she thought it was a ridiculous notion.

"Almost; I just happened to catch a glimpse of you through that little window," he said, turning to point behind them. "You missed the team meeting."

"I don't recall getting a summons to meet with a team, let alone one I don't belong to."

Steve carefully lowered himself to sit beside her. With both of them there, the platform wouldn't hold anyone else. "We met up in the infirmary because we assumed you'd show up sooner or later."

Cami shrugged.

Steve looked out over the water, taking deliberate deep breaths to fill his lungs with the fresh air. He waited, measuring the moment, before saying, "Bruce was a strategic move on our part to scare Loki straight. We didn't mean to push you out of the picture."

Cami hadn't pinpointed the problem herself, but now it made sense. She'd been feeling left out, cast aside because she hadn't been able to get through to Loki on her own.

"It's nice of you to say so. I thought I knew what to do for him, but I was wrong."

"We've all been wrong to some degree. Loki is a complex guy."

"And stubborn."

Steve chuckled. "He certainly is that."

"Did the team make a decision then?"

"Yeah; we're going to get out of your way. Bruce was pretty convincing. He pointed out that we were all motivated to help out for Thor's sake. Nick, Natasha and Clint were doing it for you. You, on the other hand, were doing it for Loki, which makes you the right person to support him."

"It would be nice if Loki thought so too."

"I think he'll come around soon enough. Trust me."

Steve and Tony departed the helicarrier that same afternoon. Bruce left the next morning for God-knows-where, leaving Thor to say his goodbyes. He kept his remarks to his brother brief and seemingly heartfelt. Then he shook hands with Clint, hugged Natasha and winked at Cami on his way out of the infirmary to return to Asgard.

Only then did Loki really seem to relax.

Over the next ten days Cami tried her best to stick to her rigorous class schedule and yet spend plenty of time with Loki. Sometimes they watched television or movies, played cards or chess, or would sit quietly and read. (In fact, Loki was growing fond of Tolkien.) No matter what the activity, Loki was increasingly tolerant of her presence.

Since Bruce's pep talk, Loki was eating at every meal, even if it was only a little bit. Cami had breakfast and dinner with Loki in the infirmary every day, and at least one team member would join Loki for lunch.

Dr. Lloyd was very pleased with Loki's progress - even if he had his fits of defiance here and there and still showed no interest in talking. "He's doing much better," the doctor told the team one morning. "I think it's time to release him so he can get some proper exercise and fresh air."

This led to the problem of where to put him? There weren't available quarters close enough to Clint or Natasha that could be considered adequate now that his armed detail was being reassigned.

"Maybe we could take over one of the old V.I.P. suites on Level Three," Natasha suggested. "They haven't renovated all of them into labs and storage."

"You mean, we'd all move down there?" Clint clarified.

"Sure. The suites have multiple bedrooms, a living area and bathrooms. We'd be set."

Cami really liked the idea. Not only would it keep her close to Loki, but it would give Clint and Natasha some down time together too. They were both trying to keep up with their other obligations while supervising this project. She doubted she could manage half of what they did and still remain sane.

Clint had reservations, but he took the idea to Fury, pointing out that someone was going to have to move either way. The director found enough merit in the idea to at least look into the possibility.

That same afternoon, Loki walked out of the infirmary for the first time in his S.H.I.E.L.D. uniform. He looked perplexed as the team headed down to inspect the suite. 

Since it was on the third level of the helicarrier and a bit out of the way of normal crew traffic, the options for increasing security were promising.

"I can design the new security system," Cami offered. 

Natasha looked receptive to the idea. She reminded Clint, "Agent Pratt has been very impressed with her programming."

"I don't know," Clint said, swiping the card he'd picked up from the security hub to unlock the main suite door. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

The team shuffled into the suite, which was much bigger than Cami had imagined. There was a long entry hall into the main living room, which was spacious and elegantly furnished compared to the standard agent's quarters. Mainly decorated in black and white, the room had two oversized leather couches, a matching rocker recliner, thick carpeting, a full bar, and a fairly impressive entertainment center for how long ago the suite had been furnished.

"Looks like the cleaning crew has already been through," Clint said with unease.

"Wow," Natasha said, cocking an eyebrow. "I'd heard stories, but... "

"This is seriously sweet," Cami said. She broke away from the others to peek into the bedrooms and bathrooms that connected to the living room on the port and starboard sides.

"Six bedrooms, two bathrooms, a bar..." Clint said as he took in their surroundings. "Maybe this is a bit too extravagant for a team barracks."

"Nooo," Cami objected, coming out of one of the bedrooms. "We each get our own room; then we use the extra two for research, studies, storage, that sort of thing."

"Yeah," Natasha agreed, exaggerating her enthusiasm to match Cami's. "We can have team briefings here in front of a big screen television while we sip cocktails."

A little help here, Clint's agitated expression seemed to beg.

She smirked back before turning to Loki who stood in the doorway of the bedroom closest to the one where Cami was lingering. "What do you think, Loki?"

Loki turned, his long, dark hair framing his pale features. He pondered her question as he took another good look around him. His eyes looked brighter than they had since Thor brought him to the helicarrier about two weeks before.

"I think he likes it," Natasha concluded.

"Great," Clint said in a flat tone. "Of course, compared to the infirmary, this is a palace."

Cami frowned at him. "What's the matter? I've been working really hard: not skipping classes, being on time for most of them and pulling in higher marks. You and Nat are busy most days and sometimes nights to do all your stuff. Maybe this way we'll get to see each other some more."

"Everyone in S.H.I.E.L.D. works hard," Clint insisted. "We have more space here than twenty crew quarters combined."

"They don't use this place anymore. We're not inconveniencing anyone."

"That's not the point and you know it."

The following, heavy silence was broken by Natasha, who was trying to keep a calm demeanor. "Cami, Loki, give us some time to discuss this."

Cami glared at Clint, not wanting to be dismissed like she was a child with no vote.

Loki moved toward the entry, but stopped to wait for Cami to join him.

"Go on," Natasha ordered softly, yet with enough firmness to show that she wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"I do get it," Cami said, marching angrily for the door. "You haven't forgiven either of us. Have you?" She didn't wait to hear Clint's response and since Loki was right behind her, she doubted if he heard Clint either.

Cami showed Loki around some of the ship's public areas while she tried not to think about the argument. Loki paid attention to most of what she said and pointed out, but it became clear after a while that he was getting tired physically and from all the unwanted attention he drew from the crew.

"Sorry to drag you around everywhere," Cami said when they reached her quarters. "Sometimes I just have to be active to work through the rage."

Loki pulled off his lightweight jacket, exposing his scarred arms and wearily sat on the edge of her bed while Cami kicked off her shoes and crawled across the mattress to stretch out. "They better make up their minds quick or you'll be staying with me tonight."