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Chapter Six

~Older Girl's POV~

I go down in the basement-like eating area to grab some fruit. It's around noon, and the place is completely empty. It's a bit haunting, but I am glad to be alone.

I am just about to sit down when I hear somebody behind me. Turning around, I see that it's Fury. Nick Fury.

"Hello, Thea," he says.

My eyes widen. "Who-"

"You did."

I frown. "No I never did."

"There are cameras around every square inch of this craft, and those include microphones if I deem it necessary. And I am glad I assumed earlier would be necessary."

He raises his hand as I shift. "Do not bother to fight me here. I am aware that you could probably take me down, but there are three S.H.I.E.L.D. workers standing right outside this room and they will come assist me if possible."

"Just because I move does not mean I am going to fight you," I say slowly.

"My apologies. I am just taking precautions."

I cross my arms. "Why are you here?"

"To ask you a few things."

"Just because I tell somebody my name," I say through gritted teeth, really wishing I had ignored my hungry stomach. "Does not mean I am willing to tell anyone anything else."

"I find your choice of audience very unusual, Thea."

I bristle when he says my name. "And why is that, Director?"

Nick shrugs, ignoring the sarcastic tone of my voice. "Because Loki is the god of mischief, the god of lies, and the war criminal from two years ago."

New York.

"That was Loki?" I ask.

"Yes."

I don't want to show him that this bothers me, because it does. It really does. It burns through my core, but I cannot allow Fury to see that, "I don't see why this favors you," I say smoothly. "You are telling me that the one person I barely even opened up to is untrustworthy." I raise my hands. "Alright then. I won't be telling anyone anything."

Nick raises his eyebrows, but is silent. "I was expecting such a response from you."

"That's not a compliment."

"It wasn't intended to be a compliment."

"Then I'll take it as a compliment," I say stiffly.

Nick's mouth twists in a half smile.

"You can leave," I say.

"I could if I wanted to," says Fury. "But as this plane is under my control, I am able to go wherever I please."

"Fine," I say, slamming my plate of food on the table and walking past him. "Then I'm leaving."

I am no more than two feet out of the door than three uniformed young men grab at me. I slam the first one in the face, kick the other a good one and then round-house kick the other one. He is knocked out. The second recovers first and grabs the my arms, pinning them behind me. I leap up and kick out behind me, knocking his chest and causing both of us to stumble back. His friend comes to try to help, but I lunge with my teeth and my other foot connects with his groin. He cries out and stumbles.

"WHAT IN ODIN'S NAME IS HAPPENING?" a voice roars.

All three of us are still, even though I take the opportunity to slap the guy holding my arms in the elbow.

It's Thor. He stalks up the corridor looking furious.

"Just keeping the peace sir," says the S.H.I.E.L.D. worker holding me. "This one's trouble."

"For heaven's name release her!" Thor exclaims.

"But sir, our orders are to-"

"RELEASE HER!" Thor raises his hammer. The guy lets me go and I kick his groin so hard he gasps for breath and stumbles into the wall.

Thor looks at me patronizingly. "Thea."

I cross my arms under his heavy gaze, but his eyes are twinkling.

Fury walks out of the eating area. "Might I ask what is happening?" He does not look pleased.

"I'm just calling off your dogs," says Thor genially. He places his hand on my shoulder. "And Thea and I will be going now. Thank you, Director."

I'm not sure I want to go with Thor, but I certainly don't want to have to stay with Fury. I follow Thor down the hallway, trying to keep up with his fast paces.

"Where are we going?" I ask.

He smiles. "If I tell you, there will be no point in the surprise."

"Surprise?" I ask with my eyebrows raised. "I hate surprises."

"Well that's a shame," says Thor unapologetically. We reach a door, and Thor throws it open with one hand.

I can't help but gasp. It's an observatory; the ceiling and the space all around the room is pitch black (even darker when Thor closes the door behind us) and covered with glittering "stars".

"Wow," I say as a shooting star falls by my right ear.

Thor sits down. "Yes, it's quite beautiful." He points to my left. "There's earth."

I look. Sure enough, I see earth's shining glory, slowly rotating.

"Why did you bring me here?" I ask, sitting hesitantly across from Thor.

"I wanted to show this to someone whom I knew would appreciate the vastness, beauty, and ferocity of the universe," says Thor. "And I also simply wished to get to know you better."

"You mean before tonight."

Thor looks over at me. "I mean now."

I am silent. Then, I say, "Loki is the one who-"

"Destroyed part of the city of New York two years ago?" asks Thor. "Yes. But Loki has changed. No, his heart is still full of tricks and of mischief, but he has changed. His reasons for his actions were of revenge and of wanting. He now controls those wishes and instead yearns, if not to do good, to at least not to do evil."

I bite my lip.

Thor continues. "I realize that you may not think this, but you and my brother are very alike. Both of you resort to take your frustration out on others. Both of you have a temper to be reckoned with. Both of you have a hidden soft spot. And both have a complicated past and-"

"How do you know about me?" I demand. Images flash through my head of Bryce and other things I would rather not expose to anybody.

"I don't. I guess," says Thor gently. "Your hesitation to trust cannot simply come from one night."

"It's the night I was attacked by aliens and watched my parents die," I say tonelessly. "Who do you expect me to trust?"

"I would expect you to not trust aliens, not men."

"I don't trust either. And you are not a man."

Thor raises his eyebrows. "I am more of a man than aliens."
I shrug. "Sure, but you're not a man."

"Perhaps," says Thor.

We stay in silence for a few moments. Then, Thor shifts so that he is properly facing me. "Let me ask you something, Thea. Why have you not asked me about your sister? About Leah?"

I hesitate.

"Be honest." He says.

"Because I know that if you left her, she's okay," I mutter quickly.

"And why do you say that? A day ago, you would have already tried to knock me out twice. Perhaps more." Thor smiles a little.

"I'm too tired," I say simply.

Thor nods, looking at me. I don't look back. "I see. Or is it that you trust me more?"

I don't reply.

"Now tell me this," says Thor. "Whom do you trust more with Leah? Myself or Loki?'

I frown. "What kind of question is that?"

"One that I wish to have answered."

"Fine," I mutter, "You."

"But," Thor says. "Whom do you trust more? Loki or me?"

I grunt. "Neither, what's your point."

"There is not always a point to questions."
"Then why bother asking?" I say.

Thor smiles. "To get answers."

I groan and lie down on my back, looking up at the stars that are twinkling above us.

"But may I just say," says Thor after a bit of silence. "You are a very talented fighter."

I shrug.

"Where did you learn how to fight?" he asks.

I don't reply.

"Surely, you would have had some training to be able to perform such stunts at your young age," explains Thor. "I merely wish to-"

Biting my lip, I say, "I don't want to talk about it."

Thor looks at me, his pale eyes calm. "Very well. But after you have recovered from tonight-"

I shudder as I remember what I have to do tonight.

"-I am going to have Natasha and perhaps Agent Barton work with you more." Thor says. "Your drive is admirable, but your technique could improve."

I eye him warily. "When have you been making all these observations?"

Thor shrugs, smiling. "Only those four or five times you have attacked someone on this craft."

"Fair enough," I amend. Then, I add, "But I don't like how many observations you make about me."

Thor chuckles.

We are quiet for a few more minutes. Then, I hear footsteps outside the observatory. Then, a small and familiar voice exclaims, "Thor!"

"You can come in, Leah," calls Thor.

The door opens and Leah runs in. She obviously doesn't see me (due to the darkness of the room) as she runs right into Thor's arms. He hugs her and then says teasingly, "Leah, you are supposed to be resting. Where is Jane?"

"She's getting food. Tony showed me how to get here."

Leah looks up and sees me. "TH- oh, wait." She bites her lip. "Hi."

I smile. "They found out my name. You can say it."

"THEA!" she squeals.

"How are you feeling?" asks Thor. He takes her arm and looks at it; there is wrapping around it.

"I'm fine." Says Leah. "I wasn't tired anymore."

"I can see that," smiles Thor.

I hesitate, then walk over to Leah. I don't want to be too close to Thor.

I am just about to hug Leah when Thor lifts her into my lap for me. I look at him, confused and grateful, and he smiles at me softly, as if he knows something. I shake my head, just focusing on hugging my sister.

"Does it hurt, baby?" I murmur.

She shakes her head. "Not anymore. I feel better now." Her lip quivers. "But it hurts when it happens. Really bad. Really, really bad. I thought I was going to die and-"

"Alright Leah," says Thor, obviously catching sight of my pale face. "That's enough."

The door opens again, and I see that it's Jane. "Oh Leah!" she exclaims, hurrying over to us. "There you are! Why did Tony tell you that you could come down here?"

"Because I asked!" says Leah happily.

Jane rolls her eyes. "Are you feeling okay? Does anything hurt?"

"Yes and no!" crows Leah.

"Alright," says Jane. "Let's go back upstairs. I brought you a sandwich. Thea, would you-"

"Actually," says Thor, interrupting Jane. "I would rather Thea stay with me for a bit."

Jane looks between the two of us and smiles. "Sounds good." She leans down to peck Thor on his cheek, which he returns, and then carries Leah out of the room.

"Why did you want me to stay?" I demand. I don't remember him having authority over me.

Thor doesn't reply for a moment. Then, he says, "I know you may not believe this, but Thea, look at me."

I squint my eyes slightly, then look up at him.

"You must know that you can trust me completely. I know you will not believe this now, but I hope that you will in time." He puts his hand on my shoulder, which I stiffly tolerate, before continuing in a soft voice, "You are a strong girl. But you are suffering. You have guilt on your shoulders and unspoken pain. But you are reclusive and refuse to open up to anyone. You fight and put others in their place, but that is showing the outer shell of your suffering. I know that inside, you are not a tumultuous person, Thea. I am perceptive, if I do say so myself. So please know that you can trust me."

I feel tears in my eyes and I focus on Mercury right above my head. I wince as Thor wipes my cheeks gently.

"What is troubling you, Thea?"

And then I almost do it. I almost tell him. I even open my mouth. But then, I choke on my own words and snap. "Mind your own business."

As soon as I say those words, I regret them. I bite my lip so hard, I taste the iron of my own blood. "I'm sorry," I mutter.

Thor nods. "It's alright. I rather expected for this to be your answer, and I am not surprised. When you are ready, know that I shall be here."

He stands and then leans down, offering his hand. "Would you like to accompany me to lunch?"

I nod, taking his hand, which is warm and strong. "Okay."