"They found him. Get our communications back up, whatever you have to do. I want eyes on everything," said Fury.

"Yes, sir," said Maria Hill.

It didn't take long to get everything working again. In fact with Jo's help, it sped things along. Screens flashed with footage of New York, the battle was just beginning. Tony was seen flying through the streets, aliens hot on his tail.

"Is there anything I can do, Director?" Jo asked.

Fury turned towards the mutant. "You have a concussion, fractured arm, and some bruised ribs. No offense but I don't think you can help much." Fury paused, a thoughtful look passed over his face. "Until this is over you can look over the footage we have of Loki. See if you can predict what may come next if we fail."

"Sir. The council is on," said Hill.

Jo was led to a computer and given access to the videos. It was strange how a six foot something man with black hair and blue eyes could cause so much destruction. Then again, Coulson did tell her the story of his time in New Mexico and his first meeting with Thor. Apparently Thor had been cast out, and Loki wanted to destroy Thor in a jealous fit of rage. So if one considered Loki's jealousy, heritage, and god complex, it doesn't seem too far fetched for Loki to go to such lengths. Even if it seemed a little petty.

Jo arched her back and sighed. Nothing seemed to stick out that much. Loki was an insane murderer and that was it. A file caught her eye, 'Asgardian Lore' was the title. She tried not to peek, she really did, but it was too tempting. There was information on Heimdall, Odin, Frigga, Loki, Thor and a good few other things, but it seemed to center around the royal family. Comparing the lore she had read to the video made Loki's actions seem sensible, to a degree. Thor was the favored golden child while Loki was left in the dust.

He had daddy issues, Jo thought. His big brother was the favorite, his dad sort of neglected him, so yeah, daddy issues.

A report file sat next to the Asgardian one, 'Barton, Clint. Status'. One quick overview revealed how Barton had gotten over his mind control issue. Natasha had called it Cognitive Recalibration.

"Merlyn! Tell me you have something. I need good news right now."

"Unfortunately not. Aside from the blue eyes and black hair, all I can tell about Loki comes from jealousy and daddy issues."

"Blue eyes? What do you mean blue eyes?"

Jo turned to face the Director. "His eyes are blue."

"Really? Because Thor has known Loki his entire life and his basic description of him in New Mexico said that Loki's eyes are green."

Jo turned back to her computer. "Well in the footage they're blue. Almost as blue as Barton's were when he was under control. So unless Thor needs his eyes checked then Loki is under-" Jo stopped short. "Holy shit."

Fury held a hand to his ear. "Stark, you copy? Stark! He isn't answering. Hill! Get someone down there!"

"I can go." It took her a second before Jo could recognize what she said. "Just get me a regular old jet and I'll be fine."

"There is a nuke on it's way to New York. You sure you can do this?"

"Yeah, it's gonna be fun."

It most certainly was not going to be fun. She was going to fly a jet, which she hadn't done in a very long time.

"Meet agent Hill on the flight deck, she'll have a bird ready for you." Jo nodded and started off. "Oh and Merlyn? Be careful, I hate paperwork."

Once again Fury's words seemed to have been true. The was a quinjet waiting for her and the moment she climbed in, all her knowledge of flying came right back. Just like riding a bike they say. Hill stepped inside and handed her a small object.

"This is your communication device so we can stay in contact. Try not to lose it," she said.

Then she gave Jo a quick rundown of what did which. Jo thanked her and began the start up sequences the moment Hill was clear, and she was off. Piloting the jet was slightly difficult with a sprained arm, but she made do.

"Merlin, you need to head West," the voice of Nick Fury reminded her.

One glance at her compass told her she was in fact, going South. Needless to say her internal navigation was horrible. A quick spin in the air and she was headed in the correct direction.

"Just making sure I remember everything," Jo said.

The island of Manhattan was on the horizon and was quickly getting closer. Yet for an alien invasion the sky seemed to lack aliens and the portal that was just there.

"Fury, where's the portal? What happened?"

"Stark flew the missile into the portal. It's gone. You need to head to Stark Tower, they have Loki detained."

As Jo flew over New York she glimpsed at the wreckage below. It was going to take a good minute for people to clean this up. She circled around Stark Tower to find the best landing space. The roof was her best option, as the streets were covered in rubble and bodies. Alien and human alike. The minute she set the quinjet down Jo was out of her seat, down the ramp, and speeding down the stairs within Stark Tower. She counted herself lucky she didn't trip on the way.

Jo found the Avengers on the topmost floor, surrounding Loki. She gave each person a once over. Bruce, who was currently wearing and oversized jacket, looked relatively unharmed. As did Clint and Natasha, though each had a scrape here and there. Steve was covered in dirt and blood, more than likely belonging to aliens. Jo could tell he had wounds, she just wasn't sure where. Thor was next, having a small stab wound in his abdomen. Tony was missing his helmet and sported new bruises and cuts along his face. Each person was off to their own thoughts, obviously wondering what to do with Loki.

"You all look like shit," Jo said, announcing her presence to the room. Few jumped, and Jo suspected Natasha knew she was there the entire time.

"Where the hell did you come from?" Tony asked.

"Normally I would answer that question with a sex joke but right now I just need to point out that none of you, besides maybe Natasha, noticed I was in the room. Despite the fact that I just landed a quinjet on the roof."

"Yeah, well, I just survived an alien invasion. I think I'm entitled to a moment of unobservation. So is Cap, he's old."

"Is that all you got? Seems like you're getting old too, Tony."

"At least I'm not the one with the name the matches an old guy from the medieval times."

"Touché."

Steve rolled his eyes at the banter between Jo and Tony. Loki looked on in interest. Who was this woman, and why was she joking with Stark? For that matter, why was she at the tower? But the questions were gone and deemed unimportant.

"Well I say we load up and take Loki back to the helicarrier," Clint said. "The sooner we get him locked up the better."

"Actually, that's why I'm here," Jo said.

"What?"

"Fury and I noticed an irregularity in Loki. He isn't as guilty as we first thought."

The occupants of the room shared a glance at Loki before looking back at Jo.

"What is that supposed to mean, exactly?" Bruce asked.

Jo turned to Thor. "Thor, what was your description of Loki when SHIELD debriefed you in New Mexico."

Thor shrugged his shoulders, not seeing the importance. "Exactly as he is now. Black hair, green eyes, tendency to wear green and gold. Usually mischievous and an exceptional liar. He's very good with magic."

"Great. Now, Natasha, can you tell me what's wrong with what Thor just said?"

Natasha seemed surprised at being called on, but the emotion was gone so fast Jo was sure she imagined it. The assassin gave Thor's words some thought before turning to Loki and giving him a once over. She went to answer that nothing was wrong when she stopped and stepped closer to the trickster. Natasha narrowed her eyes and Loki shifted, glancing over to the remaining Avengers, meeting each of their gazes. The assassin grabbed his chin and forced the man to look at her.

"His eyes are blue," Natasha said.

Everyone obviously knew the implications of this fact. Thor cried out in outrage while Tony and Clint each let out a string of cuss words. The anger in the room died when Loki stood, eyes shining more blue than any had seen before. A deep laugh rumbled from Loki's throat, one that he shouldn't have even been able to produce.

"So," said Loki, his voice distorted into a deep voice to match the laugh. "You figured it out, little human."

Loki spat at Jo and grinned at the Avengers. He folded his hands behind his back, a grin forcing its was to the surface.

"Who are you?" Thor asked. "What have you done to my brother?"

Loki gave an offended look. "I didn't do anything to your brother!" There was a pause. "That's a lie. I did do something, but not much. You see, I merely toyed with his emotions, made his jealousy grow stronger and his will weaken. It didn't take much. That's all."

Jo scoffed. "'That's all'? You toyed with Loki for fun and games until he became your pawn and was useful to you!"

"How do we get him back?" Thor growled.

Another deep laugh came rolling from Loki. Jo shifted uneasily.

"Bring him back? Why you you want him back? You tossed Loki over a ledge!" Loki hissed at Thor. "You can't just get him back."

Jo whispered to Thor, "His eyes have been shifting from blue to green. Talk to Loki, keep him distracted."

Thor did so, and Jo quietly slipped her way through the Avengers. "Loki, I know you're in there."

A short came from Loki, "Oh you're going to try? Go on, give it your best shot."

Jo slinked into the shadows, which wasn't easy considering it was day and the room was so open. The voices of Thor and Loki carried on. She need something big, big and heavy. Preferably something she could swing - a reflection caught her eye. Oh that would do just nicely.

"Don't you get it?" Lokie cried. "You can't get him back! He serves me now."

"I don't know why he turned to you, but-"

"You don't know?" There was a maniacs laugh as Loki threw his head back. This would shatter the man. "Tell me, brother," Loki spat, "what were the first words you ever said about Jotuns? Oh yes. You hunt the monsters down and slay them all. Now what would happen, if your brother found out his heritage as a Jotun?"

The dawning horror on Thor's face was obviously what he had aimed for. This was a treat!

"You're wrong," Thor said. "Loki knows I would never-"

"Does he? Does Loki know that you would never hunt him down like you tried with the rest of the Jotuns on Jotunheim? All you wanted was the extinction of their race, which is what got you banished in the first place, wasn't it? Loki never wanted you gone, or the throne of Asgard.

"But see, with you gone, and Odin asleep, the throne was forced on him. And here came little old me, reminding him of your words and the implications, what would happen if you were to come back. Loki here, feared for his life. All because of some words his big brother said. The same big brother that is supposed to protect him. So tell me, Thor. Does Loki know you would never hurt him. Does he truly?"

Through all of this Thor stayed quiet, guilt building within him like a dam holding back water. He took a shuddering breath and looked Loki in the eye. Not the thing that was using him as a mouthpiece. He was looking at his brother.

"I never would have hurt you Loki," Thor said. "I would not have cared for your parentage, nor your race. You are my brother, no matter what you say."

Loki's eyes flashed green and this time, everyone noticed. Unfortunately, so did the entity controlling him. Loki's eyes blurred back into blue and the smirk on his face turned into a scowl.

"You will not have him. You cannot! I will destroy-"

Whack! The sound echoed through the room and Loki dropped to the floor. All eyes looked to the person responsible for Loki's unconscious form. There, in all her bruised and slouched glory, was Jo wielding Captain America's shield in her right hand. She had picked it up off the floor behind Steve and silently made her way around Loki. Jo listened to the conversation before deciding that enough was enough. So she ramped up all the strength she could, this was a God she was about to hit she needed a lot of force, and Jo struck. It seemed to do the trick quite well.

"What did you do?" Tony asked. He watched as Thor crouched near his brother.

Jo gave a look to Natasha. "Cognitive recalibration."

"Merlyn, report. Where is Loki and the others? Why aren't you on your way back yet?" Fury's voice called through her comm.

"Sorry sir, but we got sidetracked. Loki, or the guy controlling him, decided that being Chatty Cathy would be a nice role to play. We're headed to the quinjet now."

Jo turned to the Avengers, they heard the whole thing. Thor was carrying Loki, Bruce was up and headed to the door, Clint and Natasha were following him. Steve glanced at his shield and how Jo was leaning on it before following the rest of the team. Tony was exiting a room without his suit and too, followed through with the unspoken order.

Steve waited by the door to make sure everyone was indeed headed to the quinjet and followed everyone out. Jo was lagging behind, her concussion from only hours earlier was coming back full force now that her medication was wearing off. This of course meant her ribs and arm were about to begin aching and yep, there it went. Ouch. Oh look, that rail is blurry.

Jo stumbled and Steve reached out to balance her. Tony noticed and paused, causing a chain reaction through the group. They too all stopped to watch.

"Are you okay? You're not hurt?" Steve asked.

It was a dumb question considering what she had been through in the past 48 hours.

"No, no, no, I'm fine! Totally fine, no, no, I'm fine," Jo said, swaying ever so slightly.

"Really?" Tony asked. "Because you're repeating your words, you look pale, and you look like you're about to topple over."

"Yeah, you might wanna catch me."

Once again her world went dark and Jo left the conscious world behind in the dust.

**********

I'm not actually sure when the last time I updated this was. But guys, for the love of all things Marvel, please leave a comment. This book is almost over!

Edited 7/15/2018