Chapter 2
As she pulls up to Stark tower, she gazes around at what used to be the magnificent New York City. After the attack the first attack from Loki, just a mere few months later he made another, having escaped the Asgard prison, and brought an even bigger army. Of course the Avengers defeated him once more, having recruited a few extra members such as Spiderman, Tigra, and a few others. By the time the second attack was over almost the whole entire city was destroyed except for that one building. Stark Tower. Typical of Tony Stark to be the only thing practically left standing in this burnt, dump heap.

She kicks some rubble from a collapsed building to the side as she walks through the front doors. Several security guards rush towards her, guns at ready. Her hands fly up instinctively before she feels a warm hand sneak around her waist and pull her close.
“Now do calm down friends, no need to frighten the poor girl.” A deep, but friendly voice speaks out.

Turning slightly into the arm, Jess takes a quick glance up and gapes at the man. The golden haired god stands beside her, so close she could feel the rumble in his chest as he spoke. His face shows nothing but friendliness as he smiles down at her, his blue eyes sparkling. The hand around her waist tightens a bit as he pulls her protectively to his side.“Put away thy weapons…you know not of the person this is. This is Jessica of Midgard, and we are greatly honored to have her as our special guest this day.”Jess gives a small wave to the group of men, remaining silent. The men slip their guns into their holsters and turn their backs on her, resuming their previous conversations.

Bending a little so she can hear him, he speaks to her, a smile in his voice.“I do apologize for their hostility. We are still very cautious of the people of this city. Since the attacks from my brother, many have found it fit to try pillaging this safe haven. We must keep a watchful eye on who passes through these doors.”

The warm hand slides to her lower back steering Jess away from the group toward the glass door elevators. While he is not looking, Jess takes a moment to rake her eyes over his outfit, and lets a small smile play across her lips. A rather tight fitted grey shirt hugs his chest, bunching up slightly at the waist band of his dark blue jeans. For a god, he sure does look like a typical citizen….besides his incredibly attractive looks. “Does my midgardian attire amuse you Lady Jessica?” Her eyes flick up meeting his laughing ones as her face turns a light pink.

“Call me Jessica, and to be quiet honest, it does actually. I thought you being a god and all; you would at least be dressed differently.”He chuckles as he holds the elevator for her and then steps in, pressing the button for the top floor. Slipping his hand on Jess' lower back once more, he resumes his position beside her. “The attire is quite foreign actually. My normal wear is…upsetting to the people of this realm, they find it, as Son of Coul says, “Awkward”. So their organization requires that I dress as a Midgardian.”

Jess bites her lip in thought, and notices his cheeks flame for an unknown reason. Shrugging, She steps through the doors as they open, and let her eyes roam around the pristine building, so much different than that of the burnt city. A voice resonates as a man in a business suit paces towards her and stops directly in front, eyes narrowing as they rake unashamedly over her body.

“Well, aren’t you the quiet attractive one, Agent Hill forgot to mention that. How do you feel about being a model, or throwing your body out there? I myself know Hugh Heffner if you ever want a job as a Playboy. You can even be my own personal girl! How about it? Oh! Was that too forward for a first impression? Well?”So this must be the famous Tony Stark. I heard he could be obnoxious and arrogant but no one told me it was this bad! If he wanted to banter, I could deal out my own.

“I in no way will be parading my body off as some slutty hoe that wears bunny ears.” Jess trails her finger across his jaw, lifting up his chin slightly as she walks up to him, daring him to interrupt her.

“And even if that was my job, I certainly wouldn’t be doing it for you, if anyone it would be tall and handsome over there. Now tell me, you going to sit here and run your mouth or are you going to take me to my cousin?”
His mouth snaps shut as a smirk plays on his lips.

“I like you. You’re fun, now follow me please.”
With that, he turns and guides them down a hallway, heading for a door at the end. As they walk, Thor leans down and whispers to Jess, his breath lightly stirs the hair around her neck, sending goose bumps across the skin.

“You very well made him speechless! You must teach me thy tricks some day.”Tony pushes open the door into the room with a loud bang, causing all eyes to travel to the new comer. Making a grand gesture with his hands, he motions towards Jess.“Everyone, the lovely Jessica has arrived, and by lovely, she is fantastic..that means I call dibs!” Turning, he drops into a chair at the front of the table as people slowly walk over to her. People begin to make a semi-circle around Jess as her cousin steps forward with a small grin, wrapping Jess in a tight hug.

“Jess, I’m so glad you could make it! Once I get through here, we’re going to have a great time.” she says as she releases her and steps to the side. Gesturing to the people around Jess, she begins introducing them, her hands moving from left to right.
This is Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Natasha Romanoff, Clint Barton, you met Tony, Peter Parker, Greer Nelson, and last but not least, my boyfriend, Phil Coulson.

Captain America, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Ironman, Spiderman, and Tigra.

The names register to her as she places the alias’ with the people. Yes, she was privileged that Maria told her their true identities.“Jess, this is Pepper Potts, Starks CEO and girlfriend.” Her hand motions to the strawberry blonde beside Phil. She gives a small wave towards Jess as she glances up from the paper work she is reading through.
Phil steps forward, shaking her hand formally, and takes a step back. His voice is soft, yet authoritative.“Hi Miss Jessica. It’s very nice to meet you. Maria… I mean Agent Hill has told me much about you.”

With the introductions over, everyone takes a chair, getting ready for a meeting. Pepper walks up to the quiet girl, and casually links arms with her, tugging her gently from the room.“Trust me, you will not want to stay in there. Even I get bored out of my mind listening to their bantering.”Her casual, friendly attitude automatically puts Jess at ease as she guides her through the lobby. She gathers her courage and finally speak up on her own now that they are away from the group.

“If you don’t mind me asking, where are you taking me?” Jess says as she is guided into a small kitchen area.“Well I have to do a quick errand, but I got you something since it’s your birthday and I wanted to give it to you.” Pepper says casually as she begins digging through the fridge. A plate of steaming hot food rest on the counter just to her right.
“Pepper you didn’t have to get me anything…you don’t even really know me.” Jess says as Pepper turns, pulling out a small white box. The woman waves her hand, dismissing the statement as she hands over the box. “Nonsense! Any friend of Maria’s is a friend of mine.” She smiles warmly at Jess.

Jess pops open the box, and a broad grin spreads across her face, showing her delight. A single cupcake sits in the box with a small note beside it. It’s not just any ordinary cupcake though. It’s her favorite cupcake. A pure white iced, vanilla bean cupcake from Pinattarios, the best bakery within a hundred mile radius. Picking up the card, she reads it, as a fondness for the woman grows in her heart.

“Happy 21st Jess! May this birthday be the start of something big for you. A dream come true. Love Pepper.”
Turing, she pulls Pepper into a tight hug then releases her, slightly embarrassed.“Thank you Pepper, this means a lot to me.” she mumbles as she tucks the box under her arm. Pepper gives a small nod before picking up the tray and walking through the spacious lobby. “Now I just have to deliver this to Loki and then I can take you on a tour of the tower.” Pepper says, swiping her card over the access pad.

“Loki? I thought they took him to Asgard?”Nodding, the woman takes a right around a corner.“They did the first attack, but the second...we decided to hold him, and so far there has been no escape attempts.” Jess grabs the tray from Pepper, careful not to spill the food, and gives her a stern look.“You seem to always be running around. You let me do this and go take a break. I’ll be back in just a few. Okay?” She hesitates at first, but seeing her stubborn express, Pepper nods, giving in.
“Alright, meet me at the conference room in fifteen minutes and here...” Pepper hands her the card with her ID on it. “Swipe it in all of the access pads and you can get through. The holding cells are in the basement...but do not under any circumstance enter Loki's cell...” Jess gives a nod and turns, stepping into the elevator.
After a few moments filled with quiet elevator music, the elevator doors chime as she walk into the dimly lit basement. No guards are stationed around, just a concrete hallway with an iron door at the end.
“So much for security….”
The sound of her walking echoes throughout the silent hall. Could this been anymore foreboding? Jess swipes the badge over the pad and watches as the heavy door swings open, letting her through, then immediately closes as she passes the sensor on the inside. Glass cells line the wall on either side, all empty except for the very back one. The hunched form doesn’t stir in his chains as she approaches the door.
A small slot sits closed at the bottom of the glass door. Bending down she presses the button beside it as the light flashes green, but the slot stays closed. Shifting uneasily, she presses the button again and watches as it once more flashes green but doesn't budge. Sighing she stands as her eyes travel to the side of the door, a pad rest against the wall just to the right. Unsure, she hesitantly swipes the badge on the pad, Peppers warning ringing loud in her head and watches as it is scannes then turns green, a clicking can be heard as the glass panel unlocks and slides open.
Her heart races as she takes a step into the cold cell, goose bumps immediately rise on her skin, but the god seems to not be phased. Setting the tray down unto the table, Jess takes her time to examine the man that wiped out almost an entire city in a mere few hours.
His skin is stark pale, his hair as black as a raven’s wing. Loki’s head hangs low as he remains still, his eyes staying closed. She would have thought him to be asleep if it weren’t for the shallow, quiet breathing coming from him. Turning her back for just a moment, she removes the warm plastic wrap from the food and turns back to find his emerald green eyes train intensely on her. Jess’ breathing hitches as she takes a cautious step back towards the door. The green of his eyes sparkle with anger and possibly something else as he watches her movements…..like a predator would watch his prey.
Slipping out of the cell, she swipes the ID through the pad, and steps back as the door reseals itself. Turning, she makes her way back to the door feeling his eyes on her back, but stops a few feet away. Black smoke is pushing through the small crack around the steel door's frame and seeps in, getting thicker with ever second. Without thinking, she grabs for the door handle in attempts of escaping, and cries out in pain as the burning hot knob blisters her palm. Holder the injured hand against her chest, Jess takes a few step back, now coughing due to the thick smoke filled hall.
The very ground beneath her feet quakes as cracks split the floor and ceiling, a loud boom following. Backing up, she presses herself against the wall, eyes watering as she fumbles for the badge. Each cell had its own ventilation system, maybe if she should could just get inside one, then she could breathe. Swiping the ID through one of the access pad, it flashes red and doesn’t open. Swearing, Jess fights for breath as she swipes it again, being denied once more.
It must have emergency lock down to keep prisoners from escaping.
Some part of her brain throws out the bit of information it stored from somewhere else as she struggles against her dizzyness. Gasping and coughing, she slides down the glass wall, fighting to stay conscious. Her lungs burn as her eyes stream tears down her cheeks, the salt water mixing with the smoke that now filled the corridor. Black begins to creep into her vision as her grip on consciousness fails.
Jess is barely aware of a pair of lean arms slipping under her legs and around her waist, hoisting her up bridal style. Her head rest against her rescuers chest, arms hanging limply at her side as her breathing becomes rather shallow. The smell of winter surrounds her as she is carried into one of the cells, and laid on the bed, the doors closing behind them. Fresh air rushes into her lungs as fatigue hits her like a brick wall. Her eyelids flutter shut, catching a glimpse of a dark green before the darkness overwhelms her.

Notes

Enjoy the reading :)