Utter Darkness

It had taken about six hours the next morning to re-organize the lab after Jane’s botched attempt to test the machine. Tony shrugged good-naturedly and they had worked together to figure out what went where. Jane had been pissed that Tony insisted on relocating to Central Park, as it cost them another full day. The final test was then scheduled to run on Thursday.

Thursday dawned, a crisp fall morning, clear blue skies and cool but comfortable temperatures. Stark Industries had been able to cordon off a section of the park. The equipment was set up bright and early, and all the necessary people were in attendance. Tony, Jane, Erik, Darcy, and numerous scientists and interns, stood around waiting. Steve, Bruce Banner, and a red headed SHIELD agent Darcy was unfamiliar with watched from the sidelines. Jane said Agent Barton, the guy with the bow and arrow, was around somewhere too.

Tony stood on the small platform that would become the landing ground when the machine was actually up and fully running. He grinned and clapped his hands together loudly to get everyone’s attention. “Okay people, one last time, here’s the plan. At nine a.m., we’re going to run the final test. There’s likely going to be a high amount of static charge, so no cigarettes, or cell phones. Dr. Foster has the message. We’re going to attempt direct communication with Asgard, so silence during the test please. Everybody got it?” There were nods and murmurs of agreement. “Alrighty, let’s make history. Schmidt, start the five minute countdown on my mark,” Tony looked down at his watch, “annnd… … mark.”

Tony hopped down from the small platform and hurried over to the equipment. Darcy stood in front of the piece of equipment she was supposed to monitor. She was pretty sure Jane was just humoring her desire to be there, cause any monkey could watch the gauge to make certain it didn’t go into critical, but it was nice to be included.

Jane held her scripted SHIELD-approved message. Darcy could see Jane’s hands shaking slightly as she stood next to the platform. She knew Jane was torn, the scientist part of Jane wanted to be in the middle of all the equipment making certain everything was working the way she had planned, and the other part of her really wanted the chance to be the first human to officially speak to another planet. “You got this girly!” Darcy shouted as she gave Jane two thumbs up and a big toothy smile. She saw Jane give a small laugh, but at least she looked a little more relaxed.

The whole group seemed to grow more and more anxious as the large digital clock counted down the last minute or so. Darcy could feel the static building around them as the ARC reactor’s great engine began to hum loudly.

Darcy saw movement out of the corner of her eye. Suddenly she realized the whole operation was surrounded by SHEILD agents, locked, and loaded. Everyone else seemed oblivious; Tony checked a few more gauges and stepped over beside Jane as the last twenty seconds counted down. Anxiety crawled over Darcy and she went to call out to Tony to warn them, when an odd thought crossed her mind. “Do not be alarmed. They are here for your safety.” The fear washed away as her mind cleared and it was replaced with a feeling of warmth and security.

“5… 4… 3… 2… 1…”

Jane stepped up unto the platform as a long shaft of light shot up from the machine, through the clouds and into the atmosphere. Darcy couldn’t hear Jane’s voice over the noise of the machinery, but she knew what the paper said any way. Jane’s nervousness seemed to melt away as she spoke and Darcy felt like she could shout for joy, as Jane stood illuminated by the great light. This was such a moment of triumph for everyone; the moment humanity took its place in the universe. As Jane finished her statement, Tony hopped up beside her and shouted something. Jane gave him a dirty look as the machine began winding down. They both stepped down from the platform; Tony grabbed a bottle of water from the nearby table, and walked away as Jane started to rant.

“What the hell was that Tony?” She was pissed. “Look, I don’t like SHIELD any more than you do, but if we want to keep this a civilian project we have to do some things the way they want. And hopping up there and shouting out a hello to Thor and giving them a cryptic message is going to get this project ripped right out of our hands!” Jane followed Tony as he walked straight over to Darcy.

He seemed to be looking at something over Darcy’s right shoulder. “It’s done.” He said with a hard look on his face. He nodded and turned to Jane. “Look, as important as this project is, there are things going on here that I won’t explain to you right now, things that are even more important.” Jane stormed away to check on the readings they got from the final test run.

Tony turned to Darcy, “You okay Kiddo?”

Darcy was surprised by the question. “Yeah I’m fine, why?”

He gestured to the surrounding SHIELD agents. “We didn’t tell you guys, cause we didn’t want anyone to freak out. They were just here in case something unexpected happened.”

“Hey, so long as they were supposed to be here I’m fine with it.” Darcy shrugged and smiled. “So what’s up with you breaking rank to talk to Thor? You got a man-crush or something?”

Tony rubbed the back of his neck and laughed awkwardly. “Nah, a friend wanted me to get a message to him.” And odd look crossed his face, “Yeah, a friend.” He smiled like he had just made a decision, and then made another odd face. He blushed and took a quick drink from his water bottle. Which he then choked on. He sputtered and shook his head.

“Ohh kay… You’re acting kinda weird today Tony.”

“Go away.” He hissed.

“Whatever, fine.” Darcy turned to leave as Tony grabbed her sleeve.

“Sorry no, not you. There was a very annoying fly buzzing around.”

“Okay, you’re being a lot weird. It’s almost winter there are no bugs out here.”

Tony grimaced, “Sorry, I guess I’m just feeling a little stressed out. Tell you what,” he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Why don’t you grab a few of the interns and do a coffee run for everyone.” He handed her his credit card.

“Oh yeah cause you need more caffeine right now.” Tony gave her a pleading look. “Fine, whatever.”

She turned and called out to a couple of the interns. Someone pinched her butt. The only one close enough was Tony. She turned back to glare at Tony who had a panicked look on his face. “It’s a damn good thing we’re friends Tony. I’m going to give you a pass on that one, because you seemed to be going through some kind of minor breakdown right now, but I swear to god if you ever touch my ass without permission again, I will tase you in the balls.” She hissed at him. The pale slightly green look on his face said her threat had done the trick.

“And no coffee for you, mister. I don’t care if you are paying.”

As she stormed away, she heard Tony whine, “Dammit, I really wanted a coffee.”

It took Darcy and three interns to get all of the coffee orders. About 45 minutes later, she and the interns were juggling at least eight coffees apiece and trying to convince the stupid SHIELD agent near the edge of the test site to let them back in. “No I don’t have my I.D. with me dammit! I told you I left it with my stuff over on the equipment right over there!” She pointed to her purse 20 feet away.

Finally, she saw Steve. She carefully put down the coffees, put two fingers in her mouth, and whistled loudly. “HEY, STEVE!” she shouted. “Hey, will you tell this moron, I’m allowed to be here?” she pleaded as Steve walked over with a big smile.

Steve chuckled, “Let her and the interns in.”

The SHIELD agent balked, “I need to see some kind of I.D.”

Steve pulled himself up straighter and his voice hardened. “Son, do you know who I am?” the agent paled a bit, nodded, and stepped aside.

“Thank you Steve.” She smiled smugly as she picked the coffees and sauntered past the agent.

“Aww, you went all Captain America on him for me. You’re a sweet guy, muscles!” She bumped him lightly with her shoulder.

Steve blushed a bit. “Just trying to help where I can. Hey, you want me to carry some of those?” He gestured to the coffees in her hands.

“Sure, thanks! You’re such a gentleman. You ought to give Tony a few lessons in manners.”

Steve blushed harder, “I suppose it’s difficult for him to behave around a pretty girl.” He tripped a bit and stumbled a moment before regaining his footing.

Darcy giggled at his uncharacteristic lack of grace. “You okay there Cap?” He nodded. “So you think I’m pretty?” She teased as she batted her eyelashes at him.

He jumped spilling the coffees on himself. Then he twisted around looking at the ground.

“Something grabbed me! I swear!” He seemed unconcerned by the hot coffee in his skin.

“Umm doesn’t that hurt?” Darcy pointed to his steaming shirt.

He looked down, “Oh, not really.” He shrugged and handed the remains of the coffee to Darcy.

She looked at the ruined tray of coffee. “Steve,” she whined, “that had my latte on it.” She looked up in time to see Steve removing his coffee-stained shirt.

“Sorry.” Steve’s voice was muffled by his long-sleeved shirt around his ears.

“Oh that’s okay, I don’t mind, it’s totally worth it.” Darcy said breathlessly.

Suddenly, Steve fell backwards and landed on his butt in a mud puddle. Darcy began to laugh as the redheaded agent, Bruce, and Agent Barton walked over.

“Steve, why are you half-naked?” then she turned to Darcy. “And wasn’t I invited to the party? Agent Natasha Romanov.” She said curtly, introducing herself.

Darcy nodded and put the coffees on a table beside them. She held out a hand out to the redhead. “Darcy Lewis, I’m Jane’s assistant.” Natasha shook her hand and smiled.

Steve stood and attempted to use his already soiled shirt to wipe the mud from his rear-end.

Darcy giggled and leaned towards Natasha, “He took off the shirt because it had coffee on it, maybe he should take off the jeans as well.”

Steve frowned as a breeze whipped the shirt from his hand, and it landed muddy side up on his face.

Everyone laughed as Jane and Tony walked over. “Not funny guys.” Steve fumed.

“I beg to differ!” Darcy laughed.

Suddenly there was a swirling pattern of light in the sky. They all looked up in time to see the clouds part and a rainbow shaft of light touchdown on their platform. A cold gust of wind rushed past Darcy.

Jane was running towards the platform before anyone could stop her. Darcy could see two shadows in the light but the light flared and everyone covered their eyes. When the light died down, they looked up to see Thor standing on the platform alone. Jane jumped upon the platform and wrapped her arms around Thor’s bulk.

“Jane.” His smile was soft and warm.

She stepped back and slapped him, “Where were you?” Thor arched an eyebrow. “It’s been two years! I’ve been waiting, and then I was crying, and then I went out looking for you. You said you were coming back!”

“I know, I know but, the Bi-Frost was destroyed, the Nine Realms erupted into chaos, wars were raging, marauders were pillaging. I had to put an end to the slaughter.” He hurried to explain.

“As excuses go it’s not terrible, but I saw you on TV, you were, you were in New York!” Jane demanded.

“Jane, I fought to protect you from the dangers of my world, but I was wrong I was a fool. I believe that fate brought us together.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “I have missed you.” His large hand cupped her cheek, he leaned down, and he kissed her.

“Aww that’s so sweet!” Darcy’s voice came from far too close. “Hey big guy good to see you! What are you doing here?”

Jane blushed and fussed at Darcy, “Uh, we’re kinda in the middle of something here.”

Thor looked torn. “Actually Jane, I came to speak to Tony.” At Jane’s disappointed look, he amended his statement. “Our conversation should not take long, and I promise as soon as we finish I shall return to you,” he said with such sincerity Jane nodded sadly.

“Alright. Fine, but don’t forget I’m waiting.”

Thor nodded and stepped off the platform. He walked up to the rest of the Avengers and greeted them with a smile. “My friends, it is good to see you, though I wish it could be under better circumstances.” He cocked his head to the side. “Captain…?”

“Don’t even ask.” Steve growled.

Thor held up his hands, “I believe we should retire someplace a little more private and continue this discussion. This is a dire matter and not suitable for all to hear.”

“Let’s go to the Tower.” Tony slipped a bluetooth out of his pocket and onto his ear. “JARVIS, have Happy bring the car around.” Looking at the group around him. “Better tell him to send two. Get Fury on the phone and see if he can make it to the tower, if not hook him up to a conference call in the War Room. Oh, and have someone run to Rogers’ room and get him a clean pair of clothes.” He removed the bluetooth after receiving the AI’s response and turned to the rest of the group. “Alright let’s do this.”

Darcy watched as the Avengers walked to the edge of the park. Tony stepped to the side and seemed to be having an argument with JARVIS. ‘Hmm’, Darcy mused. ‘I thought he put the bluetooth away.’

Thor took his cape off, threw it over Steve’s head, and called loudly for Tony to join them. Tony shook his head once more and Thor looked at him oddly. Darcy saw a breeze whip Tony’s hair around and then he walked over to join the others. Jane came over to join Darcy and together they watched The Avengers pile into a couple of cars and take off for the Tower.

Jane sighed. Darcy wrapped an arm around her and smiled. “Don’t worry it won’t take too long.”

Notes

Okay, so long explanation here. In my mind the events of Thor 2 happened kinda...
MAJOR SPOILERS FOR THOR 2

Umm... Let's say one of the kids found the aether, and Thor being the noble guy he was, set out to help the kid. No Jane means Frigga doesn't die, and Loki being locked up another way means no Loki taking over Asgard.

Moving on. Yes I took the dialogue between Thor and Jane almost word for word from the movie because I liked that scene a lot.

And last of all, Steve is a really nice guy and Loki is a little shit.
Sorry Steve.