Two days came and went and a large part of the excitement had passed with them. Denny had slept for most of the time while the Avengers and select SHIELD agents had worked to gather what intel they could on the missing SOMU team. When Dr. Banner reported her to be awake and in stable condition, Coulson and Thor came together with Loki.
“I’ll explain the terms of this new arrangement to Eden,” Thor offered. “Since Loki is my responsibility. If she agrees to the training, then she can start as soon as her wounds heal.”
“I can agree to that,” Coulson said, though he still worried. Thor put a hand on his shoulder.
“I think highly of you, Agent Coulson, and I promise I will not allow harm to befall your niece. I can see that she has great potential to help or harm, but I think she has a kind and gentle spirit. If Loki tries to sway her against us, I’m sure she will not bend.”
“You’re right,” Coulson said. “She is gentle, and she is kind. I’m not worried about her allegiances, Thor. I’m worried she’ll be broken.”
Thor nodded.
“I understand. And I give you my word, on my life, that I will take full responsibility for Eden’s well-being, and intervene when necessary.”
Coulson looked to Loki. “And you? Do you swear to keep her safe? Can you make and keep that promise?”
“Both my word and my life are treacherous, Agent Coulson. I would trust neither, even under oath. But if you insist, I will swear on Eden’s life instead, that I will do all in my power to keep her alive.”
“And safe,” Coulson pressed.
Loki sighed and closed his eyes to keep them from rolling. “And safe,” he concluded.
“I’ll hold you both to your word.”
“Let us hope your niece is of the same mind,” Thor hopefully declared.
The three of them headed towards Denny’s room in the medical bay, but the room was empty and bed unmade. Coulson stopped Clint as he was passing by, striding purposefully towards the adjoining hall.
“You wouldn’t happen to know where Denny is right now, do you?”
“She’s with Nat in the training rooms. TR-3, I think,” Clint directed.
“Training—?”
“Nat’s just showing her some basic self-defense moves,” Clint assured. “Denny’s a fast learner.”
“Let’s hope so,” Thor said. Clint stared blankly at Thor before eyeing Loki, putting two and two together. He looked to Coulson, dubious.
“You think this is a good idea?” he asked.
“It’s our only idea at the moment,” Coulson admitted. “Loki knows the terms. Hopefully his…expertise can help Denny along.”

---

The only sounds coming from TR-3 was the sound of scuffling feet and Natasha, who was giving instruction and correction to a focused and dedicated Eden, who had worked hard to take this exercise as a moment to learn from someone who actually knew how to fight. When the door opened they wandered back to the benches, where Natasha opened a bottle of water and gave it to Eden (who could barely move her bandaged fingers).
“What do you think?” Coulson asked. Natasha shrugged graciously.
“She needs some fine tuning, but she has impressive stamina and good form.”
“Apparently she has incredible recovery time as well,” Loki commented, though the Agents pretended not to hear him.
“That’s high praise coming from Natasha,” Thor said, after giving his brother a warning glance.
“And it’s entirely true,” she assured Denny. A grin spread across the spy’s face. “I think you have great potential as an Agent…if you choose to follow your uncle’s footsteps.”
“Don’t give her any ideas,” Coulson warned.
“You wouldn’t want her to join SHIELD? Become an Avenger?” Natasha asked with the same smile.
“If that’s what she wants at the end of this, I won’t say no,” Coulson said, “but I’d feel better if she didn’t have to be involved with us at all. But here we are. Which makes for a nice opening into our reason for being here. Denny, Thor has a proposition for you.”
That didn’t sound good to Eden’s ears, but she found it hard to be worried when looking into Thor’s eyes. He had such a gentle face, and talked to her with care.
“Loki thinks that he may be able to help you train. I and your Uncle agree that that may be the best course of action to take for now, and there are firm conditions to his instructing you. He is not to physically harm you as part of his teaching, and he is not to withhold medical attention should some accident befall you. He is not to discuss matter so not of this world nor of affairs discussed in private with SHIELD or the Avengers. Though we’ve agreed together that these are basic guidelines to keep you safe under Loki’s care, we need your acceptance before we act on this arrangement.”
Denny listened closely, and at the end of it looked to her Uncle before considering her own opinion. She felt trepidation at the idea of learning under Loki’s supervision, but feared she had no true choice in the matter.
“When do we start?” she asked.
“As soon as possible. We’d start today, but I don’t think you’re supposed to be out of the medical bay just yet,” Coulson said. His subtle hint hit home and Denny grinned sheepishly and tugged at the edge of the bandages on her neck. A knock at the door drew all their attention. Clint nodded for Coulson, who gave Denny a parting hug.
“Don’t underestimate rest,” he advised. “Dr. Banner will determine when you’re clear to train. Though I hate to say it, listen to Loki and take his advice. But use your judgment, too. Don’t let him push you into a corner.”
Denny clung to his sleeve, fear passing briefly over her face. “You talk like you’re leaving.”
“With SOMU unaccounted for, I’m going to be in and out less frequently,” Coulson told her.
Of course. It was selfish of her to assume he’d just be there. She bowed her head and released him. He gave her shoulder a quick pat and a squeeze before exiting with Clint, who shared unwelcome news when they were out of earshot.
“The agents we sent to scout out members of SOMU traced all of them to Everest Genetics. They were repeatedly denied access to the building despite showing badges, and left after they felt that the guards weren’t human,” Clint reported.
“Shades,” Coulson stated. Clint nodded.
“They attempted to return and enter by stealth, but one of the agents disappeared and we’ve lost contact.”
Coulson sighed. “I could have counted on Sitwell to get the job done. Tell them to return to base. I’ll personally scout out the area on my own later this evening.”
“You sure?” Clint questioned. “They know your face better than any of the agents we can sent their way.”

“That may be, but they could be aware of group movements. I’d send you or Natasha, but I think I can handle a solo recon mission. Keep quite about SOMU for a while, until we know something more concrete.”

Notes