The Before [Prequel- Part 1]

Escape

"Thanks, Catherine."

"Keep one thing in mind when Steve comes to break us out of here, which I know he will; you need to stay behind. Please. Clint will have to as well, for both of your families' sakes. You'll get some brownie points with Ross, and he'll let you off easier. Promise me."

"I promise. Now, try to get some sleep."

~

Thirty minutes went by, but I still couldn't sleep. I was too worried about Loki. Things will be so much worse for him if he's caught. At this point, the death penalty would be the minimum.

I shuddered at that last thought, closing my eyes and leaning my head back against the wall.

My mind went to what I had heard before I woke up.

He said he was coming for me, but if he shows up here, he'll get caught, and-

"Catherine."

Great, now I'm hearing things.

"You're not hearing things."

My head snapped up, and I saw Loki standing outside my cell.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, getting up quickly, standing in front of the glass. The sudden movement made me dizzy.

"Getting you out. Your father is right outside, altering the security footage. As far as Ross is concerned, you're asleep like the others." He answered.

"But if they catch you-" He cut me off. "It doesn't matter. What matters is getting you out of here, safe."

"What about everyone else? I can't just leave them here." I protested.

"Rogers will take care of that. Once he's out of Siberia, he'll break them out. They'll be fine."

I nodded, satisfied with the plan. "Okay, fine. Can you get the door open?"

"Easily." He smirked, and a key card appeared in his right hand. Stepping forward, he swiped the card against the scanner, and the door lifted, taking away the only thing between me and the god I loved.

I stepped forward, one hand on the wall beside me for support when I lost my balance.

Loki rushed over and caught me before I could hit the floor.

"I've got you." He whispered as I held onto him. "I've got you."

~~~Tony's pov~~~

Today has been one crazy day. And not just because I'm breaking my daughter out of a high-security raft prison.

Right now, I'm hacking the cell feed to make it look like she was asleep when Loki was opening the cell.

"Hey, Dad."

I turned around from my spot by the wall with my tablet and saw her behind me.

"Thank God!" I hugged her tightly. "You okay?"

"I'm a lot better now that I'm out of there. But how did you-"

"Loki came and found me. He told me you used the last of your energy to teleport him back to the compound. Then we made a plan to break you out of here."

"He found you?"

"I was surprised too. But given the evidence, it makes sense. Speaking of which, where is Reindeer Games?"

"Some guards caught us leaving, so he's using his magic to alter their memories. And what do you mean, evidence?"

"Oh, please, give me some more credit. I'm not an idiot." I scoffed. "I can see that you two are, um, more than friends. How long has that been going on for?"

Her face was absolutely priceless. I wish I had a camera to capture it forever.

Oh, wait. I do.

I lifted my tablet and snapped a quick picture.

"How... When..." She looked flustered.

"Just since Germany. He seemed pretty protective of you after Rhodey used the sonic wave gun on you. Then you helped him escape certain death, and in turn, you gave yourself up to Ross, who you hate more than life itself." I summarized. "So, how long?" I asked again.

She rubbed her arm awkwardly as she answered. "Ultron."

"That long?! I thought it was a week, tops!" My mouth fell open in shock.

"Yeah, well, he pulled me out of a few panic attacks and then saved me from Ultron. After the battle, I killed Ultron, but I was still in the city when it started to fall. I couldn't get myself onto stable ground, but I didn't have to. Loki found me and got me back to the helicarrier. One week later, he took me to Asgard to go stargazing. You caught me trying to sneak back in."

Then it all clicked.

"You lied about searching for Barnes," I murmured when I realized she had played me.

"I'm sorry! But I couldn't tell you the truth! I mean, you don't exactly trust him! You had a tantrum when you saw us dancing at the party." She pointed out, sending me a judgemental glare.

"I guess I can see where you're coming from..." I sighed. "But I can still call him Reindeer Games, right?"

She gave me an unimpressed look, crossing her arms.

"Fine! You really like him, don't you?"

"I do. I really do. Dad, he...he told me he...loves me." She genuinely smiled at me.

I'm sorry, LOVES?!

"Wow. I didn't realize it was so serious." My eyes widened at her statement. "But he makes you happy?"

She nodded, still smiling.

I've never seen her so happy. Not since... Not since before she was fifteen.

"Then I see no problem with it. But if he hurts you, know I will show no mercy." I pointed my finger at her to emphasize my statement.

She laughed. "You against a literal god? That'd be interesting."

"Hey! I could totally win that fight." I defended myself.

"Suuuure."

"We need to go." A new voice entered the conversation.

Loki had appeared behind us.

How much did he hear? I'll assume not much, considering Catherine didn't acknowledge his presence until now.

"Okay. Bye, Dad." She hugged me quickly.

"Bye, Cat. Stay safe."

"I will."

"Oh, and you wouldn't happen to know where Steve and Barnes are, would you?" I asked desperately.

"Even if I did, what makes you think I'd tell you?" She smirked, starting to walk away.

"Come on! I thought we were having a moment!"

She turned back to face me as she walked. "We were. It was beautiful. And now it's over. Goodbye."

She is 100% my daughter.

~~~Catherine's pov~~~

I'm so glad he knows. But he's not getting James' location.

Dad walked out the door, leaving me alone with Loki.

"Where are we headed?" I asked.

"Somewhere Ross will never find us. Which should be easy, considering we have something he does not."

"Basic intelligence?" I asked seriously.

He chuckled. "Well, yes, but also teleportation. You can't catch two people who can change their locations at will."

"True." I nodded. "I have an idea. My dad has a cabin in upstate New York, and across the lake from there is an old Shield safehouse. It's off the record, and Ross would never think to look there."

My dad told me a few weeks ago that he was planning on moving into that cabin. If we end up staying at that safehouse, I would get to see my dad anytime I wanted to.

I looked up at Loki and smiled.

I can't wait to see what happens next.