Divide and Conquer (Sequel to Behind Enemy Lines)

Chapter Eight:Butting Heads

No copyright! All characters (except Araceli and Clarice) belong to Stan Lee. Enjoy!

Last Chapter Recap:

"Steve!"

I nodded slowly, dragging her and our weapons onto the carrier.

"Let's go!" Tony yelled to the pilot. He nodded and started up the carrier.

"No, we're not leaving without Steve," Clarice panicked, being forced into her seat. The carrier was slowly lifting from the ground, our leader yet on board.

"Stop the fucking ship now!" Clarice shrieked, trying to get up but Tony kept a firm hand on her shoulder.

Just then, Steve lifted his firearm, the gun he rarely used, and fired upon the ship. His aim? His beloved wife.

"Steve?" Clarice asked, looking over Tony's shoulder who was protecting her.

Tony moved swiftly and pressed the button to close the door, leaving Steve on the battlefield. Clarice was staring at the door, her eyes widen and filling with tears. Tony kneeled in front of Clarice and placed a his thumb under her chin and guided it to face him.

"Steve's not with us," Tony said gently, "That's not your Steve."

She looked up at him, a heartbroken expression worn on her face. "Loki...?" she asked quietly. Tony nodded. "I will end him," she snarled, staring directly at me. I shuddered, she was driven mad with anger and hatred, so much so that I actually believed she would if she could.

Just then, like his voice was amplified, Loki laughed and yelled, "Where's your Avengers now America?"

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As soon as we got back to base, everyone was rushed to the infirmary. Some were wounded bad, others not as much. I suffered from a head injury while my battle partner had a dislocated shoulder and head gash. I heard them popping it back in place. The more severe ones were looked after first then the less severe. That meant I had to wait to be treated. For me it didn't matter. I just wanted to know how badly hurt my friends were. After everyone was treated we took about an hour or so to collect our thoughts then rest. Clarice hasn't said a word to anyone. Barely even looks at anyone. I don't know what to tell her. 'Sorry your husband was taken by my evil ex boyfriend.' As if that would help. She doesn't want sympathy. She wants revenge. She wants to give Loki payback for taking the most important person from her. Who can blame her? Anyone would probably feel the same way.

"How are you holding up," Thor asked me.

Sif, Tony, Clint, Natasha, and I are in one of the makeshift lounges. Thor just walked in. He talked to Sif before coming over to me. Clint and Natasha are sharing a loveseat. Tony and Sif are sharing a couch, with the middle space between them. I'm in my own chair. They were watching the news. It showed us getting our asses handed to. I didn't watch it. There's no need to. It just makes the situation worse. Basically showing we can't hold our. Which I guess we barely did.

I look down at Thor. He's sitting on the floor infront of me. He said he was fine with it when I asked him about it. I curled my legs under me so he could so without the annoyance of my feet. Thor's staring at me with soft, pleading eyes.

"I'm fine. I have a bit of a headache from my injury," I say.

Thor frowned. He hates when I'm hurt. Like my still present bruise, he didn't like it. He's just watching out for me.

I placed a hand on his shoulder. He looks at my hand before looking back at me. I give him a soft smile.

"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine," I say.