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A/N: I know some of you may be confused as you read this chapter, but it'll be explained in the author's note at the end...so just read on!
Fury Knew All Along.
ERYN
"No," my mind screams, pushing against a dark, foreign barrier.
Everything is a blur to me, but I recognize that I am in my apartment. The house phone is ringing, but I can't reach it nor can I find the strength to walk towards the phone. My head is spinning, feeling heavy on my neck and shoulders. Why can't I control myself?
My mind can't seem to process anything. I stumble forward and my hands reach out, trying to catch a grip of something but there was nothing. It's a wall. I let out a gasp as I loose balance and fall onto the hard, wooden floor. The back of my head hit the floor in a loud thud, and before I could cry for help, I slipped into the familiar darkness...
**
As I woke up, I groaned and turned, aiming towards one of my soft pillows but my arms fell onto the cool, wooden floor instead. Alarmed, my eyes instantly opened and I found myself lying in the middle of my hall. I winced as I sat up, the back of my head throbbing. What happened?
I willed myself to stand up and stumbled my way into the living room. The house phone's light blinked red, and plopping myself down onto the couch, I pressed the voicemail button. "Hey, Eryn. It's just me, Bruce, your uncle. I'm calling to tell you that I'm going over sometime tomorrow to check up on you. You called me last night and I couldn't help but worry." Bruce's voice sounded through the living room.
I sighed and pressed the next button.
"Hey! You! You haven't answered my phone calls from your cell phone, so I decided to finally call your house phone...and you still didn't answer. Anyways, I just wanted to know when you wanted to go dress shopping. I'm guessing you haven't checked your phone...so sorry in advance for blasting your cell phone with notifications...HA, who am I kidding! I'm not sorry. Bye."
I playfully rolled my eyes at Sarah's voice. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out my phone. My eyes widened at the sight. No wonder it hasn't been ringing...it's broken! The screen was cracked beyond repair, revealing the inside mechanics of the phone. I grimaced. How did I manage to do that? Throwing my phone to the side, I continued to listen to my voicemails.
"Hello, this is Anne Richards from the mental institution in Ohio. I'm calling, because you're on the contact list for Brian Banner. The doctors believe that he is ready to rejoin society due to his good improvement. Please, call back as soon as you can for more information."
My eyes flashed to my house phone, saving the voicemail and desperately searching for the call back button. If the doctors believed he was ready, then that means Brian has changed. Relief and hope washed over me. I’m going to have my grandpa back. My hand faltered, reeling back and away from the house phone. I couldn’t bring him back, I frowned. Not yet, anyways. I’d have to talk to Bruce first.
Sighing, I made my way towards Loki’s room, wondering why he hasn’t come out yet. “Loki,” I called as I knocked on the door. I wait a moment, then, a minute. There was no response. Panic began to settle in as I opened the door. He wasn’t here. My eyes glanced towards the bathroom door, but it was wide open and the lights were turned off. I leaned against the door frame for support, not knowing what to feel.
Loki’s gone.
“Eryn!” A voice called, heavily knocking on the door. I snapped out of my trance and groaned, closing my eyes. All that heavy knocking was bringing back my migraine. I answered the door, not even glancing at Bruce and let him in.
“Hey, Bruce.” I mumbled my mind racing at Loki’s whereabouts. Did he leave? Why would he leave? If he did leave, then where would he go? Worry reigned over me. First, Brian and now Loki. My morning isn’t off to a good start…
"What's wrong, Eryn?" Bruce asked, noticing the frown on my face.
What's wrong? Well, I don't even know where to begin. I wanted to tell him about Loki and how I felt. I also wanted to inform him about Brian. I told him nothing, though. Instead, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him into a hug. He immediately responded, wrapping his arms around me and placing his head on top of mine.
"It's alright, Eryn." He comforted, knowingly. I stilled in his hold. What was he talking about? Did he know?
"We'll find out where Jared and the solution went. Don't stress over it." Bruce said. I mentally sighed in relief and took a deep breath. Pulling away, I nodded. I wiped furiously at my stinging eyes, preventing the tears from coming. My heart ached at Loki's disappearance...My eyes widened. What if, whoever was after him, finally got to him?...Or...What if he went back to S.H.I.E.L.D? What if he turned himself in?
"Bruce, do you mind taking me to S.H.I.E.L.D?" I abruptly asked.
**
"I was thinking, that after this, we could hang out, just you and I. It's been awhile, and at times like these, I think its what we both need." Bruce said as we both checked in to S.H.I.E.L.D
I smiled faintly walking by his side. "Of course."
Just as we were to enter the lab, a loud booming voice coming from the intercom interrupted us. I jumped, startled from how loud the voice was. You'd think I'd be used to it by now, but I wasn't.
"Dr. and Agent Banner, you both are requested to come to conference room...NOW!" Fury ordered through the intercom.
Bruce and I both exchanged glances. What could Fury possibly want now? It's probably to do with the solution and Jared, no doubt. We both walked towards the conference room, quietly talking about what Fury could possibly want. His was urgent.
I gulped as I walked into the conference room. Clint, Natasha, Steve, Thor, Fury, Phil, and Maria were all seated at the big table. This couldn't be just over the solution and Jared. If all the Avengers and top two agents were here, this had to be worse. I took my seat by Bruce, trying to hide my anxiety. I was a nervous wreck, but couldn't fully understand why.
"Perfect timing, you two. I was about to send Stark to go get you guys." Fury stated.
"Okay, so they're here now. What is so urgent that you've gathered us all together for?" Tony asked, impatiently. He lay back on his chair, his legs propped up on the table and head using his arms as pillows. It's a shock that Fury is letting him sit that way, but at the moment, I bet he could care less.
"I got a call from Agent Reed." He began. My eyes flashed to his. Jared. He had called, but was it really him? I wondered. Fury's eye met with mine, knowingly, and he nodded.
"He's been possessed, compromised.-" Clint sat up, alert and Natasha glanced at Fury, worry in her features."- But it's different from when it occurred to Barton. It's not so powerful this time. He can fight it, and when he does, he's in control of himself."
"Is Loki up to something again?" Steve asked, leaning forward and placing his elbows on the table.
"It's not Loki. Why is he to blame for everything, now? Oh, the printer is jammed...it must've been Loki again. Blame everything on the god of mischief. Don't you guys ever think that it could be something else, something far worse and dangerous than Loki?" I snapped, agitated with them blaming Loki with everything. I immediately regretted saying anything, because as soon as I did, all eyes were on me.
"She speaks the truth. I do not believe that my brother is behind this." Thor agreed, sending me an appreciative nod. I silently thanked him as the eyes were off of me.
"How would you two know? It's not like we know of his whereabouts." Natasha said.
"I agree with the red head!" Tony said, raising a finger up and pointing towards Natasha who rolled her eyes.
"We can't just assume things." Bruce commented.
Fury raised his hand, signaling for all of us to shut up and listen. "Anyways, as I was saying, Jared called. He didn't get to say much, but he did warn us about something happening at the Christmas Party."
"So we cancel it." Tony said, nonchalantly.
Barton shot him an incredulous look. "We can't cancel it. We need to face the problem and end it then and there."
"Barton is right. I gathered you together to tell you that during the Christmas Party we are all going to be prepared for anything." Fury said.
"And this is why we can't have nice things," Tony mumbled, shaking his head.
"Are you serious?" Steve demanded towards Tony, irritated.
"No, I'm Tony."
Steve stood up from his chair, slamming his fists down at the table. It vibrated and threatened to fall apart, but Steve didn't use his full strength. If he had, the table would've been long gone. "Always joking during serious times, and sometimes you wonder why so many people hate you."
With that being said, Steve walked out promising Fury that he'd be prepared. Tony rolled his eyes and finally sat up right, fixing his suit. "He can never take a joke," he muttered, stood up, and walked out as well.
"You may go now. I'll inform you guys if anything else happens." Fury dismissed.
"I'll be in the lab for a little and then we can do whatever you want." Bruce told me. I nodded, agreeing with him and watched as he walked away. I waited at the door, and as soon as Thor walked past me, I grabbed his attention. I made sure the door to the conference room was shut.
"Is something wrong, Lady Banner?" He asked.
I nodded, and motioned for him to follow me. "Loki left," I murmured quietly to him and despite my mood, I smiled at one of the agents walking by. Turning right, we went down another long corridor.
"Left?" Thor questioned alarmed.
I turned to him and pressed my finger to my lips, signaling for him to lower his voice. He nodded apologetically. "He left?" He asked again, his tone quiet this time.
"Yes. I don't know why, I don't know when, and I don't know where he could've gone. I was hoping he would be with you...is he?-" Thor shook his head no, frowning. "-Then, I thought that he had turned himself in, but surely, Fury would've mentioned it in the meeting."
"And where are we heading?" Thor asked as we made yet another turn.
"I just want to make sure," I mumbled as we finally reached the door. Using Jared's I.D, I gained access and the door slid open before me. My heart sank. The glass chamber was empty. I stepped forward, Thor following after me.
"It's empty." Thor noted glum.
"It's been that way for a while." A new voice commented. I jumped, startled and turned around to face Director Fur. "Isn't that right, Eryn?"
"What are you hinting at?" Thor asked, glancing between both Fury and I.
"I know." Fury stated.
"Know what?" I dared to ask, already knowing the answer. My heart beat quickened, threatening to go to overdrive. Thor's blue eyes widened, finally catching on. He immediately moved closer to me, placing a supportive arm on my shoulder.
"I know that you've been hiding Loki all along."
A/N: Okay, so you might be confused as to why Eryn doesn't remember kicking Loki out...but in the beginning of this chapter, she was sooo out of it. Also, Loki mentioned something about her eyes...I just let out big hints, but if you still don't know, then don't worry, it'll be unveiled in the story soon! Anyways, so Fury has always known? Why do you think he kept it a secret? How do you think Bruce will take Brian's news? Please leave your thoughts below!
and once again, I give you all a BIG THANK YOU for all the support you've blessed me with throughout this story!