whose_son_am_i | Meme-shenanigans and Continuations.

"Do I get a 'confiscated by a government agency' note to get out of work at least?"

She may as well enjoy the car ride as best as possible.

And how do you know them in particular?

"I'm sure we're really just overspray in picking up Loki."

"All appropriate authorities will be notified, Dr. Palmer." Coulson reassured. "There is some interest, given you were in his company. We want to ensure your safety too." Stephen snorted, but said nothing. If anything he seemed to find this situation funny.

I've been their prisoner before. Not to mention they were the ones experimenting with the tesseract, when I invaded 5 years ago. I think they're not pleased to see me again, but this is actually friendly as a way to intercept me goes.

Christine and Stephen have the same reaction to that, both giving a snort. Sometimes it's obvious that they've been friends for years.

"I am perfectly safe, thank you. I keep a wizard as a friend."

How many of them did you kill? Not judging, just asking.

I didn't exactly keep track...I did kill the man who intercepted us. Apparently he's as good at dying as I am

"Considering the way the world has changed in the last few years, you'll understand if we don't find that entirely comforting Dr. Palmer."

So he really did take you kindly.

"That's very wizard-phobic of you agent Coulson."

She does hope Stephen is as amused by that as she is, or at all.

"Oh personally I find it amazing, Dr. Palmer. But you can understand how it makes people nervous." Coulson said amiably enough. Stephen just shot Christine an amused smile.

As I theorized, this is all just a way for them to try and gain some control over the situation. Sif already likely informed them I am willing to....talk. I do have valuable intelligence for them, which is also why I was meeting with your Sorcerer.

"People are apt to be frightened of what they don't understand. How far is this ride going to be?"

And how do they not have a more efficient way of getting there.

So hopefully you'll be fine and I won't have to test out playing with people's emotions. They don't seem to suspect that I'm capable of more than medicine.

You should be fine, Sweetling. I'm not worried.

"Not much further, Dr. Palmer. Just outside the city. You weren't exactly in a good area for transport via jet or helicopter." Coulson looked amused. "I am curious as to how you know our target. You were previously coworkers with Dr. Strange, but aside from about a month ago in New Asgard, you've shown no previous contact with any of them."

I'm not worried about me.

"Oh you know, just doctor stuff. I gave him some stitches, found him funny, we became friends."

Coulson is uncomfortably nice, I understand why you would kill him

It was probably not reassuring, that Loki smiled and chuckled to himself, when his own ride in the SUV had been quiet so far. He'd been enjoying the ride, and taking advantage of his link to Christine.

"Uh huh." Coulson said carefully, clearly knowing there was more to this story. It wasn't too much longer before they arrived at what looked like non-descript office-buildings. Perhaps a research campus. Of course there were more agents, better armed, ready to meet them. Including putting handcuffs on Loki with a short leash. Once more he was also given an elaborate guard, which just made him smile. "Honestly, Agent Coulson, if this is what a nice interception looks like, then I'd hate to see a rude one."

Inside was all steel and plexiglass, with Loki being lead to a reinforced room and locked in. Separate from Christine and Stephen, who were lead to a much nicer room. With cameras on the room Loki was locked in.

"You do know he's only behaving because he wants to, right?" Stephen pointed out, with his arms crossed." Coulson had his hands behind his back, and only raised an eyebrow. "We know. It's all about the long game with him."

"At least roll out a menacing carpet to go with all the weapons."

There's a flash of anger at Loki being put into cuffs but she quickly pushes it down, now is not the time to react in anger.

Loki does seem very calm about all this which is helpful.

"And what is his long game this time?"

"Well, that's what we're hoping to determine, Dr. Palmer. Reports seem to say he be willing to talk about the invasion 5 years ago. Why now is the relevant question." Coulson seemed incredibly calm about all of this.

"Right, I'd be curious to know just how SHIELD knows that?" Stephen chimed in.

"That's for us to know, Dr. Strange. Actually we'd like to talk to all three of you, if that's alright?" Whether it was or not, it was clear they were being split up further. Although Stephen and Christine weren't taken to cells...

Guess all 3 were getting a form of questioned after all.

"Is it a group quiz?" Christine knows the answer soon enough as she's taken into a room by herself.

You okay? I'm about to be questioned.

Are *you* going to be alright...

In the cell, Loki's eyes narrowed as he looked towards the room where he knew Coulson and the other had been.

Cooperate, Christine--but only as much as you feel you need to. I would not see you hurt.

A lot of it was probably expected and standard questioning. How did she know Loki? Why was she meeting with Dr. Strange? Why was Loki with her? Why hadn't she told authorities? And so on. There was some questioning about her new relationship with Strange, given she'd started contacting him again as well. It was clear she wasn't the primary target however, and equally clear that SHIELD was also slightly worried for her. Or at least that Agent Coulson was, considering Sif was with him when they talked to Christine after the first round of questioning. Sif also made it very clear that she was a friend to Thor and his people. How that had come about, the Lady could not say but she didn't question it--having seen Christine's work herself.

Dr. Strange was questioned a little more thoroughly, as it was clear SHIELD was....skeptical when it came to Sorcery and what masters of the mystic arts did. He also only cooperated as much as necessary, and no more. Clear enough on his relationship to Christine, and that yes--he'd been contacted by Loki--whom he was monitoring given the other's status as a threat.

Of Nick Fury, there was no sign--and Loki answered only the questions asked of him and ONLY what was asked. Volunteering nothing, as one of the higher up agents did the initial round before leaving him again.

I'll be fine. I think everyone assumes I've been charmed by you for nefarious purposes.

Really, Christine has the upper hand in all of this, no one suspects her of anything besides being reckless.

She answers the questions with mostly honesty, it's always best to add truth in as much as possible.

Christine greets Sif eagerly, mentioning what a pleasant surprise it is to see her here.

Christine can play the fool a little, at least until she figures out if Loki is in danger.

"I am sorry, Christine. SHIELD has protocol that must be followed. Thor has been made aware, and SHIELD knows of our displeasure in all of this." Sif reached up and rubbed at her brow. "I do not like this, Agent Coulson. She is my friend."

"Yes, and that's why we want to make sure she's safe." Coulson agreed. Eventually, while Christine was deemed interesting, she wasn't being held on anything so they couldn't really arrest her or do much other than start a file on her. The same was true for Dr. Stephen Strange.

Loki was back to being silent however, so it was time to play a new game. Coulson had them brought back to that room that had surveillance of Loki's cell. This time, he went himself to question the other.

Loki looked up when Coulson entered the room, and had a soft smile with a hint of menace behind it. "Phil, son of Coul--it would appear reports of your death are as over-exaggerated as claims of my own." Coulson had his own softly menacing smile. "Yes, we did hear something about that--and yet here we are."

No response, so Coulson went on. "I would apologize for our treatment, but honestly? This is lenient considering you're a wanted war criminal. You have allies who are willing to vouch for you, and you implied you'd cooperate."

"Have I not cooperated so far, Agent?"

"You have, but we still have a few questions." Coulson paced a bit. "I admit, not all of them relevant to the larger matter--personally, I'm curious. Why Dr. Palmer?"

"She did me a kindness before."

"I see, and so now you're...what, involved with her because she was nice to you?"

Loki laughed, looking entirely unconcerned. "You'll forgive me if I find it absurd that you worry over a personal relationship." Again that soft but menacing smile. "She amuses me, and I enjoy banter with her. I was not expecting to find a midgardian I could actually enjoy conversation with--it's a rarity."

"Right...sure. So she's just a convenience to you? Is that it?" Coulson asked, head tilting and with an affable smile. "You didn't seem the type to respond to someone being 'nice' to you."

"It's not as if any of you actually tried before, now is it?" Blue-green eyes were cold. "But if you must be reassured, then yes. She's a convenience. She is far too kind for her own good, and I am taking advantage of that." Loki didn't reach out to Christine mentally--just played the 'part' they were obviously expecting.

She can tell it's a game, that Loki is trying to not give away too much. But all she can do is stand and watch.

It still feels horrible and while she appears fine on the inside, the welling of emotion in her threatens to overflow. Given what she's discovered she's able to do, that could prove disastrous.

She briefly wonders if Stephen can sense the danger.

Stephen reaches out to her shoulder. He can't tell exactly, but as her friend, he knows this can't be easy to here. Even if Loki is playing the part, perfectly.

Sif looks ready to hit something--preferably Loki.

"You surprise me, Son of Coul." Loki's tone was sharp, grabbing the agent's attention. "I didn't imagine you being cruel." The other tilted his head in silent question. "All you are doing right now, is hurting one of the people you're seeking to protect from me. By making her listen to all of this, where I tell you just how little I care. I'm impressed by the deviousness there." But Loki's eyes were cold, even if his smile was mocking.

Sif cursed softly, and reached out for Christine's arm. "Oh I will make him pay for that, but damn if he's not right. Christine I didn't know Phil would do this...come on." Ready to make them both leave.

Stephen squeezed Chrstine's shoulder, but looked thoughtful.

Easy Sweetling, I can feel you projecting. Logical and calm, projecting calm across the link. The same ease he'd felt at the dinner conversation. I'm playing the part they expect.

The touch is grounding and helps her get herself in check.

It's difficult to hear, but more difficult to have Sif and Stephen trying to comfort her.

"It's ok. I can handle it." She's not about to risk leaving them unattended.

Christine has an expert poker face from years of holding back emotions when talking to families at the hospital, she can keep herself together.

Can I nudge someone to punch themselves in the face? now if she means Coulson or Loki is up for debate.

Maybe on our way out. No hint at all that Loki's attention wasn't wholly on Agent Coulson.

Who sighed, before conceding. "Much as I hate to admit it, you have a point. But I'll apologize to Dr. Palmer later. So here're the more relevant questions. Who controlled the Chitauri, and promised you that you could rule Earth? Why do you think they'll bother coming to us?"

"I don't think, Agent. I know. Because I was promised heretofore unheard of suffering, if I failed to deliver the tesseract. Which he'll be looking for. Even if that isn't found, you all have no doubt taken apart the scepter and discovered its secrets--I can't see him letting that remain in your hands either."

"Alright, and what do you want in exchange for your help? Cards on the table, and no long game, Loki." Coulson was apparently ready to deal more fairly.

What followed was still like a verbal chess match of questioning--but Loki's demand was fairly simple at the end of the day. He wanted to be left alone and left to his own people to handle. Especially in lieu of the larger threat of this Mad Titan and his armies and search for relics known as Infinity Stones. Eventually, while still cuffed, Loki conjured the flash drive he'd made. Tossing it to Agent Coulson with a "Be sure a copy of that gets to Dr. Strange." and a far too smug smile.

That had most definitely NOT been what the agent was expecting.

There's a certain sense of pride at the way he plays his cards, Loki can be absolutely brilliant and she does have quite a lot of respect for it.

She doesn't know of much of what he's talking about but she doesn't get any indication that he's lying.

"You're going to have more work on your hands, Stephen." Since this was what they had likely been coming to talk to him for.

"I expected as much." Then Dr. Strange had to laugh, as Coulson's next question was "How do we know you're not lying about all of this?"

Loki just looked at the man like he was an idiot. "You don't. But I'm not. Everything on that drive has also been verified as much as possible, not tampered with, and has sources where I could provide them. And if you don't ask me where it all comes from, I won't have to lie to you about the answer, now will I?"

"Right..." Coulson sounded skeptical, but headed for the exit. Coming into the room, he passed the drive over to an agent. "I want full scan and analysis on that, with copies made of the copies." Then he turned to the group. "Dr. Palmer....I'm so sorry." Like he expected her to be hurt and upset.

Christine arches a brow at him.

"It's fine It's not like I've punched myself in the face." There's where all her frustration flows along with that little demand hidden in her sentence. God, it would be so satisfying if it actually works this time.

Coulson blinks, and his arm actually twitches like he's about to... Before it does move to his face, but not in a punch. In a face-palm, albeit a rather hard one. "I suppose it did seem like that to you. Again, my apologies Dr. Palmer."

So it had been twisted a little bit, but sort of worked. Stephen gave her a look, suspecting something. "For what it's worth, Agent Coulson--I believe him on this. The Infinity stones are well known powerful and dangerous relics. It's not unlikely someone could be hunting them and if they are, then that being is very powerful and likely mad."

"Right, and we just have your word to back that up?"

"And mine, Phil." Sif said quietly, but firmly. "We do not know them as stones, but such powerful items are known to my people too. Loki is many things, but he does have a stake in this too if only to save his own hide. I would look in to what he's saying."

She's a bit mad it didn't work, only because it would have been so satisfying for her.

"I'll be sure to remember your cruelty if you ever need my help." Because he could have left her in the other room but actively decided to hurt her for no reason.

She offers Stephen a little shrug as if she has no idea about the face palming.

"And no one cares if they have my word. Can I take the war criminal and go then?"

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