rusted [pжавый]

In the position Hennessy Stark was in, she could see only the corner of the smile that the god gave when she entered the glass cage on the carrier. Even though she was willing to wipe it out of his face, the presumption gave her some goosebumps.

— There’s not many people that can sneak up on me — He now turned to her.

— But you figured I’d come — It wasn’t a question. Henny wouldn’t underestimate his intelligence.

— After. After whatever tortures Fury can concoct, you would appear as a friend, as a balm. — He paused to check on her. Head to toes. — And I would cooperate.

The woman couldn’t prevent the blush that came upon her face. Hell, those charming asgardians.  

— Well, seeing as you are so willing, would care to tell me what you did to Barton?

— I’d say I’ve expanded his mind — he shrugged — Not all of them have that beautiful brain of yours.

— A great compliment to just any girl — Henny’s posture didn’t falter as she walked close to the glass.

— Ah, but you’re not just any girl are you? — He imitates her gesture and comes now face to face with her on thick walls.

— My Father named me after a drink - Hennessy raised an eyebrown - and that’s not even the craziest thing he’s done. Now I have to deal with him putting an iron suit and flying around fighting villains. — she stated a conniving smile on her face — And my grandfather helped create the world’s first superhero. There’s no way for me to be just any girl.

— You think it’s only this? A shadow of two grand people?

— I don’t make a big deal out of my father’s greatness as you do to yours. — she shrugged.

— Someone did their homework. — he clapped — I take it that you’re happy to continue being a SHIELD scientist, not dirtying your hands in war?

— That’s me.

 — That’s just what you try to pretend to be. But I’ve seen it, Stark. The way you look around, sensing every bit of information. — Hennessy’s lips part slightly as he speaks — The sparks that threaten to come up. You’re here to keep that in check. But in the end, you’re in the service of liars and killers. — The girl stuck her nails in the palm of her hands, begging herself for control, to not punch the wall in front of her — You pretend to be separated, to have your own code, something that makes up for both the horrors you’re facing inside and theirs. But both are part of you now, they’ll never go away. And sooner or later, you’ll have to enter the battlefield.

Loki slammed his fist against the glass, not intending on keeping it calm like Henny.

— I won’t touch Barton. Not until I make him kill that Russian spy. Then I’ll end him. — He smiled seeing Hennessy take steps back from the glass, fear evident in her face. — Seeing your both tutors dead will make you finally release to what you’re holding. — the woman turns away and for a moment, her sobs are the only audible thing in the space.

— You’re a monster — her response comes muffled.

Loki grins menacingly.

— Oh, no. Your boss brought the monster.

That’s what it takes to Henny smile, straighten her posture and turn to the god in absolute satisfaction.

— So, Bruce? That’s your play? — confusion crossed his face for the first time since she entered the room, and she likes the look of it.

— What? — he managed to ask, but the girl is already strolling to the door, dictating orders.

— Loki means to unleash the Hulk. Keep dr. Banner in the lab. Natasha, go on their way and send Thor as well. — before she exits the door, she turns around and, as a Stark by blood, blinks to Loki — Thank you for your cooperation.

***

She felt the vibration on her feet before the actual explosion hit the carier. The closeness told her there was a fire on Engine Three and she needed to get away from her lab.

— Are you alright, kid? — Tony’s voice came through the com.

— Yeah, no damage here — She answered, it wasn’t the time to argue over him calling her a kid. — It’s Barton. He came to release Loki.

There was a lot of people providing information on that line, then Fury started throwing out orders to everyone, including sending Tony to fix the Engine and addressing Henny to do damage contention, which included putting down anyone who wasn’t from SHIELD there.

Hennessy took her gun and locked it in her uniform, so she could make full use of her hands and was about to run when she felt something else vibrating. The direction Clint was going. She was working in a cognitive recalibration serum after the talk she had with Loki, but it wasn’t ready, and she didn’t want to risk it and try it on Barton. Therefore, the brutal way would have to work.

Turns out, getting to Clint was proving to be harder than she expected. There were a lot of mercenaries on the carier and they didn’t have any goal, except fighting and destroying. When she was able to tone down 5 of them and the path seemed clear, Fury told them Clint was going to the detention lab and Nat let them know she was on his way.

When she finally found her two tutors, they were fighting and Nat seemed to be losing so, looking around fast, she took a fallen piece of the ship and beat as hard as she could on Clint’s head.

***

—  Why am I back? How did you get him out? — Clint fixed his eyes on Natasha, while he was still strapped to the bed.

— Cognitive recalibration, it was Hennessy’s idea — he raised an eyebrow to her, questioning the meaning — She hit you really hard in the head.

— I bet she loved it. — the man grunted, knowing his protégée didn’t even blink on doing that.