Chapter 35
35
Tony and Thor were feeling very frustrated, having no luck in locating Lady Luka. It took some time for the mortal genius to convince his godly friend they should return to Avengers’ Tower. He explained that he also had Friday going through all the security footage, both in the station and the immediate surrounding area, but even for her, it would take a while. Their time might be better spent retracing her steps up to then, and calling everyone she had contacted previously.
Bruce had returned to his lab where he was most comfortable. Natasha had come back from her upstate training, bringing Steve and Clint back with her. The heroes were soon joined by Pepper and Happy; she had paperwork for Tony’s signature. Everyone sat around waiting and decided to have dinner together as they often did when gathered as a group.
Steve’s only comment was to shake his head at Thor, sighing, “again?” Clint said not a word, he’d been pretty much out of the loop, on assignment in Europe. Natasha had brought both men up to speed on the short flight from upstate.
The archer worried, though. After therapy, he remembered everything from his short time under the influence of the Chitauri sceptre. And now, the rest seemed to believe Loki had been just as controlled as he had been. Sick and definitely injured, even before Hulk smashed him, according to Thor and Bruce.
Thrown in prison by Odin, rescued to help his brother, nearly died, imprisoned again. Thor had then gone to great lengths to ‘save’ his last remaining family, refusing to accept his father’s pronouncement of disowning his Jotunn sibling. Thor said Lady Luka was really a changed, amnesiac Loki. No wonder she had given him the willies.
So, Clint fretted. Loki was at least the equal of Stark and Banner in the brains department. A lot sneakier and a whole lot less moral. Thought he was better than mortals, even better than his adopted people. No matter what his brother said about him being ‘changed.’
A liar and a troublemaker, even Thor, who loved him blindly, said so. And now, he was healthy, stronger, had his memory and his mojo back. Made him even more dangerous than when he was crazy, in Clint’s opinion. So, was it better to have him where they could watch him, or just let him vanish? Nobody had a clue what his plans were.
*
Long term, neither did Issa. For her immediate future, she planned to insinuate herself into her former minion’s safe house. Knowing, from the memories in her Hawk’s mind, that his wife was also SHIELD, she would have to be careful of what she revealed about herself. While Laura was supposedly now retired, Issa had no doubt her loyalty still lay with her former employers.
She slept the night through, no dreams that she could remember; the gentle sway of the car and regular clicking of the wheels soothing her. Breakfast she had in her suite, then showered. After a quiet morning, she spent most of the day in the observation car, lunch in the dining car, back to her suite for a nap until dinner, again in the dining car.
The second day passed much like the first, although Issa did do a little more wandering, checking out the cafe car for a snack and drink. Just for exercise, she walked all the way to the front of the train, from the sleeper car, through the dining and cafe cars, the observation/lounge and regular passenger seating. The staff said that was as far as she could go, all that was in front was baggage, a staff car and the engine. This train was much like the original one.
Issa had originally planned to take a bus from Ottumwa to her destination. When she disembarked from the Amtrak, she was hailed by a livery service driver, waiting for her. The blonde had only thought to take the hired car to the bus station, not far away. When the driver asked her where she was headed, she gave him her final stop, asking how long the ride would last.
He’d looked her over carefully, deciding she could easily afford him. “Ma’am, I can take you all the way to Waverly. Cost you a bit more than the bus, but it’s a lot quicker and you’ll be more comfortable.”
“Oh, excellent! There was a young man in New York that drove me to various places, too. I did enjoy those trips. Cost is not a concern; comfort and education are. Do you know the area well?” She smiled, hopefully.
He grinned back. “Well enough to get you there, no problem. It’s about a two hour drive. You just help yourself to anything back there; snacks, soda, water, a drink if you want. On the house.”
“Thank you, kind sir. May I inquire as to your name? I am Issa.” Snuggling into the lush cushions, the goddess sighed. “Forgive me if I fall asleep. It has been a long, stressful trip.”
“Oh, that’s fine. Would you like a blanket? I have one in the trunk. I could get it for you. I’m Matty, by the way. Matty Sheridan.”
“That would be much appreciated, Matty,” Issa smiled at the friendly fellow. She even let him spread it over her lap, nodding her thanks again.
“No problem, Ms. Issa. Could I ask you a personal question?”
Her head came up, a slight frown on her face. “You may. I cannot guarantee an answer.”
“Are you Swedish or Norwegian? Your name sounds like it and you have the look, too.”
“Ah, yes. You could say I am of Nordic ancestry.” She nodded in agreement. Issa lay her head back, finished conversing. Understanding, Matty turned to the front and they pulled out into traffic.
A little over two hours later, he woke her, asking where she wanted to be dropped off. “There’s an inn on Main Street. I have reserved a room there until I find permanent accommodations,” he was told.
“Ah, the Cobblestone?” A single nod answered him and he swung off the highway to pull up in front of the hotel. He unloaded her suitcase and carried it in while she stretched the kinks out of her back. Loki was feeling stiff and a bit sore from being inactive for so long. Perhaps, after freshening up, Issa would go for a jog, see what there was to see in this small, country village.
Having taken care of the driver and her reservation, Issa took a quick shower. Feeling refreshed and curious, she left the hotel and wandered the streets for several hours. Issa looped through the town for a while, then took a biking/hiking trail across the Cedar River.
She walked west for a couple of miles and saw signs for the local college. Remembering her Hawk’s son attended university there, she headed for the campus. Maybe, she’d get lucky and actually see Cooper if it wasn’t too late in the day. She’d not yet discovered his nor Lila’s school schedules.
Issa spent the first few days just familiarising herself with the town’s layout, services and entertainments. Returning to the college, she first found the student centre, located computer access and began her search for the children’s itineraries. That done, she headed to the next building, the business centre and admissions office. Professors in ancient European history were rare; she hoped they needed one.
The class she was best suited to teach began with the fall term; Euro history before 1450. The school would be delighted to have her. For now, she could spend a few hours per week educating adults in part of their summer program if she wished. Ancient Nordic traditions, religion and Viking culture, part of the college’s history program.
It was popular with more than the area’s Scandinavian population, too. The current lecturer was unavailable, since he had returned to Sweden for vacation. It was almost too perfect and Loki silently thanked the Nornir for their blessing. He had always been lucky. Whether he stayed until fall depended on several variables; how soon he made contact with the Bartons, if they would take him in, how long it would take for Thor to find him, and of most importance, how long it would take to ‘get his head on straight’, as the mortals said.