Masks

Thor, Dick Grayson, Happy Hogan, Bruce Banner and Pepper Potts were all gathered in a (locked) conference room with Tony and Bruce. The couple had had a quick, whispered conference before deciding on what to tell their allies.

"We were attacked at Bruce's home earlier," Tony said, his voice tight. "By Brock Rumlow."

"I thought Cap said he'd died at the Triskelion," Pepper said, shocked. "Are you all right?"

"We are, but...he wasn't after us, I think. Or not primarily." Tony and Bruce exchanged a troubled look. "We were at Wayne Manor with someone else. Our daughter."

"Your what?!" from both Happy and Banner. Dick looked startled, but quickly assumed a poker face, regarding Bruce intently. Thor's eyes narrowed .

"How old is she?" the Asgardian asked, scowling.

"Just turned sixteen. It was her birthday a few days ago--that's what the trip was for--"

Thunder rumbled ominously before Thor reined in his temper. "Was she gravely hurt?"

"We--we're hoping not--Rumlow took Catrin with him when he ran. A prisoner. Said his employers would want ransom to give her back." Bruce swallowed hard.

"Yeah, because the kind of assholes who'd go after a kid are bound to stick to their word," Dick spat, angry on their behalf. "Who is this jerk? I take it he was HYDRA, if he was part of that fight at the Triskelion."

"He disappeared after the Helicarriers crashed." Tony called up a hologram, showing them Rumlow's picture, and then his SHIELD file.

Pepper came over to Tony, wordlessly offering him--and then Bruce--a fierce hug. "We'll find her. And this time, we'll make sure he's finished," she swore.

There were murmurs of agreement from everyone in the room.

A knock on the door made Tony stiffen, before JARVIS whispered something in his ear. "Right. Unlock it, please, J, and make sure there's no camera footage of them--Diana won't want that. I suspect he won't either."

"I'm on it."

The door slid open, and Diana and a tall, black-haired man wearing glasses stood at the threshold.

"Clark." Bruce inclined his head. "How much of that did you hear?" Super-senses, yaaay....

"Enough to know I'd better get in line," the Kryptonian answered, "but I'd still like to."

Bruce Banner hesitantly spoke up. "Thor--I know I'm no expert on magic, or your people's abilities. But--if Heimdall can see us, could he help locate Catrin?"

"I will ask, but I suspect Odin may forbid him from further 'interference'. My father wasn't pleased that he spoke to me concerning the troubles here at all." Thor grimaced. "I'll call him as soon as we're done our counsel here. "

"We also have some other 'adversaries' to deal with," Happy said.

Dick nodded. " You don't need to be looking over your shoulders for Rogers and his crew on top of this."

"Divide and conquer?" Pepper suggested. "Some of us handle getting them out of here, for now, while the others focus on Catrin."

"I'm down with that," Happy said at once, grinning evilly.

"Count me in," Dick said.

"I'll go with you," Thor said. "Friend Bruce, " to Banner, "stay by Stark and his mate. They should have someone in reach who knows Midgardian science and medicine for this."

Banner winced a little at Thor's bluntness but agreed.

That left Clark, Diana, Pepper and Banner with Tony and Bruce. Thor strode outside to try to call Heimdall, while Happy and Dick went to the armory to gather a few 'toys'.

He returned quickly, a dark expression on his face. "He isn't responding. Either something else has him occupied, or my father has commanded his silence. "

"So we do this without him." Tony shrugged. "It's not going to stop us. We're getting her back."

Thor nodded, and followed the other men out of the room.

Steve jumped to his feet when Thor appeared. The door to his cell unlocked as Happy pushed a button.

"Captain." The Thunder God's voice was flat. He pushed the door open roughly. "Lady Potts and the Man of Iron have banned you from their estate."

"...what?" Steve gawked at him. "This is Avengers Tower--"

"This is Mr. Stark's home," Hogan cut him off. "How stupid are you that I keep repeating that and you still don't get it?"

Angered, Steve aimed a punch at Hogan.

Only to find himself in a completely unbreakable Asgardian-style headlock.

Thor shook him like a rat in a terrier's jaws. "Enough!" he boomed.

Natasha was approaching on silent feet, her gaze on Thor's back.

"Nope," Dick said firmly, moving between them. "You want another round, Widow? 'Cause you are leaving. Trust me on this."

Natasha stared at him, expression turning speculative. "Then why isn't he here? Stark's never let other people fight his battles."

"You're assuming he thinks you're worth the effort," Hogan snarled at her. He shook his head. "You're done mooching off him. Your access to the Tower, and your residence here, is now officially revoked. We'll have any belongings of yours stored and you can pick them up. Later. Get walking. "