I didn't want Coulson or Thor to accompany me to see Loki, because I felt there would be bias if he saw me with either one. I asked for the employee who escorted us to the briefing room earlier to take me there.

She took me to Loki's holding cell instead of the interview room - Coulson found this the easiest way to submit to my 'demands' and also thought it would be more comfortable.

The Security Guard managing the main controls of the cells handed me a palm-sized communication device with various buttons. Due to my special concessions, it was important to be given one. He briefly explained to me how it worked - to be used not only to alert them when I wanted to exit the cell but also just in case there was any trouble or emergency. I hoped I would only be using it for exit purposes.

As I put the device in my pocket, I thought I would engage the security guard, "how has Loki been faring in here?"

"He's been very quiet," he responded, "just seems to only want to sleep. He also hasn't been eating either." He looked at me carefully, "definitely not the same person I had heard of during the Battle of New York. How the mighty have fallen."

It would just be wasting time and breath to explain or even argue with this person. I just nodded as I processed what I had been told.

The security guard then pressed the appropriate buttons releasing the force field to let me enter. As soon as I walked through, I saw the employee leave. I then heard the faint hum of the force field return as it was replaced behind me.

I could see Loki in the corner of the cell, resting on his mattress. A sharp pang of sympathy pierced my heart. He looked very vulnerable lying there; his inky black tresses tousled, how he was curled up on the mattress and fitfully sleeping... much the same of an injured animal.

I stood and waited for a moment, trying to figure out how to proceed, since I wasn't expecting him to be asleep. I need not have worried, however, because, at that moment, he began to stir.

"Loki?" I said, but soon realized only those with a parabolic microphone only heard that one, so I spoke a little louder, "Loki!" Thankfully that was enough. He opened his sleepy eyes.

"Beverlee?" he whispered, a small smile came to his face.

"Are you trying to write a book on the best cells and prisons in the universe?"

"If I was, this place wouldn't even make the cut," he said, sitting up, "are you really... here?"

"Yes, my friend," I said with happiness and much relief, "I'm here. I'm REALLY here."

As Loki moved off his mattress, I noticed he immediately clutched at his side for a moment, then began to walk over to me. I could see he was limping a little and as he got closer there seemed to be evidence of a bruise that was healing on his cheek. Was that from Thor? SHIELD? Or was it from the assignment? I decided not to ask. Yet.

I quickly walked toward him to close the gap between us. As we reached each other, he took both of my hands in each his own, then our fingers interlaced. His thumb moved to gently press on my wrist as if to make sure I was real and not otherwise. Satisfied with the examination, he spoke.

"Beverlee, I'm so glad Thor found you," his blue-green eyes alight, although I could also see a torment and conflict within, "I almost thought you wouldn't come."

"For you," I said in a matter-of-fact tone, "of course I would!"

"With what's happened... what you must have been told, I couldn't be sure," he spoke in hushed, unsettled tones, "what you must think of me, what...they... now think of me... I may never see you again."

"Easy, now." I said, trying to calm him, "I know you didn't do this, my friend, you're innocent," my voice was adamant, "we're going to get you out of this."

Loki's hands gripped mine tighter - not enough to hurt - and he looked at me in need, "if you know I didn't do this, then how... how come they don't?" His tone sounded angst-ridden, bordering on desperation, "oh, what would saving someone like me change anyway?"

Clearly, my poor friend Loki had been put through much and it had taken its toll. He was as tense as a bowstring and I had to find a way to help him relax - and at this point, words weren't helping.

Releasing my hands from his, I looked up at him.

"Come here," I beckoned, and moved closer to give him a hug.

As my arms moved to encircle him, he leaned in close and clandestinely whispered into my ear this caution, "gently, Beverlee," as his own arms slowly encircled me in kind.

Upon hearing that request just added to what I had deduced. In a sad tone, I whispered, "Loki... you're hurt."

"It's... it's nothing," he whispered back, his tone apprehensive.

This was not 'nothing,' considering what I observed within scant minutes. I was crestfallen to learn that someone had physically hurt my friend. Considering what Thor had promised me about Loki being safe and unharmed seemed at this time to not hold water.

Still holding on to each other, I released the hug a bit. Looking at Loki carefully, in his eyes I could tell he had more to say, but his expression was also one of restraint. His eyes darted to the areas of the cell that had the video cameras, and he shrugged his shoulders helplessly.

"It's okay," I said soothingly, "we can speak freely." Loki soon had a quizzical expression on his face, to which I explained, "with some doing, I was able to persuade Agent Coulson that it would be in your best interest... if they did not record or listen to our conversation."

"Did you? How clever," he said, giving me a small smile. It caused him to pull me back into a full hug then bring the hug's intensity to increase a little more, on his part, despite a yelp of discomfort escaping his lips. We then returned back to our comfortable clinging.

"I have my moments," I said, smiling back, finally feeling my friend's tension ease. My expression soon turned to concern, "Loki, what happened? Who hurt you?"

Butterflies yet again launched in my stomach as I steeled myself. No matter what the answer was, I knew it was going to hurt me too. I was gratified we were still both within each other's arms, the beauty of this simple embrace would lessen the intensity of the truth on the both of us.

Loki looked at me. He seemed to have trouble answering, and of all things I didn't expect - I noticed an odd glistening moisture in his eyes - which were not tears. "I... I don't know." His eyes lowered, looking down at the ground with frustration.

I didn't expect that answer...

Releasing our hug, this time I took his hands and held them warmly in mine.

"Easy," I said, looking up at him, "it's okay. Just one more thing on our to-do list to find out." I shot him an assuring smile, "let's get you back to your mattress, yeah?"

Leaning on me for support I was able to get him to sit down on the mattress. I soon realized I had to do something else, for forensic evidence purposes... Sure, if I told Coulson and Thor about Loki's injuries they would most likely get him medical attention, but right now, as Loki's advocate, I felt I had to see for myself...

"Loki," I carefully sat beside him, and put my hand gently on his shoulder, "do you trust me enough to let me see where you've been hurt?"

"You won't like what you see," he said in a worried tone, staring straight ahead at the wall.

"Perhaps, but what's worse," I said, looking at him as he continued to stare at the wall, "is seeing my friend in pain."

He slowly turned his head towards me. It seemed he was taken aback at what I had just said. With Loki being who he was, as well as being more of a loner, it could be that not many had ever cared about his welfare.

We looked into each other's eyes and shared a moment of silent communication.

He swallowed uncomfortably, then softly said, "I'll need some help..."

Loki was wearing a button-up shirt, making it mostly easy work to remove and to slide his arms out of the sleeves. It was then I immediately saw the extent of my friend's injuries...

I gasped in shock.

There was a very large and severe purplish bruise on his left side, which seemed like it came from multiple blows. There were also other smaller -and seemed like - less serious bruises around the area.

How could Loki not know or remember who could have done this to him?!

"That looks very nasty..." I said, an uneasy expression crossing my face, "it must hurt a lot."

"It... it does," Loki admitted in a very small voice, "my ribs also hurt."

For fear I would cause my friend more discomfort, I didn't touch his wounds. Only using my vision, I quickly checked to see if there were any obvious signs of internal damage, but for the moment I didn't notice any.

To finish my 'procedures,', taking out my smartphone from my pocket - and assuring Loki that this device would not harm him - I took pictures of his injuries to show Thor and Coulson later.

Satisfied I had done all I could do with this, I realized there was no way I was going to make Loki put his shirt back on, it would be too uncomfortable. Instead, I had him lie down in a position that put the least stress on his injured side, then covered him with the standard-issue blanket that was on the end of his mattress.

Once Loki was fully covered, I knew the next thing I had to do was to talk to him so I could get his side of the story regarding the murder case. However, considering the ordeal of procedures he had been put through before being locked up, I suspected his mind needed a bit more easing.

I knelt beside the mattress in a way that I could rest my arms on the edge and rested my head on them so I could look at him face-to-face, "Loki, we're going to figure out what happened to you. For the duration of this, I'm going to make sure you're properly looked after." Reaching out, I located one of his covered arms and lightly rested my hand on it, "I'm going to get you the medical attention you need when we're done talking. Then... something to eat."

Loki gave me a look of gratitude, "I'm so glad you're here, Beverlee," he said, in a tone that was so heartfelt, it hit me where I live.

Emotions swirled within me, causing me to choke up, but I managed to croak out, "That feeling... is mutual."

I then noticed that the arm I had touched, had escaped the blanket, and was now holding my hand. I smiled at him.

* * *

Once I caught my breath, I moved to sit back down on the mattress, "speaking of talking," I said wryly, "let's start from the beginning. Tell me how this all happened."

Just for a moment, Loki's eyes searched my face, apparently seeking something. I don't know what it was, but after a moment, he smiled at me with such warmth. He then began to speak.

"As you know, Thor and I were teamed up with some individuals that truly had special skills. However some of them upon seeing me recognized who I was and there was some tension for a time, but somehow, that time didn't last very long. The person leading the team was extraordinary in adjusting our attitudes and we soon all got on."

"That's good to hear. Umm, the deceased," I said softly, "how did you get on with them?"

"She was brilliant. For someone to submit to such things to protect one's realm... But she didn't take to me very well. I believe her feelings about the Battle of New York were deeply entrenched. However, your advice about those who didn't like me was helpful," he chuckled, "I left her alone, and she seemed to simply tolerate me. So be it, I thought."

It was very pleasing to hear my advice had been helpful. I gave Loki a comforting look, then continued, "tell me what happened after your assignment was completed?"

"We were to meet back at the home base. It is an area in this building," he then paused for a moment. I could see him struggling to find the words.

"It's okay," I said gently, "you may be the God of Mischief, but I promise you, in this case, whatever you tell me, I will believe you."

Loki seemed to gain confidence with that and it motivated him to now sit up - with some help from myself. Taking the blanket, I draped it around his shoulders, which he effectively wrapped around himself. He leaned back against the wall and now we were able to talk face to face.

"When I arrived back in the facility, it appeared I was the first one to return. They designated quite a large space on our floor of the building for the team. Being curious, I wanted to take advantage of that short window of time and look around in this designated area to see what other items there were available for us during future missions."

I smiled to myself. Clever Loki, in his own way, was proverbially attempting to "case the joint." Glad he's on our side now, I thought happily.

"Ever since my previous return to Midgard, I am very taken by human technology. So I walked over to the mainframe computer area, with the idea I could tinker with the machines." Loki paused again, but the pause was shorter, "I soon realized I wasn't alone."

Loki looked to me again, for assurance. I gave him another nod of encouragement to continue.

Although I knew this was getting more difficult for Loki, I couldn't blame him. His statement was his only way of potentially redeeming himself and to get out of this awful place. It was no wonder why he was so afraid, he didn't want to get his words out wrong. I also knew if I simply was patient and didn't push him too hard, the truth would soon reveal itself.

"She... was there," my friend continued, "but her voice... She sounded like she was in trouble. I was still too far away to see what was happening. Our team manager taught us, although I considered it common sense, we had to assess the situation before taking action. By the time I got there, I saw her on the floor writhing in pain. I wasn't sure what I could do, but I had to do something."

Loki looked up at the ceiling of his cell for a moment. I could see a very troubled expression on his face as he was getting closer to what I was awaiting.

"Tell me," I urged him, "I know this may hurt to talk about, but you can speak freely. Remember, we're not being recorded or observed and... I will never judge you. It will be all right."

"It's just... so...humiliating," he said, closing his eyes.

"Hey," I said, grabbing part of Loki's blanket that was closest to me, and giving it a strong yank. Not enough to pull it off of him, but enough to open his eyes, "nobody's perfect..." I smirked, "including a certain Frost Giant in which I have a certain affection."

Loki's troubled look eased a bit. It seemed the audacity of my action not only surprised him, but he was pleased by the diversion.

"The truth is, Beverlee," he looked nervously into my eyes, "no sooner had I taken three steps toward her, I... blacked out," he pursed his lips, as he quietly spat out the words, "I never... blackout."