30

Clark Gregg. That was the name John remembered from his father's stories. Gregg had once worked for the Wick family, but the memories were not fond ones. Because of Gregg's misguided advice, John's father had given his sister several bear dolls for Christmas in a row, which had led to some rather awkward family moments and a drop in the family's internal rankings.

As John approached the SHIELD personnel, some tried to stop him, but Coulson intervened. John stopped in front of him and offered a knowing smile. "Phil Coulson."

Coulson looked at John, his mind racing through Fury's files. "Are you… Wick?"

Coulson had worked for the Wick family for ten years, never quite part of the inner circle, but he knew enough. He had tried to find the missing Wick son once and failed. It was after that that SHIELD realized the task had dragged on too long. Afterward, Coulson had gotten a promotion and a raise and even handled Iron Man affairs for a while. Now, seeing his old boss's son in person, he put on his trademark, friendly smile.

"Just call me Phil Coulson," he said, extending his hand. John shook it, noting the sincerity in Coulson's eyes.

John's gaze drifted to the side, landing on Jane Foster and her companions. "So, the Strategic Homeland Defense Attack and Logistics Support Agency is now in the business of confiscating things?"

Coulson smiled ruefully. "I'm surprised you remember the full name. It took me ages to memorize it."

John smirked. "Calling it a 'call' is generous. You're stealing."

Jane, furious, was being held back by Dr. Selvig, while Daisy watched nervously, worried Jane might do something rash.

"We'll compensate you," Coulson said, pulling out a check.

Jane snatched it, her anger undiminished. "You can't buy replacement equipment at any store. I built most of this myself!"

For a scientist, there was nothing more infuriating than having your work taken.

"I'm sorry, Miss Foster," Coulson said sincerely, "but we're the good guys."

"So are we!" Jane retorted, waving her notebook. "All my research is in this lab, or in here. You can't take it!"

A SHIELD agent stepped forward and took the notebook. Jane was stunned for a moment, then lunged to get it back.

"Jane, calm down!" Selvig pleaded, holding her back.

The agent turned to put the notebook in the car, but suddenly it was gone from his hands.

Coulson turned to see John flipping through the notebook. "I have to say, you're a remarkable astrophysicist," John said, genuinely impressed.

The agent lunged to snatch it back, but John caught his hand and twisted, breaking a finger with a sickening crack. The agent screamed, and the others drew their guns.

The sudden violence snapped Jane out of her rage. Daisy hid behind Selvig, who, despite his age, managed to shield her.

Coulson sighed. "Don't do that, John."

John looked at him, a little surprised by the familiarity. "John?"

Coulson corrected himself. "Okay, Mr. Wick. Please hand it back."

John glanced at Jane. "If I'm not mistaken, this belongs to the young lady."

He handed the notebook over, then looked at the agents. "By New Mexico law, what just happened was a robbery. Is there a problem?"

Coulson's expression grew serious. "Don't push me."

John stepped closer, his voice low. "My father once trusted you, Coulson. Is this how you repay him? That bad advice of yours made him very unhappy."

Coulson searched his memory for what bad advice he might have given. Was he ever really trusted?

"Sir, give it to him," Jane said suddenly, her voice calm. After seeing John threatened, she realized she did not want anyone hurt because of her. "Don't get hurt because of me," she pleaded.

John nodded, placing the notebook on Coulson's chest. "I don't like being threatened with weapons. There won't be a next time, Coulson."

"Understood, Mr. Wick." Coulson took the notebook and signaled for SHIELD to withdraw.

John turned to Jane. "You have kindness, Miss Foster. That's more precious than gold."

Jane, heartbroken over her lost research, barely heard him.

As SHIELD packed up, John walked over, opened Coulson's car door, and got in.

Jane, Daisy, Selvig, and Coulson all stared in confusion.

John looked at the driver. "Let's go."

Coulson hesitated. "Mr. Wick?"

John shrugged. "I'm curious about what you're going to do. Even if you don't take me, I could break in anyway."

Coulson sighed, realizing there was no stopping John. "Let's drive."

The convoy left Old Bridge and headed fifty miles west to the crater now under SHIELD's protection. When they arrived, John stepped out first, impressed by how quickly SHIELD had set up a secure perimeter.

Coulson followed, and John held out his hand. "Give me a pass."

Coulson, lost in thought, felt like he was back working for the Wick family. "Give him a temporary card," he told an agent.

"You can walk around, but not in the center," Coulson warned.

John gave him a look. "If I'm not going to the center, why am I here?"

He strode past the guards, who hesitated but did not stop him.

"Get me a coffee," John called over his shoulder. "No sugar."

Coulson sighed and told an agent, "Give him coffee—with ten sugars."

John wandered the site, feeling the energy in the air. His eyes shifted, pupils turning vertical for a moment. He could sense the magic, the ancient chaos swirling around the crater.

He walked to the center, where Mjolnir rested, its head massive and its handle wrapped in strange leather. He circled the hammer, studying the runes glowing faintly along its side. As he reached out, thunder rumbled overhead and the electronics flickered.

John paused, fingers inches from the handle. He could feel the Asgardian magic humming, lightning crackling in the air. He considered it, then pulled his hand back.

The interference vanished. John looked up at the nearest camera. "Is my coffee ready, Coulson?"

Later, John sat in the base, sipping his coffee as Coulson watched him closely.

"What did you do out there?" Coulson asked, unable to hide his curiosity. "Did you pick up the hammer?"

John sipped his coffee and smiled. "What do you think?"

He glanced at the ceiling. "It's going to rain."

Outside the base, Thor, stripped of his divine power, broke in alone. SHIELD's alarms blared as he fought his way through the guards, moving with the strength and skill of a true warrior. Despite being mortal, his Asgardian physique gave him the edge, and he cut through the agents with ease.

Coulson, now in the command center, watched the chaos unfold on the monitors. "I need backup with a gun," he ordered.

A man with a bow climbed to a vantage point and drew his arrow, ready for anything.

"Barton, report," came the voice on his earpiece.

"Do you want me to take the shot, sir?" Barton asked, arrow trained on the figure below.

"Wait for my order," Coulson replied. He wanted to see what this intruder was after.

Meanwhile, John, hidden by an invisibility charm, watched from the shadows, fascinated by the Asgardian's strength and determination. He wondered what real godly power would look like if this was Thor at his weakest.

Thor reached Mjolnir, rain streaming down his face, mud caking his clothes. He smiled, grasped the hammer's handle, and pulled with all his might.

Nothing happened.

His smile faded, replaced by a look of anguish and frustration. No matter how hard he tried, the hammer would not budge.

From his vantage point, John felt another presence watching him. He smiled, curious about what would come next.