Emma Joan Tallis

chapter fifty-four: Evolved

A conscience is that still small voice that people won't listen to.

~ Carlo Collodi 

~*~

"Not this again," I muttered as Thor put his hammer on the table, the team plus Maria and Dr. Cho were gathered around, and I knew where the conversation would be going. I sighed as I put my head on Steve's shoulder as the fun began. 

"But, it's a trick!" Clint exclaimed, in reference the mighty hammer. 

"Oh, no. It's much more than that," Thor said. 

"Uh, 'Whosoever be he worthy shall haveth the power!' Whatever man!" Clint said. "It's a trick."

"Well please, be my guest," Thor offered. 

"Come on," Tony cheered him on. 

"Really?" Barton asked in surprise. 

"Yeah!" Thor agreed brightly, and I rolled my eyes. 

"Oh, this is gonna be beautiful," Rhodey said as Clint got up. 

"Clint, you've had a tough week, we won't hold it against you if you can't get it up," Tony said, getting a laugh out of the crowd surrounding us. 

"You know I've seen this before, right?" Clint said as he grabbed Thor's hammer, but he could not lift it. "I still don't know how you do it."

"Smell the silent judgment?" Stark asked. 

"Please, Stark, by all means," Barton goaded, and Tony rose to the bait. 

"Oh, here we go," Natasha said and I raised an amused eyebrow at Thor who just winked. 

"Okay," Hill said in a voice that suggested she didn't think it would work. 

"Never one to shrink from an honest challenge," Tony said. 

"Get after it," Clint encouraged. 

"Here we go," Natasha said as she rolled her eyes. 

"It's physics," Tony said. 

"Physics!" Bruce agreed, as Tony grabbed the handle of the hammer.

"Right, so, if I lift it, I then rule Asgard?" Tony questioned. 

"Yes, of course," I agreed. Better than the guy who was ruling it right now, I think. 

"I will be re-instituting Prima Nocta," Tony said as he tried to lift the hammer, but failed. "I'll be right back."

"This is beautiful," I said when Tony returned wearing his armored hand, and still failed. Rhodey joined in, and used his armor, but they still weren't having any luck. "I don't think it works with two people, chaps."

"Are you even pulling?" Rhodey asked. 

"Are you on my team?" Tony countered. 

"Just represent! Pull!" 

"Alright, let's go!"

I shook my head smiling as Bruce tried, even roaring as a pretend change to the Hulk. "I take it you've seen this happen before?" Steve whispered in my ear.

"Just when Thor's friends got incredibly drunk," I answered. 

"Huh," Bruce said stumped, and then all eyes turned to Steve. 

"Don't lift it," I told him softly before I kissed him quickly, which resulted in a lot of whistles and catcalls. Steve gave me a weird look as he got up, but I just winked at him.