Chapter One

Loki was angry yet again. He followed his brother down the street. Why was it, no matter where Thor went, he always found happiness? Here he was on earth and found a woman he so obviously loved. Loki stayed in the shadows to avoid being noticed. He had already went to Thor and lied to him that their father was dead. Yet Thor came to terms with his banishment to earth and found a place to stay with Jane. Thor had stepped out of the diner where he handed some woman a mug and was making his way back up the street to the place Jane used as a lab. He seemed happy and this made Loki furious. He could feel the tension in his muscles and it took all of his dwindling will to not attack Thor right there in the street.

Loki was hidden around a corner when Thor made his way into Jane's lab. With balled up fists and a rage to match Loki spun around before he could do anything rash and ran right into something that knocked the wind right out of his sails. She hit the ground hard and dropped all of her things. The girl cursed under her breath and started to gather up her books. Loki just stood over her and said nothing.

"Well?" she said.

Loki remained silent.

"No apology?"

Still nothing.

"Thanks for nothing," she said as she stood.

The girl looked up at Loki to give him a piece of her mind and was left speechless when she looked up into his face. Her chest constricted and she felt like she could not breathe. Tall. Very tall. Long black hair and light colored eyes. Not quite blue and not quite gray. Strong facial features. She was left a little unnerved by the intense look in his face.

When her eyes met his, he was undone. The tension left his muscles and the anger dissipated. She was small. Long blond hair and beautiful blue eyes. Not what he was used to. The women of Asgard were tall and athletic. This woman was petite in comparison.

He must have stood there with a dumb look on his face because she stepped back and looked a little confused herself. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it just as quickly. Without another word, she stepped around him and continued on her way.

Loki watched the girl as she walked across the street towards the diner. He could not take his eyes off of her. His mind was muddled from the encounter. When she stepped up onto the other curb and peeked over her shoulder in his direction Loki felt a shift in his chest. He put a hand up to his heart and a small smile played across his lips. The girl was confused but excited by the look on the man's face and hurried into the diner.

"Good morning Ellie." Izzy said as she walked in.

"Morning."

"What's the matter dear?"

"Some guy just bumped into me and knocked me down. Didn't help me up or even apologize. He didn't even say a word. Just looked at me with this weird look on his face." Ellie said.

"Was he from around here?"

"No. I've never seen him before. "

"Don't worry about it dear. Set up your books and I'll bring your coffee and muffin right on over."

"Thanks Izzy. I love that you know what I want."

"It never changes dear. Every time you come home from school, you sit in the same booth, order the same thing and study your science books."

Ellie didn't know why but every few minutes she would find herself looking out the window.

"Was he cute?"

"What?"

"Was he hot? The guy that ran into you."

"Now why on earth would you ask that?" Ellie asked a little flustered.

"Cuz ya keep lookin out that window every few minutes like you're gonna see him again. So, was he handsome?"

"Actually he was very good looking." She said with a blush. "But rude."

"Hey, no guy is perfect. Believe me. I have known my fair share." Izzy said with a wink and walked away.

The hours passed as she studied her books. The sun went down and everyone headed to their comfortable little homes. Ellie put off going home as long as she could. She didn't like home. It was a constant reminder of her depressing life. Ellie's mother died when she was nine years old and was left with her father. There was no other family left. At least none that she was aware of. Bill was a heavy drinker and Ellie was left to fend for herself at a very young age. She got into trouble with her friends growing up and this would lead to fights and abuse by her father. Ellie was afraid to say anything to anyone because her father would threaten her and she was too proud to go into the foster system.

So she grew up in fear and loathing of her father. After an incident with the police, Ellie realized that she needed to get out. School became the priority. Getting good grades came easily when she applied herself and she quickly realized that she could qualify for some scholarships that would get her the hell out of this town. Unfortunately summers came and Bill's home was the only place for her to go.

"It's time to close up dear." Izzy said. "Would you like a ride home?"

"No thanks. I really like to walk."

Ellie gathered her things and walked out the diner door. The streets in either direction were empty. So why did she feel that she was not alone. The lights went off behind her so she made her way down the street.

Loki watched her from the shadows across the street. Her petite form passed in and out of the light as she walked down the sidewalk. He questioned why he came back. This girl was but a little human. Than why did he feel so drawn to her? Thor was the only one he wanted to check up on but he found himself seeking this girl out. The girl was right where he had left her. In the diner all day long. Why?

The girl rounded a corner so he moved out of the alley to follow her. She walked with her head down and seemed deep in thought and didn't notice the car coming down the street rather quickly. When it got close, the driver slammed on the brakes and squealed to a stop right next to her. The girl practically jumped right out of her skin.

"Ellie! Girl! Where the hell have you been?! Shit!" the guy said as he hopped out of the car.

So her name was Ellie. Loki thought. Well now he could put a name to the beautiful face. He paused. He found this human woman beautiful?

"Oh! Hey Cody." She said tentatively.

"Where you been?" he asked again as he ran up to her and grabbed her in a huge bear hug.

Loki noticed Ellie seemed apprehensive when the man got close. His muscles tensed. Loki wondered why he cared.

"I've been away at college." She replied quietly.

"What the hell are you doing that for?" Cody said with some disgust.

"I like college. Well…" she paused. "I have to get home now. Goodnight." Ellie said as she started to walk away.

"Awww. Come out with me tonight. I'm headin up to The Pit."

"No thanks. I have to get home."

"You gotta come! Some of your old pals are up there. They would get a kick outa seeing ya." Cody said as he stepped closer to Ellie.

She backed away and held her books tighter to her chest. Loki moved closer but still stayed hidden in the shadows.

"I can't. Got a lot of studying to do." Tapping her books for emphasis.

"Come on. Just get in the car." Cody said starting to sound a little annoyed.

"Some other time maybe." Ellie said and turned to walk away.

Cody grabbed Ellie's arm and turned her back to face him. "It will be just like old times."

"Let me go Cody. I don't want to go." She said trying to pull her arm away.

"What you don't want to have a repeat of the last time? We had some real good fun!"

Then Ellie really tried to pull away but Cody would not let go. She dropped her books and tried to push Cody away. He just laughed, grabbed her and pulled her into his arms like she weighed nothing at all.

"What's the matter Ellie? You sure seemed to enjoy it that night." Cody growled in her ear as his hands began to rove over her body.

Ellie struggled with all her might but she was obviously no match for this man. Loki saw this man with his hands all over her and instantly felt rage. Before he even realized he was doing it, he stepped out of the shadows.

"Let her go!"

Cody turned to see who the hell was coming to interfere and froze when he saw Loki. Ellie could just barely peer over Cody's shoulder to see her rescuer. The look of surprise passed over her face when she realized who it was.

"This is none of your damn business. So I suggest that you just move along bud." Cody said with a sneer.

"She obviously does not want to go with you. So I suggest that you leave the lady alone." Loki said with more calm than he felt. It took all of his will to hold his power in check.

Ellie was dumbfounded by this stranger who was so rude to her this morning and was now coming to her rescue. Who was he? Realizing that Cody was still holding her tightly in his arms, she began to struggle again.

"Fuck off asshole!" Cody said and turned to push Ellie towards the car.

Loki felt his magic build up inside him but he pushed it down and walked right up to Cody, grabbed his arms off of Ellie like he wasn't holding her at all. With Ellie free from the man's grip he gently guided her behind him. Cody followed Ellie with his eyes and without a moments hesitation brought his arm back and punched Loki in the face.

Loki barely felt a thing. His head didn't even turn in the slightest. A small smirk started to cross his face as he peered down at Cody who wailed in pain because of his broken hand. Loki took a slight step forward and Cody ran to his car, jumped in and after fumbling for a few seconds, got the car in gear and peeled out.

Ellie just stood there not knowing what to do. She just watched an old asshole friend punch her rescuer in the face and break his hand. This guy didn't even grab his jaw like it hurt.

Loki watched till the car was out of sight and then turned to her and asked, "Are you alright?"

"Yes." She said timidly. "Thank you for helping me. He would have never let me go."

Loki nodded and then just looked down at her. They stood there in an awkward silence for a moment just looking at each other and then Ellie had to look away. Ellie opened her mouth a few times to say something but would come up with nothing.

Loki, who was never usually at a loss for words, could not think of a single intelligent thing to say to this petite little human.

"Well I guess I should be getting home. Thank you again for your help." Ellie started to grab her books off the ground and this time Loki bent to help her.

Ellie looked up to say thank you and came into direct contact with his eyes. The wind was knocked right out of her. She quickly looked away. His gaze was intense. There was so much emotion in his eyes but she could not make out which was the dominant one. Not knowing what to do now, she stood and took the pile of books he offered. She nodded and started to walk towards home.

Loki did not understand why, but he did not want to leave her yet. So he quickly decided to walk her home to make sure she made it safely. He quietly fell in step beside her.

Without saying a word they walked towards her house. Ellie was a little unnerved about him walking so close to her and knowing where she lived, but was glad not to be alone. Trying not to be too obvious, she looked around so she could get a look at his face out of the corner of her eye. He was a proud looking man, stoic. He carried himself with a definite air. Definitely not from around here. Shoulder length black hair and light eyes. Ellie was still not sure what color. But was he ever good looking. They made it all the way to Ellie's house without saying a word.

"Thank you again." Ellie said as she turned to face him. She tried to avoid looking into his eyes but was drawn to them anyways. There was a lot of pain in his eyes and she was unconsciously mesmerized by them.

Loki bowed before her and then turned to leave. Ellie followed Loki with her eyes as he walk away. When he reached the sidewalk he turned and looked back over his shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat and she brought her hand up to her heart. Who was this mystery man? He intrigued her but deep down she was slightly frightened by him.