Chapter 1

"I feel so posh." Bianca exclaimed.

"I know right? We are actually in Germany! And, to add to our posh adventure, tonight we are going to the world-renowned Stuggart Art Museum Charity ball." Mia clapped her hands in excitement.

The much-needed break for the two hard-working friends was generously given by Mia's distant relatives, the royal family of Great Britain. The two lived in New York, sharing a loft together. While Mia was more shy and laid back, Bianca lived for adventure. Bianca was an intimidating kind of pretty, with fiery red hair, and stunning blue eyes. Mia, on the other hand, was a soft kind of beautiful, quiet but alluring all the same with soft curls in her brunette hair, complimenting her hazel eyes. Both beauties had men knocking down their doors for one date after another.

Although the girls couldn't be better friends, they weren't always so happy. Meeting in the seventh grade after starting a food fight together, they both fit each other perfectly. Mia, too shy to make friends and insecure needed someone. Bianca knew she was friendless, but didn't really care all that much. The girls, no matter how much they knew it, desperately needed each other.

Meanwhile, they just had picked out gowns for the elegant ball. Bianca was wearing a strapless dress. It was bronze sequined at the bust until her waist, where it turned a pretty crème color. It cut off at a slanted angle at her mid-thigh, the other side ending just above her knee. She wore it with sparkly bronze pumps that gave her at least 6 inches of extra height.

Mia's dress was a green party dress the stopped just before her knees. A sparkly silver belt was wrapped around her waist, complete a pair of ankle breaking silver high heels. For Mia hair was so curly, she simply let it flow off her shoulders.

Night had come and the two had arranged for a limo to pick them up from their hotel and take them to the Stuggart Art Museum. As they pulled up, they were both amazed by the huge marble pillars and elegant interior of the museum.

"Toto, were not in Kansas anymore." Said Bianca breathlessly.

"Agreed." Mia mumbled.

OooOooOooOooO

They two were simply having the time of their lives. Mia had taken an interest in a raven-haired, suited figure across the room.

"Hahaha, look at me, I'm rich," said Bianca in a funny accent, holding a champagne glass in between her fingers, fumbling it and dropping it, shattering glass everywhere.

"Oh well. As the great Judy Garland says, 'I can live without money, but I cannot live without love.'" Bianca sighed, bending down to help the waiter clean up her mess.

"Um, yeah. Sure," said Mia, still staring at the mysterious man across the room. Except, as Bianca noticed as she was standing up, he wasn't so "across the room" anymore.

"Ooh, I'm gonna need another one." Said Bianca, spotting a cute guy across the room as she grabbed yet another glass of champagne, taking a sip, dropping it and letting it shatter on the floor as she walked over to the blonde across the room. Meanwhile, Mia, being left alone tried to step over the glass but slipped in the remnants of the champagne. She closed her eyes, expecting to be on the floor. However, the raven-haired stranger was the first thing she saw when she opened her eyes. He had caught her mid-fall, she realized, blushing a deep crimson. He twirled her to face him and began to slow dance with her. His deep green eyes reading her, Mia felt naked and exposed, but her blush only grew in color.

Mia cleared her throat in embarrassment as he started a conversation with her. "You almost had an accident there." His voice was deep and smooth, yet had a hint of an accent she could not detect. He ignored her embarrassment, picking up a rose from a nearby vase and putting in her hands just as the song ended. Mia suddenly felt guilty, even though she hadn't done a thing.

"Excuse me, I need to find somebody." Mia mumbled as she broke away from the stranger and disappeared into the crowd. She saw Bianca flirting with a tall, handsome blonde. She always had a thing for blondes.

"Bathroom, now." Said Mia as she passed by Bianca grabbing her by the elbow.

The two escaped the crowd and slipped into the restroom. As far they could see, no one was in there. Mia turned around and locked the door.

"Thanks for saving me, that guy was a total drag! Going on and on about Harvard… ugh!" said Bianca, reapplying her lipstick.

"No this is serious, Bianca. I have a really bad feeling about that stranger. I don't know, the way he acted was just...off." Mia sighed. She looked extremely flustered and out of sorts.

"Listen to me! You're just freaking out because this could be your first good guy in mon-" Bianca was interrupted by the screams of people outside.

Mia snapped her head up, "Wait, what was that?"

"I have no idea." Bianca answered, her brow furrowed.

Both girls exited he room to find the once beautiful room empty and a mess. Chairs overturned, broken glass, and people lying on the floor unconscious, except for one who was death. His body draped on a stone statue with blood profusely bleeding from his eye. Mia rushed over to his aid, but when she saw how bad the wound was, she just suppressed a sob and looked at Bianca with watery eyes. Bianca stared back, a horrified look on her face. She quickly rushed over to Mia. Grabbing her by the arm, she lead her away from the terrifying scene.

Bianca lead Mia outside where there was an even bigger shock waited for them. All around the square people kneeled in fear of Mai's raven-haired stranger. He noticed their entrance and a sickening smile grew on his face. he beckoned them to join the terrified crowd, his eyes sparking with power.

Mia instead of walking forward, slipped behind Bianca, her body shaking from fear. Bianca sighed, she had to the brave one this time.

The stranger voice wrapped around the square leaving Bianca in a trance, "Bow." With a shake of the head Bianca stood still, her fists clenched and a look of fury spread across her face. "How dare you hurt these innocent people!" Bianca screamed, her face contorting with rage.

"Oh, really? You dare defy me Loki, god of Mischief and Lies?" He said. He pointed his golden specter at Bianca. "It was really too bad, your friend enjoyed your company." Loki hissed. He pulled back the specter a bit and was about to hit her, the blue glowing orb halfway through the air when it was deflected with a dull thunk by a tall man in a American-flag style suit and a shield. Mia let out a sigh of relief and quickly hugged Bianca, who was swaying slightly.

"I was just so scared." mumbled Mia as she rested her head on Bianca's shoulder.

Suddenly the man with the shield turned around to face Bianca.

"Are you alright, ma'm?" he said. He had wheat-gold hair and brown eyes, and was very tall and muscular

"Uh, um... yeah, I'm fine." muttered Bianca, losing all the moxy she usually had when it came to men.

He turned and threw his shield at Loki, when a red and gold blurr lowered from the sky. It was none the less, the infamous Tony Stark a.k.a Iron Man. He shot blue beams of energy at the god, which he deflected with great difficulty. Bianca grabbed Mia's hand and dragged her behind a pillar. The two stayed there waiting for the battle to be over.

Tony shot a beam at Loki and which he deflected. It bounced off his spear and headed towards the wall which they were near. Bianca saw it coming and jumped out of the way, with Mia close behind. The energy hit the pillar cracking, finally making it collapse on top of Mia. Before she could even move, Mia felt a change in the air. She had eyes squeezed. She opened them to find Tony Stark holding her in the air, bridal style. She was vaguely reminded of her fall with Loki.

"Hello Beautiful." He with hint of laughter in his voice, "Now will you please excuse me, I have god butt to kick." He set her down near the remains of the pillar and flew back to fight Loki.

"Whoa." said Bianca breathlessly.

"Yeah, I know." she said with a hint of pride in her voice.

But Bianca wasn't looking at Tony. She kept following the American clad man with her eyes.

Soon the battle had draw to a close, and the girls emerged from the hideout.

Mia felt someone grab her shoulder, and she whipped around to face a pretty red-head wearing a black, skin tight suit, complete with a belt. "Are you Mia?" She questioned, but no emotion crossed her face.

"Yes." Mia answered stoutly.

"You are coming with me. You will now be in the protection of S.H.E.I.L.D. agency. You will come with us immediately, you need no belongings." said the red head.

"What? Why am I going with you?" questioned Mia

"The Queen has ordered your immediate protection." she answered

"Why would Mia be in danger?" demanded Bianca

"Am I correct that Mia was fraternizing with Loki? Well he has people on the outside and Mia has connections to very important figures. It is for her safety."

"You have no business in our safety! Leave us be!" Shouted Bianca.

"Both of you stop!" interjected Mia. She rubbed her head with her hands, "Could he really harm us?"

"Yes."

"I will go, only if Bianca can come too."

She looked at first apprehensive but quickly relaxed, "She may come. I am Agent Romanoff, and welcome to the S.H.I.E.L.D. protection agency."