Iris padded down the corridor, shoes in hand, wishing they'd let her change at least. She smelled of seaweed she was sure and still had a dusting of sand on her skin.

The SHIELD agents had turned up at the beach out of the blue and brought her to this high security facility an hour ago, where they'd explained about Loki and Thor and the devastation in New York. She'd tried to protest - couldn't really see what they expected her to achieve - but Thor had welcomed her and given her a bear hug and the desperation in his face as he pleaded with her to at least try was heart-breaking. He wanted, needed, to know that his brother was not lost to him and, in the end, she just couldn't refuse.

"This is such a bad idea" she muttered to herself as the final security door slid open and let her through to face a large glass window.

Loki was relaxed in a chair: booted feet up on a table, long, leather clad legs crossed, head back, his dark hair loose around his shoulders, his chest rose gently with his breathing, his cotton tunic open at the neck, those flint blue eyes closed. Seemingly oblivious. Not fooled for a second she watched and waited.

In your own time my friend.

Finally, he drew a deep breath and let out a sigh of resignation.

"Which lost creature have you sent to bother me now?" He looked up at the surveillance equipment as he spoke. His voice was low and melodic and he rose without haste to turn and face her. His pride would barely let him show the shock of recognition but she saw it flash across his eyes. The pause that followed was even briefer, just enough time for him to strategize.

"Oh, you really must be desperate to have scraped the bottom of the barrel so." He looked up at the cameras again, opening his hands in supplication as he spoke.

Wait for it

"Really, dredging up old sexual conquests is quite the last resort is it not?" he gave an insolent smile for the benefit of his digital audience.

There it was.

She didn't even try to hide her sigh. It was impossible to hide anything from him. It's what made him such a good manipulator. Delighted at the triumph, he turned back to her and let out a wicked chuckle. "Oh. You hadn't told them? They didn't know!"

"I didn't really get the chance but everyone knows now don't they. Thank you for that."

Yes, thank you. Embarrassing, but I know how you like to be in control so let's give you this gift.

….

In the control room Fury turned on Thor who shrugged in bewilderment.

"Tell me again how she was just an acquaintance"

"She was a barmaid when we used to come to earth to... drink. She had this party trick, I explained that to you. Fandal tried to, um, approach her on several occasions but she would always turn him down. I never saw her and Loki be anything but polite to each other"

Thor shrugged again and Fury gave up. May as well let this play out now and see what happens.

…

"...thank you for that"

"You shouldn't be so modest Iris. For a mortal to hold the attention of a God for as long as you did is quite an accomplishment. You were most..." beat "…uninhibited."

Bastard

"Are you here because you long for a reunion? Do you think about me at night as your fingers wander softly under your bedclothes?" He leaned on the glass and gazed at her intensely, a half smile on his lips.

….

Steve, Captain America, blushed, coughed and walked out.

….

Ok. Let's get this over with. She knew how this worked and he thrived on probing weak spots and sticking the knife in. Trying to avoid it would only make him worse; trying to get the upper hand would only make him angry. Give him the truth and he can only hurt you with it if you let him.

Her honey brown eyes held his as she took a step closer and lifted her chin "In answer to your second question, yes, sometimes. You were, it must be said, staggeringly good and on occasion, that's worth a re-visit. I have sex with you a lot in my head but, to answer your first question, that isn't why I'm here"

…

"Good girl!" Tony Stark couldn't have stopped himself if he'd tried and raised a glass to the rest of the group in toast to her.

….

Loki chuckled and rewarded her candour, and flattery, with a grin that could light up a coal bunker. He stood back and inclined his head "Pity. A little sport could have brightened up my captivity".

She let that one go.

Pick your battles, lady, pick your battles.