A/N: Just trying my hand at a little *Loki love* This is just a little One Shot scenario from The Avengers that I had in my head (although I'm basing the party in New York instead of Germany).

For those following my story A Turn of Events, I beg a little more patience; I'm hoping for the next chapter to be up by the end of this week.

Please review, don't flame *Binx =^.^=

Loki stood over the man who's eye he had just removed, feeling nothing; he couldn't- this was just part of the process- collateral damage in this war.

However, 20 minutes later, he found himself...restrategizing (he would never 'retreat'). He was without his scepter (that metal man had hit him with an energy blast and their Captain had maneuvered in and taken it) and now found himself in a tiny moving pod with a woman from the gathering. She had simply gotten in the way- he hadn't use her as a hostage- and as it turned out she lived in the building next to the one where the red and gold metal man lived and she could see his living quarters from hers.

She kept looking at him from the corner of her eye. Every few seconds she would take a breath and open her mouth to say something then clamp her lips together and swallow, other than that she stood perfectly still. Finally, Loki spoke.

"You look like a fish out of water, speak!"

She startled at the sudden sound but blurted out, "I'm trying think of how I can help-"

"Help?" he scoffed, cutting her off, "What makes you think I need help from a mortal like you? Why would you help me? I'm the 'bad guy'," he smirked.

"Growing up I was taught that everyone needs help sometime; a second chance- and back there- it just looked like you needed..." she trailed off when she glanced at him and saw him cock a brow.

He could sense what she was not saying. "It is too late to save me, besides, you are a weak human. One of them," he gestured vaguely in the direction they had come, "how could you possibly help? And again, 'why'? I have already crossed boundaries-"

"No one is past redemption-" she said quietly.

"And what of the man I killed in front of you? I held him down while I relished in his screams and the fear it caused you all. Does his death not faze you?" He asked, heatedly.

She swallowed visibly but her voice was steady, "We all make mistakes we regret and... the death toll is low; he was the only one-"

Loki thought over the last couple of nights, "That you know of," he growled just above a whisper. He turned quickly and grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the back of the elevator, causing her to gasp and her eyes to widen.

He only used light pressure so she could still answer his forthcoming question. "Who said I regret what I did? What if you were to become another mistake, hm?" He lifted a shoulder in a disinterested half-shrug "What is to stop me from killing you here and now?" He could feel her pulse quicken under his thumb at his words and noticed her lips tremble in fear, but she held his gaze and answered him.

"Only your self. I am no match for your power," she squeezed her eyes shut for a moment when he smirked again and when she opened them, she kept them down, "but what you would gain from my demise? No one would see your deed- there is no one to prove your prowess to- except me," she added as an after thought.

Her clever use of guile and humility intrigued him and he slowly took stock of the woman in front of him. She did not speak like the others he had heard earlier. She had straight blonde hair that she wore in a sheet down her back, pale blue eyes that shone with something that stirred him in a way that he was unclear if he liked or not, and unlike most of the other women from that gathering, she wore a rather conservative full-length, flowing, pale blue gown that made her eyes glow. She had a decorum about her that was familiar and strangely comforting. He found himself drawn to her, a strange feeling in his chest he couldn't figure out. He loosened his hand and gently trailed it from her throat to her chin, urging her to look at him again so he could further study her. His eyes narrowed in contemplation when she merely stared calmly back. His lips thinned as the silence and seconds stretched before them. It seemed that the harder his face became, the more hers softened with- what was it? Something so familiar... He could feel his heart pounding in his chest, it gave a squeeze as he finally placed it- compassion. Her eyes shone with a compassion and hope that shook him to his core. His breath caught in his throat and it was his turn to swallow hard. He watched her eyes focus on his lips as they parted in a choked gasp. She bit her bottom lip and his attention snapped to her mouth. He groaned and dropped the hand holding her chin.

"L-Loki?" she said, her voice finally succumbing to a tremmer; clearly laced with fear.

He found he didn't like the sound of it coming from her and closed his eyes. "Are you alright?"

Was that concern? For him? He drew a shakey breath and braced himself on the back wall- trapping her between his arms. "I am every bit the sentimental fool as my miserable brother," he moaned as though having sentiment was a terrible thing to have.

Her breath hitched, causing him to look at her again- a flash of- was it guilt?- ran across his features and a single tear rolled down her cheek.

Raising a hand he brushed it away before leaning in until their lips were a breath away and said in a strangled whisper, "I won't hurt you, I can't," before closing the distance. Her lips parted in silent surprise as Loki's tentatively explored. He found he rather enjoyed the experience with this woman- this human. He grew more bold when he felt her kiss him back. Their lips tenderly danced together, pulling away for only a second before meeting again. He could feel her moving and stilled until he realized she was gingerly placing one hand on his chest while the the other stroked his cheek once, twice before sliding into his hair, her fingers curling into a gentle fist to pull him lower to her, deepening the kiss further still. Something broke inside him and a soft sound escaped him as he gave in to the new rush of emotions. He drew her fully against him- hands firm on her back. Her tongue stroked his bottom lip and his mouth opened in surprise at her boldness. She took advantage- encouraging him to mirror her actions. She pushed off the wall, intending to pin him to the opposite wall, but neither had noticed they had reached her floor at last, nor that the doors were open. Their breathing was ragged as they continued to move through a large studio area and through another door. His booted feet tripped on the edge of a huge, thick, white rug but steadied before his knees hit the edge of a large black metal-framed bed, topped with a dark green duvet. He sat down and she followed.

She kissed the corner of his mouth and pressed her cheek to his, whispering breathlessly in his ear as he kissed her jaw and neck, "You can be a great leader- one who rules with a gentle hand," she said as she found his and laced their fingers. He kissed his way across her throat up to her ear as she continued, "You don't have to rule with fear and ruthlessness, but wisdom and grace. That is what makes a memorable king. Save the people, use the power against those who threaten them and your subjects will be loyal."

He pulled away to meet her eyes, so full of hope. Could he change so easily? All these years of scheming just so-why? To please her? This human female he didn't even know? Why did it matter to him what she thought? What was happening to him? ...maybe she was a witch...

She squeezed their still-clasped fingers. He looked down at her small soft hand in his. He blinked slowly as he watched his long fingers stroke the back of her hand.

"Loki."

He did like the way she said his name, so often spoken with resentment and hate, but when she said it, it was... sweet. As if it tasted of honey when she spoke it.

"Loki," she repeated, touching his cheek again with a feather-light touch. He closed his eyes at the tenderness she showed him.

"What are you called?" He whispered, his voice rough.

"Hope."

His eyes snapped open and he gazed at her like she had amazed him. He shook his head with a small smile, feeling a lightness in his chest he hadn't felt since he was much younger, before their mouths found each other and the dance started again.