Author's Note: This story takes place after The Dark World. For my purposes, Loki did not fake his death nor take Odin's place. Instead, he was granted amnesty because of his heroics on Svartalfheim, though his relationships with Odin and Thor remain complicated. They (and we) still don't know how much they can trust him.

As background for this story, Thor and S.H.I.E.L.D. have recently discovered that The Collector has begun collecting the Infinity Stones for a nefarious purpose. With Loki's help and through a series of events, they have gained possession of the orange Infinity Stone (which controls time and, in this story, is part of a necklace). Agent Noelle West and Loki have been entrusted to tempt The Collector with the orange Infinity Stone in an effort to reclaim the Stones he has already acquired.

I should also note that this story will be written as a series of vignettes (or scenes), not as a full-fledged novel. Intermediate and progressive scenes and details will be skipped. Also, the title is a work-in-progress.

Now I think that's about all you need to know so, please enjoy! And remember, reviews = love.

Infinitely

Loki unclasped the necklace as he stepped behind her. Noelle scooped her golden hair up and lifted it off her neck, very aware of him as he lowered the necklace over her head. His cool fingers tickled the back of her neck as he fastened the clasp, and the intimacy of the gesture was not lost on her. She let her hair fall back down to her shoulders as she turned to face him. Loki leaned back and took her in, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"How does it look?" Noelle asked, fingering the ornate gold necklace, dripping with dark orange jewels.

"You improve it." Was his flattering reply. "But it doesn't go with your apparel. We'll need to fix that."

"Okay, but how are we ..." Before Noelle could finish, Loki had waved his hand and instantly transformed the appearance of her wardrobe. She looked down appraisingly; her practical Midgardian outfit was replaced by an elegant Asgardian gown in shades of brown and gold - a gown that left little to the imagination.

"Stunning." Loki assessed, grinning broadly.

"We'll be taking the subtle approach, I see." Noelle quipped, attempting to pull up the very low neckline. It was immediately apparent, however, that it wasn't going to budge.

"We want to appeal to The Collector's affinity for beautiful women as well as his desire for powerful artifacts." Loki explained, his voice lowering and his smile turning mischievous as he stepped closer. Stopping just before her, he lifted his hand to her throat and slowly ran his fingers over the necklace. Noelle couldn't help but savor the feel of his fingers on the bare skin of her chest as he did so. His touch sent a wave of warmth through her body, and all her senses felt heightened by his proximity; she was tall for a woman, but still it felt as though he towered over her. He stopped on the main jewel of the necklace and picked it up, turning it over in his fingers, his knuckles brushing her skin just above her breast. She realized she was holding her breath when he lifted his eyes to meet hers.

They looked at each other, his piercing eyes captivating her for an expectant moment. She could feel his warm breath on her lips and was reminded to exhale. She did so slowly and their breath mixed. When she took another breath, she took in his clean, masculine, intoxicating scent. Then Loki inhaled deeply, drawing her face closer as he did so.

Noelle considered all she knew about this man, this god. She considered all she knew him capable of. He was jealous, at times full of rage. He was vengeful, at times cruel. He'd killed hundreds, human and non-, in a blind scramble for power.

He had also been broken. His entire childhood and adolescence had been a lie. His real father had abandoned him, his adoptive father had intended to use him. He'd grown in the shadow of his brother, always second best. And he was, at least in part, a monster.

Noelle understood the feeling of being unloved, even unlovable. She understood the desperate need to be loved.

Yet Loki was not incapable of love. He did not love easily, but he loved deeply. For all the complexities of their relationship, Noelle knew he loved Thor as his brother. And Frigga had been a true mother to him; her death had changed him. It was her death and his great love for her that had motivated his redemption.

At least, he seemed to have redeemed himself. He had helped defeat Malekith and the Dark Elves, helped save the world from darkness. He had honored his alliance with his brother, risked his life to save him and the woman he loved. Since then, he had been operating only as an ally for good, giving no indication of returning to his old ways. In fact, this mission to recover the stolen Infinity Stones had been his idea. Still, despite all he had done and not done to show he'd changed, Noelle knew it was dangerous to ever fully trust him.

She knew he could be cunning and cold. She knew he could snap in an instant. She knew all of this, but she also knew that he was fragile, passionate, and wanting. And beautiful... so very beautiful. So right now, she really didn't care. The desire she felt was so strong, some small part of her felt frightened, though all she wanted was for him to lean down that final inch and take her lips with his.

Despite Noelle's silent pleadings, Loki did not kiss her. He had seemed as though he was considering it, seemed as though he was thinking all same things she was, seemed as though he wanted her just as desperately... but ultimately he dropped the jewel and her gaze and stepped back.

"The Collector's interest will definitely be piqued." He assured, his gaze still appraising, but all Noelle could hear was the pounding of her own heart. "Are you ready?" He asked her, his brow furrowed. She took a deep breath, and attempted to clear her mind. She was on a mission, she reminded herself.

"I'm ready." She agreed, with more confidence than she felt. If she'd learned one thing as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D., it was to appear in-control.

"Good." He replied, straightening to his full height. "Then it's time."