Chapter 1

Angela Rutherford strolled down the paved path through the park, a troubled expression on her face. Two weeks ago an alien race had attacked Earth. Not just Earth, but her home, New York. She had always felt it foolish to believe that humans were the sole sophisticated people in the universe – space was so infinitely large, and so little of it had been explored. But even still, it had been difficult to believe her eyes as she looked around and overhead at the beings waging war on her home. The destruction wrought by these "Chitauri" was still being repaired with the help of the billionaire Tony Stark and his allies.

Angela herself had quietly lent a hand, helping the injured and repairing some of the less damaged areas of New York. She had a gift for that kind of thing, thanks to the wand she had received when she had come of age. She kept it quiet that she had such an artifact; she didn't want to play the hero – all Angela wanted to do was live her life as a normal woman.

Lost in her own thoughts, Angela didn't notice the dark figure step out from behind a tree and walk directly into her path. The power of her wand seemed to hum, and Angela stopped. That was a sign something was about to happen – it was a warning. Looking up, Angela's eyes widened. Standing before her was a tall man with cold, penetrating eyes that were smirking at her. He wore a golden, horned helmet on his head, and a cape of deep green. His face might have been handsome were it not for the stone-like hardness that it possessed. Standing in her path was the main catalyst for all of the horrors of late – standing in her path was Loki.

He observed her for a moment, the smirk growing in his eyes. "So, you have enough of a connection to it that it can warn you of danger… I must admit, impressive, for a human."

"Y-you… you were taken into custody…" I've got to keep my wits! I've got to! Angela's mind cried to her. She wanted anything but to listen – she wanted to scramble away, try to find safety.

Loki chuckled, a soft, unsettling sound. "So I was. But I am Loki, God of Mischief. I cannot long be held against my will." He smiled wickedly for a moment, and then a dangerous look entered his face and eyes. "Now, woman, give me that wand and I might allow you to live."

Angela looked down at her prized possession. Why did he want it? Could she stall him until help came, or at least until she could try to escape? Someone… please help… please! "My wand? What do you want with it?"

"That is not your concern. What should be, is what will become of you if you refuse to hand it to me."

He locked his eyes onto Angela's, the darkness within seemed to have no end. Angela had no doubt he would make good on his threat if she refused. Fear quickly began to seep into her body, she could almost feel herself start to quiver, but a steel will that she had almost forgotten seemed to whisper to her from somewhere deep within. Just keep him talking… just a little longer…

"You wouldn't be able to use it… no one but me ever has been able to."

Loki laughed again. "No human has. I am a god. Give. Me. The wand."

He took a step closer with each word, Angela quickly backing away. "How do you know you'll be able to use it?"

Loki's stride grew longer, and anger began to smolder in his eyes. "Do not continue to waste my time, woman. That wand is of Asgardian craftsmanship. I could feel it from miles away. Its power is exceptional. Now, give it to me, or I shall be forced to take it from your dead body." He gave another chilling grin. "Now, that would be a shame."

Angela looked from Loki to her wand and back. Her mind was in terror. She was finding it harder and harder to remain rational, but her heart seemed somehow to be growing stronger, anchoring her and giving her an almost forgotten resolve. If she gave it up to him, who knew what destruction would come of it? She couldn't do that. She looked him in the eyes with a glare. "No."

Loki laughed once more. "What hope do you think you have? Against me?"

Before Angela could respond a voice from above answered for her. "Leave her be, brother!"

The thunder god Thor landed on the ground between Loki and Angela, who heaved a quiet sigh of relief. Loki gave a venomous glare to his brother before his eyes bored into Angela's once more. "Very well… I am sure we shall meet again…" Suddenly he was gone. Thor looked about him tensely for several seconds before seeming satisfied, and turning to Angela. "Has my brother harmed you?"

"No… I… thank you."

"You are very welcome, Miss…?"

"Angela Rutherford…"

"Miss Rutherford," Thor began gently, "can you tell me why my brother was after you?"

Angela held up her wand. "He said he wanted this."

"I see…" Thor studied the wand for a moment. "With your permission, I would like to examine the wand more closely, but I feel we should get to safety first. I shall fly us to Stark Tower. You will be safe there."

Angela nodded. "I… could definitely use some help…"

Thor held out an arm, and Angela walked over. She was not expecting him to wrap his arm around her waist, and suddenly launch into the air. She let out a short, startled yelp, and instinctively gripped Thor's armour. Moments later in the distance Angela could see the tall lit building that was Stark Industries. The large lit letters that had always spelled out STARK still only had the "A" remaining, though it looked like it had been repaired. A moment after that, Thor was gently touching down in front of the building.

Angela followed the thunder god into the towering building, a male voice greeting Thor.

"Hello sir… I see you have a guest."

"Aye, Jarvis. It would be helpful if you could arrange for the others to come down here so I can discuss the situation with them."

"I shall notify them right away, sir."

They had only waited a few minutes when Tony Stark sauntered in, followed by several others that Angela only recognized from video clips. They were not in their uniforms, and whoever the Hulk had been, well… he was not big and green at this particular point in time.

"What's all the fuss, big guy?" Stark inquired casually.

"I found my brother threatening this woman when I was searching for him after his escape from Asgard."

Stark's attention turned to Angela. "Well, for a nutcase, the guy's got good taste, I gotta say. But I doubt he was asking you on a date. And Thor isn't the type to bring random babes home with him. What's Loki's game? What's he want?"

"Well…" Angela began slowly, stunned at the manner in which Stark spoke. If the situation had not been so serious, she might have found it amusing. "He said this wand was made by Asgardians, he could feel its power, and Thor said he wanted to more closely examine it, so he brought me here… I… I'm out of my league. There isn't a thing I can do to defend myself against someone like that… monster."

"Don't worry about Loki, you'll be safe here while we figure out what's going on," Stark replied. "Helmet Hair wouldn't dare make a move against this place with all of us here, especially after what the Hulk did to him last time they met. So, what's your name?"

"Angela Rutherford… it's a pleasure to meet all of you. Thank you for everything you have done for the city." She turned to Thor. "And thank you especially for saving me."

Thor smiled kindly. "It was my pleasure. May I see your wand now, Miss Rutherford?"

"Oh, yes of course."

Angela handed her wand to Thor, who sat down and silently studied the wand for several minutes while Angela officially met the other members of the Avengers. After what seemed like ages to her, Thor rose and walked back to the group, handing Angela her wand.

"My brother is right – this wand is definitely of Asgardian make, though how it came to be on Earth, in the possession of a mortal, I do not know. This is a very old wand, and very powerful. It is no surprise to me my brother seeks it. The wood of this wand comes from the wood of the Yggdrasil – the world tree of Norse legend. And at its core is a shard of the Bifrost, or Rainbow Bridge."

Angela stared down at her wand, looking upon it with a new light. She had always respected it, though it seemed simple to her. A normal brown wood that was only adorned with a set of unfamiliar runes down its shaft, but it was so much more complicated now than that.

"What happens now?" she asked quietly.

"You're welcome to stay at Stark Tower as long as you'd like," Tony Stark replied. "I'll even let you stay in the penthouse level at the top of the building."

Angela turned to look at Stark, but something about just how normal his face looked in comparison to the look of disgust on the face of Steven Rogers, and the rolling of Natasha Romanov's eyes told her something wasn't quite right.

"And… who else stays up there?"

"Just me," the billionaire replied, "Oh, and Miss Potts."

Angela cocked her head. "And who is Miss Potts?"

"Oh, just my secretary, consultant… you know."

"She also happens to be his girlfriend," Natasha said with a shake of her head.

Angela smirked slightly. "Ahh. I see. I think I'd prefer my own room please, Mr. Stark."

Tony chuckled. "Your loss. Jarvis can set you up. Just let us know if you need anything at all."

"Thank you."

"Miss Rutherford, would you like a room higher up, or closer to the ground?" Jarvis' voice intoned.

"Er – higher up, please." Angela looked around the room. She wasn't used to being able to talk to a computer.

"Very well miss. Level 33, room 111."

"I can show you."

Angela turned to Natasha Romanov with a small smile. "I'd appreciate it. Thank you."

"Not a problem. Let's go."

Angela followed the Black Widow over to the elevator and walked in with her. They were silent a few moments as the doors closed and they began their ascent.

"So, you're the Black Widow? Your skills are supposed to be quite impressive… I'm a bit of a martial artist myself – maybe we could have a friendly spar sometime?"

Natasha nodded. "Yeah, that'd be fun. So… how did you manage to keep Loki from taking your wand until Thor showed up?"

"I… just kept him talking. Stalling him until I could think of something, or until help arrived… I wasn't sure it was going to work, but… obviously…"

Natasha nodded. "Pretty clever of you, and I'm impressed that you weren't so scared out of your mind that you didn't just cower, and give him what he wanted."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Here's your room. Take it easy and try not to worry too much. You'll be safe here, just like Tony said. We'll watch over you."

"I appreciate that, I really do. It's just… I don't want to get in the way, and I don't want to have to stay here hiding. I have a life to live."

Natasha gave a sympathetic smile. "I understand. It's not easy being uprooted… we'll try to get this resolved as soon as we can. Just try to relax in the meantime."

"I'll try." Angela nodded. "Thank you again."

Walking into her room was almost as overwhelming as seeing the outside of Stark Tower. The flooring was gleaming marble and light poured into the room from two very large sliding windows. There were paintings – mostly of Stark himself, both in and out of his Iron Man suit – and a few vases with plants in them. The bed was at least king sized if not larger, and in the bathroom the tub was the largest jetted contraption Angela had ever seen. There was also a separate shower stall with a sitting area. After finishing her exploration, Angela decided she could use a soak in the tub. She found herself a nightgown in one of the dressers and took a calming bath. After some time she got out and slipped under the soft covers. The bed was heavenly. Even with the knowledge that a demi god was out somewhere plotting to steal her wand, she found herself drifting off to sleep quickly.

It was in that stage of sleep where dream and reality become skewed that an all too familiar pair of cold green eyes suddenly invaded her half-conscious mind.

I know where you are. Your friends cannot always be around to protect you, and I have all the time in the world to wait. His eyes grinned wickedly. And I am a patient god. Rest well.

Angela sat bolt upright in her bed, breathing hard. She looked frantically around her room in the darkness. She was alone. Slowly, her breathing calmed, and she fell back on her pillow, staring up at the ceiling. It would be some time before she could fall asleep once more, and the image of his cruel eyes haunted her when her own eyes closed.