Astha closed her door quietly and locked it behind her before collapsing against the door. She heard Loki's footsteps come closer and stop before her door.

"Sweet dreams Astha." He whispered before going to his own quarters.

After a few minutes when Astha was sure that Loki wasn't going to magically pop into the room she stood and began to look around her new accommodations. The room was large, almost as big as her room in Asgard, a window took up an entire wall giving her a breathtaking view of the city. Through one door was a spacious marble bathroom, the window from the bedroom spread to this room yet it appeared to be tinted for privacy, in front of that window was a large bathtub. Back in the room she went to the other door, it led into a walk-in closet that was unfortunately empty, something she soon hoped to rectify. However, among all the luxuries the bed was by far the most impressive thing, it could've slept at least five people. It was covered with fluffy pillows and silken sheets in different shades of blue.

Not being able to resist she jumped into the bed and stretched across it. "It's perfect."

"I am glad the room is to your tastes Miss Savage. Is there anything I can do for you?"

Astha jumped at the odd voice, "Who's there?"

"I am JARVIS an artificial intelligence system created by Mr. Stark. I monitor all the guests, security, and see to everyone's needs and questions."

It took a moment for her to process, "So you're a computer that assists Stark? Alright that's amazing. So I can ask you anything?"

"Yes Miss Savage."

"Please just Astha," She corrected, "I was captured shortly after Thor returned to Asgard, can you tell me what exactly transpired while I was locked away. The agents that interrogated me were not the best sources of information."

"I'm not sure if you want to hear all that right now miss Astha."

"And why not?"

"You may not like what you hear."

"I am already aware that Loki tried to steal the Tesseract from SHIELD and killed a good many people. What else has Loki done?"

"He unleashed an alien army on the city in hopes to gain control of our world."

Astha massaged her temples, "That's a lot worse then I originally thought. Please just start from the beginning JARVIS."

"Yes Miss Astha."

Later that night Thor knocked on this brother's door, "Brother are you awake I wish to discuss something with you."

"It's open." Loki called out. He was currently in his bed reading a Midgardian novel that had caught his eye in Stark's personal library.

Thor opened the door and let himself in. "I am glad I did not wake you brother." He walked over to a small lounge chair near the bed. "I wish to speak to you about Astha."

Loki put his book down, "And what would you like to discuss? Perhaps you wish to speak about how you let her come to Earth by herself which led to her capture?"

"Brother I did not know they would treat her with such hostility, she wanted to come to Earth to protect Jane. She was very persuasive on the matter, she told me that since you were gone that she was the only one with the power to travel the realms and that someone needed to protect Jane."

"Yes she can be very persuasive when she wants something." Loki smiled lightly before his scowl returned. "When you found her missing why did you not tell me?"

Thor hung his head in shame, "I did not know she was missing till I returned to Earth. When Nick Fury told me he never met such a person guarding Jane I began to fear the worst. How could I tell you she was gone while you were lost to such madness? You would have destroyed everything and everyone in your search to find her, I couldn't let such destruction happen."

"You're right I would've burned this world to ash to find her and killed any mortal that stood in my way. Astha belongs to me, she is mine." Loki hissed.

"It saddens me that you see her as something to be owned. Perhaps that is why Astha has denied you at every turn."

"Enough! Leave I am no longer in the mood to talk about such things."

Thor sighed heavily, "Very well then brother, goodnight." He left quietly leaving Loki to simmer in his anger.

The next morning Loki was awakened by a commotion outside his door, still half asleep he went to his door and opened it. In the hall stood Stark laughing, Steve holding his bleeding nose, and Banner trying to patch Steve up.

"What happened to you?" Loki chuckled.

"Your girlfriend is what happened to me." Steve growled as Banner cracked his nose back into place. "She has one hell of a right hook."

Stark stopped laughing long enough to explain. "Steve being the wonderful Boy Scout he is tried to wake Astha up so Pepper could take her shopping. Apparently when she didn't answer to her name he tried to shake her awake and she decked him. Oh god this is priceless!" Stark pulled out his cellphone and took a picture of Steve, "I'm sending this to Fury."

Loki smirked, "Astha is very strong compared to other Asgardians, many claim she is about as strong as my brother." He stepped past the wake up party to peer inside Astha's room, she was still sound asleep in a nest of silk sheets. "I'll wake her up and send her out to join your Pepper."

Stark laughed, "I'm gonna enjoy seeing you with a black eye."

Loki strolled confidently into Astha's room closing the door behind him then stopped at her bedside. He leaned over so he could whisper in Astha's ear. "It's time to wake up my lady."

"Go away…" She mumbled then rolled over.

Gently Loki climbed under the covers and wrapped himself around her. "My dear you really should wear clothes to bed, especially when you're so close to me."

Still asleep she rolled over to face Loki and nuzzled into his warmth, "Loki…"

Loki's lips immediately found her neck, tracing a path from jaw to collarbone. She shuddered. "If you keep saying my name in such a sweet voice I won't be able to hold myself back from taking you." Loki's long fingers were now slipping up her thighs.

Astha jumped out of her bed using the comforter to hide her body from Loki's eyes, "Get the hell out of my bed Loki!" Her cheeks were bright red as she noticed that Loki had been barely clothed when he got into her bed and let his hands wander. She really needed to wear nightclothes.

"You can look at me," Loki told her teasingly as he stretched out in her bed giving her an uninterrupted view of his lithe body. His green eyes mocking, "I don't mind."

Suddenly Astha smiled, "If you don't get out of my room I will rip out your eyeballs and shove them down your throat just so you can watch me shove my foot up your arse."

Loki considered this for a few moments, her history of violence lead him to believe that she would in fact carry out her threat. Playfully he removed himself from her bed making sure she got an eye full of him. "I'll see you at breakfast then and please do hurry Stark's fiancé Pepper is going to take you shopping."

Astha smirked mischievously, "Briefs huh?"

Loki paused, his hand on the door knob, "I can take them off if you prefer."

"I thought you were leaving."

"I'll see you shortly."

"Don't hold your breath trickster." She mumbled as he closed the door behind him. "JARVIS can you ask Lady Natasha if I can borrow some clothes?"

"Of course Miss Astha."

Loki entered the kitchen freshly dressed for the day in a pair of jeans and a black button down. Stark, Steve, and Banner were sitting around the island eating cereal and chatting.

"Damn, not even a black eye?" Stark asked, "What's your secret? You used magic didn't you, you cheating bastard?"

Sitting down Loki poured himself a bowl of cereal before replying, "It is a simple matter to arouse Astha from her slumber. I assure you I do not require magic to do that."

Steve blushed, "Its too early for that kind of talk Loki."

"Are you saying you do not find Astha desirable? Are you sure you're a man?" Loki teased. Tony and Banner both died laughing.

Steve slammed his fist down on the island top, "Loki I'm gonna…" He didn't get to finish his sentence as Astha appeared out of nowhere.

Astha was holding a small blade to Loki's throat while her other hand was buried in his black tresses pulling his head back. "Sorry to interrupt but I need to have a few words with this trickster." She hissed.

Stark sat back and put his hands behind his head, "Don't stop the show on our account."

Loki's blazing emerald eyes locked with molten gold, "Knife to the throat and hair pulling. Kinky."

"I'll show you kinky." She yanked back harder on his hair, Loki groaned loudly. Quickly she released him all together, the men noticed her dagger disappeared as well. "Impossible man."

"Alright children that's enough teasing for one morning." Banner teased uncharacteristically. "I'm gonna head back down to my lab."

Astha looked at Banner curiously, "Are you this Hulk that was mentioned? I must admit you do not look like someone who would be called such."

"That's what we call the other guy, but you can call me Dr. Banner." Banner extended his hand.

"Its nice to meet you." Astha shook his hand.

"You too." Banner grabbed his coffee cup and headed out to the elevators.

"What a curious creature." Astha mused.

"So nice threads Astha, did Natasha let you raid her closet?"

Astha looked down at her borrowed outfit. She wore a pair of black skinny jeans with black leather ankle boots and a long purple tank top. "Yes she was kind enough to let me borrow some clothes until I am able to go shopping."

"Earth clothes suit you Miss Astha." Steve complimented.

"Thank you." She replied sweetly.

Loki scowled at the pleasantries Astha and Captain America were exchanging. He didn't like her being so friendly to other men. And why purple? She was his so why did that woman not dress her in his colors?

"Don't look so jealous grumpy antlers." Tony whispered jokingly. He chuckled when Loki glared at him.

"Sir, Miss Potts has arrived and is waiting downstairs for Miss Astha." JARVIS stated.

"Thanks JARVIS." Tony replied, "Alright Snow White that's your queue. Pepper will take you shopping today and since you're my favorite Asgardian you can spend as much as you want just tell my lovely fiancé to use my card."

Astha bowed her head in thanks, "Thank you Stark for your generosity."

Tony snapped his fingers, "Oh, before I forget! Loki my dear…well not friend but temporary ally do you like lace?" He asked dramatically.

Astha sputtered indignantly while Loki seemed to actually be considering Stark's insane question, "I do like lace," He looked to Astha a wicked smile on his lips, "Green preferably but black or gold will do∂."

"You men are just obscene!" Astha declared as she stalked towards the elevator doors.

"Leather and lace is also a very nice combination."

Astha threw up her middle finger at Loki, "Go fuck yourself Loki." She called back as the elevator doors closed.

Loki smirked, "Now where did she learn such language and hand gestures?"