When we were settled with our burgers and fries in the cheap metal chairs of the food court, Steve nearly inhaled his food.
"I have an extremely fast metabolism," he explained as he noticed my wide eyes. I giggled, then suddenly stop realizing I had never giggled before in my life.
"So," I said, "if we're going to be neighbors, I feel like we should know a little about each other."
Steve laughed. "Okay you start."
I made a face to show I was thinking. "My full name is Halle Amelia Rhodes. My hobbies include swimming and consuming Chinese food. I'm a specialized combat agent turned historian." Steve raised an eyebrow to show he was impressed. "Um, I lived in China for four years after high school; I suppose that would explain the Chinese food thing." I laughed another forced laugh.
Steve smiled. "Any family? Good friends?"
"Both my parents and my brother are S.H.E.I.L.D. agents," I continued. "And my only real friends are Jane Foster and…" I stopped, realizing that I was about to say Summy's name.
"And?"
I lowered my eyes. "It's my ex-fiance, James Sumner. But we are definitely not friends anymore." I could tell by Steve's expression that he wanted to hear more so I hastily said, "your turn."
Steve exhaled. "Well I grew up in Brooklyn. I was in the army. No family, and my only real friend was a man named Bucky Barnes." He paused. "I had a girl too. Peggy, Peggy Carter."
I nearly spit out my soda. Peggy Carter was the name of the co-founder of S.H.E.I.L.D.. She had to be at least ninety years-old; there was no way Steve could be talking about the same girl. My surprised expression stopped Steve from continuing. He looked at me with concern.
"Are you okay?" he asked, reaching for my hand.
"Yes," I blushed, pulling my hand back quickly. "Soda, erm, went down the wrong tube." I chuckled uncomfortably.
The rest of our meal went off without a hitch. Steve was the perfect amount of serious and humor, and I could tell he was extremely dedicated to his job. His lack of pop culture knowledge and frequent use of outdated terms confused me at time, but nevertheless we talked all the way back to our offices.
"Wait," I laughed, "you've never heard of Yahtzee?"
"Nope," he admitted.
"Well we'll just have to change that," I smiled. "I challenge you to a Yahtzee roll off!"
"Tomorrow at lunch?"
"Deal!" We both laughed.
"It's a date," he said. He took his hand in mine and kissed it. I stood froze as he disappeared into his office. I walked as if the floor was molasses to my office, replaying what had just happened. I quickly closed the door and slumped up against it, putting my head in my hands.
"Well I expected a better welcome than this."
I looked up through my disgruntled bangs to see Loki standing with a gold scepter.
"Loki!" I cried, scrambling to my feet and running to meet the lips I had yearned for for two years. "I've missed you so much."
His strong embrace made me feel safe and I melted into our kisses. This was the confidently mysterious man I had fallen in love with.
"My darling," he whispered between kisses.
I pulled back suddenly. "Where have you been?"
"Halle, I'm sorry-"
"Do you realize it's been two years since the last time I've seen you?" I asked, incredulously.
"I told you," he answered, "the Bifrost was destroyed. It made it much more difficult to travel between realms." But not impossible, I thought.
"How are you here now?"
Loki looked uneasy, which seemed unnatural on his usually confident face. "Do not trouble yourself with my affairs."
My mind suddenly flashed back to when Coulson first told me how dangerous Loki was. If he knew Loki was here, there would be a team of assassins in here to kill him, instantly.
"Loki," I sighed. "I love you, but you can't stay here."
Loki looked confused. "First you are angered by my lack of presence, then you suggest I leave?" He put his hands on my cheeks.
"I can't explain now," I said, holding his hand to my face. "You can't stay here. We'll-"
At that moment, there was a knock on the door. My stomach tensed as I saw Loki turn towards the door. I prayed it wasn't Coulson at the door.
"Rhodie?" called Steve. "I just remembered I can't do lunch tomorrow? How about Wednesday?"
Loki's eyes studied the door, and then flashed to me. I saw the gears turning in his head and I knew I had to act fast.
"Steve," I replied. "Now's not really the best time to talk. I'm, erm, super busy."
"Okay," Steve obliged. "I'll check in later!" I let out a breath as I heard his footsteps walk away. I turned around and saw Loki standing with an angry expression on his face.
"Who is this 'Steve'?" he asked, slowly.
"He's nobody, really," I pleaded.
"I'm gone for two years," he said, almost shouting, "and you've already found another man?"
"No!" I cried.
Loki smiled in a manner so maniacal, I subconsciously scooted away from him. "He'll just have to be taken out."
"Loki, stop," I begged, embracing him. "I love you!"
"Enough!" he shouted and pushed me to the ground. I looked up horrified to see a glimmer of the truth in what Coulson had told me.
"When I am finished," he said, "we will rule this world together for all eternity!" And with that, he disappeared into a cloud of green glitter.