AN: Had intended to get this chapter up much sooner than this but real life had other things in store for me. Hope you all enjoy this update. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

As time goes by things change. The Lucky Horseshoe was no exception to this and as Loki's shift progress changes took place both inside and outside the bar. With the fading of the daylight, lights came on outside the windows. Both streetlights and Christmas lights lit up the street outside, sparkling off the thin coat of snow that still blanketed parts of the city. Inside the bar, Michelle had finished working her holiday magic, and it was just as festive inside as out. There was now even a Christmas tree standing in the corner, which all the employees had helped decorate in between serving customers.

For the most part, Loki's customers had changed too - the early afternoon crowd giving way to the post workday crowd. Whether alone, or with a buddy or two, these were the guys looking to have a drink or two to help unwind after a stressful day at work before heading home to whatever waited for them there. Though for the most part he didn't know much about these customers' home life, Loki knew what each and every one of his regulars did for a living, having listened to each of their tales of horrible workdays when they needed a chance to vent.

Even Cassandra had changed positions. The guy she had come in with had met with someone else and then left the bar. Choosing to stay at the Lucky Horshoe and eat, Cassandra had moved to a smaller table in a corner, her dinner now in front of her as she read from a paperback book she had pulled from her purse.

The only hold out to the change was Stark. The eccentric billionaire still occupied the same barstool, the glass in front of him bubbling slowly as Stark did something on his smartphone while unobtrusively watching Loki. By this time though, the Asgardian Prince had become an expert at pretending his babysitters weren't there.

The jingle of bells placed above the door by Michelle while decorating announced the arrival of more patrons. Instinctively looking toward the sound, Loki, and most of the current occupants of the bar, took in the new arrivals. There was a woman and two little kids. Although the kids wore winter coats, albeit too big for them, and gloves, the woman did not. All of their apparel showed the wear of age, and their thin faces were ruddy from the cold where they weren't smudged with dirt. The forlorn trio stood huddled just inside the front door, looking out of place and desperate to be accepted.

As luck would have it, the bar's owner, Ted Roberts, had been making his way around the tables, greeting and chatting with his patrons. Spotting the trio at the door, he headed in their direction. As Mr. Roberts wasn't exactly known for acts of charity, Loki knew the owner was about to get rid of the trio as discreetly as possible.

Excusing himself from the customer he had just served a drink to and had been engaging in polite conversation, Loki started for the group gathering by the door, as Michelle had joined Mr. Roberts as well. He wasn't sure what the situation was, or what, if anything, he could do, but seeing the trio had brought up memories of seeing the scared faces on the Bifrost bridge. Women, children and even young me looking for some spark of hope in the wake of Hela's tyranny. He had been able to be that hope on that day, and if there was some way he intended to repeat that action.

"Please, sir," the woman was pleading as Loki got into earshot. "Just for the children. We haven't had anything to eat all day."

"I'm sorry, ma'am," Mr. Roberts replied gruffly. Loki thought the bar owner sounded more annoyed than sorry. "If I give you something, then I'll have others expecting the same for themselves and I can't run a business by giving stuff away. Perhaps one of the shelters . . . "

"The shelters are all full."

"I'm sorry ma'am, but if you can't pay then I need to ask you to leave."

The woman let out a long sigh, her eyes bright with tears that she was trying to hold back. She placed a hand on each child's shoulder as Loki spoke up.

"How about if I pay for their meal?" Loki interjected, letting the others know that he had joined the small group. Unlike Mr. Roberts, he didn't bother keeping his voice low, intending for the customers nearest them to overhear his words as it would give the bar owner more reason to say yes.

Ted Roberts glanced over his shoulder at his newest bartender. He was not at all happy with the offer. Loki could see it in his eyes. However, the Asgardian Prince didn't care. He wanted to do something to help this mother and her children that looked in need of more than just food just as he hoped his people hadn't been turned away in their search for a place to settle here on Earth. More than once, he had considered asking one of the Avengers for news of his brother and their people, but something always held him back.

"If that's how you wish to spend your money, then fine," Mr. Roberts said gruffly before turning and heading toward the back of the bar and presumably his office.

"There's a free table right over here," Michelle said in the wake of the bar owner's abrupt disappearance. The assistant manager place a gentle hand on the woman's shoulder as she guided her toward a table that was close to one of the room's vents, which would allow the trio to warm up while they had their meal. "Why don't you grab them some menus," she added, the words directed toward Loki.

With a nod, Loki turned and did as asked. After collecting a couple of menus, Loki approached the table the woman and children had been directed to.

"I'll be right back with the water," Michelle was saying as he walked up to the table.

"Order whatever you would like," Loki said, as he handed the menus to the woman. Given her reluctance demeanor of even asking for food in the first place, he didn't fear that his generosity would be taken advantage of by the woman.

"I thank-you, sir," the woman said as she took the menus from him. "I hope I'm not causing you any problems with your boss," she added, casting a fearful glance at the door that Mr. Roberts had disappeared through.

"Don't worry about it," Loki assured her, not concerned about Mr. Roberts giving him any trouble over the offer. Despite the gruffness, the bar owner did have a soft streak, just not when it came to business. "I do however have to get back to my customers at the bar," he added. "Enjoy your meal."

"Thank-you again," she said, the words this time softly echoed by the two children.

"You're welcome," Loki told them before turning to head back to the bar.

Walking behind the bar, the first thing Loki noticed was that Stark had finally taken his leave, an empty glass sitting on the bar where the billionaire had been seated. Glancing around the bar, it didn't take Loki long to spot Dr. Strange sitting at a table that gave him an easy view of the bar. The changing of the guard had once again taken place, and Loki was relieved. The last thing he wanted to do was try to explain or defend what he had just done to Stark.

Refilling a couple of glasses, Loki eventually made his way to where Stark had been seated. Picking up the money that had been placed under the empty glass to cover the bill, Loki was surprised to find that it included quite a generous tip this time around. Writing on the napkin next to the glass drew his attention. Reaching down, he turned the napkin so that he could read the short note left.

Still not sure what your angle is Reindeer Games but one good turn deserves another. We'll still be watching.

Loki smiled. He didn't expect Stark to trust him anytime soon, but at least the guy seemed to be willing to hold off judgement of him for a little while at least. As he headed toward the register to close Stark's tab, Loki glanced toward the table where the mother and children had been seated. Michelle had returned with the promised glasses of water but she wasn't the only person standing at the table. Cassandra had found her way over to the trio and Loki watched as she handed the mother her own coat. The woman seemed reluctant to accept the gift, but in the end must have been persuaded as Cassandra headed back to her own dinner without the coat.