I do not own the Marvel Characters. They are property of Marvel Comics, Inc. This is set after Thorand before (and leading into) The Avengers movie .This is an AU. I only own Iona.

Chapter 3

While Tony looked at Iona, he couldn't help but wonder why she was so devoted to a madman. He cleared his throat, shaking her out of her thoughts. "You want to talk about it?"
"I don't know what you can do to help." She answered thoughtfully. "I just worry that Thor will bring war on Midgard. I will protect the people from Loki, don't think I won't. It's written all over your face."

"So it is. Forgive me, but I don't think I can believe someone who let Phil die." Tony replied, looking for a reaction.

"I didn't know that Loki would kill him." She whispered. "Had I known, I would have tried to talk him out of it."

"Then why didn't you talk him out of the invasion?" Tony pressed.

"You don't understand anything about us!" She yelled, grabbing the attention of Steve and Clint. "Loki and I are the same. Both born in realms we don't belong in and looking for a place to call home. The man out of time would understand that better than a playboy billionaire who can't leave me alone."

"Calm down, Iona. I didn't mean anything by it." Tony tried to sooth her.

"Oh, because you have all the answers? Did you know what to do when Fury wanted to lock me up? Just because I love him doesn't mean I am like him, by any stretch. I am not a mass murderer like Loki and I don't appreciate any of you treating me as such." Iona took a deep breath. "I can't stand the sight of blood. I don't think you understand anything about me. Period."

Iona brushed by all of them. Clint Barton followed her. "Show me, Iona."

"What?" She turned to face him.

"I will protect you. I will be your personal bodyguard. Show me how I understand you or Loki for that matter." Clint knelt and kissed her hand.

"Thank you, Hawkeye, but you don't know what you're getting into." Iona sighed; maybe this would be a good thing. "But I can't stop you."

"Thank you." Clint got to his feet, just in time to see Loki teleport in front of Tony and look around for Iona. "Your Majesty, I have offered my services to your queen and she seems pleased that I will protect her."

"Consider your ledger wiped then, Agent Barton." Loki smiled sinisterly. One down, only the Iron Man, the Hulk, Black Widow, and Captain Rogers to go. "You will protect her and never leave her side unless I am with her, understand?"

"Of course."

Loki too Iona aside and let the Avengers talk. "Are you fine? I worry about you."

"I'm fine. I promise, I just got upset at Stark because he seems to think you aren't capable of love." Iona kissed him lightly on the cheek. "I think I know that you can love me. I'm the same as you."

"You are nothing like me, Iona. You're human." Loki seethed.

Iona looked at him. "I was born in a realm I know won't accept me. Loki, you are a frost giant's progeny! You think I wish to be human? I hate my humanity. You have no idea who I am. You assume that all humans are able to be subjugated. I am not one such. I was born on Asgard!" Iona recoiled from him. Turning she stalked out of the Stark Tower not caring who followed her.

Loki stood there dumbfounded until Tony Stark came up behind him. "Way to go, Tiger. You alienated her."

"Shut up, Stark." Loki answered through gritted teeth.

"You want me to go talk to her?" Steve asked gently. Loki nodded, not sure if it was a good idea.

Steve walked outside and found her at a café about a block around the corner. She looked upset, like her world had been shattered, like Steve had been when he realized he wasn't going home.

"May I join you?" He asked, looking at her. Her gown was still intact, but she didn't look like the regal woman he had seen when she was beside Loki. She looked upset. She nodded, dejectedly. "What's wrong?"

"He thinks that I'm human."

"But you are." He smiled gently. "You are a human born of Asgard. You have said it before."

"Yes, but I thought he would understand that we were the same. I adored him when I was a child and now he just thinks I'm a human; one just to protect the Earth. I know better though. We are really that tiny to Asgardians." She sat in her chair, wondering if that was something to be proud of.

"Perhaps we are, but you know that Loki is somewhat of an egomaniac. You can't expect him to love you so suddenly."

"Then why did he take me with him? Why did he mark me?" She showed him the mark. "I can't escape him. I thought he loved me. I didn't know this would be a miserable death sentence."

"You can't think like that. You have to think about it like an opportunity. Maybe you can change Loki's view of humans." Steve suggested.

"Maybe, or maybe he'll incur Thor's wrath and bring Midgard to war again." She mused aloud.

"You can be the one to prevent that. Help him establish his reign and then help him bring stability to Earth. Maybe Thor will bring his parents to visit." Steve answered, hoping to help her see his point.

"I suppose. I understand that. I just wonder if I alienated him from myself."

"I don't think you have if you go to him and apologize to him for losing your temper. Help him." Steve stood. "Come on. We have to go speak to the King of Midgard."

She stood up and followed him to Stark Tower where they found Tony pouring a drink for Loki. She went to him and she got down on her knees. "I'm sorry, my lord, for raising my voice to you. I thought wrong and I should be punished for it, I didn't mean to make you upset."

"You seem to have learned your lesson. I don't need to punish you."

"I accept my position as your queen." Iona answered. "Forgive me."

Loki looked at her surprised. She HAD learned her lesson. Maybe she was a good companion after all. "You have been there for me, Iona. I cannot ignore that and you may be human, but you are listening to me. I cannot fault you for your birth anymore than you can fault me for mine."

"I just want you to see that I do love you. I wish that you can see that." She looked at him.

Loki looked in her eyes. She DID love him. He saw that and maybe she wasn't so bad. He intended to find out who her parents were, even if they were dead. He wouldn't give up so easily. It might take years, but he would find the truth of his soon-to-be wife, whether she wanted him to or not.