Heads Up! I am switching to Veronica's POV now that everyone knows what's going on. It's more fun to write ;)

For a few minutes I just sat in my chair, unable to think about anything other than the fact that Loki was coming for me. I think Tony tried to get my attention several times to ask me what was wrong, but I looked right through him. By the time I had pulled myself together, he had scarfed down his plate of food and had left for work.

I blinked several times. A mixture of emotions swirled through me ranging from elation to fear. This was the way Loki had always made me feel. I was never sure how I would react to him.

I ate my now cold meal, chugged a quart of milk down, and pushed back away from the table. I was starting to get a little jumpy now, much like I had been the first time Loki had shown me his affections. I couldn't shake the idea that everywhere I turned I would find him lurking around the corner.

I stood up and made my way to my office. As head of the department, I had my own office, very nice compared to the office of my last job as a secretary. Before I was completely through the door, I gave the room a thorough survey. No one was there, and I couldn't sense any powers. Loki wasn't here. Yet.

I sat down in the rolling chair behind my desk and set to work on the various designs for new weapons. I was relieved to find that I wouldn't have to work long today, just long enough to get these god-forsaken calculations done. I plowed into the work, grateful to have something worthwhile to do.

By lunch time I was done for the day. I left SHIELD and headed home. I was extremely thankful that SHIELD had let me live in my own house when I had moved out here. As much as I had grown to love Avenger's Tower, there was something to be said about having your own home… and privacy.

As I approached my front door, I kept my ears pricked for any noise that would give an intruder away. I didn't sense any magic. Loki wasn't here either.

I threw my purse down on the dining room table and headed to my bedroom to change. Tense and ready to fight, I edged down the hallway. No one.

I exhaled sharply. If Loki was going to make an appearance, I would hope for sooner than later. But of course, as always, he was being uncooperative.

I decided to allow myself a quick cat-nap since I had had such an awful night. I sat down on my couch and rested my head on the arm of the seat.


I was in a dark place. Maybe woods? I couldn't tell for certain. I could see shadows moving around in my peripheral vision, but nothing else presented itself.

I started walking, trying in vain to rid myself of the pressing darkness. Where was Loki? He was supposed to make an entrance, wasn't he?

"Soon," a voice slithered through the foggy air. "Soon." It sounded an awful lot like Loki, but something was off. It was too… hollow maybe? I couldn't describe it.

I turned around, surveying my surroundings with as much skill as a hunter. No one was there.

I stopped dead as I saw a pair of blue-green eyes staring out of the shadows at me. They were almost glowing in the darkness. They were all I could see of Loki. "Soon. Soon. Soon." The voice said.

I started running, but I could have sworn I heard an evil laugh behind me.


When I woke up, it was five p.m. Damn, I hadn't intended to sleep that long. Memories of the dream came flooding back to me and it was all I could do not to panic.

I got up and poured a glass of water from the tap, taking in deep breaths.

All I could do was wait, I decided. Wait on Loki to show himself. I considered calling Tony, have him come over, but if Loki was angry I didn't want him to hurt Tony trying to get to me. No. I would just have to wait alone.

And what had the dream meant?

Was Loki planning something else against humanity? I didn't know what to do. Everything was so mixed up in my mind. I buried my face in my hands.

I stayed up extremely late into the night, waiting for him to show himself. What was taking him so long? Based on his past record of appearances he should have been here hours ago. I mentally kicked myself when I started to worry for his well-being.

Around eleven o'clock a knock at my door made me jump from my skin. Shakily, I made my way down the hallway and to the foyer. I looked through the peep hole, but I didn't see anyone.

Slowly, I unlocked the dead bolt and opened the door. My heart leaped when I saw Loki standing on my front step.

For a minute we just stood there looking at each other, neither quite able to believe what we were seeing. I noticed that Loki looked extremely pale, more sallow than usual. His hair was unkempt and his eyes were slightly unfocused.

I spoke first. "Loki?"

He was taking in shallow breaths, but he managed a smirk. He was still the same arrogant man that I had known back in New York. He just looked terrible.

"Veronica," he managed. "May I come in?"

I looked down at my hand still on the doorknob, deliberating for a minute, then brought my eyes back to his. I could take him if I had to.

Never taking my eyes from his, I lowered my hand and stepped to the side. "Sure."

He brushed past me through the doorway and made a beeline down the hall. I closed the door behind me, hesitating a moment. Then I followed him into the living room.

He was sitting down on the couch I had fallen asleep on earlier. I could feel his eyes on me as I turned on a light and sat down across from him.

After another few minutes of silence I couldn't take it anymore. "So?" I said. "Go ahead. Kill me. If that's what you are here for get it over with."

He squinted his eyes at me, the smooth plane of his forehead wrinkling in confusion. "Why would I kill you, Veronica? I love you."

Was he playing me? Something in his face told me he wasn't. But then he was on his feet and standing over me. He placed his hands on either arm of the chair I was sitting in, caging me in. He brought his lips to my ear and his cold breath left goose bumps on my skin. I closed my eyes.

"But that doesn't mean I won't teach you a lesson first."


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