It took longer than expected to find the store he had wished to find, and he hated it that he hadn't thought of this earlier. Usually, when he chose to charm someone, he went all-out. He didn't understand why Paige was any different. Somehow, though, she was. He needed her to believe in his reality. Needed her to see that she could be powerful, and that there was no need to fear.

He quickly transformed into his street clothes. A suit, a houndstooth scarf. No need to look like a peasant, even if he walked among them.

"Hi! Welcome to Best Buy, how can I help you?" A bubbly blonde – not nearly as pretty as his telepath – greeted him.

Loki cleared his throat and tossed her his most beguiling smile. "I am in need of a device to play a musical disc upon."

"Um, okay..." She squinted and then bit her lip. "So, you mean a CD player, right?"

"Yes. Show me where I might find this... CD player," Loki instructed. The Blonde stared at him like he had brought home a three-headed Bilchsteim and turned to lead him to the electronics section.

Ten minutes the diminutive blonde woman spoke on the merits of one player versus another. Ten minutes! Loki grew tired of her drabble, but kept his smile plastered to his face. He could tell it was working. She would not be suspicious of his presence. All according to plan.

He chose the player that he deemed "easiest to use without resorting to magic" and scooped the package into his arms. "As I am already here, what can you tell me of this electronic mail that I hear so much about?"

"You don't have email?" The girl blinked like she had heard something utterly preposterous. "Oh my gosh! Let me help you, buddy."

Against his better judgment, Loki followed her to a small electronic device in the back corner of the store. She woke it with a single swipe of her finger, and he wondered if this was a new kind of magic. "We have an email set up for guests, in case we need to demonstrate something," she explained.

Loki only understood half of what she said, but retained enough to help him later.

"Wanna try?"

He smirked and juggled the box in his hands. "If you would be so kind as to compose this letter for me, I would rather just watch."

"Oh. Okay." She did something that made the screen turn a different color. "Who is this going to?"

"Thor, care of Anthony Stark."

The way she almost choked made him chuckle. He supposed it wasn't often she heard that sentence. "Th-Thor? Via Stark?" Her jaw moved, grasping for words but finding none. "You know them?"

"Oh, yes. Mister Stark and Thor are dear friends of mine."

She shrugged and typed in an address that was probably something along the lines of "Tony dot Stark at Stark Industries dot net" or something like that. "What would you like to say?"

"The girl is fine. I always could tell when you were following me. Stop it now. I will not harm her, as you seem to think I shall. You know who this is."

She choked again, and this time she looked scared.

Loki smirked. "Just a bit of mischief."

/

Paige sat in total silence for a while, letting her tears die away. Once again, her cries had gone unheard. She half-expected the Asgardian prince to come sauntering through the door any moment, but an hour passed and still nothing.

Bored, afraid, and lonely, she finally decided to look for her iPod. She had taken it with her to the park, so maybe it had survived her trip to the fictional world of the dream. She rummaged through her pockets, finally pulling the blue device up by the earphones. It had half a battery left. Within moments, the buds were in her ears and soft Celtic music helped to ease the pain in her head. She sighed with relief and closed her eyes.

Paige was nearly asleep when her iPod died. The new silence only served to wake her fully. Nearly two hours had passed since her prince had rushed from the room.

She stretched and sat up straight, her headache nearly gone now. She supposed that all she needed to do was calm down.

As she sat with her legs still strapped to the chair, Paige looked around the stone room. The floor, the walls, and the large, high ceiling were all made of grey stone, like the castle of old. This castle, however, had modern upgrades. Floor lamps were placed in the corners closest to her, and a large, yet dim, chandelier hung from the ceiling. The room had seemed bright when she first awoke because the window across from her. It was hung with beautiful golden curtains that gave the room most of its light. She supposed that the sun had been rising when she woke, which caused the brightness. Now, the sun was well on its way up into the sky, and Paige could see through the golden haze of the curtains the blue and green of scenery outside. In front of her, a large golden canopied bed had its curtains drawn back, allowing her to see the beautiful silver and gold bedspread. The prince had definitely gone out of his way to furnish her room.

She shifted in her chair the best she could and looked to her side. There, on a small golden table, sat her Robin Hood book. She picked it up and turned it over in her hands, remembering her books in the AVCORP dream. Even with all of their attention in detail, the doctors did not waste time in reading fictional stories. Her books on the island were filled with nonsense words, giving the appearance of actual books, but without the content of a story. In the dream, it had fooled her. But, now she knew their game.

Paige immediately opened the book to a random page and began reading, expecting to see random words littering the page. Instead, she turned to a scene where Robin was battling Little John before he had joined their merry band. She read the scene over and over, word for word, and sat bewildered at the story.

Reality began to dawn on her. The way time moved here paralleled reality. She had never been bored on the island. Time had seemed to skip around and shift as it did only in dreams, allowing her to be constantly busy doing something. That was how the dream worked. Keep the patients busy, allow the device to adapt to their personalities, and then commence with the experiment. But, there was nothing for her to do here. Nothing that currently required her to be busy or use her powers.

Paige flipped the book open again and let the pages fan through her fingers. All the words were there in the correct order. Time was of itself. AVCORP did not have her. This was real.

She gasped and quickly put the book back onto the table. This was real. Prince Loki of Asgard had captured her, and this was very real. He had left to go who-knew-where and was eventually going to come back for her. Everything was real, and she realized she was in very real danger.

/

After four hours of running to and fro over the entirety of the current Midgardian city, Loki returned to his fortress and breathed a little bit easier. His brother could not trace his message, and the blonde woman at the store would not be able to tell anyone where the strange man had gone. He had been sure not to tell her anything.

Loki rested a hand on the doorknob and realized it was far too quiet for his liking. She had nothing to say? Or she planned to attack? He threw up a protective barrier around the outside of the door, ensuring she could not escape if it was the latter. He sighed and hoped she wouldn't try anything rash. He hid the CD player with his staff.

Then he opened the door and stepped in.

Paige heard the doorknob turn and looked up from her book. Reading was far better than sitting in bored silence.

There was her prince. He looked nervous, and rightfully so. She had knocked him to the ground twice already. If he tried anything funny, he would return there again.

I'm sorry for my actions earlier. She turned the page of her book, continuing to skim over the words. I get that way sometimes, because of... an incident... I went through a few years ago. It won't happen again. She turned another page. Where'd you go? First you kidnap me, and then you leave me to starve. You've been gone for hours. I do appreciate you freeing my hands, though, and the book you stole with me. It's helped to pass the time.

She lightly licked the tip of her index finger and turned another page, seemingly uninterested in the fact that a great prince stood before her.

Loki waited until she looked back to her book to smile. Reading was far better than attacking. She had somehow decided to submit to the reality that surrounded her. He waved his hands before him and the CD player appeared. Another flick of his wrist brought his new favorite disc of music into his hands.

"I left to retrieve these," he explained. He set both on a nearby table and quickly dismantled the box from around the player. He plugged it into a nearby electrical socket, one of the few things he could do without using his magic on Midgard. He did as the blonde woman had instructed and brought it to rest on his favorite song. He pressed play.

Loki strode across the room easily and held his hand out to the impish woman before him. "Would you allow me the honor of this dance?"

Paige looked up from her book and smirked. I'd be honored. She set her book down on the table next to her. But, you have to do something for me first. She gazed into his eyes, her own flashing with innocent mischief. You never released my legs from the chair.

Loki returned her smile of mischief and flicked a wrist to uncharm her leg restraints. The straps fell off easily after that. He leaned a little closer, daring her to take him up on his offer. If she was anything near as mischievous as he thought, this could be quite fun.

Paige retained her smirk, accepting his dare, as she leaned closer to him, their faces nearly touching. She stood and accepted his hand, but quickly grabbed his arm with her free hand, trying to regain her balance after having sat for so long.

I'm sorry. She broadcast with a blush. I've been sitting too long. I'm not sure I can do any dancing right now. She glanced away from him. It was a lovely thought, though. And this song is beautiful. Perhaps give me a moment to walk around the room?

She looked back at him and smiled up into his beautiful green eyes, impressed by his attempts to woo her. If only she hadn't been so weak. Her hunger didn't help matter. She hadn't eaten a thing since noon the previous day, and it was beginning to effect her.

Loki smiled back at her and wrapped one arm tightly around her waist. He held her other hand lightly upon his own. "I will not allow you to stumble, little telepath. One can regain their equilibrium just as easily dancing as they can walking."

And he spun her in the first step of what could be a very successful dance.

Paige allowed him to lead her in the dance and quickly regained her footing. Muscle memory instantly kicked in as she remember those hours of dance classes her mother had forced her into.

Her parents had enrolled her in every extracurricular activity they could think of in a vain attempt to overcompensate for her loss of speech. They thought that by exposing her to the arts, she would find some other means to express herself. Her two loves had quickly become reading and playing the violin. However, the hours she had spent dancing had suddenly not gone to waste.

She felt weightless as she spun in his arms. Dancing was quite a lot like flying, but while one's feet remained on the floor.

My name is Paige, she broadcast, her inner voice full of laughter, and I think you know that. Please refer to me as such... Your Highness.

Her eyes flashed with mischief again as they caught a glimpse of his. Her taunts were mere playfulness. For a kidnapper and captor, the prince sure did know how to have fun.

She wasn't a half-bad dancer. Certainly passable, by Asgardian standards. And the way she felt weightless in his arms... Oh, it sent shivers through his spine. Was it possible for one lonely Midgardian to feel so perfect in his arms?

"Of course I know your name," he chuckled. "I've known for a very long time now. You broadcast more than you know."

He left it at that. It was more of a half-truth than a lie, and she deserved to know that she was capable of more than just a sentence or two here and there. He twirled her into another step, the lyrical sound of piano and violins floating through the room like a cool breeze.

Paige blushed. How much had she broadcast? Oh, gosh. I'm sorry. How much did you hear? You didn't see those horrible memories earlier, did you? Of... the incident? She was totally embarrassed. Here she was, gushing all of her thoughts all over the place, and to one so high and noble. He must have thought she was a freak. It's what everyone else thought.

As the current song ended, she came to rest against his chest, and blushed again. He was being so kind to her, and she desperately wanted to know why. But, before she could think of broadcasting another message, a new song began.

I heard your voice on the wind

And I heard you call our my name...

Paige smiled. She knew the song well. If she ever regained her speech, this would be the first song she'd learn how to sing. I love this song. It's one of my favorites. Did I broadcast that, too, or is this just a wonderful coincidence? A smirk played at the corners of her lips as they began to dance again.

Listen, my child, you say to me,

I am the voice of your history,

Be not afraid, come follow me,

Answer my call, and I'll set you free...

The tempo increased and so did their dance. Flying and dancing faster and faster, making her forget her fears and her questions.

He was too kind. Too romantic. Too... perfect to ever want to hurt her. She remembered he'd sworn on his life that he would never harm her. And quite a long life that would be, if he ever had to live with the guilt of a broken promise.

I am the voice of the past that will always be,

Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields,

I am the voice of the future

Bring me your peace,

Bring me your peace and my wounds, they will heal...

The song matched them perfectly, and was definitely intentional. She didn't need to read his mind to know what he was thinking. The lyrics said everything. He had brought her into his home to set her free from the standards and labels society had put on her. She realized he didn't think she was a freak, either. She was special, and he had seen that.

She looked up into his eyes and saw the pain he hid behind them. No other human was like her, and that's why he'd taken her. She could understand pain the way no other human could. She knew what it was like to be tortured. And now, as the lyrics had so beautifully state, she was to be his peace.

The song ended in the abrupt manner she was used to, and she found herself pressed against his chest again. She could feel its gentle rise and fall that matched her own soft panting.

Thank you. She broadcast softly, smiling up at him. That was wonderful.

Loki lifted her chin and smiled down at her. "There is no need to feel embarrassment," he said aloud. Inside, he felt his cold heart warm to the fact that she had thanked him. Him, of all people. The gratitude felt good. Too good.

As quickly as he dared without raising suspicions, Loki released her and took a step back. "You must be famished. I shall conjure a meal from someplace. Please, do explore. I think you'll find the wardrobe quite to your liking." He ran a finger down her jawline.

Of course, your highness. Paige held back a shudder as she felt him run his fingers down her face. Just because she danced with him didn't mean she belonged to him.

She gave a small curtsy and turned toward what she assumed was the closet, not bothering to watch as he left. She wouldn't have cared if he didn't come back all evening, except for the fact that she was starving.

Loki couldn't help the smile that played at his lips. So beautiful. So perfect. He hated to leave her alone again.

But he did.

/

Paige opened a nearby door and found a small lavatory. Inside, she found a shelf with everything she needed: a brush, a toothbrush and toothpaste still in their boxes, as well as other unopened hygiene products. It was obvious that he had planned for her to be staying with him for quite a while.

Paige stepped to another door and found a large closet. She quickly flipped on the light to reveal a heaven full of everything she could ever want to wear. From one side hung modern attire: jeans, shirts, and modern dresses. But, the other side looked like the wardrobe of a princess. Medieval and Renaissance style gowns hung from hangers along the right wall. In front of her, a wide selection of ribbons and belts covered the walls. Unsure what to wear first, Paige closed her eyes and chose at random. Upon opening her eyes, she found a beautiful yet plain white Renaissance gown, which she paired with a blue belt and sweepingly long covering-jacket.

She dashed off to the lavatory to change. As she stood in front of the mirror, admiring the look of the fabric on her figure, she began to remember the story of Alice in Wonderland. In the story, little Alice fell down a rabbit hole into a world of mystery and magic. Instead of embracing the wonderful chance she was given, she questioned everything.

Paige sighed as she realized she was quickly becoming like Alice. She had done nothing but question Loki's motives and actions since her arrival. Like Alice, her instincts told her that something must be amiss for this world to be so perfect.

Why? Why must there be some other reason for his actions? Because he's a psychotic criminal? Ya know what? I don't care! She told herself as she pulled the brush through her hair. For years I've hated Alice for her stubbornness. Just accept the dark world for what it is. Well, I'll follow my own advice. I'll accept the darn world for what it is. And if the god of mischief wants a princess... She smirked, her eyes reflecting their sparkle back to themselves. Then I will give him the best darn princess I can be.

She quickly braided a small part of her hair that fell down her back, over the rest of her hair. It was simple yet elegant, perfect for her style.

With one last look in the mirror, Paige gave a confident smile. She would accept whatever the prince had to offer, while still remaining true to her own self and values. She wouldn't let him take whatever he wanted from her. Oh, no. He would have to earn it. And she would tell him so herself.

She walked back over to her chair, choosing to read while she waited for him to return. That, and she wanted to hide her appearance behind the great book until she was ready for him to see her. He could believe he had the upper hand all he wanted, but she had her own mischievous plans up her sleeve.