Chapter 4

Steve took Loki and Andie on a tour through the building. That took a while. Andie took an interest in the training rooms, and science lab where all of the equipment was made. Loki likes the lab where things were kept cold. it was a walk-in freezer, and Loki would enjoy spending time sitting in there.

Whenever they passed any of the other Avengers, Loki got nasty looks, and his smile turned cold.

Andie sighed inwardly. They were not making any progress in turning Loki. She knew Steve was still uneasy, but it was making an effort to not show it, and for that, she was grateful.

Steve turned to them then. "Dinner is in an hour. I expect you will want to shower. You can use my bathroom. I trust you can find your way to the dinning room?"

The two nodded yes, and went down to Steve's room. When they got inside and shut the door behind them, Loki sat on the bed and sighed. "You can take a shower first Andie."

"Thanks. What about the clothes?" She gestured at the god-like garments she had on. Loki waved his hand and the vanished.

"It's just an illusion. It wasn't actually a different pair of clothes."

"Pity. I liked them. Especially the sword."

Loki gave her a small smile as she walked into the bathroom.

The shower felt very good, but she cut it short. When she got out, a new pair of clothes were sitting out. There were a pair of sweatpants, a tee-shirt, and her favorite pair of Nike shoes.

"Thank you JARVIS."

She walked out of the bathroom smiling. Loki was still sitting on the bed. Well, the couch that he had turned into a bed. A very large bed. Andie raised an eyebrow at him, and flashed him a grin he just shrugged. And took his turn in the shower.

Loki turned the shower as cold as it could go, and stood under the stream. He leaned against the wall, then slowly slid down until he was sitting. Andie was a good person. She understood him. He didn't know why she cared that much though. He had killed people. Well, he had killed a few people, but the Chitauri had done most of the killing. But he had let them. Loki was made at Odin for not telling him about his parentage. He also hadn't liked growing up in Thor's shadow. He had only done what he thought was right. Thor had matched down to Jotunheim, and wanted to kill the frost giants. But when he can back from Midgard, and Loki had tried to destroy Jotenheim, suddenly Thor had a problem with that. Being here had changed him. Thor thought for the better, but Loki wasn't sure. Granted, he wouldn't have destroyed New York if it was his choice, he only liked pulling small pranks. And he honestly didn't think he would be King of Asgard for the short time that he was. Power was something dangerous. He was drawn towards power. He was a decent king until he tried to kill Thor. Loki banged his head against the wall of the shower as he thought of his big brother. There were a few reasons he had done what he had.

Loki stood up and ran his fingers through his hair. He turned the water off, and stepped out of the shower. A pair of Midgardian clothes were set out for him. He stared at them for a moment. He decided to limit his magic abilities if he could. He wanted to show he could live here like Thor.

There was a white tee-shirt, and a pair of long black pants. The shirt was snug, and hugged his body, but the pants were pretty loose. He pulled the clothes on and walked into Steve's living room. He walked over to the window and looked out. He heard Steve walk into the room, and stand behind him.

"What do you think, now that you aren't trying to destroy it?"

"It's fine. It's nothing at all like where I'm from."

"So your homesick. What's Asgard like?"

Loki turned to Steve with a cruel look on his face. "Asgard. That's not where I'm from."

"What? But your a god."

Loki just laughed. "I am not Loki Odinson. I am Loki Laufyson. I'm the son of the enemy of Asgard. I'm half frost giant. Odin took me from my family when he drove back the frost giants to Jotenheim. He planned to use me as a tool to bring peace. That's why I could never be king. He couldn't have a frost giant sitting on the throne of Asgard. He never told me my true parentage. He waited till I fond out myself. You don't know what that's like. And people wonder why I did what I did. Andie, she has suspicions about her parents. And she's right. The people who she grew up with aren't her real parents. Her real parents are dead. And I can't tell her."

"Loki, I'm sorry. I really am. But who are her parents? She has a right to know."

"Sorry is a new one. People just assume I'm the bad guy. If I tell you, you must promise not to tell her. If I tell you, you will know why I can't tell her. It will also affect you greatly."

"Alright. I promise. I do hope it isn't so bad. But it can't be worse then her parents being frost giants."

"For me it is worse. She would never talk to me again if she knew. And I can't let that happen. She's the only one who has the patience to put up with me. But that's not it. There's more to the story then just her parents. She's special. She's like you. Tony met her before. So had Bruce. They just don't remember. It's a long story, really."

Steve sighed. "We have a time before dinner. Shall we goos somewhere comfortable, grab a drink, and you can tell me?"

"Yes. Lets go to the freezer. We can sit in there and talk. You might want a jacket. I'll be fine."

"Fine. If it makes you happy." They headed to the walk-in freezer, and sat down. Loki stared ahead for a minute before he began.

Up in the lab, Andie was talking with Tony and Bruce about science, and they were teaching her how to use the equipment. They were arguing about what materials to use for the costume they planned making her. They said she might not get to much action, but it would make them look cool. They were all joking and laughing. Tony and Bruce exchanged a glance once, but Tony shook his head, but both had an uncertain feeling in their stomachs. Andie though, was happier then she had been for a while. She was completely unaware of what was going on.

Loki finished telling Steve the truth about Andie, and looked at him. There were tears in his face.

"So, I'm basically..."

"I'm sorry."

"No. She should know."

"No! She shouldn't have to go through what I went through. It's best if she doesn't know."

"But that makes as bad as Odin was, for not telling you. The others have a right to know at least. Tony and Bruce must suspect something by now."

"I think they do. But they will be puzzled."

"They all deserve to know."

"One day, maybe, but not today. Andie is happy. Let her stay that way." The two stood up. Suddenly Loki leaned forwards, and gave Steve a hug. "We're all in this together now." He sung the words as he had heard Andie do once.

"I don't get it. Why did you sing that?"

"I don't get it either. I just heard Andie say that."

"Oh."

They walked out of the freezer together. The others were passing by at that moment. They all stopped and stared at the two coming out of the freezer together. All except Andie, who was biting her arm to keep from laughing at the looks on everyone's faces. Tony of course, had to make the situation worse. "Rogers! I had never thought of you as a gay man, and I would respect that choice if it wasn't the man who tried to blow up New York, that you were kissing in the freezer of all places!" Natasha and Clint looked at each other with small teasing smiles. Bruce was eyeing Loki suspiciously.

"Yeah. Haha Tony. Cause I would totally kiss the guy who tried to kill me." Loki, surprisingly, Andie noted, actually looked hurt by that statement.

Tony rolled his eyes. "JARVIS! Is dinner ready?"

"Yes sir."

"Thank you. Come on everyone. Dinner is served!"

Everyone was sited and eating, except for Loki, who stared suspiciously at the hamburger in front of him.

"What's wrong Rudolf?" Natasha asked.

"Rudolf?" Steve asked.

"It's a Christmas movie Steve."

"Iv never had this, this thing before." Loki cautiously poked the hamburger on his plate. "Or these things." He picked up a fry, and waved it in the air.

"Loki. That is called a burger and fries. It's one of the most traditional American meals." Clint pointed to the burger, and then at the fries. Tony wiped his mouth. "Don't worry, it's not poisoned. I do like Rudolf for you though.

"He's not got a red nose though." Andie pointed out.

"Yeah, but he's always getting left out of things, and his helmet makes him look like a reindeer." Tony always had to make people feel worse. Loki just smiled and nodded. The rest of dinner was spent silently. Bruce announced he was going to bed, and Tony, saying that since Pepper wasn't here, he was going out to McDonald's for dessert. Steve, Clint, and Natasha invited Andie to go to Starbucks with them. She excepted. Loki shoved his chair back, and marched out of the room. Andie put down the coat that Natasha had just handed her, and went to follow Loki, but Steve reached out and out his hand on her shoulder to stop her.

"Let him go. He needs some time to himself."

"Yeah. Yeah, your right. Lets go. Lead the way."

Steve, Andie, Natasha and Clint walked to Starbucks.

Natasha and Andie had fun talking. Natasha was glad for some feminine company. She said she and Pepper got along well, but it was nice to see another feminine face.

"So you and Clint. How's it going?" She nodded at Clint who was talking with Steve.

"How did you- no. Why would you think we are in a relationship?"

"Well you are. You love each other anyway. No. Love is for children. You like each other in more then a friendship way."

Natasha stopped walking. "What did Loki say to you about me?"

"Nothing. He hasn't actually said anything about you."

"Then why would you say that?"

"Say what?"

"Love is for children. I told him that I while ago."

This time it was Andie who frowned. "I-I don't know. It just, popped into my head. That happens sometimes. It must just be a coincidence that you said that."

"Yeah. Yeah I guess so." Natasha started walking again. The boys looked back, and gestured them forwards. They held the doors open for the girls as they walked inside. There were lots of whispers as they walked in, and people pointing fingers. "Just ignore it Andie." Clint told her.

"I'm trying. The stares are sort of creepy though. It feels like we should be wearing capes with sun at our backs, hair flowing in the wind."

"Yes. I do wish someone would just shoot them all sometimes. Or paralyze them while we go out." Clint grumbled.

"I'll need a distraction and an eyeball."

Clint looked at her frowning, and heard her knuckles collide with something in her pants, a gun by the sound of it, as she tapped her leg. He smiled. She was funny, but he was rather puzzled at why she had said what she just did. He would ask Natasha later if anything similar had happened with her.

Twenty minutes later, the four were walking into Avengers Tower. Clint and Natasha went their own way, and Steve and Andie went theirs.

When Clint was alone with Natasha, he told her about what had happened with Andie. She nodded.

"I know. It's almost like she knows our history. Like she knows what we've said, and when we are going to say it. But she's nice. I like her. I'm a little cautious though. She's done something to Loki. For the better, obviously, but how?"

"We can ask the others if they know anything tomorrow. Night Tash."

"Night Clint."

Steve and Andie entered his floor. Part if which had been transformed, so there was no longer a living room. Loki had gotten bored, so he redecorated the living room to his liking, seeing as he would be sleeping there. The walls were now gold, and the huge bed Loki had conjured, sat in the corner. There was a TV in on wall, and a couch in front of it, a small bar in the corner, dressers along a wall and a small table. Steve just sighed.

"Well it's good to know you feel at home. Im going to take a shower, if you need anything, just ask JARVIS."

Loki looked at him curiously. "Who's JARVIS?"

"He's pretty much like a mechanical nanny system. Tells you things if you ask it questions, gives you info, and any other stuff you need."

Steve and Loki exchanged looks. Steve looked at Andie.

"Andie. Who told you about JARVIS? Did I tell you about him?"

"No. No I don't think you did."

"Then who told you?"

"Steve-" Loki warned. Steve raised a hand.

"Andie?"

She looked like she was trying to remember something. "Nobody told me. Nobody told me, I just knew. It was just, there, in my head. I don't know. It keeps happening! I just know stuff. It's just in my head. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm sorry." She looked at the ground. Steve put his hand on her shoulder.

"Andie, listen to me, there is nothing wrong with you. Your just really smart! That's not bad. I'll let you and Loki have a minute while I take a shower."

She smiled and nodded. "Okay. Thanks Steve."

Loki stood up from the couch and sat on the bed. He motioned for Andie to sit beside him. She did as he asked.

"Here. I got you this. I thought you might like it. It called a chocolate eclair." She handed him the bag, and he opened it and took a bite.

"This thing is very good! It is, creamy, and chocolaty. I like it!" He ate the rest, and threw the garbage perfectly into the trash.

"Loki?"

"I am going to need my own bed."

"Why? I thought we could share one."

"It's not exactly proper."

"Since when have you cared about proper?"

"Do you want me to sleep with you?"

"Yes."

"Um, Loki, I really like, you, but you need to understand, like I said, I'm not really into relationships."

"Oh I know. I just like having you next to me."

"Well that's fine then."

"Good."

Andie and Loki smiled. Andie went to look in the closet. It was filled with an assortment of clothes. "Pajamas?" And iron claw extended from the closet, and handed her some pajama pants and a loose sleeping shirt. She grinned. She liked this style of getting dressed. Loki for similar pajamas. He rather enjoyed the softness of the pants. Just then, Steve walked into the room. He was wearing his pajamas as well, and they were similar to Loki's and Andie's, except he wasn't wearing a shirt.

"I'm going to sleep now. I don't care what the two of you do, just keep it down... Andie? Are you alright?"

He and Loki rushed over to her side. She had fallen to her knees, and was taking deep breaths, while holding her head.

Loki and Steve rushed to her side.

"I'm fine. I'm fine. This happens sometimes. I just get dizzy, and I feel weird. I'm fine though. Thus isn't a first. It's just it looks different this time."

"What do you mean it looks different this time?" Steve asked.

"Usually when this happens, for a things look clearer after the dizziness, then I go back to normal. This time, everything has blue around it, like Tesseract energy or something."

She stood up and shook her head. Loki looked sad, and Steve swallowed hard.

"Well, goodnight."

"Goodnight Steve."

"Goodnight, Captain."

Steve flushed again, but walked into his bedroom and shut the door. Andie and Loki crawled into the over sized bed. Loki lay in the center, and Andie lay on the side. Loki waved his hand, and the lights went out.

"Andie?"

"What now Loki?"

"Your going to fall off the bed."

She sighed, then moved towards the center. Loki wrapped his arms around her, and she tried to pull away, but he kept her there. She finally put her head on his chest again.

"You cold."

Loki changed his temperature. "Better?"

"Yes. You know, I haven't had any nightmares since you've started sleeping next to me."

"Wells that's good. Iv stopped having mine as well."

Loki lifted his head. "You have nightmares? What are they about?"

"I'm not sure. There's just loud noises, lots of metal, and pain."

"I'm sorry. I really am."

"Loki? Are you okay? It was just a dream. Besides, your dreams of the Chitauri are worse. Your reliving the memory. Mine I'd just a dream."

Loki swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yeah. Your right. Just a dream. Goodnight."

"Night."

Loki closed his eyes. Steve was right. He would have to tell her. But if it was the last thing he did, he would protect her.

In his room, Steve was very quiet, and he heard the conversation. For the second time that day, Steve cried. He rolled over in his bed. He would protect Andie if it was the last thing he did.

Up on Asgard, Odin sat staring into the abyss at the end of the Bifrost. He had heard the conversation between Loki and Steve. He knew the truth about Andie now as well. He should have known before, but he hadn't paid attention. Now this girl would have a huge change in her life, and even though she loved adventure, he didn't think she would want this much of it.

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