Banner looked up from what he was tinkering with in the science lab to see Loki walking down the hallway to the elevator. He was casually carrying an empty plate and cup. He wore an unusual expression on his face. Banner had never seen Loki look like that before. His thin lips were pursed into a slight frown which was completely normal. His eyes had a softness to them that was abnormal however and his brows furrowed slightly as if he was thinking. Banner glanced at the monitors that were keeping an eye on Alice's energy levels. The readings were the same as earlier.

Loki pressed the button to the elevator and waited for it to open. Traveling upstairs he walked briskly to the kitchen sink and deposited the dirty dishes there. His expression stayed the same as he gripped the kitchen counter with both hands. He was deep in thought when he suddenly realized he was being watched. He glanced around and saw Agent Romanoff watching him from the entryway.

"After all this time, you're still one of the only people here who can sneak up on me." Loki's voice was grim but relaxed. He stood up straight and looked at Natasha dead in the eye trying to gauge her intentions.

"I take pride in being able to do that," Natasha said with a smirk. She took a few steps closer now standing by the bar in the kitchen. There was a whole kitchen island that separated them but Loki tensed a bit anyway. "Oh relax. Hey, you talked to the girl right?" Natasha cocked her head to the side.

Loki crossed his arms. One of his long delicate fingers tapped his bicep in an impatient manner.

"Yes I did. What is it to you?"

"Such hostility. I just wanted to know what you found out. Only Fury has spoken to her so far."

"I brought her breakfast. There wasn't a whole lot of talking. At least not anything important." Loki moved to walk past her but Natasha grabbed his arm roughly.

"You're lying Loki. You're a pretty good liar but I'm pretty good at being able to tell. Look I'm going to give you a friendly warning. Fury seems to think we can trust the girl, but right now nobody is sure. Don't get to close to this."

Loki snorted indifferently.

"What makes you think I'd get close to this?"

"You two seem pretty similar. All I'm saying is be careful. If you get to close to the girl you'll be compromised. And everyone here will have to start questioning you again. It took a long time to earn our trust. Don't be so quick to throw that away." Natasha let go of his arm and let him walk away. She heard the slight growl in Loki's throat. She gritted her teeth, this is going to be difficult, she thought as she watched him storm out of the room. Maybe Thor can get through to him? She laughed at herself for that thought and continued on her way.

Later that afternoon the group was gathered in the common area. Tony, Clint, Natasha and Thor were all gathered around the TV watching some action packed movie. Thor kept roaring with delight every time something exploded. Bruce and Steve were playing a card game at the dining table. Steve had never taken a liking to action movies and Bruce found they always provoked the big guy. Tony shook his head and smiled. He stood and hopped over the back of the couch heading to the kitchen. He started making some popcorn on the stove. Tony's mind wandered to Alice. He wondered how she was keeping herself entertained down there and felt slightly bad. He made a note to himself to have Jarvis bring her some movies and books. The hair on the back of his neck suddenly stood up and he felt something brush against him. Tony whipped his head around but nothing was there. His eyes darted around looking for Loki wondering if the trickster was playing some sort of prank on him. He suddenly realized Loki wasn't in the room which confused him because Tony swore he was in his chair reading a book not even five minutes ago.

"Thor!" Thor turned hearing his name and raised an eyebrow.

"What is it friend Tony?"

"Where is that creep of a brother of yours?"

Thor frowned a bit but looked around.

"I don't know. He is probably in the library or his room." Thor gave a shrug and looked back towards the movie. Tony finished making the popcorn and dumped it into a bowl. He felt the same cold chill and looked around. Still finding nothing he grabbed a few pieces of popcorn and flicked them casually into his mouth.

The chilled feeling had spread to his gut and Tony had a bad feeling. He set the bowl down and walked briskly out of the room. His abrupt action caught Steve's attention, who quickly stood up and hurried after him.

"Tony what is it?"

"Let's call it a gut feeling" Tony rushed into the elevator and pressed the button for the lower levels. His foot tapped nervously. The feeling in his stomach made it churn and goosebumps covered his arm.

Steve rarely saw the man saw nervous. Usually Tony was the epitome of cocky level headedness.

"Tony.." Steve bit his lip. The elevator doors whooshed open and Tony headed to the lab used for monitoring Alice. He sat down and studied the monitors. Everything seemed to be normal but Tony couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

"Jarvis status update on Alice."

There was a slight hum and crackle overhead before the smooth electronic voice replied,

"Ms. King is currently vomiting sir."

"How long has she been upchucking?"

"Since noon today sir," Jarvis's voice was curt. "By the way, my readings show this is not any food poisoning or flu."

Tony leaned back reading the monitors and thinking. He tapped his chin thinking. Steve was standing back watching the man.

"Tony do you think this could be an adverse side effect of the bracelet?"

"That is exactly what I'm thinking. You think you could go grab Banner?" Tony looked up to see Steve was already at the elevator.

"Sir." Jarvis's voice cut through Tony's thoughts again.

"What is it Jarvis?"

"I just thought you should know Mr. Laufeyson is with Ms. King."

Tony sighed and shook his head. So that's were Loki had wandered off too, he thought to himself. He wondered if Loki had the same feeling he did.

Alice pressed her cheek against the cold tiles of the bathroom wall. Her body trembled slightly from overexertion and she could feel her stomach churning still. She had just finished dry heaving for the past 20 minutes and the thought of another bout made her whimper slightly. A cool cloth was suddenly pressed to her forehead and her eyes fluttered open.

Loki was crouched beside her, balancing on the balls of his feet. One arm was outstretched and delicate fingers pressed the cloth to her forehead. His nose was wrinkled in slight disgust and his luminous green eyes showed a mixture of pity and understanding.

"Do you feel better?" His voice struggled to sound sympathetic. Alice turned her head away slightly and closed her eyes wearily.

"No." Her voice was a hoarse croak and she fought away the nausea that threated to make her gag. Her mind felt dull and it scared her. Alice had never felt so vulnerable in her life. Between her sluggish mind, her powers being blocked, and now this nausea, Alice felt like a helpless baby.

A soft sigh brought her attention back to the god beside her. The creak of leather made her aware that he was standing. Loki removed the cloth and set it on the counter.

"Can you get cleaned up by yourself or do you need help with that as well?" His voice was curt and it made Alice flinch a bit.

Suddenly her mind went reeling when she realized what he was suggesting.

"I am perfectly capable of showering by myself. You are dismissed." Alice waved him off like she was shooing a servant. Her attempt of humor made the god's lips twist into a smirk. He left the bathroom and shut the door. He stayed near though listening just in case she needed help. His eyes darted to the door when Banner and Stark walked in with an anxious looking Rodgers behind them.

"What are you doing here Loki?" Steve's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Loki simply replied with a gesture of his hand towards the bathroom door. His eyes then moved to Banner.

"Why is she sick?" His voice was void of any emotion but his eyes burned with something.

The Dr. rubbed his forehead anxiously as he replied,

"Tony and I are thinking it is some sort of side effect to having her abilities blocked. Can I ask you something Loki?"

Loki just narrowed his eyes. Banner sighed and took that to mean yes.

"When your father blocked your magic, did it ever make you sick?"

Loki growled deeply. The fire burning in his eyes intensified.

"Yes. For the first couple weeks or so I was very ill."

"Then that is probably exactly what this is. We used the same type of technology, the same methods. Maybe if we could find another way to block her abilities..or if we could find a way to keep this from making her sick. I'm going to run some tests and try to stop this." Banners tone showed genuine concern. Loki tilted his head slightly and opened his mouth to ask why they cared when Tony butted in,

"Listen Loks, we don't know her very well yet and we sure as hell don't trust her. But that doesn't mean we purposely want her to suffer. Besides if we want her to open up to us and tell us the truth we need her to trust us. She's not going to do that if we let her stay sick. Just trust us ok?"

Loki suddenly frowned. He was starting to realize he was being treated like this girl's keeper. Why is everyone acting like this? He didn't even know this girl that well, he didn't care what they did. With a quick huff he left the room with a mixture of expressions on his face.

Steve watched him leave with his eyebrows raised.

"That was odd, what's gotten into him?" Steve looked at Tony and Bruce for some kind of answer but they both just shrugged.

Tony had an idea but kept it to himself. He knew he wasn't the only one who noticed how protective Loki seemed to be over this girl. It had to be because they seemed to share some kind of connection. They really didn't seem that different. It made him wonder if they should trust Alice more or trust Loki less.

The sound of the shower turning off made the men glance towards the bathroom door. After several minutes Alice walked out of the bathroom. She wore a loose grey t-shirt and simple black pants. Her damp hair hung around her face. Her eyes seemed weary as she glanced at all three men.

"We having a party or something?" Her voice was dry and humorless and seemed to match the pallor of her face.

Bruce was the first to step forward.

"Hello Alice, can I call you Alice?" He continued when she gave a weak nod. "We haven't formally met. I'm Dr. Banner?"

Alice sat down on her bed slowly. She was searching for her cigarettes halfheartedly.

"Yeah, the Hulk right?" Banner sighed slightly. Alice suddenly gave him a wry smile. "Hey, don't worry. You're like some super smart scientist right? That's how you became the Hulk in the first place?"

Banner gave a small shake of his head and smiled. Besides Tony it seemed to be one of the first times someone recognized his achievements as a person rather than just the big guy.

"Yeah. Scientist. Anyway, I'm the one who made that anklet you're wearing. It seems to be what's making you sick and I'd like to fix that. Would you let me take a blood sample?" Banners nose wrinkled at the click of the lighter and the sudden smell of smoke. Alice picked up on his subtle facial expressions. Considering slowly how polite he was being and the fact that he turned into a giant green grumpy monster she wondered if irritating him was the best idea.

"I'm sorry..want me to put it out?" Banner smiled hesitantly.

"That would be much appreciated." He grimaced as he watched Alice put the cigarette out on her palm. The sizzle of skin turned his stomach slightly. Stepping forward he pulled out a needle and syringe and sat beside her. After drawing the blood he handed the syringe off to Tony who left the room. He then scooted down a bit so he was sitting by her feet. He reached out and grabbed the ankle with the bracelet on it. His hands where rough as he examined the metal band, and he frowned.

"My foots not gunna fall off is it?" Alice's tone was slightly bemused as she joked with Banner.

"No no. I do see that you're still bleeding slightly from the prongs. Does it hurt?"

"Nah not really," Alice tilted her head. She glanced at the other man in the doorway. He was very good looking with a strong build and sweet blue eyes. His fair hair was short and carefully kept. "Itches like hell though."

"Mhh, sorry about that." His voice trailed off like he was thinking. Alice kept staring at the other man. He cleared his throat a bit and shifted awkwardly from one foot to the other. Bruce suddenly looked back at Steve. "Oh have you two not met. Alice this is Steve Rodgers."

"Oh I know the great Captain America when is see him." She purred softly and smiled playfully. Alice still felt like crap but was in better spirits with all this human interaction. In the back of her mind she wondered where Loki wandered off to.

Steve blushed furiously. He looked towards the door.

"Well I just came along to make sure you were alright. It was nice meeting you ma'am." He hurried out the door. Alice smiled a bit and looked at Banner. Suddenly a wave of nausea hit her and the room was spinning. She laid back and squeezed her eyes shut.

Bruce watched her nervously. Knowing that it was technically his fault she was sick made him feel guilty. He stood up slowly.

"I'll be right back," He hurried to the lab leaving Alice by herself. He saw Tony flipping through the test results that were still fresh off the printer. "What does it say?"

Tony's eyebrows were furrowed.

"That she is completely fine. I don't know how what is making her sick. Like, we know, but I can't find a way to make it stop without removing that device."

"We can't remove it yet. Not without Fury's permission." Banner tapped his chin thinking furiously. He snatched the results of her bloodwork from Tony and looked them over. Then it occurred to him,

"She's sick because the device is blocking her powers."

Tony raised an eyebrow,

"Yes we covered that basis already."

"I know, but think about it. Blocking her abilities was probably like putting a huge blanket over her dulling all her senses. It probably feels like a sinus cold being all blocked up like that. All that pressure would lead to dizziness and nausea."

Tony nodded slowly. He guessed that made sense.

"But how do we get rid of that?" Bruce simply frowned to Tony's question.

"Maybe we should just start with over the counter medicine for those symptoms. We should also let Fury know about all this. The sooner he makes up his mind about her the sooner we might just be able to take the bracelet off and not have to deal with any of this."

Both men looked at each other and nodded solemnly. It was the only option right now.