Chapter 3

Elena's POV

When I uncover my eyes the first thing that catches my attention, is something green and red, billowing. The capes. Of course.

I squint and finally my vision clears. I see Thor's back now. He is standing almost a foot from me. The man is literally a mountain. He is practically blocking my view of everyone on the other side. I sidestep and move a little to the left, all the while feeling a tingling in my spine. Like someone's watching, that is when I face to my right, looking for the source.

And I am frozen.

Standing right in front of me is a man around 6 foot tall, with clear pale skin, clad in leather and metal from head to toe. He has cheekbones that can cut glass and quite frankly the most chiseled jaw I have ever seen in my life. His hair as black as night itself, are relatively short but not quite a close cut, there is something so raw and dark about his whole appearance….like something powerful and intense, filled with secrets left bare for everyone else to see….just see and not figure out.

And yet these are not the things that made me feel rooted to the ground, transfixed. It's… his eyes.

Even from here I can see they are the most chilling blue I have ever seen…it's almost like two frozen shining orbs….at first they seem cold and hard but the more you look at them, you can feel something brimming, just beneath the surface….something struggling to break free. But at present, all those eyes are setting free is my nervousness.

The way he is looking right at me, it's unnerving to say the least. His stare, unblinking, has not gone stray in the past two minutes and no matter how much I try, I can't look away. I would avoid it but the gaze is so….intense...I can hardly blink let alone look away.

Anyways, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that this is the infamous fallen prince and if he thinks he can intimidate me with just a stare and a drop dead gorgeous ensemble, he is got another think coming. The look he is giving me is anything but friendly, it's as if he is trying to burn a hole in my skull, I try to be as 'non-fidgety' and 'non-judgmental' as possible.

Don't let him get to you.

I stare back keeping my gaze absolutely calm and collected, although I do change my stance a bit. Hands locked in front. Legs aligned to shoulders. Back straight. And the goddamn bastard mimics me! Either he is really sizing me up or mocking me in his own pathetic humorless way. I am betting it's the latter.

The Surprise or irritation might have shown on my face because a slight look of amusement passes on his. Then it's gone as quickly as it appeared.

Great! He finds my 'serious stance' funny. Good Luck with keeping him under control.

I am aware of Fury and Steve talking with Thor, but it's not because I am paying attention, courtesy: the oh-so-enjoyable-but-totally-unprecedented staring match. The only way I know they are even there is because they are standing between me and this weirdo. I don't think Fury would appreciate me pissing off the royal prisoner so early on in the mission; therefore I break it off and move towards where Maria and Nat are talking to a very impressive looking lady in a…..armor.

I really need to get a sense of the Asgardian fashion.

"….It's good to know. Ah! Elena meet Sif. Sif this is Elena, she will be on duty for Loki." I extend a hand towards her but she Just smiles and touches her heart with a fist, bowing slightly. Fashion, etiquettes, there is a lot I need to learn about these people.

"Lady Elena, we appreciate you stepping up to do this and apologize for the inconvenience. Loki…. Can be a handful, I know." She says with a genuine expression. I like her.

"It's perfectly fine, this is my job. I do what I am told." I say with a pleasant smile that isn't forced at all.

"Was he always like this?" I ask gesturing with behind me with my thumb, where Loki is standing. Though I don't turn and look, mainly because I can still feel his gaze burning into the back of my head. I could always tell when someone is watching me, really comes handy as an agent. But right now it's pissing me off to no ends! There are at least a dozen people on this roof, people who beat the shit out of him on his last visit, if he so desperately needs to glare at someone, there are ample options presents. Why me?

"No, not always….He was surely mischievous. Loki always had a penchant for tricks, manipulative repartee…..and magic was….is still his strongest suits but never was he so diabolical. Not until he learnt of his true parentage. Being jealous of Thor coupled with that knowledge turned him into something" She sighs and looks at him, with irritation and a little bit of sadness in her eyes "….a person whom we do not know, at all."

She doesn't like him that much I can see, but still she doesn't badmouth him. She could have easily told me he was as horrible as everyone made him out to be and let me believe that he was always like that but instead she gave me a truthful answer. Thor is the same. Nobility runs in the race, I guess.

Natasha starts asking her something about her last visit to earth and I take a leave, discreetly. I don't want to be in way of any conversation that I don't have clearance for. I start heading towards the entrance of the roof when my name is called. I turn. Fury. Of course. I really respect him but today I can't help but feel a little annoyed with him.

"Lady Elena! So good to see you again!" Thor steps forward to meet me halfway, bowing a little. Always the Charmer.

"Good to see you too muscle man! But it's just Elena, when will you learn that?" I say smiling. People say he is the epitome of perfection when it comes to looks. Somehow I never saw that, he looks very….Huge to me. Sure, he is good looking and maybe it's just me, but I always got a big brotherly vibe from him, not someone who exudes sex appeal or over whom woman swoon.

We move back to where Fury, Steve and the 'God-knows-why' sulking god is standing.

"Director. Captain." I say, giving everyone a courteous nod. Everyone but leather pants.

"Agent I would like you to meet Loki. You will be accompanying him wherever he goes on the premises. As long as he is here, he is your responsibility. And Loki" He says turning to him "She has authority in this arrangement and I would like you to keep that in mind. One mistake and the ant-boot analogy will not remain just an analogy." I am still not looking at him.

"You know it does sound different when I hear the same threat for the hundredth time from you!"

Fuck.

His voice.

It's like melted chocolate but…darker and more sensual. The kind you would want to hear when….Stop it! He is your mission subject for god's sake.

I finally decide it's time to talk, turning towards him I extend my hand, "Hello."

"And what am I supposed to do with that?" He says gesturing with his eyes towards my still extended hand. "Shake it? Sorry I definitely would have gotten involved in this pathetic fake display of amicability but there is a slight problem with that" He leans in a bit. The irritating smirk still very much intact. "I don't want to." The last few words are a whisper but they are oh-so audible.

He is still smirking and still looking right into my eyes. The challenge in his voice not so subtle either.

Very well.

"Loki, Watch it." Steve's words are the first to cut the tension. Loki straightens feeling oddly pleased with himself.

"Oh come on Cap! It's not a problem at all." I say still looking at Loki, putting on my most charming smile. "I mean we all know he is not a real Prince and as far as I know, the words 'frost-giants' do not exactly have etiquette plastered on them." My tone comes out sickly sweet dripping with just the right amount of sarcasm. I didn't plan on waging a war but if that is what he is adamant about then….

So. Be. It.

His smile falters just for a nanosecond. But the important part is that it does.

Score.

"Ooooohhhh she's got claws. I have always liked feisty pets. A wise choice, Brother." And although he is talking to Thor, the goddamn lunatic is still looking at me! The word pet rubs me in a wrong way and I'll be damned if I let him call me that!

"Well, I wouldn't be too sure about that pet thing so soon Oh Fallen Prince, at least not before I have shown you your kennel….oops! Slip of tongue, I meant chamber." Why am I taking the bait, even I don't know! But I do enjoy the way his eyes narrow. Struck a chord, didn't I?

"Loki. Agent. I shouldn't be required to remind you both that any attitude that sabotages this arrangement will not be tolerated." Fury's voice cuts through the air.

"I understand, Sir. It won't happen again." I will try but can't make any promises.

"Can't make any promises." Can he read minds too? And he actually has the audacity to wink at Fury!

"Agent why don't you take the royal baggage to his quarters and I will see you for debriefing later in the day." He is here five minutes and has managed to piss off everyone who is standing on the roof.

"Yes, Sir." I turn to the trickster and suddenly have this insane urge to slap the smirk right off his gorgeous face!

Such a waste, those looks.

I have gotten two field agents, highly trained in combat flanking Loki and me on each side; they will be on guard 24*7. I am not afraid of him but it's good to have other people around when the one you are hanging out with gets on your nerves like a tornado!

I have dealt with people where I had far worse first encounters and never did once I got so worked up like I am right now. What is it about him?

Think about what Phil said, be open-minded, don't judge so quick, it's just a mission, do your best. Don't take the bait.

Repeating these words like a mantra in my mind I step in the elevators with the others and punch in the code for the apartment he's been allotted in the premises on the 45th floor. I didn't know that the headquarters had lodging facilities up until now, so I am quite looking forward to seeing it. Whatever SHIELD does, it does in style.

My chain of thought is broken when I sense Loki stepping in and standing right beside me, his arm just a Nano-inch away from mine, there is plenty of room in the elevator. I sneak a glance at him, he is looking straight ahead, face composed in confidence, lips pursed. For someone under watch he is awfully comfortable and confident. I turn my gaze towards the doors which have closed now and hence are reflecting his image as clear as a mirror would.

He really is good looking but that irritating attitude dampens a bit of it. When we were leaving I saw him looking at Thor, just for a second. The look in his eyes, it was anything but jealousy or hatred. It was…..melancholic. I can say from experience that one does not love any one as much as they love their sibling, they are a part of you in a way no one else can ever be, I wonder if Thor and Loki were like that and what changed?

"It's rude to stare you know." His words jostle me from my trance. I had been staring too long. Damn it!

"Well, you are one to talk." I scoff, making a reference to what he pulled off on the rooftop.

He finally smiles, a loop sided grin which is glinting and mischievous but also restrained. It does not seem natural….it doesn't reach his eyes.

"I was just trying to assess what kind of a babysitter my noble brother got me this time." Although said with a smile and well-practiced sway there is a bitter undertone to that sentence that does not go amiss.

"Thor didn't pick me out, I work for SHIELD, remember? Although, I have heard about you from Thor, on previous occasions." At this he stiffens, it's very minute but I can tell because I am standing so close to him. What did I say?

"Oh, so brother dear has already made you familiar with the kind of monster you are dealing with." So this is what it is about, does he really think that I can't see through that playful smirk? It's clear as day. Why not just admit that he doesn't like the idea of someone forming preconceived notions about him based on what Thor has or hasn't said?

"No, he told me something more fun."

"And what would that be?" I look directly in his eyes reflected on the elevator doors, so that he knows I am telling the truth when I answer.

"He told me to decide for myself... that what kind of a person I am dealing with." And there is just a flicker of something on his face but before I can see what emotion just passed through, the elevator doors open.

And my mouth is left hanging at the sight before me.

There you go guys! do leave a review :) Also the color of Loki's eyes...bear with me it will come back to our favorite...GREEN :) soon...