Hey peeps, here is another chapter, I cut it in half of what it was supposed to be when I saw how long it was. I had planned to get this out a week ago but with the Hurricane on the East coast USA where I am… So I decided that I would further neglect my homework and edit this! Reviews are always welcome, it helps me keep a check on my characterization and plots and make sure I am writing stuff people actually want to read. :)

The rest of the jet ride was spent in silence. Once they had managed to get everyone calmed down the atmosphere was plagued with emotions. Loki was no longer paying attention to her as he was now concerned with his brother that, by the looks of it, was sitting uncomfortably close to Loki.

"Brother, I am happy that you are alive." Thor turned to look at Loki and Loki's response was to stare straight ahead.

Thor tried again, "Loki, where did you find refuge for all that time?" Sofiya watched Loki closely, there was almost no sign of him having heard Thor. His breathing froze for a moment as if he was trying to get a hold on his thoughts or emotions.

"Why are you being like this?" Thor's tone had an edge to it. The blond god was bothered that his brother was not answering, it seemed like they might have had a better relationship at one point.

Thor turned his attention to Sofiya and she was struck by just how opposite they were. The blond brother was less regal, his movements made on instinct and not calculated like Loki's. Thor had an air of innocence, he looked like he had seen less life than Loki had. Loki's eyes showed a hardness that she imagined was bought by many adverse trials. What had happened between the time he was assumed dead and his appearance on Earth?

"You are Sofiya?" She nodded and Thor's smile brightened.

"It always amazes me how many wonderful women Earth has!" Sofiya eyed him up, he did not appear to be flirting, just expressing a fact. She risked a glance at Loki and saw no reaction.

"You come here often?" She lifted an eyebrow at him, out of the corner of her eye she saw Loki lick his lips before going back to his unresponsive state.

"Not as much as I would like, the Bifrost, what I use to travel realms, is being rebuilt."

"Ah."

"I see you and my brother had a scuffle while I was occupied," Thor motioned to the hole in her dress, Sofiya's breath caught in her throat. "I would notice my brothers magic's marks anywhere, after all, I have had many of them myself." Thor's grin said the brothers had battled out of fun and not anger. Loki's attention slowly moved to Sofiya's face and she avoided looking at him. She was going to have to lie.

"I had it before I was so kindly pulled into a free fall."

"Hum, I do not remember seeing it while I was conversing with my brother, but my focus was otherwise occupied." Was it an Asgardian thing to be over observant?

There was a feeling of something against her mind. "No, it is a trait of a warrior."

"So, now you choose to talk." She replied to Loki as she smiled at Thor.

"Are you sure I need not apologize for some misbehavior on my brothers part." Thor smiled with teeth this time and her jaw almost dropped. He looked the advertisement to a Prince Charming movie. Why were Asgardians so … so charismatic?

"You think I am charismatic, I am humbled."

"Get out."

"No, he kept his hands to himself." Thor did not bother to question her answer as he carried on the conversation, though there was a flinch to Loki's lips.

"I am interested to hear how you came to know my brother." Thor was eagerly awaiting her answer.

"He abducted me."

"Loki Odinson-" The change in Thor's attitude was instantaneous as he turned to chastise his brother.

"Laufeyson." Loki's voice came out strong as he corrected his brother without looking at him.

"Brother, please." Thor's whole body turned to face Loki and his face took on a look of desperation. After a moment Thor turned back to face her, looking a little dejected.

"My brother seems to have fallen down a dark path, I am truly sorry for any torment he caused you. If there is anything I can do for you to make up for it, I will." Thor's statement shocked her, then she caught on to his words. Loki had fallen down a dark path. So there was a point where Loki perhaps had the manors of his brother.

"He has not always been like this?" It was probably not a good idea for her to push Loki's buttons by getting information out of Thor right in front of him. Especially after she had attacked him.

It also occurred to her that Thor was naive in a sense that Loki was not. Sure, both of them had faced things she never had and never would but something about Loki - if he had seen several lifetimes of struggles and his brother only one. Something had happened in Lokis time away from his brother, something that had changed him on some fundamental level.

"No, we used to get along merrily, always had each others backs in battle. He was my most trusted friend." Thor seemed to be done with the conversation, lost in his memories.

The silence she was left to was not welcomed. As Sofiya started to process what had happened between her and Loki she had to work to keep the blush off her cheeks. There was a threat of shame at the corner of her mind but she refused to give into it. Yes, it was stupid to go up against him, in fact, she knew she would not win. She had just been done with being used, been done with being treated like an inferior because she was human.

In her calmer more relaxed state of mind it hit her - maybe she should have a serious conversation with him about why he thought humans were inferior. Perhaps she would have more success using a communicative and understanding method with him. The problem would be getting him to listen to her counters on the good things about humans. Biting her lip, Sofiya knew she would have to learn more about his own culture from him in order to successfully sway his opinion on humans.

Sofiya was surprised that they did not land at the S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters and when she inquired about why not, she found out it had exploded. Sofiya turned to glare at Loki who was being secured with chains on his ankles, he had the audacity to smirk at her. She made sure to meet his gaze and then look away as if he was not of importance.

As she surveyed the Helicarrier from inside the jet she tried to get a gage on how big it was. Though it was hard to see past the small army they had brought to escort Loki. Loki seemed pleased that he was not being treated like some docile prisoner. She watched as he walked out of the jet, his posture confident and comfortable.

It was Loki's air of ease that made her hesitate as she stepped off the jet. Natasha came to stand beside her and lead her into the flying city.

"We have set up the immediate debriefing you asked for, it should only take a couple hours then you will be shown to your room. Your father asked that you call him as soon as possible." Sofiya saw through Natasha's friendly offered smiles, she was trying to breakdown Sofiya's reaction.

"Thank you."

"I was wondering if you wanted to talk, girl to girl later?"

"That would be great."

"I'm sure you will also want to sleep for a while, you look tired."

"Loki's not an easy person to be around."

"Did he use magic on you?" Ah, she had been listening to her conversation with Thor.

"I attacked him first, he didn't hurt me, it was just a warning."

"You attacked him?" Natasha seemed genuinely surprised.

"Not my proudest moment."

"He does not scare you?"

"No, it's more like, infuriates me. Loki treats humans as if they are his playthings, not actual people."

"Still, you basically attacked a god and lived to tell the tale."

Sofiya was silent for a moment. He really could have killed her, it was probably more work for him not to kill her. And Loki knew she was about to tell them all she knew of his activities. They would be busy following up on the info that she gave them, they would be distracted.

"Could I take that nap first before debriefing?" Sofiya yawned and Natasha laughed.

"Go right ahead, you have earned it. You have shown real bravery these past couple days. Just remember you do have to complete a physical some time in the next couple hours."

They were walking down the hallway in silence when Nat spoke up, "I just wanted to make sure again that you don't have any reasons that you should have a physical before you shower … you will have a female doctor attending to you and I can even do they examination if that is what you are comfortable with?"

"No, it is really okay. Loki didn't really seem to condone that behavior." Something inside her told her to keep quiet about what had happened, well almost happened. She wanted to ask him about it later though.

Nat nodded but gave Sofiya a look. Sofiya was surprised when she was taken to her own room. It was like a small apartment, even had a small kitchen in it. Normally she would have requested something smaller, she was used to (but would always be uncomfortable with) getting special treatments just because of who her father was. But this was different, she finally had her own space again.

"I'll leave you to it then, I can come by in about three hours and do the debriefing alone with you, instead of having to do it in the questioning room?"

"Sure, that would be great, thanks." Nat gave her one last smile before she closed the door behind her.

It was to silent. After the past couple of days it was unnerving, being alone with no background noise. She tried not to think too much on it as she made her way to the shower. Happy to see that someone had left her a generic t-shirt and jeans as well as a generic set of white underwear, Sofiya took her clothes off and stepped into the shower.

Twenty minutes later and she was hugging her knees on the ground as the hot water burned her back. There was too much to think about and not enough space in her head. Sofiya noticed her skin start to take on a golden hue and stopped her thoughts.

Glad to have the distraction of trying to learn how to control her new set of abilities. Watching her hand she lost her breathe for a moment. She was really glowing, this was really happening to her. After sometime she was finally able to focus enough to concentrate the glow to just her hand. Her teeth were clenched and shoulders tense, holding on for as long as she could, she released the strain her hand had been holding.

A wave of exhaustion hit her and she stood up reaching out, she needed to get out of the shower and into bed. Shaking her head, Sofiya pulled what little strength she had left together. Almost falling back down as the sensation of being thrust under a waterfall flowed through her body, she gasped.

Peppermint filled her senses for just a moment before she felt Loki.

"Why are you taking my energy?" His curious voice in her head brought on a mix of emotions in her.

"I'm doing no such thing." But as Sofiya opened her eyes she could not help but acknowledge how refreshed she felt. Like she had just gotten a full night of rest in seconds.

"Yes you did, you pulled from my own magic to restore your energy." Loki's tone was not accusing but it was more of a statemental tone.

"That doesn't even make sense horny boy." The nickname slipped out before she could filter it from her thoughts. Things were silent for a moment as her hand stilled from picking up her shirt as Sofiya held her breath. She calmed a moment later when she imaginary facepalmed herself. Any other normal person would laugh at the nickname and not send some type of punishing mental shock her way. If Loki overreacted, that was on him.

"You insult me after I grace you with my life force?" Heart beating again she rolled her eyes at his sarcastic dramatic behavior and finished getting dressed.

"I won't do it again, and if it's such a problem just try and take it back." In an instant she was exhausted again and had to grab the bathroom counter to slow her fall. Another instant later and the sensation of a walking under a waterfall flew through her and she sucked in a gulp of air.

"LOKI." Her exclamation was instant and it tugged at her sense of normality as she realized she had instinctually called out mentally and not out loud.

"What? You tantied it, keep it vexing vixen, I do not want to be surrounded in the smell of weak human." His disgusted passed through her thoughts.

"Vexing vixen?" She opened the door to her room and looked to make sure the hallway was clear. Sofiya had about two hours to wander around.

"Not insulting enough? After all, you did insult my ability to be a king, I shall think of something degrading to call you."

"I insulted your over the top helmet; honestly, you are the most-"

"In Asgard, my horns represent my status as able to lead and be king." Loki's matter of fact, but not offensive tone caught her off guard and she almost paused in her step. Having a conversation with him was like walking on eggshells and then being hit by a bucket of ice.

"Well, how the hell am I supposed to know that. And actually, I don't really care. You would make a horrible leader."

"Once you submit to me you will see how wrong you are." Sofiya froze, the voice came from behind her. Actually crossing her fingers as she turned around, the air was drained from her as she saw Loki casually leaning against an alcove she had just walked by.

He was loose.

"Oh - do relax darling, it is not time for me to cause havoc yet." Easy for him to say, how was she supposed to calm her heart. Suddenly she regretted the conversation she had just had with him, it was one thing to push boundaries knowing he was locked up.

"Loki-" she began to warn him as she took a step back and then stopped herself. She would accomplish nothing. He would catch her before she could tell anyone, he would stop her easily if she attacked him. "What do you want?" Her response seemed to be the right one.

"I want to see how useful you are." He glanced over her and Sofiya suppressed the impulse to tell him he could go jump off a cliff. It would not even hurt him anyway.

"And, what do I get out of this?" If she was being forced into a corner she wanted to see how much room she had.

"You can ask questions."

"You might not answer them."

His eyes narrowed for a moment, "I still have not determined if you are worth the trouble you cause or not." Crossing her arms she pushed her luck. "Fine vexy, I will answer some of your questions."

"Vexy?"

"Vexing vixon is a mouthful."

"But … vexy? That is the best you can come up with." She saw it in the way his eyes narrowed and his shoulders seemed to broaden. "Fine no need to insult me more. Vexy works, but as long as I get to call you horny."

"That is ludacris."

"Then you can't call me vexy."

"I will call you whatever I please."

"You let me call you horny and I will agree to let you see how useful I am."

Loki blinked. "Fine, but I fully intend on going back on this deal."

"I know. How did you get out?"

"Darling, that is not polite, let us have a seat first" He held the door he was blocking open for her. Sofiya was not moving till she got an answer knowing an answer would never come unless she stood her ground.

"I left an illusion of myself in the cage and I teleported out." He sighed as he motioned with his chin for her to go through the door.

Against her better judgment, she turned her back to him as she walked through the doorway. The room looked to be some type of lounge, standing against a wall crossing her arms she addressed Loki who had taken a seat about ten feet in front of her.

Her shoulders matched his, high and confident. He calmly watched her, his hands and eyes idle as she appraised him. Loki didn't look defeated as someone who was captured usually would, and she realized he never had. Was his ego that big? Or maybe there was something more to it, maybe it was more than pride.

It was clear something major had happened to him. Something with enough impact to change his personality and morals.

When her eyes finally lifted to his, she was just as ready as he was. His gaze was naked, no hiding, no ploys. Bumps rose across her skin in response to the chill that his gaze caused. It hit her - what was different about his gaze, he was looking at her as an equal for the first time. She was not blind to the situation and what he was implying with his eyes.

Loki was supposed to be in a cage, he was a prisoner, an inferior. Yet here he was, moving about as freely as she was. He was insulting her with just one look. And just like that the look was gone, he was her superior again, another insult.

Sofiya had never really played the inferior card before, perhaps she should now. Maybe he would let his guards down? And after their fight, it now made sense to play that card.

Reigning in her gaze she lessened it's firmness as she looked away and then looked back at him. She glanced away again for good measure. Now what was she going to say? It was not in her nature to stand down.

"Ill intentioned demureness suits you not," and just like that he saw through her. Sofiya would have to pull out all the stops if she was going to deceive him.

"Why didn't you kill me?" Her next question took a more direct route as she put her weight against the wall.

"You constantly surprise me, I have to give you that. That fire in you, that spirit that tells you one day you will overcome me, outsmart me. It is comical." There was a flicker of movement from his hands grasp in his lap.

"That's not an answer."

"If I kill you, I will never get the satisfaction of seeing you, willingly, on your on accord, kneel before me."

"That is still not an answer, but I will let it go this time. When it is finally over, when humans win this war you wage, I will not ask you to bow before me. I don't need that satisfaction, it means nothing to me. You are a person, and just like everyone else on this planet, every person in this universe, you are worth the same, equal to all."

Something she had said struck him, he did not let it known in his body language but she felt something stirring on the mental plane. It was a tug and then a gradual relax. So, he had a temper and was just good at controlling it, she tucked that information away for later use.

"I will always beat, always be better than humans, you are weak and vulnerable, your minds made for manipulation. Your emotions weak, your views narrow. What shall I have you do first as my personal human servant? Polish my shoes, my weapons. Ah, no that is not a good idea, but then again once your fire is snuffed out, you will stop fighting me. You will want to serve me."

She was getting closer to finding the reason why he felt humans to be subservient. And Sofiya had a feeling it had less to do with the characteristics of humans and more to do with Loki's past.

"Why do you want me and the other humans to submit to you so bad?" If she listed off things she might get closer by gadging his reactions, "Is it because you feel inferior to your brother and the only way to make up for it is to have an entire world at your feet?"

"My brother and I are equals, if anything I am more superior, I am a king in my own lineage, and I was raised by Odin beside Thor." Sofiya caught the way his mouth sneered at the word "equals."

"Thor does not have an obnoxious helmet that declares him a king, does not seem like he is trying to prove something. Almost as if he already knows he is the next king. And from what I have picked up, Odin never thought of you for the throne, he always knew it would be Thor, his real son." She stood straighter as the force pressing in on her wanted her to back down.

"You only have parts of the story, you know nothing." Something was off, he was leaning forward a little, a challenge, this was getting to him. Loki beckoned her to sit in the chair across from him, "Now, my turn."

As she sat in the chair he indicated Sofiya realized how much of a bad idea this was. No one knew where she was, no one knew she was with Loki. Not letting her anxiety show she matched his gaze and tensed when his eyes narrowed.

The sensation that overwhelmed her was like nothing she had felt before. It was as if Loki had his hand around her heart and was pulling it out of her chest. He blinked and focused on her eyes again, the feeling left her and she gulped in air.

"What are you doing?" Sofiya's hand flew to her chest as she gasp for air.

"Pulling on your magic, and not with the weak effort you pulled on my own magic. I am trying to see if I can take it back from you." The feeling came back and she fought to keep her eyes open. It felt as if it went on for ages but was probably only moments. Finally, he relaxed again and sat back for a moment. He was breathing heavier.

"It appears to be integrated into your life force … and my own." Loki waved his hand and her skin burned gold. Sofiya felt sick like she had been riding the same roller coaster ride on repeat all day. Looking up to him about to ask him to stop, her voice was lost as she saw his eyes. Molten emeralds swirling against a blue sea.

He needed to figure out just how their magic was connected. He could not risk someone using her to get to him, to control him. He still needed to determine if she died, if he would follow.

Loki focused on the gold tethers that surrounded her and pulled them forth, not from her, just out from hiding. She held the capacity for great amounts of magic, but how much did she actually posses? She grew brighter and brighter. Her eyes transformed before his, the human began breathing heavy. He saw beads of sweat form on her brow.

The girl was suffering and yet the glint in her eyes challenged him. Daring him to push her harder.

He pulled again and again, the next pull caught his attention, he felt his own magic being pulled to the surface, interesting. His magic was of a skill that could control when it showed itself and when it hid. He felt the unwelcomed caress of it on his skin against his will, it wanted to play. He pulled again and his magic pulsed before he saw a green pulse in hers.

He could manipulate her magic in an instant if he wanted. It was a part of his own magic, that meant she could learn to do the same thing, given time of course.

Her vision was blurring, the feeling through her veins dangerously intoxicating. Sofiya felt stronger than she ever had. Some part of her was getting greedy wanted to hang on to the sensation but she fought against it. She could barley handle what she had, if she took more, there was no telling how unstable she would become.

Loki blinked and Sofiya collapsed back in her seat taking a moment to catch her breath.

"Okay, break, let me ask something." He nodded, lost in his own thoughts.

"Where were you when Thor thought you to be dead?"

"That, will not be answered."

"Let me piece it together then. You were captured, that much I know. To get your freedom you came here and were to take over Earth, but why Earth? The person who captured you certainly made you feel inferior to him, it was a him, right? How did he get you to comply, why could you not get out yourself? What could he do to make you follow his wish … oh my god."

Everything clicked into place. Loki was being bent against his will, the only thing that could do that was something horrible. Torture in some form or another. Humans found horrific ways to induce pain in others her mind did not even possess the ability to imagine other ways of torture in the universe.

"Do tell, what conclusion have you come to?" He was on the defense but still challenging her. This was a risky game and she knew it. Something this dark and a person this prideful, she was past the point of no return.

"He tortured you."

Sofiya felt a tug. Loki was looking, looking for something to hurt her with. A piece of information he could use against her.