Author's note: This chapter is a little shorter than usual, I didn't want to make it too long as lots of things happen but everything happens quickly. I won't say much about it, just enjoy it!

It wasn't what she had expected. A tiny part of her mind, the rational part, reminded her that she shouldn't have expected anything at all, that it shouldn't have been a possible option. Kissing Loki Odinson wasn't something that should have happened. And yet...

It wasn't what she had expected. It's wasn't fiery, wasn't the 'up against the wall' kind, wasn't ardent. It wasn't one of this kisses you see in Hollywood films, with the right lighting, the right soundtrack, the right everything. And yet...

Yet it was the most mind-blowing kiss ever.

Even if he had pounced on her like a cat on a mouse – hence the high expectations, not that she had thought about it before, of course not, she was too professional for that –, it was only to take her chin between two fingers and brush her lips with his. There was so much gentleness, so much tenderness in this kiss that it surprised her. She had never seen that part of his nature and couldn't help but find him even more attractive that way.

When he was sure she wouldn't push him away, he let go of her chin. One of his hands ended in her hair, carelessly messing with her sophisticated bun, while his other hand grabbed her by the waist. It was all she needed to sink into his arms. Her breasts pressed again his chest, and she kissed him with ardour, her hands not knowing if it was best to play with his hair or to rest on his shoulders.

When they finally pulled away, eyes closed and gasping for air, he leaned his forehead against hers as his hands were drawing circles against her shoulders. She only then realised her hair was hanging loosely on the back of her neck, the studs of his jackets were painful against the bare skin of her shoulders and, most of all, they were in the middle of Natasha Romanoff's vault room. Ironically, Loki didn't seem to notice all those minor details – especially not the last one.

"Hannah, I—"

"No Loki, we can't—"

"But it's important. I need to tell you. I—"

"More important than the fact we're in the middle of a con?"

He raised his head and looked around him, unable to scratch surprise from his face. His lips formed a silent 'oh', which made her smile, before looking back at her. He lightly shrugged, as if nothing important had just happened, as if he hadn't been about to tell her something. In less than a second, his business face was back. There was no place for anything but the job here.

"I'll tell you later", he whispered, putting her hair behind her ear. "Go be on the lookout while I open the safe, all right?"

She only nodded then slowly stepped back, not trusting her wobbly legs at that moment – and damn it, Rose, it was only a kiss and not even her first one, she had to get a grip on herself! As she opened the door, she decided she didn't need to leave the room, knowing no one would come after them anyway, especially when she could do something far more interesting: watching him.

She knew how to crack a safe, at least theoretically, but watching him was fascinating. There was no wasted movement, no instant of doubt, as he worked methodically. His whole body shone with confidence, from the frown of his brows to his longs fingers running against the safe. The room was silent, if it wasn't for the 'tick tick' of the combination lock as he was trying to open it, ear against the door. She was peeking by the half-opened door when she clearly heard a more distinct 'tick', followed by Loki's victorious laugh. She turned around and ran to him, excited.

"Did you make it?"

"Not London's best trickster for nothing!"

He slowly opened the door, letting the Egg shine as sun rays fell on it, enlightening their faces. They remained still for a while, bent over the vault, only able to admire the piece of art in front of them. Rose knew next to nothing about those eggs, only that they were shiny and expensive, but it didn't stop her from being amazed by it, by all the little engravings on the golden shell, by the gems and pearls. She could easily understand why those things cost an arm and a leg and why Loki wanted to steal it in the first place; she wouldn't have minded having it on her mantelpiece.

She didn't know how long they stayed like this, just looking at the egg, but Loki suddenly stood up and cracked his joints, which made her wince. He was cracking his spine, his arms stretched behind him, when she stood up to, and he grinned at her with that smile she knew too well, for it was on all criminals' lips.

"All right, Hannah Baxter! Let's steal this thing!"

She couldn't help but grin back, her tongue poking between her teeth. She only noticed then that he was carrying a backpack, its single strap across his chest, as he took it and roughly dropped it on the floor. He kneeled down, opened the bag and, with cautious gestures, took the egg to put it in the bag. At first, nothing happened, which made him smirk as he zipping it shut. But, when he stood up and put the rucksack back on his shoulder, a piercing alarm set off. They exchanged a look, panic on their faces.

"Window!" he shouted, already heading to it.

"I can't! I'm wearing a dress!"

She heard him swear as he came back to her and showed her the door with his chin. She understood in a heartbeat but took the time to take out her high heels before following him. It didn't take them long, running like maniacs, to find the back door. Loki rushed toward it but, as he violently and repeatedly tried to open it, he swore once again. Before she could understand what was happening, Rose found herself with the bag in her hands, Loki frenetically looking in the pockets – probably looking for something to help him unlock the door, she managed to register. And it was indeed the case, as he grabbed a little box full of lock picking tools.

"Hurry up!" she almost yelled.

"I'm trying!"

She could hear the clicking of his tools against the lock, the alarm still going off, but also footsteps coming toward them. When he finally managed to open the door, so many things happened at once, mixing up in Rose's head.

Loki jumped outside like a cat after being thrown in a bathtub. Natasha, Clint, and Maria appeared at the corner of the hallway, a gun pointed at them in Natasha's hands. On the other side of the door, a squad was already waiting for them, Mickey and Jake first in line. Noticing he was surrounded, Loki frantically glanced around him, looking for an escape, for anything that could help him out of this situation. But, as his eyes dwelt on Rose, they suddenly opened wide and he froze. He didn't even react when Maria caught him by the arms and handcuffed him. He didn't move when she shouted "Loki Odinson, you're under arrest!" Rose followed his eyes, only to see she still had the bag in her arms, clenched against her chest. Her eyes went as wide as Loki's.

"Oh, shit!"

He only smirked.

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