A/N: Don't want to make a big fuss of excuses or anything of the sort but I just want to say that if you are reading this you are actually phenomenal and I love you for it!

Chapter 7:

Sloane woke up with a start, panting; a sheen layer of sweat glistening over her skin. She took a few deep breaths and looked over to a clock that read 4:45 am. She lay back and attempted to regulate her breathing. She ran a hand through her hair; the nightmare had taken her by surprise.

Sloane was thirteen, cowering on the landing of her staircase of her family home. She had woken from bed after hearing yelling from downstairs. She peeked through the railing of the banister seeing a man she didn't recognise, he had a gun. Her mother was crying and her father was trying to calm the man, offering to go outside and talk, away from his family. But the man with gun wouldn't have any of it. He shot Sloane's mother. Sloane threw her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming and then the gun was on her father and the trigger pulled; her parents dead. At that moment thirteen year old Sloane had made a choice; she could have given in to the rage and despair she felt but she knew that she couldn't. Her little sister was in bed upstairs. The dream shifted slightly and she was holding her sister in her arms; the blonde Kella crying and terribly confused. The dream shifted again and Kella was gone; given to a different foster home, Sloane wouldn't be able to find her. It was nearly a year since her parent's murder and there was only one thought one Sloane's mind: revenge. The case of her parent's death hadn't been solved by her father's colleagues in the police department, but Sloane knew who did it. His face had been burned into her memory, he was someone her father had put behind bars many years ago and had just recently been released. He had his revenge, now she would have hers. She bought a gun, learned how to work it and made her way to the darkened corners of the city. No one suspected her, no one feared her. She was small for her age, thin and pale; terribly unthreatening. This worked to her advantage; furthermore she had the talent of hiding in the shadows, remaining unseen from preying eyes. She found him outside of his apartment building, making a deal with a shivering youth who didn't seem much older than her. Sloane waited until there was no one else, she waited until it was just him and her and then she stepped out of the shadows. He smiled at her asking how he could help. Sloane had to fight the rage threatening to overcome her; she simply asked him if he remembered her parents. He did. Did he feel sorry? For her, yes, for what he's done? No. He told her he would do it again, it was payback. Sloane grit her teeth, Good. I hope you'll understand why I have to do this then. He didn't respond, didn't even flinch when she pulled out the gun, laughed even, and then she fired.

And that was where she had woken up.

Sloane rubbed her face. She had had the dream before, the memories as vivid as if they were from yesterday. She thought about what could have triggered it and then she realized; Penny, cradling Turner, the hurt, the shock. It reminded her of Kella. She sighed, one day she would see her sister again. She shook herself slightly. Her past was her past, she couldn't change the fact that her parents were dead, she couldn't change the fact that her sister was taken from her, and she couldn't change the fact that when she was thirteen she had killed a man. She sighed and glanced at the time again. It wasn't long after that that she had discovered she was a mutant. Those were important years in the development of a person and hers were written in violence. She closed her eyes and took long steady breaths. Calming images of places and people she loved running through her mind. She fell asleep again.

When Sloane awoke again later the clock read 8:30 and she felt much better than she had earlier. She got up and prepared herself for the day.

She was on the couch reading when her solitude was interrupted.

Loki crept quietly through the door of Penny's room, stopping when he saw Sloane.

Sloane watched him for a moment, "Good morning."

He nodded at her, making his way to the corner desk, he began looking through the hotel binder. He turned to Sloane, "Perhaps you could aid me in a small endeavor?"

She raised her eyebrows, "What do you want?"

Loki's eyes drifted to Penny's room, "I'd like to be with her when she awakens. I would also like her breakfast to be waiting for her. Could you receive the food when it gets here?"

Sloane nodded.

Loki paused, "I have no desire for mortal currency and I have a never-ending amount, would you care for nourishment?"

She nodded again, slowly, "I'll just have what you guys are having."

Loki quickly placed the call.

Sloane stared at him. She was completely at a loss in attempting to decipher his character. One moment he was beating men to a pulp and now he was ordering her room service. Furthermore, he was an enemy of S.H.I.E.L.D, apparently a very dangerous enemy and yet he was also Penny's boyfriend, afraid that she might wake up alone.

They nodded at each other as Loki returned to Penny's side.

When Penny woke up it took her a moment to gather her bearings. For some strange reason she thought she might wake up in her parent's house. Instead she was in her suite and she wasn't alone. Loki was beside her, sitting up slightly, watching her.

She gave him a small smile, her voice hoarse, "Hi."

He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, murmuring, "Morning."

Penny yawned and stretched out, unsure of all the emotions running through her and what she should be feeling. There was one thing she couldn't deny; the slimmest sliver of joy of waking up to Loki. She looked up at the ceiling as the events of the previous night washed over her. She turned to him, "What now?"

He raised an eyebrow, "I suppose that's in your hands."

She just continued to stare up at the ceiling, squinting slightly. As the veil of sleep slipped away from her the physical results of the night before began to plague her. Her eyes stung slightly, her whole body was sore, her throat was terribly dry, and she had a pounding headache. She groaned and snuggled closer to her companion.

Loki took her hand into his, "Breakfast is waiting, if you are hungry."

Penny nodded, "Morning, waking up, breakfast… that seems right."

He helped her out of bed without letting her go of her.

She smiled at him, "I can walk on my own."

A small smile fell on his lips and he nodded at her.

She paused at the doorway, a moment of understanding passed over her, "Sloane."

Loki moved beside her, "She's there."

Penny looked to him questioningly.

He looked to the door with intrigue, "She is aware of my presence."

Penny nodded, "Good." She paused, "She's… peculiar."

His eyes narrowed, "She's strong."

Penny nodded again, recalling Sloane's remarkable show of strength and experienced fighting skills, "Too strong?"

He glanced at her, "Seems so." He gestured to the door, "Shall we?"

She took a deep breath and went out into the suite. Just as Loki had said there was a breakfast of bacon and eggs awaiting them; Sloane appeared to have already eaten and was stretched across the sofa, she glanced up as the pair made their way to the table.

Sloane stood up and walked over to Penny, "How are you?"

Penny shrugged, sitting down, "Here. And alive, thanks to you two."

Loki joined Penny in sitting down.

Sloane stood for a moment before awkwardly patting Penny on the shoulder, "I'm glad that you are alive." She looked at them for another moment before turning quickly away.

Penny's voice caught her, "Sloane!"

Sloane stopped and turned, "Yeah?"

Penny cleared her throat, "I don't mean to pry but, uh, we noticed that last night… you… uh…"

Sloane's eyes widened slightly and she raised her eyebrows, "I'm different."

Penny nodded, "Yeah."

Sloane's eyes flicked over to Loki who was studying her, she looked away and squinted slightly, "Yeah. I can… well, I'm not exactly…" she paused and rolled her eyes, "I can mimic strength. I don't exactly know how it works but," she looked directly at Loki, "I touched you and I felt how strong you were and then I could copy that. And I did. And… yeah."

Loki gave her another appraising look, "Do you still recall the process of mimesis? Could you replicate my strength now?"

Sloane felt her defensive nature go on alert, she did not like telling anyone the limits of her mutation, "No. It fades away but if I-

"Touched me you could gather the strength again." Loki eyes dropped to the floor in thought.

Penny's expression was sort of frozen. She shook herself and then looked between Sloane and Loki, "What?"

Sloane shifted her weight and looked away, "I'm a mutant."

Penny stared at her. She had heard the term before, rumours, urban myths, but she had never actually believed that there were actually mutant people in existence. She studied Sloane, "Wow. I've never…"

Sloane looked up at her, unsure of how the information would be received.

Penny sort of smiled, "That's so cool! I mean! Wow! I'm so jealous!"

Sloane looked at her incredulously, "Jealous?"

Penny nodded, "Yeah. I mean. I wish I could have fought those guys…" her voice trailed off; her eyes wide and beginning to tear.

Loki put a plate in front of Penny, "Eat." His hand slipped around hers.

Penny sighed and began to eat, Loki followed suit; their hands clasped together.

Sloane's eyebrows furrowed, she stared at the pair and wondered if that was all the commotion that her mutation would cause, if so her opinion of Penny and Loki would definitely rise. She took a slow step away from them, neither of them stirred; the interrogation seemingly over. She started walking away but stopped when Penny called out to her. Sloane bit back a groan, "Yes?"

Penny took a moment to swallow her food, "I just wanted to thank-you, not just for being super strong but for taking care of me."

Sloane was somewhat taken aback, "You're welcome." She cleared her throat, "It's, um, no problem." She gave a small smile and slipped away to her room.

Penny sighed, "What a funny gal."

Loki spoke through thought, "Most intriguing."

She studied him for a moment before roughly squeezing his hand, "Hey. She's my friend; don't get all suspicious and judgey."

He simply raised his eyebrows and continued eating.

She watched him for a moment before returning to her meal.

Before Penny could finish her breakfast there was a knock at the door; three frantic bursts followed by Sharon's voice calling her name.

Penny stared at her plate for a moment; she looked up at him, "I'm going to talk to her alone. Do you mind?"

Loki shook his head; he hesitated, watching her for a moment before slipping away into Penny's room.

Sloane poked her head out of her new room, "I'm guessing I should also just stay in here."

Penny nodded and got up to answer the door. The moment she did Sharon's arms were around her.

Sharon squeezed her tightly, "You're okay!"

Penny walked backwards, still wrapped in Sharon's bear hug. When released she shut the door and brought Sharon to the table.

Sharon looked at the half-eaten food, "Oh you're in the middle of breakfast. I just, I had to come, obviously, because I had to and you weren't answering your phone. Why were you not answering your phone?"

Penny shrugged, "I just woke up, and I think it's still in my purse."

Sharon looked at the two plates, "I saw, the paramedics with your… friends. Who's watching you now?"

For a moment Penny was slightly frozen but she returned Sharon's inquisitive gaze, "Sloane's the one who's looking after me."

Sharon nodded, "Yeah. She's an agent?"

Penny shook her head, "No. But the main guy in S.H.I.E.L.D trusts her and she's… special."

Sharon turned to her friend, "Lots of information for you to process in one night."

Penny shook her head again, "No. I knew. Not that she was going to take care of me, I knew she was working with S.H.I.E.L.D, I got a message telling me."

Sharon looked to her questioningly, "You said you met her at some wedding."

Penny nodded, "Yeah. I had to. They told me too. No one could know who she was but me."

Sharon paused, "Well you can tell me anything. You know that."

Penny looked up at her, "Yeah but, I wasn't allowed to. I just thought I'd better be safe than sorry."

Sharon furrowed her eyebrows, "So you didn't know her at all before."

Penny shook her head.

A moment passed between them.

Sharon stared at her friend, unsure of how she should react, knowing the duplicity that her friend was capable of. She knew that there wasn't a malicious bone in Penny's body but Sharon just didn't realize how much of Penny's life had suddenly been consumed by what she was going through and that there were things that Penny wasn't telling her.

Penny decided to change the subject, "Are you okay? I'm so," she paused and fought the tears that were threatening to overtake her composure, "I'm sorry."

Sharon reached over and squeezed her hand, "Oh honey, it's not your fault."

Penny tried to shake her head or to make an effort to appease Sharon. But she couldn't deny that single paralyzing thought. She just didn't move, didn't make a sound.

Sharon noticed her friend's upsetting reaction, she grabbed her shoulder, "Penny," she waited until Penny's eyes met hers, "It's not your fault."

Penny just stared at her.

Sharon frowned, "It's not your fault. You didn't send those men to kidnap you, did you?"

Penny tried to smile, "No."

Sharon continued, "So it was those guys to blame and the reason they were after you is because of him isn't it?"

Penny shrugged, "No one really knows… but,"

"Of course it is." Sharon squeezed her shoulder again, "No one would kidnap you. It's him Penny."

Penny looked up at her friend, "Nope. It's because I chose him. I choose to be with him, and if I didn't none of this would have happened."

Sharon shook her head, "No, don't do this."

Penny's eyes were wide, "No, it's true. I'm the one that offered to drive him to Puente Antiguo, I kept trying to get closer to him, he asked me if I wanted him out my life, after I knew what he was capable of and I didn't want to lose him. If it's because of my relationship with Loki it's not just on him, I chose to be with him."

Sharon stared at Penny without understanding, "Well then choose not to be with him."

Penny waited for a moment, wondering if Sharon would add any plausible information, "I can't."

Sharon felt like shaking her, "Yes you can!"

Penny let the tears fall, "I know! I know. But I… care about him."

Sharon shook her head, "Okay. Yes. But you need to toughen up here. You have to get over it."

Penny paused, "Someone's dead."

Sharon didn't know how to respond, "That's because of him."

Penny glared at her, "It's because-

Sloane managed to jump into the conversation as she quickly emerged from her room, "It's because some idiot had a gun and he made a choice. He chose to take someone's life. That's that. And I'm sorry I just had to come over and say that."

An awkward moment passed for Sloane.

Penny was still, "But if I hadn't-

"Yes." Sloane stared directly at her, "If you hadn't met Turner last night wouldn't have happened. But that doesn't mean anything. His job is high-risk. Any mission can go wrong. Hell, he could have been walking down the street and could have died from a freak accident. This can go on and on and on. And everyone will be to blame. So don't blame yourself. You know he wouldn't want that anyways, don't disrespect him like that."

There was another moment of silence.

Sharon cleared her throat, "She's right."

Penny felt tears falling, "I just wish that he was here."

Sharon went over to her friend and hugged her.

Sloane looked away, "Well, I'm just going to, um…" She quickly stole away back to her room.

Sharon watched Sloane retreat, she sniffed away her own few tears, "She's kind of strange but really smart?"

Penny laughed and wiped away her tears as Sharon pulled away, "Yeah. I'm just beginning to learn that."

Sharon sat back down across from Penny and squeezed her knee, "This is terrible."

Penny nodded, grabbing a tissue from the counter and blowing her nose, "It is. It is." She looked up at Sharon's tortured sympathetic eyes and swatted her hand away, "Hey!"

Sharon jumped a little bit, "What?"

Penny's expression was furious, "You're getting married!"

Sharon was confused, "Yes?"

Penny glared at her, "So be happy. Plan your wedding or… I guess it's too late to plan but do what you need to do, your wedding is what? Two and half weeks away? Stop this nonsense and be a blushing bride!"

Sharon sighed, "Penny I'm excited about my wedding but I'm concerned-

Penny whacked her again, "No! No more pity, be happy or I will be even sadder."

Sharon frowned, "That's not fair."

Penny sat up, "Well I don't play fair."

Sharon rolled her eyes and stood up, "Fine. Off I go to lunch with my sister."

Penny gave a half-hearted grin, "There's a good little bride."

They made their goodbyes and Penny turned to the sound of two bedroom doors opening. Her heavy heart lifted slightly when both Sloane and Loki peeked out.

She gave them a half-smile and sighed, "There's Monopoly in the gift shop, anyone up for a game?"

And so began a strange transition. A new sort of life began to emerge for Penny, very slowly but nicely. She played with Sloane and Loki and was somewhat disappointed when Loki won his first game of Monopoly. The trio ate and Sloane wandered off to read and make a phone call. Loki followed Penny to her room where she painted a picture of nothing but blue and grey and like colours. She fell asleep in his arms once more.

The next day was something similar, and the day following the same, although Sloane and Penny ventured out to purchase Yahtzee and Jenga. And slowly Penny began to feel a bit better. A routine emerged of board games and eating and then that wore off and life sort of returned to something of a norm. Penny painted more often and began to see her friends again; she received her bridesmaid dress that was rather tasteful in a soft blue. Loki would sometimes leave but only when she was out with Sloane. He was always there for Penny any time she needed him. Sloane began to grow sick of their constant need to make sure the other was okay.

It was about a week after the bachelorette party when Sloane quietly told Penny and Loki that she would be leaving them for a day. Sloane made Loki swear that he wouldn't even think of leaving Penny's side until she came back, Loki complied rather obviously.

That morning Sloane left, promising to return the following morning but providing no other explanation other than she was visiting a friend.

Penny and Loki continued their tradition of a lazy morning which was followed by a lazy afternoon which was only to be trailed by a lazy evening. After dinner they cleaned up their dishes in the little kitchenette, enjoying each other's presence.

Penny smiled, "Well this is nice, sort of like it was before all of the craziness… just us." She looked up at Loki, surprised to see him staring at the ice cube in concentration. She looked at him questioningly, "Whatcha' doing?"

He didn't look up, just quietly whispered, "Remembering."

Penny raised an eyebrow, she opened her mouth to say something but stopped when she noticed Loki's fingers turning blue. Concern ripped through her and she was about to scold him for letting his fingers get so cold but was stopped by the changing hue of his skin. She stared at him as he was embraced by the sapphire colour. She watched it cover his face, amazed when his striking eyes became scarlet. She stared at him, "What…?"

Loki looked up and met her gaze, "If I had not been raised in Asgard, this is how I would appear."

Penny took a step forward, unable to take her eyes off of him. She studied the small designs that decorated his skin; she reached out to touch him.

Loki leapt back, "No. It would hurt you."

She pulled her hand back and continued to stare, "You're beautiful."

A strange look crossed his face as the blue began to vanish.

She smiled at him, "That was incredible."

He remained silent.

Penny looked to him sincerely, "It was! I loved it! Not that I love that you more than this you."

His eyes shot to meet hers.

She slowed down, realizing what she had said, "Oh yeah. Um…" she passed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before looking back up at him, "I love you."

A strange expression of wonder and sorrow flew through Loki's eyes, "You-

She held her hand up, "Shhh. I don't need you to reciprocate or feel uncomfortable at all. I just thought that you should know, I don't want you to feel obligated to say something back, or even continue talking about it. I just wanted you to know that I love you."

He simply stared at her for a moment.

She smiled awkwardly and shrugged, "Yup." Penny looked up at Loki's seemingly frozen frame, "Well, I'm just going to go…" she trotted away to her bedroom in embarrassment.

She sighed when she reached the safety of her painting station; she pulled out the miniature canvas cloth that was now a complete picture. She didn't turn when she heard him entering the room.

He took a few careful steps to come and stand behind her, looking at the painting fabric she held in her hand, he studied the image, "That's where we met."

She gave a small smile, "Telephone wires and all." She turned to face him and held out the image to him, "It's for you."

He tilted his head, regarding her carefully "Thank-you." He reached to take it from her but paused when his hand touched hers, an electric feeling shooting throughout all of him.

Penny stared at their hands for a moment and for a brief moment recalled the memory of teaching Loki what a handshake was. She looked up into his eyes, relishing the feeling of his presence. As she began to pull her hand away his grip tightened, another memory flew through her mind and she felt her blood pounding through every vein.

He raised an eyebrow at his own action before raising his eyes to meet hers.

The intensity in his gaze caused Penny to stop breathing for a moment. Her eyes wandered to his lips and she caught her breath again, exhaling heavily. By the time her eyes went to meet his once more he was already moving towards her and it was all she could do to throw her arms around his neck and hold him as he kissed her.

The picture dropped to the floor as Penny dug her fingers into his hair.

Loki pulled her closer to him, even as they broke a part.

She leaned her head back to catch her evasive breath and embraced the sensation of his gasp on her neck.

And then it happened again and it was as passionate as the first kiss, and they were moving, stumbling across her room pulling and holding on each other. Penny gasped in delight when they fell on to her bed, there was momentary loss of contact and that second without him was more than she could bear. So she reached out to find he was reaching for her too, she smiled against his lips. She was dizzy with emotion and sensation, everything blurred together but at the same time everything was perfectly clear.

Soon their clothes joined the picture on the floor.

Loki awoke the next morning with Penny in his arms. He looked at her, stunned at how incredible she was. He kissed her forehead, "And I love you."

When Sloane returned she knew something was up. The sickeningly sweet act of the doting pair had faded into something different. Loki and Penny weren't coddling each other or staring forlornly at the other when they thought no one could see. Instead they seemed to be connected somehow, their bodies moved in sync with each other like magnets, they always shifted their stance to be able to see or be open to the other. More than once either of them would smile for no reason and then continue whatever it was that they were doing.

But it wasn't all peachy-keen. There were moments when something stirred in Penny; sometimes the sight of an apple would make her tear up. In these moments Penny might sigh and retreat to her bedroom. The longest Loki lasted without going in to see her was four minutes; Sloane timed it. And there were times when Sloane would catch Loki staring at nothing, his face would be impassive and unreadable but he could sit like that for a long time, his fingers twitching every now and then. This happened most when Penny would paint. There was one such occurrence that Sloane swore she saw tears in his eyes.

And it worried her. Sloane had somehow grown attached to them, acclimated to their funny presence in the suite, the undeniable feeling of love floating in the air. But it was all doomed. She felt it and she knew that they felt it. And she knew that Loki knew that it was his fault. Sloane wasn't too clear on just what Loki's story or plan was but she could tell that he was terribly conflicted. As time passed he grew more agitated and even a bit bored she found. He would never go out with her and Penny and in consequence they often ordered in. But there were times when Penny when to visit friends and Sloane would either tag along or watch from afar. When they would return home Loki's expression would be thunderous, one time they came home and the entire suite was covered in a soft green glow emanating from Penny's boyfriend; a few objects near him actually floated. He had offered no explanation, just a half smile and a quick yet potent kiss for Penny. Penny was all it took to calm him, all he needed to stabilize his emotions, from what Sloane could see.

Yet, Sloane could feel it, the calm before the storm. Each hour that passed in the suite brought a new tension and the three occupants could feel it. Sloane watched as Penny became slightly anxious and a bit withdrawn. Sloane saw Loki struggling to keep calm in perfectly ordinary situations. She watched them dance around the edges at whatever it was that would tear them a part. Sloane was fairly certain of that now, there was no other option apparently it seemed as though they both felt their time together slipping away.

And yet there was constantly moments that Sloane found herself doubting that very conclusion. She would catch them looking at each other. Or there were undeniable moments of pure affection when they cooked together and somehow managed to destroy some sort of pasta experiment. Furthermore they made each other smile, Loki often causing Penny to laugh. Loki himself rarely laughed but when he did it was always for Penny.

Sloane feared the storm that would bring the end.

It was one day, after returning from an amiable lunch with Penny and Liam that Sloane and Penny came home to Loki sitting on the sofa with an expression that was absolutely terrifying in its anger. Sloane bit her lip and gave Penny a soft squeeze on the arm.

Penny gave Sloane a small smile as her heart dropped down into her stomach; she looked at the fuming prince with concern, "Are you alright?"

Loki's eyes met hers with icy hostility, "Quite."

She studied him cautiously, "What's wrong?"

He looked away from her, seemingly to maintain his composure, "I have missed an important… detail, rather I wasn't aware of all of my affairs and have consequently… missed something."

He turned back to her, his eyes on fire.

She raised an eyebrow, "Okay? Well, I'm sure it will all work out in the end."

Penny felt her defensive anger rising and quickly walked past Loki to put her purse away, she saw Sloane slip away to her room out of the corner of her eye. Penny sighed and opened the cupboard for a glass, feeling the heat of Loki's glare on her back.

Loki watched her, feeling something around them breaking, "It will all work out." He took a step towards the counter between them, running a hand along it. He returned his exterior to his usual reserved state, "But if it had been something of greater significance, and I missed it-

"But it wasn't." She turned back to him and offered him a small smile. "So, that's good."

Penny filled her glass with water.

Loki stared at her, both wondering what she was trying to avoid and knowing exactly what she was afraid of at the same time. He stiffened as she walked around the counter to come closer to him.

She put took a sip of water and put her glass down, reaching out to him, "Look, whatever it was, it's alright. So there's no need to get all caught up with 'what ifs'."

He narrowed his eyes, "Of course."

She smiled.

"It's simply a matter of prevention."

She furrowed her brows, "What do you mean?"

He kept her eyes with a hard gaze, "It means that I cannot let this happen again." He looked down at her hand on his arm and then back to her eyes, "I cannot stay with you."

Penny waited for the punch line. "What?"

He looked to her condescendingly, "We knew that this situation was temporary."

She shook her head, "I didn't!"

Some of the fire returned to his eyes, "Well I am sorry for that, but I am in the middle of something bigger than just you and I."

She felt her anger rise, "Bigger than us?" She searched his face and grabbed him, her voice intensifying, "I love you!"

Loki stared at out her, conflicting emotions rising and hitting him until he snapped, "You don't know me!"

Penny looked at him, an expression of fearful confusion on her face, "Yes, I do."

His features were tainted with pain and fury, "No you don't. You know part of me Penny; you know a weak and hidden aspect, a mask."

She shook her head, "No. I know the part of you that you are apparently denying, the part of you that you want to forget about, the true you."

There was a short silence.

Loki watched her; a small wicked smile broke through his countenance, "Oh." The smile disappeared and in its stead his expression met agony, "I have deceived you."

She looked up at him and she couldn't fight the sting of tears as they began to prick her eyes, "No."

He tilted his head, "I have." He watched her sadly, "I knew that I couldn't have both you and the world."

She wiped away a rogue tear, "What does that even mean?"

Loki sidestepped her question, his voice almost pleading, "It was an unintentional deception." A small smile appeared, "I do love you." His expression returned to the sorrow, "But you do not truly love me. And it is because I am just coming into my own now. And you won't love the real me." His eyes drifted to the floor, his eyes not seeing what was in front of them.

Penny grabbed him, "Hey. No. You don't know that. Stop trying to play yourself off as some sort of monster, listen to me. You have such potential, you could be great!"

His eyes shot up to her, the pain gone and replaced with a surge of power, "I will be."

She was fearful of the look in his eyes, terrified of him, "Don't. Don't try and scare me."

Something in his eyes danced, he looked as though he had just won some sort of argument but his voice sounded like he lost; "I wasn't trying."

Another moment of silence passed between them.

Penny felt her heart beating and she felt the heat of the moment coursing through her. He frightened her but she was more terrified of losing him. She pulled her at her strength and kept her voice calm, "Maybe it's not such a terrible thing that you missed what you missed. Maybe this is good," she smiled at him, "Maybe you need to get away from it."

Something went off in Loki's mind, the eerie smile returned, "Oh." He clenched his jaw, "Oh, you are very talented." He took a moment to look her up and down, "You're better than S.H.I.E.L.D, just how long ago did you decide to try and stop me by becoming such a compelling distraction?"

She tilted her head cautiously, "Wait. No. Don't do that. Don't make me the enemy; I'm just trying to-

"What?" His eyes danced dangerously, "Just what are you attempting to achieve."

Her voice rose, pleading, "I'm trying to help you! Trying to stop you from destroying who you are!"

His voice matched hers and went darker, "I am becoming who I am!"

She shook her head, "No." She breathed deeply; her chest heaving.

"You can't stop me." His breath came heavily. "Don't try Penny. I am becoming all of me, the parts you know and the parts that are stronger and harsher, yes." His gaze wandered to her lips and then back into her emerald eyes, "Oh. You are quite the distraction." He stroked her cheek, "A very beautiful distraction."

She slapped him. Hard.

He took a moment before looking up at her.

She clenched her jaw, "A distraction."

He gave her a condescending look, "Do not simplify it Penny, and don't just hear one word."

She bit her lip and closed her eyes, causing a tear to fall, "I think you should probably just leave now."

Loki looked at her face, her eyes closed and her expression wounded. He fought the urge to soothe her pain and attempt to fix things between them. Instead he pulled away from her, his heart aching in his chest. His whole body engulfed in a fire of painful emotion.

Penny opened her eyes as she felt his presence disappear; she turned to see him by the door.

They stared at each other.

He swallowed away unwanted emotion, "Prepare yourself. I will only disappoint you."

She shook her head, "Get out."

Loki complied.

Penny stood there staring at the empty door until Sloane came by her side. Penny jumped slightly when Sloane touched her arm. Penny was sure Sloane said something but she didn't quite understand it. Suddenly it was as if everything was in slow motion. She made her way to her bedroom, ignoring Sloane's strange voice. She lay down in her bed and stared at the ceiling; expressionless, no tears came. She just lay there, unmoving, unfeeling.

A/N: Soooo... hey there! Sorry for being the worst updater ever but this chapter was pretty... um, well it was everything. So let me know what you know what you think! Hope you liked it... if you had any doubts about Loki's villainy I hope you can sort of see that it's definitely there. I really hoped you like this one!

I have a crazy schedule this week but review responses (for the last two chapters, I am the worst) are coming I promise!

Anonymous reviews:

lapin d'Alice: Oh yeah, Turner really did deserve a nice long life... I just, that's all I'll say, I miss him too. Yes, I haven't revealed who those men are, I will say that they work for someone who may or may not be from the Marvel universe... ;) You're english is great btw, and lol criminal is a great song, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Mo: Yay! I'm glad you like Sloane, I needed just one character who was capable of reason because she isn't biased and she has a strong handle on her emotions, unlike someone like Sharon who is becoming very concerned for Penny. I hope there was enough Loki for you in this chapter! Lots of highs and lows, let me know what you think! And once again, your support is just phenomenal and I can't thank-you enough for continuing to read and review! It really does mean soooo much.

Teaser: A wedding, a pair of very different wedding dates, a few truths revealed, and even more heartbreak, not to mention is Penny ever going to go home?