Author's Note: Thanks for all the review and story alerts! I really appreciate it, and I hope you guys enjoy the chapter!

Born To Die

Complicated

"Sister, are you even interested in men?" Aina questioned, playfully shoving me in the shoulder. She was closest in age to me, and we shared the burden of youngest equally, though my eldest sister, Eleonora, believed hers was the greatest obligation. I secretly agreed with her – she had to worry about marriage and eventually taking the crown- but I would never admit to it.

We lay facing northeast, hands folded on our stomachs. The horses grazed nearby on a verdant field, content with their pickings. We had both always despised lessons, trading written knowledge for the teachings to be gathered from the whispering of the winds, the stars. I was born as part of nature, my father would say.

"Nay, Aina. I am more fond of this, of laying here and absorbing the sun, than of betrothal and marriage," I replied. It was true.

"I am jealous, truly," she told me, twining her hand with mine. "Men are much to complicated; stay young for as long as you can stand it."

AAA

Ana was about to scream from frustration. She had never spent time with Steve and Tony at the same time; she had always had the feeling that it wouldn't go over well. As usual, she was right.

They had boarded the Quinjet after Steve had his epiphany, which he still hadn't told the rest of them. He had only asked Natasha to procure a very fancy dress, and asked Tony to suit up. Meaning, of course, a tuxedo. He hadn't even looked at Ana.

"Okay, here's the plan," Steve called. They all gathered around a small table, and Ana ended up next to the Captain. Then Stark squeezed between them, and Ana could only roll her eyes.

"Agent Romanoff will remain in the jet, ready to call for help or assist with the guns." Natasha nodded. "I will stay outside in case our target emerges. Ana and Stark, meanwhile, will be inside."

Tony gave Steve an odd glance. "But… everyone knows who I am. I'm sure Agent Barton will be able to figure out that I'm there."

"But we're counting on that," Steve smiled, as close to deviously as he could.

"Who's Agent Barton?" Ana piped up. "No… wait. That was the agent that kidnapped you, Nat. I thought he worked for SHIELD?"

Natasha gave her a tight smile. "He does. He's under a hypnosis spell."

Ana gave her a full-fledged grin. "Got a crush, Nat?"

"Want to get beat up, Ana?"

"Like you could."

Natasha was about to test that theory when Steve interrupted. "Anyways…" They immediately straightened. "Barton will wonder why Tony is there, and he has no idea who Ana is, so this will work out in our favor. Anastasia can pretend to be a dumb blonde-"

"Brunette," Tony and Ana said at the same time.

"Jinx! You owe me a car," she called out.

"What?" Tony gasped. "It was a soda last time I checked."

Ana shrugged. "Yes, but you are a billionaire, and I really want a Porsche. Nat and I can split it, you know, do missions in style." Natasha raised an eyebrow, but nodded her approval.

Tony rubbed his temples. "I regret ever teaching you that one," he grumbled. The brunette only smiled.

Steve sighed in exasperation. "Focus! Plus, Ana, you owe me."

Ana's happy expression melted into a neutral one. "I do. I am sorry, Steve."

"I know," Steve smiled softly, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Just… no more huge secrets, right?"

Ana shared a split second glance with her fellow ex-assassin. "No. None, I promise," she swore, placing a hand over the one on her shoulder.

Tony's eyes widened. "Okay! Plan, right Steve? We were going over the plan."

Rolling her eyes, Natasha barely restrained from calling the playboy out on his jealousy. It was almost depressingly obvious. "Go on, Captain," she offered.

Steve blushed. "Well, really all I was going to say was Ana could surprise him and kick his ass while you run into a back room and suit up."

Tony clapped his hands together. "Alright! Good plan, Spangly Pants. Now, mind explaining how you became part of the Avengers, Ana? Because that part's still a little fuzzy for me."

Ana opened her mouth to reply, but JARVIS came over the intercom. "Landing time is twenty minutes. Might I suggest getting ready, Mr. Stark? Miss Woods?"

Ana exhaled, relieved. "Good idea, JARVIS. Nat, I suppose you should go help auto-pilot land?" Natasha nodded. "Okay, and Tony, we can change in the back room."

The two billionaires left Captain America to stare after them, his brow furrowed.

"What? Natasha expects me to wear this?" Ana exclaimed, holding up a slinky, yet elegant red number.

Tony grinned, his thoughts obviously running elsewhere. "I think it will be perfect," he purred. "You've never worn worse?"

Ana snorted. "Of course I have. I've killed someone only wearing lingerie." She clapped a hand over her mouth in shock, and then slowly removed it. "Pretend I didn't say that."

Tony nodded, but his slightly evil smile said other things. "Don't worry about it," he said, his voice innocent and slightly higher pitched.

Walking behind some boxes, Ana shimmied out of her jeans and tank, slipping the soft silk fabric over her head. She closed her eyes; she had always enjoyed the rustle of expensive material as it settled around the skin. "I know when a person is lying, Mr. Stark," she said conversationally. "It was part of my job description."

"I was hoping you'd say that," Tony added, and she could hear the smile in his voice, as well as see the reflection of the Arc Reactor against the wall.

Ana couldn't reach the zipper of her dress; figuring she'd ask Natasha in a minute, she walked up to the old mirror hanging on the wall. Steve had probably put it up before they left, knowing she'd need it. She began applying the eyeliner and mascara that the redhead had given her, and then began working on the bright red lipstick.

She was so focused on the simple, yet gratifying, task that she barely noticed the presence behind her. Suddenly she felt a gentle hand on the small of her back, and another grasp the zipper and begin to pull in up painstakingly slow. Ana felt a smile stretch across her face when she felt that same hand purposely brush her warm skin every time it got the chance. She unconsciously arched her back, and presence behind her moved significantly closer, almost touching in several places. Yet, the zipper did not cease its path.

"Who taught you how to seduce a woman?" Ana asked playfully, yet softly.

"Thank you," Tony replied simply, his voice low. She could feel his breath tease the tiny hairs on the back of her neck, making them stand tall.

Ana tilted her head, and then turned to look at him. His hands stayed on her back, still dragging that zipper, but now they were face to face. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Tony chuckled. "Well, obviously my seducing skills are so wonderful that you felt the need to point them out. And your body seems to be responding, so I said thank you, for the compliment."

Ana rolled her eyes, slipping out of his grip. "Come on, playboy. We have a villain to catch." She sauntered out the room, and Tony watched her leave.

Then he sighed; his hands had never felt so empty.

AAA

"Are you two good to go?"

Ana pressed a finger to her ear, activating the earpiece. "Yes, we are entering the building now."

"Okay," Steve replied. "I have your back. Agent Romanoff?"

"Ready to fire whenever you give the signal, Captain," Natasha commented, keeping the jet floating unobtrusively just above the clouds.

Tony held out an arm. "Shall we, my dear?"

Ana slipped a hand through his elbow, pasting on a huge, stupid smile. "We shall, but behave," she warned. "I don't want to give you a black eye in public, but I will."

Tony looked down at her with mock frightened eyes. "Oh no! Not the face!"

Ana had to hide a smile.

They walked inside, Ana flinching as a few flashes went off. She had never liked having her picture taken, or being ogled for that matter. Tony immediately led her to the side of the room, plucking two champagne glasses off a passing tray and holding one out to her.

After thanking him, she tilted her head. "Who is this guy again? No one's really told me."

Tony shrugged. "Some God of Mischief and Lies. It doesn't matter; we'll still win."

Ana's eyes widened, and she turned gripping Tony's arm tightly. "Tony," she began evenly, but he could sense the desperation and disbelief in her voice. "What was his name?"

Tony looked up, then smiled. "See for yourself. He's walking down the stairs."

The brunette whipped around so fast that she would've been dizzy if she had not been trained for quick movements. Mumbling something about him waiting there, she nearly ran to their enemy, touching his shoulder softly.

The God turned, and then stumbled back, saying something that the billionaire could not hear from that distance.

Tony's wine glass shattered into a million pieces on the floor when Loki lunged forward… encompassing Ana in a hug so tight that it looked as though he was attempting to kill her from asphyxiation. Tony noticed that, where their bodies touched, a soft golden light peeked out. He hoped none of the other guests would notice.

"Stark, what's going on?" Steve asked him. "Why are you guys so quiet?"

Tony smiled grimly. "Well, I believe Ana knows the enemy."

AAA

Back a few seconds…

Ana barely tapped Loki on the shoulder, almost afraid. "Loki? Is that you?"

Loki turned, and then swayed in astonishment. "Adramela?"

They stared at each other for a few second, and suddenly Ana was wrapped up in Loki's arms. "How are you alive and well?" he whispered. "Your world…"

"Was destroyed," she sighed. "I made it out, though no other did."

Loki grimaced. "I am sorry. My heart is full of happiness, Mela, I thought I would never see you again."

Ana pulled back, eyes shining. "How fares your brother? I miss him also."

Loki's eyes went cold. "He is not my brother."

Ana gasped. "What? I had always thought… Odin is your father!"

Loki smiled bitterly. "Not as your father is Freyr. No, I was taken. I am… I am of the Jotun," he finished in a whisper.

Ana was silent. "There is nothing wrong with that fate, Loki," she finally said.

He paused, but decided to take a different track. "I noticed your power came in. What is it?"

There was an awkward silence, and Ana couldn't hide her discomfort. Loki gave her an understanding look. "You don't trust me," he realized. "Mela, we played together as children – hell, I saved you from being taken hostage by that mare1 that bore a grudge against your father."

The brunette shifted uneasily. "I apologize, Loki. We are on different sides." She motioned toward an angry-looking Tony Stark, who was watching them like a hawk. "I cannot turn my back on my friends."

Loki clasped her shoulder. "Very well," he conceded. "I will see you on the battlefield, Adramela Alfheim."

She knew he would never hurt her, but she had still never seen Loki of Asgard like this: bitter, confused, and hopeless. It was frightening to see him so mislead.

"The battle has already started, brother," she shot back. He smirked, disappearing from in from of her and reappearing across the room, taking a machine out of his pocket and pressing it to some rich guy's face.

She began walking purposefully toward him. "Suit up, Stark," she ordered through the comm unit.

"Why should I?" he yelled back, though she saw him headed toward the bathroom. "You were the one fraternizing with the enemy!"

Ana groaned; two days with the Avengers and she had been running into old friends constantly. What was it with SHIELD and digging up a past she had no wish to confront?

Well, she guessed she would have to reveal her gift to Loki sooner than she had anticipated.

Looking around to guarantee no one was watching she heated her palm up magically, pressing the sizzling digits to Loki's back. He almost squealed, jumping high into the air. He allowed the other man to run off; Ana presumed Loki was finished with him.

She stood back, allowing her entire body to catch on fire. Loki studied her, a smile slowly stretching across his face. "All the elements?" he questioned. She nodded. "That is quite some gift, my dear."

"Thank you," she returned evenly. "I do enjoy it myself."

"Your cleverness could use some work, however."

What-"

Loki snapped his fingers and ropes wove themselves around her wrists. Ana immediately attempted to set them on fire, but they wouldn't budge. She looked up at the god angrily.

"They cannot catch on fire," he informed her. She struggled harder, but she couldn't escape. Loki chuckled as he tied the rope tightly to a nearly granite post. "What would your father say, his prized daughter reduced to such a state?"

"He'd say it was normal, especially around such a mischievous god," she quipped. Then her expression became pained. "But he can no longer say anything; he is gone, and I have no father. But, Loki, you do. You have a father, and a family. Please do not push them away," she pleaded.

Loki only shook his head, kissing her softly on the forehead. "There will be a place for you in my new kingdom, my sister. Until then, please don't get in the way." He paused. "You are the only one who has not strayed from me, or treated Thor better. Try not to get hurt."

Her shouts of his family's love for him followed Loki out the door, but he shook them off. He had a Midgard to conquer.

Ana pressed her head against her shoulder. "Steve, some help? I'm a little... tied up."

"Coming, Ana." Steve came running through the door, taking in the sight. "Oh, Tabby, what did you get yourself into?"

"Just untie me," she sighed impatiently. "Loki's going to draw attention to himself, we have to go now."

"Big ego?" the Captain questioned.

"Picture being in your younger sibling's shadow for over a thousand years," Ana explained as Steve attempted to break rope. He winced. "Yeah," she added, "pretty bad. He's going to want a show."

"So we're like party crashers? I've done that before."

They watched as Ironman flew into the room. "Stand back, Cap," he warned.

Steve took two steps back. "You're… not going to use a missile on her or anything, right Stark?" he asked, a worried edge to his voice.

"Actually, I am going to use one of the most dangerous weapons ever made…" he paused for dramatic effect. "The scissors." Steve rolled his eyes.

The billionaire turned to Ana to let her loose, but there were only the remains of rope left. "Huh?"

"Sorry, Stark, you were moving a bit too slow for me," Ana spoke up from the doorway, twirling a knife between her fingers, "Well, are you guys coming?"

Steve immediately ran past her, but before Ana could follow him, a huge metal hand encased her arm. "Come on, Tony, we have to help."

Tony didn't release her, but instead picked her up by the waist with his other hand. "I just wanted you to know… you have a lot of explaining to do. So much, that it will probably take the entire jet ride back to base. And if you leave any matter untouched, I will never speak to you again."

Ana nodded firmly, though she knew that if he ever found the whole truth, it would be an accident. There is no way she was explaining her past to anyone, least of all Tony Stark.

"You two need to get out here," Natasha called over the comm. "Steve is fighting Loki alone, and not winning."

Stark flew out, and Ana knew he was saving the day. She hated to be ostentatious, so she walked out in just enough time to gather Loki from his position on the ground and heat up her hand against his shoulder as a warning. His expression was wary. "Your friends do not know of your origin? Not even those two? They seem awfully fond of you."

She pulled him hard against her front, securing his hands tightly behind his back. "You seem awfully fond of your family jewels," she snarled against his ear. "You say one word to anyone and they're gone."

Loki laughed. "You have my word. I can say your gift frightens and intrigues me… the possibilities…"

"Don't even think about it," she warned, leading him toward the Quinjet. "Now remember…"

"I won't say anything," he promised, though she still did not believe him. He was the God of Lies after all. "However, it seems like you have plenty of explaining to do all on your own."

Ana chanced one look at Tony's face, and agreed. Yes, yes she did.

AAA

So a little more insight into Ana's past. Will Tony and Steve get it out of her?

Also, Tony and Ana had a little… moment. How did you like that? FYI, Ana and Loki do not have any attraction towards one another. They grew up together, and children forge stronger bonds than adults do, in my opinion. In this chapter, Loki wasn't really himself. He was so shocked that 'Adramela' was actually alive to be 'truly evil' and all that jazz.

1: Dark Elves in Norse Mythology. Said to be the bearers of nightmares (Just so you guys know, I do my research. Any questions about mythology or how I'm portraying it are welcome, and you might get a few hints about Ana if you look her name or anything else in the chapter (like her father's name) up. Just letting you know!)

Review!

~lala