Moving wasn't so difficult, especially if one had a wealthy defense attorney as their future roommate. Xavier sent a moving van over to Ariana's apartment the next morning to help her pack. Ariana didn't own a lot of things; most of the items in the apartment belonged to Chuckie. Still, it took her some time to hunt down all the things that she owned.

Maybe if she had been just a little faster, she wouldn't have met him.

Maybe if she didn't go online shopping last weekend, she wouldn't have to struggle to find the new photography equipment she had delivered.

Maybe things would have been different.

Even though Ariana had been in New York for a short time, she knew Tony Stark. Not only was he the older brother of the woman everyone thought she was, but also he was easily the city's most famous resident.

His face was plastered on every entertainment, lifestyle, business, and science magazine that adorned the newspaper stands around the city. He was hard to get away from.

This proved true when Tony Stark himself walked inside her apartment as if he owned it.

Ariana was busy kicking the last of her clothes inside her luggage when she heard someone rap on her bedroom door. Thinking it was the moving man who nearly broke her camera lens, she swore.

"Bloody hell, what did you do this time?" she said, shoving the sunglasses up her nose.

"Damn, you even sound like her."

The voice was unfamiliar and Ariana squeaked. She turned around so suddenly that she nearly lost her balance and fell down. Tony was standing right outside her room, his eyes fixed on her.

Why do I get the feeling that he found out where I was because of Loki? Ariana thought wryly.

"Mr. Stark! I'm sorry, I thought you were someone else," she apologized. She could see why many women had a crush on him: even though he was in his mid-fifties he still had his youthful looks and his physique.

Tony's mouth twitched into a smile. "The guy who almost broke your camera lens? I heard."

Ariana nodded, finding herself in awe of the man who was not only one of the most powerful men in the country, but also a member of the Avengers. However, Tony's stare was making her feel a tad uncomfortable and she soon averted her gaze.

"What can I do for you, Mr. Stark?" she asked, still not looking at him. She could feel her heartbeat race and wondered if this was what the women felt whenever they saw him in person. She didn't know how he handled all the attention; she knew from experience that she wasn't built for that kind of exposure.

"You tell me," Tony answered. "What can you do for me?"

"Well, I suppose I could start by offering you a cup of coffee," Ariana said. She kicked the last cardigan inside the luggage and shut it, breathing a sigh of relief as she heard the lock clasp shut. "I know it isn't the kind of coffee you're used to, but…"

"Let me guess," Tony interrupted, following her into the kitchen. "Folgers?"

Ariana turned, frowning a little. "How did you know?"

"My…someone close to me likes that coffee." Tony was about to say "my sister," but for some reason he knew that it would only freak Ariana out.

Her? What about me? Tony thought, watching as Ariana brewed two cups of coffee. The familiar smell of Jamie's favorite coffee filled the apartment, and it took all of Tony's control not to walk over to Ariana and hug her tight. She looks exactly like Jamie, damn it! If it weren't for that British accent, she could very well be my sister.

Ariana handed him one of the coffee cups and he took it gratefully, sipping the scalding liquid. Ariana, he saw, was drinking hers in one go, the same way Jamie did.

That did it.

"Look, I know you've been getting this all the time since you arrived here," Tony said, setting the coffee mug down on the nearby kitchen counter. "And I also know you're sick of all the attention. But I just…god, you look so much like her."

Ariana was about to tell him off, but something in his expression stopped her. Tony usually looked calm, confident, and even cocky in his magazine covers, but now he looked so lost and defeated.

"I know," she whispered. "And I'm sorry if my appearance troubles you. If I could change my face, I would. No offense to your sister, Mr. Stark, but she has this tendency to attract a lot of people. I can't stand the attention."

"Neither could she," Tony admitted. "She usually left the spotlight on me, while she supported me in the sidelines. When she married, nothing changed. When she died…"

Tony stopped in mid-sentence and made a gut-wrenching noise and placed his head in his hands. Alarmed, Ariana went over to him and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Mr. Stark? Mr. Stark, I think you should sit down."

Without warning, Tony straightened and enveloped Ariana in a long, tight hug. Ariana's eyes widened but she didn't struggle. She could sense this man's intense grief and she certainly didn't want to do anything that would hurt him even further.

After what seemed like hours, Tony let go.

"I'm sorry," he said. "You must think I'm a total nutjob."

"No, I understand perfectly," Ariana assured him. "I know what it's like, to lose someone you love the most."

"You do? Who?"

"My parents. I lost them a few years ago; it was more than I could bear. That's why I moved here. I wanted to get away from everything," Ariana shared. She was surprised how easily the story slipped from her lips. Usually she wasn't this open or chatty with people, even Chuckie.

For some reason, she felt close to Tony, even though he was this rich and powerful technical genius whom she'd only met for a few minutes.

All these feelings of familiarity are driving me stark raving nuts, she thought. First Loki and Alessia, and now Tony. Bloody hell.

"So I hear you're moving in with someone," Tony began, in an obvious attempt to change the subject.

"I am," Ariana replied, moving over to the couch. "Xavier Ruxton. Maybe you know him."

Tony nodded. He wondered if he should tell her his offer, which was the real reason why he'd come to see her.

Just go for it. Otherwise you'll definitely regret it.

"I know we just met and that you might think I'm some nutcase, but I was wondering if you would consider staying with me in Stark Towers," Tony said.

Tony knew it was a long shot; no woman in their right mind would accept some stranger's offer to live with them out of the blue. Especially a stranger whom she just met.

"That was a crazy offer," Tony continued before Ariana could say anything. "I'll just leave you to your packing. Thanks for not throwing me out."

Ariana looked up to see Tony make his way out of her apartment. A sudden, panicky feeling came over her and she called him back. He turned slowly, a flash of hope registering on his face. Ariana tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear nervously.

"I don't think it was a crazy offer," she said, taking a deep breath. "And I know we just met, but…maybe you can help me. Ever since I've arrived in New York, I've been having these weird emotions. Okay, just when I'm around certain people. Like you."

Tony started. "Wait, what are you saying?"

"It's complicated."

"Try me."

Ariana averted her gaze before answering. She found it difficult to say what she really wanted to say, which was that she felt as if she'd known him – and Loki – for a long time.

"I just feel close to you," she finally said, thinking that it sounded lame. "I can't explain it. Even though I'm sure that I was born in England, a part of me feels connected to you."

And Loki, she added silently.

She wasn't sure why she never mentioned Loki during the course of their entire conversation, but Ariana felt that it wasn't appropriate.

"So to cut things short, you're agreeing to move in with me?" Tony stated. "Or are you just telling me this to get it off your chest?"

"Why are you even asking me to come live with you? You have a family."

Tony didn't want to tell her the truth; that he was hoping that to have Ariana in "familiar" surroundings would lead to her remembering who she really was. But Tony knew she'd most likely refuse if he told her that, so he took another route.

"I heard you're looking for a job as a photographer. I can help you. You submitted a set of photos to one of the publications that I own. One word from me and you'll be employed as a regular on the spot."

Ariana frowned. "And what do you get out of this? My companionship?"

Tony snapped his fingers. "Bingo. Don't make me bawl my eyes out again; that wasn't me at all. I just miss my sister, okay? And having you there would help me out a lot."

How? Ariana wanted to say, but the memory of Tony's face when he first saw her came back in a flash. Would it really be against her principles to take him up on his offer?

Ariana bit her lip. She'd already promised Xavier, but surely he'd understand.

Finally, she nodded.

Tony found it hard to contain his relief that she'd accepted his offer. He'd thought that he'd be going home a defeated man, but it seemed as if his father's belief really was true.

A Stark always gets what he (or she) wants.


I can do this, Ariana told herself.

She was standing outside Xavier's office building. After telling the movers to return to her apartment the next day and accepting Tony's offer to stay with him and his family in Stark Towers, Ariana knew that she had to tell Xavier in person. It didn't feel right that she'd tell him something this important over the phone.

Ariana registered her name at the front desk (she remembered that she still hadn't gotten her ID back from the front desk at the apartment building where Loki and Alessia lived) and took the elevator to the floor where Xavier's law firm was located.

"I'm here to see Attorney Ruxton please," Ariana told the pinch-faced receptionist. Like all the others, the receptionist studied every inch of Ariana's rather eccentric appearance.

"Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked, picking up a pen and scribbling something on a notebook. "Mr. Ruxton is quite busy these days."

"I know him personally," Ariana said. "Please. It's important."

The receptionist made a long, drawn-out sigh and set the pen down. "I don't think he'll see you."

"Why?" Ariana frowned. "Xavier does know me. Why don't you ask him yourself?"

The receptionist was about to deliver a scathing comment about Ariana's appearance when her eyes widened. "Oh my god."

Ariana turned her head slightly and her eyes widened as well. Tony Stark was striding into the law firm in a pinstripe gray suit, blue sunglasses, and an arrogant smirk. He waved his hand at some people who were calling his name from down the hallway, but otherwise his attention was focused on Ariana.

The receptionist quickly grabbed the telephone receiver and dialed a number. "Mr. Cashman, Tony Stark is here," she whispered. "Yes. Yes, I'll show him into your office immediately."

She replaced the receiver back in its cradle just as Tony pushed the door open. Her irritated expression suddenly became welcoming, although her eyes narrowed a fraction when her gaze landed on Ariana.

"Welcome to Cashman and Carter, Mr. Stark," she greeted. "I'm-"

Tony cut her off with a dismissive wave of his hand and turned to Ariana. "Have you seen Ruxton yet?"

Ariana shook her head and, with the subtlety of a ninja, slid her eyes towards the receptionist. Tony was used to reading Jamie's subtle signs that he picked up on the reference immediately. He rounded on the woman, who had turned pale.

"My associate and I would like to see Xavier Ruxton please," he said, loud enough for the entire floor to hear. "I was told that my associate," he glanced at Ariana, "wasn't allowed to see him because of, I don't know, the way she was dressed, perhaps? Now I know she may look like an oversized fly, but that's why they invented the word 'eccentric'. I suggest you make up for the time you lost and get Xavier here, right now."

The receptionist's hands shook as she picked up the receiver and dialed another number, this time for Xavier's office. But she needn't have done so; Xavier had heard Tony's outburst and was now walking towards the reception area.

"Mr. Stark," Xavier greeted shortly. He was handling Colbert, the man accused of swindling Patrick Thwaites out of millions of dollars. Tony was Thwaites' surrogate son and a natural animosity had formed between the two. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Tony jerked his head towards Ariana, whom Xavier recognized immediately. "Hi Xavier."

"How…how did the two of you meet?" Xavier asked, thunderstruck. "I didn't realize…"

"Xavier can we talk someplace private?" Ariana whispered, noticing that some of Xavier's colleagues were gathering around the reception area. Tony, having had his share of dramatics, was now silent and was even checking the stocks of Stark Industries on his mobile phone.

"Sure. My office?" Xavier offered and led the two inside.

"Don't mind me," Tony said, settling himself on one of the plush leather couches. "I'm just here for moral support. And audio-visual support, it seems. You really should think about replacing your receptionist; I'm sure she scares a lot of clients away with that face of hers, not to mention that attitude."

Xavier's mouth was a thin line, but he didn't say anything else. He knew better than to get into an argument with Tony Stark; the man could have been a topnotch lawyer if he wanted. Instead, he turned towards Ariana, who had now taken her sunglasses off.

Xavier had done some research on Tony and Jamie Stark (he had even read an article Jamie had written for New York Weekly about her brother) and to see the two of them in the same room was unsettling. It was as if Ariana really was Jamie.

"Xavier, I don't think I can move in with you," Ariana blurted out. Xavier, who was deep in thought, was taken aback, while Tony whistled.

"Subtle," the billionaire whispered. "As a train."

"Why?" Xavier asked. "I thought you'd decided."

"I did, but something came up," Ariana said lamely.

Xavier could tell that she wasn't telling him everything. "Look Ariana, you know you can tell me everything, right? Whatever it is, just say it."

Ariana took a deep breath before replying. "Okay, I will. It's because Tony offered me to stay with him and his family at Stark Towers."

"I…see." Xavier looked at Tony, who stared back at him. "Well if you really want to, then I suppose it'd be okay."

"I paid for the movers and everything," Ariana assured him. "I just wanted to tell you about this personally."

"Thank you." Xavier took Ariana's hand in his and kissed it; Tony rolled his eyes. "At least I know you'll be safe."

Ariana smiled at him. "So you're not mad?"

"Why would I be?" Xavier chuckled, but he could not deny the disappointment that he felt. He'd been hoping to get to know Ariana more. "Don't worry, Ariana. I'm a big boy; I can take care of myself."

Ariana reached up and touched the side of Xavier's face, looking at him fondly. "So I'll see you?"

"Whenever you want," he assured her.

Ariana slid her sunglasses back over her eyes while Tony headed for the door. Just before the two could leave, Xavier called Tony's attention.

"Just because she's in the equation doesn't mean that I'm giving Thwaites a break," he said.

Tony smirked. "I'd be shocked if you did, Ruxton."


Two days later…

"Daddy!"

Seconds after he arrived back in the apartment he shared with his daughter, Loki was immediately accosted by a girl with long, black hair, icy blue eyes, and an impish grin.

Alessia.

"Daddy, I missed you very much!" Alessia said, beaming up at him. The tomes and scrolls that he'd brought from the Great Library were hovering behind him; Loki couldn't be bothered to carry these all the way back home. "Catherine and I were just finished reading about Renaissance art."

Loki saw Catherine Brunowitz, his silent neighbor and Alessia's occasional babysitter, approach. She had a book tucked under arm. "Mr. Laufeyson."

Loki acknowledged her with a curt nod of his head, simultaneously conjuring the required babysitting fee on the counter. "Thank you, Catherine."

Catherine spotted the money and nodded once. "I'll see you next time, Alessia. Be good."

"I will. Thanks Catherine!" Alessia called. Once Catherine had left, she rounded on her father. "What did Grandfather and Grandmother say? Do they miss me? When are we going to visit them? Did you find out anything?"

Loki lowered the tomes on the coffee table and sat down; as expected, Alessia sat beside him. She bounced on the couch, waiting.

"They miss you, naturally," Loki answered. "I'm not sure when we can visit them, darling, but I promise you that we will."

Alessia nodded, not looking the least bit put out. She was just happy that her father was home. He'd been gone for nearly two days, which was a stretch for both of them.

"What are those?" Alessia asked, looking at the tomes. "They look really dusty and dirty."

"They are. I brought them back for research."

"Will those help us get Mom back?"

"If things go my way, yes," Loki said. He remained silent for a while, giving Alessia the chance to hop off the couch and flip the tome at the top of the pile open. She wrinkled her nose in disgust but browsed through the first pages.

"They use really flowery language, Daddy," Alessia commented. With a flick of her wrist, Alessia used her telekinesis to lift the heavy tome up and set it down on the couch.

Loki studied her, a small smile playing on the corners of his mouth. A lock of stray hair fell to the side of her face but she made no attempt to brush it away; she was too engrossed with the tome. Loki left her as is – he knew better than to interrupt his daughter while she was reading.

Loki went to the kitchen and poured himself a cup of black coffee (no doubt brewed by Catherine before she left). He then took the coffee mug with him back to the living room. Alessia was now reading about Ares and her eyes looked slightly blurred as she scanned the pages.

"Learn anything interesting?" Loki sipped his coffee and sat down beside his daughter. He hoped that if the two of them read through the tomes and scrolls, they'd find something that would confirm that Ares (and not Aphrodite or Pluto) was responsible for what happened to Jamie.

"Loads," Alessia piped up. She had this slightly maniacal look on her face (which she got from him, he supposed) and she kept glancing at the tome, as if she couldn't wait to continue reading. "I can't believe we're related to the Greek gods, Daddy. I thought they were from a separate family."

"They're related to your uncle," Loki corrected her. "Our connection to them is due to certain circumstances."

Loki was referring to the fact that he wasn't a biological son of Odin and Frigga, but rather their youngest adopted son. That fact didn't bother him anymore; it was because of Jamie that he was able to call Odin "Father" once more. That thought made him doubly determined to get to the root cause of his wife's death and subsequent appearance.

He finished his coffee and took the pile of scrolls, going through each one. He knew that he should make sure that Alessia had been well fed and cared for since he left, but she didn't seem to kick up a fuss. In fact, she was halfway through the tome by the time he started.

Father and daughter spent the next few hours reading, stopping occasionally to quote a certain passage from whatever they were reading, but otherwise they were silent. Alessia finished the tome and went on to read another one, before she announced that she was hungry.

Loki checked the clock and saw that it was already half-past noon. He decided to bring Alessia to a fastfood restaurant; after all, he was gone for nearly two days. The first time he brought her there was when she was four and she had seen an advertisement for a new flavor of chicken nuggets.

Loki didn't think highly of fastfood restaurants, mainly because of the noisy crowd that usually gathered there. He preferred the peace and quiet; it allowed him to think. Still, Alessia hadn't been in a fastfood restaurant in weeks.

Alessia ended up bringing one of the smaller books with her. She'd read extensively about the Olympians and their entire histories, as well as the genealogy book that Loki had consulted for his first encounter with Ares. Alessia had been especially fascinated with Adrestia, the only daughter of Ares whom he truly loved.

"She's just like me, Daddy," Alessia said as they headed to the fastfood restaurant a block away from the apartment. "She's really close to her own daddy and she has these really cool powers."

Loki wanted to tell her that that was the most possible reason why Ares had demanded her life, so that Loki could feel the pain that came with losing a daughter. He decided not to; Alessia was far too young to be subjected to that kind of knowledge.

Instead, he nodded and maintained a strong grip on her small hand. They skirted past Stark Towers where Alessia spotted Drew Barton arrive at the building with his parents. She was about to call him when Loki led her down the next street.

Alessia and Drew were the closest out of all the "Avenger Kids", with the exception of her cousin, Edward. Sometimes Haldor even teased them that they'd end up married, which he stopped doing after Drew shot an arrow at the apple that Haldor was eating at the time.

Drew was, like the rest of their small group, talented. He inherited his father's keen eye, which Nick Fury was currently honing. Natasha was against this, saying that this wasn't what she wanted for her only son. Her protests were soon silenced when Drew himself said that he wanted to be like his parents. Clint supported his son in his own silent way, which was the main reason why Drew felt confident to go up against his mother on the issue.

Haldor was known for his mean swing with his Morningstar, Edward was known for his brains, and Alessia was known for her magic and intellect. Jonathan, Steven, and Peggy were the only ones who didn't show any active abilities yet, but considering that their fathers' powers could be genetically inherited, Fury guessed that it was only a matter of time.

The media was fascinated with these kids and were even wondering if they were to take up their parents' mantle in the future.

For now, however, Alessia was just like any other normal seven-year old in the city. She and Loki entered the fastfood restaurant, both noting the usual hush that enveloped every room that they walked into. Undaunted, Loki strolled to one of the available counters, ordering a huge meal that would make most Midgardians stagger.

The clerk thought that Loki was joking, but one look at his dark expression made her change her mind. Loki and Alessia settled themselves at a table beside the window, where they could observe the Midgardians that were walking past. The first of their order came, and Alessia attacked the chicken nuggets with much gusto.

A few minutes later, Alessia looked up at her father. "Daddy, I almost forgot to tell you. Someone came to Stark Towers yesterday."

Loki's mouth was full, but he raised his eyebrow in a silent question.

Alessia smiled slowly. "Ariana."

Loki nearly choked on the double decker burger he was eating.