AUTHOR'S NOTE: Would anyone believe me I wonder if I said I had already finished this story? Yep, you heard me. I officially wrote the last chapter only a few days ago which was VERY long. I have never finished a story so fast, and my beta spent two hours correcting it. ^_^'

So, I'm torn between just posting all the chapters at once or perhaps distributing them over the course of the next couple of weeks as I work on the sequel...let me know what you think in the reviews! XD

Chapter 11

There were very few times Remy could claim to have been speechless. Now, he could claim his heart stopped and his could not breath for a minute. Standing a mere six feet away from him watching him with those dark emerald eyes was Loki. The Loki. The Loki the Avengers had only recently claimed to have defeated and taken into their custody. To have the man himself standing in front of him was another shock to his system Remy thought he could not handle. Apparently he could as Loki raised an eyebrow at him.

"Is there a problem?" Loki asked as if he were commenting on the weather. Remy found his tongue again managing to form words once more.

"You are a villain! Yes, Remy is clearly not worried he is with a demi-god whom seeks to rule the world. He has heard of you but did not expect to run into you here." Remy said already looking for an exit. Realizing his guest meant to leave Loki held up his hands to show they were empty. Remy wouldn't have been surprised if he saw serpents coming out of them.

"Unless you do something to deliberately provoke me, I can assure you I will not harm you nor your wild man. I don't even have any quarrel with the X-Men to begin with, though no doubt I will in the future." Loki mused a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth at the thought. Remy remained wary but he did see the demi-god had a point. As of now they were not enemies of one another rather taking a measure of the other one.

"Why show your hideout to one of the X-Men, then?" Remy pressed. He was, in fact, curious as to why Loki would even bother. He along with everyone else had assumed Loki would be planning his revenge in some distant cell in the universe. At this Loki sighed going over to a armoire Remy had not noticed before assuming it was one of the many bookshelves in the room.

"Despite what you may have heard, most of it true no doubt, it was a simple matter for me to escape Asgard. I was there no longer than six months when I implemented my escape. I came here to do some research and to recharge before I make another attempt at claiming Asgard as my own." Loki explained as he pulled out a change of clothes. As he came back to Remy he handed the clothes to him along with a soft towel nodding towards another door which led to the bathroom.

"You are a man who knows what he wants." Remy said. Loki raised an eyebrow at that.

"I am not a man, but a god. I'm superior to you in every way." Loki said as if stating a fact. Remy found he didn't much care when he heard this. As a matter of fact he found it was quite funny as he smirked at the demi-god.

"Even god's desire company, non? Do not brag about your exploits too much and I will resist from petting your silken hair, your majesty." Remy said with a mock bow. Loki glared at him as said this causing the Cajun to laugh as he went into the bathroom. He didn't know why but Remy didn't feel threatened by him. Perhaps he was just ecstatic at hearing another voice for so long other than his own. In the mountains it had felt as if he were the only human being left on earth.

As his guest was getting cleaned up Loki mused over this new distraction. He had known Fury was in the area and at first had wondered if Logan wasn't meant for him. When the feral man had gone after his failed experiment only then had Loki realized Shield had no idea he had even escaped. His cover may be blown due to the Wolverine, but at the same time it could also provide cover since Shield would now be riveted on their most expensive weapon.

Relaxing in one of his chairs Loki propped his feet up on the coffee table picking up a random book and scanning the pages. Even he, the future ruler of Earth and Asgard, needed a break from time to time. Here was the perfect little project to drive two lovers apart as well as set a rapid beast on Shield. No doubt Wolverine would soon be dispatched but that was to be expected. While it would of interest to have such a person under his line of control Loki did not want the man turning on him. Best for Shield to think their Wolverine had turned on them instead buying him a little more time to finish his research here.

As he was reading he heard his guest finish stepping out of the shower to get dressed. Loki imagined he would enjoy watching Remy for a time. He had heard about the thief through the black grapevine and at one point had even considered enlisting his help. However, his services had not been called upon since he had been dealing with Thor at the time. Once he was done with his fun here he would have to go about his business. In the meantime, though, there was no crime in having a bit of a hobby.

"Loki, can you transport Remy to the nearest town?" Remy asked as he came out of the bathroom. He was tugging incessantly at the sleeves at he did so his hair damp as it hung about his shoulders. Loki dug his nails into the arm of the chair to keep from blasting the sordid human with a bolt of magic. He hated being referred to so casually as if they were equals but held his temper. Turning to gaze back at the thief.

"No, I cannot. To do so would reveal my location. I'm afraid if you're going to try and go anywhere it's on foot." Loki lied. He could easily have sent the man to the Artic if he so wished, but he wasn't about to go around running errands. Remy glanced at him probably already seeing through the lie. However, the man said nothing as he shrugged going to sit down with a sigh as well in a spare chair facing the demi-god.

"Remy appreciates this, Loki. But he must really get back to mon glouton before he becomes worried. Logan becomes agitated if his Cajun is gone for long." Remy said warily though he made no move to get up. An idea came to Loki as he glanced at the man looking him up and down. Remy wasn't ugly in the least, in fact he was a fine specimen considering he was a human. Perhaps…

"Why not stay here the night? It's already dark out and there's no telling what manner of beasts are lurking about. Besides, I find I desire your company for the evening. It's warm here and you can sleep in my bed if you like." Loki said nodding to the huge bed in the corner. Remy glanced at him suspiciously then back at the bed as if trying to figure out what he was about. It didn't take much before the other man just shrugged his shoulders in assent.

"Remy believes you are one of the beasts lurking about, cher. Only instead of fangs you have a smile and in the place of horns you have long silken hair and a kind voice." Remy said shaking his head. Loki chuckled as he glanced at his helmet which was up on a stand in the shadows.

"I do, as a matter of fact, have horns."

"Then Remy best be careful then, shouldn't he?"

They stayed up talking for a few hours. Remy every now and again checking the time on the clock Loki kept on the mantle. At one point Loki turned off the lights and lit a fire to heat the small space and had dinner
appear for the both of them. Remy was impressed by this asking questions to which Loki ended up spending another hour answering. Soon, exhausted and full Remy stood up watching fascinated as with a wave of his hand Loki made the plates disappear.

"Loki, that is an impressive trick. Remy wishes he could do that." Remy said impressed. Loki smirked at the compliment as with another wave he made a wine glass appear filled to the brim with an amber liquid to which he gave the thief.

"Sell me your soul and I'll teach you all the black magic you wish to know. I even have a few spells of my own invention I would be willing to teach you." Loki said his eyes glittering in the firelight. Remy laughed wondering if the offer wasn't true or not. It probably was.

"Non, Remy is satisfied watching you. Where you come from do you do that to impress the women? They must be clambering over each other to get your attention." Remy said as he sipped the wine. It had a faintly sweet taste to it and burned pleasingly down his throat. Loki frowned as he considered the question turning away to gaze into the fire.

"Rather the opposite, in fact. In Asgard strength and bravery as well as courage are revered above all else. Thor is the embodiment of these ideals and thus I was often overlooked due to the fact I preferred subtly and cunning rather than charging into battle." Loki said. Sensing he had displeased his benefactor Remy put the wine aside. The situation sounded familiar, almost like what he and Logan had.

"Remy is sorry, Loki. He did not mean to displease you." Remy said. Loki did not turn around but he saw the beautiful man's shoulders tense as if expecting a blow. Or perhaps it was the harsh words of a father he feared?

"Those are strong ideals, yes, but it is true there is not all there is to win a battle. One must plan before hand and be able to think midst the chaos. Often enough Logan has nearly been destroyed because he is to headstrong and refuses to wait. Such people are often impatient. It does not mean what they do is not effective, but usually the same task can be completed with patience and fewer casualties."

Loki turned around to stare at the ruby eyed human. He had not meant to expose himself like that but the thought that he was considered weak compared to his brother, even insufficient always caused him to lose his train of thought. He felt a small twinge at the back of his mind for this man but he quickly dismissed it. So the mutant was able to string together a few clever phrases to make himself appear intelligent. So what?

"Cleverness is often mistaken for cowardice where I come from." Loki said quietly almost daring the human to speak up against him. If he did, it would be a simple matter to cast an illusion upon him that Logan had turned on him. His darling Wolverine devouring him alive when in reality his body was untouched. Remy, instead, nodded his head in understanding.

"It is, isn't it? People think simply because you do not fly into battle at the first sight of your enemies that you are frozen with fear. Non, this is not true. You are waiting until your enemy is almost upon you when they step on a bomb and pieces of them are going in every direction."

Loki laughed at the image surprised by the reply. Remy only grinned at being able to steer his host into a better mood. Loki sank into the chair opposite of the Cajun retrieving the glass of wine as he did so. Remy glared at him as Loki took a few sips who pointedly ignored the gaze as he swirled the wine in the glass. Perhaps he wouldn't destroy him right off. It was nice to have intelligent conversation for once with someone who was not out to kill him nor wanted anything from him more than a bed and a hot meal.

"We've entertained each other long enough, don't you think? Why don't you rest, Remy. I'll wake you in the morning so you can return to Logan. I'm sure he's probably eager to see you soon." Loki said as he leaned back into the chair. Remy glanced at him then again at the clock. It was one o'clock in the morning already. With a sigh the thief got up taking the wine from Loki's limp grasp and draining it to the last drop handing it back to him.

"It is late, Remy agrees. What about you, cher? Where will you sleep?" Remy asked. Loki glanced into the glass as if expecting for it to fill itself up. Instead, he put it on the side table.

"I do not need sleep very often. Go ahead, I'm just going to relax and read. If I feel tired I can always rest on the other side." Loki said waving his hand in dismissal. Remy didn't argue this time as he moved off in the direction of the bed with a sigh of relief.

Loki picked up his book again turning to the page he had been reading. Refilling the wine glass with a flick of his fingers he sipped at it as he heard Remy's breathing grow deeper as he fell fast asleep. He spent about an hour reading the book not really seeing the words on mutant theory as his mind played out scenarios for the thief. While Loki didn't consider himself sentimental he found he was reluctant to do away with Remy right away. He even entertained the thought of allowing him to live.

Remy was a fine specimen, to be sure, and no doubt had skills that complimented his mutant abilities. In fact, it was as if his powers had been slapped on as an afterthought simply to make the man appear more dangerous. He could be of use in the future if he played his cards right, so to speak. Glancing over at the bed Loki mused at the very least Remy would make a good pet. Even he from time to time desired company even if it was in the form of servitude. To have someone to talk to him though who did not fear him was a rare thing indeed. It may even pay off to have Remy around to make the time pass quicker until he was ready to implement his next plan.

With a sigh he closed the book and put it back on the table. Perhaps a short nap would clear his mind. Getting up he waved his hand at the fire the flames immediately going low in they were nothing more than glowing embers. Striding over to the bed Loki slipped beneath the covers beside Remy. He rested his hand atop the man's head to read his dreams. There was nothing there except the pleasant sensation of slumber. He sighed running his hand down the planes of Remy's chest down to his stomach where he felt the hardened abs. Not the body of a warrior, to be sure, but a definite fighter. Remy could not take on Thor or even Logan, but he would be an even match against other humans and an excellent distraction when his mutant powers recovered.

Resting his hand on the other man's hip he pulled him closer settling his body against his. There were almost of the exact same height he thought amused. Resting his head on the pillow beside Remy's Loki closed his eyes. He could not remember the last time he had had another warm body share his bed. For tonight, he decided, he would let the thief rest. Another time he would take his pleasure out on the human as a reward for pleasing him.