Only One – Yellowcard

Chapter Twelve

Steve

"It's time for my shift," My voice roused Shiloh from her slumber as her head lay next to Loki's hand. She had volunteered to watch over him while he recovered, having gone through extensive surgery and flat lining twice. I had also volunteered, because I now had a debt to repay to him.

He had saved my life.

I had been directly in the line of fire of the final missile that needed to be destroyed. Had Loki not shielded me from the blast, I would have been full of shrapnel of debris. Survival might have been possible but my chances would have been slim. If it had not been for Loki…

And I couldn't help but wonder why he had saved me. I knew what he felt for Shiloh, and it would have been easier for him to simply allow me to be taken out. I would have no longer been in his way. So why?

"Why did you save my life?" I whispered to him long after Shiloh had gone. Sitting by his bed side, I studied him and frowned. One right did not make his wrongs simply disappear, but now I was also in his debt. Would he use it against me? A man like Loki, whose very life is built on lies and deception, they always had an ulterior motive. Their intentions were never pure.

Yet, even this line of thinking didn't sit well with me. I needed him to wake up, so that I could know and hopefully understand why.

Fury asked me to stay behind after the mission debriefing. I knew he had questions. Everyone did.

"How is Loki?"

"He still hasn't woken up yet, I'm beginning to wonder if he ever will." Bruce had told us that there had been no change in his vitals. It had been nearly a week. We were hoping, but our fingers were not crossed.

"He'll wake up," Fury stated, "When a man has a reason in life, a purpose, nothing will deter him from reaching his goal. Not even Death itself." Fury smiled sadly.

"If only we knew what Loki's goal was…"

"Isn't it obvious, Captain? His job here was completed when he brought my daughter back from captivity. Yet, he has stayed to serve out his sentence, willingly. I may not know everything, but I do know a man in love when I see him." I looked from him then.

"Then why let me live? If he truly loves her, then why not let me die?"

"He does not wish to taint himself in the eyes of my daughter, well, not anymore then he already has. If he is to win her heart, he wants to win it fair and square."

It was my turn to smile, "I'm not going down without a fight."

"I didn't expect you to."

The rest of that week passed and turned into another week, which turned into another week. A month soon passed and Loki still had not woken. We were slowly beginning to let our hope fade. Shiloh barely slept anymore and she had all but stopped talking to me. Fearing that I was losing her, I practically ran to Tony for help.

Allowing me the use of his credit card, I rented a car for the night to take Shiloh out on the town. Enlisting further help in Natasha and Clint, I had left notes around the tower to prepare her for my surprise. By the time nightfall came, I was leaning next to the car waiting for her.

When she finally walked out, my jaw dropped. Natasha had let her borrow a dress, I knew, but I didn't expect her to choose a tight, black, strapless number. She blushed when her gaze met mine and a soft smile formed on her face.

"You look beautiful," I whisper when she's close enough for me to wrap my arms around her. Taking her hand, I lead her to the car and we were off.

Cruising through the city, I try to keep things light between us with small talk. It works well enough, as Shiloh tells me of her recent training regimen and a recent shopping trip with Pepper. Just the sound of her voice is enough to lift my spirits. And I hope I have the same effect on her.

"We're here," I announce as we reach the entrance of a rather well-known (and extremely expensive) restaurant. Letting a valet park the car, Shiloh and I walk inside where we are escorted to a secluded area with table set for two.

"You really went all out, didn't you?" She laughs, "I'm extremely impressed. If I didn't know any better, I'd be expecting a marriage proposal tonight."

She's joking, I know, but I can't help the giddiness that wells up in me. Marriage, I remembered picking out a ring before we had abruptly ended our relationship the first time. It was still waiting for me to buy it; I had sent Clint to check on it a few days after Shiloh was brought back home. Not yet Shiloh, I thought, but I want to.

"Well, if you're a good girl," I smirk as I lean forward and place a chaste kiss on her lips. She smiles wickedly before reaching out and pulling me back. Fire erupts in my vein as I kiss her senseless, relishing in the fact that she had come back to me. I still couldn't believe it, even when I had lost hope.

We break apart when our waiter awkwardly clears his throat. Laughing, we order drinks and food before settling back into our seats. It's just like old times as we fall into easy conversation. We talk about anything and everything and it's as though no time has passed at all. We simply picked up where we left off.

"I love you, do you know that?" I whisper as the waiter lays our dessert out in front us. Shiloh blushes and runs a hand through her hair.

She nods, "I love you too, Steve. Are you really about to propose?"

"Not tonight," I laugh, "But I really can't see myself being with anyone else other than you."

"God, you're so perfect. I don't deserve you." She giggles.

"Now that depends on perspective, because I think you're perfect and that I don't deserve you."

"Steve?"

"Hmm?"

"We're such cheeseballs."

Her laughter heals every wound my soul has incurred.

I could hear the sound of the clock ticking as I sat and waited. Shiloh had gone to sleep long ago, curled up in my sheets and blankets, her hair splayed across my pillows, her clothes strewn across my bedroom floor. I knew I should be with her, but sleep eluded me. I should be relishing in my victory, not that Shiloh was a trophy to be won. I should be enjoying the moment because it would followed by even greater moments. But I could not.

So I sat by his side, willing him to awaken.

"Loki," I croak, "You need to wake up."

A/N: So I know it's been awhile, but I'm back! Hopefully this chapter I up to par. I had all but given up on this story because I had lost all inspiration but then it just came to me. So review and tell me what you think!