Oh God, she thought. What have I done?
Lyanne glanced over at Loki beside her. He was sleeping; it was the first time she had seen him do so. His bare chest rose and fell with his heavy breathing, not quite snoring, but close. Loki was spread across the large bed, his legs and arms extended out and his long black hair a mess. Lyanne slid silently out of the sheets and redressed, her cheeks red. Her thoughts were racing crazily; how terrible she was, how foolish, how reckless and impulsive. But then a meeker voice inside of her pushed through with the soothing reminders of the satisfaction she felt, the fun of it, the way she felt so happy…
Loki stirred fretfully, kicking his legs beneath the sheets and letting out a small moan. Lyanne was suddenly frightened.
Was this something he planned? Did he want this to happen? If not, will he be angered when he awakes, or happy? Why did he go along with this?
She breathed in and out, trying to keep her feet planted firmly on the ground. It was rather difficult considering what she had just done, but she kept her heart rate steady and, once she was fully dressed, exited the room quietly. She was in such a hazy state that she didn't even realize she had left her extensive notes on the bedside table.
Lyanne walked into the gym, following the sounds of her teammates' laughter and practicing. She smiled when she saw them; there was no confusion she felt when she thought about being an Avenger. But her smile faded quickly. She didn't know if what had happened with Loki counted as betrayal - but she didn't want to think about it. Tony jogged over to her and slung an arm about her shoulder.
"It's Nibbles!" he shouted, raising one of her arms with her own. The rest of the team cheered, except for Thor, who was caught somewhere between a grin and concern. "Tell me babe, what did it feel like to sink your teeth into that piece of work?"
Lyanne laughed. If only you knew, Tony.
"Speaking of a piece of work," came a smug voice from behind them, "I do believe you left these behind, Miss Brooks."
Lyanne's body went cold as she watched Loki approaching them all, his armed guards hanging back near the gym entrance, her notes and highlighted files held delicately in his long fingers. The entire gymnasium went silent except for the steady beat of Loki's boots on the floor echoing throughout the room. He reached her and handed the papers over, staring into her face with a sly grin. Her heart raced. Tony examined what he had handed to her with a scowl. His arm dropped from her shoulder and, taking the files, he began to leaf through her notes.
"Lyanne, were these yours?" he asked.
"Yes," she admitted hesitantly.
"These are great! Look at all this - do you mind if I borrow it and make comparisons? I might be able to add onto it, if Banner and Romanoff help."
She nodded with a smile, swallowing hard. Tony started to walk away, nose in the files, but suddenly paused and turned to face her again. He gave a glance at Loki.
"Did you say you had possession of these?" he asked, suddenly suspicious.
"Yes," Loki responded with his trademark smirk.
"How'd you get a hold of them?"
"Oh, Lyanne has been sharing quite a bit with me," he said slyly. Tony glared at them both.
"What does he mean?" asked Stark, glancing at her.
Lyanne panicked. Her heart raced and she felt the sudden weight of all she had done, her betrayal, begin to fall in pieces around her. She parted her lips to speak.
"Loki and I had s-" she began.
"…SUCH a fascinating discussion about these rather detailed files she found!" Loki interjected. "Stunning, really, the notes. Quite accurate, once she took into account the information I gave her."
Lyanne was speechless.
"What information?" Tony asked.
"The missing information about the Tesseract, the Chitauri, and the oncoming danger your realm faces once more." He grinned smugly.
"Lyanne, why didn't you tell us?"
"I just found out this morning," she finally croaked. "I was just coming in to tell you all now."
A collective sigh of relief spread throughout the gymnasium. At least until they began to pry Loki about the information he had given Lyanne earlier in the day. Thor smiled at her and gave her an approving nod, but she couldn't return it. Her heart was still racing too fast. When Loki finished his warning about the fate of Earth, Tony looked grim.
"I guess we'll talk this over with Fury when he gets back," Tony said. He paused and clapped a hand on Loki's shoulder. "Good on ya, big guy."
Loki merely gave a polite smile and remained standing where he was as Tony and the others began poring over the notes. Thor was grinning broadly at his brother, who ignored him. Lyanne slid in close to Loki, near enough to hiss in his ear.
"What are you playing at?" she demanded.
"You shouldn't be so suspicious of me. After all, I did just save you quite an embarrassment." He turned to her with a knowing grin.
"I wouldn't have had to be saved if you hadn't made a suggestion in the first place!"
"What bothers you most, Li, the fact you slept with me or the fact that you enjoyed it?" he sneered. She barely registered his use of a nickname for her.
"And what did it do for you?" she hissed back.
Loki looked surprised for a moment.
"You don't actually think I planned that to manipulate you, did you? After all, you are the one who initiated it."
Now it was Lyanne's turn to be taken aback. Then she turned scarlet and looked away, crossing her arms in a protective gesture.
"Yes, I did," she admitted shamefully. "But now I'm worried. You don't exactly have a good reputation, Loki."
"Then why did you do it?"
She continued looking away, not answering. Loki got close and began whispering to her.
"Let's put it behind us for now," he said softly.
"I'm not sure I can do that."
"Then what do you suggest?"
She shook her head.
"I don't know," she sighed. She looked up into his face. For once there was no trace of a scowl or evil grin. His face merely showed - was it possible? - concern. She smiled in disbelief and his smirk immediately returned. She surreptitiously kissed her fingers and grazed it along Loki's cheek.
"Just… don't make me regret it."