Tony watched him as he disappeared up the steps. He heard the sounds of Loki making a cup of tea in the kitchen and then heading up to the master bedroom for a shower then bed. He shook his head. He shouldn't know what Loki getting ready for bed sounded like but it somehow was a sound engrained in him now.

He focused back on the lab. He had work to do.

"Alright Jarvis, give me the data we got on Loki during today's flights. What are the stats?" He asked, rubbing his hands together.

"I have gathered the patterns of breathing and oxygen consumption that Mr. Ruser demonstrated during the suit runs, and am attempting to replicate the patterns for your study."

"Damn, you're good Jarvis."

"Thank you sir. Displaying model now."

A 3D replica of Loki materialized in front of Tony, breathing in short, and sharp puffs of air. Tony frowned; his oxygen levels were low, his blood not getting as much oxygen as it should be. He pinpointed the first moment the suit deployed a reserve of oxygen, and then how many times after the oxygen was used. Seven times during the entire flight which had lasted about 45 minutes. He was going to have a hard time keeping up that sort of oxygen level when they really started to get into any strenuous situations.

He sighed, "What do you think of adding some level steroid dosage into the oxygen when it's deployed"

"Sir?"

"Steroids. I'm betting there's some inflammation in his chest that's making it harder for him to get in oxygen. Adding in a little bit of steroid ought to help with that at least."

"Sir?"

"Jarvis you're repeating yourself. Run some tests and let's figure out a level so we don't send anyone into a roid rage, alright? We need just enough to help loosen up whatever's keeping him from getting enough oxygen."

"Sir, you wish to add steroid to the Forest Fire serum also being administered?" Jarvis asked.

"Yep. Sure do."

"Should we not consult Mister Ruser about drugs we are administering to him?"

"Ah, nope. Look, he's convinced he's going to die, and I don't think he'd let me even try to save him, so let's give it a go. If it works then he'll be alive and if he's angry fine. If it doesn't work, no harm done."

"Yes sir, but-"

"Jarvis, let's not fight. I hate fighting with you."

"Of course sir. I will run a few scenarios to determine which one is the most likely to create a positive result."

"Perfect. I'll check in in just a few." Tony said as he flickered out of the lab and slowly rematerialized in the bedroom. Loki was already sound asleep, curled up in the bed under about a half a dozen blankets. He didn't understand how anyone could sleep with that many blankets on them. He should be burning alive, but Loki looked perfectly happy exactly where he was.

Tony shook his head, and sighed, as he leaned back and tried to not pay attention to the way Loki's hair started to curl after a bit of time. So those long, straight black locks weren't natural, huh? Tony smirked faintly. He settled in beside the bed and watched Loki sleep until Jarvis paged him back down to the lab with a few trials to run through.

After running through the models several times at varying levels of dosage, Tony, for once, decided to play it safe and start with the lowest dosage that still produced a result.

He was lost in his work, arranging how to get this new set of oxygen-laced medicine into the suit when the doorbell rang.

He frowned. Who the hell would be coming over in the morning. Loki didn't seem like the real social type, and he couldn't think of anyone wanting to come by.

XXX

Loki groggily woke at the sound of the doorbell. He rolled out of bed and grabbed his tea before, half asleep and with his tea cradled in his hand, he wandered to the door, blinking bleary eyed at his coworker standing at the door.

"Morning Loki." He said.

Loki frowned faintly, "Victor, what are you doing here?"

"I was just checking in on how you're doing after that whole hospital stay things. And to apologize for dragging you into that whole mess."

"Victor, it's 9 in the morning and I really-"

"I also might need some help with Ultron."

Loki frowned, looking over his coworker at his door. "I told you to not tamper with that."

"Can I come inside?" He asked with a smile, "It's a little cold out here."

Loki glanced at him, and sighed. "Fine. Of course, pardon my manners, I am not use to company." Loki said as he opened the door and let his coworker inside.

He looked around, and Tony had the distinct impression he was looking for something specific. If Tony were still a betting man, he'd bet almost everything he owned on him being on the look out for the Iron Man suits, as though Loki would have those just displayed along the walls of the entry way.

"Water?" Loki offered.

"Coffee if you've got any." He said with a smile.

Loki nodded, "The living room is right this way." He led the way to the living room and let his coworker sit on the couch before he went into the kitchen, "You are the first person bold enough to just show up at my door since I left work."

"Well, I feel bad about how sick you got."

"And yet here you are again asking for my help." Loki said.

Loki poured some coffee into a mug and walked over to him with a bit of sugar and cream on the tray with the coffee.

Victor grinned widely, "You are like an old fashioned twentieth century gentleman."

"So what exactly is it I can do for you?"

"I just think that there's a great potential to use AI to manage more operational systems."

Loki sighed, "Victor…"

"I know you've said you don't think giving total control to the AI is a smart decision, but I'm sure I can change your mind."

"I am very sorry to say that I am quite the stubborn man and my mind is not easily or readily changed. If that was all you came here to discuss, then I would rather save us both a great deal of time and energy-"

"So the Iron Man suits don't count as an AI technology as far as you're concerned? How was using that suit to get you to the hospital any different than giving the AI that runs the air purification system a body to update and maintain itself?"

Loki took a deep breath. He knew those questions would be coming, but he still wasn't quite ready to come up with an answer. He looked down at his tea as Victor poured in a bit of cream and three sugars into his coffee.

As he started to stir, Loki finally spoke. "That was not a command I created nor an AI I was aware of that performed those actions, and since my return home I have worked to try to stop that from becoming a recurring issue." He finally answered, grateful that lying was second nature to him anymore. All silver tongue and golden words to dazzle.

"So you've gotten rid of the Iron Man suit?" He asked.

Loki said, "I was unaware that it still existed and as soon as I was able to pinpoint its location I ensured it would not activate on its own again."

Victor frowned and Loki could tell that he didn't quite buy the story.

"So what? You just got rid of it? You're lying Loki." Victor said, coffee forgotten in his hands.

Loki looked Victor straight in the eye, "What use would I have for the suit?"

Victor laughed, "Oh please, you would want to take it apart every way possible and then try to piece it back together. You'd want to know how it worked from the inside out. You wouldn't just get rid of it."

"The world does not have a need for the Iron Man suits." Loki said softly.

"We both know that's not true." Victor shook his head, "This is bull Loki."

"You are the one coming to my home while I am home ill, harassing me. If all you wanted was you question me about the Iron Man suits you should join up with the paparazzi and change your line of work Victor." Loki snapped, getting to his feet and walking back into the kitchen. The chip in his neck hissed softly and Loki took a slow deep breath.

A few moments later, Victor was following him into the kitchen, "Look Loki. I just want to help."

"Victor, I have no interest in studying the suits. I have no interest in doing anything but ensuring I recover." Loki sighed softly. The lies were tiring him.

"Well if you would just let us get Ultron set up than we wouldn't have to bother you."

Loki shook his head, "Absolutely not. That program is not stable enough to be let loose, it has the potential for mass chaos and destruction if not kept tightly in check."

"That's why we set up fail safes Loki. Come on, there's no AI that could outsmart you so why are you so afraid of this one?"

"I'm not afraid of it. I just know that our technology is not ready for something like that."

"Loki, Ultron could watch the refineries and if there are problems, activate worker bots to come in and fix it without any person ever having to come into contact with the problem."

"And what if it activates the bots in error? What if the bots create a bigger problem? What if Ultron misdiagnoses an error? There are too many variables that we cannot control. It has too much of a potential for problems. I do not think it is the cure all that you and AIM seem to think it is." Loki said, shaking his head.

"You are the only designer I know that would make something that could totally revolutionize the world and then not let it proceed into development."

"Because I know when a flaw is too big to just ignore. Ultron has too much of a risk factor and I will not agree to let it be activated."

"Well what if we implement some of your other programs? Hel or Fenrir? Those could act as fail safes!"

"Fenrir would destroy everything in the air refinery program and Hel would shut the refinery down for 24 hours. Do you know how devastating that would be to the areas immediately around them? People would die Victor."

"It just seems such a waste to have this technology and not be able to use it."

"Perhaps when I am feeling better I will take another look at it and try to find a way to make Ultron usable. Perhaps with a system that is less vital to life around the globe than the refineries."

"You're not going to change your mind on it Loki. You're the most stubborn man I've ever met and I don't see that changing."

Loki smiled faintly.

Victor shook his head, "So, how long until you can rejoin the team?"

Loki sighed softly, "I am unsure. The last hospital visit has...delayed my return. I will try to make sure my lack of return will not put t the group too far behind."

"Just so you know, as soon as you get back, Maya is planning on asking you out."

"What?" Loki stared at Victor.

"Just word around the coffee table."

Loki shook his head, "Was that all you needed Victor? Because if that is it, I really am feeling very tired and would like to get some rest."

"Right, course." Victor nodded, "Let me grab my things." He stepped back into the living room, and pulled his things into his bag and pockets.

"Sure you don't want to activate Ultron?"

"Victor. I do not think I could be clearer about my position on Ultron. I will never give my blessing for it to be used."

"That's what I figured." Victor sighed, "Alright, well get well soon."

"Thank you, and please do not stop by again." Loki opened the door for him.

Victor offered a wry smile as he stepped out of the house and back to his vehicle.

Loki closed the door behind him and took a deep breath. That was another thing he needed to figure out. What to do with his own tech to ensure that it was not used improperly after his death. He suddenly knew how Tony must feel worrying about the suits all the time after his death. He ran a hand through his hair and went to toss the coffee and finish his tea.

Victor stopping by was strange. The man wasn't known for social visits so that meant that he was getting pressure from above, which made sense. There had been an overwhelming amount of interest in his Ultron project ever since Loki had first conceived of it and mentioned it. But the project hadn't succeeded. It had exhibited far too much autonomy to be considered safe by any standards. Loki had actually had to point to the fact that he was an outside contractor and therefore AIM did not have rights to Ultron to prevent it from being used. AIM wanted to unleash it through the refineries as an AI management system, but Loki had managed to pull it before he'd had to leave on medical leave, but it looked like AIM was still after it.

"You threw him out faster than I thought you would." Tony said.

"Really? You thought I would entertain his proposal?"

"Nah, but I thought you'd at least let him finish his coffee. You seem like a guy with that kind of set of manners."

Loki smiled faintly, "Generally yes, but when people attempt to force me to use my research for their own purposes, I really don't see the need to entertain that any longer than the bare minimum amount of time required, which is just the amount of time it takes to get rid of them."

"And here I was thinking it was going to be someone bringing by your ready made set of new lungs and a fresh set of immortality!" Tony snapped.

Loki snorted, "No. We can regrow most vital organs, but humans still die, and diseases still kill people. More resist the antibiotics we have so much that there must be a constant supply of new antibiotics or else diseases would wipe the globe. Most of the technological advances have been towards ensuring that the air and water supply stay clean. There is some real concern about the quality of air and water staying high enough to sustain life."

"That's why there's all those generator things, right?"

Loki nodded, "Yes. There is an air purification facility every thousand square miles to ensure air quality, but there are areas where there should be more, and when an air purification area fails... there can be disastrous consequences very quickly."

Tony nodded, "I gathered. So every thousand square miles huh?" He whistled, "That's a helluva lot of places to keep up."

Loki nodded, "Yes. The company I work for is the one who maintains them. I was the one who created the AI that runs the air filtration system."

"Damn, so that's how you could afford to buy my place up."

Loki smiled faintly, "One of the reasons. Yes, that position does entail quite a paycheck, but the hours... well let us just say 24/7 availability is just the beginning. I had to be able to fly to any facility in the world with a moment's notice."

Tony smiled, "So what you're saying is that you are well equipped to be a superhero?" He asked.

Loki blinked then laughed, "I suppose so. If those are your requirements than I guess by those standards I do qualify rather well. Does that give me bonus points?"

Tony grinned, "Oh, you were a teacher's pet weren't you?"

"What? I was no such thing!"

Tony's grin grew wider, "Oh I bet you were. Always answering questions and asking for extra credit."

Loki glared, "Oh and I suppose you were too?"

Tony laughed, "God no. I was the worst little brat of a student you'd ever want. I knew everything and I knew my name held power so I'd wave that over people when I was in school. Didn't spend too long in school because of that. Found it pretty boring until I got into the PhD level stuff, then that was mildly interesting at least, learned a few new things."

"I imagine growing up around your father's technology did mean a lot of early discoveries and information that you already knew."

Tony nodded, "Yep. Learned more from dicking around in my workshop than I ever learned in any kind of school."

Loki smiled, "I imagined that was the case."

"How much useful information did you actually learn in school? Have they gotten any better since I was there?" He asked, crossing his arms and leaning over to look at Loki.

Loki finished his tea. "They taught me many things, but like you, I went through quickly and with a great deal of boredom. I learned how to interact with people when necessary, and I learned that much of success depends on the people you know rather than the quality of your work."

Tony shrugged, "Now that was something I never had to learn."

"Ah yes because Stark always was the name of the established power, but I imagine you had many people who attempted to get themselves into your good favor just to use your family's name or resources."

Tony smiled, "Bingo. Made it damn hard to trust anyone, only people I really ever had were Rhodey and Pepper." He shook his head, "So yeah, all about who you know, but god forbid you're a somebody." Tony shook his head, "Then all you ever have are vultures surrounding you, your whole damn life."

"That must have been an unpleasant way to live."

Tony snorted, "You've got no idea."

"I might have a slight one." Loki smiled faintly.

"Oh yeah and why's that?"

"Odin. He is quite the figure in modern times, known for his sterling political career and astounding military record, something that my bro…" Loki cleared his throat, "His son, Thor, is following behind in nicely."

"But you never went that way huh? I can't see you as a military guy, even though I bet you'd look amazing in that uniform."

Loki half glared at Tony before turning back to his now empty cup of tea, "No. I never matched the expectations attached to my name. And I was reminded of that quite frequently by those around me, especially those who did not even know me or Odin."

Tony nodded, "God I can only imagine, sounds like that'd be like me not going into building things... people wouldn't know what to think."

"I always wondered what happened, and why I wasn't like my father and brother. I just assumed that I must have taken after Frigga more than Odin, but now," he shook his head, "It makes sense that I didn't take after either of them because I share no blood with either of them."

Tony didn't know what to say, and once again he wished that this hologram body was capable of a touch cause God Loki looked like he needed a hug, and even though Tony Stark had never been a real huggy type of guy, he wanted to help Loki.

"Well, that worked out pretty well for me. You being a total genius really panned out, huh?" Tony finally said, "And I bet you people aren't going to think about Odin's family the same way after you, blood relative or not. He's going to have to make sure that the rest of his family lives up to the legacy you made. That's pretty damn impressive I say." Tony offered a smile.

Loki looked at him for several long minutes before a slow smile worked its way across his features, "Thank you."

If Tony still had a physical heart, he was sure it would have just fluttered all the way across his chest and found a new home in his stomach. This was bad. He didn't realize that whole still being sentient thing meant the possibility of feelings jumping in to cause new problems. Cause as hot, smart and snarky as Loki was it was like looking in a fun house mirror and seeing someone tall, dark and entirely inviting staring back at him. He wanted to go on that ride.

He shook his head, not a good train of thought to be running down. "So what's this Ultron thing?" He asked Loki.

Loki sighed heavily, "It was a pet project I worked on. Advancing the very basic AI I currently have in the air cleaning systems with something more robust. It would be capable of diagnosing problems and fixing them, only requiring minimal maintenance."

"Building yourself out of a job it sounds like."

Loki smiled, "Maybe in a way. Though that wasn't my intention. I just wanted a way to make the job less all the time."

"What kind of issues do you run into?"

"Oh God, too many. Ultron began rewriting the programs and pinpointing areas to change. Not something I needed it to be doing. An AI updating its own code is recipe for disaster. It kept trying to increase optimization, and find ways to minimize pollution in the air. One of its suggestions even called for wiping out the population in the surrounding area!"

"Wipe out… So your AI turned from guardian to terrorist in about 15 seconds?"

"More like over the course of a week and its calculations were right. If there were no human population then the pollution levels would plummet." Loki shook his head, "It's too dangerous. I scraped it and brought it home with me. Maybe one day I can figure out a way to fix it, but right now it's too unstable."

Tony nodded, but his mind was already trying to work over the problem. How did you fix an AI like that?

"Whatever you are thinking, stop." Loki frowned.

"I'm just thinking about how nice it is to have breakfast with you." Tony said with a cheesy grin.

Loki rolled his eyes, "Yes, clearly that is exactly what grips your thoughts. You really are a rather dreadful liar."

"I'll take that as a compliment. Don't you worry about what I'm thinking about. I'm gonna go run a few tests on the suit, and go over the data from our first flight."

Loki stood up. "I will be back down to the lab to aid with your data later."

"Take your time, it's not anything that's particularly difficult." Tony waved his hand.

"I did not say it was challenging. I just want to see the data based on the flight." Loki said, "Now, do not blow up anything while I am not there."

Tony grinned, "Aw, well at least you didn't tell me I couldn't set anything on fire." Tony said as he faded out of the living room. Loki's laughing echoed all the way to the lab with him and left a warm sensation in his chest.

"Alright Jarvis," Tony said as he headed into his lab, "Let's get back to work on the little'uns, shall we?"

"Pulling up the files now sir."

He'd started working on project 'little'uns' just before his death, and if he'd had just a little more time he could have…He shook his head, no time going into the coulda, would, shouldas, that boat left the dock and sailed around the world already. There was no going back to port in the same shape.

He looked over the information again. Nano machines the size of a red blood cell planted into the body following the body's orders but repairing and optimizing it. Like the body but with bionic enhancements, he'd always envisioned it as putting a suit in his blood so his organs were protected too. He'd hoped that with them he could remove the reactor and maybe not die of palladium poisoning, but for once he never even got the chance to recklessly test his theory.

It still amazed him that the hologram program had worked. It'd never been tested, never been even looked at again after Tony had created it and hidden it away in the archives of ghost files hidden in Jarvis. It was never suppose to be activated, but then again, if that were really the case why the hell had he even done it?

He shook his head, "Because you didn't want to die dumbass." He muttered to himself. That was easy enough to see. He'd been scared to die and when he'd found any possible way to even kinda stick around, he'd clung to it with everything he had. He wanted to live forever, or at least long enough to get to do more work.

No time to linger on that. "How's data collection on Loki going?" Tony asked.

"Well sir. I have a fully rendered 3D model of Mr. Ruser's life functions and internal scans."

Tony nodded, "Could you start scanning for a hologram model?" He asked softly.

"Sir?"

"I want you to start taking scans for Loki to create another hologram. I'll take care of the programming, but you just collect the data, and pull from data you've already compiled."

"Sir? Shall I request Mr. Ruser's cooperation with this?"

Tony bit at his lip, "No. Not right now Jarvis. Let's get this thing going first and then I'll break it to him. It'll be fine."

"If you say so sir."

Famous last words if Tony ever heard them.