Tony Stark stood by the door watching as Loki and Kat explored their suite in his family's mansion - the new Embassy of Asgard. Kat emerged from the en-suite bathroom with a mischievous look on her face. "It's a lot like the one at the South Point," she told Loki.

"Is it? Small then, but it shall do, I suppose. You did enjoy that room quite a bit as I recall."

"Oh yeah. I don't know what we're going to do with all of that closet space."

"Go shopping," Tony supplied. "Seriously; it will endear you to the locals," he insisted as Loki glared at him. "You two are going to be A-List celebrities in no time."

"Our mission here is serious, Stark."

"Don't depersonalize me, Lokes. I'm not going to take that crap from you." He fought a grin as the god made an annoyed huff. "Come on, you need friends here and who on Earth understands where you're coming from better than I do?"

"I cannot argue that point," Loki mused and then shrugged. "Very well; set up a shopping expedition. The All-Father's private trade agreement should more than cover anything we would care to spend."

"True. I can't believe you got him to agree to that. Exclusive supplies of your metals, damn. I had Jarvis analyze some of Thor's armor on the sly; that shit is amazing."

Loki's smirk was a sight to see. "You'll pay dearly for every gram of it. He knows I drive a hard bargain; that is the one thing for which he has always given me full credit."

Damn good point. Oh well. Based on the specs J had come up with that stuff would be priceless and better yet, perfect for the Mark XLV. "That's okay; you've never negotiated with Pepper Potts. It should be an eye-opening experience for you."

"We shall see, Tony."

… …

"How secure are we here?" Loki asked as he stood at a window that offered a view of a tastefully tended lawn. Kat joined him and took in the profusion of greenery and flowers with mixed feelings. She'd lived in Vegas for so long that she'd forgotten what variety there could be in a non-resort setting. It wasn't what she was used to anymore, but it was soothing and far less unsettling than the strange to her eyes gardens in Asgard.

"Very. That's bulletproof glass, all of the windows are. There is twenty-four/seven monitoring of both the buildings and the grounds. We've got trusted security personnel waiting to be vetted by your people who will man the security room and advise you of any potential threats. I haven't heard from Spangles, Big Bird or the Widow lately, but Bruce and I are just a call away. If you want, I can hook your security in to my system that Jarvis oversees."

Loki stiffened and frowned at the billionaire. "Do begin as you mean to continue, Stark. Lie to me again."

"Now hold up; I haven't lied to you."

"By implication, you did. Your Jarvis is already hooked up into our security system, or do you deny it?"

Kat smirked at the slight flush that rose in Tony's cheeks. "He's got you there."

"Not really. Sure, Jarvis is hooked up now; you weren't here and the place had to be looked after until you'd arrived. But if you say you don't want that kind of backup, when I release the system to you, I'll pull him out."

She glanced up as Loki's eyes narrowed. "Hmm, truth. Very well then, Tony; I accept your generous offer of protection."

"Cool beans; as a bonus, Jarvis will automatically override anyone's instructions in favor of yours. I didn't get the impression you were too buddy-buddy with the official Ambassador."

"We have had our differences, but he is loyal to the Throne and to my mission here. However, I'd rather he remains unaware of what Ka-Maat and I do with our personal time. There is enough speculation as it stands."

"Huh; busybody, I take it?"

"Ah…?"

Kat couldn't hold back the snicker. "That didn't translate," she told the billionaire. "Most colloquialisms don't." She turned to her husband. "He means that Councilor Neriðr pays too much attention to other people's personal business."

"Busybody, hmm; I like that term. Yes, Neriðr is indeed a busybody…and a gossip when it comes to anything not pertaining to the security of the Realm."

Tony nodded, a conspiratorial smile growing. "So I guess you won't want to be, uh, indulging your sexual tastes here."

"It shall be difficult to do so with much hope of privacy."

"Oh, Lokes…have I got a deal for you, buddy."

… …

Loki settled down in the conference room chair, in a mood Kat had told him was 'brooding'. Stark had offered them a private suite in his Tower; one to which he could teleport himself and Kat at will, with Neriðr or anyone else for that matter, none the wiser. He wondered briefly what the mortal would ask in return for so large a favor. Narrowing his eyes at the man in question, he considered what he might use in payment that would not require the knowledge or consent of Asgard. Deep brown eyes met his and the lips accented by the sharply styled facial hair frowned. "It's a good deed for a friend," Tony said softly. "Hey, let's just call it even for you letting me get my bracelets on before you defenestrated me."

"It was the least I could do; or rather, the most." He shrugged, remembering his desperation to give the vulnerable human a chance to survive. There had been far too many he could find no excuse to save that would still have allowed him to thwart the Mad Titan's plans.

"I get that. Some of the government bigwigs are starting to get it as well; at any rate, enough of them to shout down the ones that want your head."

"How reassuring," he returned dryly.

"I thought so. Point Break, old buddy," Tony enthused as his adoptive brother lumbered into the room, "How are the new digs?"

After a moment, Thor's confused look cleared. "Quite adequate, Man of Iron," he allowed. Loki shook his head at Tony's groan. Thor knew very well that he was mangling the Avenger's title; it was his little joke on the egotistical human.

"Come on, Thunderpants, call me Tony."

"I shall, when you begin to address me as Thor."

"Oh, burn!" a woman's voice called out and then the sound dissolved into snickering. Darcy Lewis had joined them, though it appeared that her charge had been left in their apartment.

"Miss Lewis; do you think it wise to have left Fastný alone?"

"Um, no; that's why Jane's Fastný-sitting. She said she'd only be here as Thor's plus one anyway."

"He doesn't get a plus one for this, Darcy," Tony interjected.

"Well, there ya go."

Loki spared an indulgent glance at his wife as Kat giggled. She seemed to like the irreverent girl; interesting. It made sense; Kat had, in her mortal life, had an irreverent side. He tended to forget that her submission extended to him and to him alone, and even at that it was only sexual. To all others and in all other things, she was an outspoken and powerful woman. "What are your plans for involving Fastný in the type of interaction that will assist with her Karma?" he asked.

Darcy shrugged. "Not sure yet. We're kind of working on acclimatizing to the modern world here, or she's not gonna get anywhere with anyone she's likely to fall for. I mean, you need her to fall for guys, not just get laid, right?"

"Yes, you are correct."

"Okay, so it's going to take time. I've got one question for the princess though."

"What's that?" Kat asked. "Oh, and if we're not at a formal function, call me Kat."

"No, darling; she may not."

"But…"

"She may call you Ka-Maat."

His lovely wife flushed as she realized that he no longer addressed her as Kat unless they were alone. He might allow another to use the name of his toy, he thought, but only if and when he invited them to play with that toy. "Right; I keep forgetting that's my name now. I'll remember eventually."

"I'm certain."

"Oooookay," The young mortal was rolling her eyes at them. He decided to be amused since Kat obviously was. "So, thanks, Ka-Maat. Anywho, my question is why did you give Fastný such a rockin' bod? I mean, you don't need that much boobage to get laid, though on second thought, it does kind of help."

Kat shrugged. "I didn't, really. My power just delivers their Karma; I don't get to choose what that Karma is…at least not consciously as of yet. Isis believes I will choose eventually, but that could take centuries. I'm not sure if she got the body that will accomplish the Karma or if it's just the female equivalent of Fandral's male body."

Loki thought about it and nearly choked on laughter. "Tis likely the latter, my love; Fandral is considered, ah…"

"Well endowed?" Darcy supplied.

"Indeed. For an Æs."

"Huh." The impudent mortal gave him a speculative look. "I hear you're not, um, one of those."

"I am predominately Jötunn." She frowned questioningly. "Frost Giant," he clarified.

"Cool."

He suppressed his urge to glare. Based on her tone and the context in which Stark had used that same word, it no doubt had meanings other than the obvious. "By that you mean…?"

"Huh? Oh, kind of awesome. Didn't translate right with that magical thingamabob doohickey, right?" He stared at her until the girl erupted in laughter. "Oh, dude. I just made it so much worse. Sorry."

Kat slipped an arm around his waist and leaned in. "He's better with slang than most people from Asgard, but yeah, those were a bit much."

She shrugged. "It's Darcy-speak; you get used to it."

"I highly doubt it," Loki muttered.

"So Loki, since you're a giant does that mean…" Fortunately for his sanity, the mortal trailed off after glancing down towards his groin and firmly pressed her lips together. "Shutting up now," she said.

"Thank the Nine." Kat was still laughing when Neriðr strode into the room and called their meeting to order.

… …

"I liked her," she told Loki after he'd complained once again about Darcy Lewis's irreverent attitude.

He sighed. "I know you did, kitten." His tone was both sour and resigned. That was a good thing; he obviously wasn't happy about it, but he wouldn't complain about her pursuing a friendship with the slightly younger woman. "I would appreciate it, however, if you direct her speculations elsewhere."

Kat couldn't help smirking. Darcy had really made him uncomfortable. She hadn't been sure if his mood was strictly over the useless three hour meeting or if the girl's attitude was part of it. "I'll do my best." He nodded and stroked her cheek briefly before he began undressing. "Are we going to bed?"

A dark eyebrow rose. "If you wish. I had intended on simply changing into more comfortable clothing and ordering in a meal."

"Can we do both, get a meal and go to bed?"

"That mortal chit has put you in a naughty mood, love. I may be forced to change my opinion on her."

"She reminds me of a young Domme that my mentor was training before she got too ill." Seeing her husband's curious look she continued. "Therese, my mentor, used me to teach her how to both handle and care for a submissive."

"Sexually?" The curiosity had morphed into a sharp interest.

"Not just sexually, but sex had a good deal to do with it. I was, after all, a toy rather than a standard sub."

"Still are, as you've found it necessary to remind me."

"Only the once." Crossing the room Kat wrapped her arms around his lean hips. "You haven't played with your toy in ages," she murmured, rubbing her cheek against his chest.

"Hmm, we need to work on your time sense; it was just the night before last."

"Seems like forever."

That pulled a laugh from him. "Jarvis? Cease recording audio and visuals inside our quarters until one of us orders otherwise."

"As you wish, your Highness," the AI's British accented voice agreed. "Recording functions disabled."

"No need to reward Stark unintentionally," Loki told her as he cupped her backside with long-fingered hands and pulled her flush against him. Kat loved the feel of his taut body against her softness, and she loved it even more when she felt him hardening against her tummy. "Though perhaps he may yet earn an intentional reward," he mused.

"After what I told him when we met, he'd totally freak out."

"No, love; he's…I believe what you'd call an adrenaline junkie. He'd love every moment of it." Those fingers cradling her ass tightened in a punishing grip and she moaned as he lifted her so that her crotch cradled his now steely cock. "Or perhaps you'd prefer Darcy be rewarded for subjecting my dear brother to her taser?"

"Oooh, Loki," she whimpered. Her juices were already starting to soak the thong he'd insisted she wear. "Please?"

"Please what, my sweet toy? Did you enjoy having your mentor's trainee use you? Did she make you wet with need? Could she bring you the way I can?"

Her mind struggled to focus as he licked a path from her shoulder to just behind her ear and then tugged at the jewel-encrusted lobe. "Yes, yes and no," she managed to gasp. "Nobody can bring me the way you can."

"Good answer," he hissed.

… …

By the Nine, the thin silk slacks of the outfit she'd donned before that godsforsaken meeting were already damp with her desire; never had there been such a woman as his lovely Kat. "What would this woman do to you, my love? This…?" he realized Kat had never told him the Domme-in-training's name.

"She called herself Marrakesh. It wasn't her real name, she taught Middle eastern dance," Kat told him whilst squirming in his grip. He pulled her slightly away, the wicked chit was trying to give herself a quick orgasm by grinding her sex on his erection. She pouted at him and then lowered her eyes in chagrin when he favored her with a censorious glare. "Her favorite was to bind me and sit over my mouth to force me to pleasure her orally."

He hid a smile at her slight shiver. "You enjoyed that."

Kat chuckled. "I enjoy mostly everything."

This was true. His toy was truly extraordinary. "Aught else you or she particularly enjoyed?"

"She insisted on having me use other parts of my body to rub against her sex. Marrakesh loved that, she bind my breasts with rope to make them into hard cylinders. I'd be leashed and on my knees while she sat back in a short seated chair, her legs spread and holding the leash in one hand and a crop in the other while I rubbed my bound breasts against her opening, used dildos in her or finger-fucked her and pleasured her clit with my mouth. If I hesitated or didn't perform satisfactorily, she'd strike me pretty hard across the back."

"You're not a pain slut, why would she do such a thing?"

"To remind me to obey. She wouldn't beat me; Therese would have never allowed that. Toys aren't just to be taken…if their Dom or Domme wants, they're to take as well."

"I'm aware." She looked up and smirked at his sharp tone. He shrugged. "I suppose I simply hadn't thought about what that might entail for a Domme with a female toy." He gave her a considering look. "I do not know if this is something I can recreate for you, love."

"That's okay. I really only need you."

"A partial lie, darling; but I shall forgive you." He banished their clothing and pulled her down on his now aching cock, groaning with pleasure as her wet heat enveloped him. "Exquisite, as always." He turned and pressed her backside against a large wooden dresser for balance as he began thrusting into that delicious quim. "I look forward to seeing if Stark can follow my instructions and create a proper dungeon for us."

Kat moaned and began to pant as he used her well. "Bet…he…can," she managed breathily. "Oh, god, Loki. Harder, please?"

He smiled. "As you wish."

… …

Tony had Jarvis disconnect the call from Romanov and sat back with a thoughtful frown. Cap was off on a wild goose chase, looking for an old – as old as or older than he was – friend who was now, somehow, a super-assassin working for Hydra. Natasha had spoken to Rogers briefly and had immediately decided to call Tony. That made him feel a bit better about the woman's allegiance to S.H.I.E.L.D., just a bit. "Jarv, forward everything you've got to my workshop HUD on the following: James, also known as Bucky Barnes, who was purported to have died in W W two and the mystery assassin known as The Winter Soldier. Usual encryptions, bury the file, you know the drill."

"I do, indeed, sir," the AI responded in his customary droll tone. "Incidentally sir, Sergeant Barnes was listed as missing in action, presumed dead in the latter part of World War Two. His remains were never recovered."

"Huh. That supports what the Boy Scout told Romanov." He pushed out of the chair's comfortable embrace and strode purposefully to the bar. "Another super-soldier, this one turned assassin; that calls for a double."

"Of course it does, sir."

"Don't get smart with me, J."

"Never, sir." He had poured almost a full tumbler of Jameson's and taken his first sip when Jarvis spoke again. "Incoming call, identity blocked, sir."

"Unblock it."

"Device is a contract phone, purchased today at three in the afternoon with cash."

"Cute. What the hell, put it through." He waited for the telltale sound of the connection opening. "Tony Stark's life-model decoy here, leave a message at the tone."

"Stark, we need to talk." Tony blinked as he recognized the voice. "I know you're there, motherfucker. Answer me, goddamnit."

"It's good to hear your voice too. Glad you're up and about; does anyone else know about it?"

"Only a trusted few. You've spoken to one of them. I visited him to pass the baton."

"Ah, the new Director. He didn't mention that he'd actually seen you. So what do you want from me, considering you're officially dead?"

"I told you; we need to talk, in person. Give me a hidden way into your place; it's being watched."

"Figured as much. Is the new Embassy being watched by the same group?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Shit. Okay, hold on. Jarvis, put this call on hold."

"Done, sir."

"Connect me with Loki, Not Neriðr, Loki."

There was silence for a moment before the line answered. "Loki here; what do you want, Stark. I was busy."

"I'm sure you were, but a mutual acquaintance has info we need and needs help getting here unseen. Where else could you do that teleport thing to in order to pick him up?"

"You presume much."

"And you know that not only am I good for it, I wouldn't ask if I didn't think it was important to both of us."

A heavy sigh answered. "In New York?"

"Yes, in New York."

"I…the park. Where I was sent back to Asgard. It must be a place I have physically been."

"Okay. Can you hop over here and then go there? You might want to bring Thor."

"You do not wish him seen? Any who watch your Tower will know that Jane resides there and that he is wont to visit her."

"Good point. But why are you so reluctant…"

"I will not leave my lady unprotected."

"You have guards from Asgard…ah, yeah. Got it. Loki?" there was no response. "Loki, come on, bud."

Tony jumped as the prince's voice responded from behind him. "Come on what?"

"Shit, don't do that to me." He took in a deep breath and then expelled it. "J, disconnect that call."

"Already done, sir."

He stared at the god and goddess now occupying his lounge. Both were dressed in what he figured must be casual Asgardian clothing. It had a kind of medieval-renaissance look to it, but wasn't overly fancy. The woman's outfit actually had pants. She looked a bit flushed and her hair was kind of messy. Yep, they'd been 'busy' all right. He'd be lucky if Loki didn't pay him back for the interruption. Time to lay on the charm. "Thanks for coming. We didn't get a chance to discuss it at the meeting, what with Neriðr there and me not knowing what was okay for him to know or not, but Fury's alive. He's got information we need and wants to come here unseen. Will you go pick him up? Ka-Maat will be safe here with me." He'd picked up on the fact that Loki did not want anyone addressing her as Kat. Wasn't sure why, but he wasn't going to piss him off by asking. The god of pissiness didn't need an excuse to be antagonistic on his best day. "I'll even suit up."

"Do so and I will retrieve the Director."

"Former. There isn't an official S.H.I.E.L.D. anymore and what there is of it, Phil Coulson heads." He stepped out the door to his armoring platform. Loki's voice accompanied him. The god had vocal projection worthy of a stage actor.

"Ah, the Agent who did not die. You were all wrong, by the way. I did my best to kill him; I was so angry that he saw more than Thor, who supposedly loved me so well, yet the man did nothing to act upon it." Tony stared at the god as he stepped off the platform, armored except for his faceplate, waiting for him to elaborate. The cold green eyes narrowed. "He quite rightly said I lacked conviction. If he'd only asked himself why, much could have been avoided."

"We were too stressed to think that clearly, Lokes. Shit, you'd stepped out of a hole in space, destroyed a highly militarized secure facility singlehanded and taken over the minds of supposedly incorruptible and brainwash-resistant agents. Then your b…uh, Thor showed up and flattened a forest. That was so far beyond our experience we were basically just reacting on a pretty damn primal level. Give Phil a break."

Fortunately, Loki smiled. "I do now claim Thor as my brother," he replied. "He has earned it these last few months."

Well that was one issue he wouldn't have to deal with. "Great. Glad to hear it. Now, would you pretty please agree to pick up Nicky?"

"Very well."

"J, pick up the call again." The connection clicked open. "Still there?"

"Yes," Fury grated.

"Go to the place where we had the big send-off for the brothers grimmer. You'll be picked up there for undetectable transport. Just don't freak out and attack your escort, capisce?"

"This is a load of shit, even coming from you. I'm not gonna to like this, am I?"

"Nope; not one little bit."

… …

Author's Notes: Life has been sucky, as usual. I didn't even get a birthday cake this year. What I did get was two new furbabies from a shelter. Tumbler will have photos eventually. My current stories will only be updated sporadically (as if you couldn't guess from how it's gone the past 6 months). I apologize, but that's the best I can do. I won't abandon them, this I can promise, but updates will continue to be slow. Thank you all for your continued support and have a wonderful holiday.