Rebuilt, Rejuvenated.

In total Lara stayed in Stark Tower, now officially dubbed the Avenger Tower, for 2 months. It was partially due to the others wanting to make sure she healed properly and that her house was still being built. The manor didn't take that long to be rebuilt, not when it had the funding from both S.H.I.E.L.D and Tony Stark. Tony had made sure to work on the security himself and insisted that she let him visit her every so often, perhaps bringing Pepper along as well.

When she first stepped inside she honestly couldn't tell the difference from the way it was before. Apparently, according to Maria Hill, Tony had persisted that they built it like it was when she was young but with obvious improvements in certain areas, much to the pleasure of Winston who had returned at the same time as Lara. She just stood in the middle of the main hall, one of her bags in her hand and another in Steve's who was a few feet behind her, staring at the walls. The work was seamless. You would have never had known that the majority of the ceiling and wall were once scattered along the floor.

There was one thing blindingly different though. The Tech room. Tony had vastly updated it, installing a hologram table as well as several high tech computers and touch screens. Tony lent against the hologram table with the biggest grin ever on his face while Lara had slowly wandered around looking dumbstruck yet thankful, Steve chuckling to himself. When she examined the tech room she realised what he had done. Tony had deliberately gave her such hight tech equipment knowing that she would need some help with it, thus ensuring that he would end up visiting her.

Before actually moving out of the tower Natasha and the others all promised to try find some time to pop by the manor or demanded that she visited them or at least kept in contact. Clint had even asked her if he could bring his children to met her. According to him his son was a fan of the archeologist. Lara quickly accepted telling him that she loved children, the innocence of youth.

She had only been back in the Manor for a week when Coulson had contacted her taking her up on her offer of help. She had done a few missions alongside Skye and Bobbi and even one with the formidable Melinda May. Now that was one person that Lara was intimidated by from the stories that Hunter and Skye had told her. She was one fierce fighter and even more stoic than Natasha. But once they had gotten over that initial introduction they got on like a house on fire.

If she had free time at the same time as Steve they made sure they took it to go on more dates. Not one of them failed. It just seemed so easy for them to talk to one another. Steve had even told her about Peggy and his search for Bucky which Lara offered her help for. She told him she had friends in many countries that could let him now if the Winter Soldier was spotted. Lara had even persuaded him to let her buy an apartment in Brooklyn for him. It had taken a lot of persuading but he had agreed as long as she bought a small apartment and let him pay her back. She had no intention of taking any money from him, not after him helping her with Hydra.

At the current moment in time Steve and Lara had managed to get some free time. Instead of going out they decided to try catch Steve up on more modern culture, i.e. movies. They were sat on the very soft beige sofa watching The Lord of the Rings on the largest Tv Lara had seen, the Tv clearly coming from Tony and not S.H.I.E.L.D. Lara was leaning against Steve in comfortable bottoms and a tank top, her legs resting to the side. Steve had his arm around Lara's shoulder looking confused at the film. Lara was attempting to explain why the Dwarves and Elves didn't get on.

"I have all of the books, even The Hobbit, if you want to borrow them Steve." informed Lara, smiling at Steve's confusion.

He turned to face her even more confused. "I thought your books were destroyed."

Lara looked down briefly and laughed.

"Another thing I owe Tony for."

Steve joined in her laughter and pulled her closer to him. She rested her head on his chest placing her hand there as well. They watched the film in silence just enjoying each others company. Steve awkwardly cleared his throat making Lara turn her head and look at him.

"Is the, is the gem safe?" asked Steve seemingly out of nowhere.

Lara raised an eyebrow, confused but put it down to Steve's caring nature.

"Yes it is. We cleared everyone out while Tony showed me where he put it. So only Tony and I know where abouts it is."

"Oh." said Steve looking back at the Tv, hurt.

Lara sat up further feeling bad due to the look on Steve's face. She smiled slightly before leaning over and kissing him lightly.

"Would it make you feel better to see it Steve?" she asked not wanting him to worry about her while he was out on missions.

A slight redness grew in his cheeks as he felt like a fool. He knew that she could handle herself but he needed to see. He gave her a small nod after a short pause. Lara rose form the sofa, Steve following her, and headed over to her closet. She pushed right into the back feeling the side for something. She mouthed numbers to herself, that Steve didn't see, as she felt the keypad hidden in the back. The back wall of the closet slide back and moved left revealing a small room behind.

It was a dark grey room and in the middle was a thick see-through container. Inside sat the orange, softly glowing, gem. Steve sighed and put his hands in his pocket felling a little bit better. Lara saw him relax and put her hands on his chest again drawing his attention.

"Feel better now?" Steve nodded as he looked deep into her eyes, "Tony assures me that it's being monitored at all time."

They smiled at each other, Lara happy that that hurt look was now gone. Before she could actually go back to the sofa Steve pulled her back to him catching her off guard. He kissed her passionately, his hands gripping tightly on her lower back.

"I just wanted to make sure your safe."

"I know." she lightly kissed him, turning back to the sofa.

Steve returned to his position on the sofa but before Lara could return to hers Steve again pulled her to him making her sit side saddle on his lap. For the second time that day Lara was taken back and off guard. This was odd for Steve. That niggling feeling she had was soon washed away by that wonderful smile of Steve's. This time she initiated the kiss but she only aimed for a quick peck. As she went to pull away and sit at his side Steve gently held her head and deepened the kiss. Unable to resist Lara quickly gave in. Within moments the kiss had escalated. The kiss became more and more intense causing Steve to pick Lara up , Lara imediately locking her legs around his waist as he carried her towards the bed.

The sun had now set and the moon was hiding behind the dark grey clouds that floated in the Buckinghamshire skyline. Lara Croft's bedroom was warm and dimly lit. In the dim light there were clothes scattered along the fluffy milk chocolate carpet leading from the sofa to the king size bed. The bed itself had two people inside, one laid on the other. Lara's head was on top of Steve's bare chest as she slept soundly. Steve had his arm around her, his fingers gently drawing circle on her back. He had a devilish smirk on his face as he stared into nothing.

Steve pulled the bed sheets up covering Lara's exposed back before sliding out from beneath her. She frowned slightly but remained asleep, curling up a little. Steve gathered his clothes and put them back on still with that unnatural smirk etched onto his face. When fully clothed Steve stood straight and glanced over his shoulder to Lara, the smirk only growing.

As he walked away from the bed a strange golden glow swirled around him. Beneath he changed from the white shirt and cargo trousers to a magnificent black and green ensemble. The hair that was formally blonde grew and turned black, stopping just beneath his shoulders.

The Norse God of Mischief stopped just in front of Lara's closet and turned fully face her.

"Thank you Miss Croft."

Loki turned his attention back to the closet and followed precisely what he had seen Lara do earlier that day. He was now inches from one of the six infinity stones, inches from perhaps saving himself. He used his magic to brake into the container without leaving any evidence behind. With the stone in his hand he turned back into the bedroom closing the hidden room behind him. He ran his thumb over the gem while letting his eyes run over Lara's body again, remembering the evening before. His smiled fondly and proudly.

"Thank you very much indeed."

And with that he left the Manor leaving the blissfully unaware Lara asleep in her bed.


Well that's it, the end. I'm kind of sad but am already planning other stuff so if you like this please keep a eye out for more marvel stuff ;) Muhahahaha I have plans dear friend. Anyway yet again thank you for reading and I would love to hear what you thought. Don't get into to much trouble you young… trouble maker you xD