"Brother?"

Loki turned at the familiar voice, smiling slightly. "Oaf?"

Thor tilted his head in jest before pushing his brother's shoulder affectionately. "Do not tease." He scolded before his smile thinned. "Have you seen Lady Quinn?" Thor asked, shifting on his feet.

Loki's smile turned forced. "Oh? Quinn, no I haven't." The lie was perfect and Thor nodded in satisfaction, turning on his heel. "Brother wait!" Loki called, moving a couple of steps forward. "Why are you looking for her?"

Thor took a deep breath, shoulders lifting with the movement. "The man of iron says she is no longer in the building." He offered, blinking owlishly. "He is concerned for his lady I believe."

Loki was nodding in acceptance, smiling again. "That makes sense I suppose... Do tell me if they find her?" He asked.

Thor beamed. "Of course brother!" He boomed before storming off, his presence leaving the room slightly duller.

... And with a few more brain cells.

Frowning, Loki turned to glare out the window at the large building across the road, blinking in thought. She had been gone a while, he had to admit, and the worry was clear.

How long does it take to question one's old boss on the details of a... hacking?

Shifting on his feet, Loki didn't hear the heavy padding of feet behind him, not realising he had company until a warm hand landed on his shoulder.

"Loki?"

Spinning quickly, Loki felt the hand fall. "Oh hello Steven." He greeted absently, lifting his lips in a thin attempt of a smile. "Can I help you?" He asked, nodding his head politely.

Steve's hand was clenching at his side as green eyes drifted over to the window. "No... uh you just looked a little..." Green eyes meet blue. "Lost."

Loki chuckled before shaking his head. "I was I suppose, but in thought." He soothed. "This may be a large place but I have never found myself lost in it." He confessed, shrugging a shoulder absently before shooting the window one last look.

"Is there something outside..?" Steve asked, moving past him to look onto the streets below.

Loki was shaking his head, pulling him away quickly. "No, nothing... Do you know where Stark is?" He inquired, cocking his head when he finally had the soldier's attention.

"Tony..?"

"Yes Tony." Loki answered patiently. "I just need to talk to him."

Steve rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh uh, he's in his lab." When Loki turned on his heel, quickly storming across the room, he dropped the hand, shoving it into his pocket. "Bye Lokes."

Quinn's POV

No...

Cullen's laugh broke me from my thoughts. "Oh don't tell me this is new information for you?" He demanded. "I thought Tony was smart enough to know someone was leaking all his little secrets?" He absently brushed something of his shoulder, breathing in deeply.

"Shut up." I snapped. "You..." I pointed my finger at him, backing away. "You're lying to me."

The accusation was taken with the calm lifting of an eyebrow. "Now why would I lie?" He asked, tilting his head in curiosity as he pushed himself forward. "Well, why would I lie to you?" He rephrased the question with a smirk.

"Because you're a manipulative little bastard!" I hissed, wrapping my arms around my middle protectively. "God, why didn't I see it before?"

Cullen almost looked angry for a split second. "You should watch your tongue." He scolded. "A few months with him and you're cursing and not acting at all like, well, you." His tone was mocking and he moved closer still.

"Tony hasn't done anything to me, so stop kidding yourself." I argued weakly.

A raw laugh echoed through the room and I almost blanched. "Kidding myself!" He repeated loudly, the laugh bitter. "He's ruined you." Cullen hissed, leaning in close, his breath fanning across my face. "You were the perfect little angel and now you're tainted."

"Sorry for getting a taste of real life." I muttered, refusing to admit his words had hurt. "And your standards must be low if you think I'm perfect." I added almost inaudibly.

His breathing was harsh and he moved across the room, the sound of glass clinking together reaching my ears. "My standards are high." He threw over his shoulder, turning around with two glasses in hand. "Like you wouldn't know, how many times did you watch me turn away a woman?" He asked, chuckling. "Remember? When you used to flat with me?"

I took the tumbler with shaking hands. "I remember flatting with you in your lovely, large house yes." I almost laughed at the memory as well.

"So how on earth could claim my standards are high, I mean come on don't you remember when—"

I cut him off with a sharp sound of frustration. "Enough! I'm not here to talk about old times." I reminded him, nostrils flaring. "I came here to tell you... well to ask about Stark Industries and you trying to hack into Jarvis... not us."

"So... us huh?" He smirked at my word usage. "We're a topic now?"

I realised he had caught the slip and growled under my breath. "No, and we never will be. You see, like you, I have high standards and so far Tony's the only one to meet them." I smiled mockingly at him before downing the drink.

"Thanks for the admittance of trying to hack into the industry which, I'm pretty sure, is a felony so I'll be back soon with some police officers and we'll carry on the conversation then..." I said simply before turning on my heel and walking towards the door.

"You won't even make the lobby, sweetheart." Cullen's smooth voice interrupted my victory exit and I turned, frown in place.

"I'm sorry, was that a threat?" I asked. "Another felony?"

"Are you counting them now then?" He questioned. When I nodded happily he chuckled, mouth open in silent understanding. "Then add drugging and kidnapping to your little list." He hissed moving closer slowly, like a predator circling his prey.

"What?" I laughed quietly before blinking, realising what he'd said. "Wait, you drugged and kidnapped someone? Where the hell do you... find... the time." I stumbled over my own feet, eyelids fluttering.

Cullen caught me firmly, humming in thought. "Honestly, I don't know where I found the time, but I always seem to be able to clear my timetable for you." I felt a kiss to my temple before the room spun again.

Oh god no... this... is... bad...

"Of course, I take it you didn't tell anyone where you were going so according to Tony, you're just a missing person." He whispered the last part in my ear before lifting me up bridal style. "Now come, we have things to do."

Loki... you stupid... snowman... you had better... better...

Tony...

"Anthony!" Loki barked out the call, moving further into the lab until he heard the faintest sounds. Someone was drinking coffee and judging by the occasional childish slurp; it was the man he was looking for.

"There you are." Loki breathed, moving to the genius's side with a smile of slight guilt. "I was looking for you."

Tony cocked a brow. "And why, snowflake, were you looking for me?"

Ignoring the insult, Loki grimaced. "I know where Quinn went..."

Yes, short but sweet. I am trying to update I swear, but I've got all my school work and I'm part of a collaboration now and that takes a lot of my time, but I swear the next update won't take so long.

You have my apologies, and I'll see you soon!

Taila