A/n. I am not a smut writer, thus the T rating. However there is plenty of innuendo in this chapter. So if you are one of my more young and impressionable readers then you should, oh I don't know, cover your eyes or something during those parts... ;). Love you guys...

Chapter Thirty-six

Loki had never been loved like Lucy loved him. He knew he didn't deserve it, but he took it. Knowing now, that you just never knew what waited around the next corner.

I had never been more happy to wear shackles in my life. It was just Stark, Lucy and I. Coulson, and Thor still had work to do and were coming later. We headed out to an SUV and made the drive to the obnoxious tower. It looked like the city had already begun reconstruction. I felt an enormous amount of guilt as I looked around. I had done this. All of this.

She let go of my hand, and turned my face to hers. She removed the mask from my face, and ran her thumb over my lips. "This isn't your fault."

I smiled slightly at her. "Thank you my love. But unfortunately that doesn't make me feel any better. Nor would any of these people agree with you."

I looked back out the window. I watched as these people, who seemed so little to me before, rebuilt their city from the disaster. It was as inspiring, as it was depressing. "We should help when I come back."

"What? Sorry, what did you say Loki?"

I turned to face her. "When I get back, you and I, we should help with the rebuilding."

She smiled at me, "I think that is a great idea love."

We drove the rest of the way in silence, I appreciated that she didn't press me.

When we got to the tower, a computer greeted us. Tony responded. "We've got guests Jarvis. Can you direct them to the quarters on the fifteenth floor please."

"Of course sir."

"I'm heading to find Pepper, Jarvis will help you find your way." He walked away from us, yelling over his shoulder. "Dinner is at seven, you should find anything you need in your room."

I looked at Lucy, and she shrugged her shoulders. "Let's go find our room." She took my hand and we headed toward an elevator.

When we got in, we didn't even touch anything. The elevator starting moving on its own, and a voice said, "welcome to Stark tower. Your room is the third door on the left."

The doors opened and we walked down a hallway to the room. We walked inside, and she removed the shackles from my wrists. I closed the door behind us, and turned to see her walking around the room in disbelief. I say room, but really it was rooms. Almost an entire apartment.

It was nice. Plain compared to Asgard standards, but compared to my cell, it was Valhalla. But I saw nothing but her. She walked over to the wall of windows opposite the door and looked out at the view.

"Wow, Loki come and see." She leaned forward resting her head on the window. She had never looked more beautiful then she did at that moment. The sun shining through the window, her red hair had grown to half way down her back. Time stood still for a moment.

She turned back, "Loki? What's wrong?"

I didn't move, I just watched her walk towards me, and as soon as she was within my reach I picked her up off her feet. I looked around me, but saw no obvious route to a bedroom.

She laughed, and pointed to our right. "I saw it when I was looking out the window."

I kissed her, and her hands went to my hair. She pulled my head back and kissed me on the neck, as I walked. I couldn't help but growl as I carried her in and dropped her on the bed.

I paused for a moment, looking behind me. I thought I heard a noise. I had been so carefully watched for the last week it didn't seem possible that we were actually all alone.

"Come here Loki. There is no one here but us."

"Sorry I guess I am just being paranoid." I was looking over my shoulder at the door I took a step towards it, when something hit me in the back. I turned to see her shirt laying on the floor at my feet. And then she laughed when I reached back and slammed the door behind us.

We laid tangled in each other. My head on her chest, I listened to her heartbeat. She ran her hands through my hair. "Your hair has gotten so long. Are you just going to keep growing it, until I can put it in a ponytail?"

"Well my love, my hair hasn't really been a high priority for me. But if you want, you can cut it when we get home." I looked up into her face. Her brow furrowed, she looked sad. "What is it Lucy?"

She pushed my hair from my face. "I saw a video. It was of your arrival here. Do you remember that?"

Oh I remembered. I was still fighting him then. "Yes, I remember."

"Someone tortured you."

She wasn't asking, she knew. It made me sad that she had to think of that. I sighed. "Yes. The Chitauri. They weren't too happy when I turned down their offer to lead their army the first few thousand times they asked. They eventually persuaded me."

"I'm sorry." A tear ran down her face.

I pushed myself up until my face hovered over hers. "Never say that Lucy. Never think on this as anything but what it was. Bad creatures doing bad things. If I am not allowed to dwell on the things that I have done, then you are not allowed to dwell on the situation I was placed in."

"The creature that is responsible for all of this, you have no memory of him?"

I shook my head, and sat up. She ran her fingers up and down my back. "No, it's strange. I remember them taking me to him. But anytime I try to remember his name, or any details of his appearance, there is a sort of fog that covers him." I looked down at her. "My hope is that my father can clear that fog, and we can figure out who is doing all of this."

"I might be able to clear it for you."

I had already considered that, frankly I was quite sure she could. But there was no way I was going to let her. "No Lucy, I do not want him anywhere near you. You are mine, and mine alone. I do not want him, or any memory of him, anywhere near you. Just having you do the things you have been doing to keep him quiet, drives me mad."

She pulled me back down to her and kissed me. "I understand. And it's okay. I trust you."

"I don't deserve you."

She sighed loudly. "I know. No one does really. But what's a girl to do?"

She shrieked as I rolled her over on top of me. "You know what I really want to do?"

She raised an eyebrow at me.

I rolled my eyes, "okay, well besides that."

"I don't know, what is it you really want to do?" She rested her chin on her hands on my chest.

"Take the longest, hottest shower any man in this city has ever taken."

She laughed. "Well good news, because I am pretty sure I saw a gigantic shower in that bathroom right there." She pointed to the enormous bathroom that was connected to the bedroom.

I put my hands in her hair, and lowered her face to mine, and whispered. "Well if it is as gigantic as you claim, why don't you join me?"

"I suppose I could race you there. I could probably win, now that you don't have your magic to cheat with." Her face was right over me. Her nose literally touching mine.

How after everything I did, after the destruction I caused, the pain I inflicted. How, did I end up getting to keep this magnificent creature? "I love you more than I have the words for, you know that, correct?"

"Yes."

"Good, now let's go get ready for dinner." I picked her up, and carried her into the giant bathroom.

"I wish I had something nicer to wear then the stuff I shoved into that bag I brought." I looked at her reflection in the mirror we were standing in front of. Both of us just wrapped in towels.

"Yes, something more comfortable than my armor would be nice as well."

"I wonder where the bag ended up after the car ride?" She walked into the living room area, and called out, "Jarvis?"

"Yes Lucy, how can I help you?"

"Do you know where the bag I brought with me is?"

"I am sorry Lucy, but I do not. However Miss Potts took it upon herself to supply you with some clothing for dinner. You will find it within the bedroom closet."

"Sweet." She muttered, and ran back into the bedroom. I had turned and was sitting on the bathroom counter watching her.

"Stark's computer seems to know you well." I raised my eyebrow in question.

She opened the closet and pulled out two garment bags. "Yeah, I have been working here at the tower for a while. Just helping Tony stay on track. Mostly to keep Pepper from going crazy."

She gasped as she opened the bags, and then proceeded to remove a beautiful, but simple black dress for herself, and what looked like a black suit for me. She then proceeded to kick me out of the bathroom so she could get ready.

"I'll just get ready out here then shall I?" I called to her as she closed the bathroom door behind her.

She laughed from the other side, "this place is huge, I'm sure there is another bathroom somewhere."

I shook my head and decided to wander around the apartment, and check things out a bit more. There was the bedroom, the bathroom, the living room, and a second small bathroom. Guess she was right about that. There was a balcony outside the enormous windows that overlooked the city. It was beautiful, ostentatious, but beautiful.

I walked back to the bedroom to look at the clothes I was to wear. It was a simple pair of black slacks, and a black dress shirt. I was relieved to see there was no jacket, or tie. I wasn't sure I was up to a fancy party.

I got dressed. The shirt was so tight, the buttons stretched when I moved my arms. Was it supposed to fit like that? I had no idea. But at least the pants were long enough. I had sat down to put on the shoes they supplied when she exited the bathroom.

Her hair was still damp, she just pulled it back into one of her beloved pony tails, and let it hang down her back. Her face was clean of makeup, save for a touch of something on her eyes. And the dress, well she looked stunning. It was short, even for her small frame. She kept tugging at the bottom of it.

"It's too short. And I am only five feet tall..." She stopped as she looked at me.

I stood in front of her holding my arms out, "well?"

"Well..wow..just wow. That shirt. Holy crap you look good."

I laughed, "and you my dear, are more beautiful than you have ever been."

I walked over to her and kissed her. "Are you sure you want to go? We could just stay here you know..."

She rolled her eyes, "we have to go. It would be way to embarrassing to face anyone later if we didn't show up." She picked up a pair of shoes from the garment bag, they were black, and had very high heels.

"Really? I mean, look at these things. I won't even be able to walk in them. I am not wearing them. I'll just go barefoot, come on, are you ready?"

I loved this moment. She stood in front of me, her hands on her hips. In her short black dress, carrying her shoes in her hand. I wanted to never leave this room again. But what I did do, was get to my feet, and take her hand, as she led me to the dining room.

Dinner was nice. There was a lot of conversation, and laughter. But I spent the night watching her. Memorizing her every movement, to carry with me. Tomorrow started what was sure to be a very difficult time for both of us. But at least this time, I knew she was safe, and alive.

I had made a decision early in the evening, and I approached Stark as Lucy was distracted by Pepper.

"Thank you for this. Tonight, and everything you have done for Lucy."

He clapped me on the shoulder. "You're welcome. You know, I never thought I would end up liking someone who tried to kill me, and destroy my planet. So kudos for that."

He raised his drink up to me. I smiled, "yes, I'm sure. However, I was hoping you might be willing to do one more thing for me?"

"What did you need?"

"Lucy. Do you think you can you help take care of her while I am away?"

"Of course, but don't let her hear you asking. She is a tough woman, and wouldn't like it."

"Yes, believe me I know. I was wondering, if maybe she could keep living in the room you provided for us tonight. I would feel better, knowing she was living somewhere safe. Just in case anyone dangerous learns of who she truly is."

He nodded his head. "You know, I hadn't considered that. You're right, things could get sketchy for her, if people find out she is connected to you. Yes, I am happy for her to stay here. She has done amazing work for me, I will use that as an excuse to keep her nearby."

I bowed slightly before him. "I owe you more than I can repay Tony Stark."

He waved his hand at me, "you owe me nothing. Lucy has helped me far more than I could repay her, this is the least I can do."

The evening ended, and true to her word, Lucy's shoes sat next to the door. Never making it onto her feet. She carried them as we walked slowly back to our room.

She was silent, and so was I. I loved this about Lucy. I didn't have to say a word to her, but she always knew what I needed. We walked into the room, and she took my hand.

Still no words were spoken as she undid the buttons on my shirt, and slid it off my shoulders. It fell to the floor. She leaned into me, inhaling deeply.

"I missed the way you smell." She whispered.

I knew exactly what she meant. I missed all those small details about her too. I picked her up, and carried her into the bedroom. I stood holding her, looking into her eyes.

Tears slid from her cheeks. "I'm going to miss you."

"And I will be only half a being until I am back to you."

"You promise to come back as soon as you can?"

I had reassured her of this numerous times. But I understood her fears. "There is nothing that could stop me little one. You will wait for me?"

She let out a small sob, "until I die. And probably forever more after that."

I kissed her, as I kicked the bedroom door closed.