Chapter 21: The Evening

(Tony's P.O.V)

"That was the most delicious lasagna I have ever had," I exclaim as I put down my plate on the coffee table. I give Alexis a wink and ruffle her hair as the others give various noises of agreement.

"Thanks," Alexis smiles, as she finishes off her plate. I see a soft red take over her cheeks as she ducks her head, making me chuckle softly. Her cooking skills shocked us all as she presented a delicious meal for us.

"Where did you learn to cook, sweetheart?" Clint asks as he shovels another mouthful of his third piece of lasagna into his mouth.

"I used to help my mum a lot, and these last 3 years, I have had a lot of time to practice," she whispers as she places her plate on top of mine.

"Well, whoever your mother was, I absolutely love her amazing daughter's cooking," he smiles at her, making the red on her cheeks grow.

I sigh and lean back on the couch. Looking around, I see everyone relaxing in little groups. Clint, Steve and Bruce are all chatting quietly across from Nat, Pepper and I. Thor was called back to Asgard before dinner, and surprisingly, Loki was with us as well, sitting next to Alexis on the seat next to me.

Just one day with Alexis and Loki was with us and not off by himself. 'She sure is something special,' I think to myself, as I watch her whisper something to Loki making him smile down at her as she giggles up at him. I only wish that I had my little angel, Ayden, here as well. Alexis and Ayden would get on so well. 'But she's gone,' the small voice in my head whispers, making my heart clench in pain. Tearing my eyes away from Alexis, I stand up and walk over to the bar.

"Anyone want a drink? Legolas? Capsicle? Reindeer games?" I ask as I get myself out a glass.

"Yea, I'll have a drink," Clint replies, raising his hand. Steve, Nat and Pepper all raise their hands as well, making me pull out four more glasses while Loki declines.

Just as I am about to pour the drinks, a small voice interrupts me. "That's a bad drink," it whispers, making me look up. Alexis is staring at me with wide eyes, full of fear and confusion.

"Why do you say that?" I ask as I put down the bottle and watch her. She stands and slowly walks over to me. Her eyes glued to the bottle I had put on the bench like it was about to attack her.

"It makes people do bad things," she answers softly, as she touches her ribs. I see a flash of pain race through her eyes, followed by fear.

I look up at the others, who are staring at Alexis with a mix of anger, sadness and understanding in their eyes. Looking back at her, I slowly walk around the bar to her and go down on one knee, so I'm not towering over her.

"I'm guessing that you have some experience as to how these drinks can be bad," I say, making her nod slowly. "Do you want to talk about it?" I venture. Feelings aren't my strong point but any comfort I can be to her, I will be.

"No, but thank you," she whispers.

"Alright," I smile, "Now, how about we don't have these drinks around you. Will that be okay?" I ask carefully.

She looks doubtful as she turns her gaze back to the bottle on the bench.

"I can promise that none of us will hurt you when we decide to have a drink. We won't hurt anyone," I quickly say.

I watch as she mulls it over before nodding slowly.

"Great," I say and stand up. Placing a hand on Alexis back, I walk us back over to the others.

Sitting back down beside Pepper, I watch Alexis jump up to her spot beside Loki. He looks over at her and grins. Instantly, I notice the sincerity in his smile. It wasn't like the smile he gave us when we first met, it was a smile that reached his eyes.

"They seemed to have just clicked," I hear Pepper whisper to me.

"Yeah," I smile and turn my gaze to Pepper. "Which is good, since we are going away from a mission and leaving these two alone. "

"That is true," she replies, " I just wish I could stay as well, but I promised my friend that I would stay with her for a week tomorrow at Washington and then I have all the meetings since I now run your company."

"Yeah, I know. But Alexis and Loki will be fine on their own."

"Who will be fine on their own?" Alexis's voice interrupts me, making me turn to her.

I sigh. Turning to face her, I say, "Alexis, you know how we had to go to that meeting today?"

She nods slowly and asks, "Do you have to go to another one tomorrow?"

I shake my head. "Not quite, Shortcake. That meeting today was about a mission we have to do, and we leave for it tomorrow. "

"Do I have to leave? Is that why you said that 'they will be fine on their own'? Is 'they' me?" She asks panicked.

I open my mouth to reassure her, but Pepper beats me to it.

"No. You don't have to leave. Remember, I told you that you can stay as long as you like," She smiles. "You and Loki will be staying here."

"Oh, okay," she smiles, " because I like it here. I feel safe."

I grin at her, "Well, I'm glad you feel that way, Shortcake."

"So how long will you be gone for?" She asks.

"About 2 weeks. Just depends on how long it takes to do the mission," I reply.

"Oh okay," she says. She opens her mouth to say more, but a yawn cuts her off, making me chuckle.

"Bedtime?" I ask her, still chuckling.

Shaking her head, vigorously, she answers, " I'm not that tired." I smile at her stubbornness.

"Alright, Shortcake," I smile before turning my attention to Steve, who called my name.

As the night goes on, I see Alexis slowly lose the battle with sleep until she is using Loki's leg as a pillow.

"I think it may be time for someone to get to bed," I whisper, watching her as she lays there so peacefully. I turn my gaze up to Loki, who was also watching her. His face had a cautious smile on it. A true smile. Slowly, I watch him, cautiously place a hand on her head. Stroking her wild hair, softly. She huffs in her sleep and burrows closer to him.

Suddenly, I'm aware of the silence that has graced the room. Turning, I see everyone's eyes on Alexis and Loki. Each has a smile on their face. Pepper and Nat stand up and go over to Alexis and Loki. Nat carefully slides her arms under Alexis and picks her up.

"We'll put her to bed," Pepper whispers as she and Nat tiptoe out the room.

"She sure is something," Steve says, breaking the silence.

"Who?" Clint asks, "Pepper?"

"No. I mean Alexis," Steve replies, "I mean she hasn't even been here a week, and she already is a constant part of our lives."

"She sure is a special little sweetheart," Clint grins before a shadow passes over his face. "I can't help but wonder what she's been through. I mean, remember how scared she was when we all first met her."

"I know what you mean. But Alexis still hasn't really opened up to any of us," I sigh as I stand up, "How about that drink now?" I ask as I stroll over to the bar and pour myself, Clint, Loki and Steve a drink.

Passing the drinks around, I get murmur of thanks from each. Taking a sip of my own, I close my eyes and lean my head back.

"Loki?" I hear Steve say.

"Yes, Captain Rogers?"

"You will look after Alexis when we are gone, won't you?"

I open my eyes and glance over at Loki. He sat up straighter and took a sip of his drink before replying.

"I wouldn't worry. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe. Just like you, she has become precious to me in only a few short moments."

Hearing the sincerity in his voice, I reply, "Good, 'cause if something happens to her then you will be sent back to Asgard. We will try call as often as possible throughout the mission as well. "

I see a flicker of fear race through his eyes as I mention returning to Asgard, which is quickly masked by the usual coolness.

"No harm will come to Aithne by me," he states. His gaze was cold and hard as he stares at me.

"Aithne?" Bruce asks, making Loki and I break off the staring contest.

"It means little fire," Loki explains.

"Why little fire?"

"Because that is what she is. A fire brightens a room and brings warmth to where there is none."

I nod, agreeing with Loki.

Pepper's voice is heard as she and Nat enter the room. "That is so right, Loki," she smiles as she sits down next to me. I place my hand on her knee and smile at her.

"How's Alexis?" I ask.

"She didn't even wake as we got her ready for bed. She is obviously exhausted."

"Well, let's hope that she has a nightmare free night tonight," I muse.

"Nightmare free night?" Clint questions.

"Yeah. So far each night that I've seen, she has had a nightmare."

"If only I had my magic," I hear Loki growl under his breath, drawing my attention.

Turning to look at him, I ask, "If you had magic, what would you do?"

He looks up at me. "There is a spell that I could do which lets the sleeper have a dreamless, restorative sleep," He explains, " It was one of the first spells I was taught."

"Oh," I say.

Several hours went by before we all headed off to our respective floors.

Pepper and I were walking to our room when I stopped outside Alexis's door.

"I'm sure she is fine," Pepper soothes.

"I know, but I just want to check," I reply softly, pushing the door open. The room wasn't in the darkness I expected it to be in as the lights were on a very low dim. Looking over to the bed, I see Alexis laying there on her stomach, with her wild hair fanned out over her pillow. On the other pillow, lay the arc reactor with her hand resting near. I smile softly as I quietly shut the door.

Turning to Pepper, I ask, "Why aren't the lights off?"

As we walk to our room, she answers, "J.A.R.V.I.S insisted that they stay on like that since it helped Alexis sleeping last night."

I nod and walk into our room.

"Well, let's hope it helps her sleep tonight," I mutter.