Author's note: So sorry for keeping you waiting so long for this. Enjoy!

Chapter 41: Precious

"They bought a what?" Tony's shout echoed through the room.

"I am sorry sir. Shall I cancel the transaction?" Jarvis asked.

Pepper wandered into the room. "What did they buy now?" she asked with a grin, knowing full well Tony could afford whatever it was.

"A horse! A flipping horse!" Tony shouted.

"Actually, they only purchased 50 shares in the syndicate, sir," Jarvis corrected him.

"As if that matters. They bought a race horse! Can you believe it?" Tony sighed as he flopped down on the sofa. "I take it that they are in Kentucky."

"Correct," Jarvis replied. "Louisville to be precise."

"Well, today is Derby day," Pepper stated. She approached the sofa and sat down next to Tony. "I do hope their horse wins. Are we going to the Derby? I've always wanted to."

Tony sighed in exasperation. "I suppose we ought to. Someone must keep them out of trouble. Jarvis, remind me to put a cap on that credit card."

"Indeed. Shall I do it now, sir?"

"Why not. How much did they spend this time?" Tony asked.

"Two point six million," Jarvis replied.

"Tw-two… TWO point six MILLION?"

"Yes, sir."

"Cap that card at… "

"Tony, we can write it off as a business expense, and probably resell the shares for a profit after the race if the horse wins," Pepper cut him off before he could set a dollar amount.

"Yeah, but what if he loses?" Tony pointed out.

Pepper shrugged. "We can afford the loss. We will be able to resell the shares for something. Seriously, it is a Derby horse. I've always wanted a horse. Why don't we buy a few shares too? By the way Jarvis, which horse did they buy?"

"Stark Madness," Jarvis replied.

"Perfect, at least it is named after me," Tony said with a wry smile.

"Wait, isn't he the favorite today?" Pepper asked.

"Correct, Miss Potts. And he has been unbeaten in all seven of his starts," Jarvis said.

"Oh, Tony. We have to go now! What if he wins?" Pepper asked excitedly. "Jarvis, order the jet prepped for a trip to Louisville. And see about getting a few more shares for me. Now, I just need to find the right hat…" her voice trailed off as she headed out of the room.

"Hat?" Tony asked.

"It is a Derby tradition, sir," Jarvis explained.

"Whatever."

"Well, boys…" Susannah paused as she recalled the two ladies with them. "Oh, and you too…" she smiled graciously at Sif and Tauriel. "Shall we head up to Mr. Stark's box so we can watch a few of the races?"

"I still do not understand why Tony has a box, unless it is a rather large box what good it is? I thought only cats sat in boxes," Thranduil inquired as they headed out of the stable area back towards the track and grandstands.

Susannah's laugh rippled out as she turned to look at the elven king. "Really, you are foreigners. A box is a preferred seating section. Mr. Stark's is one of the best, but as I said, he rarely attends."

"More like I never attend," Tony's voice interjected.

All heads swiveled to see Tony and Pepper standing in the corridor they were turning into.

"Ah, Mr. Stark! What a pleasure to finally have you come visit Churchill Downs!" Susannah fawned over him. "And Ms. Potts. I love your hat."

Pepper preened at the compliment. "Thank you. Now, where is our horse?"

Susannah looked surprised. "You are aware they purchased shares?"

Loki and Thranduil exchanged an amused glance.

"Indeed. I purchased a few shares myself once I knew they were here," Pepper replied. "Now, I want to see my investment."

Mark came up behind them. "Hello. I just finished up with your businessman, a Mr. Jarvis? If you'd like to come this way, I'll introduce you to your new horse."

Tony shook his head. "Just what I did not need, a horse."

"But Tony, I've never owned a horse, or even part of a horse," Pepper pointed out. "This is exciting. What if he wins?" Do we all get to go into the winner's circle?"

"Winners circle?" Loki asked, clearly puzzled. "You put all the winners in a circle?"

"No, no no…" Susannah chuckled. "It's the spot where the winning horse goes to get his award after the race. You'll see. If he wins, he gets a blanket of roses."

"A blanket? Will he be cold after running this race?" Tauriel asked, clearly confused.

"No, it's just a tradition. They drape a blanket of roses across their withers to symbolize the win." Mark explained. "And yes, you will all get to come into the winner's circle when he wins this afternoon," he added confidently.

"Well, we'll meet y'all up in your box, go visit your new horse," Susannah said as she shooed them off. She linked arms with both men and steered them down a corridor.

Tony nodded, waving them off. "Come on, let's go see what we bought."

As Susannah's group entered the Stark private box, a waiter quickly approached them. "Good morning. Shall I prepare some mint juleps to go with the buffet for you?"

Susannah smiled. "Indeed. And make sure there is some champagne. They seem to have a preference for that as well."

The waiter nodded and excused himself to see to the drink order.

Thranduil looked curiously at Susannah. "A jewelup? Is it similar to a silmaril? If so, I want absolutely nothing to do with it. Those cause incredibly too much trouble to anyone who bothers to try to collect them. And then there are the rings… ghastly things."

"Jewels? Like Infinity gems?" Loki asked simultaneously, a sour look appearing on his face.

Tauriel bit back a laugh. Overhearing it, Thranduil whirled to stare at her.

"Sorry," Tauriel said, although her face indicated she clearly wasn't.

"What's he upset about?" Sif asked.

"Well, the silmarils caused way too much trouble for the elves, and our King has always had a sore spot for the fact he was overlooked when they passed out the three rings for Elven Kings… he did not get one," Tauriel explained.

"No, and I still cannot believe they gave one to a wizard and one to Elrond… just because he chose to be an elf! He is only half-elven," Thranduil snorted. "Galadriel I understand, but seriously? Neither of the other two could claim a kingdom."

"Well, Elrond does have Imladris," Tauriel pointed out.

Thranduil barely held back a laugh. "Right, the Last Homely House. Does that sound like a kingdom to you?"

"Like I said, the silmarils caused a bit of trouble," Tauriel quipped. "Elrond has a few connections to those too."

Thranduil just continued to glare at her. "Well, now that we have covered several thousand years of history…" he paused and turned to look at Loki, "What are these infinite gems you speak of Loki?"

"Infinity Stones, and let's just say I don't want anything to do with them anymore. They got me in a bit of trouble," Loki replied.

It was Sif's turn to try to stifle a laugh, only she couldn't and burst out laughing. "A bit of trouble? I seem to recall you sitting in an Asgardian prison not too long ago… and weren't they behind your… ah … death? Or not death? Or whatever?"

"You are not permitted to touch a single one of them again!" Thor's voice boomed out.

Susannah's jaw dropped as she saw the god of thunder standing in the room. "Oh my, my. What have we now?"

"Ah, this is my brother, Thor," Loki introduced him, mocking a bow as he did.

"Oooh, are you a prince too? You must be if Loki is," Susannah purred.

"Yes, he is."

"What is this talk of the Infinity Gems?" Thor demanded.

"Oh, nothing really…"

"Nothing! That I do not believe brother. You know the trouble you caused when you meddled with them. I do hope you have no intentions of trying to find any of the others," Thor stated.

"Ah, no. I leave that to your girlfriend. Is that where you were? Visiting Jane?" Loki asked.

"Leave Jane out of this!" Thor roared.

"At least you have a girlfriend," Sif smirked.

Loki turned and started to move towards her.

"Brother, don't you dare hurt her."

"He couldn't hurt me," Sif chuckled.

"Do not tempt me," Loki paused.

"Now, boys, why don't we all have a drink," Susannah breathed a sigh of relief as the waiter appeared with a tray of mint juleps. "Here, try one."

"What is this?" Thor asked as he sniffed the glass he was handed.

"A mint julep, a Derby tradition, sir," the waiter replied.

"And that is what sparked the discussion of jewels." Loki looked at the drink in his hand. "What precisely is in this?" he asked as he took a sip and nodded approval. "Not quite as good as the champagne, but it is good."

"It is a mixture of bourbon, sugar, water, and mint, sir," the waiter explained.

Thranduil tried his. "It is passable. I do hope you have champagne though."

"So what is this Derby you speak of?" Thor asked after downing his drink in one gulp. He was about to throw his glass when the waiter took it from him.

"Another, sir?"

Thor stared at his empty hand. "Yes, bigger though. That was hardly enough to quench my thirst."

"There are horses that race around that track down there," Loki pointed out the racetrack. "And, we own part of one of them!"

"You own a horse? How did that happen?" Thor asked.

Loki shrugged. "We used that plastic thing Tony gave us."

Thor looked at him suspiciously. "His credit card?"

"If that is what you wish to call it."

"And how much have you spent using his credit card?"

Loki starting ticking items off on his fingers. "Dinner in New Orleans, take-out pizza, that vacation on the dude ranch…"

"Don't forget the horse and that fellow in New Orleans, didn't we buy him something?" Thranduil chimed in.

"Oh, right… I'd say somewhere around 10-12 million? More or less," Loki said innocently. "Why?"

"TEN OR TWELVE MILLION?" Thor roared.

"He can afford it, can't he? After all, he did say we could use it," Loki defended himself.

"Boys! Really, quit arguing."

Thor and Loki whirled at the familiar voice.

"Mother?" they both said simultaneously.