Well once again thank you all for being so patient as I've been working on these chapters. I wish I could update every day but sadly I don't have as much time as I would like.

This chapter we move a little further along into Loki's stay at Stark Tower. Loki and Steve are going to have a long moment here, and Loki will come in later. It shall start off with a nightmare, and I advise caution if you read along.

Mentions of torture and past rape, miscarriages and deaths

If you don't like then please don't read and no flames they are not tolerated.

I don't own the Marvel characters.

I would say enjoy, but this might not be a good chapter for that.

"You thought you could escape us little god."

"P-Please…not again…" Loki flinched back against a wall, trying to distance himself from the large purple titan coming toward him. He was standing in the ruins of Stark Tower, where Stark and the other mortals were scattered in corpses. He was holding Kira to him, and Thanos was grinning horridly the entire time.

"You truly thought luck could get you away from me. You are my favorite toy, and you'll always be mine. This however…" a large purple hand reached for Kira but Loki turned away.

"NO! LEAVE HER ALONE!" Kira started crying, and then she suddenly disappeared from Loki's arms. To his horror his precious baby was in Thano's large hand, and his fingers were beginning to close around her. "KIRA!"

"She's a true beauty like you, but what use is she to me?"

"No please…please don't hurt her…" Thanos laughed and Loki tried to lunge at him, but some Chitauri guards held him back.

"Still so full of fire my little Jotun whore, yes I like that."

"Please! Not my baby!"

"She is my child as well trickster, and I helped make her. So I decide that she…is useless."

"NOOO!" Loki couldn't move, the guards held him back tightly and he was forced to watch Thanos crush his precious child.

"LOKI!" Loki woke suddenly to someone shaking him. He sat up so fast his head knocked into something and afterwards came a yelp and a thud. He looked around the room and heard Kira crying, so he jumped out of the bed and ran to her bassinet.

"Kira…oh Kira…" he was relieved to see she was still here, but the nightmare still ran rapidly inside his mind. He started crying with her, but he rocked her to try and calm her down.

"Loki…ooww." he heard someone come up behind him. "Hey, it's okay it was just a dream. Come on sit down on the bed." he didn't fight as someone led him back to the bed, but he kept his eyes on Kira. "There now, easy."

"He…He killed her…he killed her in front of me…" he sobbed out the words.

"It's alright, it was just a bad dream. She's here, you're here, he can't get to you." the voice was soothing and a hand was rubbing up and down his back.

"No." Loki shook his head. "No he'll kill her…he'll come…"

"Loki shhh, it's alright."

"He'll kill her…" Loki soon felt exhaustion coming on. "He'll take her, and kill her…just like the others." the hand stopped, but when Loki heard the voice call his name one last time he slipped into unconsciousness.

The next morning:

"Morning Tony." Tony Stark was greeted by Steve Rodgers just returning from his early morning run. Tony was sitting at the counter with a fresh mug of coffee but he was staring blankly at the dark contents. "Hey…Tony?"

"Hm?" he turned around to see Steve behind him. "Oh hey Cap, sorry I dozed off." he sipped his coffee.

"You're up a bit early today; I mean usually you're your lab trying to avoid Pepper."

"She's in Maui on a conference, I told her to take a little vacation there once it was done. She should be back next week."

"You let her take a vacation? Isn't she CEO?"

"Yeah but she's been working hard and I thought she earned a treat. She won't go overboard, I know her too well to trust her with my company credit cards." Rodger's eyes widened.

"You let her take your card? Jeez you're being awful generous." Tony smirked.

"Who said I wasn't?" Steve stared at him a minute.

"Are you alright? You don't look too good." he looked around. "And where's Romanoff and Barton?"

"Away on a mission for SHIELD, but they'll be back tonight or tomorrow. Banner's seeing Helen at her lab, she needed his help so it's just you and me with Loki and the kid."

"The kid has a name Tony."

"I know." he sipped his coffee again. "Jarvis pulled me out of my lab last night, Loki had another nightmare."

"Is he alright?" Steve's voice was full of worry.

"He's still asleep and I checked on Kira, she's asleep too but she's good to go." he made sure Kira was changed before she went back to sleep. It had been a long night for them both, especially with Tony keeping watch over Loki. His head still hurt where Loki head-butted him, but the pain subsided after a while. "This one was different."

"Different how?" Steve sat down after pouring a cup for himself.

"It…" Tony paused. "Jarvis told me Loki was distressed, and when I got to his room he started screaming. This wasn't screaming in pain, it was more like begging, like he was trying to stop something."

"So it wasn't about…?" the man couldn't dare say the word.

"No not that, but it almost made me sick when he said the last part. I think…I think it was about Kira and that Thanos dude." he paused again. "After he woke up he knocked me off the bed and went to pick her up, she was crying too. He cried more and I managed to get him back on the bed, and I tried calming him but…" Tony felt himself tense up.

"Tony…" Tony looked down and saw he was clenching his mug a bit too tightly.

"He said he would kill her, that Thanos would kill her. He also said that he would come and kill Kira, just like the others." Steve's eyes widened.

"You think…you think he had more?" Tony felt his stomach turn.

"I don't know, it could be that or it could be there were others like him. Honestly there's no telling and I'm definitely not going to ask him about it."

"Good, because it's really not our business to pry but on another subject…when Fury came with Coulson two weeks ago, to make Loki a citizen or part of this team, did you also get the feeling he's not saying the whole truth?"

"Who?"

"Fury who else?" the leader of SHIELD had been acting odd Tony would admit, even Romanoff was unsure of what he's planning.

"I actually asked Barton about it, he said the council isn't exactly pleased about Loki staying with me. They see him as a potential threat, but Fury's got them believing he'll keep him here until he seems useful."

"What do they want from him?" the council had seen evidence of Loki's wounds, why bother?

"Information, at least about the tesseract but Fury told the council that Loki doesn't know much of anything since he fell from Asgard. If they knew he could sense its power they might use him as a guinea pig." Tony closed his eyes. "Fury probably left that out so Loki wouldn't be set back."

"So…" Steve gritted his teeth. "They want him as a toy, just like whoever hurt him did. Dammit." Steve punched the counter.

"And here I thought you were all about obeying the superiors."

"That was before I realized how wrong they are to use an unwilling living person for science, the same thing happened to Bucky when HYDRA took him. He doesn't remember me, and he has no idea why he was turned into a killing machine. Now he's on the run from SHIELD, even Fury can't do much to help him because those bastards made him into a monster." Steve sighed.

"Yeah well it sounds like Fury is covering for Loki, and I think I know why."

"He wants him in the Avengers." Steve said it, he understood too.

"Yeah, but he knows that Loki won't be open to it after all that's happened. I mean from what Barton said Fury thinks he'd be a good ally, and he's all for it, but Loki's been through hell he might not want anything other than protecting Kira."

"Can anyone blame him?"

"No, but I do know one thing…SHIELD's gonna have to fight off my entire tower before I let them take Loki or Kira. WSC or no, he's not theirs to have for anything." Tony poured himself another cup of coffee.

"You really care about him." the billionaire genius turned back to the former soldier.

"Speaking as one who's been on the receiving end of a parent's betrayal and unloving childhood, I do. I know how it feels to be used and tossed aside, and I know how it feels to be tortured mercilessly. So I sympathize with him, and I think he deserves better."

"If that's the case I can only guess how he fared in Asgard. I looked up some of the myths, with Nat's help…though while I think some are true others might not be." they might have to clear some of that up, but later.

"Loki just…he's no saint none of us are, but he didn't deserve any of that. Besides…I had a lie detector system installed in Jarvis. When he told his story to Fury it was all legit."

"Lie detector how? Can't people fool those?" Tony smirked.

"People don't know me as well as they would think, I had my suspicions, so I took precautionary measures. His body was a little stressed, but everything he said was true." Steve shook his head.

"You never cease to amaze me Stark, sometimes I wonder if it's just you Loki can depend on."

"Yeah well I'd like to be his friend, if he wants it." Tony had grown a bit attached to Loki since he moved into the tower, he knew how he felt and even with fatherhood/motherhood Loki needed someone to help him through it all. Banner and Nat tried, as did Tony, but it was still a long road ahead.

"He can't talk to a therapist."

"True, but he's got me and Bruce. Nat might do well too if you see past the assassin/spy getup. Barton just gave me a warning, keep Loki close and Kira or the council will find opportunity to lock him up."

"There's something else though Tony…"

"What else is there?" Steve looked around the room.

"Has he shown any signs of magic? All the legends say he's the god of mischief and chaos, he has magic to control but so far I haven't seen any signs." Tony smiled.

"I actually asked Bruce, he says it's likely Loki's magic is still weakened after months of abuse maybe more. It's likely slowly growing back and if it is it's trying to heal him first."

"Giving birth probably took a toll on him, so what can we do?"

"Bruce said just keep giving him food, and make sure he gets some exercise and plenty of rest. I think later today I'll watch Kira, and he can take a break if needed."

"Stark…" both men turned around and saw Loki at the door. His hair was a mess, and he still had on his sweatpants and t-shirt but he also had Kira who was still sleeping.

"Morning, want some breakfast?" Steve asked.

"Yes, please."

"Alright, what sounds good? Grits? Oatmeal?"

"Just something hot please." Loki sat down next to Tony.

"Hey Loki, why don't I hold Kira a little so you can eat?" Loki looked at him with unease. "I'll give her back when you're finished." Loki looked down at Kira, still sleeping peacefully against him.

"A-Alright…" Tony held out his arms and Loki slowly passed the little one over. Tony had been watching Pepper a lot, so he got the idea of holding babies. He also watched Pepper feed and dress Kira, but that was just the basics.

Steve prepared some oatmeal with cinnamon, Loki seemed to like it as he ate and drank some fresh orange juice. Once done Steve took the dishes to clean, but Loki held out his arms to take Kira.

"How do you feel?" Tony saw the circles under his eyes.

"Exhausted." Kira had not woken, she seemed fine.

"You look like death." Loki's eyes narrowed. "It's just an expression; I mean you look like you could fall over any minute. Why don't you go back to sleep for a bit?"

"No…I'll see him again if I do." Loki started shaking a little.

"Whoa Loki easy." Tony held out his hands. "I'm just trying to help you out, I mean it won't do any good to Kira if you collapse from exhaustion will it? You need to keep resting."

"I've rested for a few months already; I can't understand why I haven't healed completely." Loki had tears forming at the corners of his eyes.

"You suffered from months of abuse, plus you've been going up and down with caring for Kira and also having countless nightmares for weeks. You're pushing your body to work when it needs to rest, otherwise recovery can take longer. I know how you feel."

"You do…you told me." Loki stared at him. "How were you able to get through it? How were you able to make it through without anyone around? The people who should've protected you, helped you, did they abandon you?" now the god was getting angry.

"Whoa now…" Tony glanced at Kira, coming around and she started fussing.

"Oh!" Loki relaxed and started rocking her. "I'm sorry baby." he started bouncing her.

"Look Loki we need to talk, but first take care of Kira. Now…there are bottles in the fridge, I can feed her and you can take a shower. When you get done we can meet back on my floor and talk there."

"I can't…"

"Loki." Steve jumped in, but his voice was firm. "You are no use to your daughter if you wear yourself out, we've told you this. Let me and Tony watch Kira, and you go shower and relax. Jarvis will tell us if anything's wrong." Loki still looked reluctant.

"You can trust us on this Loki, Kira will be fine. Jarvis will let you know where we are when you finish."

"Alright." Loki handed Kira back over to Stark, and slowly walked out of the kitchen. Tony rocked Kira a bit and Steve handed him a bottle; the little one latched onto the nipple and suckled.

"This is going to be hard Tony."

"I know Cap, I know."

An hour later:

It took Loki an entire hour to shower and dress, frankly because once the hot water hit his skin it made him feel sleepy. After he dried his hair and put on some fresh clothes he made his way back to the kitchen but found no sight of Stark, Rodgers, or Kira.

"Jarvis?"

"Mr. Loki, Mr. Stark and Captain Rodgers are on the top floor with your daughter. They have asked that you come up."

"Thank you, how is Kira?"

"She's fine, Mr. Stark is playing with her. Shall I let them know you're coming?"

"Yes please."

"Very well." Loki knew how to work the elevator so it would be no problem getting up there. All along the ride up he began to replay the nightmare. He knew Stark would ask about it, and while he truly wished he could erase the memories all together he remembered what Banner had said. Sometimes talking helped, but he wasn't sure if he could say much. That day with Fury and Coulson was hard enough, this would be harder.

"There you are." Rodgers greeted him when he stepped off the elevator. Stark was leaning over a playpen and jingling a rattle over Kira who was smiling and reaching. "How do you feel?"

"Better, how is she?"

"Giggling and happy, Tony fed her after you left. Do you want some water?"

"Yes thank you." Steve handed him a bottle.

"Here sit down." Loki sat down on the couch next to the pen, and Kira smiled when she saw him.

"So Nat and Clint are gone for the day, Bruce is out, and it's just us for now. I can order lunch later, and we can watch a film if…"

"Do stop stalling Stark, I know you have questions for me." Loki sipped his water. "So please…ask."

"Are you sure? Do you feel…?"

"I feel weak and hurt, and scared but I would rather talk and get it out than hold it in longer." he took a deep breath. "Please…just get it over with." Loki sipped the water again, and tried calming his nerves with the deep breathing.

"You…you remember what you said to me last night?" Tony stood up and turned on the musical object in the playpen. Kira stared at it when lights started flashing.

"Yes."

"When you said others…what did you mean?" they were uneasy about it, so was Loki. He didn't want to speak of it, but he didn't want to hold it in anymore.

"I…Thanos he…" he started breathing again. "Kira isn't my only child of his…" he let a tear fall.

"You had others…" Rodgers' voice was horrified.

"Two, sons." more tears fell. "The first was stillborn…but he destroyed the body in front of me." Loki felt his stomach churn. "He didn't let me see his face."

"Loki…" Stark gripped his shoulder.

"My second one…he was born blue, but he was beautiful. I begged them to let me have him, but Thanos he just…" Loki started crying harder. "He…snatched him from my arms and killed him. When I got pregnant again…I miscarried twice…and when I was pregnant with Kira I kept trying to find a way out. I wouldn't let him do it again!" Loki sobbed.

"Shhh." Stark held him close, and Loki heard Rodgers running and then vomiting. "It's alright, you're safe here. He can't get to you now." Loki kept sobbing, and Kira started crying too.

"He will come again…" Loki looked up at Stark with bleary eyes. "He will…"

"He won't."

"No…he wants the tesseract!" Stark stared at him. "He's going to come for it!"

"How do you know?" Loki sobbed again.

"Because he wanted me to get it for him."

Sorry about the cliffhanger I hate them too. Also I apologize if this brings up any pain, it just adds to the story. I don't like writing about it, but I did have a warning of this for you all.

I promise the next chapter will be better, there will be some light to come. Fury will be involved, and Loki will have a better day. We'll have mentions of Thor, but he won't appear yet. Loki will have a clear mind here, with all he's gone through what can you expect?

R&R please, and please no flames.

Until next time.