Hey guys, so sorry to keep you all waiting I've been trying to update so many fics at once it's near impossible. I try to write some and finish, but in the end I can only get one done and update before I start another.

In this chapter we have another skip ahead, but only by a month. Loki is going to have a revelation here, and he's going to sit down with Fury this time to talk. They'll discuss the tesseract, but Loki is about to show some of his anger. Mentions of Thor too, and voila we get to see Jane towards the end.

You'll have to read along to see what happens, sorry!

I don't own the Marvel characters.

Enjoy!

A month later:

"Hey Loki." Rodgers walked into the living room where Loki was sitting in front of the television with Kira. The little one was on the floor, lifting her head up at last and trying to reach for a toy Loki set down in front of her. She'd grown a good bit in the months she'd been living in Stark Tower, finally lifting her head up and using her limbs to move around but she wasn't crawling yet.

"Hello Rodgers." Steve rolled his eyes.

"I've told you to call me Steve, first name works better."

"Alright then Steve." Loki gave a small smirk, and then turned his attention back to Kira. "Come on little one, come on…you can do it." Kira gurgled at Loki, giving him a big toothless grin.

"She's getting bigger." Steve sat down on the couch behind Loki. "Listen, Tony's in a board meeting and everyone else is out so how's about we take Kira to the park for a bit?"

"Park?"

"It's a place where people go to get some relaxation, kids play on the playgrounds, adults walk, have picnics, sit under trees, relaxing activities. There's a walkway for moms and their babies, you want to go?"

"I…" Loki wasn't sure; he hadn't left the tower since they brought him. He would admit sometimes it was a stuffy place, but going out in an area around other mortals…he didn't know.

"We don't have to stay long, just a quick walk around and we're back. It's not a far walk from the tower, but I asked Pepper to get us a cab so we don't draw attention." Loki paled.

"Attention?"

"Ok wrong thing to say, look why don't we just give it a shot? It's just going to be you and me, besides I think some fresh air will do you good."

"Perhaps…but I…"

"Hey." Steve touched his shoulder. "We can just go for one walk around, and then come back. Or we can sit for a few minutes and then come back." this man was almost as insistent as Stark, no doubt he picked it up from him.

"Alright, what's the weather like outside?"

"It's a sunny day with a gentle breeze, but you can bring the stroller and a blanket for Kira." Loki just nodded and went for the stroller on the other end of the room. It was as new as the day Pepper Potts bought it, which was last week. He grabbed a thin blanket to cover Kira with, and a thick one to make her seat more comfortable. It had a shade piece over it, and Kira was good with sunlight.

"Here we go." Steve handed Loki a little blue hat for Kira, with a little white flower on the front. Loki dressed Kira for the outing, and changed into some jeans and a long sleeved green shirt with boots. Steve did about the same but with a red shirt and his leather jacket. "The cab should be here by now, Pepper gave him a tip to have him wait on us."

"Good." Loki strapped his baby girl in the stroller before they left the room. Steve took them to the elevator, and they made it to the bottom floor. Steve helped him into the cab and the stroller had an additional piece to it to separate and fit into the backseat.

"Central Park please." the driver just nodded and they drove off. It wasn't a long ride, and Kira seemed alright by the drive. Loki kept his eyes on the little one, and after they stopped Steve helped him out with the stroller.

"We'll walk back to the tower?" Loki could see Stark Tower just down the street, not too far.

"We can if you want, or we can get another cab." Steve motioned for him to start walking and Kira seemed to like the outside. The sunshine was lovely out here, and Loki had to admit the park was rather nice even with so many mortals around. He saw some mortals jogging, some sitting and talking, eating, even some children playing on the grass with some odd toys.

"This is rather tranquil." in an odd sort of way.

"It's a good place to be for a lot of people. I come here sometimes early mornings to run, helps clear my head. There's a river and a few bridges around too, but we can walk around a bit until we find a good place to sit." Loki just kept glancing around, he started to feel a little crowded though he kept his breathing level.

"Ba ba." Kira cooed and drew his eyes towards her.

"What is it baby?" Loki wheeled the stroller over to the side; Kira was staring up at him with a huge smile on her face.

"Hey, why don't we sit down? This is a good place." Loki looked and saw Steve pointing at a shady spot under a large tree.

"It seems…fine." Loki pulled the stroller over to the spot and Steve took a blanket from the bag for them to sit on. Two of Kira's favorite toys were out, and she rocked in her detachable seat to play with them.

"You alright?" Loki nodded.

"I'm not entirely well but I will manage." Steve seemed to understand.

"We don't have to stay long; we can leave whenever you want."

"Good, I don't want to keep her out too long." he started tickling Kira's little foot and she giggled.

"Hey Loki…if you don't mind me asking more…what was your life like in Asgard? I mean before any of this." Loki paled a bit.

"I should tell you." he put the mask on. "My life wasn't perfect, being a prince doesn't mean everyone likes or adores you. That was it for me, but Thor…he was the beloved one. The people respected and looked up to him, because he was firstborn. He was the ideal heir to the throne, but he was spoiled and destructive. His battle persona was one not to enrage, but at another time he could be caring, loving, even protective."

"Was he that way with you?" Loki nodded.

"Only in the times his friends weren't around." the god sighed. "He was good as a brother, he showed me love at times when we were alone. We were very close as children, but when it came to his training and mine he outshined me on the field, but I was more knowledgeable and my moth…his mother taught me in the arts of magic. I was good, smart, but that wasn't enough for the others to accept me."

"Asgard being a warrior society."

"Yes, my magic was thought of as tricks, and every time I used it I was belittled and mocked by all. Odin never acknowledged my skills, never congratulated my goals, but he did for Thor. Always for Thor, and sometimes Thor was the same."

"But he supported you didn't he?" Loki snorted.

"He wanted me to be like him, a fighter and I was. I couldn't use a blade like him so I settled for throwing knives and daggers, I grew in skill after a long while, but it still wasn't enough." Loki dangled Kira's rattle over her.

"Didn't you have any friends?" another snort came.

"Only Thor's friends tolerated me, and that's only because he made them after he made me go along on their adventures. I hated it, but being around Thor made it worth it."

"Did they bully you?"

"Three of them, Hogun the Grim, Fandral the Dashing, and even the Lady Sif; Volstagg, as gluttonous as he was, he was kind in the least but he wasn't' my friend."

"Lady Sif? I thought Asgard didn't allow women as warriors?"

"She's the only one, because she was determined to be better than the men and she was. Thor supported her, and she advanced but while I struggled like her only she received praise and honor. She was in love with him, still is I believe, but she hated me."

"Didn't you turn her hair black? After cutting it off?" Loki laughed.

"The cutting part was payback for her humiliating me on the battlefield, but I felt guilty so I tried to make it up to her by giving her a magical golden wig. However, due to her dark anger towards me even with my apology the wig turned black. If she were truly repentant the wig would've stayed gold, but in her own hate it turned black like her heart. She accused me of trickery, and I would've been severely punished but Thor stood up for me. The Allfather grounded me for a long time, and it gave her more access to Thor."

"Does he like her?"

"He would never love her more than a friend, she's just too stupid to see that. If Thor became king and made her queen Asgard would be in ruins, she's worse than he is despite her devotion to him."

"You intervened with his coronation?"

"Only to postpone it, if Thor could be better in time he would make a good king but he wasn't ready. He is a natural leader, but only on the battlefield. If he had been crowned I would've worked myself to the bone to clean up his mess but even I can't make miracles happen. It always fell to me to cover everything up and I never received thanks for it."

"I'm sorry that happened to you." Steve rubbed his back. "But you have a new chance to start here, with Kira. With your knowledge of any other worlds out there you could probably help us out a lot."

"I thank you for your kind words Steve, but I fear that I won't be around long enough to offer any assistance." Steve sighed.

"Look Loki if Thor comes down here again and takes you back to Asgard he's not going to do it without going through us. I know we've told you probably a hundred times already, but you're welcome here and you can have a life on Earth. You have to admit you probably feel more comfortable here than Asgard right?"

"I do." he didn't bother hiding it. "I admit, this realm is far more peaceful than I would've imagined." to think he tried to wreck it some time back. "It still baffles me how you've all helped me, when I am from here." Steve shrugged.

"That's just how we are; we help those who need it."

"Yes well, cautious still." Loki picked Kira up from her seat and held her to him.

"Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" Loki didn't look up.

"Depends."

"OK, are the rumors about you having other children true? I mean the horse, the wolf, the half-dead woman?" Loki snorted.

"Those are pure myth, I never had any children." Loki's eyes turned soft. "Sleipnir is real, as is Fenrir and Hela but they are not mine. Sleipnir is a powerful steed born of a stallion named Svaðilfari, his mother was Odin's mare, and while he was born very small he is twice as big as his father with many legs. Odin was more than happy to have such a steed to himself, he is powerful on the field. Fenrir is a giant wolf that guards the jeweled caves of Nidavellir, the dwarf realm. He was given to them by the Allfather as payment for their craftsmanship on the Aesir weapons. He enjoys it there, and he's treated well."

"And Hela?"

"She is a queen of Niflheim, keeper of the dead. Her realm is dark and what you would call…spooky. She's not scary like the legends say, but she is powerful with a temper."

"So you know her personally?" Loki laughed.

"I have gifted her many souls over the years, and she is a good ally if needed. Not many can survive in her realm, yet I was able to pass through with no problems. She likes me a good bit, but our friendship only extends so far."

"That's a bit understandable." A prince of chaos and a queen of the dead, definitely not a good pair to anger. Steve pulled out a bottle of water. "Drink?" Loki took it and gulped down the contents, halfway at least. "Also, Fury wants to come see you today."

"Why?" Loki stared.

"To talk about the cube again, but also…he wants to ask you some questions of being able to thwart Asgard should they come for you."

"There is not much your realm can do, even if you have advanced over the years Asgard is ahead of you by centuries."

"Hey…" Steve touched Loki's arm. "He wants to try, plus he even said he had news but I don't think it's bad."

"We will see." Loki bounced Kira a bit, and she started to fall asleep. "Perhaps we should head back now."

"Sure, Tony will want to know where we are anyway. He should be back by now." After readjusting Kira in her seat the two men set the stroller up and walked down the sidewalk towards Stark Tower. Loki had to admit the city was well developed for mortals, but Asgard would outshine it easily. The mortals were good people in a sense, but what he could see differently on this realm than the others was that it was far too independent to be ruled by one. Different cultures and societies, yes simple dictatorship would not work on the entire planet. Far too many enemies and plots would undermine the very existence of all beings.

"Hey there." after boarding the elevator and making it to their floor they were greeted by none other than Tony himself. "You two have a nice walk?"

"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Pepper saw you leaving, said I shouldn't worry. Board meeting was boring as hell, as always." he didn't see Kira until a moment after speaking. "Oh sorry, language."

"You are lucky she is asleep or I would have to hurt you." Loki gave a mischievous grin.

"Yeah, well bring her into the office, Fury's here." Steve rolled his eyes.

"Of course he is, Loki do you want me to take…?"

"Please go sit her down for a nap, Stark would you accompany me with your director?" Tony stared at him.

"First off I keep telling you to call me Tony, and secondly Fury is not my director he's just a guy I know that runs a super-secret boyband operation and he wants me and you in it, and Cap." Loki rolled his eyes.

"Of course, Anthony." Tony rolled his eyes back. Loki let him follow after into the next room, and there stood Fury with Coulson talking until they spotted the other two men.

"Hello there Loki." Coulson was polite as always.

"Greetings son of Coul." they shook hands. "Director."

"Take a seat Loki, you too Stark." he didn't seem upset, that was relieving. "Where've you two been?"

"I had a board meeting which Pepper made me attend; I swear that woman knows me too well."

"I was out with Rodgers; he suggested I take my daughter out for a walk." Fury seemed alright with that, not that it was his concern. "What reason do you have to see me this time?"

"It concerns the tesseract, and it might be good news for you."

"How?" he tried not to flinch at the mention of the cube.

"The council has decided that until we know more about the tesseract's powers, it's going to be kept in a safe facility only a select few including myself have access to. They've done the liberty of checking into the past times it's been used or studied, and they now agree it's likely something we shouldn't attempt to use until we have more information."

"And they want me to give them more? I know not of all its powers." Fury shook his head.

"No, no they've backed off on you for now. As long as you're under watch by Stark and two of my agents I believe there won't be anything to worry on. There is one issue though, about Asgard." he paused.

"Did you say anything about…?" Tony asked him but the man shook his head again.

"They don't know everything but they are still suspicious, the only reason they aren't pressing now is because they expect answers later. I've told them to give it time, and they're willing to be patient but…"

"They want to keep using the tesseract to build weapons." Tony spoke up again.

"Unfortunately yes, but they're wanting more information from Loki." Loki started shaking slightly.

"Hey." Tony put a hand on Loki's shoulder. "Why do they want more? I thought you said they backed off."

"You know it's never that simple, but as of now they won't do anything. We aren't HYDRA, unless Loki is a top threat the council won't act on anything."

"HYDRA?" Loki looked at Tony.

"An organization that liked to experiment on humans with strange abilities, they were/are the biggest threat on the planet right now. SHIELD infiltrated their files years ago but they're still at large, though underground right now. They're also the reason my parents are dead." Tony sighed.

"They did more than experiment Stark." Coulson spoke up that time. "That's a story for another time though, Loki as of now you are fine living on Earth so long as you behave." green eyes narrowed in anger.

"Have I not behaved thus far?" Loki all but growled. "I have locked myself away in this tower doing nothing but care for my infant daughter! I have befriended some of the people who live here, and I have told you everything you wished to know! I might not be a prince of Asgard any longer, and I am stranded here on your world, but why would I jeopardize the only chance of sanctuary I may ever have?"

"Loki calm down…" Coulson held up his hands. "I meant no offense."

"No offense? It seems that all my life there's been nothing but offense, nonetheless you won't have to worry. I'm not going to waste anymore of your hospitality, I'll just take my child and go." without another word Loki stormed out of the room, ignoring the calls behind him. He stormed into the room where Steve and Kira were, marched towards the bassinet, and picked Kira cuddling her to his chest. He felt the tears coming, but he wouldn't let them fall.

"Loki?" Tony came through the door, and Loki heard someone leave. It was likely Rodgers, Loki had sensed him in the room but he'd been quiet. "Hey…hey it's alright." he felt a hand on his back.

"Have I not done enough here?" Loki whispered still holding Kira, the little baby still fast asleep in his arms.

"You have, look Phil didn't mean to upset you he just…didn't think his words through. He does that sometimes, believe me I know." he heard Tony sigh.

"I have tried to be a better person, why haven't they seen it?"

"They have, you've done nothing wrong." Loki wanted to say more, but something else came to mind.

"Your council has made a smart move, the tesseract is far too powerful for your race to master. Sooner or later…it will go back to Asgard."

"Maybe so, but let's not talk about the tesseract let's talk about you. You don't need to leave, you can stay here."

"Why? Your director and his lackey clearly don't trust me still. Why should I stay when all they want to do is watch me like a child?" was his life always going to be so complicated? What use would the mortals make of him?

"Look Nick doesn't do anything without reason, granted some of those reasons are bullshit but there's always a reason. He's…he's not trying to anger you or make you feel useless, but he's doing all he can to keep the council at bay."

"It's true." both men turned to see Natasha come through the door. "Sorry, just got back Clint's in the infirmary. I overheard you."

"How much did you hear?" she smirked.

"Enough, look Loki you could've been in a lot worse of a place than here. Fury is not horrible enough to lock a new mother away and take her child, your child. He's trying to protect our world, and if you were a deemed threat the council would've acted by now with or without him."

"He acts as if I can attack this realm at any time." which he could, but wouldn't.

"You are a potential threat; all of us are even Captain America. SHIELD monitors potential threats 24/7, it's just the basics on protecting our home." Loki sighed and sat down. "Look you don't need to go, you can stay here like Stark said and don't worry about the council Fury has them at ease right now."

"Ok enough talk of the big bad council." Tony jumped in. "Loki, to make you feel better why don't you let me take you out this evening?" Loki looked up.

"Out?"

"We can talk and have dinner, without the others around and you can bring Kira."

"Stark that's a bit soon…" Loki admitted he'd like to leave the tower again after what happened moments ago, but Kira didn't need to be out so late.

"I can watch her." Romanoff offered. "I know a thing or two about babies, and you've pumped enough milk for her right?"

"Yes but…"

"Great!" Stark clapped his hands together. "I know a good grill and bar we can go to, great food and drinks at the same time. Nat will babysit, and you can have a night off with a good meal." Loki stared at him suspiciously. Romanoff had watched Kira before it was no issue, but Stark offering him dinner alone? "It'll just be for a few hours, promise." Loki wasn't sure still.

"You won't shut up unless I say yes is that it?" Tony shrugged.

"Pretty much yeah." Loki sighed again, he would endure this rather…intriguing individual's company tonight, but only for a bit.

"Alright, I'll go."

"Good, just be ready by six and wear whatever you wish I'll book the restaurant."

"Excuse me sir." Stark looked ready to run out of the room but stopped at the sound of his AI's voice.

"Yeah Jarvis?"

"I'm sorry to disturb you sir but Director Fury's guests have arrived."

"Guests?" Loki looked at Romanoff.

"Names Jarvis?"

"Dr. Erik Selvig and Dr. Jane Foster, and Dr. Foster's intern Ms. Darcy Lewis sir." Loki knew the name Foster, Thor's mortal woman.

"Send them up Jarv." Tony looked at Loki. "Do you want to see them?"

"I see no issue with it, Ms. Romanoff would you be so kind to…?" Romanoff moved to take Kira from him, and Loki stood after maintain his composure. Some minutes later Dr. Foster and her two associates were on their floor, and Fury and Coulson came into the room with them.

"Tony Stark, Agent Romanoff, Loki, meet Dr. Jane Foster, Dr. Erik Selvig, and Ms. Lewis." Coulson introduced them, but Jane spotted Loki first.

"You…" her eyes widened.

"Me." he humored her a little, and walked towards her. "Nice to finally meet you Ms. Foster." she stared at him for a bit, and then her hand went backwards.

SMACK!

I know I'm evil with cliffies but I had to stop the chapter somewhere, sorry!

Well we can only imagine how the next chapter will go, since Jane just hit Loki can you imagine his reaction?

Next chapter we pick up where we left off, and then we go to the dinner with Tony and Loki. Tony gets to tell Loki a little about his own past, and they're going to get closer. We will also see something more of Loki's growing trust in the Avengers, so it looks like he's finally making some decent friends. Things are about to get much better for Loki and Kira, so be ready for some fluffy chapters ahead.

R&R

Later!