"Well this is quite the tale." Tony said, flipping a cup in his hand as he stared at the ceiling "Aliens are coming and the Avengers are sitting in a living room waiting for help from the guy who first brought aliens to the planet." He sat up "It's funny. Really funny."

"Well, we'll have him pretty well under wraps this time." Black Widow said.

"It doesn't really matter, he's still coming back." Tony said, setting the cup on the side table. Then he stood up "I, for one, am excited to see him. He did have a certain amount of humor to him."

"I think you'd better keep your mind on why he's coming here." Captain America said.

"It is. I gathered us together, remember that?" Tony asked "Geez, there's only so much a guy can do."

"I just hope Thor comes down in the same place he went up." Hawkeye said, peering out the window.

"I know as pretty as the design is, it doesn't add much for the lawn." Black Widow replied.

Outside there was a small rumble and Hawkeye shook his head in amusement.

"Don't think he did. That sounded a lot closer." he said with a sigh.

"Yep, well let's just hope he didn't hit the porch, is that fair?" Tony replied, walking to the front door.

Thor stood there with Loki, the grass blackened around their feet. Loki looked around for a moment. Thor glanced at him before the two of them walked forward together. Both their faces were painfully stoic.

Captain America came onto the porch with Black Widow and Hawkeye behind him.

Thor came up the steps and Tony spoke to Loki.

"Hello you little bastard, how's taking over planets going?" he asked.

To his surprise, Loki just walked past him. Tony put a hand on his chest.

"Well, I'm offended, he didn't even greet old friends."

"That's because we're not old friends." Captain America said.

"You and I are supposed to be. But somehow I think you missed the memo. Kindness." Tony replied.

"Is that what we are?" Captain America asked, walking past him into the house "Let's just get this done."

Two Asgard men stood outside the house, silently. They'd been sent for the evening and into the night as an extra precaution. The kids inside were running up and down the stairs as they chased each other.

Laura had made dinner and they'd eaten quickly as if they didn't want to get comfortable. Loki hadn't joined them. Heimdall hadn't reported anymore sitings of Jotuns on Earth so far.

Hawkeye had played with his kids for a minute, although the others still seemed to be a bit surprised about his secret little life. Captain America was sitting next to Dr. Banner and Tony at the table. There was a bottle of scotch sitting out and a few glasses sitting out on the table.

"Oh, by the way, you never told me how calling Fury went." Tony said, popping a piece of something into his mouth. He gazed at Black Widow expectantly.

"He answered." she replied "Said he'd be here tomorrow."

Tony opened his arms, palms towards the ceiling.

"I was...joking, but your face was worth it." Black Widow replied "I didn't reach him. Which means he's probably preoccupied with something else."

"I thought SHIELD was his occupation. And that you two were...buddies." Tony said. He dropped his arms. "Man I feel so in the dark about this group right now."
"Join his club. He seems quiet." Black Widow said, walking forward slowly. The others stopped talking for a moment as they looked at her. She nodded over at Loki.
He was standing near the window, far enough away that he didn't overhear them.

"I agree. They must've been tough on him back there." Tony said, tapping the bottom of a fork on the table. He didn't sound especially concerned.

"Where did Thor head off to?" Hawkeye asked "He's the one that's supposed to be watching him."

"Well, I'm sure we got it covered." Tony said, giving him a sideways glance filled with sarcasm.

"Oh come on, be real." Banner said "That guy's freaky. He's all magical and...weird. Just because he doesn't look like Thor doesn't mean he can't kill you just as easily. I don't think it's a good idea to start relaxing yet."

Tony sniffed in annoyance "Look at him, the guy won't even talk, he's not going to do anything."

"I'm sorry, is this you being illogical?" Black Widow asked. She tilted her head "Because that's never happened before."

"Look, Loki's dangerous, it's as simple as that." Captain America said "We need to give him the run down of how it's going to work here.

"Someone needs another drink." Tony said, sliding a glass over.

Thor came in the door of the house and shut it behind him. Loki glanced over at him and his older brother walked over to him. He said something to which Loki replied, and then the God of Thunder went over to the other Avengers.

"For a minute I wondered if you bailed on us." Hawkeye said.

"Loki will be able to help us identify where the Jotuns have been accessing this realm." Thor said, without responding to Hawkeye "Tomorrow, we can start searching the areas."

"And Loki knows if he takes a step wrong then we'll blow him out of the water?" Hawkeye asked.

"Loki is under my guard. He knows the consequences." Thor replied.

"This is going to be a long search." Black Widow said.

"Until we can figure out a more effective method, this is what we'll have to do." Captain America.

"Well." Tony stood up. He walked over into the living room and patted Loki on the shoulder. The God of Michief looked over at him.

"Thanks for coming. It means a lot, buddy." Tony said with a hint of sarcasm as he finished his drink.

Loki continued to look at him for a brief moment, but his eyes returned to the window. Tony turned back around and shrugged at the others as he shook his head in annoyance.

BTW, if you have not read the story Second Son by Charis77 then you have sorely missed out. Her portrayal of the childhood of Thor and Loki is outstanding and what my story is sort of based on. Obviously, it follows the story line of after the Avengers, but if you read that, it shows how great the relationship was between Loki and Frigga. So play that story a visit and you will appreciate my views much better. Please review!