Loki studied the plain wooden door, every grain of it. Gold-plaited lettering displayed a single letter and single number. 4E. Yes, this was the place. The place where his disobedient obsession made her home. He had found the address in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files, and even if he hadn't he would have easily felt her aura about the place. It only took a flick of his wrist to unlock the door, then he stepped inside and let the door close and lock behind him.
Her home was... quaint. Small. Very like her, the old things and new together. He had little trouble believing she laid her head here.
As he made his way into the front room of the abode, a black creature stood from the sofa. It jumped down and bared its teeth at Loki, growling menacingly.
Loki raised an eyebrow and studied the creature. A dog, if he remembered correctly. He had never liked dogs, especially those who thought they could stand up to him. This one seemed to desire to guard something in the home. Certainly not its master, for Loki could tell she was not there. There was no loud talking or yelling.
The creature barked once, snapping its jaws at Loki.
Oh, so this creature wished to threaten him? Loki chuckled and took a step closer, not even concerned about the poor animal's threats. They would do no good.
As Loki approached, the creature lunged at him, aiming for his throat.
With one arm, Loki whisked it away to the bottom edge of a piece of furniture. Suddenly, green fog appeared around the creature and engulfed it. Loki smirked. "Sleep now, little creature." He would kill it, but that was not his purpose in coming here.
It whined once, then dropped to the ground, unconscious.
With that same grin still in place, Loki left the creature sleeping and made his way into the room. He inspected the photographs on the walls, the belongings scattered at various places, and the eclectic furnishings. All interesting. All so... her.
He stepped into her bedroom next, taking extra time to inspect all she kept close to her. Every preference she had when it came to lighting, furnishings, even fabrics. Everything would help when trying to paint a full picture of who she was. In understanding her.
Having taken in all he could take in, he made his way back to her living area, checking doors as he went to ensure there were no more creatures or tricks. His hand stilled on a knob that would not turn. Interesting. Why would she leave a door locked in her own home? No other doors had been locked. So why this one?
Loki smiled. A guilty secret? He certainly couldn't pass up this opportunity. He teleported inside, sure to leave the door exactly as he had found it.
The wall was covered with... him. Oh, this was priceless. Pictures of him, most taken from S.H.I.E.L.D. security videos. Clippings from books of mythology. Various maps with routes charted on them. And all related to him.
He chuckled softly and stepped closer. "And she says I find her intriguing."
He glanced around the room again, trying to think where to start. Where would she have started? Unable to resist, he stepped to a mythology clipping and read the story. A story of him, from Norse mythological books. He shook his head. "Well, that's incorrect."
He scanned various other papers and maps, realizing quickly she had done all this in a vain effort to try to get to know him. To understand him. Well, he could oblige her desire to understand him. This only solidified his plan in his own mind. At the same time, he could help her to understand herself. Because he knew what it would take, and he alone was willing to go that far.
With a wide, evil grin, Loki returned to the living area and settled himself into a chair. He would wait for her return. And then he would put his plan into motion.
/
Nancy gave a tired sigh as she unlocked the door, her emotions swirling and her thoughts racing through her mind. She liked James. Really liked him. Now that they were part of the same division, even worked on the same team, she had grown to favor his company over others. But, still... she had hope. Maybe Loki wasn't dead.
She quickly shook her head to correct herself. No, Loki was dead. He was never coming back and she had to move on with her life. She had a good job, new friends, and even a potential relationship. She was finally allowing herself to be happy. It was time to move on. And she knew exactly how she would start: by tearing down the images and charts in her office.
"Brutus!" Nancy called out as she flipped on the light, "Brutus Maximus!"
She stopped off in the kitchen to throw her satchel and jacket over a dining-room chair. Well, the duffle may as well go there, too. She'd unpack tomorrow. As she stood with her back to the rest of her home, the sound of silence reached her ears. Usually, Brutus would be all over her by now. But everything was quiet. Too quiet.
Nancy slowly turned and saw why her beloved pet remained silent. He lay unconscious at the foot of the sofa. In the chair across from him, she saw the cause.
Loki had returned.