The hours passed slowly as Nancy paced back and forth in her cell. She'd already sat through two changes of guards and was waiting for the third. If the guards on Asgard followed a typical guard-rotation schedule, each change of guards happened in six-hour increments. But, that was an earth schedule, where a day was composed of twenty-four hours, with four changes of guards a day. Perhaps Asgard ran on a different time schedule.

She walked to the barrier and studied it. It looked very modern compared to the stone of the prison halls. The bright white of the lights above her and the golden barrier itself both seemed to be powered by electricity. And yet, as she looked around, there were lit torches posted here and there around the prison, providing a little extra light. Electricity, yet the use of torches? What did that say about Asgard? They were an advanced race, yet clung to old customs. If it wasn't broken, why fix it, right? At least, perhaps that was the thought.

Nancy paced back over to the center of the room and continued in her circular walk. Asgard was both modern and medieval. If she was going to escape, she would have her work cut out of her. Not only would she have to find a way to disable the electric barrier, but then she could have to face the guards. From what she'd seen, they only carried swords and shields. But, they were trained warriors, and had most likely spent whole centuries training. Additionally, they were members of the king's guard, and had to be the best of the best of fighters. And here she didn't even have her gun.

"Idiot." Nancy sighed as she leaned her forehead against the cool, white-washed wall, "Well, you've gone and gotten yourself into this mess. What'll you do to get yourself out?"

"I honestly have no idea." she replied to her own question, "I suppose I'll just have to roll with it."

/

The next day was absolutely far worse than the first.

"Excuse me!" Nancy called to the nearest guard, "I'm thirsty. Could I have some water?"

He didn't respond.

"What about food? Surely there's a rule requiring you to feed the prisoners."

Nothing.

"Come on, don't you speak English? Loki spoke English. And so did Thor. Don't tell me they learned just because they're royalty."

The guard remained completely silent.

"Now, I know you're supposed to feed us! I saw one of you distributing bowls of some sort of gruel yesterday. Did Loki order you to starve me? Is that it?!"

He still refused to respond.

With a growl, Nancy turned away. So, that was Loki's game. To starve her and make her beg. Another power tactic. Well, she wasn't going to fall for it. Even though she hadn't had a decent meal in days. Or even a decent thing to drink. While working a case, Nancy usually only drank coffee. Sure, she had the occasional bottle of water, but she needed the caffeine to keep her awake. And, when she'd finally made it home, she'd had wine. Three days on the case, and she'd only had, at most, four bottles of water. She could already feel the initial stages of dehydration setting in. The headaches, the weakness. But it wouldn't stop her. She'd keep fighting. Till her dying breath.

/

These bright lights.

Nancy rolled over and buried her face in the corner of her cell, trying to block out the brightness of the lights. It didn't work. So, she flopped her free arm over her eyes and prayed for sleep. (Her other arm was being used as a pillow and was currently her only body part to have found sleep.) After a while of tossing and turning, and trying to make herself comfortable on the cold, stone floor, Nancy finally managed a couple hours of sleep.

/

Two days seemed like an apt amount of time to wait before sending for the girl. Enough time to make her fret, but not so much she thought he had forgotten her entirely.

"Have her brought to me," He ordered one of his guards. "My secondary chambers. And I am famished. Bring dinner." Because he had plans, and they involved a hearty meal.

The guard bowed and turned on his heel. One did not disregard the orders of one's sovereign. He headed directly for the dungeons.

Nancy looked up from her place in the corner as a guard approached her cell. One of three possible things was about to happen: one, the guard was coming to free her and take her back to earth. It was the option she hoped for, but was the least likely. Two, he was coming to lead her away to be executed. Also unlikely, since Loki, knowing his power-complex, would most likely kill her personally. Or, three... Loki wanted her and this guard had come to retrieve her. It was the most likely option.

"Loki demands your presence."

Ah. She was right. Nancy stood and walked gracefully to the edge of the cell. The guard lowered the barrier and grabbed her arm.

"I know you're only doing your job, but there's no need to grab so roughly."she retorted. The guard remained silent.

As they walked up a large flight of stairs and out into the dimmed light of the halls, it took a moment for Nancy's eyes to adjust to the drastic change in light. Over the past couple of days, she'd grown so used to the brightness of her cell.

Once her eyes adjusted, however, she could only gape in awe at the wondrous architecture of Asgard. Grand, vaulted ceilings and archways, latticed windows, and towering columns all decorated the ancient stone passageways of the palace. Just outside the windows – she could only steal a peak every now and again as she was dragged along – was a vast city, with networks of roads and rivers. In the distance, mountains touched the sky. It was beyond beautiful. It was... as Loki had put it... glorious.

Within minutes, the guard led her to a set of large, golden double-doors. He knocked loudly to announce his entrance, then escorted Nancy through. Inside, Loki stood near a large table, stationed in the middle of an even larger room. On the opposite end of the room, a rather large bed stood near the windows, elaborately decorated in gold and green. The windows were latticed in places, with more columns leading out to what she supposed was a balcony. Golden, satin curtains blew softly in the breeze.

"Forgive my next instruction," Loki began, walking toward her, "But I cannot have you attacking my guards again. These are indisposable." He looked to the guard. Even he didn't relish this command, but it had to be done. "Tie her, hands and feet, to the chair."

"Wait!" Nancy began to struggle against the guard. "I won't attack them!"

But, try as she might, the guard was too strong for her. After her first hand was tied down, she calmed and allowed the guard to tie the rest of her limbs. It wasn't his fault Loki was a jerk. This guard was simply following the orders of his commander. She understood that.

With a deep breath to calm herself further, Nancy looked up at Loki again, waiting for his next move. Despite her initial struggle, she was suddenly as calm as if she wasn't tied at all. Of course, her training had helped. She wasn't in a life-and-death struggle. Or being beaten or tortured. It was best not to fight periods of interrogation. And that's what she assumed this was. That, and she wanted to conserve her strength. There was no use thrashing when she was already bound tight. She'd found out firsthand during the flogging that struggling against Loki would do her no good.

Loki took his seat and took his time to settle in. It didn't take a genius to note her sudden calm demeanor. He placed a napkin on his lap. "Well, don't you adapt quickly?"

"I try." Nancy replied, her voice quiet. Two days without water had left her mouth dry. She coughed to clear her throat, trying to retain some sort of decorum.

"Are you ill today, Agent McAllister?" Loki folded his hands in front of him, resting his arms on the table. She seemed too demure. Too subdued.

"Dehydrated." she admitted, "Humans can only survive so long without water."

"Hm. Interesting." He knew, somewhere in his mind, that humans required water and sustenance. He had not, however, known the length they could survive without it. Until now. Loki motioned to a guard. "Water, she may have."

The guard moved to pour Nancy a glass of water. As it poured from the brass pitcher into the waiting goblet, Nancy couldn't help the small whimper that escaped her throat. The clear, shining liquid looked so good. When the guard held the glass up to her lips, she tried to drink it slowly, but couldn't help herself. She was so thirsty. Water dripped down the edges of her mouth as she gulped, destroying any sense of decorum she'd had moments ago. An an instant, the glass was empty, and Nancy tried desperately to wipe her damp face on her shoulder.

"Thanks." she murmured gratefully.

Loki only smiled at her.

Soon, another guard brought in a tray laden with hearty meats and juicy fruits. He set it in front of Loki.

Nancy glanced down at the tray, noting each piece of meat and fruit. What looked like the breast of some sort of bird was paired with some kind of pulled pork. Giant grapes, round potatoes, and a bright, red apple also donned his plate. Finding that her mouth was watering, Nancy glanced back at Loki. "Will you allow me food as well?" Her voice sounded feeble, even to her ears. It sounded desperate, even though she hadn't meant it to.

"I haven't decided yet." Loki surveyed the foods and decided to start with the pheasant. Something sure to make her mouth water.

Nancy intently studied his eyes, trying not to look at his plate. "May I ask you a question?" she asked, her eyes never leaving his, "I know we don't have any more wine for our little game, but I still want to know something."

"You may ask." He took a bite of his food, then spoke with his mouth full, "Though I do not promise an answer."

Of course he'd talk with his mouth full. More to entice her. "What's the point of this?" she asked, her tone serious, "You must know I've been trained to withstand torture. Why drag me down here, just to watch you eat?"

"I've told you, pet." He shrugged. He had, and for her to doubt his sincerity in the matter irked him.

Nancy scoffed. Really? That was the only reason he'd brought her to him? To study her? Of course not. This was another show of power. Only, she doubted he'd admit that. "To study me." She slumped back in her chair. "Irony at its fullest. The one I've studied for so long is now studying me. In my defense, even the rats in laboratories get cheese."

"And even the Agent Nancy McAllisters in my care are provided water." Loki retaliated. She could continue to try to outwit him and out-logic him, but he knew better than to jump on her conclusions. He took another bite. "Tell me, how essential to mortal existence is sustenance?"

"Fairly. We can only survive…" She trailed off, thinking about her answer. She could lie and say only a few days, but if he already knew the correct answer, she could anger him. And she didn't want that. He'd already admitted once that he couldn't control his temper. No, she'd best not chance it. With a sigh, she decided to tell the truth. "…a couple weeks without food."

"Mm. Intriguing." Loki paused to sip his wine. Did he really want to make her wait that long? To bring her to the brink of starvation? He would have to think on it. He quickly changed the subject. "Now, on to other subjects. The things in your office. How came my face to preside most among them?"

Nancy blushed. She'd almost forgot she'd showed him. And it wasn't just that his face presided most there. It was a whole collage about him. A whole wall of maps, and stories, and dead-end trails. Her hunt for him. "They're all about you, actually." she admitted, "Ever since Thor brought you back to Asgard, I've been looking for you. Waiting for your return. Waiting... for you to keep your promise."

"Why is this?"

She shrugged and glanced away, nervously picking at the arm of her chair. "I wanted to see you again. To talk with you again… to study you, in person, again."

"Why, pet?" Loki leaned forward, studying her to see if she would show her true desire. "I know you watched during my hours in the Metal Man's prison. What deep desire drove you there to see me?"

Nancy looked down at her lap. He had known she was there. She wasn't just imagining it. But, perhaps the rest of her feelings were imagined. The spark she thought she'd felt between them. The tension. Perhaps she'd imagined all of it. Tears began to form in her eyes as realization hit. She'd imagined the whole thing... and now she was alone, alone to face his wrath. "I don't know." her voice trembled. "I… I remembered seeing you on the ground, hurt and broken. You didn't have anyone. And then... then they locked you away. I only wanted…" She trailed off and shook her head, not wanting to tell him how ridiculous she had been.

"Only wanted what?"

"I didn't want you to be alone!" she shouted, whipping her head up and meeting his gaze again, "They locked you away like you were some kind of animal. Yes, you killed hundreds of people, but you didn't deserve solitary! You didn't deserve to be chained and muzzled! You didn't deserve that." Nancy's tears began to flow. "You are brilliant, regal, sophisticated. You're not like them. You didn't deserve to be treated like an animal."

Loki leaned back. Her words stirred a part of him he had long thought dead. Touched a part of his soul he had forgotten. Though, he could never let her see. He signaled to the guard that their meeting had ended. "Return her. We will speak again later."

"Wait! Loki, please!" Nancy begged, looking frantically up at her captor. The guard quickly untied her in a few swift movements and hauled her to her feet. "I'm starving. Don't wait until I'm almost dead." The guard began to drag her away, and Nancy struggled against him with all of her strength. She had no idea when she would see Loki again, if ever. She had to beg now, lest she perish later. "I stayed with you!" she called to Loki, "When no one else did!"

"Stop." Loki held up a single hand, sure to keep his voice commanding yet calm.

The guard halted in his tracks. Nancy stood there, panting, and stared at Loki. "I'm thankful for the water, Loki, I am." she pleaded, "But I can't survive on it."

"Thankful? Doubtful. You wish sustenance." He lifted his apple and stood from his chair. He tossed it up and caught it again, sure to entice any hungry human. "What will you offer in return?"

"What do you want me to offer?"

"No, no. I shan't give you an offer just yet. I wish to hear how you would negotiate."

She took a moment to think. What could she possibly give him? "You want to study me. Ask me any questions you want and I'll answer them truthfully."

"Then answer my question. What will you offer?"

That was her offer. What else did she have? Secrets to S.H.I.E.L.D.? Very few. And, now that the agency was gone, her few secrets were useless. Besides, what would Loki want with S.H.I.E.L.D intel? No... she needed something else. What else? She had nothing else. "I have nothing to offer you. You're a prince, you already have everything you could ever want or need."

"Mm. Interesting." Toss and catch. "Then allow me to propose what you might offer."

"What would you have me do?" she whispered, her eyes wide. All she had left to offer was herself. And, now that he knew she desired him, he could play on that desire to his full contentment.

"Let us take a lesson from one of your Midgardian tales. One apple..." he held up the apple to demonstrate, "for one kiss."

Nancy gave a sigh of relief. Of course, the story of Snow White. When the princess ate the apple, the prince had to kiss her to bring her back. Only, this time, the story was reversed. She had to kiss the prince to get an apple. "Is that all? Yes, I think that works out well."

She looked to the guard, waiting to be released. The guard looked to Loki, waiting for his command.

Loki stalked across the room and shoved his hands behind his back. "You had better make it much better than the one from Stark's Tower." He leaned down, just far enough her lips could reach his, and waited. Far be it from him to sate her desire first. No, no, no. This was a test to see what she would do in such a situation. Because Loki needed to know.

Nancy softly pressed her lips to his, kissing him slowly and gently. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, but she quickly dropped it again, not wanting him to see. As slowly as the kiss itself, she pulled back and merely hovered her mouth near his.

"How was that?" she whispered.

Loki smirked. An innocent. Never been touched, probably never been kissed. Yes, she would be fun. "We will work on your technique." He turned away, thinking harder on what he could do to bring her to her knees, and tossed the apple to the guard. "She can have that only after she is returned to her cell."

The guard caught the apple and nodded once. He turned, taking Nancy on the long walk back to her cell. Once she was securely inside, he gave her the apple and raised the golden barrier again.

Nancy sat down in the corner and took a bite. Flavor exploded in her mouth, causing her to emit a small sound of pleasure. It was a delicious apple. Or perhaps she was simply hungry. As she ate, she couldn't help but think about the kiss. He'd wanted another one. Forget the fact that they were now on a trade system. He'd wanted another kiss. From her. A better one than she'd given him before. She blushed at the thought. And hoped he'd liked it.