Disclaimer: I don't own anything which you recognize, it all belongs to Marvel etc. I will not put this up again, as I am not fond of writing it.
Krikanalo: Sorry I haven't responded to you earlier, but I'm glad you are liking the story thus far. :)
MyLadyAssassin: Thanks, I'm very glad to hear I'm doing well in both humor and keeping everyone in character. I have often been told that my sense of humor doesn't translate well, so that's something which I am nervous about; while using characters which are not my creation are something which always puts me on my toes. Delicate work to say the least. Well I hope you'll keep reviewing too :) I would like to hear what you think of the story. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Lithia Sunset: Hello again. :) okay, I'm a little confused... are you mentioning those points because I did well? or something else? I mean you said there was a good reason you pointed it out... so I was curious as to why? Haha, you love my muse :D Have to say that's very original. I just kinda come up with stuff and hope it flies. I'm so glad you like my humor, I try pretty hard. Though Tony is a little easier to just make funny... he's so... blunt. :D He's awesome in my opinion... but I like the Avengers overall. Hopefully he's okay in this little bit of this chapter, I was trying to get him being protective - and hope i did well. Hmm... I'll have to check out which parts specifically? I'll try to remedy it. I guess that when you envision it in your head, it sounds much, much different. HUZZAH :D The plot isn't holey... like Fred Weasley's ear. Well, I am looking forward to hearing from you as soon as you can. My nervousness I'm sure will dissipate over time. Hey, maybe you can check out my other stories, they correlate on this one... I'd like to hear what you think on those. :D
Also, thank you coeurdentebre,LvCutaillus, and horsz913 for following. Feel free to leave a review.
okay, so here's the next chapter. By the way, I changed the title to "The Prince and the Prankster" because I decided that the title didn't really fit the story - and I could use the title for another story which I'm considering writing... so yeah. :D
Another few days passed, and Lizzie crossed off yet another day as she was counting down to April 1st with anticipation and planning... and April 2nd with equal joy. Why April 2nd? Because that was her birthday, the day she turned twenty-one. It was a family joke, as her mother went into labor on the first – having Bella – and then continued in labor until the wee hours of the next morning – Lizzie was born then, as if to say 'you were just pranked'... it seemed to have stuck for the rest of her life. Going downstairs, went to have breakfast with her sister and seanmhatháir.
"Good morning." she greeted cheerfully as she poured herself a glass of orange juice.
"Good morning, darlin. I hope you slept well." Kathleen responded as she finished up cooking the sausages and set a plate before the girls.
Lizzie sighed as she took a seat, "Eh, I slept well enough." she said looking at the clock – it was 6:45 and she still needed a shower. "How'd your date with... Nate go?"
"Daniel, actually." Bella retorted as she finished up an email on her phone. "It went well."
"Why'd I think his name was 'Nate'?" Lizzie asked herself aloud.
"Nate was three weeks ago. The pharmacist, remember." Bella replied, "I came home early."
Lizzie nodded, "Right... Honestly, Bells, how do you meet people like pharmacists? You don't even go to the drugstore."
"How did you meet that Colin lad?" Kathleen asked.
Brown eyes rolled upwards. "Seanmhatháir, I met him in college. We were studying the classic period together."
"Yeah, the classics. Alexander was a known homosexual, just so you know, so much so that he left no heirs of the Greek Empire."
"Yes, Bella I know that." Lizzie snapped through a bite of scrambled eggs.
"Then I can't believe you had no idea the guy was not at all in your sexual range." Bella said, "You should have known when he was staring at Michaelangelo's David for a little too long."
"Well, he looked and acted like any other guy." Lizzie reasoned.
Bella scoffed, "Except, of course, when he cross-dressed at that frat party. Honestly, that should have been a clue... unless you're in a closet yourself."
"Bells!" Lizzie shouted throwing a piece of toast at her sister. "I am completely and totally straight. I like guys too much to do that, I just haven't found one that is interesting enough."
"Oh, there's plenty of interesting guys out there." Bella replied, "You just like broken ones."
"Please, Bella. Who are you-?"
Their banter was disrupted by the telephone ringing. Seanmhatháir answered it. "Hello?... yes she's here, would you like me to get her?... alright... Elizabeth, the phone's for you." she handed her the handset.
"Hello?"
"Hey there Puppy." Tony Stark's voice echoed over the line. "You know, cellphones are there for anyone to get you on the line anywhere, anytime. They do you no good if they go straight to voicemail."
"I'm sorry, sir, my phone is upstairs at the moment. I just woke up." Lizzie replied.
"Well, you should keep it on you." Tony said, "But that's not why I'm calling. Listen, we need you up at the apartments as soon as possible."
"Oh? Why? What's up? Has your houseguest decided to start torturing cats or something?"
A chuckle could be heard on the other line, "Trust me, if Rock of Ages tried anything, I wouldn't call you – though kudos for your little conversation the other day. You kept your cool pretty well."
"Thanks, I guess. Though really I wonder if it was just a stupid idea to talk at all... unfortunately my meds have no psychotic side effects, so I can't blame them." Lizzie retorted with a crunch of toast.
"Well, I still congratulate you, Puppy." Tony's voice got low, "But all jokes aside, Emma just got some bad news. Garrett got blown up while on patrol yesterday afternoon... she's pretty broken up about it." he said.
Lizzie froze, "Oh God, is he dead?" seanmhatháir and Bella looked up in questioning, but she just shook her head as if to say 'later'.
"I'm afraid so, they're sending him home in a casket... well, what's left of him, which isn't much. They knew off his dogtags who the carnage belonged to." Tony answered, "So Andrew's going to need someone to look after him while Emma goes through this. Mellow Yellow – uh, Justine has been with her ever since she found out; the Cap is currently getting her parents up here; Thor is off in New Mexico visiting his girlfriend; the Natasha has taken Legolas – sorry, Clint – to the gym to calm him down; and I'm afraid I'm a little too busy to take care of him."
"I understand." Lizzie replied, "I'll be there as soon as possible, sir."
"Great, we'll be seeing you soon then?"
"Yes, I'll be there soon." Lizzie replied, "Bye." she hung up. "Oh, man..." she sighed, looking up at her family. "Emma's husband just died over in Afghanistan, they need me to take care of Andrew."
Bella and Kathleen nodded, "I'll call a taxi." Kathleen said, "You two can go in together, I'm sure Bella can get some extra work done."
The girls nodded and finished their breakfast and got dressed, Lizzie jumping quickly in the shower to avoid embarrassment.
"The taxi's here!" Kathleen called up to the girls and they both descended the stairs. She had to laugh, they were dressed so differently; Bella dressed to work, and Lizzie dressed in something which could get dirty and she not complain. "Have fun, girls – oh, Lizzie, take this to Mrs. Langley." she handed her a box of her homemade cookies, "Tell her I send my regards."
Lizzie kissed her seanmhatháir on the cheek, "I will." she said, running out to the taxi and getting in.
Loki felt like hurting someone, just to vent off his frustration. His morning not turning out in any way what he expected. First he had slipped in the tub, giving himself a rather nasty bruise on the back of his head; followed by complications when getting his clothes on, as usual since he lost his magic; which then he found out that no one was making breakfast that morning, as he had woken up late; only to hear the Captain's woman was currently crying her eyes out, and could not contain her little brat.
The boy, once he caught sight of him, wouldn't leave him alone. "What's your name?" the boy asked.
"What does it matter to you?" Loki snapped, but the boy was persistent.
"Because, I'd like to know your name. I'm Andrew." Andrew replied, "Are you going to tell me your name?"
"No."
"Why not? Do you not like your name or something?" Andrew asked.
"It has nothing to do with that." Loki replied.
"Then why won't you tell me?"
"Because I don't have to answer you." he was losing his patience, and wished that someone – anyone – would come take the boy away.
Andrew's little brown eyes narrowed, "Well that's rude of you." he stated, "Here I am, trying to be friendly, and you are just being mean."
"Am I indeed?"
"Yeah... like Lizzie said: you need to have a time out!" Andrew practically shouted.
Loki raised an eyebrow, "She said that, did she?"
"She did. She said you were acting like I do when I don't get my nintendo." Andrew retorted. "Your mommy obviously didn't give you enough time outs when you were little."
His green eyes blazed at that. Of all the people of Loki's family, Frigga was the only one he wouldn't allow anyone to slander. He took a step forward "How dare you, you little-"
"Touch him, and you'll regret it." a feminine voice growled lowly from behind him, he spun around to see Lizzie's brown eyes sparking in fury as she glared him down.
"Lizzie!" Andrew shouted, running to the woman and throwing his arms around her waist. Her eyes didn't leave Loki's as she held onto the boy. "They're not letting me see Mommy, what's going on?" she broke eye contact to look down at Andrew.
"Mommy just needs some time alone, Andy." Lizzie replied, getting down to his height. Loki marveled how she seemed to flip a switch between him and the boy... anger vs. love. "I'm going to be with you for the rest of the day."
"Is mommy going to be okay?" Andrew asked.
Lizzie kissed his cheek, "Yeah, mommy's going to be fine." Lizzie replied, "Now take my bag to the living room, I'll join you in a moment."
"Okay." Andrew replied, carrying the bag to the other room.
Her eyes once more snapped up to Loki, a fire blazing within. "If I ever hear that you're terrorizing Andrew, then you will believe in the old saying 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'." she threatened, knowing in her mind there was probably no way she could really hurt him... but the threat sounded nice.
Loki smiled, "Stick to your wit, Elizabeth, you aren't very threatening. You're far too little." he chided, as if talking to a small child.
A brown eyebrow raised. "Why am I not surprised you found out my name?" she asked.
"Because you know that you truly are very little in comparison to me." Loki suggested.
"Is that so?" she asked, walking up to him a moment, she stared at him and he prepared to hold her if she decided to slap him again. He was getting tired of it. She smirked, "Then why is your hand twitching as if anticipating my strike? Obviously I am not so... little."
He looked down at her, noticing she didn't even come up to his chin. She truly was short. "On the contrary, you have no idea just how little you are. You remind me of a small dog, whose bark is worse than its bite." he said.
She laughed, and Loki had to admit she was quite nice looking when she smiled. "Touché." she said, "I take it that is your rebuttal for my little 'tantrum' statement from the other day?"
"A simple observation." he replied, "Your kind are simply too petty to consider just how small you are."
Lizzie considered him for another moment, wondering if she should slap him or walk away. However, her eyes caught a glimmer of something in his eyes, much like she had seen the first day she had slapped him... sadness. His words, his expression said one thing; his eyes spoke another. She sighed, she wouldn't slap him again. As much as she hated to admit it, it was getting old. "Well, Loki..." she paused, "Just remember that our kind were the ones who were responsible for your downfall, no matter how petty or little. So, you have to ask yourself just how mighty you really are? After all, you were defeated by the... ants."
"I am more powerful than you will ever be." he replied lowly.
She smiled, and shook her head. "Then you wouldn't be here, would you? You obviously have delusions of your own grandeur."
"And what makes you think that?" Loki asked, keeping himself from tossing her against the wall. She truly was irritating with all her little statements... yet, he found himself even more fascinated. She was a bold one.
"Nothing much, just... simple observation." with that, she turned on her heel and walked away, chiding herself as the statement had sounded so much better in her head.
Loki watched her go, chastising himself for liking their short little banter. She was mortal, he was Asgardian – well, not really, but that hardly mattered. He may not be Odin's son, but he was not Laufey's either. In all actuality, he belonged nowhere.
"You leave her alone." a voice hissed from behind him. He turned to see Clint at the end of the hallway, his eyes narrowed in a glare. "She's not like the rest of us, she can't protect herself."
"Protective of the girl, Barton? I wonder what Romanoff would say?" Clint ran up, tipping Loki back until the Asgardian was against the wall, a knife in Clint's hand.
"You have no idea what you did to her back when you went for all-glory, but I pulled her from its wreckage." Clint spat, "Natasha and I found her in a concrete coffin, and took her somewhere safe, not knowing whether she would live or die as she was rolled into the emergency room with a concussion and several broken bones."
Concrete coffin? Loki thought, perhaps what Elizabeth had gone through was worse than he had thought. "What does that matter to me?" he finally hissed back, ignoring the way the steel blade dug into his neck.
Clint smirked, "If you ever hurt her, I swear to you I will put an arrow somewhere that you can't catch it." he threatened, "That girl has gone through enough because of you, and while I cannot control whether she talks to you or not, I will warn you." he backed off, "Stay away from her."
Loki straightened out his jacket, a haughty sneer on his face. "You couldn't harm me if you tried." he spat. "Like I told Elizabeth, your bark is worse than your bite."
The assassin's blue eyes narrowed, and he went to throw himself at Loki again when a shout came down the hall. "Clint! Enough!" Natasha's sharp voice cut in, her arms crossed in perturbation. Tony stood at her side, appraising the situation with interest.
"Its okay, Legolas, he won't hurt Puppy." Tony added.
"You don't know that. He's capable of anything." Clint retorted, "You guys shouldn't allow him up here when she comes."
"What do I care over such a little mortal? She's nothing to me." Loki replied.
Clint's looked over to him, "Clint," Natasha warned, "Lets go. Tony will take care of Loki, and we'll get some restrictions on what floors he's allowed on while Lizzie is here." she looked at Tony.
"If something happens Loki is on lockdown." Tony replied, "He's not allowed where she is."
"He better not be." Clint retorted, moving slowly to follow Natasha back off of the floor.
Loki chuckled, "Quite amusing to watch how you all flutter over her, as if she's some damsel in distress."
Tony smirked, "Oh, I don't believe anything is going to happen. You're right, she's not all that dangerous." his dark eyes suddenly glared hard at Loki, "But if you ever hurt her, Lokes, I'll throw you out the window without any suit to catch you."
"I thought you said you weren't worried." Loki retorted.
"I'm not." Tony replied, "She can hold her own against you... mentally, and that gives her a credit against you. But physically, she's as helpless as Pepper – well, as Pepper was."
"She is a mere mortal, why would I care about her mental prowess? She's no match for mine anyways." Loki replied.
Tony smiled, "Well, for a mere mortal, she seems to keep you talking. That, and you have already lost in having the last word... twice now, Reindeer Games. You have some catching up to do if you want to go with that argument." he chuckled as Loki stiffened in wounded pride.
"What do you know, Stark?" Loki snapped.
"I'd like to think I know quite a bit... I mean, I am a genius." Tony replied as he brushed past Loki and into the other room.
The Asgardian stomped off to his room, wondering what it was about the girl that made the Avengers so protective of her. Clint and Tony were the last people to threaten him, as he had already been approached by Steve, and Bruce – Thor coming in the other day to warn him about angering the woman. Was she so special that she somehow was liked by them all? Or was it that they just didn't trust him?
An hour later, Emma's parents showed up, and Lizzie took Andrew to see them. Looking at the clock, she saw it was 8:45, and she decided that they all would probably like a nice lunch. The sound of a storm could be heard outside, and she wondered if Thor had anything to do with it... she didn't have to wonder long as the Thunderer landed on the landing pad of Stark Tower, a woman under his arm. They seemed to be arguing somewhat, but Lizzie wasn't particularly interested in the conversation – she was too busy contemplating lunch.
"You didn't even tell me!" the woman shouted, Lizzie turned around slightly, watching as the woman beside Thor tiraded, she couldn't help but wonder how this conversation was going to turn out. "You were on Earth, and you couldn't get a hold of me somehow? I know Tony Stark has telephones, its not like you were in Siberia!"
"Jane, I-"
"And then you just swoop down and bring me here! What if I didn't want to come?" Jane asked.
Thor's golden brow furrowed, "Why wouldn't you want to come?" he asked confusedly.
Lizzie shook her head with a smile as Jane threw her hands up in exasperation, stomping in front of Thor and rounding on him. "That's not the point." she spat.
The Asgardian looked thoroughly lost as his woman continued to rant, and Lizzie decided to leave the couple to deal with their problems by themselves. They didn't need her around to intervene, she sincerely doubted the petite brunette would approve. Therefore, she went to the kitchen, deciding to make some food.
"Okay, Jarvis... what do we have in the fridge that I can work with?"
Justine walked in several hours later, a tired smile on her face. "Its starting to smell good... what are you making?"
"Good old Irish stew." Lizzie answered.
"You're Irish right?" Justine replied, going to open the oven only to have Lizzie screech.
"Don't touch that! You'll make them fall!" she pushed Justine away, "And yes, I am Irish... what does that have to do with anything?"
"Just curious... you don't look Irish." Justine replied, pushing a blond lock out of her face.
Lizzie chuckled, "Yeah, I get that a lot. I think its my Jewish heritage." she said, "And I'm sorry I yelled at you... its just... popovers are very delicate things to cook. Like yorkshire pudding. Heavy footsteps or a draft will kill their rising."
Justine looked at her with a smirk, "Passionate about cooking are we?"
"Not particularly... but I'm insanely proud when I do cook." Lizzie retorted with a slight blush. "How've you been Miss Worthington?"
"Just Justine, thanks." the blonde replied, "I'm exhausted, quite frankly. My cousin is currently about to lose her mind because of what happened to Garrett... she's very fortunate to have Steve and Andrew around, they'll keep her on the ground I think."
"Emma's strong. She'll be fine. Though, I have to say, I have never seen such a couple as she and Garrett since my grandparents. My grandfathers death nearly destroyed my grandmother, but she kept it together because of Bella and I." Lizzie said as she thickened the gravy in the stew.
"I agree... my parents don't have that relationship. Its hard for me to comprehend it, somewhat." Justine replied, "How about your parents?"
"Mine?" Lizzie repeated, "I don't know. My parents died when I was really young, like four or something. The house caught on fire, I have no idea how Bella and I made it out, but we did. We lived with my grandparents in Cork after that, until about twelve years ago when my grandfather died. Seanmhatháir moved us here."
"That's gotta be tough." Justine commented.
Lizzie shook her head, "Not really, I like it. I couldn't ask for a better childhood, I think." At that moment the timer went off, and Lizzie took her popovers out of the oven setting them on the stove. "Jarvis, please inform the rest of the household that lunch is ready."
"As you wish, Miss Elizabeth." Jarvis replied.
"Need some help setting the... counter?" Justine offered.
Lizzie smirked, "Sure." she replied, handing Justine the silverware.
"Miss Elizabeth, would you like me to inform Prince Loki that lunch is ready?" Jarvis asked.
She thought for a moment, taking the popovers out of the muffin cups. She didn't know how to answer the question. On one hand she didn't want to be around him... on the other... was she going to be heartless? Was she?
"Lizzie?" Justine's voice interrupted.
She looked up at Justine, over at the plates... she needed to answer now.
A floor below, Loki was trying to read a book on Norse Mythology, completely disgusted with some of the legends which had formed about him and Thor. He could now understand Tony's comments about his having children, and wondered if the Midgardians who had come up with these tales had been lunatics. After all, how is it possible for him to have children which were so completely opposite than he? Firstly, no reproductive system would work in that manner; secondly... he wasn't that perverse!
"Prince Loki?" Jarvis broke through his thoughts.
"Yes, Jarvis?" Loki replied tiredly.
"Pardon my intrusion, but lunch is ready." the AI replied.
Loki looked up where the voice was coming from, "Who made it? Hopefully not Stark."
The AI seemed to chuckle, "No, Mr. Stark is quite inept in the kitchen, it could even be said he doesn't know how to boil water – except he knows the molecular formula to make it happen." Jarvis replied, "No, Miss Donovan made lunch, sir. And from what Prince Thor says, it is exceptional."
That piqued Loki's interest. Not that Thor thought it was 'exceptional', as Thor thought anything which filled his stomach was 'exceptional'; but that Elizabeth was actually cooking. "Who has asked me to come?" he asked, because if it was Thor he was going to decline.
"Miss Donovan, actually." the AI said, twisting the truth somewhat... no need to know that the AI suggested it.
Loki nodded, shutting his book and placing it on the bedside table, "I'll be right up." he said as he left his room to go to the elevator. As he ascended, he wished he had his magic, as he would have simply teleported himself to the kitchen... but he didn't, and therefore had no other choice than depend on the Midgardian technology.
When the elevator doors opened, he felt somewhat self-conscious... all eyes turned toward him.
Tony nodded in greeting. Steve was so focused on the petite brunette beside him, holding Andrew on his lap, all he could do was nod in Loki's direction.. Bruce tightened his hold on Justine, as she tried to keep him calm. Clint's fork was so tight in his hand that it began to bend, and Natasha tried to get him to 'knock it off'. There was a couple who Loki didn't recognize, but they looked at him in curiosity.
"There you are brother!" depend on Thor to greet him so loudly, "I was beginning to wonder if you'd decline the offer to join the feast."
"I wouldn't call this a feast, Thor." Loki retorted.
Elizabeth looked over at him with a raised eyebrow, then she laughed in Thor's direction. "Considering he's already had three bowlfuls, I think this is a feast for him." she replied, pulling a ladle-ful of some strange substance and putting it in the bowl, a small bread of some sort next to it.
Loki eyed the food, wondering just why he had bothered.
"Oh come on!" Lizzie exclaimed, "You don't know you don't like it until you taste it." A staring contest ensued, green eyes looking into brown. Finally she smirked, "Fine, I'm sure Thor will like it-"
"I haven't tried it yet." Loki interrupted stopping her from taking the bowl. Resisting the urge to gag, he took a bite.
"Well?" Lizzie prompted.
He looked up, "Its sufficient." he answered.
"Its excellent." Thor translated, "Loki is not one for giving compliments."
"I can speak for myself, thank you Thor." Loki snapped.
The Thunderer's booming laughter echoed in the room. "Ah, Loki, I have missed your remarks. Surely you do not wish to insult her? She has spent the last few hours making this meal – speaking of, is there a chance I could have another?"
"Are you actually asking, brother?" Loki asked, disbelief plain on his features.
"Of course!" Thor boomed, "I would not wish to anger Lady Elizabeth by giving her orders." he lowered his voice to a whisper, "I doubt she'd appreciate it."
Elizabeth laughed, "Just give me a sec – does anyone want seconds?" nobody answered affirmative. "Alright, then here you are." she replied, giving him another bowl. "I have to say, its been a while since someone has asked for more than seconds on my cooking... then again, my cousins live in Ireland so they can't ask for seconds. Its a high compliment."
"And you deserve high compliments, Milady, your cooking is quite good." Thor praised.
"Its just stew." Loki threw in.
"Well its very good stew." Thor retorted.
Lizzie put her hands up, "Lets not get in an argument over it." she suggested, "Thor, do you mind taking this to Jane for me?"
The blonde Asgardian looked at her mid-bite. "Do you think that wise after – well you saw?"
Putting a bowl in front of him she nodded. "Coming from a woman, yes, I do. She needs to eat, and you need an opportunity to talk to her. Just tell her I sent you, and she can be angry with me." she encouraged.
Thor considered her for a moment, then got up and walked out of the room – bowl perched precariously in his hands.
Lizzie watched him go with a smile on her face. "Trouble in paradise?" Loki asked. She shook her head.
"She's upset because he didn't check in with her when he came to take care of you." Lizzie answered, "So, right now he's in the metaphoric dog house. I'm just trying to help."
"Why would you do that?" Loki asked.
She shrugged, pushing her fringe out of her eyes as she sat down in the place where Thor had been, a bowl of stew in her hands. "I'm a romantic at heart." she answered, "That, and I never liked long-lasting contention. Its bad for relationships."
Loki chuckled, "You Midgardians, you are so focused on love, you miss everything else." Lizzie paused, looking over at Loki with disdain. "What?"
"You are so focused on your bitterness, aren't you?" she asked, "Love is the most powerful thing in the universe, without it man is nothing."
"Sentiment is a foolish emotion." Loki spat. "Only for the weak minded and foolish."
"Is that what you believe?" Lizzie asked.
"Did I say it?"
"Saying and believing are two different things. You can say things and not believe them... its called lying. And from what I've heard, you're very skilled at that." she replied. "So my question is simple: do you really believe that?"
"Of course I do." Loki replied, looking down at his food before he looked back up.
There was a moment where she just stared at him, her brown eyes scanning his. "Then you lie to yourself." she finally said, getting up from her chair to move closer to Justine and Bruce.
Loki stayed in his spot, wondering how it was she always managed to have the last word.
Please review, as I am inspired by what people say on what they think. When I don't get reviews, I don't update - mostly because I'm worrying about whether the last chapter was so bad that no one would even review, and I'm trying to figure out how to make it better. So please, if you like it, review :D