Demetri was just getting in his limo when Drake burst through the front doors of the tower.

"De! Wait!"

Demetri sat down in the car and looked up toward Drake. "Ah, so you have decided to come join me. Good."

"Well, I figured you might need some help with SID. And it was getting pretty intense in there." Drake opened the other door for himself and sat down next to his friend. Within moments, the limo pulled away, heading back to Demetri's studio.

"If Tony thinks he can get away with insulting me," Demetri huffed, "that old tin can has another thing coming. Just because he lights up like a tree, he thinks he owns the world."

"Um, he kinda does."

Demetri growled. "Maybe the most popular parts, but I own all the secret matters of the military. Just because his father was a genius, doesn't mean that he is."

"But, he kinda is."

"Would you be on my side for once?!"

"I'm just stating a fact, bro."

Once the two arrived at the high-rise and had gone up to Demetri's studio, Demetri went directly to his room and slammed the door. Drake, on the other hand, went into the kitchen.

"Hey." Drake said as he entered the kitchen. "What's up, Doc?"

"I just got in the shipment of Temp Gloves from the lab," Dr. Sara explained.

"Ooh. Fashionable tech." Drake commented as he made his way toward the fridge. As he turned back toward the table, soda in hand, he noticed Kitania. "Oh, hey. I've never seen you before. I'm Drake." He smiled and held out his hand to her.

Kitania had been so preoccupied she hadn't heard him come in, and when he spoke it made her jump. She clattered off the stool and wrapped a hand around the other arm. So thankful her hood was still up, causing her hair to fall toward her face.

She examined his outstretched hand and swallowed, all her defenses building back up. He wasn't a bad looking guy, which usually spelled trouble for her. At least in her experience. So she nodded at him with what she hoped was a faint smile and pushed past him, back to her room. She knew for a fact that her hands would light up if she stayed there too long.

With a burst of emotions she hadn't thought she still possessed, Kitania settled herself at the keyboard, put her hands to their positions, and let the music overwhelm her. Each hand moved in time to the rhythm in her head, sounding more and more like a lonely music box the longer she played. She poured her worry, fear, and loneliness into the song. Whoever he was, he would probably never speak to her again.

And she didn't know if she was okay with that.

Drake had been left staring dumbly after the strange girl. "What's up with her?" he asked, glancing at the doctor.

Dr. Sara simply shrugged and continued organizing her gloves.

Soon, beautiful piano melodies flowed from the back of the studio.

"Dude, I've never heard De play like that."

"That is not my son," Dr. Sara stated, her eyes never leaving her task.

Curiosity got the best of Drake and he walked to the guest bedroom. He waited to speak until the girl finished the piece. "That was really great. You're really talented."

Kitania heard the compliment, but she had never been good at receiving them. She shrugged. "I guess. I prefer the classics, but sometimes I sing too. Music is life." She turned halfway, keeping her eyes down and her hood up, refusing to make eye contact. "You want to hear something more contemporary?"

Drake shrugged and walked over to her. "Sure. Anything you want to play is fine with me." He stooped to see her face under the hood. "It's not raining indoors," he joked with a smile.

Kitania ducked her head, still not looking him in the eye. She had problems looking any man in the eye after what Mr. Edwards had tried to do. "It's always raining," she countered. Before he could question her cryptic answer, she put her hands to the keyboard and started in with the first chord.

She took a deep breath. "I can't sleep tonight / Wide awake and so confused / Everything's in line / But I am bruised. / I need a voice to echo / I need a light to take me home / I kinda need a hero / Is it you?"

Kitania's voice sailed through the first verse and through the pre-chorus, crescendoing to new heights. "Can you be my nightingale? / Sing to me, I know you're there. / You could be my sanity, / But bring me peace / Sing me to sleep / Say you'll be my nightingale."

She sang the second verse and another chorus, then put her whole heart into the bridge, feeling every emotion as it sailed through her fingers to the keys. "I don't know what I'd do without you / Your words are like a whisper cutting through / As long as you are with me here tonight / I'm good." She slowed, hitting the chord only once before she sang through the line. "Can you be my nightingale? / Sing to me, I know you're there." Her fingers flew into action again, begging for someone to save her, "You could be my sanity, / But bring me peace / Sing me to sleep / Say you'll be my nightingale!"

She calmed then, bringing the melodic chords down to one final dim echo in the silent room. She closed her eyes and breathed easier.

As the girl had sung, Drake was instantly taken back to memories of Paige. He remembered how the wonderful strong notes of Paige's violin used to sail through the air. He remembered how he used to sing while she played, the two making beautiful songs together. He remembered saving up every penny he could spare to pay for the repairs she needed for her electric violin. He remembered the Christmas he had given it back to her, and the smile that lit her face. Tears sprung to Drake's eyes as he listened.

"That was beautiful," he said when she had finished, his voice breaking. "Excuse me." With a sniffle, he left the room, going across the hall to Demetri's room.

Demetri glanced in the direction of the door when he heard it open. "Go away." His voice was laced with bitterness.

"Naw, man. It's me. I... I just..." Drake couldn't hold back any longer and began to sob. He sat down at the foot of Demetri's bed and let the tears wrack his body.

"Hey..." Demetri sat up and wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulders. "We'll get her back, my friend. I promise."

"How can you promise that?"

"Because I know Tony. He has the tenacity of a bulldog. And The Avengers are the best group of superheroes this world has ever had. They fought off that lunatic once, they can fight him again. Don't lose hope, Drake."

/

Paige calmed a bit at hearing Loki's voice in her mind. She knew it would be the closest thing to an apology she would get.

Soon, she opened the door to the lavatory and peeked out, making sure he wasn't looking. But, he was gone. Paige stepped out, dripping wet and wearing only a towel, and slipped into the closet to get dressed. Within minutes, she walked out wearing jeans, flats, and a cute purple t-shirt. Her hair was wrapped in the towel.

As she turned to make her way towards her bed, she saw all of her equipment laid out as it had been in her home. And there, in the center of her bed, lay her acoustic violin.

Paige smiled and picked it up. It had been days since she had played, and days were far too long.

She set the violin down again, quickly tried to dry her hair with her towel, and let her damp hair hang down her back. Then, she picked her violin up again. With a couple of strokes with her bow to make sure it was still tuned, she began to play.

A beautiful melody filled the air, overwhelming her senses. Nothing else existed because nothing else was needed. She began to sway back and forth as she played, letting the song sweep her away. It had been far too long since her musical lover had danced with her. Her violin was her lover, and this was their love affair.

The song ended and Paige let the final note resonate off of the stone around her. It faded away as life and reality took its place. A soft smile lit her face. It had been far too long.

Loki's errand didn't take long, and he returned in time to hear beautiful melodies floating from Paige's room. He smiled. She was indeed talented.

He stopped outside her door and leaned against the wall beside it. As he raised the shields that would keep his idiot brother and his henchmen from finding the well-protected fortress, Loki listened to her songs. The lilting notes of the acoustic violin did something to his heart that nothing, save Paige herself, had managed to do in quite a long time. They began to melt the ice.

Paige smiled and packed her acoustic violin back in its case. As much as she loved its classical charm, her electric violin still captured her heart.

At took a few minutes for Paige to get all of her equipment plugged in. Pedals were plugged into varying ports, while the final port was occupied by the cord that led to her electric violin. She pulled her bow across the strings, letting the higher trill of the tinnier sound ring through the speaker behind her. She turned a knob which turned down the sound, taking the stone around her into consideration. Another few notes, to make sure she was in the right key, and then…

A few staccato notes to establish the beat, and a press of a pedal to put it on loop. Then, a harmony, created by sharp distorted notes laced with electricity. It was also put on loop. Soon, a quick lively melody rang out over the other sounds, reminding one of the original sound of the classic violin. And yet the trained ear could easily pick up on the difference. The melody, too, was laced with electricity.

The melody was repeated a few times, and then, as quick as everything began, another press of a pedal silenced it, letting a distorted electric rock riff take its place.

Putting the rock riff harmony on loop, she quickly added the rock melody, the distorted notes showing their defiance to anything that claimed that violin was a classical instrument. The riff began to display its power, showing off the mischief it had caused to the original melody. It dared the lively melody to challenge it. Challenge accepted.

The piece changed, going back to the former lively melody. The loops that had been established with it returned, taking the place of the rock riff entirely. The melody showed off what it could do. It, too, was strong, with sharp powerful notes that pierced the air.

But, then the rock riff was back, fighting for its spot in the limelight, its power and harshness overwhelming the lively melody and silencing it. Tension built again with repeated staccato notes. The war had begun.

A short rest, the calm before the storm. And then… her violin suddenly screamed with sound and passion as the lively melody returned with vengeance, the rock riff still looping in the background. Together, the two parts of the same song complemented each other beautifully.

But, then the lively melody had to tote its achievement over the rock riff. Short and bright staccato notes ridiculed the riff, daring it to rise to the new challenge it had posed. A press of a pedal created two violins that played simultaneously. The feud was still on. Rock and classical sang in unison as the tension built again.

With another high note, the two parts became one again, playing together, with the lively melody winning out over the rock riff. A press of a pedal ended the song, letting one single high note resonate off of the stone.

Loki listened to the war of classic and strange, straightening to hear better. This must have been what she referred to when she spoke of "electric violin". Her heart and soul poured into the melody, the war of feelings and hurts escalating to a final crescendo. The last high note reverberated on the stone surrounding them.

He waited for the note to silence, and then he opened the door and returned to his little telepath.

Paige jolted when the door opened. She thought she'd been alone. Surely, he'd heard her vibrant song.

So, what do you think? I told you it was a bit... modern. She reached behind her and turned the volume down on her amplifier, turning off the ring-back that came from simply holding her violin. Was it too jarring for you? If you don't like it, I can turn it off. I know you're probably used to the sound of the acoustic violin. Paige was actually very self-conscious of her playing.

"It was... different. But enjoyable." Loki held back his smirk, realizing that she probably felt vulnerable. Music did that to those who loved it. Made them vulnerable. "I would very much like to hear what else you have in store up there in that beautiful head of yours."

Paige smiled. Of course. Perhaps I should start off with something more classical. I know I said I wasn't much like Vivaldi, but I try.

She reached behind her and turned the volume up on her amplifier again, just enough so that her song could be heard as well. Then, she played a couple notes, tuned her violin, and played a couple more. Perfect.

My rendition of Vivaldi's "Winter".

The song started out in the usual manner. Short staccato notes were quickly put on loop. Another set of short notes joined the others. Another few sets joined those, creating the sound of many violins playing at once.

Then, with the press of a pedal, the loops became silent. She began to play a slow and sad melody that was not a part of the original piece at all. This melody soon gained tempo, becoming lively and happy. With the press of a pedal, she was able to add shorter notes to the looping lively tune.

A smile crossed her face as a crescendo led into a faster tempo and a more beautiful melody. She began to sway with the music, letting it take her away... only to be led back into "Winter", which silenced her happier tune. The long sad melody became passionate, quickly switching back to the staccato notes. Her smile died as the music changed, mirroring the transitions.

Another crescendo led back into the happier melody, with "Winter" continuing to play in the background. Her smile returned, and she began to move with the music again. A flourish of strong notes took over, letting "Winter" die away. Her whole body seemed as if it would burst from the passion of her soul, and yet she remained in control.

Then, down the scale back into "Winter". The familiar staccato notes finished out the song.

Paige opened her eyes and smiled. Perfect.

Loki smiled and watched her as she performed, eyes closed most of the time. Truly, the music ran in her veins, and he had never seen anything quite so beautiful as a woman enjoying her passion. A passion for music, in this case. It lit up her face and invaded her muscles, causing her to sway with the rhythm. When she finished, Loki could honestly say he was sorry she had.

"You should play more often," he said gently, quietly.

Paige blushed a bit and smiled at his comment. I'll play for you whenever you want me to. she offered.

Reconsidering her previous selections, Paige decided to put her electric violin away. Instead, she took her acoustic violin back out, played a couple notes, and began to play a beautiful slow song. The wood rang with the high strong notes.

Once again, Paige let the music carry her away, and slowly swayed in time with the song.

Loki smiled at the offer and made sure to veil his thoughts to have a moment of privacy as she soared through the next song. He knew he had let the veil slip once or twice, and sloppiness wouldn't do at this moment.

That would be impossible, little telepath, he said to himself, for I would never wish you to cease your beautiful music.

He smiled widely as she finished and stepped toward her, looking down into her eyes. "I would very much appreciate if you would play again for me. Some other time, perhaps?"

Of course, my prince. Paige nodded and began to put her equipment away. All you need to do is ask, and I'll gladly play for you.

She gathered her equipment into the corner by the window, to keep all the stuff out of the way. As she turned, she noticed the beautiful sunset outside. She walked to the window, opened the casement again, and placed her hand on the barrier. The green glow of the shield shimmered against her hand.

Hm. Brute force isn't going to break this barrier, is it? I bet even the strength of your brother couldn't break it, much less my weak telekinetic blasts. Paige turned and crossed her arms, looking her prince over. She looked from him, to the barrier, back to him, and back to the barrier. Perhaps brain over brawn? There is a trick to this. It's only an illusion, is it not?

She turned back toward the window, placed her hand on the barrier, and closed her eyes, concentrating on the energy flowing through it. It took all of her concentration. But, after a few minutes, she smiled.

I can feel the ebb and flow of the energy. A slight tremor that's barely noticeable, but it's there. Like the vibration of sound on stone. Paige opened her eyes and looked at him. If I can harness that energy and control it, I bet I could break your shield.

Loki smiled at her persistence. "Hm. I doubt it. It will not relent until I command it to be so." He stared out at the sunset, silently adoring her wish to understand how his mind worked. After all, that was how the shield was controlled. "Would you like to see the sunset from the field, my little telepath?"

Paige nodded enthusiastically, her smile brightening her face. Yes, I would love that. It's been days since I've been out in the fresh air. And I would like to see the countryside firsthand.