Paige breathed another sigh of relief as Loki teleported away. She would rather have her leg broken than slowly put back together again.

Eyeing the bottle of wine next to her, Paige picked it up and began to gulp it down. Anything to get rid of the pain in her leg. She easily finished half the bottle, and set it down again. It would begin to act soon enough, she knew that from all her years of her mother's drunkenness. Her only worry about being drunk was what Loki could do to her while she was out of her right mind. Of course, with him being able to resist her telekinesis and with her being unable to flee, there wasn't much she could do to stop him anyway. May as well be out of pain rather than in it.

After about half an hour, Paige was pretty tipsy. She laid on the settee, mentally humming a poem she'd written years ago, and waving her hands as if she was conducting an orchestra.

There was a man

Who went to Town

To buy a loaf of bread.

But in the morn,

They turned him 'round,

And found that he was dead.

Twas dead! Twas dead!

The beggar man was dead.

All because he had to eat

One scrawny piece of bread.

The rats we know

Got in the grain,

And ate themselves to death.

Twas laced with pois'n

And the plague

The grain that all was left.

The beggar man,

The beggar man

He ate the poisoned grain.

And all his kin,

He did infect,

With the Bubonic Plague.

As she mentally giggled with glee, Paige sang it again and again, completely forgetting about the pain in her leg.

Loki reappeared in the hotel room he'd left Paige in, ready to demand an explanation. What he found threw him completely off balance. She giggled at nothing and looked dazed. Perhaps he shouldn't have given her so much wine. He should have emptied some of the bottle. She giggled again.

Loki dropped his forehead to the fingertips of one hand. Oh, gods, he needed a drink. He snatched the bottle from Paige's hand and took a long swig. First, she had neglected to tell him about her betrothal, and now she was drunk. Did she have any idea what a man could do to her if he found her not in her right mind? Her telekinesis couldn't be strong when she was like this. However, it did afford him time to do one thing. Loki knelt beside her, rested his hand gently on her ankle, and finished healing her wounds.

Paige gasped when she felt the pain in her leg. She'd nearly forgotten about it. Hey! What're you doing? Stop it! Even her inner voice was slurred. That hurts. Get away.

She tried to move her leg but found that she couldn't. So, instead, she simply pouted and mentally whimpered.

The last fragment snapped into place, and Loki felt the exhaustion take hold. Healing took a lot of energy. Energy he had already spent yelling at his former brother. He kissed the top of Paige's head lightly and moved himself into a separate room to sleep.

Once her leg had been healed, Paige easily drifted to sleep.

/

Sometime during the night, Paige woke with an awful migraine. This headache wasn't like her usual headaches, casued periodically by her AVCORP amplifier. She knew what this headache was. A hangover.

Paige tried to turn over on the settee, but quickly found herself on the floor. Ow! Stupid thing.

She sat up, finding that her leg had been healed. It still hurt, but that was to be expected. A hairline fracture was better than her bone being in splinters. It took her a while to clamber back onto the settee, but when she did, she took a moment to look around the dark room. A small digital clock on the other side of the room glowed 3:27 AM.

She brought up the lights to a dim glow, just enough for her to see the room, and mentally groaned from the increased pain in her head. Looking around, she noticed that she was in the living room section of a hotel suite. The glowing time came from the clock on the microwave in the kitchenette. Across from her, a door leading to another room was cracked slightly open. That must have been the bedroom.

Paige stood, wincing from the pain in her leg, and slowly hobbled over to the door, holding onto furniture as she walked. She would much rather be in pain and walking than feeling fine and being stuck on a narrow settee.

She peeked her head in the room and squinted into the darkness, wondering if her prince was there. It didn't take long for her to hear his soft breathing. He must have been asleep. Not wanting to wake him, she quickly turned away from the door, closing it softly behind her. Unable to stand the pain in her leg any longer, she sat in a nearby chair.

3:42 AM. Great. Maybe she could sleep on the floor. At least it would be better than that uncomfortable antique couch.

Loki rolled over and squinted at the door when he heard it click softly. She must have woken up. And she only had the floor and a settee to sleep on out there. That would hurt her terribly, after her ordeal. He sighed and stood from the bed, ignoring the fact that he only wore his tunic and breeches.

He opened the door wide enough to walk through—which, in his case, was most of the way—and stepped into the secondary room. He almost chuckled at the sight of her curled on the floor. "The mattress would make a much more comfortable sleeping arrangement, do you not think so?"

Paige opened her eyes when she heard his voice, and blushed when she saw him. She knew it was silly to have expected to see him in armor, but that was the only image of him she'd ever had. Now, he stood before her in nothing but a green tunic and brown trousers. He looked so vulnerable and... human.

As she laid there staring at him, she couldn't help but look him over. She wondered what his strong arms felt like under the thin cloth of his shirt. She'd only ever felt his arms when they were covered in leather. What did his chest feel like? She'd only ever felt the cool metal of his armor when he held her. What did his skin feel like?

A solid thirty seconds passed before Paige snapped out of her daze. Oh, gosh, was she broadcasting?! Please, don't let her have broadcasted all that! She would die. Utterly and completely die. Right now, right where she lay.

Wait, he'd asked her a question. What did he say? Something about a mattress. Oh, gosh. Um... yes. The floor isn't very comfortable.

Yep. If it was possible to die from embarrassment, she would have died a full two minutes ago.

Loki smiled and extended his hand. "As I presumed. Come on, then." He waited patiently for Paige to take it. If she had half the hangover he thought she might, she would need help standing to her feet.

Paige gladly accepted his hand. It had taken her far too long to stand on her own the last time she'd tried to get off the floor. As she rose to her feet, she stepped down too hard on her left leg. It buckled under her, sending her sprawling into his arms.

Loki had no trouble catching her.

Well, she got her wish. If the moment hadn't been so awkward, she'd have taken more time to notice the feeling of his strong body against hers.

I'm sorry. She blushed bright red. My leg is still very sore. I think it might still be fractured... But thank you for everything you've done. At least I can walk now, with assistance.

Loki made sure she was steady before he released her and dropped his hand into hers. "It was nothing." He started back for the bedroom and released her hand at the door. "Sleep well, Paige." He dropped back into one side of the bed, pulled the covers up over his torso, and cuddled into his pillow.

Well, he certainly wasn't chivalrous when he was tired, was he?

Paige limped over to the other side of the bed, stood there—her weight supported by her good leg—and simply stared at him. She had to admit, the previous day had exhausted her, but she wasn't sure she trusted him enough to lay with him. Too much had happened to her in her past. Friends had suddenly become enemies overnight. But, he had had the perfect opportunity to take advantage of her and he didn't. He had healed her and then left her alone. Perhaps he could be trusted.

Paige hesitantly laid down next to him. The soft bed felt wonderful and inviting. She hadn't realized how tired she really was. At least he allowed her to join him. He hadn't made her sleep on the floor.

Lately, she'd been feeling very much like a pet. As she rolled over and stared up at the ceiling, she thought of all that had happened to her over the past days. He had kidnapped her, yet was kind to her. He had told her to obey and made her promise to return to him willingly, yet he obviously had affections for her. And he had told her she was his companion. Oh, gosh. She was a pet!

Of course he saw her as a pet. Why had she thought he would view her differently? He was a mythical god for goodness sake! And she was merely mortal. All she could ever hope to be to him was a pet.

Loki smiled as he read what she was thinking. She had no idea. She may have started out as a pet, but no longer. "Cease your worrying, little one. You are keeping me from my sleep." He had to refrain from asking about her betrothed. If she loved this boy so dearly, she would have mentioned him earlier.

Paige blushed when she heard his words. Of course she had broadcast all that. She mentally groaned and covered her face with her hands. I have a right to worry, though, she protested. I am a person, whether you see me as one or not. She trailed off, not wanting to anger him. I'm sorry. Perhaps we can discuss this in the morning.

Of course she was a person. Why would she think otherwise? He had tried to treat her as humanly as possible. Were his best efforts all in vain? Loki tried not to sigh. "Yes. You are." He agreed. "A very headstrong one at that. Why did you not mention your betrothal?"

Betrothal?! Paige sat up straight and looked at him like he was crazy. What in the world are you talking about? I'm not betrothed! I mean, I have a boyfriend—had a boyfriend—but we're not engaged!

Loki rolled over so he could see her and propped himself up on one elbow. "I do not understand this term. Boyfriend. Would you kindly explain it to me?"

Paige laid back down and thought about his question. How was she supposed to explain something so complicated, especially to someone so ancient? With ancient ways. I'll try...

Drake is my... suitor. He has been... courting me... for quite a long time. Years. All this time, though, he has never asked me to marry him. In our modern culture, only one man may court one woman at a time. That man has a sort of... claim... on that woman. Only through engagement, betrayal, or mutual agreement can the courtship be ended.

At first, I loved Drake. Recently, however, my love has run cold. He is immature and ignorant. I have grown through these past years. He has not. And he is average. We went through the experiment together. He helped me through so much and saved me. But, once I developed my telepathy, he became... distant. It's not really distant, per se, but there is a gap between us. I wanted help with understanding my power; he only wanted to mock me, as if everything is a game.

I only stayed with him because I thought he was my only chance at happiness. The humans do not accept what is different. Those who are disabled think I have an unfair advantage because of my implant. The superhumans think I am weak because of my silence. And those who are "normal" fear my power and think I'm a freak... a monster.

I didn't tell you because I didn't think it mattered. You kidnapped me for a reason, and I didn't think you'd ever let me go. I still don't think you will. My past means little in the presence of what future I could have. I'm sorry I misled you to think I was... unclaimed. But, I swear to you, I do not love him.

Loki held in his smile. "Well, then. If you do not love him, you do not love him. It is settled. Although it is highly unfair to the men of this realm to force upon them the stipulation that a woman may only have one suitor. How will she know her worth? A virtuous woman should be fought for, cherished and wanted above all others. And how will she know how desirable she is if eligible men stay away for fear of her current suitor? No, I do not agree with this custom. A man should fight for the one he loves, and he should know his mind far sooner than five years in a courtship." He clucked his tongue. "He is a fool to have waited this long. Though I cannot say I am unhappy to reap the benefits of his hesitance."

Paige smiled and turned on her side to face him. So, you're saying you're willing to compete with Drake for my heart? She blushed. It's hardly a competition. And wouldn't you be a little jealous if the woman you loved had other suitors? The one suitor rule keeps the suitors from killing each other.

As she snuggled closer to him, a small wave of guilt rose in the back of her mind. She was such a tramp for betraying Drake like this. But, Loki was right. How was she supposed to know her worth if they didn't fight over her? And who said Drake was looking for her anyway? The last time she spoke to him, they'd argued and left on uncertain terms. No, she wouldn't let the guilt affect her. And, more than anything else, she liked the idea of being fought for.

"Of course I would fight for you." Loki reached to smooth her hair from her face. His telepath was worth fighting for, else he would not have taken her from her home. "As for this Drake, let him come. Whatever he attempts will not work. Not on me." He grinned. "As for my jealousy..." He leaned next to her ear and lowered his voice. "Should I be jealous?"

Paige blushed and leaned her face into his hand. She definitely liked all the attention he gave her. She gave an airy laugh and leaned her head against his. No. You shouldn't be. You have nothing to worry about. He's not coming for me.

Her smile slid from her face as the gravity of her last statement sank in. Drake would not be coming for her. Knowing him, he was probably sitting at home playing video games. He probably never even noticed she was gone. No... he would never be coming for her. And the only reason the heroes came for her was because her captor was Loki. No... no one would be coming for her.

Loki backed up just enough to see her beautiful eyes and full lips. He moved his thumb to brush along her lower lip, slightly protruded in a pout. "You've no idea how precious you are, do you? How many men have longed for you but been too timid to ask for your hand. Tell me, Paige, would you even know it if a man gazed on you with desire in his eyes, or would you overlook it because you do not think he could ever want you?"

Paige turned her face away from him. He had no right to touch her like that. As horrible memories filled her mind, she stood from the bed and backed against a nearby wall.

Yes, I'd know it! I've seen it! And his desire was not concerned with my well-being! She wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. Just... just stay away from me. Your tricks won't work on me. I heard what you told Thor! That you would 'ravish her mind'! Stay away from me, Loki. I'm in no condition to fight you.

Loki sat up straighter and watched her cower. Fear was not becoming on her, unlike other mortals he had known. "Oh, that. Be assured I never meant you. No, no you are quite safe in my presence. I will not touch you. Not until you offer me permission to do so. Furthermore, allow me to explain what I truly meant." He paused to gather his throughts, then let his tone turn serious. "When I speak of desire, I do not speak of lust. I speak of the need to be around someone, the feeling that when you are not with her you are incomplete. I speak of the desire to watch her. Watch her do anything, just so long as you can remain in her presence. I would never, never speak of this carnal, base desire that so many mortal men think is honorable. For it is not. A woman should be gazed upon as a precious jewel, worthy of a hundred times her value. Not as a piece of meat."

Oh, and are you so honorable and noble, Loki of Asgard? You do not deserve to be ranked among the gods! I know you! You who kill and destroy for fun! Do you think that whatever you plan to do to that woman is better than what Bruileo did to me? I tell you it's worse! Bodies can heal. Minds cannot! You are a horrible, cruel, silver-tongued creep! Paige slid down the wall, careful of her bad leg, and brought the knee of her good leg to her chest. She wrapped both arms around her knee. Just stay away from me.

Loki tossed the covers aside and took a deep breath to hold in his anger and disappointment. How could she think such things of him? "I do not plan to do anything with her or to her, little telepath. I can no longer harm the oaf physically, he has grown too strong for that. Just knowing she is in my grasp will wound him emotionally. He thinks me capable of grand travesties. I need not do anything to her, as he will find himself concerned with what I could do."

Oh. Paige was silent for a long time. She felt overwhelming guilt for everything she had said to him. But, her pride wouldn't let her apologize so soon.

Instead, she simply buried her face in her arms and sat there, silent as ever. There was no way he would let her return to him after everything she'd said. Now she would be quite happy sleeping on the floor. She deserved it.

"You are not the first to mistake my meaning," Loki said with a shrug. "It seems my silver tongue is often a curse. Perhaps I can make it up to you? Would you like to know why I chose you?" He barely waited for a reaction before he continued, trying to get it out before he changed his mind. This had to be the wine talking. "Heimdall saw you afar off, little telepath. He saw your tricks. Being one for mischief, myself, I certainly could not resist a look in your direction." He cleared his throat. "It was on my trip to Midgard, here to see you, that I realized you are a telepath. And I saw your pain. None of them treated you with respect, as they should, and the longer I thought of it the more enraged I grew. I knew I must do something. You were too exquisite to be treated as such a small, unnoticeable creature." He shrugged again, no longer having the strength to continue. He rose and turned for a dark corner. "You take the bed."

Paige reached out a hand, as if to stop him. She couldn't bear her guilt anymore. No, Loki, wait. She tried to stand, but it took her a little while to finally get her feet under her again. I'm sorry for the things I said. That's the problem with my telepathy. My thoughts come out before I can stop them, before I get a chance to think about the damage I cause. I didn't know you felt so strongly about me. Now I do feel awful. She sat down on the bed, remade the covers the best she could, and turned down the sheets on his side of the bed. Please come back. I won't say another word. They tend to do too much damage.

Loki stopped and looked at her, tilting his head and furrowing his brow. "You would trust me to come so close so soon?" Was this a trick? He didn't know anymore. The line between truth and lie had always been thin and grey. This made no sense to him. She had practically accused him of trying to force himself on her moments ago. "Are you quite sure?"

Yes, I'm sure. You just swore to me that you would never do such harm to a woman. And you promised to not touch me unless I give you permission. Why should I have reason to doubt you? And... if you do try anything, telepathy is not my only means of defense. Touch me in any manner I do not approve of, and you might just lose your hand.

And she meant it, too. If telekinesis wouldn't work on him, perhaps old-fashioned kicking and biting would, if it came down to it.

Loki would have argued (though he didn't know why) but the hour grew late and he wanted a few hours of good rest before the morning's first light. He slipped into his side of the bed and curled his arm under his pillow to boost his head. He didn't say a word, only concentrated on returning to his slumber. Paige had made that much harder than she had probably anticipated.

Paige laid back down and stared up at the ceiling for a while. It was difficult trying to live with someone so much like her. But, she would make it work... somehow.

She fell asleep after a little while, but her sleep was not restful. She tossed from one side to the other as nightmares plagued her mind. Images of Drake, the experiment, and the happenings of the past days all tossed through her mind like the waves of an angry sea.