Paige eyed Loki's scepter, wary of its power. She knew he could harm her if he wanted to, but he really wouldn't... would he? He seemed to love her, but had broken his promise. He treated her well... but only as long as she obeyed him. But, really, what did she have to lose? Her father was gone, Drake would never come for her, and her mother could care less. She was alone in the world. Let Loki do as he wished. He would still pay for what he'd done.

Paige struck at him again, trying to avoid his scepter, but still trying to cause him harm. She didn't want to kill him. She'd never want that. But she did want him to know the pain of betrayal.

Loki grabbed her arm, flipped her to the floor, and straddled her slim waist. With one hand, he yanked the staff from her grasp and stored it away where she couldn't get to it. Then he settled that hand on her shoulder, keeping her still. He pressed the end of the scepter to her heart, ready to take over. But, something stopped him. He couldn't do this to her. He couldn't hurt her. What once he had thought nothing of suddenly bore the weight of the world.

Her slight form heaved beneath him, and he looked down into those haunting eyes. Each moment spent in that engulfing understanding cooled his rage further. His helmet and battle armor slowly melted away. Still angered, he kept the scepter at her heart, silently threatening to use it. But, he was slowly losing his nerve.

Paige suddenly found herself on the floor with Loki on top of her. Before she could react, his scepter was pressed to her heart. In an instant, memories of AVCORP flowed through her mind. Horrible memories of being stranded inside herself, while the world caved in around her. But, this time would be much worse. This time, she didn't have a secret paradise to escape to. She didn't have friends or fantasies to cling to. This time, she was completely alone, with her only comfort being that he would be inside her mind.

Wait, she pleaded, her voice full of fear, as she gazed up into his eyes. Only pain and anger glared back at her. Wait, my prince. Please.

She closed her eyes for a moment as she tried to regulate her breathing. With every rise of her chest, she felt the sharp needle-like prick of his scepter. When she opened her eyes again, she noticed that a strand of his hair had fallen out of place during the fight. The wavy, black strand hung near his temple, contrasting with his pale skin.

Before she realized what she was doing, Paige lifted a trembling hand and lightly swept the hair away from his face, tucking it carefully behind his ear. There, she broadcast softly. A prince should have everything in its proper place... I suppose... I stepped out of my place, didn't I?

Another shaky breath brought yet another sting from his scepter. The mild pain caused her to glance down at it. Timidly, she let her hand ghost over the blade, studying it intently. His scepter was so beautiful, despite how deadly it was. Her hand moved down farther, lightly hovering over the power source. Swirls of cool blue danced around her hand, twining in and around her fingers like a magic she, too, could control. As the energy flowed around her hand, she heard the whisper of an echo play at the corners of her mind. It whispered softly in an alien language, coaxing her to give in. And she wanted to. She desperately wanted to give in to him, to make every one of his desires her own.

Your scepter... it's alive, she whispered, smiling softly, as she glanced up at him again. The crystal... I can feel it. Pure telepathic energy. You haven't even used it on me yet, but I can feel it. It's beautiful, Loki. Absolutely beautiful.

Her hand continued moving down the staff until it settled over his, her touch light and soft. I've heard what you call this wondrous power, she continued. Peace, truth... freedom. Agent Barton said it was like you took his mind out and put yours in. Her smile slid from her face as she remembered AVCORP again. I know what that's like, to have someone take out my mind and put themselves in. It's a terrible feeling... But, to be honest, I don't think there's anyone else I'd rather have in my mind than you. I know you'd never intentionally harm me, even now, when I've done so much to wrong you.

Paige lifted her free hand and gently stroked his cheek, wiping a drop of blood from his skin. She hadn't meant to hurt him, not really. She'd just let her anger take over. Now, this was the price she'd pay for fighting with a god.

I am so sorry I hurt you, my prince. I was angry. Demetri was one of my best friends. I wish you could understand that. Her words were earnest and sincere. She truly wished he could understand how she felt. Even though he fought you, he was still defenseless against you. You're so much stronger than he was. He never had a chance.

You promised me that you would try not to hurt him, but then you murdered him... Loki, my darling, how did you expect me to react? I wasn't going to let you get away with hurting the ones I love... But now, I suppose my headstrong nature has finally gotten the best of me, hasn't it? What I've done is unforgivable. And I am truly sorry.

Paige let her hand drop from his face and she wiped her own tears away. He could never understand how much she loved him. Five short days had sparked a passion in her and she wasn't ready for their time together to end. He was everything she'd ever wanted... but now her own actions had shoved him away from her.

Before you do this, she glanced down at his scepter again, the gravity of the situation finally sinking in, I want you to promise me something, my prince. Truly promise me. Promise me that you will remember the moments we shared together. Remember last night, when we sat in the garden. Remember our silly little game of chase, and how I always end up in your arms. Her gaze returned to his eyes, and she watched as tears began to gather in them. Remember when we danced together the day we met. The dinners we had and our long conversations. Last night, when we lay together and you told me how much I meant to you... how much I still mean to you. Remember every kiss and how many more could have been given. I know these moments were shorter than a breath and less than a heartbeat compared to your life, but they were everything to me... You are everything to me. A small, airy sob escaped her lips. Promise me that you will remember me. Remember me as I am now, as the 'mighty telepath' you know I am. I know how your scepter works, Loki. You'll still have my body and some of my mind, but you won't have me. You'll have a shell. The same shell those scientists had when they cut me open. But I will be yours, and I know you'd never hurt me.

She brushed the backs of her fingers lightly over his cheek, still cautious of his wound, and gently wiped his tears away. Please don't cry, darling. I know why you're doing this. I don't blame you. You're angry and rightfully so. I betrayed you... and I'm sorry... I only wish we could have had more time together.

Paige glanced away from him and looked at her hand, where his tears had gathered on the backs of her fingers. She ran her thumb over them, thinking of all the moments she would never be able to share with him. She would never again be able to spend such time thinking about his tears. Nor about how it felt to have drops of his soul on her hand.

She brought her hand to her lips and kissed his tears, as more of her own poured from her eyes. He meant so much to her, and she would never again be able to tell him. Not even now could she find the courage to tell him. After all, they had only known each other for five days. Who ever fell so deeply in love after only five days? What would he think if she confessed her love for him so soon? No, she couldn't. Her pride was still too stubborn for that.

Looking back at him, she ran her fingers lightly down his jawline, studying his face intently, as she watched his tears stream down his face. Promise me, Loki, that you will remember... the days when you were my handsome prince, and I... your little telepath. My only hope, darling, is that you'll allow me to remember them as well. Because I never want to forget them. Or forget you. Take every other part of me, but don't take my memories.

With another sob, Paige pressed herself up against his scepter, causing it to slice into her skin, as she tried to move closer so she could kiss him. The cut wasn't bad enough to kill her, but it did sting quite a bit. But, in light of the pain she was about to feel, it hardly hurt at all.

She let her love for him pour into the passion of their kiss, knowing it would be the last kiss she'd ever give him. While her one hand still rested over his, the other wandered up his arm and shoulder, until she was caressing the back of his neck. She pulled him closer, intensifying their kiss.

Loki allowed his tears to wet her face as she kissed him. He didn't want to let go. He didn't want to give up this passion, this flame between them. She was right. He wouldn't have her, not really. He'd have her body, yes, and he'd be in her mind. But none of it would be voluntary. She'd never really be his.

Do it, she whispered into his mind, as her grip tightened over his hand. Go ahead. I'm not afraid of you. Not anymore. Only, please, do leave my memories. Let me at least have that. Paige slowly pulled out of their kiss, panting softly, as her shirt began to stain with blood.

Loki pulled back and watched the blood flow across her chest, encircling her neck. He had done that. He had hurt her, without trying. He had drawn her blood.

Unable to move any closer to him, she pulled him down to her, until her lips hovered next to his ear. With a grin, she used a bit of mind-play to make him think he was hearing her aloud. "Goodbye, Loki... my prince... my love."

He couldn't do it. Not to her. Loki tossed the scepter aside, but remained straddling her. He pressed his hands to the floor on either side of her and slowly leaned forward to press his lips against her forehead. "I could never." He stood, hauling her up with him, and turned to re-enter the library.

With a flick of his wrist and a screech from the girl, he sent Kitania teleporting back to the piano room. She would be alright and locked up tight in there.

He held tightly to Paige's wrist and came to an abrupt halt, sealing the library doors behind him. He took a deep breath and looked down into her eyes. "Read the memories."

Paige was a bit frightened by his sudden behavior. She tugged gently on her wrist, trying to make him loosen his grip. As she gazed up into his eyes, she could see the hurt behind them. He must have been telling the truth, for him to be acting this way. For his emotions to affect him so deeply. Paige slowly shook her head. No. she reached up and softly caressed his cheek with her free hand. I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. I was angry and hurt, and I still am, but I never should have attacked you. I don't need to see your memories, Loki. I trust you. Now, I trust you.

Paige leaned up onto the tips of her toes and softly kissed his lips. After all he'd done for her, she should have believed him from the very beginning. She wrapped her arms gently around him, giving him a soft embrace, yet wincing slightly from the pain in her chest. I'm so sorry, my prince. Can you ever forgive me?

Loki breathed a little easier. He really didn't want her to have to deal with those memories. They were hard enough for him to deal with. He stepped even closer and held her tightly. For a short while, no words were necessary. Then Loki pulled back slightly and cupped her face in his hands. "I will always forgive you. Always. Forgive me, my love? Forgive my rage and my lack of control?"

Of course, darling. Paige closed her eyes and let him hold her. Then she realized what he'd said. Her eyes shot back open. 'My love'? You love me?