Bella opened the door for him and mentioned for him to get into the back of the car, "I can open doors for myself," he bit at her.
"Its protocol," Bella got in the car for herself, "It's stupid, but those are the rules."
"Where is Sophia?"
"Steve drove her home," Bella answered, "too bad, too. She wanted to see you and Fury get into a Sabre duel in the parking lot," She gunned the engine, "I must admit, that would have been pretty cool to see."
Loki smiled and leaned back, "I'd win."
DAY 16: 0320 HOURS
She was half asleep when someone grabbed her shoulder. She pulled the gun out from under her pillow and cocked it at her assailant.
"Loki, I know you have a storm phobia, but this is ridiculous," she slipped the pistol back under her pillow.
"Please," Loki blushed a delicate shade of pink, "I am embarrassed enough."
She listened to the storm outside and inwardly shrugged. This is bloody ridiculous. . .
"C'mon, let's watch the storm," Bella said in a soothing voice, taking his hand delicately and leading him around the bedroom to the window.
"What?"
"Sophie and I used to do it all the time," she took his hand and helped him up. She pulled him over to the window where the eerie flashes of lightning played and the pane of glass was shaken by the thunder. She noticed him flinch every time lightning struck and thunder roared. The rain battered the window. If they went out onto the balcony, they would get soaked.
She put an arm around his shoulders as they stood together, watching the storm, "do you know where lightning really comes from?"
"I have no idea."
"Lightning comes from the ground," Bella told him matter-of-factly, "and it goes up." She grinned, "Thor's gone home, Loki," she looked him in the eye, "I bet you it's Storm."
"Who is Storm?"
"Storm's a mutant," Bella explained, but Loki still looked at her, confused, "She can control storms."
Loki smiled awkwardly, "a mortal with power over lightning," he laughed humorlessly, "Thor would love that."