Changed

Chapter Three: A Rocky Start

Loki had to admit that he felt much better now that his hair was cut. Michelle hadn't sacrificed his personal style at all, she just took off the unnecessary length in the back, the way he'd once worn it in a simpler time on Asgard before he discovered his true parentage, before Thor's banishment. It almost felt like a weight had been lifted from him in some way, like a sense of relief and he was much more comfortable now. He was surprised, but he decided she'd done a surprisingly good job as he observed his hair in the bathroom mirror. He reminded himself to try and give her more credit.

She left him to his own devices as she swept up the pieces of cut hair off the floor, and he found himself back in the spare – rather his, now – bedroom, picking up the Wicked book some reason, he found it compelling and interesting. Not only just the story, but the way it was written, as well. It was political and thoughtful, but it also spoke of magic, which was always something he found interesting. What intrigued him the most, however, was the title character, this Elphaba. Misunderstood and neglected by her family, he was surprised he felt for her so much. He supposed it made sense; they were both bastard children, both the product of lies. Elphaba was much more cynical than him, but he understood was she was the way she was. What he didn't understand was why humans felt for her so much.

"Michelle," he said, stepping into the kitchen with the book again. She was back to doing the dishes, drying them off and putting them away. "Why is it humans relate to this book so much?"

She glanced over to the book in his hand briefly before placing a few cups in the cupboard. "I wouldn't say it's the most relatable book in the world, but people who read it relate to the character because we've all felt that way before."

"Of not belonging?" He clarified. "Have you ever felt like that?"

"Sure," she said, shrugging, standing up on her tiptoes again to put a few more cups away. "Everyone has."

"But you're human," he pressed. "None of you have green skin, or are a monster."

"You're taking it too literally," Michelle said, turning to look at him. "It's not about how similar we are to her, it's about how we feel. For example, I was never very popular in school, and growing up, I felt really awkward and people made fun of me because kids are cruel. I felt like I didn't belong. I don't have green skin or anything, but I was still disliked by some people and those people made fun of me; it's the same thing. I may not have been ostracized by everyone, but I've definitely felt alone like that before."

Loki listened carefully to what she had to say before looking down at the book again. He frowned, thinking hard, before asking, "What becomes of her in the end?"

Michelle smiled as she poured herself a glass of water. After putting the water jug back in the fridge, she approached him, patting him briefly on the shoulder.

"Keep reading," she said with a smile as she returned to the living room.

The next week was an awkward adjustment into their new routine. They still weren't totally sure about each other, but Michelle pushed aside the tension she felt and went about her business and Loki did his best to stay out of her way. She would make him breakfast in the morning, she'd get ready to go to work, he would stay home and read all day, and when she came home, she'd cook diner and watch television or read her book, curled up in the corner of the couch as she always did.

Loki eventually started joining her on the couch so they could eat together, watching whatever shows she was watching as they sat on opposite ends of the couch. The television was intriguing to him at first, and a few of the shows she enjoyed watching were entertaining and interesting, but it bored him for the most past; eventually, he'd always go back to his book.

Aside from the awkwardness between them thanks to the lack of real conversation, Michelle found him to be a good roommate. He was tidy, he respected her privacy, and he was quiet. She was glad the he dropped the whole 'god' act, but she still felt that he held a sense of superiority over her, though that could have just been her imagination. Halfway through the fourth week, however, she noticed Loki was fidgety and restless, something that was odd for him. After their usual dinner in front of the television, he got up to put his plate in the kitchen. Michelle fully expected him to retreat into his bedroom to read some more, but instead he came back, his shoulders squared.

"I need to get out," he announced.

Michelle's brows shot up. "Pardon?"

"I've been cooped up in this apartment for nearly a month," Loki said. "I'm going mad. I need to get outside, walk around, something. I'm used to be able to going wherever I'd like."

She nodded slowly, realizing that he was right; he'd basically been kept prisoner in her apartment. She turned off the television and got to her feet.

"Okay," she said. "Sure. Just… one second."

She left him in the living room as she headed down the hallway to his bedroom, opening the door to the closet. She knew her brother had left a few things here when he last visited, and she found a pair of his sneakers stuffed with a pair of clean socks. That was incredibly convenient. She also grabbed his light hoodie, just in case it was a bit chilly. As she thought about it, though, she wondered if taking Loki outside was a good idea. What if he ran away or something? Then she scoffed at her own idea. He wouldn't run away. And even if he did, there was nothing she could do about that. He wasn't her prisoner, and if he wanted to leave, then… he could.

She returned to the living room, where he was inspecting trinkets and photos she had up on the fireplace mantle, and cleared her throat to get his attention. She extended the sweater and shoes to him.

"Here," she said. "My brother left a lot of clothes here last time he was over. I hope the shoes fit you. They should, I mean, you two are pretty close to the same size."

"Thank you," Loki said, taking the shoes from her. He observed them curiously for a moment, clearly a little bemused by their appearance. White with gray and blue lines along the sides, and gray soles. He sat on the couch to pull the footwear on, wiggling his feet into the sneakers. They weren't uncomfortable, but they certainly weren't what he was used to wearing. They fit him perfectly, which Michelle was pleased about. She then handed him the hoodie.

"It may be a bit cold outside," she told him. He humored her, unzipping the dark gray sweater and pulling it on. It was a bit big on him, baggy in the arms and in the torso, but it would suffice for now.

She grabbed her cell phone and keys, already wearing her usual boots and a sweater. As an afterthought, she went and grabbed her mace, as well. She then held the door open for Loki, and passed her to step out into the hallway, waiting as she locked her door. When the lock clicked into place, she shoved her keys in her pocket, leading the way down the hallway, passing a variety of doors with numbers on the front.

"Other people live behind these doors?" Loki asked.

Michelle nodded. "It's an apartment complex; I think there's about a hundred other people living in this building."

"Why do you insist on stuffing yourselves into places like this?" He asked.

"It's convenient for space," she explained.

"You all treat yourselves like ants in a hive," he said almost disdainfully.

"Ants are effective workers," she countered.

"Perhaps," he said. "But they're easily disposed of."

She shot him an unimpressed look as she pressed the down button for the elevator, but she didn't say anything. It'll take some time, she reminded herself, tapping her fingers against her leg as she waited. The metal doors opened and she gestured for Loki to step inside before she followed him in, pressing the 'L' button.

"So where do you want to go?" She asked as the doors closed and the elevator began its slow decent.

"Anywhere," Loki said, adjusting the sweater that hung around his shoulders.

Michelle thought briefly about the best place to go on such short notice. As the elevator descended and opened up on the main floor, she decided on a spot.

"I know just the place," she said with a grin, and lead the way to the door.

Loki stepped outside and was immediately met with the sound of car horns. The streets were clogged with vehicles and taxis and busses. He wondered how she could live in such a noisy city. Asgard wasn't completely quiet – not when you had a brother like Thor – but there wasn't all of this industrial noise, either. He wasn't sure if he liked it at all… It didn't seem to faze Michelle, though; she led the way down the sidewalk purposefully, and he had no trouble keeping up with her.

He wasn't exactly sure where they were going. New York City was like a labyrinth to him, alleyways and streets lined with tall buildings (though not as tall as in Asgard) and seas of people and cars. Loki was slightly overwhelmed by it all. Asgard was certainly big but there was still a level of calm and peace there. Here it was just… chaos. He had expected the city to be slightly more laid back when not under attack.

"Why is everyone in such a hurry?" He mused aloud, glancing around as they walked along on street before turning down another. He and Michelle seemed to be the only people going for a leisurely stroll; everyone else was power walking.

Michelle chuckled. "Welcome to New York, the city that never sleeps. Everyone's always in a hurry here."

"You're not," Loki pointed out as she continued to lead him through the streets.

"I'm not from here," she reminded him. "This way. Watch the cars."

She began to cross an intersection towards a large park area, full of trees and grass. Central Park,he assumed. Loki looked around at the greenery, the giant trees lining the paved path. It was oddly calming, despite his last few moments in this park were spent in chains and a gag, even if it hadn't been this particular spot.

"I love it here," Michelle said, walking slowly down the path. "I forget how much I love it until I come back. It's nice to escape the city for a bit. Of course, it's nothing like home, but… it works."

Loki didn't answer. He was too busy looking around, some of the scenery reminding him of his own home. Well… what used to be. As a child on Asgard, Loki would sometimes sneak away from combat training with a book and hide out in the vast gardens for hours, just reading and practicing spells by himself. Thor was always the one to find him there, and would usually cover for his disappearances, at least until they were older. That was when Loki found his skill with throwing knives, and he had become much better at magic. Both skills he learned to use in combat. He was sure that Thor was the only person who knew where he went whenever he disappeared. Sometimes he'd even join Loki and watch as he practiced. How simple things were back then. It felt like a lifetime ago.

Their walk through the park was quiet, though it lacked the usual level of tension their silences usually held. He glanced over at Michelle, who almost seemed to be floating along beside him, a serene expression on her face. The park was mostly empty, the lights lighting the path they walked. Ahead in the distance, Loki saw a large rock – massive, really – that was surrounded by lit candles and lanterns. There seemed to be a few people by it, some placing flowers, toys or cards at its base.

"What is that?" He asked Michelle. She looked in the direction she pointed, and her expression sobered.

"That's the Invasion Memorial," she said. "It was put there about a month after those aliens came and attacked the city."

"You have a reminder of your city being invaded?" Loki asked incredulously.

"Not for the invasion itself," Michelle replied, shaking her head. "For the people we lost."

They approached the memorial just as the previous group was walking away. The front of it was smooth and polished, the sides left rough and raw. It was mounted up on three small stairs that were littered with gifts of all kinds. Michelle stopped in front of it, scanning the columned list of names that were carved into the rock. Eventually, she stretched out a hand and pointed to a name.

"Julia St. Claire," she read. "I worked with her; she was one of the office personnel I had to talk to all the time. And Morgan Thomas; she was one of the chorus members in a show I manage. She has a twin brother still in the cast; he misses her every day. Sam Watson was the husband of another chorus girl; she left the cast and moved in with her parents and her son; he's eight. Joe Anderson was the guy who ran the bookstore I used to frequent. It was blown up."

Loki was watching her as she spoke of the fallen. She didn't know every name on the list, but those that she did know, she mourned for them. Not with tears or wails of anguish and sorrow, but with a deep sadness in her eyes and her voice. For some reason, that made him feel slightly uncomfortable… an emotion he quickly realized was guilt. Almost as soon as it he realized it, he pushed it aside. What's done is done; there was no use dwelling on it.

Michelle quickly grew restless looking at the memorial rock and walked on without waiting for him. He fell into step next to her, thankful for an excuse to leave his guilt behind. He shouldn't feel guilty; he'd only done what he believed was right. That was all. He'd done nothing wrong. With that resolved, he straightened up slightly, his head held high.

Central Park was so large. Michelle led the way, doubling back to the main streets. She promised they'd go to other areas of the park later, and Loki complied. He was going to be there for a while, after all; better to take things slowly. As they walked, Michelle pointed out specific landmarks to him, such as the coffee shop where she always got coffee for her and the production team, some of the major buildings that were still intact, and the theatre where she worked. He filed that information away for later; he decided it would be good to know where she was during the day, just in case he got really bored and needed a change of scenery.

"So, that's all of it for now," she said, glancing at her watch. "It's getting late. We should head home."

"Whatever you'd like," he answered. "I've seen all I've needed to for today. Thank you for taking me out."

"Anytime," Michelle replied. "Next time you can choose where we go."

"I'll leave the decision making up to you," Loki suggested. "I wouldn't even know where to begin."

She chuckled as they walked back to the apartment. "Deal."

The next day was as normal as always; Michelle got up, made breakfast for her and Loki, hopped in the shower and got ready for her day of work. He learned quickly to let her be in the mornings, to give her space as she got ready. He began to make a point of getting up to use the washroom before she got in there to shower, otherwise it was just painful. He'd made that mistake once during week two and walked in on her just as she was about to strip to get into the shower. Needless to say, she wasn't happy, though he had to admit she had impressive aim; as soon as he walked in, she'd grabbed her hairbrush and biffed it at his face. Fortunately, his reflexes were faster and he managed to pull the door closed just in time so that the brush hit the wood with a loud thud before clattering to the floor. After that day, Loki knew to never venture into the bathroom when Michelle was in there again.

Though she had a quick temper and had a stubbornness that almost rivaled Thor's, Loki learned to tolerate the human woman. She was unfailingly kind and gentle, unless she was angry; then she tended to perform actions with a bit more intensity than necessary. He also noticed that she was rather set in her ways and had a process to everything; it was always a routine, familiar, and though it was annoying at first, he found that knowing what to expect a great comfort. For example, the cushions on the couch had to be a certain way when she wasn't hugging one to her lap as she watched television, which she always did. The kitchen was always as clean as possible, and everything in the cupboards had a specific place in both the kitchen and the bathroom. She always woke up at 7:30 every morning to start the day, and she was always out the door by 8:30 to start work at 9. Her purse was always by the door, along with her mace. He quickly noticed that she would always check for it. Always. Sometimes more than once.

His day was usually the same, as well; he'd get up, eat the breakfast she provided, would shower after she left for the day, and then spend the hours reading until she came home in the evenings. It was then she would start making dinner, they'd eat together in front of the television, and the silence would drag on. It was usually awkward. Sometimes it wasn't; but it usually was.

The day after their first walk together went very much like any other day. The routine was all there, planned and expected. At least until Michelle got home that afternoon.

Loki was lounging on his bed with a book – he was still making his way through Wicked – when he heard the door open and nearly slam shut again. The sound of Michelle kicking off her shoes and dropping her bag on the ground was done with intensity, immediately alerting him of her anger. She'd never come home this angry before. Frustrated, yes, but never angry. The sounds of her intense entry stopped, and he waiting, listening for something else to happen.

"Oh my GOD!" She finally yelled from the door. Loki's curiosity got the better of him and he abandoned the book on the bed, peering down the hallway at her. Michelle was standing there, the heels of her hands over her eyes, huffing like a wild animal before she made a strange sort of strangled growling noise.

"Is something wrong?" Loki asked, perhaps a little too nonchalantly.

"Nothing," Michelle sighed, running her hands back over her dark curls before clasping her hands behind her neck. "Unless you count my boss being a total ass-hat, then yes, something is wrong."

"Ass-hat?" He echoed, confused as she started to pace.

"All he did today was just… pick at every little teeny tiny detail," she ranted, ignoring Loki. "Things that were so small that even the Producer told him he was being ridiculous. But no! Derek starts getting after me because I didn't notice the microscopic error in the choreography…"

"Who is this Derek you always seem so frustrated about?" Loki questioned, leaning against the door frame of his room.

"My boss," she replied, rubbing her temples. "Brilliant director; biggest diva on the face of the earth."

Loki highly doubted that. He didn't know this Derek at all, but he was fairly certain that Tony Stark could give him a run for his money.

"Why do you let him bully you?"

"He kind of runs the show."

"I thought you ran the show," Loki deadpanned.

"I mean he's in charge of everything," she clarified. "All of the decisions on casting, lighting, costumes, they're all made by him, and if one tiny, minute detail it out of place, my head goes on the chopping block because apparently part of my job is to know where wardrobe or choreography gets messed up. All I'm in charge of is the rehearsal schedule and making sure people make their show cues on time. That's it! Sometimes I go get coffee if it's a slow day, but suddenly he expects me to do everything."

Loki didn't really understand any of what she'd just said, but he nodded in response nonetheless.

"I'm too angry to even think of cooking right now," Michelle grumbled, tromping off to the kitchen. "I'm ordering take-out."

"Take-out?"

"A restaurant will deliver food here," she said.

"As you wish," Loki answered, disappearing back into his room while Michelle mashed the buttons on her phone, grumbling curse words under her breath.

The next day was already proving to be a long one. They hadn't even had lunch yet, and Michelle was chomping at the bit to get home. Derek had stopped the rehearsal for two hours to complain and yell and just generally act like a diva. He was currently in the middle of yelling at the dancers, getting after them for not incorporating the last minute choreography change.

Michelle had lost count of how many times Derek had screamed at her so far. He's yelled at her for calling break back a minute late, for not knowing where one of the chorus members were (she had been in the wings, making out with one of the stage hands), for letting him get behind schedule, for not going to get coffee, even though that wasn't her job… She just had to keep reminding herself that she was lucky enough to be doing something she liked, and if she kept doing good work, one day she'd be in the production office.

"I love my job, I love my job, I love… my… job…" she chanted, rubbing her temples. She was starting to get a stress headache. Dylan was sitting next to her, rubbing her back sympathetically.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I will be if I can punch him in his stupid face," Michelle grumbled. "If I threatened to do it, do you think he'd start to cry and say something like, 'No, not the face!'? I hope he does… oh man, that'd be so worth it…"

"You're certainly vindictive today," Dylan chuckled.

"Just because you're one of the top Broadway directors ever does not give you free reign to be a dick," she ranted.

"You're still not getting any from the boy toy, are you?"

Michelle shot Dylan a glare. "Dylan, I am not going to sleep with him."

"Okay," he said with a laugh. "So when do I get to meet the mysterious Loki?"

"When you stop pestering me about it," she answered with a wry smile. "I want him to settle in and relax a bit before he starts meeting people."

"It's been a month," Dylan reminded her. "He must be relaxed by now."

"He's… getting better," Michelle said lamely. Truthfully, she wasn't exactly sure how to go about introducing Loki to people. She was worried he'd be all weird like he was when she first met him.

"Is he still pulling the god thing?" Dylan asked.

"Not anymore," she replied. "Actually, he's been pretty good lately."

As she leaned over her clipboard to check the schedule, the back doors of the theatre opened. Dylan glanced back to see who it was as Michelle rifled through the pages. She suddenly felt a series of taps on her arm that quickly turned into spastic hitting, something Dylan typically did whenever he saw an attractive guy. She glanced over at him to see his slack-jawed, wide-eyed look.

"What?" she asked as she looked around to the back of the auditorium, and her jaw dropped. Loki was standing there, dressed in his usual jeans and t-shirt, but instead of the hoodie she'd found him, he was sport a classy black blazer. She felt her heart drop into her stomach as she scrambled to her feet. "Shit…"

She hastily dropped her clipboard and took off her headset before running up the steps to meet him. He was observing the theatre curiously, clearly interested in everything that was going on; the people in costumes, the lights, the music, the sets, all of it. He barely noticed her coming to meet him until she grabbed his arm.

"What the hell are you doing here?" She hissed.

"I was bored," Loki said simply. "Your days always sound so exciting, so I thought I'd come visit."

"You can't just show up when I'm working," Michelle groaned. Then a sudden thought occurred to her and she looked up at him in worry. "Wait, did you lock the apartment?"

"I found the extra key under the mat," he answered, reaching into the blazer pocket and pulling out a single key. Michelle finally noticed the jacket and plucked at the lapel with curiosity.

"Where did you get this?"

"I found in the closet," Loki replied. "I assume it belongs to your brother?"

"Christ, did Mark leave everything in my apartment…?" She mused to herself. Then she shook her head. "Look, I'm sorry, but you need to leave. I'll be home soon."

"I'll be quiet," he promised.

"Loki, you don't understand," she almost pleaded. "My boss-"

"Miss Taylor," Derek's voice said behind her. She closed her eyes briefly in annoyance, willing her patience to stay in check, before slowly turning away from Loki to face him. She was met with his stupid face glaring at her. "Whatever issues you and your boyfriend may have can wait; in case you haven't noticed, we're in the middle of a rehearsal."

"He's not my boyfriend," Michelle corrected. "He's just my roommate."

"Look, I don't really care who he is, but your conversation can wait," Derek snapped. "Can he go get coffee?"

"Pardon?" Michelle was confused.

"Can. He. Go. Get. Coffee?" Derek said slowly.

"I-I… well, I… y-yes-" she squeaked.

"Good," Derek replied. "It's time for our lunch break, which you would know if you were actually doing your job."

He turned and made his way down the stairs to the stage, saying over his shoulder, "Send him on his way and then come see me; we need to go over the schedule for tomorrow."

"Right away," Michelle called back to him before she dropped her head in her hand and rubbed at her eyes.

"Well," Loki said once Derek was out of earshot. "I now understand what you mean by 'ass-hat'."

She sighed before turning to him, taking him by the shoulders. "Okay, I have a set of very specific instructions for you, so pay attention. I need you to go across the street to Joe's – there'll be big red letters on the front window, directly across from us – and tell them that Derek Davenport's cast and crew need coffee. They'll know what that means, so when they tell you someone will be over, thank them, leave, and then come right back here. We have a tab, they know us, so don't worry about money. Got that?"

"Of course," he answered, giving her a smile. "I'll just be a few moments."

"I mean it," Michelle said as he headed out the door. "Come right back, Loki, I'm serious; no detours!"

"Michelle!" Derek snapped from the stage. "Sometime today would be nice!"

She muttered curses to herself as she grabbed her clipboard and headset from her seat, ignoring Dylan's smirk as she marched down the stairs to meet with Derek.

Michelle was in the middle of talking to a pair of actors about their cues when Loki returned. He walked in the theatre with barely a sound and sunk into one of the plush velvet seats at the back, staying very much out of the way. The actors she was talking to, a woman named Claire and a man named Greg, both noticed him come in, however, and were instantly distracted, not listening to Michelle at all.

"Who is that?" Claire gasped, unabashedly ogling Loki.

"Whoever he is, he's delicious," Greg replied.

"Who are you talking about?" Michelle asked in confusion. Claire pointed to the back of the auditorium, and Michelle looked, feeling a sense of relief when she saw Loki there. When he saw her looking at him, he smirked and gave her a small wave. In spite of herself, she chuckled and waved back before returning to her work. The actors gawked at her for a long time until Michelle eventually got uncomfortable and said, "What?"

"You know him?" Greg asked.

"He's my roommate," Michelle replied simply.

Claire made a strange sighing noise that reminded Michelle of a damsel in distress. "You live with him?"

"That's generally what roommate means, yeah," she answered with a laugh. "Anyway, Derek wants this cue changed up a little bit; you two need to be out on stage and in position by the time Andrew says-"

"Are you sleeping with him?" Greg suddenly demanded.

Michelle threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. "Why does everyone automatically ask me that?"

"Michelle, honey, you've been single the whole time we've known you," Claire said, patting Michelle's arm gently.

"That's not true," she said defensively. "I went on a few dates with that… what's his name, the clingy guy?"

"Jordan?" Greg said. "Two dates doesn't count as a relationship."

"I'm in a relationship," Michelle said, going back to her notes. "Dylan and I are practically married."

"And don't you forget it," Dylan said, approaching her and giving her a kiss on the cheek. Then he gestured back to Loki. "I was talking to your 'roommate'."

"What?" Michelle asked in alarm. "What did you say? What did he say?"

"He's very friendly," Dylan answered, almost surprised. "And he wants to ask you something. I may or may not have suggested a shopping trip."

"Why?"

"Look at him!" he answered a little too loudly, gesturing vigorously to Loki again. Michelle shushed him and made him lower his arms, glancing back at her roommate. Loki was sitting comfortably in the chair watching them, hands clasped in his lap with a smirk on his lips. Michelle turned back to Dylan, gesturing for him to be quieter. "He's wearing your brother's clothes; he needs his own wardrobe."

"Fine," Michelle said snappishly, hanging Dylan her clipboard. "I'll talk to him, and you can go over cues with Claire and Greg."

She whipped around to march up the stairs to the back of the theatre. Claire, Greg and Dylan all watched her go, and once he was sure she was far enough out of ear shot, Dylan leaned into them and asked, "How long do you think it'll be before she sleeps with him?"

"If she's smart, tonight," Greg said. "Good lord, I would climb that beautiful specimen like a tree."

"Hmm," Claire said thoughtfully. "I bet you they'll end up dating in a few months."

"Michelle doesn't ever fall for anyone," Greg said. He nudged Claire in the arm. "You remember, we tried to set her up with Jordan, and then Michael..."

"To be fair, those were all guys you picked because you thought they were attractive," she replied, poking Greg in the chest. "Michelle's independent; she needs someone who can give her space and who has things in common with her."

"Fine, then I bet a year," Greg said, pulling his wallet out of his pocket and handing Dylan and twenty.

Dylan chuckled. "You actually want to start a betting pool?"

"Yes," Claire said, handing over a ten. Dylan took both bills with a shrug and a laugh.

"Okay," he said, stuffing the money in his pocket.

Meanwhile, Michelle had reached Loki. He was still sitting comfortably, a playful smile still on his face. She stopped a few feet away from him and observed him with her hands on her hips for a moment. When he just continued to sit there, smirking, she narrowed her eyes and gave him a sideways look.

"Why do I get the feeling you know something I don't?" She asked.

"Just your imagination," Loki assured her, shifting in his seat slightly.

"Dylan said you wanted to ask me something."

"Your friend with the hat?" he asked, nodding his head over to Dylan who was now in deep conversation with Claire and Greg. When Michelle nodded, Loki smiled again and said, "Yes. He suggested that we go 'shopping'?"

"And you want to go?" Michelle asked.

"Well, I can't very well wear your brother's clothes for the rest of my time here, can I?"

Michelle floundered for words for a moment, tilting her head from side to side slightly before saying, "I guess…"

"Excellent," Loki said. "Dylan will be taking us this afternoon as soon as you're finished up here. Now that I'm on the 'payroll', as he said, we need to go as soon as possible."

"Sure thing. I guess we can take a cab, and – whoa, wait, what?" she asked, just catching on to what he'd said. "Payroll?"

Loki just extended his arms out at his sides slightly, as if to say, 'surprise!' "I am now the man in charge of getting coffee."

Michelle exhaled deeply as she turned to go back down to the stage. "Well… this has been an interesting day…"

Author's Note: I'm SO sorry for the delayed chapter; I had a hard time getting this one out. Can't say it's my favorite so far... I decided things needed to happen a little sooner than I anticipated because it was getting a little stale, so… here we are.

Also, my BETA was busy having a life and stuff. How dare that guy.

Things will pick up more soon. Eternal thanks for reading!