Chapter 6
Loki woke up slowly falling through layers of peaceful dreams that blended into his half waking reality as the sound of the ocean echoed in his ears. He could hear laughter too, a child's. The woman's daughter was always laughing it seemed. The little girl would run around the house singing half remembered songs and when she forgot the words singing non-sense instead. The old man would sing too in his failing cracking voice. He carried a small radio and it buzzed day in and day out just loud enough for him to hear, the tunes coming through the walls of Loki's room scattered and indistinct like the rays of summer sunlight that flittered through the lace curtains. He could have laid forever in the drowsy heat and let the sound of the waves crash over him.
The sound of the door swinging open on long unused hinges pulled Loki out of his half dream and into waking.
"Daddy?" Emily's voice called in. Loki blinked his eyes open and rolled over to see the little girl in the doorway. She was wearing her favorite pink hat with the flower right over her forehead.
"Emie," He said softly with an unconscious smile. She grinned. Her pink skirt fluttered as she scampered into the room and climbed up his bed to flop down on the dark comforter next to him.
"Morning, Daddy." She cried joyfully and Loki smiled in earnest.
"Good Morning, Elskan," he said then looked up to see Tony amble into the room.
"You too huh," Tony said and pointed to the open balcony door. Loki had opened it before he went to bed just to hear the waves.
"Daddy likes the sound too." Apparently Emily had done the same.
"You're both weird," Tony said and sat down beside Emily on Loki's bed. "Sleep well, Reindeer Games?"
Loki opened his mouth but he couldn't find the words to explain. When was the last time he slept well, before Emily got sick, before Shannon's death, before his banishment, his fall from Asgard, Thor's interrupted inauguration… He couldn't remember, so many years ago. But the waves, the promise of hope, the troubles whisked away, now hundreds of miles behind him had lulled Loki into a near dreamless restful night in Tony's million dollar beds.
"Yes," he finally managed to say, still baffled by the pitiful ineptitude of the explanation.
"I'd hope so, it's half past noon. She's been up since seven and does she ever stop asking questions?" Tony said and tugged on Emily's hat playfully. She giggled and straightened it.
"I don't ask that many questions."
"Jarvis, count please," Tony said.
"Ms. Haywood has asked a total of 76 questions this morning and 103 since her arrival yesterday."
"Thanks, Jarvis." Tony grinned self-satisfied.
"It can do that?" Emily gasped.
"Yes, he can. Jarvis listens to everything that happens in my house."
"Not disturbing at all, Stark," Loki muttered.
"Sarcasm, that's nice," Tony said teasingly, "great thing to teach your kid, no I'm serious."
"Stark," Loki groaned. "What are you even doing in here?"
"Well we were hanging out in the kid's room but the movers are here with her new bed and my room is farther away, besides you need to get up. You'll miss the fashion show."
"What?"
"Emily needs new clothes. This is going to be fun."
"Clearly you've never taken a little girl shopping before."
"Well I wasn't actually proposing that we take her anywhere."
What Tony actually had in mind was to lounge on his couch drinking while Jarvis projected 3D holographic clothing onto Emily while she jumped around in her ballet leotard. Loki had to admit it was far more enjoyable then searching through Good Will for the few things that would both fit and satisfy her unpredictable style choices. Tony didn't seem to mind how picky the little girl was and took every rejected idea as a motivation to find better. Before long the virtual shopping cart was full and Emily was bouncing with joy.
"You next." Tony slapped Loki's knee.
"What? No."
"Yes, get up there," Tony motioned to clear space before the fireplace.
"No."
"Come on."
"Tony."
"Come on, Daddy, it's fun." With a word from Emily Loki relented. He stood before the fireplace and held his arms out.
"Jarvis, scan please."
A holographic grid lit up Loki's t-shirt and sweat pants. He gave Tony an annoyed look but remained still.
"Measurements recorded, sir."
"Alright, give me Rudolf."
"Right away, sir."
Suddenly fuzzy antlers sprouted from Loki's head and a bright red ball appeared on the end of his nose. Loki immediately crossed his eyes to see the red blob and leaned back away from it. The nose followed him, sticking to his own. Tony snickered and Emily burst out laughing.
"Very funny, Stark," Loki said trying to sound exasperated but it was hard when Emily was laughing so happily. He knew truly he would never be able to repay Tony for what he was doing for her.
"Ok, ok." Tony chuckled and the reindeer costume disappeared. "Alright, Jarvis let's see—"
"Sir, Mr. Allen is at the gate."
"What?" Tony sat up quickly, nearly toppling Emily over. "How did he know I was back?"
"I assume he inquired as to the whereabouts of your jet, Sir."
"Smart ass."
"Stark! Not around my daughter."
"It's ok," the little girl whispered loudly, "daddy says bad words too."
"Hypocrite," Tony said to Loki then to Jarvis, "What does Gregor want?"
"He seems to be quite upset about the quarterly budget review."
"Good lord. Fine! Let him in. Sorry Queen Diva, looks like we'll have to cut it short."
Loki rolled his eyes.
"Come on, Emie. Stark has work to do. Let's find you some lunch."
"Help yourselves," Tony said and waved as Loki led Emily away. He watched them go, the little girl babbling to her father the whole time. Tony sighed. Coming home hadn't been as bad as he'd feared. He'd been all to happy to stay in the cold, corporate penthouse in Washington where there were no memories, where his bed didn't have the lingering ghost of another person and ghosts didn't hide around every corner. Loki and Emily's distraction was welcomed, it put off the inevitable return to their house, and their room and their bed. But in the past 24 hours he'd smiled more than he had in perhaps the last year. For once he didn't wake up and run to his liquor cabinet. Instead Jarvis had woken him to warn him about Emily snooping around on the third floor. It had been too early in the morning for him but not unrewarding.
The girl herself was frail and easily tired out but her mind was alive and astute. She asked questions whenever they came to her, interrupting answers to previous ones but missing nothing. Tony didn't profess to know anything about kids but what he'd expected was a small, self-centered, whinny adult. If he was honest he expected a smaller version of his former self. Instead he got Emily. The first thing she'd told him that morning was not to wake her father because he didn't sleep well. The second was not to tell Loki she'd talked about his nightmares. Even so young Tony could see she was the kind of person to put others first, to be attuned to their needs and their shortcomings and compensate for them without resentment or need of praise. She was so much like… Tony's breath caught in his chest and he swallowed wetly.
"Mr. Stark," Gregor had arrived and he was striding into the living room with his short quick steps and a peeved expression on his face. Tony decided now he needed a real drink, a very strong one.
.
"Hey Loki," Tony said as he came up the stairs from his lab, wiping grease off onto his thighs. Loki looked up from where he was sitting at the kitchen island with the tablet Tony had lent him and a steaming mug.
"Stark…Tony," Loki corrected himself.
"You're really never going to get used to that are you?"
"Maybe one day." Loki said with a sly half smile. Tony ambled over to the fridge and pulled out a beer.
"Tony it's not even noon."
"What? It's my house!" Tony uncapped it.
"So it is." Loki agreed but the disapproval in his voice remained.
"What are you doing?" Tony asked, leaning over Loki's tablet. "Stocks?"
"Yes. Since it seemed a pity to let the money sit in a bank, what little of it is left and seeing as I'm not spending it on living expenses, I might as well do something useful with it."
"Huh," Tony drank his beer. "Make anything?"
"It has been advantageous so far."
"Never figured you for the type."
"Tony, I'm very good at spotting lies." Loki flipped to a web browser and played a news clip for Tony.
"You're saying he's lying?" Tony asked.
"Oh no, the CEO believes every word he's saying, it's the Head of Research," Loki pointed to a man in the background, "who knows it's false."
"And so you're betting against them."
"I've doubled my investment already."
"Huh. Where's the kid?"
"Taking a nap. I should wake her soon. She needs to eat."
"It's about lunch time isn't it? Why don't we order Pizza?"
"Hawaiian."
"What? You like Hawaiian pizza?"
"No Emie does."
"And you're just a slave to her wishes." Tony chuckled as he walked over to the phone on the counter. Loki turned off the tablet and stood up heading for the living room and the stairs.
"This coming from the man who had tea with Emily and Christie yesterday in a flowered apron."
"I'll have you know I wore it with pride."
"And it looked so good," Loki grinned at Tony as he back around the corner while Tony grumbled and turned away. Loki turned around still grinned widely and fondly remembering Emily's laughter that afternoon, when he came face to face with an unexpected guest. Loki froze in his tracks for a slit second before his instincts kicked in. He recovered his grin before the new arrival had time to blink.
"Dr. Banner," Loki said with a nod of his head. "Mr. Stark is in the kitchen." And he walked past Bruce without a backward glance or break in stride. He immediately felt sweat on his back and rolling down his temples as he forced himself to keep his pace steady and his breathing even. He made it to the stairs before he had to stop and breath deeply. His only thought was the frail supports between the first floor and the second where Emily was sleeping above Bruce Banner's head.
.
"Yep, one medium Hawaiian and one extra large meat lovers with extra cheese. Thanks man." Tony clicked the end call and turned around. Bruce Banner stood beside the island in his kitchen.
"Bruce! What are you doing here?"
"I—I came to drop off—Who was that?" Bruce pointed over his shoulder and Tony's blood ran cold. He slowly put down the phone.
"A friend."
"It's just—I could have sword that was… Loki."
"Look, Buddy, don't freak out."
"It was. Oh god. Tony, what's going on?"
"Bruce, calm down."
"Calm down? You've got a mass murdering demi-god in your house and…"
"Bruce, please, just back up ok."
"Tony, explain, now!"
"Alright, alright. I met him in DC and…"
"Tony! He get's inside your mind and you just thought…"
"Not anymore… no, no, no. Bruce he's human, totally and completely mortal."
"And that makes him harmless?" Bruce was shaking dangerously.
"Buddy, you can't do that in here! Please!"
A pitter-patter of footsteps on the floor above and then smacking on the stairs made both their heads turn.
"Emie! NO!"
Bruce turned and strode quickly into the living room and Tony ran after him. The doctor came to a sudden stop when he saw the two people in the foyer. Loki crouched and wrapped protectively around Emily who was wide-eyed and confused, hugging her father with her thin arms. Bruce was suddenly very still, hardly even breathing.
"Tony," Loki breathed as his eyes shifted between Bruce and Tony pleading.
Tony glanced at Bruce, still frozen, still as a statue.
"It's alright," He said with false cheer. "Bruce, buddy?"
"I'm fine," Dr. Banner said softly. "Who's she?" His eyes were fixed on Emily's bald scalp.
"Emily," Loki replied, he stood slowly, pushing Emily behind his legs. "My daughter."
"Right," Bruce stepped forward and Loki tensed. "Dr. Bruce Banner, I don't think we were properly introduced." Bruce held out his hand. Loki didn't move. "It's really ok, I've got a lid on it." Bruce's eyes flickered to Emily. She looked back up at him around her father's leg with large, blue eyes.
"Hi there," Bruce said. Loki twitched backward and Emily cowered behind him. Tony walked up behind Bruce, forcing a smile.
"Hey kiddo, what's up?" Tony crouched down to Emily's level, exuding false casualness.
"I heard yelling," she whispered and Loki put a hand on her head.
"It's alright, kid." Tony grinned, "Bruce and I were just telling jokes." Emily clearly didn't believe him.
"Emie," Loki's voice came out surprisingly calm given the look of restrained panic on his face, "where's your hat?"
"U-upstairs."
"Why don't you go get it? You need to keep warm."
"Ok."
"Don't run on the stairs."
"Yes, daddy," She slowly backed away and started climbing with frequent glances over her shoulder down at the three men. When she reached the landing and disappeared Loki turned to Tony with a deadly expression.
"You could have warned me."
"Sorry," Bruce answered for his friend. "I drop by now and then to check up on him. He doesn't usually have guests."
"Yes well, I'm sure I was the last person you expected."
"Not going to lie." Bruce chuckled then asked seriously, "What are you doing here exactly?" Loki continued to glare at Tony.
"I promise I mean this realm no harm. I am as human as Stark now."
"I know."
"You believe me?" Loki nearly gaped.
"No, I can tell. The other guy is useful for some things. You smell a lot less crazy at any rate."
"Wait, what?" Tony asked. "You mean you can seriously smell crazy on people."
"I'm surprised you can stand the reek that must follow Stark around."
"Haha," Tony retorted with exaggerated sarcasm, "always with the wise cracks."
"It's my nature."
"Good to see some things don't change," Bruce muttered. "Doesn't explain what you're doing here, in Tony's house with a child. Is she yours?"
"For the past four years, yes."
"So adopted."
"Emily was there for me when I was cast out. She is my daughter and I would not see her come to harm." There was a threat in his words but more of a promise. Bruce could see it in the way Loki stood ready for a fight. The banished god would throw himself before the beast to keep that little girl safe.
"Ok," Bruce nodded.
"Look, Bruce, I can vouch for him. We've been hanging out for a while and he hasn't tried to kill me yet."
"It's ok, Tony," Bruce held up a hand. "She didn't look too good."
"Emily is… very sick," Loki said softly. "That is why we are here."
"Wait? Emily—that's Emily Haywood?" The last question was for Tony. "Tony you can't seriously be suggesting her for the treatment. It's experimental and just as likely—" Bruce cut off when Loki backhanded his arm. Small footsteps on the stairs made them all turn. Emily was coming down slowly with a wary expression and her pink hat with the sequined flower in the center of her forehead.
"Emie," Loki smiled at her, "did you sleep well?"
"Why are you fighting?" She asked as she got to the bottom and Loki strode over to pick her up.
"We're not fighting, Emie min."
"Yes you were, you were fighting because of me."
"No, no, Emie, not because of you. We're just trying to do what's best for you." Loki held his daughter close and looked over at Stark with a pained expression. Bruce's face was dark and forbidding but the anger was directionless. Tony leaned toward the doctor and whispered so Emily wouldn't hear.
"Yes, it could kill her but she's already dying. Regular treatment is killing her. It's her last shot."
"And what happens to him when she…"
"I don't think we'll have to worry much about him."
"Why? Who's to say he won't go off the deep end and try to wipe out the planet again?"
"Because he's tired. Don't you think I should know?" Tony murmured and leaned away ending their conversation. Bruce just watched his friend cross the foyer to the father and daughter with a fake smile.
"Guess what's for lunch?" He said to the little girl. "Your favorite, Hawaiian pizza. Got one just for you."
"A whole one just for me?"
"You bet."
Bruce frowned. It was good to see Tony smiling and living outside of his lab or the Research facilities but he'd read Emily's medical files when they were faxed over two days ago. The girl didn't have much time. The chances of making a recovery so late were slim and shrinking. He didn't know if Tony could handle another lose, if he could loose his family again, watch them slip away until they no longer recognized him. The pizza arrived at the door and Bruce was invited in for lunch. He accepted at Tony's insistence but made sure to keep his distance from Loki and Emily. The longer he stayed though and the more relaxed the former God became. Perhaps it was how his and Tony's antics made Emily laugh. Bruce saw clearly how Loki was a mirror of her joy, happy when she was and pained when she started coughing. Bruce left the Stark mansion with conflicting feelings. On the one hand he was worried for Tony and on the other he couldn't help but want to save the little girl who hugged Tony so tightly.