Director Fury strode determinedly to his quarters to look over his files. He inwardly groaned as he saw a shadow emerge from his left.

"So, what do you plan to do with Kat after she is all spruced up?"

"Recruit her, Stark. Why the concern?" Fury gave him a good hard look with his one eye.

"Not really concern," Tony said, "I was just wondering what kind of experiment you plan to subject her to."

"None, Stark," with that, Fury stalked off.

The billionaire scoffed, "Like I'm going to trust the spy."

~~~~~~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~~~~

Kataraena breathed in deeply as she opened her door to begin training with Loki the tall, dark and broody Asgardian. He seemed rather closed off to everyone from what little she was exposed to him around others. She, being a naturally quirky and outgoing person, had a habit of ignoring the fact people can be introspective and anti-social. She rather enjoyed turning them around.

She wore soft blue pyjama pants and a black tanktop with her hair in a loose plait. Her bare feet padded across the floor to their impromptu training center. Loki had mentioned how she should dress in something comfortable.

As she passed by operatives and random workers they stared at her in confusion at her state of dress. She shrugged it off and continued on her way with a song in her head.

"I look up to the little bird

That glides across the sky

He sings the clearest melody

It makes me want to cry

It makes me want to sit right down

and cry cry cry

I walk along the city streets

So dark with rage and fear

And I...

I wish that I could be that bird

And fly away from here

I wish I had the wings to fly away from here

But my my I feel so low

My my where do I go ?

My my what do I know?

My my we reap what we sow

They always said that you knew best

But this little bird's fallen out of that nest now

I've got a feeling that it might have been blessed

So I've just got to put these wings to test."

"You have a pretty voice," a voice to her right said.

She let out an ungraceful squeak and nearly tripped over herself. She looked over and saw Tony leaning against the wall. She tried not to notice that he looked rather sexy that way. Nope. Didn't notice. Not one bit.

"Um. Thanks?" she said, "Sometimes I forget that I'm not singing to my bicycle or shower."

"I don't think anyone minds," he laughed, "it isn't like you squawk like Clint. He is more like a bird that I ever could have imagined."

"Clint?"

"He was the guy in purple that kept laughing at your shenanigans."

"Ah, and the lady that seemed to have her elbow permanently stuck in his ribcage?"

"That would be Natasha," Tony grinned, "she is more or less his keeper."

"I'm sure she would appreciate that, Mr. Stark," she gave him a wry look as she kept walking and he followed.

"I prefer Tony. Mr. Stark is my father and it makes me feel old," he grimaced.

"Alright, Tony, I'll only call you Mr. Stark if you piss me off," she gave off a huge smile as they got to her destination.

He chuckled and looked at her seriously, "Be careful."

"Be careful of what?"

"Him."

"I don't think he is likely to harm me," she replied, "He doesn't want to get punished by Odin, or SHIELD."

He nodded, "But still," he handed her a device that sort of looked like a phone, but seemed entirely too advanced, "If anything happens be sure to let me know."

"I do have my own cell phone, you know."

"Rubbish. Think of it as a free upgrade," he smiled and pushed her into the room as she placed it in her pocket.

~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~~~

Loki, after leaving her at her room, went to meditate in the room where they would train. He was a little bemused and a tad baffled by their newest arrival. She was an odd mortal that didn't seem to mind being exposed to strangers. He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair.

"Strange mortals," he sat on the floor, wearing linen pants and a button up t-shirt, both in a dark blue.

He put his hair into a horsetail and took a deep cleansing breath. He centered in on himself and let his mind grow calm and silent. He could almost hear the wind blow around the Helicarrier and oddly it was a comforting thing. Loki lost himself and didn't notice Kat being pushed into the room.

Loki didn't even notice that she was sneaking up on him. Not exactly sneaking, but walking really quietly up to him. She squatted down so she was almost eye level (even sitting down he was really tall) and cocked her head to the side. She brought a finger up and poked him in the middle of the forehead. He immediately opened his eyes and stared at her.

"Hi," she said.

He refrained from growling as he stood, leaving her closer to the floor. She stood and put her hands behind her back.

"Don't be all grumpy, you were being quite the space cadet," she reasoned.

"I was meditating."

"For the past three hours?"

He blinked, "It has been that long?"

"You've been meditating since you left me at my room, yes?" a short nod, "Then yes around three hours."

Loki nodded once more and went to the center of the room and gestured for her to follow. She took the time to finally take in the room. All white-washed with dark windows. It seemed to span on forever, and it seemed to reach the heavens with its ceilings. And yet the dark windows that one could almost see the sky outside.

"In the white room with black curtains near the station," she murmured.

"What are you going on about?"

"Just a song that was running through my head."

"Indeed."

"So, Obi-Wan, guide me," she grinned and then composed herself as he gave her a look.

"Sit down, crossed legs, eyes closed."

Kat did as she was told and nearly jumped when he was closer, "Back straight."

She tensed and straightened her back, "And relax," she could almost hear amusement in his voice.

"Now I want you to calm your mind. Do not try to silence it. Just let the thoughts come and go without much acknowledgement. Focus on breathing and the way it feels going in and out of your body," he was calm, his deep timbre almost tickling her eardrums.

Kataraena took a deep breath and followed it in her mind as she exhaled. The girl let the thoughts trickle by and let them go. She suddenly felt a tickling on her very brain and a slight pressure behind her eyebrow.

"You are getting there," he said, almost distracted, "Now I must enter your mind and find what blocks you."

She opened her eyes and looked at him, wary and almost afraid. A mind is a vulnerable thing to let someone waltz into.

"I will not harm you, mortal," he didn't seem too offended.

"I…know…but you can't blame me for being nervous for someone coming into my head when I can't exactly defend myself."

"I swear on all that you hold dear that I will not harm you."

She sighed and nodded, closing her eyes once more, "If you do anything screwy in their I'll make you regret it," she could feel him almost smile.

"Of course," and she felt him enter.

Or she assumed that it was Loki causing her to feel that way. It felt almost as if there was a steady stream of water coursing through a particular part of her brain and moving about, making a path where it saw none. Loki furrowed his brow in concentration, for it seemed that her defenses were formidable despite her letting her guard down. He looked about and was appalled by what he saw. Someone had sabotaged her mind. He found an ever twisting knot near the middle of her mind.

He saw flashes. Pain. Blood. Hurt. Someone harming her. Ripping apart her mind. To do what? Remove memories? He slowly undid the knot, but kept her memories at bay with his own spell.

"Best not to stir the pot, until it is time," he thought.

Kataraena gasped as he released the final string and disengaged from her mind. She felt a rush of something go into her very pores and fill her breath. She opened her eyes to find intent green eyes trained on her face.

"Well that was…enlightening," she managed.

He said nothing but held out a hand for her. She took it and stood with him and nearly stumbled. Her legs were completely numb from sitting. Loki kept a hand on her elbow to steady her.

"Whoa, how long was I sitting?" she asked, trying not to notice the tingles she felt where his skin contacted her, or any of the tingling feeling her skin seemed to be experiencing.

"A few hours," he admitted, "It took some time."

"What did you see?"

"A knot," he said simply, his tone meaning to end the conversation.

"Hopefully nothing too personal," she muttered and shook out her legs.

The god pretended not to hear, "We at least have a beginning. I expect you back here tomorrow at the same time for the real training."

Kat nodded and patted him on the shoulder before she went to the door. Loki followed and bowed his head politely when she opened the door for him.

When she was sure he was out of ear shot she said to the room, "Strange God-Man-Person."

From around the corner, the Asgardian smiled.

~~~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~Nanu~~~~~Nanu~~~~~~~~

Hey everyone (or no one), I am done with another chapter. I have to be honest, I only have a vague idea where I am going with this. Eventually I'll figure it out. This is my longest chapter ever so far and I tried to keep everyone in character. Let me know if you can identify the song.

Also, in regards to my lovely reviewer, yes Xavier is dead. I am keeping with the last X-men movie (though it made me sad and I prefer comics). It is convenient and gives Loki a reason to be there.

Let me know what you think so far, alright? Reviews keep me writing! Constructive mind you.