A/N: Wow. I can't believe how many of you are reading this story. Officially. Blown. Away.

You can probably tell that I LOVE writing the scenes between Darcy and Loki. Even before most of the plot was written I had a heap of 'encounter' scenes between the two - so much fun!

Anyways, on with the story! A shorter chapter, but I'll get the next one up quickly. Most of this is written already.

Enjoy!

Stuff & Nonsense - Chapter Five

Darcy was feeling somewhat troubled this morning. It was an interesting situation she found herself in. She liked Loki. Like, like liked him. And last night- she sighed a girly sigh as she stepped into the half full lift, ignoring the snooty glare of one of the accounts managers - he was just so sexy and intense. She didn't believe for a second that he just 'happened' to be at that particular comedy show that she was at. He should give her more stalkery vibes, but he didn't. Not at all. He gave her other vibes.

But he called her Dana.

Oh, bother. Missed her floor. Again. These lifts were just too damn smooth.

She stepped forward and pounded her floor button again, earning another glare from Mr Glarey McGlare. The doors opened at level 48 and the last of the passengers filed out, including Darcy's new friend. About four higher management looking people stepped inside, chatting amiably. She felt a buzz zip through her nether regions. That could only mean-

Mmm, fresh Loki first thing in the morning. He noticed Darcy the instant he stepped in, a very naughty smile hiding behind the professional veneer. Shifting to the rear of the box, he slid in behind Darcy. The doors slid closed. She could feel the heat radiating off him and she turned to look up into those emerald green eyes.

"Mr Laufeyson," she murmured, demurely lowering her lashes.

"Ms Lawson," he replied softy, almost intimately, leaning forward so his lips nearly brushed the shell of her ear. One of the women that had gotten into the lift with Loki glanced around, her eyes lingering on the two at the back. Loki pulled back and Darcy let out a sigh of relief. Then she felt the whisper of a touch at the base of her spine, through her suit jacket. She stiffened. The touch became more firm as it travelled lower, and then she felt Loki's long fingers slip under her jacket and smooth over her lower back. She gasped. The other woman turned again, slightly curious. Could no one mind their own freakin' business today? She tried to squirm away from Loki's cool fingers, pushing her shoulder bag behind her to knock him away from her back. He let out a chuckle under his breath and dragged his hand down one hip, fingers reaching her belly with a little tickle.

Oo, she could so have him for sexual harassment! Did he want a law suit?! She grinned suddenly, but that wouldn't be in the spirit of their little game now, would it?

So in honour of the spirit of the game, she took half a step back, so she was flush against his front. His fingers stilled. Swinging her bag in front of her, she began to rummage through it and pulled out her purse, only to drop it. "Oops!" She giggled.

She then bent over at the waist to pick it up, taking her time. The lift binged for her floor. Turning around to her tormentor she winked. "I'm such a butter-fingers."

The look on his face as she walked out she couldn't have paid for.

Loki fingered the cream and gold invite in his hands. He received an invite to the Maria Stark Foundation Ball every year, mostly due to the fact that a) he was an Asgard (formerly anyway), b) Tony Stark was good friends with Thor, and c) he was really, really rich.

Every year he RSVPd in the negative. It was because of reason c) that he could afford to ignore Stark's infamous parties. It's not that he didn't like parties in general, he just hated the shameless self-promotion that seemed to drip off every rich tosser and celebrity wannabe that attended. He could make anonymous donations in private and not appear to be a wanker, thank you very much.

But instead of handing the invite immediately over to his P.A. James for the usual reply, he found himself wondering if Dana liked a ball. She certainly liked to have fun, as the memories of their little encounters over the last few weeks brought a grin to his face, and she was anything but pretentious, which would make the night bearable.

There was just one issue. She was hiding something. Loki wasn't stupid, he knew she trying to avoid officially going out with him. He may have possibly stalked her Facebook page to find something, anything, but there was no reference to any break ups, family members in prison or links to international crime syndicates so maybe he should ask straight out. He snorted. Yeah, like that would work: 'Oh hi, Dana. I know we've only known each other for a few weeks, but could you tell me about what you're hiding instead of distracting me with the mad flirting that, while very enjoyable, seems to let you off the hook time and time again?'

Another way then. He had the sudden uncomfortable thought of getting advice from his former brother. He shifted in his chair. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad. It had been two years since they last spoke/yelled, so maybe this was an opportune time. Especially with the whole leak thing making Loki feel not so great about how he's been treating Thor. And, he's heard from his mum, that the great big oaf is still with that scientist. She must be an absolute miracle worker to change the Thor from playboy to homebody in just a year.

That's what he'll do. Loki placed the invite carefully to one side. Then, he'll ask Dana to be his bride.

DATE. Date, he meant date.

Date.

Darcy's eyes crossed as she slouched on the kitchen table and scanned the time sheets for Asgard again on her laptop. She had been trying to correlate what was happening with Thor's staff every time before Jotunn released their new 'innovation' - similar enough to Asgard's ideas to be difficult but different enough to hold off the legal team - and stole Thor's thunder. Lifting her glasses, she rubbed her tired eyes.

"Hang on," she whispered, dropping the frames back down on her nose. She flicked back to the first month Jotunn presented their new idea. Then the next. Finally the most recent incident. "Oh, shit."

Jane had extended lunches every day before Jotunn Secure had their media releases.

"Where'd she go, where'd she go?" Darcy snatched up her Starktab and whizzed through Jane's calendar. Nothing. She was with Thor though, right? She leaned over the kitchen bench for her cell. Sharp nails tapped impatiently as she waited for her best friend and boss to answer.

"If this is not my mother or an equally beautiful woman ringing, I will hunt you down. Tomorrow."

"Hey, big guy," Darcy couldn't help but chuckle. "Sorry, I didn't realise the, ah- time difference. It's Darce. Is Jane still conscious?"

Thor sounded slightly more awake this time. "Darcy! Good to hear from you. Yes, my knuffle bunny seems to survive on four hours sleep a night. Here she is."

There was some shuffling around and Jane answered, "Darcy?"

"Jane," Darcy lowered his voice. "I need to know something very important. On these dates," she read out when her boss had her extended lunches, "please tell me you were with Thor."

"Ah, um." Jane paused. "No, no. Let me-" Darcy heard the ruffle of pages. "I think- yeah, that's it. I went and had a bit of a run in the park. Well, more of a fast walk, really."

"What? You, exercise?"

"Hey! I exercise!" She laughed. "Not often, but I do."

"So, no one can vouch for your whereabouts in the two hours you had your lunch?"

"I don't think so," Jane spoke slowly. "Darcy, what's going on?"

"Jane, I think you might be in trouble."