The Darcy Lewis Story

Author: daxcat79

Rating: R

Pairing: Loki/Darcy, Tony/Pepper, Thor/Jane

Genre: Drama, Humor, Romance

Warnings: Non-Explicit Sexual Content

Summary: We've heard the stories of superheroes and assassins, but no one really knows Darcy's story… until now.

A/N: I blame this story entirely on my internet wife "sunny_serenity" who actually inspired me with this story while answer a meme. So Sunny, I guess this one's all for you! :D This chapter is really heavy on the Darcy/Loki, but the serious plot is coming up fast and I had to establish some stuff before I got into the big stuff. Hopefully you enjoy! Thanks for the reviews and encouragement to continue this story! I'm so glad people seem to be enjoying it!

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, but I enjoy borrowing them.

Part Three "Never Had A Chance"

For some reason some of the best romances start with hate and snark. I think this is probably because two passionate people come together and they can't tell the difference between love and hate until they're in too deep. My experiences with romance have never been particularly passionate or snarky, so it took me a little bit longer than most to see what was happening. It probably didn't help that my life was one big ball of crazy. All I really knew was Loki Odinson drove me up the wall in every way that counts, but I just kept coming back for more. I was turning into a masochist. Loki was exactly the type of guy my dad warned me about, and I was in way over my head.

I watch with a mixture of horror and confusion as a nurse dodges a flying cup which smashes against the wall outside his private room. She looks pissed off more than anything, not that Loki could really intimidate anyone lying half broken in bed. She flashed me a look of pity and shook her head. "Good luck!" she cried, and glanced back towards Loki's room. "Asshole!"

"Never return here, you clumsy harlet!" shouted Loki and I try not to laugh as the nurse's eyes widen and she rushes off angrily. This isn't the first time Loki's had a disagreement with a nurse and I have to put on my stern face before braving the chaos that is a brooding Loki Odinson.

"Seriously?! How the hell were you raised with Thor? Didn't anyone ever teach you not to throw things at people?" I grumble with a sigh, and watch Loki trying desperately to calm himself as he realizes I've arrived with his breakfast for the day.

"I don't know where Thor finds these people, but they are useless!" shouts Loki angrily. If there's one thing I've learned, it's Loki has a major temper… especially when he was experiencing pain (which he almost always was). "I would rather lie here and rot than be treated by the incompetent nurses they keep sending me!"

She never finished changing his bandages, and his face is bright red. He's sweating too, and breathing heavily. She probably hurt him. "They aren't incompetent… you're just a jackass."

Loki rolled his eyes. "Spare me! A nurse is supposed to be helpful, but there are infants who would bandage my wounds with greater care!"

"I doubt that," I reply and set aside the food by his bed. It isn't the first time I've had to finish up after a nurse because of his temper. I'm not as well trained as a nurse, but I know enough.

"Darcy, that hurts!"

"Yeah well, if you'd let the nurse do it, she'd be hurting you on accident. I enjoy causing you pain," I reply with a glare. I find it funny that he's yet to throw anything at me considering how often I'm putting him in his place. I'm starting to suspect he actually enjoys arguing with me. He refuses to take crap from anyone, and not even Thor can settle him down when he's upset, but then I'm around and it's like he's a whole different person. Once I'm done rewrapping his bandages I nod towards the food. "Eat up… I have better things to do than babysit a child."

"I am a god," he corrects, eyeing the food I've brought him with disgust.

"You were a god. Now you're just a child with bad manners, and a serious superiority complex. Shut up and eat." He's in a foul mood. He's usually less infuriating.

Loki's eyes narrow as he holds my gaze. It's like playing chicken, and I refuse to blink first. "I find you… absolutely maddening."

That makes me smile. "Good."

Eventually he glances over at the food I've brought him… just a sandwich, pudding, juice, and a small salad. "This food looks terrible."

"That's because it is."

He lets out a sigh and tries his sandwich, making faces with each bite. It only makes me laugh, which doesn't exactly help his mood. I know it can't be easy being forced to be taken care of by others. Loki wouldn't be the first to give nurses a hard time. He listens to me though. I can't quite figure out why. I don't pretend to understand this man before me. I'm not sure I'd ever want to try. I eat his pudding and we mostly talk about what the evil nurse put him through before I came. Loki claims she was wrapping the bandages too tight. Not exactly worthy of having glass cups thrown at you, but considering the pain he's in, I guess I understand why he didn't like her much. There was such a thing as bedside manner… not that I know anything about it, but I don't have to bother with such things. I'm special that way. "Darcy… I don't want her coming back here… ever!"

I lick at a drop of chocolate pudding that's fallen on my hand and nod. "Don't worry, the mean old nurse doesn't have to come back," I assure him.

"You mock me…."

"Yup."

Loki let out a huff. I could totally see him playing the big bad wolf in the fairytale story about the three little pigs. The image makes me laugh, and Loki is staring at me curious. I shake my head.

"You don't wanna know."

He doesn't even push. "I probably don't," he agrees.

It's late when I come by to check on him. I've finished my work for the day and I usually like to make sure Loki's all set for the night before I head home. I'm not expecting to find that Loki isn't alone. When I peek into his room I see Tony Stark sitting by his bed… and didn't Thor say something about Loki tolerating Stark too? They're deep in conversation about something that's obviously annoying Tony. I hear words that are normally pouring out of Jane's mouth, so I'm guessing the discussion is scientific in nature. What's really strange about the visit is the cards in their hands. It seems like they're playing poker. Their arguing and playing poker… and it looks beyond bizarre.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything too important," I finally speak up, and Tony Stark jumps just a bit before turning to look over at me as if I've caught him with his hand in the cookie jar. Most of the Avengers (other than Thor) aren't exactly fans of Loki. I guess I could understand why he might prefer to meet with the ex-villian after hours.

"Not at all… ummm we were just having a delightful argument," replied Stark.

Loki put down his cards and met my gaze. "He was having an argument… I was merely stating facts."

"Claiming 'magic' every time I question something is NOT stating facts, Loki!" Tony argued.

Jane and Thor often have similar arguments. Thor finds it difficult to explain certain things to her, and she's usually left frustrated and confused. One of their biggest arguments revolves around Thor's ability to fly with the use of his hammer. I usually tune them out when I see the conversation going downhill. "I'm heading home for the night and I just wanted to make sure you didn't want anything before I leave," I explain.

Loki seems to be in a better mood than he was in this morning. "That is very kind of you, Darcy… however I am quite fine."

I nod, and glance back at my birth father who hasn't stopped staring at me since I came in. My mouth feels dry all of the sudden under the heat of his gaze, and my body is tense. Guilt sits in my gut like a rock and I'm not sure what exactly I feel guilty about. Is it the fact that I haven't told him who I am? Is it the fact that deep down I want him to know? It could be this yearning I've been struggling against… to have some sort of connection with isomeone/i in New York since I'm living so far from home. I honestly don't know why I feel like this, but I wish it would just go away. "In that case, I'm out. Night guys. Enjoy your game!"

I wave goodbye and rush out of Loki's room as quickly as I can. I'm so tired. I just really need to go home and relax.

The next time I see Loki he's not himself. He's quiet and compliant. I don't even have to threaten him to get him to eat the crappy food. It worries me. I realize I often behave like I can't stand him… and I really can't, but he's Thor's brother, and he's under my care. I may also… ikinda/i… care… about him. I guess I don't know how I feel anymore. "Okay, spill… what the hell is wrong with you?"

Loki's eyebrows shoot up instantly in confusion, but I know it's an act. "I do not understand."

"The hell you don't! You're acting weird."

Loki looks like he's about to deny anything is wrong, but I'm glaring at him, and I think he knows I won't let go until he talks. He's already learned to read me. It should probably bother me that we're starting to develop this strange friendship. It's like nothing I've ever had before. Eventually Loki catches my gaze and he looks so uncertain and raw. It isn't until now that I realize it's probably how he's been feeling all along. "It's just the pain. I've never experienced anything like this before. Do all mortals suffer like this?"

I shrug. "I broke my leg once when I was ten while riding my bike. That sucked. There's other people out there that are sick and can't really take care of themselves. I guess it's pretty normal. Fragile mortals…."

It gets silent for a long time and then he reaches out to take my hand in his, which is weird because he's never touched me before. "Darcy… I feel I owe you an apology."

I'm a bit surprised… okay… maybe more than a bit. "Are you dying?"

Finally he laughs and shakes his head. "Not that I know of… but I've been thinking… I have been less than grateful for your assistance. Few would bother to help me after all I've done, even as a favor to Thor. You have shown me a kindness I do not believe I am capable of ever repaying."

He has got to be dying. I check his pulse just in case, and move my free hand to see if he has a fever. "Are you sure you're not dying?"

He removes the hand still on his face and kisses my knuckles. "I will finish my food. You do not have to stay. I think I… wish to be alone today."

I don't want to argue because I can tell something is going on. I'm missing something. Maybe it's the fact that he's stuck in this bed until he recovers. Or maybe he's just finally realized the error of his ways for real… although I'm still not quite ready to believe that just yet. His moods have always been a bit chaotic at the best of times. "Fine, but I'll be back in an hour to check on you, okay?"

He nods and tries to smile, but it doesn't reach his eyes. Something is definitely going on. "Thank you, Darcy."

"You don't have to thank me, Loki. You don't owe me a thing." I realize I mean what I say. Despite what a pain in the ass he can be, there's a part of me that has come to enjoy this. I stand and walk towards the door before turning back. "You know… when Thor was banished here he was a bit of a handful at first too. I guess seeing the world from our eyes has a way of changing you gods. Maybe Odin was hoping you'd learn something from us like Thor did."

Loki held my gaze. "I have no doubt of that. Everything he does has a purpose."

There's something significant about those words, but I don't know enough to speculate about what they could mean. Instead I just give him an encouraging smile and leave him to his 'soul searching' or whatever it is that he's doing.

Since Loki is good for lunch I join Thor and Jane in the cafeteria today. Thor looks cheerful as always, and his smile is extra wide when he looks at me. We talk about mundane things. Our lives are filled with the extraordinary so sometimes it's nice to have a random talk about the weather or something equally boring. The food is appalling, and Thor ends up eating most of it for us. I'm starting to think the man's stomach is an unending abyss. Jane gets distracted with a call from Erik Selvig and I move to dump our trays when Thor reaches out to grasp my arm. "Darcy… I just wanted… I wanted to thank you for all you are doing for my brother."

Yet another god is thanking me today. It's gotta be a record. "No sweat… but you owe me big. Like 'spring break in Asgard' big."

Thor laughs at that. "I am sure I could arrange something if you truly wished to see my world."

I'm not actually serious. I think the idea terrifies me. Thor and Loki are already a handful. A whole planet of gods seems like my worst nightmare. "Seriously Thor, it's not a big deal. I'm happy I can help."

There's something mischievous in his eyes, and I know that look. Ideas are forming in that godly brain of his. "I believe Loki has developed a fondness for you. None of the nurses will see him. I was hoping we could discuss you extending your caretaking duties…."

I bite back a groan, because I should have seen it coming. If I try to argue with him he'll just give me that look again. I can't say 'no' to the big oaf! It's truly infuriating. "Yeah well… somehow I'm not surprised. I usually end up doing that crap anyway once he's chased away whatever nurse is assigned to him."

"Excellent! I have already spoken with Director Fury! You will receive some extra training on how to properly care for his injuries in the absence of a proper nurse!"

Men… I hate them all. They ruin my life… except for maybe John Lewis. My dad is perfect and there's no one in this world that could tell me otherwise. I kinda wish more people were like him. "Yay… can't wait," I mutter sarcastically, and of course it goes right over Thor's head. I roll my eyes at his excitement and grab the trays to dump. I have this really bad feeling like the universe is working against me and this is only the beginning. I don't appreciate it at all.

To Be Continued