Hello guys! Sorry for the wait, but I really wanted to take my time on this chapter, since it is crucial to the storyline. Just for the wait, I have three goodies for you guys in the form of songs and a polyvore link. I had two songs of inspiration for this chapter, which are I'll be seeing you by Billie Holiday (which is the song mentioned within the chapter) and Colorblind by Counting Crows. Lucy's outfit for the art showcase is : cgi/set?id=52321676. Once again, thank you so much for the love and support during one of the hardest times of my life. I truly love all of you :)

Within the depths of SHIELD, Loki stood calm and poised, invisible to any human eye. The enclosed space was cool and dry, not a single beam of light anywhere to be found. The room was similar to a concrete coffin, dozens of feet below Earth's surface.

And there is was, tucked away inside a simple briefcase, manned only by two oblivious mortals. Loki wondered if they even knew what they were guarding, or if they could even fathom the power the small, glowing cube exuded. If they did, he was certain they would've already taken it for themselves. Although loyal employees of SHIELD, in the end, they were human. Their folly was their greed and always would be.

Loki paced the small enclosed room and took notes of all the nooks and points of weakness. He would plan his every move when he struck tomorrow night. He felt his confidence rise knowing the only two men he'd have to fend off were the mortal agents. That is, until he escaped the concrete coffin. Once he escaped SHIELD, it was a completely different game.

He knew exactly what his plan was. He would utilize Selvig and get his hands on the Tesseract. After his escape, he would toss Selvig's body in the dumpster behind his apartment and summon Lucy. Together, they would rendezvous at a small cabin in the woods of New York State, where he would gather his army and then shortly after, attack. It was a swift and easy plan, but effective.

With all things secured, Loki went onto the next phase of his plan for the night. With a flick of his wrist, the two agents fell into a deep slumber in which they would wake up from in a few hours. Poor boys couldn't stay awake on the task of protecting the more dangerous piece of technology in the universe. Loki smirked at with ease, gained access to the network of computers. Quickly, he found information on himself.

So, the fools had finally caught up to him. Only took two months to realize his presence on Midgard. Truthfully, he didn't know if he should be thankful or offended – if they thought he was a weak case, they were wrong. They would surely all perish during the attack.

The information seemed to be rather basic. There was quite a vivid description of his appearance and his upbringing. His love of trickery and magic was noted, but not in detail. He thought his own brother, now part of SHIELD, would've given a better description, but Thor was never one for detail. It was always the big picture with him, never the details that made it up. This made his brother a bit…lacking in vision, in ideas.

The only thing that brought Loki relief was that Lucy didn't seem to be in the database. The only Lucy was an older woman of about forty, who apparently was some sort of nurse. Relief flooded through him knowing that Lucy was safe, at least for a little while longer. He couldn't lose his little bird, not yet. He still needed her by his side for a while longer.

When he had gathered a substantial amount of information, Loki quickly departed from the depths of SHIELD. He parted ways with Selvig and made his way to his own apartment. He had some time to kill before he left for Lucy's art showcase. He didn't really mind waiting around due to his excitement. He very much liked the sight of his little bird chirping and hopping away with anticipation. Though he knew she was quite nervous about tonight as well, with her brother's life on the line. She blatantly objected when he offered her money while they were lying in bed. If they didn't have a splendid conversation before, he may have been offended.

He thought back to lying in her bed, holding her pure, lithe body in his arms. He could smell the sweet vanilla that radiated off her skin and could feel the warmth from her breath. He thought back to the conversation with a smile.

"Have you ever loved someone, Will?" Lucy asked tenderly. She looked at him with wide, sparkling brown eyes. Loki couldn't help but chuckle at her demure look."Don't make fun of me," she blushed, snuggling her head against his chest.

"I once loved my brother," he responded. Lucy was the one who giggled now.

"No, I mean like love between you and another woman."

Loki paused and thought about every woman he ever had. Yes, they were beautiful, strong, fierce women. But had he loved any of them? No, he had only bed them for ulterior reasons. Power, information…none of them were sincere from what he could recall.

"Then no, I suppose not," Loki responded firmly. Lucy sighed with disappointment. "Why do you want to know, little bird?" he asked.

"I wanted to know what it felt like," Lucy said simply. Loki met her gaze for a few moments without speaking. Her cheeks were a diffident shade of pink, her lips red and pouted.

"What do you think it feels like?" Loki asked. Lucy nibbled on her lip in thought, her brows knitted together. She sat up, wrapped a white sheet around her and rummaged through her closet and until he pulled out what looked to be some sort of case. She set it down on the table and opened it up. Loki craned his neck to get a better look at the contraption. Then, she pulled out a large, black circular disk and set it on the machine. She lifted what looked to be a needle and placed it on the spinning disk. Music slowly dripped out from the machine. Lucy began to sway, her back to Loki.

Slowly, Loki wrapped the other sheet around himself and crept behind her. He twirled her around to face him and wrapped one arm on her lower back, the other clasping her small, warm hand. She turned her face up and looked straight at him. He felt a chill creep from between his shoulders up his entire neck. She let one hand hang around the nape of his neck, barely reaching. Together, they swayed, their bodies pressed closely. She closed her eyes and rested her head against his chest. She began to hum with the music, murmuring some of the words in a whisper.

I'll find you

In the morning sun

And when the night is new

I'll be looking at the moon

But I'll be seeing you.

"That," Lucy murmured, "Is what love is."

Lucy zipped up the blue dress and slipped on her nude peep toe heels. She clipped the layered set of pearls around her neck and slipped on a pair of gold stud earrings.

And then she began to pace.

She had forgotten how spacious her living room was now that all the paintings were sitting in the gallery, waiting patiently to be unveiled. She thought of seeing Roxie there, Steve on her arm. She had been so happy when she agreed to bringing Steve. Lucy had the extra ticket, so she didn't see the harm in him coming. Well, that and Lucy would really enjoy for Roxie to give him a chance. He was a brilliantly handsome and kind gentleman and knew Roxie could like him if she let herself.

Lucy also thought of Will standing right in the middle of the gallery, waiting to greet her with a kiss and a hug. She wondered how handsome he would look tonight in his suit and scarf. She felt chills spread though her entire body, and she fought off the urge to run to his apartment just to see him before the gallery showcase. She wished he could wrap his arms around her now and give her a little kiss for encouragement. She could almost smell him, a wintry peppermint.

Lastly, Lucy thought of Max, and of her mother and father. She wished they could be here to see her now; strong, independent, determined. She wondered what they would think if they saw her now. She was living on her own terms with her own money, doing what she loved.

Lucy glanced up at the clock and sighed. She grabbed her brown leather clutch and tossed in her phone, some money, her house keys, and a compact mirror. Before leaving, she took one last glance at her apartment and flicked off the light.

The walk to the gallery was brisk. Lucy ignored the chill in the air and kept up a fast pace. She listened the methodic click of her heels and took long, cold breaths of air. She focused on the beat of her heart and reminded herself to stay calm.

The gallery was lit up, the glass windows revealing large groups of people huddled inside, holding glasses of wine and puffing on cigars. Lucy entered the gallery and felt the warm air hit her cheeks. She took in the smell of cigar smoke and relaxed a bit. A waiter handed her a glass of rich, red wine. Lucy toured the warm, sultry gallery. She marveled at the photography and the sculptures. The gallery itself was a work of art; rich red walls and dark wood floors. People chatted, a buzz of conversation filling the gallery.

Lucy spotted Roxie and Steve and gave them a wave. Roxie's smile grew tenfold and Steve gave her a simple, modest nod. Just as Lucy was about to approach them, she felt a hand rest on her shoulder.

"Excuse me, could it be that you are Ms. Lucy Levins?" she heard. Lucy spun around to find her eyes greeted with a handsome man, slightly older than herself. He was dressed quite fine in a handsome suit. He held what looked to be scotch in a glass in one large hand. His facial hair was neatly groomed and he had a delightfully devious smirk on his lips. He looked so familiar, but Lucy could not think of his name. She had seen him on a magazine cover or two, she was sure of it.

"Yes," Lucy sputtered nervously. The man's smile grew in size and he held out his hand.

"Tony Stark. It's a pleasure," he said in a sultry, smooth voice. Lucy felt her entire brain turn to mush.

Tony Stark…one of the richest, most intelligent men on the planet knew her name. He was standing right in front of her, shaking her hand like she was some sort of millionaire closing a deal with him. She felt butterflies flap around in her empty stomach with a vengeance.

What was he doing here? He should be off inventing some sort of new genius technology or saving the world. And why on Earth did he know her name?

"You're entirely prettier than I had imagined," he told her. Lucy felt her entire face turn a deep scarlet, hot to the touch. She grew conscious of every inch of her body, every strand of hair that was now standing straight up, and of course, her slightly agape mouth. She felt a hand slip on her lower back, a slight nudge leading her away from her exhibit.

"Thank you," she murmured, not entirely sure what to say. He sipped on his scotch and gave her a glance that made her head spin.

"A friend of mine showed me some of your work the other day and I must say, I'm charmed. My current living area is a bit…bland, and I would be thrilled if I could place one of your pieces in it," he said, his voice like warm chocolate, rich and sweet.

"I often do commissioned paintings. Tell me what you would like and we can agree on a price," Lucy said slowly, sure not to mix up her words.

"Excellent, that was what I was hoping for," Tony grinned. He placed his glass to his lips again, and Lucy noticed how handsome they were. She quickly dispelled all thoughts and remembered the only lips she cared for were Will's.

Come to think of it, she didn't see him anywhere.

"Would you like my business number? I'll most likely be free any time this week," Lucy said.

"No need, darling. I already have it," he said. "I look forward to seeing you again in the future, Ms. Levins."

And just like that, he departed, leaving Lucy alone again in the middle of the gallery. Lucy walked up and down the gallery and looked for Will. She didn't see him anywhere and began to worry a bit. Had something happened? Had he forgotten?

Her train of thought was interrupted by a sudden outburst of screams. She saw the smoke billowing, black and thick and smelled the burnt canvas. The mass of people began to push her through the narrow glass doors.

Lucy felt a tug on her shoulders and found Roxie right behind her, clinging to Steve. The three were forced from the building together as panic began to rise within Lucy. She was pushed out into the freezing cold, bitter and harsh. Roxie asked her what seemed to be a billion questions that Lucy droned out.

She was going to lose everything again.

Lucy began to fight from Roxie's grip as hysteria took over. Roxie gave her a wild look, but Lucy fought free, tossing Roxie to the side.

"Lucy, don't!" She heard Roxie scream. But she ignored her panic.

No, no no no. She could not let this happen to her again. First, she had lost her entire family and had some sort of curse forced upon her. She lost just about every friend she ever had. Then, her studio burned to a crisp, along with just about every painting she ever created.

Not another fire. Fire had taken everything she ever had in her life. She would not let fire ruin another painting of Will. She would not let fire ruin her only chance to save herself from murdering her own brother.

She fought through the crazed crowd, pushing through like a salmon swimming upstream. Men and women were so frantic, so driven to get as far as possible that they didn't question the girl running into the fire. Lucy felt her heart pound out of her chest, her body moving mechanically. Tears streamed down her face as she busted through the door. She felt the heat hit her face like a punch. Flames licked the back of her legs as she ran to her exhibit.

But it was too late. It was all burned and wrecked. The canvases melded to a giant mess on the floor. Lucy tried to breathe, but found the air to be thick with smoke. Her eyes stung with ferocity and her lungs burned. Coughs racked her entire body. Wildly, she tried to find a way out, regretting doing something as stupid as running into a burning building. She collapsed and buried her head in her hands. Tears streamed down her face.

This is how I will die, she told herself. She curled herself as small as possible. She felt flames enclosing on her. A thunderous jolt shook her entire body, a burning pillar falling mere inches away from her. But she didn't flinch a bit, because she didn't hear it fall.

She heard Max calling her name and the sound of crickets in the summer night. She tasted the raspberry jam her mother used to make all the time. She smelled the oil in her father's garage.

She felt an odd serenity take over. She was no longer afraid.

She saw Will's smile, his bright green eyes. She tasted his kiss and smelled sweet peppermint. She felt his two arms slip under her and carry her from the burning gallery.

"Will," she murmured.

But when she opened her eyes, it wasn't Will she saw. It was Steve Rogers, and he had saved her life.

Loki rounded the corner and peered in the glass windows of the gallery. He fingered the ticket tucked safely in his pocket. Just as he was about to enter, he felt a thousand tiny icicles stab his heart.

First he saw that oblivious Steve Rogers, glancing around the room like some lost, idiotic child. And then, that pompous Tony Stark, standing a bit too close to Lucy for comfort. He felt his anger come to a violent boil. He knew he couldn't enter the gallery without being discovered. He watched Lucy uncomfortably have a conversation with Tony Stark with a heavy heart. He lingered a few moments and watched her stroll around the gallery looking for something.

Looking for him.

Loki turned his back to the gallery. Truly, he wanted to be there for Lucy tonight. He wanted to see her at her happiest moment. He wanted to hold her, kiss her, let every poor bastard in the gallery know she was his. But he couldn't – not with two of those Avengers in there.

Just as he was about to leave, Loki felt another pang hit his stomach. There was a painting of himself in that gallery. If either of those Avengers saw it…

They would take Lucy from him for sure.

He slipped into the shadows of the alleyway beside the gallery. Both of those morons knew a basic description of him. They would know immediately that the picture was a portrayal of the man they were trying to capture. Lucy would be taken into SHIELD custody and questioned. They would tell her horrible stories of his deeds. She would believe every word they spat at her. She would be forced to give up his location.

But worst of all, she would no longer love him. He knew that with a dreadful certainty that hung in his stomach like a lead weight.

He knew what he had to do, but that didn't make it any easier. He spent a few moments arguing with himself, but he knew he had to destroy it, and quickly. He felt the guilt consume him as a man inside the gallery flicked his cigar a bit too close to Lucy's painting. Lucky for Loki, Lucy's exhibit was a bit out of the way. The painting caught fire quickly and began to spread like wildfire through the entire exhibit. As the mortals piled out, he found he could not stay any longer, too ashamed, too culpable of his own vile behavior. But he forced himself to watch until he saw Lucy. It was a relief when he saw her. She was frantic, but alive.

So naturally, he felt sick when he watched her run back in.

He wanted to save her. He wanted to run with her and carry her out. He wanted to be the knight that saved her life and brought her back to salvation. He wanted to heal her burns and tuck her into his bed. Truly, he wished he could save her, be she was beyond his grip, slowing slipping between his fingers. As long as those Avengers were there, he could do nothing. He was completely powerless and it made him sick.

But it was Steve Rogers that ran back in. It was Steve Rogers that carried her out. And it was Steve Rogers that saved her life.

Loki left before he went mad with jealousy.