Next chapter. Please guys, let me know what you all think. These topics are outside of my comfort zone! I couldn't stand the thought of Steve having to go into this alone when Loki has Stark on his side. So, I've given him a friend. If anyone has any suggestions for who else should be on Steve's side, I'm all ears. Some people will unwittingly give Steve advice as things progress, which I don't feel back about doing because Loki knows Darcy so well to begin with. Anyway, enjoy!

Illusinia

Steve stared at the beer in his hands, before tipping it back and taking a long gulp. His eyes were a little unfocused with his thoughts and, for what felt like the hundredth time since he woke, Steve wished he could become drunk. But not even the hardest liquor combinations available were able to make him drunk, at least not for longer than 10 minutes. And those few drinks were difficult to find, expensive, and not really worth it.

Maybe I should just chug a bottle of vodka one day for courage and ask her.

Her. As much as it pained Steve to admit it, a woman was the reason for his alcohol craving. It wasn't that he'd been rejected. He hadn't given any verbal indication that he was even interested in her. But after what happened in the crater, well, he clearly wasn't the only one interested. Maybe. Really, it was hard to say what Loki's motivation for his actions had been. His willingness to halt all plans to save her, well, it made Steve nervous. He could deal with competition, it was a surprise more men weren't interested.

The problem was their prior relationship.

Steve wasn't stupid. He did his homework when Loki and Darcy had informed everyone they were friends. He'd asked Fury about the man listed in her file. Everything he'd found sounded like a base for romance, something he felt was bound to happen given how close the two were.

He took another drink. Maybe I need something harder. That bottle of vodka is sounding better and better.

"You look down," commented a female voice from behind him. "Anything I can help with?"

Steve glanced back and nodded at the dark-haired woman standing there, blue-yellow eyes examining him like a puzzle. Her name was Danya, one of the chemistry PhD's who worked in the deepest levels of S.H.I.E.L.D. He hadn't even been aware she ever left her lab. Most of the projects she was assigned to were at the highest level of top-secret, to the point where only Fury and Coulson knew about a few of them. Even he'd only met Danya because she was working with several biochemists to monitor the state of his body.

"Danya, I'm amazed you crawled out of the cave," joked Steve.

She just shrugged. "Believe it or not, I used to be pretty wild before S.H.I.E.L.D got their hands on me. Kinda hard to go out and have fun when you're keeping more secrets than the CIA."

"I'd imagine," muttered Steve as he took yet another gulp. "What does bring you here?"

Smirking slightly, Danya raised a hand and gestured for two more beers. "You."

That caught his attention. "Me?"

"Natasha may or may not have mentioned that you're acting a little down," explained Danya. "She wanted me to talk with you about it."

Steve downed the rest of his last beer and reached for the new one the bartender gave him. "You and Natasha associate?"

Again, Danya shrugged. "I'd go crazy if the only people I ever interacted with were other scientists. You can't even begin to understand how boring most of those guys are. I'd rather deal with Stark."

"What has she told you?" asked Steve. He wasn't going to even bother to ask how she knew Natasha. It was probably due to something crazy.

"Not a lot," replied Darcy. "She said you've just been down recently, notable for the past month but especially since some giant fight." Calmly, she took a big gulp of her own beer. "So, spill."

Steve nodded and downed half of his drink. "It has to do with a girl."

Danya chuckled. "Often does. Go on."

"There's an assistant who works upstairs with Dr. Foster," explained Steve. "Her name is Dar...Daria."

The look Danya shot him screamed disbelief. Steve just took another drink. He hadn't told anyone yet about his interest in Darcy. She was so different, like a beautiful and vibrant flower in the desert. Certainly not the type of woman anyone would expect him to be attracted to, and he didn't want to face the opinion of others yet. And he really didn't want anyone to find out about his attraction for her. Unlike Loki, he would not allow her to ever be in danger.

"Sure, lets call him that for now," joked Danya as she took another drink. "So, this 'girl' doesn't happen to be a narcissistic playboy philanthropist, does he?"

Steve shot her a glare, which apparently made her crack up. He had to admit, Danya was unique. She was beautiful, but in a very different way from Darcy. Where Darcy almost seemed to vibrate with energy beneath her soft brown hair and big blue eyes, Danya contained a quiet knowledge and understanding that made her glow. Both were beautiful, but something about Darcy made her shine so brightly that Steve could hardly look away. Though he saw that same light in moments like this when Danya was teasing him.

"Definitely not," growled Steve weakly. He knew she was joking, so he didn't take any actual offense. "Daria is definitely female."

Danya smirked. "I'll assume you're keeping her actual name under wraps to keep her from being bugged, but I can promise I won't bother her or slip her name to anyone if you ever decide to tell me." She took another sip and motioned for Steve to continue.

He remained silent for a few moments more, unsure exactly what to tell her. "Well, she's beautiful. Radiant. There is just something...she's so full of life and unique, its like standing in the presence of a star."

"She sounds amazing," commented Danya. "But?"

Steve sighed. "There is another man. He's been her friend for years, but they didn't speak for a long time and he only recently showed up again. I'm pretty sure he wants to pursue her."

Danya 'hmm'ed in understanding. "Have you tried asking her about it?"

"She claims they're only friends," murmured Steve.

"So go after her," reasoned Danya mildly.

Steve blinked blankly. "I'm sorry, what?"

Danya rolled her eyes. "Look, Steve, if she says she isn't dating the other guy, then try to woo her or whatever it is you call it. Pursue her. She's unattached and you'll never know if she's interested until you try. Plus, if this other guy is into her but won't make a move, well, his loss."

"I don't know," muttered Steve. "It feels like stealing her if the other man already has a claim."

An annoyed sigh slipped from Danya's lips before she more or less spun Steve forcefully so he was facing her. "Steve, listen to me." One of her hands came out to rest on his shoulder. "Women in this day and age, men don't claim us unless we let them. It takes a ring for any man to actually claim us, otherwise we put up with them until we're bored or they are."

"So, he has no claim?" confirmed Steve, hope springing into his voice.

Danya shook her head. "Not a one if she won't acknowledge anything between them."

Slowly, the gears in Steve's mind began to turn. "I need a plan, if I am going to woo her. She's so unique, it will be challenging to catch her attention."

A wide grin spread over Danya's face. "Planning mischief? Now that I can do! Tell me, what do you know about this girl?"

Ok, sorry this chapter is so short but I'm still trying to work out some of the kinks with this story, given I'm going in with almost no plan. Let me know what you guys think about Danya and Steve plotting.