Obligitory opening comments that allow me to keep from naming this chapter before upload. Weeee.

Alright, again, sorry about the delays. I have at least two follow-ups I still have to write, the promised girls prank night, and a sickly romantic and fluffy piece. Warning on the next few chapters: I'M BAD AT SUBTLE ROMANCE. Seriously, I suck at it despite being female. Subtext doesn't work on me in real life and I can't write it. So, expect slightly-blatant flirting and a completely clueless Darcy. And before anyone suggests that no one could be as dense as she's being: yes, someone can.

Anyway, onwards with the chapter. Enjoy.

- Illusinia

Oh, and a word to the wise: all follow-ups will come after I finish this story most likely. Its hard to write those without giving anything away, but I will be following up the 'Loki turns Fury into a ballerina' and Darcy is Who? What? so for the time being, please be patient. I promise, I have ideas and just need the time to write them.

"-and that's when Loki showed up with this kitten in a box," explained Darcy as she flashed Pepper and Jane a photo on her phone. "Isn't she precious?"

Jane took the phone and examined the photo, cooing with Pepper over the small bundle of fur. All three women had decided a night out was necessary to allow the guys some freedom (even though Darcy was pretty sure Pepper had Tony tagged). Now, they were seated at the pub Loki had taken Darcy to with drinks in front of them and food on the way.

"So, why the kitten?" asked Jane curiously. "It isn't a special occasion soon or anything, right?"

Darcy sighed slightly and took back her phone. "I think he gave it to me to help keep my mind of Dani's death. He wasn't there before and, well, he does care about me. Probably loves me, in the platonic sort of way. It would make sense, him giving me a fluffy animal on the day she died."

Jane's eyebrows furrowed and Pepper looked equally concerned. Darcy glanced at them both for a moment before seeming to remember something. "You guy's don't know about that. Right."

"Darcy, who is Dani?" asked Jane quietly, one hand coming to rest on the ex-intern's own.

Darcy's eyes remained glued to the table as she took a solid swig of her beer. "Dani was one of my best friends in high school, along with Loki. I know I at least mentioned that part." She paused for a moment to collect herself. "The part I don't talk about is that Dani died almost four years ago in a lab accident."

Jane gave her a sympathetic look. Pepper looked upset, possibly because Tony had almost blown himself up a few times in his lab. Suffice to say, the S.H.I.E.L.D fire personnel, medical personnel, Coulson, Fury, and Pepper were all relieved Tony had basically chosen Darcy as his apprentice. It meant fewer emergency calls and fewer fires. Though there was a shocking increase in explosions, which Darcy solely blamed on Tony not double checking his work. Seriously, every explosion could have been avoided if he checked his work.

"Darcy, are you okay?" asked Jane softly.

She just shrugged. "I guess. It was four years ago after all. Still don't like to talk about it though, so we're not going to."

Pepper's brows furrowed and Darcy could just see a lecture on bottling up her emotions coming her way. Oogie Boogie's song echoing from the phone in her hands proved her salvation. Of course, she would have preferred another hero besides Coulson, but the man would have to do. And hey, at least she could have some fun.

Holding up a finger, she answered the call with a grin. "Hey Coulson, what's up? And don't say 'me', 'cause then I'll have to tell Clint you're cheating on him."

Jane actually choked on her drink across the table while Pepper was blushing but laughing at the same time. She could hear Coulson clear his throat, though there was a bit of a chuckle in there too. The man could smile, she'd seen it done. He started up on something about a report, leading to an eye roll and 'one-moment' finger from Darcy before she stood and walked outside.

As soon as she'd left, Pepper turned rapidly to Jane. "Have you asked Thor to talk with Loki about Darcy yet?"

Jane sighed and shook her head. "Thor's a little afraid to broach the subject with Loki. Apparently the last time Thor tried to ask Loki about a woman in his life, Loki snapped at him. Literally. With his teeth."

Pepper cocked an eyebrow. "Alright, I'm not sure I want to know."

"Thor said something about sparring practice being a bad time to talk about love affairs," elaborated Jane. "Especially when Loki is in a head lock."

"I could see that," muttered Pepper, who was beginning to wonder if she needed to chip Loki and Thor as well. "We need to know what he feels though. Darcy clearly has a thing for him."

Jane nodded. "He has to feel something for her. Thor basically agreed that Loki is probably in love with Darcy if he gave up his plans so easily to protect her. Apparently the agreement he signed with S.H.I.E.L.D is pretty restrictive. Though, honestly, I don't think any of the Avenger's would allow Coulson or Fury to hurt Darcy if he did go bad again."

"Tony definitely wouldn't," agreed Pepper. "He sees Darcy as the kid he never had on some level. I'm a little surprised he hasn't tried to play Daddy in this whole issue."

Again, Jane nodded while sipping her drink thoughtfully. "Have you ever noticed that Darcy kind of looks like him?"

Pepper hummed slightly, nodding herself. "And acts like him. If I didn't know better, I'd swear they were related. Though, admittedly, I've always thought Darcy looked a little more like you than Tony."

"Really?" asked Jane with a chuckle. "Well, people have asked if we were sisters before. Or cousins."

"I could see that," admitted Pepper. "Genetics are funny things."

"Mhm," agreed Jane. "They can make two unrelated people resemble one another just by chance."

At that point, Darcy ducked back into the booth. "Hey, sorry about that. Coulson had some issue with the last report I submitted. So, anything interesting happen while I was gone?"

Loki paced back and fourth before Tony, slightly agitated and clearly a little frustrated. Darcy had hinted heavily this afternoon at her take on their relationship, and Loki had read between the lines. She still loved him as more than a friend, and she was willing to take the step if he was. The question was how. It was determining the answer to his own question that was diving Loki up a wall.

"This is preposterous," growled the Mischief God, "I need to do something that cannot be mistaken for the act of a friend. Take her someplace where she will feel special, loved. So why is it that I cannot think of such a place? My creativity knows no bounds, yet no location which crosses my mind is acceptable."

Tony shrugged slightly, taking a sip of his martini. "Well, maybe its because you don't have my resources."

The pacing halted immediately and sharp green eyes came to rest on him. "Elaborate."

Cocky smirk in place, Tony fished an envelope from his pocket and waved it at Loki. "I have here, in my possession, acquired for you with Coulson's reluctant blessing, an invite to S.H.I.E.L.D's big fancy, smancy ball. They hold it once a year, mostly so Fury and Coulson can attempt to impress senators and the like, but this year its staff only. Which means, I was able to wiggle an invite out of Coulson for you. Take Darcy, there is no way in hell she'll be able to miss the implications of you taking her to a formal party. Especially if you play you're game right and make it clear what you want." The following wink left no doubt in the god's mind about what Tony was referring to.

Loki nodded, a smile slowly growing on his face as he eyed first the envelop then Tony. "Is it safe to assume you will be present as well?"

"Willing wing-man, at your service," agreed Tony with a grin and faint bow, as much as he could while sprawled as he was. "Ask her tonight, when she gets home though. Steve might get the same idea, and you don't want to give him any opportunities."

"No, that I do not," agreed Loki as he took the envelop and turned it over. "Is Coulson aware of the cause for which he provided the means?"

Tony grinned. "Oh yeah. He's rooting for you, for the record. Apparently, despite attempting to destroy the world, he considers you an okay guy. Probably something about the whole 'giving up your cause for a woman you love' thing. Though, it could be 'cause he doesn't want Steve corrupted, too. Course, Natasha has her eye on Steve I think, so maybe Coulson's worrying about the wrong girl."

"Hm...perhaps I could utilize the other mortal female's attraction to my advantage," mused Loki as he rubbed his chin. "It is the one you call Widow, correct?"

"Yep," confirmed Tony with a grin. "Wouldn't try it though. I'm pretty sure Clint's already got dibs."

Loki sighed. "Ah yes, the Eye of the Hawk."

"Hawkeye," corrected Tony automatically as he shifted positions in his chair. The result was his head hanging over one arm while his legs hung over the other. "And yeah, he's kinda in your boat: hopelessly head-over-heels with no real good way to proceed."

"Seduction is a difficult game," confirmed Loki. "But to play the long game is infinitely more entertaining than the short term."

Tony chuckled. "Spoken like a chess master."

"I do find the game entertaining," admitted Loki quietly. Tony noted the sadness in Loki's eyes but said nothing.

It was several minutes before Tony started to twitch, which meant that he really needed to start talking again. Or doing something. The 'something' ended up involving his drink and a rubber band. Fortunately, Loki was skilled at dodging flying objects. Living with Thor had some advantages after all.

It was nearly midnight when Darcy came strolling into the apartment, humming something which Loki recognized as an old Irish drinking song. He chuckled some and leaned his head backwards over the couch. Looking at Darcy upside down usually made her laugh, and his goal was achieved when she broke into giggles at the sight of him. Though that could have been the alcohol too. It was always difficult for Loki to determine exactly how drunk Darcy was, given her mental and physical facilities didn't usually degrade rapidly. Yes, she would become light headed and slightly uninhibited, but didn't tend to trip over her own feet or speak with a slur.

He realized she must have drank quite a bit, however, when she dropped into his lap and kissed the middle of his throat. "Hi Loki."

"Good evening," muttered Loki as he raised his head to look at her, all of his will power focused on halting his reaction to her proximity. One of his eyebrows was lifted as well. "Feeling amorous tonight?"

Darcy snorted. "What, I'm not allowed to kiss my best friend?"

Loki grinned and leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "By all means, kiss away."

The words sent Darcy into a fit of giggles, even as she pressed her face into the crook of his neck. "Gods, I love you Loki."

"And I love you," murmured back Loki. "So much, in fact, that I wanted to ask you to a ball."

Darcy's head was off his shoulder in a second and she looked more than a little uneasy. "A ball?"

"Yes," confirmed Loki. "I have been informed that S.H.I.E.L.D typically hosts a ball of sorts each year and was provided an invitation. I wanted to ask if you would accompany me."

"Oh thank god," muttered Darcy. "I thought you meant something on Asgard and I was gonna say, I don't think you want me anywhere near your family. I'm pretty sure I'd hurt someone."

Loki's brows furrowed. "You have yet to harm Thor."

She nodded and leaned backwards on the couch until she was laying down with her lower body still in Loki's lap. "Yeah, but Thor at least realizes his errors and is trying to make up for them. You can't say the same for everyone else in your family."

"This is true," confirmed Loki as his head fell back against the back of the couch, though he was surreptitiously looking at Darcy.

Apparently, she didn't notice. "Anyway, yeah, I'll go with you to S.H.I.E.L.D's ball. It sounds like fun."

It took a lot of effort to keep the massive grin off Loki's face. "Wonderful." Suddenly, he scooped her up, balancing her easily as he strode towards her bedroom. She squeaked with the move, but said nothing more. "Now, you must get to sleep and allow the alcohol to leave your system."

"Hmmm, I might be better persuaded if I wasn't the only one in said bed," suggested Darcy with a bit of a ridiculous eyebrow wiggle.

Loki just shook his head. "You are fortunate that I know you so well. Such jokes would be dangerous to make around others."

"Yeah," sighed Darcy, both of her arms wrapping around his neck as she snuggled against his chest. Was it his imagination, or did she sound a little disappointed? "That's why you're my best friend. You run with my banter but know when I'm kidding."

He hummed in response, confirming her statement but unable to squash his hope that someday soon, her words would be truthful rather than joking and that he wouldn't be going to bed with her as only a friend.

"What's a fella to do when he's goin' up against the best friend?" asked Steve as he fiddled with the tumbler of vodka Danya had handed him when he showed up at her door looking like a kicked puppy. He couldn't get drunk, no matter how strong Danya brewed the vodka (and she was an expert at making strong vodka). Still, the familiar burn helped a little.

"Keep fighting," replied Danya as she checked something on a computer before coming to sit back across from Steve with her coffee in hand. "Even if you don't succeed, you'll hate yourself for a long time if you don't at least try to fight."

Steve nodded and swallowed the shot she'd given him, wincing some. Danya chuckled a little and for a moment, he saw the similarities between her and Natasha. Both women seemed to exhibit the same manners at times, though Danya was far less selfish than the Russian assassin. Well, Steve couldn't actually say Natasha was selfish. She certainly acted in her own interests but saying she was selfish was probably a step too far. The woman had saved his life after all.

"So what's your next move?" qurried Danya, eyes glued once again to the main computer in her office. Whatever she was running appeared to be important but she wouldn't say what it was. Just that Nick Fury had told her to run it.

Steve shrugged behind her dejectedly. "I don't know. Somethin' flashy might be nice. I remember Bucky dragged me out one night on this double date with a pair of dames to this huge technology fair and they seemed impressed."

Danya nodded distractedly, paused, then nearly jumped from her computer chair and headed across the room. Steve found himself momentarily distracted by her grace. He would never deny that Danya was attractive to him. Besides being beautiful, she was intelligent, strong, and snarky when she wanted to be. Then there was her attitude and willingness to stand up for what she believed in our against the people she thought were wrong. Danya is beautiful but Darcy is so much like Peggy...

A piece of card-stock appeared beneath Steve's nose so rapidly that he thought the thin material might cut him. "Here. Invite her to the S.H.I.E.L.D ball."

"Ball?" asked Steve nervously, even as he took the nicely printed invitation from Danya. "You think I should ask her to a ball?"

Danya nodded dismissively, sitting back down at her computer and checking the progress on whatever she was doing. "I don't think you should ask her. I'm telling you to ask her."

"What if she doesn't want to go?" asked Steve uneasily. "I mean, a ball seems nicer than what we've been doin', but what if she spooks?"

The biochemist paused, then turned to look at Steve over her shoulder with a cocked eyebrow. "Where the hell did you hear the phrase 'spook'?"

"Uh, a guy I work with?" tried Steve uneasily.

Blue eyes rolled with gusto and he could hear Danya muttering something about telling Natasha to smack Clint upside the head. Steve decided not to ask. He hadn't quite figured out the relationship between Natasha and Danya yet, but neither seemed willing to state their connection either. Not for the first time, he wondered if Danya and Natasha were actually related.

"Danya?" questioned Steve, his unease slightly audible.

"Hm?" Her eyes refocused on him and, not for the first time, he noticed how tired she looked.

Danya didn't get out much. Steve had gathered that within the first week of knowing the quirky, violent, and strong-willed woman. How she managed to remain thin, he would never know. Her work though, all the tests she ran and the research she did, took a heavy toll. His eyes fell to the invitation in his hand and his thoughts on asking Darcy to go.

The hand holding the invitation was re-extended towards Danya. "No, Danya, you should go."

She looked more than a little taken aback. "What?"

"You should go to this...ball," explained Steve as he replaced the invitation in her open hands, careful to close her fingers around the card. "Danya, you live in this little cement world and its not right. I've talked to the guards down here. You don't leave often and when you do, its usually only briefly. Most of the other scientists at least talk together, but you never join them." His eyes met hers and any lingering doubts about trying to force Danya to do anything fled his mind. She looked exhausted, and if she kept this up she'd burn out fast. "Go to this ball thing, dance with some people, and have fun."

A faint smile tugged at her lips and one of her hands came up to cup his cheek as she pushed the invite back at him. "Even if you don't take the invite Steve, I'm not going."

"Why?" His determination had taken full control apparently. "You're young Danya. Young people are supposed to have fun."

The faint smile grew. "This coming from the man who ditched a hot double date to try, yet again, to sign up for military service."

Steve blushed a little, but chuckled and shrugged it off. "I never said I was perfect."

"True," sighed Danya as she leaned back, releasing Steve. He couldn't decide how he felt about that, but disappointed hovered in the mix clearly. "But I won't know anyone there Steve. None of the other scientists will be there, not that I'd really want to socialize with them anyway, but still. Plus, I can't exactly say I work for the secret research branch of S.H.I.E.L.D. if anyone asks. So what would be the point?"

He nodded a little, understanding where she was coming from all too well. "Alright, well, w-what if I go with you?"

Her eyes widened almost comically, lending her a momentary innocence he knew didn't exist. But that didn't keep him from wanting to draw her close and hug her. "You'd go with me?"

"Yeah," agreed Steve. "That would be swell, don't you think?"

Danya chuckled a little and relaxed back into her chair. "It would be amusing, at minimum. Alright, listen, I'll go to this ball thing on one condition. You have to ask this girl you're crushing on first. IF she says no, then I'll go with you. But if she says yes, you have to go out with her to the ball and not worry about what I'm doing that night."

"What if I get Natasha to agree to go?" haggled Steve. "Then you'd at least have someone to talk with all night."

"Please," snorted Danya. "'Tasha's got a nice side of archer to keep her occupied, she's not gonna want to go hang out with me."

Steve shook his head. "If I can get her to agree?"

For a moment, he actually thought she was going to say no. The war was going on behind her eyes and more than once he saw her glance at the computer resting against the back wall. Finally though, she sighed and nodded. "Aright, if you can get Tasha to go then I'll go regardless of if you have a date. But you have to go with me if this girl says no because I am not going to spend a night with my cousin unless I have to."

"Deal," agreed Steve, filing the bit about her and Natasha being cousins away for a later discussion. "Um, so, do you have any advice on asking a girl out to a fancy shindig like this?"

More plotting, flirting, and chaos. Anyone think Danya should just kiss Steve already and get it over with?