And, second to last chapter is done. Next up: the wrap up of sorts. That could end up being two chapters, but I'd like to keep it one if possible. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. It should prove interesting to say the least.

- Illusinia

"Are you almost ready Darcy?" called Loki through the bedroom door. Darcy had gone in almost 20 minutes ago, claiming she'd be out within that span of time. Loki believed her too, she wasn't one to underestimate how long something would take. Prefect timing was the mark of a true prankster.

"Yep!" assured Darcy as she pulled open the door and spun around. "What do you think?"

Loki felt his mind grind to a halt as he took her in, the only words filtering through his brain being 'beautiful' and 'mine' or variations of the same two words. He may have composed a poem. 'Ode to a Prankster Goddess', that was a decent title.

Darcy stood in front of him, clad in a silken dress the same color of green as his armor. It had long bell sleeves with woven leather cords running the sleeves lengths, a neckline that started just above her shoulders with a gradual scoop, and a green bodice decorated in golden patterns resembling Norse knot-work that clung to her upper body beautifully. Following the line of the bodice, he found the skirt fell to her knees in a slightly lighter shade of green. The stretch of visible leg, which Loki was finding particularly distracting, ended in a pair of black heels which looked dangerous to walk in. A few thin straps were the only thing which secured the shoes to her feet.

"Well?" prompted Darcy, drawing Loki's attention back up to her eyes. He was pretty sure she was checking him out as well, even if she seemed more put together than he was at the moment.

He was wrapped in a less intimidating variation of his armor, sans helm and golden chest piece. It was what he would have traditionally worn on a normal day on Asgard, though Darcy assured him it was more than adequate in this situation. Besides, she insisted it allowed him to look Asgardian without looking as if he was going to start murdering people. Armor was a marker of violent intentions, had been her explanation, so he couldn't wear his armor to this event.

"Loki?" prodded Darcy again, brow furrowed in concern. "If you don't like it, it's a little late for me to change..."

"No," insisted Loki, managing to pull himself from his shock. "It's perfect, Darcy."

Darcy's grin widened a little, though it fell as she looked him over once more. "I don't suppose you'd consider going blue, huh?"

Loki may have choked a little, though he'd never admit it. "What?"

"Go blue," repeated Darcy. "As in, drop the disguise and just be yourself for a night."

"That form does not belong to me, Darcy," growled Loki. Really, why would he parade around like a freak?

Darcy snorted and crossed her arms easily. "Sure it does. Loki, your Jotunn form is as much a part of you as your Asgardian one. Yeah, it looks a little different but we're going to a S.H.I.E.L.D. party here. Notably with a group of people who regularly dress up in spandex and go out to save the world. No one is gonna care if you're blue."

Loki sighed, recognizing Darcy's stubbornness when he saw it. "Why does this matter so much to you?"

"Because its part of who you are," explained Darcy, her voice patient and calm. "You always act like you're ashamed of your Jotunn blood, and maybe you are, but its a part of you and no matter what color your skin is you're still you. Just because you're not the species you thought you were doesn't mean that who you are as a person changes."

"Darcy..." started Loki, but she held up a finger to halt him.

"Do this for me Loki," requested Darcy as she held out her hand. "For one night, drop the spells and disguises. Be yourself. Just try it."

Loki huffed some and dropped onto the couch. "Your point still evades me."

Darcy huffed a little and sat next to him carefully. "I'm trying to prove a point to you Loki, namely that it doesn't matter who you are biologically. Mentally, emotionally, personally, you are the same exact person you were before you found out about your parents. Discovering you're a Frost Giant doesn't change who you are. You've always been a Frost Giant, biology doesn't change over-night. But finding out that you're Jotunn, it's thrown you for a loop. Sometimes I see the same old Loki in your eyes. Most of the time though, there's a shadow there and I completely understand where you're coming from with that. Its hard to find out your parents aren't actually your biological parents and leads you to wonder all sorts of crazy things. But it doesn't change who you are as a person, and tonight I want to show you that." Taking one of his hands in hers, she caught his eye carefully. "Come with me tonight as a Jotunn. Spend some time in that body. No matter what you think, that form doesn't disgust me. Hell, in some ways you're hotter in that form."

Loki snorted derisively. "You have a misplaced sense of attraction if you believe that."

"Maybe," admitted Darcy. "Either way, my request stands. I won't push and I can't force you to do anything, but I'd like you to try it at least."

Standing, she turned and held out her hand. "Now, what do you say?"

For several seconds, Loki just stared at her hand. He had to admit, it was the strangest request he had ever received, though he shouldn't be surprised. Darcy had her reasons for doing things and often proved far more observant than anyone gave her credit for. It wasn't unbelievable that she would have picked up on a discomfort he hadn't even been aware was showing.

Looking at her hand again, he reached out to take it and slowly allowed his skin to melt to blue. Darcy's grin returned as she watched the color change over-take him, pulling him to stand in the process. Her hand looked so fine in his grasp, for a moment he almost allowed himself to turn back. Somehow though, this felt natural. Seeing the blue against her pale cream hand, it didn't look so monstrous.

"Thanks Loki," thanked Darcy as she linked her arm through his. The soft fabric of her dress brushed his arm, almost causing him to shiver. He hadn't realized how dulled his sense of touch was in his other form. "And look, now we complement each other!"

Blinking, Loki took in the play of color between his arm, her arm, and their clothing. It was true. Somehow everything looked, not normal, but right. A smile came to his face. "Come my goddess, let us go turn some heads."

Darcy laughed and pulled him out the door.

"Door's open!" called Danya's muffled voice from behind the heavy bulk-head. Honestly, Steve had assumed the labs were sound-proof with how much the doors alone weighed. Apparently, Danya could still talk through them.

Pushing open the heavy bulk-head, Steve found Danya sitting in front of a computer, looking through the microscope beside her while she typed in her findings. "Give me a minute, Steve. I just need to get these last few notes down."

Steve nodded and took the time to look over what he could see of Danya while she worked, which wasn't much. A lab coat was covering her torso, blocking her dress from view, and her hair was twisted up in its normal bun, which may or may not be how she was intending to wear it. Knowing Danya, it was entirely possible.

Hitting a few more keys, she saved her work then powered off the computer. Her fingers switched off the microscope as she turned away from her desk and stood, simultaneously shedding her lab coat as she went. Steve felt his mouth go dry.

Of course, Steve already knew Danya was beautiful. It was hard to ignore something like that, even when she was covered in lab gear. This however, this was something Steve hadn't expected.

Her dress had no straps and ran from just over her chest to the floor. It was a charcoal black-gray color that brought out her blue eyes and the other colors in her dark hair. He hadn't realized how much red was actually interwoven with the dark brown until now. The dress was a simple sheath, but a long cut running from the skirt bottom to mid-thigh allowed her to move with ease. Small, glittering points that weren't sequins or rhinestones but somehow woven into the fabric itself shimmered intermittently through the dress as she moved, never too intense or too mild.

Seeing his eyes take her in, Danya shrugged slightly. "Blame the dress on Natasha. She thought it was a good idea."

Translation: Natasha made me do it.

The Russian woman's words flitted though Steve's head. There is another who is not so different from the one you are pursuing that would gladly show you affection in return. Steve turned Danya's words over in his head along with Natasha's. She couldn't have been referring to Danya, could she?

Dating Danya had never honestly occurred to Steve. Yes, she was beautiful and certainly she was attractive. Really, she was more attractive in some ways than Darcy was. But Danya was also standoffish emotionally and had never shown any interest in Steve. Plus, she wasn't one to beat around the bush. If she was attracted to him, she would have said so. Right?

"Steve?" asked Danya, looking at him curiously. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," murmured Steve as he watched Danya pull the elastic out of her hair. It was longer than Steve had thought it would be, falling half-way down her back in gentle waves. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah," replied Danya as she grabbed a wrap off the table next to the door along with a hand-clutch. "Let's go."

Nodding, Steve allowed Danya to exit first, realizing when she walked by and was close to his height, that she was wearing heels as well. His eyes glanced at her feet as she turned in the hallway to look at him. The heels were tall, simple, and dangerous looking. She might have been wearing stalkings too.

Over all, she was beautiful. Someone would want to steal her away tonight. Possibly even, as Danya had put it a few times, take her home. The problem was, Steve wasn't sure he'd be able to let them.

Natasha opened the door when Clint, Thor, and Tony showed up at her apartment. Both she and Pepper had opted to dress together, citing it as more fun. Jane had joined them as well, Darcy having declined by stating that she needed to discuss something with Loki before they left. All three women agreed that she was hopefully going to profess her feels for the trickster. None were holding their breaths.

"Hey, you guys ready?" asked Clint as Natasha motioned for them to enter.

The ex-assassin couldn't refrain from rolling her eyes as he passed her. "No Clinton, we are still clad in only our underwear."

"Really?" asked Tony, perking up considerably at the suggestion. "I could totally get behind that. Maybe have an underwear party where the only thing you can wear is your underwear."

"Tony Stark, don't even think about it," growled Pepper as she walked into the room, heels clicking on the ground. Her hair was twisted into some intricate bun and her dress was a lavender purple that made her hair seem even redder and her skin silkier. The skirt hit her knees and the neckline ran to the base of her throat, with the whole dress clinging to her body. There were no sleeves, so her arms were left bare to reveal the bracelets she wore and a simple coil on her upper arm that Natasha had insisted on in lieu of a necklace.

Tony's jaw was left somewhere on the floor. How he managed to talk at all was a mystery. "Jesus..."

Behind him, Natasha chuckled faintly. "I told you he would appreciate the dress, Pepper."

"I don't recall arguing with you," pointed out Pepper as she grabbed her purse from the living room chair.

Clint turned to Natasha with a raised eyebrow, ready to make a snarky comment about her feminine characteristics when he caught sight of her own dress. His expression was nearly a duplicate of Tony's own.

Blood red fabric wrapped itself around her with a sweeping skirt that left most of one leg revealed when she moved and a high neckline that reached partway up her neck but left most of her back exposed. Of course, Clint knew she had more than a few weapons hidden on her person. This was Natasha after all. The skirt itself had no artificial volume to it, meaning what you saw was what you got. A belt of fabric wrapping from the skirt up the right side of the dress made a perfect pocket for a knife and he would bet his best bow there was a small blade hidden there.

"Like what you see, Clinton?" asked Natasha with a smirk.

Clint shot her back one of his own. "Trying to figure out how many knives you have hidden in that dress."

Natasha's smirk grew. "Perhaps you will get the chance to find out tonight."

"Yeah right," snorted Clint with a grin. "I know better than to get my hopes up like that."

Natasha shrugged as Jane stepped out of the backroom, clad a simple gold sheath dress that ran from her neck to the floor. Much like Natasha, a large expanse on her back was visible. Her eyes fell on the men and her brow furrowed. "Where's Steve? Shouldn't he be here?"

Thor shook his head, even as he moved to kiss Jane's hand. "Jane, your beauty is as radiant as ever. As for our shield-brother, he expressed a need to collect his date for the evening from a separate location than this."

"Translation: his date lives in the opposite direction and he didn't want to inconvenience us or force her to dress far earlier than she should have to," explained Natasha with a roll of her eyes.

Pepper raised a curious eyebrow at the other woman. "Do you know who his date is?"

Natasha nodded. "She isn't his date so much as he is her...means of relaxing. Do you recall the woman who came shopping with us?"

"Of course," replied Pepper easily. "She was gone as soon as she had a dress."

"Which is exactly why Steven has chosen to drag her from her laboratory and research tonight," explained Natasha with a shrug. "Besides, it distracts him from attempting to pursue Darcy."

"He's attempting to pursue Darcy?" asked Jane in surprise. "When did that happen? What is he thinking?"

"Darcy's in love with Loki," added Pepper. "And he's in love with her."

Natasha nodded and grabbed her own jacket and bag. "Precisely. By encouraging him to interact with a female who is attracted to him, the good captain may turn his attention to safer pursuits."

"Does this woman actually qualify as 'safe'," questioned Tony, one eyebrow cocked at Natasha. "She knows you after all."

"Danya is more than 'safe'," dismissed Natasha mildly. "Besides, the good captain has already befriended her. In fact, he seemed more than happy to escort her tonight."

Clint shot Natasha a 'seriously' look. "I don't know 'Tasha, he was soliciting advice from all of us on how to ask Darcy out. It sounds like he was pretty keen on nabbing her."

Thor shook his head sadly. "This is unfortunate. Shield-brother Steve has no hope of attracting the attention of Miss Darcy from my brother. Their bond runs far too deep."

"Too deep?" asked Jane with a raised eyebrow. When everyone looked at her, she quickly explained. "I want Darcy and Loki to finally sort themselves out, don't misunderstand me, but Thor," she turned her attention back to the Thunder god before her, "I'm wondering what you mean when you say 'their bond runs too deep'. What bond?"

Thor looked a little surprised. "My brother has not spoken of his bond of friendship with Lady Darcy? They have called one another friend for many years now. Never have I seen my brother more infatuated with another living being as he is with Lady Darcy." Shaking his head slightly, Thor turned earnest eyes on the others. "I speak with confidence when I say that my brother would lay down his life to ensure the safety of Lady Darcy. His love for her is unbound, as was witnessed by his return to Asgard many years ago."

"How do you mean?" asked Natasha, brow furrowed in worry.

With a sigh, Thor lay a hand on Jane's lower back even as his eyes focused on the wall across from him. "I do not know what my father told Loki to encourage him to return to Asgard, but he may have implied harm would befall Loki's friends should my brother refuse to return. This is merely a guess, but it would fit." Sighing, Thor refocused on the group before him. "I found my brother staring into a mirror he had enchanted once, not long after his return. To this day, I do not believe he knows that I was witness to the look of pure longing which cross my brother's features when his eyes fell upon the dark-haired woman I now know to be Lady Darcy. When Loki spoke so harshly during our confrontation, when his motivations changed so rapidly, I knew for certain that my brother had found love. If one had threatened my dear Jane much as Loki believed that we were threatening Darcy, my own actions would have mimicked those of my brother."

"So, long story short, Loki fell for Darcy ages ago and he's never let go of that crush?" summarized Clint. Thor nodded. "Geez Thor, we need to teach you to paraphrase."

Pepper glanced at her watch and shook her head. "We can continue this conversation in the car. If we want to arrive on time, we need to leave now."

Natasha nodded and tossed Jane's possessions to her. "Of course. We do not want to miss this show. Somehow, I suspect tonight will be exceptionally interesting."

Danya sighed as she looked around the room, blowing a piece of hair out of her face in the process. The ballroom that had been rented in one of Tony Stark's various buildings might have been decked out with fountains, ice sculptures, and all the rest of the gaudy crap one would expect to find at a Stark event, but it was about half as entertaining. Tony Stark himself had shown up almost half an hour ago with the rest of the Avengers, but nothing interesting had happened since. For what had to have been the millionth time since she came to work at S.H.I.E.L.D., Danya found herself missing Darcy and Loki. Badly.

Downing the remainder of her drink, she set the cup on a passing tray and took note of where Steve stood listening to Tony rant about something to Fury. She caught his attention with a minor hand signal, rolled her eyes in Tony's direction, then motioned towards the bathroom. Steve nodded subtly, indicating that he understood.

When Tony and the other Avengers had arrived, Danya had begged off meeting them. She wasn't too keen to deal with that many personality types tonight and had entered into a conversation with Fury to avoid talking with Steve's teammates. Of course, she was sure they were good people, but one doesn't necessarily want to actually meet that many superheros all at once. Steve had taken it in good stride and just asked that she meet the others when she was feeling more comfortable. Like that would happen. Confined crowds, for someone who liked to keep a low profile, were the worst thing in the world.

Slipping into the back hallway that lead to the bathrooms, Danya was quick to slip down to the back entrance to the building rather than the bathrooms. She needed a break, even for a moment, from the press of the crowds.

Danya ducked down the hall, just missing a dark-haired woman in green and a blue man in leather and metal entered the ballroom where she had just exited.

Loki could feel the nerves in his stomach as they neared the ballroom where the S.H.I.E.L.D-turned-Stark even was being held. Darcy still had her arm looped through his own, having retaken his arm the moment they stepped out of the car. For the millionth time, his eyes traced over the play of color between their bodies: the blue of his skin against the cream of hers, the way the green of the dress brought out the lighter undertones in his skin. She was right, they did compliment each other. Loki just wished he didn't feel so foreign in his own skin.

Of course, that was the exact feeling Darcy was attempting to banish. His self-consciousness. The unease he felt with himself.

No matter what you look like Loki, I will always support you. Darcy's words from so many months ago floated through his mind. You're handsome Loki, don't let anyone make you feel otherwise. You are who you are, what you look like is secondary to irrelevant. Apparently, Darcy hadn't gotten the memo about Jotun being monsters. Still, she wasn't afraid of him like this. She'd even called him attractive in this form. Really, who else did he care about?

"Loki?" Darcy's gentle calling drew him from his thoughts. "Ready to go in?"

Loki gulped but nodded. His voice wasn't going to work at the moment.

For a second, he thought Darcy was going to say 'fuck it' to the whole thing. Her eyes narrowed in a way that said she downright didn't believe him and her stance was annoyed. But that didn't stop her from opening the door, which Loki took from her almost immediately to hold open, and stepping inside. One of her hands wrapped around him arm so she could pull him in after her, ensuring he didn't run.

As they appeared in the room, those closest to them fell silent. That silence spread like a wave as more and more people noticed their appearance. Loki knew most of them were staring at him, he still made people nervous which was understandable. What he realized though, was that just as many of them were staring at Darcy. Glancing over, Loki thought he could see why.

The way that the light was striking Darcy's features at the moment brought out the sharper nature of her cheekbones and nose, as well as highlighting the shape of her lips and face. Loki was certain he'd seen a similar-looking person once in a photograph. Perhaps even in the same pose, especially with the way Darcy was giving their audience a 'What are you staring at? Yes, I'm here with a god, you're point?' look. Well, perhaps not that exact look but one very similar to it.

Her fingers remained locked around Loki's arm as she pulled him further into the room. She nodded as they passed Fury and Coulson, heading straight for where the Avengers and their significant others were gathered.

"Hey guys, what's shakin'?" asked Darcy as they arrived at the edge of the group. Jane and Natasha quickly parted to allow the other two into the circle, surprise flitting over the faces of the various members of the group. Of course they were surprised, no one expected Loki to show up blue. Darcy shot everyone a look though, one Loki knew said 'don't comment'. "Anything interesting happen yet? Anything film-worthy?"

"Not yet," assured Natasha with a smile. "We were just attempted to pry from Steve where he hid his date."

"I didn't hide her," scowled Steve with a hint of a pout. "She's not used to being out in such a big crowd and its making her nervous. Plus, I think the idea of meeting the Avengers might be a bit intimidating for her."

Natasha snorted. "Please, she already associates with two of us, what harm could come from meeting the rest?"

Steve shook his head and looked ready to comment when Darcy cut in. "It's alright 'Tasha. I'm sure when Steve's date wants to show, he will. Simple as that."

The slip of wording escaped everyone but Tony, who started laughing hysterically. "Oh god Darce, that was beautifully executed."

Darcy grinned and looked ready to reply when Steve suddenly stepped away from the group a little and motioned to someone behind Darcy and Loki. His eyes were triumphant as he waved.

"Here she comes now," stated Steve, grin not leaving his face. "So will you all drop it?" Darcy and Loki exchanged glances which clearly said they had no intention of doing anything of that sort but both turned with everyone else to face Steve's approaching date.

Darcy sputtered for a moment, eyes going wide as her knees actually gave out. Loki caught her, but just barely, his own attention focused on the approaching woman who had stopped dead in her tracks a foot away from the group.

"That's Steve's date?" muttered Clint from somewhere behind Darcy and Loki. "Shit, she looks like you 'Tasha."

"She is my cousin, Clinton," growled Natasha in response.

Any forming argument stopped dead, however, when Darcy half whispered, half-choked on her next words. "Dani? Is that...seriously, is that you?"

The woman before them, Dani nodded in shock. Then, Darcy was throwing her arms around the other woman and the first was hugging her tightly. Loki was close behind, laying a comforting hand on Darcy's back. However, she reached back and pulled him into the hug as well, squeezing him close to Dani who seemed to recognize him immediately despite the color change and return the hug.

"Gods, Loki, Darcy, what are you two doing here?" asked Dani without moving away from her friends.

Darcy sniffed and leaned back enough to be able to look at Dani. "I was about to ask the same thing. What the hell Dani? I thought you were dead!"

"Dead?" asked Dani, brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about? I work for S.H.I.E.L.D."

Both of Loki's eyebrows shot up. "You do? How did you come to be employed here?"

Dani blinked at Loki. "You're blue, just an FYI. And Director Fury recruited me at the hospital where I got taken after the explosion. He said he wanted me in his R&D department working on some biochemistry stuff. Didn't someone from S.H.I.E.L.D tell you guys this?"

Darcy shook her head. "I'd never even heard of S.H.I.E.L.D until they stole all of Jane's research last summer."

"Jane? As in, Jane Foster?" asked Dani, jaw dropping open slightly. "You worked with Dr. Foster?"

"Work with," corrected Darcy. "I still work for her, just at S.H.I.E.L.D now rather than as a student."

"And no one ever came to tell you I was alive?" confirmed Dani, confusion still tinging her voice.

Darcy shook her head again. "Never."

"But, that doesn't make sense," insisted Dani. "Fury was supposed to tell you that I was alive. That was part of our deal."

"He was?" asked Darcy, eyes narrowing.

Dani nodded, her own eyes narrowing in a way that reminded Loki just how dangerous both women were when pissed. "Damnit, that lying bastard son of a gutter slut!"

Without further word or any indication of their intentions, both women turned to where Fury and Coulson were standing and marched in unison towards the men. Loki could hear the others scrambling behind him, but none of them passed where he stood.

"Loki, what's going on?" asked Tony as they watched both women approach Fury in full 'we are pissed and require a word with you now' mode.

Loki didn't even think as he started forward, with the others following close behind. "It appears that Director Fury was not entirely honest with Dani. Be warned, there may be blood spilled shortly."

"Who's blood?" asked Jane uneasily.

"Director Fury's," replied Natasha with a certainty that told them she knew exactly how much damage the women could do.

They reached hearing range just as the fireworks started.

"Fury, I need to have a word with you!" growled Dani as she came to a stop directly in front of the S.H.I.E.L.D director. "Now."

Fury, for his part, didn't appear intimidated. Loki suspected the man just had a good poker face. "Yes, Dr. Lyon?"

"Doctor?" asked Darcy without dropping the angry look plastered to her face. "When did that happen?"

"Last year," replied Dani with a growl. "Why did Darcy not know that I was alive?"

Coulson looked a little surprised, glancing at Fury in concern. "Sir?"

"It was part of our deal," continued Dani. "I would come work for you so long as you told exactly four people I was still alive. Darcy was one of those four, so how come she wasn't notified?"

Fury sighed, and shook his head. "Dr. Lyon, I can assure you that all individuals on your list-"

"Don't lie to us, you son of a bitch," growled Darcy, jumping in with a fury that no one had ever seen in the young woman's eyes. "I would damn well remember being told that my best friend was alive. You've been jerking me around since I got here and I'm willing to bet you've done the same to Dani. Now, tell us the truth."

"Miss Lewis," began Fury, turning his eye on Darcy who didn't flinch. "You were going to be told as soon as you were offered the chance to join S.H.I.E.L.D as well. However, your change in majors placed you into a position where no one from my organization could speak with you easily."

"Fucker!" snapped Dani as she made a move towards Fury. Darcy was quick to grab the angry half-Russian woman and hold her back. "I never should have trusted you, you slimy, sneaky, protoplasmic phytoplankton!"

Loki had to suppress a laugh at Dani's choice of words. Her way of insulting people, well not always colorful, was usually semi-creative. At least enough to make people stare at her like she was crazy for a few moments. However, both Darcy and Dani looked ready to attack the man before them and allowing either girl to go to prison wasn't an option. "Darcy, Dani, what seems to be the problem?"

Dani growled, eyes still pinned on Fury even as Loki came to a stop beside Darcy. "This lying asshole went back on a deal I made with him. In exchange for me agreeing to work for S.H.I.E.L.D, he was supposed to tell Darcy, you, and my parents that I was still alive. Apparently, he didn't tell anyone."

"In Fury's defense, Loki's been in Asgard most of the time since he left us in high school," pointed out Darcy. "Then when he came back, he kinda tried to take over the world."

Dani broke her angry glare for a moment to stare at Loki funny. "Why would you try to do that? You' be bored after a week of ruling, then you'd have to find someone to take your place and that would be even more boring so you'd probably just go 'right, I'm done, have fun' and leave."

Loki shook his head. "That is what Darcy said as well. However, my lack of presence on Earth does not excuse Director Fury from explaining to the remainder of Dani's list of individuals what happened," deflected Loki as he turned to face Fury. For his part, Fury didn't look the least bit intimidated. "However, allowing either of you to go to jail for murder is not an option, nor is allowing this to go. Hm...what could be suitable action for revenge?"

Tony, who had walked up beside Loki, cleared his throat and tilted his phone towards the Mischief god without taking his eyes off Fury. Without a second thought, Loki glanced at the phone and grinned. "Perfect. I like the way your mind works Tony."

"So do I," agreed Tony as he put his phone away and stepped back to watch the fun.

Loki grinned at Darcy, mischief in his eyes. "You wished to see my magic unhindered, correct?" Darcy nodded, the scowl becoming a slow grin. "Observe my friend, perhaps I can even teach both of you this trick." Without thought, Loki flicked his fingers, waving his hand in a casual circle around the room. As his fingers pointed to various places, images of Fury in his tutu-ed glory began appearing on every available projection surface. It looked like a short, looping video, with Fury scowling, then turning to walk away.

Around the room, some began to snicker while others looked beyond horrified. One or two laughs began to rise through the room until many people were laughing or trying very hard to suppress their laughter and failing.

Dani's scowl had turned into a grin as she took in the scene before returning her eyes to Fury. "I'm giving you my two weeks now."

Fury's own scowl was now set firmly in place, though it wasn't directed at the girls. "Dr. Lyon, I would like to urge you to reconsider-"

"I'll reconsider," growled Dani, "if you guys majorly consider reworking my contract. Otherwise, I'm gone and you can find yourselves another chemistry genius."

"Make that two genius'," agreed Darcy as she glared at Fury. "I'm gone too. I don't work for liars. Let's go Dani." Dani snorted but turned with Darcy, both marching towards the exit.

Tony cleared his throat a little, calling after the girls through his laughter. "Hey, Darcy! Dani!" Both girls glanced at him, confusion written on their faces. "You two have jobs if you want them. You're both welcome at Stark Industries."

Darcy and Dani glanced at each other before calling out: "We'll think about it. Thank you!" in unison and walking out.

Fury was still scowling but didn't make any move to threaten Loki or Tony into taking down the images. Loki guessed the man was feeling inclined to take his punishment. Coulson didn't appear to understand at all.

"Sir, why are you putting up with this?" asked Coulson uncertainly. "Why did you just let them walk out after humiliating you?"

"Because I want them back," replied Fury with a growl. "Phil, those are two of the most intelligent people in their fields on an international level. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with, one that I'd rather not find myself going up against, and if a little humiliation will help, then I'm willing to take it."

"Uh, I'm not certain this qualifies as 'a little'-" started Coulson but Fury cut him off.

"Never do undercover work," advised Fury. "You don't have the balls for it."

Steve shook his head as he watched Danya and Darcy march out of the room. The fact that they knew each other still hadn't sunk in all the way. That they had been friends since high school...he was having even more trouble with that concept.

"Should we go after them?" asked Steve uneasily, trying to work out what to do next.

Beside Steve, Loki shook his head. "Leave them be. They need time to catch-up. When they finish, they will resurface."

Tony cocked an eyebrow at Loki. "Experience with this stuff?"

"I have seen Darcy and Dani angry to this extent once or twice," confirmed Loki with a nod. "They will bind together in their hurt and even I will not be granted time until their pain has faded. I doubt they will be gone all night."

Clint nodded. "How much of the city will they destroy?"

Loki shrugged. "That, I do not know. If I had to guess though, none. I know my friends, their activities will be relatively harmless."

"Relatively?" asked Tony.

Again, the Mischief god shrugged. "When you have a mechanical genius and a biochemical genius with trouble-making tendencies running around unsupervised, there is always a risk of harm. More than likely we will all awaken tomorrow with a giant robot standing someplace unusual and two drunken scientists curled up near by."

All eyes flew to Loki, but the man didn't blink or show any signs of joking.

"You're serious," muttered Steve with a shake of his head, eyes moving back to the doors through which the women had vanished. "You think they could actually build a functioning robot while drunk?"

"I know they can," confirmed Loki. "It has happened before."

Natasha smirked a little. "That sounds like quite a story."

Loki nodded, smiling as well. "It would have turned out better if they had opted out of giving the robot a flame thrower though."

"A flame throw- wow, they sound like my kind of people," approved Tony with a nod.

Loki chuckled a little. "They are very much 'your kind of people', Tony. If they come to work for you though, I would advise placing their workspace away from other people. Or ensuring they have access to an explosives range. With those two, something is bound to explode."