Althia was shocked at how easy Natasha's plan worked. Loki wasn't easy to control with but she had to do something to get him out of his confinement. There was something about him that attracted her though not like Bruce. Bruce touched her in a way she'd never known or imagined possible. She hoped Loki didn't use this to hurt him. That thought alone made her consider calling the whole thing off. Natasha was right though Loki was the most dangerous when he got bored maybe this would defer it a bit.
The return of tension between her shoulders made her wonder if her back was going to end up permanently hunched over from it. Seeing agent Barton sitting beside Natasha the possibility of new shocks about herself. She sat next to Bruce who immediately wrapped his arm around her. It was cute watching the unassuming Bruce Banner enjoy riling the prince. Loki for all his learning and study still didn't understand how well she'd gotten to know him when their minds were coupled. She knew that the selfish, jealous, and egotistical prince was also alienated, and shame ate at him. He felt his honor stained by the events in New York and the fight with the dark elves. He was an honorable man and loyal to his adopted home despite the words he spoke in anger. Regardless of his birth Loki desired the throne for the sake of Asgard not just in a bid for power. He definitely had strong memories of the mental battle but she didn't think he realized how much she retained as well. Natasha had talked to her about this plan and she agreed to integrate Loki into his new situation.
Natasha was looking at Althia waiting to see if she had succeeded. She had been very good at following instructions to the letter for the most part. After she carefully judge the mood of the room Althia lock eyes with Tasha and smiled faintly. 'Good girl' Tasha thought 'might make something of you yet.'
'Insufferable bug.' Loki thought when he saw Banner had tucked Althia under his arm. 'Pathetic childish behaviors; fool cannot rile me so easily.' Loki inwardly grinned and his stride intentionally stumbled only a fraction and annoyance touched his brow before he went to a seat near Tony Stark. Tony of course caught every moment of the exchange including Althia's which fascinated him more than the tug of war building between Loki and Banner. Tony knew which horse he'd put his money on in that race. "You want the lead on this Bruce or…" Tony pointed to himself after greeting Loki. "No it's ok you enjoy the spot light." Bruce replied with a grin. Popping out of his seat Tony activated the display board. "Well, there's a lot of sciency jargon I'm going to skip for the class but basically" the playboy engineer started "when we used my B.A.B.E.S. (Body and brain encapsulated scanner) to scan Althia during her sleep there were several things we discovered." Pausing he brings up a 3D holographic representation of the scan of Althia's brain during her sleep. "Ok, JARVIS just like we rehearsed." He started rotating the translucent image pointing out various bursts of electric activity "We are pretty sure Althia's brain uses R.E.M. sleep as a sort of passive review. While she was a captive there wasn't anything good to review." He swiped slices off the image pointing to a series of small sections that showing no activity "The portion of the brain that is active in a regular person's sleep in completely inactive during her sleep. Our resident genius Dr. Banner has determined that this portion is likely key how she controls her power." He finished before pointing at Dr. Banner. Banner stood and took control of the holo "When Althia was healing Loki the suit Tony and I refitted was monitoring her." With a flicker the image of her brain was replaced with a generic human shape. "At the time it appeared that she was not healing Loki but taking the injuries." The body began to flash points and short phrases denoting a break, hematoma, laceration appeared at various point. "Something that hadn't been recorded with any of her previous healings. The fact that she manifested wounds during her dreams the same night of Loki's healing and during the following day's study leads Tony and I believe that something about the parasite or Loki's magic affected Althia causing whatever experience she was remembering during R.E.M. sleep to manifest physically. There are several other factors that support this hypothesis." Looking at Loki before continuing "This is probably where you should explain your side isn't it?" Banner asked with a dark look.
Staring calmly at the doctor Loki pondered the possibilities before responding. "If indeed my abilities are the cause then a fairly simple investigation will determine the cause extent and possible remedies. If on the other hand somehow the parasite is responsible than we would require assistance from Asgard." His brow creased. "Possibly Lady Althia would be required to make a trip for treatment." With that Loki paused as the group assimilated and debated the possibilities. "Natasha and I won't be here." Barton spoke up for the first time. Everyone looked at him "This isn't part of our job description so we're being reassigned. They're sending someone to take over. Keep us in the loop though." He said standing as Tasha rose "The three of you need to have a plan by the time they get here." He turned. "We'll take Althia to the infirmary. Docs down there want to see her." Tasha added. Althia looked around hesitantly before getting up to follow. She was glad to get away from the confusing details of how to stop the new manifestation of her power.
Loki and Banner watched her moving through the room the former with a calm fascination and the latter as if he wanted an excuse to keep her there. Tony scooted over and blocked her "Hey glow bug, how about I catch you up over dinner k? I'll have the chef on my jet whip up something more edible than the crud in the cafeteria. Pepper is flying in for a bit before she heads to some meeting thingies in California and she wants to meet the other woman in my life." His voice was strained by the forced casualness he was trying to project. "I appreciate that Tony, it would be my pleasure to have dinner with you and Ms. Potts." She replied before easing by him her head down.
In the hall Althia was quiet on the way to the infirmary. Being around Clint made her nervous. He didn't talk to her like the others and his eyes seemed to stare right through her as if her thoughts were writing he was reading on the backs of her eyes. "Althia you want to tell me about it?" Tasha asked after Barton turned away half way to the infirmary. Thinking furiously for a second before replying "It went exactly like you said except I don't think the influence of the parasite is completely gone. It amplified and modified his emotions. I think it was selective though I can still feel what he's feeling when I'm around him. He enjoyed seeing me, definitely didn't like me talking about Thor, but for some reason he was pleased at the same time. I think he knew I was trying to manipulate him but he didn't get upset he just argued a little and then agreed. He really liked the idea of being my teacher but not because he likes to teach there is something else he is planning. He upset me a little in the hall and his reactions and words didn't match. His mouth was complimenting me and trying to make me feel better but he was feeling both frustrated and amused. He has no idea that I can sense his feelings." Pausing to phrase her words carefully "Tasha what if Bruce is right. If Loki's power is making things worse than removing it will most likely remove my ability to sense him. I don't remember the dreams or feel anything when I wake up. Is it worth it to lose the advantage?" Althia asked as they left the building. "There are reasons I'm going to let them try trust me Althia I have already thought of that. I'll get Director Fury's opinion before I leave don't agree to any experimentation till I get back to you." Tasha assured the woman. "I won't let you down angel I promise." Althia mumbled as they reached the building housing the infirmary. "I know you'll do your best. I'll be in touch when I'm able. The woman they are sending is Maria Hill, you can trust her; Fury does." With that Natasha left her charge with the staff of the infirmary.
She was fond and a little proud of her protégé. In less than a year she'd changed from a woman who cowered in terror to someone willing to scold a god, bed the most dangerous and unstable man on the planet, and followed orders without question or complaint. Though it was obvious she loved Bruce. Althia was the best way SHIELD could control and direct the erratic, dangerous, and brilliant Dr. Banner. Natasha took a minute to send an encrypted message to Fury's private data base updating her progress.
It was hours before the men were able to build a plan on how to test their theory. Tony needed a drink but Pepper hated it when he got drunk before dinner with her. He knew the super spies were up to something but he didn't know what. JARVIS could only hack some of the systems around the base and unless he got access to the free standing systems there was no way he could access them remotely. SHIELD had learned after the events during the Battle of NY and adjusted their systems to keep his hacking limited. This base was one of them. Most of the systems were hard wired no outside or wireless access. Some rooms he'd been near had white noise producing or signal blocking panels in the walls. He knew where there was hardware but he couldn't get into it without Fury knowing. Banner wouldn't Hulk out with Althia around at least not long enough get Tony what he wanted. Not knowing made Tony Stark very antsy. Being followed everywhere by SHIELD's goons didn't help either. He called the meeting quits when JARVIS reminded him for the third time that he needed to go meet Pepper's jet.
After debating various ways to monitor and record Loki's magic as it interacted with Althia's power as well as roughing in specs for the equipment they'd need Banner just wanted to get some quiet time in the lab. Loki tested his patience over and over again not to mention the he had no idea how most of the technology they used worked so he was just annoying and useless except when it came to translating Asgardian terminology into something English. Most of the equipment and procedures they used had a counterpart on the Asgardian home world though there were a number of processes that mankind was still generations away from achieving. Bruce had to admit there was a real possibility Althia would be taking a very long trip before this was over. He just couldn't see anyone letting the Big Guy make it with her. Letting Loki take Althia to Asgard without him or Natasha made a knot in his stomach. He'd seen the way Loki watched her every move and he wasn't happy about it. Their meeting in the morning was going to be interesting. Maybe afterwards he'd call Jane and Thor. He would know more about what Loki might pull than any of the people at SHIELD or anywhere else. They needed someone to help control the maniac. Reaching his lab he buzzed the cafeteria and asked for someone to bring him a tray of food while he worked.
Althia spent hours working to heal members of a team that had been injured on a mission. Mostly she healed them after they were put under the effects of a general anesthetic and the wounds had been cleared of any foreign bodies. She barely got any emotional or personality flashes while they were under the effect of drugs. Natasha made her promise not to tell anyone about that little side effect of her power so it was easier to keep the information from the doctors. They only brought her in on the severe cases where the agent would be down for an extended period. Injuries that could be fatal left her tired but she didn't pass out anymore. All the doctors agreed that as her body got stronger her ability to heal didn't cost her as much. She was free with her gift on base; agents and guards got her to run her hands over a wound so they could finish out their day. As long as there wasn't anything in the wound or a lot of blood loss they could return to duty within minutes. Being useful made her feel good. She knew the agents and staff appreciated having her talent handy and they weren't shy about showing it. She had an entire shelf of DVDs she'd been given when it became common knowledge she enjoyed watching dancing of any sort. She also had seen almost every Disney movie ever made and a bunch of old comedy the head of maintenance had loaned her. Her wardrobe on the helicarrier had been packed with a variety of outfits she had been given. Here the people changed often before she knew who they were.
Dinner and dancingLoki saw her dash past the window with a bag over her shoulder her hair bouncing behind her. She ran with elegance just as she did most everything. Fleet footed, legs stretching to eat up ground, and she didn't pound her step into the dirt but used it to balance as she propelled herself forward. Part of his mind was already working over the prospective training he was to begin giving her. Another was laying out who and what he'd need on Asgard if it proved true that she had been altered by the Chitari worm. These problems were all debated and resolved while waiting on Tony and Banner to finish the schematics and materials list for a device that would register the existence of his magic. It was a crude version of the ones on Asgard but he didn't want them to be able to duplicate any of the advanced technology of his home world. Slowly as the emotion enhancing effects of the worm faded his true nature and loyalties resurfaced but he knew that it would be a while before he could claim complete freedom from the effect. He also needed to get back to Asgard and have certain modifications Thanos had done to him removed now that the nasty little creature had been ejected from his body he could talk about them. Once Althia faded from sight Loki turned back to the two men who were fast proving why he had been defeated when he'd attacked NY. The information Barton had given him had been accurate but limited and hadn't included key facts about the individuals such as their tenacity when presented a problem as well as the rapid response and inventiveness they could, when stimulated, produce.
Tony reacted like a little kid when he saw Pepper coming off her jet. Once she made it through security he grabbed her up into his arms and spun her till she laughed. "I missed you too Tony. Before we eat I've got some things we have to go over are you staying on the jet or in the rooms SHIELD provided?" Scoffing at the question he released her enough so they could walk and talk on the way to his flying play house. "I've invited the new girl to dinner I want your opinion on her." he said. "Tony SHIELD has the best evaluators and psychologists in the world working for them what am I supposed to find out that they couldn't?" she relied with a slightly annoyed look. "I don't trust them, I trust you. Besides they blocked me from hacking into their files. Did you bring me a present?" after that the discussion deteriorated, jumped, and bounced like most conversations with Tony Stark. Pepper was used to his ways and generally the only person who could get him to do anything. Changing on his jet into something that might not intimidate the woman SHIELD had rescued she continued to prod and wrangle Tony through all of the things that had been on hold since he left to help Bruce with the project of rehabbing Loki and the traumatized Hydra victim. "Oh, did I tell you Bruce and Althia got busy last night?" Tony popped his head into the bathroom. In shock she dropped her brush and just stared at him "What... how… why didn't you tell me sooner?! Tony that's great!" she stammered picking up the brush before pushing him out of the door way. Tony had a lot of fun telling her about the events of the day between Bruce Banner, the god of mischief and Althia. "Be careful Tony, Loki could make a lot of trouble." Pepper warned him. "Nah, he's actually doing pretty well about it. Thor said that a lot of his behavior since New Mexico was because of the bug Thanos stuck in his head. He took the news pretty good since it meant Thor didn't get another fan girl."
It was a long trek to the spot where SHIELD had the Stark jet park. Althia was lucky that one of the guards agreed to give her a lift in a jeep. Though she wasn't comfortable with the way he kept flirting with her. Without Tasha's advice and teaching she probably would had said a great deal of stuff she shouldn't. She used the time to email her schedule for the next few days to the team assigned to Loki. Including a request that he be informed that she could meet him in the morning seeing as Tasha wouldn't be there to train her. She loved the little devices they had given her and taught her to use. Promising to have Tony call to get her a ride back the guard dropped her off to Stark's security detail. Her own constant evening guard had stayed at the main building to get his own dinner made sure she knew to stay with whoever transported her back till he arrived to meet her or the female guard that was her night security if her time with Stark ran late. It was a comfort to her to have the same men and women as her guards any time she wasn't with an Avenger. The only time she was alone was in her room.
She climbed the stairs of the jet she wished she'd brought a coat as the evening had started to cool with the fading sun on the western horizon and a wind picking up the hem of her dress. Her bag bumped her leg occasionally holding the sweat soaked work out cloths and her gym toiletries. She'd left her hair down the mass pinned back from her face but draped over her shoulders it framed the diamond pendant at her throat. She hadn't decided if she'd take the nurse in the infirmary up on her offer to try and pierce her ears yet. The tool looked like a soldering gun from the lab with a little slot for the tip of her ear in the end. It didn't freak her out when she saw the strange contraption even if she knew that the earing would be like a needle punching through her flesh. With her body it wasn't a sure thing that the process would take. Some of the guards and staff had their ears pierced and she loved seeing the variety of jewelry they dangled from their ears. Waiting for the door to open she fought the urge to fidget it still go to her anytime she was knowing go someplace new or meeting new people. Not to mention Pepper Potts was Tony's love and the woman who ran all of his affairs when he was off with the Avengers. It was a nerve jangling idea having dinner with her. Tony snatched the door open before the stewardess could get to it. "Hey! Get in here." He cried pulling her in by the handle of her bag. "What's this did you bring me a present?" he asked. "No, was I supposed to? I didn't know." she stammered "Ignore him, he's just teasing you. I'm Pepper" A long legged blond in silky looking pants and a matching tank top walked up hand extended and smiling. The twinkle of laughter and sweetness in her face was reassuring and there was an openness in her no one Althia had met had. Taking her hand Althia shook hands as she'd been taught. "I'm Althia Sacmich, it's a pleasure to meet the woman everyone says is the only reason Tony's life hasn't imploded." Althea said. Pepper gently pulled her further onto the jet taking her bag from Tony and stuffing a drink in his hand. The next two hours Althia spent laughing and listening to Pepper and Tony. She didn't do a lot of talking but little at a time Pepper's calm and sweet personality got he to relax. The meal was the best she'd ever had and she didn't realized the bubbly drink she was served was alcohol until she found herself hiccupping after the fourth glass and giggling at Tony's every antic. Pepper looked at her carefully after she downed her fifth glass carelessly and she tried to compose herself only to find giggles slipping from between her lips. "Althia have you ever had alcohol before?" Pepper asked her voice full of concern. "I'm not sure. I don't think so though." Althia replied lazily "is that want the bubbly drink is I like it very much. It tickles my nose." She finished slightly slurring her words and giggling. "Tony! You asshole how could you give her that much alcohol her first time?" Tony looked over his glass of amber liquid "Why is it my fault? I didn't pick the champagne you did I wanted milk shakes." He deflected her. "Oh, Oh dear I'm so sorry about this maybe you better go back and sleep it off Althia." Pepper turned back to find the woman curled in her seat the glass dangling from her finger tips half asleep. "Well that happened fast." Tony quipped watching Pepper relieve the drunk woman of her glass and gently push the mass of hair off her face. Her lips slightly parted her body limp eyes unfocused she tried to smile and giggled. "I'll get the guards to help me get her back to her room then I'm going to go ahead and sleep on the jet to California." Pepper said giving her boyfriend a dirty look. "Oh I get punished because you got her drunk?" Tony pouted knowing full well he'd been keeping both their glasses full for the entire duration of dinner.
It took time to get the night guard to help pack Althia into a jeep, she slumped against Pepper's side. She didn't truly sleep but dosed fitfully as they bounced and turned driving through base. She woke as they stopped at the building holding her room and slipped out of the jeep still drunk. She started dancing and giggling in the rising moon. Her motions were almost an exact reenactment of her favorite ballet. Dodging the guards trying unsuccessfully to corral her she continued to dance. Loki and his guards watched in amusement from the sidewalk as she deftly darted away. Loki burst out laughing at the ineffective tactics they used trying to stop her as she vaulted over them when they circled her landing a flip off a guards shoulders before coming down outside the ring. In a move inspired by pure playfulness he darted in and grabbed her hand he swung her against his body. "May I have this dance?" he said moving them into a classic waltz. She smiled up at him her eyes unfocused as she shifted into the steps of the waltz. She was definitely drunk he realized when she got close to him. Each step he moved her through the dance brought her closer and closer to the building doors. When she laid her head against his chest he looked a guard in the eyes and then at the doors to the building. Once the door was opened he scooped her up ignoring the guards and the stuttering and babbling blonde woman as he headed inside. "What have you been doing little queen?" he asked as Althia with a smile as she settled into his arms giggling. "Tony invited me to dinner and …" she sighed for a moment before continuing "Pepper is very mad at him for giving me champagne." She giggled and hiccupped her hand politely covering her lips before running her fingers up his chest she reached up and twirled a lock of his hair around one finger. "I love your hair." She mumbled her eyes already starting to close as the alcohol once more began to drag at her hold on consciousness. "Perhaps you better call Dr. Banner I've no idea how alcohol will affect her sleep or dreams. I will remain until he arrives in case she has nightmares and there are difficulties waking her." Loki told the guards who were leading him to her room. "Yes sir." One replied activating his com. Walking into the small sparse room she was assigned Loki took a quick inventory before he walked over and eased her under the covers of her bed. Once he removed her shoes and situated her to his liking he stepped up to the guard who was apparently going to be in the room with them. "Explain how this happened?" he commanded. Without realizing it the guard explained. Snorting at the memory of how easily she had avoided the attempts to wrestle her Loki began to really look forward to training her. She might be more entertaining than he originally anticipated not to mention she could dance quite well even drunk. Loki seated himself at her desk and watched for signs of distress while reevaluating his plans for her training. Her face was relaxed and at ease, a slight blush to her cheeks, and her lips ever so slightly parts she slept soundlessly. A relief from the snoring he was accustom to when dealing with a drunk. He considered the memory of her dancing and laughing in his arms it had been a long time since he'd had a partner who moved so easily with him. He found he rather enjoyed her there. It wouldn't be possible here but if they had to go to Asgard it wouldn't take much to convince his brother to throw a party particularly if he managed to bring Thor's beloved Jane Foster along. Yes, he'd have to find the right way to get them both to Asgard he wanted to enjoy the woman a little before he settled into his role as guardian. Loki settled into the seat to wait.
He noticed the sound first; a delicate purr was coming from the bed. He rose with a glance at the guard and strolled casually to the bed he fussed with the blanket and lay his hand against her cheek. Yes she was definitely purring quietly but it was the same sound she'd emitted when they were in his mind. He smiled, it was a pleasant sound. He wondered if she'd purred for Dr. Banner. The thought made him frown for a moment. A giggle reached his ear from near the door. Standing up he glared at the guard, she was swaying slightly. Striding over to her he watched her eyes roam his body before settling on his face. "You sure are a hansom devil for an evil bastard." She said her words slurred as she teetered. "Soldier have you been drinking?" he asked her sternly "No sir, we aren't allowed." She replied trying to shake the miasma from her mind. It was so gradual it took a minute to notice that the room was brightening. The sound of the men outside chuckling came through the door suddenly. Turning back to the bed Loki watched Althia as she glowed not just her hands but her entire body. Moments pasted and the glow strengthen till she was outlined. A lecherous grin spread across his face seeing her form beneath the covers 'what a nubile thing she was.' He thought. Shaking his head he realized that he was feeling as if he'd been drinking with his brother. He turned sharply his mind fighting the sensations that she was obviously causing he snatched the door open. "Where is Dr. Banner?" He bellowed at the guards. Two of them scurried off without a word stumbling slightly in their forced stupor. The others laughed and slide down to lean against the wall. In this state she was apparently unable to control her power and her drunkenness was spreading like perfume to those close to her. With long strides Loki passed down the hall. When he was perhaps 40 feet from her he could feel the sensation fading. He prowled around the space keeping an eye on her glowing form before exiting the area she seemed to influence. He could hear when more guards and the shouts of Dr. Banner entered the building. He intercepted them before they entered her sphere of influence. "Stop, no further." He shouted holding his head to focus. "She's drunk." he chuckled at the thought of what a predicament they were in. "It's contagious, that woman." He completely missed Banner's angry look turning to one of confusion. Loki had been staring at her glowing form too long and was caught. Stumbling slightly he leaned on the wall laughing. Moving with the care of a drunk he eased down to them. Half way there he realized they weren't listening. The guards had push Banner back and were advancing on him. One of them burst out laughing when Loki bumped into the wall again leaving a dent in the surface. 'It wouldn't be long now he realized before Banner figured it out. Gods that man was smarter than a dozen of Asgard's most learned scholars' Loki thought admiringly. "Loki, is she asleep?" Banner called Loki looked at him fighting to focus his addled mind. "Yes, the lady sleeps her power making her glow as if the sun rises over Asgard beneath her skin." Loki replied with a theatric wave of his arm. "Loki you've got to focus. You've got to wake her up." Banner said; blinking Loki turned back and saw the guards near her doorway snoring on the floor.
With each step he had to fight harder against the stupor that threatened to overcome him. Slowly he made his way back to her room. Stopping to admire her from the door way. His head resting on the door frame. Scrubbing his face with his hands he tried to shake the purr that at this point was a seductive hum along his skin alluringly; he shook himself. Gods he needed a woman to ease this delightful ache. With stuttered steps he made it to her bedside and slumped heavily down. He ran his thumb across her glowing lips. "Sleeping beauty must awaken." He mumbled as he leaned towards her. "Loki, focus." Banners annoying voice stirred the jealousy in Loki and acting without thought he kissed Althia hard pulling her body up and into his lap running his hand down her face he brushed fingers along her jaw cupping her face. Forcing his power into that glowing body. 'Awaken my lady. Come to your future king's call.' his magic pushed the demand into her mind. Pulling away as the light glowing through his eye lids faded. He watched her eye lids flutter open with a sudden flash her power flexed and retreated. Loki's mind cleared quickest giving him enough time to adjust the woman into a more decorous position in his lap as he heard the drunk guards wake and Banner barrel down the hall.
Two hours later Banner assured everyone that the effects of Althia's drunken state were temporary and limited. Apparently she only suffered the loss of control when she fell into what, for a normal person, would be a sobering sleep. Which unfortunately resulted in her power spreading the debilitating inebriation to those within her immediate vicinity. Three people asleep above her were unaware of the effect but 6 people in the rooms below caught full exposure and woke at the same time as the guards. Loki was the only one who managed to maintain any form of coherent thought during his exposure.
The officers who arrived began berating those guards who'd been to close and Loki shut them down. His skill as he manipulated them into forgiving the guards for what happened made Althia hide her smile in Bruce's shoulder. She was shocked and then spent the majority of the time laughing at the guard's antics as she watched the security footage of their behavior. After ensuring that she was well and truly sober everyone retired for the evening. Loki returning to his room on the way he barely noticed the lack of hostility from his guards. He had eased past his own behavior by simply stating that once he entered the room he pulled the woman into his lap and pushed a call for her to waken into her mind with his magic. Not a lie more of a half-truth he felt nothing by it. He had no interest in anyone's reactions to the truth that he'd man handled the woman in his drunken state. He sighed and shook his head this wasn't the parasite this was her no one cared what he did drunk on Asgard she was the only reason he could find for the suddenly aberrant behavior.