Author's Note: Don't kill me for this. I was writing and this scene showed up at the end. I had planned to end this differently but this ending was better. There will be one last chapter to finish things up and answer some last questions. Also I have written Loki's back story, it is entitled Child of Loki. If you have any questions about Loki's past they will be addressed there.

Chapter 14 Christmas with the Avengers

"What is going on here," someone shouted. Loki shook his head to clear the bright lights from his eyes.

"Well we're on Earth," Loki said brightly.

"So nice of you to drop by," Fury said sarcastically.

They clambered to their feet and dusted themselves off. "Hope we aren't to late for the meeting," Tony said. "The others took so long to get ready."

"Stark don't say another word," Natasha said. There was a meow and a streak of red came barreling towards Loki.

"Sasha," he said happily catching the cat. "I missed you to girl but it was safer for you to remain here." He looked up from his position, "Thank you for watching over her Mr. Fury."

"It was nothing," Director Fury said he had one of the kittens on his lap and was stroking its head softly.

One of the people seated around the table stood and looked Loki over. "Wait isn't that Loki?" The rest of the room except Fury grabbed for some weapon, except for a shorter man who popped claws out of his hands.

"Don't attack," Fury ordered even as Loki took a step back and his friends stepped protectively in front of him.

"What? Are you out of your mind? That's Loki; he tried to take over the world five years ago."

"Actually," Tony said. "Loki here is the son of Reindeer Games." Fury raised an eyebrow at that.

"I just found out," Loki said quickly. "King Odin and Queen Frigga told me five minutes ago."

"You are taking the news rather well," Fury remarked.

"I think I'm still in shock," Loki remarked. "Also I have considered your offer."

"What offer," Steve asked.

"And," Fury asked.

"Yes but if I'm joining The Avengers, I'm changing my name first."

Tony laughed, "I'd suggest wearing a mask so you don't get mistaken for the villain in the future."

"I've already had F.A.D.E. take that into consideration," Loki admitted.

"I see you have caught Dr. Doom," Fury said. "The rest of the avengers managed to take out someone called the Mad Titan."

"Apparently he escaped from a nearby asylum," the shorted man said, retracting his claws he offered his hand to Loki. Loki shifted Sasha to his left arm and shook the offered hand.

"What date is it," Bruce asked looking at the calendar at the corner of the computer screen.

"December 24," Fury said. "You've been gone a for little over a month."

"Oh great," Tony said, "Pepper's going to kill me. I was supposed to go over to her patent's house with her for Thanksgiving."

"The mission was a success boss," Clint said.

"Good, it is getting quite late so we should all get to sleep. I'll get your reports from all of you after Christmas. You all are dismissed." Everyone headed out the door except for Loki. "That's right here are the kitten's." He gathered the four balls of fur together and tucked them into the carrier. He gave one of the kittens a light pat then closed the door and handed the carrier to Loki.

"Thank you again for watching them," Loki said. "I really appreciated it."

"No problem, they were an adventure, though I do need a few new pairs of socks now.' Loki laughed and took the carrier and headed out of the room. As he left he heard an almost inaudible sigh from Fury.

8*8*8

"Wake up! Ouch! That hurt!"

Loki sat up in bed as Tony jumped off the bed cradling a burnt hand. He yawned rubbed his eyes and said, "You sacred Sasha and the kittens and why are you waking me up this early? Is something wrong?" Loki swung out of the bed and reached for his computer and his gun, which were lying on the bedside table.

"No nothing's wrong. It's Christmas, Santa came. You need to be up so we can open stockings!"

Loki blinked, "I thought Santa was a myth. F.A.D.E?"

"Yes Master Loki?"

"Didn't you tell me Santa was a myth?"

"I did sir. There is no evidence there is such a person," the computer said.

"And thank you F.A.D.E.," Tony said. "The point is everyone is waiting for you. Even Fury is here. We're going to have the best Christmas ever."

Loki sat back on the bed and leaned against the headboard. "You're not going to let me go back to sleep are you?"

"Nope," Tony said grinning.

"Alright, I'm coming. Just let me change first," Loki said getting out of the bed and going to the closet to pull out a clean shirt and a fresh pair of pants. He disappeared into the bathroom then emerged a few minutes latter dressed and looking surprisingly awake.

Tony grabbed his arm and dragged Loki down the hall and into the room with the giant tree in it. "He's up can we open the presents now?"

"Tony I said not to wake him up," Pepper said sternly.

"I didn't," Tony said. Loki snorted at that and looked around. Everyone was out of uniform including Fury, who was wearing a bright red sweater with white snowflakes knitted on it, instead of his black trench coat.

"Good morning," Loki said going over to the couch and sitting down. Tony was running back and forth from the tree to people with brightly wrapped packages and handing them over.

"Tony we just got back," Clint said. "How did you get presents already?"

"Pepper helped, but I had these already ages ago. I figured something would come up to make Christmas shopping impossible so I did it in January. The only person I had to get a gift for was Loki and what use is money if you can't get a present delivered the same night."

"You didn't have to get me anything," Loki said. "I didn't get you guys anything."

"It's alright," Natasha said. "Most of us don't have anything prepared either, besides this is your first Christmas enjoy it."

"Well alright," Loki said doubtfully, and then stared as a large red sock with white fur trim was dropped in his lap. Finally the packages were all distributed and they took turns opening the gifts. Starting with Loki and going clockwise. Tony had gotten Loki a silver spandex suit with black stripes on it with matching gloves and a pair of boots.

"The boots are from Weyland. He said to give them to you," Tony said. "I'm not sure what they are but he said you would know and I'm to say that he improved them for you." Loki's eyes lit up and he pulled them on then stood.

"So what do they do," Bruce asked looking up from his new book on gamma radiation.

"I designed these when I was a kid," Loki said. He tapped on heel and rose off the ground. "These boots work just like my belt but they are easier to control and are hand free. Weyland said they were too dangerous to use but he must have worked out all the bugs."

"I'm sorry to interrupt Sir," Jarvis said. "But it appears Thor is outside and requesting your presence Master Stark."

"I'll be right down," Tony said looking mystified. "Wonder what's up? Thor usually just barges in." He headed toward the elevator and disappeared.

Ten minutes later Jarvis came on. "Mr. Loki, Master Stark wants you to come downstairs."

"Did he say why," Fury asked.

"No he did not Mr. Fury."

"Tell him I'll be right down," Loki said. He picked up his coat and opened the door to the balcony and using his boots flew down to the base of the tower. The remaining Avengers and Director Fury exchanged looks and then rushed for the elevator grabbing coats as they went.

8*8*8

Loki flew down towards the recognizable figure of Thor and Tony. They were accompanied by a figure dressed in green armor and an odd helmet. "Tony you asked for me," Loki asked.

"Yes, Thor wanted you to meet someone." Tony shifted his weight a little as if he was nervous.

"Nephew allow me to introduce your father, Loki of Asgard, god of lies, tricks, and mischief," Thor said stepping aside.