Hey guys. Sorry that I didn't update in a while. We had a snow blizzard here in NYC and work was very busy. Plus I was having a hard time in my personal life and had to wait a few days to get myself together. This chapter is little bit dramatic but at-least you'll be able to see more into the personalities of Loki, Darcy, Frankie and Allura. I promise there will be more humor in the next chapter. Also yes, Frankie isn't all "fierce drag-queen" because not all gays are like that. I don't stick to stereotypes. Some of them have manly personalities with a mixture of femininity. But he's a great person I swear. Plus Ember in the flames has claimed him as her own lol (^_^). Thank you Ember in the flames, sweetydoe, mispatch and Time Reviewer for such kind reviews. Enjoy!

I do not own anything...except a a crystal blue jar that I keep pebbles in and a candle that burns blue and green flames...

Loki was pissed. After he fled the Diner and Darcy in a hurry, the meeting he had to attend was already started when he arrived. Black hair tousled and slightly out of breath, he swiftly walked into the room; claiming all attention. Not bothering to apologize, Loki walked to his seat at the far end of the table and sat back. Crossing one leg over the other he laced his fingers together and looked ahead at Director Fury who was standing in front of the long desk. Even though Director Fury looked quite pissed at Loki's tardiness, the posture of Loki's demeanor made everyone bite their tongue and hold back there annoyed criticism.

"Mr. Laufeyson. So nice of you to join us." Fury said.

Loki remained silent and looked at Fury with an annoyed expression. He would rather be talking with his little waitress instead of staring at an overly irritable Director.

With the nod of his head, Director Fury picked up his boring speech he was making before, and Loki looked out the window, and daydreamed of blue eyes.

It was a little after midnight when Darcy got home. After the some-what exciting morning of coffee and man candy, Darcy was put to work continuously. The lunch and dinner rush was horrific and it took all of the staff, including Frankie and the busboy Luke to wait on everyone and avoid a riot.

I hate Friday nights. Thought Darcy as she stripped off her clothes and threw on a t-shirt. She had been working for over 12 hours straight and her body ached from head-to-toe.

Frankie is lucky I love him or I would set that whole Diner on fire including Allura with it.

Darcy got into bed. It was quiet and dark. The moon no where to be found. She pulled out her cellphone and texted Jane.

Hey u. When r u comin back?

Jane immediately texted Sunday night. Monday meet Diner?

Darcy smiled. Only 2 days before her friend would come back. She didn't have a lot of friends...or any to start with. Growing up in a life that Darcy had, she never had a true friend. The constant bruises and tired eyes made her standout to bullies of her high school and target to rumors. As soon as she graduated Darcy fled. Going to the most farthest college she could afford and cutting all ties, including her foster parents who frequently attempted to get her to move back home. She refused. As much as she appreciated her foster parent's worry, Darcy refused to face the past.

Sending a quick text to Jane confirming the meet up, Darcy closed her eyes, and willed her nightmares of the past to go away.

Loki sat at the booth he had sat in the morning before. An hour had passed and Darcy was no where to be found. He had drunk 2 cups of coffee and was about to order a third one but he knew his bladder wouldn't take it.

Where is she? He thought as he drummed his fingers along the table. He sat there for another 10 minutes before he gave up and walked over to a man in a tight white shirt and curly black hair. He noted that it was the same guy that waved at him and made him blush.

"Umm hello sir. I was wondering if the waitress named Darcy Lewis was coming in today?" He asked. He tried to hide his irritation in his voice but it came out more aggressive then he would have liked.

The man looked up at Loki and broke out with a wide grin and straightened his back. Loki noticed that a mark covered half of the man's face and made his blue eyes shine bright against his discolored features.

"Oh. A man that takes charge. Sadly Darcy is running late." He said, leaning towards Loki slightly.

"I'm Frankie Collins. The manager and owner of this fine establishment." he said. Then without another word the man named Frankie winked and walked away. Leaving Loki stunned into silence and staring at the floor where Frankie was once standing. You have witnessed this before. Nothing wrong with it. Must be the coffee giving me nerves.

After another 10 minutes of waiting, Loki gave up and gathered his things to leave. Paying his bill at the register and having Frankie stare at him, Loki walked out the door, and collided with another person, knocking them over.

"We have to stop doing this." Said Darcy, picking herself off the ground. She couldn't hide the smirk on her face.

Loki looked at her with astonished eyes. Darcy taking this time as an advantage smiled at him and waved a small in the air.

"Hey."

"Hello"

Darcy glanced past Loki's side to see Frankie leaning against the glass window of the Diner with his thumbs pointing in the air and a big grin on his face like a school girl. He should have just written 'Go get him' in neon lights. Darcy thought while looking back at Loki who was staring at her intently.

"Umm I think you are late to work." Loki said. He gestured to the Diner in the back of him. Darcy shrugged and fought the temptation of looking back at Frankie, who's silhouette she could still see from the corner of her eye.

"Screw it. A few more minutes more wouldn't kill them. Now would it?"

Loki smirked and somewhat nodded. Looking at each other for a few awkward moments Loki decided to break the ice.

"So are you normally late to work Ms. Lewis?" he asked.

Darcy laughed. He sucks at conversations.

"There was something that popped up this morning that I had to handle. No biggie. Do you usually run out of Diners like that?"

"No. I usually don't. My colleague called. I had forgotten about a meeting and I had to hurry to attend it. I found meeting you as a distraction." Redirect the question.

"So I'm a distraction huh? Interesting Mr. Laufeyson." Darcy said with a coy smile. Loki shuttered at the mention of his last name and his green eyes clouded. Darcy noticing stepped towards him and placed her hand on his arm.

"I'm sorry. Did I say something wrong?" she asked. What the hell? I only said his last name. Get it together Darcy. You are messing things up already.

Loki just shook his head and looked down at Darcy's hand placed on his arm. He could feel the warmth of her touch through his sleeve.

"Nothing is wrong Lady Darcy." he said. Then he gently took her hand into his and looked her in the eyes.

"Would you go out with me one evening?" he asked. Slightly leaning into her space. Darcy's heart began to spin at the smell of him. It was like a mixture of leather and peppermint. She leaned forward, inhaling slightly. Trying to remember the scent.

"Sure. I'll like that very much."

They began to lean closer and closer towards each other until their clothing was slightly brushing against each other. Darcy noticed that Loki was a foot taller than her and she had to tip toe to become eye level with his chin. Just as Loki was about to place his hands on her waist a horn was honked loudly. They both snapped out of it and immediately stepped away from each other. Loki looking somewhat annoyed and Darcy looking pissed as hell.

"Hellllllooooo" Allura singed as she jumped out of her car and skipped to where Darcy and Loki was standing. Talk about a cock-block. Darcy thought.

"Handsome I didn't know you were gonna come and visit me already! Yesterday you said you would come back, but you didn't say the next day!" Allura hopped up and down while grabbing Loki's arm much to his displeasure. The girl is touching me. Why is she touching me. Be polite. Loki attempted to smile, but it only showed off his irritation and slight embarrassment. Darcy's eyes were on fire. It took all her willpower not to grab Allura's hair and throw her around like a rag doll.

"Dear Lady I meant to be visiting Ms. Lewis." Loki said, trying to be polite. He slowly pulled his arm from her grasp and stood back. Allura's skirt running a little too short and her heels making scraping and clicking noises as she moved. Her golden hair reflecting off the Diner's lights.

Darcy smiled at Loki. He told her he'll come back for me. Not her. But he looks slightly uncomfortable.

"Oh honey, you sure?" Allura asked. Leaning towards him and fluttering her eyes. Loki just stood there and looked. Be polite.

"ALLURA!" Frankie shouted from the Diner's door. All three of them turned to see Frankie standing in the front of the Diner with his tablet in hand, looking quite put off. Loki raised his eyebrows. This Frankie is a man of timing. He thought.

"You are late. Please come in now. I'm not suppose to be waiting on your tables."

"What about Darcy?!" Allura whined, throwing accusing looks at her.

Frankie sighed. He had to treat them somewhat equally, if he liked it or not. "I'm sorry Darcy but you will have to come in too." And with that he turned around and went back into the Diner.

Darcy stood there, blood boiling. Allura, with a victorious smirk on her face walked up to the Diner's door and held it open for Darcy.

"After you Darcy." she said with fake-kindness in her voice.

Darcy looked apologetically at Loki. "Sorry, I have to go."

Loki smiled and squeezed her arm. "I didn't get your number for the date." he murmured. He didn't want to leave without it. He secretly feared that this was his last time to catch her before she changed her mind. My little fire-kitten. Darcy smiled and reached in her bag for a pen and paper but Allura saw what was happening and acted.

"Darcy, Frankie said that we have to come in now. Now." She shook the door a little for emphasis.

Darcy's head snapped towards Allura. She couldn't hold her tongue even though she had been holding it all this time because she didn't want Loki to see her bad side before they even got to know each other.

"Back off now" she hissed. Loki stood there astonished by Darcy's threatening tone of her voice and stepped back a little. He knew that when women get angry it was best to have a little distance. Too many failed attempts of trying to calm down Sif had taught him that.

Allura let go of the door and walked up towards Darcy until they were toe to toe. Her dark hair looking like a halo of fierceness and power. It hung around her face. She's beautiful. Loki sighed. Her eyes glowing slightly.

"Make me." Allura whispered in Darcy's face, her breath brushing against Darcy's cheek. Don't punch her face Darcy. Keep your head on. Loki didn't know what to do. He has never had a women fight over him before. It startled him and he had to quickly. What to do. What to do. Then a thought came.

Acting randomly, he gripped Darcy's arm and pulled her to him. She stiffed up at first, she wasn't use to be handled by anyone. She had to remind herself that it was Loki.

Loki gently pulled Darcy with him towards the Diner. Darcy followed, not letting her eyes leave Allura's face. Allura smiled a mischievous smile and followed them into the Diner. When they all got inside Loki let go of Darcy and stood between Darcy and Allura, who was still glaring at each other with looks that could kill.

"Frankie!?" Loki called. Some customers glanced up at the scene. A tall handsome yet dangerous looking man standing in the middle of two feral looking women staring at each other with venom. Frankie instantly appeared behind the counter. How does he do that? Loki thought. Frankie looked at the group and immediately saw the tension between the two girls. Darcy looking like she wanted to rip the head off of Allura and Allura looking like she was waiting for an attack. Poor Loki stood there awkwardly. He was lost for action.

'You two in my office now." Frankie said with a stern voice. Allura was the first person to turn around and skip into the kitchen, a smile still on her face. She winked at Loki before disappearing into the kitchen. Darcy glanced up at Loki, silently apologizing with her blue eyes.

What is wrong with me? About to fight for a man that barely know. But he makes me so happy. It shouldn't feel this way. I've known him for less than 2 days and I'm already in too deep.

Frankie cleared his throat. "Sorry Darcy but now please." he said. He too looked sorry. Darcy sighed and turned around and began to walk to the back where Allura had disappeared to. Frankie turned to follow her to his office. Loki stepped forward.

"Darcy?" Loki called. Both Frankie and Darcy turned around. Darcy's eyes looked clouded and somewhat far away. She blinked and focused on him.

"Yes?" Darcy asked, looking at his green eyes.

"What time will you be off?"

"She'll be off at 7." Frankie answered for her. Frankie's face had softened and his stance had relaxed slightly.

Loki smiled his devilish smirk. "Then I will be back at 7 to pick you up my dear Darcy."

With that Loki turned around and walked out. His long black coat billowing out as he walked; leaving most of the female customer's gaze follow him as he left. Some filled with awe and lust.

Darcy's heart pounded in her chest and she smiled. He's going to pick me up from work. He's actually gonna come back. Maybe I have found a man who will actually like me for me. For the first time in many years, Darcy felt hope that she may not be alone forever.

So whatcha think? I know Allura is coming off too strongly but when a girl wants something, they can get catty for it. I'll try to update soon. I wonder how Frankie is going to handle the girls. And what Loki is planning on doing when he picks Darcy up...if he picks her up. :-) I think the most important question is What happened in Darcy's past that has made her tough and hopeless about love? Mwuhahahaha! I'll update soon if the snow here doesn't bury me alive! Don't forget to review.

-Midnight