Chapter 11

Niki woke up slowly, blinking in the early morning light to find herself in her own bed. This is wrong she thought. I was on the couch last I knew. Unless… She sat up and looked around. No, no one was in her room except for that silly cat on her pillow and her dog at the foot of her bed. Sliding out of bed she put her robe on and walked out to the living room. No one here either; no Ember asleep on the floor where she'd been sitting last night and Loki wasn't asleep on the couch either. It was still early in the morning so she wasn't surprised she was the only one up, in fact she was surprised that she was awake at all but something made her get up and it wasn't an overwhelming need to pee.

Quietly she opened the door to Embers room and saw her sister was still asleep buried under blanket upon blanket and drooling. Stifling a giggle Niki closed the door again and went to go check on her guest. She hadn't carried anyone to bed last night and there was no way Ember could so that left the Norse princeling in her guest room.

Wincing as the door squeaked a little as she pushed it open Niki poked her head in to take a peek. What she found was Loki sitting in an arm chair looking lost in thought.

"Hey," she said quietly, trying not to startle him. "You alright? Did you sleep at all?"

He shook his head but smiled a genuine smile at her. "I had thinking to do instead."

"Oh." She fidgeted in the door before caving to her curiosity. "About what? Not to pry, it's probably none of my business anyway."

"You needn't worry," he reassured her. "It's natural curiosity. I will tell you, later perhaps but not right now."

"Oh," Niki tried really hard not to make a face to show how annoyed she was by that answer but it must not have worked because Loki chuckled before motioning her to come on in. "I gather that it was you who helped Ember and me to bed last night?"

He nodded. "You looked uncomfortable laying there on the sofa so naturally I couldn't leave you like that and it would not have been fair of me to aid you and leave Ember alone on the floor so I carried her to bed as well." Standing he stood in front of her and with his thumb and finger tilted her chin so she was looking him in the eyes. "And so you are aware, you are very cute when you are asleep."

Niki blushed furiously and scrambled for something to say but words were failing her making her burn a brighter red. While in college she wasn't really interested in dating anyone and later, after her family died she simply didn't have time. She wasn't used to such compliments and was left to scramble for her normally vast vocabulary. Loki laughed before dropping his hand and sitting back down in his chair. Screwing her face up and dropping on to the edge of his bed she stuck her tongue out at him and said, "That wasn't fair. You were just trying to get me worked up!"

"Oh no, I meant every word I said, your reaction was just an unexpected bonus," he replied leaning forward. "And also very cute."

This time she turned red and slid off the edge of the bed onto the floor in front of him once again spluttering for words. The god laughed and slipped off the chair to kneel before her and taking her hand, kissed the heel of her palm.

"Come now." He helped her stand with an arm around her waist for support. "Let's go prepare breakfast before Ember wakes up."

"When you say 'us' I feel like you mean me while you sit and watch," Niki mumbled.

"Naturally. I do not know my way around your quaint kitchen."

She rolled her eyes but began to make pancakes with Loki leaning against the counter next to her engaging her in small talk. Soon Ember was awake as well and they settled down to a peaceful breakfast before moving back to the living room to watch Lord of the Rings: Two Towers when Niki jumped up.

"Oh! What's today's date," she asked running to the calendar.

"The 28th of January," Ember said slowly. "What did you forget?"

"That's tonight! Tony's throwing a little party for the adults tonight and I totally forgot about it! Ember, you can't go cuz you're not 21 for another….long time and Loki; I imagine you don't want to go at all."

"Correct," he said making a face.

"Then it'll be you two here tonight while I'm gone. It won't be that long so don't worry and I'm not drinking. Someone has to be sane at these things besides Steve and Bruce."

"What are you going to wear," Ember asked leaning on her knees against the back of the couch watching her sister run around like a mad woman.

"Oh probably that black dress. I don't know why Tony insists these things be formal wear because by the end of the evening he's wasted and so is Clint. Plus it's just us anyway, not some charity event or donor's party. It starts at 7 pm so I guess I have some time before I need to get ready but don't let me forget to give you guys some money for supper before I leave. I trust you can handle calling for pizza, Ember?"

"Or take-out!"

"As long as you both agree on something."

"I'm not a child," Loki said hotly.

"No but you two argue like children sometimes so do me a favor and try to get along tonight."

"Oh shut up and finish the movie," Ember said before pressing play.

That evening Niki didn't end up wearing her black dress but settled on black slacks, a dark green off the shoulder quarter sleeve blouse and matching flats.

"Well don't you look lovely," Tony greeted her. "Although I think a certain god of mischief is starting to rub off on you too much."

"Please Tony," Niki said rolling her eyes. "Try to be nice."

"For you darling, anything," he said winking at her.

"Tony," Steve said reproachfully. "Leave the woman alone."

"Can you blame me? She's the only other single person here besides me."

Niki groaned. "Don't tell me that's the whole point of this stupid thing?"

"No," Natasha said coming over and taking her arm leading her away from Tony. "This is a few good friends getting together for drinks."

"In overly formal attire," Thor said from the drink bar. "Friend Stark, why must we be so dressed?"

"No kidding," Clint whined from the couch. "I feel stifled."

"Because when else am I going to see these lovely ladies in such beautiful attire again," Tony said leaning against Steve who pushed him away. Niki and Natasha ignored him and began chatting next to the bar with Thor. The evening progressed relatively well. That is, until Tony became far too drunk for his own good again and managed to start up something of a conversation.

"So how's things with Reindeer Games," he asked face flush with drink.

"Not bad. Getting better all the time."

"Was that a Beatles reference?"

"I'm surprised you caught it."

"Psh please. I haven't even hit my stride yet!"

"I believe it. How's Shadow?"

"Argh, teenagers. I swear she tries to pick a fight with me every day. Kinda wish she had a sister or something to distract her," he said looking pointedly at Niki.

"Well at least she has good friends."

"Be better if she had a sister."

"What do you mean, Stark?"

"Oh come on! You know what I mean. Shadow needs a mom and a sibling/aunt/thing and Ember needs a dad. It's perfect! What do you think?"

"I think you've had too much to drink Tony," Niki said standing.

"Come on. It's a good idea and you know it."

"I'm going home now."

"You're kidding me! We just started."

"No, it's been 3 hours."

"Really? Still, not long enough."

"Goodbye Tony."

"Fine. Just think about my offer."

"Whatever you say Tony."

Niki said goodbye to the others and left in a huff. However, Tony's offer still rang in her ears. Ember could use some type of father figure. I'm not her mom but pretty darn close.