A/N: Still fixing the mess I made. Yikes. Um, so this is the real chapter seven. Right. I accidentally didn't post chapter six and posted this instead so now I'm trying to fix it. Whoopsies. Thanks for your patience!

This was probably the first jet to have ever landed on Lyron. They had small aircrafts for farming purposes, and there were a couple of helicopters for government use, but for the most part Lyronites traveled by boat, foot, car, or mule. The jet looked out of place sitting on the beach with a crowd surrounding it and armed men guarding the ramp.

Azzaca felt the urge to stand on tiptoe to see over the gathered people, but didn't wish to look anything but dignified today. He couldn't see her anywhere - or him for that matter. It appeared nearly every person on Lyron had come to see their queen off. Even those who didn't agree with the treaty wanted to make sure that the late King Dayan's sister made it off safely.

Finally, the people began to move enough to allow the councilman to see Lusca. She was dressed as professionally as always in a light blue suit and her silver tiara. Someone had given her a bouquet of flowers. Flowers in Lyron had always been symbolic. If someone were giving you flowers you could be sure that whatever the flower symbolized was felt deeply by the giver.

Azzaca searched his memory for the meanings of the flowers that his queen was carrying. Stephanotis was meant to wish good luck. Nasturtium spoke of patriotism. Yarrow flowers were for good health. The last flower in the bunch was one he had difficulty remembering the meaning for, but he finally recalled that the Casablanca Lily meant there was cause for celebration. He scowled and began to make his way through the crowd to where the rest of the council stood, waiting to say their goodbyes.

Loki was holding Lusca's hand tightly and it seemed the only way that she'd get out of this situation was if someone teleported her away. Azzaca clenched his fists as the couple approached, though he bowed along with all the others.

As the queen turned to the people they quieted their cheers - or boos- and listened. She smiled at them, but Zac could tell it was a front. He saw the worry in her eyes and the dark marks under them.

"Thank you all for coming to see me off. I… we could not have asked for a better farewell. As you know, I leave Councilman Agwe to watch over you while I am away. Though he was not selected by the island to serve as king, I trust him with my life, and more importantly, your wellbeing. Though I leave today, I promise to return soon to ensure all is running smoothly, as I'm sure it will be," She took a deep breath and from this angle Zac could see the tears escaping down her cheeks, "I admit that I am terrified of the journey ahead. After all, I've never set foot off our beloved Lyron. However, I know that the future will hold many wondrous events and this treaty will cause us to be a stronger nation, a stronger island, and a stronger people. Goodbye, my Lyron."

The cheering was nonstop as the queen stepped away from the center of attention and began to address her council. She said goodbye and gave brief instructions to most of them, but when she got to Azzaca she took his hand in hers. Loki was busy giving his own speech so he didn't even notice.

"I will check in as soon as we land."

"Lusca," He squeezed her hand and searched her eyes, "Why are you doing this?"

"You know why I must."

"There are other ways to solidify a treaty rather than marrying him. Why is he so interested in you?"

"I don't know, Zac, and please don't try to make me change my mind. I'm sure he has some logical reason."

"I do not trust him. What if he never returns you to us?" He swallowed the lump that was forming in his throat, "To me?"

"Quiet! You can't say that kind of thing." Lusca ordered.

"Why not? It isn't as if he cares. He's using you as a pawn."

"Truth be told, Zac, the queen is actually the most powerful piece on the chess board. I'll be sure to use her wisely. But you are right on one account. My reasons are hardly logical." Loki had crept up on them without their notice and was resting his hand on Lusca's shoulder.

"Goodbye, my friend, my queen." He pulled his own flowers to give her out of his jacket pocket and tucked them into the bouquet. When she saw what it was she slumped a little. Her mouth opened to say something, but she just shook her head and was lead onto the jet.

Later

Half an hour into the flight with only half an hour left and Lusca was still twirling the little cluster of blue flowers between her thumb and forefinger. Every once in a while tears streamed down her face, but she wiped them away quickly, hoping her traveling companion wouldn't notice. He did, but he hadn't felt like commenting until she stuck the thing in her hair.

"I take it this flower has some great sentimental meaning to you?" He crossed his arms and stretched out his legs, tired of sitting for so long, "Was your first date with him in a field of them or something?"

"Huh?" She looked up and wiped her eyes once more, "Err, they're called forget-me-nots."

"How cliche."

"I think you've done enough for today, so if you'd please shut your mouth, I would be much obliged." She shot out, not thinking about the consequences for a moment.

"Oh! Take her off the island and suddenly she has a temper." He smirked at her.

"We've quite a distance to go still and I'd prefer it if I didn't have to listen to you the whole way there. So, if you wouldn't mind…" She mimed zipping her lips and then looked down at her hands.

"That's something you should probably know early on. I tend to be chatty."

"Then talk to someone else. These gentlemen," She gestured to the guards that filled the other seats of the small space, "Seem like they are bored."

"You know, I'm not going to destroy your whole island based off of a few scathing remarks. If you don't want to talk because you fear you'll get angry then please get angry. I'm terribly bored and it's going to take a lot more than a few insults to get me to stop the food supply or anything of the sort."

She didn't move for a moment, but slowly looked up at him with anger burning in her eyes. He thought he saw her smile for a moment, but it could have been a trick of the light.

"Very well, I shall indulge you, you pompous, insufferable, egotistical moron," She seemed surprised at the words coming from her mouth, but that didn't stop her, "Such a blundering idiot like yourself can't possibly have anything better to do than kidnap queens from their countries so I will do my best to entertain you, Your Dumbness."

The armed men in the jet glanced at each other uncomfortably. They weren't sure if they were supposed to do anything when their king was being verbally abused.

"Idiot am I?" Loki couldn't stop a grin, which seemed to fuel her anger more.

"No. That is too good of a word for you, but a queen does not say the types of words I am thinking and therefore I shall have to make do with names such as worm, scum, dirt, and filth," She unfastened her harness and stood, pointing her finger menacingly, "By the volcano! Why would you even need to step foot on my island, you vile trash?! Couldn't you leave well enough alone? No! You had to come and expose us to the world and then," She took a deep breath and laughed hysterically, "And then you decide that you haven't caused me enough problems so you decide 'oh, hey! I'm going to force her to marry me as well! What a brilliant plan!'" She mimicked his voice mockingly and struck a ridiculous pose, "Well did you consider that maybe I had someone else in mind for my future? Did you consider that I wanted to establish my rule a little more before even broaching the topic of marriage? If you did then you didn't act on these considerations because now I'm miles and miles away from home with a wretched man who I don't even know!"

"You should have been prepared to marry for political gain. My parents warned me when I was younger that royalty rarely marries for any other reason. Didn't yours provide the same courtesy?"

"Azzaca is a councilman, that would have been political gain enough for me and for anyone who questioned," She was clenching her fists and shaking with anger, "And now here I am with the supposed 'king of the world', engaged and all. Aren't I the luckiest girl alive?" She spat out, lifting her hand and wrenching the ring off of her finger and throwing it at him.

He caught it deftly and undid his own harness, stepping up to her and leering over her. Rolling the jewelry back and forth across his palm he chuckled.

"So he still holds your heart, does he? It would be in your best interest to keep that to yourself because I'd prefer it didn't get out to the people that my fiancee is in love with another."

She sneered. "And what would you do if I declared how fraudulent our 'relationship' is on television?"

"That is something I would consider treacherous. Azzaca would have to die of course."

Lusca let loose a growl which turned into a furious shriek as she ran her hands through her hair and turned away from him, panting heavily. "So you'll let me yell and scream at you, but the moment I tell anyone else my opinion you'll start murdering left and right? How like you. How very like you!"

He placed a hand on her shoulder and began to utter something condescending. He was abruptly cut off when her fist collided with his mouth. At that the armed men all jumped to their feet and aimed their various weapons at the woman. Loki laughed and turned back to her, a few strands of hair in his face and his lip bleeding.

Lusca's eyes widened and she covered her mouth, pulling back in shock of what she'd just done.

"It is a relief to find that you aren't perfectly in control all of the time." He touched his split lip and healed it.

"I am so sorry!" She was shaking in fear now, "I just- I'm sorry!"

"Let me see your hand," He held out his own hand. She evidently wasn't paying attention because she didn't comply, "Your hand, Lusca."

Jumping, she hesitantly placed her small dark hand in his large pale one. He healed the hand before any bruises could form and slipped the ring back onto her finger. Before she could withdraw her hand he squeezed it gently.

"Don't worry, I won't kill anyone for that."

"Thank you, I'm sorry. That was-"

"Not very nice, but I suppose I almost deserve it."

They hit a patch of turbulence and she tumbled forward against his chest. It occurred to her that he was quite muscular and just as her mind was beginning to think how strong he might be, he set her back on her feet.

"Watch it, you wouldn't want to get too close to 'scum' like myself." He winked.

Lusca caught her breath and meekly went back to her seat, trying not to make eye contact. When she dared to glance over at him he was staring at the ceiling with an amused look stuck on his face.

Half an Hour Later - Stark Tower, New York City

The building was impressive, Lusca had to admit. With a landing pad right on the top floor and shimmering glass everywhere. A battered "A" still hung from the outside, but looked ready to drop at any moment. The inside was filled with slightly broken, but luxurious things. There were several dents in the walls and she couldn't help but stare at a giant indent in the floor that was vaguely man shaped.

She and Loki had gotten off the jet at the same time, but he'd rushed off to attend to some business. As Lusca took in the portion of the penthouse she'd been left in, she didn't notice a red haired woman enter, hands on hips and a scowl on her lips.

"So you're her."

"Pardon?" The queen turned to face the other woman.

"You are the one who he's marrying?"

"Yes." Lusca was briefly concerned that this was some jealous girlfriend who'd she'd have to deal with. Not wanting to make any enemies in this strange new place, she offered her hand and bright smile.

"I am Lusca, might I ask who you are?"

The redhead grabbed her wrist rather than her hand and twisted it behind her back. Lusca gasped in pain and resisted the urge to shout for help. None of these people knew her, none of them cared if she was hurt or not. She was a stranger to them and not their queen.

"Well, you aren't carrying," The red haired woman noted, releasing her grip and giving a little smile, "I'm Natasha."

"Is it… common for Americans to greet each other in this way?" Lusca rubbed her wrist.

"No, but I'm Loki's personal body guard and I thought I'd better check for weapons. Sorry if it seemed rude." She smiled again.

"I see. Please don't do it again. I have never carried a weapon in my life and I do not intend to in the foreseeable future."

"Sorry," Natasha gestured to an elevator, "C'mon, I'll show you your quarters. Ever been to New York before?"

"No."

"Then you'll have a lot to see!"

"I suppose so."

"I guess if you two royals need to go on any dates for the public view there will be plenty for you to do."

"Perhaps a trip to the Statue of Liberty, I have always wanted to-"

"Doubt that's going to happen, what with the demolition plans." Natasha shrugged, summoning the elevator and stepping inside. Lusca following with a slack jaw.

"Demolition? Of the Statue of Liberty?!"

"To be replaced with-"

"Let me guess, a statue of Loki?"

"Ha, close. A commemorative park to celebrate the 'Great Battle of New York'."

"Great my boot! Think of the lives lost! The pain!" She crossed her arms, "The outcome."

"Hey, I don't make the decisions around here," She inclined her head slightly, "Here we are." The doors opened and the two women stepped out of the expensive elevator into an even more expensive looking hallway.

"This building is beautiful! I can see why Loki decided to use it." Lusca marveled at the decor and architecture.

"Stark really did a nice job with this place - or rather, Ms. Potts did."

"Tony Stark," Lusca sighed, "Terrible what happened to him. Was there a funeral?"

"No. He's not dead. Just frozen."

"Why was he not controlled like the rest of that task force?"

"Couldn't be. It's complicated."

They were silent for a moment as Natasha lead Lusca to a suite of rooms. It was almost like a tiny apartment with it's kitchenette, bathroom, bedroom, and sitting area.

"You're one of them, aren't you?" Lusca asked finally.

"One of the Avengers? Yes I was."

"Did it hurt? The mind control or whatever it was?" After talking about the Battle of New York, she had recalled that Loki had the ability to compromise anyone and now she was fearful he might do the same to her. After all, it would be much simpler than having to put up with her outbursts and her unwillingness to help him.

"It was enlightening." Natasha said without emotion. Her eyes were blue as they had been in the footage Lusca had seen, but they did not glow as brightly as they'd seemed to during the battle.

"Hmm. Might I have a moment or two alone? If not, I understand. Security protocols and whatnot, am I right?" She tried to smile.

"You can have as much time as you'd like. Your luggage should be here in a few. If you want to explore let me know through this intercom here. Loki's office is one floor down, in case you were curious, and his suite is just down the corridor. Com if you need anything."

"Thank you. It was very kind of you to answer all of my questions and show me around."

"You're welcome." And with that, Natasha was gone.