A/N: Sorry if the quality isn't what is usually is. Physical therapy is a little time consuming, so I've been working on this over the last couple months almost at a 2-3 sentence per day basis.

As always, thank you for favorites, follows, and reviews; the encouragement they supply is absolutely endless.

From The Ashes

By Anna Morgan

Chapter 17 Disappeared

The Christmas morning sun in his face is what pulled the God of Mischief from his fitful sleep the following morning. A groan escaped his throat. He tried to move but he found that he could not and when he realized why he froze. Currently, he was sleeping in a half seated, half lying down position on a comfortable sofa, and he wasn't alone. Loki had refused to go back into the bedroom last night for fear that the nightmare that still rang fresh in his mind would materialize, and so Natasha had followed him to keep company. He realized that he couldn't move because one of his arms was drooped around her waist while the other circled protectively around her shoulders. He sighed contently and lowered his cheek to rest on her head as the more pleasant memories from last night flooded his mind.

No sooner had his cheek landed on her soft red curls, the woman in his arms began to stir. As she pulled herself into consciousness once more, the arm that was circled around her tightened affectionately.

"Good morning," she turned her head to plant a quick, soft kiss on his lips. It was such an innocent move but it made his blood rush and sing in his veins and his passion from last night reemerged with a vengeance. Loki's arms tightened around her and he spun her around. The next thing she knew they were face to face, her knees on either side of him, straddling his hips. He grinned hungrily up at her before lacing his hands into her unruly curls and sitting up so he could capture her lips with his own. For the moment, he forgot everything else in the world except her and how her blissful mouth felt moving so perfectly with his. He tilted her head slightly so he could taste her more fully as his tongue traced a line across her mouth before she allowed him in and met his with her own.

Finally noticing how uncomfortable his larger body was on the small sofa, he pulled away from her reluctantly. "Let us move this," he breathed.

She nodded. He delighted in the lust-darkened look in her own eyes for just a second before he gently pushed her up and they stood, their hands still interlaced. He never stopped looking into the sea-green depths that he had grown to love as they moved, and he couldn't resist swallowing her in one more kiss before they made their way.

However, fate despising him the way it did, no sooner had their lips touched, the sound of the doorknob turning snapped them out of their moment as Thor, of all the inconvenient times, came barreling through the door of Natasha's floor.

"Lady Natasha! Good Morni-" Thor stopped dead mid-word with his mouth open in shock as if someone had hit him with Mjolnir at the view in front of him. The God of Mischief let out low, frustrated growl and rolled his eyes. He turned to face his brother.

"Have you never learned to knock before you barge into a woman's chambers?" Loki asked angrily. Though she was mildly embarrassed, Natasha couldn't help her amusement at his obvious frustration.

Thor just grinned. "If I am interrupting you I can come back. Though I must warn you, our companions may not be so inclined."

"You're fine, Thor. Good morning to you too," Natasha pulled herself away from the darker god's grip. Loki cursed under his breath and threw his eyes toward the stockings hanging innocently over the mantel. Of course; he had forgotten they agreed to meet there that morning.

"If it is alright with you, Natasha, I would have words with my brother," Thor grinned at them still.

"Sure," she nodded. Natasha and Loki shared a glance that clearly said 'We'll continue this later.' She looked at the ground before she took her leave, entering her bedroom and closing the door. Loki watched until the 'click' of the door confirmed that she was out of earshot.

As soon as she was gone, Loki turned again to face the God of Thunder and raised a threatening finger. Before he could say a word, however, Thor spoke first, still grinning:

"I'll hear not another word about Jane."

"You know not what you speak of – "

"Perhaps not but I know well what I saw," he mocked.

"Regardless, you will speak of this to no one," The look in the darker god's eyes was very serious indeed. Thor nodded. "Of course not. But we will continue our discussion now, for I have grave news to deliver." Thor was no longer smiling. Loki turned his head curiously.

Thor took a deep breath before speaking again. "First, I wish to apologize for not telling you of my plans with Jane. However, I have a more pressing matter to discuss with you." His voice was completely void of any amusement.

"Father has fallen ill," Loki raised his eyebrows in surprise. "He has entered into another Odinsleep."

"Again? He has barely awoken from the last time." Loki was surprised to find that he almost cared. Almost.

"Mother has refused to leave his side," Thor took a deep breath, "The throne has passed to me now." His voice was serious, almost solemn, absent completely of the arrogance and greed that once dripped from it. Loki stood in shock; Thor is the king of Asgard. The king of Asgard. His brother… The irony of Thor's words, so similar to his own when Thor had been cast to Earth, was not lost on him. How apropos that the false words of the Lord of Lies would turn to truth and return to haunt him.

"Then what of your nuptials?" Loki asked quietly.

"I wish to proceed with them upon my next return to Asgard."

Loki shook his head in disbelief. "Thor, I would urge you to delay this plan,"

"Why do you speak thus?"

"Hear me: Thanos and the Chitauri make for this realm as we speak. The mortals have seen them." It was Thor's turn now to stand with widened eyes. "As such, they are most likely planning a multi-pronged attack upon Midgard. We will need an army with which to fight them." Thor looked confused. "It is well-timed indeed then that you should ascend to the throne on the eve of battle, for we are in need of such forces and a powerful leader." Thor looked proud as Loki placed one hand on his shoulder. "But do you realize what your marriage would do to our home?" Loki looked very seriously at him.

"I do not."

"A mortal woman – the queen of Asgard!" Loki said as though the answer were obvious.

"I do not understand."

"If you marry a mortal woman, Thor, you will alienate the noble families with an eligible daughter, whether it is your intention or not! You would be seen as dishonoring your crown by a marriage to a woman of a perceived inferior race, who has no working knowledge of our laws, and then march off to war and leave her to rule Asgard in your absence! Imagine the unrest it will cause, amplified by the injustice of allowing me such a light punishment for my crimes."

"You have been punished enough for your crimes, and let us not forget our mother is not an Aesir," Thor pointed out.

"Yet not so lowly seen as a mortal."

"Jane is an amicable woman-"

"That matters not!"

"She will be just-"

"Thor, you must see!" Loki emphasized. "If you marry your mortal woman now, you will cause Asgard to fall to a state of social, and political, unrest and then leave it to a woman who is incapable of calming the situation, and even less capable of ruling, while you march away to battle from which there is a possibility you may not return. You must see the damage you would inflict upon Asgard." He looked at Thor as though he were the greatest fool in the world. "I would advise you to hold off on your nuptials, allow Mother to rule as she has done in the past, and then proceed once we are through with our business here."

Thor nodded slowly. Of course, Loki was right. He was acting rashly, based on emotion and not logic.

"I would also urge you to surround yourself with advisors, brother, and heed them," Loki concluded. "Quickly."

"That leads me into my next subject," Thor took a deep breath. "I wish for you to be my chief advisor."

Loki leaned back away from him in surprise. "You have gone mad," he finally said quietly.

"Have I?" Thor challenged "You have already given me more valuable advice than any of our Father's advisors, and without my even asking for it."

Loki stood, stunned, his world thrown off its axis momentarily. "I shall consider. But know that I believe your proposal to be unwise."

For the second time that morning, the door to the Black Widow's floor was unceremoniously thrown open, revealing a sunny looking Steve and Pepper, and a tired Tony, effectively ending the brothers' conversation.

….

The Christmas day celebration turned out to be one of the most remarkable days that Loki had ever experienced in his many hundreds of years of life. The day started with Steve and Natasha making breakfast for the team and Loki, the rest of whom had arrived not long after Steve, Pepper, and Tony had, as they sat around the fireplace munching on Midgardian sweets that had been placed in the stockings the night before. The meal was not rushed and before the troupe moved to the common room floor it was already noon. The bright sun had retreated by then, in its stead was another thick curtain of snow, adding to the several inches that already lay in a thick blanket on the ground.

This set the scene for the most intense snowball fight ever to occur in this realm; of this Loki was sure. They were on the balcony, only because no one felt like riding the elevator to the street level. They had started off in two teams – Thor, Bruce, and Steve versus Tony, Natasha, Clint and Loki (Pepper opted out of this activity) – but had soon turned to an 'every man for himself' scenario with snowballs zooming around everywhere. The air between the Avengers and their former adversary was lively, friendly, and companionable despite the rather violent nature of the activity they were engaged in.

Loki was the clear winner in this game, being able to not only form many snowballs and direct them at his opponents by magic, but also being able to replicate himself as he had done in Stuttgart so long ago and attack each of them one-on-one. Only Steve had managed to stay in the game long enough to really challenge Loki, but had soon caved when he was attacked by four of the God of Mischief at once as the others stood around with smiles, laughing along with the trickster and cheering him on (his heart swelled and sang with rapture at their encouragement) as Captain America batted at the air like a cat with an invisible string in its face trying to avoid being hit.

And so, with red noses and numb fingers, the occupants of the tower gleefully made their way back inside feeling cheery and with a strong air of companionship, still laughing at Loki's clear-cut victory over their leader. Loki couldn't help the euphoric feeling of camaraderie with them just then. Even Clint had cheered him on and been mildly pleasant toward him.

At present, having finished their small-scale icy battle, they were seated in the common room floor together, sharing Midgardian wine and liquor and enjoying each other's company. Clint was in the Nest alone; Bruce, Natasha, and Steve occupied the sofa; Thor sat in one of two oversized chairs while Pepper occupied the other. Although he was quite content in their company, Loki chose to sit at the bar, still slightly separated from the rest, as he always did. The reality of his impending departure still floated in the back of his mind, though he didn't dwell on it. Not today.

Instead, he dwelled on the fact that something – something – was different. He didn't know what it was but could feel it in the air, in his very bones. It didn't even necessarily seem to be negative, just different. And he couldn't place his finger on what.

Tony leaned on the bar behind him, surrounded by various bottles of Midgardian alcohols while taking shots from a bottle of vodka.

"Romanoff!" he called. "I know you aren't going to make me finish this by myself." He held up the bottle and gave it a shake.

A wide grin flashed across Natasha's face as she set her current drink down and happily approached the bar. Loki watched as Tony filled two shot glasses to the brim, setting the bottle beside them. Much to Loki's delight, instead of grabbing the shot glass however, she swiped the whole bottle of the Russian drink and took a sip.

"Thanks, Stark," she grinned smugly before turning and heading back to her seat with the bottle in hand as the others laughed at their host's stunned face. Loki could have sworn he caught her wink at him as she did so. Tony turned to the now grinning God of Mischief, who wore his signature mischievous grin, and pointed accusatively at him.

"You! You are a terrible influence!" He took both the shots in front of him.

"I know not what you speak of." Loki grinned as he took another sip of his own wine. It wasn't bad for a Midgardian drink.

As he set his glass down again on the bar, his eyes rested on the strawberry-blonde woman, still laughing radiantly, and suddenly, a light bulb clicked on in his mind. That was it. That's what was different.

Even as Loki's realization formed in his mind, Tony rounded the bar to make his way to his wife, but only made it a couple of steps when the God of Mischief's arm flew out to stop him.

"We are joined by one more tonight," it wasn't a question, but a statement. Tony looked at him in total disbelief. "Aren't we?"

Tony raised an eyebrow at him suspiciously. "How the hell did you find out?" he asked in a hushed voice.

"It was just a feeling."

The billionaire-genius shook his head. "God, that's freaky." Loki grinned proudly in response. "Seriously though, we're trying to keep it under the radar until she's ready for everyone to know."

Loki nodded. "I will keep your secret then. I only wished to confirm my suspicions."

"Yeah. Thanks Rudolph."

Loki dropped his arm and watched as Tony approached the chair that Pepper occupied and helped her up, only to sit her gently back down again on his lap.

From the living room, Thor stood up. "I thank you, friends, for your hospitality! This is a fine celebration indeed!"

Steve said almost shyly. "I'm sure it's nothing compared to Asgard," and took a sip from his cup.

Thor waved his hand dismissively. "Nonsense! What is a grand celebration compared to the simple pleasure of our fellowship, my comrades in arms?" He smiled proudly at them all.

"Well we're glad to have you here," Steve smiled.

Loki took another sip of his wine as he gave a clipped laugh.

"So how exactly do you celebrate in Asgard?" Tony inquired. "Drunken brawls, Whores? Goat sacrifices…?" Pepper smacked him on the arm ("Tony!"). At this, Loki could not keep quiet. He looked horrified.

"By the Gods, no!" he exclaimed wide-eyed. "Why ever would we sacrifice a creature's life in celebration? No, Stark, I am afraid that is a strictly Midgardian occurrence."

"Aww, Loki is an animal guy," Clint cooed mockingly from the Nest. "That's touching."

Loki narrowed his eyes dangerously.

Thor laughed heartily and made his way across the room to place his hand on Loki's shoulder. "My brother is indeed well-versed in the care of creatures of Asgard. In fact, there is a particularly touching tale with a certain horse – " Loki clasped his hand quickly over the golden god's mouth and gave him a quick, swift kick to the shin.

"You will have to forgive my brother, he knows not how to hold his tongue when he is inebriated," he shot Thor the most hateful of looks and stomped on his foot for good measure, which earned him a painful grunt.

"Oh Loki!" Pepper whined a bit. "I want to hear the story! Come on," She urged.

From her seat, Natasha caught Loki's eye with an enlightened light in them, though she didn't speak. Of course she would pick up on that…s

Thor removed Loki's hand from his face cautiously as a child would ask a parent's permission for something "Perhaps Loki will share his story another time, but to answer your question, Stark, we are not so different with our ways of celebrating." Loki breathed a sigh of relief and silently thanked his brother. Thor continued: "There are grand feasts, ballads and tales of valor and gallantry in battle, and copious amounts of mead."

To that, Tony raised his glass and smiled approvingly before downing the rest of his scotch.

"You know," Tony thought aloud, "it surprises me sometimes, how much we have in common with each other." The others looked at him with varying degrees of curiosity. Such an insightful thought coming from Tony of all people.

"Oh yeah?" Natasha finally spoke. "How so?" she asked, though, Loki knew, her tone clearly said she knew the answers already, as they all did.

Tony cleared his throat, "Well for one thing, we're all orphans, except the Hardy Boys over here" he pointed his empty glass at the Asgardian brothers at the bar.

That is Arguable… Loki thought bitterly.

There were heads nodding all around.

"None of us," Bruce added, "can be considered anywhere near normal by any standard."

"Wait though," Natasha piped up "didn't we establish last night that Clint is 'the only one here who isn't a mutant or a freak'?"

"Uh, I think the way circus boy turns his head completely away from a moving target and still hits it without trying is pretty freak-ish," Tony defended.

"Hn. Fair enough…"

Loki appreciated the fact that the archer's only response was to flash a self-satisfied grin. There were some respect points beginning to be awarded toward his former accomplice-turned-adversary here.

Rather than defend himself, Clint added to the list. "We all have some sort of serious issue too," (there were several agreeing words and knowing expressions), "But probably none more so than this guy" he pointed his thumb to the Captain, who looked mildly offended. "No offence but even Stark with his daddy issues doesn't compare to being thrown into the future, Cap," Clint finished.

"Yeah, speaking of 'Daddy issues'" Bruce quipped, "There's Loki over there acting like he isn't part of all this."

The God of Mischief's mind had been slowly wandering away like a child who had something catch his eye, but now his attention swiftly turned back to the conversation at hand.

"I am merely a wallflower in your 'humble abode'," Loki shrugged as he took another sip from his glass.

"Don't think so, Reindeer games, you're not excluded from this little band of misfits," Tony grinned. "I gotta tell ya for being so freaky, you're a good complimentary personality to pretty much everyone here."

Loki cocked his head in curiosity. "And how have you come to that conclusion?"

"Well," Tony sounded as though he were a professor about to prove a well-orchestrated point, "for one, you're our science bro," he motioned to a nodding Bruce.

Agreed, Loki admitted, though begrudgingly.

"You're Natasha's bookworm buddy," he continued around the room. "Blondie's actual brother…"

Loki nodded, conceding. Also agreed, but what possible argument could you make for the others?

"Cap's new team strategist – "

A valid point I suppose…

"I don't think I need to point out everything you have in common with Brucey here – "

Loki scoffed aloud at this; he was beginning to see his point, and the truth of the matter was sinking in.

"And I'm not sure about bird boy, but we can tell he's warming up to you, even if he won't admit it." Clint glared at Tony as if to say 'Oh, please," though the fact of the matter still remained, and Loki could not deny any of the insufferable scientist's words.

"So case in point, you fit in here, and even if you won't admit it, you're part of this messed up, dysfunctional family too, Rock of Ages" Tony declared proudly.

All Loki could do at this point was nod as all eyes settled on him as though silently confirming all of Tony's statements. He could hardly believe what he felt now; only a year and a half ago all of these people would have done anything to kill him, and he them, yet they now shared a certain level of companionship and, he realized, he was glad for it, appreciated it, and was even proud of it. Not for the first time since his arrival, the silver-tongued God, whose most power ally and weapon was his words, was speechless.

But, before he could even think of getting a word out, an intrusive ringing followed the voice of the ever-present being called JARVIS cut through the atmosphere like a knife, shattering any opportunity he had to speak.

"Sir, Director Fury is on the line," came the monotone voice of the virtual butler. The air in the room lost all traces of warmth almost immediately, as the annoyance and disappointment in the air became almost tangible.

"Tell him we aren't available JARVIS," Tony rolled his eyes.

"I am sorry, sir, but he insists that it is urgent."

Tony sighed aloud. He knew Fury would override the protocols and barge in anyway. May as well answer the damn thing…

"Whatever, let him through."

They expected to hear the director's voice over the intercom. However, rather than hearing the director's voice, the elevator doors to opened up, revealing Fury, looking harassed and visibly shaken.

"Hey, there's Jolly Old Saint Nick. Come to celebrate?" Tony said, obviously sarcastic.

"Save it for over, Stark. We may have a problem," Fury bounded toward them. The look in his eye seemed to spell out that he had bad news. Faces fell all around the room. Loki began to feel that all-too-familiar feeling of mild panic. Dear Valhalla, do not say that we are under attack. Not now…

Natasha stood up first. "What's wrong?"

"The Chitauri haven't arrived have they?" Steve asked apprehensively as he stood as well.

"No," Fury's voice was almost shaken. "They've just disappeared."

….

You would have been able to hear a pin drop on the floor.

Loki's panic slowly began to fade into frustration and anxiety. He almost wished they would come already so he could stop living in this constant state of fear. He did not of course wish to bring battle to his newly accepted comrades, but waiting on the edge of a battle they could not avoid felt worse than battle itself ever did.

"What do you mean 'they've just disappeared'?" Tony rose from his seat, along with everyone else, to gather around the director.

"Exactly what I said. They've gone off Doctor Foster and Doctor Selvig's radar," Fury said gravely. "We've been tracking their movements since Loki gave us a positive ID on them. One moment they were being tracked successfully and the next they vanished."

As Fury spoke, the cold, high-pitched voice that haunted his dreams the night before came to mind once again: You cannot hide from Him. He comes for you. For ALL of you…

"Loki, have they ever done that before?" Steve, now in serious-Avenger-team-leader mode, crossed his arms and turned to face the God of Mischief.

He swallowed the tennis ball-sized lump in his throat. "No," he croaked. "If they possessed that capability I was unaware of it."

"As of now, you're on high alert," the Director ordered. Steve nodded in acknowledgement. "We don't have any more information on them or their capabilities, and whatever we know now may not be valid when or if we locate them again. I want you on standby and ready to respond at a moment's notice."

"I will return to Asgard," Thor straightened to his full height. "I do not abandon you, my friends," he added hurriedly at the looks of horror he had just earned. "Our armies have fought for the protection of this world in the past, and we shall again." Loki was massively relieved. They would need all the help they could possibly get. But will the Asgardians be enough?

Bruce, Tony, and Loki, who now stood abreast, shared a panicked glance. Their work wasn't ready, it was too dangerous to test at the moment. They needed more time…

"Any force you can bring us would be appreciated," Fury nodded. "Stark, if you have any tricks up your sleeve now would be a good time to pull them out."

Tony nodded. He didn't respond to Fury, but instead looked at his new partners with fresh determination.

"We'll be on standby then, sir," Steve.

"Good. Don't do anything reckless right now. We're gonna need a hell of a response team for this," Fury sounded like he were a hundred years older than he was as he sighed. "Cap, keep your team safe till we need you."

"Sir."

"Agent Romanoff, I need a word in private with you. The rest of you can carry on," Natasha nodded and followed her boss to the elevator. As she walked, she glanced over her shoulder to Loki, a storm of anxiety swirled with the normally focused and stoic look of the Black Widow in her eyes. He kept her gaze until the closing of the doors cut off her glance.

Tony clapped his companions on the arm and ushered them to follow him without a word. Without hesitation, and to his surprise, Loki followed him eagerly, Bruce trailing not too far behind. They had a lot of work to do; it was going to be a long night…