Chapter Five:

Tony didn't even blink when the image of a slightly irritated Loki appeared in the bathroom mirror behind him, preoccupied with trying his tie. He hated these things. Who in their right minds thought it was a good fashion idea for men to have the equivalent of nooses around their necks?

"What is this," she demanded, brandishing the green and black fabric she had in her hands. He smirked at her through the mirror.

"It's a dress."

"I am aware of that. Why did I find it on the bed?"

"Because you're going to wear it. Tonight. I had Pepper go out and get it for you, short notice. You've got about an hour to get ready."

Loki glared at him, "I see and where am I suppose to be wearing this to? And for what reason?"

"Me and you are going out. I'm told that's what expecting parents do, go out and sow whatever wild oats they have before they're tied down by a screaming baby. There's this gala event I have to be at, business thing, boring really, but I need a date. So, we're going out."

"Take a call girl," she told him, pouting. Tony actually had taken several call girls to gala events but that would defeat the purpose. And they were not nearly have as interesting as Loki would be.

"No. Just...put the dress on. Do your hair," he said, bringing in a slightly pleading, pathetic tone to his voice, hoping to appeal to her better nature. "Think of it as an adventure into the mind of petty businessmen. Get to know them and you can have fun manipulating them. Not as fun as blowing up banks probably, but what do you have to loose? Go out and find new victims to have fun with or turn your brother into a turkey again? Gets old doesn't it?"

She stared at him and then promptly disappeared. Tony felt that he had won that argument.

Think again.

Apparently one of Loki's many talents in the magical arts was the ability to take a dress in five minutes and recreate it. Instead of the ankle length skirt, it now fell to right above her knees with slits up the sides meant to entice by showing glimpses of pale legs with every movement. She had gotten a pair of high heels that laced up her lower legs and made her female form just as tale as him, and the dress had slits for sleeves and no back, with a plunging neckline showing Loki's predilection for never wearing a bra. Not something Tony ever really had a problem with and he had noticed with amusement, Clint and Bruce as well. Steve was too much of a gentlemen to look. Her hair had been forced into looser curls then her hair naturally took and she was wearing eyeliner that drew attention to her green eyes and of course, red lipstick. The definition of hell in high heels.

In fake the only thing that Loki had basically left of the dress was its loose waist that was ruffled. The effect sort of hid her pregnant stomach at first glance, but to someone looking, noticeable. Tony had wanted that effect and had specifically gotten Pepper to get one like it. It had been her idea for modesty and Loki's idea to change and torment Tony to driving with a hard on.

She also hadn't said a word to him since she'd gotten in the car. The silent treatment. An experience he knew well enough with Pepper, never with her. She usually talked about something, even if it was a complete lie.

The twenty minute car ride seemed to take longer then usual but he finally pulled up to the event. Loki was outside of the car before he was and he rolled his eyes. Couldn't even let him open the door as a show for the gawkers.

"Sulkiness isn't as attractive as you might think you know," he said, taking her hand.

"If I was sulky Tony, you would know it," she replied and her expression shifted as they entered the room and were by all accounts suddenly accosted with curious guests, all wanting to know who his date was. And all who noticed of course. Good. Loki was as charming and manipulative as she ever could be, managing to make half the old businessmen in the room in love with her by the time the appetizers for dinner rolled around and the women in the room envious but drawn to her. He felt secure enough to leave her to get some drinks after about an hour.

"Tony," a high, annoying voice said next to his ear as her walked up to the bar. He plastered on a fake smile and looked at Justin Hammer, his long time rival and an all around annoying twit. "Haven't seen you in a while. Looks like you've been...busy." He cast a glance back at where Loki was surrounded by about three young men, all looking enraptured.

"I have actually. But even if I wasn't, I would still be too busy for you," Tony shot back and then turned to the bartender to order his drink and a glass of iced tear for her.

"Funny. Yours? Or just that desperate for a date you're paying her money that she'll be needing soon?"

"I've never been as desperate for a date as you Hammer, so I've never had to resort to those methods. Do tell how do they work out for you usually?" Normally he would have already escaped from Hammer's tedious company but he was serving his purpose at the moment, considering the curious lack of reporters at this gala. There was a fair amount of society gossips though, trying not to look like they were listening to the two billionaires talking.

"I don't get any complaints," Hammer snarked back and he heard one of the women standing near them giggle.

"Well neither have I. But yes," his voice getting louder making sure that a number of the people around him would here, "she is having my baby. Another Stark to best you when it comes to technology will be here soon." He smirked as the people exploded into whispers and sauntered off, reappearing next to Loki's side, shooing away her new admirers and handing her the ice tea. She looked shocked. She had heard as well.

"What exactly was that about," she asked in a hissing voice. Tony reached to sweep back one of the curls from her eyes and he could hear the clicking sound of someones camera phone.

"Insurance. That was insurance." Loki wasn't the only one who could make contingency plans.

They spent another few hours at the gala, dancing a bit and interacting with the curious guests, of course all wondering who the mother to be of Tony Stark's child was and when was the wedding and all the usual questions people asked to your face while they talked behind your back. Tony endured it all and then took Loki's arm and ignored the cameras suddenly in their faces as they stepped outside, both of them offering no comment to the reporters. News certainly did travel fast with the invention of the internet.

The story was on the news by the time they got back to the mansion and Clint, Thor and Steve were gathered around the television in the living room. Loki disappeared to go take off the dress and heels and Tony poured himself a drink, walking to sit down on the couch next to Steve. Clint scowled upon seeing him, muttering, "You crazy bastard."

Thor was giving him a look of grudging approval and Tony really didn't want to explain to the god why exactly Tony had created a national spectacle of his sibling and their child. Steve was giving him questioning looks, obviously confused as to why the formerly reluctant Tony had just come out with the story.

A familiar blonde reporter was asking questions to the other guests. Speculation on how much of a genius his child would end up being, questions about the mother. Loki had named herself Lucy Silvers in their presence and they said she seemed very intelligent and mysterious. He flipped through the channels. The story was running on every news station. He was willing to bet it was even trending on twitter.

His phone vibrated on the table. He looked at the caller I.D. and got up off the couch, making a show of walking back into the kitchen for another drink, waiting till he was out of earshot to answer.

"Stark."

"Quite a show you put on. Tell me Stark, what kind of a publicity stunt do you think you were fucking pulling," Fury's angry voice sounded into his ear. He took a swallow of the last of his drink.

"Exactly what you just called it. A publicity stunt. I'm a household name Nick. Media advantage. I'm willing to bet if after the day my daughter was born I didn't show up holding her in the hospital there would be a thousand people all around the world wondering what the hell is going on. Not so easy to make a baby disappear whom everyone knows about. They start asking questions. Brings attention. Attention S.H.I.E.L.D probably doesn't want."

"You are treading on thin ice Stark. S.H.I.E.L.D aren't the only ones interested in this and I would have made sure that she didn't get hurt. I don't think any of the others would have." The called ended as Fury hung up and Tony sighed.

"You're more devious then I give you credit for," Loki's voice came from where she was now sitting on the counter. Probably been there the whole time. She was looking at him with an expression that reminded him of a lion. Or not at him, but at the phone. Her eyes were soft, almost fond looking at him.

"Thank you," the words came out soft, almost unable to be heard. Tony smiled.

"I did it as much for me as you," he said. Loki twitched her lips into a very thin smile, almost a smirk. Her hand went to his cheek, stroking the skin there.

"I know. If they touch one hair on her head you know that I will not hesitate to kill them all. I need you to understand that. I will let no one take her from me. Not your agency, not anyone seeking to use her for some nefarious purpose of their own, not my brother. Not even you."

"I wouldn't expect you too," he answered, not surprised at the bitter, vicious tone her voice had taken on, nor the wild look in her eyes. The makeup she'd been wearing had been washed away and he could see dark circles under her eyes, how tired she looked. The pregnancy and all her magic was draining her energy, but not her spirit it seemed. Her head dropped against his chest as she closed her eyes for a second, breathing low and angry. He bent down to pick her up from behind her knees, walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs. No words of protest left her as he laid her down in his own bed.