a few days later

I supposed that I should have been honored to be invited to this. Steve personally made a house call.

I was at home, playing with Megan while Katie and Russell prepared a special dinner for the four of us in the kitchen. Even though I was temporarily incapacitated, I offered to play a game of charades with her.

Grunting, I adjusted my leg that rested on the couch and focused intently while she acted out a movie. The smells of spaghetti sauce floated throughout the living room and for the first time in ages, I felt relaxed.

"Megan, I have no idea what this is," I sighed with exasperation. Megan stopped crawling on the carpet and stood upright, pouting at me. "Honey, I don't have any idea."

"It's a movie!" she tried again, her blue eyes hopeful. "It's a Disney movie."

"Do it again," I tried, sitting up against the pillows. I watched as she crawled on all fours across the beige carpet, making noises that sounded like a trumpet. She was about to run right into the small coffee table that Katie had bought for the house. "Watch your head! Don't want Mommy to get upset."

"Guess?" Megan said excitedly, standing upright. I blew air out of the corner of my mouth, eyeing her. Crawling all on fours. Trumpets. Moneys.

The thought came to me. "Jungle Book?"

"Yay!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. "It's...it's the part where Mowgli's with the elephants, remember?"

I made a show of slapping my hand against my forehead. "Duh! Of course I remember!" With that, Megan skipped over to me on the couch and gingerly climbed over me until she settled on my stomach, curling against me.

"What's on the T.B.?" she asked me, tilting her head up towards mine. I grinned at her naive mispronunciation.

"I dunno, let's find out?" I tried, reaching for the remote and flipping through the channels. I never had a real need for a television in my house, since I was rarely there, but with Katie and Megan promising to visit often, I figured it was the only way to keep a seven-year-old entertained.

"Is the food nearly ready?" I called, my stomach rumbling. "I'm starving!"

"Keep your bandages on," Katie called rudely. "I'm just heating up meatballs. Russell, honey, those are carrots. I need parmesan. Can you cook at all?"

Verbally abusing Russell is something Katie's good at. And yet, they're still married.

I had been counting the number of peacocks with Megan, in the middle of Dora the Explorer, when my doorbell rang. Immediately, Megan slid off my body and skipped over to the door. "Dinner guests?" she guessed, hopping excitedly. "Are Gram and Gramps coming?"

I shrugged. Megan reached for the doorknob and pulled with a squeak.

I watched as her face went from excitement to confusion, and then she turned to face me. "Auntie Elle, I think it's for you."

Oh, no, I thought with worry, hastily standing up without bothering to get my crutches. I hobbled over towards the door hesitantly, and peered around the doorjamb. Standing on my patio were Kat and Steve Rogers. Kat was dressed in her uniform, and Rogers wore his familiar brown leather jacket, a brown and yellow checkered shirt, and khakis.

I widened my eyes in surprise. "Hello."

"Hi, Miss Elle!" Kat squeaked excitedly.

Steve's eyes were apologetic. "Do you have a minute?" He glanced obviously at Megan, who stood with wide eyes, looking at all of them.

Kat took action, crouching down to her level. "Hi, there! My name is Kat!"

"Hi, Kat, I'm Megan," she said shyly, her eyes still wide.

"Were you doing anything fun before we arrived?" she asked, making an over-exaggerated face of interest.

"I was watching Dora explore stuff."

"Mind if I watch?"

"Sure!" Megan squealed, grabbing her by the hand and leading her inside. Kat looked at me as she walked inside, jerking her head to Rogers. I closed the door behind them, and then turned to face the two men in front of me. A black SUV waited for them on the curb, guarded by another agent.

"What can I do for you?" I asked warily, looking at him.

"How is your leg?" he asked, not answering my question. "You...um, don't have crutches."

"Um...healing. Slowly, but it's healing." I glanced down at my bandaged thigh for emphasis.

"How's your head?" Steve rasped softly, looking apologetic. "I'm...sorry about that."

"Did you have a choice?" I replied, shrugging. "I'm fine."

"Good, good..." Steve trailed off. "Uh, I've come here with an offer."

Past experience told me to me to be apprehensive.

"We're preparing for Thor and Loki to return to Asgard this afternoon."

Relief coursed through me, and I dared to smile. "Oh?"

"Yes. Loki was incarcerated for several days while we retrieved the Tesseract with Dr. Selvig's help and fitted it into a case that would allow for teleportation. Thor and Loki are at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters preparing to leave, now," Steve explained, sounding unusually knowledgeable on the Asgardians.

Steve's eyes were hopeful. "We would like you to be present when they leave."

"Why me?" I responded immediately, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh, yeah." He smiled at me. "Without your help we wouldn't have been able to get thousands of civilians to safety, and destroy the alien army. You gave us valuable information, you helped to save Tony..."

"But I nearly shot you. And I was on their side," I countered, refusing to accept any credit. "I don't have any superpowers, I didn't really do anything."

"Your mind wasn't your own," Steve interjected. "In the beginning, you helped to stop the army, you helped Tony subdue Loki...you're plenty valuable, Elle. Don't think you aren't."

I blinked, surprised by his praise. "Thanks, Steve."

"Will you come?"

"Um...sure, just let me know-"

He cut me off. "They're leaving now."

I frowned. "Well...I'm sorry, but I'm in the middle of-"

"You go ahead, Elle," Katie's voice said softly behind me, and I turned around, embarrassed that she was there. She leaned on the door, smiling sadly. "We'll be here."

"I...Katie, I really don't have to, it was just an offer," I said hastily. "I know you're busy making dinner and everything. I don't want you waste food."

"You'll be gone for an hour, tops," Steve tried. "We only want everyone to be there to see them gone, and then another agent will bring you back home. We're sorry to interrupt you, ma'am," he added, leaning around me to look at Katie. "We'll bring her back safe and sound."

"I understand." Katie's eyes were sympathetic. "You go on. We'll keep the food nice and hot for you when you get back."

I swallowed past a sudden lump in my throat, feeling grateful that Katie had decided to accept my career. "Thank you."

It felt weird to wear my uniform for the first time in days. I hadn't missed the spandex at all. The pressure of the suit on my thigh was a little uncomfortable, but I managed.

Steve and I sat in the back of the large SUV, while Kat sat in the middle, unusually quiet. Two guards occupied the driver and passenger's seat. All of us were silent during the ride. Steve was in the middle of some deep thinking, his chin resting on his hand as all of New York flew by us. He still looked upset with himself. I wanted to tell him that he wasn't at fault for anything. How else was he supposed to rid me of Loki's mind control without knocking me out?

I couldn't deny that my anxiety grew with each mile. For the first time in days, I was about to see Loki again. So much had happened that I didn't know what to make of it.

Confronting a killer in the dark depths of the boiler room. Being kidnapped and taken to a remote location. Escaping, until to be smothered with chloroform, Kidnapped again, experience the small amount of humanity in him, deny him my mind, only for him to take it, and turn me against everyone I know. And then, when I'm at my weakest, a forced kiss to distract me until he stabs a dagger into my leg until I nearly bleed to death.

How was I supposed to think of this...alien, this Asgardian, this...Loki?

Undoubtedly, I was wary of seeing him again.

The SUV took us to Central Park, a location that surprised me because it was generally so open. I had only been once when I was child, but I didn't remember much of it. So the large, grand trees that surrounded the park amazed me. The New York City skies were as clear as could be, with not a cloud in the sky. Children parked in the sandboxes in the heart of the park, with parents chatting animatedly, their eyes still trained on their children. A young woman sat on a wooden bench, reading a book and sipping a drink through her Starbucks coffee cup. An elderly coupled walked down a path together, holding hands as they shuffled along, deeper into the trees.

For a moment, it occurred to me that maybe, this would be my life. There was no doubt that I would still return to S.H.I.E.L.D, but at least on the weekends, and during my free time, I would be able to spend them with Katie and Megan.

The guard parked the car in the middle of what appeared to be a plaza, with tan and red bricks all designed in an intricate pattern. Another black SUV was waiting for us. Around the plaza, I noticed a few dark uniforms, which indicated that there were agents and guards supervising the operation.

A dark red convertible zoomed past us and came to a dramatic stop at the other side of the plaza, and a wry smile tugged at my lips. I wasn't surprised to see Stark driving the car, but Banner was at his side. Natasha and Clint stood in the shadows of a tall oak tree, watching as Stark got out of the car. Steve climbed out of the SUV quietly, and walked over to a motorcycle, checking to make sure it was chained to the railing. He must've arrived here first, and then accompanied Fury to my house.

Sighing, I got out of the car and forced a smile for Tony, who clapped enthusiastically for my appearance. Dr. Banner waved at me shyly, exiting the convertible. Stark, Banner, Rogers, Clint and Natasha all began to make advances towards the center of the plaza. I chose to settle by the large oak tree, watching as they talked with each other quietly.

I exhaled and tapped my foot across the grass anxiously, wondering where Thor and Loki were. On cue, I held a whistle of wind above me indicated that something fast was moving and I tilted my head towards the sky, searching.

I held my breath as a dark dot began to descend towards the ground, and with a earth-shattering sound, Thor landed at the edge of the plaza. At his side was Loki.

"God of Thunder at his best," Banner murmured, rubbing his head. Thor was still dressed in his battle armor, wearing his breastplate and red cape. His eyes darted to his brother, who stood silently at his side, devoid of his helmet and scepter.

"Let's get this over with," Clint muttered darkly, stepping towards the two of them. In his hands, he held a golden cylinder, with the Tesseract glowing inside. Attached to either side of the cylinder were two handles.

Loki's eyes scanned the plaza dully, and then fell, as if he were expecting something. He looked around once more expectantly, and then looked past Clint, who nearly blocked him from my sight. His eyes stayed on me for a few moments, and then he stepped forward.

"And where are you going?" Steve laughed, stepping forward immediately and putting a hand on his chest.

"I wish to speak with Elliot," I heard him murmur from afar. "I have something for her."

"So do I," he snapped. Clint handed the Tesseract to Thor, who glanced at Loki suspiciously. "It's time you left this world. Our city needs to rebuild after what you've done."

"I only wish to speak with her," Loki responded, sounding frustrated. "I swear to you, all of you, that I will speak with her and return at once."

"I don't trust him," Banner spoke up, shaking his head. "Let's set the alien back to outer space." Loki then leaned around Clint, looking at me with pleading eyes. I narrowed mine, calculating. What could he possibly want?

I knew that I had my gun on me, and at best, eight of the most powerful people I'd ever met at his side. I leaned against the tree. "Let him speak."

All eight of them turned to face me, looking surprised. Clint and Natasha shrugged and stepped to the side. Banner played with his jacket buttons nervously, Stark rolled his eyes and sighed loudly. Steve merely frowned at me. Fury waved his hand, letting Loki walk.

Thor's blue eyes warned me to be careful, but he let go of Loki's arm, allowing him to take careful steps towards me. As he walked closer, I tensed my muscles, allowing my senses to heighten. It was a natural reaction.

Loki put up his hands in an action of surrender, his eyes careful. I kept completely still and chose not to react to his motion. He took a few steps closer into the grass, and then lowered his arms with a heavy sigh, watching me.

"What do you want?" I asked softly.

"I want to apologize. I am sorry for my actions," he said simply.

"Are you now?" I snorted, looking away from him at a tree branch. "This is something completely unexpected. The great God of Mischief abandons his mischievous ways for a pathetic apology to the weakling mortal?" I narrowed my eyes at him. "Not accepted. It's time for you to go back to Asgard."

"I only stabbed you to save you from the Chitauri. You would not listen," he responded. "My mind was not my own," Loki continued, looking ashamed of himself. "The Tesseract and the Chitauri army overwhelmed my mind and filled with me with dark thoughts. I reckoned with a force I could not control."

"Like your mind was being controlled?" I asked coldly. His eyes fell.

"Yes," he answered. "Like mind-control."

"Doesn't feel nice, does it?" I stated rudely. "Not being able to think for yourself, or move for yourself."

"No."

Loki was allowing me to verbally abuse him for all that he'd done to me, and the others, and he appeared that he was willing to take it. I was taken aback by his change in behavior. He raised his eyes to me, and I noticed that they were no longer a deep emerald...they appeared lighter than usual, as if he were free of something.

I began to relax a little. Perhaps he was telling the truth.

"I am aware that you will probably...never forget what I've done to you. But I wanted to apologize and give you something. It is a gift," he explained, reaching for his neck. For a moment, he smiled, looking embarrassed. "It isn't another kiss."

My cheeks warmed and I lowered my eyes at the thought of it. The sound of something clinking together reached my ears and I lifted my eyes to see him dangling a necklace in front of me. The chain looked familiar. It was mine.

Instead of a silver disk, a triangle blue stone hung in the middle.

"What is it?" I asked curiously.

"It is carved from one of the rarest stones in Alfheim," the Asgardian said very softly, stepping closer to me. "It is a gift, for you. Please accept it. You may destroy it later, when I'm gone, if you wish," he added, leaning towards me. I kept still, hoping that Loki was enough to block me from the view of the others. His hands fastened the necklace around me firmly, and then he withdrew his hands, a sad smile on his lips again.

"This is who I am, Elliot," he murmured. "What you saw...I'm not like that. And...I am sorry."

I played with the blue stone, which was smooth and polished. "Perhaps in time." Or not. How long will it take my leg to heal?

"Loki," Thor called warningly. "Time is slipping through our fingers. We must go."

Loki, God of Mischief, fixed me with one more look as he retreated. His emerald eyes burned into mine as he took slow steps backward. "Farewell," he whispered.

For a few moments, I felt my heart constrict and my throat tightened as I watched Natasha handcuff him. Thor attached a grey muzzle around his mouth, and attempted to escort him to the center of the plaza, but Loki jerked his arm away roughly.

It almost felt like I was going to...miss him. Almost. My aching heart was enough of an indication that I was going to miss him. A little. The few minutes I had with him convinced me that some part of him was human, whether or not he accepted it. Thor handed one end of the Tesseract to Loki, and he grasped the handle slowly with as much of his hand he could.

"Farewell," Thor said, looking at the Avengers. "Perhaps we shall meet again one day."

Loki eyes flickered up to mine once more, and warning bells went off in my head when I saw that familiar look of mischief in his eyes. Thor activated his side of the Tesseract, nodding to Stark in acknowledgement. A soft blue glow caught my eye, and I looked down to see that the blue necklace was glowing.

This blue stone contains a fragment of the Tesseract.

"STEVE!" I screamed immediately, reaching for the necklace. He turned around with surprise, and then his eyes widened when he saw me, struggling to remove the chain from my neck. He began sprinting across the plaza towards me, reaching his out his hand, prepared to break it in two while I struggled to get it off my neck. The chain felt tighter than usual around my neck. I need to get it off! Dammit!

My eyes slid to Loki desperately, while Steve barreled towards me. Thor turned around to see what the commotion was, and then his eyes expanded as far as they could.

"LOKI, NO!"

It was too late. A sparkle of mischief in his eyes indicated that this was his final plan he had for me, all this time. Steve was no more than a hair's breadth from my side before Loki turned the handle on the Tesseract, sending the three of them back to Asgard.