Lovely reviews! Posting a little early because it's been a bad day, and I feel satisfied when I update.

I seriously need to get to the theater an see this film again...Sept. is too far away.

-XXX-

Joseph Walker stands on Tatiana's stoop. Loki frowns as the taller man crossed his arms.

"Can I help you, Joseph? Tatiana is out right now."

The doctor nods. "Yeah, I know. I actually came because I knew she was at work. I didn't want to do this in front of her."

Though the man looms, Loki is not to be intimidated. He feels the heavy coolness against his chest, granting him power enough. He stares up, impassive, jaw locked. He has had his share of bullying- - - Asgard is a land of warriors, after all- - -and has perfected a chilly expression when need be. This is nothing he'd revealed to Tati, in all their time together. He knows it would frighten her more than any of his magics. Cold. Distances.

"Do what?" Loki intones.

Walker uncrossed his arms. "Confront you."

The god raises his eyebrows. "Over…what?"

The doctor didn't answer. Loki nods slowly. "Very well…come in, doctor."

They stop in the kitchen. Loki makes the offer of a drink (wryly reminding himself of a certain Stark). Joseph doesn't accept. His eyes are dark, hard flinty pieces, and his entire figure of stone. He is trying to be menacing. And, in Loki's mind, failing miserably. The man might scare a puppy, a small child, or perhaps even another ill-witted human being. But not a god. At least, not this god.

Loki pours himself a glass from Tatiana's fridge purifier- - -the closest thing to Asgard's icy mountain spring water- - - and seats himself from across the younger man. He drinks slowly, observing Walker.

"What is it you wish to speak of, doctor?"

"Last night I was out for a walk-"

Loki sneers. "How intriguing."

The young man glares, continuing. "I live about five blocks from the gallery where Tati, downtown. I jog, sometimes, around there. Last night, I happened to be there around the time of the break in. And I saw…someone…leaving. Probably the thief."

"Oh?" Loki plays about an expression of mild interest - - -two parts disinterest, one part care.

"It was really dark, but I could've sworn I saw you." Joseph doesn't appear comfortable.

Loki froze. He had been careful. There was no way. Walker is bluffing. It is a shot in the dark. The boy's jealous is taking its toll. Just an envious accusation. Carefully, slowly, the god says, "I don't know how that could be. I was here, with Miss Deror all night."

He puts emphasis on "Miss Deror all night." It's a slap in Walker's face. The young man winces. Loki continues. "It was very dark, anyways, I'm sure. You're mistaken, doctor."

"I don't think so," Joseph shook his head, fist clinching. "It was you. I'm sure."

"Why ever would I rob the galleries collection for a few pieces of jewelry?" Loki snorted.

"I don't know, Luke." Walker stares, unflinching. "Why would you?"

The god spreads his hands wide, uncaring, not gracing the man with a vocal response. For a long moment the two gaze at one another, a silent battle of wills dominating the space. Neither looks away when Loki speaks.

"I know what you're doing, boy," he says in a low tone. "And she won't have you. Not while I'm here."

"She doesn't deserve you. Not after this. I'll tell her. Or," he pauses. "You can."

Coolly, Loki swallows the last of his water. "I have nothing to tell."

Walker attempts to stare down the god again. "Then leave. Get out. She doesn't need you. Tatiana's a great girl-better than you deserve. You'll just bring her down, Laufeyson. I won't let you do that."

"Oh, won't you?" The god bares his teeth. Godly visage follows, complete with his typical Asgardian attire. The doctor is left realizing that this week really hasn't been his week.

-XXX-

Thor took women. The warriors had lovers. Even Loki took one willing court lady to bed, occasionally. But he'd never kept them. That was neither his intent, nor theirs. He has never claimed a woman, as his brother has, nor ever wanted to. Females, non-warrior or scholar or royal females, were distractions in his life. He had his studies, his magic, and his aspirations to tided his appetite.

Besides, he was never considered particularly handsome for Asgard's standards. Compared to the bronze and fair brother, the slighter, darker sibling was often overlooked. His mother might brush back his hair, smile softly, and say he was the most handsome of the realm, and he may smile back indulgently, but Loki Odinson knew it was Thor who held the title of family beauty. And, for a time, he was content to being the intelligent one.

Then the phrase their father had said echoed about the young man's head.

"You were both born to be kings."

Were they? Were they really? Why, if two kings dwelled in the house of Odin, was there only one kingdom to be had?

Would Loki be forced to find his own way? Accept table scraps as always?

He brooded a long time over these questions. The dark young man, stuck in the shadows of his father's court, watched as Thor was honored over and over with gifts and feathery words he did not deserve. He saw the women fawn. Their own father beaming with a heart full of pride. Loki might performed the greatest of magics, but it would always be Thor. The blessed elder son.

Thor would rule as clumsily as the hammer he wielded. Loki had the grace and finesse to reign as a true king. A good king. A great king.

"If only father were able to see…."

Then came the day Loki realized why his father would never see him as the ruler of Asgard. He saw it in his own reflection, and in his arm on the day Thor was cast out. Skin the colour of slate and the temperature of ice. Eyes a bloody red. He was a beast. A cold Jotun beast. And no Jotun could rule Asgard.

He was born a king. Just not a king of this realm.

Therefore, he would have to find his own.

He did, in Earth. Found a realm and a peoples he could rule. However, other didn't quite see his vision, and he had been forced to back down. Down, in a physical sense.

But, if it were not for that, he may have never met his reader, collected the museum pieces, nor found new strength.

"Oh yes. I shall be keeping all of these things."

-XXX-

Holcomb calls me that evening. I'm on my way home from work. Actually, I'd actually just gotten off the phone with Luke - - -we're going out for dinner, downtown to a locally famous steak place. He'd said, in that sympathetic, smooth and low voice, that of course I was stressed. With the robbery, I must be under such strain. So, why don't we go out tonight?

Almost like a date. Almost.

The number is unfamiliar to my phone, so I answer with caution. "Hello?"

"Tatiana Deror?"

The voice is familiar. "Nurse Holcomb?"

"Yes," she says. "I'm sorry to trouble you, but have you seen Joseph, by chance? Or maybe received a call?"

"Doctor Walker?"

"Yes," she repeats shortly.

"No, I haven't. Um, should I have?"

"He was going over to your house this morning." I can practically hear her frown, taste her confusion. "To see you."

Baffled, I turn down my radio, fiddling with the other buttons as I say, "That's weird. He knows I was I work. I mean, he called me this morning wanting to go out for coffee, but I had to turn him down. Is he missing, or something?"

"He's more than three hours late for his shift."

I straighten. "What?"

"I know. It's not like him," Holcomb says worriedly. "Have you really not heard from him?"

"No, I'm sorry." My drive is coming up. I shift the phone, turning the wheel. "I will give him a call, and let you know if he turns up. Maybe he just…slept in?"

"Maybe," Holcomb agrees helplessly. "And, maybe, if you're in the area, could you stop by his house? Maybe try the door, see if he's in. This just isn't like him."

I think of my dinner date. It should be no problem to make a quick trip to Joseph's home. I have been over there before, dropping off some baked goods when Joseph had the flu almost a month ago. I know where it is. I feel a little guilty for not thinking of this before. "Oh, yeah, totally! I will call you if I find anything out."

"Thank you."

"No problem."

Walking up my sidewalk, I give Joseph's cell and house number a try. Nothing. I frown.

Luke greets me from his armchair, rising when I'm inside. "Tatiana."

"Hello," I pause from setting down my purse and keys on the small bar in the foyer. Tilting my head, I ask, "Did Joseph Walker come by sometime today?"

Luke stops before me. Inches away, I'm forced to look up.

"No, I do not believe so."

I raise a brow. "You don't think so?"

"I have not seen him," Luke amends. "He has not come here."

Curious. I drift away from him, musing. Deep in thought, I go to the kitchen, ready to fill Winchester's dinner bowl. He hasn't come to say hello yet, as he usually does. He's a cat, though. They're inconsistent creatures. I think nothing of it.

"Why do you ask, my dear?"

Luke has followed me into the kitchen.

"Oh, someone was calling after him." I say dismissively. "He missed his evening shift. Before we hit up the downtown scene, I want to go to his house. To make sure he's okay. "

My housemate doesn't look pleased, but nods. "Of course."

I take a few minutes switch out my attire for something more fun- - my floral-patterned blouse for a dark blue silk tank, dressier jeans, some glittery wedges, and one of my long silver-stand necklaces with a pink stone as the charm. My hair requires a little help- - - a few twists of my curler, some hairspray. I spritz a touch of lavender body spray on my neck, layering it with vanilla. It's not a date, but I still want to look nice. I balance my way downstairs on those wedges. Luke waits at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes liquid, looking crisp and clean. He's in a sage dress shirt, and a pair of charcoal trousers. He looks positively fresh. A sigh accidently slips from me. Luke grins.

"You look lovely. A vision to behold," he says in that oh-so charming tone I can never believe. Pure silk. I accept the arm that is offered to me. And we're off.

-XXX-

Joseph doesn't answer his door. His car isn't in the drive or the garage. I bit my lip, turning on the doorstep, searching uselessly. Where could the doctor be?

To my supreme luck, one of his neighbors beckons me over. An older woman, dressed in an ankle-length muumuu of bright orange, she peers at me from owlish glasses. Humbly, I ask if she's seen Dr Walker today. She squints at me.

"Joseph? He left around noon this morning, after bringing up my paper from the driveway. He's a nice boy."

"Yes ma'am, he is," I agree. "I was just wondering, since he didn't show up for work."

"Oh." She blinks. "That's not like Joseph. Not like Joseph at all."

Again, I agree. "Would you tell him to call the hospital, if you see him?"

"Of course. I do hope he's okay, honey. What was your name again?"

Back in the car, Luke leans across to ask, "Any luck?"

"No," I sigh. He'd remained in the Volvo while I searched. "I guess he took a personal day. He said sometimes he went to lake, fishing, or biked the trails there. He didn't mention anything about it this morning, though. I just hope he's alright."

To my surprise, Luke pats my shoulder kindly. "I'm sure he is. Perhaps he was a little put out over your rejection of him last night."

I flush. "I didn't realize you were listening in."

"You weren't exactly quiet," he says dryly. "Shall we go to dinner? I am sure Mr. Walker will surface soon."

I agree, and we leave.

-XXX-

I moved here, approximately a thousand miles away from my family, when I was twenty-one. I had just finished my degree, was looking for a job and a house. Winchester was my second roommate in this city - - -the first had been an ex, a lawyer fresh from his degree, rearing to take on suits. Win was also my last roommate, until Luke.

Coming to this city was an escape. I love my family dearly. Jay is my best friend. My mom understood me like no one. And my dad was just always there. But, that being said, I had to get out. Their love was overbearing. I needed to find a life all my own, free from their influence. I still wanted to be a part of what we were- - -The Derors, family of four, people who kayaked on weekends, who loved Chinese takeout, and could play Apples to Apples for three hours straight with no clear winner in sight. I didn't want to leave that identity behind.

When I left, it felt like maybe it could work. We could still be one happy family, though hundreds miles separated us. I thought maybe things could stay kind of the same, in a way. But then the time between phones calls became longer and longer. I came home less. Soon, we resorted to emails as our main form of communication. And even then it wasn't as though we were saying anything.

At the time when Luke came into my life, I hadn't been home in two years. The idea of family has all but slipped from my mind. I'd forgotten what it feels like to connect so easily with another human being. Sure, I mean, I have friends. Good friends, even, people I could spend days and weeks with and never grow bored. People I can talk to about almost anything.

But sitting here, in the dimly lit restaurant as waitresses and patrons bustle past, listening as he regales me with epics of his childhood, staring directly into Luke Laufeyson's bright and intelligent eyes, I don't think I've ever wanted to hear a voice so much in my entire life. I have never hung off of an individual's words, watched for the small gestures and expressions that accompany speech. Not being the type to sit back and listen, I've never had so much free dialogue.

And, in the middle of this steakhouse downtown, I know I am in love with being in Luke's presence. Maybe not him, so much. But his charisma and humor, the wit and drive just blows me away, and I am left at the end of the night thinking, "How did I ever live without this?"

-XXX-

Reviews are always lovely. Please and thank you! Questions, comments, critiques, I take 'em all.

~Dania