All right, here's the next chapter! Sorry it took me so long to update today, I went up to see a car show and it took all morning. Lots of driving involved. XD Aside from that, though, I found my OC's dream car and some other cool looking stuff, so that was fun! Anyway, back to the story!

Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Robin.

Yet again, I found that I simply could not sleep. The only difference was now I was not restless. It was quite the opposite, really. There was a sense of blissful excitement within me, and there was an odd, but warm feeling I felt. I couldn't help but constantly think about Loki, our most recent encounter, and that kiss. Gah! I've been turned into a giggling, teenage girl! I thought with slight dismay, I thought that being an adult now would get me past that stage! I sighed, but it didn't really feel that awful. It was actually kind of nice having something to look forward to in my day. I smiled softly, but silently cursed my excitement. I was unused to such a feeling, and I didn't know my own opinion on it yet. On one hand, it was a nice emotion overall, but on the other hand it was annoying that I couldn't sleep.

I sighed and wrapped my comforter tightly around me, closing my eyes and trying to relax and calm down. Thankfully, sleep eventually found me as I fell into a relaxed breathing pattern. I slept dreamlessly. In the morning, I yawned and opened my eyes, seeing the warm light filter in through my window. I glanced over at my digital alarm clock and widened my eyes. "Shit! I'm late!" I leaped out of bed, throwing on the nearest clothes I could find, haphazardly brushing my tangled mass of hair and reapplying any streaks of violet that were faded. Once I was satisfied with my hair, I ran down to the kitchen. Today was going to be a busy day. Today we'd get the results of the evidence for the break-in.

I was hopping awkwardly down the stairs, trying to pull on my black knee-high socks as I went down. I stepped wrong and slid down the rest of the stairs, getting my last sock on completely. I cursed silently at myself and stood up, smoothing out my shirt and glancing over to the kitchen table. All of the other Avengers were already sitting around the large, round table and were eating their breakfast. They all immediately stopped eating and stared in my direction, obviously hearing me trip down the stairs. My face turned red under their gaze, embarrassed from my utter fail at going downstairs. Stark raised an eyebrow, "Overslept?"

I nodded, straining to keep myself from entirely freaking out about how everyone looked at me, "Yeah, a bit. . ." I avoided eye contact and kept myself busy by fixing an egg sandwich with a few slices of ham on it. Once it was cooked, I sat down between Natasha and Ayame. I just stared at my plate as I silently ate my breakfast.

Natasha glanced at me, "So, you've got a villain talking in your head?"

I looked at her and sighed, "You heard, huh?"

"Yeah, Steve told me when I asked where you were." She looked at me, slight worry in her eyes, "You gonna be okay?"

"What? Oh, yeah. It's not like he's threatening me or anything." I glanced over at Steve, who was munching on come Cheerios, and grinned teasingly, saying in a louder voice, "The worst he's done so far is hint that he wants to have sex with me."

Steve's head snapped up, his eyes bugging out, "WHAT?!" He looked so terribly frightened at that comment.

I tried to keep a straight face and continued, "Yeah, might even be bondage." Steve stared at me, completely and utterly speechless, it seemed like he wanted to say something, but he could only open and close his mouth like a fish out of water. All of the color drained from his face and the poor man looked like he was about to faint at any second now. I couldn't help myself and cracked up laughing. "I'm only kidding, Stevey!"

The other Avengers were just as speechless as Steve was, each with overwhelmingly comical looks on their faces, but they had lightened up and started busting up laughing. "Wow, she really had you going there, Capsicle!" Stark teased and lightly hit my shocked brother in the arm. Steve was still speechless.

Loki laughed, I do believe you gave your brother a heart attack!

I giggled, trying to get my breath back a little from laughing so hard, Yeah, I think I did! "Sorry, Steve, but I just couldn't help myself. I just had to troll you like that!"

Steve let out a sigh of relief and slumped back in his chair, "You scared me there for a moment! I thought that you actually meant it!"

I grinned, "That was the plan!"

"I will admit, it was a very convincing act," Natasha giggled.

I mock bowed, "Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week!"

Some color returned to Steve's face and he relaxed a bit, "Well, you got me, Robin!"

I giggled, "You're damn right I did! Man, you should've seen the look on your face! It was priceless!"

Natasha laughed for a little bit more before going back to the original subject, "So you're okay then?" she asked, looking at me in the eye.

I nodded, "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

"Because he could've driven you insane with his constant talking."

Now, that's not true! Loki protested, I haven't driven you insane.

I giggled, "Yeah, he likes to talk a lot, but I've grown used to it." If you had succeeded at driving me insane, you would've known it by now.

I see.

"Is it weird?" Ayame asked, sincerely curious.

I nodded, "A bit. It was definitely a shock at first, but it's not too strange now."

She nodded, "Ah, okay."

I finished my sandwich and quickly downed a glass of milk before standing up. "So, we ready to go catch some criminals?"

"Actually," Steve said, "We're splitting the team up for a bit now. Some of us will be going out to find Loki, and some of us will see to this break-in." He paused and looked to me, "Has he hinted anything to you about where he is?"

"Like he would do that," I mumbled, and then spoke up, "No, not at all."

Steve nodded, "Worth a try on asking. . ." He turned to the others, "Thor, Ayame, Clint, and Bruce, you guys can do a sweep around the area and try to find Loki." All four of them nodded and headed out. Steve looked to all who were left, "While they're out there looking for him, we can get started with tracking down the convicts." Natasha and Stark left to go suit up. I was already suited up for the most part and sat down to pull on my boots. Just as I was about to walk out the door after Natasha and Stark, Steve gripped my shoulder to stop me, gently, but also firmly. "Oh, and Robin? Please don't joke about what he says to you."

I looked him in the eyes and nodded, "I know. I really am sorry about that, but it slipped out of my mouth before I thought about it."

"I know. It's just . . . I'm worried about you, Robin."

I gave him a reassuring smile, "I'll be fine, Steve. Don't worry, I have everything under control."

"I hope so. . ." He let go of my shoulder and followed after the other two who were waiting for us.

I overheard Stark say to Steve, "Oh, relax, Captain, she's twenty seven, she can handle herself!" I silently thanked him for that comment.

"I know, but it still worries me."

I hung back for a bit, drowning in my own sea of worried thoughts. Yep. That settles it. I'm dead if he finds out.

I would not let him kill you, Loki said softly.

Thanks. Hopefully we won't have to worry about that, I replied quietly, and then I sighed and walked towards the group. I said nothing as I crawled into the back seat of a black car and buckled myself in. I stared out the window absently as the car started and we drove away.