Loki felt nervous about speaking with Pepper and Happy. They had treated him well, but how would they react to this? Loki was an alien and had unusual abilities: would this be too much for them? He waited for them to come to him: he wanted them to process what Tony had to say before having to deal with Loki as well.
Eventually there was a knock on his door. He opened it to face a somewhat shaky but determined Pepper Potts. He gestured for her to come in. Pepper got straight to the point as was her style.
"Tony told me what was going on. You told him all your stuff to get it, so thank you. Tony said you would tell me and Happy too. Whatever it is know I won't turn away from you Loki. Nothing could cause that," Pepper told him.
Loki told her he really was Loki, and had left Asgard, and her eyebrows went up. To prove he was telling the truth he made a bouquet of multicolored flowers appear, changed his outfit and teleported across the room.
"It figures it would take the Norse god of mischief to keep up with Tony. Once that settles in Tony is going to become impossible. What made you leave," Pepper asked curiously.
He told her the whole story. She walked over to him put her hands on his shoulders.
"Tony needs all the help he can get. I'm glad you're here. You're no monster, Loki, and anyone who says otherwise will have to deal with me. Tony, you, Happy, Rhodey and I are family by heart. I won't let anyone mess with my shield brother," Pepper vowed with a glint in her eyes that ought to make any sane person worry.
She doesn't care and she really would stand up for me. She is another true friend. Loki slowly pulled her close for a hug. She hugged him hard and he spoke softly.
"Shield sister," Loki murmured. It was a promise.
Happy took the news calmly.
"I've met all kinds of people. I have to say I wondered because you just seemed so well, yourself, it was eerie," Happy mused.
"The events in the myths are mostly wrong. The part about Thor and the dress is one exception," Loki told him.
Happy howled.
"Well that's interesting!"
"Indeed," Loki replied with a grin.
"I agree with Pepper. No one messes with my friends. Shield brothers?"
"I would be honored my friend," Loki told him happily.
Once things settled down the four of them had a strategy session.
"Vanko's been locked up so we don't have to worry about him," Tony commented.
"Hopefully the prison system will be up to the task. Stern concerns me. He is just waiting for a loophole," Loki commented.
"What are we supposed to do about him Loki? Beyond an interesting prank, or three, I don't have any other ideas," Tony inquired.
"Pranks should suffice," Loki mused.
"Loki, how often and how long will it take to keep Tony as palladium free as possible," Pepper asked.
"He has to be in a place I can focus for me to remove it. Once a day to prevent buildup and more often as possible to prevent damage."
"Loki, if people see you with me all the time they will wonder what's going on. Plus, the company stuff is going to keep me from focusing entirely on solving this problem," Tony replied with a frown. He looked over at Pepper.
"Pepper, you're one of the best people I've ever met. You're smart, sharp and you can handle my drama. I'm not good at this… Look, this is a lot to ask, but how would you like a promotion," Tony asked her.
Loki's eyebrows went up. It would be a big move, but not alarm provoking if explained correctly.
"How would you like to become a CEO of the company? If things go sideways it'd still be yours," Tony continued.
Pepper looked at Tony in shock. She looked at her hands for a moment and then back at Tony.
"Things had better not go sideways. As CEO, I will need a personal assistant. That will be interesting," she said and gave Tony an amused look.
"I could help screen them. Who better," Loki advised.
"You could watch from offsite with help from JARVIS. Then they won't know they have to deal with you," Pepper suggested.
Loki grinned. It was the kind of trick that would be branded cowardice on Asgard but made perfect sense to him.
"You have a devious side."
"I have to keep up with Tony," she replied and Tony pouted.
"I'll keep my eyes out for anything," Happy pledged.
"Thanks Happy. When I told Rhodey he pledged the same thing. Hey Loki want to get some science in before the interviews," Tony asked.
"Do you even have to ask?"