Loki stared out the window, ignoring Dr. Nassar's latest question, as he ignored most of them. He wasn't certain if the doctor would ever ask about the case studies he'd left him to read, or if the irritating man would wait for him to bring it up. The psychiatrist had been visiting once a day since Dr. Gunnarssen - Kara, had left the tower. He began to sigh; catching himself he stretched his neck and massaged the ache in his right shoulder to disguise it.

"Are you in pain, Loki?" the mortal asked, a note of concern in his voice.

"No more than usual."

"How long have you had this pain?"

After glancing at the clock imbedded in the far wall Loki smirked and answered "For approximately thirty-eight minutes."

Nassar smiled. "Have you had this pain at the same time every day?" he asked.

"I am not having psychosomatic reactions to your presence if that is what you are inferring," he snapped, and twisted his shoulders to crack his neck and relieve some of the growing tension.

The human's eyes widened slightly. "Dr. Gunnarssen's notes mentioned issues with the dampening circuitry, has that worsened?"

He stood and paced the room, stretching as best he could in its confines. "Daily."

"Jarvis, disengage the lockdown protocol immediately, authorization Raj Nassar, M.D.," the doctor said.

Loki turned to stare as the AI responded. "Lockdown protocol disengaged, doctor."

The dissonance dropped off immediately, but the damage from this round was already done. His nerves were on fire. If he didn't need to be where Thor could find him when Odin finally decided to bring him back before the tribunal, he'd have left. His power had rebuilt sufficiently to override the dampening technology and shift out of the area without doing himself too much damage. He dropped back into the armchair rubbing his temples. "Not afraid of me, doctor?"

The man shrugged. "Not any more than with the lockdown in effect. You could easily have killed me before anyone could enter."

"You've yet to give me reason to," Loki responded dryly.

"I do have a finely honed sense of self-preservation," Nassar agreed. Loki opened his eyes to stare at the slender therapist. The man's chocolate-colored eyes stared back at him unwaveringly and a slight smile turned up one corner of his mouth.

"Apparently so. Tell me, doctor, why do you care about my pain?"

"Because I am a doctor. It's not just my job; it's my calling to relieve suffering."

"Ah, yes. Psychiatrists are medical doctors as well as therapists." This time Loki allowed the sigh to escape. "You are not going to ask if I've read the case studies, are you?"

… …

Raj let his smile deepen. The patience taught him by his Indian-born maternal grandfather and London-born mother had paid off again. The fish out of water existence he had lived with his Hindu mother and Lebanese Muslim father in largely Anglican England also helped him avoid the cultural traps that dealing with someone of another ethnicity, or in this case species, could bring. "If you hadn't felt it worth mentioning, why would I bother you with it?"

"Do you think…no, obviously you do think that I experienced something similar to these patients or you would not have asked me to read them." The Asgardian prince grimaced. "So simple a thing as gratitude, is it?" he continued, dropping his head back on the chair and staring at the ceiling. His chuckle was bitter. "It was a weakness to allow such a thing to happen."

"No, it was natural. Regardless of the species, living beings from those who barely have the capability to use tools up to those capable of higher thought all have the capacity for gratitude. And the depth of the gratitude, well, you were all but dead, if you recall."

"Regardless, it's a relief to know that I do not have any true feelings for this mortal. You have been helpful," Loki told him grudgingly.

"Ah, that is not necessarily the case, Loki, I'm sorry if you misunderstood."

That earned him a sharp look from narrowed green eyes. "Explain."

He'd have to step carefully here. "The type of situation that encourages a feeling or emotion to develop does not necessarily affect whether that feeling or emotion is genuine. Only time can reveal whether this attraction you feel for Dr. Gunnarssen is simply a gratitude inspired infatuation or something deeper." Loki frowned and cracked his neck for what had to be the tenth time in the past fifteen minutes. "Are you still in pain?"

"It will fade, as will these…false feelings, I've no doubt."

"I'd like to run a scan to determine…"

"No."

"I'm concerned about nerve damage. That could cause permanent issues for you."

"I'm a god, doctor. I will heal." The self-proclaimed god smirked. "If you are that concerned, have Dr. Gunnarssen return. Her gifts can speed my healing."

"We've discussed this. Your belief that Dr. Gunnarssen manipulated you is detrimental…"

"And I've read your case studies and have accepted that my belief was unfounded. Bring her back."

"I can't do that; it would be detrimental for her mental well-being." Raj continued. "Do you understand that a professional must retain their objectivity with regards to the patients they treat?" Loki ignored him and turned his head to stare out the window again. "Loki, your accusations gave her cause to doubt herself. She can no longer treat you, not even as an energy healer."

"Then I-I have wronged the woman, I should apologize." The voice was cold and hard. "Surely an apology would serve us both well, doctor?"

… …

"Sir, Dr. Nassar has disengaged the lockdown from Loki's suite," Jarvis informed him.

"The hell you say." Tony Stark pushed away from his workbench and touched the screen to his right. A view of Kara Gunnarssen's – Loki's suite displayed. Loki was slouched in the armchair, one hand behind his neck, wearing a somewhat pained version of his normal superior expression. Raj was seated in one of the wrought iron chairs, leaning slightly forward in what appeared to be an earnest pose, speaking emphatically, but not urgently. "Humph, doesn't look like there's a problem. Noted, Jarvis. I'll check with Dr. Nassar when the session is done. Alert me and open the inner door for Hogun if Snidely makes any threatening moves towards the doctor."

"Of course, Sir."

He switched the view to the corridor outside of the suite. The taciturn warrior was standing with his arms crossed, hands resting on weapons, staring at the closed inner door. "Yo, Hogun," Tony greeted once he'd activated the audio. "Everything looks cool in there, Jarvis will pop the inner door open for you if that changes." Hogun's mouth twisted into a grimace, but he didn't otherwise respond. "Ah, cool, you know, because he's half Jotun, get it?"

Hogun's eyes closed briefly. "I indeed 'get it', man of iron. I am ignoring your foolishness."

Tony closed the audio connection. "No one appreciates genius anymore."

"I appreciate it," Pepper said from behind him.

He swiveled his work stool to face her. "That's good to know. My, you are looking absolutely ravishing, what's the occasion?"

She sighed. "The benefit for the small-business owners who have had insurance claims denied under act of war exclusions; you are supposed to be there in fifteen minutes. Why aren't you looking debonair yet?"

"I hate benefits. All they want is for me to write a check. Tell you what, I'll write the check, you deliver it, and we'll all be happy."

"I won't be happy. Besides which, they want to see the man who saved the city. Get your tux on, playboy. Don't forget to trim your goatee, it's gotten ragged."

"And what do I get out of this?" he grumped half-heartedly.

"The satisfaction of doing a good deed." She smiled when he snorted. "A chance to bask in the adulation of your adoring public," Pepper amended.

Tony stood, wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her cheek. "Better…"

"And a chance to see how ravishing I look under the lovely outfit I've charged to your account after we get back."

He blinked, decided to ignore the comment about who was paying for the dress, and grinned. "Now that is an incentive. Give me ten."

… …

Raj stopped in surprise as Tony Stark and Pepper Potts stepped off the elevator dressed in elegant evening attire. "Raj," Tony began. "Talk to me. Why did you lift the lockdown?"

"I don't believe it's useful, and it's causing unnecessary pain to the patient."

"Ooookay. Now, let's pretend I don't care how much pain Gozer is in. Why isn't it useful? We're supposed to be containing him until Goldilocks gets his royal patootie back here."

Raj smiled. "I'm not on Kara's level, but I am a sensitive." Stark spread his hands questioningly. "I cannot use energy, but I can feel it. Quite frankly, Tony, Loki is still with us because he wishes to be." His smile broadened as the color drained from the billionaire's face. "Director Fury has agreed to meet with us in his office tomorrow morning regarding new developments. Please be there, nine sharp."

Stark stared at him for a moment then looked down the hall to where the Asgardian currently on duty, Hogun, stood waiting. "Hey, samurai, is that true? Is Loki able to pull from his bag of tricks again?"

Hogun shrugged. "That I do not know. But I agree; his demeanor is such that he is here of his own free will."

"So we can safely leave the lockdown off?" Tony asked.

The Asgardian's smile was grim and did not reach his eyes. "There is nothing safe when it comes to the God of Lies and Mischief."

"Okay, Christ, I don't have time for this right now. Uh, Hogun, if he tries anything and you think it will help; Jarvis will initiate the lockdown for you. Quite frankly, I don't give a shit if it causes him pain, capiche?"

"He means do you understand," Raj supplied at Hogun's puzzled look.

"Understood."

… …

Kara hated mystery meetings, particularly when they were called by Nick Fury, or in this case his shadow-in-command, Maria Hill. She suppressed a groan as she saw the last…well, the next to last person on Earth she wanted to run into come around the corner. "But, my lady," Fandral said to Natasha, who was scowling. "Surely a warrior of your skill would welcome the company of a warrior who can match her in every way?"

Natasha's eyes narrowed and Kara winced. Fandral seemed to be making a play for every reasonably attractive woman he encountered. He'd already been threatened by Tony for his attentions to Pepper, but the man had obviously learned nothing. Fortunately, Hawkeye was nowhere in the vicinity. Natasha would be free to discourage him on her own without getting angry at Clint for interfering. Suddenly Nat's lips quirked in a very feline, feral grin, uh oh. "You are so right. I would, now, where has Hogun gotten to? Oh, wait; he's guarding Loki. Hmm, I suppose I'll need to wait for Thor's return." Fandral stopped short with a forlorn expression as Nat quickened her pace. "Is he still following?" she hissed.

"No. Heading to Fury's meeting?" Kara told her.

"Where else. Shall we?"

She grinned and accompanied the other redhead down the hall. Fandral was still staring at the Black Widow's purposely swaying hips as they left him behind. "Any idea what the meeting is about?" Kara asked.

"I thought you would know, Raj Nassar asked for the meeting."

"Hmm, no, he didn't share. That's disturbing." They entered the Director's office and found Nick and Raj waiting for them, as well as Agent Hill and all of the Avengers other than Thor and Stark. She checked the clock. "Oh, good, we're not late."

"No," Fury agreed. "Stark is about to be. Have you seen…" he trailed off as Fandral strode into the room, his exuberance fully restored.

The roguish Asgardian looked around the room and then quickly claimed a seat directly across from Hill. This, she thought, was going to be entertaining. "Ah, lovely lady, might I know your name?" he asked, his features assuming a love-struck look.

Maria frowned at him. "Agent Hill," she said coldly and turned her attention back to the datapad she held.

… …

Nick Fury frowned at the Asgardian version of Errol Flynn. "Okay, people. We have a dilemma. Dr. Nassar is of the opinion that…" he broke off as Stark strolled in. The billionaire was wearing black jeans topped by a ratty dark grey sweatshirt with the sleeves pushed up over his forearms. The reactor's glow was muted by the fabric. "Stark, do you not have clocks in your tower?"

His shrug was nonchalant. "Of course, but you can't rush genius."

Clenching his jaw, Nick continued. "Dr. Nassar informs me that the power dampening technology is only marginally effective on Loki. In addition, it may be causing him nerve damage. I do not want to explain to Thor why we subjected his brother to nerve damage if there is no justification for it." He glanced at Dr. Gunnarssen who had paled. "Doctor? You have a comment?"

She sighed. "Not a constructive one, no."

Fandral's annoying good humor had been squelched. "Director, if your technology cannot contain him, then the most Hogun or I could do is delay him should he get it in his head to cause problems here. Blade to blade we are more than his match, but unfettered, he will use magic we cannot counter."

Frowning, Nick watched Nassar and Gunnarssen confer in whispers. "Doctors?"

Raj Nassar smile was small, but it was there. "I do not believe we will have any problems, Loki wants to be there. He has had every opportunity to do harm to me, yet has not given in to his annoyance with my presence, and I assure you, I have been terribly annoying to him."

"And you recommend that the lockdown protocol not be engaged?"

"I must insist that it not be engaged."

Stark sighed. "He's gotten to you too, Raj? I didn't think you swung that way."

"Hardly. Loki refused to allow me to run a diagnostic scan on him to confirm my theory. However, I ran one on Kara last week. It is minor, but she has already suffered nerve damage from her exposure to the technology and that exposure was minimal. Loki has been subjected to it daily for two weeks now. We cannot, in good conscience, continue to cause harm, particularly since there is no purpose in it."

… …

Tony frowned and rubbed a hand over his face. "Shit. Kara, I'm sorry, I had no idea."

"Forget it, Tony," she told him. "You had no way of knowing and I did volunteer. But now that you know what it does…"

"Yeah, I know; back to the drawing board." He stared at her for a moment. "Okay, being objective, if you can, should I clear all but necessary personnel from the tower?"

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence. Pepper is my friend. Do you really think I wouldn't tell you if I thought she wasn't safe?"

"You were the one who was in…"

"Don't go there, Tony," she warned, then broke off and pressed her fingers against her left temple.

"Kara?" Nassar said. "How bad?"

"Sharp, deep. It's fading now."

"You were trying to suppress again?" Raj continued.

"Duh. The last thing I want to do is set something on fire in the middle of the helicarrier."

Tony swallowed. "Jesus, Kara. I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

"You never mean to hurt people, yet you do it repeatedly. It's getting old," she muttered.

"Yeah. Hey, Raj, when you disengaged the lockdown, I checked on you and Loki was in pain, just like Kara. Does that mean he was suppressing the urge to use some kind of mojo?"

"It does. As a therapist, I tend to annoy my patients by insisting they face truths they'd rather ignore. He was in pain frequently as a result."

"Okay, what the hell. The lockdown stays off."

… …

"There is one other thing we need to discuss," Raj told the group.

"I've told you my opinion on that, Dr. Nassar," Fury grated.

"You have. I do not agree with it." He waited, staring into the director's one eye until he gave a sharp nod. "Loki has requested a visit from Dr. Gunnarssen. He now accepts that he was mistaken and wishes to apologize to her. I believe that such an apology would benefit both of them."

Dr. Banner looked up from where he'd been scribbling on his touchpad. "Kara, can you handle that?"

She sighed. "I don't know, but I think I should go, regardless."

"I don't like it," Stark interjected.

"Stark, stand down," Captain Rogers spoke up for the first time. He had been sitting quietly at the far end of the table with Natasha Romanov and Clint Barton. Raj had noticed the trio paying close attention to everything, but declining to get involved in the discussion. "Your opinion…"

"It's my tower, I'm entitled to my opinion, flag boy. I'm the one whose digs are going to get trashed, again, I might add, if our nut job of a guest loses it."

"Doc," Clint asked, looking at Kara. "Can you and will you shut him down if he loses it?"

"Yes. I won't let anyone get hurt."

"Even if you have to hurt him?"

Her eyes drifted closed for a moment before she looked Barton in his. "If he acts out, I will make him stop, no matter what it takes."

Hawkeye exchanged a glance with Natasha Romanov, who nodded, and then he looked to Captain Rogers. "I say let her visit."

Raj looked around the table. Stark was obviously unhappy, as was Fury. The rest of the group was either noncommittal or grudgingly approving. "Can you clear your schedule this afternoon, Kara?"

… …

Author's notes:

Sorry for the delay, folks. Been plotting and working hard at the day job all week. This chapter is a bit choppier and longer than I'd like due to it trying to fit in two weeks of story time without going into too much boring detail.

The good news is that I have completed an outline for the remainder of the story! Also, for those who have been patiently waiting for the romance and the reason for the M-rating to seriously kick in, I promise it is coming soon and that (I hope) you won't be disappointed. Thanks for hanging in there!

I've finally come up with an Avengers code name for Kara, you'll be seeing that soon. Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'd love to hear some offerings for snark names for Tony to use…I'm not nearly the snark-master he is, and I'd appreciate your help, dear readers. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to leave it in a review.

Thank you!