Well, this is embarassing. Apparently I excel at fuck ups. Sorry about posting that other fic by mistake. Here it is, I finally updated.

10

"Or-or at least I knew where it was, but they might have taken it away, I couldn't- it was the same place, but I saw their faces this time, I even heard-"

"Paton, stop your yapping and tell me exactly what you mean."

It took a while before I could properly produce my evidence to him, the words came out in babbling brooks until I composed myself (but then again it might have just been his magic). I felt airy and light headed and so I drew a breath and explained at length:

"There was a delivery, in South Dutton, not far from here, that came from overseas. It was mighty heavy but not very large, I know, because I made that delivery myself, with you in the passenger seat."

Loki crossed his arms and listened more intently, so I continued.

"You were injured and weak, you didn't sense it. I couldn't possibly have. We still hadn't the sceptre," I reasoned. "The house on Palace Street, it struck me as odd. They took the package from me right away and sent me out, like they didn't want me hanging around. The place hadsome pretty tight security too, like they were guarding something."

Loki's brow creased and he sucked in a breath of air, "Unbelievable."

"I had to make another delivery at the house on Palace Street today," I continued as he paced up and down. "I thought I overheard something but it didn't strike me until I was halfway here. They were talking about the hypercube."

"It's been under our noses this whole time," he growled.

"Well that's my hunch, but it's been more than a week, we can't know for sure if it's still-"

"Of course it is!" He snarled bringing his fist down on the table.

I hadn't noticed my heart was still thudding from all the stop signs and red lights I had jumped. I took several deep breaths but the sudden rush of oxygen to my brain made me dizzy and I had to sit down.

"What will you do now?" I asked wearily.

"What must be done, of course."

"You're going after it?"

"They wouldn't relinquish it so easily," he whipped around furiously. "A new plan - a new plan is what we need."

"We?" I asked smally.

"The Chitauri are still non-cooperative."

"What do you mean, they're signing off their entire army to you aren't they?!"

"Yes, but the emissaries in the back yard refuse to take orders from me unless I have delivered the cube."

"So couldn't you just magic the cube out and into our house?"

I caught myself: Our house? When did this become our house? Well he lives here too, you know. Oh sure, the tyrant. Why not. Yeah why don't you offer up your soul to him as well?

"I will need your help."

I swallowed. Obviously I had offered up my soul to him.

The Chitauri had been busy in their little spaceship. Building, Loki explained. Sometimes at night I would see a sinister green flash against the windows. I would lie awake, wondering if any of the neighbours had caught wind of the late night activities in my back yard. Perhaps not. The woods were all the enclosing I needed. In retrospect, Loki could not have found a better place to recuperate and plan. I would usually reconcile myself with this and fall asleep.

During the day, I would find him frowning hard at something, as if he was willing it to explode.

"Loki, would you like some oran-"

"Paton, please, I'm trying to think!"

He would talk to himself a lot and had gotten into the habit of leaving the bedroom door wide open, so his pacing and mumbling filled the whole house. On some nights he would let me in on his plans, rattling off about things that were, and I will admit, beyond my comprehension. From what I managed to gather, he was planning a heist. A god planning a heist. It was laughable, but something about his countenance and words kept my face straight.

A long warm shower was exactly what I needed to ease my bones. I didn't count on getting one. I had stripped down to my underwear, a bottle of shampoo and shower gel under one arm, without getting into behind the curtains. This was just how hopeful I was allowed to be. I twisted the knobs with all my might and I received a rattle of pipes and a dusty sigh from the faucet. I could have almost cried. After a long moment I heard a gurgle and witnessed the first few drip drops. I jumped right in. It was ecstasy, warm, liquid ecstasy.

Loki had been in my room, meditating over one of his devious plans, I supposed. I left him with strict instructions not to disturb me for at least five minutes. In response, he waved his hand at me carelessly.

I spent more time under the soothing flow of water than I had intended. In fact, I was there so long the hot water had run out and I hadn't even noticed when it went cold. It was the first time in a long time I had been left alone with my thoughts and when they came, they came with the force of a tidal wave. I looked back on the past few weeks, unable to believe half the things that were burnt into my memory. My thoughts invariably ran toward the irksome Norse God who had colonized me and my home.

I had no doubt he would formulate a plan to acquire the hypercube. But if he succeeded, no, when he succeeded, what then? He would have his army and he would have all of Asgard on its knees before him.

So this is it. The final act. And then it's over.

And he would be gone. And I would still be here, making my deliveries and fetching the shopping for Riverside's old and indisposed. I would still be here with bitterness in my heart. With no family. With no one but the floor rugs and the TV and the stove over which I was constantly burning my meals.

Well, you're particularly dapper, today, aren't you, Paton?

I braided my wet hair,absent-minded, staring at a pile of dirty laundry that should have been at a South Dutton Laundromat weeks ago.

As I toweled off, I began to wonder what Asgard was like. The realm of the gods.

Oh, what a grand sight that would be, galloping over the bifrost in a coach drawn by ivory and sable mares. Of course I would never be welcome there. Of course you wouldn't, you puny insignificant-

Just then there was a knock on the bathroom door, "Paton?"

I sighed. How could I expect to be left alone a little while when I was clearly the household help for a reviving frost giant?

I bundled my hair in a towel and threw on a robe before pulling the door open, "Yes, Loki?"

"Paton," he said formally, dressed in his green magnificence (it would always shroud my humble interior), "I am leaving for a little while."

I did a double take, "Begpardon?"

"My attention is required by the Chitauri. It would not be safe to conduct the, er, experiment within proximity to these settlements. Thus, I shall be away, perhaps a few days. You may have your room back."

I glowered up at him, wondering if he expected me to curtsy and bless him for his kindness. He didn't. He merely offered me a subtle bow of the head and was gone. Another disappearing act.

I stared at the spot where he ha stood split seconds before and murmured, "But I wanted to help."

Okay y'alls; This chapter is for everybody who reviewed in the past few months while I was being a butt and not updating. SORRY. HERE YOU GO. I haven't even spell checked but just-here it is-here's more of this insane story and I hope you like :)

xoxo