A/N: I know, I know. It's been a while. But here's a chappy for you. And it gets things in gear.

(Also, cheers for the 700+ reviews! You babes.)

The god was fully healed within hours, and it had stunned Eva to see him discussing strategy with SHIELD's highest operatives. Clint still treated him warily, and it was not difficult to fathom why. Nor did Eva blame him – and Natasha's hand was almost constantly on the gun in her thigh holster.

Despite her lack of military knowledge, of strategy and tactics, Eva attended every meeting, listening more intently than she ever had to anything before, partly because she could not bear not knowing what was going to happen, partly because she could sense that Loki was more at ease with her in the room. No magical skill was needed for her to sense that, and she wondered if Loki realised the slight lessening of tension in his shoulders and posture when Eva sat beside him. No doubt the more acute of eyes noticed it – Natasha had more often than not eyed the two of them almost curiously.

The coffee incident had taken more than a few of them aback. Eva had disappeared for a few minutes, and returned with a coffee for herself as well as one for Loki. The god had raised a brow, which Eva matched with her own.

"It's no Nespresso, but it'll do," she said by way of brusque explanation. Loki gave her a long, searching look, before inclining his head and taking a sip of the beverage. Too bitter, but he was not rude enough to say so. Not now. Eva drank a little of her own, and arched an eyebrow at those who stared in silence.

"Just because I got him coffee, it doesn't mean he's in my good books," she said dryly. "He won't be until after we survive this mess."

"Good to know," came the quiet wryness beside her. "I'll keep that in mind, Ms Manning."

The discussions resumed then, and Eva remained quiet throughout them. Neither she nor Loki traded barbs. The situation was far too serious, and even Stark was usually subdued – though no one could blame him when he was forced to make plans with the man who'd killed his lover.

"There is nothing humanity can do," Loki said calmly. "You do not have the weapons needed to stop him."

"No, because you hid them away –" Natasha began, but Loki gave her a look.

"Not even your nuclear poisons will halt him. Earth is a young realm. It has much to learn. Thanos will crush this realm if he breaks through the barriers."

"But he won't," Eva cut in, glancing at Loki. "Will he?"

Loki met her gaze – and she did not like what she saw.

"I would hope not."

"We need a back-up plan –" Hill spoke up, but faltered as Loki slowly shook his head.

"All I can give you as a backup is the pathway to Asgard. The Bifrost. But Odin likely would not welcome swathes of mortals; nor would he appreciate Thanos finding his way there. Odin must protect the realms, yes – but his own comes first. It will always come first. If Thanos breaks through, Earth will fall."

Silence. Faces paled as the enormity of the situation set in. Thor was gazing at Loki, his expression thoughtful.

"The vault, Loki."

Loki's eyebrows shot up. "Odin would not allow it. He would not trust me with any of them, much less allow me to make use of them."

"You already have one of the artefacts," Thor reminded him. "It's been missing for months. I know you have it."

"The Casket is rightfully mine." Loki's voice was hard. "Do not presume to tell me I am not permitted it."

"You disdain your kind, and yet you cling to their source of power," Thor said, unusually perceptive. "You cannot do that, Loki. You cannot tread the line anymore."

"I am Laufey's son. Why should I not have it?"

"Because you are not their king."

Loki suddenly snapped – and everyone instinctively flinched back as a long golden spear was aimed at Thor's throat.

"Why would I want to be king of that godforsaken rock of a realm?" he hissed. Thor's expression did not change.

"It is godforsaken because you make it so," came his even-toned answer. "If you were to give them back the Casket, Jotunheim would flourish."

"And Asgard would be attacked! Does the golden prince desire that?"

"Don't be a fool, Loki." For the first time, steel edged the elder brother's tone. "Put the spear down. It won't do any good here. Spare your anger here and save it for the enemy."

Loki stared at Thor, and no one could be sure whether he'd strike or not. A gentle hand rested on Loki's, over the spear.

"That's enough, Loki. Focus."

Loki was deathly still, and then his head slowly rotated to face the woman sitting at his side, jaw tensed, cheekbones sharp. Eva's eyes, somewhat shadowed with anxiety and lack of sleep, brought him sharply back to earth. The spear vanished; it was followed by a collective relaxation of posture at the table.

Eva did not move her hand, and it was perhaps that which kept him calm as the discussion continued, everyone at the table grateful for her intervention. She might dislike the god, but she had a hook in his heart, and all could see it.

But the two individuals were loath to admit it.

It was an elephant both were content to ignore until the day the trumpeting become too loud to ignore.

And both hoped it never would.

"I'm taking you back to your family."

Eva froze in her room, the clinical feel suddenly far too stark for this conversation, and then she slowly shook her head, her heart sinking at his horribly final statement. "No."

Loki didn't even blink, far too used to her defiant nature by now.

"No arguments, Eva. It's not safe for you here. And if Earth falls, I do not want to deprive you of your family."

Surprising her again. That was almost caring of him. Still she shook her head again, tapping his chest.

"You expect me to sit by while everyone else pitches in?"

He gave her a frank look. "Yes. You are neither god nor 'superhero', as the mortals seem to be so fond of using that term. You are a scholar. This is not a fight that will be won with words, and as such, I cannot risk your life."

His lips pressed to her forehead, taking her completely aback, as did the sigh that followed.

"I do not disregard your ferocity, little lioness," he murmured. "You are one of the bravest mortals I know. A fool, perhaps, but a brave one nonetheless."

Eva surprised herself by embracing him, the smell of leather and danger and him filling her nostrils. There was a pause, and then his hands held her close.

"Be careful," she whispered. Loki closed his eyes, smiling.

"Chaos is never careful."

"Then try. And if you fail, I'll slaughter you far worse than Thanos ever could."

Loki laughed. "I will hold you to that."

"Good."

Minutes later, and Eva hugged her family. Loki stood apart from it all, watching with a strange pang in his heart as familial love bloomed in the room. Eva glanced at the long line of his body when he turned to go, her mind calling out to him, and as he turned his head, they simply gazed at each other. Just one, solitary second.

And then, he was gone.

Eva shut her eyes and forced herself to smile as her family bombarded her, pushing her worries to the side, for the moment ignoring the fact that humanity could be extinguished in a matter of days. Loki had not told her how close Thanos was, but she could tell by the look in his eyes. No words had been needed.

She wondered if they'd ever exchange words again.

Loki paused as he returned to the Helicarrier, only one step taken, and a sickening feeling imploded in his gut as his magic told him everything.

They are close.

They are coming.

Without telling anyone, he shifted straight to the nearest monolith.

His palm rested on the rough stone, and he gazed up at the sky, at the unseen guardian.

"Inform Odin."

And then he activated the shields.

A/N: Welp. There we go.

Lightning xoxo