Two chapters in one day. I promised you that I would have a new chapter very soon. I really enjoy getting reviews. Even if they're just a few words. They always help motivate me. Please enjoy.

I had decided to try and rest before Loki returned. I had eaten some food from the pantry and then settled on a particularly comfortable couch to sleep. When I woke, my body was sore and I was extremely thirsty. I hobbled to the bathroom and readied myself for another day.

When I managed to stumble out of the bathroom, Loki was waiting for me. Startled, I almost ran into him. I stumbled and he caught my arm. I noted that his grip was firm but gentle. When I tried to step away, he tightened his grip.

Looking up at him, I saw his jaw was set and he looked like he hadn't slept at all. "We have business elsewhere." His voice was smooth and emotionless. I knew what was coming next.

/

Tony had made arrangements for all of the Avengers to stay at the tower. Actually, Pepper had done the arranging. Tony had hidden from the others in his garage. He was currently reassembling an engine. As he worked, he wondered how much good the team could actually do to help Elizabeth.

Jarvis interrupted his thoughts. "Sir, I have detected an energy signature similar to that of Loki's in Times Square. Shall I alert the others?"

Tony stopped for a moment. "No, I'll go check it out alone. It might not be anything."

/

Loki and I appeared in the center of Times Square. I was surprised at the sudden bustle after being isolated for so long. Several people turned to stare at us and I unconsciously shuffled closer to Loki. He looked at me strangely. "You are to be completely silent. You cannot reveal anything to anyone by any means." His voice was low and smooth while he gave the commands.

I opened my mouth to protest but the tingling in my innards stopped me. He turned to walk away but I clung to his arm. I didn't want to stay with him, but I didn't want to be left in the middle of New York unable to communicate.

He turned and struck at me. As soon as I let go, he disappeared. I started to panic. I didn't know where to go or what to do. It was evening now and the constant flow of cars and people was deafening. Suddenly a pair of cold, hard arms wrapped around my waist. Then I was lifted from the ground. I screamed but regretted it immediately as pain racked my body. I closed my eyes against the stinging wind and held my breath till I was finally set down on solid ground.

The arms unwrapped but took hold of my shoulder when I stumbled. I looked up at the owner of the arms. To my mild surprise and great satisfaction I saw the half smiling face of Tony Stark.

"So what brings you to New York?" He grinned and raised his eyebrows playfully. I felt tears of relief prick my eyes. I finally gave in to my joy at being safe and leaned forward into his metal chest plate. Tears streamed down my face as I wrapped my arms around his waist.

The unnatural curves of the suit poked me at uncomfortable angles but I didn't want to let go. "Woah, woah." He exclaimed, awkwardly patting my back. "Salt probably isn't good for my paint!" I stepped back and wiped the fluid from my face.

The metal retracted and I looked at him sheepishly. I had just cried on one of the richest men in the world. Now dressed normally, he placed a hand on my shoulder. "It's pretty cold out here, lets go inside." Now that I thought about it, I was cold. And standing on a balcony wasn't helping.

He guided me through the glass doors and into a red carpeted room. Guiding me to a gold cushioned couch, he motioned for me to sit while he stepped over to a cupboard and poured two glasses of a dark gold liquid. He sat on the table in front of me and handed me a glass. "I think you deserve a drink after what happened." I took a tentative sip and let the alcohol drip a warm trail down my throat."Now," he said nonchalantly, "how did you end up back here?"

Before he had finished his question, Natasha and Clint burst through the door. Barton had an arrow nocked and aimed at me. I jumped up and Tony stepped protectively in front of me. "Hey Legolas, do you always come in without knocking?"

Barton glared at him."Jarvis said he detected Loki's energy signature in here. I don't think it's wise to trust her." He motioned at me and took a step closer.

Tony advanced on Barton. "I don't think she's a threat. When she showed up in the city, I went to go get her." He gestured at me. "Clearly she's had a rough time and you aren't making it any better. You are guests here just as she is now. This is my house and I will decide who is safe and who is not." Tony's voice was firm and just a little threatening.

Natasha whispered something in Clint's ear and he lowered his bow. He didn't look away from me. "Thank you." Tony's voice dripped with exasperation. "Now would you kindly get out." Natasha put her hand on her hip. "If she's going to stay here. I want to know how she got here and if we should trust your judgement." Tony looked over at me.

During their discussion, I had moved to stand behind a large arm chair. I had been told why Barton hated Loki so much and I didn't want him taking his anger out on me. Of all the Avengers, he frightened me the most.

...

After my initial agreement that all of the Avengers be told of my arrival, I was swept up into a flurry of activity. Now that everyone was seated in a variety of couches and chairs, I was expected to tell them everything that had happened. I decided that, despite Loki's magic, I would try to tell them everything.

With everyone silently waiting for me to speak, I was suddenly afraid that they wouldn't believe me. I took a breath and opened my mouth. Before any sound had reached my lips, the tingling sensation had already begun.

/

Tony was back in his workshop. He fiddled absently with one of his many projects. Elizabeth's attempts at communication had disturbed him. She never managed to croak out more than a few syllables before collapsing into a writhing heap. Writing had gone just as badly. Only a few frantic letters had made it onto the paper.

It bothered Tony that even at his tower, under his protection, she was not safe from Loki. He knew it had something to do with the collar. Each time she had collapsed, the green stone had seemed to glow. Jarvis had told him that the stone was the source of the energy and that each time Elizabeth had tried to communicate, it had given off more energy.

Tony had asked her if she had tried to remove it and she had showed him the cuts and bruises on her neck. Now she was resting in a room that Barton had insisted on guarding. Jarvis was monitoring her and Tony had retreated to his workshop for the rest of his sleepless night.

/

Bruce had been the first one to insist I stop trying for now. After the ordeal trying to write, he had picked me up and carried me to a bedroom. I had wiggled a bit in protest at being cradled like a child but stopped when I saw that his eyes were almost entirely green.

He set me down on the bed and gave my leg a reassuring pat. With a tired smile, he turned and left.

/

Bruce had felt the 'other guy' get increasingly restless throughout Elizabeth's attempts. It bothered the Hulk that he couldn't see what was hurting the girl. No one else in the room seemed to be causing the pain, but they weren't trying to help her either. The Hulk pushed on Bruce's conciousness.

Bruce resisted at first but when he realized that the 'other guy' just wanted to stop Elizabeth's pain, he let down a tiny portion of his barrier. The Hulk took the opportunity to push Banner's body into action.

The Hulk lifted the girl in Banner's arms. At a suggestion from Bruce, the Hulk carried the girl to a sleeping room. Bruce reassured the other guy that nothing would hurt the girl in that room and the hulk retreated reluctantly back behind Bruce's mental walls.

/

I found myself unable to rest despite my exhaustion. I wandered into the bathroom and splashed cold water over my face. Rubbing my face with a pure white towel, I tried to clear away all of the fear from the past few days. It had felt like weeks or even months had passed. Putting the soft towel to the side, I looked up at my face in the mirror. A chill shot down my spine. Beside my reflection was an unwelcome set of pale features. I refused to turn and face Loki, even when he reached out and set a hand on my shoulder.

I watched in the mirror as he leaned in, his gaze holding mine. His breath tickled my neck. "Two days, my pet, two days."

My mouth went dry. I only had two days with the people I trusted. Loki's gaze held mine still, watching his words sink in. He straightened and traced his fingers from my shoulder to the green gem in the collar. The stone grew brighter for a moment. Then Loki withdrew his hand and stepped back. "It is painful to have your words taken from you. Unlike my punishment was to be, I will restore your speech to you when I return." Loki's eyes betrayed just the smallest hint of sympathy and sorrow before he was gone.

/

Barton rushed into the bathroom. He had stayed on guard at the door for hours now. He was beginning to think he was overreacting like Tony had said. Then he heard the thump of a body hitting the wall.

He was already planning his 'I told you so' speech when he saw the girl slumped between the wall and the toilet. The smell of bile bit faintly at his nose and he noted Elizabeth's faint sheen of sweat. On the floor, half covered by Elizabeth's dress, lay a notepad and a broken pencil.

After making sure that Elizabeth was alive and stable, he inspected the sloppy writing. The letters were large and dark from pressing down hard. The message was short and simple.

Loki here 2 days.