Chapter Eleven

Over, Sideways and Under

Alex was unsure as to how long she remained secluded within the passageway. The music continued to thrum through the walls, joined occasionally by a smatter of laughter or a rowdy comment. Clearly the mead was flowing freely now, the sensibilities of the Midgardians long forgotten. Yet Alex found herself utterly detached from the frivolities, physically and physiologically. She knew she would have to return to the party, but in her current state, this would be impossible. Loki's rough embrace had rumpled the fine silk, while her desire mingled with his seed had no doubt left a stain. She imagined her hair to resemble a bird's nest and no doubt the kohl that darkened her eyes now ran in rivulets down her cheeks.

Damn you, Loki.

Her emotions toward Loki had always been ambiguous, yet Alex could not mistake the vicious emotion consuming her now. Fury. Unadulterated anger. She wanted nothing more than to find him; pummel her fists into his pretty face until he was completely unrecognisable. This desire made her even more furious. Never before had she been prone to thoughts of violence. Damn it, even as an agent she refused to use physical force unless absolutely necessary.

Finding a vestige of strength in her legs, Alex began her exploration of the tunnels. Her intent was to follow Loki, but this soon failed as she encountered a fork in her path. Glancing through a tiny hole in the side of one, she decided upon her route. Her mind danced with thoughts of her current predicament. Loki had corrupted her. She had never been angelic, but now she had allowed every vestige of self worth to go out the window. Loki had no reputation left and now he was feeding upon hers. The queen's opinion of her had been shredded, her sleeping patterns destroyed. Now he was stalking her to parties, ruining her dresses and making her violent.

The assignment to Asgard was everything she had ever wanted, and now Loki was putting it all in danger.

It had to stop.

Once convinced she was as far from the party as possible, Alex began exploring the internal walls for some kind of hinge or latch that would suggest an opening. Loki no doubt knew every nook and cranny of the citadel intimately, but her own lack of familiarity made Alex apprehensive. After several minutes searching, her fingers fell upon a sharp protuberance in the wall, which she experimentally pulled. Without a sound, the panel fell open.

The corridor was dimly lit by two small fire pits, but fortunately she recognised it. Keeping to the shadows, she ran the rest of the way, finally pausing before the ornate doors of her chambers. He was within, she knew it, and while her resolve was clear, she was entirely unsure as to how she would react. He was easily the most beautiful, the sexiest man she had ever encountered, but physical appearance alone was no excuse.

Her chambers were dark but for a thin line of illumination spilling out from beneath the bathroom door. From within, the light trickle of a running tap could be heard. Biting her lip, she ventured inside.

"I wondered when you would join me."

Loki was reclined within the tub of steaming, scented water. One of the golden taps was pouring a steady stream of richly scented bath oils into the mix. Already the God of Mischief's hair was wet, long pale fingers lathering her shampoo into his scalp. Part of her wanted to do this for him, but she fought the urge. This was no time to lose her nerve.

"Will you not join me? You look a mess."

She shot him a dark look. "And whose fault is that?" Slowly, her arms folded over her chest, a location that Loki's eyes seemed to be trained. "I want you gone."

Loki replied with a smirk. "If I had a gold piece for every time you said that..."

"I'm not joking, Loki. I want you to leave me alone."

"Make me."

"Fine!" Alex launched toward the door she had just entered. "I'll get Thor, shall I? Once he's seen the state of my dress I doubt he will question my claims that you..."

"I what? Raped you? You have consented every time." Though Alex had turned, she heard the rushing of water as he stood. Moments later, wet hands wrapped around her arms. His voice was soft when finally he continued. "You are serious?"

She nodded as he turned her once more. His damp body glowed gold in the lantern light, a mixture of their surroundings and his growing tan. Under usual circumstances, his appearance may have been comical, hair and body a mass of scented bubbles, but Alex knew better than to laugh. Grey eyes peered up into his green.

"Why? I was under the impression you enjoyed our liaisons as much as I."

Her lower lip quivered. "You are putting my job in jeopardy, Loki, and I can't permit that. I want to stay here, but what do you think they will do once they find out I spend my nights screwing the man who tried to take over my planet? I can't sleep, my work is sloppy, your mother knows and now you're ruining parties for me. Can't you see that this is not healthy, for either of us?"

"The Queen knows?" Loki frowned. "What did she say?"

"She made it clear that she disapproves, but she will not tell the All-Father." Alex pushed away his arms, moving toward the window. "She is worried about you."

"Worried about me? Why-?"

"She is afraid that I will hurt you."

"You hurt me? The woman is evidently becoming deluded in her old age!"

Alex turned swiftly, glaring at the man now sitting on her bed. "The queen is one of your few advocates here in Asgard; I suggest treating her with a little respect." She paused, allowing her words to sink in. "I am hurting you Loki. The more power I give you in this relationship; the less likely you are to be reformed."

Now his features were pressed into a sneer. "And what point is there in reformation? Once Odin has finished humiliating me, I will be handed over to your people. Something tells me I am not going to be allowed to turn native."

"How-?"

"My brother's tongue is less than still when he thinks no one can hear. He spoke of a location. I presume that it is for my prison, and I know you are involved."

Despite herself, Alex perched on the best beside him now. There was something in his voice that she had not expected. Hurt? Betrayal? "I can't speak of it."

Long fingers came to cup her face, lips lingering at her ear. "Do not give this up, Alexandra. If I am to be a prisoner for eternity, at least allow me a little time..."

"Do not try to sweet talk me, Loki. I won't tell you anything, and I won't let you have me again."

Despite the surety of her words, the reaction of her body was the complete opposite. A shiver caressed her as his tongue brushed the shell of her ear, moving down to her neck.

"I need you."

The fingers cupping her chin were now at her waist, bunching the light material of her skirt so that they could stroke the pale flesh of her thighs.

"You are insane," she murmured, before covering his lips with her own. His tongue was soft against hers as their bodies melded. Her knickers were pushed aside as he entered her, slowly, leisurely. The kiss was broken as she tilted her head back into the mattress.

"God damn you."

"I can hardly damn myself," came his response from between her breasts. Her fingers curled in his soapy hair as he gently bit a nipple before tracing it with his tongue. She squeezed him internally, causing him to utter a groan of his own, moving from her breasts to position himself above her, supported by his arms, while still continuing the slow, tortuous pace.

"I am supposed to be the one with all the power."

"My darling girl, you do have all the power."

oOoOoOo

Alex returned to the party two hours later to find an inebriated Darcy in a rather compromising position with Fandral; Thor and Jane partaking in the Asgardian equivalent of dirty dancing and Eric Selvig duelling Volstagg with a pair of breadsticks. Despite the fact that she was feeling a mixture of both revulsion (with herself) and sexual satisfaction, Alex could not help but laugh at the sight.

"Lady Alex! You have returned!" Thor boomed, momentarily disengaging from Jane to scoop Alex into a hug. "We were concerned!"

"I can see that," Alex smirked, adjusting her new periwinkle gown. "I spilled wine all over my last dress and had to change."

"Ha!" Thor clapped her on the back. "It seems as though you have partaken of too much wine! But you must have MORE!"

"I intend to," Alex replied, leaving Thor to Jane and making her way to the rapidly emptying buffet table. The servants who had been replenishing the stocks had started to partake of the victuals themselves, and were now lulling about the table with goblets in their hands. Alex was strongly reminded of the squire in Disney's Sleeping Beauty.

Grabbing her own cup of wine, she checked on Eric, whose breadstick was looking notably worse for wear. "Agent Beckett. We looked for you!"

"Well, here I am!" Alex smirked as the tip of the breadstick fell to the ground. Volstagg whooped gleefully, shouting something about victory: an action that drew Darcy and Fandral from their embrace.

"Oi, hoe, where were you?" Darcy pointed a finger accusingly. "I was about to go looking for your ass. And why is your dress blue?" The brunette glanced at her goblet. "What the fuck is in this stuff?"

"You," Alex chuckled. "Are at the second "o" in maggot. And my dress is blue because I changed it. Spilt wine all over it."

"But there's only one "o" in maggo-! OH! I get you!"

"There really isn't anything to get."

Darcy's face was pinched with confusion for a while, before she shrugged and turned back to Fandral. Standing on her tippy-toes, Alex glanced out over the crowd for any sign of Sif, but it appeared the Goddess of War had departed the frivolities. This was somewhat of a disappointment, as there was nothing Alex wanted more than for some wine-induced duelling. Her mental reverie was cut short as Eric fell to the ground with a loud "clunk".

"I'm fine! I'm fine!" He waved his hands around as Volstagg tried to help him to his feet. "I just tripped over this... grape!" The renowned scientist pointed to the pulverised ball of fruit at his feet.

With some help from Volstagg, Alex drew Eric to his feet, sagging under his weight. "I think I should get you to bed, Dr Selvig."

"Bed! Yes, bed is good."

"Yo Darcy," she yelled. "I'm just taking Eric to bed."

Darcy erupted in a fit of giggles. "You whore."

Fandral got to his feet, winking at the brunette. "My chambers are near Eric Selvig's," he slurred. "Would you care to accompany me there for-"

Darcy jumped to her feet. "Fuck yes. Oi Janey, we're all going to bed!"

Jane and Thor looked up, before sliding toward the departing group. Thor grinned, grabbing Eric from Alex's grasp. "We shall accompany you then!"

While a little disappointed that her second foray into the celebrations was so brief, Alex could not help but be slightly glad that she would soon be reacquainted with sleep. It was dangerously close to sunrise now, and as such Loki was unlikely to remain within her rooms. No, she would be free to sleep.

In was in this moment that the lopsided jumble of people in her entourage turned a corner, only to find the corridor occupied. A blank look passed over Thor's features as he attempted to ignore the presence of his brother. Fandral was too busy with Darcy to even notice him. The trickster was wearing nothing but a cream towel he had stolen from Alex's bathroom, his soiled pants draped over one arm.

"HIM!" Eric bolted from Thor's grasp, lumbering toward Loki with as much grace as the alcohol content in his blood would allow. Loki stepped back in shock, but was unable to dodge the surprisingly well placed blow to his jaw. The trajectory threw him into the wall, while the inebriated scientist continued his assault.

The group watched in shock before eventually Thor interjected, dragging the flailing Eric away from Loki's now hunched form. While bruises had yet to form, blood dripped from a cut in his lip. One eye was closed. Thor shot him a harsh glance. "Move away brother, quickly."

Loki obeyed.