A/N: Ugh, long chapter! And, we're nearing the end of this little story. Hope you're still enjoying!

Seds

Intermittent sirens wailed and emergency strobe lights flashed in the hallway. Loki hurried, searching for an exit, even though he knew full well that he wouldn't get far.

"This is all your fault, you know," he said, addressing his stomach. "Obviously, you're taking the initiative regarding which of us will meet our demise first; unfortunately for you, at this point, when I go, you go." He patted his tummy with some affection. "Didn't think of that, did you? Of course, you're only just a fetus, so your flawed logic is forgivable, but that doesn't make our situation here any less dire, does it?—Oh."

He'd only made it halfway down the hall when three of the men that had apprehended him in the first place came around the corner, still dressed in the jelly suits and carrying weapons. Loki put an innocent smile on his face, ran a hand through his hair, and straightened his stance to his full regal height.

"Ah, gentlemen, there you are. You're probably wondering what all the noise was about. Just a little equipment malfunction, no cause for alarm. Although, the young woman in the exam room could do with a bit of first aid—" One of the men ran off to check on her, while the other two leveled their weapons at Loki. He slowly raised his hands; by now, he almost welcomed being in SHIELD's custody. They wouldn't be able to save him from the Allfather, but they might at least slow things down a bit, maybe even give him a chance to see Tony one last time, if he were to somehow turn up. His musings were interrupted by the sight of Fury and Coulson running down the hall towards him.

Fury came to a halt in front of him. "What the actual fuck do you think you're doing?" Fury shouted, partly at the universe in general, but mostly at Loki.

"The lab tech is injured," one of the agents said.

"Oh, great. What the hell, Coulson, I thought you said your invention would disable the space freak's magical abilities?"

Coulson pursed his lips. "Well, it's not like I had anything to test it on. But, it should've worked."

"All right, well, throw 'the god's' ass in the slammer. Jack him full of sedatives if you need to," Fury directed. The agents stepped forward, prepared to wrest Loki's arms behind his back and cuff him.

But, before they could get close enough to do so, Tony came barreling around the corner, followed by two guards who were ostensibly in charge of him. He stopped dead at the sight of the agents wearing what looked like hazmat suits, but he quickly spotted Loki behind them and began loping toward him. "Loki!" he yelled. "Are you okay? Hey, Biohazard, leave him alone, he didn't do anything!"

Everyone turned to look at the agitated man advancing on them. In spite of the hopelessness of the situation, a burst of warmth surged in Loki's chest; So he did come for me, he thought. Poor stupid bastard, as if he could do any good. He drank in the sight of him, his little banty-rooster of a mortal, his beloved. It felt so good to see him, but he didn't want Tony's last memory of him to be of his death throes at the hands of Odin. "Stark, get out of here," he ordered in a strained tone. "I—"

But, all words and thought stopped as the building began to shake.

The air felt heavy, and a self-contained whirlwind arose from nowhere. Loki's heart sank. Well, of course. It was unfolding just as he'd expected. How typical, he thought. I finally found my love, my mate, and now I'm to lose him forever... Gods, I'm not ready. He glanced down and ran a hand over his belly. Strange little creature inside him. His child, Tony's child. And, you... Funny, in spite of all the trouble you've caused, I somehow don't want to lose you, either... Tony said they could give it a happy life, the fool. But maybe it would have been possible, if only... Well, no point in thinking like that.

It was too late.

The whirlwind abated, leaving two huge Asgardian warriors dressed in full battle gear in its wake. They pushed the bewildered SHIELD agents out of the way, bound Loki's arms behind his back and then forced him to his knees. More alarms went off, EMTs were streaming in to tend to the lab tech, Fury was screaming in disgust at the Asgardian intrusion, Coulson was staring, and Tony was fighting through all of them to get to Loki. In the confusion, he managed to reach him and he fell to his knees in front of him. He took Loki's face in his hands, his eyes wild with worry.

Loki smiled sadly at him. "I fucked up, Tony. I'm sorry. But, you should go. I don't want you to see—"

"I'm not going anywhere! Don't worry, it's okay, it's okay, we can still—"

"No, you don't understand. It's too late, a mortal girl was hurt by my misguided seidr, and that means I've reached the end. I'll be granted no further consideration." He rubbed his cheek against Tony's palm. "I've lost you. I've lost you both," he murmured.

But then, all went silent, the sirens stopped, the lighting dimmed, and Odin appeared, coming in like a last hot gasp of breath, imperiously bearing his spear, Gungnir. And, whether they wanted to or not, everyone became quiet and still. It felt as if all the air in the room had been pumped out and was now concentrated in the space between the Allfather and his adopted son.

"Loki," the majestic elder god intoned. "What have you done?"

Loki gave him a desperate look, but he spoke as calmly as he could, staring into the face of his once father, bearing the instrument of death in his hands. "I didn't mean to hurt her, Father. It was an accident, I swear. If only I could explain—"

Odin wore a deceptively merry countenance. "Oh, am I to suffer through another of your intricately-crafted lies? Or, perhaps your tongue holds the truth for once. Well, it matters not." His expression turned to a cold mask of disdain. "You have abused my trust for the last time. No more shame, no more humiliation at your hands, Loki. No more chances."

"But, she lives, Father! I was able to right my mistake. Please!"

"It matters not," Odin snapped. "Her heart stopped. She drew no breath. All because of you. Employing magic to bring her back does not erase the circumstance of her death one whit."

Loki looked up at Odin, pleading in his eyes. "It was not magic, sire, I used a Midgardian rescue technique, she should suffer no lasting ill effects. She—Look! There she is, on her feet! You see?" Loki jutted his chin toward the door where Jan was being guided out of the x-ray room with a small bandage on her forehead. She paused to stare at the strange men surrounding Loki, and then she sought Loki's eyes, quickly grasping the situation.

"Wait, what are you doing?" she demanded of the guards. "He didn't do this to me, it was an accident! He helped me! I'm fine, it's just a little cut—" One of the EMTs muttered something about a concussion and tried to persuade her to sit in a wheelchair, but Jan refused, insisting she could walk perfectly well and to leave her alone. The medical tech had to settle for hurrying her away from the scene in order to get her to the clinic for observation.

Odin didn't even bother to turn his head.

"I repeat, it matters not. You violated the terms of your release, as I knew you would. It is time to end this farce."

"So, am I to have no trial? No opportunity to plead my case?" Loki asked bitterly, knowing the answer perfectly well.

Nick Fury found his voice. "He's in my custody, Allfather. Why don't you leave him to us?"

Odin favored him with a slight laugh. "You are funny, mortal. My son's fate belongs to me, just as it has since the day I stupidly rescued him from Jotunheim." He raised his spear. "It is now my sad duty to end the disreputable life of one who once held so much promise. One for whom I had nothing but high hopes and expectations. One who—"

The despair on Loki's face turned to raw anger. "Hopes? Expectations? I was never anything to you but a curiosity! At this final hour, can you not finally admit that? You call me a liar, but it is you who's perpetuated the lie that has been my entire life. Give me this much, Father. Let me hear the truth fall from your lips before I die."

Odin gave a sardonic huff. "You've always made your own truth, Loki. Feel free to continue to do so here in your last moments." Odin again raised his spear.

"No!" Tony bellowed as he threw himself around Loki's thin frame. "Back off! Don't touch him!" The Asgardian warriors made to yank him aside, but Odin stopped them with a raised hand, and they reluctantly fell back.

Odin gave Tony a mildly curious look. "I have no wish to harm you, human, but you'd best get out of the way." He cocked his head, looking deeply into Tony's eyes. "What matters Loki's fate to you, anyway?"

"He's my mate," Tony said firmly. "And, not in the 'g'day, mate,'Australian sense, either. We're, you know... together." He pressed his forehead to Loki's for a moment and then glared defiantly at Odin. "We're a package deal, Highness—you take him, you take me."

"Stark, don't be an idiot! Get out of here, now!" Loki hissed.

Odin was now frowning, apparently mystified. "Don't be absurd, mortal. Your life is of no consequence to me, but I'm sure it is precious to you, even in its brevity. Step aside immediately."

When Tony showed no inclination to move, genuine fear showed on Loki's face for the first time. "Do it! He'll run you through to get to me. I don't want that, I don't want you to—"

Tony fixed him with a laser-like stare, forcing his attention to remain firmly on his words. "Listen to me—tell him about the baby," he whispered urgently.

Loki shook his head. "It won't matter. He won't believe me, he'll just think I'm stalling and that'll make it all the worse. Let me go, Tony. There's nothing you can do."

"Like hell there isn't." Tony stood up, standing protectively between Odin and Loki, and he gave the Allfather a look of pure steel, even though he was more than a little rattled knowing the god could smite him at any moment, smite the dickens out of him, with just a flick of his wrist. Still, he noted that Odin was watching him with some interest. He squared his shoulders and cleared his throat before speaking.

"So, Mr., uh, Allfather, let me get this straight. You wouldn't have a problem murdering a human, I get that. And, wow, offing your own kid, the one you raised from infancy, without even giving him a trial, that doesn't faze you. But, how about an innocent little unborn baby, huh? Would killing one of those freak you out at all? Maybe just a teeny bit?"

"Whatever are you on about?" Odin asked, rather indulgently. "What unborn baby?"

"Loki's pregnant. With my kid, in case you haven't tumbled to that." For a moment, the dull hum of the people still gathered in the hallway hushed completely. Even Nick Fury looked stunned. Then, he laughed.

"Stark, you are a case. What kind of bullshit tactic is this? If I can't have him, let the big guy visit justice on the creep that fucked up Manhattan and let's all get back to work, shall we?"

Odin raised a hand and the hush returned. "Mortal, have you fallen under Loki's spell? Has he convinced you of an absurd impossibility to win your favor? My sympathies, but know at least that you are in fine company. Loki's managed to work his seidr on the gods themselves. I regret to see your simple trust broken, but he is not capable of becoming pregnant, and—"

As insulated at they were in the underground fortress, they heard a sudden sharp clap of thunder. A deep, rolling rumble went through the building, and then, at the end of the hall, Thor and Frigga appeared. The little crowd gave way as they regally strode past on their way to Odin.

Thor surveyed the scene, and then gave a small deferential bow to his father. "Father, forgive the disturbance, but, at her request, I have escorted the Allmother to this strange underground dwelling as she has urgent need of speaking with you." He gave an uncertain sniff. "I trust this is all some sort of huge misunderstanding and that the two of you will... work it out. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must find Lady Potts and Bruce Banner." He bowed again, and turned to leave his parents to their discussion.

Frigga looked from Loki, bound and on his knees, to Odin, and she shook her head disgustedly. "Husband—what in the Nine do you think you're doing?"

Odin cast a thunderous look at his wife. "Frigga! Why are you here, you shouldn't be here!"

"Thor was summoned by Miss Potts to render aid to her good friend, Tony Stark," she explained with a gesture toward Tony. "I chose to accompany him; suffice to say, I have my reasons, not the least of which is that Heimdall reported that my youngest son was being held captive at SHIELD headquarters due to your purposeful lack of communication with the director. I didn't realize that you yourself were on hand, playing ringmaster! Now, stop all this nonsense and tell me what Loki's done."

"He has broken the terms of his probation. His seidr caused the death of a human female."

"Yet, she lives," Loki hissed to his mother.

Frigga frowned at her husband. "That sounds like quite the contradiction. Have you given the accused a chance to speak on his own behalf?"

"That will not be necessary! Now, I've had enough of your loving but misguided interference, wife. This matter is out of your hands. Leave us, and put thoughts of the second prince of Asgard out of your mind for good. I was wrong ever to have brought him to you." Once more, Odin raised his spear.

Frigga narrowed her eyes. "No." She stepped forward and grabbed Odin's arm, pushing him away from Loki. "Clearly, you've pronounced him guilty with no attempt at understanding. I suspect you've cast judgment based only on your own damaged pride. Now, hear me well—until you know what really happened, you will harm neither our son, nor our grandchild. I will not allow it."

Odin gave her the Asgardian equivalent of a "WTF?" look. "Gods, woman, has he enchanted you as well? Don't be absurd—he's not with child, that's impossible. Loki is playing everyone for a fool, as usual."

"Do I look like a fool?" Frigga asked sharply.

Odin shifted uncomfortably. "No, of course not, my dear, but—"

"I tell you, he is pregnant. You refuse to give weight to my words? Then, find out for yourself." She gestured for Loki to stand. "Come here, dear. Odin, place your hand on his belly and open your mind. Discover the truth."

Odin regarded Loki with supreme irritation, but he did as ordered, and a golden aura appeared around the god's hand. Loki gasped as a gentle energy reverberated through his nervous system. Tony kept his eyes on Odin's face and saw the moment when his cynical expression melted into something else.

"By the gods," Odin whispered. "It's true. I didn't think... I didn't think it was possible... Frigga?"

Frigga nodded. "I know. And, I don't believe it was, until Loki came into contact with the Tessaract. It seems that cursed stone exposed a weakness in the spell you cast upon him as an infant." She caressed Loki's face. "Being with child has been known to severely disrupt a sorceress' use of her seidr. Apparently, it is the same for a sorcerer. Loki, tell the Allfather what events led to the young woman's injury."

Loki looked drained. He was staring dully at the floor, but at his mother's request, he raised his eyes. "Fury ordered an examination to be performed upon me, using an instrument which emits a powerful force, harmful to a fetus. I only sent a tiny bit of magic to try to disrupt the machine's function in order to protect the baby from its effects. I didn't even think it would work, due to the manacles Agent Coulson created. But, the spell came out so much more powerfully than I intended and the machine exploded. The girl was injured in the blast, but she was never the target of my attempt. And, I was able to bring her back to consciousness before she was permanently damaged." Loki drew himself up and sought his father's eye. "I swear, that's the truth."

"You were trying to protect the babe," Frigga said softly.

Loki gave her a look. "I didn't know what was to become of me as SHIELD's captive. In case the child survived, I didn't want it to suffer for my failings."

Coulson stepped forward. "Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but I have a question—the cuffs, did they do any good at all? I mean, did they at least slow you down?" he asked hopefully.

"I think they worked perfectly, actually. I could feel the seidr die away before it left my hands. But then..." Loki glanced down at his stomach and then at his mother. "Is it possible that the fetus acted as a conduit?" he asked her in an awed tone.

Frigga smiled. "If these 'cuffs' you speak of somehow prevented the seidr from leaving your body, then, yes, the babe could have sent it on its way, perhaps even adding strength of its own to the spell." She cast a pointed look at Odin. "Like a reflex. It would have been completely out of Loki's control at that point."

Odin was silent for a moment, clearly mulling things over in his mind. He gave Frigga a reproving frown, but then, he made his pronouncement. "All right. Loki, the preponderance of evidence suggests that you are not directly at fault for the injury to the mortal girl, and I cannot punish you for the involuntary response of your unborn child. Therefore, I proclaim you innocent." He held his hand over the shackles on Loki's wrists and they fell open to the floor. "You are free. Now, try to stay out of trouble. I don't want your mother traveling to Midgard again, it's too dangerous." For me, he thought wryly. He had a feeling he'd be banished from their bedchamber for a night or two.

Loki looked a bit stunned and wobbly, but after drawing a few deep breaths, he managed to say, "You are truly just, Allfather. Thank you."

Tony was grinning and he wrapped Loki in a tight hug.

Everyone else was staring open-mouthed.

"Now, just one damn minute," Fury snarled at Odin. "He may be off the hook on Asgard's terms, but he still has no business hanging around my planet without permission. I'm locking his ass up from now to doomsday!"

"Loki has been freed to move about the realms as he pleases, providing he causes no harm. But I will not interfere with Midgardian law. Do with him as you see fit," Odin said easily.

"Odin!" Frigga hissed.

"I'm sorry, my dear, but he's on his own," Odin said with a smug grin. "This incident has distracted me from my duties for far too long as it is. I must return to Asgard, and I would appreciate it if you also would return home at your earliest convenience. I believe we have some things to discuss." Then, the air grew dense and the Allfather and his warriors disappeared.

Fury gave a smile of satisfaction. "All right, now that's more like it. Somebody get me another set of those anti-magic cuffs, and—"

Abruptly, Tony stuck his fist in the air. "Amnesty!" he shouted. With his hair untamed and his shirt untucked, he looked a bit like a frayed freedom-fighter.

"Huh?" Fury asked.

"Amnesty! I demand amnesty for Loki!"

"Amnesty! On what grounds?"

"Dude, he saved our planet!"

"Oh, he saved it after he tried to subjugate and then destroy it?" Fury asked skeptically.

"Yeah! I mean later, after all that. It's a long story, he got hurt in the process, but trust me, he did a good thing and deserves amnesty. Where'd Thor go? He'll tell you, he has proof."

"I can't get over you, Stark. First, you turn queer, although I don't know if that's even the right term when you're shtupping an extraterrestrial, but you manage to father a child with the freak, and now you're claiming he deserves amnesty? You're trippin'."

Heavy footsteps thudded over the din and Thor strode up, Mjolnir in hand, followed by Pepper and Bruce Banner. The three stopped in their tracks at Fury's words, and, open mouthed, they looked from Fury, to Tony, to Loki. "What?" Thor demanded, sounding utterly bewildered. "Tony, you...? And Loki? What manner of insanity is this?" Bruce and Pepper stood by in shock.

Loki sighed resignedly, but there was a small twinkle of mischief in his eye. "It's true, brother. You're going to be an uncle."

Thor was just standing there, moving his mouth with no words coming out. Finally, he managed to gasp, "How?"

"Oh, you know. Just one of the perks of being Jotun." Loki dismissively waved a hand, but his shoulders slumped. He suddenly felt incredibly tired, almost as if his legs were about to give out on him.

Thor took in Loki's explanation and slowly nodded. "Oh, I see—Your true form holds its secrets. So, you somehow managed to seduce friend Stark and now you're going to bear his issue."

"Brilliant summarization, brother. You're not as dumb as you look."

"By the Nine, Loki, you put a spell on him!"

A little spark of aggravation came alit in Loki. "I did not! Why does everyone think that?" He stared balefully at his brother for a moment and then added, "Am I really that unloveable? Is that the only way you can imagine someone caring for me, by the use of seidr?"

Thor looked as if he was about to say something, but Fury broke in. "I hate to interrupt the therapy session, gentlemen, but Mr. Loki has a nice, comfy cell waiting for him upstairs. Now, if you'll just—"

"Amnesty," Tony repeated. "Thor, the documents? Trondheim and all that?"

Thor dropped his gaze from his brother's anguished countenance, and turned to face Fury and Tony.

"Yes. It is as the Man of Iron says." He produced a deerskin sheath containing a packet of documents and placed it in Fury's hands. "These bear my father's seal, attesting to the verity of these statements."

Fury opened the pack and scanned a few pages. He shook his head irritably. "This is ridiculous, this character killed our citizens, brought alien creatures to attack us—"

"That was before his rehabilitation. Another attack was in the making, but thanks to Loki, it was found out and averted. And, it could easily happen again." Thor stood majestically in front of Fury. "There are many elements among the realms in a state of unrest. Loki is the only one who can help me detect their presence in time to prevent another such attack. You would be a fool to lock him away when he could be the key to your realm's salvation. And, I'm sure I'm not the only one who would think that," Thor said emphatically, glancing purposefully at a portrait of the country's President.

The gesture wasn't lost on Fury, and he again turned his attention to the documents, scowling as he read them through. When he finished, he looked up, resignation evident on his face. "Yeah, all right. Well, I guess I have no choice. Fine. Loki, you're free on your own recognizance while I submit all this to the council." He came up to stand face to face with Loki. "Just don't fuck up again."

Loki squeezed his eyes closed. "I won't." When he opened them, he looked at Tony. "I can't. For the first time in my life, I have too much to lose."

Frigga leaned in and hugged Loki tightly. She pressed a glass vial into his hand and kissed his cheek. Loki tucked the vial into his pajama pocket. Tony figured he knew what it was and he watched with his heart sinking. But he came in for a hug as well, and then he pulled back and looked into Loki's eyes.

"What do you say, slugger? How about we get out of here?"

"I would like that very much."

Pepper walked up to Tony. "Wait. You owe me an explanation," she said simply.

"I wouldn't mind one, myself," Bruce added, blinking a little faster than normal.

Tony nodded ruefully. "Yeah. You're right, I do. I owe you both an explanation. But..." He looked at Loki, noting his worn, exhausted appearance. "... I need to get this one home and let him get some rest. How about you both come over tonight and we'll have dinner? Thor, Frigga? You, too?"

Frigga smiled. "I would love that, but I'm afraid I have to go make peace with my husband. And, I think Thor needs a little time to... absorb the situation."

Thor gave a beleaguered huff in agreement. "Yes." He turned to where Tony was standing with his arm firmly around Loki's waist. "So... You two are happy?" he asked, sounding dubious.

"Yeah, we are," Tony said.

"And this... romance... has been going on for... some time?"

"Yup."

Thor looked at Loki. "You love him?"

"I do." He regarded Tony fondly. "Surely you didn't think I was keeping company with him because I share his appreciation of Midgardian sporting matches, did you?"

"I think you'll like football once I explain it to you," Tony noted as an aside.

Loki gave a smile, but it turned to an impatient frown at the sight of Thor's expression. "What?"

"Why didn't you tell me?" Thor sounded sad. "Why didn't you share your happiness with me? I thought... I thought things were getting better between us."

"Oh, gods..." Now, Loki looked almost apologetic. "I assumed you'd taunt me for being argr. And..." He looked downward. "It wasn't my place to sully your opinion of Tony."

Thor rolled his eyes. "Do you really think so little of me? You honestly believe that would make a difference in my feelings toward you—either of you?" He threw his hands up in annoyance. "It is of no consequence to me who you love, Loki. I only ever wished for you to find happiness."

Loki hesitated, and when he spoke, the words seemed to come hard. "Apologies, brother. I... I fear I underestimated your good heart." Loki didn't meet Thor's gaze, but the blond god placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed.

"It is... okay. Seems we still have much to learn about one another." At that, Loki looked up and they smiled ruefully at each other.

Thor then turned to Tony, a slight grin tugging at his lips. "So, this is why you've been giving him such kind and tender care. I should have realized. But, you kept me in the dark as well."

Tony shrugged. "Well, I figured you'd whack me with the magic hammer for defiling your little brother."

"You're hardly the first to do that."

"Shut up, Thor," Loki sighed.

"Ah, now things are back to normal!" Thor said jovially. "Well, congratulations to the both of you. I look forward to having a little one to spoil."

Tony frowned. "Uh—Listen, Point Break, I'm sorry to tell you this, but we're not going to—"

"We're not going to let the babe get spoiled, just loved," Loki said firmly. "Which is where you excel, brother. You will make a fine uncle."

Thor beamed and then looked at his mother, who had a delighted look on her face. "Happy to see your sons getting on so well, Mother?"

"Of course, dear. That's exactly what I'm so happy about." She grinned at Loki, and he held out his hand to her. When she gripped it, she felt him slip a little glass vial into her palm. She threw her arms around Loki and held him for a long time. She murmured something in his ear, and Loki nodded. She then turned back to Thor.

"Shall we return to Asgard, dear?"

"Yes, Mother. Farewell, all. I'll be seeing you soon." With that, Thor led Frigga away to make their departure.

Tony had heard Loki's words, had watched the exchange between Loki and Frigga, but he still wasn't sure of Loki's intentions. He doubted Loki would tell Thor if he still meant to terminate the pregnancy. He turned the dark-haired god to face him. "Loki. The potion. Did you give it back?" He was afraid to hear the answer, but he had to know for certain.

Loki grimaced scornfully. "Of course I did, idiot. Your wretched spawn saved my life. I suppose I owe it the same courtesy."

Tony hadn't felt so happy and excited since he made his first successful flight in the Iron Man suit. "Yes!" he hissed to himself, along with a triumphant fist pump. He grabbed Loki in a tight hug. "I love you, baby. Don't worry, everything's going to be fine, everything's going to work out, you wait and see." He pulled back and met Loki's skeptical eyes with a solemn expression. "Trust me. I'm Iron Man."

Loki rolled his eyes.

By now, Fury had seen to dispersing everyone except Coulson, Tony and Loki. "Will you see these two out, please?" he asked the agent.

"Yes, sir."

Fury left, closing the hallway door behind him. Couldon was standing to the side, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes on Loki.

Loki raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Forgive my staring. It's just... you're a guy. But, you're pregnant."

Loki cleared his throat. "Yes. It's... complicated."

"I imagine so. Well—good luck. Come on, I'll take you up to ground level." Coulson gestured toward the elevator, but noticed Loki giving him an appraising look. "Something wrong?"

"You must have been disappointed that Odin decided to spare my life," Loki said coolly.

"No, that's not true." Coulson shrugged. "I never want to see anyone die, not even you." He paused a moment, holding Loki's gaze. "Gosh, you really see the worst in people, don't you?"

"He used to, and with good reason. But, things are getting better," Tony said softly. "Aren't they, babe?"

Loki gave him a small smile. "Can we go home now?"

Tony took out his phone. "Yes, absolutely. I'm calling Happy to come pick us up."

Coulson escorted them to the outside exit and watched them get in Tony's Rolls.

A placid look crossed his face.

It was strange, given everything that Loki had done. But, he really hadn't wanted him to die. He'd gone into custody without a fight, and he apparently hadn't been planning on attacking the Earth, killing Stark, or doing anything else to cause trouble. No one's life had ended, so that made it a pretty good day.

He knew Loki had been punished back on Asgard, and subsequently rehabilitated—Coulson hoped he could one day speak with him about that. Perhaps there were things his world could teach his own. He idly laid a hand over the scar he'd been left with after his previous encounter with Loki and thought of the difference between dealing with him on that day and today. Whatever they'd done to heal him must have been successful, so that was a good thing.

Plus, it sounded like his anti-magic invention had worked after all.

Yes. A really good day, all in all.

He headed back to his desk with a bit of spring in his step.

He had a report to write.