A/N: Okay, so I thought this was going to be the last chapter, but noooo, looks like there will be another one or two after this. Thank you to everyone for sticking with me and reading, fave-ing, and reviewing!

Tony surveyed his living room, barely able to keep a sneer from forming on his lips.

Alfarin and Bruce were standing at the bar, deep in conversation about some space thing involving astrophysics, from a Jotunn point of view. Thor was nodding, eyes closed, in an easy chair; Hawkeye was sacked out on the couch. Pepper, Natasha and Frigga chatted, with the baby snuggled in Frigga's lap. Farbauti had been in the middle of them, but now stood nearby, engaged in a spirited discussion about America with Steve, her eyes sparkling as he described some of his war experiences.

Tony sighed. Okay, it was nice, he guessed, having all these people—the extended family he'd never had—gathered together, getting along, helping with the brand-new baby, giving Loki time to rest and recover from the birth. But, dammit, when would they ever go home? And when would he have a chance to take care of the kiddo himself, without three or four women cooing and clucking over his every move?

Yeah, fine, so he didn't have a lot of experience with babies. And, sure, there were all kinds of screw-ups just waiting to befall him, like making the formula too hot—or too cold—diapers to put on backwards, picking up the kid when he wanted to be put down, putting him down when he wanted to be picked up, and oh, the worst, apparently, NOT HOLDING HIS HEAD UP PROPERLY. Sheesh, you'd think he was letting the little Jakester poke a fork into an electrical socket, the way Natasha had screeched at him, like, fifty times. Hey, Tash, I'm new at this, okay? Cut me some slack! he'd pleaded, but she'd watched him like a hawk for the rest of the evening.

Although, he hadn't actually had much of a chance to screw up anything, because the grandmas were pretty well in constant possession of the infant, like a couple of football players protecting the ball from the opposing team. Every once in a while, they'd grandly announce, "It's Papa's turn to change him!" and then they'd generously hand the little bundle over to Tony. Yeah, like that was their good deed for the day, letting Pops change a poopy diaper. Thanks muchly, ladies.

But now, here it was, what, midnight? Jeeze. Tony was beginning to come down from the caffeine and baby-having high he'd been riding the last few hours, and he felt the need to crawl into bed next to Loki—sleepy, delicious-smelling Loki—and crash. But no one was making the slightest move to leave, and—

"Want me to clear the room?" Pepper sidled up next to him and spoke in a conspiratorial voice.

"Bless you, ma'am. Yes, please. Make 'em all go away. Except for the kid, I'll keep him."

Pepper chuckled. "I'll send the locals home, but I think Thor is beyond making another intergalactic trip tonight," she said, gesturing toward the now snoring God of Thunder. "How about I get the outer space folks to turn in here for the night? I already had JARVIS make up four of the guest rooms."

"Sure, that'd be perfect. Hell, everybody can stay if they want to—it's not like we're short on beds. And we can meet for brunch in the morning."

Pepper shrugged. "Okay, I'll give 'em the option. Hey, everybody? Listen up, it's time to give Tony the baby." She watched as absolutely no one paid any attention to her. She cleared her throat loudly. Still nothing. She hopped up onto the coffee table and dramatically raised a hand in the air, saying "May I have your attention?" until everyone quieted down and looked at her. "Thank you. Now, I repeat—it's time to give Tony the baby. That's right, hand him over... Very good. All right, here's how the sleeping arrangements are going to work..."

With tact, grace, and the uncompromising will of a steelyard foreman, Pepper managed to herd everyone away from Tony and Loki's living area, sending the Asgardian and Jotunn visitors to a separate wing and offering guest accommodations on a lower floor to everyone else. Clint and Natasha bowed out and headed for home. Bruce wanted to stay, just in case there were any post-natal complications, and Pepper decided to head home for a little peace and quiet. On her way out, she was only mildly surprised to hear Steve hem and haw for a moment, only to find that instead of heading downstairs with her, he went to meet Farbauti in the hallway and took her arm as they strolled towards her bedroom.

Tony walked into his dimly-lit bedchamber, a swaddled Jacob nestled against his chest. He pulled the basinet close to the bed and carefully laid the infant in it. He leaned down and planted a kiss on the tiny forehead, and then wearily began undressing. When he was down to a t-shirt and shorts, he slipped under the covers and pulled Loki into his arms. "Hey, babe."

Loki made a guttural noise that could have been pleasure or could have been grave annoyance, but he lay his head contentedly on Tony's shoulder. "Where's the baby?" he asked in a groggy whisper.

"Right here by the bed," Tony answered, running his hand down Loki's back. "He's sound asleep, probably as exhausted as we are. Suffering from grandma fatigue, I bet."

"Mmm." Loki pressed a kiss onto Tony's chest and snuggled in. Then, his head shot up and he looked at Tony, aggrieved. "Wait, is Mother gone? Did everyone leave?"

"No, no," Tony said, kissing Loki's forehead. "Your folks are all settled in the guest suites. You'll see everybody in the morning."

"Oh." Loki smiled crookedly. "Well, thank you for your kind hospitality, love."

Tony gave a soft chuckle. "Hey, don't use words with more than two syllables on me at this hour. Gets me kind of hot..."

Loki laughed, too. "Hush, you. Get some sleep. I imagine tomorrow will be another busy day."

Tony responded by wrangling Loki closer to him and promptly falling asleep.

Loki waited until Tony was lightly snoring. He then gracefully disentangled himself from his love's embrace and slipped out of bed. He walked around to the basinet, reached in and picked up his sleeping child. He nuzzled Jacob's soft cheek and kissed him, inhaling him. The baby made a little coo of satisfaction, and Loki took a pillow and blanket and went to settle in the big easy chair by the moonlit window, cradling his son carefully so that he could sleep safely in his father's arms.

Morning came early for Loki, with the baby's squirming and demands for food, and the sound of people talking and moving around in the living area. He placed Jacob on Tony's chest while he freshened up and pulled on a robe. When he came back, Tony was up, gently bouncing the fussy lad on his shoulder and shushing him. "Hold on, bub. Daddy's going to take care of you. See, here he comes."

Loki couldn't stifle a huge grin at the sight of Tony, clad in rumpled underwear, face pillow-creased, hair sticking up in all directions, making awkward dance moves in an effort to calm the now screaming infant. He shook his head in amusement.

"Here, for Norn's sake. Stop, stop moving about so. As if that were helping anything," Loki chided as he took Jacob into his arms. "I think you've made him sea-sick."

"Nu-uh. I'm a world-class cha-cha master, I just have to refine my technique for the under 48-hours-old class." Tony grinned back at Loki and reached for a kiss. "Go take care of the boy. I'll get dressed and join you in a few. But be careful, you're on your own fending off the grannies."

"Oh, they're nothing. It's Thor I'm worried about. He's already a bit too fond of his role as uncle. I may never get Jacob away once he clamps his meaty paws on him."

Loki strolled elegantly into the living quarters and was immediately rushed by his mother, Farbauti, and Thor. Loki managed to keep the shrieking baby under his command as he gave each of the three a hopeful look. "Would one of you please prepare the formula for Jacob? I believe these pathetic wails indicate the early stages of starvation, and I suspect it's only going to become more deafening if he isn't seen to."

Both Frigga and Farbauti cast uncertain glances at each other; neither knew their way around a Midgardian kitchen. But Thor stepped forward.

"I shall do it," he said confidently. "The Man of Iron has versed me in the use of the microwave heating device. Don't worry, little nephew, I shall return forthwith with your meal."

"Hold on there, Point Break." Tony strode in, comfortably dressed in a t-shirt and jeans. "I showed you how to use it once, and then you blew up a can of soup the next day. Not that I don't trust you, but let me help you with the finer points, like not nuking a baby bottle to smithereens." Tony clapped a hand on Thor's back and escorted him to the kitchen.

Loki sat on the couch, temporarily having shushed the baby, and Frigga and Farbauti joined him. "How are you feeling, darling?" asked Frigga. "Have you recovered from the birth?"

Loki shrugged. "I'm as well as can be expected, just a bit sore and tired. My thanks to everyone for allowing me to sleep uninterrupted. That helped tremendously."

"We enjoyed it," Farbauti said, distracting the baby by making funny faces at him. "It's been so long since I've had an infant to care for."

Frigga nodded agreement. "Yes, for me as well. It will be difficult returning home; I'll miss him dreadfully." She brushed a lock of hair from Loki's forehead. "And, you too, dear. It's been so good to be with you again. Almost like old times."

Loki nodded, and gave her a small smile. "I've missed you too, Mother. I..." He bit his lip and looked down at the floor. "I don't suppose... Father's said anything? About the baby, I mean."

A sad look crossed Frigga's face. She ruefully shook her head. "No, I'm afraid not." In reality, Odin had angrily "forbidden" Frigga from coming to Midgard at all, a command she'd irritably shot down immediately. After that, Odin had simply chosen to ignore the whole situation, merely wishing her good travels upon her departure, and hoping she'd return as quickly as possible. At that point, Frigga hadn't bothered to waste any more breath on trying to persuade Odin to forgive Loki; she was content that he was no longer focused on meting out further punishment. But, it broke her heart that her husband was so stubborn.

Which Loki knew very well. She raised an eyebrow at her son. "Did you really expect him to?"

Loki sighed. "No, of course not. It's just, I was rather hoping..."

"What?"

Loki gave her a quick, bitter glance. "I thought perhaps Odin might finally put aside his anger at me, and be willing to do something for my boy."

"Such as?"

"A glamour spell. To give him a Midgardian appearance."

Farbauti rolled her eyes. "And, why in the Nine would you want that?"

Loki's bitterness now came out in his tone. "Because Midgard is my home now, our home. And, in case you haven't noticed, the locals aren't too accepting of people who look different from themselves. Especially those from other realms. I don't wish that for Jacob—always being an oddity, a freak." He stroked the baby's downy head. "It's not his fault his father is one."

A sudden intake of breath came from the Jotunn queen. "How dare you!" she said harshly. "How dare you call yourself a freak! You are of my blood, little one. You come from rulers, conquerors, warriors—great men and women, challenged by direst circumstances only to triumph..." Her words trailed off as she visibly got a hold of her emotions. "You have nothing to be ashamed of, in spite of the Aesir teachings you were so unfortunately raised with. Why, I would be happy, grateful even, to bring you and Jari back to Jotunheim to take your place in the royal family! You need only say the word, and—"

Loki silenced Farbauti with a steely glare. "That... is a very kind offer. But, I'm afraid I will have to decline. We belong here, with Tony. It's what I want. Jacob will simply have to learn to get along just as he is. I suppose it will only make him stronger."

"Loki..." Frigga spoke gently. "Is it possible you could cast such a spell yourself?"

"No, never. Not one that would last a lifetime, or even a whole day. I haven't that kind of power. No one has, except for the Allfather."

Farbauti was still wearing a snitty expression, but she brightened. "Well, silly boy, that's what I gave you the pendant for."

"What pendant...?" Loki asked before remembering the ice-bound present from his baby shower. "Oh... I'd forgotten all about it." He glanced at Frigga, noting her horrified expression. "I gather you did as well?"

"Uh, yes... Farbauti, may I have a word with you?" Frigga hastily stood up and headed out into the hallway, followed by the Jotunn. When they were out of earshot, Frigga spoke in an urgent whisper. "What is the pendant? What properties does it contain?"

Farbauti shrugged slightly and raised her eyes to the ceiling thoughtfully. "It is fashioned from a bit of ore mined from the cave in which the Casket of Ancient Winters was once stored. It will provide Loki a measure of protection in battle, as well as a great deal of additional power for his seidr."

"Loki doesn't need additional power!"

"Evidently he does," Farbauti answered in a prickly tone. "And, he shall have it. It is little enough I can do for him, given the circumstances."

"You will do nothing of the sort—you have no idea what could happen—"

"Oh, do you fear your precious Asgard might be in danger if Loki were to be on more equal footing with your husband?" Farbauti's eyes snapped excitedly, and Frigga drew herself up to her full regal height.

The two rulers looked as if they were about to engage in some sort of battle right then and there, but Tony sauntered up to them and gave them a charming smile. "Ladies, is anything wrong? We could all hear you, uh, talking, back in the room,and I thought maybe there was something I could do for you?"

Both women appeared to calm down, and they both shook their heads. "No, Tony. Everything is fine," Frigga said firmly. She looked at Farbauti and held out her hand. "We mustn't fight. We've come so far in bringing peace to both our realms. Let's not ruin it."

Farbauti took her hand and nodded solemnly. "Of course, I completely agree. But, let us remember, we are talking about our—that is, your—son. Am I to understand that you don't trust him?"

"No! It's just that—"

"Whoa, whoa, what's this about not trusting Loki?" Tony asked quickly.

"I never said I didn't trust him," Frigga answered, a distressed frown clouding her eyes. "I simply fear that the stability he's found could be threatened by the power of Farbauti's pendant. We don't know what sort of effect it might have on him."

Tony frowned uncertainly. "Wait, are you talking about that necklace with the blue rock that nearly gave everyone terminal frostbite at the baby shower? It could hurt Loki?"

"No!" Farbauti interjected. "On the contrary! It will strengthen him through his seidr, it will help him achieve more than he ever dreamed of on his own! Why would you deny him that?" she demanded of Frigga.

"Because," Loki said, sauntering toward the three in the hall, "...my mother is a very wise woman. She fears that, as my magic grows, I will return to a state of power-hungry madness." Loki draped his arm around Frigga's shoulders and pulled her close. "And, of course, there was a time when she certainly would have been right. Perhaps she still is." Loki smiled fondly into his mother's eyes, and she caressed his cheek with the tips of her fingers.

"Oh, Loki. I couldn't bear to lose you again."

"I know." He turned to Tony. "I couldn't bear to lose all I've been fortunate enough to gain, either. I'm afraid Jacob will have to remain Jotunn in appearance. It's possible he's inherited the ability to shape-shift, so perhaps one day he'll be able to change to suit himself, but I expect that will be many years from now, if at all."

Tony blinked. "Wait, you're saying—using the necklace—"

"Pendant."

"Okay, pendant—you could do some hoo-doo on the kid and make him look, uh, Midgardian?"

"Possibly. Is that correct, Farbauti?"

"Yes. Of course, I still don't agree that such a thing is necessary, but you are Jari's father and it is your decision."

"My decision... is to send the wretched pendant back to Jotunheim with you. I cannot take any chances with my strength of mind." Loki sadly turned and began walking away.

"Stop!" Tony called. "Come back here. Look at me." Loki did as he was asked—he loved Tony's dominant voice—and he stood before his lover and peered into Tony's eyes.

"Yes?"

Tony put his hands on Loki's shoulders. "Damn it, am I the only one who's been paying attention? Look at you! Look at who you are! You're Loki, and no one—and nothing—controls you, but you. Think about where you were before, way back when we first met—and look at you now. You're strong. You know what you want, and you know what you have. You really think a little piece of rock is going to change that?"

Loki listened unwaveringly, and suddenly, a tear ran down his cheek. "You foolish mortal. How can you have such faith in me? How can you—"

"How can I?" Tony demanded. "How can I not? I know you. I know what you did on Trondheim, and I watched you heal yourself when your guts were spilling out. A man like that doesn't cave. You're not going to mess up what we have—lose your son, your friends, your family. You think you're going to fuck me over? Uh-uh. Shit, if I really thought that could ever happen, I wouldn't have bought you that damn pizza in the first place." Breathing hard, Tony dropped his hands and crossed his arms, never losing eye contact with Loki.

Loki laughed a little. He closed his eyes and seemed to be working through something. Then, he opened his eyes and said, "All right. I'm willing to try. But, I want all of the Avengers—especially Banner—in the room with us. Once I've done the spell, I want the pendant taken away. If there's a problem... I'll expect you to take care of it, Mother. In whatever way necessary."

"Loki..." Frigga gasped. "I could never hurt you!"

"That's what Dr. Banner is for. But he'll need to be guided by the others."

"It won't come to that," Tony said quietly.

"I hope not." Loki grinned. "Anyway, if I cause any trouble, Odin will have my head before Banner even gets to the proper shade of green. I'm not worried."

"And, neither am I." Tony took Loki into a great hug and kissed him tenderly. "I love you. Now, let me get everybody together, and let's see what that dime-store jewelry can do for our boy. Sorry, Queen Farbauti, no disrespect intended."

Farbauti waved her hand dismissively. "Of course." She watched Tony and Loki head back to the living room and then turned to Frigga. "What is a 'dime-store,' do you suppose?"

"I have no idea," Frigga said. The two women grinned and then returned to the living room as well.