Imitations Carved Deep: Chapter 6

So, you might have noticed the lack of update last week...I'm in college. It happens. Semester is picking up, so you can probably expect an update every other week now. Things are crazy, but fun...most of the time.

Not a Tony/Loki story. Just friendship.

Be forewarned, I have named female Loki, 'Kira', and that is what she will be referred to for a good chunk of the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own them...so sad.

Warnings: Severe angst. Stupid/Bad Thor (temporarily). Torture (in the past). Implied rape (in past). Don't read if any of these trigger.

Bigger Hearts

Kira had fallen asleep in the middle of the second movie. She had curled up in the corner of one of the three large couches and set her crutches on the floor near her. Bruce claimed the spot next to her before Tony could, of only to save her from his obvious intent of prodding. Kira had only laughed at Tony's excessive pouting.

Steve won the first movie battle, and they sat through Finding Nemo. Clint swore he saw Steve tear up when the barracuda killed the mother and the rest of the eggs. Natasha won the next fight (Clint let her, because she screwed her foot into his kidney) and forced them to watch Eat, Pray, Love. Tony decided to keep his life and not comment.

When Kira fell asleep, everyone was shocked that Tony was considerate and actually shut up. He stopped giving commentary every five minutes and stayed quiet. Tony just shrugged off all of the strange looks he got.

"She needs to sleep," he uttered quietly. Natasha pinched Clint to stop him from reaching out to poke Stark 'to make sure he's real'. Pepper smiled at the inventor, kissed his cheek and curled up against him.

When the movie ended, everyone decided to call it an early night. It had been a long day, and they were ready to get some rest. Tony went around Bruce to wake Kira up. His science bro didn't allow him to sit next to her, so this way he would get to walk her back to her room. His fascination with Kira bothered Tony at times, seeing as he had only known her for a few hours.

Tony reached out and lightly tapped Kira on the shoulder.

"Kira? Kir-" The young woman startled awake, and the first thing she did was punch Tony square in the face. Tony stumbled back clutching his nose, eyes wide. Pepper rushed to his side, while the others jumped to their feet…not quite sure what to do. Two breaths later, they all saw Kira's eyes widen and the color drain from her face.

"Oh! I-I'm so sorry, T-Tony. I didn't mean to-" Tony scared her with a laugh and waved off her apology.

"It's fine. It's definitely not the first time I've been punched by a pretty woman. Kudos. That was a solid hit." Tony pulled his hand away and was satisfied to find no blood. "I should have known better than to wake you up like that, considering…" he trailed off as Kira and Pepper both understood he was referring to how Kira reacted the last time they woke her. Though she knew they understood, Kira still felt the urge to explain.

"I…it's just, if you are woken up by someone…in the areas I typically live, it's not usually for a good reason." Tony nodded.

"Right. So, conclusion: come up with a better way to wake you, that doesn't involve me getting punched." Kira's mouth opened and closed a few times, before she simply shook her head and let out a breath.

"Perhaps I can be of assistance with the situation, Sir." Tony smiled up at the ceiling.

"Good thinking, Jarvis. She can't punch you."

"Yes, Sir. My thoughts, exactly." Everyone in the room could hear the AI's eyes rolling. Kira bit her lip to keep from smiling at the sassy AI and reached for her crutches. Bruce stayed close to her side, so she wouldn't fall once she was on her feet, and then stepped back. Tony turned to the others and smiled.

"Well, Kiddies, bed time! I'll see you for some of Steve's pancakes in the morning!" Steve huffed at Tony volunteering him for breakfast duty, but in all honesty he didn't mind. The Captain liked cooking for his team; Tony was just a brat about it. He watched Bruce, Tony and Pepper walk Kira out of the room and couldn't help but be worried. Kira seemed like a sweet woman, but something about her seemed…disturbingly familiar.

For the time being, Rogers would just keep his eyes peeled. She more than likely wasn't a threat, but he had learned to never underestimate anyone.

Kira's sleep was restless the second time around. She was definitely exhausted, but it seemed the food and earlier nap had revitalized her brain enough for it to keep working long into the night. It was quite frustrating. She sighed heavily as she turned over onto her other side…again! Suddenly,

"I know Dr. Banner wishes you to sleep regular hours, Miss Kira. Perhaps I can be of assistance." Kira looked up, surprised, at the ceiling and couldn't hold back a smile.

"That is very kind of you, Jarvis, but I am not certain I can shut my brain off enough to sleep." The AI was not to be deterred however.

"Mr. Stark experiences the same thing, and while his methods are not healthy by any stretch of the imagination, I can offer some alternatives." Kira stared at the shadowed wall across from her and sighed.

"At this point, it cannot do any harm." It took a few minutes for Jarvis to respond, but eventually a soft, soothing melody began to play. Kira had never heard it before and found herself intrigued, doubly so when a beautiful female voice began to sing. After only a couple of verses, Kira felt her eyelids finally begin to droop.

Before she gave in to the inevitable, however, she could not help but voice a question that had been running around her mind.

"Jarvis, can you tell me, are…are they sincere? Do they truly mean all they say?" She honestly did not expect an answer, and so was surprised when she received one.

"I may only be Artificial Intelligence, Miss Kira, but what I observe appears to me to be quite genuine." The corner of Kira's mouth twitched up in a smile, and she let the gentle music lull her to sleep.

Dream

All she could do at that point was try not to scream, to not give the filthy monsters the satisfaction. They had forced her to change into her female form, because they thought she would be more likely to give them what they wanted.

They were going to be very disappointed. Kira looked around her, but there was no break in the sea of monsters. There was no way out. She was trapped.

Suddenly, the scene changed, and while she was no longer in the captivity of monsters, she was still being held against her will. They didn't believe her! They thought she was insane. They kept her in a drugged state where she could not fight back as they pushed her around the new white prison. They spoke gently to her, told her to take her meds and everything will be fine.

They didn't understand what would happen if she stayed there! The monsters were searching for her. They would find her. They would kill her!

Kira was running down dark alleys, running from what, she still wasn't sure. Puddles splashed beneath her feet as she pushed harder and faster. She turned- and ran straight into a dead end. Her heart was pounding, and her fingers scraped and bled on the dirtied brick, trying to claw her way out. Then she felt its presence behind her.

Slowly, shaking, she turned around. She saw blood red. Bright flashes of lightening reflected off of a large hammer coming to bash in her skull. She screamed-

End Dream

Kira's eyes flew open, and her hands slapped over her mouth to keep the scream inside. Her chest ached with the power of her hearts hammering- and perhaps that is not the best thing to think about. She took a few moments to collect herself and calm her breathing. Finally, she sighed and turned over onto her back.

It was not the first time she had had that particular dream, well, nightmare to be more precise. Over the past two (three?) years, it had only gotten progressively worse. Kira had learned to live with the nightmares, but they still left a bitter taste in the back of her throat and a dark cloud forever looming in her mind.

Kira glanced over and noticed soft rays of light starting to peek through the curtains. She rubbed her hands over her face a few times and began to push herself up into a sitting position. There was no point in her going back to sleep, and she really needed to use the restroom. Kira did her business and came back out. Jarvis startled her.

"There are some clothes in the dresser drawers for you, Miss Kira, should you wish to change." Kira narrowed her eyes at the ceiling for scaring her, but headed across the room. There were indeed clothes in the drawers…way too many. It was rather overwhelming having so much to choose from, so Kira just grabbed the first shirt and sweatpants she saw.

It was a bit of a struggle, and she was worn out, but she managed on her own. Given the time- 6:38am- she didn't want Jarvis to have to wake up Pepper to help her. Kira quietly left her room and wandered toward the kitchen. She wanted to have a glass of water before whenever the next meal would be, and getting water wouldn't disturb anyone.

Kira came around the corner, expecting to find an empty kitchen, only to see Steve seated at the breakfast bar with a bowl of cereal. Before Kira could try and back out, Steve turned his head and spotted her. He sent her a bright smile and straightened in his seat.

"Good morning, Kira. How are you feeling?" Kira hesitated a moment before answering.

"I am grateful for the wonderful accommodations here." Steve stood, holding his bowl.

"Not what I meant. Why don't you sit down? I'll chop up some fresh fruit for you." Kira was wary to venture further into the room, but eventually caved under her exhaustion and the steadily growing pain from her leg. Once she was seated, Steve smiled over his shoulder at her. "So? Want to try again?" Kira sighed, but did as requested.

"I did not sleep very well last night. I could not stop thinking about…all of this," she gestured to the room and Tower in general. "It is all very…overwhelming. I am grateful but…" She trailed off.

"It's not what you're used to? Yeah, I went through the same thing when I first moved in. I lived in a dive in Brooklyn for years, and then I went off to war. Just having a nice bed to sleep in threw me through a loop." Kira felt a great deal of relief that the Captain understood. She was afraid to appear ungrateful, but now she knew it was not just her. Steve settled a small bowl of cut up strawberries and apples in front of her, and she gave him a smile.

"Thank you. May I ask, what you are doing up so early? I assumed that no one else would be awake yet." Steve shrugged.

"I don't need as much sleep due to the super serum that makes me Captain America. I'm usually up, a ten mile run and two bowls of cereal into the morning before any of the others wake up and wander in for coffee." Kira chewed thoughtfully on some apple.

"So you…you were not born like…" she waved her hand to encompass the whole of Steve's body. The Captain's image and physique brought back painful memories for Kira, and it was hard to picture him as anything else. Cap wasn't surprised by her questions. Not only did he remember what Bruce and Tony were saying about Kira not knowing about the Avengers, but most had a hard time believing he was born not looking like a mountain. He barked out a laugh and shook his head.

"Oh no. I was about ninety pounds soaking wet, and everything under the sun made me sick. I wanted to be able to serve my country, but I kept getting turned down. Then…a scientist approached me, and offered me a way to be able to do that. Because of him, I became Captain America." Kira's brows pulled together.

"So, you were finally accepted, once you looked the part of a soldier?" Steve shook his head.

"No. I went through boot camp before I got the serum, so the scientist could justify his choosing me for the experiment. I was…I was a good soldier, even if I was a scrawny shrimp. The same day I became like this, the scientist was killed, and then the general in charge refused to put me out in the field, saying I was just a lab rat. I had to force my way to the front lines and bring back hundreds of our soldiers from a prisoner of war camp single-handedly before I was finally allowed to fight." Steve looked up from the counter and was a little surprised to find Kira smiling at him. He raised his brow in question, and she answered.

"I know a few who people have been cast aside, because those in charge thought they were too weak of body. But they had bigger hearts and minds than the biggest of soldiers. I am glad that you were given the opportunity to show that to your general." Steve smiled back, and they fell into a comfortable silence.

Ha, just picturing a tiny female Loki punching Tony in the face makes me laugh. XD

Please review:)