Author's Note: Hello my lovelies :)

Yes, I know, I'm so late. *flings myself at your feet* I'M SORRY. There is soooo much crazy in my life right now I barely had time to read, much less write.

I'll just move on to the reviews and then to the story then. Enjoy!

Kykyxstandler: Thank you so much :3 I'm glad you liked it, haha. Welllll, I don't want to spoil anything for you but to be honest, I'm as curious as you are. You see, this story is basically writing itself. No idea what these little buggers will get up to next.

Queen Martha Pond: Haha I'm glad you liked it :D I hope you enjoy this one!

PiratePrincess16: Thank you very much :D Well, here's the next chapter; I hope you stick around to see what happens to our favourite superheroes next!

Chapter 8

Louie POV

The pain was excruciating.
I curled into the pillows and whimpered. Oh God, why. Why.

To add to the third world war that was obviously raging in my nether regions a sharp ringing was drilling its way through my eardrums and straight into my brain.

"Go away," I whimpered.

"Apologies Miss Louise, but its five-thirty a.m," Jarvis's cool British accent cut through the incessant ringing.

"Five thirty," I groaned, curling into myself even further, "why am I up at five thirty?"

"Agent Romanoff programmed your daily schedule into my system Miss Louie. I have been attempting to wake you up since five am. You must get up to have your vitamins and prepare for your run." Run? What run? The only thing I ran for was first place in line for popcorn at the movies.

"Five more minutes," I said into my pillow. When there was no reply except for the ringing getting louder, I groaned.

"Okay. Okay," I mumbled. Half an hour later, I was sprinting for the elevator, orange juice in my hand. I didn't want to be late for my first day of training.

A certain green eyed god was already in the elevator, looking so perfectly put together I felt like screaming.

"Don't you ever look frazzled?" I snapped.

He looked up from his book - Richard III this time - surprised. Although this may have been because I used the word frazzled in every day conversation.

Oh, what would he know, I thought, sipping my juice grouchily.

"Good morning," he said carefully. In reply I simply grunted. He frowned and I felt a slight stab of guilt.

"Sorry," I muttered, "bad day." The elevator dinged and I followed Loki out into the gym.
Steve waved from in front of the White-out Plan.

"Good morning?" he asked hesitantly looking back and forth between Loki's frosty gaze and my grouchy sipping.

"Mm," we both replied and narrowed our eyes at each other.

"Oookay," Steve rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, "Louie, we're going to start with a nice run, get you warmed up. Then we'll begin on some very basic defense techniques."

"Yes, sir," I replied downing my orange juice. Setting the glass down near Loki who had found himself a spot to lean on, I followed Steve to one end of the enormous gym.

"I've marked a trail around the city," he said, "but for today let's stick to the treadmill."
I nodded.

"Let's do this."

Five minutes in, I was already regretting my words. There was a reason I despised running and that reason was very simple: I sucked at it.

My breath came in short puffs and I cursed every deity in the universe, but most specifically the one that was sitting at the opposite end of the large room, casually flipping through his novel.

"You really don't get out much, do you?" called Steve. He hadn't even broken a sweat yet. I settled for glaring at him. He grinned back.

"I - hate - running," I gasped. At the other end of the room the god smirked. Dammit. Damn him and his telepathy. I couldn't give up. I refused to give him the satisfaction of my failure.

What seemed like eons later, Steve jumped off his treadmill, stretching and shaking his feet. I followed, almost sobbing in relief and squirming at the discomfort in my pants. Steve made me warm down a little before we moved further on in our lesson.

"Okay," he said once we'd moved to one of the exercise mats laid out on the floor. "At this point in time, you're definitely not going to be able to fight if a situation arises."

"Agreed," murmured Loki. I huffed.

"So," Steve gave Loki a warning look, "your best option is to flee. This is obviously where running comes in handy. You've got to build up stamina to be able to run for a long while. In the event of being unable to flee, you've got to learn to avoid and block, to make sure you can escape without getting killed or fatally injured." I nodded.

"Okay, put your hands up like this," he said holding his fists up. I mimicked him.

"Elbows in," he corrected. "Now, one situation is someone coming at you head on." He brought his arm around in an arc, as if attempting to punch me in slow motion. Instinctively my hand went up to stop him. Steve shook his head.

"No, when I try to hit you, lean back and try to grab my hand with both hands. Obviously I'm physically stronger than you. Trying to block my attack with one hand will probably end up breaking your wrist. Try that again." He brought his hand in the same arc. I leaned back and grabbed his hand with both of mine. In turn, he used the captured hand to squeeze my wrist.

"Now what do you do?" he asked. "Think." I bit my lip. Okay. Instead of leaning back I leaned forward, elbows in, bending his arm at an odd angle. He nodded encouraging me to go on.

"Get out of my hold," he said. I kept pushing; sooner or later he'd have to let go. And he did.

"Good," he said with a grin. I beamed.

"Again." This time however, he was faster, and I jerked, my hold slipping a bit.
The third time, I nailed it but Steve reminded me that his other hand was free. Two seconds later I stumbled back at the light shove he'd given me.

"It's never going to be easy," he said as we got back into position, "You've got to fight smart."

Two hours later I was bone tired but fairly proud of what I had learnt. Steve took me through all basic self defense moves and by the end of it I had gotten the hang of getting out of a chokehold and dodging a right hook. Steve was a good teacher, and by good, I mean downright sneaky. His adorable smile and encouraging words would get me through dodge upon dodge, irrespective of how long we'd go at it. He was so good at wheedling more and more out of me, pushing me to the limits without my knowledge, that I had no clue three hours had passed until a loud alarm signaled the end of the lesson.

"My time with you is up, soldier," he said. "Good work." I blinked, suddenly realising how tired I was.

Steve patted me on the back and headed for the elevator. I followed him, eager for a hot shower.

"Wait." I closed my eyes with a groan.

"Can't I take a break first?" In a flash Loki was blocking my path to freedom, towering a good ten inches over me. I sighed dejectedly.

"Fine." I walked back to the gym mat and flung myself down on one of them, wincing as the rubbery wet cloth touched my overheated skin. Ugh. Loki sat down too, cross legged and straight backed. He ran a hand through his hair, already frustrated with me. I scowled. Prick.

Loki exhaled.

"What you do," he began slowly, "it's something in your mind that does it."

"Funny, I had already figured that bit for myself." Loki hissed.

"If we're going to make this work, I'd keep the sarcasm to a minimum, mortal."

"Oh, but it's so easy," I whined, feeling a laugh build up in my stomach.

"As I was saying," he continued, ignoring me, "it's in your head. Think if it as… an invisible limb. And like all limbs, you must learn to consciously control it." Loki held his palm face up.

"I have studied this art for centuries. What I do is advanced; far beyond a mortal's capabilities. However, we all started somewhere. That somewhere is the control of the four elements in their purest form."

"Earth, fire, water and air," I murmured. Loki nodded.

"Indeed."

A small flame appeared in the centre of his palm. It flickered feebly. Loki shook his head.

"This is not my strong point. I create illusions, I work with telepathy. I am out of practice with the more basic of techniques. Also..." he trailed off, eyes darkening and rolled his shoulders.

I shifted uncomfortably, feeling slightly guilty about the enchantment that was sealing away his powers. Although it did make me thankful he couldn't flatten me with an energy bolt or whatever, it was obvious how uncomfortable he felt.

"Now," he said briskly, "Let's see what you can do." I nodded, sitting up straighter. Loki's voice dropped an octave or two, becoming soothing, hypnotic.

"Think of your powers lurking in your subconscious. Now, picture yourself pulling them out into your consciousness, of it becoming a tangible limb in the forefront of your mind." I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to picture it.

Pull it into the forefront of your mind, he murmured in my head. I jumped, my eyes flying open. Stupid Norse god and his stupid chocolate voice in my stupid, stupid head.

Glaring, I tried again. I pictured an imaginary hand, searching though my head, pulling open doors and sifting through curtains of memories, searching for the mysterious one that held my so called powers.

I could almost feel it. Maybe I was subconsciously seeing things but it felt like there was something there. Trying to touch it was like trying to scoop up water in my hands; even my imaginary fingers couldn't hold it well.

"I think I got it," I murmured.

Then make a flame appear.

I took a deep cleansing breath and thought back to the little flame that had appeared in Loki's hand. Holding my hand up, I focused on it. I pretended I could see it; first a little spark in the nothingness above my palm, then growing brighter, stronger, until it was a bright flame. I kept replaying it happening in my head, over and over.

And then, the most amazing thing happened.

Just the way I had pictured it, from a spark to a flame, fire hovered above my palm, the flame flickering merrily. I closed my hand into a fist. The fire disappeared without even burning me. I grinned, looking at Loki triumphantly.

He nodded his approval.

"Again."

Focus, breathe, open palm, focus breathe, close palm. Repeat.

"Can't I do something else now?" I asked a good hour later. Loki shook his head.

"Impatience is the biggest weakness of a human. Again." I sighed, frustrated.

Focus, breathe -

A flash of pain shot through my head and I yelped. Wind roared in my ears and everything went dark. For one dizzying moment, I thought I had fainted again, but as my vision came back, I realised it had all happened in a brief second. Loki clutched my shoulders, green eyes burning.

"I'm okay," I mumbled, looking away.

In reply Loki just stared. Cool fingers wrapped around my wrist and I jumped slightly.

"Wha-?" My palm was burnt, stinging red and aching when I moved my fingers. I winced. Well, at least it wasn't the same hand as the one with the purple fingers.

"I guess I lost focus, huh?"

"Of course," Loki snapped, "irresponsible child." I wilted a little under his stern gaze. But then, his hand closed over my wounded one. I stared at it in surprise, an unfamiliar tugging in my gut. His hand was cool and soothing on my sore palm, but also soft and warming up. It was like holding someone's hand after they'd been out in the snow - cold, yet adapting to the heat of your body.

Loki's hands were warm. I peeked at him from the corner or my eye. He wasn't looking at me; his eyes were focused on the entwined limbs before him. His hand was warm.

Too warm.

Much too warm.

I shifted uncomfortably, heart rate spiking. What was he doing?

He let go, raising his eyes to meet mine. I blinked. He seemed stunned, his mouth half open. I was suddenly drawn to exactly how attractive he looked. I raised an eyebrow, angry at my wayward thoughts.

"Healed," he said shortly leaning back. I stared at my smooth and unblemished palm, free of any mark whatsoever.

"How did you do that?" Loki smirked, arrogance reappearing in full force.

"You have got to teach me that."

"Maybe if you get past the basics. Maybe-"

"Well maybe if you teach me the rest of the basics-"

All in all, I thought hazily as I finally stumbled onto the elevator, Norse god in tow, it was a very productive day.

Loki was a cranky teacher, but in the end he was able to make me produce little candle-like flames at will and even make them float from my hands to his.

It was easy once I had the technique down.

Loki hadn't criticized me much, a sign I took to mean I had done okay. After a quick lunch, I had practice with Natasha.

She had traded in her catsuit for a simple training bra and shorts, her hair pulled back in tiny pigtails. I tugged on my tank top hem, feeling more than a little self conscious. And I was the one with my bellybutton covered.

Natasha took me through the ropes of offense and attacks, before beckoning me over. She placed a gun in my hand. I stared, wide eyed.

"Most people don't know that it's hard for a woman to shoot sometimes. The backlash makes you jerk, which screws up your shot. But these guns are light, small. Specifically SHIELD issued toys for trainees. We'll use these for a couple of weeks before moving on to bigger ones."

She taught me how to hold the gun properly, standing with my feet apart, using both hands to support my aim. To be honest, I wasn't all that great.

"Maybe long distance isn't my thing," I said when I missed the paper bulls-eye for the seventh time.

"It takes practice," said Natasha patiently. Once again she demonstrated. The lesson didn't leave me feeling too hopeful about my abilities with a gun.

"Well," I joked, "if nothing else works I'll just throw it at him and hope I clunk him on the head." Natasha's lips twitched in amusement before she frowned.

"You show that hand to Bruce yet?" I grinned sheepishly.

"I was getting to it," I said chuckling. I was a lying liar who lied and I was going to hell.

"You'll show him that. Soon," she said sternly. I saluted.

"Yes ma'am."

"Let's stop for today," she said checking her watch, "it's already seven."

"We've been at it for five hours?" I asked, amazed.

"Your hour-long bathroom break doesn't count."

"Hey, I got distracted. Mr. Darcy does that to you." We shared a knowing look. The allure of Mr. Darcy was understood by all women, forming common ground and thus, friendship even between silent assassins and geeky, unemployed freeloaders.

"So how was your lesson with Loki?" she asked as the elevator travelled upwards. I thought about the bickering, the frustrated looks and the muttered curses. But then the memory of a cool soothing hand and deep green eyes flooded into my head, almost warming every inch of me.

I grinned a little stupidly.

"It was okay." Natasha looked at me quickly.

"Hey, tomorrow is your day off, right?" I nodded.

"You think you could run an errand with me?"

"Does it involve guns?" I eyed her warily. Natasha grinned outright.

"Not unless a certain demigod really hates Manhattan street wear."

The demigod really hated Manhattan street wear. Sunday morning brought on a lot of problems, including a headache and more cramps. I massaged my temples as Natasha explained the situation to Loki.

"I do not understand," said Loki scowling. "What is wrong with the clothes I wear now?" We sat in the giant living room, a couple of people flicking aimlessly through the TV channels and the rest just lounging around.

He looked to Thor who smiled at him sympathetically. The God of Thunder wore a plain t-shirt and jeans, his hair being pulled back into a neat ponytail by his girlfriend.
Loki rolled his eyes in disgust.

"Brother, you know you would be arrested off the streets if you were to walk down them dressed like that. It would certainly help disguise you better if you changed your appearance."

"That would not have been a problem if my powers hadn't been taken away from me," said Loki bitterly. He shrugged slightly as if trying to shake off the enchanted seal.

"Whatever has happened has happened," I cut in before anyone could say anything. I was tired of the fighting. Clint was already ready and waiting to throw a punch and Tony looked like he just might cheer the archer on. Maybe even kickstart the fight.

"Right now the best course of action is to get you some ordinary clothes," I tilted my head, "maybe a haircut." Loki sneered.

"Come anywhere near my head and I'll take pleasure in slicing your hands as slowly and painfully as is in my power." I gulped.

"Just clothes then."

"This is a ridiculous waste of my time. Loki, if you ever want to get a chance to walk around the city, you're going to have to wear some pants and a shirt," said Natasha impatiently. Loki's eyes darkened.

"Do you think I am a mere dog to be put on a leash and walked once a day? I refuse to be put through further humiliation! Is my defeat, my imprisonment in this infernal building not enough for you?" Standing up so fast that his chair went skidding backwards, he stormed off.

Natasha groaned.

"Fury is going to murder me. We need him disguised. He was all over the news; people are bound to recognise him if he walks around like that."

Thor stood heavily.

"No wait," I blurted, "let me try." Thor looked surprised.

"Lady Louie-," he started, but I wasn't about to let him win this. I was also tired of him being at the end of Loki's rage when he was trying so hard to be a good brother. Also, I was pretty sure nobody wanted any god-shaped holes in the building.

"Come on," I coaxed, "he can't hurt me." Thor looked to Jane who nodded encouragingly.

"Very well," he sat back down.

Jane shot me a grateful look, like she knew exactly why I had volunteered.

Loki POV

Stupid, arrogant, foolish mortals. The absolute nerve- Reaching his room he flung the door open and headed for the bathroom, gnashing his teeth. His body ached, ached for a break.

He hissed tiredly. Keeping up illusions was so difficult. Bit by bit he released the enchantment he had cast over his body, staring dully into the mirror above the sink.
It was like watching himself age; his royal clothes showing patches and tears, his hair becoming more unkempt, dark shadows apparent above his eyes.

Gods. He was a mess. An insomniac, pathetic mess of a monster.

"You weren't kidding when you said illusions were your strong point, were you?"
Loki swung around, horrified. Leaning against his bedroom door was Louie, blinking as she swept her eyes over him.

Loki got the nasty feeling she could see straight through him. Shame and anger welled up inside him. He smiled murderously.

"Congratulations," he said gesturing with a hand, "You're the first mortal to ever see me without a single illusion cast upon my body."

"I'm honoured," she replied. Her eyes never left him.

"This is the point at which you leave," he said, still smiling. Instead she crossed her arms.

"You get tired really fast trying to keep casting illusions don't you? I noticed during our lesson." Loki shook his head.

"This is none of your concern mortal."

"How long has it been since you had a good night's sleep?"

"You should leave now. I already told you I refuse to put on your ridiculous garments."

"Don't make me ask Jarvis."

"Oh, so you do admit I am being watched in this room."

"You haven't slept at all have you?"

"I am losing my patience," he snapped, turning back to his pathetic reflection. Bit by bit he attempted to put his illusion back in place. He felt her move closer, waves of - he blinked - concern? - washing over him.

"You can keep making your face pretty with your illusions," she murmured, "but think of how much energy you will save if you just put on some new clothes." Loki grit his teeth.

"Loki," said Louie gently, "it's not a sign of weakness to admit you're tired." Loki didn't even want to know how she could read him so well. Ignoring her he continued his spell. Then, she touched his forearm. It was like it had been before, when her hand had gotten burnt and he had instinctively wanted to heal it; a warm burst of energy surged through him. He felt stronger, more alive. He pulled his arm back quickly, though his body screamed at the loss. He looked at his reflection. His illusion was in place in double time.
He frowned.

Wait. This didn't feel like an illusion.

"I don't understand, " he murmured

"Understand what?" He looked at Louie, who was staring at him. Was he seeing things or was there a faint tinge of red on her cheeks?

He stared at his face. He attempted to take the illusion off. It simply faded off his clothes, leaving them looking sorry and sad. His face however, remained the same.
There was no illusion.

Her magic had healed him.

He turned to her, angry and exasperated. The stupid girl did not even know what she had done.

And now, said a little voice in his head, you owe her once more.

He curled his lips into a tired smile.

"Okay." Louie blinked.

"Okay? Okay you'll come shopping with us?" He sneered.

"Don't make me repeat myself, mortal," he said pushing past her.

Louie didn't seem to care. Her face broken into a wide grin. Not for the first time, Loki was struck by how alluring her eyes were. "Awesome."

A/N: And there you have it. Stuff's finally on a roll!

I'm so excited to post the next chapter though, you guys I have a fabulous couple of Loki-Louie moments planned and I cant wait to type the whole thing out!

Anyway, yeah. I don't have anymore to say so I guess I'll call it a wrap!

Remember to leave a review! I love to hear your opinions :D

25/07/2015: BIG GRAMMAR EDIT

See you next time,

Much Love,

xo

P.S. Incidentally, did anyone see the third Age of Ultron trailer? If you didn't you should. I DIED.