It did not surprise Loki that Doctor Strange had visitors or was frequently out throughout the weeks. However, when Wong announced that one of the visitors was here to see him, Loki rolled his eyes. He believed that it was one of the Avengers definitely checking in on him.

When Loki came downstairs, however, he was surprised to encounter a man in a motorized wheelchair speaking with Doctor Strange. The gentleman was bald-headed, wearing a sports coat and a black turtleneck. Both turned as he approached, though his face was inscrutable, much to Loki's discomfort.

"Loki, this is Charles Xavier." He motioned to the man in the wheelchair. "He's a professor at an institute for gifted children. By gifted, I mean children with a gene that gives them powers. I think the professor can explain it better than I can."

Loki descended the final step and extended his hand of greeting and introducing oneself. "I am Loki-" but the professor cut him off with a raised hand.

"I recognize who you are, Loki, thanks to your brother Thor and the other Avengers. As well as your exploits in New York City." This previous part was spoken so coldly that Loki shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "However, I am not here to talk to you about that, not yet at least. I am here to help you. " Loki looked away for a moment. "We will have to analyze your family life and past actions. From there, we can proceed to find a way that you'll never follow that path again."

Loki barely lifted his shoulders, "It is as you mortals say: 'A leopard cannot change its spots."

Xavier's eyebrows rose with this statement. "I was under the impression that you wish to have your powers back, correct?" Loki nodded in the affirmative, and Xavier continued. "Then this will be the only route for achieving that a reality. I retain a strong sense that you don't want to remain a mortal. You're Loki the Magician, Loki the God of Mischief-."

"Loki the God of Lies and Chaos." The Trickster snorted, "What makes you think I'll stay 'good' as you phrase it, once my powers are returned to me?"

"You've finally decided that you want to be accepted by your brother and others, rather than push them away. In a way, that is the beginning of maturity. Though estranged, he does not wish to give up on you. Why did he worry so much when you were ill? And both Bruce Banner and Tony brought about the aid to help save your life. Captain America defended you. "

Loki rolled his eyes, "Because they're sentimental fools."

"Nevertheless, it is up to the person to modify their behavior." He next spoke to Doctor Strange. "May we use your library?"

Doctor Strange nodded, "Of course, I'll be in my study."

Xavier shut the library doors as they both entered it, then motioned for Loki to sit in one of the cushy velvet chairs. What passed through Loki's mind was the thought that the professor was undoubtedly going to interrogate him about his life on Asgard or even about his heritage. But to his surprise, he began with "We'll be meeting twice a week, is that agreeable?" The former Trickster only shrugged as if to say, Do I have much choice in the matter?

"I am someone who deals with adolescents with powers, so Doctor Strange and Doctor Banner thought it would be a more appropriate choice. Especially given the psychology behind it. The children are sent to us in hopes that they understand their powers. They learn how to wield them in correct situations, and to teach them that it does not make them any different."

Loki's shoulders sagged. His mother had repeatedly told him that his magic did not make him any different from the others. No matter how hard he worked honing his skill, and trying to work on his physical strength, it seemed that his powers were worthless as a male and a prince of Asgard in the eyes of the Court.

Xavier glanced around and then pointed to a shelf. "There's a book on the third shelf down, 6th in line. I'd appreciate it if you would get it, please."

Loki's eyebrows knitted together, but he nodded, getting up and doing as instructed. He returned with a rather hefty book called, "Les Misérables" which he held out to the professor, who only shook his head. "I'll provide you others to read in time. Think of it as…study. This novel is rather lengthy, but the story is quite a remarkable one." He glanced out the arched window, "It's a rather pleasant day, how would you like to take a walk and we can resume our conversation? I'm sure you'd like to be outdoors after being sick for so long."

Loki's eyes lit at the thought of enjoying the outside world again. "Yes...um...please."

"Just a moment then." Xavier placed a finger to his head and closed his eyes. After a moment, he opened them, "Now we can go."

Loki stopped in his tracks. "You're an empath?"

"I read minds, yes." Xavier answered, "or communicate with it. But I never enter someone's mind or read their thoughts without permission, unless it's an absolute emergency. It's what I instruct my students at the Institute. "

Loki nodded, remembering being told the similar thing by not only his mother, but other tutors. He had nevertheless used it for mischief; sometimes for fun, but sometimes for the attention that it would garner.

As if following his train of thought, Xavier added, "They do occasionally use their powers for mischief. Most are harmless, as one would expect from children. They are all the more wiser if their pranks backfire, or they lose another's trust. Their powers are not a result of anything but genetics that grants them a particular power like teleportation, telekinesis and so on. Unfortunately, because some are uncontrollable, or get out of hand and are observed by the normal population, we are seen by some as menaces to society."

Loki winced inwardly at this; many a time he had used his magic for just such purposes, earning the scornful looks from a disapproving tutor or Frigga. It had eventually made Sif and the Warriors Three distrustful of him, exchanging barbs at his expense, even in front of Thor who also laughed at him. "What's the matter," he remembered Fendral snorting on the Bi-Frost, "silver tongue of yours turned to led?"

As they stepped across the threshold, Loki suddenly paused, hesitant to take that final foothold into the street.

Xavier turned, "What's wrong?"

"I-what if someone were to discover me?" Loki inquired, looking around at the avenue; there were passing cars, and only a few pedestrians.

"You're in normal Earth street clothes; no one will recognize you. Come on." Xavier replied, only looking back at him for a moment.

The pair headed north until they reached a reasonably large park. Loki noticed how shady it seemed to be on each side and how few people occupied it, despite the pleasant weather.

"It's the middle of the week, so there aren't many people here." Xavier spoke up. At Loki's puzzled glance, the professor continued, "You were looking at the trees, then both forward and behind you. It wasn't hard to know what you were contemplating, Loki."

It took them only five further minutes before Loki was able to sit on one of the park benches, in a slightly less inhabited area of the park.

There was a lapse when neither man spoke. Loki took in the shady trees lining the walkway, the sounds of birds and distant traffic noises.

Xavier seemed to relax, sitting back in his motorized chair, steepling his fingers together. "So...you're adopted?"

That seemed to pull Loki out of his reverie. He looked at the professor and snorted, "Obviously. Thor told you of this, did he not?"

'He briefed me of your…origins. And why you were adopted by Odin." Xavier acknowledged.

A shadow crossed Loki's face for a moment. "I may have been deemed a prince by Odin, but I was nothing more than a sham and a pawn for his politics. Undoubtedly the Aesir knew that I was not the King and Queen's legitimate child. I know not how they came to explain my arrival on Asgard, or why I was indeed given the distinction of second prince by those on Asgard. I didn't even look like either of them, or Thor."

To Loki's surprise, Xavier's eyebrows went up, "But, you were referred to as a prince, correct? "

Loki looked to the ground, thoughtful for a moment, remembering Frigga's words which had echoed in his memory for years after it had been spoken: You are our son, Loki, and we are your family. You must know that.

He spoke in a voice that was almost extremely quiet to hear, "I was jealous, all that time. Odin….he did treat me as his son and a prince. His rewards and punishments were just. I knew…" he shrugged. "I really thought we had an equal chance to be king. Thor is the biological son of Odin and Frigga, so it was inevitable he would be king someday. So I tricked and lied, all the time being taunted for my magic instead of brute strength like Thor had at his disposal. It is what made me "The God of Mischief and Lies" and why my actions were scrutinized by everyone, why I was…"

He trailed off. "Thor was always the charming, enthusiastic person everyone admired, while I was quiet and reserved and more bookish." He chuckled, "The sole way I could get attention was to misbehave, much to the chagrin of everyone. I was respected because of my rank, and then I was feared for my Seiðr causing chaos. I didn't care who I used it against, frankly."

"Some more adolescent children are guilty of that. You are still considered Thor's brother though, do you not? Or at least, he does believe the same of you." He leaned forward.

Loki toss back his head, "Only after I had 'died' and was injured by Odin. His lip turned up in a sneer. "I was useful only to the extent of helping Thor escape Asgard after Malekith's attack. Frigga was the reason I was spared after the attack of New York; and she was the only one who visited me. Only a few knew of my confinement in the dungeons. Less to ruin the reputation of the royal family, no doubt."

"Then why did he transport you here to Earth?" Xavier inquired.

The cynical expression on Loki's face deepened. "Odin tried to destory me, do you in fact think he'd allow a traitor remain on Asgard?" Those words were bitten off. "If my mother were still alive..." at this, he stopped, a lump forming in his throat. His mother was dead, the memory pained him so much that it was hard to speak after this thought.

And it's my fault she died. I wasn't even allowed to go to her funeral. His stomach knotted at the thought but he didn't utter anything further. Everything had been his fault. Why didn't Odin just leave him on that barren rock to perish when he was an infant? The royal family was torn asunder because of him. If the Other or he shuddered, found him, he'd be dead for sure. And the universe would be in danger...

He swallowed the knot in his throat and continued his train of thought. "I-if Frigga were still alive, she would not have tolerated Odin's torture of me, that is for certain."

It is possible I deserved it, after all the disgrace I've brought to the family, to Mother, and to myself. Then I made a deal with the devil...

"And then Thor brought you here?" Xavier asked, disturbing his thoughts.

Loki only nodded.

"I see." A pause then, "I think that's enough for today, Loki. Perhaps it's time for some tea, it is rather cold outside."

TBC…