Chapter 5

Jess gazes around the conference room, all eyes focused on her. She had been filled in about the cause of the explosion and fire. Some of the rebels that have been trying to break in, finally got through. Took the look of an office worker, even stole an ID badge. The man snuck a bomb into the tech labs just above holding cells.

Tony walks forward, locking his fingers together as he talks. “So Ms. Jessica, since you were the only one there when it happened, please explain to us how Loki escaped, and where you were at.” A few of the people in the room sit forward, anxious to hear her answer. A small squeeze on Jess’ hand from Thor settles her nerves.

“Well honestly….I don’t know that much. I was taking him lunch when the explosion happened, trapping me in the corridor. I couldn’t breathe because of the smoke and passed out. The next thing I know, I’m in the cell with Loki.” Thor tenses up, anger evident in his posture. Trying to pay him no mind, Jess continues running through the events.
“When I woke up, he had this little devise that melted down the doors, and he led me through the fire.” People shift around, a bit shocked at the fact he help me. “When he realized we couldn’t get out, he….teleported me? I’m not sure if that’s what he did, but we were suddenly no longer in here. We were-“

Thor interrupts her, struggling to keep his voice even and cool as he talks through gritted teeth. “He took her to his home. It is in Asgard, but no where near our providence and is heavily enchanted by his ancient magic. That is why it took me so long to find her.”

Stark stands and paces around the room, making small hand gestures as he talks. “Loki has a nifty little device that helped him escape, then he took you too his home and….wait. If you were gone a week here, how long was it there?” Jess fidgets under the scrutinizing gazes of the people around here.

“A day.” Stark nods and heads towards the door, gesturing for Bruce and Pepper to follow. “Thank you bombshell, now if you don’t mind me, I’m going to try to figure out what device he used…I have a sneaking suspicion that it might have been a prototype of mine.” His sentence trails off as he leaves the room, the other two in tow. Thor leans over, gently brushing some hair off her neck as he speaks quietly to her. “It is almost nightfall. Starks partner has found you accommodations for sleep. I am to escort you there.” The little voice in her head pipes up as Jess' brain tries to process his peculiar way of talking…

Translation: Pepper found her a hotel, and Thor is taking her there...

Jess shakes the quiet thought from her head, and gives him a small nod. “Okay, sounds great…I’m actually kind of bushed from all of this interrogating.” As they exit the building, Thor’s hand slips around her waist as he pulls her close once more, throwing her heart off beat. Subtly, Jess leans into his warmth, biting her lip as she fights a smile. A blush blossoms across Thor’s cheeks once more, puzzling her. Guiding her down the corner, they make small talk until they reach the rather expensive looking hotel. A man with an over enthusiastic smile greets them at the doors. “Hello there! You must be Miss Livingston! Miss Potts has already paid for anything you will need, food included.” Handing Jess a key card, he walks with them to the elevator, making mindless chatter as they both nod along. When they are in the elevator, the man gives them a small wave as the doors close.

“I thought he would never stop speaking.” Jess laughs, nodding her head. “I have to agree with you there.” As the elevator doors ding and slide open, he walks with her down the hall to the door labeled 4B. As she goes to slide the key card in, his hand stops her, as he turns her towards him. “Jess…” The huskiness in his voice as he whispers her name sets her blood on fire. Lightly grazing his fingers across her jaw, he cups her cheek, bending forward slightly, giving her time to pull away. When she doesn’t move his lips ghost across hers, stirring something inside her. Thoughts play in her mind as she leans forward, deepening the kiss.

What about Loki?

The voice speaks out once more, stirring another feeling deep inside of her.

Guilt.

What about Loki!? He’s a psycho! Now be quiet!

The voice flees as Thor presses her against the door, body flush against hers. His warm, callused hands trail along her curves, stopping at her hips to ruck her shirt up and tease the skin there. “You are so perfect.” The words barely reach her ears as his teeth catch her bottom lip, giving it a light tug, eliciting a soft moan from her. Jess always loved it when guys did that. Thor’s lips trail down her neck, sucking and nipping at the tender skin, bruising it as his grip loosens slightly on her waist.
“I need to go…I have no self restrain around you.” His voice is muffled as he nuzzles her neck. Jess lets out a small groan but nods and looks up at him. “Fine…I’ll see you tomorrow?”

“Very well Miss Jessica. I will come for you in the morning.” Giving her a smile, and a light peck on the lips, he turns quickly, jaw clenched, and walks away. He obviously did not want to stop; she could see that, but restraining himself made her respect for him grow, a small smile playing across her lips. Turning, Jess swipes the key card in the slot, and walk into the dark room, flipping on a light and shrugging off her clothes. A small note on the night side grabs her attention and she immediately recognizes the neat cursive on the paper.

Your cupcake is in the mini-fridge and some clothes in your sizes are in the draws. Have a good night Jess. Love, Pepper.

“Pepper Pots thinks of everything doesn’t she?” Jess mumbles aloud as she begins to shift through the drawers. Pulling out a pair of cotton sleeping shorts and a baggy shirt, she quickly crawls into bed and flicks off the lamp. The moment her head hits the pillow she can feel sleep racing to greet her.The nightmare has always been the same, always….but this time, something is different.

She grunts in pain at the impact her ribs receive, the blow knocking her against the wall. She looks up at her attacker, as he steps from the shadows, slowly making his way towards her with a smile that would make anyone’s skin crawl.

Her breathing quickens out of fear as the man drags her by my hair into the shadows,
pinning the terrified girl down. Her struggles against him are weak due to her injured state.

As the man goes the cover her mouth, a pale white hand sneaks around his throat, lifting him off of her. A figure emerges into the light as he brings his fist into her attacker’s stomach, winding him. She watches in shock as her attacker is beaten unconscious the newcomers pose screaming of danger. Jess scoots away, unsure whether she should be thankful or even more terrified of the new comer. Slowly he turns, the shadows retreating from his features.

“L-Loki?” her heart still races with adrenaline as she tries to wipe at the tears, but more just take their place. Silently, he kneels beside her, examining her battered state. Reaching out hesitantly, he pulls her sniffling form against himself. The small gesture causes her walls to tear apart. Leaning into him, she sobs heavily against his chest as he lifts her up, cradling her in his arms. A soft breeze stirs her hair as her tears begin to dry, and her sobs become sniffles. When Jess looks up again, they are no longer in the alley, but at her home, in her bedroom.

Gently he sits onto the bed, still cradling her as she rest in his lap. His face is emotionless, but anger plays in his voice. “That man will never hurt you again, not even in your dreams.” Realization hits her like a brick wall at her words. “This…is a dream. Does that mean you are not real?” Jess timidly looks up at him a bit afraid that he is a part of her imagination. “No dear mortal,” his fingers lightly trace her bottom lip, healing the small cut on it. “I am very real. What you are seeing might be a mere projection into your dreams, but that does not mean I cannot actually feel your touch. I am astro-projecting, a term also donned as dream walking.” She nods her head, having heard the terms before. Jess shifts more towards him, his hands sliding down to her waist. “I could not stand by and let you continue to suffer at that mans hands….by intervening, I broke the cycle…you will suffer no more.” A single tear slips down Jess' cheek, dripping unto his armor. “Have I said something to offend thee?” His voice holds a tone she has never heard before as he tilts her face up towards his. Loki’s fingers slightly brush away the tear streak, making her pulse race, but not from fear this time. “No, I’m just really…..thank you Loki.” Shock is written clearly across his face and he gives her a small nod, acknowledging her thanks. With his face mere inches away, she leans forward without giving her brain time to think about what she is doing, and catches his lips with her. Jess’ fingers barely rest on his jaw as she waits for a response from him. Anger? Hate? Revulsion?

The hands at her waist fist the fabric as he leans into the kiss, surprising her with the passion in it. One of Loki’s hands reaches up, tangling itself in her hair as his tongue traces her bottom lip, pleading almost desperately for entrance. She obliges, slipping a leg on each side of his lap, as their tongues dance together. His hands push up her shirt, lightly tracing the skin along her back, raising goose bumps where they touch.

“Loki…” She mumbles his names as she pulls back a bit, irritated at the armor separating them. He immediately sees her wants and leans back, watching her as the armor melts off in a swirl of light, leaving him bare-chested, and in only the black pants of his suit. Jess bites her lip in appreciation as her hands timidly roam across him. Loki’s eyebrows raise as he hardens against her, swearing under his breath. Her smile falters a bit as she looks up at him. “What? What did I do?” He shakes his head, his eyes nearly black with lust as he gazes up at her. “That face…when you bite your lip…” He makes a point as he shifts, allowing his hardness to graze her. “It is very arousing…”

She laughs quietly, as she slips her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his hair. “It really does that too you?” Leaning forward, his hands push up the shirt further, and ghost down her stomach. “You have absolutely no idea.” Loki’s lips come crashing on hers as he shifts, trying not to brush himself against her. Sensing his hesitation, she sinks her hips down, grinding hard against him, pulling the sweetest sound from his lips. A low moan tears from his chest as his hips raise up, meeting hers. Loki suddenly tenses up, eyes locked on her neck.

Shit…

“Did Thor do that to you?” he ask, the anger rising in his voice. Jess gives a small nod, terrified of what will come next, but his action surprises her. Reaching up a finger, he lightly grazes it across the bruise on her neck. “He might have left his mark on you…but just know, you are mine.” His words send a shiver down her spine, causing a low tug in the pit of her stomach. Her breathing becomes more ragged as his lips trail down, placing small kisses along her neck and down her chest. He hardens further against her as she grinds down once more, craving him. “Please.” Without another word he tugs off her dress, and rolls them over in one fluid motion, propping up on his arms above her. A small grin tugs at his lips as he gazes down at her bare torso. “You truly are the most beautiful mortal I have ever lain my eyes on.” Jess’ cheeks and chest flush a bright red as his lips meet hers, the passion growing. Tugging playfully at his lip, he growls, rolling his hips down unto hers, a gasp escaping her lips. With a smirk, Loki lets his fingers roam down her bare thighs, then back up, rubbing a small circle on her hip.

“Damn.” he whispers quietly, pulling back a bit. “It seems my time is up…” She sits up, covering her self as he leans back on his heels, gazing down at her. “What do you mean?” Letting out a quiet sigh, his fingers brush back a strand of her hair, and then drop into his lap. “You are waking up. I can only hold this form for a few more minutes.” Jess gives an understanding nod. Loki leans forward, cupping her cheek, and forcing her eyes to meet with his. “Do not be sad…I will visit you again. Maybe even while you are awake…just do one thing…stay away from Thor.” As she goes to protest, she is suddenly sitting up, and very much awake, no longer in her bedroom, and no longer with Loki. An empty feeling weighs down on her as she gazes around the dimly lit bedroom, the sun filtering through the closed curtain.

Standing, she strips off her pajamas and replaces them with a dark blue spaghetti strapped dress, and gold sandals. As she combs through her hair, a small knock sounds at the door, bringing her from her thoughts. Grabbing the key card, she opens the door to a familiar god leaning against the wall, his green eyes sparkling with mischief as they shamelessly rake down her body.

“Miss me?”

Notes