He almost started purring as he grinned:

"And, who might you be, fair maid? I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting." he started forward "I am Loki."

LACIE'S POV

Loki started walked toward me calmly, his head tilted toward the side with shadowed curiosity. He got, maybe, four steps before all hell broke loose. Shouts quickly filled the room as Natasha's gun appeared and fixed on Loki, her reaction coming just a second after Clint notched an arrow.

"Woah, Reindeer Games! Back it up. You're not going near her." Tony snapped, looking edgy. I'd heard that all his suits were destroyed, that he'd hung up his 'cape', and from the look of desperation mixed with anger on his face it was true. Tony seemed like he was itching to call for his suit, but horrified that he couldn't.

Reed moved to stand next to Tony "I agree with Stark, you go anywhere near Lacie-"

"It'll be clobberin' time." Ben finished with a growl. Sue hadn't said anything, hadn't moved, but I noticed the shield she had thrown up around me. Steve had blocked me from Loki's view, his arms crossed in front of him. Johnny wasn't in front of me, but he was close and fire was licking up his arms. I looked over to where Bruce was standing, behind Tony and Reed, and took in his stiff posture and tight expression with wariness. I liked Bruce but I didn't want to be around when his Mr. Hyde side took over.

Loki's voice felt like satin running across my skin when he spoke, though nobody else seemed to enjoy his speaking. "Lacie? An interesting name. What does it mean, little mortal?"

"She's not gonna answer a motherfu-" Clint started to snarl before I cut him off.

"Delicate. It means delicate." I stated. Clint stared at me, half-outraged while everyone else just looked surprised that I had answered him. I didn't necessarily like the meaning, but it fit. I lived in a world where everyone around me could rip me to pieces or burn me to a crisp.

"You don't have to answer his questions, in fact, it's better if you don't." Steve murmured to me. I glanced at his side profile that he had turned toward me. His jaw was tight and he had a hard look glinting in his eye.

"Friends," Thor began "my brother has changed. He helped us fight the dark elves of Svartalfheim. The Lady Jane would give agreement to this if she was present. We thought he had died on the battlefield, he protected Lady Jane from a fatal blow from an elf sorcerer, but he survived. And he now warns us of the compromise between the Mad Titan and the Fire Lord Surtur."

"Wait. Fire Lord? Like that Nickelodeon thing? With the bald, monk kid?" Tony asked, his forehead furrowed. I raised an eyebrow at that.

"Ironman watches Avatar: the Last Airbender?" I asked incredulously.

"No. I happened to turn it on one day, and I may or may not, have tried to make something that could metal bend." Clint scoffed loudly. "You have a problem with that bird boy?"

"Yeah. The Legend of Korra is waaaaay better than that crap. It's so much more intense."

I gave the two grown men a skeptical look.

"Boys. That's not the point right now. The point is that a mass murderer is standing in the living room of Stark's tower." Natasha says coolly, her gaze never wavering from Loki's face.

"You said something about him changing? Because I doubt it Thor. Thousands of people died because of him!" Steve growled.

Loki scoffed lightly "Thousands? A bit of an overstatement of the devastation and mayhem I caused, isn't it Captain?"

Steve's entire body stiffened as he replied flatly "No. It really isn't." Clint was positively seething with rage as he stared at Loki. I quickly determined that something more personal had happened there.

Thor placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, which was quickly shrugged off, and spoke with a soft pleading tone "He has changed. Listen to me. Just one tale."

Bruce's soft voice resonated around the room, collectively answering for the group "One story. Just one."

"Then I get to shoot him." Clint agrees eagerly. I roll my eyes as all of the superheros, including my family, head over to the kitchen section of the penthouse. I didn't follow, I settled down on the couch and pulled out my phone to text Marley.

"Oh, Lacie?" I glanced up at Sue's voice, tipping my head to the side in a silent question. "If he," she gestures toward Loki, who was smirking at her faintly, "gives you any trouble, just make sure he knows that I can an expand a force field inside someone until they explode."

"Okay, Sue. Thanks." I said with an obligatory roll of my eyes. Loki turned his smirk onto to me, a strange light glinting in his eyes. As Sue made her way to her husband's side I heard Thor start up his story in a surprisingly soft voice for the Norse god of Thunder. I wasn't really listening because he lost me at the first mention of 'dark elves' and 'a paralleling of realms'. At that point a soft vibration on my leg signaled that Marley texted back.

Is the world ending? Again?

I rolled me eyes, but I grinned happily. I had a weird happiness that I wasn't the only "normal" person who was sort of in on superhero debacles.

No. At least, not yet. So nthin crazy-er.

Oh good

A sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. This was how Marley texted when she was with a guy.

Are you..."busy"?

Haha yeah. ;) is this rlly important? or can it wait?

It can wait. I was jst bored. ttyl. Have fun ;) But, no love if he isnt wearing a glove!

Yes mom. bye!

I tossed my phone down onto the couch. I rubbed my eyes in frustration. I needed to talk to someone, but I couldn't excuse myself to call Alicia with arising Sue's suspicions. Anna was at her piano practice and Thelma doesn't text. I really need more friends. Without hope I went through my, practically nonexistent, contacts to see if there was anyone I forgot that would actually care.

Alicia
Anna
Ben
Johnny
Marley
Phil Coulson
Reed
Roberta
Sue
Thelma
Vinchelli's Diner
Willie Lumpkin

He almost started purring as he grinned:

"And, who might you be, fair maid? I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting." he started forward "I am Loki."

LACIE'S POV

Loki started walked toward me calmly, his head tilted toward the side with shadowed curiosity. He got, maybe, four steps before all hell broke loose. Shouts quickly filled the room as Natasha's gun appeared and fixed on Loki, her reaction coming just a second after Clint notched an arrow.

"Woah, Reindeer Games! Back it up. You're not going near her." Tony snapped, looking edgy. I'd heard that all his suits were destroyed, that he'd hung up his 'cape', and from the look of desperation mixed with anger on his face it was true. Tony seemed like he was itching to call for his suit, but horrified that he couldn't.

Reed moved to stand next to Tony "I agree with Stark, you go anywhere near Lacie-"

"It'll be clobberin' time." Ben finished with a growl. Sue hadn't said anything, hadn't moved, but I noticed the shield she had thrown up around me. Steve had blocked me from Loki's view, his arms crossed in front of him. Johnny wasn't in front of me, but he was close and fire was licking up his arms. I looked over to where Bruce was standing, behind Tony and Reed, and took in his stiff posture and tight expression with wariness. I liked Bruce but I didn't want to be around when his Mr. Hyde side took over.

Loki's voice felt like satin running across my skin when he spoke, though nobody else seemed to enjoy his speaking. "Lacie? An interesting name. What does it mean, little mortal?"

"She's not gonna answer a motherfu-" Clint started to snarl before I cut him off.

"Delicate. It means delicate." I stated. Clint stared at me, half-outraged while everyone else just looked surprised that I had answered him. I didn't necessarily like the meaning, but it fit. I lived in a world where everyone around me could rip me to pieces or burn me to a crisp.

"You don't have to answer his questions, in fact, it's better if you don't." Steve murmured to me. I glanced at his side profile that he had turned toward me. His jaw was tight and he had a hard look glinting in his eye.

"Friends," Thor began "my brother has changed. He helped us fight the dark elves of Svartalfheim. The Lady Jane would give agreement to this if she was present. We thought he had died on the battlefield, he protected Lady Jane from a fatal blow from an elf sorcerer, but he survived. And he now warns us of the compromise between the Mad Titan and the Fire Lord Surtur."

"Wait. Fire Lord? Like that Nickelodeon thing? With the bald, monk kid?" Tony asked, his forehead furrowed. I raised an eyebrow at that.

"Ironman watches Avatar: the Last Airbender?" I asked incredulously.

"No. I happened to turn it on one day, and I may or may not, have tried to make something that could metal bend." Clint scoffed loudly. "You have a problem with that bird boy?"

"Yeah. The Legend of Korra is waaaaay better than that crap. It's so much more intense."

I gave the two grown men a skeptical look.

"Boys. That's not the point right now. The point is that a mass murderer is standing in the living room of Stark's tower." Natasha says coolly, her gaze never wavering from Loki's face.

"You said something about him changing? Because I doubt it Thor. Thousands of people died because of him!" Steve growled.

Loki scoffed lightly "Thousands? A bit of an overstatement of the devastation and mayhem I caused, isn't it Captain?"

Steve's entire body stiffened as he replied flatly "No. It really isn't." Clint was positively seething with rage as he stared at Loki. I quickly determined that something more personal had happened there.

Thor placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, which was quickly shrugged off, and spoke with a soft pleading tone "He has changed. Listen to me. Just one tale."

Bruce's soft voice resonated around the room, collectively answering for the group "One story. Just one."

"Then I get to shoot him." Clint agrees eagerly. I roll my eyes as all of the superheros, including my family, head over to the kitchen section of the penthouse. I didn't follow, I settled down on the couch and pulled out my phone to text Marley.

"Oh, Lacie?" I glanced up at Sue's voice, tipping my head to the side in a silent question. "If he," she gestures toward Loki, who was smirking at her faintly, "gives you any trouble, just make sure he knows that I can an expand a force field inside someone until they explode."

"Okay, Sue. Thanks." I said with an obligatory roll of my eyes. Loki turned his smirk onto to me, a strange light glinting in his eyes. As Sue made her way to her husband's side I heard Thor start up his story in a surprisingly soft voice for the Norse god of Thunder. I wasn't really listening because he lost me at the first mention of 'dark elves' and 'a paralleling of realms'. At that point a soft vibration on my leg signaled that Marley texted back.

Is the world ending? Again?

I rolled me eyes, but I grinned happily. I had a weird happiness that I wasn't the only "normal" person who was sort of in on superhero debacles.

No. At least, not yet. So nthin crazy-er.

Oh good

A sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. This was how Marley texted when she was with a guy.

Are you..."busy"?

Haha yeah. ;) is this rlly important? or can it wait?

It can wait. I was jst bored. ttyl. Have fun ;) But, no love if he isnt wearing a glove!

Yes mom. bye!

I tossed my phone down onto the couch. I rubbed my eyes in frustration. I needed to talk to someone, but I couldn't excuse myself to call Alicia with arising Sue's suspicions. Anna was at her piano practice and Thelma doesn't text. I really need more friends. Without hope I went through my, practically nonexistent, contacts to see if there was anyone I forgot that would actually care.

Alicia
Anna
Ben
Johnny
Marley
Phil Coulson
Reed
Roberta
Sue
Thelma
Vinchelli's Diner
Willie Lumpkin

My eyes locked on the one name that hadn't been there before. Phil Coulson. Phil Coulson? When did he- SHIELD. Of course, they put a number of one of their agents in my phone. Responsible and insightful, but creepy. I envisioned texting Phil about my guy dilemma, and my 'being a liability, what can I do?' problem. I blinked, the wheels in my head turning sharply. Well, no fucks have been given this day!

Agent Coulson?

Yes, Miss Stark?

I took a deep breath and...chickened out.

What are you up to?

Watching Super Nanny. Some new recruits are training with an agent on my team. At this stage it's like watching toddlers going up against the Terminator.

I start laughing helplessly. I didn't think he would actual be honest with me, or at least text back after he realized I wasn't in danger.

Please tell me that's actually what you're doing. Please.

It is. I would send you a video, but your clearance level is Level 3. You need at least a Level 5 to witness this.

I was still laughing when I felt breath stir the hair next to my neck as a voice spoke into my ear "What is so entertaining, little dove?" I jumped and spazzed violently in shock. Loki was sitting next to me, smirk full of cocky disdain.

"N-nothing." I cursed internally when my voice came out as a stammer. I tried again. " Did you just call me 'little dove'?"

"It fits you, I believe. Delicate as you are."

My eyes narrowed angrily "Screw off." Oh, witty Lacie. Very witty.

"I can see how you are related to the one of Iron. You both have such a...stimulating mind." he chuckled. His laugh sounded hollowed and tired.

"How did you know...never mind. I don't want to know. When did you talk to Tony? He doesn't seem to like you much."

His smooth face winced for just a moment, so fast I almost didn't catch it. "During the Chitauri invasion. I threw him out of a window." I gave out a low whistle.

"Ballsy, Prince Ali."

"Prince Ali?" his eyes became contemplative, trying to figure out my words.

I sighed a little. "Aladdin. He became a prince through magic, but he didn't actual have a kingdom. He wasn't really a prince, either."

He face looked blank, clear of expression when he replied with a short "Ah."

We sat there for a minute inn awkward silence. I almost felt bad for saying that, except I remembered all the people he had been responsible for letting die. I focused on Thor's wild hand gestures. He was miming a hammer swing and...a dying pig? I don't know. Clearly, Steve didn't either because he was massaging his temples. He caught my eye and nodded to me, shaking his head faintly. Johnny caught the look between us and glared at me before turning the heat of his gaze onto Steve who was studiously ignoring him with a set jaw.

"They look very similar." Loki muttered to me. I turned my look to him, tipping my head to the side, furrowing my eyebrows. I had already noticed this, but I didn't know where was he going with it.

"With the sexual desire I'm observing from your pathetic mortal men, you could have both. But having them at the same time? Pleasurable, and very tempting I would guess. But you might get confused. Not knowing in the heat of the moment who's face you were staring. But it could be very...stimulating. Though, you'revirginal mind most likely has not gone there." He purred this with amusement. I considered this for a second, getting wetter than I should have.

I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly " I would have gone there eventually. My 'inner' voice hasn't been contained lately."

"Inner voice?" he inquired, sounding amused and bored.

I flush faintly. I don't understand why I fell the need to explain this to him, but I'm going to. "It sounds like a woman and she doesn't have a problem voicing whatever it thinks. It sounds sweet and tempting I guess you could say, except for once. It almost sounded like someone who could order someone around in battle. Honestly, it didn't sound like the same person." Loki no longer looked bored. He looked like he was realizing something.

"What did the voice, or voices, say? Lacie." he ordered. I went red, thinking about everything I had heard. Nope. Not happening. I shake my head in a silent no.

"I'll make a deal with you. If you tell me something true, I will too."

I rolled my eyes "How can I trust the God of Lies, though."

"I will swear it by the All-mother. It keeps the strongest truth flowing from my lips out of all oaths." he spoke this solemnly. I automatically trusted people, one of my biggest faults, and this was no exception. I knew I shouldn't, it would make me the Queen Idiots. But I was going to.

I opened my mouth to tell him about the voice, to agree with his deal, but right then an overgrown man-child flopped down between us.

"Hey, Princess. How you doing, here in my living room? The one that you dented when the Hulk thrashed you around like a rag doll."

Loki's smirk came back quickly "Quite well, Stark. I see that you didn't fix the dent."

Tony snarked back happily "Nope. Just put some reinforced glass over it. Best memory in this tower. And there are quite a few." He gave Loki a languid smile and winked at me. Ew, ew, ew, ewww.

"Yes, I would suppose so." Loki deadpans.

"But I didn't come over here to reminisce."

"Do tell me why then."

"You can stay. On one condition." Tony held up his index finger. Everyone else was slowly dispersing around the penthouse. Clint was worrying me. He was staring straight at Loki with a predatory smile.

"On what condition will I be allowed to stay in this... wonderful abode."

"You get a handler. Fully approved by SHIELD. They are still trying to decide on a permanent one, but until then-" Tony was cut off by an evilly cheerful voice.

"Me." Clint chirped "You get to be watched by me. And I might get to shoot you." Loki's lips pursed but he nodded. He quickly got up from the couch and stationed himself next to Thor. Thor at first seemed confused, but he apparently decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth and simply wrapped one burly arm around him and beamed at everyone. Loki looked as if he was severely regretting his decision.

I watched Clint gaze at Loki with an unnatural hunger, and I worried. I was worrying for an world wide mass murderer! I shook my head and looked at Tony, who was still sitting next to me. Grinning.

"So, 20 questions time?"

*********************************

BEN'S POV

"Ben, I'm worried." Reed told me. I switched my attention from Hothead and Captain America's stare off to Reed's worried face.

" 'Bout what, Reed?" I rumbled. My voice didn't bother me anymore. I mean, it's not what I was used to, growing up in a Jewish household. It wasn't exactly normal, but nothing was since the space station.

"About Lacie. I'm worried that Stark is gonna hurt her." Reed gestured to the couch where Lacie and Stark were sitting. They were laughing about something, Lacie had her head on her knees while Tony had his head thrown back against the couch.

"She'll be fine, Reed. Charlie's a smart kid. Hell, she's not even a kid anymore." I cracked my knuckles at that. I didn't seem right that she was growing up.

"I guess. But-" his fingers were wrapping around and around and around his glass of water. It was making me nauseous.

I growled at him "But nothing Reed. We all love Charlie. Even Hothead." Reed snorted at this. I gripped his shoulder tightly, he winced but focused his eyes on me instead of her.

"He does, Reed. They might fight a lot. Well, more than that. But he would fight for her. Probably, so much more. So would Sue, and me. Don't worry. Stark wouldn't be the one to hurt her."

Reed nodded, relaxing a bit, his fingers became normal length again. "Thanks, Ben." Reed clapped me on the shoulder and walked over to where Sue was standing with Bruce. I sighed, in relief and sadness.

Relief because he hadn't gotten what I meant by Tony not being the one to hurt her. Hell, I didn't even think she would be the one to get hurt. For once, the hotshot was putting himself on the line when it came to something other than crime fighting. He was going to get hurt if anyone did, I was a rock, not blind. I could see how she looked at Rogers.

I'm not sure which one Reed would rather she dated. This was gonna be fun.

*****************************

LACIE'S POV

"Tony, what the hell is this?" Clint yells out with laughter. He and Tasha are hovering over Tony's StarkPad. Tony hopes up and runs over to see what they hacked into.

"Alright. I can actually explain that." Tony says looking relieved. Everyone, even Loki, starts moving toward the trio in curiosity.

"What can't you explain on here?" Clint asks. Natasha taps on the screen a few times while Tony stammers and tries to get her to stop. Time seems to pause as she stops probing around and everyone, except me, sees whatever it is.

"Tony..." Steve says in shock, his eyes wide but never looking away.

"Shut up, Spangles! I bet you saw worse on that tour with all those ladies."

"No, Tony! I didn't! I don't even understand-"

Clint interrupts with a quick question "Can you send me the link for this?"

As everyone starts chiming in, Thor with a memorable "I have participated in something like that! Except there were three women and a man." I decided to do something very stupid right then, instead of listening to whatever deprived act the blonde godling participated in. I felt that I had to do it, my protective side had kicked in.

When Tony and I had been talking I used one of my questions to ask about Clint and Loki.

"Your turn, cupcake." Tony cheered. I rolled my eyes but smiled nonetheless.

"So why does Clint hate Loki so much more than the rest of you?" Tony pulled back. He clearly hadn't been expecting that.

"Loki put him in some mind controlled state. Clint can remember everything and was aware the whole time, it was like he was just a passenger in his own body. I wouldn't be surprised if he really did shoot Loki."

With so much hate for him, I couldn't help thinking that Clint shouldn't be his handler. It wasn't only this that was making me consider a very stupid and dangerous path. I didn't want to be a liability. Loki asking what my name meant was really a kick in the metaphorical balls. Delicate, everything about me was delicate. Even my name. I couldn't live this life like that, eventually some super villain would come along and use me for bait and my family would get hurt.

Once they were all sufficiently distracted I got up from the couch and made my way into the elevator. I pressed the button for the housing floor and waited. I left the lift when it stopped, and I slid into my new room. I sat down on the bed and pulled out my phone. I swayed my thumb back and forth over the screen in silent contemplation. I had to do this. For Reed. Ben. Sue. Alicia....Johnny.

I quickly went to my eleven contacts, stopping on the sixth one. Again, I paused. I took a deep breath, steadied my nerves and pushed call.

"Agent Coulson speaking." came a voice over the line.

I smiled, even though he couldn't see. "Hey, Coulson. It's Lacie Ch-Stark. Lacie Stark. Can I ask you for something?"

"Sure. My show is own commercial. What do you need?" he responded. I could hear a loud shout in the background, followed by a resounding thud. "Oh. That had to hurt. Good try ,Martinez. Fitz-Simmons, please tell me you got that on video."

"Coulson?" I asked over the babbling voices in the background.

"Sorry, Miss Stark. What was it you needed?"

"A number." my pulse was sky rocketing. I could barely breath now.

"A number? Like a phone number?"

"Yep. The very same thingy." Thingy? Really, Lacie? Really?!

"Ooookay. A thingy for who?"

"Whom. Not who. I think. But, ya know-"

"Lacie."

"Fury. I need the number for Director Fury."

"Why?"

"I want to talk about something important."

"Stark...we aren't the easiest place to work. It's the reason we don't put out wanted ads in the newspaper. It's challenging, life consuming and very elite."

"I didn't say...alright, yeah I want to talk about a job. And I think Fury is the one to make this call."

Silence.

"Coulson?"

"Alright, I'll text you the number."

I gave out a gusty sigh "Thank you, Coulson."

"Promise me one thing though." he said cryptically.

"What?"

"When your clearance is high enough," he hesitated "you'll watch Super Nanny with me. Once you get trained, that is."

I start laughing in disbelief "Yes. I promise."

"And Lacie?" a short pause permeated over the phone "Good luck. I need someone who actually watches my shows with me. And call me Phil."

" Alright. Thanks, Phil. Bye."

"Bye, Lacie. Anytime."

I hung up. I pressed my knuckles to my mouth, not sure why I was so panicky now. Only a few seconds later my phone vibrated. It was a text from Phil. I opened it.

It was a phone number. I gulped, feeling like the stupid heroine in an action movie. Always making the wrong choice. I could envision the audience groaning as I saved the number in my phone, telling me to delete it and go back upstairs. They would physically yell and shout when I pressed call and put my ear up to the phone and waited for him to pick up.

The female voice came back, the more maternal one. I recognized the distinction now:

It's not too late. Hang up the phone. Be safe. Go back upstairs to your-

A faintly exasperated and commanding voice picked up on the other side of the line.

"This had better be important, Stark."

Notes

Fury time!! But what did you think? Don't be silent readers!! :) Pretty please?? :)