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Chapter 11

Eve felt her eyes keep going back to her dad's wrist as the team tried to talk through what this could mean, and how they were going to go about trying to find Lily Potter. How could this even be possible? Could her mother really be alive?

"So, what could have caused this? People don't just come back from the dead!" Steve said.

"I have no idea how this could have come about. And if she is alive- where she is," Loki said, eyes not really leaving his wrist.

"There has to be something, surely? Some way of finding her- like a spell?" Eve suggested.

Loki shook his head. "Not that I am aware of. And as much as I want for her to be alive, to have returned to us, there is still a chance that this is some sort of fluke. Or even some sort of trap."

"Like the wizards trying to distract us? To be able to find an opening to get to Eve," Steve nodded, face grim. "After the assassination attempt I wouldn't be surprised if they start trying more desperate plans now we're aware they're after you." His eyes met hers and his hand came to rest gently on her back. "We need to let the team know about this. If this a case that Lily is back somehow, she needs to be found by us, not the wizards. If we get the others involved, they can help brainstorm ideas on how to find her. On the other hand, if this is some sort of trap, then they can help us to guard against that so we cover both those possibilities."

"You don't think she's back, do you?" Eve asked Loki.

"I want to," He said, looking up at her, meeting her eyes. "But I cannot let myself at the moment. Not when all I have is what could be little more than some freak incident or a trap."

"I'll go fill the others in on this," Steve said.

"I am going out for a while, I need to think things over," Loki said, standing. "Eve, I do not think it would be a good idea for you to go out alone at the moment, while we're still here. If this is something to try and distract us, it may mean an attack is coming."

Eve nodded. "I'll go with Steve to talk with the others. Be careful. It might be you they try to target."

His smile was grim. "If they do, they shall be in for a shock, I can assure you."

The three left the room, Loki heading for the elevator and Steve and Eve heading to gather the others. Eve wondered if perhaps her dad hoped the wizards attacked him. He would certainly enjoy the chance to fight them, she knew that much. His anger about the wizards was tangible when he spoke about them. She shook her head slightly, hoping he would not go looking for trouble.

Loki had no intention of looking for trouble, for once. He did need to try and run what had happened through his mind, and come to terms with it. The London streets were busy and he was able to use that to avoid the press. Even with his infamy, they still swarmed him when they got the chance. Loki had thought that they would want to avoid him, for fear that he may stab one of them. But it seemed that a lot of journalists did not have a keen sense of self preservation.

It did not take long for Loki to realise that someone was tailing him. Reaching out with his magic, he could tell it was a witch or wizard. He grinned slightly. He may not have gone looking for trouble, but if it came to him, who was he to say no?

With barely a hint being left, he conjured a doppleganger to take his place and teleported to an alleyway. Then, he waited, knowing that no one would have been able to notice any change. There would not even have been a blink in the image. His doppleganger walked past where he was, in the shadow of the alley, and then, a few minutes later, so did his follower. He moved quickly, grabbed the man and pulled backwards, dragging him into the alleyway and slamming him into the wall, a knife at his throat.

He raised an eyebrow. "Why in the name of Hel were you following me, Moony?"

Eve was curled up into Eve's side as Tony set JARVIS to searching for any hint of Lily Potter and to keep an eye on wizarding activity, and Natasha contacted SHIELD to see to it that they did the same. The whole team were in agreement that it was best to cover both of the probable options, though Eve was leaning towards this being a trick by the wizards. She could not let herself hope it was actually not a trick. If she did, and those hopes were shattered, she did not know what she would do. Thinking of it, she was sure her dad was probably thinking along the same lines, but knew he would never admit it.

"Eve?"

She looked up at Steve, having been lost in thought. "Yeah?"

"Pepper just came in, she's got news about a wedding planner."

"Oh, great," she looked round to see Pepper had taken one of the empty seats. "Sorry about that, Pepper, I was thinking."

Pepper waved her off. "That's no problem. I've heard back from Amanda Bates. She comes highly recommended and is eager to meet you both and find out if she could work with you. When we get back to New York, she'll be able to meet you at the tower and go over some ideas and see if she's someone you would like. Think of it as if you're interviewing her."

"Who recommended her?" Eve asked.

"A few contacts, but what clinched it was that one of them was my friend, Martha. Her son got married last year, and Amanda was the planner for his wedding. Martha could not sing her praises enough, and apparently Ethan and Beverly are much the same."

"That's great to hear," Eve looked round at her soul mate. "Would you be happy meeting her the day after we get back?"

"Sure, if you want me there," he said.

"Of course I do, it's your wedding as well Steve."

"It's just that back in the forties the bride did most of the organising. Is it different now then?"

"Depends on the couple," Pepper said. "Some are happy for one partner to take charge, so to speak, others prefer to work together, to ensure the day is something for both of them. There are some really shocking stories of controlling brides out there."

"I'm sure we can come up with something for both of us," Eve said. "I definitely want you to feel like you've had a good amount of input into it. We're both meant to enjoy the day."

Steve smiled. "So long as you're there with me, it'll be great."

"I know what you mean," Eve was about to continue questioning Pepper when Loki came in, with a guest. "Remus?" Eve stood, eyes wide.

"Hello Eve, and might I say, congratulations on the engagement?"

Eve let out a laugh and headed over to hug the marauder. "How are you? I thought you'd gone into hiding like the others."

"Like you, I chose the muggle world to hide in. That meant that I had access to their news. So, when I saw you were here as was your father, I came on the chance I could get to speak with you. Luckily, Loki decided to ask questions first and stab later."

"In my defence, you were following me, Remus. And I knew you were a wizard. I am sure you are aware we are currently at odds with the general wizarding populace at the moment."

"I have seen that, yes. Which is another reason I am here. I wanted to add whatever help I could. So, here I am. While I'm sure your father has your education covered, an extra wand to help in an attack should come in useful."

"So long as it's not the full moon, you mean?" Loki said, smirking.

"Well, that goes without saying Prongs," Remus said.

Even though the two had been close friends before that fateful halloween, Eve knew her dad must have been very sure of Remus being on their side before bringing him here. He would not have done so if he thought Remus posed any danger.

"Prongs? Meh, I think Reindeer Games is better," Tony drawled.

"Stark, this is Remus Lupin, an old friend of mine. And the name has nothing to do with my helmet, more the ability I have to change into a stag."

Tony's eyes widened for a moment, and then he grinned. "That just makes Reindeer Games even better."

"Tony, don't antagonise him, he could throw you out a window again," Pepper sighed.

"How about some introductions?" Eve said quickly, eager to draw people away from that line of thought as she noticed Clint sniggering and Steve trying to hide the smile. "Everyone, this is Remus Lupin- and before you ask, the earlier comments about the full moon refer to him being a werewolf. Remus, this is Steve Rogers, my soul mate and fiancé. The idiot who is all but begging to be thrown from a window- again- is Tony Stark, this is Pepper Potts, she runs Tony's company, Stark Industries. Then there is Clint Barton, SHIELD Agent and archer. Bruce Banner is the team doctor, but when he gets angry he turns into the Hulk. Then Natasha Romanov, who is on the phone to her boss at SHIELD at the moment, she's an assassin. Thor, my uncle and god of Thunder. Then, we have Bucky Barnes, Steve's best friend, and several time travellers, who are currently stuck here in the future, but they are currently in their rooms or down in the restaurant getting dinner, so we'll introduce you to them later."

"Whoa, werewolf? Like, changes at full moon into a wolf and runs around all night, werewolf?" Clint asked.

"Yes. Don't worry though, on the full moon I drink a potion that allows me to retain my mind so I do not go on a rampage," Remus said. "The wolf is always kept under control."

"So, the wolf is a separate identity to yours?" Bruce asked.

Remus nodded. "Pretty much. He's strongest at the full moon, of course, but if I'm feeling any particularly strong emotion he comes closer to the surface. If I'm angry, for example, he could hurt others, even if I haven't changed, if I do not keep control."

"How long have you been a werewolf?"

"Since I was a child."

"So you have almost a lifetime's worth of experience controlling the anger?" Bruce looked eager.

"Basically, yes," Remus nodded. "I take it from Eve's introduction you have simmilar experiences with the Hulk?"

"Yes, but he can come out at any point if I lose control," Bruce answered.

Eve grinned at her dad. Remus and Bruce could become good friends, given their similar experiences. And talking with Bruce would hopefully help Remus realise that he wouldn't be ostracised by anyone here because of his inner wolf.

"Reindeer Games, I have a tracking system set up to search for anyone that remotely looks like Lily Potter. If this isn't a fluke or a trap, this should help."

"Fury has SHIELD doing the same," Natasha said. "Thor, didn't you mention something about Heimdal?"

Thor nodded his head. "Indeed. I shall head home tomorrow morning once you are all flying back to New York to ask him to search as well. If she is alive, she will be found."

"What in Merlin's name have I just walked into?" Remus asked, looking to Loki. "Lily's alive?"

"Possibly," Loki said. "Or it could be a trap. We are preparing for either option. Her name has reappeared on my wrist. As you can understand, we are unsure how that could have happened."

"I can see why. Even if the only threat was Voldemort, I would still be weary of a trap. Given that it is the world's Ministries, there's even more of a threat," Remus nodded. "Just let me know if there's anything I can do. Like I said, I'm here to help."