Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Marvel, NBC, or any of the characters in any way.

First story of a series of crossovers involving characters from the show Heroes and The Avengers.

Note: I apologize for taking so long! My muse escaped me on this, but slammed into me earlier this week. I'll be sure to keep the tricky muse in line ehehe-thank you for reading!

It took Claire about two minutes to turn from silent and pensive to outraged and demanding in the SUV with Angela.

"What the hell are those two doing here? Isn't it enough that they destroyed our city last year? What are they doing, rubbing our noses in it? And that tall asshole-Loki." Claire rubbed her neck as she spoke, as if the touch of his lithe, phantom fingers still lingered on her neck-as if she could feel it. "What the hell was he thinking, snapping my neck? What if it wasn't me? What if he came back and started killing people and attacking again?" By now, the words were rolling out of her mouth with little thought. "And how the hell did you know they were here? Its bad enough that there's still so many unanswered questions about the Company, and Pinehearst. But now, with you involved in SHIELD? Its a good thing I'll live forever, because that's how long it'll take to get answers."

"That's enough, Claire." Angela's voice was calm, but the gaze she shot to her granddaughter was sharp; a metaphorical knife held to the base of Claire's throat, offering a silent challenge and clear order. "Perhaps one day you'll learn that instead of rapidly firing questions, you should stop and think before you speak, and maybe get an idea about what answers you want instead of ones you simply demand."

"I know what answers I'm looking for. That's why I'm asking you these questions." The blonde drew in a sharp breath and moved to stare out the window. It was still pouring. How fitting. "I should've known better than to ask you for answers."

With that, Angela frowned. Anger flashed behind her eyes, for a moment, and she pushed Claire's shoulder gently so that her granddaughter was facing her again. What she would give to teach her granddaughter how to use that good head on her shoulders.

"Just wait, Claire. Maybe you'll get some answers when we arrive to our destination."

With that, Claire gave a slight roll of her eyes and fell silent. Maybe she would. Probably not. At least, aside from the heated conversation between herself and her grandmother, the car ride was going smoothly. There wasn't any sudden commotion from the other vehicles-either the brothers were separated, or Thor had demanded that he keep an eye on Loki to prevent any more outbursts. Like she had any idea how their minds worked. All she knew of their ways was destruction-it was all they had to offer, it seemed, after what had happened in New York. It was fitting that Thor carried a hammer. The both of them seemed to be nothing more than that-nothing more than tools, attempting to hammer nails in a coffin spanning the cosmos.

When the cars stopped, Claire undid her seatbelt without casting a glance over to her grandmother, and got out of the vehicle and stood in the rain. Was this SHIELD, or something? It was on one of the few blocks that had managed to be fully restored since the Chitauri attack-and, of course, it was close to Stark Tower. Maybe Tony Stark had a hand in the restoration and the choosing of the location for SHIELD. It could have been a way for him to keep an eye on what was happening, and who was coming and going, here at what Claire guessed were the headquarters.

Thor and Loki were led out of another of the SUV's (they had ridden together, then, Claire noted) and made to walk together, silently, into the building that loomed before them. Claire's gaze followed them, and while Thor did not give her a second look, or even an apparent thought, Loki's eyes immediately burned into her own accompanied by a feral smile. Her own eyes narrowed slightly, though she frowned to herself. For a moment, she wondered how Sylar would fare against the gods-interdimensional beings-aliens-whatever they were.

She hoped they'd mop the floor with him.

Angela brushed past Claire, and then Claire moved to fall in step with her grandmother. The procession through the halls of SHIELD was one Claire was somewhat glad to bear witness to: the looks of surprise and anger that flashed on the face of the agents reflected what she herself was feeling, in regards to the presence of the Asgardians. An inclination to stare down what was foreign: how very human. Fleeting moments like this, Claire was grateful for-they fed her a bit more of humanity, and that feeling of belonging, of being a normal part in the natural way of things.

"Direct Laufeyson into one of the interrogation rooms." Angela's voice cut clear through Claire's thoughts, and made the thunderer turn to regard her. "We are to have words with him."

"With all due respect, Loki is of Asgard, and it is there he must be brought." Thor glanced down to Angela, working hard to achieve some manner of diplomacy. "How he has slipped through our defenses and returned to this realm is beyond me. But he must be returned, and there he will be dealt with accordingly."

"You said something similar last time, Odinson, and you failed to do so until he had leveled half of a major city. Before you drag him back across the stars again we're going to have a talk."

Before Thor could object any further, Angela moved past him and stepped into the interrogation room, waving a dismissive hand to keep other agents at bay. She, and she alone, was going to speak with him.

Claire moved past Thor, anger creeping along her spine, and she stopped in front of the interrogation room two-way mirror, to watch and listen to the conversation between her mother and the trickster. Her lip curled some in distaste-Angela wasn't going to get any answers from him. And if anyone could be demanding answers, shouldn't it have been Claire herself? If only for a few minutes? Thor came into place beside her, remaining silent-he was intent on listening to what his brother had to say.

"Now, Laufeyson-"

"Laufey is dead, that name doesn't stand."

"Then should I call you Odinson? You are the brother of Thor, aren't you?"

Silence. But Loki's face curled into a cruel grin.

"I suppose we can be on a first name basis. I'm Angela. The last time you were here, Loki, you caused quite a significant amount of damage to our world. It seems your world is incapable of containing you and giving you the punishment you deserve. As a war criminal, you are fit to stand trial here, but chances are-"

"If Asgard's prison cannot contain me, then there is certainly no place on this rock that you can keep me."

"So, you got out of your prison. What would make you think to come back here?"

"Safety. My brother, as you refer to him, is the protector of this realm. So why not go where I'll be protected?"

Angela fell silent for a moment, but pursed her lips in a tight smile.

"If you want to keep your precious city safe, Angela, then why bring me to the heart of it? Your kind are not the only kind I have crossed in the cosmos."

Thor tensed. He knew where this was going. Claire glanced up at him with a questioning look, but the thunderer's gaze did not stray from his brother.

"Really, bringing me here? That was not a wise choice. Though, your people are not known for wisdom. You are quick to demand and loathe answering to higher authorities. No wonder Thor holds you in such high esteem. You're about as evolved as he is."

"Where should we have brought you?"

"A vast and open space. One that you wouldn't mind falling under attack."

"We mind all places falling under attack. This is our world, not yours. Its not a toy."

"No, it is not, but it is only a small piece in the grander scheme." Loki grinned and gave a laugh-a delighted laugh, and akin to nails on a chalkboard. "In Asgard, I was under very specific protection. I was hidden. But now that I'm here, I am a beacon for all in the galaxy. If you fall under attack here, well, you brought it upon yourself." His eyes darted to the two-way. "Not many realize there's more damage done by bringing me closer instead of sending me on my way."

The intent of those words did not slip by Thor.

"Whatever you say, Laufeyson." Angela only smiled as she stood. "We'll see about an extradition for you. Perhaps sending you back to Asgard with your brother would be best."

She left the room without turning to see the sneer of malcontent slide across Loki's features. Wordlessly, she passed by Thor and Claire, and the other SHIELD agents who had helped bring the Asgardians in fell into place after Angela. Thor and Claire were left alone in the corridor, and they quietly glanced to one another before looking into the interrogation room again. A hint of...something twitched its way into the lines of Thor's face, but Claire didn't look closer to see what. She didn't look at all-she opted to barge into the interrogation room instead,

"Why the hell are you here?" Anger was clear on her face, and it took fiery residence in her eyes. "Haven't you done enough already? And why the hell did you snap my neck?"

"I'm disappointed that gesture didn't kill you. I was hoping it would shut you up."

"You'll have to try harder than that."

"Oh, you are angry, aren't you? A little whirlwind of a person. You are very demanding-have you made any sort of connection with my darling brother out there yet?" He chuckled, and added dryly, "You two seem like kindred spirits."

"Enough!" Thor looked to Loki as he entered the interrogation room, then placed a heavy hand on Claire's shoulder and turned her around. "Come with me. This will get you nowhere."

Claire shoved Thor's hand off, but gave in and followed the thunderer out of the room-not without casting a last glance to the trickster, who only managed to smirk a farewell to her before the door shut behind her.

"Why not let me talk to him?"

"It will get you nowhere. You seek answers, as do I. But Loki will not give them directly. I have learned, over the years, that what he offers comes in subtlety and only when he wishes it to be known." A little too late, he had realized that. "But do not think you are alone in seeking answers from him."

"I know I'm not alone. There's a whole world of people wondering what the hell he did last year, let alone wondering why he'd return after that!"

"I am aware." Thor frowned-he was struggling to maintain his patience. Why did the mortals need things categorized into such strict categories of black and white? Loki would only ever smear the labels and bathe everything in gray. "But he is not going anywhere. Answers will be obtained, in time." He offered a slight smile-maybe he could try changing the subject. "What is your name?"

"Claire." She sighed and ran a hand through her hair as she glanced up to the god, deciding to take the bait and let the subject change. "Claire Bennet."

"Well met, Claire Bennet." He gave a polite nod. "I must ask you this: how did you recover from your neck being broken? I was not aware of continued practice of seiðr in your kind. Unless it is some sort of technological advancement?"

"No, no weird devices or anything. But...seiðr?" A look of confusion passed over Claire's face. "What is that?"

"Magic, simply put."

"Oh. No, no its not magic." A slight, sad smile pulled at one corner of her mouth. "There's nothing magical about it. I'm a mutant. There's people like me who can do things like that-some people can fly, turn invisible, have great strength, things like that. Its a trait."

"I see. And yours is healing?"

"Yeah." She smiled slightly. "Healing."

"It would take a powerful sorcerer to cause that rapid of a recovery from an injury, back in Asgard. You have a real gift."

"Its something." She laughed slightly. Two years ago, with Samuel, it was almost tempting to bite the fruit of superiority and call what she did a gift. "It has its uses."

"It would be most useful in battle."

Claire glanced up at Thor and smiled a bit. An army of giant, blond warriors like him who could heal-that was something terrifying to think about, really. Nothing could stop them. Her smile faded as Thor glanced briefly away. Anger still boiled in her veins-how dare they return here, after what they did? But despite who he was-this magnificent being, this magical god-king in the making, this mighty warrior whose brother had ravaged a city, there was a certain sense of something familiar that emanated from the Odinson-he was genuine, and honest. And even Claire, in all of her anger and ill will about the situation and his appearance, couldn't look past those two key traits after a lifetime of being snared in the lies of others. She couldn't really blame him for the actions of his brother, could she? Loki seemed to do that enough himself.

"Odinson?"

Angela's voice made both Claire and Thor turn, and Angela stood with a tight smile on her face.

"Director Fury wishes to speak with you. If you'll come with me."

Thor nodded, then glanced down at Claire, curiosity lining his features. Claire's eyes darted to him, and then ahead to Angela, quickly-it was too much, too familiar; to see someone whose emotions were not on their sleeve but clear on their face in their eyes? It was like looking in a mirror. Despite that, Claire's mouth twitched up in a smile. Thor, content with this, followed after Angela, and Claire fell in place beside him. Whatever was happening, she was a part of it, whether her grandmother and the others in SHIELD liked it or not. She didn't glance back to Loki, though.

His gaze was already boring into her back.

"Mom, look! A meteorite!"

"Hm? Oh, look at that. Make a wish, Timmy!"

The little boy squeezed his eyes shut, practically bouncing with excitement while his hands remained glued to the window. His mother's hand slipped off his shoulder as she pulled away, and then Timmy opened an eye to peek out at the meteorite-he couldn't help his curiosity. Both eyes opened wide in surprise-the meteorite seemed like it was coming right at them.

"Mom? I think its coming this way."

"Don't worry, sweetie, those things always burn up before they come close to us."

The ball of apparent fire was approaching, though, and Timmy's gut twisted around itself. He hopped down from the window and darted out to the front porch.

"Timmy, come back in, its almost time for-"

His mother had followed him out to the porch, and when she saw that the flaming ball was coming closer-much closer, really-she gulped quietly and shooed her son back inside.

"Go into the basement, Timmy, now!"

The door was barely shut behind them when the meteorite crashed into the ground, and the impact made the house feel as if the foundation had been jarred completely free. Windows shattered, and Timmy's mom screeched in fear.

Outside, the meteorite-or rather, what had appeared as one-stretched out with a groan, and then rose on shaky legs to stand on two massive feet. The giant unfurled as its posture straightened, and there was a slight pop as bones settled back into place after the impact. The being cracked its neck and glanced to the house before starting its trek southward. It had a god to find.

Loki Laufeyson had a debt to pay.