AN: This is is for this fic, and it skews a little fluffy as it was an exchange and the time was a little crunched. But in writing this I fell so far in love with this pairing that I had to keep going. I've got a sequel, that's much (much, did I mention much?) longer in the works, and it dives much further into the levels of Hermione's compassion and Loki's darker side. It won't be ready for publishing anytime soon, so you'll have to be patient!

Hermione had a busy day. She had given her two weeks notice at the Ministry that morning, but hadn't officially given S.H.I.E.L.D an answer and she had been recruited to be a potioneer and a magical historian. After a couple days, the tears Loki still caused had mostly subsided, and she was determined to throw herself into whatever job she was about to accept. But she felt in no mood to make any life-changing decisions that afternoon, and had stopped at Flourish and Blotts on the way home for a new book about destructive magical objects, and she put on soft classical music to relax as she popped corn for a snack.

The knocks on the door were unexpected, and caused her heart to leap into her throat. She was expecting Agent Coulson to return to see her, as she didn't have a phone line, and he didn't seem to know the number of the mobile she still kept, but she hadn't seen the black sedan again, and didn't know how she could miss any agents in the neighborhood. Another thought, more terrifying, also came to her. Was someone watching the agents? Did someone on the 'known threat' list know she had been approached? She quickly pushed that fear aside. No one would bother knocking on her door if they were planning on killing her. Whoever it was, they wanted to talk.

Slowly, she crossed her flat and looked out the peephole, and anger rushed through her. Loki was standing there, looking defeated, but his look did not change her reaction. Her body was drawn to full height and her hands were shaking in anger as she opened the door a crack.

"Banished again already?" she sneered.

His face darkened for a long moment. "I must talk to you."

"I have nothing left to say to you."

"Just a minute. Please."

"No."

"I am not leaving until I can speak to you, and I would think it would be a favor I am knocking instead of inviting myself in."

"Are you planning on standing out there looking like that, even if the Muggles see you?"

"If that is what it takes to get a moment to speak to you."

Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized him, then she opened the door a little more roughly than she needed, stepping aside and motioning him in with a jerk of her arm.

He cautiously crossed the threshold, staying far away from any of her things, thinking she'd probably hex him if he touched a single belonging, but his eyes swept the room anyway. It was neat, which did not surprise him, with a couple couches for entertaining, a fireplace, some pictures of her family and friends, and a few knick-knacks from her world travels. Above the mantle was an award, her Order of Merlin, and the first copy of her book. Crookshanks was underneath the coffee table, hissing at him. When he looked at the cat the orange creature streaked from under the table, batting his knee several times before disappearing into her bedroom, growling from under the bed.

"What do you want?" she asked, crossing her arms.

"I..." he swallowed hard. "I have the rest of what I owe you."

Her body went rigid and her hand flicked towards her wand. "I don't want it," she replied through clenched teeth. "In fact, I have something for you."

She summoned a leather bag and slammed it onto the counter, where it opened to reveal it was full of gold Galleons, many more than the size of the bag would indicate.

"I haven't spent a knut. I don't want it."

"It was yours for a job. You completed the job. You should keep it."

"It is a painful reminder of the most foolish moment of my life," she shot back. "If you don't take it, I'm going to donate it, to get rid of it and hopefully the memories it carries."

He was so shocked by her words that he could only look at her.

"I should have known," she murmured, walking into her kitchen to put on a pot of coffee. "It's not like your title didn't warn me. The God of Mischief and Lies. How bloody stupid was I to think that I was going to be the first who wasn't your victim?"

"Hermione..." he started, but she cut him off.

"I know what you're going to say," she snapped. "You didn't lie. You said I hadn't seen the last of you, and here you are. You know what I meant, but what do you care? You are keeping your word, the supposedly reformed God of Lies holds to his promise. All I get after our nights together is a bloody note that was akin to what you might say to an acquaintance you don't particularly care when you see again. When were you planning on coming back, Loki? A month? A year? Or perhaps when I had moved on, when I had bound myself to another man and you could keep your promise of return without having any obligations to the foolish mortal girl?"

"Do not talk about being with another man," he snapped, his face darkened.

"I'm not going to waste my anger on you. You've always been like this. Perhaps if I had an upbringing such as yours I would be the same way, I can't say because I can't possibly know what it's like to be like you. I can't imagine manipulating those around me until I can't be sure if they care for me, or for the image I'm feeding them. I'm saving my anger for myself. I shouldn't have been so foolish. I never should have trusted my feelings to you."

She took a deep breath and looked away from him, then added softly, "You got what you want, Loki. You're back in Asgard. In the big picture, a mortal girl doesn't matter. I've only got another century or so, and after you can continue your life without the guilt I hope you feel."

"Of course I feel guilt," he told her. "I should have stayed. Asgard isn't worth you."

"I can't trust you, Silvertongue. I can't believe a word that comes out of your mouth. I did once, and it was a mistake."

"There is nothing I can say to convince you what I'm about to say is sincere, but I pray you let me say it. I can't promise you that I'll behave. I've told many people that I'll change to let them down, so often that many of those I should be treating well have become resigned to it. And I deserve any scorn and suspicion that comes my way. I have, up until now, never felt a need to change my ways. It seems things always seem to work out in the end, and I convinced myself that the ends justified the means, even if the ends were only that way by chance and the skill of others.

"I cannot promise that I will never make another play for power. It is tempting, and it is difficult for someone to give up on something they have wanted for so long.

"I will not promise that I will never speak another lie, play another trick, or smooth-talk my way into or out of a situation. That is who I am, and even you, who has known me for so short a time, knows that even when I'm attempting to behave myself, I cannot just turn off my personality like one of your light switches.

"I will not promise that I will never harm someone again, because even if I was on the side of the supposedly righteous, there may come times when I must harm or even kill someone.

"I can promise that if you are by my side, I will listen to your opinion, and try to have a conversation about what is tempting me to go back to my old ways. And I will promise that if you do not like my decision that I will not stop you from leaving."

She studied him for a long moment. "I just don't know if I can believe you. You hurt me. I can't just get over it and be with you."

"What if I took the money back, and gave you something else instead?"

"I cannot be bought with material things!" she snapped.

"Not material. Something more important than that."

"What could you possibly have to offer that I could trust?"

"Come with me," he murmured, holding an arm out.

"I'm staying in this realm, thank you very much."

"I promise we'll stay on Midgard."

She eyed him skeptically.

"I'll care for that little demon you call a cat for a week if you come."

A smile tugged the corner of her mouth, but her scowl quickly returned. "Don't you insult Crookshanks. He's twice the creature you'll ever be."

"Your insults are lacking when you have gone too long without your coffee."

"How dare you call the truth an insult?"

"Please, Hermione. Just this once, trust me. Perhaps if I prove myself trustworthy in this endeavor, you'll be willing to grant me a second."

Her jaw set, and she inhaled slowly. "Fine," she grumbled, stepping towards him.

"You'll want a jacket where we're going."

She summoned one and put it on, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Unexpectedly, he turned her so she was fully embraced in his arms, and before she could protest, he lifted her up and stepped out of her apartment, bringing her to a quiet street she immediately recognized. The sun had long been down in the small town just outside Newcastle, Australia, and no one seemed to be interested in being out in the crisp night air.

"You want to gain my trust and you bring me here?" she hissed, tears welling in her eyes and she jumped away from him. "What do you hope to gain by this? Rubbing my failure in my face?"

"I know you are distressed by the loss of your parents," he said softly. "But you told me it wasn't a matter of magic being unable to reverse their memories, it's a matter of you being unable to maintain the level of magic needed to reverse the spell. I think there may be a way," he murmured.

"Take my hand," he said, reaching for her.

Cautiously she reached out and placed her palm in his, and he closed his eyes, concentrating. She felt warmth spreading from the fingers wrapped around his, and a surge of energy passed between them. But there was something more- something much more. She suddenly became aware of the magical energy surrounding her. Not just her own, but the strong, much more powerful magic surrounding Loki. Above her magic seemed to hang in the air like another layer of atmosphere, waiting for someone to draw upon it, which Loki was doing.

"This is incredible," she whispered.

"Try to draw the magical energy you need."

She focused, but having no experience meant things were not going to come quickly. She felt a small draw off Loki; barely enough for her to even notice it, though her magical aura felt a little more energized, the same sensation of quick energy one gets when they are startled. She tried to draw energy from the air above them, but she felt as though she were putting more energy into the task than she was receiving.

"I... I can draw it, but it's not enough. I may get another couple seconds from it, but it won't be enough."

"What about now?" he asked, and he started releasing magic through his hand. Instantly, she felt the difference, her magic suddenly felt energized, the magic he was releasing was wrapping around her and fusing itself to her skin. She looked at Loki, who was suddenly focused, trying to draw the magic to them. A thin sheen of sweat appeared on his brow, and his breathing became heavy.

"Enough!" she cried, dropping his hand, and took several deep breaths.

"We can't do this," she whispered. "Look at you. This is too much for you."

"While I would agree you are too much for me, this I can handle. It's not like it's going to kill me," he said with a smirk.

"What will it do?" she asked.

"To tell the truth? I'm not sure. I've never done it before. I'll most likely be magically drained for a while."

"I don't want you hurt," she whispered, shaking her head.

"Now, now, Dr. Granger. You speak to me like that, and I might get the impression that you care," he smirked.

"I don't have to care for you to not wish harm on you."

"So you wouldn't harm me?"

"Of course not. You know I wouldn't."

"Good. Because I'm about to give your parents quite the shock," he said, pushing past her and through the gate.

"Loki! Don't!" she hissed in horror.

"If you really want to stop me, Hermione, you can," he shot over his shoulder as he strode up the steps. She followed him closely, excitement and fear washing over her. He looked back at her, waiting for her to stop him, before hitting the doorbell.

"You better stand there," he said, pointing to the spot in front of the door. "No one who birthed someone as intelligent as you is going to open the door for someone who looks like me."

She stepped forward, hands shaking. A few tense seconds later her mother opened the door. For a long moment the two women looked at each other, Hermione unable to speak.

"Can I help you?" her mother asked.

A second later Loki stepped forward, and Hermione's mother was suddenly frozen in place.

"This is not a good time to lose yourself, my dear," he murmured as Hermione's dad appeared at the top of the stairs and quickly suffered the same fate as his wife.

"Can you get them somewhere they can sit down?" Hermione asked. "I don't know how they'll react if this works, and I'd rather not have to try to catch them both if they faint."

"Not a problem," he murmured, and both of her parents walked stiffly to their sitting room, sitting next to each other on the couch.

"You'll want to do something to keep them there yourself. Once I surrender control to you, my magic will no longer have a hold of them," he murmured, standing behind her.

She pulled her wand and carefully cast a spell to keep her parents bound to their couch and unable to run when Loki's magic ceased to hold. She stared at them, willing the memories she had of their time together in her youth to come to the forefront of her mind, she would have to draw upon them, and the love she felt for them in those memories, to get her through the task at hand. She felt Loki move closer, felt his hand at the small of her back, and the thrill that coursed through her body at his contact. A soft chuckle made her realize he knew what he was doing to her, he knew her resolve was cracking, as it had been since he announced there was a possibility she'd have her parents back. The offer, even knowing the damage it would cause him, had thrown her mind into turmoil, and she suspected the only reason she wasn't laughing maniacally at the situation was that she was still reeling from the shock of it all. A mere hour ago she was convinced she'd never see her silver-tongued Asgardian prince again. She knew that if she had seen him one of them would sustain serious injury in the confrontation, and she had barely controlled herself as he entered her apartment. But now... She could no longer fight her feelings, no longer deny them because he wasn't around or had left her with a bitter taste in her mouth. Things would be rough at times, and there's a good chance their fights would be so spectacular Thor would sell tickets to them, but she was his, as he was hers.

"Are you ready?" he murmured in her ear, and for a second she forgot what was going on, willing him to keep talking so she could relish in the sound of his voice. But he suddenly held his hand in front of her, and doubt flooded her.

"I'm not sure I can do this," she whispered. "Why don't we go practice somewhere? We can come back in a few weeks when we've perfected it. Or, better yet, I'll teach you the spell. I'll give you my memories; you are so much stronger than I..."

"You are strong enough, Hermione," he murmured, taking her hand in his. She felt the magic growing, and her wand thrumming in her hand, begging her to cast a spell. Her heart began to race and her breath came in rapid pants as the energy grew in her.

"Do it now, Hermione!" Loki ordered, though his voice was strained.

Seemingly of its own accord, she pointed her wand at her parents, keeping a tight hold of Loki's hand. The words she had practiced so many times came tumbling from her lips, but there was something different, something that drew confidence from her. She closed her eyes, forcing her memories to her parents so she could build their minds around them. Her brain forced her mouth to form the words, over and over again, her singsong voice filling the room. Her lungs strained as though she had just run a marathon, and from the sounds Loki was making next to her he was feeling much the same way.

Just a few more seconds, she encouraged herself. Almost... keep going...

A flicker of recognition crossed her mother's face. It gave Hermione a sudden burst of motivation and energy, and within seconds both her parents were looking at her in surprise, though there was no doubt that they knew who she was. Panting she dropped his hand, bending over to catch her breath and steady her wobbly body. Another wave of her wand and her parents were no longer bound.

"Hermione!" they cried in unison, standing to embrace her, but a thud drew her attention. She turned to Loki, to find him face-down on the carpet.

"Loki!" she cried.

XXXXXXX

His body ached to the point where the very each act of drawing breath caused a shot of pain. There was the unfamiliar sensation of wanting to fall into a deeper sleep, but he was certainly not on one of the large, luxurious beds of Asgard. He was laying on something narrow, his head propped up on something very uncomfortable. There was something resting on his side, and he could feel something touching his hair, which was resting on his shoulder. Slowly he opened his eyes to find he was laying on the couch in Hermione's parent's living room. Hermione was sitting on the floor, but she had fallen asleep against his chest, the fingers of one hand wound into the ends of his locks, the other hand trying to make some semblance of a pillow under her head. He smiled, reaching up to run his thumb across her face. In that moment, he knew he didn't care if it may be years before he could return to Asgard, as long as he was with her.

His eyes scanned the room, and he noticed her parents occupying two armchairs across from the couch. Her father was eying him suspiciously, taking in every detail of the strange man on his couch, but her mother was staring at one spot- Hermione's hand in his hair. Frigga's words echoed in his head, and he suppressed a chuckle.

"Good morning," he said softly, noticing the morning light coming in the window.

"Morning," her father replied stiffly.

"I suppose introductions are in order."

"David. And this is Melinda," he said, nodding towards his wife.

"Loki," he nodded, neglecting to give them any more information. If they were anything like their daughter his full name would raise the same red flags it had with Hermione.

"Interesting name," his eyes narrowed. "Live up to it, do you?"

He smirked. It was nice to see knowledge being valued by a family. "I suppose you could say that."

"How's the war? Hermione didn't get to tell us much. She asked for something to eat and by the time we got back she was asleep."

"The war with Voldemort is long over. Hermione and her friends were victorious."

"Were you a part of that war?"

"No, though I was aware of it. I will admit it intrigued me, though I was far enough removed from the situation I was unaware of her role in the war until recently."

"Intrigued you? How does something intrigue you, but you stay away? Their fighters were so young; they could have used any help they could get."

"I cannot guarantee that had I fought I would have fought for her side."

"Are you one of those pure-blooded Slytherin supremacists Hermione told us about?"

"No. A person's ancestry is no concern of mine. But I will be willing to admit that, up until recently, I have been quick to align myself with those with power. Voldemort had power. I would have aligned myself until he proved himself no longer useful to me, or until he viewed me as a threat."

"What would happen if he did?"

"I would do what I have been prone to do. Turn on him, take him down, claim his position as my own, then abandon his followers because I would have no desire to continue his blood-purity ploy and as an army they really could not help me, and I would have enjoyed seeing them thrown into chaos."

"So you'd kill him for spite?"

"I'd kill him to prove I could."

"Does Hermione know that side of you?"

"She knows it better than most, perhaps better than myself. And she does not tolerate such talk from me."

"How long did you say you've known each other?"

"I didn't, but it's been around a month."

"How did she get to know you so quickly in such a short time?"

"I wanted her to. I bared everything I am and have been to her. She was too strong-willed to run."

"Why? Why would she stay?"

"She gave me her word. Again, it's only recently I've learned the true depth of that."

"Are you a man of your word, Loki?"

"No... and I suspect your wife can hazard a guess as to why."

David looked at Melinda, who was looking at Loki wide-eyed in a cross of revelation and fear. She looked into his eyes, and he knew she was looking for confirmation. He had laid so many hints; he had little doubt that one of Hermione's parents would connect the dots. They had, after all, been thrown into a world they knew nothing of when their daughter was eleven, and there was no doubt she had told them about the many things that had came with that world; vampires, werewolves, dragons, and the like. Would it be so difficult after that to believe that some of the other stories were true?

His foreign clothing probably didn't help him hide anything.

"The God of Lies," Melinda whispered.

He smiled and gave a nod. "I do not intend to lie to your daughter, and she has, with few exceptions, been able to tell when I am not speaking the truth. I know she will not stand for me spreading falsehoods in front of her. And she means enough for me to try to keep her happy."

Hermione's fingers moved against his hair, just a quarter of an inch. He smiled and put a possessive arm on her back, playing with her hair.

"I know that is no way to introduce oneself to someone's parents, but I cannot change my past overnight, and the best way for me to start proving to Hermione I am going to try to change my ways is being honest with those she cares the most about, and getting what has been quite the awkward conversation out of the way."

They exchanged looks.

"I'm going to make coffee," David said.

"I'll start breakfast," Melinda stood quickly. He nodded to them as they left; no doubt to talk about their daughter's latest choice in relationship.

"Perhaps I should not make another play for the throne," he murmured. "It is not very queen-like behavior to pretend to be asleep to avoid talking to your parents."

"Shut your mouth," she replied, moving so she could look up at him. "I have no desire to be a queen in any realm. I'd spend half my reign trying to disentangle the crown from my hair."

He burst out laughing. "That has to be the most asinine reason I have ever heard for someone not wanting to be royalty."

"I find it very valid. It's hard enough to take care of my hair without putting something ridiculous and easily entwined into it."

"A helmet, then, perhaps?"

"I don't favor giant bloody horns like you do. They look a bit ludicrous."

"Must you be difficult?"

"I must be at least as difficult as the man I am in a relationship with. And that's if I don't make up for your lost time."

"You have quite a lot of destruction to do if you're going that route. Go ahead. I'll wait."

"Still feeling bad?"

"I've felt worse."

"That's not what I asked, Silvertongue."

"I could be feeling horrible. What are you willing to do to make me feel better?"

She smiled sultrily, leaned close to him, and shoved a phial in his hand. "Revival potion," she told him.

He tipped the contents into his mouth and swallowed. Instantly he felt energy course through him. Within a few seconds, he felt well enough to sit up, and he grabbed her around the waist to hoist her up next to him.

"That worked well," he quipped, putting the phial on the coffee table in front of him. "Do you think I've overstayed my welcome?"

"Confessing to my parents so soon after they went through that probably wasn't the kindest thing to do."

"They should know what their daughter is getting herself into so they can thoroughly object."

"Will it change anything if they do?"

His eyebrow rose. "Have you any evidence that I would give up something I want so easily?"

"Sweet talking me like that is only going to get you part of the way out of trouble."

"I gave you a way to get your parents back, are you really going to ask more from me?"

"I will tonight," she whispered, leaning up and kissing him.

"That, my dear, I think I can oblige," he murmured, placing a finger under her chin to lift her lips to meet his in a slow, sensuous kiss.

"Hermione," Melinda said softly, coming in to place two plates of eggs and sausage on the coffee table. "Your father and I, well, we're supposed to be at the clinic in half an hour. We... well, we obviously weren't expecting any of this. We can call our patients and cancel, if you want us to..."

"Oh, no, Mum. I think it would be best for you to go about your day as usual until you and Dad can make a decision at what you want to do. It's not fair for me to ask you to drop everything and move back to resume your old lives, especially when I can visit you so easily here."

She flashed an uneasy smile. "Will you be staying here, then?"

"I really don't want to impose, Mum. As you said, you weren't expecting any of this..."

"You are our daughter, Hermione. We need to have a talk, and a long one at that, but I think it would be best for all of us if we take the day to calm down from the excitement. Though your father and I are thrilled to see you alive and well, so of course we want you to stay with us."

"Sounds good, Mum."

"Loki, you are welcome to stay with us as well. I'd offer you the second guest room, but I sincerely doubt that I could stop the two of you if you want to..." she trailed off, blushing. "This would be so much easier if you had to sneak down the hallway and a loose floorboard could give you away!"

"Mum!" Hermione chuckled.

"I will take the second bedroom, and respect the rules of your home," Loki said, standing.

"Really?" Hermione and Melinda said in unison.

"I am attempting to make a change, my dear," he smirked at Hermione.

"Well, then. How about we take you to dinner tonight?" Melinda asked, her voice brighter.

"I would be honored, Lady Granger," he said, with a small bow.

Melinda blushed again. "Well, I'll see you tonight, then. I'll call later to set things up."

"Sounds good, Mum," Hermione said, bounding into her mother's open arms, then going into the other room to say goodbye to her father. She waited until they pulled out of the driveway to go back into the room with Loki.

"Silver-tongued serpent," she smirked, rolling her eyes.

"I intend to keep my word," he said, picking up the CD player on the bookshelf to examine it.

"You're going to wait until we decide to go back to England?"

"I didn't say that," he said, suddenly advancing on her, and scooping her into his arms. She felt the rush of space around her, and when his foot came down it was in her own bedroom. "I said I was going to respect the rules of their home. Violating the sanctity of yours, however..."

"Be my guest," she smiled, biting her lip. He grabbed her face and pulled it to his, crashing his lips hungrily to hers. Strong hands slid up her, tugging her t-shirt up and over her head, and dropping it unceremoniously behind her. One of his arms slid behind her, pressing her into him, as the other came to massage her breast through her bra. Having no idea how to rid him of his Asgardian outfit Hermione contented herself by reaching behind her back to unclasp the bra then wiggle out of it. She knew there would be no quips about her impatience that night, he was just as impatient as she, and he showed it by pushing against the wall, already nude.

"That is quite the useful trick," she said, seeing his outfit draped carefully over a chair. "I have a similar one," she said, drawing her wand out of her jeans and tapping her remaining clothes, vanishing them.

"That is not a trick I hope to use often. I usually prefer taking my time..."

"But this is different, so why waste time talking?" she asked, pulling him to her to kiss him again. She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him into her. His hand slipped between them to position himself, and he pushed himself into her as she purred in satisfaction. He pushed her hands over her head, and held them there with one of his own as his other hand slid behind her, pressing against her back, lifting her slightly away from the wall and allowing him to drive deeper into her. He kissed and nipped her neck with no care as to leaving marks.

"This is what you want, Hermione?" he growled, moving more incessantly against her. "Me, here, giving you whatever you desire?"

"Yes," she groaned, feeling his hand slide over her side and up her stomach.

"Say it," he demanded.

"Want you, Loki," she hissed as he rolled her nipple and bit her shoulder.

"Say it!"

"I'm yours, Loki!" she shouted.

"Hearing my name on your lips is intoxicating," he chuckled, letting her arms free, so he could hold her back with one hand and continue playing with her breasts with the other. She wrapped her arms around him, raking her fingers against his skin as he hissed in pleasure. She thrust herself forward to catch his lips, and he overpowered her, holding her to him with fingers wound in her hair, his other hand sliding between them to press into her nub. She moaned into his mouth and rolled her hips against his, driving him even further inside him. With no warning she clamped around him as she released, her whole body tightening against his as he furrowed his brow, wanting to feel every second of her orgasm. As soon as she relaxed he pushed harder into her, losing himself inside her with a final hiss against the skin of her neck. One of his hands pressed against her back, holding her to him as they both started to come down, and when he felt sure enough of himself he slid from her, then lowered them both to the floor, collapsing against the wall himself.

"Need I ask if this is the last I'm going to see of you this time?" she asked after a moment.

"I would not dare leave you again. I don't think I'd be safe on either of our realms if I did," he chuckled. "Mother has grown quite fond of you."

"One finds it's a lot easier to impress someone's parents if their reputation isn't so legendary it's been written about for hundreds of years."

"You'll get there, though I daresay history will be more kind to you."

"It's never too late," she smiled.

"I may be able to find some motivation."

Her eyes flicked to the clock. "We have a couple hours before Mum is going to call. How about I motivate you in the shower?"

"Lead the way, my love."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

They spent the weekend with her parents, and Hermione and Loki didn't take any more side trips, though she did invite herself into his room to sleep in his arms. They returned to her apartment after dinner on Sunday, with promises to visit again soon to discuss her parents' future. After they spent a couple hours together to make up for their two-day break Hermione went to go take a shower, and Loki took the time to explore the apartment and start brewing her some coffee. As he set her cup on the coffee table he saw the autobiography that had been set there, and he picked it up fondly. But it was the binder underneath that drew his attention.

When Hermione emerged from the bedroom twenty minutes later wrapped in a robe with her hair still damp she found Loki sitting on the couch, studying the binder.

"What is this?" he asked, looking up at her, but not moving the binder.

"A job offer," she replied quietly, coming over to sit next to him.

"Did you accept?"

"No, not yet. I was leaning that way, but then you came back, and I can't accept anything without discussing it with you."

A look of surprise crossed his face. "I'm not in charge of your life, Hermione. If there is a job you would like to accept..."

"There may be a conflict of interest being with you and working for Shield at the same time," she smiled, pulling the binder from his hands and swinging a leg over his so she was sitting astride his lap.

"Because it would be bad form to be trying to fight enemies while involved with a 'known threat'?"

"I know you're not a threat, but you have to admit sending the Destroyer down, wrecking several government cars and a good portion of a town probably did not endear you to everyone," she murmured, kissing his neck behind his ear.

"Did they just come to you one day and offer a position?" he asked, resolve clearly cracking, but still determined to have the conversation.

"No," she shook her head before kissing him lightly. "They wanted to know what we had been doing together in Las Vegas."

"What did you tell them?"

"Not nearly everything," she smirked, fingers working on the buttons of his shirt and pushing it off his chest.

"But you did tell them some things," he said, forcing himself to place his hands on her shoulders and gently push her away from him.

"I was extremely vague. I said you had something to do regarding your realm, I went and helped you do what you needed, and you were currently in Asgard with no plans to return."

"Is this something you want to do?"

She studied him. "If the conflict of interest is too much for them, I have made my choice."

"If you turn them down in favor of me, you will find yourself on that threat list alongside me."

"They won't find me if I hide in the magical world."

"Is that what you want?" he sounded unsure. "To run and keep hidden for fear of capture?"

"It is what I would do if I must," she shrugged. "It's not like I don't have experience."

"You should not have to live in fear on my account."

She kissed him again. "I will not live in fear. I will call them tomorrow and turn them down, and they won't be any the wiser."

His eyes darkened. "You are a fool if you think that would stop their interest in you."

"Don't, Loki. Don't start thinking that our relationship is a bad idea. I'll talk to Harry, and Arthur Weasley, let them know the situation, and make sure they know if they haven't heard from me in a couple days to come find me, and get the Ministry involved if I'm gone."

"But..."

"You once said you'll protect me. Does the offer still stand?"

"Of course," he said, as though the answer should have gone without saying.

"Then I don't think this will be as big a deal as you're making it out to be. If anything they should be thrilled to know I'm involved with you, because they know I don't have plans for world domination and won't let you attack anything anytime soon."

"You're assuming they think you're the one with the power in this."

"Aren't I?" she smirked, kissing him again.

"Just promise me that if there's any indication that they think you're a threat you'll let me take you to Asgard for your protection."

"I'll agree to that," she nodded.

"Good," he smiled, sliding his hands under the robe and pulling her down to him, but they were quickly interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Were you expecting someone?" he asked, looking at the door.

"No, and if it were any of my friends they'd be barging in through the Floo," she said, sliding off him and hurrying to the door. She looked through the peephole and gasped.

"It's Agent Coulson!" she whispered.

"I shouldn't be here," he said, standing.

"No. Stay there. He's going to find out either way, and I'd rather it be when we can defend ourselves." Before he can put up an objection she made sure the robe covered her and opened the door.

"A phone call in advance would have been appreciated," she said.

He pushed past her, not looking up from his phone as he typed something out on the screen. "Sorry, Miss Granger, but we have something we'd like you to look at, and don't want to wait any longer for your..." he stopped when he realized Hermione wasn't home alone, his mouth opening in surprise as he saw Loki standing by the couch.

"You told me he wasn't planning on returning," he turned, looking at Hermione.

"He didn't, at the time. But now he's here," she shrugged.

He looked from Loki's open shirt to Hermione's lopsided robe. "You know this changes things, don't you?" he looked her in the eye.

"It should change everything," she snapped. "You have the golden opportunity to take a 'known threat' and make him an ally."

"And, what, forgive what he's done in the past?"

"How much damage did Tony Stark do in Los Angeles last week?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Touche. Loki, if you want to join us we'll be happy to have you, though you're staying away from what we would like Hermione to look at, at least until you've proven yourself trustworthy. You'd probably do better in defense, anyway. Tell us our weak points."

"I'll consider it," Loki answered coldly.

"We're kind of in a time crunch."

"Is what you want Hermione to observe going anywhere in the next few days?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Well, no, but..."

"Then you shall have our answer tomorrow. Good day," he said, nodding him towards the door.

Agent Coulson looked at Hermione for backup, but she jerked a thumb towards the door. "Meet us in the lobby tomorrow morning at eight. Don't come to my flat unannounced again."

He threw his arms up in frustration. "If you're not there at eight, I'll be up here at one after. Consider that your announcement," he called over his shoulder as he left, closing the door behind him.

"I am not going to enjoy working with him," Loki murmured.

"But you are going to work with him?" Hermione asked, eyebrow cocked.

"You are, so I guess I am as well. At least for a while. Until you're ready to join me on Asgard."

She smiled, moving towards him. "Are you going to move between the two for a while?"

"I do have duties to attend to there. Perhaps I'll bring my brother for an occasional visit," he said, wrapping his arms around her.

"You noticed Dr. Foster works for them, did you?"

"Perhaps," he smirked.

"Just try to behave. The last thing I need is for you to get into a fight with some of those supposed super-heroes over there."

"I make no promises."

"I wouldn't believe them if you did," she smiled, standing on tip-toe to kiss him.

"Would you believe me if I were to say I think I may have found the woman who makes me pool?" he murmured against her lips.

"I could be convinced," she smirked, kissing him again as her robe fluttered to the floor.