The Black Knight

Spying

WARNING: This chapter contains spoilers for Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Read at your own risk.

As the sun begins to set on Manhattan, Clint heads up to his room to check in with Fury, Natasha following soon after, and Bruce passes out on the couch. Steve stands at the wall of windows watching the sun set on the horizon; Tony sets his glass down on the bar and glances at his watch. "She's been gone for quite a while. I think I'll go check on her, see if she found Little Boy Blue." He walks over to the stairs.

Steve turns and looks at Thor. "We'll come with you."

Tony stops with his foot on the bottom step. "What you don't trust me?"

"I never said that."

Tony shrugs, "Fine, have it your way." He takes the steps two at a time and disappears around the corner. Steve sprints up the stairs after Tony, with Thor bringing up the rear.

Steve rounds the corner and bumps into Tony, who had stopped dead in the middle of the hallway. "What the....?"

Tony puts a finger to his lips, "Shhh! Listen."

The faint sound of singing drifts down the hall, Tony points to a partially open door halfway down the hall.

"Time stands still

Beauty in all she is

I will be brave

I will not let anything take away

What's standing in front of me

Every breath

Every hour has come to this." *

Tony creeps down the hallway to the partially open door of the guest suite. He quietly pushes the door open and glances around the semi-dark room. Red and orange flames dance merrily in the fireplace, throwing shadows on the walls.

"I have died everyday waiting for you

Darling, don't be afraid I have loved you

For a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more." *

Tony, Steve, and Thor stand just outside the doorway, listening. Saga sits in the floor with her back against the couch, Loki lying on the floor beside her with his head in her lap. She runs her fingers through his hair and smiles down at him as she sings softly.

"And all along I believed I would find you

Time has brought your heart to me

I have loved you for a thousand years

I'll love you for a thousand more." *

He pushes himself up on one arm and leans towards her. Their lips meet in a tender embrace, Loki's hand slips behind her neck. She breaks the kiss and he pulls away. "I'm sorry." He runs a hand through his hair nervously and pulls himself up on the couch. He leans his head back with his face in his hands. Long thin fingers wrap around his wrists and gently pull his hands away from his face. He looks up into her face as she sits down on his lap, stretching her legs across the couch. She takes his face in her hands and kisses him. He slips an arm behind her and she wraps her arm around his neck. With a quick wave of her hand the door snaps shut in Tony's face.

At the sound Loki turns and looks at the door. She takes his face in her hands and tilting his head down, kisses him lightly on the forehead. She swings her legs around and stands to her feet. "You should get some sleep."