Unexpected

Secrets, Lies, and Revelation

It took me a while to finally release my grip on Steve's jacket after the motorcycle engine stopped. My nerves were frayed and Steve definitely knew now that I was partially terrified of riding that thing. He chuckled at me, as we started in to the apartment building, but still, I could tell he was watching me to make sure that I was alright.

"I still can't get over how different you look." He said as I led the way up the flights of stairs.

"Different?" I asked, turning to look down at him before I remembered the colored contacts and the makeup that changed the look of my facial shape, "Oh, right, well at least I'm blonde again." I said with a giggle, waving the wig that I still had in my hands a little, alighting to another flight of steps.

"Blondes have more fun." Steve joked catching up to me as we finally reached our floor, "That's how the saying goes right?"

"Gold star for you, Rogers." I agreed before unlocking the door to my apartment and taking my bag from him, "Though I think I had more than enough excitement being brunette! Thanks again for bringing me home."

"No problem. Get some sleep, okay, Copper?"

"Sir, yes sir," I smiled before stepping into my front room. Home sweet home. As soon as my door was locked I dropped my bag and slumped exhaustedly further into the apartment. Heading over to my kitchen I turned on the sink's tap before coaxing the hazel colored contacts out of my eyes, poking my left eye ball in the process. I had forgotten about those contacts until Steve had mentioned my appearance, but now the itchiness of my eyes made sense. I wanted those out A.S.A.P. Might as well get all that makeup off now too. Splashing water on my face I scrubbed until I no longer saw shades of cream, brown, and pink swirl down the sink drain. Grabbing a hand towel from a drawer I wiped at my dripping face, rubbing my eyes and letting out a long, loud sigh.

"Penelope?"

I froze, face still in the towel. That voice. Could it be?

"Loki?" My voice was hardly more than a whisper as I dropped the cloth, looking up. There he was, standing in the center of my living room, his projection flickering slightly as he stood with a hesitant look on his face.

Relief flooded his features at his name, "It is you."

"Of course it's me. Who else would I be?"

"I tried to contact you earlier, but-"

"So you were there!" I interrupted excitedly. I had been wondering if I had truly seen Loki at the restaurant, that quick glimpse of raven hair and green eyes, "I wondered if I was losing my mind or something, or dreaming!"

Leering slightly, he tucked his hands behind his back, "You dream about me, darling?"

A blush grew instantly across my face, making him smirk. Why did he love to do that to me?

The suggestive grin disappeared in a flash, "You weren't there though. I projected into some strange place with lots of people and tables and you were nowhere in sight. I wondered..." he looked me over again, "I was worried something had happened to you."

"I'm fine." I assured him, coming around my kitchen counter into my living room to stand in front of his illusion, "I was there. I thought I saw you, but I was disguised."

"Disguised?"

"Yeah... I was... on a mission... in France..." I paused as I saw a confused look cross his face, "It's a country right near Germany. You remember Germany?"

My last teasing question made the corners of Loki's mouth curl up, "I remember it well."

So did I. That night was a mix of emotions for me. That had been the night of our mission to retrieve the iridium when Loki had caused that mass panic, had almost blasted that old man, and had been captured by the Avengers and taken away. It had also been the night we had danced and shared our first kiss. Warmth settled in the pit of my stomach as I remembered what he had said to me that night. I could see my own thoughts reflected in his eyes.