In Little Ways

Chapter 5

Their second date passed with many cappuccinos and bickering over which Jane Austin book was the best. At the end of it, Lia was giddy from how much she had laughed and Loki was "definitely" not the same.

They had planned their third date for the coming Friday with plans of a movie date and ice cream.

When the day came, Loki adjusted his glasses and pushed open the door to the Tethered Soul for a small old woman.

"Oh thank you dear. I wish more men were as much of a gentleman as you are." She told him and Loki smiled at her as she patted his arm softly. Then he walked in, looking around for Lia's distinct braid.

"Hey Tom. Lia called in sick." He heard and looked at the counter, seeing Jack cleaning a small plate. Loki quickly walked up to the man, concern showing on his face.

"Sick? Is she okay?" He asked and Jack nodded, making eye contact with the taller man.

"Family stuff. She will be back tomorrow morning I think." He said, smiling then.

"She takes the day off every once in a while to hang out with her uncle and his son. Don't worry. She is fine." He said and Loki felt the breath he was holding in his chest rush out.

"Oh thank Odin." He whispered and ran a hand through his hair, messing it slightly.

"Go take a seat man. I'll get you your cappuccino." Jack said and Loki nodded, waking over to the booth, a weird feeling in his chest. He felt like his head was full of cotton. Not only because of his fear, then relief for Lia, but because it was the first time he had ever thanked Odin. Ever. And he didn't want to ever do it again.

***

Lia watched anxiously as Tony carried Peter into the hospital. A group of nurses rushed out with a gurney, helping Tony lay him down softly before they all ran to get him into surgery.

Peter had been doing his nightly rounds when he had noticed that a man was trying to rape a woman. They were in a dark alley and Peter had swooped in to save her. He had just gotten her away from the man when he got shot in the back. It had been a one of those alien guns from the invasion of earth. The woman had stayed to help him, keeping him safe. Gladly Tony had placed a security measure in the suit that would immediately alert him whenever there was damage to the host and he got there just in time.

Lia ran after them, tears streaming down her cheeks as she almost lost sight of her family. She felt hopeless. Tony was pacing outside of one of the doors, a nurse speaking quickly to try and get him to calm down, but every time she got got him even a little calm, she seemed to make him angrier.

Lia ran up to her uncle and grabbed onto his arm, noticing the beginning of a panic attack in the older man's movements.

"Please leave. You're making it worse." She pleaded with the nurse, glad when the woman practically ran away down the hall.

"Tony it's going to be okay. I'm here. Peter is okay." She whispered reassuringly, rubbing her hand in circles along his back. Tony took a few deep breaths before he nodded.

"Peter should have known. I should have-" Lia shushed him softly, placing her hand on his face so that he would look at her.

"Tell me about one of your projects Tony. You can do it. Tell me about Harley even." She pleaded, seeing the terror in his eyes.

Tony tried to take a deep breath before nodding.

"I think I'm getting closer to finding him. I searched by doctors and found that there is a man that used to work at this very hospital. His name is Stephen. He doesn't work here anymore because he broke his hands in some freak car accident. He still lives in New York from what I've seen on him. He's got connections to another doctor here. Her name is Christine Palmer." His breathing calmed as he spoke and Lia let out the worried breath she was holding. She led him to one of the chairs along the hall and sat him down, making sure that he continued talking because she was sure that if he did, they would both be unable to stay in control.