You come down to breakfast the next morning and find everyone but Steve and Loki in the kitchen once again. Everyone greets you but never really meets your gaze. You grab your coffee and pull out a chair to sit down when you realize one of Steve's hoodies is on the seat.

You pick it up and hold it, just staring at it. Clint gently takes it from your hand. "I'll take that. I'm sorry I didn't see that before."

You look at him and nod your head a little. "That is one of his favorite to wear when he runs. He must be missing it?"

Clint touches your hand. "I'm sure he's missing a lot of things right now. He'll be back, you'll see."

Tony shoots daggers at Clint upon hearing his words. Bruce walks past Tony and quietly says. " You can't keep him away from her forever. They need to work this out."

Tony's face drops as he stares down at his toast. " I just want to protect her. I'm worried about her."

"I can tell you, that you're not doing her any favors keeping Steve away like this." Bruce says as he grabs his mug and walks to the table.

You look across the table as Thor finishes his second plate of pancakes and eggs. He catches your gaze and smiles at you. You smile back, he is the first person to look at you with something other than pity the last few days. "Thor, could I talk to you for a few minutes?"

"Of course, Lark. Let me put this away and I will meet you out on the balcony." He says standing up and grabbing his dirty plate.

You take your cup and head out to wait for Thor. A few minutes later you hear his heavy steps come up behind you.

" So what do you want to know about Loki?" He says as he stands next to you.

A small grin passes your lips. "How did you know I was going to ask you about Loki?"

"It was a logical guess. He told me he was going to talk to you. Has he not come to see you?"

"He did the first night. We talked and it was good for both of us but I haven't seen him since. Actually, I haven't really seen him at all. I talked with one of his illusions the first night because Tony had JARVIS running surveillance on my room. Is he Ok?"

"He is concerned for you but thought it better to keep his distance. Why do you ask?" Thor wonders if perhaps your feelings for Loki have changed also.

"I was worried that Tony had run him out of the tower also." You say finally acknowledging why Steve was not there.

"Stark didn't.. he...Rogers." Thor is stumbling over his words not knowing how to respond.

"I know how to watch security footage. I know about their fight and the aftermath. Why does everyone think I'm stupid?"

"Lark, no one thinks you stupid. It was thought better not to discuss the details with you as not to upset you or worry you further." Thor puts his hand on your shoulder. "We are all concerned about you and only want to help. We know you are stronger than you look but midgardians can only handle so much."

You look up at Thor and think twice about telling him where he can shove your midgardian foot when you see his puppy dog eyes looking down at you. "Thank you Thor. Being a midgardian, I do my best. If you speak with Loki please let him know he can come see me if he likes."

You turn around and go back into the kitchen. Nat comes up to you. "Feel like a little training today?"

" I think I'm going to go for a swim then do some work in the lab today. Can we plan for tomorrow?" You ask her not wanting to be around anyone today.

"Of course Hun. It's a date." She says as she hugs you and gives you a wink before she heads off to the elevator.

You put your cup in the kitchen and head for the pool. You change into your suit in the locker room. You dive right in and do several laps before you let yourself sink to the bottom of the pool. You sit there and put yourself into the white room. You approach the door and turn the handle. She is standing before you.

"So why have you decided to grace me with your righteousness?" She hisses as she looks you up and down.

" The dream last night, I want to know if that was your doing?" You look her straight in the eyes.

" My aren't we feeling ourselves today? See, me telling your dirty little secret has given you a new edginess. As much as I enjoyed watching the little fantasy play out, I had nothing to do with. It was a little too romantic for me. If it were my dream, I wouldn't have been the one bent over the railing." She winks at you as she licks her lips.

You look at her in disgust. " Haven't caused enough problems. Just leave my dreams alone."

She turns around and walks back through the door. Before she closes it she pauses.

"Maybe you should talk to your little God? It sounds like something he would do."

She turns and closes the door behind her.

You don't realize how long you have been at the bottom. The next thing you feel is someone grabbing your arm and pulling you to the surface.

"What the hell are you trying to do?" Tony sputters out as he swims you to the side of the pool.

You grab on to the ledge and wipe the hair out of your face. "I wasn't doing anything. It's just a way a like to calm my mind. There is no sound or distractions down there." That's when you notice Tony is still in his clothes. A very expensive business suit from the looks of if it.

"Tony, why are you in the pool with your clothes on?"

"I jumped in when I saw you sitting at the bottom of the deep end. I thought something had happened." You both have swam to the shallow end and are getting out.

"Tony, do you really think that I would hurt myself?" You finally see the panic leaving his face.

He grabs a towel and looks at you. "I..I don't know. You've barely talked to anyone in the last few days and I've only seen you eat maybe twice. My stomach just sunk when I saw you down there."

" Well, maybe I would be talking more if the person I really needed to talk to hadn't been kicked out of the damn tower. I watched the security feed Tony. I know what happened between you and Steve!" You start to cry. "Damn it, Tony! You can't keep trying to be my protector."

"I beg to differ. What if Point Break hadn't been there. What do you think would have happened. What if Cap had taken it further?" Tony is raising his voice above yours.

You hit him in the chest. " She just would have come back out. Do you honestly think that she would let someone hurt me? No! What if he doesn't come back Tony? What if he's gone for good?"

He grabs you and pulls you into a tight hug. "Lark, I'm sorry. It scared the shit out of me when I heard what happened. I know you would have been protected by Hyde Bitch. I just can't handle seeing you being hurt and standing by. If I know Cap at all, he'll be back. I don't really think he gives a crap about what I say. As much as I hate to admit it he does love you and I don't think there is much that can change that. You both just need a little space."

He pulls you away and lifts your chin up to look at him. " Look, if he doesn't come back in a few day, I have a good idea where he is at, I'll reach out to him myself. Ok?"

You nod your head and wipe your eyes. You know that had to kill Tony to say. "Thank you." You lean up and give him a kiss on the cheek. "I'm going to go change, you might want to do the same. There's someone I need to talk to."

Tony gets a disapproving look on his face. " You're going to look for Reindeer Games aren't you? You need to stay away from the snake before he does more damage."

"I know what I'm doing Tony. This wasn't all his fault and you know it as much as I do. Please trust me?" You grab your towel and walk back to the locker room to change.