Disclaimer: Loki and the Avengers belong to Marvel, Disney, and Stan Lee. I only own, Cassandra. This is a fanfiction; a non-commercial derivative work and I acknowledge this is a fan creation and that I hold no rights over any of the content. The photo cover belongs to (c) Universal Studios.

Summary: Loki (1047 years old) has come to conquer Earth. After escaping SHIELD headquarters with the Tesseract they are forced to stop and make vehicle repairs at a diner. While waiting, Cassandra (19 years old) enters the diner suffering from her own car troubles. She and her friends roadtripped to New Mexico from New York. With no cellphone reception she is forced to hike five miles into the nearest town to find help.

Sensitivity Warning: Near sexual assault.

June 28, 2012

Pancho, NM

Loki slid into a booth in Martha's Roadside Diner. Acres of desert stretched beyond the small cluster of buildings that made up Pancho's modest human settlement. The full moon shone on the red dunes and cacti in silver ribbons through the clouds.

Their stolen vehicle had taken damage in the battle with SHIELD. Agent Barton and Dr. Selvig had taken the truck to a repair shop, leaving Loki to his own devices.

Loki glanced around the diner at the assorted patrons eating or talking in hushed voices. No one paid him any attention wrapped up in their inconsequential mortal concerns. A tired looking waitress circulated the diner, taking orders and filling coffee cups.

When she headed in Loki's direction his lip curled in disdain. The waitress wore a hideous blue smock with a stained apron over the top. "What can I get you, honey?" She barely spared his glowing blue scepter a glance as she raised her notepad to take his order.

Rage bubbled in his stomach. His hands curled into fists on the cheap Formica table. "Nothing woman, now leave me be."

The waitress lowered her notepad and pursed her lips. "Seating is only for paying customers."

Fastening his fingers around the scepter, Loki pressed the tip to the waitress's chest. These mortals were so vexing. Never knowing their place.

The woman's arms dropped to her sides and her face went slack. Conversation continued uninterrupted around them, the diner's patrons unaware of what just happened.

"Return to your duties. If I have need of your services I will summon you." Loki told her coldly, lowering the scepter to his lap.

"Yes, sir." The waitress replied in an emotionless tone, then shuffled off toward another table.

Loki watched her go, annoyed. Now, he would have to bring the waitress along. For his plans to go smoothly he could not leave an enchanted victim behind for SHIELD to find. He drummed his fingers impatiently on the table. What was taking Barton and Selvig so long?

The bell above the diner door jangled and a disheveled young woman entered. She wore a red low cut tank top and denim shorts. She was lovely. Loki thought objectively as the girl's dark eyes darted nervously around the dining area.

A few men stirred at her presence, lust scrawling across their faces.

Oblivious, the girl shuffled further into the diner. One of the straps on her sandals was broken so she limped slightly as she marched to the counter, feet dirty from the desert road. Glossy dark hair rippled in waves down her back to her waist.

One man leaned back in his chair to check out her backside, his gut straining over his too tight denim pants. The trucker wore a hat low over his eyes and smacked his lips eagerly.

Gripping the edge of the chrome lined counter the girl hoisted herself onto a vacant stool putting her back to Loki. "I'd like a glass of water please." Her voice was soft, slightly tinged by an Eastern American accent. "Oh, and directions to the nearest towing service."

The waitress's maternal concern shone through the enchantment. She filled a glass for the girl. "What are you doing out here by yourself, darling?"

"My friends and I are on summer vacation. Our rental got overheated." The girl explained, pausing to gulp down the water. She drained the glass then continued. "We're about five miles out from town. All of us tried our cellphones but there's absolutely no reception. It's too remote where we broke down."

Shocked, the waitress stared at the girl. "Did you hike all the way into Pancho from the outer desert?"

The girl shrugged. "Yes. I didn't have a choice. Someone had to go. I drew the shortest straw."

"Honey, its not safe for a young woman to be walking alone at night." The waitress scolded the girl.

So, a stupid reckless teenager. How original. Loki thought disdainfully.

"Does Pancho have a towing company? Because I really don't want to continue my hike." The girl continued.

"Well, we have a mechanic. I think Mike's in the shop late tonight. I'll give him a call." The waitress paused halfway through a turn and glanced over her shoulder. "What's your name?"

"Cassandra Pierce." The girl replied.

"Why don't you wash up in the bathroom and I'll get you something to eat. You must be hungry after that long a walk."

Eyes following her, Cassandra wove her way through the tables. She neared Loki's table. Her brows rose as she looked him over.

Loki wondered what she was thinking. In his Asgardian leathers he stood out amongst the patrons like a bilge-snipe at a feast in his father's palace.

Dirt streaked the tip of her nose. Cassandra finished her perusal and a slight smile curled her full lips. Up close he could see she was very young, probably in her late teens. She was so small, a solid foot shorter than Loki's own substantial height. "Nice costume. Did you come from Comic-Con? It must have taken you hours to sew it!" She paused to admire his clothing again.

Loki preened a little. He glowed under the girl's admiration. It was his right. He would soon he her ruler after all. "I did not sew my clothing."

"Oh, you bought it online then. Still, its pretty cool." Cassandra flipped a lock of hair over her shoulder. "Excuse me." She swept past him.

Unable to stop himself, Loki turned in the booth to watch her enter the restroom. He froze in realization and cursed under his breath. There would be time enough for that later when he conquered Midgard.

Loki faced back toward the other tables. The overweight trucker was still watching where Cassandra disappeared.

Loki flicked his fingers and the chair zoomed out from under the man causing him to topple to the sticky tile floor in an ungainly heap. Red faced, the man struggled to his feet. He glared around the room with small piggish eyes. "Who's the asshole who did that?"

"Sit down Lloyd. No one did anything." One of the man's friends said in a bored voice.

Lloyd grabbed his stolen chair and slammed it back down at the table. Just as he was lowering himself to the seat, the chair fell over. "I don't need this shit! I've got to long-haul to Arizona in an hour."

Well, Lloyd was about to get some overdue exercise. Loki thought evilly. The chair continued to dance out of the mortal's reach. Finally, he kicked the seat with disgust, dropped some money on the table and stormed out of the diner.

Loki rested his chin in his hand. That was fun. Though he had no idea why he did it. It was nothing to him if the girl got attacked by the trucker. She was simply one of billions.

Drying her hands on a paper towel, Cassandra exited the restroom, her face and feet scrubbed free of dirt.

"Over here, sweetie." The waitress called by a vacant table. She laid out a plate with breakfast food. "Come get something to eat."

Cassandra surged forward eagerly. As she neared Loki's table her broken sandal flew off her foot and skidded underneath his table.

She sighed in resignation and stooped to retrieve her footwear. Her fingers brushed against Loki's ankle and his skin tingled from her touch.

Loki's breath caught in his throat as she moved his leg and grabbed her sandal. She leaned on the edge of his table for balance while sliding the sandal back on.

Eyes shining with warmth, Cassandra smiled down at him. "Some advice, if you're going to walk through a desert wear sneakers or tennis shoes. Sandals don't last." She wiggled her toes around the broken strap. Her toenails were painted an absurdly cheerful pink. "I'm lucky they made it this long." Patting Loki on the arm, she walked over to the waitress and sat down at the table.

The staff pulsed in his lap reminding him of his mission. Loki looked away from the girl sharply, focusing instead on the cat shaped clock on the wall. 11 PM. Barton would return soon and then the next stage of his plan would begin.

Loki listened as the waitress stopped by Cassandra's table. "Mike says he'll be by in a few minutes with the tow truck. He had an emergency at the garage. Some out of towners with a fancy truck."

"Okay, how much do I owe you?" Cassandra asked.

The waitress waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it honey. I own the place."

"Wow, that's so generous. Thank you!" The girl lunged to her feet and pulled the older woman into an impulsive hug.

The waitress laughed good-naturedly and hugged the girl back. "Think nothing of it. I'm happy to help. Now, sit down and I'll bring you a slice of apple pie."

The gears in Loki's mind turned as he mulled over their conversation. This Mike must be the mechanic Barton and Selvig went to visit. He slid out from the booth and left the diner.

Loki could not afford the mechanic talking. The girl would have to figure out another way to fix her vehicle.

He waited in the shadows of the building for Mike to make an appearance.

Five minutes later, the bells over the door jangled and Cassandra exited the diner. Loki watched as she crossed the parking lot, keeping to the well-lit areas. Unbeknownst to her another figure peeled away from a vehicle following.

Just as she reached the street her stalker grabbed her. Cassandra shrieked, twisting in the man's arms.

"Quiet, you stupid bitch."

Lloyd.

Apparently, the man had not learned his lesson. Loki waited to see what happened. After all, he had nothing invested in the outcome.

The girl twisted free from Lloyd's pawing hands, pulling a slender canister from her pocket. Lifting it she sprayed Lloyd in the eyes.

The man fell into the dirt bellowing in rage. Cassandra kicked him in the gut. "That's what you get for trying to kidnap girls, you fucking asshole!" She kicked him again, this time in the groin while he rolled around whimpering.

"You just got maced you fat disgusting dick-"

Lloyd grabbed Cassandra's ankle in a meaty fist and yanked her to the ground. Grunting he climbed on top of her, holding her down with his weight. "I'm going to enjoy this."

Fear shone in Cassandra's eyes as Lloyd reached for the waistband of her shorts.

Loki moved without thinking, crossing the distance swiftly. Lifting Lloyd by the neck, he slammed the scepter through the man's back, shredding his heart to ribbons.

Lloyd was dead almost instantly. With preternatural calm, Loki tossed the body aside and stared down at the girl lying in the dirt. She stared up at him in shock, her eyes wide, breathing fast. Blood stained her tank top.

"Get up." He ordered, already regretting interfering.

Cassandra remained where she was, her cheeks deathly pale.

Loki grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet. She stumbled, falling against him. Her hand splayed across his chest. He looked down at her for a second then retreated a few steps.

Loki should kill her. She would be no benefit to his plan. He twisted the shaft of the scepter in his hands contemplating his next step, the bright blue glow incandescent under the watery parking lot lights.

"You killed him." The words came out toneless.

Loki straightened to his full height, looming over her. "Do you care? The man was intent on ravishing you. I saved you. If anything you owe me a debt of gratitude."

Cassandra licked her lips nervously, eyes lowered. "No, I don't care that he's dead. So thank you for helping me."

Headlights washed over the two of them as Barton pulled the truck into the parking lot.

"Will you tell anyone you saw me?" Loki asked.

She stiffened, shoulders hunching around her ears as she curled in on herself. The shock was wearing off. Her voice came out stronger when she answered. "No."

Oddly, Loki believed her. As much as he believed any mortal.

Barton climbed out of the truck and walked over to them. His sharp gaze swept over Cassandra and Lloyd, returning immediately to Loki. "Orders, sir?"

"Dispose of the body."

"And the girl?"

Loki tilted his head, inky hair falling around his shoulders. "Leave her."

"She's seen us."

The agent was right. Loki had to do something. Spinning the scepter around, he slammed the blunt end into Cassandra's temple. The girl crumpled to the dirt.

"Hey!" A man charged out of a tow truck, stomping angrily toward them. "Leave that girl alone!"

Ah, Mike. Loki stepped in the man's way pressing the glowing blue light to the mechanic's chest. The man stiffened as the spell took hold and he fell silent.

Kneeling beside Cassandra's unconscious form, Loki pressed his fingers to her temples. Closing his eyes he concentrated casting an illusion spell into her mind. When she woke she would only think their meeting a dream. He finished by using magic to clean the blood from her clothing.

Loki stood, dusting his leathers off. "Mike, there is a stranded vehicle five miles outside of town. Take this young woman to her friends and fix their transportation. Retrieve Martha the waitress from the diner and meet us in New York at Stark Tower by the end of the week."

"Yes, sir."

Without a backward glance at the sleeping girl, Loki jumped into the back of the truck. Barton tore out of the lot heading east.

A/N: Well, this took on a more serious tone than intended but this is 2012 Loki and he's a villain during this time so he couldn't be too much of a hero. I hope you enjoyed it. Short Story Updates will be slow.

Lovely coverart by LadyMintLeaf  https://www.deviantart.com/ladymintleaf/art/AT-Loki-and-Cassandra-891458440