SIX MONTHS LATER

"Do you think perhaps maybe we could, you know, hurry this up a little?"
Loki's smooth, yet distinctly irritated, voice hissed into Sif's ear.

She glanced across to her left where Agent Romanoff stood poised, much like herself, with her back flattened to the brick wall, but on the opposite side of the club entrance.

"He really isn't the most patient guy, is he?"
Natasha remarked dryly.

Sif made a face.
"You have no idea."
She said this quietly enough, but of course due to the linked earpieces and hidden microphones each of them wore, this enabled Loki to overhear their comments.

"Oh I'm sorry.."
He riposted sardonically.
"...it's not like we have somewhere to be!"

Sif giggled softly, and was just about to tell him to relax when Agent Coulson's voice came through next.
"Just hang back okay? We've got all exits covered. He isn't going anywhere, so it shouldn't take long-"

"That's precisely the problem though isn't it?"
Loki interrupted impatiently.
"He isn't going anywhere! And as long as he isn't, neither are we!"

Agent Romanoff pressed her fingers against the earpiece and spoke directly to the undercover agent now, who was situated inside the club.
"D'you still have a visual on the suspect? What's he doing?"

The reply came through, which only served to increase Loki's growing agitation, as a muffled string of expletives accompanied the agent's response.
"Um, not currently. He's just gone into the men's room, can't exactly follow him in there. Don't want him to get spooked."

"But if he were to get spooked and flee, we could then apprehend him easily couldn't we? He cannot escape us."
Admittedly, she was beginning to get twitchy about the time herself now. As dedicated as she was to her new job -- working in conjunction with S.H.E.I.L.D, apprehending dangerous individuals that weren't always necessarily from Midgard -- she didn't want to be late.

Natasha could understand Sif's anxiousness, so she spoke again into her microphone..
"She's got a point. This could take all day-"

"Without a doubt, he's always been a heavy drinker. He'd drink the Thames dry if it were mixed with cheap alcohol. His tastes aren't exactly refined."
Loki interjected.

Natasha rolled her eyes.
"Yes, thank you for sharing that Loki."

"Actually, no he probably wouldn't be able to withstand that amount. He can't hold his liquor the dim-witted brute-"

"Okay Loki, geez...we get it....now where were we?"
Agent Clint Barton now joined in the conversation.

"Alright people, listen up.."
Coulson chimed in authoritatively.
"...here's what we're gonna do...our man inside is going to go into the bathroom and spook the suspect in order to drive him out-"

"I could do that."
Loki's voice broke in again, earning him a collective 'shush' from everyone.

Phil took a deep, exasperated breath before continuing.
"Once he's outside we got him, and that way no civilians get hurt and we don't cause too much of a ruckus. Romanoff, I want you 'round back....Barton, Natasha's going to take your place and I want you up on the roof of the building across the street so you can cover her, you copy that?"

Before Barton had chance to respond, Loki's voice came yet again, this time filled with new-found assertiveness.
Following orders had never really been his style. And neither had subtlety.
"To hell with this. Just...hang on, I'll be in and out before you know it."

Before anyone had barely processed what he was saying, the jolting sound of breaking glass filled their ears, throwing each of them into temporary panic.

"Loki! What have you done now?"
Sif groaned, as all hell seemed to break loose with everyone shouting at once.

"He's in."
Barton exclaimed, his tone a mixture of disapproval and reluctant, respectful admiration.
"Crazy son of a bitch."

"Loki is in, I repeat, Loki is in...do you have a visual?"
Natasha demanded of the agent who was stationed inside.

"No...but...oh, wait a second...I hear something..."

******

Loki had made easy work of gaining entry into the gentleman's bathrooms. It was simply a matter of deduction, and a small amount of good luck.
He'd stealthily stalked around the outside of the club until he located the tell-tale frosted glass window.
Bingo!

Using his God-like abilities he jumped up and caught hold of the guttering that hung low on the roof of the ground-level building. Hoisting himself up, and bending his legs at the knee, he climbed up the wall with a foot on on either side of the window.
Then he effectively swung forwards and kicked through the pane of glass, his entire body following.

He'd surprised himself by being able to land on his feet. That was a bonus. Because even though he was a God -- and he liked to have people believe that Gods didn't get embarrassed by anything -- he would've undeniably blushed crimson if he'd have lost balance or slipped on the grubby floor tiles.

A stocky, bearded man stood by the wash basins looking suitably stunned, his mouth hanging open like a beached fish. It visibly took him a few moments to recover from the shock of Loki's dramatic entrance, and when he did, Loki saw the recognition dawn in his piggy little, deep-set eyes.

"You!"
The man exclaimed in his gruff voice.
"Loki....of Asgard!"

Loki grinned crookedly as he casually dusted the stray fragments of broken glass from his black suit jacket.
"Correct. It is me, in the flesh. Not a portrait. Do you want an autograph?"
Dusting-off done, he now took a step forward, his expensive leather shoes crunching glass into the floor.
"Hello Skurge."

Perhaps it was the menacing tone in which Loki addressed the escaped Asgardian convict, or just his presence in general, but within a split-second Skurge made a haphazard dash for the door.
Needless to say, he did not get very far with Loki hot on his heels.
He barrelled back into the semi-busy bar, bumping into customers in his blind panic and sending their pint glasses flying this way and that, alcohol spillimg everywhere in the process.

The undercover S.H.E.I.L.D agent came hurrying over, gun at the ready.
"What the hell are you playing at? You were supposed to wait!"
He hurled at Loki, who waved him away dismissively.

"In case you didn't realise, Sif and I don't have time to wait today. So if you wouldn't mind stepping aside....we have this covered."

Meanwhile Skurge's eyes were firmly on where he so desperately needed to get to...the door. But then his face fell as he saw none other than the warrior shield maiden, Sif, dressed in similar black attire to Loki's.
She strode in and stood in the doorway blocking his exit, a handgun pointing straight at him.

"Going somewhere?"
She enquired cooly.

"Shit!"
He muttered, and skittered behind a nearby table like the coward he was.

If the hapless thug thought he had successfully avoided Loki now there was a long, chunky, wooden table between himself and the trickster, he was sorely wrong.

Loki was a man on a mission, quite literally, and he wouldn't be so easily perturbed.
Knocking the chairs out of his way, they clattered backwards onto the floor noisily attracting the attention of everyone in the club.
Loki smirked to himself.
This was exactly how he liked to work. With an audience, and as the centre of attention.
The peoples saviour.
Or at the very least.....an anti-hero.

Gripping the edge of the table in his strong hands, he flipped it over dramatically, revelling in the collective gasp that rose from the startled onlookers.
Skurge squirmed as he was hoisted to his feet, and swiftly spun around and handcuffed before he could regain his senses.

"Oh, Skurge. Tsk."
Loki tutted, mockingly.
"When will you ever learn? Crime....never pays."

"Oh yeah? And since when did you learn?"
Skurge challenged him, as Loki roughly shoved him toward the door.

"Since I found the love of a good woman."
Loki countered smugly, and flashed Sif an appreciative smile.
"I highly recommend it. Though, Amora doesn't fit into that category. She'll always betray you. But don't fret, you'll get over her....I did."
He taunted him jovially, and added for extra effect.
"As did Thor, actually....as well as Fandral...and half the male population of Asgard."

"You smart-mouthed, smooth bastard!"
Skurge cursed and grumbled under his breath, but still made no attempt to get away. He knew there was no getting away. Not from Loki. Asgard's new most infamous detective and glorified bounty hunter

Just then the head bartender approached, along with a sultry-looking waitress who clearly just wanted to get closer to the action.
"What's going on? What's this all about?"
The burly-looking barman demanded.
"I'm not having any trouble in here! Who the hell are you?"

Spinning around on his heel with elaborate flair, Loki produced his S.H.E.I.L.D badge with a flick of the wrist.
"Loki, agent of Asgard."
He supplied calmly, waving the badge under the man's nose.
"This man is wanted for various, numerous crimes. And now we've got what we came for....we'll be on our way. Oh and, so sorry about....this."
He moved his hand in a broad, sweeping gesture over the upturned table and chairs.
"Unfortunately things do have a tendency to get a bit messy."

Sif bit back a smile, as she gripped Skurge by the arm and began leading him out. She still had time to witness the way the barmaid swayed up to Loki with fevered, uninhibited, enthusiasm. Ogling him without shame.
"I don't suppose we'll be seeing you in here again, hon?"
She asked hopefully, looking at him in that lustful way Sif had grown accustomed to seeing women do.
Fortunately though, he'd never given her any reason to doubt his fidelity or devotion to her.

Loki smiled an apologetic smile, his voice laden with charm.
"You suppose right, dear. Sorry."
With that he followed Sif, and the submissive Skurge, out of the club.

Sif was now chuckling to herself. One couldn't help admiring Loki's enviable knack of being able to tell people to go to hell in such a way that made them look forward to the trip.
It was always entertaining seeing Silver Tongue in action.

Once outside, they hastily delivered the prisoner into the hands of the armed agents, who bundled him into an awaiting S.H.E.I. L. D vehicle.

Within moments the couple were joined by Agent Romanoff, followed by a flustered agent Coulson.
"You..."
He pointed an accusing finger at Loki, albeit nervously.
"....ignored orders. You're out of line. You should have waited."

"Yes, yes...but regrettably as I keep saying, I don't have time to wait. As you're well aware. So I trust I'll be forgiven on this occasion. Now, we need to go."

"We?"
Phil squawked, clearly alarmed as Loki physically steered him along the pavement. But he put up no resistance, allowing Loki to manoeuvre him around like a mannequin.
"What do you mean by 'we' exactly?"

"I'm sorry I should've given you prior notice, Phil, but your assistance is needed."
Loki informed the worried agent, as he pulled the keys to his Jag from his trouser pocket. Then he paused and looked back down the road to Sif. Cupping his hands to his mouth, he shouted to her,
"See you there, darling."

Sif smiled coyly at him, and called back,
"Indeed you will."

He winked then climbed elegantly into the drivers seat.
Natasha and Sif watched with some amusement as the car slid rapidly into reverse then spun around, the tyres screeching on the asphalt.
Both women knew that Loki still made Phil nervous, and his driving more so.

"Hey, c'mon you. We need to get going. We've got roughly about an hour to get changed and then over to Kensington. God I hate the traffic in this city. Why couldn't you guys have picked to settle in the states?"

The two women walked swiftly to the S.H.E.I.L.D SUV that was waiting for them.
"Because Loki is still paranoid over the incident in New York. And besides, I highly doubt traffic congestion is any less bad in your capital."

Natasha hummed her agreement. She couldn't exactly argue with that.
"Well the one thing you have in your favour today is at least its customary to be late. In fact it's practically frowned upon if you aren't. You don't want to seem too eager. And hey, it's good to remind a guy that you're worth the wait." 

****

The sprawling Kensington Roof Gardens was set 30 metres above street level.
It was certainly a glamorous venue with it's impressive one and a half acres of lush greenery. The odd flamingo that occasionally strutted by just added to the exotic, magical alfresco setting.
Fortunately the sun was shining also, which wasn't always guaranteed during Spring in the UK. The weather here was unpredictable at the best of times, but luckily for Loki and Sif, they'd inadvertently chosen the ideal day for a May wedding.

Still, his fiancée was cutting it fine, Loki thought, glancing nervously down at his Rolex watch. The registrar was getting twitchy, as there was another wedding party due to arrive soon, so they were running seriously behind time.

"She's always late."
Loki remarked with a roll of his eyes.
"Sometimes she takes so long to get ready when we're going out, that I practically need another shave."

Beside him, Coulson, who'd been unwillingly drafted in as a reluctant best man, nodded sympathetically.
"Women. It's their prerogative."

Just then, Anna appeared at the end of the pathway which was lined with blossom trees, and the music started up...
'As The World Falls Down' By David Bowie, from the cult movie Labyrinth, which was a firm favourite of theirs.

Loki's heart inflated with adoration and pride at the sight of Sif, who came walking down slowly behind Anna, clutching a simple yet extravagantly beautiful bouquet of winter roses.
Her long, white Grecian-style dress accentuated her figure, and made her look every inch the Goddess she was.
Behind her, Natasha followed....looking not completely at ease with having to wear a dress. But she still managed a smile nonetheless.

When Sif reached Loki, she was already fighting to hold back the tears. He looked devastatingly handsome in his black suit and waistcoat, which was adorned with an elegantly gold-stitched pattern. He wore a black cravat at his neck, and even his silk shirt was black. But he still cut a more-than dashing figure, in spite of his colour scheme....or lack thereof.

Their vows were simple, and meaningful. And they both delivered them with emotional sincerity....

"I take thee with all of your faults and strengths, and offer all of myself to you. I pledge to share my life openly with you, and to speak the truth to you in love. I promise to honour and care for you, to cherish and nurture you, and encourage your own fulfilment as an individual throughout all the changes of our lives. I choose you as the person with whom I spend my life."

Afterwards during the hurried signing of the necessary paperwork, photos were taken and another song played.
This one was Sif's choice, 'Anywhere' by a band called Evanescence.
It was a beautiful song, and there was barely a dry eye in the house -- or rather, on the roof -- although Loki would've preferred a track called 'We Want The Same Thing' by a singer named Belinda Carlisle.
He did however get his choice of music which accompanied their walking back down the 'aisle' together, arm-in-arm...
'Marry You' by the better known artist, Bruno Mars.
Loki wasn't particularly a fan of his, but he found the song amusing.

A few minutes later and they were back out on the street, Sif wobbling precariously in her heels as her new husband led her hurriedly down the steps to the gleaming, silver Rolls Royce Phantom which was parked ready and waiting by the roadside.

She'd barely climbed inside when Loki slid onto the back seat beside her, and pulled her into a loving embrace.
He kissed her deeply, but sweetly, and she melted into him much like she always did.
And similarly, the kiss soon become more carnal and sensual, until she found herself practically lay along the plush leather seat, Loki's feet kicking the door due to the never-ending length of his legs.
The weight of his sinewy body on top of her was always extraordinary, intoxicating, and indescribable.
The man who she loved with all her heart and soul, was holding her so tenderly yet fiercely in his arms, and it made the moment even more magnetic and overwhelming.
Instinctively Sif knew they didn't need any more sugary sweetness right now from each other, but she was also painfully aware that they couldn't take the necessary steps in order to satiate them both.

"L-Loki."
She breathed, placing a firm hand against his solid chest.

"Mm?"

"This....this isn't really the time or place for..."

She felt him pause, and he begrudgingly moved from his position.
"Yes, I suppose you're right....as usual, my love."
He huffed with mock-exasperation.
"I do hope however that this isn't going to become a regular excuse."

She pulled a face and playfully punched him in the arm.
"It is not an excuse, trickster. The driver is awaiting further instruction."

"Ow! Well he is getting paid to wait."
Loki pointed out, making a big show of screwing up his face and rubbing the spot where she'd barely touched him.
"And getting paid well I might add."
He leaned forward, his feigned-injury having miraculously disappeared, and reached for the champagne bottle from the ice bucket.

"Yes, and how does it feel being able to pay for such extravagances with clean money that you've legally earned?"

He quirked an eyebrow at her, wondering if this was a trick question. Perhaps she was seeing if he'd answer her honestly or not.
"It feels...."
He hesitated, running a hand along his sharp jawline in contemplation.
".....well it's certainly different. Most definitely a relief, not having to be continuously looking over my shoulder or worrying about being double-crossed. But most importantly.....it makes me happy."

"It does?"

"Yes. Because it makes you happy. And I always want to be the best man I can be for you, Sif. You deserve that. You take all the bad parts of me and turn them into something good."

She bit her bottom lip, the rush of love and warmth flushing through her.
This was one of those utterly perfect, few and far between moments in life that you have to draw into your lungs and hold there. Absorbing every drop of it because that is what life was all about

Loki broke the seal on the bottle and popped the cork expertly without spilling a drop. Sif held the flute glasses whilst he poured them both a drink.
"So, Missus Laufeyson.....where to? Name your ideal honeymoon destination....Paris, Rome, Tuscany? Your wish is my command."

"I've already told you, Mister Laufeyson, numerous times in fact, that I'm perfectly happy going anywhere as long as I'm with you. I do not mind if we spend the entire time holed up in a room somewhere-"

"Oh really?"
He flashed her his most salacious smile, which always caused her to heat up....sometimes even against her own wishes.
"Well in that case we'll go to all of those places, and spend a good proportion of our time enjoying the best hotel rooms they have to offer."

"Well, being as we've earned ourselves this four week break from work.."
She giggled, leaning forward to kiss the tip of his nose.
".....I'd say that sounds like a marvellous idea."

Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, he pulled her close and she snuggled against his chest.
"Driver?"
He called to the patiently waiting chauffeur.
"To the airport, and um....music please, if you would be so kind."

Moments later the engine purred to life, and the car was filled with the sound of one of Loki's favourite tracks, 'You And Me" by Tiffany. In spite of it being an obscure, cheesy, 80's song, he found the lyrics suitably befitting.

"You and me, we're meant to be in love. Don't let them tear us apart. You're all I'll ever need. Look in my eyes and you'll see, you and me, were made for love."

And it was easy for anyone to see that Loki and Sif, most definitely were.

~ The End ~