"Can Tony give us a warning when this kind of thing is about to happen?" Complained Clint, attempting to tie his bow tie.

Losing patience, Natasha flew in and did it herself.

"Apparently he forgot," Loki reported. "Miss Potts had told him in advance, though. She arranged it, I think."

"Don't you normally get told?" Steve asked Loki, confused.

"Usually," Loki smiled, "But Pepper does normally go to Tony first since they are dating."

"Pepper?"

"Pepper Potts," informed Natasha. "Tony likes making up nicknames for people."

"So I've noticed," Bruce rolled his eyes.

"Is everyone vaguely ready?" Tony asked, walking in and stopping to admire the view before him.

It wasn't everyday you got to see the Avengers in black tie, after all. The men all wore similar suits, with Steve, Bruce and Loki opting for black and Clint for grey. Thor had somehow managed to fit into a massive navy suit which made Loki glad he wasn't bulked out with muscle. Thor had, considerately, not mentioned their tense conversation since it happened.

"Vaguely is the right word for it," Natasha nodded, watching Bruce attempt to effortlessly tie his shoes but not really pulling off the casual look.

Natasha wore a modest grey dress and an expensive diamond necklace which Loki knew Tony had bought on a whim for Pepper. Pepper, however, had promptly lent it to Natasha for this exact occasion.

With Bruce finally ready, and Steve looking no more comfortable than before, the Avengers descended to the garage where Happy was waiting in a limousine. Rhodey was waiting for them at the venue since he was representing the military during the conference.

"This is too much," Steve muttered.

"Face it," said Tony, "You're all celebrities now."

This made Steve and Bruce look uneasy and Natasha and Clint pleased. Despite this, all did bundle into the limousine and make the journey, albeit in silence, to the hall where the press conference was taking place. Once there, they were beset by the paparazzi.

"Mr Stark! Mr Stark, can we have your thoughts on the battle?"

"Captain America, could the Avengers have done anything differently?"

"Dr Walker_ Loki, what will the repercussions be for S&W Industries?"

These questions promptly answered, they made their way in and took a seat on the stage next to Rhodey who was dressed in his colonel's uniform. Rhodey, as one of the only members of their team competent in public speaking, gave his speech first.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for being here tonight. We appreciate that this must be a stressful time for you all. With the advent of aliens on this planet, it does seem like a dire time. But, as the public's defence mechanism, we ask that you put your faith and trust in us. The Avengers are here to defend the people. Thank you."

Loki spoke next.

"I understand how, speaking as 'an alien', I might be classed as an enemy," he said slowly, scanning the audience for people who were uneasy at seeing him and Thor on a panel of the world's saviours. "However, I have been here for years. You all know me as Alden Walker, co-CEO of S&W Industries and an extremely formal speaker."

A few people laughed. Loki decided to eye each of the dissenters in turn as he spoke in order to change their minds.

"I do see that this fact may make you wary. Aliens can blend in with humans. Asgardians like myself and Prince Thor are humanoid in form. But my point is that not all of us are threats. The Asgardian population has striven for years to keep Midgard, Earth, out of the scope of warfare between the Nine Realms. 'Aliens' such as ourselves only wish for peace and alliances. At no point were we threats and we will continue to strive for peace between the realms.

"This threat came from beyond the Nine Realms. Unlike the stuff of science fiction, this is a tangible threat. Like the Chitauri of yesterday, they can cause harm. But the Avengers are here to stop these threats. And, as Colonel Rhodes said, you can put your trust in us."

He stepped down from the podium and allowed both Steve and Tony to say a few words. He got the impression that the audience weren't convinced but future action would certainly change their minds.

After the conference, when guests were simply milling around getting autographs, and journalists and photographers were asking for photos, quotes and footage for articles and television interviews, Loki caught sight of Jane Foster and walked over to her with Tony who'd decided he needed a bodyguard after all the bad press.

"I didn't expect you to be here," he said.

"I was in New York for a symposium," Jane smiled. "Unfortunately, it did coincide with an alien invasion."

Realising that she had probably attempted to tell him that when he'd hung up prior to the alien invasion, Loki felt slightly bad. However, Jane didn't notice his sheepishness and instead looked him up and down.

"I always knew," she said excitedly. "I always knew you were special!"

She promptly blushed at realising what she'd said and Tony turned away to hide his laughter.

"Can I treat you to a drink, Jane?" Loki asked smoothly, leading her away from the chuckling Tony.

Once seated at the bar, Loki asked how Jane's research was going.

"It's going well," she replied, looking happy. "We used Thor's_ Prince Thor's arrival to compare readings on the Bifrost between the day when he arrived and normal days when there is nothing unusual happening."

"Sounds like you've made good progress," Loki said kindly. 

"Do you think it would be possible for Earth to create a Bifrost?" Jane asked eagerly.

Loki considered it for a moment.

"The Bifrost was created with layers and layers of magic," Loki answered, in deep thought. "To construct it on Earth with no immense energy source acting as a catalyst..."

"Could something be harnessed?" Jane questioned. "A volcano for instance?"

"Or a star," Loki said quietly.

Jane laughed.

"We humans aren't quite that advanced."

Loki smiled.

"It is an interesting thought nonetheless. You are a credit to your kind, Jane Foster."

If possible, this made Jane blush even more.

*

When the press conference finished, Tony began handing out invitations for a party he'd spontaneously decided to hold that same night.

"Party! Party! Free entry, drinks, strangers welcome!"

"Is Tony, by chance, already drunk?" Loki asked Natasha.

"Almost certainly," Natasha replied, "However he is absurdly good at remaining sound of mind even when totally sloshed."

"I'll keep an eye on him," Loki sighed.

It would be a long night.

*****

A.N. We're slowly getting to the end of this fic. I hope you've enjoyed reading it - thank you so much for getting this far! :)