Stark Industries was a classy establishment. As if to highlight this, a smart young woman led him into Stark's office and asked if he wanted a drink so Loki, politely of course, asked for a coffee.

"A guy after my own heart," Stark commented, listening to the request. "Coffee is my lifeline."

"A remarkable discovery, certainly, caffeine. And we have Friedlieb Ferdinand Runge to thank for that."

Stark raised an eyebrow.

"Really? I didn't know that."

"He was a wonderful chemist. He isolated quinine and invented paper chromatography."

"You didn't take chemistry at college, did you?" Stark said suspiciously.

"I read Classics and History in England," Loki replied indifferently.

"A-Levels?"

"3 A*s in History, Latin and English Literature and an A in Physics."

"Got any math qualifications?"

"A* in GCSE Mathematics and A in Additional Mathematics."

"Practical experience?"

"... None."

Stark steepled his fingers and looked at Loki over the top of them.

"Well we'll have to rectify that, then. Or you can do admin."

"You are offering me a job then?"

"I'd already offered you a job. Now I'm offering you the free reign to choose which one, Walker. Choose wisely."

"I'd gladly accept a job as your PA."

"I have a PA," Stark stated obstinately.

"No, you don't," Loki replied dispassionately. "She's the coffee maker and if she was a proper PA she'd be back by now."

"My source said you were good," Stark said admiringly.

"And who is your source?" Loki asked, curious.

"Professor Evans gave you a ravishing reference."

"Ah," Loki said quietly. "That was extremely kind of him."

"Right then," Stark said, snapping back to business. "Can you start tomorrow? My assistants barely last six months. The last resigned three days ago. Too much stress or something."

"Sure," Loki agreed. "What time?"

"Your call," said Stark with a strange smile.

"Very well," acquiesced Loki.

"Your coffees, Sir," the woman finally returned. "Black, no sugars. And a shot of vodka, per your request."

Loki eyed his new boss as Stark tipped some the vodka into his coffee cup. 

Stark caught his eye and clinked their cups.

"To work," he toasted.

"To work." 

*

Loki, expecting a turbulent first day, put on a black suit and walked to work for eight.

"Good morning," he greeted, entering Stark's office.

The billionaire looked up cheerfully.

"Walker! You made it."

"I figured your power nap might have finished by now. I hope that chair supports your neck and spine overnight," Loki stated.

"Stalking me, Walker?" Stark questioned, amused but now slightly wary.

Loki shrugged.

"The tabloids know when you work through the night and the power nap wasn't hard to guess. You have a crease in your face from the corner of your laptop."

Stark appeared impressed.

"Who are you, Sherlock Holmes?"

Loki left that unanswered. If Arthur Conan Doyle had based Sherlock Holmes off of him, he certainly wouldn't mention it.

"So, what work do you want me to complete today?"

"Erm."

Stark fished around in his file pile for some papers.

"If you could digitalise these schematics, plan my week, book a table at Le Bernadin and speak with Doctor Banner this morning, that would be greatly appreciated."

"Very well," Loki replied. "Your wish is my command," he bowed sarcastically.

"Do all that," Stark said seriously, "and we'll go out for lunch to get to know each other better."

"Only you could make that sound like a bad pick-up line," Loki commented.

"You're the one flirting with me," Stark lifted his hands up in surrender. "Don't blame me for getting curious about the heartthrob sitting opposite me."

Smiling slightly, Loki left the office and sat down at his desk. Stark was asking an awful lot of him for his first day, whether they'd had a flirtatious connection or not. He decided to book the table before planning Stark's week, digitalising the schematics and finally calling the doctor.

"Hello," he said, "Is Doctor Banner there?"

"Yes," a man's voice replied, a tiny bit muffled. "But I don't tend to speak to people on the phone."

"I can speak with you in person if that's better," Loki offered.

"I'm in India," Banner responded, sounding irritated.

"That's not a problem," Loki said after a small pause.

"Really?" The doctor now sounded amused. "But you misunderstood me. I don't often meet in person or talk over the phone."

"Why did you answer then?"

"You work for Tony Stark."

"Yes... I do. How do you know?"

"An Englishman ordered to speak to a doctor. Stark doesn't trust just anyone to do that. You must be Alden Walker, Stark's new PA."

"Very clever, Doctor," Loki admitted.

"I didn't get into this situation with no brains," Banner stated, sounding annoyed again. "I keep tabs on all the people Stark is likely to send after me."

"That's wise of you," Loki commented.

"I never said I wasn't wise either," Banner snapped and then paused. "What does Stark need me for?"

"I presume he wanted me to begin the acquaintance. He didn't give me any clear instructions."

"Oh."

The man sounded surprised.

"Stark usually has something up his sleeve."

"He does seem like the type to have an ulterior motive," agreed Loki.

"No, he doesn't usually get his assistants to 'begin the acquaintance' as you call it," Banner said slowly. "You must be a special case."

"That is what Stark assumed."

There was another pause. Loki felt the need to explain.

"Stark accused me of flirting with him. I had no idea I was so special," he added sarcastically.

"I would be pleased," Banner advised. "He doesn't like many people. And the people he likes... There are benefits. Multiple benefits."

"Straight to the point, much, Doctor?" Loki questioned, sounding amused.

"A bit," Banner admitted. "But it's true that most of the people he likes end up in his bed or extremely well off."

"I know which one I'd prefer," Loki laughed. "Anyway, I'll leave you to your work. Gamma radiation is an interesting kettle of fish."

"Thank you, Walker," Banner answered genuinely. "It was a pleasure making your acquaintance."

"Not at all," Loki said, hanging up. "Not at all," he muttered.

He walked along the corridor into Stark's office. The man looked up, surprised.

"I knew you were fast, Walker, but not that fast," he commented idly, pretending to look through a few documents.

Loki stared at him.

"I resign," he stated.

Now Stark was really surprised.

"That bad? I looked through the schematics earlier and you did all of it perfectly. You have a natural affinity for this sort of stuff."

"Paperwork?" Loki asked drily.

Tony re-phrased.

"You are an extremely intelligent man, Walker," Stark explained. "I'm merely trying to say that you're good at what you do. You're probably good at everything. That tends to be the problem for us genii," he added, with a fake remorseful air.

"I don't find it a problem," Loki said icily.

Stark decided to lose the sarcasm.

"Look, Walker, what was the problem? Most people quit halfway through or before they've even started - why do all the tasks and then throw in the towel? The staff pay is good here."

"I was considering multiple avenues when I accepted your interview. A few years ago, I had an accident. There was a hospital that saved my life and I'd like to repay the favour."

"Prior moral obligations," Tony mused, scribbling it down. "That's a new one - the press will have a field day."

Loki's lip twitched upwards slightly in amusement. His 'boss' continued.

"Well, obviously, all the usual. Good luck in your future endeavours, don't get into trouble... that sort of thing. I'm sure we'll meet again."

If Loki was surprised by this flippancy, he didn't show it, ever one to mask his emotions.

"Probably online," Loki pointed out.

"You never know," Tony shrugged. "Nice meeting you, Walker."

He extended a hand.

"And you."

They shook hands and Loki left Stark Industries. He rather liked the sound of fulfilling a prior moral obligation. It was just another step towards the light.

*****

A.N. What do you think of Loki becoming a doctor? Thanks for reading!