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Tony took Cassandra on a tour of the tower, floor by floor. Below the penthouse was a full gym with state-of-the-art exercise equipment and a pool. She made a mental note to go for a swim later.

They swung by the tech department where the billionaire issued her a new cellphone to replace the one she lost in the explosion and a tablet for her new job for which Cassandra needed some clarification. "What is my job title anyway?"

"Same as your old one. I've been meaning to hire historians for my team only I haven't had the time between my duties as Iron Man and the launch for my new car line." Tony said with a lazy wave of his hand, the bracelet on his wrist jangling.

Loki opted to remain behind in the penthouse to sulk. Since neither of the men got along it was probably for the best. They nearly came to blows over something as stupid as a coffee mug!

As Cassandra and Tony walked down a narrow white corridor to the first floor of the research and development department, she still struggled to comprehend the casual animosity between Iron Man and the god.

Loki certainly did not help things by deliberately antagonizing Tony for his own amusement. Their personalities were very similar, Cassandra bet in other circumstances the men would be friends.

Tony paused before the corrugated steel door at the end of the hall, pressing his palm to a control panel for entry. The door unlocked with a loud buzzing sound to reveal more gleaming white walls, a cement floor, and glass topped computer tables manned by corporate minions wearing headsets.

"This is software development. We're working on some stuff for SHIELD." Tony didn't elaborate beyond that.

Cassandra wisely didn't ask what tech the secret spy agency wanted.

They continued the tour. Most of the floors of Stark Tower were dedicated to research and development. Beyond computer tech, the Hulk had an entire lab for his gamma radiation studies.

Bruce hovered before a series of monitors unaware Tony and Cassandra observed him.

When they arrived at the energy department, Tony proudly showed off models of his latest inventions.

"The purpose of the tech I'm developing is to eliminate dependency on fossil fuels and other pollutants that damage the Earth." He explained, showing her a model of a self-sustaining power plant.

"A lot of tech companies are working to be green. How are you any different?" Cassandra asked, taking the toy building into her hands for a closer look at the structure.

"Stark Tower is run by a self-sustaining energy power cell that uses quantum energy. I got the idea from some of the experiments Dr. Pym ran a few years ago. Right now, it's only a prototype but the cell I use only has to be replaced annually." He said then launched into a complicated science jargon that went right over her head.

Cassandra understood the concept of green energy, but Tony seemed to go one step further than all the energy companies out there. The billionaire lived up to his reputation as a genius. Setting the model down, Tony took her down to the library, a sublevel below the lobby.

Stomach churning nervously, Cassandra exited the elevator hyperaware of her surroundings. She really hated being underground.

Rows upon rows of books filled the open space around a cluster of tables and chairs. Unlike the spotless sterile environment of the other departments, an air of neglect hung around the library. A lone employee sat at the circulation desk reading a book, her graying hair pinned back neatly at her nape. The librarian's glasses slid down her nose as she jerked in surprise to find visitors in her domain. "Sir?" She asked uncertainly.

Tony, oblivious to the awkward tension, greeted the librarian with a smirk. "Ms. Forest, I'd like you to meet our new curator, Dr. Cassandra Pierce."

Brow raised skeptically, the middle-aged woman surveyed Cassandra carefully, her eyes narrowing. She sniffed a little when she finished her appraisal. "Dr. Pierce, welcome to the Stark Library." She said sharply, a bite to her voice.

Cassandra felt distinctly unwelcome as she and the librarian shook hands.

Ms. Forest withdrew her hand as quickly as possible and pumped some sanitizer into her palms from the bottle at her desk. She scrubbed her hands quickly of Cassandra germs.

Okay, they were definitely not going to get along. With Tony standing there, Cassandra held her tongue, pasting on a fake smile. "I look forward to working with you, Ms. Forest."

Ms. Forest responded with an equally fake cheery smile. "I'm sure you'll be an asset to the library."

Being a man, Tony missed the subtle current of dislike charging the air between the two women. He rubbed his hands together in pure satisfaction. "You see? I promised you some help Ms. Forest and I delivered. Cassandra will handle the oldest part of the collection. I'm having her do some research for me." He glanced at Cassandra. "How's your Ancient Greek and Latin?"

"I'm fluent."

Part of her graduate studies included classical languages. NYU believed in building a solid foundation for their graduate students. In her job at the auction house she'd used her language skills often to decipher bits of text sometimes hidden on the oldest antiques.

Tony gestured vaguely to a group of open backed shelves on the right side of the room. "I have a load of dusty scrolls lying around here. My dad bought them years ago, but no one's bothered to catalog them."

Ms. Forest cleared her throat loudly.

Tony backpedaled. "I mean, you do an excellent job Clotilda, but this is a lot to handle for one person."

The floor-to-ceiling shelves stuffed to the brim with brittle rolls of papyrus took up the entire wall. "Is this room temperature controlled for the documents?"

Tony smiled faintly. "Do you have to ask?"

Cassandra longed for a pair of cotton gloves so she could fix the mess. Even with a temp-controlled room the documents needed to be handled with care. The scrolls were carelessly stacked in a clumsy heap. "Finding answers here might be a long shot. I can't promise results."

"The Collector's list is on the tablet I just gave you." He clapped her lightly on the shoulder. "Good luck, kid. I'll send someone by with lunch in a few hours or you can go up to the penthouse. Whichever you prefer."

Lunch? Cassandra completely forgot about breakfast. "I'll go up later."

Rocking back on his heels, Tony shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. "Look, I don't like getting into other people's business, but you need to be cautious around Loki. He's dangerous and can't be trusted."

"I know." She said softly, unable to meet his critical gaze without feeling guilty.

When it became evident Cassandra had nothing more to say Tony left the library.

How could she possibly justify her interest in Loki to a man who battled him as an enemy on numerous occasions? Part of why she felt so conflicted where Loki was concerned.

Cassandra did not believe the god to be all bad. He had his redeeming qualities like a fine body and a killer smile. Last night, when her power threatened to blow them up, he saved her life risking his own.

Ms. Forest shot her an evil glare and returned to the circulation desk.

Opening the file on the tablet, Cassandra scrolled through the Collector's List, enlarging the images as she went.

A chill went down her spine as she stared at the symbols branded on the hilt of the dagger. She strained to remember where she'd seen the symbols before, a mix of Egyptian Heka symbols and Celtic runes used by druids.

A barrier appeared in her mind blocking the memory. No matter how she strained to reach beyond it, the memory remained tantalizing out of reach.

Massaging her temples, Cassandra pulled up a photo of her tattoo and compared the two images for any similarities. The golden bird on her back was made up of a mix of Celtic and Norse runes, some of which appeared on the dagger.

Opening a blank document, Cassandra typed up notes about the similarities and the differences between the dagger and her tattoo. The two were likely not connected but better not to rule out anything.

Sliding her thumb across the tablet screen, Cassandra banished the image of her tattoo.

She tapped her foot on the floor, letting her thoughts float freely. At the auction house she rarely handled ceremonial weapons. Her knowledge of them were limited. However, the missing dagger gave every indication of being a religious object.

Cassandra pulled up a search engine and typed in 'Mediterranean ceremonial weapons' getting about fifty million hits. She spent the next several hours scrolling through the links until she found one from a university that seemed legit.

Essentially such daggers were used for religious ceremonies and rites as well as casting spells and incantations.

The old grandfather clock behind the circulation desk chimed the top of the hour. Cassandra glanced over and then did a double take. It was four o'clock, the end of her shift.

How had she lost track of time? Her stomach rumbled loudly in protest over being denied two meals in a row.

Stretching, Cassandra worked the stiffness out of her back and stood. Ms. Forest set her novel aside, positioning it perfectly beside the stapler. "I suppose, I'll see you tomorrow?" The librarian asked innocently.

Nice try lady. Cassandra wouldn't be tossed aside so easily. She smiled kindly. "Never fear, Ms. Forest. I'll be here at nine am sharp to continue my work."

The woman blanched, unable to hide her disgust.

Hurrying toward the elevator, Cassandra stifled a giggle. She stabbed the button for the penthouse floor.

*************************************************************************************

"Honey, I'm home!" Cassandra declared cheerfully bounding into the penthouse. Her flimsy slippers slapped loudly on the marble floor as she made her way over to the sunken living room, bounding down the stairs.

She flung herself onto the empty sofa across from Loki, sending one slipper flying into his lap. "Oops."

Loki's fingers curled around the thin rubber sole of the black shoe, still slightly warm from her skin. "Why are you in such a good mood?"

Cassandra shrugged. "I'm making headway in my research."

Resting his chin in his hand he observed her beaming smile with suspicion. While she displayed no outward sign of mockery, Loki had the impression Cassandra was making fun of him somehow.

Loki was also extremely bored after lounging around the penthouse all day with nothing to do except of think up ways to torment Cassandra for that kiss.

A tendril of hair poked free of her braid, curling beneath her chin. He captured the errant strand and gently tucked it behind her ear, his thumb caressing her cheekbone. She leaned into his touch, her lashes lowering coyly. "Are you going to kiss me?"

Loki smiled, tilting her chin back, exposing the graceful slope of her long neck. He could hear the frantic race of her pulse beneath her skin as he cupped the back of her head gently, pulling her close. Bending his head, he pressed his lips against her ear. "No, because you want me to."

As Loki pulled back the outraged look on Cassandra's face made him chuckle. "I never said I wanted you to. I just asked if you were going to being the consummate flirt you are." Her denial rang false.

The Little Vixen blatantly lied to the God of Lies and expected him not to notice. Loki was torn between humor and irritation. He never acted like this with women in the past. The few who didn't chase after Thor only threw themselves at him because he was the son of a king and wanted to elevate their social positions. So, he used them right back and tossed them aside when he was finished.

Cassandra didn't care about who he was. Her desire for him was genuine. A thrill went through Loki to have this kind of power over someone. To know that a look or a simple touch was enough to drive them wild.

Lifting her barefoot into his lap, Loki caressed the arch of her foot gently in slow concentric circles watching her face for reaction. Cassandra gritted her teeth and turned her head sharply away, but she didn't jerk away from him.

He dug his thumb into a sore spot, and she gasped, her eyes fluttering closed.

"I hate you." Cassandra whimpered, arching slightly as he hit the spot again.

"No, you don't." Loki massaged her heel and she practically melted into a puddle, sliding deeper into the cushions.

Cassandra kicked off her other slipper. She pressed her toes against his calve, slowly dragging her foot up and down his leg. "I'm beginning to regret kissing you in the bathroom last night." Her foot slid along his inner thigh, rubbing against the most sensitive part of him.

Loki inhaled sharply. "You overestimate your charms, mortal."

Wariness crept into her expression. She pulled away from Loki, curling her legs underneath her. Red tinged her cheeks. "If you don't want me, don't lead me on."

They glared at each other, the atmosphere crackling with tension. Cassandra huffed loudly and lunged to her feet, grabbing her discarded shoes. "I'm out of here."

Stiff-backed, Cassandra stalked toward the elevator.

"Where are you going?" He demanded anger lacing his tone.

The elevator doors opened and she stepped inside. "None of your business."

Loki pried the doors apart before they finished closing and barreled inside, a tangle of dark hair falling into his eyes. He grabbed her by the arm, hissing. "I'm supposed to be guarding you."

Thunder rumbled loudly in the confined space. He looked around for signs of his brother when the growling started up again. Loki glanced at Cassandra in startled realization and released her arm.

Blushing, Cassandra slapped a hand over her stomach. "I forgot to eat breakfast and lunch. I'm going out to get something. I really don't need you along."

Loki propped against the wall, crossing his ankles. "That's not for you to decide."

"Why not? Its not like you care about my safety." She shot back.

Keeping her alive and unharmed was in Loki's best interest. It's the only reason he tolerated her insolence.

A/N:I hope you enjoyed reading it. I'm not too sure about this chapter to be honest. As always, vote, comment, and have a great day.