"Where are you going?" Ms. Forest demanded from the circulation desk.

Goose sat beside a stack of books at the circulation desk munching a handful of cat treats the librarian had provided her with. The Flerken watched Cassandra walk by the desk then went back to snarfing her snack.

"Out." Cassandra was not in the mood to deal with her or anyone.

She had been rereading the same scroll for hours unable to concentrate after what happened with Loki last night. Since work wasn't providing the distraction she hoped for, maybe she needed some fresh air.

"You still have an hour until lunch." Ms. Forest pointed at the clock on the wall which showed it was only ten-thirty.

"I don't care." If Tony threw a fit about it later, Cassandra would apologize.

She didn't anticipate a problem from the low-key billionaire though. Tony kept to himself most of the time. Cutting out a bit early wasn't likely to ruffle his feathers much. Its not like translating the scrolls had provided any information about the Collector's collection thus far.

It might simply be that these mysterious objects were not from earth at all.

Inside the elevator Cassandra pressed the button for the lobby.

The elevator shuddered into motion descending quickly. Not quickly enough for her. She tapped her foot impatiently against the beige carpet. A restless energy filled her as she thought about Loki's question regarding the golden apples.

Cassandra knew a lot of people who would jump at the chance to become a god. She saw nothing wrong with being human even if Loki did.

Powerwalking through the lobby Cassandra slipped through the glass double doors and out into the street. The stunted maple trees lining the street were afire with fall color. A few colorful leaves drifted onto the sidewalk, immediately churned up by the feet of harried pedestrians.

In the distance, Cassandra could see the broad silhouette of Central Park. The familiar sight sent a wash of calm flowing through her, momentarily allowing her to forget her worries. She inhaled deeply and headed in the direction of the park.

At the entrance she paused at her favorite coffee kiosk and purchased a cappuccino. The vendor smiled when she tucked a five into the tip jar before sauntering off.

Cassandra joined the flow of bikers, joggers and tourists into what was really the heart of the city. She loved the park, the juxtaposition of a forest in the middle of a concrete jungle. She walked at a sedate pace, enjoying the smattering of conversation and the occasional snippet of music blaring from someone's headphones.

It felt so good to do something normal and routine after two months of craziness. Cassandra hadn't been to the park since before the auction house bombing.

A cool October breeze blew through the trees carrying with it the scent of grilling meat and car exhaust. Cassandra perched on a bench behind a cluster of red oaks propping her coffee on her knee.

A biker hit a bumpy patch of gravel nearly losing control on the path. The man righted his bike, the front wheel rolling into the grass. When he noticed Cassandra watching him he flipped her off.

She bit back a laugh as he zoomed past.

Ah, New York. It had such spirit. The people were so vibrant and not afraid to speak their minds. It was nice to be out in the city again without a shadow trailing her. Cassandra liked Loki but she also enjoyed having a break from him too.

Cassandra finished her coffee and took her favorite route through the park. She passed through a thicket of trees into a clearing. Leaves covered the grass except for a naked patch of bare earth where nothing grew.

Could it be?

She scanned the area looking for anything familiar. She noticed a tree with a jagged strip of bark where a limb had once been. This is the place where she first met Loki. For a second a ghostly image of the injured and bleeding god superimposed itself over her vision.

Even here Cassandra couldn't escape the thought of him. Folding her arms, she recalled the vicious snarl twisting Loki's pale face as she tried to help him. The bruising grip on her wrist. Then he had vanished on her.

A year earlier, Cassandra never would have imagined Loki would become such an important figure in her life. Teacher, friend, bodyguard. She nudged a stick aside with the toe of her shoe and crouched down to press her hand flat against the dirt.

The cool damp soil clung to her palm as she stared at the ground. Her life had changed so much in a short time. Now, that she was the Merlin her life would change even more. A dark voice piped up in the back of her mind.

Cassandra just barely accepted her magic. How could she step into the role a complete stranger had chosen for her? It wasn't fair.

"Life isn't fair." Loki appeared from behind a tree dressed in his usual dark Armani suit. In his sleek attire he looked like he should be at the head of a boardroom not in the middle of a park.

Cassandra normally drooled over his sexy clothing, but her mind clung to his words and sputtered to a halt. "Did you just read my thoughts?"

Loki shrugged at her outrage. "I'm afraid that particular gift lies outside my talents, little vixen. You were standing there brooding like Jon Snow. I could guess what you were thinking."

"Did you just compare me to a Game of Thrones character?" She said incredulously.

"Its an entertaining play though the ending of the series was disappointing. I really wanted the Dragon Queen to triumph and marry her nephew."

Cassandra placed a hand against her forehead, the beginnings of a headache forming. Was she seriously standing in the middle of Central Park having a Game of Thrones fan discussion with a god? "I think every fan was disappointed." She gestured around the clearing. "That aside, how did you find me?"

"When you left the building Tony tracked your phone." Loki replied simply.

Of course, he did.

"Do you mind explaining why you left without telling anyone? Without telling me?" He asked, falsely pleasant.

Uh-oh. Cassandra backed up a couple steps at the expression on his face.

A strange smile played about Loki's lips. "I can only assume you had a good reason since someone obviously tried to kill you not so long ago."

"I'm aware." She answered cautiously, feeling like she faced the calm before the storm.

He gave an abrupt nod, still smiling. Clasping his hands behind his back he rocked back on his heels. "Good. I wondered if you had taken leave of your senses."

Cassandra lifted her chin. "I needed some space."

"From what?"

"You." The single word burst from her before she could stop it.

Silence followed her admittance. Hurt briefly flashed across Loki's face before he composed his features into a remote mask.

Cassandra immediately regretted what she said. Even if it was true. Just because he hurt her feelings did not mean she wished to do the same to him. Well, she was committed now. "Loki. What you said last night...it really upset me. I should have told you where I went but I needed space to think."

Loki was quick on the draw and understood what she referred to. "Is becoming a god so abhorrent?" He said with a slight tremble to his voice.

"I think it's the reasoning behind the question you asked." Cassandra took a deep breath to steady herself and then continued. "It made me feel...inadequate. Like I would only matter to you if I became a god."

"I see." Loki clenched his jaw, tendons bulging in his neck. "Do you think me so shallow?" Turning slightly away, he balled his hands into fists.

Great. Cassandra had really put her foot in a big pile of shit now. She moved toward him to lay a hand on his shoulder.

Loki jerked away, blue eyes glittering with anger. "I did not suggest Idunna's apples without purpose."

"Then why did you?" She pressed.

"Because I do not wish to see you die!" He shouted, flinging his arms wide.

Cassandra gasped, utterly speechless. Tears pricked her eyes at the raw pain echoing through his voice but she blinked them away. Emotion spun through her like a whirlwind. This is the reason behind his strange behavior lately?

Loki turned his head slightly as if he were embarrassed by his confession, dark hair falling like a curtain around his face.

What could she say? Cassandra felt horrible. She had only been thinking of herself and her own insecurities. Assumed Loki was being selfish and a bigot. The truth was vastly different.

Is this why he refused anything more? Not because he was not drawn to her. But because he did not wish to care for her and then lose her in a few decades while he lived on for thousands of years?

It was sobering how selfish she had been not to consider Loki's perspective.

And it made her think about her discussion with Strange about the Merlin. A discussion she had been doing her best to forget because of the implications. "Loki, I never explained why Strange contacted me. Does the name Merlin ring any bells?"

Loki swept his hair out of his face. "One of Midgard's famous sorcerers. During my time at SHIELD I read legends about him and a mortal king named Arthur."

"Apparently, the Merlin chose me as his successor. The tattoo on my back is the mark of the Merlin who is a living relic."

His brows furrowed in concentration. "How is that possible? After a millennium and a half the sorcerer should be dead."

Cassandra sighed, shoulders slumping under the weight of the revelation. "The way Strange phrased it made me wonder if the Merlin wasn't really long lived. According to the legends, the Merlin was ancient in Arthur's time."

"Which means as the inheritor of this power you might live a very extended life." Loki concluded, the set of his shoulders relaxing.

Unfortunately, Cassandra did not share the same view. She'd avoided poking too closely at Strange's news for this very reason. "There's no guarantee. The Merlin might not have been human."

"Is that what Strange said?" Loki scoffed.

"No." She admitted, unwilling to lie to him.

"Why are you so quick to dismiss it?"

"Do you know what its like to have your world turned upside down? For everything to no longer make sense?"

"You know I do." He said fiercely.

"I don't know what to think." Wrapping her arms around herself, Cassandra bit her lip. "I need time. Time to process everything."

Time to come to terms with her growing attraction to Loki and what it might mean for her future.

A/N: I'm so sleepy. I only got a few hours sleep last night. I hope you liked the chapter. As always, comment, vote, and have a great day!