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by her lonesome. She took advantage of this time to read the books he brought her. At first, she didn't want to read them. She wanted nothing to do with something that interested Loki.

But then, she grew bored.

She read the first book in a couple of hours. It was about the art of war, which did not shock Alex at all. Then, she read of an enchantress that befriended a sorcerer. They, despite their differences, fell in love.

She was unsure why Loki had so much interest in a book with such a theme. To Alex, he was incapable of love at all. She did, however, notice very quickly he never mentioned his mother. Well, technically, Thor's mother. She made a note to ask, but was also fearful of pressing any sensitive matter.

Alex was grateful that the drawers in Loki's room were magically filled with new frocks to wear. She began to sleep in his bed instead of the chaise, once she knew he wasn't sleeping there himself. Everything in his room was intriguing, because there was a reason behind it all. She just wasn't sure of the reason. The vines that surrounded his bed, the odd placement of the window.

Loki, she concluded, was an extremely confusing man. God. Person. Whatever he was.

"Good morning, milady." The same guard came into the room, greeting Alex. In his hand, he carried the same tray of food as he did every morning.

"Good morning, and you know you can call me Alex." She smiled.

"Of course, milady."

She rolled her eyes playfully. She had taken a liking to the guard, as he was always very polite. Unlike other Asgardians she had encountered.

"Do I have anything to do today?" She asked hopefully, wishing to be pulled out of boredom.

"You do." She heard a voice she knew all too well. Sighing, she turned to find Loki smugly standing near the window.

"How lovely for you to pop in. Quite literally."

"You may go." Loki dismissed the guard, which made Alex mildly upset.

"I like him."

"He's a guard."

"Still a person." She retorted.

"Mm," He hummed. "You've read some of the books."

"Yeah. Art of war. A classic."

"So, you'll be intrigued to know I have plans for you today." He changed the subject.

She gave him a raised eyebrow and an apprehensive look.

"Which include what exactly?"

"You will learn to fight."

Alex scoffed. "I know how to fight,"

"You went up to a bilgesnipe and just kicked it. Once."

"Then, I took its energy. You can't leave the important part out." She pointed at him.

"You cannot rely solely on your abilities to excel in combat. You need to learn actual moves."

"Oh, and you're an expert on combat?"

"I am."

She laughed. "I'll believe it when I see it."

"Stark attempted to train you, but he wasn't doing it correctly. Those with special abilities, people like us, fight differently than those without. He has to compensate for the powers he does not possess. You, however, just need to assist your powers."

She let this sink in. He acknowledged that she had powers. People like us, he said. Meaning, he saw her on a somewhat equal level to himself.

"Fine. I'll do it."

"I wasn't asking, but I'm glad to have your favor."

"You talk like a Disney prince."

"A what?"

"Nothing." She waved him off. "I guess I'll get dressed. Fighting in a nightgown probably isn't ideal."

"That would be a sight to see. Meet me in the gardens in thirty minutes."

Alex nodded, watching him leave the room. She groaned, running her fingers through her hair. She searched the drawers for some damn pants, which she hadn't worn since she arrived. She found leather pants and a white cotton tunic, and settled on that.

She continued eating her breakfast, her nerves growing as the time went on. Was he going to hurt her? She had her powers in her back pocket in case he tried to. On the other hand, she did need to learn how to fight. If she was ever going to return home, it would be pretty bad-ass to suddenly know combat skills. Maybe, then, the Avengers would accept her.

Alex left her room, walking down the long corridor. She followed them to the gardens, the sun shining through the glass windows. Loki was already waiting with his hands clasped together.

"Okay, Karate Kid, let's see these skills." She quipped.

He looked at her with an eyebrow raised, not saying anything. Then, out of no where, he pulled her arm and twisted it behind her back. From there, he shoved her to the ground, pinned.

With her face in the dirt, she huffed. "Okay, so you know a thing or two."

"If you had read all the books I gave you, you would've found one regarding combat."

"I'm no expert, but I don't think reading about fighting will make me a good fighter."

"You are correct. Practice is the key." He responded.

"Tony taught me how to punch."

"Let's see it then,"

She adjusted her fist, and swung at him. To her chagrin, he caught her fist with a triumphant look on his face. She smirked, and drained a bit of his energy.

She laughed when he fell away from her.

"You can't do that." He grunted.

"Says who?"

"If you really want to be a good fighter, you won't use that until you need to."

"Fine, fine."

"Hold your arm like this when you throw a punch." He adjusted her arm. "Have your feet shoulder length apart, and it's very important that your hips are square."

He stepped toward her. She felt his hands appear on her waist, turning her hips a bit. Her breath caught in her throat at his proximity, but focused on learning.

"Now, you can hit me with much force. However, a good fighter is a smart fighter. Brute force can only get you so far. You must be clever. For you, this is where your powers will come in."

She nodded, wanting to catch him off guard. She threw a hard punch at him, but to her surprise, she punched through him. It was as if he was a hologram.

"Behind you," His arrogant voice sang.

The holographic Loki faded, and she turned to see a smug grin on his face. She was beyond confused, having just witnessed him cloning himself.

"Cheater."

"So be it. I'll win the fight, and that's what ma--"

Alex took her chance to throw a punch at him, and finally, it hit him square in the face. He stumbled a bit, but quickly regained his composure.

He threw a hit at her, and she grabbed his fist to do her signature move. She tried to drain him, only to realize he cloned himself again. She turned quickly where she knew he would be, but he was too quick. He swept her leg, causing her fall to the ground.

Alex got up as fast as she could, holding her fists up. She threw her fist at him, but he grabbed her wrist and twisted her arm again. Having her in his grasp, he twisted her body to pull her into a choke hold. She was pressed up against him quite tightly, and they both quickly realized it.

Her breath betrayed her, escaping her lips heavily. He grinned, untwisting her and flipping her over backward. She landed with an 'oof', defeated. She wiped her face of sweat, looking up at him.

He held out his hand, and she took it. "You're a worthy opponent,"

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Get your gloating out of your system."

"With some work, you could be a decent fighter."

"Thanks."

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