"Out somewhere," Steve said evasively. "It's a little place I found a while back." He led her down to the garage, borrowing one of Tony's cars for the trip. He'd already gotten permission.

Loki looked up from fiddling with one of the puzzles. He hadn't quite figured it out yet, and he was having a blast playing with them. Between that and figuring out how to play tricks without his magic, he was having a great time.

"Brother," he greeted quietly, putting his puzzles aside.

"Nothing's open on Christmas," Elaine pointed out as she tugged her coat on. She grabbed her purse, and again almost pulled out her cane, but then left it in the bag.

"I have brought you some of the feast," Thor said, offering the plate to his brother. "I hope I made selections you like."

"It's not a store, or anything like that," Steve said, starting to drive. "It'll take a little while to get there, but I think you'll like it."

Loki looked at the loaded plate and snorted. "They must have had enough to feed even you," he said, smirking as he looked over the food. "It looks edible."

Intrigued, Elaine settled into the car, watching the scenery go by and trying to commit it all to memory.

"Indeed," Thor replied. "Apparently, Friend Steve has an appetite like an Asgardian warrior, so there was enough for everyone." Softer, he asked, "Have you been alright here on your own, Brother?"

Steve smiled and stayed quiet, turning on music for while they drove. It wasn't his favorite type, but he didn't really mind country. It was better than rock, at any rate.

It took a little while, but then he pulled off on a small, private road outside the city, so they were up on a little rise and could see the city lights gleaming and glittering even as snow started to fall.

Loki nodded, actually smiling. "Yes. Elaine and Kae got me offerings." He pointed to the book and puzzles. Clearly he was pleased.

"Where's your new iPod?" Elaine asked when he turned the music on. "Tony's always got the best cars, right? So it probably has a port to plug in an iPod. You can listen to your forties music in the car."

Thor's brow furrowed slightly.

"Gifts, brother, not offerings," he said. He looked at the things curiously. "What did they give you?"

Steve blinked. "Um. I'll figure it out on the way back." He parked at the end of the road. "Here. I thought you might like to take a look at the city from here."

"Puzzles and a book of tricks." Loki grinned. "Very fitting."

Elaine gasped softly at the view. The city was all lit up with christmas lights, and it had started to snow a little, adding to the effect.

"It's so beautiful," she murmured. Reaching up, she tried to wipe away some tears before Steve could see them.

Thor chuckled.

"Indeed," he agreed. "It seems they were able to read you well."

Steve didn't say anything about that, just wrapping his arms around her from behind, settling in there with her.

"I'm glad this worked," he said quietly. "With your eyes, I mean."

Loki just grinned. "They have good taste," he said with a little sniff.

"I am too," Elaine replied softly, leaning back against him. "It's just been so long since I was able to see..."

"I am glad you have something to challenge you," Thor said. "I fear I've been remiss in keeping you amused."

"I know." Steve kissed the top of her head. "I have to admit, I do have one other thing to give to you." He freed one hand to reach into his pocket, pulling out a long jewelry box to hand to her. Because he'd found a pretty sparkly bracelet he was pretty sure she'd like.

Loki shrugged. "You have been busy," he said, feeling unusually mellow. "Besides, I have been entertaining myself well enough."

Curious, Elaine opened up the box and gasped softly.

"Steve, it's beautiful," she said, watching it sparkle in the light. She looked up at him. "You didn't have to get me this, it must have cost a fortune."

Thor hummed vaguely in agreement.

"So what are these puzzles and tricks you have been given?" he asked, a bit curious.

Steve smiled a bit and shrugged.

"Doesn't matter," he said. He conveniently failed to mention that someone (he suspected Howard Stark) had gotten the numbers to his bank account (he had been paid to be Captain America traveling all over the world, after all) and had kept it safe all this time, so he had a nice little bit there after collecting interest for 70 years.

Loki grinned and proceeded to show him with an almost childish glee. He was in a good mood, and he was willing to share that with his brother.

Closing the box again, Elaine turned around and hugged him tightly.

"Either way, it's beautiful," she said.

Thor listened as Loki tried to explain the puzzles and tricks.

"And you understand how these work?" he asked his brother.

Steve held her closer. "I'm glad you like it," he said quietly. After a few moments he pulled back enough to lean down and kiss her.

"...Mostly," Loki admitted. "Some are more challenging than others, but I am confident that I will soon master all of these."

Elaine returned the kiss with some enthusiasm.

"Merry Christmas," she murmured to him between kisses.

"I'm impressed, brother," Thor said. "It all seems very complex. Although I do not find myself surprised; you have always been very clever."

"Best one in years," Steve joked with a little grin before kissing her again. This he could get used to.

Loki perked up a little at the praise and preened a little bit. Clearly Thor's opinion still meant something to him.

Just then, a driver skidded on the snow and ice-slicked roads and his car crashed into a transformer, taking out the electricity in a couple blocks. Stark Tower included.

Kae was sitting on the couch between Clint and Bruce, watching some hokey Christmas movie and just generally having fun. As soon as the power went out, though, she froze, stiffening, her hand latching onto the nearest thing to her as she tried not to hyperventilate. That happened to be Bruce's arm.

Elaine was more than willing to keep kissing Steve. For the moment, she was comfortable with that; she didn't really plan on going much further, yet.

The lights went out suddenly, making Thor tense a bit. This was not normal.

"Brother, can you make a light?" he asked. It was a legitimate question, if Loki still had enough magic to make statues move.

Bruce jumped slightly when the lights went out and someone latched on to his arm. It took only about a second to realize that it was Kae. Cautiously, he shifted her a bit so he could feel her hand. He was no stranger to being in the dark; a lot of times the electricity in Calcutta wasn't all that reliable.

Steve didn't plan on anything more either, content to just have her there and kiss her for a while. That was more than enough for him right then.

Loki focused for a moment before a small, pale green light appeared next to his head, illuminating the room gently. He smirked.

Kae felt his hand and latched on with almost desperate strength, starting to tremble as she pulled herself into the smallest ball possible, slipping into a full-blown panic attack.

Clint's eyes adjusted quickly and he stood, glancing around. "You two okay?" he asked, looking over at them, though still only able to see shadows.

Breaking the kisses for the moment, Elaine looked back out over the city. When she did, something didn't seem right.

"It's darker out there than before," she commented.

Thor nodded. He expected Loki would be able to. He wouldn't, however, tell the Allfather that Loki still had some power. It didn't seem that Loki had enough to cause trouble with.

"We should go and check on the others," he said, gesturing to the door.

"I'm fine," Bruce said. He squeezed Kae's hand gently. "It's alright," he said to her softly, "we lost power, that's all. Tony'll probably have everything up and running again in five minutes, tops."

Steve paused and looked at the city, noting the dark spot easily. Then he pursed his lips.

"Stark Tower is right in the middle of that dark spot," he said quietly, his eyes narrowing. "Think we should get back?"

Kae didn't reply properly, biting her lower lip and stifling a whimper.

Clint paused as he crept closer to look at Kae. "Uh, Bruce? I think she's panicking." He backed up again, not wanting to have anything to do with that. He didn't do the whole calming and helping thing. Although he did swear when he noticed a few things starting to float. Like the table.

Elaine nodded.

"Yeah," she said. "Yeah, that's a good idea. Kae doesn't take well to being in the dark."

"I know," Bruce said. For once, he kind of knew what to do. "Kae, listen to me. Okay? Focus here. Remember what we've been working on lately. What was the last technique I showed you for controlling your temper?" He kept his voice low and even, just working on calming Kae down.

Steve nodded and kissed her once more before he led the way back to the car. At least it hadn't been a major disaster to interrupt them.

Kae nodded once jerkily and adjusted her grip on his hand, still clinging to him, even as she tried controlling her breathing. Things slowly settled back down where they belonged, even as Kae wormed closer to Bruce.

Clint looked at them for a few moments before he darted off to find Tony. The man had a built-in light, and he figured that would be better than whatever zen stuff Bruce was teaching her.

Elaine let Steve help her into the car, and settled in for the drive home. The snow was starting to come down harder, and she couldn't help but watch as it did.

"Just steady breaths," Bruce said quietly to Kae. He let her cling closer. "Keep focusing here on me. I'm not going anywhere."

Just as Clint was disappearing to find Tony, Thor and Loki came through the other door. Loki's little glowing thing didn't provide much light, but there was some.

Steve glanced at her before he smiled faintly and handed over his new iPod. "Here. Mind fiddling with this for me? I don't know how to connect it."

Kae calmed a little bit when she saw the bit of light, relaxing just a bit. But she didn't let go of Bruce, clinging to him as closely as she dared, focusing on her breathing. She had the feeling Loki would not appreciate her launching herself at him.

Loki blinked, wondering why she looked so distressed and was staring at his light. After a moment, and without Thor having to prompt him, he moved closer to the two.