AN: Last chapter! I can't believe that I'm almost finished with my second multi-chapter fanfiction! I'm so happy with myself! I hope you all enjoy this last chapter!

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The next day Loki and Thor were preparing to head back to Asgard. Irene had made Thor swear that Loki would be treated as a victim, not as a villain, if he went back. Tony didn't understand everything that had happened, but he was just glad that the invasion hadn't been successful and that he was alive with a possible new girlfriend. He had yet to talk to Irene and Bruce about going back to the Avengers nee Stark Tower but Tony was determined to get them to come with him back home. He would never admit it, but he was worried that Irene would think that he had moved too fast and would want to return to Calcutta with Bruce. Sure, she had kissed him too, but that could have just been the relief from him coming back from the portal alive. Not that he hadn't enjoyed the kiss, be it a relief-kiss or not. Tony watched from the side with the other Avengers as Irene said goodbye to Loki and Thor.

"Promise me that if Odin gives Loki any trouble you will help him come back here to earth. We'll take care of him here if Odin doesn't act like a real father towards him." Irene ordered Thor who nodded with a slight smile quirking his lips. Tony knew that Thor found it amusing that such a tiny mortal was not afraid to order him around. Luckily for Irene, Thor was a good sport about it.

"I will make sure Loki is taken care of, Irene. Fear not." Thor took Irene's hand and kissed the back of it, much to Tony's displeasure. He knew it was a custom where Thor came from, but it still shot a pang of jealousy through him. But he knew he had nothing to fear from the God of thunder, he had made it abundantly clear that his heart belonged to that one astrophysicist, Jane something-or-other. Tony made a note to invite her to come research at the tower. If the Avengers were going to be a team, they should keep their loved ones close for protection. Irene turned to Loki next, giving him a big hug, much to his surprise and Tony's irritation. He knew Irene was loveable, but did she have to be so close to Loki?

"You'll be okay, right?" Loki smiled down at Irene.

"Of course. Even if Odin does not believe I was not in my right mind, Frigga will. Everything will work out. And I will be sure to come visit you when I can. We can work on your healing powers. Maybe we can find a way for you to heal without you hurting your eyes." Irene snorted.

"I doubt it. But if anyone can figure it out, it would be you. Either way, I look forward to your next visit. Make it as soon as possible, okay?" Loki nodded before accepting another hug from Irene. This time he looked past her shoulder to where Tony stood, giving him a slight nod. Grudgingly, Tony nodded back. He understood that Loki would have gladly gotten involved with Irene but was letting Tony have her. He also knew that if he screwed up Loki would have no qualms about scooping her up. Either way, they were at a shaky truce. Irene stepped back from the two gods and Tony moved forward, holding the Tesseract inside a glass tube. He had whipped up the containment unit last night, knowing that the Tesseract was dangerous on its own. He handed the Tesseract over to Thor and shook hands with him. Tony stepped back and snagged Irene around the waist, dragging her closer to him. She came willingly, leaning back against his chest with a sigh. Tony rested his head on hers, breathing in her sweet scent of lilacs. They watched with the others as Loki took the other end of the glass tube that held the Tesseract and the two gods disappeared in a flash of energy. Tony felt Irene flinch back at the bright light and he quickly turned her away from it, trying to shield her from the rest of the beam. Irene smiled up at him.

"Thanks, Tony." She said, burying her face in the joint where his shoulder met his neck. Tony relished the closeness before she pulled away and turned towards the others. Tony knew that they were leaving and she wanted to say goodbye. She moved towards Steve, who rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Are you sure you don't want me to heal you, Steve?" Steve shook his head, giving her a sheepish grin.

"No, thank you. I think I'd rather work through my issues on my own, if that's alright with you." Irene laughed, the sound music to Tony's ears.

"Of course it's alright. But if you ever change your mind, search me out, okay?"

"Will do." He returned her hug hesitantly before moving off towards his motorcycle, raring it up and driving away. Irene then turned towards the two assassins.

"If you try to hug me, you might find yourself lacking arms." Natasha deadpanned and Irene giggled.

"I'll leave you alone then. Clint?" Clint raised his eyebrow.

"I think Tony might shoot me with a laser if I said yes to one, so I'll pass." Tony smirked and shrugged innocently as Irene shot a mock glare his way.

"Well, even If you don't want a hug, may I be allowed to heal you? I know you're suffering from what Loki made you do. I can help ease your burden." Clint shifted uncomfortably.

"Well I –"

"Clint." Natasha looked at him, and they seemed to have a silent conversation. Irene waited patiently as they did so. Finally, Clint sighed.

"Fine. Do your healing thing, I guess." Irene nodded before raising her hands to Clint's forehead. He tensed, but didn't move away. Tony watched as the now-familiar light spilled from Irene's fingertips. Clint immediately closed his eyes and relaxed, his face smoothing out. Tony had to wonder what it felt like to be healed by Irene. From what he could tell, it felt amazing. He wouldn't mind having a healing session with Irene. A private one. Irene stepped back from Clint, blinking rapidly. Clint opened his own eyes and gave Irene a brief but genuine smile. "Thanks, Irene. I owe you one." Irene waved him off.

"Nonsense, it's what I do. Natasha, do you want one?" The other woman shook her head.

"No thanks, I'm good." Irene looked at the other woman unbelievingly, but let it go. She waved as the two of them got into a SHIELD car and drove away. Finally it was just Tony, Irene, and Bruce left. Tony clapped his hands and rubbed them together.

"Well, now's my part." He took a deep breath. "Listen, I know you both have lives back in Calcutta, but I would really enjoy it if you two came to live with me." He turned to Bruce. "I can fund any research you want to conduct and help out in any way I can. I can also arrange for you to have a 'Hulk Room' so big mean and green can come out and play without anyone getting hurt and without you worrying." Irene and Bruce glanced at each other.

"Uh, Tony?"

"I'm not finished." He turned to Irene next. "I know I don't have a good record with relationships, and I can't promise you I won't screw up, because I will, but I can promise that I'll try my best for you." Tony took a deep breath. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. "And when I mess up I'll embarrass you with obnoxiously expensive gifts trying to make up for it, and keep bugging you until you say you forgive me. And even then I'll doubt you're not mad at you and be extra careful until I get cocky and screw up again. I'll spend too much time in my lab and forget about some of our dates. You're right, I do have issues, but I'll deny them until they get really bad and then –"

"Tony!" Irene covered his mouth with her hand. "We'll stay." Tony grabbed her hand and moved it to his cheek, nuzzling into it.

"Really?" Irene and Bruce nodded.

"We talked about it last night. We decided that we'll give it a shot. We both kind of miss social contact. There was no need to convince us, though it was sweet of you." Tony cleared his throat, suddenly embarrassed about bearing his heart when he, apparently, didn't need to.

"Well then. That's great. Um. Yeah. Let's just go then." Irene giggled and Bruce rolled his eyes. Irene pulled Tony down for a kiss. Tony melted into it, but Irene pulled away before he could make it too heated.

"I'd be happy to be your girlfriend, issues and all. We'll get through it together. Just as long as you're trying, okay?" Tony nodded, hope for the future filling his chest. Maybe he had finally found the girl that would stick with him, Iron Man and all. He gestured for them to get into his car before jumping into the driver's seat. Putting the car into gear, he zoomed off towards his tower with his new girlfriend and Science Bro.

Even though the invasion had ended, now was just the beginning of the Avengers.

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AN: It's done! My second multi-chaptered fic! I'm so happy! I hope you all liked it! I probably won't be doing a sequel because I actually haven't seen the second Avengers, and I don't think I can handle writing another story right away anyway. Sorry for anyone that was looking forward to one.

Either way, R&R this fic for the last time my lovelies! 3