He could see tiny beads of sweat gather on her forehead, could see her pant, but the shape of a smile, breaking through every tired feature. Her dark brown eyes glinted with something that could only be described as joy in success. She was a beautiful woman, black hair pulled into a loose ponytail, which swayed behind generous hips that Heimdall had found himself guilty of watching a little too closely. She grabbed a towel from the bar, that lined the dance studio. She dabbed her face, and fanned herself with the towel. Heimdall found himself drawn to the line of her neck, her throat as she swallowed, her lips parted in genuine satisfaction.

The Guardian of Asgard, closed his eyes.

He knew that she was blind in her sensuality, that she went through her day believing that she was little more than in the way of everyone. She wore large sweaters and cargo pants that hid every lovely stroke of leg he'd come to admire. To add insult to injury the woman wore large black rimmed glasses. In the outside world, this proud and passionate beauty was hidden beneath what seemed to be limitless amounts of fabric and doubt. That only gave way when she danced as she did now. He wondered how someone who had such confidence in her body, who moved and ebbed with music as if it ran through her rather then blood, he wondered how a woman such as she, could move through life little more than a ghost.

She owned a small business, a used bookstore that she'd inherited from her late mother. Her and her roommate slash fraternal twin sister lived on the upper floor of the shop. The twin, looked very similar to her sister but she held no sway over Heimdall. So afraid was he of this mortal that he did not allow himself to listen to her, lest her voice do what the rest of her seemed to want to do; bring him to her. If he heard her voice he would be hers completely.

He'd watched her for just shy of six years, wishing he'd known of her sooner. He knew that this genuine meekness in the wake of life, was not natural. It was something that she wore, another layer atop her. There were times when she spoke to her sister, when sometimes she would be walking along the sidewalk, even when she'd just woken, she'd have a sweet innocent smile that Creator help him he wanted to brush his lips against, he wanted sweet kisses from that smile.

Heimdall shook himself, closing his eyes one more time. He took a heavy breath and opened them. It would not do to watch the woman for he would never have her. He would never know anything beyond what he saw and he was certain that he could watch forever but nothing would satisfy save feeling her beneath his fingertips and that could never happen.

"Hullo there Heimdall!"

Heimdall stiffened hearing the voice of the first-born prince Thor Odinsson. The man was larger than he, and a very imposing figure. However the disarming smile on his face, made him look like a jovial boy rather than a hardened warrior. Heimdall turned and gave a stiff nod to the prince.

"Hello Thor Odinsson, to what do I owe this visit?"

"I am going on a little trip to Vanaheim my friend. There is a lovely maiden that sent an invitation I could not refuse,"the smiling bear of a man joked. If Heimdall were less disciplined he would have smirked at the young man. He remembered when he been so cocky and foolhardy. With a sudden pang Heimdall imagined his young charge one day being king, that carefree brow, lined with the worries of a ruler. In that moment he wished that his friend would remain this age forever.

"Ah, well be careful you've offended Njord more than once by bedding one of his mistresses own. I pray that this time you travel with more sense?"

"Yes, yes, she is not royalty, not some maiden of some mighty lord, I promise."

Heimdall nodded satisfied with the answer and activated the Bifrost, a massive bridge created of rare lightning crystal, forged with rainbow's light and blessed by Odin himself. The large circle, a lovingly crafted machine that Heimdall himself had seen created, spun at the speed faster than light, forcing sharp snaps of lightning to spark outward. The bridge began to flash its colorful hues.

"Before I go, though. I wonder...what in Midgard could hold the attention of the Guardian of the Nine Worlds that distracts him from his duties and the needs of his prince?"

Heimdall said nothing and extended a gesturing hand towards the now fully activated bridge.

"Your maiden awaits my lord. Call and I shall return you at once."

The young man chuckled and clapped the man on the back. "Perhaps when I return you can take leave. Loki's magic has always managed to alert of nearing danger. A few days on the mortal world would do no harm, besides time passes differently in Midgard."

Thor waited for an answer and then realizing that he would receive none, gave a slight decline of his head and headed off on his steed.

Heimdall's mind was anything but calm. Had Thor been serious? He could see his siren in real, touch her, hear the sound of her voice? It would only be for a few days, just enough to destory him utterly but he knew that he would take this opportunity regardless.