Months later Loki lay awake in bed Vanessa snuggling against him her face pressed into his neck as she hugged him still fast asleep with his arm around her holding her against him. He gently reached down tucking a stray piece of her hair behind her ear smiling softly down at her. He loved their moments like this, curled up together.

Slowly though the smile on his face wavered as once again dark thoughts crept into his mind. What had he condemned her to, a lifetime imprisoned with him? She had committed no crime and would of course be allowed to come and go from the prison as she willed, but he would stay and so would she for the rest of her life, her now immortal life tied to a prisoner.

Vanessa had with Friggas help talked Odin into allowing Loki out of his cell for periods of time as long as he wore a pair of cuff bracelets that restrained his magic and that he was accompanied by Thor, one of the warriors three, Lady Sif, or a set of guards, but it was not in any sense of the word freedom.

Then there was the subject of children which he knew she wanted at some point. They would be outcasts in Asgard for being his children, treated with cruelty and hate. Could he really bring children into that kind of life?

"Stop it." Vanessa grumbled.

"What?" Loki looked down at her having not noticed that she had woken up.

"You're thinking something bad about yourself, stop it." Vanessa ordered as she snuggled closer to him.

"What makes you say that?" Loki asked resting his head on top of hers.

"Because you start to stare off into space, frown, and then you get this line between your eyebrows." Vanessa answered. "That usually means you're thinking bad about yourself."

"You know me to well love." He said kissing the top of her head.

"As well as you know me sweetie." Vanessa replied nuzzling against him. "What were you thinking?"

"It's not important." Loki replied.

"It's troubling you, of course it's important." Vanessa replied as she looked up at him in concern. "Love, what is bothering you?"

"It is nothing my love." Loki replied.

"Liar." She said as she lightly thumped him on the chest, but let it go as she lay back against him. "Well whatever it is that is bothering you know that I'm here for you no matter what. When you're ready to talk I'm ready to listen."

"I know." Loki replied as he reached around with his hand and took hold of hers. She nuzzled up to him and rested her head on his chest as he ran his hand through her hair.

"I love you, Loki." Vanessa said as she listened to his heartbeat.

"I love you as well Vanessa." Loki replied as he kissed the top of her head.

The moment was broken though by her phone which was on the nightstand going off. Vanessa groaned as she rolled over and grabbed the phone. She had updated her phone with Loki's helps using his magic her technology prowess to be able to communicate with her father through JARVIS, the only thing that was strong enough to receive the signal and with enough of an emotional connection to Vanessa for Loki's magic to enhance the signal.

"Hello?" Vanessa said.

"Stark Secure Server: Now transferring to all known receivers."

"Pepper, it's me. I've got a lot of apologies to make and not a lot of time, so first off. I'm so sorry I put you in harm's way. That was selfish and stupid and it won't happen again. Also, it's Christmas time. The rabbit's too big. Done." She heard Tony talk and shot up in bed at what he was saying. "Sorry. And I'm sorry in advance because... I can't come home yet I need to find this guy. You gotta stay safe. That's all I know. I just stole a poncho from a wooden Indian."

"Vanessa, are you ok?" Loki asked with concern.

"Something's happened to my dad and Pepper." Vanessa said throwing the blankets off and shooting out of the bed.

"Do you know what it is?" He asked also standing up pulling on his robe as she pulled on a long sleeved blue shirt and a pair of skinny jeans. She kept her casual clothes from earth for when she didn't have to wear Asgardian clothes.

"No, but he was apologizing to Pepper about putting her in harm's way, telling that she needed to stay safe, and that he was going after some guy." Vanessa said grabbing her black pea coat and pulling on her knee high heelless black boots then quickly tied her hair up into a ponytail. "I need to go ask Heimdall, see if he's alright."

"And if he's not?" Loki asked watching as she also took her cat suit which she stuffed into her satchel. He walked over to her taking her hands in his.

"Then I'm going to have to go to him." Vanessa said squeezing his hands and looking up at Loki. "I'll have to leave right away if he is."

"It might be dangerous." Loki said in concern knowing that there was not much he could say to dissuade her from going to her father if he needed her.

"I'll be fine and back before you know it love." Vanessa said reaching up and cupping the side of his face.

"I know." Loki said leaning into her touch then quickly leaned down capturing her lips in a heated kiss.

She couldn't help but gasp at the sensation. He used this as his opportunity to let his tongue enter her mouth. Her body was trembling all over…the need to hold him…to be close to him was overwhelming her. He wrapped his arms around her…holding her tighter as if to show that he knew exactly what she was feeling.

Vanessa's fingers found their way into his hair touching it and feeling its silky strands that were free of their usual slicked back style. He tasted divine. Like vanilla and mint, and something else that was distinctly him.

One of his hands came from around her waist to trace the profile of her face. Feeling it…memorizing it. They stood there for what seemed like eternity. Nothing else existed except the two of them.

Pretty soon the need for air overcame them both, and they had to break the kiss. Their breath ragged from the intensity of the kiss.

"I will miss you, I love you." Loki said as his hand reached out to brush a strand of hair away from her face, cupping it in the process.

"I love you as well Loki." Vanessa said as she turned her face into his hand, slowly pressing a kiss into his palm. His breath hitched only slightly and his eyes darkened considerably, but he slowly pulled his hand away from her face and placed them back around her waist. "And I'll miss you to."

After one final kiss they slowly parted and Vanessa grabbed her satchel then walked through the barrier and then ran up to the ground floor. Once in the open she took off into the air flying as fast as she could until she reached the observatory of the rainbow bridge.

"Heimdall?!" Vanessa called out as she ran in.

"Lady Vanessa, how may I help you?" Heimdall asked.

"My father, has something happened to him?" Vanessa asked.

"I will see." Heimdall said as he turned his gaze to Earth. "He is in danger, he's under attack as we speak."

"Can you send me to him?" Vanessa asked urgently.

"Of course, but what of Loki?" Heimdall asked.

"He knows that this might happen, I received a confusing call or at least confusing up until now, can you tell him for me that my father was in trouble and that I did have to go to him after all." Vanessa asked. "You might want to tell Frigga as well."

"I will. Anything else?" Heimdall asked.

"Only that I love him with all my heart." Vanessa replied.

"I will relay the message." Heimdall said as Vanessa got ready to go. Heimdall placed his sword in the machine and pointed it to Earth.

"Thank you Heimdall." Vanessa said as she ran into the beam.