Chapter 3: The Calm Before the Metaphorical (or Not so Metaphorical) Storm

LONDON, ENGLAND, EARTH

Tucking the long, grey pea coat around herself, Alexandria huddled into it as best she could hoping to stop the shivering. Her shivering was not being caused by the British winter cold, but rather by the eerie feeling that surrounded her, making her feel restless at best. It was her second day here in London and she was already frightened out of her wits with weariness and uease. During the past few days she had managed to plan her trip, packing just the necessary stuff into her favored and weathered leather backpack which, although not particularly large, served it's purpose still. Clutching said backpack closer she drew a deep breath before remembering the remaining challenges her planning had presented.

Although she had an amounted small fortune thanks to her father's inheritance to her (as his only child she was his sole heir) she had already put a strain to it on the past few months, using said money to aid those in need, and she had ended up having to figure out a more accessible plan. Last minute plane tickets were expensive after all, but thanks to some friends she made through the many years of traveling with her parents, she had managed. All had been set, except for one thing, how to leave without saying so much as a goodbye? This thought had haunted her for days and in the end she ended up having to simply write a letter apologizing for the abrupt leave and promising to come back as soon as she could (all the while without giving them any hints of where she was going or just how dangerous things might get).

And yet, in the end, here she was, a day before the required week, standing within the shadows of some abadoned warehouse (it seemed that Darcy and Jane had made some discovery or another concerning Bifrost-like portals) , observing as Darcy dealt with the police. From what she had gathered and seen, Jane had dissapeared hours before. It was during these nerve-wrecking awares in which she silently (and also secretly) accompanied Darcy and her intern Ian (she had almost laughed at that, Typical Darcy) as they awaited Jane's return and sought the policemen's help. It wasn't until hours later that they all saw a beak of light. Jane had suddenly reappered in sight and was berating Darcy for calling the officials. (She honesty felt bad for Darcy and wished to intervine on her behalf, but she knew better than that, she had to remain hidden for her plan to work.)

Shivering once more as she observed the scene she tried to pull in as much warmth possible by tightening her scarf, hoping it would cool her nerves, ironically enough. Once she calmed down enough and hearing the roaring thunder, she decided she had done enough stalling. The rain started heavily pouring as she made to move, drenching everyone but Jane and Darcy, strangely enough, however she knew she had to proceed. So she made her way as close as possible to the Jane and Darcy without drawing unnecessary attention, not that anyone would have noticed her once the saw Thor's spectacular landing at that exact moment. Smiling at the typical Thor entrance, all boisterous and loud, she paused in between the gathering masses where she was close enough to watch and hear, but far away enough to remain unheard and unseen.

She observed as a schocked Jane and Darcy stared at Thor before Jane med her way to him. (Alexandria also observed that as Janed did so, the rain began to poor on Darcy, but Jane remained dry. Ok, this is officially creeping me out.)

Unaware of Alexandria's presence, both Thor and Jane walked towards each other, Thor pronouncing, "Jane..."

Only to receive a slpa in the face as a response. (Thoughts of Uh, that most have hurt... probably Jane more than Thor though, he is Asgardian after all... and You go girl, what does he think, leaving you behind like that... over Alexandria's mind as she observed.)

"Sorry, I just needed to make sure you were real. I've had a very strange day," Jane said, slightly shocked at her actions before recovering and slapping him once more.

(From where she observed, Alexandria fought to suppress a mirthful giggle.)

"Where were you?" Jane asked him upset and irritated.

"Where were you? Heimdall could not see you," Thor asked back. (Great comeback man, Alexandria thought, that is sure not going to piss her off even more.)

Jane started rumbling, her words soon becoming foolish, "I was right here where you left me. I was waiting and then I was crying and then I was out looking for you. And you didn't come back."

"I know, I know, but the Biforst was destroyed. And then the Nine Realms errupted with chaos. Wars were raging, I had to put an end to the slaughter."

Jane conceded, "As far as excuses go, it's not terrible." (Alexandria also had to conced on that point.) "But I saw you on TV, you were... you were in New York."

Thor answered, trying to sway her, to make her understand, "Jane I fought to protect you from the dangers of my world but I was wrong, I was a fool." (We can both agree on that one big guy, Alexandria mentally grinned.)

"I believe that Fate brought us together. Jane I don't know where you were or what happened but I do know this..."

"What?" Jane asked, as she started getting lost in Thor's eyes.

Alexandria ignored them as the scene became more romantic and they got close to kissing. (She had no desire to see their PDA nor did she think it correctly to intrude in such a private moment.) They never got to kiss, however, as Darcy interrupted.

"Hey, Is this you?" Darcy asked, and Thor turned to look upward and ended the storm.

(All along Alexandria could only think, Darcy, you are a life saver... and in more than one sense.)

"Uhm, we are kind of in the middles of something here..." Jane said pointedly.

Darcy ignored her words and tone, "Uhm, I am pretty sure we are getting arrested."

"Hold that thought," Jane stated and moved towards the officers.

Alexandria shifted to get a better view of Jane from her spot, unfortunately she could not hear what was being said. She did, however, observe the strange explosion of power that occured when the officer reached for Jane and so Alexandria shivered once more. Nonetheless, she quickly recovered as she saw Thor near Jane and help her up.

Unseen by the pair and the crowd, Alexandria moves nearer to them, trying to be as stealthily as possible as she watches them and gets ready to sprint when the time comes. She observes Thor as the Bifrost light begins to embrace them and jumps into action. Running as fast as she can, she barely manages to reach them as the yellow light finishes engulfing them completely.

ASGARD

As the flash of light recedes, the three travelers are fall apart, Jane and Thor stumbling a bit as Thor tries and manages to keep the both of them standing, Alexandria isn't as fortunate. Rather regaining her balance, she falls on her back, hands drawn behind her in an attempt to soften the collision. Once she hits the grown, she winces. If this is what Portkeying feels like, it is certainly horrible, she thinks, as pain courses and her stomachs whirls in nauseousness. Trying to keep herself together, she suddenly recalls her 'apparating' with Loki and how much better it was. (He had done everything he possibly could to keep her on her two feet, but either way, she know believes she is most certainly an apparating kind of gal.)

"Alex?" Jane's surprised voice puts a successful end to Alexandria nonsensical thoughts.

Looking up at the older woman, she smiles sheepishly, "Hello there, dear Janie. Think you can lend me a hand?"

Crouching slightly, a shocked Jane offers a hand to Alexandria, who graciously takes it and leaning against the other one, manages to pull herself up, wincing all the way up. Once she fully stood, she shook the dirt off of herself and bent to pick up her backpack.

"So, lovebirds, what's up? Anything new?" she asked nonchalantly as they both turned to look at her, their stares penetrating, "What? Do I have something on me? Or wait, it's because I didn't call, right? Sorry, always meant to do it but I never got the chance," she shrugged.

Heimdall calls out at them, "I hope your journey was fine?" (He was expecting the three travelers, of course.)

Alexandria, who is trying her best to ignore the enraged pair, answers with a slight grimace and chirpy tone of voice, "Just dandy, good, old Heimdall!"

Her actions reminded Hiemdall of his sister, the Lady Sif, and he mentally smiled. However, Thor and Jane were not pair glared at the girl's easy manner, but were unable to do anything about it when Alexandria turned to look and move towards the city in front of her and gasped at it's beauty.

"So much grander than in Mjolnir's memories," she whispered in awe, causing Jane to look at her surroundings as well.

"Woah..." The scientist whispered in just as much awe.

Looking at the awe in their faces, Thor forgot the earlier altercation and said proudly, "Welcome to Asgard!"

At that exact moment Mjolnir glowed and transformed into it's pendant form before flying to Alexandria's hand. Clutching it tightly, she smiled down on it before putting the necklace on, the Mjolnir pendant bouncing slightly against her neck before glowing once more and somehow fussing with her crescent moon. For a moment, they all stared at it in equal shock.

Mjolnir and the crescent moon pendant combined.

THRONE HALL, PALACE, ASGARD

In the grand Hall, a stoic man sat in his throne, contemplating the upcoming war. Beside said man, sat a woman, regal, elegant, and graceful even in her current position, a figure that demanded respect but gave as much back. Both members of the couple sat in accompanying silence, there thoughts distant as they contemplated the future.

One of the many side doors to the Hall opens, and in comes a scurrying ladies maid who walks up to her Queen, whispering in the regal woman's ear and informing her of the arrival of her son and two ladies. The Queen immediately follows the maid out through the side door. The King, with his still wandering mind, remains undisturbed. Her youngest must be informed of the arrivals.

PALACE, ASGARD

"We must get you to the healing rooms, Jane," Thor speaks as he walks Jane and Alexandria to the palace, "Lady Eir must know what is wrong. She will help you."

As they move through the crowds, Alexandria observes a womanly figure from the corner of her eyes. The figure stares at them, reserving a specially strong glare for Jane. Based on what she knows from Mjolnir's memories and her conversations with Loki, Alexandria quickly figures out the mysterious woman's name. It comes to her as no surprise that the Goddess of War has no warm feelings for Jane, however, she soon finds herself pitying the Warrior Maiden, Lady Sif.

LOKI'S CELL, PALACE DUNGEONS, ASGARD

The cold dungeons are eerily silent, at least it is so in one of the many holding cells within it. Inside said cell sits a troubled looking man, emerald eyes shifting around with worry. He knows as the first stage of his plans have already been set to motion (someone has finally tired of Odin's rule, no surprise there), Alexandria is soon to be in mortal danger in a planet completely unknown to her, something that only worries him more. (In all truth, her coming here is like a bad omen and he feels he will surely fail this time.) The silence within the cell is then cut short by a pair of footsteps. Looking up, Loki stands at the sight of Rai before him, but never speaks, conveying the question with his troubled eyes.

Nodding, Rai confirms it, "She is here, sir. Your mother wished for me to inform you of said event."

And the first chord is struck, unleashing what is unknown yet soon to come.