Sorry about the delay. Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans - and happy reading to all! As always- open and hopeful for reviews and suggestions. (:

"It's almost over," Sif consoled Chelsea, "and it'll be so much better than when Hel was born."

Chelsea rolled her eyes. She was propped up against a half dozen pillows in bed. She felt as though the weight of her twin boys was crushing her, but she couldn't escape it no matter what position she tried. Sif was sprawled at the foot of the mattress with baby Modi crawling about between them. Tiger had made himself comfortable next to Chelsea and was resting his chin on her giant belly. His yellow eyes followed the baby back and forth. He would lift his head in concern if the baby got too close to the edge of the bed.

"That cat thinks I'm a terrible mother," Sif laughed as she caught her son by the foot and pulled him back to the middle of the bed. "You get back here." The baby squealed in protest and struggled against her.

"Tiger clearly thinks the twins are already his babies. He growled at Loki the other day!" Chelsea giggled. "He's never liked Thor for some reason, but Loki created him." She tapped the cat on the nose. "Someone's getting to be a grumpy old man. At least he keeps me company during the day. I'm beat."

"Just wait when the boys are born and crawling all over the place," Sif grunted as she lunged for Modi again. "You think you're exhausted now? I fear to think of what life would be like with two of these monsters." Modi clapped. "Oh," Sif sighed, "that can't be a good sign that he likes to be called a monster."

Modi gave a squeal of delight and pushed against Tiger's paw. He poked at the animal's claws and tried to lift the paw. Tiger pulled it away and gave an annoyed growl. Modi growled back.

"The future king of Asgard, everyone," Sif announced, pride evident in her voice. "Imagine when he begins warrior training. He'll be unafraid of anything."

"I don't have to wonder if that's truly Thor's child," Chelsea laughed. "The spitting image."

"Where's your child?" Sif asked. Hella had spent much of her time playing in Chelsea and Loki's chambers. She felt guilty that her mother couldn't leave and insisted on keeping her company.

"With Loki, I hope," Chelsea shrugged. "Hel's smart. She'll stay out of trouble."

"You could have argued that about us," Sif replied, smiling mischeviously. "We were smart."

"In that case, maybe I should worry." Chelsea laughed, but her mind reverted back to a dim throne room on a distant realm. Goosebumps ran down her arms. Laufey of Jotunheim had offered a throne to Chelsea and her then-unborn child. She had a feeling that her refusal hadn't closed that book. The thought of the little girl inheriting a throne terrified her. Even though Asgard and the palace especially were teeming with guards, Chelsea still worried about her daughter.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Modi bopped Tiger in the nose, causing the beast to give a roar.

"Who'd have thought all of our adventures would be topped by the antics of an infant?" Sif mused as Modi stared Tiger in the face. "Life has sure gotten boring as of late."

***

Traveling the BiFrost with the Jotuns certainly looking for him seemed like a bad idea. Loki traveled through his back ways, making his way slowly but surely toward Midgard. He was on the second to last leg of the trek when he slammed into a large being in the middle of the cosmos.

"Who are you?" the giant creature snarled as it turned around slowly.

Loki back peddled, speechless to run into anyone – let alone this giant – in these forsaken old pathways. "I am but a traveler passing through. Who are you?"

The creature grumbled. He had a large square jaw that jutted out from beneath a simple helm. "You are no mere traveler. I have heard tales of you Asgardians meddling where you should not meddle."

"You clearly know something of me. Now who are you?" Loki repeated, suddenly very aware that he had left in such a hurry that he'd forgotten his blades. He jutted his chin out in mock confidence.

"They call me Thanos."

Loki's blood chilled in his veins. Thanos the Mad Titan. He'd heard scores of stories. Thanos loved to torture victims for fun, and would often leave enough life in them so that they could return to their home realm and share their horrid tales before dying. Even Odin did what he could to steer clear of the titan and keep him placated.

"Ah," Thanos growled, "I have seen that look many times when mere 'travelers' realize who I am. Why would an Asgardian be sneaking about instead of taking the BiFrost? You must have a secret." The Titan studied Loki's face.

"Don't we all?" Loki quipped. "Yet if I were to tell you, it'd no longer remain a secret, would it?" He edged backward. Wits couldn't save him now, but perhaps they could buy him some time.

Thanos didn't smile. Instead, he scowled. "You must be the trickster. I have friends on Jotunheim who are offering an impressive sum for your capture, Loki Odinson. Unfortunately for you, I have no need for their gold." He reached out with surprising speed and snatched Loki about the waist before he could escape. "While you're passing through, I have a job for you, Prince Loki."

Loki squirmed in the titan's grasp. "I'm afraid I'm unavailable for hire, Thanos." His spine popped in a series of cracks as the titan's grip tightened. "I've a timely matter to attend to." He did his best to appear collected, but was manic on the inside. He was going to die at Thanos's hand and Chelsea didn't even know he'd left Asgard. He would never say goodbye to Hella or meet his sons. An overwhelming panic rose in his chest.

"You'll either do my bidding or there won't be anything left of you for the Jotuns to seek after." Thanos's lips parted, showing large white teeth. He snarled.

"If you wanted an Asgardian, why did you not snatch one? Surely you could have. I don't believe you were here just waiting for someone to wander through the back passages." Loki choked as Thanos gave him a crushing squeeze. Keep him talking. Talking is not torture.

"No, I wasn't hoping for that, but this is what I got. I'm hurt that you won't agree to help a stranger with a simple task. Now I'm afraid I'll have to teach you a lesson." He smirked. "You know what most tortures Jotuns? You know what the Frost Giants hate the best?"

Loki shook his head. "I can't say I do." How Thanos knew he was a Jotun, he had no idea. He already felt as if he'd been hit in the gut.

A wide smile spread across Thanos's purple face. "Fire."