Author's Note: In the film, Thor was only on Earth a couple of days but for this fic, I'm going to extend it because it works better for the plot to have Loki being King for a little longer. Oh and after this chapter, I've decided that we're going to see Catherine start to try and do something with her life even if she's not sure what yet. After the bed rest of course, after all, she is a good girl. *wink*
Birds of a Feather
Chapter Four
"Where there's light there is shadow"
It was the morning of the second day since her collapse when Catherine finally awoke from the darkness that had taken her. She squinted her eyes at the bright light that lit the room up. The room smelt faintly of strawberries and passion fruit. Rubbing her eyes, Catherine slowly moved her head, testing her ability to move. The dizziness and the blurred visage were gone as were the colours and shadows but her head still ached mildly and when she tried to sit up, her body protested with a dull ache resounding through her. She lay back against the pillows and glanced around the room. A few nurse medics were hanging around cleaning the room of dust and often glancing over in her direction as if they were expecting her to wake up soon. Once one of them had spotted that she was awake, she made her way over to Catherine.
"Good morning, Lady Catherine. Good to see you're awake. I'll go and get the Chief Medic and the King for you." The woman had soft brown hair in the most gentle ringlets that Catherine had ever seen. Her soft grey eyes were as kindly as the smile on her face. Before Catherine could say anything else the nurse hurried from the room leaving the other nurse, a dark haired girl not much older than Catherine herself, to check the patient's vital signs.
"Everything looks good, my lady," the dark haired girl smiled. "Considering the nature of the poison, you're lucky to be alive never mind so healthy looking," she continued.
Catherine blinked. "Poison?"
"Yes, the cider you drank was a gift from a mysterious stranger. We believe someone was trying to poison the King. Luckily he's averse to whatever contaminated the drink."
Or maybe Frost Giants are… Catherine thought to herself slowly shaking her head.
"Be careful my lady, you are still quite fragile," the young medic said softly.
Catherine lay back down and stared at the ceiling. "When… the other nurse said that she'd fetch the King…"
The dark haired girl smiled. "The King has been asking to see you as soon as you wake up. He's visited a few times but he wanted us to let him know when you were awake," she smiled a little brighter at seeing the confusion on Catherine's face. "He's been quite worried." Catherine looked astonished and smiled a little, flattered that Loki had been so worried.
The doors opened and the Chief Medic, Haymer Nightlock walked into the Healing room. He smiled at Catherine reassuringly and came to give her a check up. "Morning sleepyhead, how are you feeling this morning? You had us all quite worried," he said with a slight grin.
"A bit achy to tell you the truth but there's no real pain," said Catherine.
"You're very lucky. That poison would have killed you if the King hadn't called the guards when he did. It could have been a rather nasty way to go as well," Haymer said light heartedly.
"Sounds like he saved my life," smiled Catherine.
"Ahem, I think I helped a bit," said Haymer.
"Of course, I meant no disrespect" said Catherine lightly.
"No, no, I'm only joking. I know what you mean," he smiled. "I gather he's been sent for."
"Apparently," Catherine would have shrugged but she'd rather not push her limits just yet.
Once he had checked her over, Haymer took a step back. "You've made a lot of progress whilst you were asleep but we're still going to need to keep you in another day and then when you go back to your apartment I'm gonna prescribe you plenty of bed rest. I'm sure you'd prefer your own room."
Catherine nodded. "Is there going to be any lasting damage?" she asked.
"Not as far as I can see. It might be a bit uncomfortable doing deep breaths for the next few hours. Your esparagus, windpipe and as a result your lungs were damaged by the poison but they're nearly completely repaired. Like I said, just take it easy for the time being, okay?"
"Yeah I will, thank you," Catherine murmured before the door opened again. She turned her head and smiled when she saw who it was.
"Catherine!" Loki hurried over to her. He wore his usual black attire and cloak but had left his crown behind as well as his staff. He leant over the bed and placed a hand over hers and the other on her head, his eyes searching for any sign of harm. Catherine smiled a little at his concern.
"I'm alright," she whispered.
"She's getting there," corrected Haymer. "She needs to rest for a few days, like I've said, there was a fair bit of damage and she's rather weak but she'll make a full recovery."
"That's all I care about," smiled Loki as he looked down on Catherine. "As long as you're going to be okay." He turned back to Haymer. "What course of medical treatment are you going to take with her?" he asked, his voice serious.
"Anti-biotics, potions and some herbal remedies. She needs one more day here then a few days bed rest at home." Haymer recited.
"If she's going to be getting bottled treatments why can't she go back to her apartment now? Surely we should make her as comfortable as possible?" Loki asked.
"Your Majesty, I'd prefer to keep an eye on her here. Besides, Catherine has shown no objection to the prescribed treatment." Haymer insisted.
"Actually if there's any way I could go home today, I'd appreciate it," admitted Catherine.
Loki looked up at the medic. "I'm sure you can check in on her. She's out of danger isn't she?"
Haymer nodded reluctantly. "Well yes," he said.
"And I will stop by and see her," said Loki. "So I don't see why we can't move her."
Haymer sighed. "Very well but she can't over exert herself," he insisted.
"I realise that," said Loki. "which is why I'll carry her back to her apartment myself." He turned to Catherine. "Once she's feeling a bit stronger of course."
Catherine looked up at him with a smile. "Don't you have a busy day?" she asked.
He knelt next to her. "Not as busy as you'd think he whispered." Louder, he said, "I've got time to take you home later," he said and smiled again, stroking her face. "I just came to check that you were okay."
Catherine nodded. "I am, thank you."
"Well if you're feeling stronger later, I'll come and take you home," Loki said before exiting the Healing room and leaving Catherine with a peculiar sense of loss.
XMARVELX
Much to her surprise, Catherine had found herself fast asleep again within a few hours. She was assured that this was her body's way of trying to restore itself after such a poisonous ordeal. She slept until four o'clock and not long after, Haymer went to fetch the King muttering about how he should get a say in what was best for his patients. Catherine had tried not to laugh at the irritated way in which he muttered this. She sat in silence until familiar footsteps walked through the door.
Catherine grinned along with Loki as he entered the Healing room. She tossed back her covers and sat up slowly. "Hello again," she said playfully and was rewarded with a grin so wide that she nearly forgot that he was King now and that it was almost like the old days. He slipped his left arm around her back and his right under her knees and gently lifted her. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders with a smile at Haymer.
"Thanks for all your help," she said.
"I'll send along your treatment later tonight. You're not in any discomfort right now are you?" When she shook her head, he retreated into his office.
The nurse medics held the doors open for Loki as he carried Catherine out of the room and along the corridors. Catherine leant against him happy to be able to go back to her apartment. As she leant her head on his shoulder she was reminded of the moments when the poison had took hold. She'd held onto him for dear life as though nothing else mattered. She had to admit that when he was holding her, she did feel safe and secure and she was certain that had nothing to do with him being the King of Asgard.
"Thanks for doing this, Loki," she whispered.
"It's no problem, we're friends after all. It was because of someone trying to kill me that this happened to you. I'm going to make sure it doesn't happen again," he told her firmly.
"It's not your fault," she whispered. "I don't blame you."
Soon they arrived at her apartment and within seconds they were inside. He carried her through to the bedroom and set her down on her feet. She took a breath and stood up straight only to wobble and topple over. Loki's arm was around her swiftly stopping him from falling. With his other arm he pulled the covers back and then helped her into bed. She looked up at him, propped up on her pillows. She folded her hands in her lap and looked up when he perched on her bed with his small smile. She couldn't help smiling back at the look of concern and affection in his emerald eyes.
"If you've got a lot of duties to attend to then you don't need to stay," Catherine said half-heartedly.
Loki grinned at her and shook his head. "I've done everything I need to for today." He said and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "Do you mind if I stay with you?"
Catherine shook her head with a growing smile. "No, I-I'd love that."
He bent down and removed his boots before moving onto the bed and lay on his side next to her with a smile that she couldn't help but laugh at.
XMARVELX
It was around ten o'clock when Loki left Catherine asleep in her bed. To know that she was alright and that it was one less thing for him to worry about was a great relief. He returned to his chambers, fetched his staff and headed in the direction of the BiFrost bridge. He needed to pay a visit to Jotunheim at once and there was no point delaying it any longer.
The day after Catherine's poisoning, the investigation had launched and a few witnesses had seen the figure give the cider to the servant boy. Most had not been able to identify him but thankfully Heimdall had recognised his race from a brief glimpse. He had been a Frost Giant. Now Loki had several reasons to deal with them. If he could end the war, he could bring peace and prosperity to Asgard and at the same time get revenge for their stupid assassination attempt which had put Catherine in danger. Of course there was the matter of being left to die as a baby by Laufrey but Loki still hadn't decided how he felt about that. After all a lot of good things had come from being raised as a Prince just as there had been downsides to it.
Catherine was one of the good things. The other "friends" he had were more like Thor's friends but he couldn't exactly be that choosy when not that many people wanted to spend time with the second rate younger brother. At least Catherine had shown some loyalty and initiative. In fact sometimes she seemed to hate Thor almost as much as he did. It was extremely gratifying to observe. But maybe Catherine was just more observant and refined than the rest of Asgard. After all who would want a loud, reckless, arrogant war obsessed hero for a King when they could have a thoughtful, ambitious, clever King instead? A King who would know which battles to fight and who would respect Odin's laws… well most of them.
The horseback ride to the BiFrost gate was quicker than anticipated and soon Loki was striding into the transport room. Heimdall was waiting for him silently. Making his instructions quickly and informatively, Loki prepared for the journey. Within minutes he was flying through space towards Jotunheim.
XMARVELX
It was early dawn when Catherine awoke from her slumber and attempted to get up. It was a slow process but after a couple of minutes regaining her balance she was able to stand properly. Using the wall she propped herself up as she headed to the bathroom. Opting for a bath where she could lay down over a shower where she could slip and fall in her condition, Catherine began to undress. Once the bath was run she sank into it sighing with contentment as the hot water restored life into her numb limbs. She tried to think of what she could do today.
It would probably be too much to hope for Loki to be able to spend time with her. After all he was a busy King now and this whole business with the poison had made her realise that she herself wasn't contributing anything to Asgard with her life. She was drifting because she didn't have anything solid to do in this world. Once she was better she needed to do something meaningful. She wasn't sure what it was she could do but she knew that if she tried enough things, one ought to feel right.
After a long bath she climbed out, dried herself off and got changed all with no slip ups. She climbed back into bed and decided not to push her luck any further today. She found her book and started reading, losing herself in a fantasy world.
Before long she heard a knock on the door. Slowly she climbed out of bed and made her way to the door in her light sleep pants and tank top. She was excused for answering the door in pyjamas, she told herself, for being injured. She opened the door to find Haymer there.
"Hey Catherine, you're up and about?" he questioned.
"Not really, just answering the door," said Catherine.
"I would have thought you'd have a member of family staying with you?" Haymer questioned.
"Me and my family are not that close," said Catherine honestly as she sat on the couch. "They were naturally concerned about the poison incident and came to visit apparently whilst I slept but they didn't really approve of my choice of prince to hang out with. They were very much Team Thor," she continued to explain. "Now that Loki's king, I don't really talk to them much anymore. As far as I'm concerned they didn't care enough about him until he was in a position of power. Not to mention that I have failed to realise my mother's expectations of me."
Haymer chuckled as he handed her a bottle. "Family… gets you every time, I get it. But you're not even close with your sisters?"
"They have their own lives," shrugged Catherine. "And I have mine."
"Fair enough" smiled Haymer. "But you don't have anyone looking after you?" he asked.
Catherine shook her head. "I'm fine with it," she said. "I'm not going to be doing much, don't worry."
Haymer frowned like he was going to protest but decided against it. "Very well." He gave her a few more bottles and tablet boxes. "These should do you until tomorrow. You should take them every five hours," he instructed before leaving.
Catherine took some tablets and a potion before heading to her bedroom again.
