AN: I'm so sorry this is so late. I won't waste your time with explanations, just know that I am sorry. Here's the epilogue to "If He Be Worthy," please enjoy.

Epilogue

My time with SHIELD proved to be quite beneficial to all. I was able to spend much of my day with Darcy and others whom I've deemed worthy, I was able to keep Stark out of Fury's (lack of) hair every now and then, and I was actually helpful on missions. My blind revenge on Midgard turned into a semi-loyal action of protection. I say semi-loyal because should anything happen that would place Darcy in danger, she would be my first priority. I am not an exemplary member of their merry band of heroes because I would place an individual over the majority. Although I have a sneaking suspicion that if push comes to shove several others would do the same thing (Stark…Thor).

It really shouldn't have come as such a surprise when SHIELD started picking up readings at the bifrost site. They sent Thor and me out to investigate and lo and behold, the entirety of the Avengers joined us. And somehow Darcy and Jane talked them into bringing them along. Very persuasive those two can be. I leveled a half-hearted glare in her direction, hoping to convey that she should stay back, but was not given the chance to vocalize my thoughts because the whirlwind of color and dust made its way down to Earth, bringing with it a strong Asgardian presence that I'd know anywhere.

"F-father?" Oh, Thor, ever the perceptive one.

I had no words. I was busy formulating a way to escape punishment, or at the very least, a way to be able to remain on this planet. The man was impossible to read. I had no idea how this little rendezvous would play out, but I wasn't overly eager to find out either.

"Hello my sons." He said sons…plural. "I see you've acquired quite the formidable team here. Do not worry; I did not come to fight." I must have been thoroughly distracted by Odin's presence; I didn't even realize Darcy had joined me until she had her left hand possessively curled around my right and a knife clenched in her other. I felt Odin's gaze shift quickly over to us and just as quickly away again. The man was an enigma.

"Why did you come?" My throat felt dry as I said it, but the words came out clear and cold. I would give nothing away until he did; but I could not let go of Darcy's hand for her safety as well as my sanity. He stepped forward a few paces and it was then that I noticed he wasn't in his armor nor did he carry Gungir. He came to us unarmed. I suppose that did bode well for us. I desperately hoped so.

"Can a father not visit the planet that his sons have adopted as a second home?" I flinched almost imperceptibly at the word 'adopted.' Some wounds were still slowly healing. Thor remained quiet, still in awe, I think, of our father's sudden appearance. Darcy, on the other hand, had no such qualms. "Look, if you've come to take Loki away for some kind of sick, twisted punishment, you've got another thing coming, dude. He's not going anywhere." Dear God, she just called Odin Allfather 'dude.' Let's hope he admires her courage and looks past her audacity.

Odin turned fully toward the pair of us and observed as if seeing us for the first time. His gaze, always calculating and calm, now held a very badly hidden glimmer of warmth. The rest of the Avenger team seemed to understand what was going on and so backed away a few yards to afford our dysfunctional family some semblance of privacy. Odin himself vaguely gestured to Thor and Jane to join Darcy and me as he walked closer to us, the better to observe and address us. Darcy, my dear girl, was acting far braver than I think anyone else in her position would. Jane looked to be terrified out of her wits, which was rather unfortunate, as her intelligence and common sense would be readily welcomed at this point.

Darcy's hand tightened in mine, but she showed no other outward appearance of her inner distress. Once we were all gathered in one tight exceedingly awkward little group (don't let the dazzling good looks and impressive presence fool you, even demi-gods feel awkward at times), Odin paused a moment, for dramatic effect no doubt, before placing his hands, one on my shoulder and the other on Thor's.

"My sons, I am so proud of you. I once told you that you were both born to be kings, and here I am, seeing it happen. For you may not be masters of a realm, but you are masters of yourselves. You have gained that elusive thing that conquers all and that makes men out of boys." He dropped his hands and then shifted his gaze in turn: first to Jane and then to Darcy, his eyes crinkling in the ghost of a smile. "You have found love, and it has crafted in you a new worth."

I could not stop the smile that graced my face, as I'm sure Thor was having trouble doing as well, though he had the grace to at least accept it with humility, while I simply grinned even wider.

"Speaking of worth, I suppose I should explain something," at this, he turned his attention fully to Darcy and me. "I felt the change in you, Loki, even in Asgard. I suppose I have you to thank for that my dear girl." He nodded and graced her with what would pass for a smile.

Darcy seemed quite unconcerned with who this man was. "You can, but Loki didn't change. You see, he's always been this awesome dude, but you didn't seem to really notice that, did you? I'd tell you to pay better attention in the future, but I think you've wasted all the chances you had. Personally, I think you owe Loki an apology." Such insolence…that's my girl.

I decided to interrupt before things could get too out of hand; the Allfather's patience only lasted so long. "Darcy, he doesn't owe me anything. I was wrong to do what I did and I shall humbly receive whatever punishment is deemed sufficient."

"That will not be necessary, my son. You seemed to have learned what lesson I would have taught you. On the contrary, I do not seek to punish you, rather to congratulate you and, as I said, to offer an explanation," he said this last glancing at Darcy; she, at least, had the grace to look a touch guilty, if only a touch.

He stepped back a pace to present himself as a speaker to the whole of our small group. "Heimdall informed me that Loki was able to pick up and wield mjolnir for a short period of time during the battle. I imagine there is some confusion as to how this occurred. It is this explanation that I have come to offer.

"You see, only those found worthy have the power to wield it. In your time of need, Loki, you were regarded as worthy and so were permitted to use mjolnir, for however brief a time. In that moment, you were desperate for help, not for yourself, but to save others. It was a moment of pure selflessness and courage, and you were rewarded not only in your ability to use the hammer, but that it restored your own power as well. I thought perhaps that you might wish to know."

There was silence for but a few minutes before Thor's booming laugh and weighty hand dropped down on my shoulder. "My brother, I always knew you had it in you. Truly you are a wonder." The awkwardness dissipated in the presence of Thor's lighthearted congratulation. Jane smiled her sweet smile, and Darcy practically glowed with pride.

In the past, I might have sneered, or perhaps faked some kind of humility in a moment such as this, however, I found myself recalling the moment I felt mjolnir in my hands and the sheer desperation that engulfed me when I realized I was the only one left to save everyone, including my Darcy…especially her. It was because of this that I smiled softly and looked my father directly in the eyes.

"I simply acted on instinct, father. It was without thought, which was quite new for me. I'm just glad we all survived with minimal bloodshed."

"Well, whatever your motivations, I am proud of you my son. I have failed in the past to say that. I intend to remedy my indiscretions in the future."

"And what future might I have, father?"

"Whatever one you would choose. You will always have a home on Asgard just as I am sure I can say you will always have one here. Your mother insists that I invite you all to dinner in a fortnight. It is her request from her sons for her birthday. She wishes to see you both and to see the lovely ladies that have stolen your hearts. Now that all has been said, I must return. Should you need anything at all, you need only ask."

Odin stepped forward to uncharacteristically embrace both Thor and myself before returning to Asgard. Following the deafening roar and riotous color of his departure, Darcy visibly relaxed and loosened her grip on her knife.

"Well, that was interesting," she spouted off to dispel the silence.

I chuckled. "Interesting indeed and most unexpected. I believe we were just invited to dinner with my parents. How peculiar."

"Psh, yeah. And it's gonna be way awkward. I mean, me and Jane are Earth girls. We'll be the aliens this time. That's just…weird. Not to mention, incredibly terrifying."

I laughed again as I pulled Darcy into an embrace. "Not to worry love, I'll protect you there. No harm shall come to either you or Jane, I can assure you."

"Well I knew that. I'm not worried about that. But I'm meeting your parents…like officially! Not to mention, I'm sure I totally pissed off your dad while he was here. Awesome." She thumped her forehead against my chest and mumbled something that I didn't quite catch.

"What was that?"

She leaned her head back so that her sparkling sapphire blue eyes could gaze directly into mine, "I said, I don't even know what I'm going to wear!"

AN: Well, that's all folks! I do hope you've enjoyed our journey, however horribly drawn out it was, again, so sorry. I'm thinking of doing a short sequel, maybe a oneshot or something of their trip to Asgard. Lemme know what you think!