AN: Thanks again for all the reviews! They make me want to write more! Well, here's the big thing I was talking about. I'm kinda nervous about how it's going to go over. I hope you like it. Oh, and the thing about Thor's coronation, that came from a deleted scene from Thor that I just found out about. Look it up on youtube if you haven't seen it. It's good!

I own nothing!

Chapter Nine:

Loki must have heard her wrong. It sounded like she said she loved him. That couldn't possibly be right. Perhaps she had said "I loath you." Yes, that made much more sense. Still, Loki could not stop himself from smiling. Looking at the girl, Loki noticed how scared and nervous she looked.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Waverly asked.

"I know not what to say," Loki admitted.

"You could say you love me too."

Loki disentangled himself from the girl and sat beside her on the bed. "I am not sure what love is. I had been lied to my whole life, yet the same people who lied to me said they loved me."

"Thor and Frigga love you," Waverly insisted gently. "Just like Clint loves me."

Loki looked sideways at Waverly. He felt uncomfortable. The burning feeling Waverly caused inside him was intense and he wanted to say it back. He thought back to the many times Frigga had said she love him. That had felt real. No matter how much Loki wanted to despise Frigga as much as he did Odin, he couldn't. She had looked at him like Waverly did. She accepted him as her son. When Frigga had said she loved Loki, Loki knew she meant it. And he knew, he could not despise his mother because he loved her as well. He also thought of his brother. Before Thor's coronation, Loki had admitted how envious he was of his elder brother. Though he had planned to let Frost Giants into the palace, though he felt Thor arrogant and a self absorbed nut, he had to admit that Thor looked like a king; he held himself with pride and confidence. When he had told Thor he loved him that day, he had meant it. Really, the only reason Loki hated Thor was because of the image Odin had cultivated around him that Loki could not live up to. Odin always praised Thor, loved him; they had a relationship Loki could never have had with Odin. It all came back to Odin. Odin was really the only one Loki hated. Frigga, Mother, he loved her. And deep down, no mater how envious he was and no matter how often he butted heads with his brother, and it was a daily occurrence, he loved Thor as well.

But did he love Waverly? He had grown to like her, which was an accomplishment in itself. He still did not know what love for a partner was like. Waverly caused feelings he could not name to stir inside him. Was that love? The burning and tingling in his stomach, the hunger for her kisses, the warmth her touch left. If that was all love, then yes, Loki loved her, no question. But was that love or just a lonely, humiliated prince with no one else to lift his isolation?

"I have felt love for others on occasion," Loki finally said. His tone was careful and he chose his words with precision. "But those that I love are my mother and Thor. I have not experienced love for a partner."

"You've never been with another girl?" Waverly asked.

"Don't be ridiculous, of course I have! I just have not been, how do you Midgardians put it, 'serious' with anyone. I do not know what that kind of love is like. So, until I can figure out, I cannot say it back." Loki looked away from the girl, not wanting to see the disappointment in her face.

"Love isn't something you can learn from a book," Waverly said. "But if you can't tell me you love me yet, then I can wait."

"And if I never come to love you?" Loki asked.

"Then I will move on. Like I always have." Waverly stood from the bed and picked up Loki's discarded dinner tray. "Good night, Loki." She sighed and walked from his cell.


The next morning, Waverly was surprised at the amount of action going on in the dining room. It was only breakfast, what could possibly have everyone so riled up this early. Cautiously taking a seat next to Thor, Waverly asked, "Is something wrong?"

Thor jumped at the sound of the agent's voice. He turned from his hushed conversation with the Warriors Three and Sif. A conflicted look crossed his face as he debated answering Waverly's question.

"She is keeping an eye on him, Thor," Sif said in an even tone. "She should know."

Waverly's stomach twisted uncomfortably. "Know what?"

"The Bifrost was completed last night," Thor said in a low voice. Well what did that have to do with Loki?

"And?"

"And, Hemidall was battling all night to keep the Frost Giants from this realm."

"They still want Loki?" Waverly asked.

"Yes. Since Laufey's death, a new king has risen due to Loki's… absence. To hear him tell it, Loki should be tried for his crimes on Jotunheim since he is a Frost Giant."

"Crimes?" Waverly was confused. "Aren't the Frost Giants like war crazy?"

"Yes." This time it was Sif who spoke. "That is why this whole situation is questionable. It does not make sense. We believe they wish to take Loki back to lead their army. We believe they think that they are more powerful than the Chituari and with Loki leading their forces, they will be able to take over the other realms."

"But the Avengers kicked Loki's ass, why would they think he can win just because they are on his side?" Asked Waverly.

"They think they are more powerful," answered Thor. "They have successfully attacked Midgard in the past. They do not realize that Midgard has changed and even though they may cause a war, it will only end with the eradication of their race."

"That is not all," Hogun said in his flat voice. Despite his lack of emotion, Waverly could see a crease of worry on his thoughtful face. "They have demanded we turn Loki over to them by sun-high today or they will forcibly retrieve him."

"Father has fallen into the Odinsleep because of this," Thor said quietly. "I am preparing our guards for a battle."

"Thor, you said a while ago that if Loki would repent for what he did, the other realms would back off," Waverly said. She left out the part about overhearing this particular conversation. "It doesn't sound like the Frost Giants just want Loki to say 'I'm sorry'."

"I feel the other realms are more reasonable than the Frost Giants in this matter. Loki is not the first and will not be the last one to try and hold power over what is not his." Thor explained. "I fear the only think to do is ready ourselves for an attack. Agent Barton, I do not want SHIELD interfering with the protection of my realm. Please do not relay this to Director Fury."

Waverly nodded. "What can I do?"

"Should the palace's defenses be breached, help my mother protect Father. Just because it is Loki they want does not mean they will not come after the rest of us."

"Okay, Thor. I can do that."

"Now, I must prepare for battle." Thor rose from the table. Sif and the Warriors Three followed him. Despite Thor's misgivings about going into battle, Waverly couldn't help notice the glint in his eyes. Thor was just itching to take out his stress by smashing in a few skulls with his hammer.


Loki couldn't help but notice the worried look on Waverly's face as she served him breakfast. Her eyes would only look at him in fleeting glimpses and she tapped her foot nervously whenever a silence fell between them.

"Is this because I have not said I love you?" The god of mischief asked.

Though she looked at him, she seemed distracted. "No. Wait, what?"

"You are ill at ease," Loki said, taking a bite of egg.

"Am not."

Loki raised an eyebrow at the girl.

"Okay fine. I'm nervous all right. I have to help Thor out with something later, so I might not make it on time for lunch."

"Help with what?" Loki asked with suspicion.

"Fixing the rainbow bridge thingy," Waverly lied.

"I am the god of mischief and lies," Loki reprimanded the girl. "Though my manipulative powers have been taken from me, I know a lie when I see one."

This was why Waverly could never go with her brother on important missions. Her poker face sucked. "Look, I'll tell you later, all right?"

"I am not sure what love is, but I am fairly certain lies do not go with love."

"Oh god," Waverly groaned. "Just because I like you doesn't mean you can still be irritating as hell…. Look, I have something to do and I will tell you, just not now."

Loki ate the rest of his meal in silence.


Waverly paced the hallway in front of Odin's chambers. She could hear the distant sounds of fighting through the palace windows. From her high vantage point, she could see the blurry shapes or Asgardians and Frost Giants doing battle at the Bifrost. It was already concerning that the attackers had managed to breach Hemidall's defenses.

From what Waverly understood, before waging a war on Earth, Loki had attempted to destroy Jotunheim. For a planet that was almost blown to bits, their army sure was strong. Waverly's stomach tightened as she watched a few Frost Giants slip away from the main battle and plunge deeper into Asgard.

Waverly took slow even breaths, calming herself. She was a SHIELD agent for crying out loud! She had better start acting like it. She had changed from casual clothes into the dark blue jumpsuit provided to all SHIELD agents. Her hair was tucked into a tight pony tail and her combat boots were snug on her feet. At her hip rested a simple shot gun but her real weapon was in her hand. Clint had tried to teach Waverly to shoot a bow. She failed remarkably at the skill. So, he taught her how to shoot a gun. She was an all right shot. But then Natasha gave her a knife. It was obvious from than point on that knife throwing would be Waverly's best means of defense. Clutched in her right hand was a short butterfly knife. The hilt was purple and the blade was dyed black. It was only a few inches long, but in Waverly's hands it could be deadly. As she paced, she flipped the knife from one hand to another.

Tossing the knife calmed her as much as archery calmed Clint; just one of the mannerisms she picked up from him throughout the years. Soon, Waverly's mind was in combat mode, in the "zone" as she called it, instead of running amok and worrying. That is, until a loud crash and the sound of battle cries filled her ears.

The noises were far too loud to be coming from near the Bifrost. The Frost Giants had reached the palace and were clearly barging their way in at that very moment. Waverly heard Frigga stirring in her chambers, not doubt arming herself to protect her husband.

Waverly gripped her knife tightly. Her stomach felt like a writhing mass of snakes. The Frost Giants were here, in the palace. And they were hunting Loki.

The sounds of battle seemed to be coming from the lower floors. Nothing was happening way up here. Maybe she could check on Loki, just once, and make sure the Frost Giants hadn't reached the dudgeons.

Without pausing to think on it again, Waverly took off at a run for Loki's cell.

Signs were not good. Waverly passed the frozen bodies of several guards by the time she reached the door to the high security cells. All that stood between her and Loki was this hallway and the door to his cell. Waverly pushed the door open quietly, knife firmly grasped in her hand.

Despite all her training, she let out a petrified gasp when she opened the door. Loki's cell was open and three towering Frost Giants stood before it. One had a firm grip on Loki's upper arm.

At her sound, all four pairs of eyes shot to where she was standing. One of the Frost Giants began walking towards her, an evil smile on his wretched face. He reached out a hand and Waverly felt like she was standing in a freezer.

"Run, Waverly!" Loki was screaming at her. "Run!"

Waverly slammed the door and took off up the stairs. She heard the crack of ice as it engulfed the door. Surely the Frost Giant would be breaking through the door and on her heels in just a few seconds.

No, she thought, they are after Loki. Oh shit. They have him. Waverly knew Loki would not go willingly with the Frost Giants. He despised them. But, without his magic, how could he fight back?

Waverly's mind had already come to a decision. Her feet were leading her to her destination before she could fully process what she was about to do.

Waverly threw open the door to Odin's chambers. Frigga spun around and lifted a heavy sword. She relaxed when she saw it was only Waverly standing before her.

"They've breached the palace," Waverly said, clutching a stitch in her side. "You need to get somewhere safe. I will protect Odin."

Frigga looked from Waverly to Odin, concern and worry etched all over her beautiful face. "I will not leave him."

"It is Thor's command!" Waverly yelled. "You need to get somewhere safe. I will protect your husband. I am more than capable of doing so."

Frigga debated with herself for what felt to Waverly like ages. Finally, she placed the sword down at Odin's side. "If Thor believes this is what is best, I trust him." Frigga kissed her sleeping husband on the cheek and slowly left the room.

Before she could have a chance to feel guilty, before she could rethink, Waverly crossed the room in a few short steps. She tightened her grip on her knife. Leaning over Odin, she took a deep breath as she plunged her knife right into his heart.

There was screaming. Waverly whipped back around. Frigga had returned, obviously rethinking her decision. "What have you done?"

Waverly ripped her knife from Odin's chest and threw it at Frigga. She had aimed for the knife to fly just above the queen's shoulder and stick in the door behind her. Waverly used that as a distraction to flee from the room.


-Just Previously-

Loki could hear what sounded like the pounding feet of soldiers. He had been in enough battles with his brother to know the familiar sound. What on Asgard is going on? Rising from the bed, the shouts of battle cries reached Loki's ears. He peered out his small window. What sounded like the shatter of ice came from the other side of the door at the end off the hall. Next thing Loki knew, three hideous Frost Giants had burst through the door and were rambling their way towards him, leaving a trail of ice in their wake.

Hatred and anger flooded Loki's veins. He didn't know what was going on, but the mere presence of Frost Giants caused him great displeasure. Thank Odin for that one.

Loki backed from the door as the Frost Giants broke into his cell. Without his magic, fending them off would be a real challenge.

"Well, well, well," the apparent leader said in his deep voice. "If it isn't our fallen comrade."

Loki rolled his eyes. "I am no more one of you than I am one of them." He jerked his head upwards. "I belong to no realm."

"You are right," the second giant said. "You do not belong in any of the nine realms. You have shamed yourself and your people. You have killed Laufey and you would kill Odin as well."

"I feel I am quite justified to do so." Sarcasm laced Loki's voice.

The third giant spoke. "You will return with us, brother, and you will pay for your disgraces."

The leader then grabbed Loki by the arm. His skin began to turn blue and he felt himself reverting into his Frost Giant form. Loki struggled against his captor's grip, but despite his god-like strength, the Frost Giant's grip help firm.

Then, Waverly was at the end of the hall. Her eyes were wide with fear, a hand covering her mouth. Out of the corner of his now orange eye, Loki saw a giant stalk towards her, preparing to freeze her where she stood.

"Run, Waverly!" Loki screamed. He was surprised at the amount of fear in his own voice. "Run!"

As soon as Waverly's brown head disappeared form sight, Loki flipped the giant who was holding him over his shoulder. He was free for a moment and tried to take off, but the other two giants were on him in a second. They could not freeze him, so Loki could still put up a fight. But once the leader had rejoined the struggle, even Loki's strength could not save him from this mess.

And then, Loki felt the familiar electric tingle of magic flowing through his veins. How on all of Asgard did he have his magic back? There is no way Odin would willingly relinquish his adoptive son's powers back. Loki did not question the sudden turn of events further. He unleashed a blue orb of energy at each of his attackers, sending each giant hurtling to the wall. Loki smiled as the satisfying crunch of broken bone reached his ears. Loki looked at the giants briefly, to make sure they were dead, then tore down the hall. He had just started climbing the steps when he nearly ran face first into the SHIELD agent.


Waverly tore through the palace halls. She could still hear Frigga's cries of despair in her ears. Guilt and sickness replaced the nervousness in her stomach. But she had to keep running. She fled past guards and soldiers and Frost Giants. She caught a brief glimpse of Sif battling two giants twice her size. She saw lightning flash outside; that must be Thor. But she still ran on. In moments, she was descending the steps to Loki's cell.

She nearly tipped over her own feet in shock as she came face to face with the god of mischief.

"We must leave this place," Loki said. He grabbed Waverly by the arm and began dragging her up the stairs. The sounds of battle were still loud and wide spread. Loki felt that Asgard may actually fall this time.

"Your magic," Waverly panted. "It's back?"

"Yes," Loki said, still urging the girl on. "Why did Odin give it back to me?"

"He didn't," Waverly said. She planted her feet firmly on the ground and forced Loki to stop. The god turned and looked at her. "I killed him."

Loki was not quite sure what emotion he was feeling. He actually felt like smiling, this must be a joke. Waverly had killed Odin? That could not be possible. "I… you… what?" Loki stammered stupidly.

"Odin, fell into Odinsleep." Waverly was still panting. She looked as if she was about to either cry of vomit. Or both. Loki sincerely hoped she didn't do either of those things. "I knew you needed your powers to fight off the Frost Giants. Thor said if Odin died, you got your powers back. I stabbed him," Waverly's voice cracked. "In the heart."

Only one word came to Loki's mind. "Why?"

Waverly looked him in the eye; hers were swimming with tears. "Because," she choked, "I love you." Her face was pale and she was clutching her stomach as if forcing herself not to vomit. It's not that killing was something she was not used to; her brother was an assassin for crying out loud. She had just never experienced the killing of one of the good guys, someone on her side.

"We need to leave," Loki said again. He pulled Waverly on, summoning a quick spell to ease her stomach for the time being.

"Where are we going?"

"The Bifrost."

"Are you insane," Waverly asked. The answer was most likely yes. "The Bifrost is like the center of the battle!"

Loki pushed onward. Soon, the pair had reached the ground floor. The fighting in the main hall of the palace was intense. Loki used his magic to mask himself and the girl as simple palace maids and they managed to slip past the fighting and out into the streets. Breaking into a run once more, Loki led Waverly to the Bifrost.

"We need to leave this realm," Loki said over his shoulder.

As they neared the Bifrost, Waverly could tell that Loki had the right idea. Skipping over the bodies of frozen soldiers, Waverly and Loki made their way to the bridge. The fighting had stopped here as the Frost Giants marched into Asgard. Waverly wondered why she didn't feel nauseous at the sight of frozen Asgardians and beheaded Frost Giants.

They reached the gateway. Loki released Waverly and began fighting to free something from a pile of ice. No, not a pile of ice, Waverly realized. It was a man. A frozen man. Hemidall. Waverly had only seen him once, but she knew this must be him. Loki wrenched the staff from the fallen guard's frozen hands and plunged it into whatever the heck it was that made this thing work. Waverly gasped as the golden orb surrounding them began to spin and a portal of swirling colors and velvet black sky opened before them. Loki grabbed her by the arm once more and threw himself and the girl into the portal.

Loki and Waverly landed in a painful tangle on cold, hard ground. It was dark and the sounds of the night could be heard.

"Where are we?" Waverly asked, struggling into a sitting position.

"Midgard," Loki answered. "You will take me to my spear."