The Science of Mystery

Chapter Ten: Ending Illusion

Austin stared at the wooden door before her, standing closed, only waiting to be opened with a push of the hand. She had, perhaps ten minutes ago, spoken with the nurse down the hallway, obviously stalling for time, getting the green light so far as entrance; the door was shut at the patient's request, not for any medical reasons. Her heart stopped, beating quickly in her chest as she blinked, her legs shaking slightly, wondering what on Earth she would say upon entrance.

It was nervousness that kept her standing there, rooted outside Jane's door, not fear nor anger – though there was a bit of sadness, too. The door before her was almost symbolic in its appearance, for it told her silently that yes, one journey was close to ending; one door in her life (or many, if she wished to be honest) was closing, hopefully leading to another open one.

Austin had since managed to wipe all of her tears over her father away, succeeding in making her appearance calm and composed, though she felt anything but on the inside. It wasn't that she regretted her decision, thinking that perhaps she should stay instead, for she was not – she was confident in her decision, and knew in her heart that it was the correct one – it was simply that goodbyes had never been easy for her, and she was aware of the fact that these goodbyes, especially, would take some time to recover from; the scars that were forming on her heart would never fade completely, but the wounds would heal.

Austin had come to her decision that morning, but she had taken the time once she'd arrived at the hospital, sitting in the Jeep that she would return to soon after, to fully decide on her next course of action. Truth be told, she was not ready to return to her mother's home as of yet, for she felt that if she did, she would be pronouncing herself, in some way, a failure; she needed more time to herself, more time to do things on her own, without her mother's aid, to truly discover, for herself, how to shape her life. But she knew that she couldn't do it alone, and that was the difficult part – declaring independence while still relying on someone. So, after some deliberation, Austin had turned to her phone, taking a deep breath, and had quickly accessed her number list, choosing one of the numbers most often called—

"I'll admit, I was expecting to hear from you sooner. Had enough fun at your father's house – if it can even be called that. You know, I looked it up via satellite, and it could use some remodeling. I have some tips and tricks...or we could just demolish it, you know, build from the ground up – or leave it as rubble," the voice of Tony Stark answered on the second ring, somewhat tame compared to normal, as if he could somehow sense her unease.

Tony was not known for being considerate, even to those closest to him, but if there were anyone he could show kindness towards somewhat easily, it was Austin; Pepper was second, though the two had a much different dynamic.

Austin let out a watery laugh, at that point the remains of tears still clinging to her cheeks. "Thanks for the offer, Tony, but that sounds like far too much work," she joked, though a small part of her wished to take him up on his offer (hey, she was only human). "I'm actually calling about something else..." she began, feeling a small bit nervous, before: "You know when you told me if I needed a room, I could—"

Tony cut her off, naturally. "You want to bunk at my place to escape your frankly terrifying mother, who is sure to be angry when she discovers that your father has – and not surprisingly – pushed you away, all while working to discover why you've always wanted to become a fairy princess...I mean, writer. Are they really that different?" he answered before Austin could continue, this time earning a real laugh from her, though she was also shocked.

He knew her too well, and perhaps that should terrify her, but it didn't. Instead, it made her feel comfort, even in the face of change, even as dread filled her stomach at the thought of saying goodbye to Jane...and to Lee.

Austin was speechless for a moment, before she found her voice once more. "Um...yes. You're right, actually, minus the fairy princess bit. Would you mind terribly, Tony? I promise I won't be a pest," she told him, small smile lighting up her face as relief flooded through her.

"Of course you'll be a pest – I would be insulted if you weren't. You should leave dishes lying around, make messes, and we can get drunk together, that way Pepper can complain, because you know how much I love to hear it. Besides, I haven't had a good hangover in a while," Tony replied with a chuckle, before suddenly he paused, and then said somewhat seriously, sounding uncomfortable: "But, seriously, come over. You know the address. Now, what do you like in your room? Pink? Frills?" the awkward seriousness did not last long, and soon Tony was back to harassment, though Austin wasn't surprised.

Her friend seemed to be in better touch with his feelings (not to mention the feelings of others) now that Pepper had gotten ahold of him, now that he had finally learned some real responsibility, but Tony still couldn't manage to be overly touchy-feely or honest, even. Austin supposed this may never change, but that was alright; his heart was in the right place.

Austin, in that moment, could not express what she felt, either, so all she said was: "Thank you, Tony. And no pink – maybe green," before the conversation ended, and she took a deep breath, before exiting the Jeep and heading into the hospital.

Standing in front of Jane's room now, that conversation seemed unendingly easy, compared to the conversation she was about to have. Despite everything, there was still resentment lurking in Austin's heart towards Jane, though it had decreased dramatically, and she was willing, just like with her father, to work to make amends in whatever fashion Jane would allow.

Whatever the outcome may be Austin wanted to know that she had left every relationship she had in the little New Mexico town in the best possible condition she could before she began to render her life anew.

It was time – for many things; time to move on.

Knowing that visiting Jane would be far easier than saying goodbye to Lee, Austin took a deep breath, and pushed the door to Jane's room open, a small smile alighting on her lips as she poked her head into the sterile space.

The curtains that had once been pulled over the window were lingering open, the sunshine outside pouring into the room, casting a cheery disposition over Jane's bed sheets. Jane herself was staring up at the television situated on the wall opposite the head of her bed, appearing bored though looking much healthier than she had the last time Austin had seen her. It was as if some weight had been lifted from Jane's shoulders, as if some of her worry had disappeared, though there hung about her an air of uncertainty.

At the sound of the door opening, Jane turned her head, appearing a bit bewildered, no doubt thinking that it was a nurse, come to give her medication, run a test, or some other such awful medical practice, but her eyes lit up when she saw Austin – lit up, and then dimmed, as a sad smile graced her lips, a contrast to the cheery sunshine lighting up the room.

"Austin," she said, her voice soft as Austin tread lightly, crossing to sit at Jane's bedside, not losing her own smile, though it did dim a bit at Jane's reaction. "It's so good to see you. Is your father here, or – or your friend?" she asked, casting now-weary eyes to the doorway Austin had just entered through.

Biting her lip slightly, Austin shook her head, before she told Jane: "No, it's just me. I'm actually here to say goodbye. I've decided to leave, and allow dad to get back to his work undistracted," she admitted, pausing after, waiting for Jane to reply.

Jane's eyes lingered upon the doorway, as if waiting for something invisible to appear, before she abruptly looked over at Austin, the worry leaving her eyes as her smile became more realistic, though there was now an even deeper tinge of sadness.

"You're leaving?" Jane asked, though she did not sound entirely surprised. "Are you heading back to your mother's?" she inquired.

Austin shook her head again, shooting Jane a nervous look this time. "No, I'm actually going to stay with Tony – uh, Tony Stark, that is. I just...need some time to figure everything out. It seems like so much has changed. I still have to call my mother, and tell her I'll be away longer," she admitted, cringing slightly at the confession – she was not looking forward to her mother's no doubt angry reply. "My flight is in a few hours, but I wanted to say goodbye to you first, Jane, and apologize."

"Apologize? For what?" Jane asked incredulously, though again, it appeared as though she was aware of what Austin would say – or, at least the topic.

Austin wondered mildly if her father had mentioned Austin's anger to Jane; perhaps her father had come to see Jane that morning before making his way to work? Or perhaps Lee had, though the latter could not have, since he had never been to see Jane without Austin, at least so far as she was aware of.

As Austin thought this, an idea – a dangerous, magical, impossible idea – hung at the edge of her mind, begging to be entertained, but before the thought could be grasped it flitted away, as if she were not allowed to remember it...not yet.

Austin took a deep breath before pressing on, telling Jane the truth, being as honest as she knew how, staring down at her hands, which were clasped in her lap: "Jane, I don't know if you've noticed, but I've been angry with you for quite some time. I – I thought, when we were younger, that my father liked you better, that he wished you were his daughter instead, and that he wanted to replace me with you. I've always felt like he was trying to make me into you, instead of allowing me to be myself; he's never been able to appreciate me for who I am, and he's always wished for me to abandon my dreams, and become a scientist, too, like you, like him. I was angry for a long time, but then...I realized that it was wrong of me to be angry with you, or with my father," she admitted, before looking back up at Jane, seeing that the older woman was beginning to cry.

The sight of tears alarmed Austin, but she held onto her courage, and pressed further forward, not wishing to allow her opportunity to be wasted, nor for the pain to endure any longer.

She had spent so, so many years hiding her feelings, and though it was partially her father's fault for not acknowledging them when they were obvious, it was also her fault for never bringing them into the light, never speaking of them. Even if her father never accepted her, and Jane shunned her, Austin wanted to know that she was being true to herself, simply by saying the words that she had kept hidden for so long.

And so she continued, with growing insistence, before she could lose the words breaking forth from her heart: "I spent all of this time trying to please my father, being upset at you, and not taking any responsibility for my own actions! I remained silent, and then I expected everyone else to fix my problems for me – to change their ways, without me changing mine. I can't help what other people think, or do, or how they act, but I can change how I act, how true to myself I am, and how I react to others, even when they aren't the kindest, or especially when they don't realize I'm upset. So I apologize, Jane. I want us to return to being friends," Austin finished, the breath leaving her, her heart beating so loudly that she could hear the sound ringing in her ears.

She had said her piece, and had spoken the truth – for once. If Jane was upset, or shunned her, then there was nothing more she could do. The future of their relationship was all on Jane now, and Austin was determined to leave it there, to take control of her own life.

There was nothing else she could do, nothing else she would do. It was all up to Jane now.

She only hoped that Jane wanted the same thing that she did: a new beginning.

"Oh, Austin, you don't need to apologize," Jane said then, the tears increasing, and from the look on her face Austin could see that Jane did, indeed, want the same thing she did, a new beginning. Her heart lightened at the thought, and tears slipped from her eyes, as well – only they were happy tears, lighthearted, as if all of the pain inside of her concerning Jane was being released from those tears. "I'm the one who should be sorry," Jane continued, sitting up a bit, reaching out to take Austin's hand in her own, a sisterly gesture. "I knew how upset you were, and I never said anything. I just ignored it, and that was wrong of me. I never helped you, never tried to speak to your father, all while I told myself that I was doing what was best for you in not mentioning it. I thought I was protecting you, but really...really, I was just hurting you, instead," she bit back a sob, and wiped tears from her cheeks with the back of her free hand.

"Austin, there's so much that I wish I could tell you, that I wish you could know. This world, our lives, they're so much bigger than you know, but—" Jane looked towards the doorway once more, pausing as if in nervousness, again looking for something that wasn't there, before she abruptly leaned in towards Austin, her voice deathly serious, though still tinged with sadness and grief. "Austin, just promise me one thing: whatever you decide, and wherever you go – whatever happens – just remember to be true to yourself. You were right when you said that you should do just that. You might not know it or see it, but being you has the power to change things. It already has changed things," Jane told her, a secret sparkle in her brown eyes that looked desperately like hope.

Austin was once again baffled by something that seemed to be just on the edge of her consciousness, just on the edge of her understanding, but somehow still so far away. She didn't understand what Jane was getting at, was trying to tell her, just as she hadn't understood the silent warnings her father had tried to give, but she determined to heed Jane's advice all the same.

Feeling as if her heart were tugging upon her, telling her that it was time to go, that there was somewhere she needed to be, Austin smiled at Jane and gently pulled her hand from her friend's grasp, telling her: "Thank you, thank you so much. I won't forget that Jane. But now..."

"You need to go," Jane told her, not unkindly, somehow understanding just as Austin did.

Austin allowed one last tear to fall before wiping it away, feeling as if something had just broken, as if another door had closed. She had let go of something important, and yet at the same time, she was still holding onto Jane – holding onto her as a friend, as a sister. Their relationship wasn't over, as she had feared, but was actually just beginning.

Austin stood, began to turn on her heel – and then turned back abruptly, bending down to hug Jane tightly. "I love you, Jane. I really do. Thank you," she said, shaking, and feeling as though she couldn't breathe.

Jane hugged her back, and something else felt as though it broke, fell to pieces, as whatever secret lingered at the back of Austin's mind grew even closer, became even more daunting. It scared her, this feeling, and she wondered if this was how everyone felt before they finally were able to move on.

"Go. You know he's waiting for you," Jane whispered then, and once more Austin found herself confused, pulling back as her eyebrows knit.

Who was waiting for her? What did Jane mean?

Austin offered Jane one last smile before she finally gathered the courage to leave, stepping out of the hospital room with an equally heavy and light heart – a heart that was still feeling that tug, was being pulled somewhere. She entered the elevator and went down to the lobby, drawing the Jeep keys from her pocket, ready to return the vehicle before she found Lee, and said goodbye to him, too.

But she needn't have worried. As she exited the hospital she could see Lee leaning against said Jeep, waiting for her. She didn't know how he had known she was there, or how long he had been waiting, but she would be lying if she didn't say she was happy to see him...though also saddened. She felt that insistent tug on her heart once more, and realized that it was pulling her towards him, urging her to say goodbye.

Lee smiled at Austin as she neared him, a slight smile that didn't reach his green eyes, which were clouded over and dark like a stormy night without lightning. He watched her walk towards him with an intensity that nearly scared her, though it wasn't in the same fashion he had watched her to begin with, when they had still been strangers; it was as if he were attempting to memorize everything about her, rather than regarding her as a cat did a fish. Austin wondered, somewhat fearfully, if he somehow knew that she was going to leave, that this would be goodbye—

But not forever, surely. Both of them had work that needed to be done, but once they had their lives in order, then...

What are you hoping for? A soft voice, strangely familiar yet foreign, whispered to Austin as she stopped in front of Lee, waiting for him to speak.

He watched her for another moment with that intensity, green eyes growing in depth, before his smile widened a bit, appearing fragile and broken, and he asked her: "Will you walk with me?"

Austin nodded, and took his arm when he offered it, unable to say yes verbally.

That look on his face, in his eyes, it terrified her, because that hidden feeling was back, that sense that something was off, that there was something she needed to realize.

What is it? The question burned brightly in her mind, but there was still no reply.

They walked past the Jeep, towards a covered building that Austin hadn't noticed was there before: a giant greenhouse. Questions raised in her mind as the door opened automatically, admitting them, and then Austin realized – this was part of the hospital, probably for the patients, a place for them to come when they could not go outside permanently, could not leave the confines of their beds for long; it was a sanctuary. A long hallway connected the hospital building and the greenhouse.

Lee quietly, gently led Austin to a bench, as if he were familiar with the garden that had blossomed before them, his hand in hers now. Austin found the large building to be an odd place to meet, the ceiling letting in quiet light, a mass amount of flowers blooming amidst manufactured creeks and easily tread pathways, but a part of her was thankful to see something beautiful in the otherwise relatively empty New Mexico town. Lee led the two of them to an empty wooden bench situated amongst fragrant rose bushes, and as they sat down, side by side, Austin noticed that no one else appeared to be amongst the bushes, trees, and flowers; they were entirely alone in the greenhouse.

Austin found this odd, but allowed the oddity to slip from her mind, because soon, she knew, it wouldn't matter anyway. Soon she would be on her flight, and this all would be behind her, for better or worse.

Austin didn't want to feel like she was giving up, but still...that something in the back of her mind told her to prepare herself for the inevitable, to be strong.

"Austin, there is something I feel that I must tell you," Lee began after a moment, looking down at their clasped hands, not meeting her eyes when she turned her head to gaze at him. There was intensity in his jaw that had not been there before, a far off look in those green orbs. "This charade cannot go on, and leave me with a clear conscience," he told her, and she did not miss the subtle twitch in his fingertips when he said it.

Her mouth dipped down into a frown as she waited for him to continue, remaining vigilant.

"I fear I have not been entirely honest with you. The entire time we have been...meeting, our relationship, it has been, well, to put it quite plainly, nothing more than a sham. When I saw that your relationship with your father was less than steady, I hoped to use you to usurp his focus, to prove myself a better candidate for research than him – or perhaps even to prove that he was too fragile at the moment to continue in his work, and that our superiors would then gift the study to me, instead," Lee spoke slowly, with practice, and Austin's eyebrows pulled together as tears tugged at her eyes, and pain formed in her chest. Still, she listened on: "It has come to my attention, however, that through our interactions I have come to care for you to a degree, and so I decided to allow the truth to be known," Lee told her, before he finally looked up at her, staring directly into her gaze, blinking once, twice. His expression was grim. "I do not ask for forgiveness or understanding, only that our meetings come to an end. You have become too much of a distraction for me."

Silence hung in the air after that, as Austin fought to breathe, to still her shaking hands. One part of her wanted to yell at him, to ask why, or better yet to leave – to leave everything, to leave this all behind, to forget about it. She could have risen to her feet, could have gotten on that airplane, could have left this relatively short piece of her life with no ending, but—

No.

That was what he wanted, she could see – a clean break, an easy break. She could see it in his eyes, somewhere deep in the green. It would be so much easier for them to simply part ways and to lick their wounds, without truly laying all of their cards on the table.

But would it be better for them, in the end?

Austin had done everything she could to leave her father and Jane on a good note, to be responsible with her feelings, and she wanted nothing less for Lee. If she were to run away, this conversation would haunt her afterwards, along with the knowledge that she had let things go unfinished, that she had not been entirely honest.

The idea of staying sitting there on that bench was painful, but it would be so, so much more painful later on.

Austin was tired of running.

"No," when the word left her mouth, her voice was strong despite everything. "You're lying," she told him, and was surprised to see his mouth curve into an amused sort of grin that instead of annoying her simply warmed her heart.

She had never seen that grin before. Lee had grinned, of course, but this grin was something different, more intense; it seemed like he had been hiding it.

She knew that he was lying, that what he was saying wasn't the truth. She didn't know how, but it seemed that she could easily tell when Lee was lying now, as it were some ability she possessed; she didn't have to pay extra attention anymore in order to tell if he were being truthful, the knowledge just came to her, though she was extra vigilant anyway.

Lee laughed then, a low and dark sound that made Austin's heartbeat echo in her ears, before he shook his head and said: "I see I have underestimated you yet again," before he paused, and abruptly turned his gaze to the garden surrounding them, calling out in a commanding tone: "Now the question is, will you underestimate me just as severely?"

Austin opened her mouth to question as to whom he was speaking to, when she heard a subtle click from somewhere nearby, and her blood ran cold. She had never liked weaponry, but she knew that sound—

Guns.

"Austin, step away from the man beside you," someone spoke, and Austin turned her gaze to see a tall, dark skinned man standing near a cluster of trees, flanked on each side by tense operatives, all carrying guns directed at Lee; one of them she recognized as Coulson, who watched her warily, worry evident in his gaze, though he kept his expression neutral.

Austin's mouth fell open as recognition came to her, and she questioned: "Director Fury?"

What was he doing there? She knew him through Tony, of course, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. appearing at a few of Tony's functions, and she had heard Coulson mention him, as well. Director Fury had even introduced himself to their mother, wishing to know the woman who one of his best agents was interested in.

"Austin, please," Fury commanded, keeping his single-eyed gaze intently focused on Lee, who had not moved an inch, and whose grin hadn't disappeared...only grown.

Austin's heart beat in fear now as she stared back at the director, before she allowed her gaze to travel once more to Lee, who was already looking at her, something pleading in those green, green eyes. "Tell me, Austin, do you trust me?" he asked in a hushed voice, one black eyebrow rising, though there was no humor in his tone, even if that grin was still present.

"I want to," Austin replied, because it was true, her mouth feeling suddenly dry.

She had no idea why director Fury was there, why his men were pointing guns at Lee, why Lee had lied to her in the way he had, but obviously there was more going on here than she currently understood. But what? She wanted to know the truth, and she wanted to trust Lee to give it to her – trust that whatever friendship they had formed actually meant something to him; unlike he had wished her to believe.

The secret in the back of her mind felt closer than ever now, and she wanted to reach out and grasp it, to pull it into being. Her heart was tugging upon her again, once more pulling her towards Lee, as if there wasn't anywhere else she should be.

Lee's grin dimmed a bit, as did the life in his eyes, as he nodded. He seemed to be attempting to come towards acceptance – of what, she wasn't sure. But he appeared determined as he told her quietly: "Then tightly hold onto me, and do not let go. Close your eyes, and do not open them until I say so," the words a command as he cast an arrogant grin Fury's way, waiting for her to comply.

Austin did, almost without thinking about it. She wrapped her arms about him tightly, assaulted by a scent that was so distinct and heady she was sure she would never forget it. She interlocked her hands and then closed her eyes, whispering softly that she was ready.

Or was she?

Austin suddenly found herself hit by the strangest of sensations: she felt as if she were simultaneously being pulled apart and compressed, as if she were being gutted and yet handled gently. She shivered, viciously cold and yet burning with heat. She felt nausea hit her the same time as dizziness did. She wished for it to end, and yet never end, and then—

"You may open your eyes now, dearest," Lee said, his voice a rumble in his chest that she was pressed so tightly against, and with a large bit of effort Austin did just that.

Her eyes opened, the odd feelings left, and she saw over Lee's shoulder...the interior of her father's trailer.

Terror was the first emotion to make itself known, as Austin stumbled back from Lee and grabbed the nearest thing she could to defend herself: a lamp; the shade fell off. Lee made no motion to stop her, and a chuckle left his lips when she brandished the makeshift weapon, her eyes wide in fright, her body shaking.

Lee tilted his head to the side, and immediately Austin noticed that now he had an entirely different air, reminiscent of that grin she had seen. Whatever he had been hiding, it was unlocked now, free to be shown to the world. "I have just transported us across miles, to your father's pitiful excuse for an abode, and you hope to defeat with me with...that?" he asked mirthfully, indicating the lamp with his chin, obviously amused.

"It makes me feel better," Austin hissed, still shaking, though she was not entirely angry, but in awe and shock and uncertainty.

Lee shrugged, and somehow made the motion look princely. "Fair enough," he told her.

Austin's mind reeled, as she took in everything that had happened, all in a few short breaths.

He had just...transported them? Why had he brought them here – and, more pressing perhaps, how had Lee done it? Austin had closed her eyes and trusted him, and now she was beginning to regret that she had done either.

When she had hoped for Lee to tell her the truth, when she had placed her trust in him fully, even in the face of Fury and all safe logic, she had not expected this. This was beyond what she had hoped or feared, beyond the scope of anything she could have expected.

This was terrifying, something that should not have been possible, let alone actually happened. Austin had seen Tony fly as Iron-Man, had seen super-villains rise and fall, but this was...otherworldly. Lee had shuttled the two of them from one place to another, and he wasn't even breaking a sweat; in fact, he appeared all too pleased with himself – amused, even, as if this were nothing more than a joke.

Was it?

Suddenly, Austin felt very, very cold, the kind of coldness that promised she would never be warm again.

Silence stretched across the small trailer before suddenly the words tumbled out of Austin's mouth, little more than a whisper: "Who are you?" she asked darkly, eyes narrowing as her grip on the lamp tightened.

Not: "how did you do that", or even "where did you come from". No, there was something more important in the fact of who he was...and who he wasn't.

Lee was gone now, forever gone; perhaps he had never existed at all.

The figure who once was Lee allowed silence to reign for another moment, before his grin curved just a bit more, and he adopted a superior air that made Austin distinctly sick, placing her back into her old status of plaything. "You have been writing about me for days, and yet you still have failed to recognize me?" not-Lee questioned, the question rhetorical, and then it hit Austin, like a powerful wind—

Not Lee.

Loki.

How could she have been so blind? Or...how could she have allowed herself to believe his lies?

Maybe she hadn't believed them, and had been hiding from the truth for her own sake, not wishing to acknowledge it.

The hidden truth, something even beyond Lee being Loki, stirred once more in Austin's subconscious, but there was still a wall between it and her waking mind; it was not yet time.

"You really are Loki," the words tumbled from Austin's mouth, her tongue too loose, just as the lamp fell from her grip, thankfully missing her feet. The lamp clattered to the floor with a loud noise, but it did not break the tension. Not-Lee nodded, before suddenly a hazy green light appeared about him, and then vanished, leaving him wearing a different ensemble than before – black and green and golden and leather, not something a normal human would wear, not something that appeared as though it had come from her world. "I can't believe I'm so entirely stupid," she said, disbelieving.

Her father had been trying to warn her all this time! The books, the hints, everything had been offered to her to get her to see the truth, and she hadn't – or worse, she had ignored it.

But, perhaps more disturbing: what had Loki been planning all this time? Was she really nothing more than a plaything, a fish in a glass bowl?

Austin felt even sicker when thinking these things, weak, as if she suddenly might collapse.

He had probably even read her book – her book about him, both fictional and real – behind her back! Somehow the idea of that was more mortifying than not being intelligent enough to figure out who he really was.

Loki scoffed, frowning at her words. "Stupid is not a term I would use to describe you," he said, sounding nearly angry or frustrated for a moment, before he covered the emotion over with malice. "But yes, concerning who I am, you are correct. Surprise," that last word didn't sound like one he would use, but the way he sneered when saying it made Austin think he was making fun of something, or someone.

Thoughts raced through her mind, things she needed to know, but the next question she uttered was: "Why are you here?" as she tried to back away, running into her father's couch, wondering if she really wanted to know or not.

She should simply run – run from the trailer, run from Loki, run from her life. She should start entirely anew; forget everything from the last few days. She should forget she ever saw 'Lee' or the strange glowing cube. Maybe she should give up on her father, too, if he were somehow linked with the trickster.

But if Austin did any of these things, then she would fail to be who she was.

And so she waited for Loki's answer with bated breath, not moving an inch. A battle was playing in her mind, in her heart, in this room, and it began and ended with her steadfastness.

"It is really quite simple," when he saw that she was serious, that she wouldn't try and run (as if he wouldn't catch her!), Loki spoke, that air of superiority remaining, though there was something in his green gaze opposite it. He clasped his hands behind his back as he chuckled, nose turning up at her with distinct snobbishness. "It is my intention to rule this world, you see. Your father was simply a tool, a means to an end, as were you," he grinned then, and that grin caused the blood to drain from her face. "It was his idea to conceal the truth from you, or you would have been brought to misery long ago. I've enjoyed watching him run in circles in his attempts to protect you. Mortals can be quite entertaining," he said, another chuckle leaving him, deep and dark and dangerous.

As he spoke, Austin watched him with an intensity that even she was perhaps not aware of, keeping close vigilance upon his eyes, and what they displayed. When he finished speaking, she sighed, all of the tension (or most of it) disappearing as she told him plainly: "You're lying."

He wasn't lying about wanting to rule, and that scared her. He wasn't lying about her father being a tool, and that worried her. But he was lying about her part in everything.

He was lying.

Loki judged her expression, searching for signs that she was bluffing, before his vicious air disappeared, and his grin became a satisfied smile, as if he were somehow proud of her, though there lurked an edge of worry in his gaze. "Again, I underestimate your perception, it seems," he told her, and that was really all she needed to hear.

At least something had been real, though that didn't excuse everything else he had just told her, about her world and his plans for it. Austin could feel an argument building, for she did not intend to remain silent about these plans, but for now she simply wanted to rejoice in the fact that out of everything, his perception of her was not a lie—

Which meant that he had to have cared about her, just as she cared about him.

Without thinking, Austin rushed forward and threw her arms around the rogue god, somehow gracefully managing not to trip on the lamp, feeling Loki stiffen as she hugged him tightly, burying her face in the odd, leathery ensemble he wore. It was several minutes before he responded by placing his hands gently upon her waist, and Austin wondered then when was the last time he had truly been hugged.

A small laugh escaped her lips, though the situation was hardly humorous, the sound somewhat muffled by the trickster's clothing. "For the record, I am not okay with world domination or your using my father as a tool," she told him, though she did not move, did not let him go.

Loki responded with a chuckle of his own as he told her: "I assumed as much. Will you be slapping me, as Miss Foster did?" and abruptly Austin's mind provided another truth.

Jane.

"It was you, wasn't it – the crash, I mean?" Austin said as she pulled back slightly, looking up into Loki's green, green gaze, which she had never seen quite so closely before; those eyes were luminous, alien.

Something tentative broke, and Loki released her, stepping back, appearing guarded; she allowed him to step away, expecting it, though there was a sense of hurt as he recoiled. "Yes," he told her seriously, hopefully refraining from lying because he cared for her, not because he knew it was a useless venture. The darkness of certainty crept over him as he told her: "This story cannot have a happy ending, Austin – surely you understand that," his words final, without room for debate.

Austin opened her mouth to argue...before she abruptly shut it, because she did understand. He didn't need to explain.

Loki was correct – their story couldn't have a happy ending, not only because she disagreed with his plans, disagreed with dominion and using her father for his own ends, but because she was mortal.

Loki knew this, perhaps understanding it more than she did. Was that why he had tried so hard to push her away, to lie to her, to make her hate him? Is that what he wanted?

Austin didn't believe so, from the look in his eyes, but she also didn't believe that she could argue his point without being cruel.

She was mortal, and though a hundred years, if that, seemed impossibly long to her, far away, it was nothing compared to the lifespan of Loki's kind. If she were to argue his point, to argue that they could possibly pursue some form of a relationship, it would be out of selfishness on her part, because in the end, she wouldn't be the one left alone, with memories of something beautiful yet fleeting...

And Austin wasn't a cruel person; she couldn't force herself to be, even for something she truly desired such as this.

The words came slowly, and they shook when they left her mouth, but she said them all the same. "I...understand. I'm sure I can't change your mind about the other things, and even if I argue I can't imagine you'd see things my way, coming from such different places as we do. But," she took in a deep breath, and dared to tell him: "I'm going to do everything in my power to try and stop you from succeeding, Loki."

And she meant it. She had already planned to leave, before discovering the truth, to stay with Tony, so maybe she could help her friend prepare, plan for what was to come. Loki wasn't stupid enough to detail any of his plans, but the mere knowledge that he planned to overtake their world was something to build off of, as was his connection to her father; and she knew him so well, even after such a short time.

She wasn't giving up on him, not as a person, and she wasn't giving up on her world. She didn't want his plans to come to pass, but she didn't want to hurt him, either.

Something stirred inside of Austin when she thought this, but it died just as quickly as it awoke.

"I always welcome a challenge," Loki told her, grin returning, eyes gleaming, though he added with deathly seriousness: "However, I must ask of you one thing: that you do not place yourself in unnecessary danger. I am aware of where you plan to go, and contrary to belief it may be the safest place for you, surrounded by ingenuity. Come to think of it – it would be better if we were never to see one another again, as well," he said this quietly, barely whispered it.

Austin's heart constricted, but she bit her lip to hold back tears and nodded her assent.

She feared that Loki meant someone might come after her if they discovered her connection to him, but she pushed the thought aside, both confident that he would do all he could to prevent it, and that she and Tony could handle it if something were to arise.

A moment of silence hung in the air, and Austin felt moisture beginning to gather in her eyes, though she had fought it; it was the first sign of tears.

She swallowed thickly, not wishing to be seen crying again. She didn't want that to be his last image of her. "So, I suppose this is goodbye, then," she told him, not knowing what else to say.

If she were to tell him how much she cared for him, would that cause him even more pain in the future? She was sure that he knew, but...

Austin's tears disobeyed her, spilling over onto her cheeks, just as she tightened her hands into fists at her sides, willing the sadness to stop, to wait until she was alone to be unleashed.

Loki stepped forward before Austin realized it, her vision blurred by tears as it was, one long, pale finger brushing a tear away as he said solemnly: "So, I've caused tears once again," before he took her face in his hands, leaned down, and kissed her.

To say that the world melted away, or that time stopped, or any such related sentiment would be to disrespect the moment that Austin allowed herself to fully exist within when Loki's lips touched hers. It was a private moment, both a sorrowful and happy moment, and when it was over of course it was over too soon — and yet at the same time, both parties were content on a level that they hadn't expected.

Perhaps each of their hearts knew that this was not the end, even if, in that moment, their heads did not.

For a moment Austin did not dare to leave, to move, to breathe. She stared up into Loki's green gaze once he pulled away, and then she made her decision: she would tell him after all. She was sure he already knew, but words had always been her thing.

"I hope you know that I love you," when she said those words, they were perhaps the most honest words she had ever spoken, no hint of regret tingeing them.

Loki smiled slightly at her, a heartbreaking smile. "I am aware," he told her, and though he didn't repeat the words back, she could see them in that green gaze of his; perhaps, for such a habitual liar, words really didn't mean much at all.

Austin committed that look to memory, locking it away inside of her, before she said one more goodbye, turned on her heel, and walked out.

She did not look back, though she fiercely wished to. Her last memory of Loki was of him smiling slightly, with brilliant eyes that said what words could not.

Erik Selvig arrived at his home some time later to find the door already open, a rogue god, fully dressed in his traditional Asgardian garbs, standing in the middle of what could be considered the trailer's living room, staring off into space, and looking as though he had been there quite a while. Erik was surprised to find that Loki did not greet him – sneer at him, taunt him, etc. – when he walked into the trailer; Loki didn't even move, didn't acknowledge him, though Erik was sure the trickster knew he was there. Sensing that something had changed, that some big event had taken place, Erik placed his things upon the floor before walking into his small kitchen to brew a cup off coffee that would (hopefully) help him through whatever was to come.

It was in the kitchen that he found Austin's letter, and it was in the kitchen that he cried silently while reading it. For once, he did not lament over his faults, did not berate himself; instead he marveled at how understanding his daughter was, and how strong as a result. She had not learned that from him, and in that way she had surpassed him.

He guessed what had transpired all on his own.

"You knew how she would react – did Jane tell you? I'm sure if she did, she begged you to leave Austin be, but you were planning on that anyway. You manipulated her into leaving to protect her, didn't you?" when Erik spoke his voice was strong, perhaps the first time it had been strong when he'd spoken to Loki, and there was a twinge of gratefulness in it.

Finally, Austin would be safe (or, as safe as she could be in their dangerous world). And in the end, it had not been Erik who had sent her away, but Loki himself. Austin had made the choice, but he had helped.

Erik knew precisely what that meant, and maybe there was some part of him that was grateful for that, too.

Erik turned from the letter to look at Loki, who was paying attention to him now, expression superior and controlled once more. "Yes," he said simply, that single word exuding force.

"I think I may hate you a bit less now," Erik replied, a small, short laugh accompanying the confession, though Loki did not appear at all amused.

Of course. Erik was no Austin, but that was alright. Erik was finally at the point where he was less afraid of Loki, because Austin was out of the way now; he had nothing to be afraid for. He had to live with his choices, and do what he could. He would not stop trying to protect Austin, but he could not take his choices back, and that was alright.

Everything would turn out well in the end, wouldn't it?

Erik wasn't certain why, but he felt that it would. Perhaps working closely with the Tesseract had led him to hope for the seemingly impossible, because the seemingly impossible existed before his very eyes.

Loki smiled a small, cruel smile, and inwardly Erik sighed. "The feeling is not mutual, Doctor," he said, before adding: "Prepare yourself, there is still much still to be done," before abruptly he disappeared, leaving Erik alone once again.

Erik turned back towards the letter still held in his hand, and felt the warmth of his daughter's love exuding from it, as if it were magical.

Yes, everything would be alright in the end – but there was a long way to go before then.

Hello, everyone! I'm really sorry this took so long to get finished. I was going to update before New Year's, but unfortunately I ended up needing oral surgery, and recovery has taken a while.

Thank you so much to everyone who has stuck with this story! I know it's been a long time coming, but here is the ending. I am uploading a prologue, so please look for that.

Best Wishes,

~Cross