Chapter 10 : New Skills and Deal with the Frost Giants

Brigid didn't sleep all night. She still felt out of place, like an unfit puzzle piece, despite being home and back with her friend and father. After months of being desperate to get home, all she could think of now was getting back to Asgard, back to Loki. However, as she was Midgardian, the Bifrost was closed to her. Brigid knew why he left her home, but yet it hurt her that he decided to do so without her approval. One way or another, Brigid was determined to get back to Loki. She spent all night studying the books Loki had left her, paying close attention to the art of illusion. Brigid poured herself endless cups of coffee and practiced for hours creating illusions of herself, going well into the morning.

By the next week, Tony came to pick Brigid up for work. Brigid sat engrossed in her books, sipping her third cup of coffee that morning.

"Kid, you ready for work?" he asked. "I thought I'd bring you in so that, you know, you don't get kidnapped by aliens or gods or whatever."

"No need," Brigid said dismissively.

"You got a ride, or you just gonna take a day?" Tony asked.

"Kinda," Brigid said, not looking up from her book. "I'm already there."

Tony looked at Brigid as if she were a zombie. "Kid, I know you've been through a lot, but are you on anything? LSD? Pot? What's going on with you?"

For a brief moment, Brigid finally looked up from her book. "Tony, really, drugs? Do you really think so little of me now?" she asked, surprised.

"No, but I'm just worried about you, girl," Tony said, concern in his voice. "You disappear for months, and now you're back and you tell me children's stories Thor, Loki, and magic and being kidnapped like a Disney princess."

Incensed, Brigid whacked Tony with her book.

"Ow!" Tony winced. "What was that for?"

"You know very well what for!" Brigid replied angrily. "I've been telling you the truth all this time and you think I'm nuts!"

Tony sighed. "I didn't mean it like that. I am just worried about you. I don't know what's going on and it scares me."

"I'm fine, Tony," Brigid said firmly.

"Are you sure I can't give you a ride to the office?" Tony asked.

"I told you, I'm already there," Brigid said.

Tony wrinkled his brow. "Okay, kid, there's only two people who can be in two places and once: God and me, but I think that's more like one person, so me."

"Why don't you ask Happy?" Brigid asked, going back to her book.

"I think you were right about the men in white coats," Tony grumbled as he dialed his phone. "Happy, where's my Leprechaun? Is she there with you?"

"She's been here for two hours," Happy replied. "She didn't check in with you?"

"She just did," Tony said tonelessly.

He hung up and stared at Brigid. "Okay, Leprechaun. What magically delicious crap did you put in my drink?"

Brigid smiled excitedly and pointed to her book. "I've been practicing my magic," she explained. "So, I am here and yet I'm not. I'm just starting to get it down."

"Fascinating. And you made me your guinea pig," Tony said.

"Yes. I don't regret seeing as it works," Brigid said. "Lots of great scientists had their guinea pigs without their ethics, like Edison. You know he killed an elephant just to see how his electricity works? I am no different. Magic and science go hand in hand."

"You're comparing yourself to Edison?" Tony asked.

"Good God, no, he was a jerk," Brigid said in disgust. "I'd say I'm more like Tesla and Athena all in one."

"Wow, you're being modest," Tony scoffed.

"Oh, said the man who build a living monument to himself," Brigid said flatly.

"Okay, Stark Tower is only mostly me," Tony said. "It's mostly me and twelve percent Pepper Potts."

"Now who's being modest," Brigid said with a grin.

"Any other parlor tricks you wanna tell me about that you picked up while you were on vacation?" Tony joked.

"This just the beginning," Brigid said smugly.

Tony nodded. "Okay, well, I'm going to work. I'll leave you and you to whatever you're doing. Have fun."

"Oh I will," Brigid said.

An hour later, Tony arrived at Stark Tower, he was not prepared for what he found. He was startled to find Brigid, pouring over star charts, constellations, and all other gadgets and equipment.

"Kid, now you're really scaring me," Tony said, his eyes wide.

"I told you I was in two places at once," Brigid said.

Tony browsed at her star charts and other equipment. "What is this? Are you dabbling in astrophysics?"

"In a manner," Brigid said.

"I just wanna know because you're scaring me but what got you into astrophysics?" Tony asked, his brow furrowed.

"If you say so," Brigid replied. "Loki left me here with you, but all I can think of since I got back is getting back to him so I've been studying, sciencing and magicking the crap out of these stars to get back to him."

"I really hoped you wouldn't tell me it was for a guy," Tony said, feigning disappointment.

"Well, sorry to disappoint you, but that's not why I'm here," Brigid said.

"Why do you want to get back to him so bad?" Tony asked.

Brigid said nothing and simply lowered her eyes.

"Oh crap. You're sleeping with him, aren't you?" Tony asked, horrified. "My Leprechaun is sleeping with the God of Mischief!"

"No, shut up!" Brigid said defensively. "He's a good man, that's all."

"Yeah, that's code for 'sleeping with him,'" Tony jested.

"I didn't sleep with him!" Brigid said, annoyed. "When Odin kidnapped me, he was the only one who was good to me on Asgard. Thor was a self-obsessed pig, and Odin was an old fool. Loki was the only one who respected me, saw me for what good I could do."

"Sounds like you two were best buddies," Tony laughed.

"I thought we had something more, but now I'll never know until I get back to him," Brigid said sadly.

"Well, I think this is an impressive setup," Tony said in admiration.

Tony noticed a telescope over by the window. "Is that a telescope?"

"Yes. I designed it myself," Brigid said proudly. "I used some of the tech in your suit and in order to get a better view of the stars to find Asgard."

"Wow," Tony said, taken aback. "You are really desperate to get back to this guy, aren't you?"

"Yes, and funny enough, that has enhanced my genius," Brigid said with a smile.

"Your genius?" Tony questioned.

"Hey, I don't see you designing your own darn telescope," Brigid snapped.

"I'm leaving to do my own genius work," Tony said.

Tony left Brigid as she continued to study her magic as well as the stars. In some form or another, Brigid knew that she would find Loki again.

Meanwhile, in the frozen wastes of Jotunheim, a heartsick and desperate Loki stared down Laufey, King of the Frost Giants. He had already lost Brigid, he felt he had nothing else to lose. As he approached the Jotun King, it was clear he was unwelcome.

"Kill him," Laufey growled.

Loki smiled, expecting the greeting. "After all I've done for you?" he replied, feigning insult.

"So you helped the Midgardian show us the way into Asgard," Laufey said knowingly.

Loki smirked in reply. "That was just a bit of fun, really. To ruin my brother's big day. And to protect the realm from his idiotic rule a while longer."

Laufey nodded. "I will hear you."

Loki paced before the Frost Giant. "I will conceal you and a handful of your soldiers, lead you into Odin's chambers, and you can slay him where he lies."

"Why not kill him yourself?" Laufey asked suspiciously.

Loki scoffed. "I suspect the Asgardians will not take kindly to a king who had murdered his predecessor. Once Odin is dead I will return the Casket to you and you can return Jotunheim to all its...glory."

Laufey rose from the throne. "I accept."

Loki bowed with a grin before returning on the Bifrost where he was met by Heimdall, who wore a troubled look.

"What troubles you Gatekeeper?" he asked.

"I turned my gaze upon you in Jotunheim, but could neither see nor hear you," Heimdall said, disturbed. "You were shrouded from me like the Frost Giants that entered this realm."

Loki drew himself up. "Perhaps your senses have weakened after your many years of service," he said defensively.

"Or perhaps you have found a way to conceal that which you do not wish me to see," Heimdall countered.

"You have great power, Heimdall," Loki said. "Did Odin ever fear you?"

"No," Heimdall replied.

"And why is that?"

"Because he is my king and I am sworn to obey him."

"He was your king, and you're sworn to obey me now, yes?"

"Yes."

Loki stormed off but not before giving one final order. "Then you'll open the Bifrost to no one, until I can repair the damage my brother has done."

As Loki stormed off, he collapsed as he reached the throne room. All he could think of was Brigid and the pain of releasing her. He hated leaving her behind. He hated himself for leaving her. Once Loki destroyed Jotunheim, he and Brigid would be together.

A/N: Brigid is getting creative and Loki is going crazy! Poor guy! I hope you enjoyed this!