Finkle

He was driving me a little nuts, but in a good way. Nick and I ended up spending the rest of the weekend back at his place, getting used to each other's little idiosyncrasies and habits. Luckily we were compatible on things like coffee, (one sugar, LOTS of cream) and television viewing habits. (History Channel, SyFy network) Nick Fury was not a born snuggler but he was getting into the habit of wrapping an arm around me if we were on the sofa, and I appreciated it.

We didn't talk much, just spent time hanging out together. I had my laptop and caught up on some email and data entry for my records while Nick occasionally disappeared downstairs to S.H.I.E.L.D. HQ and came back up the final time with a bag of Italian subs from the deli down the street. I explored his place, getting to know the layout and the décor, amused at how very Fury it all was.

African art from Benin, Egyptian cotton sheets and pillowcases in rich cream tones to complement the polished teak furniture in the bedroom—I tell you, the colonel had invested in his personal goods and it showed. I might have been intimidated by this except I saw other things too, like how empty his fridge was, and how musty most of the civilian clothes hanging in the back of his closet were.

It all said 'solitary' to me, and I wanted to be gentle with him.

I admit I was also keeping an eye out for traces of other women, but there was nothing blatant—a few bobby pins in a bathroom drawer was about all I found without being a full-on snoop. All in all, Nick Fury was definitely a man on his own.

But it was good. And in bed, I simply couldn't get enough of him. Out in the real world he might be Colonel Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D, but in my arms and between my hips he was just Nick, or Nick darling, or sweetheart.

Second night together—Saturday—I made him take off his eye patch. I could tell he didn't want to, but I was quietly persistent, reminded him I was a doctor. Fury gave a sigh and slipped it off, looking wary. The scars were long and the lid sagged over the milky surface of his blind eye, but I didn't flinch. I ran my fingers over the rim of the socket and let my palm cup his cheekbone.

That led to a kiss . . . a really good one, sensual and romantic all rolled up together. I guess I was the first person to see Nick's uncovered face in a long time. It meant a lot to him; I know I appreciated his trust.

By Sunday afternoon though, it was time to go. I wasn't going to make a big deal out of it, especially since both of us had things to do before work on Monday. I packed up my overnight bag and would have slipped out the door but he pulled me into his arms and held me close. "No. no damned walk of shame out of here, Josie. I'm taking you home."

I didn't argue.

I also slept like the dead, which I needed since I'd been um, up most of the last two nights. Monday, I got into work a little late and found Phil holding a cup of coffee out to me as he leaned against the door of the infirmary.

"Thanks," I told him, sipping it gratefully.

"You're welcome," he told me in that quiet little way he has. "When you have a moment, Thor would like to speak with you."

I nodded and got busy with my morning routine, feeling pleasantly achy and downright smug at times as I looked in on the few patients we had and checked on the test results for Cynara. An hour later I left the infirmary and made my way out to the tall blonde figure lingering near the big front windows of the helicarrier. I wanted to look around and see a tall bald figure but restrained myself admirably.

"Thor?" I murmured, coming up to join him. We were on the water, so the view was nice but not quite as spectacular as when airborne.

"Wise woman Josie," he rumbled, "it is good to see you."

"Thanks, you too," I told him. Usually Thor's pretty sunny but today he looked worried, so I got right to the point. "What's up?"

Of course he glanced skyward, then saw my expression and smirked slightly. "You wish to know my thoughts and they are that I am worried about Cynara Sigyn-Laufeyson. She is neither Asgardian nor completely Jotunn. I fear for her lying-in time."

This was a reasonable fear for most men, and Thor had a point here—Cynara's pregnancy was already unique, and although things were proceeding well, I'd already spotted a few anomalies that I wanted to keep an eye on, like her lower than normal body temperature.

I gave a nod. "I understand. This is different for me too, but from what I've seen and checked, all the human, er, Midgardian aspects are doing well."

"That is good," Thor agreed solemnly. "My mother has sent tinctures and a scroll of healer's writings to assist. And of course the birth must happen in Asgard."

"Whoa," I murmured and caught Thor's slightly guilty look. "Must? I don't think your side of the family can dictate that sort of thing."

"They are gods; they are not used to being questioned," Thor replied, which was both an apology and explanation all in one. "It will be safer for Midgard."

"That remains to be seen," I countered, half-intrigued, half-appalled at the idea of going off-planet to assist in the birth. "How does Cynara feel about this . . . demand?"

"She does not yet know," Thor admitted, shamefaced. "I have not delivered my mother's request."

I laughed; I couldn't help it. Here was the living embodiment of a Norse god and he was clearly caught between two strong-willed women, knowing he couldn't please them both. Sort of a sitcom of Asgardian proportions as it were. For a moment Thor sulked, but gradually he gave in to my amusement and grinned himself, his sheepish expression making me laugh again.

"I can be there when you make the request, if you'd like. Not that I support it per se, but it's the sort of thing that should be hashed out as part of the birth plan I suppose," I reassured him. "What does Loki think?"

Looking relieved, Thor shrugged. "I have not seen him since I brought him back to Asgard, although my mother has. He will probably agree since he knows we would defend mother and child to the last warrior."

Fury

I watched Finkle chat with Thor down by the windows. Not staring at them; just glancing over once in a while, between scans of the computer feeds on the main platform. Most of the helicarrier was back in working order, and we were spending a lot of time delivering equipment to the New Mexico facility while ground crews dug it out and made assessments. Gonna cost taxpayers a fair chunk, even with Stark's donations, but in terms of budget, we've been moved up in priority. In a backhanded way the threat of alien invasion has helped the economy, but you won't hear me say that out loud.

So Thor and Finkle were looking cozy down front and I was debating on how much longer to wait before breaking that up when Hill came striding over. "Sir, we've just gotten visual confirmation of Loki at Outpost Nord."

"By himself?"

"So far," Hill agreed. "We're still scanning, just in case."

I nodded. Hill's got a touch of paranoia that makes her perfect for S.H.I.E.L.D. "Keep me up-to-date then. Probably a . . . conjugal visit."

She winced, and I suspect I did too; none of us were thrilled with Special Technician Sigyn-Laufyson's arrangement, but the compromise was the best we could do for the moment. Frankly the idea that he had the freedom to pop in and out galled the fuck out of me, but since I was still his wife's employer I had that tiny bit of leverage.

It's a good thing I'm fairly patient. I waited until there was a natural break in the conversation down below and sauntered my way over, ostensibly to deliver the news about Loki, but really to find out what the hell Thor said that made Finkle flash her dimples at him.

Her dimples.

Seriously?

Thor looked to me as I approached. "Fury."

"Thor. Seems that your brother is back in town." Now I had everyone's attention and I risked a peek at Finkle, who was pink.

"With his Sigyn?"

"Currently. Doctor Finkle."

"Colonel," she murmured. "Any chance of seeing him and getting a medical profile?"

"I could arrange for a transport to take you up there," I agreed. The Helicarrier was tied up for the next three days, but getting Finkle back to Canada wouldn't be too difficult. "Are you going too?" That last was to Thor.

Big man made a face. "I suppose I must deliver the . . . request soon," he sighed.

"What request?" Me, I don't like the term 'request' since that's the bullshit word the council uses when they're trying to strong-arm me into something stupid.

So the two of them filled me in on the 'request' and I didn't say anything as I weighed the pros and cons of Asgard's ukase for a long moment.

Pro: Having the joyous event off Earth would take us out of the line of fire.

Con: Having the joyous event in Asgard would give Odin and company one up in claiming Special Technician Sigyn-Laufeyson and child as one of their own. Not something particularly advantageous to S. H.I.E.L.D.

Pro: Given the bizarre genetics going on, having Special Technician Sigyn-Laufeyson in the care of folks more familiar with what might or might not be normal seemed smart.

Con: Special Technician Sigyn-Laufeyson was still predominantly human and had already picked a caregiver that I wasn't about to let off the planet.

Pro: Considering who else Loki might have made as an enemy, having a pantheon on our side looked like the smart move.

Con: Loki would probably rather dress in a French maid costume and wait hand and foot on the Avengers before ever siding with anyone from Asgard.

I shrugged. "Good thing the decision's out of my hands then. Just keep me informed of whatever the outcome is."

Thor looked like a man with a mouthful of wasabi. "Surely the noble warriors of Earth-"

"—know better than to get in the way of two strong-minded women," I finished. "Look, you both know it's gonna come down to mama versus Grandmama, and all we can do is wait until it happens."

Finkle was grinning now, and Thor gave a nod. "There is much truth in your words. I will pass on the message."

"Good. Doctor, if I could have a word with you," I told Finkle, and started for the elevator.

I didn't say anything until the doors had closed and I'd hit the monitor override. "Just so you know, there's no way in hell I'm letting you off this planet."

"Good morning to you too," she shot back, grinning at me. Sometimes the woman is exasperating. "I'm hoping it doesn't come to that either, but we need to keep in mind what's best for the mother and child, Nick. I'm already concerned about her temperature, which is already about five degrees lower than average. I really need to talk to the baby's father."

"Loki. Not my favorite person," I grunted. Since the monitoring off I pulled her into my arms, too damned aware of how little time we had before the elevator stopped. "Thor's going with you; wish I could send Cap too, but Coulson will have to do."

"I'm not afraid of Loki," Finkle told me, and went up on tiptoes to kiss me. Sweet little kiss, made that much nicer by the grope I got in on her ass.

"You will be," I predicted, and kissed her once more before letting go. "Man's crazier than a sack of honey badgers on crack. Gonna issue you that Glock. Use it if you need to. I mean that, Jo-seph-ine."