Chapter 10: Secrets Uncovered

******The Next Day******

Buffy woke up with warm arms wrapped around her. She blinked in surprise. Then she remembered and turned. The perfect chiseled face of Steve's was facing her. It been ages since she'd woken up with a man. Grinning, she traced his perfect jaw line. He'd been gentle and sweet the first time. Then hungry and passionate the second and third. He was perfect.

Buffy frowned. She always found a way to mess things up, or they fell apart without any help from her. Since she and Steve would probably be working together, it wouldn't be good if things were tense or bitter. It was best she not get carried away. She didn't know what this was. Had the night meant anything to him? Or was she just the first woman who he didn't have to worry about hurting physically?

Deciding to slip out of bed without waking him, she started to move away. Then his arms tightened. He was awake.

"Where do you think you're going, doll?" he asked with a sleepy smile. His eyes opened, and he gazed at her. The date had been one of the best of his life. She was amazing. He never wanted to let her go. Before she could reply, he was kissing her.

Naturally, that's when Buffy heard her sister's voice call out, "Buffy! Wake up! I have major news!"

Steve pulled back, smiling at her. "Your sister has horrible timing," he whispered.

"Tell me about it," she grumbled as she sat up, clutching the sheet against her naked body. However, before either of them could get out of the bed, Buffy's bedroom door opened.

Buffy wasn't sure who was more shocked, her or Dawn. It'd been years since Dawn had so rudely invaded her privacy. For Dawn, who had all of Atali's memories and maturity, this was the most humiliating experience of her human adult life. Buffy had been single so long that it hadn't even occurred to Dawn that she might have someone in her bed with her. The fact that it was Captain America, arguably the greatest single man on the planet, made it even worse.

"Dawn!" Buffy yelled.

"Oh God! I'm so sorry!" Dawn exclaimed, cringing and holding up her hand to cover her eyes. "I didn't know you had company."

"If you'd bothered to knock, I would've told you not to come in!" Buffy fumed.

Dawn quickly shut the door, stepping back into the hallway. "I'm so sorry! I just couldn't think past the fact that my brother told me that the First is on Asgard," she yelled through the door. "I knew you'd want to know."

"What?" Buffy asked in disbelief, jumping naked from the bed. Thought of clothes far from her mind. She opened the door and faced her sister. "Say that again."

Dawn blinked at her, surprised to see her completely nude. "Are you going to put on some clothes?" she asked.

"You and Steve have both seen me naked. Tell me," Buffy ordered.

Steve was bare-chested, but he decided to stay put while the bedroom door was going to stay open. Buffy reached down on the floor and stepped into her panties without embarrassment. "Speak, Dawn. You interrupted us. Now I'm not thinking anymore about making out with my honey here, so explain."

Steve grinned in amusement. He'd not seen Buffy like this before. Like all other sides of her, he was very attracted. He remained silent but didn't hesitate to watch Buffy dress. He was only human after all.

"Loki told me that the First has been making appearances in Asgard. I think it's using my brother somehow," Dawn said worriedly.

"What's the First? The first what?" Steve asked in confusion.

"The First Evil," Buffy said. She gave him an apologetic look. "Sorry about this, Steve. This is slayer business. I'll take Dawn into the living room while you dress."

Steve found her easy dismissal of him amusing but wasted no time in getting dressed.

"So who is this Karnilla?" Buffy was asking when he joined them.

"She's the Norn Queen, a very powerful sorceress. Some say one of the most powerful in the Nine Realms," Dawn said.

"What have I missed?" Steve asked.

"It seems that the First has been trying to manipulate Loki, who claims he saw through it and was amused," Buffy said, rolling her eyes. "However, this witch..."

"Sorceress," Dawn corrected.

"What's the diff?" Buffy asked.

"A witch like Willow serves the earth while a sorceress has magic that can often be taught. They serve themselves. They can be either good or evil," Dawn said.

"And this woman is involved how?" Steve asked.

"We're not exactly sure. She approached Loki and said she had done what he requested. He didn't know what she was talking about," Dawn shared.

"So he claims," Buffy said doubtfully.

"He wouldn't lie to me. Others, maybe, but not me," Dawn said with conviction.

"What do you think this Karnilla has done?" Steve asked, deciding not to waste time arguing about Loki's trustworthiness.

"She was really amused that Loki seemed so confused and said he was a pawn and didn't know it," Dawn shared.

"Something that can manipulate your brother, a genius and magician in his own right, is something we should be very concerned about," Steve said grimly. "Fury should be informed."

"Why?" Buffy asked. "In no way does this concern him. It's not an earth problem. It's an Asgard problem and my problem. Willow and I did the impossible and defeated the First. It'll want some payback. Asgard is now connected to me, so it can't be a coincidence."

"I'm going to go find Thor and get him back to Asgard. He needs to be ready. Trouble is coming to Asgard," Dawn said.

"If the First is involved, trouble is already there," Buffy said grimly. "Make sure he understands what he'll be facing."

Dawn nodded and opened a portal. "I'll come back to get you as soon as I can. Get Willow in the loop," Dawn suggested.

Buffy nodded and watched her leave. Then she turned to Steve, giving him a regretful look. "I'm really sorry about this," she said.

"Me, too," he said. "I wish I could go with you, but I know Fury needs me. Plus, I want to make sure Bucky's getting the help he needs."

"I have Willow keeping tabs on him," Buffy said. "No offense, but I don't really trust Fury."

"I understand. He's not always honest," Steve said. "You'll let me know if you need more help?"

"I always have enough help. Thor has his army, don't forget," she said with a smirk.

Steve chuckled and pulled her close. "I had a really great time," he told her as he gazed down at her.

"So did I," Buffy said, giving him a shy smile. He towered over her, and she didn't have her shoes on. "I'm so short."

"You're perfect," he said, bending down to kiss her as she reached up on her toes to kiss him back.

"I could get used to this," she said when he finally broke off the kiss that was quickly becoming more heated.

Steve cupped her cheek, rubbing his thumb gently over her lip. "I hope so. When you get back, I would like to see you again," he told her.

"So this is the beginning of something?" Buffy asked.

"I would really like that," Steve said, meaning it. This was a woman that could actually fit into his crazy life. She understood commitment to a cause greater than herself. She understood sacrifice.

Buffy was beaming up at him when Dawn returned. "Seriously? You guys are still at it?" she teased.

"Hey, we kept our clothes on!" Buffy said with a pout. "He was just saying goodbye."

Buffy pulled him down for another quick peck on the lips before stepping back.

"You guys be safe," Steve said before leaving.

"Buffy, you are telling me everything!" Dawn ordered after he closed the front door.

Buffy just gave her a satisfied smile. Then she winced. "Crap. I forgot to call Willow!" she said.

She went next door to see if Willow was home. Her best friend answered the door. Buffy filled her in.

"The First is back to his old tricks," Willow said sourly. "I'm not sure I should leave right now, though. Between work and helping Fury and Bucky, my plate's pretty full."

"No worries. I just wanted to tell you that I'm leaving. Can you tell Tony? I've been off more than working lately," Buffy said with a sigh.

"Well, I wouldn't worry too much about Tony. He doesn't really need a bodyguard anyway. He's got those suits to respond to his mental commands now," Willow said.

"So Steve just left," Buffy said with a smug grin.

It took Willow a minute to get what Buffy was telling her. "What? Oh my goddess! He stayed the night? You two did the wild thing? Was it awesome? Of course, it was awesome! He's so fit! Oh my goddess! What does this mean? Are you a couple? Is he your special friend? Boyfriend? Boy toy?" she gushed.

"Will, take a breath," Buffy said with a grin. "It was one of the best nights of my life. He wants to date me, I guess. He said he'll take me out to dinner when we return."

"That's amazing, Buffy!" Willow gushed. "I was kind of rooting for the dark horse, Clint. But it's his loss. Steve is a great guy, so it's not like you're losing anything."

"Clint and I weren't meant to be," Buffy acknowledge. "I hope he finds the woman he's looking for. Now it's time for you to find someone. Nat maybe?"

"I like her, but she's so full of secrets and intrigue. Could I ever really trust her?" Willow pointed out.

"Good point," Buffy said. The front door opened. It was Dawn. "You still don't know how to knock, do you?"

Dawn rolled her eyes. What was it about her sister that made her so childish? "Willow doesn't care. She never knocked at our house in Sunnydale," Dawn pointed.

"She lived there," Buffy countered.

"I'm talking about before then," Dawn said, getting frustrated. "I'm sorry. Gee. Can you chill already? Are you ready to go? I left Xander with the Warriors and Sif. There's no telling what trouble they'll get him in to."

"I'm ready," Buffy said determinedly.

*****Asgard******

Dawn or Atali as she is called on Asgard had left Xander with Lady Sif, who promised to take good care of him. This, of course, insulted Xander. He was a grown man who had been taking pretty good care of himself his entire life. Sure, he nearly died a lot of times, but that was usually slaying related. Now that Dawn had gotten her Asgard memories back, she often treated him like she was responsible for him. It was as irritating as hell. One of the things he'd always liked about their relationship was that he was older, and she treated him like an adult. Now she was treating him more like Willow and Buffy always treated him. It was one thing to have his best friends act that way—he'd understood when he was a fragile human. However, having his girlfriend do the same thing was not cool at all. This made him more determined than ever to get control of his new body and become a better fighter.

Fighting seemed to be hardwired into the Asgards. He glanced at the very beautiful and somewhat intimidating Lady Sif. She was so serious, so focused. Xander knew a lot of women, and she didn't remind him of any of them. They were in one of the fighting rooms in the castle. Xander didn't try to keep up with all the rooms.

When she brought Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun in to join them, he relaxed. Now these guys he understood. Volstagg was his favorite because he was always laughing. Xander figured he'd laugh if he was dying. He had to be the most fun-loving fighter Xander had ever met. The contrast was startling to see when he was next to the more serious Hogun and Lady Sif. Fandral was smooth and more like how Xander wish he could be. Cordy would've loved him. They all were very close and treated Lady Sif with both affection and respect. It was like Xander with the Scoobies but more intense and scary.

"So, Xander, the incomparable Lady Sif tells us that you would like to fight alongside us," Fandral said with a mischievous twinkle in his eye.

"Dawn—Atali—thinks it would be a good way for me to learn my limitations. I was fighting with Captain America yesterday and got shot and electrocuted. But I'm fine," Xander said. "She worries too much."

"Yes, that is the nature of women," Fandral said.

"Oh really?" Lady Sif inquired, raising an eyebrow.

Fandral quickly added, "Most women, my lady. There are none your equal, of course."

"So what is your weapon of choice?" Hogun asked.

"Whatever's handy," Xander said with a shrug. "An ax, a crossbow, a sword, a gun. I've used them all."

"Maybe I can help," a voice behind them said. They turned to see Lady Frigga and Loki. Loki was holding a really wicked looking sword.

The men and Sif all bowed when Frigga approached. "Should I bow? Is that like the law? Because you know Americans don't really do that," Xander said, feeling awkward.

"You're an Asgard now, and she is your queen," Loki said sternly.

Xander grinned unrepentantly and imitated Fandral's deep bow. "How's this?"

"That's fine, gentlemen, Sif," Frigga said, waving her hands. "I'm not one for ceremony when not in the throne room."

"So what's with the sword?" Xander asked, looking at the one Loki was holding. "I didn't know you used a sword. I thought magic was your thing."

"It is, and I don't," Loki said. "This is a gift from my mother."

"It's for you, Xander," Frigga said. "I made it for you. Loki and I imbued it with magical properties. It's deflects magical attacks and should cut through anything." Frigga knew that it wouldn't be easy for the former human to adapt to their ways. She wanted him to feel at home when he was here because she knew the man was central to Atali's happiness.

Loki presented it to Xander, who took it in awe. He had his own magic sword. How cool was that? "That's so nice of you guys! Thanks!" he said, excited to have cool weapon of his own.

"We will have to get you a scabbard for it," Fandral said, admiring it.

Volstagg pulled out his sword with a grin. "Let's test your new blade!" he said eagerly.

Xander had spent more than one afternoon sword playing with the slayerettes, so he was not completely unprepared. However, his girls were always careful when fighting him. He honestly couldn't remember ever being treated as an equal. However, Volstagg didn't hesitate to swing his sword with all his might, trying to take off Xander's head. Surprised, Xander instinctively held up his sword to deflect. Soon the two were trading blows.

Fandral was calling out pointers. "Watch your footing. Move with your sword!" he called out.

"Don't drop your arm after a hit. Remain on guard," Lady Sif added.

"He's surprisingly adept," Loki commented after several minutes.

"He should be. He learned to fight on the mouth of hell," Buffy said, having arrived with her sister.

Loki gave the sister of his sister a wary glance. Her evil counterpart had been around so frequently that he'd ignored her appearance until Atali had come up behind her. Then he had known she was really there.

"Most unusual," Loki said. He didn't like that his sister had been sent to such a place as Sunnydale with the mouth of hell. However, he knew that the slayer was the reason she yet lived. He owed her much.

"My sister tells me that you've been having little chats with my evil doppelganger. You didn't think that was something we should know?" Buffy asked accusingly.

"Buffy," Atali warned, not liking her tone.

"Back off, Dawn!" Buffy warned. "Your brother has a lot to answer for."

"I'd like to hear about this, too," Thor said, having also just arrived. Jane was with him. She was still in awe of the place and looked more than a little unsettled. Fandral called out to Xander and Volstagg to end the sparring.

Xander saw Buffy and Dawn and walked toward them. "Hey, guys. Look at my cool new sword the queen gave me!" he said, holding it up. "It's magic!"

"You gave him a magic sword?" Buffy asked in dismay.

"No, it's not magic. It repels magical attacks," Loki clarified.

"That's handy. You can practice with Will," Buffy suggested.

Thor introduced his mother and everyone to Jane.

"It's good to see you again," Fandral said, kissing her hand.

Thor pulled her away, grinning good-naturedly. "None of that, my friend," he said.

Lady Sif put on a polite smile, ignoring her mother, who had appeared as soon as Buffy had come into the room. "See. He brings the human to insult you. He would make her his queen. See how the princess' sister fawns over her!" her mother was saying.

"Your brother was about to explain why he knew that the First was here on Asgard and said nothing," Buffy said accusingly.

"Atali told me about this entity. Is this true, Loki? Has it been appearing to you?" Thor asked in concern.

"What's going on?" Lady Sif asked, her heart beating as she began to have some suspicions.

"The First Evil is the last major foe Buffy defeated in Sunnydale. It's how we closed the hellmouth," Atali explained. "It's an ancient evil, who claims to be the reason evil exists on earth."

"How is it on Asgard?" Lady Sif asked.

"It can't directly affect events on earth, and it really hates me. Now that I'm connected here because of Dawn, I'm assuming it's wanting some payback," Buffy explained. She looked back at Loki. "So tell me how long you've known it was here and why you said nothing?"

All eyes were looking at Loki with suspicion and growing anger. Even Atali was looking at him with disappointment. It really annoyed him. "Unlike my brother, I am not rash. I do not attack without knowing all I can about my enemy," he said.

"How did it appear?" Buffy asked. "What form?"

"Yours," Loki said.

Buffy nodded. "Yeah, it seems to favor my form. Pisses me off," she said.

"It can only take on the form of someone who's died," Xander said.

"You died?" Jane asked in surprise.

"A few times," Buffy said dismissively.

"So my sister's form appears to you and you don't think I should know?" Atali asked him. "Why?"

"Because Loki always has to manipulate things to his advantage," Thor said with a frown. "Did it promise you our father's throne if you helped it?"

Atali looked shocked at the suggestion and gave Thor a disproving look. "Let's not throw around accusations," she said.

"Actually, that's exactly what we need to do," Buffy said angrily. "Your lying, sneaky brother has some powerful sorceress appearing to him saying that whatever he requested is done. He's set something in motion, and he better tell me what it is before I beat it out of him!"

The Warriors Three were liking Atali's human sister more and more. She was like a tiny, beautiful version of Thor. One without a soft spot for Loki, however. It was about time there was something strong enough and willing enough to keep the mastermind in check.

"Don't threaten my brother, Buffy," Atali said, upset.

Buffy faced her sister, her hands on her hip. "Back the hell off, Dawn! You can trust your murderous, deceitful brother all you want. However, I never will. You tell me he's been seeing the First and said nothing. He's going to tell me what I want to know or I'm going to hurt him very badly!" Buffy fumed.

"Why don't you just tell her what she wants to know?" Xander suggested, hoping to diffuse the situation. He'd been playing mediator between the sisters for years now.

"The First tried to manipulate me but failed. I saw through it from the beginning," Loki said. "She's like a bee buzzing in my ear, trying to feed my ire. That's all. There's no plot. I've not been working with her."

"It's not a her. It appears as anyone who has died. It has no real corporeal form," Buffy said. "It can use a person without them even knowing. Believe me, I've seen what it can do first hand. You cannot underestimate it!"

Lady Sif felt ill as something became abundantly clear to her. "I-I think I've seen it, too," she haltingly reveal. All eyes turned to her.

"What do you mean?" Thor asked.

Lady Sif pointed to her mother that none of them could see. "She's right there," she revealed.

*****To Be Continued*****

More exciting Asgard stuff coming up and Bucky, too. Reviews make me really thankful for all of you!