Eithne nearly fainted when she saw me. "Y-you live?"

"Nice to see you too."

Her mouth opened and closed several times before she set her jaw. "I feel I have been more than patient. We both know you are not who you say you are. No slave girl could wield such powerful weapons. Who are you, really?"

I exhaled sharply, pursing my lips in resignation. It was not that I distrusted her but I was a secretive person by nature. Still, she had led me to the scythes and had saved my skin a few times along the way. "Fine. My name is Doctor Olivia Grant. I'm not a former Roman slave and I'm not seeking vengeance on them. I come from a time in the future where Earth is being ravaged by a power hungry mad woman. She sought to turn my husband into her pawn and would have taken my daughter from me, should she have had the chance. These are the only things that can kill her, not that I'm particularly fond of weapons. I've always preferred to fight with my wits than a blade."

Eithne examined me closely, searching for deception. After some time, her muscles relaxed. "So time has chosen you to become its champion, like the man before you."

"Apparently. Still not exactly sure why. I was content watching Gilmore Girls for eternity." I didn't expect her to understand what the tv show was, but I at least hoped to convey my own reluctance at what I was.

"Does this mad woman have a name?"

"Hel. She's basically the goddess of death."

"Hel?" There was an edge to her tone and I couldn't help but wonder why.

"Yes."

"There was a woman, a witch who lived near us." Either began slowly, eyes alight with hate. "After my husband died, she came to visit us. I had left to gather some roots for my meal that evening while she stayed with my son. I returned to witness her cast a curse upon him, summoning a fever that could not be broken. I demanded she undo her curse, but she wouldn't. She claimed a woman by the name of Hel had commanded her to strike him down with disease. I killed her on the spot but it was too late."

Claire had warned me of how thorough Hel was. She hadn't been joking. Hel knew of the scythes and she knew I would go looking for them. Even though she may not have been able to travel through time, she was able to manipulate the people living in the past. What better way than to make herself known to a witch? Oh, she was good. So, very, very good.

If it weren't for the fact she was completely evil, I would have admired her. Who was I kidding? I admired her anyway, feeling only slightly guilty. "I'm sorry, Eithne."

"If you're going to kill her, I want to be there."

"But things aren't exactly, um...pleasant there. Right. Now..."

"It does not matter to me. She is responsible for killing my baby. I want to watch her die. Just promise you won't do her any favors."

She was asking me to make Hel suffer. The darkness within smiled gleefully. "I suppose it can be arranged." Eithne slung her bow over her shoulder, approaching me hesitantly.

"Traveling, does it hurt?"

"No, though I've thrown up before." She looked at me with a raised brow and I felt my attempt to lighten the mood wasn't appreciated. "It's kind of like falling from a cliff. Well, I think it's what falling from a cliff would be like. I wouldn't really know, given that I haven't tried it. Heights aren't really my thing."

"Does your husband chatter as much as you do?"

"No, not really. Sorry, I only ramble when I'm nervous."

"If you have traveled through time before, what is there to fear?"

"I'm really more concerned about your reaction. Oh, and the fact there's a giant serpent that's treating the planet like a game of Whack-A-Mole."

"Whack-A-"

"It's a game. Never mind. Are you ready?"

Eithne nodded in assent and I began to open a rift in time. Normally, I focused on where I wanted to go, not on what was occurring. It was far too much to think on and the few times that I had resulted in splitting headaches. Yet, given the circumstances, I thought it would be wise to do some research before jumping into it. And I was very glad I had.

Earth remained incredibly dangerous, an army of frost giants occupying the planet. The serpent was no where to be seen, but I knew it was there. Upon looking at Asgard, I discovered that only the queen and civilians remained. All the warriors, Thor, and Loki were missing. Odd. I scanned the universe for their whereabouts, finding them aboard one of many S.H.I.E.L.D. spaceships. Clearly, the government had launched into the safety of the stars with a remnant of human survivors. I imagined they were all on the strictly governmental one.

My destination planned, I focused intently, the familiar feel of time travel wracking my mind and body. A crack resounded from behind us and I examined Eithne's face for reactions. As far as first impressions went, she was clearly amazed. Her eyes grew wide and she turned her head from left to right, examining every square inch of our surrounding. I glanced down at my torn and ragged dress and scrunched my face in disgust. I wanted a shower. My hair was knotted and tangled from being blown around in the wind and I was covered in dirt and flecks of blood from the few scrapes we had gotten into.

Not a moment later, we were surrounded by a squad of agents, their weapons drawn. Eithne reacted instantly, drawing and stringing her bow.

"Who are you and how did you get on this ship?" The man in front of us asked.

"Well, I'm-"

"Doctor Grant," A familiar voice began. I watched Colonel Fury stride into view. "Long time no see."

"Colonel."

He motioned the group away with his hand, an amused smirk on his features. "Taken to the Seattle lifestyle I see." I smiled tightly and shrugged non-committally. "You want to tell Katniss here to take it easy?"

"It's okay, Eithne. We're...?" He wasn't exactly my friend. More like an advantageous acquaintance. "Associates."

Her eyes narrowed in suspicion but she lowered her weapon all the same. "I don't suppose you want to tell me how you got on my ship?"

And simply because I'd spent nearly all my recent time with Asgardians or first century humans, I couldn't resist. "Well, I was on my way to this gay Gypsy bar mitzvah for the disabled-"

"Some other time then." Fury rolled his eyes and I stifled a pleased smirk. "Truth be told, I'm glad you're here. You're the only person who's ever been able to get a firm grip on Loki and I need that right now."

My heart rose into my throat. What had Loki done? My imagination raced and I had to shake the possibilities from my mind. "Oh? Why's that?"

"Let's just say he pulled some stupid-ass shit, alright? You and your little friend should come with me."