Chapter 25 ~ Don't Make Me Say It (3)

[AN: Super quick, the scene in my mind that helped inspire the ending comes from The Patriot. If you can figure out what scene it is and tell me, you will be fantastic and get a shout out in my next fic. Good luck! ~CH]

Criminal – Brittany Spears

The next few days were quiet ones. Lithia's cheek healed very quickly but left a faint pink scar. School had been canceled for the next few weeks. Lithia mainly hung out at home, keeping to herself but also interacting with others. She never actively sought to converse but would often be near someone. Greta was pretty much a permanent resident at the penthouse so Steve was a frequent visitor. The captain had grown quite chummy with the brash girl and had even tempered her wild nature. Thor and Loki continued to bunk with Tony. Loki had all but refused to leave Lithia just yet to return home. Thor felt his brother's agony in seeing the new depths of suffering in Lithia's eyes and delayed their departure.

Once, Lithia was sitting near Steve in the kitchen with the captain softly said, "Lithia, I've been through war. I can understand a lot of what you might have gone through if you want to talk."

"You remember everything about the war Steve?" Lithia asked slowly.

"Just about everything." Steve replied.

"The thing about Thanos was that he often observed the happenings of Earth… including the wars." Lithia explained. "And he got off by watching people suffer. You remember when you found out about the Holocaust?" Steve nodded. "I saw it. Everything. Clear as day." She said, leaving as soon as Steve stared at her, realizing what she meant.

Everything horrible in the universe Lithia now remembered vividly.

The people Lithia went to the most were Tony and Loki. During the day, Tony always found Lithia as his little shadow. They worked together on many projects during the day and Lithia had even started modified an Iron Man suit. "I going to call him D-Lux." She said, pulling back a white cloth to reveal a light metallic blue suit.

"Light blue?" Tony asked, cocking an eyebrow.

"Yea." Lithia replied. "It was one of the only colors you haven't used before. And, as such, I locked J.A.R.V.I.S. from allowing you to use it ever again."

"What'll it do that's different about D-Lux from the other suits?" Tony asked, looking at the seemingly normal Iron Man suit.

"It's a surprise." Lithia said with a laugh.

Tony held up his hands in mock surrender.

While Lithia was almost always at Tony's side, her nights stretched before her. Nightmare upon vicious nightmare kept her from sleep. Often times, her mind was screaming so loud that Loki heard the screams as if she were screaming in his ear. He had made a door between his room and Lithia's so he could go to her quickly and quietly. She never spoke of her nightmares but would curl herself into his arms and would fall back asleep.

"What would I do without you?" she asked once, her voice quiet and filled with sleep.

Her words made Loki think. He had come to care and treasure this mortal girl in his arms. Making sure she was asleep, Loki softly answered her question. "Without me, you would have a happy life without this sadness you now hold." He said. "But I would have an empty hole in my heart. I am a selfish god. As such, you will never be rid of me. Even if we can never be together, I will always love and watch over you my Lady Lithia… always…"

XXXX

"Loki, we must return to Asgard soon." Thor said a few days later.

"I won't leave her." Loki replied, looking out the window at Lithia playing with Tiny Hulk. "I won't."

"Brother, you know she will be in good hands while we are gone. Man of Iron and Captain of All Things America will look after her and she has more than proven that she can take care of herself." Thor said.

Loki remained silent, his face serious. "I understand Loki. You want to ensure that she is safe and the only way you feel you can is to always be with her but, brother, we shall return here again." Thor said, resting a hand on his shoulder.

Loki bowed his head. He knew that Thor spoke the truth but he didn't want to leave Lithia. "Very well." Loki said quietly.

Thor nodded and left him. Loki regarded Lithia through the window. She was smiling as Tiny Hulk darted about, nipping at her fingers. It had been too long since he had seen her smile like that.

The next day Loki magicked all of Thor and his clothing for them to take back to Asgard. The other Avengers came to see them off but Loki's eyes remained on the shy figure of Lithia. Since being told of his departure, she had not spoken to him. Thor had said his goodbyes and was waiting for Loki. The mischief maker approached Lithia and stood before her. "Are you not even going to say goodbye?" he asked quietly.

Lithia remained silent and refused to meet his eyes. Loki sighed and gently pet her hair. "I shall miss you." He whispered and started walking toward Thor.

Lithia's head shot up. Loki had almost reached Thor. "I'll say anything!" she cried and ran to him, tears once again streaming from her eyes. "I'll say anything you want Loki!"

Loki turned just in time to catch her as she leapt into his arms. "Just please don't go. I'll say anything if you stay. I'll say anything except goodbye. Please Loki." She cried, making tears come to Loki's eyes as well. "Don't go."

"I'll come back." He said gently, trying to keep tears from chocking up his voice. "I swear I'll come back for you Lithia."

"Why don't I believe you?" Lithia sobbed.

"Believe me my Lady Lithia. I will come back for you." Loki said softly. "I will return for you. You have my word."

Lithia slowly pulled back, her eyes red-rimmed and traces of tears on her lower lips. Loki carefully wiped them away, a soft smile on his face. Lithia stepped back slowly, fighting back tears once again. As the Bifrost opened Loki's eyes remained on Lithia's face. She smiled and mouthed the words, 'I love you' just as they were swept away in a blinding light.

~The End~

[AN: **IMORTANT INFORMATION CONTAINED BELOW**

I would just like to express my undying thanks to my closest and dearest fried GodlyJewel. I am fairly certain that this fic would suck so much if it had not been for her and her help. So patient did you listen when I had hit a block and so willingly did you give your advice when I could have gone multiple ways. I also thank you for taking a character I had created and writing her parts for me; GodlyJewel wrote the parts with Pepper and Greta speaking and moving. This fic would have fallen to the wayside had it not been for you. I must also express a sincere and heartfelt thanks to all my reviewers. Each new review, whether they be from a new person or a reoccurring commenter, made me smile and dance a little. I thank you all so much.

I don't know how many of you found closure in this story but this is the final chapter. However, I leave the unresolved fate up to you my readers and friends. I have started work on a sequel, Finding A Voice. If you wish it, I shall continue my work there and get that thing done ASAP. However, it will divulge less into set plot from the movies and more into my own imagination. I can promise certain things about Lithia shall be revealed in more depth. That is the only certainty. I cannot guarantee that things will be as fabulous as everyone seems to think that this fic is. But, if you wish for just an epilogue or something short to provide more closure, drop me a review or a PM. If I get 20 reviews asking either way, that is what shall be done and the final results shall be posted as a new chapter here. Do not hesitate for my interests are already turning away from Avengers and toward Middle Earth and I fear that those seeking more closure shall be sorely disappointed.

If you found the Greta parts most interesting, please check GodlyJewel out. She is a devoted author and has many fics that are a sheer joy to read. If you wish, you may also look at a few of my humble works. The older ones are less than standard but some are true gems.

Much thanks and forever your faithful servant ~CosmicHorse]