This is it finally, the end of the line. I hope you've enjoyed the tale. Thanks for all the reviews, follows, and favorites. I wrote this story for you. I have no more plans to write more at this time. But I hope you like this last chapter enough to review!

Epilogue

*****The Next Morning*****

Odin watched the group of women consumed more food than even Volstagg's stomach could hold and chuckled.

Frigga smiled over at him from her throne. "It is good to have visitors, husband," she said.

"It is. Asgard owes these humans much," he said.

"They are mighty warriors," Thor agreed. "None, though, is as great as our princess." He smiled down at Buffy as she sat close by—at the head of the table, in fact. Steve was on her left, Faith on her right. The Winter Soldier next to him and Willow was next to Faith. They were a cheerful and boisterous group.

"She is worthy of Asgard," Odin agreed, smiling down at her in approval. What a queen she would've made. He glared at Thor. Damn, that stubborn son of his!

Tony came up to Thor. "Good morning, your majesties, Thor," he said.

"Where is your woman?" Odin asked.

"She is getting a tour from Heimdall," Tony said. "A few of the slayers are with her. We'll be getting out of your hair soon."

"You are welcome to stay as long as you like," Odin said.

"We have a few situations back on earth that we need to take care of," Tony said. He gave Thor a pointed look. "You'll never guess who isn't dead, by the way…."

Buffy looked up at Thor's exclamation of surprise. She went to see what was going on. Steve came with her. Bucky, though, was listening to Faith explain to Willow the gossip from their slayer house. He was fascinated by the way the slayer spoke and couldn't seem to focus on anything but her tale.

"What's the what?" Buffy asked them, holding Steve's hand.

"I was just telling Thor about how Fury is a big fat liar," Tony said.

"Oh," Steve said, nodding.

Odin looked at Buffy's hand encased by Steve's. "So, is he the reason you won't marry my son?" Odin asked.

Steve gave Thor a surprised look while Buffy gaped like a fish before sputtering. "What? No! Steve is not the reason I won't marry your son! Either of them!" she exclaimed.

Steve smiled at her. "I'm not?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You're perfect!" Buffy assured him. But she glared at Thor. "He is not! He's arrogant and cocky, and I want to kick him, not kiss him."

Odin laughed while Tony snickered. Steve smiled. "He is just used to getting his way, not unlike yourself," he said pointedly.

"I'm not arrogant!" Buffy protested.

Dawn joined them in time to hear that remark. "You are so arrogant! And full of yourself!" she added with a smug grin.

"Am not!

"Are, too!"

"Am not!"

"Are, too!" Dawn said, sticking out her tongue. "Ask Xander."

Xander was sitting at the far end of the table with the Warriors, Lady Sif, and Spike. He looked up when he heard his name. Instantly, he knew that a sibling argument was underway. "I am Switzerland!" he shouted, shoving his food into his mouth.

"Coward!" Dawn called back.

"He's a smart man," Tony said in approval.

Odin smiled in happiness at the two women. It was times like this that he was forcibly reminded of the familial bond between them. His Atali was her Dawn—no one could deny this fact when they were together.

Odin stood. "Guests, Asgard owes you a great debt for your williness to fight enemies at our door," he announced. All the talking ceased as they looked at him.

"Well, the First was only gunning for you because of me. Really this is all my fault," Buffy said with a sad smile.

"Evil beings like the First need no excuse to spread death and destruction," Odin said sagely. He held out his hand for Atali, who took it. He held out his other for Buffy, who took it even as she gave Dawn a nervous glance. "You two are connected by blood. She is connected to me and all of Asgard. That makes you ours. If your mortal body fails you, I will make you like Atali and bring you here to live out your days."

"That's amazing. I don't know, though, exactly how I will age because of the slayer bit. No slayer has ever lived long enough to age, so we don't know. We also don't know how the slayer line has been changed because of Willow's spell or the affect it may have on me," Buffy said.

"I understand," Odin said. "But know that you always have a place here."

"You have a home," Frigga added, giving her a warm smile.

Buffy hugged them both. It was like having grandparents again. Unlike the rest of Asgard, she and Dawn didn't live in awe of Odin.

Saying goodbye was never easy, but shortly after breakfast, the departures began.

Xander said goodbye and happily went off with Tony. Pepper and Dawn a step behind, chatting.

Spike managed to steal a kiss from Lady Sif, who looked at Thor to see if he noticed. His glare said that he had. Since he had business on earth, he followed his friends to the biofrost.

Faith looked around one final time. "If heaven is half a cool as this place, I may have to start being a good girl!" she announced.

"That'll be the day," Xander said with a laugh. Faith elbowed him.

Soon, though, the goodbyes were said as they left through the biofrost.

*****Ohio*****

After they all made it back to the slayer house, Faith ushered the slayers into their home and turned to the Avengers. "Thanks so much, you guys," Faith said to them.

"Anytime," Natasha said. "It was fun."

"We will make you an honorary slayer. You have some wicked moves," Faith said, grinning.

"She'll be too busy nailing Hydra agents," Clint said. When Faith's mouth fell open at the innuendo, his eyes widened as he realized his misspoken phrase. "I meant, we have Hydra agents to kill or capture!"

"Yeah, that sounds less fun," Faith said dryly.

Buffy hugged her. "Call me when you have the funerals planned out," Buffy told her.

Faith nodded. She held out her hand to Steve. "You and your boy are welcome to fight on the hellmouth anytime," she said, flashing Bucky a warm smile.

"It was different," Bucky said with a slight smile. This woman was not like any other. Even when she was obviously heartbroken at the loss of her man, she fought a war that wasn't even her own. He couldn't help but admire her.

When they left, Faith closed the door and laid against it a moment. Now she had to figure out how to go on without the only man who'd ever loved her.

*****A Few Days Later*****

Agent Phil Coulson was coming out of his plane, May and Skye (not yet Daisy) trailing after them. Phil was looking down at the tablet Skye had given him. May and Skye, though, weren't and saw the group of people waiting for them.

"Uh, boss," Skye said, trying not to turn into an instant fangirl.

"Phil," May said sternly.

"Yes?" Phil asked absently.

"Well, look who is not dead!" Tony announced. He was in a suit, not his Ironman suit. Steve, Clint, Natasha, Bruce, and Thor were with him.

Phil finally looked up. "Guys!" he exclaimed, taking a step toward them. Then he stopped. They weren't supposed to know.

"Phil, son of Coul! You are alive!" Thor said joyously, his booming voice surprising Skye, who was awestruck. He moved to embrace Phil warmly as was his manner when greeting friends.

Natasha, though, had another reaction. She decked him. "You totally suck!" she said, glaring. "You let us think you were dead!"

"Not your best move," Clint agreed. "But I know it was Fury's idea, so I won't hold it against you." He held out his hand for Phil.

Phil rubbed his jaw and gave May a pointed look. Don't interfere! She didn't need the words. They'd worked together too long, so she could read his mind. He took Clint's hand outstretched in relief. At least, he wasn't pissed, too.

"I'm sorry, guys. I really am," he said honestly.

"It's okay," Bruce said, holding out his hand. Phil shook it and looked to Steve.

Steve, though, wasn't so understanding. "Leaders are not always right, Phil," he said. "Fury should not be able to make you do things that you know are not right. We were your team. We had a right to know you were still alive, regardless of whatever bull Fury fed you."

"I wanted to," Phil admitted. "Then I got caught up in my job here. There's never a quiet moment." He gestured to May and Skye.

"This your new team?" Tony asked with interest. He eyed the women with obvious approval. "You got good taste!"

"This is my right hand, Melinda May," he said. "This is our computer expert and field operator, Skye Johnson."

Skye couldn't believe that she got to spend the afternoon with the Avengers.

*****Several Hours Later*****

Steve walked into his apartment, feeling slightly buzzed with all the drinks Tony had forced on him. With his metabolism, it took a lot to get him completely drunk. They had taken Phil and his girls out to eat. Then they went to a nearby watering hole that Tony knew—he had one everywhere they went.

"Did you have fun?" Buffy asked as she put down the magazine she was flipping through.

Steve smiled at her. "This is a nice surprise!" he said, sitting down on the sofa next to her. He kissed her.

Buffy returned his kiss gladly. Then she pulled back. "I hope it was okay that I used the key you gave me," she said, feeling anxious. She'd never gotten to this point with a guy and was afraid of messing things up.

"It's great. I love coming home to you," Steve said honestly. He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. "You've made this new world feel like home to me. I love you."

Buffy gave him her 100-watt smile. "I love you, too!" she said, hugging him. He was the one. A fellow soldier, he would never hold her back and feel less because of who she was. He would never leave her for her own good. Then she pulled back again to gaze into his eyes. "When Willow and my friends pulled me out of heaven, I didn't think this world would ever stop feeling like hell. I didn't think I'd ever feel that same level of contentment. But now I do. And if you die on me, I swear to God that I will have Willow resurrect you just so that I can kick your ass for leaving me!"

Steve chuckled. "I will most definitely do my best to avoid dying on you," he said. "I don't want to ever leave you." He stood up and pulled her to her feet. "How about you join me in my bedroom?"

"I love smart men!" Buffy said with a wink and gladly leaned into him as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

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

Thor had enbibed too much the night before celebrating their reunion with their teammate and had crashed at Tony's. The next morning, he had a hearty breakfast and then set off to see his lady love.

Jane was in her lab working. He watched her a few minutes before letting her know that he was there. He admired her total concentration. Her mind was incredible—the way she saw the world unlike most others. That her brilliant mind still managed to view him favorably was a gift that he would not ever take lightly.

"Good morning, Jane," he said, finally getting her attention.

Jane looked up at his voice and smiled at him, getting to her feet. She hugged him in greeting. "When did you get here?" she asked. "Did everything go okay?"

"Yes, Asgard is now safe. We had help from Buffy's slayers friends," he said. "I came in on yesterday. Tony informed me that Phil son of Coul is alive and that Nick Fury deceived us all."

"Really? Wow!" Jane exclaimed. "Good for you but bad for Fury. I don't think you can ever really trust a spy completely."

"It is difficult," Thor said. He did, though, trust the Black Widow and Hawkeye. They were his brother and sister in arms, regardless of their spy label.

"How long can you stay?" she asked.

"Father is awake, and Loki has been let off his leash. I can stay as long as I want," Thor said.

"So, all is forgiven? Loki is responsible for the near destruction of New York City and the lives of hundreds of Americans and not even a decade in prison? That's unbelievable!" Jane said in outrage.

Thor sighed, weary of defending his wayward brother. "Atali loves Loki. We love her and have been without her for so long," he explained. "He has fought with us here of late. Both when the Dark Elves invaded and this last time. He has earned some grace from our father."

Jane gave a snort of derision. "You are a forgiving bunch," she said.

"We are when we love," he admitted. He reached for her hand. "I hope your dislike of my brother doesn't keep you for coming to Asgard and being with me."

Jane pulled her hand away, turning from him a moment. Then she faced him. "No, Loki wouldn't keep me from being with you," she said. "I do love you, Thor. You are unlike any man I have ever met. I would love to spend the rest of my life with you."

"That's great!" Thor happily exclaimed, reaching for her.

However, she stepped back. "I'm sorry, though. I cannot leave earth and my humanity behind. I've thought about it so much since I last saw you, but I just can't do it. I don't want to live so long while my planet evolves and changes without me. Humans aren't meant to live forever, and I am human," she told him, her eyes full of sorrow.

Thor felt her words like a heavy blow. "I can wait. You might feel differently in a decade or two," he said, not willing to let her go.

Jane's eyes filled with tears. "It's not fair to you, Thor. I can't let you watch me get old and frail and then let you swoop in and banish my mortality," she said. "If I was meant to be your forever love, surely, I would be willing to make this sacrifice?"

Her question stunned him. He knew not how to respond. His eyes simply gazed at hers. Her tears caused him pain, as did her words. Yet he could not deny the point she had made. Xander would never leave Atali. He had been angry at the choice made for him, but Thor knew that he would not ask their father to change him back. His love for Atali was strong enough to overcome anything. Thor was heartbroken to realize that hers was not.

"It is a fair point," he finally said. "Atali's chosen mate was human. Xander will never leave her side. His love for her is greater than his love for earth or humanity even if he spends much of his time on this planet. He is Asgard now."

Jane wiped her cheeks and nodded. "I want to do it. I do. You can't know how much. But the thought terrifies me," she said.

"Would you consider living a year in Asgard as a human and becoming accustomed to our ways? Maybe the idea will not be so fearsome after a time," he pointed out.

Jane's heart ached as she considered his request. The idea of getting to be with him a while longer was so appealing. She really did love him. But then how hard would it be after all that time to walk way? She knew her own mind. It would not change.

"I'm sorry, Thor. I don't think that is a good idea. We'll just grow closer, and then when I still leave after a year, the pain will be worse," she explained with a heavy sigh.

"How do you know? You may grow to love Asgard," he countered.

"I am sure that I will. It's a beautiful and wondrous place," she said. "But it won't diminish my love for earth or my desire to stay human."

Thor stared at her a long moment, seeing no hesitation in her eyes. She spoke honestly. He had to accept her choice. "I will miss you," he admitted, the words torn out of him.

Jane moved close again, embracing him. She cried against his chest.

For the last time, Thor held her close. Would happiness every be known to him?

*****Connecticut*****

Clint and Natasha stood on the porch of a modest one story house. Clint was both excited and nervous. He rang the bell. An attractive brunette with kind eyes opened the door.

"Clint!" the woman said, greeting him with a warm smile. "I didn't know you were coming into town today."

"We finished our mission, so I wanted to see you and introduce you to my partner," he said. He glanced at Natasha. "Nat, this is Laura. Laura, this is Natasha, my partner."

Laura smiled and held out her hand. "It's so nice to meet you. Please come in," she said, shaking Natasha's hand and stepping back to let them in.

When she shut the door, Clint pulled her close for a kiss. "I missed you," he murmured against her lips.

"I missed you, too," she said, giving him a look of adoration.

Natasha smiled at the happy couple. Her friend deserved to have someone look at him like that.

*****Stark Tower*****

Bruce peered into the window that was in the middle of the door that led to Willow's lab. She was hard at work. He watched her for a few minutes as she talked animatedly with her lab techs. Then they nodded and left her alone.

He opened the door and stepped in. "Hey," he said, giving her a small smile.

Willow's replying smile, though, was so bright it hurt his eyes. He wondered how could someone so good like him when he had such darkness inside of him?

"Hey, yourself!" she said. She raised slightly to give him a light kiss. "I'm glad you're here."

"Sorry, I've been absent the past few days," he said, looking away.

"A lot happened. It's a lot to process," Willow said knowingly.

"Yes," he agreed. "Now that we're back on earth, how do you feel about me? I care about your friendship and don't want to lose it."

"Bruce, I'm not sorry for what happened between us on Asgard," Willow told him. "I'll admit that it took me a bit to change my view of myself. I keep trying to stick with labels. I remember my last day with Tara. She was always afraid that I was just playing with being a lesbian—that I'd grow discontent. I tried to explain that she was the first woman I loved. When she died, being with a man would've seemed like a betrayal of her. Now, though, I realize that I have to follow my heart and not be bound by a label."

Bruce felt relieved at her words. "I'm glad. It's been a long time for me. I'd like to see if we can make this work," he shared.

Willow beamed at him. "I'm glad," she said. Her arms went around his neck as she kissed him.

JARIVS interrupted. "Excuse me, Ms. Rosenberg. Dr. Banner. Tony would like your presence on the roof," he informed them.

"That doesn't seem good," Willow said with trepidation.

"It's not," Bruce said knowingly.

But they made their way to the roof. Willow blinked in surprised when she saw Xander standing next to Tony. He was in a costume. It was dark purple with a gold belt. His favorite axe, blessed by Odin, hung from his belt. He had matching gold boots and a gold eye mask. On his chest was a large gold Z.

"What is this?" Willow asked. She moved closed, touching the outfit. It wasn't made of rubber or steel.

Tony, dressed in his CEO clothes, grinned proudly. "I did it, Will! I transformed hydrogen into a superconductor metal. I made his outfit out of this. He should be able to withstand even a blast from Thor without harm. I mixed it with a thin layer of the metal Odin gave me. I was going to give him the pulsar lift I use in my suit, but he kept crashing. So, I stole Sam's design and gave him wings!" he explained.

Xander pushed a button on his suit. Double wings on each side came out. They were encased in the same gold that was on his suit. "How cool is this?" Xander asked with a grin. "I got my own superhero costume!"

"It's so cool! Andrew is going to flip his lid!" Willow said. "But what does the Z stand for?"

"The Zeppo!" he declared. "I will be the first ever former real Zeppo-turned superhero. Why deny my history? I decided to embrace it!"

"The Zeppo?" Bruce asked. "You want that to be your superhero name?"

Xander shrugged. "Why not? I may not be human in my body, but the heart will always be Xander Harris, former butt-monkey of the universe, the Zeppo," he said proudly.

Willow grinned. "I'm not sure Dawn will approve," she said.

"She's not the boss of me!" Xander insisted. When the three of them stared at him, he winced. "Okay, fine. She is. But she's cool with this. She was here yesterday, and Tony went over the design with her!"

Tony chuckled as he took of his suit jacket. Then he pushed the bracelet he wore, and his suit parts came from above and surrounded him. "You ready to witness his maiden voyage?" Tony asked.

"Dawn said it was better if she not watch," Xander said.

"Where's Buffy?" Xander asked.

"Here," she said from behind. They turned and saw her and Steve. "I was just grabbing a lunch break with Steve. We didn't want to miss watching you go splat!"

"That's not going to happen!" Tony insisted.

"Nope," Xander said confidently. He walked to the edge, turned and gave them a salute. Then he dived off the building yelling, "Geronimo!"

A terrified Buffy and Willow ran to the edge as Tony jumped off after him. They breathed in relief as they watched Xander soar upward. Naturally, though, he hit Tony, who bounced off a nearby building.

"Somethings never change," Buffy said with a grin. "JARVIS, I hope you got that on film!"

"Of course," he replied.

They laughed and watched Xander's antics as he survived his first aerial flight—barely.

*****The End*****

I hope no one was too disappointed. I read a few weeks ago about scientists actually turning hydrogen into a superconductor metal, so it IS possible. I thought it fit Tony's abilities. No, Thor didn't get his happy ending, but the perfect mate is out there… Yes, this story and adventures can go on forever. However, I have other writing commitments and cannot dedicate any more time. I hope you take a minute to review for one final time. If you never have but have enjoyed my tale, let me know! Thanks!