Author's Note: Hmm. Well this turned out a little more angsty and less well rounded than I would have liked but maybe that'll get the frustration Niki feels across. Meh. Let me know what you think.


Chapter 26

"Freaky," Tony commented from the lab table he was hunched over.

"You've said that at least a dozen times," Loki growled. "Are you going to tell us why or can we leave?"

"Hell no you can't! This is ridiculously impossible and I want to know how she," he pointed at Niki, "Survived! Do you have any idea what she is now?"

"Yes, we've just been sitting here getting pissed off for shits and giggles," Niki spat. They had been sitting in the SHIELD medical lab for hours ever since they got back to the hidden city. Thor had been alternating between pacing and sprawling on the bed Niki was sitting on while his younger brother hadn't moved an inch, leaning against the bed arms crossed and fuming. "Tony please, just tell us. I'm tired. I'm hungry. And becoming increasingly cranky unless you tell us what you genius' came up with."

The genius in question muttered something about live test subjects before standing up and crossing his arms over his chest. "So apparently Doom is a mad genius or you're a freak of nature because now you're some kind of wolf/vampire/hybrid/thing. Essentially."

The trio just stood there blinking at him, not sure how to react. Finally Niki minutely shook her head and asked, "What? How is that possible?"

"Honestly we have no idea," Bruce said from the other side of the table. "Werewolf and vampire blood are poison to each other. How you aren't dead is beyond incredible bordering on impossible."

"Yet here she is alive and well," Loki all but hissed glaring at the two scientists.

"Which is why we're stumped," Bruce replied calmly. "We have no idea what will happen in the future or how her hybrid nature will affect her daily life. Will she need to drink blood like a vampire or will normal food suffice? Does she have werewolf transformative capabilities now or no? Is she immortal? We have no idea."

"'She' is sitting right here and is becoming more and more pissed off," Niki yelled trying and failing to keep the angry wobble out of her voice. "I don't know what to do to help and right now I really don't care. All I can tell you is 'time will tell' and if you don't give me food and a place to sleep that isn't here soon, we'll figure out exactly how strong I've become!"

Needless to say they let her leave. Still mumbling under her breath the new hybrid stomped off to the old assigned room paying no mind to the two trailing her. Neither did she care when Thor bade her sweet dreams and left to find his scientist friend. Every step just fueled her anger which then turned to frustration at how long it was taking to get to the room and the soft-ish mattress waiting. Swiping the back of her hands across her eyes she tried to dispel the hot tears welling up but soon she was whimpering and snuffling as thoughts continued to plow through her head in rapid fire.

What am I supposed to eat now? Am I going to be alright? What if it's a fluke and as soon as I fall asleep I'll wake up on that table again? Am I dangerous? When will we be able to leave? What if Loki and Thor don't want to risk it or get tired of waiting and run off without me? Am I going to die still? What if I change and hurt someone? What if I'm even more useless now? Will Loki still want me around?

Suddenly she was at the door of their room, throwing it open and burying herself in the blankets and pillows. Desperately she tried to hide her face and muffle the sob that was welling up in her throat. Before she could complete her burrowing though, Loki sat down on the bed next to her and stilled her with a touch. Niki looked up for a second, blinking through her tears. The vampire opened his arms to her and she launched herself into them, letting loose with tremors and sobs. Remembering her desire to never again cry in front of the stoic vampire just brought more tears and another round of howling sobs. All the frustration, anger, and pain of the last few weeks came pouring out, aided by memories of her life these past months.

Loki didn't say a thing throughout her scene. He simply held her close, occasionally rubbing her back or rocking her soothingly. Finally her howls quieted to occasional whimpers and her tears slowed. "I'm sorry," the distraught young woman was finally able to let out. "I didn't want you to see that. I guess I can't even keep my own orders."

"What are you sorry for? Being frustrated? Going through hell only to be questioned unendingly about it? Or is it for more than that? For going so long bottling up your own emotions before they finally overflow? My dear Niki," he huffed in a breathy, humorless chuckle. "You have nothing to apologize for. There is nothing wrong with having a good cry every now and then. I don't think any less of you for it."

Niki let out a laugh that turned into a sob and buried her face in his chest. "Can we leave? Can we run again," she asked in a hoarse whisper.

"Yes," Loki whispered back. "Once you wake up. Then we can leave."

She slipped into an uneasy sleep still cradled in her vampire's arms.