When everyday we're runnin' in circles
Such a funny way to fallTried to open up my eyes
I'm hopin' for a chance to make it alright
-Painting Flowers by All Time Low

"Mother," Thor murmured softly. He picked himself up from the ground to look at the wife of Odin. Frigga's blonde tresses streamed behind her as she walked over towards her son. Her brow was marred with lines and her eyes shone. Her pure white dress was stained by the dirt and blood on the ground, changing her from a caring mother to a fierce queen.

"I am sorry that I am late, my son." Frigga gently rested her hand on his shoulder. She brushed his hair out of his face and gave a weak smile. "There is much work that needs to be done, but little time to do it. We must make haste if we are to stop your father. He has already defeated most of your companions. There is only one left, and he cannot stall Odin for long." Her fingers clenched on Thor's armor, slightly denting the metal. Frigga was not weak. One did not get to be queen of Asgard by being weak. She had chosen to retire from her days as a sorceress, but it appeared that she had to go back to war.

"Why are you doing this?" Thor asked quietly, touching his mother's hand. "Have you not dedicated yourself to the allfather?"

Frigga gave a twinkling laugh, "Oh Thor. You should know best of all men that not all rules are meant to be obeyed. But..." Her blue eyes darkened, "I may love my husband, but that does not mean that I love what he does. When he brought Loki home, Loki became my son. It makes no difference that he is a frost giant; he will always be my son. I will not stand by as Odin commits filicide. We are a family, and we have to stand by one another. Even if one of us strays from the right path, the rest of us much guide him right again. That is what a family is, no?"

Thor blinked slowly before pulling his mother into a hug. Frigga started in surprise before embracing her son, whispering, "I have missed you dearly, son." She pulled herself daintily out of his hug before saying, "Now come, we must be off." She held out a hand to Thor and said, "Let me show you an easier way to fly."

-Words Like Thor's-

"Oh come on!" Tony rolled to the side as a blast of energy flew over him. "JARVIS, delay him!" The billionaire shifted the Asgardian in his arms as he moved out of the way of another attack. He was a fighter. Running away wasn't something he was particularly used to, and he didn't think he ever wanted to become used to it. There was something unnerving about not knowing whether something was about to hit you in the back. JARVIS helped, but he could only help so much since Tony see with 360 degree vision.

"Yes, sir." The AI responded. Tony heard a click as a door was opened on his suit. "Keep in mind that you are currently at 35% energy." Tony groaned. There were too many factors! Rockets jetted out of his suits, swirling back towards Odin. Tony used the time to look at the map on his monitor. Only two miles left... He could use his thrusters to get there.

"Active the back thrusters, JARVIS! Give it all we got!" JARVIS hummed in acknowledgement. Tony flashed ahead as the devices on his shoes activated. He was only able to use the propellers on his feet since he was carrying Loki, but he hoped it would get him there in time. For an old man, Odin was fast!

"SHIELD has radioed in. They had the medical lab ready for Mr. Loki's arrival." Tony gave a small sigh of relief. At least one thing was going right. He shifted to the side to dodge a lamppost that went flailing over his head.

"Geez! Hold your horses already!" Tony complained, ducking as a trashcan went flying towards him. He leaned to the left and turned around the corner before making a quick right in an attempt to confuse his pursuer. He looked at the map again. The medical lab was just ahead.

Tony skidded to a stop in front of the glass paned medical facility. It was dressed to be like a normal hospital, and it did a pretty good job... except for the soldiers armed with riot shields and fully-automatics. Two nurses dressed in white stood prepared at the doorway with a stretcher. An IV pole stood at the ready as Tony rushed through the doors. He laid Loki on the bed. The pale Asgardian was breathing weakly and shook as the nurses moved to put an intravenous in.

"Roll him back! Odin is co-" The doors behind Tony exploded, sending glass flying all around the waiting room. Tony spread his arms out in front of the stretcher, chips of paint blowing away with the glass shards. Tony opened an eye to see Odin standing there with Gungnir firmly planted between his two feet.

The guards were the first to react, opening fire on Odin. The nurses took the time to drag the stretcher away while calling for more backup. Odin held up his hand, freezing the bullets in place. He rotated his hand to the side, causing the bullets to turn so that the broad side faced the soldiers. Odin flung his arm at the soldiers, sending the bullets flying back. The obtuse bullets shot at the soldiers, knocking them in the arms and head.

Tony watched in horror as the agents fell down to the ground, unconscious. A part of him felt that it was hopeless. They were mortals, not gods. He fancied himself to be strong, but Odin was something else. Even though Tony had gotten Loki to the medical unit, SHIELD would not be able to protect Loki in here. It was impossible.

"Stop!" The call rang out clearly, and Odin halted midstep. He turned away from Iron Man and towards the two that now stood behind him.

"Frigga, Thor. I cannot call myself surprised to see you here. My son, I know your choice. My wife, do not get involved in this. It is not your battle," Odin stated solemnly. A bead of sweat was on the corner of his brow. It was not because he was tired, but more the fact that Frigga was there. He remembered when he had banished Thor and when he had to confront Loki about his true heritage. The stress was beginning to get to him again, but this time there was no escape in the Odinsleep.

"Loki is my son, our son. Even if you do not see him as such, he will always be our child. As a mother, it is my duty to protect him. I have failed him before, but I will not fail him now." Frigga's blue eyes flashed as she landed upon the ground. "You are the one that must depart, my husband. Give up this foolishness. What Loki needs is love, not hatred or death."

Odin dipped his head. "It is easier for a father to discipline his son than it is for a man to fight his wife. But," Odin looked back up towards Frigga, "I am afraid that I cannot give in."

Author's Note: Microsoft word is back and alive! I never knew how much I loved this program until it was gone. /contented sigh/ Thank you everyone for all of your support! I really appreciate it. :D I'm trying to keep on plugging away at this story, but I just realized I had forgotten about a class. There are no late scores, but I just need to finish 10 weeks of homework in 4 weeks. Oops. I'll still be around these parts though! ;D

S: It's not the connecting dots that is hard for me, but I'm awful at explaining. I can write fairly well, but I sound incoherent when I talk. xD It's one of the reasons that I prefer writing emails to talking in real life. :'D