A/N: So this was a challenging chapter for me, but I think I did it justice.
Trees and raccoons don't open their mouths and speak. There was no ifs, ands or butts about it, it just isn't possible. Katie just knew she was dreaming. She just knew that when she opened her eyes, she'd be lying in bed and all of this would prove to just be a dream. Her body jerked and her eyes snapped open. It was then that she realized she wasn't in her bed. Her body was lying on a metal grate.
" Be wary headed in, rodent. There are no regulations whatsoever here." a female voice spoke and Katie turned and began sitting up again. She was still on the ship and there sitting beside her was the giant tree, staring at her smiling.
"I am Groot" the tree spoke and the green woman and the man turned to see Katie sitting there staring back to the tree.
"Right, so how do we explain the strange pregnant chick who doesn't talk."
"I talk" Katie said tilting her head slightly as she found herself totally enamored by Groot. "I'm just finding it difficult to vocalize my head right now." she turned to the man and began trying to stand to her feet. It was then that Groot quickly stood and held out a limb to her. Katie stared at it for a moment, and against all reason she took and let him help her up. "Thank you."
"I am Groot."
"Groot, right. I think I got it." Katie said with a nod before turning to the others. "So am I dead, because if I am, I have to tell you the after life is definitely not like anything I've ever seen." she walked over to a nearby window that revealed what looked like a severed head. She brought her hand to her stomach. "This seems so real."
"Hey lady." Katie turned to see the Raccoon at the wheel of the ship. "I don't know where you've been, but this is real." Katie stared at the the animal with a look of total bewilderment. "What the hell are you looking at."
"A talking raccoon apparently." Katie muttered before turning and walking away. She had no idea where she was going, but she hope that at some point she would wake up. A hand touched her shoulder and she turned to see the green woman. "I really wish I would wake up now."
"What is your name?" the woman asked.
"I'm-"
"I don't really care what her name is" Peter said moving to stand beside Gamora. "What I want to know is how the hell did you get on my damn ship!" Katie turned to him, the only normal looking one out of the bunch and just shrugged.
"Look guy, chill, once I wake up, I-" he moved quickly, planting himself in front of her before placing his hands on her shoulders.
"This is not a dream!" he snapped and Katie blinked rapidly as she let the implications of his words sink. "You're here, on my ship and I want to know how?" Katie turned her head to his hands on her shoulders which she could feel. "Hey, would you-"
"Stop talking!" she snapped turning back to Peter. "For one second stop talking." she closed her eyes trying to remember every before ending up on this ship. She remembers being in the CIA headquarters and then Sarkissian and her goons taking her and then...then everything goes blank. "I don't know how I got here." Katie said opening her eyes and meeting the man's darkened gaze. "That's the truth, I mean-" she looked over to the window. "The last thing I remember was being stared down by this crazy bitch and then I was here. " she turned back to Peter who still watched her closely. He was watching her, trying to see any indication that she wasn't telling the truth. "So at this point your guess is as good as mine." Groot walked over beside her and her eyes seemed to follow him.
"I am Groot."
"Not a big vocabulary, huh?" she asked and he smiled wide. "So you're Groot." she turned to the man in front of her. "Quill?" he didn't say anything for a moment before nodding.
"Peter." he replied. "Peter Quill, but I go by Starlord." Katie looked at him for a moment with a quirked eyebrow. "What?"
"Seriously? Starlord?"
"What, that's a good, strong name." he replied. "You know whatever." he shook his head before turning and walking back over to the controls where the raccoon was. Katie turned to the green woman who was staring at her in a way as if trying to figure out something.
"And you're-"
"Gamora." the woman said and Katie nodded. The woman's eyes trailed to Katie's stomach. "You're with child." Katie glanced down and nodded. "A human?" Katie looked back up to the woman with a furrowed brow.
"Uh, yeah. Or at least I hope so" Katie said and noticed the slight look of offense that crossed the woman's face. "I mean, not that there would be anything wrong with-" Katie shook her head and just sighed. "I'm sorry, I'm just-I'm trying to figure this out."
"Well you're going to have to figure out far, far away from us." Rocket said walking from the controls toward. "We're handling some business, and some mysteriously appearing broad doesn't fit. So beat it."
"Hey, I-" before Katie could even finish the sentence, Groot had moved to stand in front of her.
"Don't look at me like that!" Rocket snapped glaring up to his friend. "I don't care if you have a crush, she's going to slow us down and that can't happen. Not now." Groot tilted his head as he looked down to his small friend.
"I am Groot."
"What do you mean she's supposed to be here?" the animal asked. Groot simply smiled before turning to Katie who wasn't quite sure what she was witnessing. "If she messes this up for us Groot-"
"I am Groot."
"Yeah, yeah." Rocket muttered before turning to Katie. "Listen, you keep your mouth closed and you stay out of the way, got it? We have a lot riding on this stone."
"Or-" Katie said turning from the talking animal that was slowly making her question her sanity. She chose to look at the only human on the ship. "How about I just go away to find a way back-" Rocket's words were finally catching up to her as she turned back to him. "Stone?"
"Don't even think about it!" he snapped. "You're not getting cut in." Once the ship was finally placed Rocket walked over to a wall of controls and press a but that began to open the door. Katie turned back to Peter.
"What stone?"
"Just forget about it lady." He said before turning and climbing down a ladder. Katie turned to Gamora who simply shook her head before turning and walking off too. Katie last hope was to the bald man who hadn't done anything but stare since she arrive.
"Do you know what stone he's talking about?" she asked and the man didn't say anything. He did walk over to her, and the fact that this guy was pretty huge was becoming that more obvious with every step he took. Katie didn't move, she wasn't going to show even an ounce of intimidation, even though she was freaking out on the inside. The man stood there, his eyes only on hers before holding out his hand to her. He was so close, giving Katie a good look at his usually blue eyes.
"Drax the Destroyer" he said. Katie glanced down to his hand before once again she probably shouldn't. She took his hand, even squeezing it firmly as they shook. He smile slightly and she simply quirked and eyebrow.
"I'm-"
"This isn't your realm." he said and Katie's eyes widened for a moment. "You should probably keep your name to yourself." she had no response other than a nod before he too turned and walked away.
Soon they were off the ship and giving Katie a look at a very strange world indeed. The place, Knowhere, she remembers hearing, looks like a place from a post apocalyptic space movie. Everything was just dark and dingy, including the people. Katie chose to stick close to the only ally she had, and that was the giant talking tree. At the moment, her attention was on Gamora who seemed to be telling them about exactly where they were.
"Hundreds of years ago, the Tivan Group sent workers in to mine the organic matter within the skull. The bone, brain tissue, spinal fluid." Katie frowned at the thought and turned to the array of colored liquids about. It was beginning to dawn on her that she was actually in a scull right now. "All of the rare resources, highly valued in black markets across the galaxy. It's dangerous and illegal work, suitable only for outlaws."
"Well, I come from a planet of outlaws. Billy the Kid, Bonnie and Clyde and John Stamos." Peter said and Katie had to snort. He looked over his shoulder with a quirked eyebrow.
"Sorry, I guess I've never gotten the whole outlaw vibe from Uncle Jessie" she shook her head as they continued walking.
"You're from earth?" Peter asked and Katie nodded. "Then how did you get here?"
"Yeah, remember, we're still trying to answer that question." Katie said with a roll of her eyes. "I don't know why I'm here or how I got here. All I know is that I'm here, with all of you and maybe that's for a reason, so fine, I'll keep quiet, I'll stay out of the way." her eyes landed on a pool of a neon yellow fluid being stirred and she felt her stomach turn. "But I need to go back home." she turned back to him. "You're busy, fine, but at some point I'm going to have to get home."
"We'll do what we can." Peter said with a nod before turning and following behind Gamora. Katie felt something nudge her leg, and she looked down to see Rocket glaring up at her.
"And when he says we, he means everyone except me, got it?"
"You know I don't understand how you're possible, but I think you should know that I like you." Katie said with a slight smile. "You got spunk Rocky."
"It's Rocket" he countered with a annoyance before moving past them.
"Rocky's better!" she called after him when a group of children ran over the Raccoon.
"Can you spare any units?" the small girl asked and the Raccoon simply waved her away with a 'get out of here' as he kept walking. The girl ran over to where Katie stood beside Groot with her hand held out. The tree simply bent down with an open palm and Katie watched as a small flower bloomed. He picked it and handed it to the girl who simply smiled before her and her friends ran away.
"That was nice." Katie said as she looked up to Groot who smiled to her. Katie stared into his eyes for a moment. "Why do I get the feeling you know more about why I'm here then you're letting on."
"I am Groot." was his expected reply. Katie simply shook her head before they turned to catch up to the others.
The others stood staring at what looked like a bar. Katie walked over letting her eyes roam over everything. She was here and there had to be a reason. That's what she kept telling herself. She had to believe that this wasn't random.
"Your buyer's in there?" Rocket asked as they looked over to the bar. Gamora simply nodded as she looked up as well.
"We are to wait here for his representative." the woman said just as a bouncer tossed someone out of the bar.
"This is no respectable establishment." Drax says and they all turned to him. "What do you expect us to do while we wait?"
"We could always go inside." Rocket suggested as he looked up to the bar. "I mean I've been dying for a drink." he glances up to Groot. "What do you say buddy?" Groot smiles with a nod. Rocket turns to Drax who stares warily at the bar. "C'mon, you look like you could use a drink." the man turns to the rodent before nodding. Peter turns to Gamora who nods. They all headed for the bar, except for Katie who didn't move. It was Groot who noticed first, which is why he stopped and turned to her.
"I'm sorry Groot, but I'm not here to bar hop." she says letting her eyes roam over the area. "I don't know why I'm here, but I at least have to figure it out, right?" he walked back over to her, easily towering over her.
"I am Groot." he spoke and Katie smiled with a nod.
"Thanks for understanding." she said before watching the large tree turn and walk away. Once he was gone, she was alone, in a strange place, with no idea which way to turn. So when someone tapped her shoulder, she nearly jumped out of her skin. She turned and had to take a slight step back at the sight of a woman whose skin was completely pink. "Seriously where the hell am I?" she muttered to herself as she watched the woman who simply stared with a smile.
"My apologies for startling you." the woman said with a slight curtsy. "I'm here to bring you to my master."
"Your master?" Katie asked with obvious confusion. She stared at the woman, unable to hide her suspicion. "Look, I think you have the wrong-"
"Katherine." the woman spoke and Katie's eyes widen slightly. "You're who I'm searching for." the woman gestured for her to follow. "Please come with me. My master doesn't really like to wait." Katie looked around still hesitant as she watched the woman who'd already began walking.
"Alright baby." Katie muttered as a hand slid across her belly. "Let's hope mama's gut isn't steering us wrong." Katie looked back up and began trailing after the woman.
The entire place was extremely strange in Fandral's opinion. Big, but he's seen bigger of course, but it was definitely different. He stood near a large window that seemed to look out to all the land of New York when he heard the foot steps behind him. He turned to see Tony, Bruce and Steve.
"I've told you everything I know." Fandral said solemnly knowing nothing he's told them would give them any peace of mind. "I wish I had more."
"Wait, wait" Tony said taking a step forward. After Fandral recounted what was taking place in Asgard he had so many questions that Fandral answered as best he could and then he asked them again. "You said if this spring or whatever actually exists, it could bring her back."
"Maybe, but I can't verify something I've never seem." Fandral shook his head with a sigh. "If Thor was here he would convince that this would work, that there was still hope."
"And you?" Steve asked and the asgardian met the man's gaze. "What would you say?"
"I would say Katherine was a fierce warrior, but even the fiercest warriors meet their end at some point." Fandral said and he noticed how all three men visibly deflated. "I'm not here to steal your hope, and I'm definitely not here to tell you to give up, because even I can't do that. Not completely. What I can tell you is that I've known Thor practically my whole life, I've fought with him and I know that even when I don't understand them, his instincts are usually right." Fandral turned back to the large window as he thought over those words and how many times he's followed Thor in situations even he thought were idiotic and then turned out quite differently. "I'm saying it's not over until it is." Fandral turned back to the three men. "I'm saying this isn't over yet. She isn't gone yet. Take those words and hold onto them."
Not much happened after that. Fandral said his farewells and then they parted ways. He stood on the roof of the tower and looked over the city and had to admit that even though it was completely different from Asgard, it did hold a certain beauty. He lifted his head to the sky and sighed.
"Heimdall, if you wouldn't mind." and without another word, a familiar light appeared in the sky and in mere moments he was home. He turned to the all seeing being with a quirked brow. "So, have they found it?"
"Not yet." Heimdall replied and Fandral simply shook his head with a sigh. "He won't give up."
"I know, he'll keep trying. Even when he shouldn't." Fandral said before beginning his trek along the rainbow bridge toward the castle.
Loki stood unsure what to do, which someone in his position is definitely not a good thing. He turned quickly and headed for the table that held his mother's books. His mother had taught him all she knew of magic, and he believed himself skilled in all things magic, but he knew when it came to his Frost Giant lineage, nothing was ever certain. He read over the spell he used, and he couldn't find where his error could've occurred. Then it struck him. He turned toward the window where the abnormal clouds still floated above.
"What have I done?" he muttered to himself.
Katie followed the woman, and the moment they stepped inside the doors, she wish she hadn't. It was like some sort of twisted museum. There were glass cases lining the walls, filled with things she's never seen before.
"Who is your master?" Katie asked wishing she'd asked earlier. The woman glanced over her shoulder not bothering to stop walking.
"Taneleer Tivan" the woman said. Katie didn't even recognize the name. "He's the collector." Katie looked around and thought the name was fitting. She wanted to stop and look closely at some of the artifacts because they just looked so weird and so interesting at the same time. It was the dog dressed as an astronaut that caused her to stop.
"Why am I here?" Katie asked turning to the woman who suddenly stops and turns to her.
"You're here because I just had to meet you." a voice echoed around them. Soon they heard heavy footsteps before he appeared. Katie watched the man closely, not sure why he made her uneasy. He looked strange, but so did everyone else she'd came in contact with since she's appeared in this place. It was his eyes that found her drawn. They were white, but dark at the same time.
"You must be the collector." Katie said and she noted the smile that came to the mans face as he took a couple of steps toward her. "Do you know why I'm here?"
"I do" he said and Katie stood waiting more. "What do you think of my collections?" Katie's brow furrowed at the sudden topic change. She followed his eyes as he marveled at his things. "You have no idea how long it's taken to acquire so much."
"Ok" Katie drawled and he turned back to her. "Look, I'm some how in a different realm and at the moment you're the only one who knows anything, so excuse me when I say I could give a rats ass about your collection."
"You should." he said before turning and walking off. Katie stood there in confusion before deciding to follow after him.
"What are you talking about?" she asked and he simply smirked.
The door to Clint and Katie's apartment was wide open, and so Natasha walked in. She heard movement from the bedroom and went to find the source. When she stepped inside, he was walking out of the closet tossing clothes into a black duffle bag that sat on the bed.
"What are you doing?" she asked and he merely glanced up to her before stuffing the clothes in the bag.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" he muttered before walking back over to the closet. "I'm packing my things, then I'm going to call Coulson and have him place me somewhere." he was walking back out to the bag when Natasha moved to step in front of him. "Move." She didn't move, she stood there and looked into his eyes. They were so damn sad that she could barely stand it, but she had to.
"You can't run from this."
"Nat move."
"No matter how far you go, you won't run away from this." he tried to side step her, to get away from her and this conversation, but she wouldn't let him. "When you found me, I was-" she swallowed the lump in her throat as memories she wished would dissolved with time assaulted her. "I was broken. I was used, undone and-" the words were like nails on her tongue. She didn't want to say the things that shouldn't be said. That shouldn't be remembered. "You found me and you-" she met his eyes that were now twitching with an emotion she knew he was fighting. "You saved me and I promised that every chance that I got, I would repay the favor." she reached out and grabbed his hand in hers. She hated dealing with emotions, they were pointless, and they helped in no way, but as she stood there she saw that look in Clint's eyes that was so familiar that it almost made even her shed a tear. "You lost a wife."she didn't want to say this, hell she'd do anything in this moment to not have to say it, but he needed to hear it. She could see the moment her words hit him and when they did he dropped his head at the statement. "And you lost a child." his grip on her hand tightened, but she didn't let go. "And you can't run away from that?"
"Then what do I do Nat?" he asked his eyes lifting back to hers. In that moment she saw his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "What do I do?" A beat of silence passed between them as that question sat in the air and Natasha thought of how to answer it.
"Feel it." she said suddenly giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Don't run from it, don't try to hide from it, but feel it. Every last bit of pain, and sadness and anger. There is no next step until you do that." Clint thought on her words before giving her nod. "Do you want me to stay?" he shook his head wordlessly and she nodded before pulling her hands free. "I'm going to be out here ok, when ever you're ready for the next step, I'll be here." he once again nodded before she turned and left the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Clint stood there with his eyes closed assaulted with memory after memory of every kiss, every soft touch, every smile, every petty fight. the sound of her laughter. It was enough to knock his feet from under him. That's how Clint found himself sitting on the floor, silent tear falling from his eyes.
When Fandral left, the others followed after Thor whose hammer seemed to be guiding him. It was a new ability that even he didn't know the Mjionir had, but at the moment chose to accept his blessings.
They'd been walking for what felt like hours, when Sif heard what sounded like footsteps behind them. she turned looking through the darkened trees. She could see no one, but she knew something was out there.
"Thor-"
"I know, I hear them too." he spoke, his eyes only on his hammer. "I think we're close."
"Well I hope we're close enough, because if not we're dead." Sif said already unsheathing her sword. Volstagg and Hogun did the same as they looked out beyond the trees for their enemy. There was more rapid movement from somewhere behind the trees. "Thor, there's a lot of them!" she looked over to her prince who seemed to be walking, his eyes still down to his hammer. "We must leave now!"
"Just wait, I think we're almost-" an idea struck Thor in that moment. One he felt stupid he didn't think of before once he realized the hammers ability. He held out the hammer in front of him. "Find the spring." he ordered and suddenly the hammer shot from his hand. "Quickly, we must follow." and with that he ran after the hammer. His comrades shared a look before turning back to the darkness. Sif glanced up to the sky.
"Heimdall, be on the ready for our return." Sif ordered before her and the others turned to follow Thor. They nearly ran straight into his back when he stopped suddenly. "What is-" it was when Sif stepped around the others did she see why they were stopped. In this cold and dark place, a bright beautiful spring streamed. The water was crystal clear, and even sparkled a bit making the thought that it held some sort of magical abilities that much believable. Noises from behind them snapped them from the entrancing state the water had put them in. "We must hurry." Sif along with Volstag and Hugun turned, their weapons on the ready as Thor bent down and siphoned some of the water into a vial his father had given him. Once it was full he stood to his feet and turned just as the beasts stepped from the darkness making their presence known.
"Heimdall!" Thor's voice bellowed loudly. "Now!" and without much warning they were being pulled from that land and brought back to their own. They all stood still for a moment as they let the buzz of an impending battle pass off of them. "We must hurry."Thor said moving past them. The others shared a look before turning and following after him.
Fandral walked into the castle and headed straight for the healing room. He had hope that the Allfather could reassure him of this fight. When he walked up, he immediately noticed the healers congregated outside of the healing room.
"What's going on?" he asked and they all turned to him. One of the women stepped forward to address him. "Why aren't you in with Katherine?"
"The Allfather ordered our dismisal the moment you all and the prince were gone." she said with a slight look of confusion. "He is in with her now." Fandral nodded before moving past her to go into the room. "He ordered not to be disturbed." Fandral stopped and looked back to her to see her confused look as well. Fandral simply nodded before turning to the guards that stood outside the door.
"Inform the Allfather that I wish to speak with him. Tell him it concerns his son." The guard stood there for a moment before nodding and turning to enter the room. He waited for a moment, before the door swung open and instead of the guard, it was Odin, who look slightly odd. "Allfather, I-" before Fandral could get the sentence out Odin was walking from the him, down the hall. Fandral quickly ran to follow.
"You said you had news of my son, has he found the spring?" Odin asked.
"Not yet, but they have defeated the dark giants and are now in search of the spring." Fandral replied, glancing back to the healing room. "Has there been any change in Lady Katherine since we've left."
"No, she's still being frozen under the barrier." They entered the throne room, where Odin took his place at the throne and Fandral stood looking up to him. "Was that all you came to inform?" his tone had the slight hint of annoyance that went right over Fandral's head.
"Well yes, but I also seek your council" Fandral replied. "I'm finding it difficult to give this fight-this search for a way to bring back this woman who I'm not even sure is worthy of such a gift. We've had comrades die on the field in battle before, I just-" he shook his head as even in this moment he tried to understand. "I can't see why she is different. Why we're doing something we didn't even do for-" he stopped his words as he looked up to Odin. "What we didn't do for our fallen Queen." Odin eyes turned away slightly, and Fandral saw the smallest hint of sadness cross over his features, but only for a moment. After that moment, he turned back to the soldier with his usual hardened face.
"If I thought the spring would have brought back my Frigga, then doubt me not, I would've searched for it myself, but her death-" he once again turned away. " Her death by Malkeith's sword sealed her fate. There was no bringing her back." he turned back to Fandral who seemed to be still watching him closely. "So you've come here because you're not sure it's all worth it-that she's worth it."
"Please don't misunderstand, I'm not questioning your orders or the orders of your son. I'm just want to understand why her death must be reversed."
"I too did not understand it, but I saw that determined look in my son's eyes and knew that it didn't matter what I told him, he would find a way to save her." Odin let out a sigh. "And then I realized why. She-"
"Your highness!" one of the guards ran in completely out of breath. "Please forgive my intrusion, but they have returned. Thor and the warriors have returned." both Odin and Fandral look to the guard, both in shock and in one of their cases, nervousness.
"I should prepare for their arrival." Odin said standing from his throne. "Tell them to wait outside the healing room until I'm ready for them." Fandral simply nodded in response before watching Odin quickly leave. He shook his head once again at the strange behavior before turning to meet his friends. He didn't have to go far before meeting them in a nearby hall.
"Do you have it?" Fandral asked and Thor nodded with a wide smile as he held up the vial.
"Yes, we have it. We can bring her back" Thor announced not bothering to stop. He had one destination and he wasn't stopping until he reached it. Once he arrived at the healing room, his expression mirrored Fandral's earlier at the sight of all the healers standing outside of the healing room.
"The Allfather ordered their dismissal." Fandral answered the unasked question that was written over the prince's face. "He said for you to wait until he summons you."
"Wait?" Thor asked turning to his friend. He had the key to saving his friend in his hand and now he was told to wait.
Loki stood above Katie's body his hand hovering above her as he tried relentlessly to revive her before it was too later.
"You must awaken now mad woman." he muttered under his breath before placing his hand to the side of her cheek. As expected an unnatural heat touched his skin, forcing him to pull back. "Damnit! Find what you need to find and return!"
The collector was playing coy and it was irritating Katie to no end. He knew something, she knew he knew something, but for some reason he wasn't spilling the beans.
"Look, I don't have time to play these games. I need to get home, and I don't think I can do that until I figure out how I got here." he stopped walking and turned to her. She had to take a step back, the man in front of her still unknown.
"When will you realize that how you're here isn't important" he said stepping toward her. With every step forward he took, she took one back, until her back was pressed against wall. "It's why you're here you should asking."
"Master!" Carina announced and they both turned where she stood. Katie's eyes widened at the familiar faces standing behind her who Carina turned to. "I present to you, Taneleer Tivan, the Collector."
"What are you doing here?" Peter asked meeting Katie's eyes with a shared look of confusion. He glanced over to the collector and his close proximity to Katie and couldn't help the questions that began swirling in his head. "Do you know him?"
"No." Katie said turning back to the collector who looked down to her with a smile. "But I'm getting the feeling he knows me." He finally turned away from her and moved to the others.
"Gamora, it's good to finally see you in the flesh" the collector said, but it was obvious from Gamora's annoyed expression that she didn't share his enthusiasm. Katie stood off to the side, watching the exchange between them still trying to answer the question of why she was here. Her attention was torn from her thoughts when Peter held up an small orb from his bag. She took a couple of steps forward as she watched him clumsily drop it and then lift it back up and hand it to the collector.
"Oh, my new friends. Before creation itself, there were six singularities." The Collector say as he places the orb on some sort of device that begins to open it. Orbs of lights and images appeared above them and Katie couldn't bear to turn her eyes away. "Then the universe exploded into existence, and the remnants of these systems were forged into concentrated ingots. Infinity Stones. These stones, it seems, can only be brandished by beings of extraordinary strength. Observe." he lifts his hand to an image that shows them the giant beings that use the Infinity Stones as weapons. " These carriers can use the stone to mow down entire civilizations like wheat in a field.
"There's a little pee coming out of me right now." Peter said as he too found the story and images too difficult to even believe.
"Once, for a moment, a group was able to share the energy amongst themselves, but even they were quickly destroyed by it." suddenly the orb finally opens revealing the infinity stone. "Beautiful. Beyond compare."
"You're joking." Katie spoke and eyes went to her. Her eyes tore away from the stone to the collector. "Seriously, another stone?" he smirked and she narrowed her eyes to him before looking back down to the small pink gem like stone.
"You've seen them before?" Gamora asks looking to Katie with a wary eye. It was this moment did they all realize that there was more to the pregnant stranger that appeared on their ship.
"Just two others." Katie said with a slight shake of her head. She looked up to see the images of the stones and pointed to the Aether and then to the Tesseract. "I've seen both of those, up close and person and now-" she looks back down to the pink orb. "And now I can add a third to the list."
"Is that normal?" Peter asked and Katie lifted her eyes to him. "Just seem like these things are kind of rare and you've seen three of them." Katie furrowed her brow at the statement as she began to mull it over.
"Yeah, blah, blah, blah." Rocket interrupted turning his attention to the Collector. "We're all fascinated by the vast amounts of coincidence that surround our pregnant broad, but we'd like to get paid."
"Hey Rocket, you know what road kill is?" Katie asked and the animal looked over to her. "Call me a broad just one more time." That causes him to smirk for some reason, but he quickly hardened his face and refused to believe that he was actually starting to like the broad. Katie's eyes went back to the stone, and she couldn't explain the sudden entrancing allure it seemed to have over her. The others had drifted away to further discuss payment and it was as if her feet weren't able to move. Her eyes glanced up to see Groot standing there with a smile before lifting his hand and waving to her. She was about to question him when she caught a slight movement from the corner of her eye. It was when she turn did she see the Collector's assistant, Carina, subtly moving toward the orb.
"Carina" The Collector says noticing the woman as well. All eyes turn to her as they watch her closely. "Stand back."
"I will no longer be your slave!" she yells angrily before lifting her hand.
"No!" the Collector yells, but it's no use and the moment the woman's hand wraps around the stone, the room explodes sending everyone flying and running. Katie lands on her back, her hands wrapping tightly around her belly as she looks up to the pink light that seems to surround. For some reason she doesn't think she should be able to see this. She shouldn't be able to be in the middle of this explosion and stare in bewilderment at the light that's engulfing her while everything else disintegrates around her. She turns her head slightly to see Gamora staring at her through the pink energy that's escaped the orb.
"Keep it safe." Katie says her voice barely a whisper, but she hopes it some how makes it to the woman's ears. Her body suddenly feels cold and she wonders if the explosion is finally effecting her. She closes her eyes tight as she awaits for her demise.
Loki doesn't know why, or how, but there seems to be a subtle shift in the air. He lifts his eyes slightly and turns his head to look out the window as the sunlight cracks through the clouds. He turns back to Katie, with a furrowed brow as he slowly lifts his hand to her cheek. This time he can feel it, he can see the blue tint change on his fingers as it moves to her skin. A smile creeps on his lips. After a moment he finally stands to his feet before shifting back into the Allfather. With a proud smile he turns on his heel and heads to the door, pulling it open. Thor is standing right there, the impatience is written all over his face.
"Father, what-"
"Quickly, there is no time to waste" the Allfather orders. "You must give her the water." Thor nods quickly before moving over to Katie. He scoops her head under his arm and lifts her slightly before bringing the vial to her lips and pouring the contents into her mouth.
For some reason he expected some instant resurrection, but instead the moment the liquid disappeared into her mouth, nothing happened. Thor frowned as he looked down to her motionless body in his arms. He began to doubt everything, every beam in his body had told him. "Father, it's not-"
"You must give it time son." The Allfather replied watching the woman closely. He watched as the last hint of blue disappeared right behind her left ear, and the moment it was gone, her eyes snapped open and she released a loud gasp of air.
They didn't pester her, or ask to many questions. Actually they gave her space to allow her to process everything that had happened, which at the moment was proving quite difficult. Katie stood in one of the many grand rooms of the castle, alone, staring out the window at the beautiful scenery of the land. Her eyes lifted to the sky which she heard was quite different while she was...it was still hard to say. It was hard to admit that she was dead and now she's not. Most people pray for chances like that and now she's had two and for the life of her she doesn't understand why. There was a knock outside her door, and she turned as it pushed open and in walked Thor.
"I wanted to make sure you were alright" he said and Katie nodded as she turned back to the window. They stood in silence before Thor tried his hand in conversation once again. "What do you remember?"
"I was in the car with Sarkissian and then for some reason it stopped and then there-" she closed her eyes as she remembered the truck. "There was this semi heading straight for us at full speed and then I felt-" she glanced down to her belly as she let her finger slide across. "The baby moved." she looked over to Thor. "I took it as a sign to get the hell out of there."
"And then?"
"Then I climbed over the seat and tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge." she said the anxiety from the situation creeping up her spine. "I thought I was a goner for sure and then-" she looked over to Thor. "It was open. The door somehow open and since I couldn't just sit there and question it, I got out and ran." he stared at her waiting for more. "And then nothing. I don't know how I was found lifeless on the side of the road. I-" she shook her head as she turned back to look out the window. "I've been gone for nearly a week and it feels like only couple of minutes to me. I don't understand."
"What?"
"Any of it. How I died and why I'm back." she turned back to Thor. "Why you risked your life to bring me back? I mean Thor, c'mon, I'm not worth that-"
"You underestimate your presence lady Katherine." Thor replied stepping closer to her. "Me, along with countless others weren't ready to live in a world without you in it."
"One day you will, one day you will have to."
"Yes, but that day isn't today. Your death was not natural, and because of that there was a chance to reverse what was done." Katie stared at him in confusion. "I can't explain it fully, but I knew I couldn't just let you end there. Not like that. You're still needed."
"I wish I could see what you saw. What you all see when you look at me, but I can't." she walked over to him and stood staring him right in the eyes. "If it happens again, let me go." he stared down to her and smiled.
"Only if you promise to do the same." he replied and she narrowed her eyes before turning away. "You can't, can you?" she shook her head wordlessly before turning and going back over to the window. "You risked your life in defense of me once, and you helped save the woman I love. Whether you believe it or not, I owe you a great deal. I will forever be in your debt and if it is in my ability I will always be there to bring you back just as I am sure you will do the same." he walked up beside her and stared out the window. "We are the Avengers, are we not? The realms still need us around." she glanced up to him with a smile she couldn't help. "We will beat any enemy that comes our way."
"Including death apparently." Katie muttered as she looked up to the sky. She was standing in a castle above the stars, but as she looked up to sky she couldn't help but feel that there was more out there.
"We should prepare to return you to Midgard. I know our comrades will be glad to know of your recovery." Thor said with a wide smile. "Everything can be as it was." It was that moment that Katie felt a slight thump under her fingers and her eyes went to her belly.
"Not everything." she muttered.
Somewhere in the castle away from prying eyes, Loki stood in his chambers his eyes on his mirror as the memories he'd stolen from Katie played in front of him.
"Is that normal?" the man asked and Katie lifted her eyes to him. "Just seem like these things are kind of rare and you've seen three of them."
Loki turned away in thought as even he tried to find a suitable answer to the question. He turned back to the screen as the sight of the stone appeared.
"She is only a midgardian." he muttered as he watched the way her eyes seemed drawn to the stone. "A mad woman." But there was more to her than that...he just knew it.
Somewhere far away hidden beyond the realms...
A nervous centaurian approaches the throne of his master. He knows bad news at this point is not even possible. Especially since things weren't going his master's way.
"Tell me something good." the deep gravely voice spoke.
"Ronan has been defeated" the centaurian replied. "Destroyed by the stone."
"Where is the stone now?"
The words couldn't pass through his lips and in the end they didn't have to. His master knew the fate of the stone, knew his daughter was smart. Too smart for her own good.
"That's not what I wanted." his master stood raising his hand to rid himself of yet another of his annoyances.
"Lord Thanos, there is more!" the centaurian cried hoping his pleas weren't falling on deaf ears. Thanos dropped his hand back down and waited. "There was an atmospheric anomaly reported in all realms. They all were inflicted with the Clouds of Chaos. Only the premature stages, no harm inflicted, but they all reported the same thing. My lord, I believe it may have been a sign of the seventh stone."
A smile crept on the lips of Thanos at the words.
A/N: There isn't much to read into from this last scene, it's just a seed of possibility when Thanos gets more screen time. But Katie's going home, I wonder how that reunion's going to go. Remember to her she hasn't been gone long so the betrayal and lies will be fresh in her mind.
Once again thanks for reading, reviewing, all the favs and follows. I definitely appreaciate all the support everyone gives while I attempt to sail this ship of fanfiction.
Until next time
~DWH