A/n. Seventy two reviews you guys. Thanks for being so amazingly supportive. If you are reading, and enjoying give me a follow or a favorite. It seems the more people that do that, the more people are willing to give my story a try.

Kudos to Dewliet, who made it sound like they read the entire story in one sitting. Your review was very sweet! Ladyloki, and Indigo, and my other faithful reviewers, I love you all. Hugs as always.

Chapter Thirty-five

"I believe they have earned it Director. There has not been any trouble from him, and Lucy has worked her ass off for you."

Fury walked back and forth in front of Coulson and Stark. He turned to Tony, "and you agreed to this?"

Tony shrugged, "I frankly don't seem the harm. It's one night, and I will be in the same building. Come on Fury, Lucy deserves this and you know it."

Fury finally nodded his head. He knew he wouldn't win this argument, so what was the use of putting the energy into it. "Okay, but he wears the shackles, and the mask."

"Hm, maybe Lucy likes it that way." Tony wiggled his eyebrows, "Kinky..."

Phil glowered at Tony. "Shut the hell up Stark."

I spent the next three days in a crazed run between the lab, and Loki. Bruce had managed to create a mask. He made the water, turn to vapor inside it. So now it was up to me to infuse the water successfully, and then he would run it through the mask so we could test it.

Loki had been helping me with my magic. We sat at the table in his cell for hours, with a pitcher of water. "You can do this Lucy. I am beginning to think you can do anything, with enough practice."

I was frustrated. I couldn't do anything but fill the water with energy. For some reason, I was having trouble making anything else stick. I was tired. I had rebuilt the wall in Loki's head a third time, and with all this practice, I just seemed to be getting weaker.

I laid my head down on the table, and pulled out the argument I had been using for a day. "I know I could do this if you would let me restore your magic, so you could help me."

"Lucy, that is too dangerous and you know it."

"I am too damn tired. I can't do it alone."

"Well I am pretty sure I have never heard YOU whine like that." I looked up to see Phil standing in the doorway.

I jumped to my feet. "You're up! I'm so glad to see you!"

I ran to him, and he held up his arm before I hugged him. "Watch it Luce. I'm still in a bit of pain."

I hugged his uninjured side, and kissed him on the cheek. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, now that they let me out of that room. What's going on in here?"

I sighed and flopped back down in the chair.

"Lucy needs to infuse the water with her ability to keep my magic from me. Then Dr. Banner has created a mask for me to wear, so I can't access my magic. But she seems to be giving up."

"I'm not giving up" I scowled at him. "I'm just saying, I could do it a lot easier if you would let me use your magic, as well as mine."

Phil sat down at the table with us. "What about Thor? Does he have any mojo you could use?"

I couldn't help but smile as Loki growled and laid HIS head on the table this time.

"No, unfortunately Thor doesn't have any abilities that would help me."

Phil leaned forward, and pointed his thumb at Loki. "What's his problem?"

"Well, Thor has been a bit of an issue for a couple of days."

"Or for a thousand years or so." Loki muttered into the table. He lifted his head, and pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers.

"Oh stop it. He just wants to see you, I don't understand why you don't let him. He is worried about you. You have got to get over this. I know you are angry at him, but you need to understand that none of this is his fault. I could have said 'no' to Odin love, I chose to help him. Thor is not responsible."

He growled again, "It's just...difficult to see him. He brings a lot of unpleasant memories with him."

"Well that isn't going to change unless you make some new memories that aren't so painful."

"FINE! Fine, I will see him. I guess it was going to have to happen eventually."

"Well that's the spirit." Phil replied sarcastically.

I muffled a laugh, as I felt to see if Thor was in the building. I found him easily, and quietly called to him in my mind. Telling him that Loki was ready to see him. He was very excited, and I flinched as he shouted back that he was on his way. The man did nothing quietly.

Loki noticed. "Really Lucy? Now?"

"Yes, and he is on his way. So try and be nice please."

"I will try. Now get back to work." He pointed at the water.

About ten minutes later Thor came bounding through the door. I got up, and moved into his way to slow him from getting to Loki.

He looked down at me. "Sister! I am glad to see you. And Agent Couslon, you are looking well." He hugged me, and then looked at his brother.

"Brother." He stepped forward and pulled Loki into a crushing hug. "You look much better. I have missed you."

Loki awkwardly patted Thor on the back. "It's only been a few days Thor."

"I meant... Well it doesn't matter now. I am just happy to have you back." He clapped Loki on the back of the neck.

I smiled when I saw Loki smile. He couldn't help himself. He loved his brother, no matter what he said.

"I cannot wait to take you and Lucy home. Our mother is going to be so happy to see you. She has mourned for so long."

Loki nodded his head. "Yes, I have missed her as well." But he looked uncomfortable, something was off.

"Loki? What is it? Is everything okay?" I walked to him.

He looked down at me, and then up at Phil.

Phil shrugged. "No time like the present. At least you have witnesses. Maybe she won't kill you if there are people watching."

Now I was worried. "Loki?"

"Sit Lucy. I need to tell you something. And you are going to be angry, but I need you to hear me out."

I sat on the edge of the chair at the table. He knelt on one knee in front of me. Took my hand with one hand, and put the other on my cheek. "When the device to return us to Asgard is completed. Thor and I will be leaving alone."

I jumped to my feet. "NO. You can't leave me. Not again. I can't lose you, please tell me you won't leave me." I was starting to get hysterical.

Loki looked to Phil, a pleading look on his face.

"Wait," I turned to Phil. "Did you know about this?"

He looked straight into my eyes. "Yes Lucy, I knew. And you should let him explain, before you lose your shit."

I looked back to Loki. "Explain. Quickly, I can't promise how long I am going to last."

"First let me say this. I am not leaving you permanently. I cannot live without you, that has been proven." He took my face in his hands. "But for your safety, I need to return without you. The creature within me shrieks for your death, any time I can remotely hear him. Odin should be able to rid me of this infernal monster, and then I will return for you. We will go home together. Frigga will plan an incredibly over the top wedding, and we," he kissed me softly. "will live happily ever after."

"How long? How long do I have to be without you? I want to go home Loki." Tears streamed down my face.

He tipped his head to mine. "Please don't cry little one. I am not doing this because I want to, surely you know that. You know how strong my Father's magic is, it shouldn't take long. Until then Agent Coulson will take care of you. Right?"

He looked up. "Try and stop me." Phil stated.

I nodded. "I'm worried. Who will keep the creature quiet without me there?"

"Well that is why I need you to stay. The creature needs to come back before Odin can rid me of it. At least, that is what I believe. I am also hoping that maybe Odin can discover who he is, and what his intentions are. I can't do any of that with you close by. I would be too worried about you, and your safety."

I understood. I hated it. But I understood. "Okay. But promise me you will come back for me?"

"I can't live without you Lucy. I promise I will be back for you. You just have to trust me."

Damn him. He knew me too well. I nodded my head. "You know I do."

He kissed me again. "Get back to work now. You have a lot to do."

So I worked. And worked. And slept, and then worked again. It took another three days, but I did it. The mask worked successfully, and Loki only had to wear it for a few hours at a time to keep his magic locked up.

And the boys managed to finish the tesseract. And then it was time for them to leave.

They day before their scheduled departure Loki and I were laying side by side on his bed. I was begging him to let me go with them for the millionth time. And for the millionth time he was telling me no.

"Please Lucy, Can we just enjoy our day together. I don't want to argue."

"Yes, I'm sorry. I am just scared that something will go wrong, and I'll be separated from you again."

He wrapped his arms around me tightly. "I know. I can't pretend that I'm not worried about leaving you behind. I am just glad you have friends here to take care of you while I am gone."

"Speaking of them. Can we bring them to Asgard for the wedding? I would love for them all to be there. In fact, I was thinking I would ask Phil to walk me down the aisle."

Loki smiled. "I think that is a wonderful idea. Who would you like to invite?"

"Well, Phil of course. Maybe Director Fury. Tony, and Pepper. We should invite Jane, for Thor. Steve, and Bruce. And Natasha, and Clint, if they would come."

"Yes, I am thinking they would probably decline. Neither of them seems to want anything to do with me. Not that I blame them of course."

There was a knock on the door, and Tony walked in, with Phil right behind him.

Loki and I stood. Loki gave a slight bow to the men, and I greeted them as well.

"Afternoon guys! What are you doing here today?"

"We came to bust Loki out of here." Tony said.

"What are you talking about?" I was confused.

Phil rolled his eyes. "It's nothing that dramatic. We just got permission to get you guys out of here for the night."

I was suddenly very excited. "Seriously?!" I jumped into Loki's arms, hugging him tightly.

"Yep, we couldn't get him to give you complete freedom, but we do get to take you out of this depressing room. We are going to Stark tower, where Pepper and I will host the three of you, and Thor for dinner. After which the two of you will spend the night, in one of my beautiful rooms."

It took a second for it to sink in. "Stay the night? Loki and I in our own room? Without guards and observation rooms?" It seemed too good to be true.

"Or cameras, or microphones..well you get the idea."

I looked up into Loki's eyes. He smiled at me, and in my head I heard him. 'Prepare for the best night of no sleep you have ever had.'

I blushed bright red, and elbowed him in the stomach. He grunted and rubbed the spot I hit.

I looked up at Tony. "When can we leave?"

"How is now?"

"Not soon enough." Loki said.

Tony laughed. "Well there was some stipulation about you wearing the mask, and the shackles. But given that you have been here for days, and haven't killed anything, I think we can lose them at the tower."

"Thank you Mr. Stark. You have no idea what this means to me."

"Or me." I walked over and gave him a big hug.

"Well this was more Phil than me. He is quite a cheerleader for the two of you."

"Well of course he was." I went to Phil and out my arms around him, and reached up to kiss him on the cheek. I whispered in his ear. "Thank you, I love you."

"You too kid." He hugged me back.

"Well get your bag, little tiny, let's get the hell out of this dump." Tony smiled, and turned as a guard walked in with the mask and shackles. He rolled his eyes and turned back to Loki.

Loki shrugged, and stuck his arms out in front of him, while stepping forward. And then we left that infernal cell for the last time.