Things are going well so far. The construction of the newly named Avengers Tower is going a little slower than expected, but things are certainly on the right track. The decision to move Stark Industries was a mutual agreement, so no blood was shed.

At the moment, the majority of the Avengers themselves are out on a low-level mission. Apparently, a bunch of kids had thought it would be funny if they started their own little apocalypse.

Everyone is involved, except for Clint, who was in an accident while in fighting. And Loki of course (who is supposed to be on bedrest according to Tony, but the god will hear none of it).

Loki is eating a light breakfast of dry toast and fruit. Clint sits beside him, reading a newspaper. His arm is in a sling and his leg in a cast. A bottle of water sits in front of him, half empty. He consumes nothing else this morning, having claimed to have gone on a diet.

It amuses Loki greatly, seeing as he had been insulted only a week earlier about his weight by a mere child. Who knew the archer's ego had been so fragile?

The god sighs, shifting in his seat uncomfortably. He's had to urinate for the last hour and a half now and the urge is starting to become irritating, overwhelming even. He sets down his fork and wipes his mouth with his napkin.

Tony had thought it best if someone accompany him to the bathroom, but Clint was having none of it. To tell the truth, neither was Loki, but there was the fact that JARVIS was always watching. So the AI got the job instead.

"I'm going to the bathroom," Loki states. Clint looks up from his newspaper. He sips his water, silently watching as Loki pushes himself, belly first, into a standing position. His eyebrows shoot up.

"So, why are you telling me? Just go," he says. Loki sighs, shaking his head.

"I wasn't talking to you Clint," he clarifies. The archer frowns, but goes back to reading. He's not used to living with an Artificial Intelligence hanging over his head 24/7, so it's not his fault. Clint just tries not to laugh as the god waddles out of the kitchen.


There is a sense of satisfaction in a job well done. Of course, turning a bunch of teenage delinquents over to the authorities isn't exactly the best thing in the world, but hopefully an encounter with law enforcement will set them straight.

They had only wanted to meet the Avengers, but went about it the wrong way. No, after the mission, the team is eating lunch. They're all taking a moment to relax.

Tony's cellphone vibrates in his pocket and he takes it out. He frowns, seeing it's a call from Clint. He decides to answer it. Clint never calls him. When he puts the phone to his ear, he's met with an overly calm but cheerful sounding Clint. It's unsettling.

"Tony, where are you right now?" the archer asks. This isn't an odd question, but still Tony still bfrowns because it's said in that tone.

"We're out having lunch. In Boston, actually. Why?" There's a pause as he waits for Clint's reply.

"Tony you need to get back here now. Loki's sort of...in a situation."

"Wait...what happened? Is Loki ok?" he asks in a worried voice. He can hear the man laughing on the other end and begins to get uncomfortable. He lowers his voice.

"Clint, tell me what's going on right now," he demands. The others glance up from their meals. He's starting to get a little loud again. He hears the archer sigh tiredly.

"Don't freak out ok. Tony, just listen to me. Loki went into labor. Don't freak out. It's fine. When you guys get back here, you can see for yourself." The call ends after that. It's abrupt end doesn't help his mood any.

"Guys, we have to go," he says, getting up from the table. He grabs his jacket and the others follow his example.

"Tony, what's wrong?" Steve asks once they get back to the quinjet. The inventor sighs, shaking his head.

"Clint just called. Loki went into labor a little while ago. He claims everything's fine, but I'm not so sure. He sounded weird." Tony steps into his suit. It comes to life around him and he prepares to launch himself into the air. "I'm going ahead. You guys meet me back at the tower ASAP." He takes off into the air with a kick of power to his thrusters.

The others begin to pile into the the quinjet. Thor begins a to pace along the walkway. Now that the time has finally come, he has to think for a bit.

It's true that he knows of the arrangement Loki has with their mother. He won't involve himself in that affair however, but he will try to come to a compromise with his brother. He watches with distracted interest as Natasha takes her seat behind the controls and everyone else straps themselves in.

"You know, I was just thinking that Loki was looking a bit odd before we left," Natasha remarks as the plane starts up. "I guess it was lucky that Clint had to stay behind."

"Why do you say that?" Bruce asks. The woman shrugs.

"Well, I mean he has experience with this sort of thing. If it had been necessary, I'm sure Clint could have handled Loki's delivery." This revelation is met with confused silence.

"I didn't know Clint had that type of experience. It just seems odd for his line of work," Bruce comments. Idle chit chat is the only sound among them until they reach the tower.

It's no surprise to see clear evidence of Tony's arriva. Pieces of his suit are scattered about near the elevator.

When they are informed by JARVIS that none of them are allowed in the room where Loki us giving birth, they proceed to the communal floor. Clint is already there, using an unbent hanger to scratch underneath the cast on his arm. Tony is nowhere to be seen.

"Hey guys. How was the mission?" he asks as they exit the elevator one by one. Natasha makes a beeline for the bathroom. She smiles when Clint gives her a small salute.

"Well," Steve begins, "it wasn't very difficult that's for sure. A bunch of kids wanted a meet and greet but went about it the wrong way." Clint sighs loudly.

"Were they bummed that I wasn't there?" he asks. The captain rolls his eyes.

"Not particularly," he says with a hint of falsehood. One of the kids had actually cried upon learning Hawkeye wasn't with the team because he was on sick leave. The archer smirks anyway because he knows it isn't true. He simply raises an eyebrow when he sees Bruce and Steve holding hands.

"You lovebirds out of the honeymoon phase yet? Because I totally have a few things you can borrow if you're feeling adventurous." He raises his eyebrows suggestively.

The offer does not go unnoticed. Bruce huffs out a laugh while Steve's cheeks turn crimson red. Bruce decides to change the subject before his boyfriend melts into a puddle on the sofa.

"That's very generous of you Clint, but I think we're doing ok in that department by ourselves. But speaking of help, Natasha says that you have experience delivering babies. I never knew that," he says. The archer shrugs nonchalantly.

"Well, yeah. It certainly comes in handy when your wife wants to have a home birth for your first child." The sentence is uttered so casually that the scientist almost doesn't catch it.

"I didn't know you had a...that you were a father. It didn't say so in your file. But then again, I guess it wouldn't say so for security reasons." Clint nods.

"Right. I wouldn't want Laura or the kids put in harm's way. It's better if I keep my personal life separate from my work." After realizing what he had just implied, he hurriedly tries to fix it. "But you guys are fine. You're both Avengers, who are perfectly capable of taking care of yourselves." The clarification is met with some amusement.

"It's ok. What we're doing is a bit risky if course, but we'll be ok. Nothing is going to keep us apart oo break us up. That's just how we work."


It's almost 16 hours later, and Loki hasn't felt this content in a long time. The drugs the doctors had given him are working wonders on his aching body. It's a shame that his magic will be coming back so quickly though, since it will mean the morphine will no longer work for him. He'll enjoy it while it lasts anyway. But, the medication isn't the only reason why he's happy.

The babe in his arms is sleeping peacefully and he's about to do the same, when Lorelei walks into the room.

As usual, she is wearing a dress of fine silk and a face full of carefully placed makeup. Loki would say he was attracted to her, except for the fact that his groin is still acutely sore from the birthing. He's not really in a gaming mood at the moment and he hopes she isn't either.

"I thought you'd like to know that your Midgardian is running around the building like a madman. Looking for your idiotic brother I assume. I almost felt the need to lock him in a closet just to put him out of his misery. Was I wrong not to do so?" Loki sighs wearily, but still smiles.

"Leave him be. He'll calm down eventually," he tells her. The sorceress smiles down at the infant in his arms. She's never been one for children, but she'll make an exception just this once. It's not like she'll have any of her own. At least not for a long while anyway.

"You know, I kind of expected him to come out looking a bit more...blue," she remarks. Loki nods. That had been a concern of his at first too. But for now, the infant's skin is actually quite normal looking with undertones of a barely noticeable shade of periwinkle. It's a great relief.

"Have you decided on a proper name yet?" she asks suddenly. Loki gves her a slow nod. He's been thinking on it ever since it became apparent he was going to keep the child. Now the time has come to say his choice.

"Frelser," he answers after a short pause. He watches Lorelei as she allows the name to ruminate in her mind. When she begins to smile, he releases the breath he had been holding in.

"Savior," she translates. Loki nods. He's glad that this is her reaction. For some reason, having the name critiqued frightens him in a way he doesn't understand.

He looks down at little Frelser when he begins to move his tiny arms back and forth. Loki gently take one of the tiny hands between his thumb and index finger and is pleasantly delighted when he feels a small squeeze in return.

Tony chooses that particular moment to burst into the room. He's sweating profusely and breathing as though he's just run a marathon. He enters the room and collapses onto the bed near Loki's feet.

"Hey Lorelei. Wh...what's up?" he greets. The woman gives him a look that says she'd rather not have him so close to her. The very mention of perspiration has always been apart of her worst nightmares.

"I'm quite fine thank you. How about yourself? You seem as though you could use...a shower perhaps." Tony takes no offense to the suggestion, simply laughing it off.

"Well I've certainly been better. But you might want to fix your makeup. It's starting to run a little," he shoots back. The sorceress looks at though he's making inappropriate gestures at her.

"How dare you. I am a lady of Asgard and I will not be insulted by a lowly Midgardian blacksmith!" Loki, who had been enjoying the banter for some time now, silences Tony when he begins to respond. Frelser is crying now because of the noise. Lorelei stands as she regains her composure.

"I think it would be best if I leave the three of you alone now. I have other things to attend to anyway." To this, Tony snorts loudly.

"Like what? Pining after what shade of gold matches Thor's hair?" The woman has the dignity not to respond. Instead, she turns on her heel and leaves the room in a whirl of silks. Tony snickers into his hand. He's found that it's quite easy to rile the woman up.

"Why must you antagonize her so?" Loki asks in a voice that is somehow impatient and bored at the same time. The inventor shrugs.

"I don't know. It's fun I guess. She's such a pretty girl that it's interesting to see how little things get to her. Kind of how you used to be," he says fondly. Loki frowns as he rocks Frelser in his arms. When the baby finally quiets down, Tony leans over and pokes Frelser's tiny fingers with his larger one.

"He's kinda bigger than I'd expected," he observes. Loki nods and readjusts Frelser so that Tony can see him better. Loki doesn't respond to the statement. It's quite obvious where the size came from.

"The doctors said the birthing was extremely difficult. Are you ok?" Tony asks. The god nods again.

"I'm fine Tony. Nothing I couldn't handle. How is Thor by the way? I heard you've been chasing after him all day." Tony nods at this and lays hid head in Loki's lap.

"I think he's...I don't know. When he found out that you were going to keeping the baby after all, I guess he was excited. Then again it's not his kid. He doesn't have to take care of it. He doesn't have to worry about it. He doesn't have to-" Loki places a hand over the man's mouth to silence him.

"Calm down Tony. It's barely been a day and you're already panicking." The inventor sighs.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asks quietly. Loki looks down at him with a slight frown.

"What are you talking about?" he asks in an even tone. Tony addam's apple bob's in his throat as he swallows.

"I'm just saying that a baby is a big thing. Are you sure I'm the one you want helping you raise this kid? If it's what you want then I can just stand off to the side and watch," he says.

"What do you mean? Of course I want you involved in Frelser's life. Even if you don't share a bloodline, I still want you as his father." Tony relaxes a bit. He's glad that this is the outcome of the day. He looks on with surprise as Loki offers the infant to him. The inventor pales considerably.

"Ah...are you sure you want to do that? I prefer machines to tiny, vulnerable human flesh." Loki sighs and takes the child back with a nod. Perhaps it's too soon for his lover. Better to ease the former playboy into the fatherhood of a newborn. He smiles anyway as Tony pulls himself up so they can sit side by side.

"You know I think I'm going to look forward to having another kid around. Me, you, Bruce and Minva. All having fun in the lab. You never forget the first time you burn your eyebrows off."


The Collector is awoken by a sudden commotion outside of his sleeping chambers. He gets out of bed and goes to the door. When he opens it, his servant Carina stands there, hands folded in front of her.

"Master Collector, there is someone here to see you," she says. He gives her a nod and orders her to prepare something light to eat. He's found that he is always peckish after waking from a nap. After a moment of checking his appearance, he purposefully strides out to meet his guest. He makes his way to his collection room.

When he first sees the man, his appearance seems off, but he is nonetheless attractive. He briefly considers the possibility of adding him to his collection. He doesn't look as if he has a high stature, so he will not be missed much. Perhaps a favored servant if sorts. He smiles brightly at his guest. He'd be willing to pay a reasonable price.

"Welcome to my humble abode. I am Taneleer Tivan, but you may call me by my more commonly known pseudonym, The Collector," he says with a bow. He continues to eye this strange creature with interest. He's never seen one if his kind before. It was absolutely fascinating.

The man pays no attention to his apparent interest. He begins to pace around the room, steadily drawing closer to Taneleer. It's an unnerving experience, to have this strange man circling him like a predator.

"I come in regards to my master. He sent me to acquire something, but I know not where the item may lie. So I come to you, imploring your assistance. It is said thst you are a collector of many rare items, so this should not be a challenge for you of course." Taneleer nods. Everything said so far is correct.

"Who are you stranger? Tell me your name. Perhaps I may be able to guess the name of the one you serve." This approach earns him a slight scowl. The man must realize now how deeply the Collector's interests run. He looks on smugly. Oh how he hopes he gets to meet this master of his.

"I am called Islis. But that does not matter. Not now. I hold no standing other than through the use of my master's name." The Collector nods. Just as he suspected. A mere servant. Expendable.

"Who is your master then? Why does he not come himself?" he questions. Islis smiles, revealing his pointed teeth. He can't really call them fangs, since they are not large enough in size.

"My master has his own devices yo tend to and cannot waste his time with such trivial matters. The Mad Titan is a very busy man after all. I am sure you have heard of him. It is imperative that he is not kept waiting."

The name of Thanos sends visible shivers through him. He stiffens, taking a deep breath.

"What is it that the Mad Titan requires? Surely he cannot think that such a lowly man such as myself is worthy of being called upon with such a great honor of serving him." His attempts at flattery are ignored, in favor of more pacing.

"Thanos requires an Infinity Stone. We know you have also been looking for them already, also. What we require is a specific one," he continues. The Collector frowns. So far, Islis hasn't said much of anything that will end thus conversation any quicker.

"And whixh one pray tell are you seeking?" he says. Out of nowhere, Islis lets out a fierce hiss. He backs away from him. Now that he looks closer, Islis no longer looks mostly like a man. but more so a vicious, deadly creature sent to end him eternally.

"We require the Time Gem. Do this for us, and Thanos will look upon you with favor. Perhaps, once he has claimed the others, you will be given a fine position in his army. Perhaps you can use your collecting skills for him instead."

With that, Islis begins to walk towards the door. A servant springs up and moves to open the door. Islis pauses as if considering the decorations engraved in the gold.

"You have one month from today. I will return then. Have the Stone ready by then," he orders. The Collector's eyes widen. That is not nearly enough time to find an item that has been lost for over a millennium. He says so, knowing that he is most likely quickening his own death.

Islis turns around slowly. He eyes are beginning to turn a mottled red now. Before he knows it, the creature has crossed the room and stands close enough for him to see that his skin is definitely not solid. It shifts like an undecided cloud.

"Oh really? Then I guess you will have to start today, won't you?" he asks quietly. Taneleer nods silently. He just wants to be rid of Islis as soon as possible. Thankfully, his wish is granted and the Collector has to sit down.

He's just thankful that the two Infinity Stones currently in his possession are hidden deep within his home. He's not sure he even wants to know what would happen if that fact had been discovered.


Author's Note: Hello to my fellow readers. This is the last chapter so I hope you enjoyed reading it. There will be another fic in this series up in a couple months. I also have a special request:

I was going to try to post earlier this week, but I was saddened to learn that one of my best friends had committed suicide last Monday. He had been going through some stuff that eventually, sadly took it's toll. But I hope that there is a heaven and a god out there because he deserves it.

If any of you are religious, I'd like to ask that you keep him in your prayers. I have written something dedicated to him to advocate against suicide to help anyone who is also struggling with something similar. Thank you for I can't insert a link here, the work is called Life Is Precious. Please read and share.


Also if anyone was curious, Frelser means Savior. I might change it later though.