The hunt for Ultron, brought them to a warehouse. Gem had been allowed to come on the mission, she was to help if needed. She was watching over Tony when someone tried to use a sort of magic on her. She turned on this young girl.
"That will not work on me."
"What are you?" The girl's brows furrowed.
"The question is, who am I? I can use magic you could never dream of."
Gem went to grab her, and she was gone in a second. What was that? When she found the rest of the team, they looked beaten. What had happened to them?
On the quinjet everyone was quiet. Gem could see something behind Steve's eyes. He was holding something back from her. Clint flew them to a house, inside he introduced them to his family. Thor left the house, Steve followed him. Gem watched them through the window.
She knew there was something Steve wasn't telling her, the witch they had met, had done something to the team. Clint's wife had given Gem some fresh clothes. Steve was outside, stacking wood, Gem used her magic to put it away.
"What did she show you?"
"What do you mean?"
"What did the witch show you? She tried to break into my mind."
Steve stared at her. "She showed me Peggy."
Gem stared at him. She didn't know if she wanted to hear this now.
"Peggy was my first love. She was with me when I became Captain America." He sighed.
"Do you still love her?"
"I do. I mean do you ever get over your first love?"
This is why she loved him; he was so honest with her and he deserved the same. "I don't know, I'm looking at mine."
Steve stared at her, she was being serious. He grabbed for her hand, and she stepped back.
"I need a minute Steve. Thank you for being honest."
Steve watched as she walked away. Later that night he found her sitting on the makeshift bed. she was flipping a dagger in her hand.
"I come in peace." He held his hands up and she smiled. "I'm sorry if I upset you."
"You didn't. Well you did kinda, but we all have pasts. You accepted mine and it's only fair I accept yours."
Steve sat next to her; she laid her head in his lap. It was in these moments she wished she had her father or uncle to talk too.
When they finally got back to the tower, they had the body Ultron had been trying to build. Gem was helping Clint look for Nat when she heard raised voices. They both ran up to the lab. Steve and Tony were going toe to toe. Gem noticed the witch she had encountered. Everything ended quickly when Thor appeared. The body out of the box flew through the air, knocking Thor and Steve over.
Gem watched him; a new life had been born. He came towards Gem; he bowed his head.
"Highness."
How could he know who she was? Thor looked at her. Gem looked at Steve.
"Why did he call you highness?" Thor growled in confusion.
"Thor, leave it…"
"No Steve I want to know. She is Asgardian by birth. I have a right…."
Gem looked round the room, everything was about to change.
"Uncle."
Thor shook his head, the magic that had hidden the memories of Gem came flooding back. Steve was at Gem's side. Thor looked from Gem to Steve and back. He staggered at first as he tried to walk over to Gem. "You look older." He cupped Gem's face, then pulled her into a hug.
"Does someone want to explain what's going on?" asks Tony
"Just give them a minute." says Steve.
Gem didn't want to let go of Thor; it had been nearly 7 years since she had last hugged him. She had missed him. Thor let go of her first.
"Why? "He sounded so hurt that it brought tears to her eyes.
"I wanted to live a life away from father's mistakes."
"You are not your father."
"I know that. I think." She gave a small smile.
Steve took her hand. He knew it would take time to explain to everyone else. "I think you should all sit down."
Everyone takes a seat. "Did you call him uncle?" Asks Nat.
"I did. Thor is my uncle."
"So, if he's your uncle, that makes…."
The words never left Tony's mouth. Gem notices the look on everyone's faces. They were realising who she was.
"Yes, that makes Loki my father." She saw the looks, they didn't know whether to trust her or not, Steve reached for her hand, but she was gone.
He found her in her in the training room. She was throwing her dagger at the targets, hitting the bullseye every time.
"Do they all hate me?"
"God no! Thor told them about you as a child. Says you're his favourite niece."
"He was always encouraging. I used to follow him and father round like a puppy. All I wanted was to be them."
"Now you kind of are."
"I know. but the team isn't going to trust me now." Gem gave a heavy sigh and pulled her dagger from the target.
"Thor told them that you are very different from Loki. Well apart from the magic and the mischief you can cause. But you don't have his desire for power. They will get over it."
The dagger hits the target again just as the door opens and Thor comes in. "So I think I've been pretty calm about you two?"
Gem grins. Steve edges backwards slightly, as Thor tosses the hammer in his hand.
"It's the age gap, you think I'm too old for her."
Gem laughs as does Thor.
"You haven't told him your age?" Asked with raised eyebrows.
"I told him I was 27." Gem did look a little ashamed that she hadn't told Steve the truth about her age as well as her family.
Steve looked between them.
"Calm down there cap. You can't be too old for her. We age differently to you. She is actually 927, so the question you should be asking is, is she too old for you?"
Steve laughed. "I suppose age is just a number."
"It is. but I'm still gonna warn you. You hurt that girl in any way, and I will break every bone in your body."
the plan was set, they had to stop Ultron. Thor and Steve had been adamant that Gem came on this mission. Tony had designed her a suit months ago. Gem grinned when she saw it, it was the same navy blue as Steve's. Her dagger had its own home in a hidden pocket on her thigh. Steve gave out a low whistle as she joined them on the quinjet, Thor gave him a punch in the arm.
Steve gave out the orders when they landed. He turned to Gem. "You are to stay with me or Thor."
"I can look after myself you know."
"I know, but I want you safe."
"He's right you know, if I can't be with you, then you are to stay with him."
Gem bowed her head to Thor. She would not risk annoying her Uncle so soon after him coming back into her life.
The fight began, the robots Ultron created, kept on coming. the earth moved and they realised they had been lifted. Gem was pulling cars and people from the sky, the relief hit her face, when she saw the rescue boats from Nick. Thank Odin. Gem started to help get everyone on the boats, and Steve ran over.
"Get on."
"We haven't finished her yet."
"I need you to make sure they are safe on board."
"I'm more use here."
"Please get on. I can't finish this with you on here. I need to know you are safe."
"Steve…."
"Please do it for me. I love you too much, I need to see you are safe."
"Did you say love?"
"I did now get on the boat." He smirked and gave her a quick kiss on her forehead.
Gem cups his cheeks and kisses him soundly before stepping on the boat. "You better come back to me, cause I love you too."
The boat took her to the carrier. She watched on, helping everyone to safety.
When all was done that could be Steve found her watching as the rock began to fall.
"Where's Thor?" She asked scanning the carrier.
"He's still on there."
Gem stepped forward and was caught by Steve's arm, she slowly fell to her knees. Steve knelt next to her. "I can't lose another person."
Steve took her inside. When they landed, she sat outside, hoping he would be safe. It was only when her Uncle landed did, she stop staring out at where the town had once been.
"Were you worried about me?" He said all too jovially.
Gem thumped him on the arm. He winced and she shook her head knowing full well that hadn't hurt him one bit.
The new compound was amazing. Gem and Steve had a huge room, Gem woke up and reached for Steve, he wasn't there. She showered, and pulled on some training shorts, vest top and grabbed one of Steve's hoodies. She found him training the new recruits. Nat stood on the side lines.
"He's up early."
"I think he feels it's his duty to have these guys whipped into shape."
"You too?"
"Nothing else to do."
Nat had been quiet since Bruce had taken off. They had looked for him but had never found him. Gem hated seeing her friend so sad.
"Ok, let's ditch the boys tonight, and go out dancing. You, me and Wanda."
"Not sure your boy is gonna like that."
"I have my ways of convincing him."
Natasha shakes her head, "There are things I don't need to know. I mean I've heard some of them, but I don't need details." Gem laughs. "Well there is one detail, I would love to know."
"Oh really?"
"Does size really matter."
"Certainly helps." Gem winked at her as she walked away. "If he needs me, I'm going for a run, then a swim."
Gem was in her room getting in the shower, when she heard Steve come in the room. She stepped under the water. Steve put his head round the bathroom door.
"Nat says you're going dancing tonight. Do you think that's a wise idea?"
She almost laughed. this needed nipping in the bud right away. "She needs cheering up, she misses Bruce."
"Do you have to leave the compound? can't you just have fun here."
"No, we need to get away from all this. It's one night."
"I don't know…."
Steve stopped talking, Gem had stepped out from the shower, the water was dripping down her body. She walked towards him. She pulled his t-shirt off.
"I know what you're doing. It won't change my mind."
Gem kissed his chest, her hands undoing his trousers pushing them to the floor. She dropped to her knees. Looking up at him from under her long lashes Gem smirked, Slowly she began to run her fingers up and around his cock, she had had him but now she had the chance to know him and she was going to enjoy it. He was so smooth like silk around iron. Gem gripped him a little harder and licked a long line from base to tip. She did the same at each side listening to his breathing grow rapid and shallow.
At last she took pity on him and took him into her mouth slowly inch by inch. She had never thought she would enjoy this but oh how she loved his moans as she ran her tongue under the ride of his head and the way his stomach muscles would clench when she sucked on his length long and hard.
When his hands flew into her damp dark locks as he bucked his hips forward, clearly finding it hard to now control himself Gem reached around from where her hands had been resting on his hips and gripped his ass digging her blunt nails into the round cheeks. Steve hissed in pleasurable pain and pulled them away before lifting her to stand up.
With a smile Gem takes his hand and leads him to the shower. He watches the water flow over her as she pulls him under with her. She runs her hands over his chest and up into his hair pulling him into a slow passionate kiss. Steve smirks against her lips as he runs his hands and scrapes his nails over her arse cheeks just as she had done to him. Pulling away from him a little she caught the sight of the water running over his body and she began to trace some of the lines that flow over his body with her tongue.
Steve continued to run his hands up and down her body, until he scooped her up by her ass, and slammed her so hard into the wall the tiles cracked. He had learnt that he really couldn't hurt her. Gem's nails dug into his back as he kissed her. She bit into his shoulder to help silence her moans, Steve grabbed her hair and pulled her head up wanting to watch her face as he fucked her. He loved the way her eyes would roll back each time he hit her g-spot and the way she would clench her jaw the closer she got. He swiftly moved his hand from her hair to her throat forcing her to open her eyes. She looked straight into those baby blue eyes, it was all that it took for her to come undone, the look of shear lust in them. He was only one thrust behind her.
Slowly he lets her down and steadies the pair of them. "I love you." He whispers into the soft skin of her neck. Gem only gives a purr of agreement not quite back being able to use words just yet. After a few more minutes enjoying the hot spray and washing one another slowly they get out and Gem throws Steve a towel, she takes his hand and moves him towards her dressing table where she sits him down and begins to slowly run a comb through his hair.
Steve hums his pleasure and the feel of her fingers and the comb ridding his hair of knots. She really did have a thing for his hair didn't she. "Promise to text me throughout the night."
"I promise." She replied kissing the top of his head and stepping away to let him get up.
Steve got dressed and headed to join the boys in the living area and left Gem looking through her wardrobe, what to wear. The usual training gear didn't scream girl's night. she found some tailored shorts, and a strappy top, she pulled them on with some thigh high boots. she grabbed a jacket and headed out; Nat handed her a cocktail as she stepped into the living area. Steve had his back to them; Sam was looking straight at them.
"Man, it's unfair, that you get to date that girl. I mean she's hot as hell and a goddess."
Steve still didn't turn around. Sam was always ribbing him for dating Gem. Gem walked over and stood next to Sam. Steve looked her up and down. His old fashion ways were about to slip out.
"Is that suitable for a woman who is spoken for to wear out in public."
Gem rolled her eyes. "Spoken for?"
"I mean, I was trying…. I just want to…." He was shit at this. He'd been back for years yet he still couldn't get used to just how much things had changed.
Nat patted him on the shoulder. "Steve, just tell the girl you love her, that she looks super-hot and that you hope we have a good night."
Steve realised in that moment that what he actually wanted to say was that he wanted to marry this girl. But he couldn't say that out loud. He stood up, pulled her to him and kissed her.
"Have a great time, message me and yes I do love you."
"I love you too"
Steve watches as they leave. An agent was driving them into the city. When they arrived at the bar Nat had suggested Gem went to the bar and got in the drinks. They decided to sit in one of the corner booths mainly to people-watch which as it turned out was pretty fun after a few cocktails, things started to lighten up as questions began to fly around about her and Steve. Surprisingly Wonda was the worst, wanting absolute detail. Nat decided after about half an hour that she was bored and wanted to dance. So, both Gem and Wonda followed her to the small dance floor. Gem was a little lost at first, but she was a fast learner. It was now as they danced and began to enjoy their night out that she realised they were never going to have truly normal lives, and this was about as close as it was going to get.
The nameless agent drove them back to the compound much later than they had planned, and Steve was sitting waiting for them. Nat and Wanda were slightly drunk, Gem was fine. Steve watched the girls go off to bed, Gem held her hand out to him.
"Dance with me?" She asked with a slow and happy smile forming on her face when she noticed he wasn't too pissed at their lateness. No doubt Sam had something to do with that.
Steve took her hand, and he pulled her towards him. Gem waved her hand and music started playing, and they began to slow dance round the room. Gem laid her head against his shoulder. She wanted to stay like this forever.
….
The following morning Gem was sitting outside in Steve's shirt drinking coffee, when her Uncle and father appeared. Gem shot up from her seat faster than a polecat can climb a tree, knocking over her coffee in the process. Its burning heat was the clarification that she was not dreaming. Her father truly stood in front of her. She looked at Thor for answers. Odin had told her Loki was dead. She had mourned for him, cried herself to sleep more than once. Why would Odin lie to her, his granddaughter.
"Brother, do you know this woman?" Thor spoke with a steady voice of a man that knew what he was doing, a man who for once planned things through.
"No. Now tell me why you have dragged me here so I can leave." Loki replied without even looking at her.
"Her name is Gem brother. Please look at her."
Loki sighed and looked at Gem over noting the way she tried to cover herself more from his gaze and the way her blush ran from her cheeks to neck. "Another one of your Midgardian friends perhaps? What happened to Jane anyway? I liked her."
Thor's jaw muscle twitched slightly at the mention of Jane but continued calmly. "Gem, it worked on me, it is only fair if you do the same for my brother especially now that Frigga is gone."
Loki looked between Thor and Gem with suspicion. "Why are we here?"
Thor looked at Gem. "It's ok, I'm here Gem."
Gem looked Loki dead in the eye and with tears forming in her eyes she all but whispered "Father."
A moment passed as they both watched as realisation washed over Loki, everything he had been made to forget was slowly coming back to him. Thor stood between him and Gem, unsure on how Loki would react. He did try and destroy an entire race when he found out his true parentage.
Loki looked at his daughter. She looked older, her hair had grown long and wavy, she was no longer his little girl, she had become a woman. Her eyes though they still held the look of his, and they were staring straight back at him. He raised one hand and unclipped his cloak. His daughter was wearing nothing but a shirt outdoors and surrounded by men inside. Thor was still clearly unaware of other men's minds.
"Come here." He offered his right hand to her while holding his cloak in his left.
Gem moved towards him and took his outstretched hand. She let him wrap the cloak around her. She smiled as she fingered the cloth. She remembered him doing this on cold nights in Asgard when he would take her to watch the stars. The tears she had been holding back began to fall unbidden. "I was told you were dead." she sobbed as he brought her to his chest.
Loki put his hand to her face. She had always been his favourite child. The one that was so much like him and so much like her mother. He had loved her mother greatly. she had died giving birth to Gem, Frigga had raised her for a time when he had not been capable when he was too wrapped up in his grief. "I am here now. Why did you leave?"
Gem looked down and stepped back away from the two of them. She then looked to Thor. "Because I didn't want to become you. I wanted to live a life without fear of being judged for being your daughter."
Loki could feel his anger rise within, quelled it just as quickly when he saw his daughter's fear. He took a slow step towards her and then another treating her like a wild horse that might bolt at any moment. "I understand you did not want to be judged for my actions. I can understand you leaving because of that but stealing away mine and your uncle's memories of you was unfair." He gently placed his hands on her shoulders and ducked his head so she would look at him. "You are the best parts of me. No more lies from now on. I have already lost so much time with you, you're a woman now."
He began to laugh "Oh please sweet Gem tell me how that happened. Has it really been so long?" He pulled her to him and hugged her. Her weeping into his shoulder slowly turned into hiccupping giggles, only to be sobered by her uncle's voice.
"Gem, is Steve awake?"
"I left him in bed." She looked down as Loki stood her at arm's length away from him.
"I will wake him and tell him where you are. you two have some catching up to do."
Oh, that's right uncle stirs the pot then leave Gem thought keeping her head bowed. She used her magic to dress under the cloak and then let it hang open as they walked around the compound. Her father was silent, and she dared not look at him as she explained who Steve had become to her. Obviously leaving few parts out, no father wants to hear about his daughter's sex life. She spoke of her time here in Midgard mostly, as well as her place in the avengers.
When they came back to the balcony her father finally stokes. "Well at least you didn't pick Stark as your lover." He sighed when he saw her duck her head, "You truly love this mortal then?"
"I do." Gem smiled looking out over the land that surrounds the base.
"You understand that you will outlive him. That you will watch him grow old." Loki was doing his best to hold back his annoyance at her choice of man. The Captain was so...Patriotic and righteous. As for that ridiculous suit he was clearly...no he would not think of that he did not want to know. The image that he was building of them acting like children in love, just kissing and holding hands was bad enough for him.
Gem looked at her hands. "It is better to have loved and lost, then to never have loved at all."
Loki was brought out of his glum by this. Her years here had allowed her to grow, she now had the wisdom of her mother and of Frigga. She was no longer a little girl, seeking approval, she was a woman.
"Just know that when the time comes, I will always be there. Asgard will always be your home."
Gem looked him in the eyes. Everyone saw him as this monster, she had even seen him as one, but she loved him, he was her father, nothing could change that. In this moment she knew Frigga had been right; he did love her. It was hard for him to speak to her about love and her life without him.
Steve was sitting with Thor in the garden waiting for her. When they finally did come down from the balcony where they had spotted them Steve held his hand out to Loki. It felt strange offering his hand to this man, but he was Gem's father and he would show him that respect, more because he loved Gem and didn't want to embarrass her.
Loki took Steve's hand and squeezed it harder than he should have done. "I hope you are looking after my daughter, Captain." Loki said with an overly warm smile.
Steve looked at Gem. "I am, I love her very much."
"I'm glad to hear it. You are a very lucky man, make sure you deserve her love." Thor had out right warned him about what would happen if he hurt Gem, but not Loki he simply gave Steve a look that promised a whole new world of pain should he fuck up just the once.
"I always will."
Loki looked from Gem to Steve and saw the look in their eyes, it was the same way he and Gem's mother used to look at each other. "Then you have my blessing. for what it is worth."
"Thank you, father."
Thor indicated that they needed to leave, they were heading to find Odin.
Loki kissed Gem's cheek and hugged her hard. "Don't go doing anything stupid with this one just yet. I'm far too young for that."
"So am I father, you need not worry about that." Gem laughed hugging him a little harder than handing him back his cloak.
"I love you sweet girl."
"I love you too."
With that Thor and Loki left.
…...end of chapter 5