Chapter Six

*Weeks Later*

Nel stood at the window looking out over New York and let out a soft sigh as she played with the moon and star charm around her neck.

"You take Loki back today," Steve's voice came as he wrapped his arms around her and placed a kiss in her hair.

"I do not want to return to Asgard," she responded as she leaned back against his chest. "With the Bifrost still damaged, I do not know when I will be able to return to you." She let out a sigh and closed her eyes.

"Then don't go," he mumbled in her hair.

"It is not up to me. I am still an Asgardian, Odin is my King," she responded softly.

"Hey," he said softly as he turned her and lifted her chin to look in her eyes. "I would wait a hundred years more in the ice, as long as at the end of it, I have you."

"Steve," she exhaled as tears stung behind her eyes. He did not let her finish. He brought his lips down on hers and she was lost in the smell and feel of him.

"We have to leave," he sighed as he pulled back and placed his forehead against hers.

"I know," she whispered. "You know, I am taking this sweater with me," she smiled glancing up at him.

"You can take whatever you want back with you," he laughed before kissing her on a cheek.

"If I took what I wanted back, Odin would not be pleased with me," she laughed.

"Look, take Loki back. See him locked up for his crimes and then return here as soon as you can," he said as he cupped her face in his hands.

"Don't do anything stupid while I am gone," she responded as she grabbed his hands in hers.

"Like crash a plane into ice?" he smiled.

"I am serious. I lost you once already. I cannot live through that again."

"I promise."

"We have to go, or we will be late."

"I think there is more of a chance that Stark will be late."

"That is an accurate assumption," Steve chuckled before opening the door and holding it for her.

"Thank you," she smiled as she walked out the door, placing a kiss on his cheek as she passed him.

"You know I could get used to you in jeans and my sweaters," he called after her.

"Good, because you aren't getting this sweater back any time soon," she called back.

Steve parked his bike on the side of the road and hopped off to help Nel off the back and out of her helmet.

"I get why you ride this," she laughed as she moved her fingers through her air. "It is quite exhilarating and freeing."

"It is. Come on," he smiled as he took her hand and walked them across the road.

"Sister," Thor smiled as he greeted her.

"Brother," she responded with a small smile, before turning and acknowledging the others.

Banner was carefully moving the Tesseract from the case Tony was holding into a glass cylinder. Once it was in place, Dr. Selvig closed the canister and sealed it before handing it to Thor.

"Sister, come," Thor said gently as he moved Loki towards the center of the area, they were all in. Nel nodded her head before turning to Steve.

"I don't want to leave you again," she whispered as she moved her hands to cup his face.

"I meant what I said, I will wait a lifetime to be with you again," he whispered back as he placed his hands on her waist and pulled her closer to him.

"I love you Captain Rogers," she sighed as a tear slid down her cheek.

"I love you too Lithoniel," he responded before pressing his lips to hers and kissing her with every feeling and ounce of love that he could.

"Don't crash a plane into the ocean this time and I am keeping your sweater," she half smiled as she backed away from him and let go of his hand.

"I promise," he smiled before she turned.

"Thor," she said glancing over at him with a nod as she pulled Steve's sweater over her head. Thor nodded and once the sweater was sitting neatly at her feet, he hit her with lighting to change her clothes.

Once the lighting dispersed, Nel was no longer in the t-shirt and jeans she had arrived in. A dark blue dress hugged her body delicately, the sleeves clasped around her wrist with silver cuffs made of stars and moons as the slit in the sleeves followed up her arms to her shoulders, leaving them exposed to the air. The illusion neckline covered in small gems that clasped around her neck with the same silver design as her wrists. The gems covering the translucent fabric that covered her chest make it look as though there were stars doting her skin. Gems were randomly placed along the bodice and skirt of the dress to give it that extra look of the night sky. Her chestnut hair was partially pulled back into a few intricate braids and her circlet of stars was around her head. The black boots she had been wearing changed into a pair of silver, gem covered heels with straps that wrapped up past her ankle where they stopped tied into a small bow.

"I finally understand your necklace," Nat said from the side where she stood.

"Actually," Nel smiled turning to her. "Steve gave me my necklace. He had Howard make it for him before he a mission."

"She always loved to watch the stars and love to walk in the moonlight at night. The star is made from what little vibranium Howard has left and the gems are dark blue with a single red one," Steve explained as he watched her, committing her entire image to memory. She knew he would have his sketchbook and pencils out the moment he reached where he was going.

"Great, fantastic. So sweet you are going to give me a cavity," Tony quipped. "Can we get this over with so that this thing and him are no longer on earth?"

"Apologies, Stark," Nel said with a bow of her head before turning back to Steve. "I'll be back, I promise," she said before bending over to pick up Steve's sweater and walk to stand in front of Thor and Loki.

"Sister," Thor whispered.

"Don't brother," she mumbled before taking a deep breath. She moved to place her hands on the cylinder, but Thor grabbed her hands in his free hand.

"Sister," he said gently trying to catch her gaze. "Stay."

"What?" she gasped snapping her head up to meet his face.

"Father and Mother are right. You deserve happiness," he said gently as he released her hands and moved his hand to her face.

"Thor," she said quickly. "We have to return Loki and the Tesseract. That was our mission. We have to return to Asgard."

"Sister, you deserve happiness, and that happiness is here on Midgard, not in Asgard," he continued. "Stay here. I am more than capable of handling the return trip without you. Once we arrive in Asgard, Loki will be convicted and put in a cell to pay for his crime. I will not watch you sit and mourn what you love most while we attempt to rebuild the Bifrost. If we need you, I will find a way to send for you. I give you my word."

"Do you mean it brother?" she asked as tears flowed down her face.

"Of course, I do," he smiled before placing a kiss on her forehead. "Let me worry about Mother and Father. Stay." Nel let out a small sob as she placed her hands on Thor's face, dropping Steve's sweater in the process.

"Thank you, brother," she said before kissing his cheek and running back towards Steve. As she neared him, she leapt into his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Nel, what are you doing?" he murmured into her hair as he held her tight.

"I am staying," she answered leaning back to study his face.

"But," he started.

"Thor said that I deserve happiness and that he will handle everything. I am staying here, with you," she said cutting him off. Steve looked down at her in confusion before looking up to Thor, who chuckled at the scene.

"Keep my sister save Steven. Remember, I can easily find you," Thor said with a laugh.

"I will," Steve said to him before turning his attention back to Nel. "I promise." He placed a quick kiss on her lips before placing her back onto her feet. Nel turned around and leaned against him to watch Thor leave.

"Be safe brother. Please send my love to the All Father and Frigga and thank you for everything," she said with a smile and a nod.

"Always sister," he responded with his own nod before turning his attention to Loki. With a twist of the cylinder handles and a wave of blue light, they were both gone.

Everyone stood still for a few minutes before starting to move. Nel moved to Natasha and gave her a hug while Steve shook Tony's hand.

"We will see each other soon," Nat mumbled.

"I hope so. I am going to need someone like you to show me the ropes here. This isn't the 1940's," Nel responded with a small laugh.

"It definitely is not. We will get you up to speed," she smiled as she let her go and moved towards the car Banner was waiting at.

"Well, if you ever want to ditch Capcicle or come have some real fun, give me call," Tony joked as he walked over and hugged her.

"I heard that Stark," Steve called from where he was saying goodbye to Banner, Natasha, and Clint.

"If we need anything, I will reach out. Besides, I still want to meet that Miss Potts of yours," Nel smiled returning his hug.

"That might be good. Maybe we could do a double date or maybe not. I will have Jarvis look into it and get back to you," he stammered as Banner walked over.

"Dr. Banner enjoy your time with Mr. Stark. Try not to destroy anything in the process," she joked, earning a small smile from him.

"Hopefully, the next time we meet, it won't be because your ex is trying to take over the world," Banner joked back.

"Yes, well, Loki should be getting very acquainted with his new living quarters at any moment," she replied as Steve stepped up next to her and laced his fingers in between hers. "Until we meet again gentlemen." Steve slowly pulled her in the direction of his bike as he handed her his sweater from his other hand.

"Should she be riding the back of your bike in a dress?" Tony called after them as he started his car.

"Oh Stark, you have much to learn about goddesses," Nel smirked before snapping her fingers. Her dress transformed back into her jeans ad t-shirt, and her boots reappeared on her feet. She quickly pulled Steve's sweater over her head as Tony stared at her in disbelief.

"If you could do that the whole time, why have Thor do it?" Steve asked staring at her.

"When I do it, it is just a finger snap. When Thor does it, lighting is involved. Which one is more thrilling?" she asked smirking up at him.

"Whatever makes you, you is always the answer, regardless of thrills. I want to know everything about you," he answered as he cupped her face with both of his hands.

"Lightning, the answer is lightning Capcicle. The lighting is more thrilling and much more fun to watch," Tony responded before putting his car in drive and pulling away with Banner.

"Where are we heading?" Nel asked as Steve handed her a helmet.

"I am thinking of heading to DC for now. It is a long ride think you can handle it?" he smirked at her as he mounted the bike and kickstarted it.

"Why do I have to wear a helmet and you don't? I am the one in this relationship that is a goddess," she asked as she climbed up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist.

"You may be a goddess, but you can still get hurt. I am not risking anything with you now that I have you back. Now hold on," he yelled back before revving the throttle and taking off.

"How long is it between here and DC?" Nel yelled over the wind so he could hear her.

"About four hours," he yelled back. "But I am thinking we could make it longer and take the scenic route. Visit a few places on the way."

"As long as I am with you, I am ok with anything," she yelled back before burying her face into his back.

*Some Months Later*

"Steve!" Nel called from the living room of the small apartment they shared.

"What's wrong?" he asked running into the living room with a towel wrapped around his waist and water dripping from his hair.

"Have you scene this? Please tell me Tony did not just announce his address on national TV for a terrorist to come find him," she sighed as she grabbed her cell phone she had been given and dialed Pepper's contact information.

"Pepper, please tell me he did not just do that, and I am dreaming," Nel sighed into the phone as she ran her hand over her face. "Why would he? No, Steve did not know he is right here just as shocked as I am. I understand he is upset Pepper, but he just announced your address to the whole world and people know he is an Avenger. I think you guys need to get out of there and lay low for a few weeks if not longer. Do not give him the option Pepper. Alright, call me when you are safe. Goodbye," she said before hanging up the phone.

"Pepper is packing some bags and they are going to go somewhere and lay low for a little while," Nel said turning her attention to Steve.

"Tony will never agree," Steve said as he crossed the room to her.

"I don't think Pepper is really giving him the option," she smirked as she placed her hand on his chest.

"I…uhm…I should go get dressed," he mumbled as a small blush appeared on his cheeks. He grabbed her hand gently and pressed a small kiss to it before disappearing into the bedroom.

"Steve, this is not the 1940's anymore. Women are not shamed as they once were. Besides, I was married, remember?" she called after him before letting out a frustrated sigh. It was not like they had not done some stuff, but there was just one line Steve refused to cross, no matter how hard she tried to convince him.

It was a huge argument them moving in together. Steve was set in his traditional ways and wanted to wait. But, for some reason, Fury was only able to locate one apartment near S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. So, Steve caved because he did not want Nel too far away from him and wanted her close to headquarters in case something helped.

Nel turned her attention back to the news report from the crews outside Tony's Malibu home.

"I know," Steve said as he walked back into the living room, pulling one of his t-shirts on. "I just want everything to be perfect and special." He started to explain but was cut off by her gasping. He looked up and followed her gaze to the TV in time to see a second missile hit Tony's home.

"No!" Nel gasped after a moment of staring in horror at the tv. She grabbed her phone and hit Pepper's name again. "Please be out of there."

Steve stared at the tv until someone banging on the door broke him of his trance. He quickly snapped into action. He grabbed Nel and placed her against the wall of the living and held his finger to his lips to silence her. The whole world had just watched someone attack Tony Stark, an Avenger. Who was to say others would not get the same idea.

As he neared the door, the banging came again.

"Rogers, it's me!" Nat's voice came.

"Oh, thank the heavens," Nel sighed in relief.

"Open the door Rogers," her voice came again, sounding more irritated.

"Come in," Steve said as he opened the door wide enough for her to slide in the apartment.

"Have you checked your phone? Do you know what is going on?" she asked as she passed him and walked into the living room.

"We saw it live," Nel answered as she continued to try Pepper. "She is not answering!" Nel tossed her phone on the chair she had sitting in and began pacing the small living room.

"Stark is always prepared for anything. I am sure they are fine Nel," Nat said calmly as she placed both hands on Nel's arms to stop her from pacing.

"Maybe we should go down there. I am sure Fury would let us use a quinjet," Nel muttered to herself as she began to fiddle with her necklace.

"Fury is already sending a team to the house to see what they can find. If they need us, they will tell us," Nat said calmly.

"Ok," Nel sighed, defeated.

"Why don't you sit down, I will make us some drinks and Steve can cook us all some dinner?" Nat suggested, glancing over at Steve.

"That sounds good. I am going to keep trying to get Pepper," Nel responded with a half-smile before crossing back over to the chair her phone was on and picking it up.

"Rogers," Nat said motioning to the kitchen. Steve followed her into the kitchen, occasionally glancing over at Nel in the living room.

"We have an assignment. But, given what just happened, Fury is going to delay it a few days," Nat told him as she pulled out two wine glasses from the cabinet before opening the fridge and pulling out a bottle of wine.

"How long is a few days? I cannot leave her like this Nat. She adores Pepper. Pepper keeps her grounded when we are on missions. I cannot just leave her alone," he whispered as he pulled out the ingredients to make chicken parmesan.

"What about the nurse across from you? What is her name, Kate?" Nat asked. "Has she tried making friends with her?"

"She doesn't trust Kate for some reason. Not sure why. Nel keeps telling me that something is off about her," he answered. "I would feel better if she were in headquarters until we got back."

"I will say something to Fury," she whispered in response.

"Pepper! O thank the heavens! Are you alright?" Nel's voice came from the living room causing them to quickly move back to the living room. "Pepper slow down I cannot understand you. Missing? What do you mean Tony is missing?" she half yelled as she turned to face Nat and Steve, panic and horror written all over her face. "Pepper calm down. Let me see what I can do from this end. If you hear from Tony call me right away. Actually, check in as much as you can. Stay safe." Nel hung up the phone and set a look of determination before speaking again. "We will not be drinking or eating dinner. We are going to headquarters and we are going right now." She did not wait for an answer, she walked straight to the entryway and pulled on her coat and boots.

"Are you two coming? Or am I walking there by myself?" she called back to the two still standing in shock in the living room.