This chapter starts with a flashback! Next chapter will be the one when we catch up to what I have posted on Archive of Our Own. After that I update once or twice a month. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I do not own Carrie White, Rachel Lang, Loki (MCU) Asgard and its inhabitants, the Avengers (MCU) and other MCU characters.

Chapter 4

Flashback:

Teleporting was hard.

Carrie was grateful for Kurt's steady presence at her side as she tried to focus. There was so much around her that the possibility of getting sidetracked was a certainty. Whenever she tried to picture the roof of the Institute, the Tesseract would divert her attention to the wider galaxy. Dying stars, mystery planets, and so much more floated out of the corner of her eye.

Kurt's voice was there to pull her back from the brink and teleporting them into outer space where they would probably suffocate. She had created a link between them, so he was now in a state of semi awareness of what Carrie was feeling. He quickly picked up on the signs of her mind wandering.

Professor Xavier, Jean, Hank, and Rachel watched their progress from the sidelines. It was. . . slow going. Carrie had gotten a handle on teleporting a relatively short distance quickly, but overuse made her more vulnerable to the Tesseract's attempts to distract her with the mysteries of space.

Carrie didn't really understand why it was so determined to show her these images. It did prove why Loki had insisted on Kurt's presence – if it wasn't for the teenage mutant Carrie would probably be on the other side of the galaxy right now.

She needed to hold onto something, a thought that could act as a barrier against all the distractions and focus solely on her true destination. The blonde settled on memories during her enforced bedrest when she passed the time sewing clothes. A dress for Rachel, a blouse for Jean, pants for Kurt and so on. . .

It was soothing and put her mind into a deep meditative state. She felt Kurt touch her shoulder, saying something she couldn't quite hear but understood none the less.

The roof. They needed to go to the roof.

Rachel was cheering and Carrie opened her eyes, stunned to realize that she had to look down to catch sight of her sister. She and Kurt had landed on one of the spiral roofs. Carrie was aiming for the part designed to allow students a place to relax but it was close enough.

"Well done." Kurt smiled down at her, his fangs poking out slightly from his upper lip. She smiled back shakingly. This was high. Very high. It was strange to be so nervous though, considering all the flying she did back at the Battle of New York. Maybe it was because she had a moment to register just how much empty air there was between her and the ground. . .

Flashback End:

Carrie drummed her fingers against the bench, mind pulling back from the memory. After that, she and Kurt had taken a break before resuming their practice. The blonde teenager was able to teleport to the end of the Institute's property on all sides form the center and various other locations before the experiment was called off. She and Kurt collapsed on the spot and had to be carried back inside. While Carrie recovered quickly, Kurt was out much longer and only just waking up an hour ago. Hank was examining him to make sure he was fit to go on the mission to Thor's home.

The prince was still nervous, pacing around anxiously. He was already dressed in his Asgardian armor, hammer held in his right hand. Wolverine was scowling at him, and Carrie hoped he didn't try to start anything with the blonde warrior.

Jane, seated next to her, was deep in thought as Tony and Darcy spoke about what they would need to do to solve the portal issue. No one needed or wanted more things like the Aether tumbling onto Earth.

Not for the first time, Carrie wonder what Loki was up to. She found it hard to believe that he wasn't going to be further involved with this somehow despite also being sure he would do everything in his power to avoid detection.

"Everyone!"

Heads turned up to see Kurt, Mr. Hank, Professor Xavier, and Jean, making their way to the group.

"Finally." Carrie heard Wolverine grumble under his breath. He sounded. . . sullen?

"Sorry for the wait, but everything has checked out." Kurt grinned toothily. "We can get started now."

He looked well rested. Carrie was relieved. She was worried about lingering weakness, but the teenager seemed fine.

"We will do what we can on Earth to assist Mr. Stark and Ms. Lewis," Professor Xavier stated calmly. "Carrietta will be able to contact Jean or I about any new developments and we will assist to the best of our capabilities."

Rachel had already said her goodbyes last night. She disliked the fact that Carrie was being dragged into another mission and the Tesseract itself. The preteen preferred to stay as far away from it as possible.

Carrie could understand her stance and respected the younger girl's wishes. She stared at the powerful artifact, pulsing in her hands. As they had waited, she did her best to keep it distracted, hoping it would be enough to give Rachel some respite until they left.

Everyone set to go to Asgard gathered around her – the Aether had settled enough that casual touch was okay. Carrie opened up a mental link with Kurt and Thor. Loki had described his home to her on multiple occasions, even providing illusions so the blonde teenager had a good grasp on what the place looked like. That said, she didn't want to take any chances and Thor agreed to allow a mental link so he could offer up memories of his home. This way, if when the Tesseract tried to distract her, both he and Kurt could get her back on track before it was too late. Jane was also included, but with limited access since there was worry over how the Aether might react to the memories.

"Are you all ready?" She asked.

"Yes." That was Kurt.

"I am ready, Lady Carrie." Thor.

"Yes." Jane said.

Carrie focused on the images of Asgard Loki had shown her, some of them were from places the two Asgardian princes had favored as children and so Thor's memories helped sharpen and define her search for the place. They were swallowed in a blue light, and everything blurred away.

They ended up in the throne room. It had not been an easy ride once they hit the halfway point. Carrie relied heavily on Kurt and Thor to avoid accidently being redirected to situations they would likely be killed in.

Once they landed in their location, Carrie collapsed. Kurt reacted quickly and caught her, letting the girl lean against him. Compared to holding the portal shut against Loki months ago, this fallout wasn't too bad.

"Thor!" A man bearing more than a passing resemblance to the warrior prince, with long gray hair and beard, stood up from a golden chair. His piercing blue eyes looked down at the group.

"Father." Thor sounded relieved.

The two men met at the foot of the dais and grasped onto each other's arm, before hugging tightly.

"Welcome home, my son." Odin Borson said.

"I'm home, Father." Thor Odinson sighed.

It was quiet for a moment as they had their reunion. Carrie quickly realized that they were not alone – there were what had to be guards standing against the far walls of the grand golden room. More stood by the very big pair of double doors that led out into what seemed to be a hallway.

"Heimdall alerted us to your situation on Midgard. We have awaited your arrival for some time."

"I am sorry it took me so long," Thor said, regretful. "I failed to capture Loki as well."

Odin's expression seemed to close off a bit.

"Your brother is a discussion to have at another date. For not we must see to the matter at hand." He turned to a guard. "Send for my wife. Tell the queen that her son is home."

The guard bowed sharply and took off at a brisk run.

Finally, Odin turned his gaze to them. Carrie resisted the urge to shrink against Kurt as the ancient king looked at them. From what she heard of him from Loki, Odin would not take her seriously if he thought her weak. Being mortal was already a point against her and the others. Kurt and Jane stood straight and met the king's eyes head on.

There was no hint of what he may have thought as he stared at them, his attention went to the Tesseract in Carrie's grasp quickly.

"With the Tesseract returned to Asgard, Heimdall can rebuild the Bifrost."

Carrie couldn't contain the twinge of sadness as the king spoke. She knew all along that the Cube would eventually go back to Asgard, but she would still miss it. Whatever it was, it genuinely liked her and that wasn't something she took lightly.

The teenager let the Cube float from her grasp and held it before Odin. He grabbed it without any hesitation, his brows furrowed as he looked at her.

"It was you who opened the portal." He said. The realizations seemed to puzzle him, there was something akin to disbelief in his voice.

"Lady Carrie has a bond with the Tesseract." Thor spoke up. "It . . . enjoys her mind, her presence. She is allowed to wield it's power in a manner mortals should not be capable of without aid."

Before Odin could respond a feminine voice cried out for Thor. A woman dressed in pale blue with gold hair going down her back entered the room.

Frigga.

Carrie couldn't help but think of Loki as she looked at the mother-son reunion. This was the person who taught the former prince magic and influenced him significantly. How similar were they and how were the two different?

Odin allowed his wife and son a moment before speaking again.

"Once Heimdall rebuilds the Bifrost we will send the mortals home and reestablish order among the Nine Realms. Loki's scheming has mitigated the harm caused by our absence but there is still much to repair."

"Father." Thor said. "Lady Jane was dragged into one of the portals opening on Midgard and something referred to as the Aether latched onto her. I would have our healers look after her and Lady Carrie. The strength needed to open the portal was great and the girl needs rest."

Frigga quickly caught her husband's eye, and something seem to pass between them. The old king pressed his lips together, the royal couple seemed very alarmed.

"I will see to the younger members of your party, my son." Frigga said. "You and Jane should attend your father."

"Come, Thor." Odin turned around. "The Aether is not to be taken lightly."

The God of Thunder urged Jane to follow him, spared a nod of reassurance to Kurt and Carrie, and the two hurried after his father who was walking at a brisk pace.

"You look ready to collapse, young one." The queen's tone was kind. "Let me see the two of you to your rooms. I will summon our healers to attend you."

Carrie and Kurt looked to each other.

"That would be appreciated your majesty." Kurt said politely. "Carrie will need to sleep for a while. The trip took quite a bit out of her."

"Follow me, then." Frigga turned. "The sooner she can regain her strength, the better."

Hope you enjoyed this.

Sincerely,

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