Samantha stood taking the plates out of the dishwasher and putting them back on the shelves at the BLACK SHEEP letting her mind wander during the tedious task. It had just been under a week since her father and Gareth had left. Both had sent quick messages to let her know they had arrived safe and then she hadn't heard anything since. Gareth she could understand, but her dad not being in touch again was now starting to worry her.

She gave a sigh as her attention turned to the cutlery, it wasn't exactly like she didn't have enough problems of own to be dealing with. Ever since the museum visit, a night had not gone past where she hadn't woken in a panic and cold sweat having dreamed about falling to her death. Samantha kept trying to tell herself her brain was simply playing tricks on her after the incident at the museum, and had picked the names Loki and Geni to torment her, especially after the weird coincidence of how much she looked like the painting.

Samantha was confident it was all in her head and she was reading too much into it.

"Hey Samantha, are you okay to lock up?"

Claire's voice snapped Samantha from her thoughts and she turned to look at the older woman. She had a kind smile on her face as she stood in the doorway, a coat and a bag over her shoulder.

"Yeah, no worries," Samantha said with a small smile, closing the dishwasher and wiping her hands down her front.

"Thanks, I'm already running late to my sister's birthday dinner," Claire said as she turned and made her way to the door. As she left she managed to shout over her shoulder, "I owe you one."

Samantha gave a sigh as she looked around the now empty cafe. Vinnie had long left after cleaning the kitchen and since Gareth's position was still not filled, Samantha was having to work double to make up for it.

She walked through to the front and began to wipe the tables and put the chairs on top, once again her mind wandering.

There was a strange pull in her stomach, a want to see the spear, Frykte, again for some bizarre reason. Her hands almost seemed to twitch for a moment and she clenched them into fists to stop them. She needed a distraction and so she turned on the radio, hoping a random pop song would be able to take her mind off things.

It seemed to work for a while before the news came on. She was only half listening when a familiar word caught her attention and before she knew it she had walked over to turn the radio up.

"….and tomorrow is the last day Frykte will be on display in the London museum of natural history. The legendary weapon from Norse mythology has been on display for the last two months after it was found in an archeological dig just outside of London six months ago. It has caused record number of attendance at the museum since the exhibit first opened. After tomorrow it will be sent to America, to be on display in the Smithsonian Natural History museum in Washington DC. This is Tom Henderson, BBC news for radio 2."

Samantha couldn't help but give out a small laugh thinking if only Gareth could be here now to give her his 'I told you so look.'

The moment was fleeting though, and suddenly she felt a sense of dread she didn't understand why. For some bizarre reason she found she needed to see Frykte again, and if not Frykte, that picture. If she could just prove to herself there was difference between herself and the painting then surely her paranoia would be calmed. Maybe even stop the weird dreams she was having.

Just maybe, Samantha could put everything to rest once and for all, and finally seem like she was getting her life together.

When she first thought about going to see Frykte again, she imaged walking around the museum and being able to mingle in the crowd and go unnoticed. What she didn't expect was to be stood in the middle of the party for VIPs and museum staff to celebrate the end of the exhibit.

Apparently the rest of the country had also heard it may be the last time to see Frykte and so by the time she got home last night, all the tickets for the exhibit had been sold. Unlike the usual exhibits at the London museum, given how high profile it was, only limited numbers were allowed in at any one time. Samantha realised she probably she should have just left it at that but then her fingers started typing without conscious effort of her own and she quickly discovered an after hours event for staff and specially invited members of the history community to celebrate the success of the exhibit.

Before she knew it, she had hacked into the guest list to add her own name, and then managed to sneak in, posing as a member of staff.

She stood towards the back of the crowd hoping no one would realise she wasn't meant to be there. The party itself was taking place in the exhibit in the room next to where Frykte was displayed, a stage set up at the front with speakers. It was so stupid, and honestly Samantha didn't know what she was thinking. All this over looking like some kind of painting?

She started to make her way towards the exit, realising it had been a massive mistake to go there.

In her rush to leave she bumped into someone, almost spilling their drink all over them and herself.

"I am so sorry," Samantha said, scrambling to step back and realising causing a scene is not what you want to do when you've party crashed.

"It's okay, no harm done," The woman's voice was accented, Scandinavian sounding. When Samantha looked up she was met with a small, very light blonde haired lady with kind green eyes, maybe a few years older than herself. For a moment they narrowed as they looked at her, a small smile lifting at the corner of her lips. "Sorry, have we met before?"

"No, we haven't," Samantha shrugged, hoping she couldn't see the small sheen of sweat on her forehead.

"I could swear I know you from somewhere."

"I just have one of those faces," Samantha tried to give a nonchalant laugh but she wasn't sure how successful she was being.

The women opened her mouth to say something else but the person on her left cut her off before she could.

"Professor Larson, they're ready for you now," the older man said, giving Samantha a look to say back off.

"Enjoy the party," Professor Larson, Samantha assumed, gave her a smile before making her way through the crowd.

Samantha felt her shoulders sag in relief as she gave a large sigh. Too close she thought. She began to make her way through the crowd again when the sound of the speakers at the front came to life. Samantha couldn't help but pause as she turned to look and see the woman from before now on the stage next to a man holding a microphone.

"Hello everyone, we hope you're enjoying yourselves. It's very much deserved after your hard work these past few months and what can only be described as an extraordinary exhibit." The man said earning claps and cheers from the crowd. Knowing to leave now would be more suspicious than staying, Samantha gave a sigh residing herself to listen to the speeches.

"And now a word from the lady who spear headed the exhibit and who will be sorely missed as she takes a job at the Smithsonian to continue her good work with Frykte, Professor Ella Larson." The man took a step back, handing the microphone over the blonde lady, a loud round of applause erupted from the audience as the young professor stepped to the front.

"Thank you, but really the credit should be shared," Professor Larson said, a wide smile to the crowd. "As a child growing up in Norway, I would be surrounded by the stories of the old Norse gods, their heroics and also their antics. I loved the stories so much I decided to make a carer out of it, but never did I think I would have the opportunity to work with artefacts such as these. It still amazes me today what we can learn from our Norse brethren whether it from their triumphs or their mistakes."

"Though I will miss you Londoner's cheery disposition," a small laugh emerged from the crowd, one Samantha found herself adding too. "I look forward to seeing what further secrets we can uncover from Frykte with our friends at the Smithsonian."

She turned to the man again, taking a glass from him before turning back to the crowd and holding it aloft, many copying her actions.

"So in the words of our Viking ancestors, drink until you are full and sjáumst!" Professor Larson raised the glass slightly more, with again the crowd copying before everyone took a drink.

Soft music then began to play out the speakers and the crowd before to break off into smaller groups to chat.

Samantha made a move towards the exit, knowing now would be the best time to leave before she was caught. As she was nearly there though, the light from the room next door caught her eye. She paused, and the urge to go around the corner to see Frykte again, overwhelmed her. She clenched her fists, trying to force herself to continue to the exit. Then again, to leave now would mean she had snuck in here for nothing. And now was the best time to look at the painting since everyone was still distracted, discussing a job well done.

With a sigh of defeat, Samantha changed course and with as much subtly as she could, she stepped around the corner to see Frykte still on display, a spotlight on the weapon as it was placed in the centre. Though the crowd were next door, the noise of the room seemed to dim as Samantha approached the spear.

She came to a stop just in front of it, staring as the runes began to give a faint electric blue ago like they had the last time. She could see the intricate detailing over the blade, glinting in the light. Her eyes travelled downwards over the leather binding where more runes were. Her eyes paused over the one in the centre as unlike the rest of the runes, it glowed a faint rich green rather than blue. For a moment she simple marvelled at the artefact, wondering what technology they were using to get it to do that.

Resisting an urge to reach out and touch it, no doubt setting off multiple alarms, she pulled her eyes away and looked over to the portrait on the wall. She walked over, halting only a step away from it.

To her disappointment, as she looked over the features of the Goddess, she was once again reminded of how similar she and her looked. Her eyes desperately searched for something different between the two but again all she could find was her hair was shorter than the painting's.

"You look remarkably like her."

The voice next to her made Samantha jump in fright causing the person to chuckle, the sounds of the party next door returning to full volume. She turned to see Professor Larson stood next to her with an amused smirk, having snuck up on her. Samantha swivelled her head back to face the painting, hoping the academic couldn't see how nervous she was.

"Really, I don't see it," Samantha shrugged, trying to play it casual.

"I mean yes, the hair is shorter but for all intents purposes, it could be you up there," Professor Larson continued, Samantha sent a quick look to the woman who barely made it to her shoulders. "Is your family from the Scandinavian region?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Samantha sent her a tight smile, wondering what had caused the Professor to come single her out. She gave a quick glance around the room, realising it was only the two of them in the main exhibit.

"I never got your name earlier," Professor Larson said, holding her hand out to shake Samantha's.

"Claire Smith," Samantha said using the fake name she had put on the invitation list. She looked down at the hand but did not raise her hand to shake it. "Sorry, I'm a bit of a germaphobe."

"Ah," Larson gave a nod of her head in understanding as she lowered her hand. "So how are you involved in this wonderful exhibit?"

"I'm just one of the stewards, you know collecting the tickets and what now," Samantha shrugged, trying to be as vague as possible. She could see the Professor give a single nod but there was a distrust in her eyes. Hoping to distract her, Samantha decided to ask a question. "Do you know who painted this? I've looked online and couldn't find out who it was."

"Ah, unfortunately we do not know," Professor Larson answered with a shrug of her own before looking at the portrait herself. "All the paintings you see of the Gods in the exhibit are by the same painter but we do not actually know their name. The legend is one night they were visited by the Gods, and they were so honoured they had been chosen to paint their faces to share with the world, they refused to take credit for it. Saying the privilege of meeting the Gods was payment enough."

"It's a good story to get your paintings sold," Samantha found herself saying before thinking only realising how dismissive it sounded afterwards.

"So you do not believe the legends?" The Professor raised a single eye brow at her.

"I mean they are legends after all, myths and all that."

"Ah but even in myths, the truth is hidden. How else would we come up with stories so magnificent?" Professor Larson said. Samantha had no response and simply looked back at the painting above them. There was a moment's silence before Larson spoke again. "We could learn a lot from her story you know."

Samantha turned her head to woman, tilting her head down slightly to make eye contact, showing her she was listening.

"Despite many false beliefs, the Vikings weren't as sexist as many people believe. They valued strong woman as demonstrated by their Goddesses. The story is, Geni was the product of a long line of decorated male warriors. She had to fight to prove herself to be as worthy a warrior as her ancestors before her, which she did and then some. If the story is to be believed she was even stronger, more feared than her predecessors. Not only in her fighting skills, but in her mind as well. Alongside Sif, Goddess of War, the two fought for women's rights way before their time."

"Sounds like she was a badass," Samantha muttered, unable to stop herself. She paused for a moment wondering if she had been inappropriate but Larson simply chuckled beside her.

"Yes, by all accounts, she was badass."

The two shared a chuckle. For a moment Samantha hesitated to ask her next question, wondering how much further she could push it, but then again, she had come this far.

"It mentions here about her relationship with Loki, the God of Mischief, like as in dating or…?" Samantha trailed off, not really sure what she was asking but also needing to know following her dream.

"Ah, now that is one of debate," Larson said, clearly enjoying her captive audience and showing no signs of wanting to return to the party next door. "It was widely believe for a time the two were enemies. Too closely linked in a battle of wits, Loki's trickster nature clashing with her wisdom. Over time as texts are re analysed, it felt the two were more friends then enemies, their wits equal and their intellect only matched by the other. Then of course there is most recent theory amongst some of us younger academics."

"Which is?" Samantha prompted, her whole body now facing Larson.

"That they were lovers," The Professor stated and Samantha was taken aback for a moment. Larson gave a large sigh though before Samantha could say more. "Alas the theory is not popular in the Norse academic community despite the evidence. In fact it was what my thesis was on for my PhD. Geni has always been a favourite of mine."

A small knowing smirk crossed Larson's lips as she looked at Samantha, and the young Englishwoman grew uncomfortable under the gaze. She looked around the room to avoid her stare, her eyes returning to Frykte in the middle of the room.

"I have to ask, how do you get the runes to glow on that thing?" Samantha jutted her head towards the middle of the room but didn't step closer.

"Glow?" For the first time in the conversation, the Professor seemed on the back foot, confused by her question.

"Yeah, the bright blue they glow, expect the rune in the middle of the shaft, yeah what's the significance of it being green?" Samantha looked back down to Larson and was confronted with a very perplexed expression.

"I'm afraid I'm not sure what you're talking about. The runes do not such thing on Frykte," Professor Larson said.

Samantha's head whipped back around to look more closely at Frykte and the Professor was right, the runes were no longer glowing.

"Must have been a trick of the light," Samantha said, her voice quiet though as she began to doubt what she had seen.

Professor Larson didn't respond, only giving a suspicious stare at Samantha. Thankfully she was saved by the man from earlier walking into the room.

"There you are Ella, come on the museum curator wants to say thank you for all your hard work," he said as he walked in, complete oblivious to the tense atmosphere between the two.

Professor Larson looked over her shoulder to the man giving a small smile and nod in acknowledgment of his statement. She turned her head back to face Samantha again, the suspicion still in her eyes but her lips now with a smile.

"It was nice meeting you Claire, I hope our paths cross again in the future," Professor Larson said.

"Thanks for the history lesson," Samantha gave a small smile back and watched as the Professor walked away.

She gave one last look to the painting and then Frykte before quickly heading back to the main room and heading straight to the exit.

That night Samantha found it took a while to fall asleep but when she did, she wasn't expecting what she saw.

She was stood in a large training area outside. The sun was low as dusk settled on what appeared to be a golden city. She trained with a sword, swiping and stabbing a mannequin before her, every time the sword landed a blow, a bright flash would emanate from the sword. Though competent in the weapon, she could tell she didn't feel entirely comfortable with it.

"Oh dear, what did that dummy ever do to you?" A silky smooth voice said behind her.

She felt her lips stretch into a smile as she lowered her sword and turned to face the person who had joined her. For a moment she was dazzled by handsome he was, a sly smirk on his lips.

"Well I imagine it has something to do with not being to able to train with my own weapon today," she heard herself saying. Her voice was lighter, a more regal tone to her words.

"You have become remarkably dependent on Frykte," The man in green and black leather said with a shrug as he took a step towards her. "Maybe it is wise you practice training with another weapon every once in a while."

"It that why you hid Frykte from me today Loki?" She asked, sheathing her sword and taking a step towards him also.

"I am surprised you have not come to take it back from me," He said with a smirk, producing Frykte with a flash of green and spinning it in his hands. She felt her heart beat faster at the sight of him as he handled her weapon, the setting sun shining off his raven black hair.

"If you wish for me to disarm you, you need only ask," She gave a smirk of her own, her arms opening slightly wide as an invitation.

His response was a chuckle and wide smile of his own, amused by her antics.

"There is no need, I have finished what I set out to do." He tossed the spear back to her which she easily caught, twirling it in her hands before bringing it to a rest in front of her, its base hitting the floor.

"The only reason I did not summon it back to me is because I knew it was you who had taken it. Though now I regret not claiming it back sooner, I can only image what tricks the trickster has put on my beloved Frykte. " She could hear the teasing in her voice, enjoying the verbal sparing they were having.

"No tricks," Loki's voice turned serious, a sincere look over his features as he stepped up to her. He put a hand back on to the spear, tipping it down to rest in one of his hands, the other being hers. "Only a gift, for my beloved Geni."

She raised an eyebrow at him but obliged to look down when he so obviously wanted her to. Her teasing smirk dropped when she looked to see a new rune had been added amongst the rest, singled out by the faint green glow round it.

"What gift has your magic given me now?" She asked, her voice soft.

"Why don't you touch it and find out," he said back, his voice equally soft.

She looked up to see him stood right in front of her, an excited glee in his eyes with what he had done.

Her thumb came up and pressed the rune and for a moment she was blinded by the bright blue light which surrounded her. When it receded, where once her training tunic and leggings had been, was now her full battle armour, her hair neatly tide in a braid and she was ready for battle.

"Loki this is-"

"Completely selfish on my part," he shrugged, a trade mark smirk on his lips. "I do get very impatient while you have to change into this, especially as with my magic I can do it instantly and my brother has the whole lightening show. Now you have no excuses to keep me waiting."

"I would never," she could hear the mock offence in her voice but also feel the way her lips turned up into a smirk. She was conscious the distance between them seemed to have grown even smaller and she was all the more pleased for it. "And however shall I repay you for such a unique and thoughtful gift?"

"There are many ways to repay a debt Geni, let me show you."

And then he stepped forward and pressed his lips to hers and she did not stop him. Instead she responded as she had with every time he kissed her, with passion and longing. Frykte all but forgotten on the floor as her hands came up to wrap around his neck and bring him closer.

Suddenly the weight of someone in front her was gone and a biting cold hit her face. She opened her eyes to see she was back on the frozen landscape, a blue creature charging towards her.

As before she fought, killing the monster before her gaze turned to the man across the field distracted by his hand. The figure no longer obscured from her, but clear as the creature, it was the man from before, it was Loki.

The dream played out as always, she was fighting and then she was running. It was Loki she was running to and it was Loki she pushed away, to save him and take the razor sharp tail instead.

She could feel herself being dragged backwards, her despair growing. Loki turned to look at her, reaching out desperately to save her but she was too far gone. A large figure with a red beard running up to hold him back.

"GENI!" The heartache in his voice clear, fighting with every fibre of his being to be released from the man's grip to throw himself after her.

"LOKI!" She screamed, her hands reaching out for him but failing miserable.

Then she was falling…

Samantha shot up in her bed, a fresh sheen of sweat covering her body. After a moment, when her breathing finally settled, her dreams suddenly came back to her.

Well, this isn't good, she thought.

zxnightfox: Hello, thank you very much for reading this. I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. So I'll admit I've only ever seen clips of Veronica Mars so I went away and watched a bit about the dad and I can totally see what you mean, haha I'm a sucker for the harsh but secretly sweet Dad.

kcheslock: Hello, thanks again for reviewing. Glad you like the villain. Yeah I really wanted people to feel like Samantha is her own superhero. Currently planning her 'sequel' after the first Avengers film ahaha

Until next week

Vex