His pride had made the torture worse. The less he screamed the more pain he endured. He would not be broken by the likes of him. He was not the weakling everyone thought him to be. Loki woke in a cold sweat, a scream held in his throat. The fog lifted and his eyes became clear. He lay in his bed staring at the canopy trying to catch his breath. Sitting up he began messaging his temples. The nightmares that plagued him were just visions from his past. Even in rest he could not escape his already hellish life.

Looking at the sky it was early morning. Knowing sleep would be futile at this point he stood to begin his day.

*Midgard*

Ashera woke to the sun hitting her face. She scrunched up her nose and turned over, it was her day off. She knew she would have to head over to see Jane at some point; it was part of their routine. Ashera would work her day job and stop by the lab almost every evening. Most days off she would get up late, do her own chores, and then head by the lab to check on Jane. Only on rare occasions could she escape to a secluded spot to go for a run.

Groggily stepping into the shower she wondered absently if she would have time to train today. The warm water spilled down around her groaning muscles, reminding her that her last transformation was recent. That had been with Loki, who hadn't hurt too much more than her ego. She moaned at the thought, she had been on edge ever since that first day. She still didn't know what to expect and that made her apprehensive. He had some nerve; she hadn't even gotten to discuss the details of their arrangement let alone if she would help him. What if he changed his mind? Good riddance, she thought, perhaps I can get my normal life back together or at least my somewhat normal life. She made a face to herself knowing her normal life was a farce.

She finished washing and dressed quickly throwing on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt she stuffed a change of clothes in her bag. She would try to go for that run later. She tossed a bagel into the toaster and turned the corner of her small kitchen to enter the living room. Instead of the sparse space she had rightly expected she was in a field staring at Loki. He sat upon a large rock where her couch once was, or was supposed to be, if this was Earth.

She couldn't help but smile slightly at his impeccable timing before looking at her surroundings. She was in the same field again. It was becoming a familiar sight. It appeared to be morning; the sun shone through a slight haze illuminating the dew still clinging to the tall grass making it sparkle. The dimly lit forest surrounding the field was stark in comparison throwing shadows close to them where the sun had not yet reached. She turned to face Loki, his eyes glinting. Not sure what to expect she put a hand to her hip and confronted him. She tried to look scolding even shaking a finger at the reclining God.

"Now Prince Loki, you can't just whisk me away whenever you feel fit!"

His brows lifted as if to say, you're trying to tell ME what to do? Having started she had to continue while he wasn't interrupting.

"You still need to tell me what you have planned and …" she hadn't thought of an and. She honestly hadn't expected to see him. "…and apologize!" she ended lamely. Ashera clasped her mouth shut. She wasn't sure where all this brashness had come from. The surprise at her own outburst was clear on her face and Loki chuckled without humor as he stood from his perch and sauntered over to the once more embarrassed Ashera.

"Well before we parted last I did say I would teach you, did I not?"

"Yes, I guess you did." Ashera answered slowly.

"So here I am to teach you; or rather today I would like you to teach me." He smiled again but it never reached his eyes. Instead there was a haunted look behind them. It was as if he was afraid of something. He circled her now as she stood still, waiting for his next test. She closed her eyes sensing his mood. He was restless and uneasy. Certainly this couldn't be because of what she was, could it? Her head spun; maybe he was only helping her because he felt guilty. She shook her head to clear it and focused on the grass not wanting to agitate him further. Loki seemed to be waiting for something having stopped in front of her once more. She looked up tentatively to see Loki with a confused expression. Looking side to side as if expecting to see someone else with them she said the only thing that came to mind as he continued to stare.

"What?"

"What are you doing?" he questioned angrily.

"Waiting for you?"

"Waiting for me to what? Why do you stare at the ground? Is it very interesting to you mortal?"

He WAS agitated and apparently her trying to lay low was not helping as much as she had hoped.

"No, it's just," She paused to find her words.

"Just what?!" Loki spat impatiently, "Can you not speak today girl!"

"Just what do you want?" she blurted out.

Loki only looked angrier but took a breath before speaking again. "Tell me," he said beginning to pace again. "What powers do you know that you have?" He was becoming disconcerted with her suddenly timid nature. The self-assuredness he had admired in their first encounter now gone. She must be afraid of him; that was the only explanation.

"All that I can do?"

Her response pulled him from his deeper thoughts. "Yes," his frustrated tone echoed "all that you can do that you are aware of."

"Well, I can change into a wolf." She attempted to joke.

"Yes, we have determined that one already." Loki's hand was on his forehead. He was re-evaluating his situation. If she was afraid of him this would be a waste of time. "Just please go on."

Loki gave her an impatient look. "Well?!" he nearly shouted.

Ashera glared back at him but responded to his inquiry. "I can mask my change by creating a silencing barrier and shield. The only other thing I can do is make an aura shield. It warns me before someone gets too close." Speaking softer this time she added, "Nothing special."

Finally he had gotten some new information but was that really all she knew? Her meager answer agitated him. He continued pacing, lost once more in his own thoughts. "Show me." He finally snapped looking down on her. He was a head taller and easily towered over the girl. She wasn't short necessarily for a human, but she was small to him.

"What?" Ashera shook her head looking confused. "Why?"

"Am I going to be repeating myself every time girl?!" He yelled suddenly furious. A flash of anger resurfaced from his nightmare making him grit his teeth against the agonizing images and pain that only existed in his mind. He yelled again before he could stop himself. "Show me mortal! Show me now!"

Ashera's head rose defiantly as she bore her suddenly cold green eyes into his. "My name is Ashera and I am no mere mortal Prince." Her authoritative tone had Loki stopped cold. "I was trying NOT to make you angry! Why would you bother dragging me to Asgard if you were just going to yell at me?" Losing her temper she continued, "You don't have to teach me if you don't want to you know! I never even agreed to any of this, YOU suggested it! Then YOU brought me here!" She hadn't realized she had begun to gesture, throwing her hands every which way to express the unfairness of the situation. She spun on her heel to stalk a few feet away leaving the bewildered Loki to his own thoughts for the time being. She knew why he was angry, why his eyes were so troubled. He was afraid; afraid of her and her powers. Afraid; just like everyone else.

Her anger ebbing; the realization of what she had just done sunk in. She had nowhere to go and Loki still stood behind her unmoved. Not sure what else to do she plopped herself down on the ground crossing her legs, leaning on one elbow reminiscent of a pouty child.

She soon heard the soft crunch of grass as Loki approached. He sat down next to her one knee bent to rest his arm on as he continued to look straight ahead. Ashera glanced at him to see his tight face as he spoke.

"I do want to teach you." His tone was strangled. "I do not need anything in return except your willingness to learn."

Pride getting the better of him he took a breath to continue but what he had meant as an apology turned into a dismissal.

"I will return you to your home for now. When you come back be sure you are ready. You should not take your training lightly."

Ashera blinked looking dumbstruck. That was what he had come over to say? Not even an apology? How could he possibly teach her if he couldn't look at her now? Was she that much of an abomination? She couldn't even give him a response. She sat silently fuming as he waved his hand again sending her back to her apartment.

Loki hadn't realized his nightmare had affected him so greatly. He was agitated yes, but he thought researching Ashera would help keep his mind in the present. He had foolishly let Thanos rule his thoughts once more, even now, when he was free from his control. Realizing his error he felt ashamed. She hadn't been frightened of him at all. She had been trying to keep him calm. It was irrational for him to think she would want to help him at all, and yet she had already tried. How could she possibly think herself a monster when beings much worse existed? More so, how could she possibly trust him after such a poor display? He thought about giving up on the whole endeavor but something nagged at him. Her mood had shifted so quickly and he could not help but know it was his own fault. He had to remedy their situation somehow. Something told him she needed him. A larger part told him he needed her as well.