Author's note: Again, sorry for the late update, but you're gonna get two chapters so hopefully that'll be worth the wait!
Thank you to Armand for your review, hopefully this update is good too. 3 Thank you to Silmaril666 for your review too, you'll see how Loki reacts in the fourth chapter which I'm also uploading with this. =3
Chapter 3
What took so long?
"So glad to be back in the States. I mean, sure, Tromso was…no, screw it, it was so boring and stupid S.H.I.E.L.D. still have my iPod, there wasnothing good about that place. We couldn't even go outside," the voice of Darcy spoke to Jane's exasperation and Erik's bemusement. Erik had gone with the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to pick them up from the jet they had been brought over in. Darcy got into the back of the black vehicle with Jane, looking around at the snazzy interior. Darcy had finished college with a 4.0 GPA, but had decided to return to Jane's side while she searched for job opportunities; she had enough funds to cover herself, though with Jane working for S.H.I.E.L.D. now, there was a chance she could get paid, which Darcy wasn't going to complain about. "What? I don't like being stuck in a place where I can't at least stretch my legs; I don't want to be suffocated. Of course, since you barely leave the lab to eat, it's different for you." She saw Jane look at her sheepishly.
"It could not be avoided, Darcy; I'm sure you've heard of what happened to New York?" Erik asked.
"The guy with the horns? Yep, hard to avoid seeing that on the news," Darcy answered. "He got his ass kicked by Iron Man and the others, right? Is Thor still around…?" Darcy asked as casually as possible, but she knew her friend was anxious for the answer to that very question.
"Yes, he's at Stark Tower, where we're headed. Don't worry, Jane. You'll see him soon enough," Erik said, chuckling knowingly. Darcy watched as Jane's features lit up. It was about time. It was going to be the reunion of the century. She wanted to be there so that she could tease them later. Maybe post it on Facebook before they shut her account down for it.
So the ride was fairly long and the anticipation high; Darcy couldn't wait to get a chance to meet Tony Stark and see all of the technology he had going there, and Jane was cruisin' for some lovin', which Darcy didn't neglect to say to Jane just to see her blush and tell her to stop. She was sogoing to have to get the dirt out of Jane one way or another once the two got down and dirty. After all, what fun was there having girlfriends if you're not going to share the goss? None, nada, nope. She would get it out of her at some point.
The long journey finally started coming to its end as they arrived in the Manhatten area, in which Darcy's face was pulled to the window as she observed the sheer reality that was the damage to the city. She had known about it, and seen the odd picture, but pictures did it no justice. It was a wreck; it was like someone had come here and used it as their own personal wrecking ground, which she supposed was kind of true. There was silence in the car as they drove, where before there was light chatter. It had to be one of the worst disasters, or at least man-made (could you call it that? Maybe it was better to say 'that was not a natural disaster', though that was wordy) disasters, the world had ever seen. Thank God they had people to protect them; she wasn't sure this was what ordinary soldiers could fight off. Big metal things…it reminded her of the Destroyer that was sent down to New Mexico the year before, and even the Asgardians had trouble fighting it. It was definitely a good thing that Thor got his mojo back at that point. She didn't think the two of them would be here if he hadn't.
Darcy looked over at Jane and she knew that all thoughts of Thor were out of her mind as she observed the damage that had been wrought upon the city. It was extremely difficult to think of happy things whilst looking at this, trying to ignore the thoughts of how many must have died; they hadn't heard much from the aftermath, just that it was over and the 'Avengers' featuring the Norse God Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Hawkeye and Black Widow and Dr. Banner had saved the day. Boy, were those guys going to become the nation's beloved or what? At least, she thought they would, or should. Darcy didn't realise they had reached Stark Tower until the car stopped and the door opened for them. Darcy got out, followed by Jane, and they were led inside. It seemed a little worse for wear on the outside, but the interior was relatively normal. Or, what she supposed was normal.
A blonde woman came out of the elevator just then and walked up to them. "Hi, you must be Jane and Darcy, right? I'm Pepper Potts, Tony Stark's personal secretary. It's really nice to meet you," Pepper said with a smile, holding out her hand. Jane shook her hand first before Darcy did too. "Tony and Thor are both upstairs, if you'd like to follow me?" The girls nodded and followed Pepper into the elevator with Erik. The ride to the top was silent, but not uncomfortable. Finally, the door binged and opened, and Pepper led them into what must have been the lounging area, with a bar to the right and a bit of a wreck somewhere to the left. Darcy wasn't quite sure what to make of it. A bit further left was an area with seats, where two men were sat. Both stood up and came over to the girls and Erik. "Hey, welcome to my tower, I'm Tony Stark, though you probably already know that," Tony said.
"Nice to meet you," Darcy said. "I'm Darcy."
"Pleasure," Tony said. He noticed her gaze. "Oh, that? That's where the Hulk smashed Thor's little brother into the floor a few times, kinda like Bam-Bam from the Flintstones. I tell you, the footage is frikkin' hilarious. It's already gone viral and it's a huge hit. I'm also thinking of just leaving this wreckage here, you know, as a wonderful reminder. If it were more in the middle, I'd position the chairs around it." Darcy couldn't help but laugh. She was certain they would get on. Darcy looked over at Thor and Jane, who were hugging and, yeah, Darcy was smirking at them.
"I do hope you'll get a room; I'm not sure I'm comfortable with watching anything that's usually kept in the bedroom," Darcy said, which instantly grabbed their attention. Jane pulled away from Thor, flustered and Thor looked a little sheepish. Darcy gave a single wave. "Hi, I'm that other friend you made a year back? Except the one you didn't start sucking the face off before leaving. It's ok, though. You're not my type anyway."
Thor came forward and beamed at Darcy. "Lady Darcy, it is wonderful to see you again. Fear not, I had not forgotten you," Thor said. Darcy giggled a little and patted his arm a couple of times.
"Relax, big guy. I'm just teasing you," Darcy said. Thor looked a little relieved at that. "So, do we get a room or are we to choose a chair out here?" Tony chuckled and gestured for them to follow.
"Right this way," Tony said. Darcy followed Tony back into the elevator and to the same floor he took the Godly brothers, showing them down the corridor and stopping in front of Thor's door. "Thor's room; I don't know whether you want your own room or to share his, Jane…" Tony winked at the now blushing Jane. "Hey, take the room next to his if you want." Darcy rolled her eyes and took one next to Loki's room. Not that she knew he was here, of course.
"I'll leave you guys to debate it; I really need a shower," Darcy said, before closing the door. Darcy turned to look at the room and it was pretty damn good, though she'd expect nothing less from Tony Stark. A kitchen area, a lounge area, a dining area…and separate doors to what she assumed would be the bedroom and bathroom. She walked further in and saw the television, which immediately made her eyes grow wide. "Holy shit." It was huge and top-of-the-range. After being stuck in Tromso for such a time, this sure as hell made up for it.
But first of all, she needed that shower.
Jane closed the door behind them and smiled sheepishly at Thor.
"Sorry, I hope you don't mind, but I'm not the kind of girl to rush into things so quickly and then there's—" Jane started, before Thor held a hand up to stop her.
"Relax, I do not expect anything Jane, I only hope that your feelings remain strong like mine have," Thor said with a smile. Jane had opted for her own room while they got reacquainted and, anyway, she wasn't one to quickly move in with the boyfriend. If that's what they were. That was another question on her mind. "While my feelings for you have come on quickly in such a short space of time, they are by no means no less genuine, and I wish to take the time to get to know you."
Jane smiled in relief to that and nodded her head. "My feelings are mutual; I just want to know, are we, you know, together, like a couple?" Jane asked, with a laugh as it sounded so silly saying it out loud. Thor laughed along with her and took her hand in his.
"I am much relieved to hear that, Jane, and would like to ask if I could court you? Or I suppose by Midgardian terms, date you?" Thor asked, kissing her hand which made her feel that familiar giddy feeling, wanting to giggle like a teenager.
"Of course," Jane said, looking happier than she'd been in a long while, before she threw her arms around him and he wrapped his arms around her. After the year he'd had believing his brother dead and then having to fight Loki once again, he was relieved to have such a welcome after his long absence away from Jane. Thinking of Loki, he sighed and pulled back.
"There is something else I must tell you, but I promise you that you and everyone here are safe," Thor said. Jane looked at him seriously, her expression waiting. "My father has decreed that my brother be banished here, his powers limited and his body turned mortal. The Man of Iron has allowed his accommodation in his home and for that, I am grateful. I do hope, however, that he can learn from his mistakes and become a better person. I think the company of everyone here might help, as yourself, Lady Darcy and Erik did so for me."
Jane's expression became shocked and Thor immediately worried there would be a problem, but before he could say anymore, Jane became pensive before speaking.
"If he's powerless, although…what about physical attacks?" Jane asked.
"He is unable to cause direct or indirect harm, physically or magically, to anyone, save maybe those of evil intent. Worry not, my Jane, he will not harm you or anyone here," Thor said, holding her face. They smiled at each other, worries drifting away as they enjoyed each other's company.
Author's note: I forgot to mention, I'm using lyrics for chapter titles, feel free to try and guess where they're from. ;)
