How could the man so thoroughly harm his most precious love? Loki asked himself the same question over and over as he stormed into the healing rooms. The woman in his arms didn't deserve any of what the man bestowed upon her, least of all the trauma and injury. It was all his fault. If he hadn't treated her as a pet before his subjects, perhaps they would not see her as an animal now. A painful breath shuddered through his chest.

Several healers were familiar to him, women who overcame their misconceptions to treat the trickster-king when he needed help. He nodded to them, knowing at least those humble few he could trust. Settling Nancy on a flat, cold table took almost as much will-power as not murdering every man in the way between him and his woman.

The feeling of a flat surface against her back roused Nancy from her slumber. She groaned from the pain in her ribs and ankle, then winced as light fingers began working over her bones. Slowly, she opened her eyes and watched as thousands of golden stars twinkled above her, mimicking her appearance. There was only one place she could be: the healing room.

Nancy turned her head slightly to glance at Loki, standing ever faithful by her side. She didn't care what everyone else thought of him. Let them think him a monster. To her, he was a hero. With a soft smile, she croaked out, "You'll get tired of bringing me here." Really. This was her second time in less than two months.

"Shush. I will not, because this is our last visit for a long while." Loki stroked his fingers gently through her hair. At least he could bring that small comfort to her, since he could not yet correct the situation.

"Until another guard attacks me." Nancy mumbled under her breath, closing her eyes again. With a sigh, she spoke louder, "I walked right into that one, too. I let them take me."

"Let them?" Loki's fingers stopped and he raised his eyes to meet hers. Why would she do that? It seemed futile. "If you allowed them to take you, where did all the blood come from?"

"Well, it was either go willingly and leave a trail or have them knock me out and leave nothing." She shrugged softly, then winced again as a pain began in her ribs. A young healer clad in blue and gold slowly ran a hand over Nancy's torso, mending the broken bones and moving them back into their proper places.

His fingers began to stroke again as Loki gave a relieved chuckle. He thought her hurt beyond repair, but here she had only put a plan into place and executed it perfectly. "My clever girl." She might hate him, but Loki cared not as he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "You were very brave."

Nancy took a shallow breath and lifted her chin, trying to combat the pain. She focused on Loki's words and touch. Only on him. "I was just doing my job." she whispered, trying her best not to breathe, "In truth, I was terrified."

"Bravery is not the absence of fear." He sighed. "Your courage saved more than yourself."

"Seems my training works better on others." Nancy mumbled through gritted teeth. Oh, why did Loki have to have a love for words? Curse his tongue. Why wouldn't he shut up? Couldn't he tell she was in pain? "I told her not to fight him. She listened, so he didn't hurt her." A hissing gasp forced its way out, followed by a swallow to bite back the bile that was rising in her throat. "I never was good at taking my own advice, though."

"You have never been submissive." He could name at least fifty times he tried and failed to get her to submit. Loki rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "You are a fighter."

"Yep." A new pain began, this time in her ankle. Bones slid past one another and crunched beneath the healers' spell. Nancy gave a half-cry and reached for Loki's hand. She held it tightly, her knuckles turning white, as the bones continued to snap and crumble. Something definitely wasn't right.

Even as a mortal, her grip caused a dull pang of discomfort. Her grip was strong, which meant she was so in pain she did not feel her own muscles clenching. Loki's eyes softened as he stroked a thumb over her white hand. Soon, she would be better, he told himself.

Unable to bear it any longer, Nancy leaned her head back and finally unleashed an agonized scream. "Don't you people have anything for pain?" Her words came out in a mangled snarl. "Please!"

The healer in blue reached for a small vial on a nearby shelf. "Here. Drink this."

Nancy sat up a bit and downed the noxious tonic. It left a bitter taste in her mouth that strangely resembled the rotten meat she'd once consumed during her bout of starvation. She gagged twice and lay back again. Within moments, she felt her head begin to swim and her vision blur, but the pain was still intense, only lessened by her muted sense of the world around her.

Loki hated that her grip didn't lessen, only strengthened as they worked with her fragile bone structure to heal her. He swallowed hard to calm his own fears as he stroked beads of sweat from her forehead. "Not much longer, love."

A small whimper rose from her throat. How could Loki love her? She was so small and fragile. So very mortal. Why hadn't he saved Maija instead? The beautiful blonde who wouldn't break. At least, not physically. "Why me?" Nancy finally slurred out, the potion still working, "Why did you choose me?"

Loki shrugged. "Because you fought the hardest." His smile broke through as he remembered a certain conversation they had once upon a time. Before everything went wrong. "Because you fit into each category of the woman I must love."

Nancy looked up into his eyes and forced her own to focus. His eyes were like shining emeralds, more beautiful than she'd ever seen. "But Maija is Asgardian. She'll last." This would never work, anyway. She could never have him. Not really. He would live forever, while she would be left to rot within a matter of years. "I break too easily. Can't regenerate like you can."

"You will not rid yourself of me that easily."

"What? By dying? Don't think you can follow me there. Your people call us 'mortals' for a reason." As if to emphasize her point, a series of sickening snaps resounded from the opposite end of the table. Nancy cried out again and fell limp, panting severely. Tears dripped from her eyes and ran down her cheeks. This was far worse than any flogging she'd ever received.

With a sigh, the lead healer looked up at Loki. "The damage was severe, sire. Not all the bones will return to their places."

"Mend. Them." Loki narrowed his eyes, his rage intensified in them.

"We cannot. They're too fragile for the process. They are turning to dust in our hands."

"Do something!" He couldn't see her in pain, he couldn't bear the thought of it being his fault. If only Nancy could be mended, he could rest easy if only for one more night.

Nancy had never seen him so hurt and filled with panic. Not even when he found her covered in blood in the washroom. How he must have worried over her these past few days. And how much he must have loved her. Now more than ever he needed her to be strong. Strong and well for the both of them.

Gathering what strength she had left, Nancy gripped Loki's arm and hoisted herself into a sitting position. "Just wrap it. It'll be fine."

"But, miss-"

"Brace it and wrap it. It'll heal on its own." Her arm shook as she tried to bear the pain sitting up brought her. Unable to take any more, she lay back again.

The healers exchanged a tentative glance, but did as they were told. One placed metal splints on either side of Nancy's foot, while the other wrapped her ankle in a silken cloth. It was the best they could do.

"You are positive?" Loki glanced to her ankle, swollen and misshapen. Your fault, your fault... the voices taunted in the back of his mind. If only he had been more attentive.

"No, but there's nothing more they can do." Nancy gave a half-shrug and reached for Loki's hand again. "If it heals, it heals. My body will know what to do."

"Will you be in much pain?"

Yes, she would be. But she could handle it. For him, she could handle anything. Nancy tried to force a smile. "I've survived worse."

Loki brought her trembling fingers to his lips, taking the time to slide his eyes closed and attempt to compose himself. "You will tell me if I can offer something to ease the pain?"

"I'll need ice. And plenty of it." They had ice on Asgard, right? "Those wrappings are gonna make it swell."

A soft smile inched its way onto his lips. She did not realize to whom she spoke of ice. "Ice, I can provide. Is there anything else, love?"

Well, now that he was serious about his offer… "A big fluffy pillow. I'll need to keep my leg elevated." Something with goose down would be nice. Covered in silk.

Now that she thought about it, maybe being hurt wouldn't be so bad. Nancy smiled up at her beloved. He would take excellent care of her, she knew that for a fact. And he'd finally have an excuse to spend more time with her. "And I'll take a ride to wherever you want me." She held her arms up, ready to be taken into his arms once again. To be completely honest, she loved the feeling of him carrying her. Being swept away by the man she loved. There was no better feeling.

With one more quick scan to ensure the rest of Nancy's bones were either mended or wrapped, the healers gave Loki a nod, giving their okay to Nancy's departure.

Loki easily lifted her into his arms and cradled her tightly to ensure she did not move. If she was immobile, the injuries would not hurt as much during the move from healing rooms to bedroom. Oh, wait. Loki shifted. One more matter that he couldn't allow her to believe. "Allow me to address one thing this instant. Look over there." he pointed.

Across the room, laying quite still and asleep on one of the tables, was a slight blonde woman. Maija. She did not move, save her chest rising and falling with each breath. Her tortured expression had faded to calm in the presence of familiarity and the lack of evil rogues. Beside her, Fandral sat at attention. He glanced around as though someone watched, then tentatively tucked her hair away from her face.

Loki smiled softly at the scene. "The healers have, by now, told him what Kjell has done to her, and yet he remains. Maija will be well cared for."

Nancy smiled and curled against Loki's chest. "Good. I'm glad." Maija was a nice woman. And so strong. She deserved to have someone who would care for her. "You know," Nancy turned a bit and grinned up at Loki, mischief glinting in her eyes, "I do believe I have a few new bruises you need to kiss better."

"As you wish." He wanted to leave it at that, but what fun would that be? He was, after all, the god of mischief. "I am quite skilled at kissing things better."

Things were so different now. He'd come for her. Time and again, he came for her. But this time was different. She wasn't his pet. Or, if she was, she was the most cherished pet he owned. Perhaps it was only the thought of losing her that caused him to realize how much he needed her. How much he loved her.

But did not all people, no matter their species, deserve to be loved? …That poor guard and his family. His family stolen, while he was forced to kidnap the king's treasured. He was a dead-man either way.

"I found out something about the rebels." Nancy stated, her voice quiet. She wanted to know how Loki would react. "They're taking families captive."

Loki blinked. He had not heard that, and it changed everything he believed about them. "This is news. How came you to know this?"

"I spoke with the guard when he betrayed me. He said the only reason he did it was because his family was starving. He said he had nothing left to live for. When the rebels captured me, he asked them if they would 'free them'. They said they would keep their end of the bargain since he kept his… then they killed him."

a growl accompanied the thought of his subjects being harassed by those ruffians and thugs. "Then they have reached a new low, even for them." He had to calm down. They neared his chambers now, and if he was not calm Nancy would not rest. Loki took a breath and shook his head to clear the angry red haze from his mind. "They will not be happy their plan failed."

"But it didn't fail." Nancy looked up at him, noting the anger boiling beneath the surface. "That family wasn't in the building you found me in. Your warriors didn't find anyone else. They're still out there. There are more rebels."

Would she not stop long enough to let him enjoy knowing she lived? Loki muttered a curse under his breath. "I've people bringing all dissenters to the dungeons. I will see if the family has been found."

"If they're stealing families, no one is safe. Even your most loyal guards would turn to save their children." Nancy gripped his shoulders tighter. "Perhaps you should seal the doors at night. I'm not a fan of having my throat slit in my sleep."

"Let us see if the family was found." A wisp of green magic swooped forward to push open the doors to his rooms. "Then we will decide."

Nancy nodded slowly. This realm was just as strange and war-torn as her own. What was once valued above all else became a pawn in a greater war. In the ashes of the attack by the Dark Elves, the Asgardians were at each other's throats, caught up in a civil war. In these years when families were called to love and protect one another, brother fought brother and citizens revolted against their king.

"I want to be there when you question the rebels." In her core, in her soul, Nancy was still an agent. The past few days were proof of that. And she would help in whatever way she could. "I was trained to detect a lie. I've sat in on numerous interrogations before. This is what I do."

Loki smiled. Still the same woman he brought all the way from Midgard. Still as needy and feisty as the day he met her. "It is also what I do. I am the liesmith, no? I can detect a lie like no other."

Nancy gave a small smile at the name. One of many he'd been called over the centuries. "True." Liesmith, god of mischief, silver tongue. None of that mattered to her. To Nancy, he was only Loki. So wonderfully, beautifully Loki. "I just want to help in whatever way I can."

Loki rested her on the edge of his bed, only leaving her alone long enough to pull his helmet from his head. He couldn't bear to be apart from her longer than that. He needed her under his touch, reminding him she was going to be all right. "I only wish you to heal at this juncture. We can do nothing but wait until dissenters are jailed."

Nancy settled back into the pillows and frowned at him. All this betrayal and violence. It reminded her so much of the day HYDRA attacked. "Are you sure you want to share your bed with me? I won't be sleeping much." She shook her head sadly and sighed. Loki would need his sleep now more than ever. He was king and needed a clear, level head to deal with this mess. "Especially with that curse on me."

"I doubt I will sleep much, either." He shrugged a shoulder. "And I do remember a promise you made to let me kiss your wounds better..."

"Yes." That was true. She did promise that. And now… she was finally ready to trust him with her whole heart. With a soft smile, Nancy held her hand out to him. "But please be careful. My ribs still hurt. And watch my ankle. I don't want it to shatter more."

He removed his hands once more to pull his armor away from him and dispose of it against the wall. Left only in his tunic and trousers, Loki crawled onto the bed beside her. His gaze roved over her, everything he always wanted just inches from him. "I shall treat you as porcelain," he promised. His lips started with a cut barely healing against the edge of her brow. So small and seemingly insignificant, but he knew those wounds often hurt the worst. Healing kisses rained down on her from his lips. Against every bruise on her beautiful face. Over every wound and scar on her shoulder... arms... legs. Loki looked up at her. "Shall I continue?"

Nancy closed her eyes as she felt his kisses softly trail over her. When he stopped, she opened her eyes again and gazed up at him. Even in the dim light of the room, she could still see his eyes. Where shadows had darkened his features before, now there was only light and kindness and love. She slowly reached up and tangled her fingers in his wavy locks, making them hang in strings around his face. "Yes. Make me forget what happened to me."

Loki looked back down to the task at hand, brushing a kiss against her foot, then the other, until he came to her wounded ankle. With a cautious touch, he summoned his inner Jotun and brushed his icy finger against the heated swelling. Hopefully, that would calm it for a bit. He couldn't get enough of her sweet skin under his lips, and with ease he moved up her leg and along her ribs. Every bruise on her back deserved equal attention, but he did not know how to ask that of her. Not now, not after everything she'd gone through.

As Nancy let her dress drop to the floor, she studied Loki intently. She knew that look by now. He wanted something. He was usually so forward with his requests. Why did he hesitate now? "What is it?"

"How badly do the wounds on the back of your torso and legs hurt?" Loki shot her a coy glance, hoping she understood he could never mean her harm.

Now, that was taking it a step too far. Surely he knew what it would trigger. Nancy blushed intensely and nervously toyed with the sheets. "Um… they do hurt. But…" She took a deep breath. It was now or never. She knew he would never hurt her and definitely not as that guard had done. "Just… let me know it's you kissing me. Speak to me the entire time. I don't want to remember him."

Slowly, taking extra care with her wounded ankle, Nancy turned over. She winced and whimpered softly as her foot came in contact with the bed, but otherwise relaxed into the pillows. "Remind me it's you, Loki."

"I will not harm you." Though her whimper almost broke him, Loki knew he must be strong in her weaknesses. His fingers stroked gently down her back, over the soft silk of the dress she wore. Even without seeing them, he knew where each bruise and cut sat under his sensitive touch. A kiss to each seemed too little to repay all she went through on his behalf, but tonight it was all he had. That, and the sweet nothings he whispered to remind her who eased her pain.

Nancy's eyes fluttered closed at the sensation. At his words. The best part was knowing he meant all of it. He might have been a 'liesmith', but never to her. Not once had he ever lied to her. Every promise he made, he kept. Every word toward her was the truth. He really did think her as beautiful as he claimed. And nothing was better than knowing not only was he her lover now, but also her very best friend.

As he finished kissing the backs of her legs, Nancy turned back over again, still careful to mind her ankle. "Come here." she whispered, taking his hand in her own. "You have one place yet to kiss." With a smile, Nancy pulled him to her and wrapped her arms around him. The kiss they shared was deeper and far more passionate than any they had given. More priceless than even the time he first taught her to kiss. She was his… and he, hers.

Loki smiled at her soft enthusiasm and leaned into the kiss. Now was not the time to remind her he wanted her. Now was the time to remind her that he would always be there for her, that he would not harm her. That he would protect her, no matter the cost. At this angle, it was difficult to convey that in a simple kiss, and so Loki tossed one leg to her other side and straddled her waist. It took more restraint than he was willing to admit.

Then, in a moment, he was on top of her. Nancy gasped and pulled away, hovering her face near his. "I do want this. I do." And no fear would stop her. If he wanted to be rid of her, he would've sent her away by now. And even if he still did, what would it matter? Tomorrow was tomorrow and today, today. Here and now, in this moment, they were together. They were one. And she wouldn't lose this moment to her outrageous fears again. "Let's just do this, okay? I want it. I want you."

Loki rested a hand on each of her bruised cheeks and leaned down to kiss her forehead. He had waited so long for this, and he would not let their first time together fall short of all her expectations. "I will make you forget all others." Another promise he intended to keep soared from his lips. With a small smile, Loki moved his kisses down her face and toward her neck. He fully intended to keep all his promises to her.

And just like that, all fear slipped away. Every dream, every desire, everything she ever wanted was here, in this moment. He was everything she ever wanted… and so much more.