A/N: It's been too long! I'm sorry! We're back and we are down to the final dozen (or so) chapters. Huge plot twists and beautiful fluff and angst coming your way. Please stay with us. - The Authors


The months flew by. Every day brought new adventures and new ways the couple drew closer together. Nancy began to learn more about Loki's likes and dislikes. His favorite books and favorite foods. The fact he despised strategy meetings and often left clones in his place. In fact, now he often sent the clones from the start, refusing to leave Nancy's side unless he absolutely had to. This naturally led to them spending more time than ever together, usually out in the garden or in the library. Other days, they spent in their room, reading or cuddling together on the chaise, bed, or chairs. These moments were beautiful and entirely hers. Nothing could take them from her.

It was on one of these lazy, sunny days that Nancy found herself in front of the washroom mirror, brushing her hair. How far she'd come, since her days in the cell. She glowed with a new light; a light that radiated out from her hair and skin. Not only had her ribs vanished back under her muscles, where they belonged, but she was growing quite… plump.

Nancy turned to the side and looked her figure over. This was more than her getting her appetite back. She was getting downright pudgy. She leaned closer and pressed her palms to her cheeks. Yep, there was no doubt about it. She'd had more than her fair share of sweet rolls. Nancy hadn't looked this robust since the first time she'd met Loki, back on the hellicarrier.

"Darling," Nancy called, still pulling and stretching at her face in the mirror, "I think we should go back to the apple-a-day."

"Why's that, love?" Loki, perched lazily on the bed in the other room, barely glanced up from his book. She got these ridiculous notions often, so it wasn't too far-fetched that this one would pass as well. Especially considering she hated the apple-a-day tradition.

Nancy turned and looked at him, concerned. "Because I'm gaining weight and you won't let me go train with Sif." Her pout was evident in her tone and expression. "I have to do something to get this extra weight off."

Then again...

Loki sighed softly and closed his book. He didn't want to have this conversation, but it appeared that's what would happen. Whether he wanted it or not. He had to tell her some time. It might as well be today. "Darling, there is nothing wrong with your weight."

Nancy scoffed and turned back towards the mirror. "Oh, you always say that." He was so sweet. He never saw her flaws, though she had plenty.

This was precisely why he didn't want to talk about it. She didn't understand his meaning. She thought them merely pretty words, when they meant so much more.

He entered the wash room to stand behind her. His eyes sought hers in their reflection. "I mean it."

With a contented sigh, Nancy relented and leaned back against him. "Fine. If you want an overweight paramour… then you've got one."

"Look at me, please." If he must tell her, he wanted to do it right. Face to face. He wanted to communicate like she always begged him to do. It made sense to present this life-changing news that way.

Nancy turned dramatically with an overdramatic sigh to match. He could be so stubborn sometimes. She smiled playfully up at him. "I know, I need to stop being so harsh on myself. I just want to look my best for you, dear."

Loki rested his hands on her shoulders. His fingers itched to run along her arms, but not wasn't the time for that nonsense. "You do. You are not overweight."

She smiled lovingly and leaned forward to press her lips to his. "Thanks." With her smile still in place, Nancy turned back towards the mirror and resumed brushing her hair. "If you keep standing there," she sing-songed, knowing how much he adored her hair, "I'll ask you to help."

"Love, I was not finished. Turn back around please."

That wasn't the reaction she hoped for. Nancy looked up at his reflection in the mirror, utterly confused. He looked serious, yet… guilty. Slowly, she turned back around to face him. "What's wrong?"

"You are not overweight because you have not gained weight. It..." Oh, how did he say it? Loki dropped his gaze and that's when he knew he had to. His fingers reached out, followed by his palms as they pressed against her rounded abdomen. "It belongs to another."

Nancy's disbelieving laugh rang off the gilded walls. "What? You think I'm…? Sorry, darling, but no. I had my… monthly thing… last month. I'm not. Not yet." She gave him another of her winning smiles. There was no way she could be…. Was it even possible to interbreed like that? They were two different species. No. Of course not. "I just haven't been exercising enough."

Loki refused to remove his hands. The small life inside her was too precious for her to stand in denial. "But, you are. I don't mean to distress you, but I know this for certain."

She raised an eyebrow. How did he know when she herself didn't? "Let me guess... your magic told you?"

"Yes and no." A rare moment of grief threatened to overwhelm him. Did she have no faith in his tricks and mischief? Did she not believe by now that his magic could tell things no human ever could?

Nancy's smile faded, and she felt all color drain from her face. "But... no... I can't be. I..." Her words trailed off as she studied his face. He wasn't teasing her or trying to trick her. He was serious… dead serious. She was with child.

Her eyes widened, and she looked down at her stomach, placing her hands next to his. She was with child. A tiny person was growing inside her. "No... no." Tears began to form in her eyes. What would Loki think of her now? What would he do?

"Somewhere around three months now. I had not wanted to distress you. I am sorry." Loki lifted a hand to wipe away a tear on her cheek. He never meant to make her cry, but she had to know.

"Three months?" Nancy took in a shaky breath. Three months. What happened in her life three months ago? When did it happen? "Three months." Her eyes widened again, and she took a visible step back, pulling away from him. "But… that's when that guard... Oh!" Nancy collapsed down onto a nearby cushioned bench and placed her head in her hands, the room spinning and tears streaming down her face. Her breathing accelerated, and the tears advanced into full sobs.

Loki sank down beside her. He couldn't allow her to believe that. Not now, not ever. "It is also when we..." The excuse fell silent on his lips. Nancy was strong-willed. She would believe what she wanted. He couldn't change that.

His words seemed distant, her mind running rampant. What would he do with her now? He couldn't have a consort that was with child. What would his subjects think? And what if it was that guard's child? Just the idea of carrying that man's child inside her made her stomach turn in knots. Would Loki let her carry it to term, or would he have it removed? But what if it was his? Would he kill his own child? Would he sell it, or sell them both as a pair? Would he simply send them away?

Finally, gathering some sibilance of composure, Nancy looked up at Loki through her tears. "How long have you known?"

"Almost since the beginning." Loki swallowed convulsively. It was hard to look at her, knowing how angry she would be. She didn't like his kept secrets, even if he felt he had no choice in the matter.

"That long, huh?" Nancy leaned her head back against the wall behind her and wiped at her tears, bracing herself for her next question. The rest of her life balanced on this one moment. "Have you decided what you're going to do about this?"

Loki frowned. What could she possibly mean? What would he do, but support her? She was his, he wouldn't do anything to damage that. He rested his hands against her belly again. "This child is mine."

Nancy's sigh of relief was audible. All her fears melted away at his words. "So, you're going to keep us? Both me and the child?"

"Yes. No matter what others say. I claim the child as mine and that is the end of it." He leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Even if it is not mine, this child is blameless."

Another sigh of relief. Nancy's heart finally began to beat regularly again, and she turned to her lover. Her beloved. And now… the father of her child. "Oh, Loki…" Nancy turned completely and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "You don't know how much this means to me. Thank you."

"Do not mention it." A soft sigh spilled from his own lips as he held her close. She was so dear to him. How would he ever explain just how much she meant? "I am sorry to worry you."

"I was only worried about what you were going to do. You're a king; it doesn't look right, you keeping a consort that's with child."

Loki's smirk returned. She would think that. "It does if the child is mine."

"Still. People will talk." Nancy leaned her head against his, so grateful for his kindness. Grateful for him and his love for her.

Loki closed his eyes, content to hold her close and rest. It wasn't often they got these quiet moments alone. "Let them. I will be more than willing to silence them."

Nancy smiled and nuzzled his cheek, thinking about their future life together. They'd be a family now. "Are you ready to be a father?"

"No." Loki winced, his thoughts running rampant with images of his own father. Adoptive father, he corrected himself. "I never have been and more than likely never will be. But I must be."

"Yes. And I'm going to be a mother." Nancy leaned back, just enough to look at him, and kissed the end of his nose. He was her dream-come-true. Everything she'd ever wanted… he gave it all to her. "You're going to be an amazing dad. I can only imagine how spoiled our little prince or princess is going to be."

"Me? A spoiler?" Loki chuckled aloud. If anyone would spoil the child, it would be Nancy. "I doubt it. Especially if it is a son."

"Yes, you. Especially you!" Nancy leaned back farther and laughed, "You are the embodiment of 'spoiled'! I saw it written all over you from the moment I first saw you."

"That does not mean I will spoil my children." Loki feigned a shocked gasp. "By Odin, woman! What do you make of me?"

"Nothing that you will not ultimately make of yourself." Fully happy, Nancy leaned close again and kissed his lips, slowly and seductively. "Fine. I'll spoil the kid, and you can be the strict parent."

"Mm. Alright. But I insist on being allowed extravagant gifts when my temper wills it."

"I don't know about that." She sat back again and crossed her arms. "And we must teach him or her the value of tending to one's own things. No servants."

"I insist on one servant. She can serve as a nurse when we are away." He paused, suddenly realizing what she'd said, how she'd insulted him. "And I tend to my own things!"

Nancy gave another disbelieving laugh. "Oh yeah? Who cleans every mess we make when we decide to make them? Do you know how many towels I used to mop up after our last 'bath'?" She raised an eyebrow, challenging him.

Loki smirked, remembering quite well the incident she referenced. "Yes, love. I do. Had you waited for my return, I would have done it."

"I doubt it. And who puts your laundry away for you? Not that you need me to, Mr. Magic-on-clothes." With a relenting shake of her head, Nancy kissed his cheek. She'd never win this battle with him. "Fine. One servant. That's all."

"Good, because I would not have taken no for an answer." She somehow managed to put him in a playful mood again. Probably that bit about water and magic. Loki kissed the tip of her nose.

Nancy smiled, thinking of their new child. But… what if it wasn't his? Her smile slid from her lips. What if it was Galt's? "We should get a DNA test." Nancy whispered, chancing a glance up at him to gage his mood. "I'm sure the healers have the technology for it."

"They do. But I do not care. It is my child. Anyone who says differently can answer directly to me."

"Yes, but it would make me feel better if I knew." She wrapped her arms protectively around herself. Thinking of that guard sent shivers down her spine and made her recoil. Nancy sincerely hoped the child wasn't Galt's. "Not that I would love it any less, of course. I just want to know."

"If it isn't obvious, then I will have them do the test." If Nancy would calm down, he would have insisted on foregoing the test, but she was distressed enough as it was. So Loki conceded. A bit.

"No, I mean before the baby's born. Your advanced culture doesn't have the technology for that?"

"If it's all the same to you, I would rather wait." Loki blinked large eyes at her. "Please."

"Fine." Nancy crossed her arms defiantly. He sure could be stubborn sometimes. "But we're getting the gender determined beforehand, end of discussion."

Loki sighed heavily. He supposed he could only manipulate her into giving him so much at a time. "Why do you dislike surprises?"

"Because I want to know what I need to start ordering for the baby's room." Nancy stared at him like he was insane. Why else would she need to know the gender? Aside from her own curiosity, of course.

"Do you just forget about my abilities?"

"Fine. We'll let it be a 'surprise'." Nancy rolled her eyes. "That is, if your magic hasn't already told you."

"It has not." Loki pulled her close, a sort of reward for siding with him in the end. "Besides, once the people learn of the child's birth, we will be so inundated with gifts we will hardly need to summon or order anything at all!" And that brought a smile to his face. Frigga always did tote the beauty of their subjects. The kindness of Asgard.

Nancy forced a smile in response to his, but then dropped it. Surely he knew what the Asgardians thought of her. She sighed heavily. "No, we won't, Loki. Maybe if I was queen, but... this child is illegitimate."

"You haven't met Asgardians." Except the bad ones. She met plenty of those. Someone needed to change her perspective. "Thor says my room was positively overflowing with gifts."

"Yes, but you were a nobleman or something. This is different. Before you made me immortal, I ranked lower than your animals. This child is common."

"No child is common when favored by a king. I was an outcast, destined to die. Worse than a mortal."

Nancy gave a humorless, disbelieving laugh. "According to your people, nothing's worse than a mortal."

"Except a Jotun." Now he'd said too much. Loki cleared his throat, hoping she would overlook his slip-up. "No matter. The child will be well cared for."

Nancy forced another smile and drew Loki close, knowing how much he hated his other form. Skin the color and texture of ice. The monster forbidden to show its true self. "Yes, but in this form… you look Asgardian, act Asgardian, are the king of Asgard. You're different. The people know that."

"I am a half-breed. A runt of the litter." He shrugged his shoulders. It was no different.

"Jotuns have 'litters'? Oh, well then we can be animals together." Nancy laughed and kissed his cheek playfully.

"It... was an expression." Loki lifted a hand to rub his forehead.

Nancy calmed and gave Loki a soft, knowing smile. She could tell how hurt he was, just beneath the surface. How he longed to end this conversation. "How did Odin find you, if you don't mind me asking?" she whispered, gently holding his hand and twining their fingers together.

"There was a war."

"Oh. I'm sorry." Nancy paused, considering what he'd revealed. "How old were you?"

"Just a child. A... a newborn."

His pain was nearly tangible now. Nancy could feel it as if it were her own. Heartache and self-loathing, all rolled into one. With calm, precise movements, Nancy pulled Loki into her arms and held him tightly, needing him to understand he wasn't alone. He'd never be alone again. "I'm glad Odin took you in." she whispered, leaning her head against his, "I'm glad you survived. I never would've met you otherwise."

"It would have been kinder if he had told me."

Nancy rubbed his back lightly, holding him as he recovered from the wound she'd unknowingly reopened. "Will you tell our child?" she continued to whisper, glancing up at him, yet remaining with her face mere inches from his. "If he or she isn't your blood? Will you tell it you're not its real father?"

"Would you wish me to do so?"

Nancy shrugged a bit. "That's up to you. It's still my child either way."

"Then if it is not mine, I shall tell it I loved it so much I could not let it grow up without a father."

"That's kind of you." Nancy smiled and sat back a little, relieved he was returning to his normal mood again. "What will we name it?"

"I do not know. We have months to decide." Loki's smile wasn't as bright, but it was no longer turned into a frown, either. He nodded once, in a decisive manner. They had plenty of time to name the child.

"Yes. Months." Nancy returned his smile and stood, finally returning to the mirror to finish brushing her hair. "I'll have to get a whole new wardrobe as the baby grows." She mused, looking over her reflection in the mirror. She'd get much larger and… rounder. Hopefully Loki wouldn't mind too much.

Loki couldn't help but hum mischievously. "I have already prepared for that."

"Of course you have." Nancy rolled her eyes. Couldn't he stop showing off with his magic and regality for five minutes? Just let her enjoy this! "What about my mood swings and weird cravings?" Nancy retorted, brushing her hair with more vigor. "Have you prepared for that?"

"Yes. I'm rather amazed you haven't asked for anything such as licorice and pickles yet."

"I'm amazed you know what a pickle is." Nancy paused as she suddenly remembered the foods she used to love. She'd grown so accustomed to wild boar, quail, and pheasant recently that she'd nearly forgotten Earth food. But, now that she was thinking of it, nothing could stop her cravings. They hit with full force and hit her hard. Greasy, cheesy, meaty goodness returned to her mind in an instant. She absolutely had to have it. "Although, I really could go for a pizza." she admitted, "And coffee. I miss coffee."

"I refuse to provide coffee. You and the child would never sleep!" Loki shook his head vehemently. He would not give in to that whim. Not now, not ever. If she wouldn't care for her own body, he would do it for her.

"Caffeine is bad for babies anyway." She remembered hearing that somewhere…. "But I was serious about that pizza. Oh, and the pickle." Nancy resumed her brushing again, only to slam the brush back down less than a moment later. "Ooh! Put the pickles on the pizza. Now that would be good."

"I foresee a lot of inter-realm travel ahead of me."