"That was quite a display." Okoye said once the car doors had closed. "You did well… both of you." A proud little smirk curling the corner of her mouth in the rear-view mirror as the car picked up speed.

The trill of Loki's cellphone excused him from finding an appropriate response.

"Hello? Thor?"

Shay smiled out the window as Thor excitedly shouted down the phone.

The Norwegian diplomats had seen the broadcast, they were willing to negotiate for Loki to live with his people in New Asgard. There would be conditions as Bruce reminded them in a more subdued voice.

Shay had faith that it all would work out. Her own phone buzzed and she opened it to see a message from Nat, who was no doubt listening in on the same conversation from the other side.


N- Saw you on TV, not a diplomat hey?

S- Learned it all from you, Nat.

N- Thor's about ready to give you the kingdom for what you just did.

S- Tell him to keep it, that crown is a little too big for me.

N- Tell him yourself.


Thor was strolling to the car as they pulled up. The Bifrost pattern burnt into the short grass just beyond him. Sam and Steve watched from the front porch.

"Loki!"

The volume of Thor's voice was even less restrained than it had been a moment ago, aggressive in his jubilation he embraced Loki in a tight hug. Releasing him and reaching for Shay before Okoye or Loki could intervene. Thor was seconds away from crushing Shay's ribs when his entire body flopped limply to the ground.

His eye raced uncertainly from Shay to Loki- who looked impressed and deeply amused.

"Hey, don't look at me, I would have used something sharper." Loki grinned wickedly and held his hands up in a play at innocence.

"Sorry about that Thor, you scared me." Shay said, reaching to tap his forearm and free him from the paralysis.

Thor climbed back to his feet and dusted himself off looking a little sheepish. "Please, accept my apologies Lady Shay, I was perhaps a little overeager to thank you."

"Perhaps…" the tone of her voice was dripping in sarcasm but her eyes crinkled with laughter. "And you are very welcome."

Thor opened his arms- half shrug, half invitation- and Shay laughed aloud, stepping into his arms for a quick hug that he returned cautiously, as though he was cradling a delicate creature that was just as likely to break as bite.

"Thank you, Shay. Loki's oath is well given, and you will have the allegiance of Asgard as long as we live, Lady Mercy."

"I'm glad to see mother's lessons weren't completely wasted on you, brother, but there are things we must discuss and Lady Shay is tired." Loki said, gesturing for Shay to take his arm.

Loki spoke out of the side of his mouth as Steve and Sam watched them walk past. "Much as I enjoyed seeing you drop Thor like a fish, I fear you've overstretched yourself again, milady."

"I think Okoye got a photo." She said with a weak grin and though she stumbled, Shay waved away Loki's concern. "Nothing a little rest can't cure, I'm sure."

He gave her a little bow at the door, "We shall meet again, Lady Mercy, until then take my deepest gratitude with you."

"I hope it all goes well for you in Norway, and don't forget that you can call me if you need help."

"You've already done so much for me…" his voice softened and he dropped his gaze to the floor.

"Call if you need a friend. Goodbye Loki."

"Farewell."


Shay let the door swing shut behind her and blinked, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the dim light. Alone.

Pippin was staying with the Enoka's; an extension of herself to protect and comfort them in their grief. She didn't mind being alone, she was safe enough with Steve and Sam outside. The coffee mug on the table, the gym bag at the back door, a dozen things that resonated with their presence in her fading senses.

Just like old times, except… James should be here, his boots on the porch, the grip mat in the dishrack next to his favorite tin mug.

But the dishrack was empty.

Shay turned away from the heartache. Sleep, that's what she needed. Another sense hummed under her skin pleasantly, a familiar presence as she walked down the hall. A dream surely. Her mind playing tricks. That's all, it must be.

She knocked on the door opposite hers without thinking, as though some other power lifted her hand.

Bucky opened the door to see Shay standing there. "Hey."

She looked at him like he was an apparition that would disappear if she blinked.

Shay opened her mouth, but the words weren't there. Her brain had been in the scrambler and it had apparently decided now was a good time to shut down completely.

"Are you ok?" Bucky asked.

His eyebrows scrunched in worry and she shook her head to say she was fine but had to squeeze her eyes shut as the world suddenly spun, setting off angry sparks inside her skull. She didn't flinch away when his hand braced under her elbow and she was gently pulled forward and sat on the bed.

"Shay?" The concern in his voice pulled her back to the surface and she took a breath of air like she'd been drowning.

"I'm ok, just…" she waved at her head.

"You were in the cradle." Bucky finished, understanding. "Sam told me."

"Brutal- Don't know how you did it."

It hadn't been easy, but he'd had super serum healing to take the edge off. Shay with her hyper-sense must be in incredible pain.

"Stay here, I'll be right back." Bucky patted his pillow and Shay shrugged, wincing again.

"All-right." She slurred her agreement, in no condition to refuse.

She was slumped against the headboard when he returned with a glass and a yellow packet.

"Got you some water and pain meds." He helped her hold the glass, stopping it from spilling as her hand trembled.

Her body was going into shock, the recal-therapy and press gauntlet had exhausted her, but freezing and re-invigorating Thor had tipped her over the edge.

Bucky didn't want to add a panic attack to the mix so he pressed the packet into her hand but it fell from her limp fingers.

"Come on Angel, you've got to help me out here."

*trust*

The sense spoke for her and he tried not to let the meaning of it distract him as he read the instructions on the package, settling for a ¾ dose and hoping that would be enough. A soft hiss escaped as the packet dispensed into her arm. Bucky shifted her gently so she could lay her head on the pillow.

The sharp edge of her pain dulled to a throbbing heat and Shay sighed as cool metallic fingers brushed the hair from her face.

"Need anything else?"

"mm- no," she mumbled.

"Okay Shay, you rest, I'll just be outside-"

Bucky had half risen from the bed when she gripped his hand frantically, her words clear though her eyes were still glassy and unfocused.

"Please, stay?"

He couldn't refuse her, half-delirious as she was. Stay. Nor could he tell her how that word burnt in his heart. Stay? She couldn't know what she was asking, what he wished it meant.

"Alright Angel, I'll stay."

Shay settled back on the pillow, her hand still clasping his tightly.