Loki wandered the halls of his childhood home in the dead of night, restless and bored. The boredom he felt was understandable; his confinement granted little by way of amusements, and was upheld only for outward appearances. Now, in the stillness of Asgard's resting hours, he was free to roam as he pleased. He could roam as he pleased regardless, but the shackle around his throat encouraged him to visit other realms rather than pester the realm eternal.
He had never stated his fears out loud, never so much as whispered them in the darkness. He never would if he could help it. But the thought of Frigga's hand forced - the curve of the blade, the pain in her features - no. He could not betray himself enough to pretend that this was an ineffective chain. For her alone, he would abide Odin's wishes. For her alone, he abided her wishes.
He was restless still. He had walked the entire structure three times now, keeping his steps silent but brisk. He prowled the hallways; he knocked at secret passages he was certain only the Allfather also knew existed. He explored the depths of the chamber below, running a finger along the Casket of Ancient Winters, watching his finger shift darker in quiet fascination.
On his fourth round, as he approached the throne room, his brother stood leaned against the right side of the entrance. The trickster paused for a moment, meeting Thor's eyes. In another moment, they resumed strides together, falling in step. Together, they completed Loki's fourth round of their home. As they began his fifth and Thor's second, Thor broke the silence.
"Have you slept at all, Loki?"
"No."
Thor chuckled.
"Perhaps someday you might teach me that trick."
Loki considered this for a time. In eons gone past he would have dismissed the idea outright. Now Thor, like Loki, had reached his full potential as creator. The thunderer had seiðr within him, and while it did not run so deeply as Loki's, it was powerful enough.
"Perhaps," he said. "I cannot say I learned a particular trick. My seiðr invigorates me, as lightning does you."
Thor sighed.
"A trick I must learn on my own," the thunderer mourned. "I am impatient."
"As ever," Loki said. He tried to stop his eyes from rolling too obviously, but Thor's laugh told him he'd failed. "Why are you even here, brother? Asgard does not hold your interest any longer."
"Nor yours," Thor said. His eyes were merry at the tease; Loki scoffed.
"I am not certain I like you so perceptive," he growled. Thor laughed again.
"That is your doing. How you must regret it."
Loki produced a dramatic sigh for effect. He fluttered one set of fingers in the air in front of them both, conjuring a quick swirl of simple colors.
"And I, a simpleton conjurer, built only for dazzling crowds. What a fate I've cursed us to."
"A sorry fate for Asgard, but not so for Midgard," Thor said. "Perhaps this was fated."
Loki raised his eyebrows and looked across to his brother, who smiled fondly at the air before him.
"You are too sentimental by half," Loki said. "You pine for your little mortal so openly."
"Is Lynn well?" Thor asked. Loki scowled.
"She is not mine," he snarled. Thor's mouth twisted into a bemused smile.
"Of course, brother," he said. "That is why you pace the night away, nerves rattling your bones."
Loki took offense to the amusement he heard in Thor's voice. He growled without words.
"I wonder how she will feel today," Thor continued when Loki remained otherwise silent. "She has not once returned, nor even asked. She never saw it before."
"I do not know why she comes now," Loki said. His nerves jittered and tensed; he kept them from his voice, but his continued pacing gave him away. "She accompanies your Jane Foster, and she warned me of such, but would say nothing more."
Thor looked across Loki's frame, noting the irritation.
"What worries you so, brother?" Thor had waited as long as he could, and now decided to bring his concerns to light. Loki's frenetic energy revealed far more than nerves; the trickster would not fear Lynn's arrival in Asgard without cause. The realm was safe enough for a mortal, and Tony would also come for this journey. Indeed, Tony had requested Lynn's presence specifically, and like Lynn had refused to explain why she should come here.
Jane's journeys had grown in both frequency and size over the past years. She initially came with the Avengers themselves, always accompanied by at least two of the team. Now she was normally joined by other scientists from multiple fields and who moved freely from either realm; Asgardians learned of mortal sciences and exchanged knowledge for goods and weapons. The boat which began this enterprise had long been retired due to its small size; now the Tesseract fueled massive weights and groups in the dozens in a single trip, and functioned regularly. No other two realms shared trade in such a way, and Thor was quietly grateful for the allyship between the realms. He respected Midgard, and he loved Jane Foster, but he would not forget the destruction Midgardians rained upon their enemies when pushed too far.
They were not the only dangerous species of the Nine, nor even the universe as a whole - but they were one of the most efficient when provoked, one of the more calculating and cruel. He had sat with Steve Rogers and asked of the device he'd been shown, all those years before. He'd learned of how it was deployed not once, but twice, and against the recommendations of advisors. He'd learned of further tests, and discussed the role SHIELD played throughout the years. If humans were given free reign throughout the Nine without allyship to temper their fire, there would be no end to the devastation. While Thor hated to think of Jane's inevitable death, he sometimes felt that it was fortunate for them all that mortals lived brief lives.
"If she warned you, then at least you are prepared," Thor said, forcing his thoughts to lighter paths.
"Indeed," Loki said. He stopped walking of a sudden, his frame upright, and looked into the distance. They had come to one of the many vistas spanning their home. Loki looked upon Asgard with the same expression as always: a mixture of hatred, longing, and resignment.
"She may expect to come see me," he said under his breath. Thor crossed his arms and watched Loki, waiting for him to continue. Loki was more willing to speak openly these days, but he wouldn't continue if interrupted.
"She doesn't know," Loki said.
"Your imprisonment."
Loki's jaw tightened as Thor considered this. Loki was arrogant and vain; he snarled any time his cell was approached, although the family knew he wasn't truly contained. The issue was obvious now; he wouldn't have liked Lynn to know of his continued imprisonment, however artificial the chains. He hadn't told her.
"She knows some of it," Thor said gently. "She knows your honor is bound."
"Oh, is it?" Loki laughed. "My honor, is it? A sweet sentiment, brother."
He was reflexively attempting to distract Thor from the topic. The thunderer merely waited him out.
"She does," Loki relented. "I told her of my leash. But not..."
They were both princes of Asgard. There was an inherent humiliation to imprisonment, an impulse to fight which was hard to ignore. Thor understood Loki's anxiousness now, but there was nothing he could do to relieve it.
It was fitting, in a way, that Loki's shame had finally surfaced at the thought of a little mortal gazing into his cage. He had killed so many of them, through both direct and indirect action. Now, years after, he felt some semblance of humiliation. Not because of his crimes; never that. Loki would never apologize; Thor suspected he regretted his attacks on Midgard as much as Thor regretted his own on Jötunheimr.
"Perhaps you should tell her before," Thor said. Loki scowled at their sun as it rose in the sky and said nothing.
Lynn's first thought as she stepped into the Golden Realm was an echo of Natasha's voice: It's very golden. Thor calls it the Golden Realm, if you could see it you'd appreciate how literal that is.
She'd been thinking of her time here before for days now, nervous and anxious and fearful and maybe a little excited in between. When Tony first asked her to join him on what he called his "wacky spacegard adventures," she'd shook her head before her thoughts caught up with the motion.
"And that's why," Tony had said over her silent objections. "You gotta see it this time, kid. We'll make some rattles about a job for you; I'll figure it out."
"Tony..." She'd been shaking, felt her shoulders tensing. She shook her head again, the fear clouding out her better reasoning skills.
"Bruce says it's time to lance some boils, kid." Tony had patted her knee, even given it a reassuring squeeze. A rare physical gesture of affection which took the fight out of her.
"If I want to leave, is it...can I leave?"
Tony hadn't answered that question, which meant he didn't want to tell her something unpleasant. Now as she stepped off the platform with Jane's help, walking to the metal steps and descending onto Asgardian soil, she focused on breathing deeply, in and out.
Asgard was beautiful. She could see that clearly enough, could even appreciate it on some level. But Asgard was also a place of trauma she couldn't properly explain. She'd been healed here, yes, to a large degree; but it was here that she was also taken.
Could Thanos see her here, even now? Was he plotting her return? Maybe not; she wasn't important, wasn't powerful or wealthy or - or -
"Hey hey, eyes on me." Lynn blinked at Tony's face, suddenly large in her field of site. He snapped once, unnecessarily, and she scrunched her nose and huffed at him.
"Right? Too much gold. I tried to tell them."
Lynn laughed once, a short bark, and he grinned.
"There she is. Look, you gotta carry something here, we're not bellhops."
She breathed deep and offered her arms for whatever items he decided she could handle. In another moment, a voice boomed near them all and Jane's happy laughter rang out.
"Friends!" Thor strode into their view, arms wide to receive Jane, who wrapped her arms as tightly as she could around her beau. "Well met this day. Lynn, do not burden yourself - we will carry these for you."
As he spoke, Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun all approached, offering hugs or companionable shoulder clasps.
"You have finally graced our realm, Lynn Creed!" Fandrall squeezed her shoulder in a warm hand. "Truly we now have Midgard's greatest beauties among us."
Volstagg huffed at his friend while Hogun nodded to her, his eyes alert and pensive. They all remembered the past as well. They might even know what this visit meant, but none of them seemed anything other than delighted to see her.
She scanned their welcoming crew, confusion warring with relief. Someone was missing. She glanced at Tony first, who shrugged and continued a conversation with Hogun; she met Thor's eyes and saw his silent request to speak with her in private.
She kept her mouth shut.
"Come, your quarters are all prepared. You have time to rest if you wish. Jane, let me."
Thor took up some of their assorted crates, and his friends followed his lead. Together, they entered the palace proper, and Lynn's fear was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the place.
"I know," Jane said to her quietly. "It's really something. This place is older than most of our civilizations."
So am I, Lynn thought.
"Here, Jane," Thor said in front of them. Jane was already walking a familiar path; this was clearly her regular quarters, which was to say, Thor's quarters. She gave him a quick kiss before slipping into the room. Thor sent his friends ahead with their containers, and Tony went with them to help direct set up and give instructions to the Asgardian scientists who awaited them.
Now Lynn looked at Thor, and he said, gently, "If you would like another room, I will see that it's done."
He led her twenty steps further and turned to the left; a room close enough to hear from his own if needed. Close enough to hear voices, laughter, music. To bring her back to herself.
She walked into the room and felt a shockingly intense sense of familiarity, despite never having stepped forth in this room. Another, yes, all that time ago - but never here.
"It's fine," she said. She smiled at Thor, and knew from his worried look that the smile didn't reach her eyes.
He waited several long moments while she turned and inspected the bed, the tables, the chair, and the sill. She braced her hands on the edge and leaned forward, looking down on the city she'd only heard and smelled before. She remembered her manners and turned to thank him.
Thor remained at the entrance, watching her. His lips were curled into a soft smile.
"I am glad you have come to my home, Lynn," he said. "I hoped you would one day wish to see Asgard."
Lynn's eyes drifted across the room prepared for her. It was massive, nearly larger than the housing Tony provided her. The ceilings were high above, the air crisp and clean. A slight breeze fluttered through the curtains. The temperature was comfortable, the scenery outside calming in its glory.
"It's beautiful," she said. She meant it. Thor finally stepped into the room, moving closer to her but still outside of immediate range. Instead he circled close to the edges, inspecting every small space. Testing the strength of the walls. Even lifting curtains, as though expecting creatures to conceal themselves behind.
Lynn watched the process in confusion, then amusement, then gratitude. He knew this room was secure; he was doing this show for her benefit alone.
"You can stop," she said when he'd finished half of his circuit. "I know it's safe here."
"Do you?" Now that she understood, the inspection took a lighter tone. He lifted a cushion from the large couch on the far wall, running a hand against the fabric beneath.
"Well," she said, "I'm at least sure there's nothing under the cushions."
He chuckled and stepped close, clasping a hand on her shoulder. They held each other's gaze for a long moment, Thor's inspecting her for signs of distress, her watching for a tell.
"Loki didn't want me here, did he?"
Thor squeezed her shoulder, the same smile now spreading further.
"He often says you are too clever by half," he said. "It vexes him so."
"He could save us both time and just tell me things," Lynn said. She was grumpy. Thor clapped her shoulder again with a laugh and walked to the entrance.
"If you need anything, I am right down the hall," he said. He rapped on the side of the door frame.
"Anything at all, Lynn."
"I get it." She waved him away and he shut the large door behind him. She shook her head, looking up at the ceiling, so high above she wondered if each room was designed for sound to carry. It was ornate, and certainly pretty, but so impractical. She began her own inspection of the room now that she was alone, checking the same spaces Thor had. She tried to tell herself she was only exploring her quarters, checking the alien materials. She gave up on the lie when she lifted the same couch cushion as Thor had only minutes ago, then sat on the furniture and looked into the rest of the room.
Loki stood before the door. She hadn't heard it open, though she couldn't remember how much noise it made. She raised both eyebrows and waited, silent and still.
"How do you like it?" Loki's voice slithered between them. He stepped forward into the room, going to the same window she'd abandoned before. He crossed his arms as he looked out at the city below, so like Thor that she couldn't help a small smile. He'd hate the comparison.
"It's beautiful," Lynn said. "Why didn't you ever bring me here?"
He glanced back at her. She stood and walked toward him, stood at his side, and followed his eyes. He gazed down at the city with an unkind expression, and sighed a bit too sadly.
"This realm holds painful memories for the both of us, I think," he said. He spoke carefully; they both knew he was treading on dangerous ground. "I was not kind to you here."
"You told me to stay asleep," Lynn said. "You hated me."
"I did, perhaps." Loki dropped his arms now, turning fully toward her. She had yet to look up at him. "I was resentful of your presence, of what you represented. Frigga - "
"I know all that," Lynn snapped. She took a deep breath; he watched her with an impassive expression. If he cared at all, she couldn't tell. "Leashes and chains. I get it."
She finally looked at him. Her pupils were blown out, her eyes wide and fearful. He suddenly realized she trembled where she stood.
"Amma Lynn, no one will hurt you here," he said quietly. She flinched and looked away, up at the sky.
"Don't say that," she said. "Don't ever say that."
"Very well," he said. She continued to scan the skies, now fully invested in her memories. He considered how to distract her.
"What shall I say?" He reached into the air and twisted, his fingers creating a trailing prism of light before her eyes. Her eyes lit with bright interest, as they always did. The shades formed into a bird, which fluttered aimlessly in the air just outside of reach. She watched with an unconscious smile. He felt smug in his success.
"Where's your quarters?" she asked. Loki offered a hand to her, the bird continuing its lazy patterns without his input.
"Would you like to see them?"
She looked down at his hand, then back up at him. Her eyebrows rose again. He hesitated, then offered an arm for her. She took it, her warmth close by his side. He led her from her quarters and strode down the hall at a leisurely pace, always alert for the sounds of footsteps other than their own.
"This is familiar," she said. Loki laughed quietly after a quick glance at her; she wasn't distressed, only musing. He pressed the door to his room open with a whispered command, spelled for centuries against a meddling brother's pranks. The door hissed open and his past was revealed.
The room was as large as Thor's, though Lynn hadn't yet seen Thor's for herself with her eyes. Both were equally bright as well, with large arched openings for windows in an eternally pleasant climate. Loki's bookshelves and desks were covered in writings, reams of paper, and assorted studies he continued to this day. Because his quarters were spell-locked, he was the only living being who entered this place, and had been for at least three centuries.
Until now. Lynn of course went straight to the books, her fascination predictable. She inspected the spines and seemed disappointed to find no writing on them. Loki pulled one and spread it open on the cluttered desk, revealing spiraling images of the stories within.
"It's in English?"
Lynn sounded surprised as her eyes scanned across the translated text.
"It is written in the All-tongue," Loki said. "They all are. You would be able to read any of these if you so chose."
"The All-tongue," she said. She didn't sound convinced.
"That is also how I understand you, and you me," Loki said. "I have learned English because of my time in your realm, but I did not know it before."
"Why did you learn English at all?" she asked, turning the page of the book. The images danced and swayed before her. He knew she was delighted and fighting not to show her enthusiasm.
"I wanted to read of your histories and culture," he said quietly. She looked at him, startled by this and then thoughtful.
"What have you learned?"
"That you mortals are fickle by nature," Loki said. Lynn sat in the chair at his desk as he leaned a hip against the side, casual and contemplating.
"You have trends which last a mere decade, even less, and yet some traditions last centuries. No other realms of the Nine have such stark differences across the lands." Loki considered his studies, looking down at the notes he'd taken over the months and years. "And your warfare - "
Lynn waved a hand, dismissing the topic. He nodded. Her eyes drifted down now, to look over his notes. She creased her brow and pulled one paper free, reading as she pulled the words close.
She turned her gaze to him and set the paper down. He waited in silence. After a few moments, she looked down again, scanning across the documents she could see.
"It's all about Earth?" she finally said, uncertain. Even worried. She had never forgotten who he was, had never forgotten what he had done to her people. Now she wondered at his motives. He felt powerful, properly feared. He smiled.
"It is my attempt to understand your species better," he said by way of explanation. If she were feeling charitable, she might accept it. "I tire of surprises."
Lynn ran her hand across another sheet of tightly written notes, her finger indicating her place as she read. Her interest waned and grew as she read through two more documents, finding topics she either enjoyed or was barely interested in. Loki had stepped away as she began to absorb herself into reading through his musings on Mideastern politics, until his voice pulled her attention away.
"I'm surprised Thor has not dragged you through the streets yet," Loki said when he had her full attention again. "He has been excited to show you this realm."
She raised her eyebrows. "But not you."
Loki nodded, his expression grim.
"I had thought to keep you away, for your own good," he said. Lynn laughed outright, shaking her head.
"How are you such a terrible liar?"
Loki said nothing. He didn't even bother to look embarrassed.
"And not even a little ashamed, either." Her tone was amused rather than angry, which did surprise him. He'd anticipated ire.
"I am not capable of shame," he said haughtily, provoking another laugh from her. He smiled easily, gratified that she was not angry with him. Lynn stood and straightened the bottom of her shirt, the cotton having twisted as she shifted in the chair to look at him. Outside of the closed door, they heard a holler.
"Lynn!" Tony's voice managed to echo even with the door shut. Loki was impressed; Lynn rolled her eyes.
"Time to earn my keep," she muttered, headed for the door. Loki reached out a hand and caught her arm at the elbow. She paused, looked down at the hand, then met his eyes.
"I will show you this world," Loki said. He drew his hand back and she turned to face him fully, interest perking across her face.
"Really?" She sounded absurdly hopeful. Even excited. "I'd like that."
Loki scanned down her body, his expression changing to slight distaste.
"You will need better clothes, though," he said. She didn't seem offended, so he continued. "Proper Æsir clothing, not these Midgardian rags."
She laughed a third time. He felt his chest swell with pride, pleased that he'd managed not to shift her mood toward a dark place.
"Fine. You find me the clothes and I'll wear them."
"Kid! Where the heck are you?" Tony's voice was closer now; he'd checked her room, found her missing, and his voice now held a tint of panic. Vanishing, bad.
Lynn opened the door and walked outside, shooting Loki a quick amused look before closing it behind her. Loki stepped closer to the door, listening to the scolding already underway.
" - bad. Bad. We've been over this!"
"I was fine," Lynn said. Tony scoffed.
"Yeah I bet. Come on, kid, I have presents."
Their voices moved away. Loki stepped back into his quarters, considering his task, and shimmered from sight.
"Well?" Tony waited ten whole steps before asking. Lynn sighed.
"I'm fine, Tony," she said, her annoyance making her steps a little harder. "I'm fine."
"You're not fine," Tony said. "I know you better than that. Your heart rate's been up for nearly an hour straight."
"JARVIS is a tattle tale," Lynn grumbled. Tony swung into another hallway, some clear destination in mind.
"Are you going to tell me what I'm doing here?"
"Fury thinks you're here for some research," Tony said. He pushed open a door and the sudden sound of more voices flooded the hallway. She recognized at least one; Jane's enthusiasm was unmistakable.
"Am I?" Lynn followed him and stopped, shock slashing across her features. The room was large, as all of them were, but full of recognizable machines, flasks, and other scientific items. Tony's last name was plastered across the branded items; he'd made sure they had a real lab, an Earth lab. Asgardian scientists moved among their human counterparts, muttering or whispering or outright debating whatever concept they were studying. Tony's holograms shared space with Asgardian displays, the images sometimes interacting directly.
Lynn scrunched her nose while Tony waited for her assessment.
"Labs smell the same everywhere," she finally commented. He laughed and clapped her back.
"You bet. Hey, Banner!" The second phrase was hollered across the teams, who all turned and scowled at the inventor. Bruce stood at the far end of the room, receiving a fountain of Jane's exuberance. They both turned at Tony's loud greeting, and Bruce moved toward them with a smile.
"Hey Lynn," he said as they embraced. He pushed her away, looking her over, hands grasping her shoulders. She stood a little straighter and even smiled, just for him. He smiled back, relieved.
"Tony said he was dragging you here this time," he said.
"He pays the bills," Lynn said with a grin. Bruce smirked and glanced at Tony, who shrugged. They'd both expected a different mood from her today, until she'd had time to adjust. Instead she was downright chipper. Tony knew how to work with chipper; he waved her over to a station where various items she recognized covered the table.
"This is you," he said, holding up an empty Petri dish. "You get to study space microbes."
"Really?" Lynn couldn't help the way her voice hitched upward, giving away how very excited she felt. Tony was grinning, knowing he was letting her loose in a proverbial candy store.
"That's right," he said, "you're representing the bioscience division of Stark Industries. Don't make me look bad."
Lynn was continuing to look over every single item on the station, checking their quality. Tony had provided everything she could possibly need, of course, but he also expected her to look through everything and let him know what else she might need. He waited impatiently, twirling a pen into one hand, for her to process what he'd said.
"What?" She looked up at him, her brows furrowed. "What did you say?"
"Bioscience division. That's you." Tony gestured to the table in front of her, then a row of ten more, all stocked and empty of scientists currently working. Lynn was shaking her head. He snapped three fingers against one palm, clapping his hands together and ignoring her impending protests.
"You'll need a team. At least six should be good, but you have some leeway."
"Tony, I - "
"You're pre-qualified, kid. I trust you; Jane trusts you. This isn't impulsive, we had a whole meeting and everything."
Lynn looked past him to the line of tables and their supplies. She looked at him again. She opened her mouth, closed it, then drummed her fingers against a counter. Tony knew he'd won; she was about to ask the right questions.
"Where do I live?" she asked. Tony grinned.
"You already have a room. Your Atlanta apartment stays, too. I guess you could pay for it now if you want to."
"How often do I travel?"
Tony raised his hands.
"Those are Foster questions. She knows more about setting up this place."
Lynn's excitement vibrated around her. Tony simply watched as the information truly sank in. Finally, she managed: "Are you sure?"
Tony snapped in the air in Jane's direction, summoning the physicist closer. She was grinning ear to ear. As she approached, he reached under the bench they stood at and produced a bottle of Asgardian wine brewed using Earth grapes.
It was Lynn's favorite brew.
"How's our new lead?" Jane asked once she was close enough. Between the two of them the air nearly crackled with energy; Jane looked ready to pounce Lynn with a hug, and Lynn looked shell-shocked.
"Are you sure?" she asked again, this time to both of them.
"Yes," Jane said. Tony had already opened the bottle and poured a glass, which he offered to Jane. She took the drink and then offered it to Lynn. "Congratulations!"
Lynn stared at the both of them, her jaw clenching and unclenching. Suddenly, she hugged Jane tightly, her eyes filling with tears. She pulled back quickly, scrubbing at her eyes before taking the glass.
"I don't know why I'm so emotional," she said, her voice cracking.
"I cried when I got my first internship," Jane said gently. "I get it."
Tony snorted and offered Jane a second glass, then filled his own. Lynn gave them a watery smile, sniffing and continuously wiping away tears.
"Shouldn't I negotiate or something?" Lynn cleared her throat, looking at Tony. "What if it's a crap salary?"
"What kind of schmuck do you think I am?" Tony scoffed. "You'll take what I pay you and you'll like it."
She narrowed her eyes while Jane rolled her own.
"Eighty," she said. "Not a penny less."
Tony opened his mouth.
"And a housing stipend for wherever I want." Lynn was grinning, her emotions under control once more. Tony looked pained now.
"You want to move?"
"Maybe," Lynn said. "Maybe I want to explore another city. I've never left Atlanta."
Tony looked around the room, then back at her, eyebrows raised. Lynn smirked.
"Fine, I've never lived in another city on Earth," she said.
"The lab is there," Tony said. "Your friends are there."
"You don't want me to leave?" Lynn was confused, honestly baffled by his protests. The lab was staffed by hundreds of people these days, both scientists and administrative services. If she moved, he would have the option of opening another facility somewhere else - something he'd expressed interest in dozens of times.
"He'd rather you stay somewhere he can keep an eye on you," Jane said, recognizing Stark's look in several she had received from Selvig over the years. Lynn blinked, clearly out of her depth. Jane lowered her voice to make sure her next comment was private. "He'd worry."
"But I - "
"Housing as long as you want in Atlanta," Tony said quickly, cutting her off. "I'll give you the place, put your name on the papers and everything."
"You'd give me -"
"So long as home base is there," Tony said. He looked casual, even ambivalent, save for the way the wine in his glass shifted. "Deal?"
Vanishing, bad.
"Deal," Lynn said. She couldn't stand the way worry was growing into a living thing in his eyes, the way he glanced furtively at her face in between recapping the bottle on the bench.
Tony grinned in relief. "Hey, kid - congratulations, you've made it." He clinked glasses with her; Jane clinked as well, and Lynn reciprocated. They all took a sip, Tony's and Lynn's closer to a swig. Then she grinned at them and pointed at the door.
"No food or drinks in my lab," she said. Tony rolled his eyes and Jane laughed.