Uncle Rhodey finally makes an appearance. This is where we get to have others see the depth of Ari and Loki's connection. Man, this is going to be a real punch to the gut for some people when the attack on New York happens. I wonder if Ari will be good at the end of that event? The last chapter told us that when her emotions get out of control, she doesn't always act the part of a hero. Will she turn villain when she loses Loki? Or will she have gained control by then? I can't wait to see where Ari and Loki lead us!
I have a poll up at the moment for the third member of the love triangle. Normally, I wouldn't let others decide this, but I can see the possibilities for ALL options. So, for a week, if not longer, I plan to let readers decide. Just head to my profile to vote.
Differences mentioned in this chapter: All of it. One more time. LOL
Tony, Pepper, and Loki sat in the hospital, waiting for word about Ariana. It felt like they had been in there for hours. Rhodey just arrived. He didn't know who Loki was, but seeing Tony and Pepper there told him it wasn't good. Happy was too upset to say anything.
"Tony, what's the word?" Rhodey asked.
"From what little they have told us," said Pepper, "she is exhausted. She pushed herself beyond the limits. However, they can't use electronics to check because she has electricity-based powers that short them out. So, they have to try other things."
"If I could just be in there to hold her hand, they would have a chance to help her," Loki said.
"I'm sorry, Snape, but until I know who the hell you are, you aren't going anywhere near my daughter," said Tony. "I don't care if you're the only one to not be hurt by her lightning abilities, I'll have you thrown out of this hospital."
"Whoa, Tony. If he can keep her powers under control, we have to let him help," said Rhodey. "My niece is being examined, we don't know what caused her exhaustion, and you are picking a fight with a stranger."
Pepper pulled Rhodey aside and whispered, "That stranger is Ari's new boyfriend and Tony refused to let him say a word to the doctor. I have a feeling he knows something but Tony is just so angry at himself, he's taking it out on him."
"What's his name?"
"He won't tell us. He said only Ari needs to know it."
"Alright. I'll get his DNA somehow, and I'll look him up, but if he knows something, the doctors need to know."
Loki got up and paced. He wanted to take Ariana to Asgard, to their healers. But if he did that, Odin would have Ariana as part of some game he wanted to play. Loki couldn't risk that, risk Ariana. Still, the doctors on Midgard might not be able to help the woman he loved.
That revelation brought him to a standstill and he ran his hands through his hair. He loved his mother back on Asgard, but this was different. This was also fast. Everything was happening fast, but what Ariana had told him was true. Their shared ability made it so easy to learn about each other, that it was hard not to fall for her. He despised mortals…
With the exception of Ariana. Compared to him, her mischief was child's play, but she loved life. She knew myths about his past but chose him as her favorite. She had been in his mind, probably seen echoes of what he's done, but still chose him. Not even his family believed there was any good in him, yet she did. He rescued her as soon as he laid eyes on her and saw she was in trouble, bringing out that good just by being near him.
A nurse came running past the waiting room, breaking everyone out of their thoughts. The lights flickered. Loki! Ariana screamed in his mind. Loki stopped the nurse, gripping her arm.
"What's happening?" he asked her.
"Miss Stark is producing sparks," said the nurse, scared and shaking. "She started to come out from her unconscious state, telling everyone to shut up, to stop yelling. But no one was talking. The machines in the empty rooms around her started to short circuit." She ripped her arm free, crying. "I'm not going anywhere near her! Not again! What kind of…"
"I'd watch what comes from your mouth next," said Loki threateningly. "That girl is suffering because she can't keep your thoughts from slamming against her mind, trying to destroy her." The nurse began backing up as Loki walked menacingly towards her. "It is thoughts like that, of ignorance and hate and fear, that is causing her pain. If it was just thoughts, it would cause a headache, but look at where we are. A place of suffering and death and fear. Adding your hate and ignorance, of that of every person here, is how you kill the woman I love, and I will not allow someone like you, someone who lacks wit and looks like a dried toad, to insult Ariana."
"I don't care!" The nurse shoved Loki from her. "She's a freak! A monster!"
Loki was shaking. Just as he took a step to follow the nurse as she ran away in fear. However, Rhodey grabbed Loki's arm, who turned to possibly punch who was stopping him.
"Now's not the time to let your anger get you thrown in jail," he said. "Ariana needs us, her family and her boyfriend. Let's get to her room and see if we can't help her in some way."
Loki hated to admit it, but Rhodey was right. They all ran to Ariana's room, but the wind was blowing hard, making the going slow the closer they got. I'm coming, little one. Focus on me, on one voice out of the many.
I can't! Ariana cried, her screams rippling through the hall. It hurts… Don't want to die… So sick… So cold… Loki, make everyone stop! Make them shut up!
Small sparks of lightning danced along the walls now. Loki was the only one that had the least amount of trouble getting to her. Nurses and doctors coward from Ariana's room. Loki's anger rose. They didn't care about her pain, her suffering.
Loki fought the wind and opened the door to her room. Ariana was curled into a fetal position, gripping her head. She kept repeating what others were thinking. Mostly things the patients would say to themselves, but it was interspersed with what the nurses and doctors were saying about her. Freak… Monster… Devil…
"What's going on?" asked Tony.
"Her telepathy is strong and she has no way to keep others' thoughts out," Loki explained. "I do this for her and can teach her how to do it for herself. But right now, the pain from the patients and the fearful thoughts of the staff are fragmenting her mind slowly and painfully. I have to get in there."
Tony didn't like that he couldn't be the one to help Ariana, but he understood. He looked at the others and helped push Loki through the gale-force winds to her. As soon as he touched her hand, everything quickly died down. Ariana's eyes fluttered open as Loki on the edge of her bed, never once letting go. He wiped the tears from her face.
Tony, Pepper, and Rhodey stood in the doorway and looked at them. Tony didn't like how his daughter was coming to rely on someone else. He had only nine short years with Ariana and now, she was looking to another man for comfort and safety.
Pepper took Tony's hand. She understood. No father wanted to see his daughter leave them, but Ariana was grown. Tony and Pepper had been with her during some of the hardest times of her young life and it was time Ariana found someone to love and begin to build who she was outside of her family.
Rhodey was conflicted by the scene. He wanted Ariana to find love, but he didn't want her to move on to adulthood just yet. He thought it was best to play the good uncle and act as mediator. It looked like he would be needed. Tony was on the verge of anger and tears, and Ariana looked at her boyfriend like he was the world. It only spelled out trouble for Rhodey and Pepper.
"They stopped," Ariana whispered. "You made them stop."
"Whatever you need," Loki said, "I will do everything in my power to give it."
It was another two days before Ariana was allowed to leave. Fury had gotten involved and got some SHIELD medical personnel to look Ariana over, and to inform her that he would have no choice but to put her in a secure location until she learned to use her powers.
"My lab is outside of New York," she reminded him. "Send some agents to guard me there. I'll practice there until I can put up a barrier in my mind. My boyfriend will help."
"It's only because he can keep you under control that he's allowed to hear this," Fury said. "The government wants to put you on the raft until you do it on your own."
"I'm not going to prison just because of my powers," said Ariana. "Dad and I are working on an IOTA-let that will help with the electricity. The telekinesis is easy to control." She looked at a cup across the room full of water and floated it to Fury with no effort. "It's the telepathy that's the real issue."
"And how can a stranger help?"
"Well, while touching me, he keeps the voices out. The barrier in his mind extends to me."
"We'll give him clearance to help you, but we need a name."
Ariana looked at Loki, who said, "My name is Lucas Mansfield."
"And how can you help her?" Fury asked, his voice becoming commanding.
"I myself have telepathy. I also understand the stigma of being different. It is best if I help the woman I love."
"According to our intel, you two have only known each other for twenty-four hours at best," said Fury. "A little early to tell SHIELD's best asset you love her or that she loves you."
"The beauty of telepathy," said Ariana. "It's easier to learn about each other and love faster. But we'll be careful. No getting married at the end of the week. I promise, Director Fury. But I don't remember joining SHIELD."
"It's either join the Avengers Initiative, SHIELD, or go to the secure facility," Fury said. "I'd rather have you part of SHIELD."
"After my boyfriend helps me build a mental barrier. I also need to learn how to control my emotions more. Being a woman with powers that can go out of control if I get mad or sad isn't necessarily a good thing, so I think it's best if we don't put anything in stone for another month or so."
"We can't wait."
"I meant about the Avengers Initiative or SHIELD. I'll be damned if they send me to the raft just because I have powers. It isn't right and you know it."
Fury sat back. "Agreed. I'll inform them of the decision."
"Thanks, Jack Sparrow."
"You start that up again, and I'll have to rethink our friendship, Stark."
"What friendship? You send me on errands with my dad just so I can blab. Not that I tell you more than what anyone watching from the street can tell you."
"Well, either way, welcome aboard."
Fury left and Ariana relaxed. Loki sat on the bed next to her and said, "Are you sure about this?"
"No," she said. "They're forcing me to decide. I don't want to do anything yet, but I don't have a choice. I'm not sitting in a cell to try and 'practice' to control it."
"As much as I do not want to, I could take you to Asgard. You'd be safe there. Mother would be more than willing to help, as would I."
She smiled at him. "You're worried about your father and what he wants from me. So no, we'll stay here. I wouldn't be able to concentrate with you worrying and you couldn't properly teach me if you're trying to keep me from Odin. So, as much as I hate the choices, I can build my place in them a lot easier than I can on Asgard."
"How did you get to be so perfect, my love? You know the right things to say to ease us both."
"I learned when I was in the orphanage that it's better to find the good in the bad so you make it through the day. If I hadn't, I wouldn't be me and I wouldn't have survived."
"I'm glad you learned to do that. I have no doubt you will do well in your studies. We will work until it becomes second nature, like breathing. Automatic and without thought."
"Can we start tomorrow? Tonight, I just want to go home and spend the night with my boyfriend."
Loki smiled and kissed her. Ariana was discharged shortly after, nothing abnormal from any of the tests beyond not getting enough sleep. Not that Loki helped her with that once they were alone in her home. Knowing she wouldn't have the energy after her lessons, he spent the rest of the day and most of the night in bed with her.