We're doing a bit of time jumping in this chapter. I think having her miss the Expo is crucial, so having her in New Mexico will be fun. It also lets us see how she reacts to Loki's brand of mischief. Now, neither are perfect, obviously, and the first five chapters seem to make them out to be the perfect couple, so it's time to have a monkey wrench thrown in, don't you think?

I know this is earlier than I said, but I work as a custodian at a middle school and I'm on a new summer schedule, so I'm able to write more, even if I am a night owl working the day shift and am exhausted most of the time. So, until August, I will probably add chapters throughout the week. Just before the start of school, I should return to my normal nighttime schedule and will go back to weekend posts.

I also know this is a longer chapter. There was a lot to get in. After this, some events will change drastically. Certain things will not happen, but the ultimate outcome will remain the same. Also, about the poll on my profile, it will close this Friday, so please put your input in by then. The default answer will be Steve if no one votes, but don't let that influence how you vote.

Differences mentioned in this chapter: Ari is a shield agent during the events of the first Thor movie takes place. Then, we have moments where she and Loki meet. The end scene has a bit of a change to it as well.

"The gifts you send have placated your father," Heimdall said after a month of Loki's stay on Midgard. "News of what your friend is suffering has reached your mother's ears and she believes she knows how to help her."

"Ariana tries harder than anyone, Asgardian or not," Loki said. "Still, no barrier seems to build."

"This is why your mother suggests using magic."

"Is she certain?"

"Yes. She is willing to give some to her."

"No, I'll share mine. The fewer ties Ariana has to Asgard, the better."

"I will inform her of your decision. But your father requests you return to Asgard after this is done."

"I will arrive as soon as I am able."

With that done, Loki walked inside. Ariana lay sleeping in the bed. He loved just watching her. They knew virtually everything about each other. He had hoped that Odin wouldn't call him back so soon. Perhaps even live a mortal life with her. But when Odin summons you, it is not something you ignore.

Ariana stretched, the blanket moving to reveal the creamy swell of her breast. He was tempted to make love to her before telling her what Heimdall had told him. Her eyes immediately found him and her smile lit up the room.

"There's the man I love," she said, but her smile fell a bit. "What's wrong? You're thoughts feel sad."

"Odin has summoned me," he said.

"When do you leave?"

"After I help you."

"So, if I never…"

"I can't stay indefinitely, as much as I wish to. But my mother has given me some advice." He sat on the bed next to her. "She thinks magic could be the answer to your problems with control and the barrier."

"I still can't wrap my head around magic. I'm someone who believes in science, not magic. But if you think it can help, I'm willing to try."

"I'll share my magic with you. It will place a barrier in your mind so that the overflow of thoughts will diminish, if not disappear. It will also allow you to sense where I am at any time, just as I will be able to know where you are."

"I like the sound of that."

"But once it's done, I'll be returning. My guess is Thor has done another great deed or won a battle or something."

"Send him flowers." Sarcasm dripped from every word, causing him to laugh. "I'm being serious, don't go. It's not like they want you there. Haven't they hurt you enough?"

"Thank you for defending me like that, my love, but I must. I will return once I am able."

"You know he'll want you to bring me back if you leave again. He'll want to see who has made you actually like Midgard."

"I don't like Midgard."

"You honestly think he'll see it that way?"

"No, but all I love about Midgard is you. Only you."

"Now, that's a lie. You like my house too. The garden reminds you of Asgard and the house is your home here."

"True. Perhaps I'll ask for father's blessing while there."

"Wait. What?"

"My queen, I love you with everything in me. Are we ready for marriage? No. But I want him to accept that I love you. That is the blessing I will seek at this time."

"But even if we marry and live together here, I'll eventually die. You know he won't let you suffer my loss like that."

"True, but I'll never love another like I love you."

"Loki Odinson, I'm already in bed. You don't need to try and lure me there."

"I'll forever find a way to keep you in my bed, Ariana."

She giggled and kissed him. Just as he was laying over her, IOTA said, "Miss Stark, Mr. Mansfield, I hate to interrupt another round for you two, but there is a guest at the door. Says he's the Director of SHIELD. He's in the parlor now."

Both of them groaned. Ariana got dressed in sweats and a tank before heading downstairs, Loki following her. She pulled him in for a quick kiss before letting him go to the kitchen to make breakfast. She entered the parlor, upset but feeling too good to be mad.

"Director Fury," she greeted, "come to check up on me? Lucas has another idea he would like to try today so I can make a final decision on the Initiative or SHIELD. Give me another week and you'll have your answer."

"So far, we do not have enough for the Initiative, so how about you continue training with our best," said Fury. "Start with SHIELD, and if you want to be part of the Initiative, I'll have you transferred over. Does that sound good to you, Recruit Stark?"

"Yeah, that title doesn't suit me, but I will agree to that. That way, I can still train and actually be able to help out."

"Good. That's all I wanted to ask. Well, once you get your powers under control, I'll see you at the office."

He got up to leave but Ariana stopped him. "My electrical powers will always be tied to my emotions. I've had dad create a special suit for me to absorb and distribute it so that any access goes to the ground through my shoes, but if I get too upset, I will always spark. The suit should keep it from shorting out anything. Once I get that new suit, it will be easier to manage, and I can upgrade it as needed to minimize it further. It's up to SHIELD uniform standards, so it shouldn't be a problem, but I thought I'd give you a head's up that my suit will be slightly different."

"I already knew that. But you are more forthcoming than your father, so I'll keep that in mind."

"I don't like the idea of liars."

"Neither do I. See you soon, Ariana."

Fury left and Ariana turned to see Loki, who said, "I see. 'The idea of liars'?"

Ariana smirked at him. "Really, Loki? That's got you all twisted? I tell the truth when need be, but I lie all the time. How do you think I got into that high school party when I was thirteen?"

He smiled. "I knew you had a devilish side. So, what was the lie in your grand speech?"

"Oh, that was all true. I lied about the liars. Makes me look good, but now it gains me some leeway in the future, so if I do have to hide something from SHIELD, they'll believe it." She sat at the island in the kitchen. "But Fury didn't buy that for a second, nor do I believe he told the truth to me either. We have an understanding. Some things are better left unsaid."

"Well, I can give you the magic now and we can see how well it works…"

"Or we can eat and pick up where IOTA and Fury interrupted us."

"My thoughts exactly."

The week had gone by so fast. Ariana didn't want to say goodbye, but with her new barrier in place and strong, Loki couldn't put off returning to Asgard. Loki pulled out a ring, promising to give her everything he had to give before leaving and that the ring would allow her to speak to Heimdall as if she were a true-born Asgardian. That had been two months ago. There were no messages from Heimdall to her.

Ariana now worked under Agent Coulson, as they already knew each other. Her knowledge was helpful to SHIELD and Fury had assigned them to this particular case because of it. She looked in the crater and was both angry and excited.

"So, Recruit, what is your take on this?" Coulson asked.

"Just call me Ariana or Ari," she said. "Phil, we are friends. I get we're on the job, but please. I hate being called Recruit."

"We're nothing if not professional."

"Fine, dime bag, but once I'm official, I expect you to use my name."

"Deal. Now, your thoughts."

"Well, while I do work with tech, this isn't like anything we have. It is an exact replica of Thor's hammer, Mjollnir. I'd say it's highly advanced weaponry, but with a simple look to it."

"Old Norse legends? Proof?"

"None. Just a feeling and my personal knowledge. And as none of the idiots that touched it before we got here are suffering anything but a hit to their pride, I'd say it isn't radioactive, but samples are being gathered."

"Thank you, Recruit. I'm going to go talk to the others, see if they have anything we can work with from the man we caught."

Ariana nodded and walked to the contained area from the second level of the quarantine zone. She looked in. She wanted to try and pick it up. She had trained with the magic Loki had given her and got good at it. She often used it to sneak away from the desk undetected for a nap or coffee. Shrouding her presence was amazing and helped her when she managed to not get caught.

When she got to the lowest level, what she saw next to the hammer shocked her into letting the shroud drop and say, "Loki?"

He turned fast. He was just as handsome as the day he left. He saw her and went to her, hiding them both. He kissed her. It was as if the time apart had never happened. When they pulled apart, they smiled and put their foreheads together, happy to be together again.

But then she looked at him and asked, "What are you doing here? No notice, no message, nothing for two months." She thumped his chest. "Explain yourself, Loki."

"Things have been busy," he said. "I have the tie you got me. I keep it where I can see it every day. Father was pacified with it. But things have been crazy since."

"The man that was here, who is he?"

"You sound like that Fury fellow."

"I'm a SHIELD Recruit now. I have to be tougher while interrogating someone. Now, I know you know who he is."

"No one of importance anymore."

"Loki, tell me."

"Trust me for now, my love, and I can make good on my promise."

She backed away from him. "Loki, tell me he isn't Thor. I know he isn't much of a brother to you, but he is still your family."

"Ariana…"

She ran her fingers through her hair. "Just tell me, before I dig around in your head for everything from the past two months. I cried, Loki. A whole week. Dad had to come in and make sure I ate and took care of myself. I waited and worked this whole time and you are keeping things from me."

"I know. I had Heimdall watching over you the whole time. I missed you just as much. Mother became worried. Let me get things settled and in place, and then…"

"I just need to know, is that Thor's hammer and are we holding Thor in interrogation right now."

"Yes."

She paced away from him. "Damn it, Loki! Do you know what I have to do now? I have to tell my superiors! They're going to think Asgard is trying to take over! It was hard enough fixing the images on my own security cameras back home so that you weren't exposed! I risked my job for you before I even officially had it!"

"I didn't mean to make more work for you, Ariana."

"Well, so far, he isn't talking, so we have that. I have some time off tomorrow. When you decide to be my boyfriend again, come find me."

Ariana walked away, angry tears falling. She tried to take calming breaths until she got to her room in the motel. She had outfitted the room for safety and let everything out. Seeing him again after so long hurt, but it felt right to be with him again. The conflicting emotions made everything more difficult.

The next day, she went to get coffee at the local cafe. She heard loud footsteps and went outside. A giant metal man-robot-thing was going towards a group of people. She pulled out her gun and got between them. This was her job now. So much for a day off.

"Get everyone out of here!" she ordered. "I'll try to hold that thing off!"

She heard metal drop and silence, but she couldn't take her eyes off of the thing in front of her. She felt someone coming closer to her.

She then heard Thor say as he approached, "Brother, whatever I have done to wrong you, whatever I have done to lead you to do this, I am truly sorry. But these people are innocent. Taking their lives will gain you nothing."

She spared a glance at Thor. Then at the thing before her. She tried to stop him, but he kept moving forward.

"So take mine and end this," Thor finished, his body between everyone, including her.

She watched in horror as he was hit and thrown back. Ariana didn't register anything else. She just acted. She got between Thor and the robot as Jane ran to Thor's side.

"Loki!" she said, holding her gun to show she wasn't going to use it and placing it on the ground. "That's enough! Please! You don't have to do this! Let me in and let me help!"

Loki looked at her through the eyes of the Destroyer. She knew it was him. Thor never did know when to keep his mouth shut. Still, she looked worried for him. Loki, not Thor. Even with him on Asgard, she worried about him. Her gun had prevented him from seeing her face. He could have hurt her.

Taking control once more, he had the Destroyer gently pick her up. She reached for him, placing her forehead on the Destroyer's as if he were Loki. Her eyes closed and he felt her love like after he tried to pick up the hammer. When her eyes opened, he saw that love shining from her and tears filled his eyes. He placed her on the roof of a safe building. He then let the Destroyer turn to leave. Loki would go to Midgard and collect Ariana. He'd explain. If she didn't look at him in fear or condemnation of him, there was a chance she would still accept him after all of this.

Ariana looked back at Jane. She couldn't hear anything, but the body language told her everything. She knew the feeling Jane had flowing through her at that moment. Pain. Loss. Ariana hugged her stomach, remembering and crying. Loki had left her on Earth, as if he were no longer alive. Now, Jane was knelt over the man she had grown to love, dead in the street.

There came the sound similar to a sonic boom. Ariana watched as something headed towards Thor's body. She yelled out to the other woman to get back from him. Jane Foster was doing good work. She deserved to live. Erik Selvig pulled Jane back to safety.

The sounds of lightning striking made the Destroyer turn back. Loki could not believe it. He had won. This should not be happening. Thor couldn't be getting his powers back. And yet, there he was, healed. Thor and the Destroyer resumed fighting. Ariana screamed. She had to stop Loki, but he effectively removed her from the fight. Two of Thor's friends, a man and a woman, appeared on the roof behind her.

"Who are you to Loki that he would place you here?" the man asked, causing Ariana to turn in fright.

"It is obvious," said the woman, as Ariana backed away slowly. "She works with the traitor."

The woman pulled out her sword, ready to charge Ariana.

"Loki!" Ariana called out in fear, falling back.

Using the Destroyer, Loki blasted the man and woman's path away, keeping them from Ariana. Thor landed on the roof and looked at her. He told his friends to leave and looked at the ring on Ariana's hand.

"You are the one he confided in me about," Thor said, kneeling down next to her. "The mortal he cares for. I will not hurt you."

"I tried to stop him," she said, curling up and crying into her hands. "Why won't he stop? I've never seen him like this."

"Do you fear him?"

She looked up. "No! He's hurting about something! I know it! He's letting the pain and anger drive him! I have to help him! Everything is always better after we talk!"

Thor stood up. "I cannot take you to Asgard, but you have my word, I will make this stop."

She stood up, angry and sparking."Don't you dare hurt him more, Thor! I swear, if anything happens to him, I will tear apart the nine realms to find you!"

"I have no doubt about it, little storm." He smiled. "I will do what I can. He is still my brother."

"And he's the man I love! I will not let you hurt him more!"

Thor was confused. "How have I hurt him?"

"The simple fact that you don't know tells me everything. If I don't hear back that he's alive and safe, you and I will be enemies, Thor. That's a promise."

With that, he left. SHIELD agents surrounded everyone after the Asgardians left. Coulson questioned everyone left behind after getting Ariana off the now-destroyed building. She sat in the makeshift interrogation room. She looked at Coulson when he sat down.

"Explain, please, because I thought we were co-workers and friends."

"That was Thor and his friends. At the time, my brain fried when I saw civilians in danger and couldn't place that thing, but that was a Destroyer, a kind of sentinel on Asgard."

"Do you know of any more attacks on Earth?"

"This was an attack on Thor, not Earth. That much was clear."

"You knew the Destroyer, you said its name and it put you in a safe place."

"No, I know the god controlling it."

"Who?"

"Loki. Thor's brother."

"Who is he to you?"

That question upset her. "That's personal, Phil. I can't tell you."

"Director Fury will want a full debriefing and if you don't tell him…"

"Look, I know what it looks like. Thor's pals made that pretty clear. No, I didn't know this was going to happen. No, I wasn't working with him. What I do know is that Loki is hurt, feeling pain, and did this. I tried to stop him. It didn't work. I tried to save lives, you know, my job. That's all I can tell you."

"I still need to know how you know him."

This only served to anger her more. "Again, that's personal, and I refuse to answer it."

Coulson left and, shortly after, Ariana received a message from Heimdall, who said, "Lady Ariana. I am…"

"I know who you are," she said, afraid of what he was going to say but knowing the answer by the look on Heimdall's face. "Loki told me. Just tell me… is he…?"

"Loki fell from the bridge connecting the Bifrost to Asgard during the battle. I am sorry."

Heimdall left her then. Loki was gone. Though Ariana still felt Loki's presence, hearing those words tore her world apart again. Just like when he had returned to Asgard. Only this time, there was no hope of him returning. She yelled out in pain, every electronic in a ten-foot radius exploding in sparks. It was lucky no one had been nearby, but her grief was too much for even her and she passed out as flames began to lick up the walls.

Loki was with Thor. Asgard lay in the background. He had to destroy the Frost Giants. He didn't want Ariana to know. At least, not right now. If she knew he had let them in to ruin Thor's big day… let them into Asgard… that he himself was a Frost Giant… Loki couldn't bear it if she looked at him with fear and hate.

"Why have you done this?" Thor asked.

"To prove to father I'm the worthy son," Loki replied in anger. "When he wakes, I will have saved his life. I will have destroyed that race of monsters. And I will be the heir to the throne!"

"You can't kill an entire race!"

"Why not?" Loki laughed. "What is this newfound love for the Frost Giants?" He walked toward his brother. "You could have killed them all with your bare hands."

"I've changed."

"So have I." He hit Thor in the face with the butt of his spear. "Now fight me." He hit again, this time sending Thor across the room. "I never wanted the throne! I only wanted to be your equal."

"I will not fight you, brother!" Thor not only could not do that to the man that had grown up alongside him, but he had to keep his word to the woman that held Loki's heart.

"I'm not your brother. I never was."

"Loki, this is madness."

"Is it madness?" Tears formed as all the pain and hurt this so-called family had put him through crashed in on Loki. "Is it? Is it?" Anger grew in him. "Come on. What happened to you on Earth that turned you so soft? Don't tell me it was that woman." The look on Thor's face told him everything. "Oh! It was! Well, maybe, when we're finished here, I'll pay her a visit myself!"

"I saw her!" Thor said out of the blue. "Your own mortal woman! Do not act like I am the only one! Even with you confusing her, scaring her, making everyone think she had a hand in your plan, she stood up for you! She is even now protecting you! Does that not count for nothing?"

"What would you know? Ariana saw me! She deemed me worthy!"

"Then stop this and prove to Midgard that you are that man!"

"I have! She knows me! And soon, so will the pathetic woman you have chosen!"

Thor yelled and they began to fight. Thor didn't want to hurt Loki, but threatening Jane twice was too much. As much as he wanted to keep his promise to Ariana, he had to protect the woman he loved from Loki.

At one point, Thor hit Loki and they flew from the entrance of the Bifrost and onto the rainbow bridge. Loki held on to the edge.

"Brother, please," he pleaded.

Thor thought for a moment before reaching down to pull Loki up. However, it was an illusion and Loki appeared behind him. Loki managed to get Thor on his back and, laughing, made replicas of himself to finish off Thor, who used a bolt of lightning to blast all of them, sending Loki backwards and destroying the illusions.

Loki lay in pain as Thor got up and walked over to him. The God of Mischief thought for a moment that Thor would kill him. Instead, he placed Mjollnir on Loki's chest to keep him from moving. Loki tried to remove it with a yell. Thor knew there had to be a way to close the Bifrost so the Jotenheim's endless winter would cease to enter Asgard and suck everything into space.

"Look at you," Loki goated, "the Mighty Thor, with all your strength, and what good does it do you now, huh? Do you hear me, brother! There's nothing you can do!"

Thor called his hammer to him and smashed it into the rainbow bridge over and over. It began breaking. Loki sat up in shock. This couldn't be happening!

"What are you doing?" Loki asked. "If you destroy the bridge, we will never see them again!"

But Thor did not stop. He knew the price he was paying, saying to himself, "Forgive me, Jane and Ariana."

Loki lept to stop Thor, both yelling as they went to strike their blows. But Thor was quicker of the two. The bridge exploded, sending both men flying into the air. The Bifrost portal room fell over the edge of the waterfall as the brothers fell back towards certain doom.

Then, Odin appeared, no longer locked in in the Odinsleep. He caught Thor by the ankle, who held onto Loki's spear, saving his brother in the process.

Loki was worried now. He hung over empty space. He didn't want to fall. He wanted to be with Ariana. To keep his promise to her. But he also wanted Odin's approval.

"I could have done it, Father!" Loki called out. "I could have done it! For you! For us."

He looked up, waiting. He knew that last bit was not only speaking of himself and Odin but his beloved Ariana.

"No, Loki," Odin responded.

Loki knew it then. He'd never be accepted by his father. Never. And thanks to his idiot brother, he would never get to see Ariana ever again.

"Loki, no," Thor pleaded.

But it fell on deft ears as Loki let go. There was no more reason. Thor screamed out in denial, reaching for his brother as Loki fell, tears filling his eyes and blurring his vision.

"No," Odin said softly, as this was not what he had wanted for his son.

The following day, as the Bifrost began reconstruction, Thor looked for Heimdall.

"I knew you would be coming," Heimdall said.

"I know," said Thor solemnly. "But I have a favor to ask."

"The mortal you like cannot easily receive messages."

"But Loki's can. Tell her of my brother. It is the least I can do for her."

"Why not have her deliver a message for your mortal?"

"No. I broke my promise to Ariana. As much as it will hurt Jane, I do not deserve to have my message sent. Once the Bifrost is rebuilt, please, watch over them."

"I will, my prince."

Frigga came up to Thor, taking his arm and saying, "You do not need to punish yourself. You did what you could."

"This will hurt Ariana. They loved each other very much. I saw it with my own eyes."

"Telling her is the right thing to do. It shows your love for your brother."

"Why not admit to father of his love for her?"

"I cannot answer that, but he did it out of love for her. He helped her in many ways, even asking for my aid to help her with her abilities. I can safely assume she helped him in return."

"She said I hurt him, but I do not know how."

"That only Loki could answer. Come. Let's return to the palace. There is no more you can do here."

Thor walked with his mother to their horses, his heart heavy.