Let's see what Ari and Loki will be facing. This takes place the morning after Loki goes to Asgard. I hope you enjoy.

Differences mentioned in this chapter: All of it.

Ariana woke up to an empty bed. Again. She had hoped Loki would wait until she woke up and say goodbye. She should have expected him to leave in the middle of the night. She would have in his place, even if she didn't know why he had to leave.

Natasha walked in, a letter in her hands on the third day. She knew she should have given it to you that first day, but she held out hope that things would have changed before it came to this. Ariana sighed, already guessing who it was from. Natasha sat down and handed it to Ariana who read it.

My love,

I knew if I had stayed, it would have been harder for me to leave and for you to let me go. As it was, knowing that it would be some time before I saw you, I had to tell you somehow that I would return.

I know you have come to love Asgard in the same way I have, and would have gladly come with me should I have offered, but there are some things I needed to look into on my own. To put it bluntly, darling, I am asking for a way to keep my past from harming you. You know whom I speak of, so I do not need to put it here.

If things are as I fear, prepare for a long wait, one I will happily make up to you. I know I said we would never have to part again, but I must do this to ensure your safety. Do not be angry, because you know you would do the same. Natasha will look after you. I only trust her to do so. Stay safe for me.

I love you,

Loki

Ariana shook her head, a sad smile playing on her lips. It wasn't how Natasha thought she would react. She took Ariana's hand, her eyes begging to know what was going on in her head.

"Oh, Loki and I have an understanding," Ariana said. "I just wish he had told me in person rather than on paper." She got out of bed with a groan. "Asgardian beds are much softer. I'm going to have to steal one and bring it back."

"These are the softest money can buy," said Natasha. "How much better can a bed get?"

"Like a firm cloud."

"Sounds like heaven."

"They are soft enough to make sure you're always comfortable but firm enough that you don't feel yourself sinking to the floor. They were perfect. Everything about Asgard was. The ale, the people, even the opulent gold palace." She looked at Natasha. "It came to feel like home, even though I missed my family here."

"You sound like you are contemplating moving there."

"If things keep working between me and Loki, even if we fight every now and then, I'd be happy to live there. I'd still miss all of you, but time works differently there. I'd be able to visit a lot, and still be in good standing for a party on Asgard."

"How often do they celebrate there."

"After every battle." Ariana laughed. "So nearly every day."

"No wonder you came to like the ale."

"Still a lightweight when compared to the Asgardians, but yeah, being a supersoldier made it easier. I nearly drank Fendral under the table once. He beat me by one tanker."

"I'd have to try it."

"Sorry, Romanov. Unenhanced mortals don't do well on straight Asgardian ale. You'll have to settle for a drop or two in your vodka."

"I'll take it if I want to have a good time. But the tough question now. Would you still move there if you and Loki don't work out?"

"I'm becoming a goddess, Nat. After my family is gone, I won't have much of a reason to stay permanently. Yeah, I'd still move there. The near-constant battles to protect the innocent and weak from those that would do them harm would call to me. I wouldn't be able to stay away."

"So, if you weren't, would you?"

"If I weren't a goddess-in-the-making and Loki and I weren't together, I'd have to have been able to go, but yes." She took Natasha's hands. "You'd love Frigga. Next time I'm there, I'll talk to her about helping you."

"There is no helping me, Sparky."

"She was raised by witches, Nat. If anyone would know how to reverse what happened to you, it would be her."

"Let's focus on something else."

Just then, JARVIS said, "Miss Stark, there is a woman outside asking for you."

"JARVIS, has my father yet to change my name to Stark-Tonysdottir?" Ariana asked.

"I will do so now. The woman is insisting you come see her."

"Pull up an image."

Ariana was shocked and she and Natasha ran to the gate. It opened as a raven-haired woman turned towards them. She adjusted her glasses, looking upset.

"Miss Lewis," Ariana said, "what brings you here?"

"Darcy and a woman teleported me here after attacking Jane," she said. "She said she wants you to come to New Mexico alone."

"Darcy, I need to know what she looked like and why she wants me."

"She said that she hopes the water isn't too cold and that she would like to go swimming with you."

"Erika…?"

Panic set in and Natasha said, "Sparky, I can go. We practiced switching places, remember?"

Ariana shook her head, took a deep breath, and said, "I owe Thor for putting up with me. I'll go. I'll take the jet. I'll wear as many trackers as you want, Nat. But I'm listening to her. I have to get Jane back for Thor. They're finally making up for lost time."

"Stop. Ari, this is not the way to make up for what happened. He understood. Doing this, both Thor and Loki won't forgive you for endangering yourself. I've put a tracker on Thor. We'll know when they return."

"If Thor returns without Loki, or vice versa, we won't know where the man I love is. Nat, I love you, and your plan is good, but please let me do this."

Natasha knew how stubborn she could get. "At least take backup."

"Not this time. If I have anyone nearby, she'll know."

"If Erika has taken Jane, you know you can't try to save her while out in the field. Bring her in at least."

"Okay. I can do that. It's best if she can see how many people are willing to show her a better path anyway."

"Then, suit up, little sister. I'll be with Bucky and Tony on comms. If there is a hint of trouble, say our code word."

"Will do."

Ariana felt a knot in her stomach as she got ready, putting her hair up with her hair stick. She didn't want to tell that to Natasha. She said a quick goodbye, knowing the three of them could see her worry, but also knew they couldn't talk you out of the plan. Leave it to Nat to tell everyone what I'm planning.

She started up the jet and flew out. She kept the tracker on. Just because she wasn't taking backup physically with her didn't mean Ariana wasn't planning for problems. The jet would tell them where it was at all times. She even put a tracker behind her ear and swallowed one in case they found the first. She would be found. She just had to have faith in her family.

As far as plans went, this hadn't been her best one. Ariana sat tied to a chair. Erika hadn't given her time to talk or hardly get off the jet before knocking her out. Ariana woke up hours later, the sound of dripping coming from somewhere behind her in the darkened room.

A flood of light came in as the door in front of her opened fast, blinding her before the buzzing of a fluorescent light could be heard. As her eyes adjusted, Ariana saw Jane get thrown into the room, unconscious. Ariana spared Jane a quick once over before looking at Erika as she entered the room, her hair still a deep fire red and her black eyes staring daggers. Then, Erika removed the tie keeping Ariana in the chair and dragged her to a tub, forcing her head into the murky water. After what felt like an eternity of fear and meaningless struggling, she dropped Ariana on the floor, coughing and gasping.

"Erika, you don't have to do this," Ariana said, fighting for air. "I don't know why you hate me so much, but don't drag Jane into this."

"You wouldn't understand," Erika said, her melodic voice full of malice. "I'm done having you take things from me."

"I know you wanted to be Tony's choice, but I didn't make them choose me. I did what you said and talked you up. I haven't done anything to you."

"I'm here because of you!"

Ariana found her face in the water once more, only to be pulled out. This was torture of the worse kind, making her go through her fear over and over again. Ariana tried again to reason with Erika when she found enough air, but her will and voice were weak by this point.

"I can help you escape HYDRA. But you have to stop, Erika."

"Escape HYDRA? I escaped that not long after you stole my second chance at a family. But no, I'm talking about me being banished and having to start over as a stupid mortal!"

Ariana was confused. "Banished? Mortal?" Then her eyes got big with realization. "Wait…"

Before Erika could do more than grab her by her hair, shadows filled the doorway. Ariana was held over the water, unable to see who was there.

"Let her go," came a deep voice that Ariana would recognize anywhere.

"Thor," said Erika, her grip on Ariana's soaked locks tightening. "Go get your girlfriend. I have no more use for her."

"Release Ariana now!" came a second voice that shocked Ariana into struggling harder.

"Loki?" Ariana asked. "You came?"

"I will always find you, love."

"Don't you dare call her that, L!" Erika spat. "You are mine! You always were!"

"No, Sigyn. I am not and never was yours. I never will be."

Erika shoved her head into the water with little difficulty. "Once I remove this worm, we can be together again. I know your father banishing me was a setback but…"

Loki threw a dagger near her head, forcing her to react. In letting go to catch the dagger, she released Ariana enough to allow her to gasp for air as she came up. Thor then threw his hammer, making Sigyn fully release Ariana, who fell to the floor, trying to take in gulps of air. Loki was at her side in an instant.

"I've got you," he said, untying her.

"Erika is Sigyn?" Ariana asked.

"It would seem so. I only found out it was a guarantee that they were the same just before coming to you."

"I'm glad you did." She snuggled into him. "But I don't think long baths are in my future. Just hot showers."

He chuckled. Loki wanted to yell at her and shake her for her stupidity in coming but he could see she already knew it. Her whole body trembled from cold and fear. He laid her on the floor next to Jane and joined his brother in blocking Sigyn from the women. Ariana sat up and watched the brothers standing side by side, ready to protect their women.

"She is stealing everything from me! Can't you see that?" Sigyn grabbed a gun from under a nearby table and pointed it at Loki. "She is the real witch here! Not me!"

"You enjoy hurting others, something I never liked," Loki said.

"Your pranks sent more than one person the healers, L. Don't act like I was the only one that enjoyed it."

"I always went to help them. I apologized for it when it was indeed a prank gone wrong. I learned to use my illusions to aid me in battle, but I never liked hurting people. Maybe I felt I had to at one point, but Ariana showed me a better way."

"So, instead you will hurt me because of her? How does that make you better than me?"

"I am nothing like you, Sig. If you truly cared for me, you'd want me happy. Ariana is the woman I love, and I will not let you hurt her any longer."

"And what of us? You once told me you loved me and promised me a place on the throne beside you!"

"There is no us! When belittled me, made more than one attempt on Thor's life, and were banished, there stopped being an us!"

"Yes, and who had me banished, L? I know you know Thor had…"

"I did, Sig! After the plans made by children built on pain and anger were made, I told you I wouldn't have you as my queen and told father to banish you! By the Gods! You were going to get my mother sent to the healers, possibly killed! The queen of Asgard! It was treason, treachery, and betrayal! Even then, it took several centuries before I attempted to make a move on the throne out of pain! Ariana was my light, and being from her hurt!"

"So, she pushed you into it? All of it? Tell me, L, did she destroy us even back then?"

"Do not twist my words, Sigyn! Ariana did not affect my choices when I made that mistake! She does, however, remind me every day that at my core, I am not the monster I name myself!" He felt a trembling hand take his, and he looked down into Ariana's love-filled eyes. "That there is at least one person who finds me worthy, even when I do not deserve it."

"Everyone deserves love, Loki," Ariana said. "And you are more than worthy of mine."

"You little bitch!" Sigyn spat, turning the gun to Ariana even as Loki put her behind him. "I will not have you playing with his mind! Remove your hand from his! As if a god, a prince, would ever love someone as pitiful and ugly as you!"

Ariana moved to stand beside Loki despite his restraining hand. "Erika, Sigyn, whatever you call yourself, every word you speak hurts others! Every action is designed to inflict pain!" Tears of anger and hurt filled her eyes. "Why? You say you love him, but in taking me, you have hurt him!"

"But it gets the point across and it's fun!"

Sparks ran over Ariana, the water adding to the effect. "You are insane! I don't know why I thought there was a chance to save you, to help you!" She looked at Loki, who gave a quick nod. "As much as I would like to settle this, all I want to know is why you targeted me."

"I saw a vision of you and him! I would not let the only man I loved get taken from me by a mere mortal!"

"Then, it's a good thing the Goddess of the Eternal Spark has granted you this one gift and warning. Leave, now. Never come back to harm Loki, myself, or our families. We see you again and the Goddess will not be so kind."

"And who is this Goddess? Who plays at being so important?"

Ariana removed her hair stick that had miraculously remained in her hair, donning her own Asgardian armor and instantly drying herself. Sigyn didn't look scared by the revelation, but angry.

"Today, I will retreat," she said, making her way to the door with the gun still raised, "but I will not give up on us, L. One day, you will be mine again, and no mortal with stolen powers will stop me."

The three gods watched her leave, following her out. Thor carried Jane out, Loki and Ariana watching Sigyn take off on a motorcycle. Thor knew Ariana was forcing her legs to hold her, but once Sigyn was out of sight, Loki caught her as she went to collapse.

"Rest," he said, picking up his beloved. "You didn't need to reveal to her what you would be becoming."

They followed the jet's tracking chip as Ariana said, "I wasn't going to let her see how much she got to me. After everything, I was not letting her words destroy what confidence I had built over the years. Your mother, your father, my family… so many people know who I am and love me despite everything. It's time I start to be the woman everyone sees and not the broken girl I think I am."

He laid her on a bunk next to Jane on the jet Ariana had flown. "You are not broken, love. Hurt by what was done to you, but never broken. You are too strong for that."

He kissed her before moving past Thor, flying the jet back to the compound while the women slept and Thor held Jane's hand.