Freya had only ever intended to stay at home for a few days, a week at most, just to put her mind at rest and gather her thoughts together. She had meant to spend some quality time with her family, and then she would return to her apartment where she would continue her job hunt and make the most of things, but the days had turned into weeks, and the weeks were turning into months. As time passed by, Freya found that she was not so willing to go back to her empty place, and she was no longer sure if buying an open return for the train had been such a good idea. She knew she should go back, for she had far more independence and she still had so many things to do there, but… Well, it held memories, and she was not entirely sure she could deal with them right now.
She had heard nothing of Loki since he had abandoned her in Wakanda, and she was trying to accept that he was gone. It was hard, for the pair of them had gone through a rather traumatic event together, and she knew that their friendship had grown as a result, even if he had broken his word. She was furious with him for leaving her without a word, and yet… Yet it had been half expected. After all, he was the God of Lies. Why would he be any different with her? Of course, she had searched everywhere for even the slightest hint of news about his welfare, but that remained fruitless, much like the job search. She could only hope that he was alive and well somewhere in the universe, and that it would not be another ten years before he dropped in to her life again, for she missed him dearly.
She sighed deeply at the thought of Loki, for the lack of news about his fate was bothering her more than her own. Freya had also heard nothing from Thor since he had deposited her near her home, and she had no idea what the future held in store. Freya had not heard anything from SHIELD or the Avengers since her release, but she could not shake the feeling that she was still to face repercussions for harbouring a wanted criminal. She really hoped that she wouldn't, for she had no doubt that she would not survive the ordeal of a trial and prison right now. Though her courage had held out for the journey to Wakanda, her mental health had taken a nosedive since she had returned home, and it was hard to get through the day. Her appetite was no longer what it used to be, and she had lost all interest in the things that had once brought her joy. She had barely slept since she had come to her childhood home, for the nightmares were relentless, and the panic attacks had returned. She hated them with a passion, for the last time she had truly suffered with them had been just after SHIELD had fallen, and she did not want reminding of such a dark and terrible time. Her family had been rather understanding though, thankfully, and she was grateful to have the support. That was also why she didn't want to go back to the apartment, for she would lose the company.
Of course, she knew she would have to make a decision soon, for she could not afford to pay for a flat that she was not living in, but she was not exactly relishing the idea of moving back in with her parents as a single, unemployed, thirty-something year old woman. She knew that half of the choice depended on her employment status, and she had spent so many hours filling out application forms only to be rejected. She was starting to wonder if she would ever be hireable, and if there was something else going on. Had someone up high managed to block her from getting a job anywhere? The notion seemed incredibly unlikely, but it was still a possibility. Sighing deeply, she sent off another application before closing her laptop as her sister appeared.
"Cheer up sis! It might never happen!" Astrid said cheerfully as she plonked a protesting Sif in Freya's lap. The cat glared at Astrid, before curling up in Freya's lap as the elder sibling stroked Sif's fur. There was something comforting about having a purring cat sat on you, and Freya smiled ever so slightly as she felt a little better.
"Did you want something?" Freya asked, realising that her sister was still standing nearby. The younger woman merely rolled her eyes and gave an exasperated sigh.
"Why do you always think I want something? Can't I just be nice?"
"You call giving me my cat nice?" Freya quirked an eyebrow, while Astrid nodded. The elder Wilkes just shook her head, while the younger relented.
"Well, I was also wondering if you fancied a girly afternoon, considering mum and dad are working." She offered, while Freya frowned, not exactly wanting to face the outside any time soon. "We don't have to go anywhere. I figured we could watch a film, eat some snacks, and just relax for a few hours." Freya was a little surprised to find that her sister was being sincere, and that the idea sounded very attractive for she had not had a film day for ages.
"That sounds rather nice actually."
"Good." Astrid grinned. "I'll go on a supply run while you can have a soak in the bath."
"Surely you'll be back before I'm even in it?" Freya was a little confused, for the nearest supermarket was only a few minutes away. Astrid just shook her head.
"It's already waiting for you."
"Oh…" Freya paused, getting the feeling that this wasn't going to be quite so simple as it sounded. "What's the catch?"
"There isn't one." Astrid lied, and Freya gave her sister the look she had given since they were children. "Fine. I hate seeing you like this, so you are going to tell me what's eating away at you. Whatever it is, I promise I will do my best to help, and we don't have to tell Mum and Dad."
"But…" Freya protested, but Astrid gave her a hard stare. "Fine, I will tell you."
"Promise?"
"I promise." Freya sighed, knowing that she would have to lie about things, but this seemed to satisfy Astrid.
"Good. You go and enjoy a soak. I won't be too long."
Freya was in the middle of washing her hair when she spotted a bright flash of light outside shortly followed by a rumble of thunder. She shivered a little, having never liked thunderstorms, and she hoped that her sister would be alright. Washing the conditioner out, Freya then hesitated as she realised that there was no further lightning or thunder, and it did not appear to be raining outside. She was a little confused at this, and a small part of her wondered if it was something to do with a particular Norse God, but she knew that it was just wishful thinking. Sinking into the hot water, she felt her thoughts start to calm down, and she was glad to have just a little clarity, even if it was for a few moments. It was rare these days for her not to be worrying about a million and one things, and she would take what she could at the moment to not think about anything. Unfortunately, she was interrupted by a loud knock on the front door, and she cursed at the noise. Freya considered not answering it, for her sister knew where the spare key was, and they weren't expecting visitors. However, the knocking continued, and then the doorbell rang continuously. Knowing that she would not get any more peace, Freya got out of the bath and wrapped a dressing gown around her before going to see who wanted her so urgently.
"Alright! Alright! I'm coming!" Freya called as she hurried down the stairs. The knocking was incessant now, and she worried that the door might break before she got there. Out of curiosity she peered through the spyhole in the door just to make sure that it was safe, and she instantly opened it as she saw just who her visitor was.
"Thor?" She asked quietly, not quite recognising him in Midgardian clothes. The God of Thunder wore jeans and a hoody, and he smiled as he stepped inside, before looking confused at Freya's current state of dress.
"Hello Freya. I have caught you at a bad time I see." He commented.
"I was in the bath." She explained as she clutched her gown even tighter around her. "What can I do for you?" She asked, her heart racing as she wondered just why he was here. Was it to take her to stand trial? Or had he news of his brother? Or…?
"I think it might be best to discuss that once you are suitably attired." He pointed out, and she bowed her head in agreement.
"Of course." She paused as she turned to go in search of clothes. "Is there any news of…?" The Asgardian just smiled, and Freya hurried up the stairs with hope overtaking every other emotion. She threw on a dress and quickly dried her hair with a towel, barely registering the click of the front door and Astrid calling out. Checking that she at least looked presentable in the mirror, Freya took a deep breath in an attempt to calm herself, before heading back downstairs.
"Erm, Freya, why is there an Avenger in our house?" A very confused Astrid asked as she stood in the kitchen, two bags of shopping sitting on the counter top.
"He came to see me I believe." The elder sibling explained, not quite believing it herself. "He knocked on the door just as I was in the bath. I thought you'd forgotten your keys."
"Oh…" Astrid frowned. "So I'm not imagining things?"
"No." Freya smiled as she saw the God of Thunder look at the pictures on the mantlepiece.
"Wait, how on Earth do you know him? He's an Avenger and you…Well, you're just… You're Freya."
"Thanks!" Freya sniffed, while they heard Thor chuckle in the next room.
"I mean no offence." Astrid said as she held up her hands in surrender.
"I met him through work." Freya gave by way of explanation, before walking into the living room. "I'm sorry about earlier. I truly was not expecting visitors."
"How have you been Freya?" Thor asked, finally taking notice of her.
"About as well as can be expected, considering…" She gave by way of an answer, not wanting to go into details. "And yourself?"
"I'm well." He replied as he inspected a photograph of Freya and her sister standing inside a replica Viking longship. It had been taken when they were children, and she smiled at the memory.
"I should thank you for getting me released and bringing me home." She said after an awkward silence. She still felt bad for lying to him about Loki, and she had no wish to anger him.
"I was just fulfilling a promise." He shrugged, and Freya realised that Loki must have been the one responsible. Though she desperately wanted news of the Trickster, she was not sure her heart could take it if she was to learn he was gone.
"I take it this is not a social call?" She asked after a moment, very much aware that Astrid was listening from the next room.
"No." He stated simply. "There is a reason I am here today. Your presence has been requested." Freya felt a wave of fear crash over her as she tried to work out just exactly what this meant. It certainly felt bad, and she hoped that whatever it was would not affect her family.
"May I ask who has asked for me?"
"A mutual friend." Thor said carefully, but this did not narrow things down for her. "Tell me Freya, what have you been doing since you came home?"
"The usual really. Applying for jobs, spending time with my family, and trying to stay out of trouble."
"So you're unemployed?" He sounded curious, but Freya hated that question.
"I am currently between jobs." She told him diplomatically, while he offered a slight smile and changed the topic of conversation.
"I am sure you will be pleased to know that my people have reached Earth safely."
"That is amazing news!" Freya grinned, genuinely pleased for him. "Have you worked out where you will settle?"
"That is still being discussed." He paused. "Although we are open to suggestions."
"Norway has quite a few ancestral connections from what I can remember." Thor smiled at that. "When did they arrive?"
"Not long ago really, but time is of the essence as undoubtedly it will not be long before I am missed." Freya knew that this was probably why he had been knocking so much on her door.
"So who has asked for me? And why after so long? It's been several weeks since…."
"You will see." He assured her. "That is if you will come."
"She will!" Astrid called from the doorway, while Freya shot her a warning look.
"But our afternoon…" Freya tried to object, for she was also unsure if Thor's intentions were purely good. After all, he could easily be retrieving her just to see her thrown in another prison cell.
"That can wait. You can't refuse the God of Thunder."
"If you'll excuse us for just a moment…" Thor could only watch with amusement as Freya shoved her sister out of the way. Hurried whispers were exchanged in the kitchen, and the Norse God could not help but be reminded of his younger days when he and Loki had planned their adventures. Ultimately, they had always ended up in trouble of some sort, but there had always been laughter and plenty of mischief too. All that had changed shortly after Thor had been announced as Odin's successor, and he sighed deeply. Things certainly weren't going to be easy over the next few months, and Thor was certain that there had to be a reason why Loki had refused to let Freya join in the fight against Thanos. After all, he did not normally care about the fates of mortals, so why would he wish to protect this one unless he had a use for her? And what better way to find out what that use was than to bring her with him?
"I will come with you." Freya said when she returned a few minutes later, while her sister grinned triumphantly behind her.
"I am glad to hear it."
"I suppose I ought to ask where I have been summoned to?" Freya asked.
"I shall take you there." He assured her.
"How long will she be gone for?" Astrid asked.
"At least a few days."
"Then we'll have to have our girly afternoon at some other time." Astrid told Freya before she could object. "Go pack your things. I'd like to know more about why he's stealing you away." Freya just rolled her eyes before gathering her stuff together.
Ten minutes later found Freya kneeling in the grass, trying to quell the nausea that had resulted from travelling by Bifrost. She absolutely hated the feeling of it and the resulting motion sickness, and she glared enviously at Thor who was entirely unaffected by it. He did at least stay with her though, and once the world had stopped spinning, she got to her feet. Taking in her surroundings, she stared in both fear and awe at the building they were in front of. Freya had only ever since photographs of the Avengers Compound, and it was even more stunning in real life. To know that this was the home of some of Earth's mightiest heroes sent a shiver down her spine, for she knew that she was not exactly on friendly terms with half of them. Was that why she was here? To face the Avengers and serve her punishment for sneaking Loki into their midst?
"Are you going to stand there all day?" Thor asked, and Freya realised that he was walking away from the campus building. Feeling even more curious now, she followed him.
She found herself even more awestruck just a moment later, for the King of Asgard had brought her to a massive spaceship that was parked behind the building. It was a dark shade of purple and made of a metal that Freya did not recognise, and she quickly realised that this must have been home to the Asgardians for the past month or so. A couple of them stood outside, taking in the fresh air, while others were making their way down the ramp. A few looked rather hesitant at the top, and Freya gave them a sympathetic smile. She only had a small idea of what they had gone through, but she hoped that they would be able to find some semblance of happiness here on Earth. Many of them greeted Thor with thanks and gratitude, while Freya surveyed the crowd in hope of catching a glimpse of a certain raven-haired Trickster. Heading up the ramp, she barely took any notice of the various stares and disapproving looks she got, for all she wanted to know was if her friend was alive or not.
She was a little breathless and her heart was racing as she reached the top, and Freya was more than a little curious about the ship itself, let alone the Asgardians on it. Her head was full of questions, but there was one answer that could not wait. Walking along the corridor, she prayed for good news and smiled warmly at anyone she walked past. A few of them looked at her with disgust, but there were more who smiled back at her. Eventually though she found herself alone, and she cursed as she reached a junction, for all the corridors looked the same, and she had no idea which way to go. She didn't even know if Loki was alive, or if he was on board, and yet… Yet she needed to know. The sound of footsteps from somewhere to her right gave her hope, and so she called out for help.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but you wouldn't happen to know where I might find news of Prince Loki?"
"Who's asking?" The owner of the footsteps replied as they turned to face her. "I mean, I know you're asking, but who are you?" Freya stared at the alien in both awe and fear, for he towered above her and appeared to be made of some form of rock. He smiled at her, while her curiosity piqued. Loki had mentioned that there had been some Sakaarians on board after Ragnarok, but she had not expected to be so scared by their presence. After all, she had never truly met an alien before, and this one looked like he could crush her like a grape. But she had a mission to finish. After all, someone had summoned her, and she was determined to find out who was responsible for dragging her half way across the world with no notice.
"I… I'm sorry. I can't say I've met another species before." She apologised, having realised she was staring. "I'm Freya, Freya Wilkes." She introduced. "I'm a friend of Loki's. And you are?"
"Korg." He told her. "You'll be wanting the corridor nearest the bridge, third room on the left."
"How do I get to it from here?"
"Down this corridor, turn left, then it's the last door."
"Thank you." She smiled, before following their directions. Her heart was racing, and she was now a mixture of emotions. She hated Loki for betraying her trust and for being partly to blame for her family being dusted, and yet… Yet she so dearly hoped that her friend lived. She paused as she reached the door, and hesitated as she held up her hand to knock, suddenly unsure as to whether this was the right thing to do. Fear gripped her then, for she worried that she might not get the news she wanted. What if Loki was on the bridge, but not alive? Or what if he didn't want to see her? Maybe that was why he had abandoned her?
"Pull yourself together Wilkes." She whispered as she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She knew that there was only one way to get her answers, and so she knocked, hoping that everything would be alright.
