I'm baaaack! Hiya! Sorry once again for my lack of updates! I've had such a hectic couple of months. It was honestly so nice to be able to sit down and just write! Take a break from everything else, you know!

I have mixed feelings about this chapter. Like I said, for the events in Thor and The Avengers, I want my chapters to be sort of deleted scenes so that's what I've done and I THINK I've incorporated enough information to allow you to see where everything is happening in terms of the timeline of the movie. But if not please let me know! I'm more than happy to go back to and do some editing to get it right.

Nice long chapter to make up for my absence and in terms of the movie, it spans from the morning after Thor falls to earth (so when he escapes from the hospital) to when Selvig rescues him from the SHEILD agents and takes him to get drunk at the bar.

As always thank you all so much for the reviews you took the time to leave! I loved them all and they made me feel EXTREMELY guilty for taking so long to update. Please let me know what you think of Chapter 15!

Enjoy! :)

Within the room of the tallest tower in all of Asgard, the Allfather stared out over the Kingdom with a heavy heart. Why could Thor not just have listened to him? Just once. If he had, he'd be in Asgard. He'd be safe. He wouldn't be alone.

Odin heard the gentle patting for Frigga's approaching footsteps. He straightened, standing tall and proud, before facing her. It was near impossible to meet her eye. Unlike him, she was able to wear her grief freely upon her face. What must she have thought of him? Taking her son from her like this… He spoke before she had time to so much as open her mouth, he knew that if she spoke first the tears would come.

"I journey to Midgard to retrieve the girl," Odin said, his voice void of any emotion, "it was never my intention to send her there too."

"Odin, my love…" Frigga began with caution, "I beg of you, bring Thor home. He's learned his lesson. He needs your guidance now more than ever."

"He is staying where he is, Frigga."

"But my love, you cannot prolong your sleep any longer. You must-"

"I must do what is right for my Kingdom." Odin voice rose, anger spilling into his voices. He sighed with frustration, don't make this worse Frigga, please… "We now face the threat of War, Frigga. The time for rest will come later."

"Odin-"

"Once I have returned with the girl, I will rally my forces. All warriors of Asgard will prepare to defend our realm and all others. It is our burden and I will see it done."

Frigga panted, distressed, "If you will not bring him back, then might you consider allowing him Rosa's company? Please Odin, she is a kind girl, she will guide him. Don't abandon him to total solitude."

Odin spun to face her.

"Abandon him?" The statement angered the King, "Woman, do you honestly think I would turn my gaze from my son for even a moment? I shall watch over him even if he should remain in Midgard until every last star in the heavens burns out."

Frigga turned away not wishing to let him see her tears. She longed for her son, she wanted him to be safe. Were it in her power, she would go to Miggard herself and scoop him up in her arms as if her we just a babe again. When she felt her husband's hands upon her face she turned again to face him.

"Frigga," he said gently, "they have already parted ways. This girl holds no love for him, and in truth I don't believe his affections run too deep for her. And regardless, my dear Frigga, this is a path that Thor must travel alone, if he should ever hope to learn from it."

"If he should face any danger-"

"I would never let any harm come to him Frigga, he is still my son. But he has much to learn-" Odin froze, staring out at nothing at all.

Frigga watched him cautiously, her heart racing in her chest. Had something happened to Thor? "Odin? What is it? What do you see?"

Odin turned to face her, looking more weary than she had ever seen him, "Loki," he murmured, his shoulders hunching, "he's in the weapons vault. I fear he's learned the truth."

Frigga paled, "Odin-"

"Stay here," he ordered, making way for the door, "he will have questions… I owe it to him to answer them myself."

Across the vast planes of the desert, a voice rang out crying upward to the heavens, "Loki!"

Rosa stared skyward, squinting against the glare of the sun, "LOKI!"

She had been calling for him for what must have been hours and without answer. Her throat was raw from shouting and she was in great need of water. She looked toward the town in the distance, it was slowly becoming her only option. She couldn't stay there in the heat.

Bitterly she laughed to herself. Mere hours before she had feared that the sun mightn't rise in this realm. And now, as it beat down upon her, slowly burning her skin and causing her dress to cling to her as her entire body perspired, all she wished for was reprieve from it's harsh glare.

Dejectedly, she turned towards the distant town and began to walk.

Sif sat, watching unblinkingly as the flames in the pit danced before her. It was all too convenient, wasn't it… That such shocking events should occur now, just when Thor was to rise to true glory.

Had Loki planned this? Had he wanted Thor banished?

It was not until the God of Mischief had whispered his silver words into his brother's ear that Thor had decided it prudent that they journey to Jotenheim. What had he said to him? What poison had slipped from his tongue?

Sif leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, soaking in the heat of the fire.

Loki had not reacted. Not at all. It played over in her mind again and again. Thor had claimed the maid as his wife – the very same maid that Sif had witness Loki profess himself to be in love with – and he had said nothing at all. Yet he had been just as shocked by the announcement as the rest of them. He had hidden it well, his mask had only slipped for a fraction of a second but Sif had been looking for it, and so she had seen. And the girl… Rosa. She had not known, she had not hidden her tears as the maids had dragged her from the room. So why had he not fought for her?

Because he had wanted this. He had wanted Thor banished.

Had Thor known about Loki's affections towards her? It would make sense, to be honest. Why else would he have chosen her? Some inconsequential maid… It was because it was sport for him. A little friendly competition between brothers, perhaps? And Thor did so love to win.

Sif groaned and pressed her fingertips to her temples. There were so many questions left unanswered. It was enough to drive her mad.

"Loki, you must go to the Allfather and convince him to change his mind."

"And if I do, then what? I love Thor more dearly than any of you but you know what he is. He's arrogant, he's reckless, he's dangerous. You saw how he was today! Is that was Asgard needs from it's King?"

All Sif had wanted to do was to spit in his face and tell him that she knew he true cause of his actions. Does he think that he is the only one who was hurt by Thor's announcement? She thought bitterly. It had taken so much of her self control to remain impassive. To pretend she was indifferent. To act as though it hadn't killed her – the knowledge that he would prefer to wed a total stranger than to return her affections.

She knew how it must have hurt him, truly, she understood that. Yet it still did not justify his stance on Thor's banishment. No matter what had come between them, Thor was Loki's brother. He should have wanted him safe. He should have showed concern.

"Laufey said, there were traitors in the house of Odin. A master of magic could bring three Jotens into Asgard."

Could it be true? Could Loki have actually been so full of rage and hatred for his own blood that he would risk the safety and security of all of Asgard just for his own revenge?

She would go to the Warriors Three, she decided, and shared what she knew, then together they would go to the King. Surely they could convince him to see reason. Surely he would bring Thor home.

"Dude, it's so freaking hot out here!"

"Ok man, listen I heard you the first eight thousand times, alright? We're nearly back in town now, you can have a cold shower or somethin' so just quit bitching."

"When are you going to get the God damn air fixed in this piece o' shit?"

"You know what, bro? You're more than welcome to get it fixed for me, seeing as I drive your ass everywhere!"

"Hey… what's that up ahead?"

"Better yet-"

"Hey man, slow down…"

"-you can walk!"

"STOP THE CAR, MATT!"

"Whoa!"

Old brakes screeched and a cloud of dirt enveloped them. The two boys in the car sat, panting heavily as they waited for the dust to dissipate. They hadn't seen her until it was almost too late. In truth they weren't entirely sure that they had seen anyone at all. Afterall, why would some girl be standing in the middle of the road all the way out here?

The passenger sat, breathing heavily, "Did you hit her?"

"I don't know!" The driver replied, his voice on the verge of hysterical. He looked around desperately, waiting – praying – that something would take shape amongst the cloud of dust. At last her spotted her.

"Look! There! There she is!" He cried, fumbling with the car door.

Quickly, the two scrambled out of the car, moving cautiously towards the woman in white, walking barefoot in the middle of nowhere. She turned to face them. She seemed frightened… confused. With every step either of the boys took towards her, she would inch away, eyeing them warily.

"Hey, are you ok?" One of them asked carefully, he held his hands out in what he hoped would appear to be a non-threatening gesture. The girl seemed so afraid.

She considered the pair who had emerged from the humming beast, cautious, unsure, before she finally opened her mouth, "water," she croaked wearily.

The quicker of the pair sped back to the car and retrieved a half empty bottle of water. With shaking hands he unscrewed the lid and handed it to the girl. Even though the water was unpleasantly warm from having sat in the car for so long, she gulped it down graciously.

"Thank you," she said breathlessly, a last.

"What are you doing out here in the middle of nowhere?" asked the darker of the pair, breathing a deep sigh of relief, "I could have killed you."

The girl's brow furrowed, she turned to gaze around them, "I make way for the village up ahead."

"Village?" The boys exchanged glances, "uh, how did you wind up all the way out here? Did your car break down?"

Still staring out towards the distance, she replied absently, "I fell… when Thor was banished."

"…okay, look my name is Matt," said the darker boy, she turned to look at him, "and this is my friend, Travis… what's your name?"

"Rosa."

"Rosa," Matt repeated, "Hi… why don't you let us take you the rest of the way into town? We'll get you some more water, maybe something to eat-"

"Take you for a CT scan?" Travis added, but shut his mouth as Matt threw him a glare.

Matt moved towards her slowly, placing his hand on the small of her back, "Come on," he said gently, guiding her towards his car, "let's get you out of here."

The Allfather's Throne. He finally sat atop Odin's Throne. Two guards stood on either side of him, as he stared out through the vast open windows of the Throne Room over Asgard… over his Kingdom.

Everything he had ever wanted.

And yet he felt empty.

Involuntarily, Loki flexed his left hand, once again remembering the feeling of his skin changing… transforming… revealing…

That's why he felt so empty. How could anything ever make him feel truly fulfilled? He was a creature. A thing. The thought mad him scowl. Could something like him even feel contentment? Happiness?

Gentle hands. Soft touch.

"Loki…"

Loki clenched his teeth together. No. That wasn't happiness. It never had been, because it hadn't been real. Whatever she'd said to him, whatever girlish sentiments she'd expressed to him… they'd been empty words, empty promises.

A small hand, rested over his heart. A kiss pressed lovingly to his throat.

"Loki…"

As soon as something else – something better – had come along, she'd left him. She's chosen Thor, just like everyone else always had. He'd thought – he'd actually thought that he'd found someone, just one person in all the nine realms who thought there was something wonderful in him.

"I love you…"

But Thor had won. Thor always won. That's why the throne gave him no satisfaction, because it wasn't the Throne he had wanted. It was her. It didn't matter where Thor was or how much power Loki gained… it didn't matter. He'd never have her back. Especially now that he knew what he truly was. She'd never look at him now. He was a thing. A monster. What would she ever feel for him now except total revulsion?

They all knew, somehow they'd all seen it. Even though they hadn't realised it, but they all saw something dark in him. Everyone had… even he himself.

Blue eyes, staring, trusting…

A smile…

Thor. He wanted him to hurt! Loki's hand clenched around his staff. He wanted him to know how it felt to have everything taken from him! He'd break him, he'd make sure that he could never muster a smile ever again. Loki rose from his Throne, staff in hand, eyes set straight ahead. He would make it so. He knew just the words to break him. Loki would travel to Midgard and rip Thor's world apart!

Rosa gripped nervously at the lumpy seat of the 'car' she rode it. She couldn't for the life of her understand why these mortals seemed so at ease in this death trap of theirs. They bounced and rocked and slid up over the rough terrain of the desert. Though the contraption was certainly a faster option than travelling by foot, she found herself regretting acting upon the kindness of these strangers – she had been so relieved to find an escape from the harsh heat that she hadn't really cared who these people were nor where they took her, just so long as she was out of the sun… but surely they would die before they reached their destination.

Letting out a shuddering breath, Rosa glanced towards the two men. They were young. If they had been Asgardians, Rosa would say confidently that she might roughly match their years. However they were mortals, so it was hard for her to determine. Mortals were said to have a life span of one hundred short years at best, so she supposed them to be around the age of twenty.

The one with the dark skin, Matt, sat facing toward the town, his hand resting casually on the wheel as he steered the vehicle. The other, Travis, was turned in the front seat to face her. He studied her curiously, openly staring. Rosa, sat pretending that the scrutiny did not make her uncomfortable, after all, perhaps it was the norm in this realm.

"So Rosa," Travis asked, startling her, "where are you from?"

"Asgard," she replied, hoping for some sign of familiarity from her companions. Perhaps if they knew of it, they could help her find a way home, "I'm a maid in the Allfather's Kingdom."

"…Do you mean you're a nun?" Matt asked kindly, ignoring the bizarre look Travis shot his way.

"I'm not familiar with the term," Rosa confessed, her heart sinking.

"Asgard," Matt tried hopefully, "where's that? I haven't heard of it before?"

Rosa stared at him, truly concerned now, "You've not heard of Asgard? The realm of the Gods… oh… Midgard," she murmured, nodding to herself as the realisation hit her. It made sense, the lack of understanding between them. Relief washed over her. Midgard was known to be a relatively peaceful realm. Those who lived here never had any quarrel with those of Asgard, or any other realm for that matter. They were children in an ancient Universe.

Emboldened by the knowledge, Rosa leaned forward, "Last night, when I fell," she began, "some mortals found us – Prince Thor and I."

"Mortals," Travis quipped, nodding interestedly, "please go on!"

"They neutralised him… and spoke of taking him to a hospital-"

"Can't imagine why."

"Travis."

Rosa went on, "This hospital, do you know what it is?"

"Uh yeah, heard of it once or twice."

"Will you take me there?"

"I think that's a great idea!" Travis answered, "Don't you, Matt?"

An hour later, walking through crowded hospital corridors, Matt determined that it was not a good idea at all.

"I don't like this, Travis," Matt murmured uncertainly.

He watched as Rosa walked slightly ahead of the two boys, staring at everything she passed in awe. She acted as if she had never encountered technology in her life. Travis had a theory that she came from an Armish background, but still that didn't fit. Where had she come from?

He missed the opportunity to ask as Rosa approached a lady heading in their direction

"I beg pardon, my lady," Rosa said politely, stopping the passing nurse, "I search for Prince Thor, he was brought here some time during the night."

The hefty woman turned to face her, raising a quizzical eyebrow, "You know the nutjob who smashed this place up last night? Absolute psychopath. Took out that many security guards, doctors… smashed up equipment…"

Rosa hesitated. The woman eyed her for a moment before turning to look over her shoulder. She beckoned a nearby security guard who hastily strode towards them.

"You were saying?" she asked.

"No," Matt cut in, "no, no. She's never met him before. None of us have! We just heard about some guy 'smashing the place up' like you said and we were hoping to catch a glance. He must have been huge!"

The nurse pursed her lips, "Hmhmm."

Matt took hold of Rosa's arm, "We'll just be getting out of your way then," he flashed a grin at her, "Come on, Rosa. Travis, let's go."

Together, the three hurried for the closest exit, Matt still pulls along a distracted Rosa who scaned the faces of everyone they passed, hoping that one of them might be the Prince.

"Matt," Travis murmured, not wanted to be overheard, "you want to explain to me what we're doing?"

"Just keep walking, Travis," Matt replied.

"We should be handing her over to these people!"

"We don't know anything about her."

"Exactly!" Travis huffed, "Matt, come on! She could be a fugitive! Did you hear what that Thor guy did to that hospital room!"

"Travis, I can't just make her someone else's problem!"

"Is this a guilt thing? Because you nearly hit her with your car?"

"She just doesn't seem dangerous to me!"

"No, just batshit crazy!"

"You are aware that I can hear you, aren't you?" Rosa finally cut in.

The pair stood in silence and slowed to a stop as they neared the road outside the hospital.

"Please, whatever those people claim Thor to be, it's not true. He is Thor Odinson, the Mighty God of Thunder."

"Huh, Matt's been known to be quite the 'God of Thunder' himself."

"Now is not the time for fart jokes, Travis!"

Rosa sighed, "Matt, Travis… I cannot tell you how grateful I am for all that you have done to help me, but I think perhaps it might be best for us to part ways. I am clearly causing troubles between the two of you and I am confident that Thor is somewhere nearby. Believe me, he is not the most difficult person to locate. Even in a place as strange as this," she looked around absently before returning her attention to the pair and curtseying, "It was a pleasure to have met you."

Rosa turned away from them and making her way towards the road. Not a moment later there was a screech of tires, the blare of horns and some angry driver hurling abuse in the stupid girl who didn't look before she crossed the road.

The boys exchanged a glance.

"God damn it," Travis sighed, "Rosa, wait up!"

Loki moved slowly towards Mjolnir. Maybe if he could have this… maybe if he were worthy to lift the Might Hammer. If he could just have that… Please…

Night had fallen when Matt and Travis finally convinced Rosa to call it a day.

"There's not much more we can do tonight, Rosa," Matt told her sympathetically, "why don't we get a good night's sleep and we'll pick up where we left of tomorrow?"

"But first!" Travis had cut in, "I need a drink. Come on, I know a place. Matt your driving, right?"

"Is that supposed to be funny?"

They took her to what they called a bar. A dark room filled with strange pictures made of light on the walls and the ceiling. Foreign music blared all around them, though Rosa saw no instruments. They found a table and Matt ordered each of them a beer. Rosa, after tasting a generous mouthful, spat the liquid back out, coughing and spluttering. The bitter taste was awful, but the bubbling was unbearable. What kind of liquid was this? She'd never tasted it's likeness.

"Not a drinker, hey Rosa?" Travis asked, after emptying half his glass in three deep mouthfuls.

"It is not the most pleasant thing I have tasted, I shall admit that much," she wiped her mouth roughly on the back of her hand, doing her best to rid herself of the taste.

"Well, you don't drink it for the flavour to be honest, babe."

Matt set down his glass, "Rosa, tell me honestly, where are you from?"

"Not this again, Matt, come on." Travis groaned.

"It's worth a try. Maybe her mind's a little less foggy."

"Matt-"

The two were soon bickering again but Rosa wasn't listening, she stared over at two men sat at the bar. Her heart had stopped, could it truly be him? She stood up, unable to peel her eyes away from the blond man gulping down and enormous tankard of beer.

"Rosa, where are you going?" Matt asked. Both he and Travis followed her gaze.

She approached the man slowly, hesitantly. Terrified that perhaps, she'd made a mistake. When she was at last close enough, she reached out and place a hand upon his shoulder, "Thor?" she asked, in a voice only a little louder than a whisper.

The massive blond man turned to face her, and for a fleeting moment he showed no sign of recognition whatsoever, until suddenly, his eyes lit up.

"Rosa!" He stood and pulled her into a suffocating hug.

"Thor," she murmured, both relieved and strangely horrified to see him so relaxed and at ease, "you're alive…"

"What are you doing here?" Thor laughed.

Rosa stared up at him concerned, "…you do not recall? I fell with you. I have been searching for you all day… Please, do you know how we are to return home?"

Thor's face fell at her question and Rosa's stomach knotted, "come, we must speak somewhere quieter."

The echo of footsteps stirred Loki from his thoughts. He looked up to see a maid approaching him, laden with a large dish of rich fruits and delicate cuts of meat. The girl kept her eyes averted from his face, her stare fixed upon the ground. Rage boiled up within him, and he scowled.

You will look at me, he thought, leaning forward and opening his mouth preparing to order the girl to do just that. The sentence however died upon his lips when he recognised the maid. He slumped back in his Throne Seat, glowering at the girl as she genuflected before him.

"Your supper, your Grace," Lyora said gently, yet Loki did not miss the tremor in her voice.

This wretched woman was the last person that Loki wished to speak to, "Put it over there and get out."

Lyora nodded and stood wordlessly, approaching the newly crowned King. Her hands trembled as she placed down the platter. Loki watched her, and for a fleeting moment their eyes met… and suddenly… something sparked inside him. Loki sat up, staring.

That fractional eye contact had awoken something. He felt it stretch and sprawl and hiss. I'm here, it called to him, I'm here… But what? What was it? He watched unwaveringly as she retreated from the throne room. What was it? What had he seen?

Loki stood.

There had been something… something in her eye that he knew… intimately… in her trembling hands. He snarled and strode off after the maid.

Before, he had been so blinded with rage, so encompassed with his hatred for Thor, so broken by Rosa's betrayal that he hadn't detected it as it slithered from her lips. He had been so overcome by the crippling hurt when this woman had handed him Rosa's necklace that he hadn't felt it snake its way towards him, coiling around his neck and caress his face with its forked tongue. He hadn't felt it's joy at being united with it's king… it's God. But now he felt it, curled around his heart. Lyora's lie.

He rounded a corner and saw her hurrying down the corridor. She glanced over her shoulder at the sound of his heavy foot falls and instantly she sped up but Loki matched her speed. Again, the pace of Lyora's footsteps increased.

"Maid," Loki's voice boomed out through the empty corridor and at the sound of it Lyora broke into a run.

Loki growled and felt his magic quake up from within him, within a second he was face to face the girl whose scream of shock was cut short by Loki's tight grip around her throat. His fingers dug deep into her flesh and he slammed her violently into the stone wall beyond her. He held her pinned there, almost blinded by pure rage as she wheezed, scratching desperately at his iron grip at her throat.

"Why?" he snarled.

He had been so stupid. Memories flashed into his mind.

"Loki…" she had whispered urgently, "please, don't go."

She had seen him clutching the necklace and she had changed… because she had realised.

"Loki, no!" she had pushed him… protected him.

Their eyes met and Loki was momentarily shocked to see his hatred for her mirrored in the cold gaze that she returned. She knew exactly what he was talking about.

Though her voice quivered with fear, she glared at him, boldly looking him square in the eye, "I was protecting her… from a monster."

Monster…

Loki's grip loosened but he did not let her go. His heart drummed faster than he had ever thought possible as a tiny glimmer of hope awakened within him. The maid had lied to him, they had not been Rosa's words. She had reached for him, she had pushed him out of harm's way. She had wanted him. And this wench, whose life now he held in his hand had nearly taken that from him. His grip on her throat tightened once again. It would be so easy to crush her windpipe and watch her fall to the ground dying… gasping…

Rosa's smiling face flashed into his head. If she saw him like this…

Loki drew himself dangerously close to the woman, ignoring her attempts to claw his hand off of her completely.

"You matter to her," his voice was dark as he hissed in her ear, "it's the only reason I won't kill you… you matter to her."

She watched him fearfully, only on the edge of consciousness.

He threw her to the ground and glowered at her for a moment more before he stormed off towards his chambers, his ears filled with her shuddering gasps and sobs as she sucked in as much air as she can manage.

His heart thundered in his ears as he raced through the Palace towards his bed chambers.

He needed only to cast the spell into the basin. To see her, where she was. He would locate her and go to her and bring her home. Adrenaline coursed through his veins as he reached his destination and threw open his chamber doors. Hastily, he filled the basin with water and leaned over it, breathing heavy, coaxing the magic within him to search for her. To glide over every inch of all the nine realms until it touched her and revealed her to him.

His Rosa…

Just outside of the bar Rosa stared up at those foreign constellations, hugging her arms around herself as Thor sat on the curb behind her, retelling his encounter with Loki at the SHEILD sight. Rosa blinked back tears, refusing to cry in front of him. She had been so sure… so sure that if she could just find Thor, then al would be well. He would know how to return them home, he would know how to make contact with Loki.

But all hope was lost. He hadn't been able to lift Mjolnir… Odin was dead… and Loki hated her. He thought she had chosen his brother. He was gone…

Behind her, she heard Thor sniff. She turned to see his head drop in an attempt to hide his tears from her. He'd lost everything too… more. His home, his Throne, his Father, his Mother's love.

Rosa felt numb as she moved slowly – absently – towards him. She sat beside him and took his giant hand in hers, lacing their fingers together and leaning against him, her head rested upon his shoulder.

"It will be alright, Thor…" she murmured, "all will be well in the end."

A tear finally escaped Rosa's eye and trickled down her cheek.

"I'm here," she whispered and moved to press a kiss of comfort against his shoulder before resting her head against him again, "we'll figure something out… we'll be alright."

And there they sat, staring at their intertwined fingers.

A million, million miles away all of Asgard heard the scream of rage as Loki overturned the basin.

So! What did you think? I hope you liked it because I struggled something fierce with this chapter! Either way please let me know.

Are you all still even here? I hope so! I know I've been gone for too long but I hope you're still around! Please stick with me guys! There's much more to come!

Love you all, Thanks so much for reading!

*Sneaky Peaky Spoiler Alert* Tune it next time to see Rosa reveal her little secret to Thor!