The Doctor accepted Odin's hand with a sigh, noting the smug look on the one-eyed god's face. The Time Lord watched, still fuming, as the god exited his beloved TARDIS. The Doctor sank lower into his chair, fingers drumming against the arms, a little peeved off that he had been outsmarted. Bittersweet emotions passed through Loki as he watched his father leave. A man he had once respected had suddenly became a man he hated. Loki looked down at the floor for a single moment longer. His body reluctant to leave the place it had frozen upon until a sweet hum seemed to buzz in his head, bringing him comfort unlike any he'd known before. The god faintly smiled as he pulled himself from his perch.

He slowly looked up, his brown eyes finding green, and smiled, "Ah, I do have to apologize for that. Bartering for you like you were nothing other than a rug," he hoisted himself up from the chair, wrapping his gangly arms around Loki, "You're not. You are much better than a rug."

Warm arms wrapped around the god the moment his figure loomed over the area. He did not resist, but for once welcomed the gesture. His head subconsciously resting against his friend's shoulder before he'd noticed what he'd done. Subtly, pulling back in case the man had noticed.

He stood there, not caring if it seemed a little awkward for two grown men to hug for any extended length of time, just relishing in the warmth of another. The Doctor finally pulled away, clapping his hands on the other's shoulders, face split into that maniacal grin of his, "You're my new companion. Now," his face grew a little somber, "Sometimes there will be danger. Definitely a lot of running. Quite possibly some end of the world business or what not. But," the Doctor's face split again, pulling his hands off Loki's shoulders to, instead, wrap an arm in their place, "It's going to be fantastic."

A bright smile hiding his despair of his father's leave. "Lead the way, my friend." Loki laughed. Bright teeth showing between his lips. End of the world, danger, running? Nothing sounded better to the mischievous god. Tricks that could be played upon the most ignorant of races as he dashed through time and space with a man who had once been as lonely as he, but now they had each other. In due time that could become enough for the two men. Company grows old, but friends never will. After all, what are you without friendship?

They left the room together, the Doctor's arm still wrapped around his new Companion's shoulder. The door closed with a boom, sealing away those unpleasant things that had happened just moments before. The past sealing away and the future sprawling out before them.

The control room, a very welcome sight, loomed close, the TARDIS moving it closer for their comfort. The Doctor was beaming as he caressed the console, his long fingers trailing over the controls.

He whirled around, leaning back against the golden podium, "Now, all of time and space, where is it that you want to go? Just you, me, the TARDIS, and a whole lot of universe to cover."

The Time Lord was excited. More so than he had ever been in his long life. He knew that the Ood were trying to get a hold of him, but the Doctor had a Companion now. Why would he bother in this point in time? He had a time machine, yes? He had all the time to visit with Ood Sigma and see what he wanted at a later date. He was just too busy right now. Besides, the Doctor was sure that Loki wanted to get as far away from Asgard as fast as he could. And the Time Lord did not blame him. One more meeting with Odin was sure to push the Doctor over the edge, the fate of the nine realms be damned. Right now, he had a god to take care of.

Loki stood before the controls. His new friend's hands running over a switches and levers with an enthusiastic joy. Happiness that the prince felt he'd never seen in another besides Thor. The brother that only Loki knew he was. Together they'd grown. Days of blood and sweat bonding them together, and nights of sorrow and silence pushing them apart. When Loki looked at Thor he only saw what he hated. He saw everything he dreamed of being, and in itself the young prince grew to hate it. Jealously burning through him like a monster until he became safe behind closed doors. In the years that Thor began marrying Loki became more consumed with his loneliness and his jealously burned brighter. His own father would look upon an idiot of battle, but not on the one son that'd done everything that was asked of his?! Advanced in every level of the magical arts. Something Odin himself had taught him, yet when the sun set Loki was alone yet again. His body cold and shivering on the his floor until he passed into sleep. The warmth of his bed unwelcoming for it held the memories of when Thor would laugh beside him. When they'd stay awake until sunrise talking. Days when they were brothers.

Loki looked down. His eyes glassy with the sudden memory. With all they'd been through he was just going to leave him without word. Green irises shot back to the door for a single moment. Memories of his first savior gushing into his head. "I wish to see a land where one's brothers are never forgotten." He quietly spoke.

In all the time Loki had lived never had he felt so torn. His brother and freedom on a scale, but he'd already made his choice. Quickly, he ran his fingers across his face. The single tear that had burdened its side gone. With a sharp inhale he looked up at his friend. A bright smile pulling back his lips enough that his white teeth shown between them.

"Got a lot of levers and switches there, Doctor." He chuckled, running his long fingers through locks of black hair. Quick steps bringing him to stand by his friend. "Trying to make up for something?" Loki laughed. His green eyes dancing over all the devices stuck from the panels.

The Doctor narrowed his eyes, although he did smile to make the glare less angry looking, "Oi! These all have a purpose. You do want us to reach our destination in one piece, yes?" the Doctor chuckled, clapping a hand on Loki's shoulder.

He adjusted the controls, inputting commands for a destination he felt that Loki would enjoy. Every now and then, the Time lord would look up and smile at the young god. The Doctor, out of the corner of his eye, could see the smile slip from Loki's face when he thought the Time lord wasn't looking.

It truly broke his hearts to see the strong child he remembered so long ago turn to this broken man. Forsaken by those who had claimed to love him. But the Doctor resolved that he would live up to his name. He would try to fix this child...this god.

With the rest of his lives, if need be.

~~~TLG~~~

AN: Putting this here instead of its own chapter like I did before. The story is finished. I am glad that everyone has enjoyed it as thoroughly as I did while writing it. My sister and I thank you for reading our little story.