Katherine Winchester: I'm glad you think so, that's very encouraging to hear. Thank you :)
Kittysayzmeow: Haha, yes, yes it is... starting with this chapter - so to speak. Well, after a bit of debate, my beta and I agreed that Bella should get to know Johnny... and perhaps more. :) Well, I try to make it detailed without giving too much away. There is much about Lizzie that you'll find out later.
Fishpuppy: I'm so sorry. :) Well, here's the next one, so you can continue on for another 5,000 words until next week. You were up till midnight? Wow, that's awesome. Let me know what you think of this one.
LaFey97: Thank you. I do so every weekend as it works best for me and my beta. :) So you can look forward to updates on Saturday or Sundays. :)
Niki Farren: Thank you so much :D
Koryandrs: Were you really? Impressive. How'd you know? :D Am I that predictable?
Also, thank you SuzanofSouthern from The Council for your reviews, as I stated before. I will take a look at those earlier chapters later in the week. Again, my thanks. :D
Alright, so thank you for the favorites and follows. Its always nice to see new names on the roster :D Let me know what you guys think of this chapter, as it begins the real relationship model that I have going :) enjoy.
Loki tossed and turned in his bed, unable to truly get any rest. The revelations about Thanos' plan gnawed without ceasing in his mind as he tried to figure out just what they were going to do. It was somewhat of an ease on his mind to know that Elizabeth would be safe in the tower from then on, even though it worried him that he was concerned for her in the slightest. Just a few days previous he was determined that he would not allow himself to get close to her, and now he listened intently to make sure he didn't hear any sounds from her room on the other side of the wall – it was as if someone else had inhabited his body.
He looked over at his clock, the red numbers reading 2:34am. Sighing, he stood up, wondering just what he should do until the rest of the tower awoke, as he knew he wouldn't get any sleep that night. He contemplated going to the library, but wasn't sure he wanted to leave Lizzie alone on the floor – finally he decided on a bath. It would give him plenty of time to consider, and quiet enough that if something did happen to Elizabeth, he would be able to hear.
Mind made up, he crossed the hall to the bathroom, started the water, and shut the door.
Lizzie whimpered in her sleep, nightmares once more plaguing her. It was always the same ones, her past making a very strong mark on her current life by reminding her of where she came from. Eventually she fought her way out of it and woke up with a start, escaping the horrors of her subconscious. She sighed, rolling over to look at her clock: 3:05am. Getting up groggily, her mind still reeling from her most recent nightmare, she left her room and headed for the bathroom.
Not really paying attention to where she was going, she accidentally hit her head on her doorframe, leaving her poor mind in a more confused state as pain made its way in. Eventually she reached the bathroom door, and tried the handle. It was locked. She vaguely wondered just what Loki was doing up at this ungodly hour as she knocked on the door, unknowingly leaning against it as she waited for an answer. She hated that she was so weak sometimes, so unable to protect herself in her mind as she lived through every horror she had ever been forced to experience.
Suddenly the door gave way, and Lizzie gave out a little squeak as she found herself faceplanted into Loki's chest – Loki's bare, wet chest. She went red with embarrassment, not daring to open her eyes as his hands came up to steady her, tightening slightly.
"Elizabeth?" his velvet voice uttered. "Did you have another nightmare?" She shook her head, not willing to admit her weaknesses to him so easily, but noticing his caring tone.
"Why are you wet?" she inquired, brain noting the moisture on her hands... which were on his chest.
"I was taking a bath, which you rudely interrupted." Loki replied easily. "If you didn't have a nightmare, then what are you doing up at this hour?"
"I had to go to the bathroom." she murmured sleepily, finally opening her eyes and forcing herself to stay focused on his face. "Its not my fault that you opened the door so quickly that I had no time to balance myself." she said, now fully conscious that he was only dressed in a towel around his waist, and that he was still holding her.
She gulped, placing her feet fully on the ground so that she could balance before pulling away from him. Although she tried her hardest, she couldn't help but look at him. Never in the amount of time that she knew him did she ever consider him truly attractive, except in a rather nonchalant way – but now she had no other choice than admit that she found him truly handsome. Sure, he was lean, but it was obvious he wasn't weak by the muscles which were obvious; he was no Thor, but he certainly wasn't lacking.
Loki smirked as he watched her eyes rove his nearly-naked body, the blush on her cheeks increasing steadily as she caught herself and her eyes snapped back to his malachite gaze. He knew that she was lying when she said that it wasn't a nightmare which woke her, but he was enjoying himself too much right now to be bothered with pushing the issue. "Well in my defense, I did not know it would be you on the other side." he finally replied, enjoying how flustered she looked. He'd ask later what she'd dreamt of.
They were silent for a moment as he finally noticed just what she was wearing to bed. As it was a hot night, he supposed he could understand the rather revealing combination she had, between the thin, low-cut tank top and short shorts. Loki had to admit to himself that he always found her rather easy on the eyes, but for a moment he thought something else entirely... something he was sure would have her blushing much more if he voiced it.
"Um..." she started. "I still need to go to the bathroom."
Loki gave her a curt nod, reaching over to grab his clothes and moving past her, reveling once more in her tinted cheeks as she ducked into the bathroom and shut the door. With a chuckle, he moved into his room, shutting the door and getting dressed. He wondered how far he could take it when it came to teasing her on the subject. He opened his door, finding the bathroom across the hall dark, and devoid of Elizabeth. He looked around, noticing she was neither in her room nor anywhere where he could see.
"If you're wondering where Miss Donovan is, Prince Loki." Jarvis suddenly spoke up. "She's in the kitchen. I believe she was muttering something about having the 'munchies'."
The dark-haired prince sighed, rolling is eyes. "Of course, thank you Jarvis." he replied, heading toward kitchen. Part of him was upset with her for not informing him of her decision to leave, after all he was there to protect her, how could she expect him to do so if she wandered off without telling him?
She was having a hard time ignoring the rumbling in her stomach, the feeling of hunger seeping into her now-awake brain – compliments of a semi-naked Loki. She pulled out a butter knife, grabbing the peanut butter to maker herself a snack.
Just what she was supposed to think of what had just happened, she wasn't sure; all she knew was that it probably had nothing to do with what she did think. It had been years since she had been considered as 'sleeping with the enemy', but right now she was having a hard time not considering Loki as more than just the guy who once tried to take over the world because he was having a god-like temper tantrum. Her mind, unbidden, kept reverting back to the image of Loki in a towel.
"You shouldn't wander off." his voice suddenly broke her thoughts, making her jump slightly as she turned to glare at him. However, now that she saw him in a more attractive light, she was having a hard time ignoring the way his hair curled around his ears when he didn't have it gelled back; or the way his body leaned gracefully against the doorframe.
"I didn't wander." she replied. "Jarvis suggested me going to get something to eat, and I followed his advice. I was hungry, and my stomach was going to eat itself if I didn't do anything about it."
Loki's brow rose, a slight chuckled emanating from him as she heard her growl something under her breath in another language. "Whatever is that?" he inquired, looking at her peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich.
"PB&J." she answered. "You want one?"
At that moment, Loki's own stomach seemed to like the idea and gave a growl of approval; Lizzie's tongue made a noticeable bump in her cheek as she tried to hold back a smile, reaching to get Loki a plate. "I suppose I should try it, you've often surprised me with your meals." he conceded, walking into the kitchen and leaning his long frame against the counter, arms crossed over his chest.
"Is that your awkward way of saying you like my cooking?" she inquired, making him an exact copy of her own little snack.
She tried not to let his burning gaze bother her as she finished her task, and to his credit he looked away from her once or twice, giving her a little less of a assessing glance. When she finished, she handed him his sandwich, moving to put everything back away as he sat down and took his first bite, a glass of milk soon joining his little meal as she sat down.
Loki watched her as she pulled her long hair up in a messy bun, the bruises on her neck now blatantly obvious to him. It still angered him to see them.
"You look like something is on your mind." she said, taking a bite of her sandwich. Her brown eyes looked up at him.
"There is, actually..." he muttered, curious of how much he could ask before he pushed her over the edge. "There's something which I would like to know, but only you can answer."
Lizzie paused mid-bite, her eyes narrowing a fraction as she brought up her head and stared at him. "Is there really? And what is it that you would like to know that only I can answer?" she asked, her tone slightly chilly.
"I want to know about your nightmares that you refuse to speak of, and lie about when I ask you if you're having them." he answered bluntly. "I know you had one tonight when you knocked on the bathroom door – or have you forgotten that I can sense when you're lying?" Inwardly he was telling himself to stop, to not bring her more pain by making her relive her nightmares in her waking hours. Yet, the other side of him was trying to fulfill his curiosity – or rather, replace the desire to slowly kill every single offender who had brought the fear into her eyes from the night before, plotting their demise, by pretending that it was only morbid curiosity which fueled his questioning.
She dropped her sandwich on the plate, looking now at it with a disgust which she didn't have before. Standing up, she threw it away, she had lost her appetite as her mind drudged up every last memory at Loki's request.
Loki watched her stiff posture as she washed the dish, instantly regretting his question. "Elizabeth..." he started, noticing that she froze, waiting for the rest of what he had to say – and he had no doubt she would be surprised as he was surprising himself at the next two words he intended: "I'm... I apologize."
She turned, her hand on her hip as her eyes evaluated him, "Do you indeed?" she asked bitterly. "And if I tell you, will you cease this endless questioning which you seem to have about me?"
"Forgive me, I shouldn't have asked." he said, "I can see that this is not a subject you wish to discuss." He stood, taking his empty plate to the sink, leaving it on the counter beside, his tall frame towering over her.
"You're right." she replied as her lip quivered. "You shouldn't have. Didn't stop you though." she scoffed. "God, why am I arguing about this?"
"I was unaware that there was an altercation." Loki said curtly, throwing his plate into the sink with a loud clang. "I was asking a question, and then I apologized – and like usual, you decided to turn this into something more than it was, doubting my sincerety."
"You infuriating little –" she closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath to calm down. "How about this?" she started, her brown eyes snapping open. "Why don't you get off of me for once, and talk about your favorite subject: you. Maybe you could decided to get off my back, and let go of your morbid curiosity for just one damn night, and tell me what I would like to know, that only you can answer."
"And why should I do that?" Loki inquired, not wishing to relive his own past.
She let out a mocking laugh. "Because, Loki, it goes both ways!" she snapped, walking away with a huff. "I want to believe you, Loki; I want to trust you. I don't want to fight, I'm too tired, I'm tired and I'm sick of it. I want to believe Thor, I want to see that underneath that sadistic, sarcastic, infuriating, insufferable little shit facade you put up, that there is someone who has a heart! Twice, I have seen something different than your mask – no, three times if you count Andy the other day. Don't you understand? I don't want you to force me to give up on you, but you require my trust, when you can't trust me yourself." Her voice was elevated now, an Irish brogue beginning to seep into her tone.
"What do you want from me?" Loki demanded, his voice reaching her level.
"I want to know 'why'!" she replied. "I want to know why Thor keeps telling me that there is some good in you, when all I see is a bastard! Why?" her rant finished, it left her breathless, trying to take in gasps of air as her eyes darted over Loki's thoughtful look.
They were both silent for a moment as she allowed her heart to slow down, and he considered her words. She sighed, not expecting an answer at this point, and flopped down into the chair at the table, burying her head in her hands. What a fool she had been. Did she really expect him to answer her with something which would fulfill her questions? Something which would warrant that he deserved to know anything about her? Of course not. He wouldn't be vulnerable, and she sure as hell wouldn't give him the satisfaction of her own vulnerability if he wasn't going to be so.
She felt a fingertip beneath her chin, and she lifted her face to look at him, sure that there was a look of defeat on her features.
"You shall know why." he uttered out of the blue, completely unknowing of why he was conceding – and completely furious with himself and her. He was furious with himself because he had given in so quickly; and he was furious with her because she was demanding that he give in. But now he had said it, he couldn't take it back. "And you will hate me forever."
She stared intently in his eyes, looking for any bit of falseness. "Are you really going to, or are you just saying that to get me to shut up?" she asked.
"I mean what I say, Elizabeth." he replied curtly. "But do not test my patience."
"I won't." she replied. "Why did you do it?"
He sighed, his fingertips moving from her chin to her neck, gently touching the bruises there. "You cannot ask for something as simple," he replied. "For nothing is purely black and white. There are many shades of gray, and intentions have their basis's in various places. To ask me for a clean-cut answer is not possible as there was quite a bit that happened."
She nodded, unable to suppress a yawn which escaped her. "I don't know how much of that I understood, but I think I got the gist." she said.
Loki shook his head, looking at the clock – it only said 3:15. Impossible. However, he wasn't concerned with it as he looked at her suppress a yawn once more. "You need to sleep, Elizabeth." he said, picking her up bridal-style and beginning to carry her out of the room. He would tell her what she wanted tomorrow-
Suddenly, his legs gave out from under him as her power snapped into defense, causing him to topple, taking Lizzie with him. He grunted as he landed on top of her, and their lungs lost all air in that moment., and they were left a little lightheaded. However, now she was trapped beneath his larger frame, and he was unable to fix the situation by moving, only able to push his torso off of hers with his arms. "Stark will be beside himself." He muttered, looking down at her.
Her eyes gazed up into his, and she felt as if she had butterflies in her stomach – something which seriously concerned her. She tried to sit up, but as he couldn't move, she found herself accidentally knocking his arms out from under him and causing him to land once more on top of her. She let out an ironic laugh. "I think I never should have left bed." she murmured as he tried once more to lift himself off of her.
"Elizabeth, please let me up. Not that you aren't comfortable to lay on, but this is beginning to get a little ridiculous." he said, she chuckled.
"Do you honestly think that I haven't tried to disarm the stupid power?" she said, "It has a mind of its own, Loki. I can tell it to turn on, or it will turn on by itself; turning it off has always been a slight issue." Her face held a slight smirk as she watched him struggle.
Loki leaned down, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered. "Trust me. Just trust me." the power let go of him, and he rolled off of her, disentangling his legs from her own as he stretched his legs out on the kitchen floor, looking rather interestedly at her. She cleared her throat, pulling her tank top down back over her stomach, and her hair out of the bun on her head as he stood.
"Come on, Elizabeth. Let's get you to bed." he said softly, holding his hand out to assist her. She looked at the hand, then looked at his face. "You going to stare at it all night?" he inquired as she nodded, taking his hand and allowing him to help her up.
He didn't touch her as they walked back to the hallway which led to their rooms, slightly worried that if he did he would find himself once more on the ground. Elizabeth, still drowsy, and head spinning ever so slightly from falling onto the kitchen floor, went to open the first door that she came upon, only to have Loki seize her wrist. "Unless you wish to come to bed with me, I suggest you go to your own room." he teased, reminding her of what happened earlier. She blushed, laughing slightly as she headed for her own door, Loki closely behind her as he made sure she didn't go anywhere but her own bed.
"Loki, do you think-" she began as she opened her door.
"Bed, Elizabeth." he replied sternly, pushing her inside and watching as she walked across her room, getting into her bed. He waited until she was safely tucked into her nest of sheets until he shut the door and headed back to his own room. As he settled into his bed, he looked at the clock: 3:20. He frowned, wondering what was going on with time as he tried to get to sleep-
However, neither of them slept really well that early morning – although neither of them were plagued by nightmares, they both were thinking about each other. Loki contemplating Elizabeth's past, and how it was she seemed to hold such power over him...
Though Elizabeth was wondering if Loki truly intended to tell her what she wanted to know.
The throne room of Asgard was filled with warriors, all a-hum with conversation of the newest thing which they had all heard from the king: Asgard was soon to be at war, and all were to ready themselves for battle. From seasoned warriors to young lads, every able-bodied man who could bear arms had gathered to hear the next order from the Allfather.
"It's like a hive in here." Lady Sif commented to Hogun who stood beside her. "I never knew there were so many men in Asgard."
"Well perhaps if you spent a little more time as a woman," Fandral replied from behind her, causing her to growl internally. "You would know that the male populous existed."
She turned around, ready with her words to strike at her companion when Thor walked in. Their attention was now diverted to him, and dropping their previous taunting they moved to his side . "You have returned." Sif pointed out. "Have you ill tidings from Midgard?"
"Yes, has Loki suddenly got his powers back and is currently waging destruction?" Fandral added, earning a harsh glare from his comrades.
Thor shook his golden head, "Loki is one of us, Fandral. He has already done much for Midgard, in giving my friends the Avengers the information which they need to destroy Thanos, he has helped. Besides," he said with a slight smirk. "He has a lady who would, no doubt, keep him from walking before he dared to do anything to Midgard."
"A lady?" Fandral replied. "Loki? I don't believe it."
"You will when the Allfather sends you to Midgard to see for yourself." Thor replied, sobering to look at Sif and Hogun. "No doubt you do not know why you have been brought here?"
Hogun shook his head. "All we know is that Asgard is soon to be at war." he said. "We know not with whom. Sif went to Jotunheim only a few days ago in search for their allegiance, she knows more than any of us due to what the prince said."
"And what did he say?" Thor inquired.
Sif sighed, looking around before lowering her voice so as not to be heard. "Jotunheim is split in half," she began. "Prince Helblindi has offered his help against our common foe, but his brother has sided with him."
"But who is our common foe, Sif?" Fandral asked exasperatedly. "That is the question we all want answered."
"The Allfather shall answer your question, Fandral." Thor interrupted before Sif could reply. "For he is to declare it before his warriors here – too long have we waited to find out just what he was up to, now we know. At somewhat of a price, as it was." He said, remembering seeing Lady Elizabeth's bruises – although, she was fortunate to be alive.
"And how did you find out on Midgard?" Hogun asked. "Surely the Mad Titan was not foolish enough to attack already!"
"He didn't," Thor responded. "For he is not that foolish. No, Lady Elizabeth of Midgard is the reason we know of his plans. She happened upon them."
"And just who is Lady Elizabeth?" Fandral asked, a twinkle in his eyes.
Thor smiled at his friend, "She is one whom you will be wise not to play with when you get to Midgard. I do not think that Loki, or any of my other companions would tolerate it; for she is someone who is beloved... by us all." his eyes narrowed at his friend in warning. He cared for Fandral as a friend, but he would not allow him to harm Elizabeth through his wild ways. Fandral simply nodded dumbly, understanding completely.
A pounding at the dais of Odin caught everyone's attention, and the room was instantly hushed.
"Warriors of Asgard..." Odin began, his blue eye showing his weariness. "It is with great sadness that I come to you today. Asgard is in great peril..."
"We shall depart now." Thor said, beginning to walk away earning a curious look from his friends. "We must go now, before anyone really sees us."
"Why should we worry about anyone seeing us?" Fandral asked as the others followed Thor out of the room and into a corridor; they could still hear Odin's booming voice echoing, but Thor was too busy to allow himself to stay any longer.
"Because there is a spy in Asgard, who is watching my every move. If they think I am here, they will not look for me elsewhere." Thor replied, moving to a panel in the wall and shifting it to the side before stepping in. Sif followed quickly, Fandral waiting for a moment before joining his companions, allowing the panel to shut behind him –
– And not a moment too soon, as a cloaked figure rounded the corner, immediately stopping in their tracks. They had been following the small group ever since they had left the Throne Room, but had lost them. There was only one thing that it meant, and that was that they had entered the secret passageways of the palace.
Turning on their heel, they walked away, knowing that they would have to inform Thanos of the newest development.
When the small group finally made their way to the end of the Bifrost, Heimdall already stood there waiting.
"Now that I have been made aware, it is easier to see where the Chitauri are coming in from." Heimdall informed him. "They come in on the outskirts of the city, they meet the mutant Shaw under the cover of darkness in the place called 'the Bronx'; although this last time they met under different circumstances due to Shaw's decision. I have not found where his quarters are, but I have been searching."
"And Thanos?" Thor asked.
Heimdall sighed. "Hidden. I cannot see him in any respect – which is slightly concerning."
"Hopefully" Sif commented. "It doesn't mean that he has already gone to Midgard under this mutant's influence."
Thor looked over at his friend. "It is a possibility that I hope is not the case." he said, his eye catching on that of the Tesseract. He hated traveling by that artifact, but he had no choice. "Well, we will keep you informed of what we find out." he said, his hand taking one of the handles of the case which the Tesseract was kept in.
"Thor!" he turned to see Frigga standing there suddenly. "May I have a moment?"
The prince nodded, motioning for his friends to go elsewhere while he spoke to his mother. He embraced her, a slight fear rising within him regarding what might happen if he failed – Frigga would only be one of the casualties, but she would certainly be the most impacting. "Yes, mother?" he asked.
Frigga reached within her cloak, pulling out a small bag. "For Loki," she said, "I thought he may need these." She reached once more into her cloak, pulling out a small box. "And for his lady, the young Elizabeth."
"She is not-"
"She is, Thor." Frigga insisted. "Give this to her, tell her that I am sorry I could not meet her for myself, but hope that one day I will. Loki does not realize yet just what she will mean to him, but he will realize soon enough."
"Have you seen something?" Thor asked his mother, she simply smiled.
"All I can tell you is that you will gain a sister which you never thought you would – and a friend." she replied, her blue eyes beginning to water. "Keep her safe, Thor, when your brother cannot. She is his redemption, and if he loses her... we will lose him."
Thor sighed, taking the two objects. "But they are not even in admittance of their feelings. He doesn't care for her, Mother. He views her as an insignificant little mortal." he said, looking closely at the small box which was set for Elizabeth.
Frigga chuckled softly, placing her hand on Thor's cheek. "There is much your brother hides from you, my son, and hides from himself. Elizabeth has already made a place in his heart – you have seen this. Have you ever seen him so protective over anyone before? So willing to do what he must to keep them safe?"
Thor shook his head.
"Then watch them closely, help them along a bit. I would, if your father would permit me to leave Asgard, do so myself... but I must remain here." she said, kissing his cheek. "And tell your little mortal, Jane, that I look forward to the day when she shall visit Asgard herself."
Thor smiled, "Thank you mother, I shall." he said, turning around to walk away.
"And Thor!" he spun. "Do not give up on your brother, no matter what happens. He has changed already – and one day he will return to us, even though his path may sometimes curve away."
Before Thor could ask for more information, Frigga disappeared, and he was left alone.
"Are you planning on coming with us?" Sif's voice called to him. "Or are we to stay standing here?" Thor nodded, coming closer and grabbing his part of the Tesseract and disappearing from the edge of the bifrost.
Verdandi, Queen of the Norns, looked toward the looms which had been brought to her depicting the fate of Loki Odinson and the Midgardian, Elizabeth Donovan. The two Norns responsible for their fates – Jora and Jodis – the only pair of twins among the Norns, stood before her.
"I suppose I should not be surprised that the pair of you have decided that the two whose fates you have been assigned to are to be together." Verdandi said. "You have always enjoyed plaguing the rest of us with your rather... mischievous behavior.
"My apologies, my lady," Jodis, Elizabeth's Norn said. "But they are perfect for one another."
Jora smiled, looking over at her sister. "She will bring out the best in him." she added. "And he will protect her, helping her to forget the wrongs which have been done to her in the past."
The Queen smiled at the sisters, handing them back their looms. "You are right, they will do well together. Yet, you have devised so devious a plan that they will deal with certain heartbreaks – are you sure that they both can withstand the tempests you have ordained for their futures?"
The twins exchanged a glance. "If they do not, then they do not deserve each other." they said in unison, bowing before the great lady of the Norns and leaving her presence.
Well? How was it? Let me know below.