Little Bird's Vengeance Chapter 58 Oh To Be In Love

"Hey, Thor, mind joining us?" Bruce said, as the Asguardian polished off a massive stack of pop tarts.

"Of course," Thor answered. "I know not what I can contribute to your search in Science, but if you wish for my attendance, I will certainly grant it."

"'Search in Science'?" Betty murmured as they all trooped down to the lab. "Seriously?"

"So he doesn't quite understand how we do things," Bruce shrugged.

Betty held him back a little and whispered in his ear. "He's putting it on a little because Jane finds it endearing," she explained.

Bruce flushed slightly, and watched Jane and Thor. Jane was explaining something excitedly, and Thor had a faintly indulgent smile on his face. "If that's what works for them," he muttered.

"So Point Break actually has a mind in there, who knew?" a voice said behind them, and Betty and Bruce turned to Tony, who'd caught up with a fresh cup of steaming coffee.

"He was raised to become King of Asguard; he had to learn a fair bit," Betty pointed out. "Sure, it was statesmanship and battle strategy, but he's hardly stupid. Just a little ignorant."

"This what you girls talk about?" Tony asked.

"No, 'cause Jane hasn't noticed yet," Betty giggled. "But her ex, Don Blake, he was an MD and tended to be a bit full of himself. She likes not being treated like the stupid one in the relationship."

"It all makes sense now," Tony nodded. "But, I find I like someone who can give me a little challenge. Doesn't she?"

"It's a matter of past experiences," Betty said absently. "You tended to pull, well, anyone, and in general they weren't the smartest. Now you're settling down, you want something different – not for the sake of something different, I mean, because you know what doesn't work for you long-term."

"What about you and I?" Bruce asked.

"I guess we're just emotional masochists."

"What matter is it that you require my assistance?" Thor asked.

"It's about BiFrost," Jane started. "How functional is it at present?"

Thor frowned. "When last I spoke to Heimdall, the rainbow bridge was…fragile. It can be used, but it is not fully repaired. My father has set enchantments about it to allow for safe travel, but it is draining. However, there were hopes that, with the aid of the Tesseract, it would not be long before it is fully repaired. Indeed, it may even be that the work is completed by now."

"We'd like to send Red Robin through BiFrost to see if the scans produce different results than when you go through," Jane explained.

Thor's face fell. "That may not be possible," he said. "It is forbidden for mortals to enter Asguard. But I am willing to petition Father to permit it. I do not expect him to grant his blessing, but I believe he will consider it."

"Isn't that kind of selfish of Odin?" Tony asked. "Y'know, not letting anyone else see Asguard."

"There have been times when mortals have been guests in our halls, and have become envious of our gifts to the point of foolish actions in an attempt to share our blessings," Thor said stiffly. "We may have stern laws, but we have reason for them."

"Fair enough," Bruce interjected, before Tony could speak again. "Can you speak to your father soon?"

"If you do not require anything else, I shall seek him," Thor nodded. He rose, brushed a kiss on Jane's fingers, and left.

"So what do we do if Daddy Odin says no?" Tony asked.

"We can ask if we can present our reason to him in person, right?" Darcy asked. "And there are nine realms, so couldn't Heimdall send him somewhere else?"

"It would still require Odin's co-operation," Jane said gloomily.

"Hey, Pep."

"Morning, Tony. I'm working."

Tony pouted at his former PA. "Don't you have five minutes for your former boss?"

"If it really was five minutes, and if I thought for one moment it was about business, I might consider it," Pepper replied, looking up at last.

"It is about business," Tony protested. "Well, sort of about business. Tangentially involving business."

Pepper glared at him. "Three hundred seconds."

"What? Are you seriously going to-"

"Two-nine-five."

"Red Robin says Spiderman is a science genius and wants us to hire him as an intern, but to let Red bury the records and put a block on Jarvis so we don't know who exactly we're paying the salary to," Tony said in a rush.

Pepper stared at him. "You've opened up our tower to an alien demigod, a super-soldier, a genius scientist-come-rage monster, two assassins, our military liaison, three researchers, a teen crime-fighter, three other super-powered teens and a psychotic vigilante. So forgive me for not seeing the problem here."

Tony flopped into an empty chair. "Red just keeps on deciding things are good ideas and expecting everyone else to go along with them," he complained. "I can see why Fury's got his eye-patch in a twist over the whole Red Hood thing."

Pepper sighed. "If Spiderman is a genius like you say Red reckons, then why wouldn't you get him in?"

"Well, I suppose, but Red-"

"Was he asking permission or telling you he was doing it?"

Tony frowned. "You telling me I should say no?"

"I'm telling you to say maybe," Pepper corrected. "Have Spiderman in for an interview. Work out who he is for yourself if it's bothering you that much."

Tony grumbled. "Meant to be my tower."

"Thought it was twelve percent my tower," Pepper remarked. "Anyway, you still have the final say."

"Doesn't seem like it these days."

AN: There's a bit in Age of Ultron where Thor reveals he is extremely proud of Jane. That inspired this particular aspect of their relationship.

Also this week, Jason and the Argonauts features a little spar between a powerhouse and a Bat. Now taking bets on the outcome. Black and Red features Tim having a Bad Day. And as a bonus, a little Harry Potter one-shot called The Troll Investigation.

Next week, more of each of the three ongoings, and another one-shot.

Please review!

Katara