Summary: help is acquired to save Loki's life...
Notes: This story originally had Doctor Withram from the Marvel comics as the doctor. After some research and editing, I decided that he no longer fit the story's narrative and replaced him with Doctor/Nurse Carter.
Chapter Text
Chapter 3:
Sometime later, both Bruce and Tony sauntered into Loki's sickroom with a reassuring smile traced on both of their faces.
Thor stood as they entered, carefully unhinging Loki's hand from his own, his countenance unreadable but able to read the triumph from both men.
"You have news?" Thor guessed, "We have no time for games, so please come right out with it."
"Two bits of good news," Bruce informed him, lifting his pointer finger, "First, I found a surgeon that was willing to work on Loki. Second, Tony has designed a machine that can re-generate your brother's blood without human plasma or the like. Actually it's been a prototype for a few months now, but Loki provided the missing element."
Thor lit up, "That is wonderful news, my friends! Pray, tell, what was the missing element?"
"The DNA structure of an individual's blood." Tony declared, there was a pause, and then he continued in a lower tone and rolled his eyes. I wonder why I didn't think of it earlier."
The Thunderer nodded as though he understood what he was talking about, but his eyes went back to Loki's still form.
"When can we begin?" Thor quired.
"Whoa there, big fella." Tony quipped, "I've heard the doctor's an accomplished surgeon, so together it should extend Loki's life if he's stuck here on Earth as a petty mortal. You have to understand Thor, that they're essential based on human biology. There's no guarantee that it will work on him."
"I understand Man of Iron. And I trust you with my brother's life. Do not take advantage of it." The Thunderer ordered.
"Right. The doctor is arriving tomorrow morning at 6 am, and Bruce can begin to make one of the infirmary quarters into an operating room."
"Why don't you go lay down in the next room and I'll look after him for a while. You're going to need your energy for-" Bruce began but was interrupted.
"I do not wish to leave his side, friend Banner." Thor shook his head though his eyes slid shut every few minutes.
"At least take the bed next to Loki. You're exhausted and are in need of sleep." Bruce directed, pointing to another bed that was closer to the door while pulling down the hospital blanket from Loki's mid-section.
"Very well, Banner. I shall acquiesce to your request." Thor sighed. He flopped face down into the pillow without removing the covers, and within moments a cacophony of snoring could be heard from the Thunderer.
Bruce chuckled while placing the stethoscope into position and guided the bell on his patient's chest with one hand, and guided his other over the sternum and abdomen. When he stopped to prod Loki's abdomen, Tony edged closer, asking quietly, "Is something wrong?"
Bruce shot a nervous glance first at the billionaire, then to the other Asgardian asleep on the other bed, "It looks like he's going into cardiac failure." He quickly took up an intubation kit from a cart next to the bed and put medical gloves on. "His oxygen sats are going down, I need to intubate him." He looked up to Tony, "Can you tilt his head back while I slide this in? You don't have to look."
Tony's search went back to the door, and for a moment, Bruce was sure that the billionaire would bolt. Much to his surprise, Tony nodded and did as he was instructed. Bruce swiftly but gently guided the tube into place within a few minutes. When he looked up, he saw Tony looking away with his eyes squeezed shut.
"Done," Bruce declared unnecessarily, "Are you alright?"
"Hmm?" Tony responded, acting as though he had watched the entire process, "Yeah, I'm fine." The billionaire ran a hand through his auburn locks, "Do you think we should tell Thor?"
Bruce bent his head to look at the blond god, "No, there's nothing we can do about it anyway. The sooner the doctor gets here, the better." Bruce attempted to smile, "Plus if you think waking up The Other Guy up in the morning is scary, imagine how scary he is."
Tony snorted. "I'll go downstairs to the lab and get started on that work. Jarvis?" he called to his A.I. butler, "I could do with a pot of coffee down in my lab."
In for an all niter again, sir? The machine quipped.
"Don't need an attitude right now, Jarvis," Tony snapped while he stepped out the door.
Of course sir, my apologies.
"That's better," Tony grumbled.
When the physicist was alone with only the mechanical breaths of the machines aiding Loki and the resounding snores of Thor, he placed a hand on the ailing god's forehead. "Hold on till tomorrow."
Loki seemed to hear, for the Trickster's eyes flickered open, and Bruce was greeted by a pair of hazy eyes that no doubt disappeared back into uncomprehending darkness. Bruce realized that he had been holding his breath and slowly released it with some relief.
Morning light streamed over the tops of the skyscrapers in New York many hours later. Bruce woke to find that he had fallen asleep in a chair next to Loki's bed. Cracking his neck, the doctor went about checking his patient's vitals. There was a groan from the other bed as Thor rose and stretching (with an extremely voluminous yawn), sauntered to his brother's bedside.
"Good morrow to you, Banner. How is my brother this morning?" The thunderer stopped and pointed to the tube now protruding from Loki's mouth, "What is this? Why did you not wake me to tell me that my brother's condition had worsened?"
Bruce hesitated and rubbed the back of his neck. "It's to force extra air into his lungs, Thor. I didn't wake you because there was nothing that you could have done."
"I see." The Thunderer demurred, "When will this doctor arrive?"
Doctor Banner, Doctor Carter, and her assistant have arrived, The A.I. chirped.
"Thank you, Jarvis. Please show him up to the infirmary."
Right away, sir.
Bruce and Thor were greeted not only by Tony Stark, but a dark-haired, tall woman. She was in a nurse's uniform, carrying black bag that was reminiscent of the old fashioned doctors of the 50's. Next to her was a younger woman in medical scrubs (Thor had been told later by Jane that's what medical personnel wore) with straightened ebony hair that fell to her shoulders, and features that reminded him of his friend Hogunn. Her kind smile had begun to put Thor at ease.
She shook hands with both men and spoke in a ringing tone, "I'm Linda Carter, the Night Nurse." He nodded politely at The thunderer, "And you must be Thor."
"I'm Doctor Lei Mai," The woman next to him introduced herself and shook hands.
"Tis a pleasure to meet you, doctors." Thor returned with a polite nod.
"I'm Doctor Banner," Bruce held out his hand and shook with the other physician.
"I've heard about your work in Gamma radiation. It's a pleasure to meet you. Let's hope I don't meet your ….Other Guy personality." She said half jokingly.
Bruce chuckled, "Not to worry, I have him under control."
The trio edged their way to Loki's bedside, where the Trickster lay in a heavily medicated slumber.
"And this must be my patient." Nurse Carter stated, while going to Loki's beside.
"Thor, why don't you go down to the kitchen for some breakfast while Nurse Carter examines Loki? JARVIS can show you where to go. The doctor will give you her results in a bit."
"I will not be dismissed as if I were a child, Banner." Thor retorted flatly while folding his arms over his chest.
"I know you're not a child, Thor. I'm just saying that you've expended a lot of energy to cross the Atlantic and need to refuel your body." replied with a calmness that was taking an effort to hold.
Thor seemed to consider this for a moment, "Very well, but I will be told of the results as soon as you are finished." He stomped out of the infirmary, and Bruce could be heard letting out a sigh.
Thor was on his 4th package of Pop Tarts when Stark's automated butler called Mr. Odinson, Doctors Banner and Carter are finished with the examination and ask that you come up to the infirmary right away.
Thor abandoned the partially eaten Pop Tart and hurried back upstairs to the medical bay with all due haste.
TBC...