Summary: Thor has unexpected guests, and more explanations are given.
Chapter 4:
The Thunderer was ushered into a lounge space to find both doctors talking quietly among themselves. When Thor cleared his throat, all three turned.
"Thor, you're here, good." Doctor Carter began, "Now we can discuss a few things."
She gestured to the horseshoe shaped line of chairs that were set out around a small end table in the spacious room. The table was laden with white floral china and matching tea pot. Thor's nose wrinkled in slight disgust at the beverage, but he looked seriously at the other three.
"I've had JARVIS brew us some tea." Bruce inserted, while pouring out into each teacup as the others sat as well.
"I assume Doctor Banner has told you the seriousness of Loki's condition?" Carter asked while eying the thunder god seriously.
Thor's lips pursed, "I was informed of it, yes."
The doctor slid a lit box with an illuminated image of his patient's chest towards Thor.
"This means," Doctor Lei continued, "We don't know if his magic will heal or regenerate the organs and tissue."
"I've been monitoring his condition," Bruce interrupted, gently putting down his teacup, "When Loki arrived, his magic was trying to repair the injury, though it always seemed to fail. It stopped around midnight last night, and his heart started to go into failure."
Doctor Carter wrote down these details on a chart that Thor struggled to understand. "Then, if his magic does not return, we must consider some alternate solutions to rebuilding the bones."
"How?" Thor inquired.
"We'll obtain a tissue and bone sample, then replicate it in the lab." Carter continued, then put her hand up, "but that's after he is stronger. First and foremost, we must repair his heart, and going by the x-rays, it won't be extremely difficult. We'll take tissue and blood samples for Stark's replicator and monitor him for a few hours before we begin the surgery, but we'll start prepping him right away. Doctor Banner will be assisting us during the operation. After the surgery, Loki's immune system will be greatly weakened, so he will not be allowed any visitors for the first 48 hours. It also allows us to supervise his condition after the surgery when it is the most critical period. Surgery itself will take up to three to four hours."
"Do you understand all this, Thor?" Bruce finally asked.
"I do," The Thunderer nodded seriously, though he would not admit to the knot forming inwardly at the prospect. "Might he be awakened so as to be told what will be happening to him?"
Bruce shook his head, "He'll be in a lot of pain, Thor. It'd be better if he slept through it."
"May I stay with him then?" Thor asked, worried in the thought of being separated from his adopted brother.
I'm sorry to interrupt sirs and ma'am, but there are some visitors here for Mr. Odinson JARVIS chirped.
Blond eyebrows set together, "I did not tell anyone of my destination."
"We'll keep an eye on Loki, why don't you go see who's at the door." Bruce suggested with an amused chuckle.
"I hope I don't put out Anthony," Thor replied with a groan.
When the Thunderer reached the lobby of Stark Tower, he was stopped in his tracks at the sight of Sif and two of the Warriors Three, who were looking in awe at the tower's amazing technology.
"My friends!" Thor burst out and threw his arms open to embrace them. "What has brought you here?"
"Do you not wish for our company after we have traveled all this way?" Sif teased and jabbed Thor in the ribs, "Besides, you skipped out on our celebratory dinner."
"Of course, Sif!" Thor exclaimed with a forced laugh, "I am pleased to see you, though I am still at a loss as to how you found me."
At this, the warriors seemed to grow restless in their shoes. "Your father told us that you had been banished for defending Loki despite his crimes. Heimdall opened the portal but was quite cryptic as to where you were. Sif thought you would be at Stark's tower." Fandral conceded, "Is it true that Loki died, or supposedly did on Svartalheim?"
Thor grimaced as memories of holding Loki as he passed away, gasping with pain and apologizing in his final moments flashed through his mind, "It is true. I know not how, but he revealed himself to Odin. The king thought it a betrayal and so sought to punish him by opening the wound Loki received and revoked his magic. I believe that Loki is to spend the remainder of his life as a mere mortal in this realm. That is, if he survives the surgery."
There was a stunned silence between his friends, who were looking with astonishment at one another.
"I do not doubt your story, Thor." Sif said finally, "But how do you know that it's not one of Loki's-"
"I saw him stabbed, Sif." The Thundered grimaced, I returned and saw him on the floor of my father's throne room, bleeding nearly to death. And now he must have his innards opened and his body repaired. If you have come to finish what Kurse had started, then you must know that I and others in this tower will defend him." Thor retaliated, calling Mjlinor to his side in an instant.
"Peace, Thor." Volstagg returned nervously, not wanting to battle with his crown prince who was evidently stronger than any of them. "We only wished to know your whereabouts. We were quite worried when you left the palace without a word."
At this, Thor lowered the hammer and allowed a disarming smile to cross his face, "I appreciate your concern, my dear friends. I would gladly have you at my side in this hour of need. Come upstairs, mayhaps we can find something to eat, and I can introduce you to my friends here on Midgard."
The Asgardians all went to the kitchen where Steve was fishing for a bottle of water from the fridge, wearing running clothes.
"Friend Steven, I wish to introduce you to my companions from Asgard. This is Volstagg, Fandral and Lady Sif." He boomed while gesturing to each one of them.
Steve shook hands with each, then gestured to his running shorts, "I didn't expect company, or I would have dressed for the occasion." he returned with a laugh.
"Tis alright, Captain." Thor boomed while slapping Steve on the back so hard that he jetted forward slightly, "There's nothing like running to stretch one's muscles."
The elevator dinged, and Tony stepped out seeming to concentrate with a mechanical piece in one hand and a screwdriver in the other. He looked up to see unfamiliar people loitering in his kitchen.
"Friends of yours, Thor?" Tony asked dryly.
The gods flustered with some embarrassment, and again went through introductions.
"We apologize for arriving unannounced, Man of Iron," Sif said diplomatically, "but we knew this was where Thor would be."
"Well, God knows I have the room," Tony returned patiently, "feel free to stay if you want. I can have rooms set up for you."
"We thank you, Son of Stark," Volstagg replied, shaking the billionaire's hand so vigorously that his whole arm began to ache. "I only hope that we are not banished ourselves for seeking out Thor. No offense, but all this technology is...unnerving to say the least."
"Hey, don't knock it till you try it, bud." Tony retorted devilishly.
"Although, I have seen some of the ladies of the realm, and it might be interesting if we should stay." Next to him, Sif rolled her eyes.
Thor's face grizzled, "I do not wish yourselves in trouble with Odin. I thank you for your concern, but it would be better if you returned to Asgard. Loki told me that he cast a spell to mask our hiding place, but as his magic has failed, there's no doubt my father will find out where we are; Huginn and Muninn will likely see to that."
"Eh…excuse me," Tony raised a hand, "Sorry to interrupt, but who are Huginn, and Muninn?"
"My father's all-seeing ravens. They see and hear all, whatever realm they are in, when Heimdall cannot."
"The All-Father knows not where we have gone, only that we have gone in search of you." Shrugged Volstagg.
"If he believes you gained sympathy for Loki and I, then he surely will banish you all as well." Protested Thor with a shake of his head, "I appreciate your concern, but you are needed on Asgard."
"Surely, if Loki fought with honor, then we may speak on his behalf?" Sif wondered.
"Why are you on Loki's side as well, Sif?" Volstagg sniffed.
"You know as well as I that Thor does not speak falsehoods when it comes to the honor, especially not about the honor of his brother!" The female warrior sniffed while rounding on her friends.
Sir, The automated voice of JARVIS interrupted and made the Asgardian warriors jump into a defensive position, Doctor Carter has requested that you come to the infirmary right away with the regenerator.
"What's the problem, Jarv?" Tony called up to the ceiling, making their guest share a look of bewilderment.
Mr. Laufeyson has had a drop in blood pressure and must have surgery immediately.
Thor's own heart stopped in his chest, "I will go to him."
"Do me a favor and don't make a door with your hammer," Tony remarked, pointing to the lift, "Take the elevator. I'll go down to the lab and be up there in a minute."
TBC...