Chapter 13

Maria groaned herself awake, head rolling back into the pillow. God, she thought, running her hands through her tangled hair to massage her throbbing skull, that is one hell of a hangover! She kept her eyes screwed shut against the sunlight that was inevitably blaring through the windows and tried to collect her thoughts. Flashes of last night echoed painfully in her head: the shots, the club, the music… just thinking about how loud the music had been made her head hurt!

Grimacing, she squirmed under the covers. Her hand roamed over the shirt that covered her body and she was relieved she'd had the sense to change out of the dress before she'd slept. She was less impressed with herself when she felt the smoothness of the stockings still clinging to her legs.

Knowing she'd have to get up sooner or later, she elbowed herself upright, leaning her heavy head back on the headboard, and tentatively peeled her eyes open.

They instantly dropped to a frown. Her lips parted in confusion as she scoured her gaze at her surroundings. She shouldn't be here. This was her room; Thor was meant to be here, not her. She glanced to her side in panic and was relieved to find the space beside her empty.

Still, something buzzed alarmingly in her head. Picking her gaze up, she stared around her again; over her curtains blocking the world outside (mercifully), over her wardrobe, over the pictures propped up on the bedside table, the god stood in the doorway with a breakfast tray in his hands…

Her jaw dropped at the last one.

A smile blossomed over Thor's face as Maria's eyes locked on him, the frown still etched deep in her features. He strode forward, crossing the room almost instantly, and perched on the edge of the bed, gently placing the breakfast tray over the barely awoken woman's lap.

He smiled at her softly, reaching forward to brush away the hair clinging to her cheek and resting his warm palm over her cheek. "How are you feeling?"

Maria seemed to snap out of her confused, gaping trance as her headache bit back with a vengeance. "Rough." She admitted sluggishly, bring her hand to her temple. "My head is killing me!"

A light chuckle escaped Thor's lips and he peeled Maria's hand from her head, pressing her knuckles tenderly to his lips.

A smirk tugged at the corners of Maria's mouth. "It's all your fault. You were the one who got me drunk again." She accused teasingly, sitting up straighter, careful not to unbalance the tray in her lap.

"You seemed to enjoy yourself regardless." Thor murmured against her skin, his hot breath tickling her hand.

Her smirk deepened and she dropped her eyes. "I can't deny that." Finally her gaze washed over the tray in her lap and the frown slowly eased its way back into existence. The tray was adorned with a glass of water, a glass of orange juice and a plate of scrambled eggs on toast. Her mouth dropped open for a silent second before any words came out. "What is this?"

She tried not to sound too suspicious, but it was impossible. Scrambled eggs required cooking. The sole reason Maria had done all the cooking up to that point was because, simply put, she didn't trust Thor alone with the oven, half afraid he'd end up burning the house to the ground! But by the look of it, he'd done a good job. It tasted like he'd done a good job too, Maria thought as she popped a forkful of eggs in her mouth.

"Breakfast." Thor answered smoothly, planting another kiss of her hand before releasing her and rising to stride around the edge of the bed.

Maria flinched as he moved to rip the curtains apart, fully prepared for sunlight to burn her eyes unbearably. She was pleasantly surprised then, when she saw the window was impenetrable for the torrents of rain outside, broken only by streaks of bright lightning that flashed over the village. She even managed a smile as Thor returned to her side.

Thor was grinning too. He wasn't about to tell her the dismal weather was his doing though, a direct physical embodiment of the surge of emotions that coursed through him still fresh from last night. He was buzzing.

"I'm so not getting into work through that." Maria smiled as she lifted the glass of juice to her mouth. "What time is it anyway?"

"It is just past midday."

Maria choked on the juice, breaking Thor's dreamy trance for a second. Her eyes were wide as she set the glass back down again. "What?" she squeaked. "I slept through the whole morning? And you're giving me breakfast in the afternoon?"

Thor smiled again, finding her big, Bambi eyes absolutely adorable. He chuckled as he laced his fingers round the back of her head and leaned in to press his mouth to her cheek. "Lunch would be more appropriate," he conceded into her skin, happy when she finally relaxed against him, "But I thought a lighter meal would be better appreciated when you woke up."

Maria hummed in reluctant agreement. "How did you make this?" she finally asked when he pulled back, her eyes flickering down to the tray. "I didn't know you could cook."

"I watched you."

Having stood with Maria in the kitchen often while she cooked for him, it wasn't hard for him to eventually grasp what methods she used. He was glad he'd paid attention now; he was sure she wouldn't be this pleasant after such a hard night if the food wasn't there as sort of peace offering.

Maria scooped some more of the eggs into her mouth, and Thor smiled satisfied. He laced his fingers with her spare hand, resting on the sheets and pulled it up to his mouth once more, not taking his eyes off Maria's for a moment.

Suddenly, Maria's chewing slowly and she swallowed hard as something occurred to her: Thor was kissing her a lot. Sure, she'd got used to his habits by now, as if he couldn't get through the day without planting a chaste kiss to her hand, or cheek or forehead. But she'd barely woken up and he'd already kissed her hand at least thrice! That had to be some sort of record!

Her appetite vanished as she got the strange feeling she was missing something. There was a glint in Thor's eyes that affirmed it. Her heart notched up a few beats as her nerves started to climb.

"What happened after truth or dare?" she asked, half afraid to know the answer. Especially as Thor's gleaming eyes boldened.

He lowered her hand from his mouth to his chest. His lips curved in the most seductive boyish grin Maria had ever seen, but she was too troubled by her lack of memories after the game to be swayed by it. "You're friends went to dance." Thor said slowly, as if revelling in every detail. "And we left the establishment to … wonder in the alleyway outside."

Maria's heart plummeted. She vaguely remembered the kiss inside the club – something she couldn't believe she hadn't remembered earlier! – but what was surprisingly clear was the alleyway. The memories sprung up at Thor's words as if by command.

Wonder as in kiss, Maria finally pieced together with a nervous gulp.

The scene flashed memorably in her head; the two of them stood in the alleyway as the rain poured down around them, Thor pressing her firmly against the brick wall of the club as their mouths were glued together, the thunder roaring in triumph over their heads... but it was the way it had felt that really made her heart stop. The way the water ran smoothly over Thor's bare torso, her dress and hair clinging to her body, clinging Thor close as if letting him go would make some part of her die inside...she'd never felt so complete, so happy than when she was in the arms of the god, him kissing her to euphoria.

She blushed, and Thor smirked, figuring out what thoughts were in her head. She cleared her throat awkwardly. "How did we get home?" she wondered aloud, her voice squeaking at the last note. She couldn't remember seeing Jane or the others again, so…

"I flew us." Thor breathed into her skin, trailing her hand back up to his mouth.

She didn't even try to curb her thoughts at this one. Her eyes rolled away from the god in front of her as she imagined them last night, hovering in the rainy sky, nothing but Thor's strong arm supporting her as they kissed in mid-air. Her heart thudded madly in her chest and she reached for the water (gently tearing her hand from Thor's in the process) to ease her suddenly parched throat.

New questions raced in her head – worrying questions that threatened to blurt out her mouth. She dropped her head in her hands as she reined them in, trying to revert back to common sense: the bed couldn't possibly accommodate them both. That had to be some sort of comfort.

Okay, Maria reassured in her head. So they didn't sleep together, or do anything too stupid. She hoped. She was suddenly reminded of her clothing.

"Where's the dress?" she asked tentatively, picking her head up at last. Thor wasted no time in claiming her hand again. She could see her heels abandoned across the room, and the stockings were accounted for still on her figure, but the dress…

Thor's eyes gleamed. "It is downstairs." A mischievous smirk flickered across his lips. "You thought you'd be more comfortable in my shirt."

Yet I kept the stockings, Maria through sarcastically to herself. Then she actually listened to Thor's words, echoing in her head – his shirt? What did he mean his shirt?

"What?" Maria glanced down, accidentally ripping her hand free of Thor, and her eyes scoured over her body.

True to his word, her gaze found that she wasn't dressed in her night shirt as she'd first assumed, but Thor's black shirt, the one he'd worn originally before she'd supplied him with more clothes. It was thick and warm, the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, the hem falling further down her figure than her normal night shirt did!

She clapped a hand to her forehead, ignoring the pain of her steady headache. "I can't believe this." she moaned, screwing her eyes shut.

She offered no protest, face buried in her hands as Thor carefully scooped her forward, enveloping her in his warm, secure arms. He could feel her racing heartbeat thudding against his chest. She could feel the power of his muscles as he held her.

"You are upset?" Thor held his breath for her answer, suddenly nervous as Maria eased herself free. Despair was written on her face.

Her eyes darted to the window. Piece by piece she remembered flashes of the night before; staggering into the house, Thor's arms holding her so wonderfully tight and close as they kissed on the couch, the heat of his skin, of his kiss, the way she laughed into his mouth as they'd lost their balance and stumbled back in the alleyway… "Not upset." She finally breathed, blinking her round eyes back to his.

How could all that happen and she not remember it until he told it to her? That was undoubtedly the best night of her life! She just wished she could remember it soberly.

She pressed her lips together as frustration began to build.

Thor watched curiously as the boldness slowly crept back into her defiant gaze, her chest rising and falling rapidly. He moved closer, ready to hold and reassure her again should she need it. The panic and anguish was quickly leaving her eyes, but so was her control.

"But you weren't even that drunk!" she finally blurted hysterically, eyes wide and glistening at him.

He'd had nowhere near as much to drink as she had last night, but she knew that even if he had he never would have gotten to her drunken state. He'd said so himself; alcohol didn't affect him in the same way as it did mortals. Damned godly powers, she cursed, as she tried to gather her frantic heartbeat.

Thor let out a low chuckle, an almost feral glint in his eye. "No," he half growled, leaning in and locking his hand firmly at the base of Maria's neck, "I wasn't."

Then he sealed their lips together in a searing kiss.

XXX

Maria sat on the couch, a cushion hugged to her stomach and Thor's massive arm draped loosely over her shoulders. She didn't mind; his shoulder was a comfortable pillow.

Her dull eyes watched the screen of the television, barely taking in the images.

"What is this we're watching?" Thor asked, gently tightening his arm around her just for the sake of being able to. She didn't seem to have any intention of shrugging him off.

"Lord of the Rings." Maria droned, eyes slipping shut. "It's a good film to watch when you have a hangover. I've got the whole trilogy. We're having a marathon."

Thor didn't ask, nor did he care. He wasn't watching the film. He was revelling in the feeling of Maria's weight against him, totally submitted. Her head on his shoulder, her small body curled up against his - he couldn't think of a better way to spend a day. That night of drinking had paid off with colossal results!

He knew - guiltily - that she must feel awful. She hadn't complained since this morning, but Thor could tell. Her actions were dragging. Her head on his shoulder told him she was tired and had a head ache. She was exhausted and spent from drinking all night though she didn't seem to be complaining about it. Thor wasn't going to tempt his luck though. He knew better than that. Instead, he snuggled the small woman closer and pressed his lips to the top of her head.

"Are you going into work tomorrow?" he asked, hoping she'd say no. He'd like to think he could keep her here and she'd have no choice, but that wasn't how he wanted to win her affections. Force wasn't the answer.

"I have to." she moaned. Thor's heart sank. "I've spent two days off already, I can't miss anymore. Babies don't deliver themselves." she shifted more comfortably against his shoulder. She still wore his black shirt over her body, revelling in its warmth.

Maria groaned and leaned into him. He beamed against her hair.

"I love this shirt." she mumbled through dreamy lips, making Thor chuckle. She hugged the garment closer around her and hummed in satisfaction.

"Are you still in pain?"

Her eyes stayed fluttered shut. "No. Your magic shirt cures headaches. I'm just tired."

Thor's thumb stroked her arm. "Then sleep."

A small smile graced her lips. "Question." she suddenly said, "Where did you sleep last night?" She knew she shoulder be nervous about the answer, but with the shirt and Thor holding her close, she found she was nothing but curious. Just filling in the details for when Jane forced the story out of her.

"I slept down here. I thought you'd be more comfortable in your own bed for the night so I made an exchange."

Maria grinned. She couldn't imagine letting Thor tuck her into bed after the way they'd ... well, made out last night. Which left only one thing: "I fell asleep down here, didn't I?"

She felt Thor's cheek stretch in a smile as he rested it on the side of her head. "Yes." he finally admitted. "You fell asleep when I was fetching you a glass of water, so I took you upstairs."

"Took as in carried?"

"Of course."

She snuggled against him. "Am I really that light?" she wondered aloud, recalling all the times the god seemed to just scoop her off her feet effortlessly.

Thor's arm tightened around her. "You weigh next to nothing."

Maria merely shrugged, not quite believing him but too drowsy to argue. She fluttered her eyes shut as she surrendered to the warmth of the Gods shoulder.

XXX

The next time Maria blinked her eyes open, Aragorn was being crowned, singing that strange song to the assembled crowd. She jerked upright, and her head span sickeningly.

"Ow." She grimaced pressing a palm to her forehead. Slowly, she peeled her eyes open again staring sadly at the screen. "I missed it!" Then something else nagged on her mind. "Hold on - how did the film change? We were watching the Fellowship but this is the end of the Return of the King." Her eyes rolled questioningly up at Thor.

His own glinted down in triumph. "I changed the discs in the machine." he explained proudly. "I've seen you do it once and worked it out. The Two Towers film was most enjoyable."

Maria's mouth gaped. "I missed the end of the Fellowship, and the Two Towers, and Return of the King?" She thudded her head back on Thor's shoulder. She must have been out of it completely if he'd been able to up and change the disc twice and she hadn't woken once. "It must be late." She suddenly realised.

"It is night, yes." Thor smiled affirmatively, watching keenly as the screen rolled through Sam's wedding. "Are you hungry?"

"No."

He chuckled. "You're still going to eat."

With that he eased her off him - with a groan of protest from Maria - and disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a bowl of soup he'd been brewing while she slept. He jaw dropped when she saw the food, and Thor rearranged the cushion on her lap, placing the bowl atop of it carefully so as to not burn her skin. He handed her a spoon and she took it, staring at him dreamily. The shirt, the film and the food - this might just be the most perfect man she'd ever laid eyes on.

She smiled in bliss and nuzzled her head fondly against Thor's chest. He captured her hand in his and kissed it chastely, something Maria didn't think she'd ever get tired of. "Where have you been all my life..."

Thor grinned and gently enticed Maria to eat. His eyes glowered over the screen watching the last of the film. Sam trudged back to his family and Thor smiled dreamily. He hoped he could have a life like that one day, with a wife to come home to and to bear his children. His grin widened. Lots of children, he decided. He wanted lots of little Thors and Thorettes running around.

Maria clattered her spoon against the bowl accidentally and Thor's attention was drawn to her. She stared back innocently, unaware of the thoughts coursing through his head. Maybe, he thought, envisioning Maria in white, maybe one day...

One hand steadied the soup bowl as he suddenly swooped down and pressed his mouth to hers, tasting the hot soup on her lips. She offered no protest, her warm mouth moving with his sweetly.

She was beaming when he pulled away. "What was that for?" she laughed bemused.

Thor merely grinned and pulled her in close. Yes, one day...