A.N Hello, long time since I updated here. This chapter is a bit of a filler BUT the fic has been planned and regular updates should appear now.

Chapter 3

If only Evadine knew what raged above her in Asgard, how Loki skulked unseen to Jotunheim and made a deal with the devil in the form of Laufey. Loki owed neither Odin nor Thor a dot of loyalty or love. One had banished she who had meant anything to him and the other seemed to fall naturally fortunate despite his arrogance. But Loki knew Thor, he knew his pride, his folly and it was so easy to manipulate him into attacking Jotunheim for 'the good' of Asgard. For a moment he was nervous, it seemed certain that Laufey and the frost giants would end their lives but Odin's arrival had spared them. Odin had hopes of appeasement but none could be found with Laufey.

Evadine did not see how Loki secretly smiled when Thor was stripped of his honours and banished to that same earth as she, she did not see how he plotted and embraced his true nature. Would she be saddened to see how a bitter confrontation between Loki and Odin ended? Loki did not care; he confronted his father without restraint about his true birth, bitterness and anger bearing a penetrating sting. Then with the wound ripped open all control left him and Loki demanded answers about Evadine.

"Why, when you seem to ardent in your wish to make me your son would you take such steps to assure the opposite?" He bellowed.

"Loki, you are my son. I did all of this for your care." Odin replied, a quake appearing in his voice as his strength began to wane and crack.

"What do you know of what is right for me? You believe bringing me here to live as your son would quench all that you feared was buried deep in my true birth? You denied me my wish out of fear of reprisal when if you truly knew me you would realise you have only guaranteed it."

"We were concerned to what path such a connection would take you; it was in your best interest."

Odin staggered a little to the side, Loki inhaled sharply, his eyes pricking with anger and he neared the man he had called father for so long. His voice became lower yet its passion was not lessened.

"There is nothing more pathetic than someone trying to justify their actions as good intentions."

His father could take no more, the Odinsleep overcame him and Loki had all that he wanted… almost. Deep inside he wanted to show his father his promise, to prove himself the true son that Asgard needed. But while he had power the struggle would be to keep it. It would require strength and resolution, destroying Laufey to assure his position and to bring back that one person he truly trusted. Another worry nagged in his mind, Loki worried about Thor. A son of Odin so accustomed to the life on Asgard would surely try and find a way to return? Thor was obstinate enough to be capable of that, his friends the warriors three and Sif certainly pined for their friend he knew. An end had to be put to Thor's connection with Asgard. Loki had to crush his brother's hopes and how better than to make him believe he was the cause of their honoured father's demise. It was easily done and once accomplished he looked upon his brother's broken expression, it was the final knife wound in his grand scheme suggested success. Yet he had no further clue to the whereabouts of Evadine.

Loki spent intermittent times on Earth trying to find secrets, hints of where she might be and of course his absences naturally gave momentum to further suspicion from Thor's friends. After several days of tireless searching, he hit upon a point of reference that interested him. It appeared a Dr Hendelman had found a course of drugs that could successfully half the time of common colds and flu and was revolutionising the treatment of such burdensome illnesses. The good doctor seemed an odd fellow to discover such a thing as he was not a specialist in bacteria and disease and the sudden revelation of this drug made Loki suspicious.

It was difficult to procure an interview with Dr Hendelman, yet when the latter entered the room he did not seem surprised or uncomfortable to be receiving a stranger. Dressed in accustomed clothes of humans, Loki looked the same as any other man. Dr Hendelman seemed to see past this ruse but shook his hand as was customary.

"What can I do to help you Mr….?"

"I am making enquiries as to the location of a person I feel you may know." Loki replied forthrightly, ignoring the request of his name.

"I suspect I may. Your coming is not a surprise to me."

"I see." Loki said a feeling of defensiveness came into his being, there were powers on this planet that may be expecting others like him due to Thor's not so subtle entrance and he needed to be on his guard.

"I have heard there is a man being kept captive at a facility after penetrating its defences." Hendelman explained. "Truly remarkable, is he the man you mean?"

"I am aware of the man, though he no longer concerns me."

"Then your dealings are with someone else?"

"They are imperative."

Dr Hendelman gripped the back of his chair and cast his eyes at the floor, considering for a moment. Loki watched him like a hawk, trying to pinpoint any attempts at deception. He would not leave this room until he had some answers and he was willing to gain them by whatever means necessary. At last Dr Hendelman looked up again and the pair gazed at one another a moment.

"You've come along way." He stated and Loki could not help but emit a small, bitter laugh.

"I have come too far."

"What do you hope to seek from this person that you believe I know?"

"Do not seek to delay me with questions good Doctor, I am aware you and I know the same person and she may have asked you not to betray her whereabouts to me. But believe me when I say that I journey here for her best interests."

"How so?"

"She was wronged, I am rectifying her plight." Loki explained it was refreshing to explain his motives to someone open to listening; there may be some merits to these humans, or this particular human. "You appear to have done well for yourself Dr Hendelman, some might find your discovery unusual on closer inspection."

"I specialise in the structure of cells and their decomposition and repair. The connection is not so strange."

"Was it a very sudden discovery?" Loki asked, smiling as he did so showing Hendelman he already guessed the truth. Dr Hendelman looked down again, his expression was not worried but he was clearly rethinking his position. Looking back to Loki he sighed.

"The… lady." Dr Hendelman said before pausing, a small twinkle appearing in his eye. "Is very dear to me, I should like to see her well, I understand that she has been far from home a long time. Years in fact."

"Not years, though banishment of her nature must make it feel so."

"She is one of you?"

"Yes, she is of Asgard." Loki answered, at last betraying what they both already knew, but Dr Hendelman looked confused and shook his head.

"Then we are speaking of two differing ladies, I'm afraid."

Loki jerked with rage and sucked a harsh breath through his teeth, he had come so far and with such conviction, could he now be wrong?

"We cannot be." He demanded, nearing the Hendelman wanting to shake the truth from his lips in angry desperation. "The lady is known as Evadine and I know that she acquainted with you."

The Doctor again looked at Loki for a moment, the raw emotion spilling from the Asgardian beginning to intimidate him. He had seen such passion before, was this man her equal?

"You are Loki."

"I am."

"Your lady, she is like water."

"She has troubled my mind since her banishment; I must rectify her plight and return her to her home."

"Why?"

"To undo the injustice laid upon her head as it was mine."

"You need her?" Hendelman interjected with a small rueful smile. Loki did not like to be presumed, this man thought he was pining like some love sick puppy, he was not.

"I imagine you also find her very…. Useful? This success I imagine did not come from years of dedicated research."

Dr Hendelman did not want to discuss his discovery, he knew enough of whispers of men with superhuman qualities being grouped by an unknown force, for all he knew Loki may be one of them. Yet looking at him, his dark hair, pallid expression and intense gaze Hendelman surmised he was a solitary man.

"You say she is of this… Asgard?"

Loki gripped Hendelman by the throat and lifted him from the ground with such ease that a cry escaped his lips.

"Tell me what you know or I shall grind every bone in your body to dust. I have not the time or patience for your inconsequential questions."

"I fear… Loki… that you do not truly know her at all." Hendelman stammered, Loki dropped him to the floor, his body colliding painfully with the tiles. Loki began to retreat to the door, patience exhausted, Hendelman called out to him.

"She told me to tell you… eventually."

When Loki abruptly turned Hendelman feared that he would inflict further pain upon him but the demi God stood still, waiting.

"Search for secluded waters, you will find her there. I do not know anymore."

Loki gave the Doctor one last glance before returning to the throne room of Asgard. His mind reeled. A new feeling penetrated his being; it rushed upon him and flooded every sense so quickly that his legs no longer seemed ready to support him. He sat upon the steps, his lean fingers running through his hair several times as he tried to think. The words of Hendelman confused him and he knew their cryptic nature had been informed by the one he sought. He was not lovesick, he was not pathetic but it was not unnatural to seek out a kindred spirit. Something in them both was so alike that it weaved together naturally. Yet when he had her what would he be then? Where would he stop? There was much to take, much to prove… and much to lose. He shook off that last thought; he would never lose for to lose would mean he would have to be weak.