Thank you for your patience, and I hope you enjoyed that one-shot as much as I did (fluff is the best to write, hands down). This update is an actual chapter, continuing where Chapter 3 left off. Reviews make my day, and really do help me tailor my story to my readers! Thanks again, and have fun as Sigyn and Loki (and Thor) crash into Stark Tower :)

If she thought she felt queasy back in Asgard, that was nothing compared to the way her stomach now roiled after being swirled and twisted between realms. Sigyn clutched Loki's arm with a vice-like grip, trying desperately to get her own body back under control. Not working out too well; I think I'm going to be sick.

"No, this is how you twerk; watch me. It's all in the butt. Look, Tony's got it."

"Hell yeah I do. Don't try too hard, Steve, we don't want you to break a hip."

"This is not — are you sure this is culture, Nat?"

"Positive. Now shake your ass."

Sigyn wasn't quite sure what she was witnessing; the trio of Midgardians were attempting some sort of move, dance or battle she couldn't tell, that made them look like large bovines or perhaps pigs trying to back up. The waggling movement looked odd to say the least, though the dark haired man and the woman especially seemed to be making it moderately appealing. The blond, however, was clearly failing miserably. But that was before they noticed the Asgardians.

Their sudden anger and revulsion was palpable, spreading through the air as hard eyes, clenched jaws, and hands curled into fists. For a moment, Sigyn felt doubt: were these really the people she was staking her husband's life on?

"What's the big idea here, Thor? We tore down half the city to get him away, and now you bring him back? It's not that I'm sad to see you; it's him I'm more worried about."

"That man destroyed our city, and killed hundreds of innocent people; he should be serving time for his crimes, and he should be far away from here."

"Get him out of here. Now, before I kill him myself."

Her first instinct was to step in front of Loki to shield him from their words (despite the fact that she was the one clinging to him just to stand in the first place), but her stomach had other ideas; Sigyn managed one step out before her body lurched forward and a gush of vomit came flowing out onto the smooth white floor. "Ugh," was her half-hearted response when Loki grabbed her hips to steady her, and a grimace was her reply to the next bout that wracked her body and sent her taste buds recoiling. Nifleheim be damned, what a great way to introduce myself to these people: by emptying my guts onto their floor.

But maybe it wasn't so bad. As much as she hated appearing weak…maybe it could actually help them here; she fit the picture perfectly, and if these so-called heroes were as golden-hearted as Thor claimed, how could they oppose the shaking, vomiting, pregnant woman? Play it up, then, until they've decided to help us. Underestimation can do wonders.

"Sh, sh love, all is well," her husband murmured, the gentleness of his voice and the strength of his hands working like magic to make her feel safe. "I am here. Thor?" His words took on a sharper edge as he turned his attention away from her. "Help her; I am a tad busy."

"Is there somewhere she might lay down?" Thor asked of his friends. "I believe she is ill."

No shit. Sometimes his lack of eloquence was astounding.

"And have her barf all over my furniture too?" It was the dark-haired; they must have been in his home. "Not a chance."

Sigyn moaned, allowing her legs to crumple underneath of her. One final round of vomit, smaller than the others, took its place on the floor. "I am done," she said weakly, offering them a wavering smile. "With the retching, at least; I fear I still need some rest, lest I fall and hurt the baby."

The Midgardians became noticeably still. "You're pregnant?" That was the woman who spoke, the one who had laughed while they were dancing then threatened to kill her Loki the minute she set eyes on him, and was now hiding both trepidation and concern behind the blankness of her question.

"I am," she said with a wince as she tried to stand back up. It ended up being more pathetic than anything, between the shaking of her legs and her desperate grip on the edge of Loki's coat. He, to his credit, only allowed the feeble display to continue for a moment before he scooped her easily into his arms. The sigh of relief came unbidden, as did the instant urge to snuggle into him; she missed being so close to him, even if her face was sweaty and her hair was disarrayed, and the stench of sickness now clung to her. If he minded, he didn't show it.

"Here, set her down on the couch," said the blond, motioning for Loki to follow him. "Can I get you anything, ma'am?"

She shook her head as the soft leather enfolded her body. "I do not think so. Well — water, perhaps; thank you. Hey." Sigyn caught Loki's wrist with her arm as he turned and seemed to be moving away. "You are not allowed to leave me."

"I was merely going to get the water you asked for," he responded lightly.

"I will do that," said the blond, his voice harder than when he had spoken to Sigyn. "You're walking on thin ice right now, so don't push it."

Clearly the Midgardians still had less-than-positive feelings about her husband. But they're being kind to me. Excellent. "Thank you," she smiled up at the blond man. "What should I call you?"

"I'm Steve," he said, returning her smile with a beaming one of his own. "The other man's Tony, and Natasha is — actually, I'm not sure where she went, but she's the redhead."

"And who are you?" Tony sauntered over to stand next to Steve by the couch, his arms crossed and a slight smirk on his face. "I know you're pregnant and gorgeous, but I'd love to find out more."

He was flirting. Ew. Was it not obvious that she and Loki were lovers? "Sigyn Odinsdottr, Princess of Vanaheim and Asgard," she said as she shifted on the couch. "Loki, love, hand me that pillow." He did her one better, going on and placing the pillow under her head, and receiving a kiss on the cheek in return. "He is my husband, Tony, since I get the feeling you could not tell."

It was like she'd dropped a bomb on them; looks of shock formed immediately on the two Midgardians' faces. "What? No way. He's this awful, cruel would-be conqueror who's actually pretty bad at his job, and you, you're gorgeous. I really want to know how this happened. Did someone force you into it?"

The redhead — Natasha, that was her name — chose that moment to return, carrying a damp washcloth in her hand. "Shut your mouth, Tony, your jaw's going to fall off," she said dryly as she passed, before stopping by Sigyn (Loki she gave only a cursory glance before apparently deciding to ignore him) to hand her the washcloth. "Here, wipe your face off; it's cold, so that should feel good."

"Thank you?" she said hesitantly. This woman didn't seem like the type to act so kind, but between this little offering and her earlier pregnancy question, Sigyn got the feeling that there was something going on with her and babies. File that away as something to look into.

"Hey, you never answered my question," Tony pestered as she liberally swiped at her face with the welcomingly cool cloth. "How did you and Reindeer Games get together? Yeah, Nat, I know it's gross. My bet's on it not being her choice; she hasn't tried to take over the world yet so she's already better than him in my book."

"Darling, don't." Her voice and gaze were stern; she could see Loki tense up at the man's words. "We do not want a fight. They already beat you once, did they not? Oh come on, you deserved that, just sit down here with me so I can hold you back if you get angry." A smile curled her lips as he slid onto the couch; he looked like such a petulant child. It was almost endearing. Turning back to the Midgardians, she said with an unashamed confidence, "I chose him and I love him. I understand that he has done some unsavory things on this realm, but that will not happen again, I can assure you, and when it happened the first time…Thor, can you explain?" Because I've done it enough already, they'll take it better from you rather than a stranger, and I really need a moment to speak with my husband.

Thor had been standing off to the side, his face a thoughtful mask that for once resembled Loki's in its emotionlessness. At her request he nodded, and stepped closer to his friends to enlighten them.

Satisfied that they would have at least a moment of peace, Sigyn pulled Loki down so he was lying next to her, almost on top of her. "How does it feel?" she asked him softly.

"How does what feel?"

"Freedom. Me. This." At "this", she pulled his head down and kissed him full on the mouth. He responded hungrily, leaning into her touch with a ravenous passion that she shared: it had been a while since they'd done this. The heat of his body next to hers drove away her worries, if only momentarily, and almost made her forget the long months without him.

"Thank you for freeing me," his voice was low as he spoke between kisses. He moved away from the lips to touch her cheeks, neck, collarbone, suddenly light and tender, savoring every little moment.

"Mmm," she sighed, eyes half-lidded with pleasure. "You left me no choice, love; did you really think I would leave you to rot?"

"Never."

"Good." She touch his face gently when he began to move further down her body, shaking her head with a solemn sadness. "Not here, not now; they will return their attention to us soon, and I must speak to you first."

"So you were taunting me with your hunger to be touched?"

"Not at all; I needed that little taste to sustain me for now. But tell me true: will these Midgardians help us? I can see that they will not harm us outright, but will they help us?"

He looked unsure as he responded. "Thor they would, and you, well, you have won them over already. My being here complicates the matter though, as we knew it would."

Sigyn bit her lip, playing with Loki's hair absently as she thought. The trick will be convincing them that Loki is not a danger, and that I desperately need their help. The last part I can do easily enough, but the first? They loathe him. I must know why, precisely, if I am to change that. "Love," she murmured. "What all did you do here? I would rather hear it from you than them, and I would rather know now than be surprised later."

"Thanos — "

"I know he made you." By the Norns, the look on his face made her heart fall. He's afraid to tell me. "I will not hate you, Loki; I cannot be angry at you for what you were forced to do."

A swallow. "Alright. If you wish. I slaughtered Midgardians like sheep, rained a cloud of Chitauri upon them to do it for me. I toyed with these Avengers, I made one of them my mind-slave, I did my best to destroy them. I committed atrocities you would weep to see."

"I am not so fragile." Her voice was exceedingly tender, her fingertips tracing the curve of his face. "I have seen battle, bloodshed. I know what it takes to win a war — and that was all you were doing. Had it been your war, had these actions been your own, free and voluntary, then I might weep: but I would see to your due punishment first. I can feel a pang of sadness for the lives lost, but what are those strangers compared to you in my arms? You are innocent in my eyes."

His hands tightened on her waist, gripping her hips like they were the only thing holding him to this earth. "Good," he said, voice thick. "I could not bear to lose you."

"Nor I you." A slight smile curved the edges of her lips. "You know, if you acted as you are now in front of the Midgardians, they could not help but feel compassion for you. You are so loveable when you open up and act sensitive."

Loki shifted, frowning. "You know I can only be vulnerable with you; openness reveals weakness, weakness they will exploit if they — "

"I know love, I know," she shushed him gently, her smile growing. "You play cold and unforgiving to protect yourself, and you hide your emotions behind masks: that is your ruse."

"And you, my Sigyn, you are whatever you need to be, playing the part with ease…yet your emotions can overwhelm you." He chuckled at the thought that came next, leaning down to kiss her. "You are passion and fire incarnate."

She laughed softly, and this time it was she who initiated the kiss. "If I am the fire, then you are the ice. And we are a beautiful disaster just waiting to happen."