A/N: To the new followers, welcome! To all the others, thanks for sticking with the story and leaving me the kind reviews! As always, let me know what you think and if you have a suggestion of something that you would like to see incorporated into the story.

Much to her surprise, Sigyn woke to the sensation of a cool cloth being run over her forehead. She relaxed and let out a content sigh. The sensation of the wet coldness helped lessen the throbbing in her head. Wait, why does my head hurt so much? Sigyn opened her eyes and blinked at the harsh light. She knew instantly that she was no longer in the glass cell, but why was she there in the first place? Flashes of screams started to ring in her mind.

Sigyn pounding at the glass.

Fury's terrifying smile.

A rapid cycle of pictures were flickering now just as Sigyn felt the cloth being removed from her face and being replaced by a warm hand. Sigyn's breathing began to shallow as she pieced together the recent events. Director Fury must have had someone watching her at all times. Once he noticed Sigyn was still communicating with Loki, he assumed that she had been compromised. Instead of killing her, though, Fury decided to hurry her transformation along faster than planned. If she died during the process, Fury could have explained that as an experiment gone wrong and prevented the bulk of Thor's anger. As hard as she tried, Sigyn could not bring herself to hate the Director. Ironically, by forcing Sigyn into the cell and dragging the Valkyrie out, Fury unwittingly allowed Sigyn to process the situation differently. It was almost as if her pathetically narrowed perspective of life was magically opened. A calming sensation settled over her. The hand that was gently cupping her face had moved to running over her hair. As Sigyn's eyesight strengthened, she finally realized who was in the room with her.

"Bruce?"

His brown eyes, tinged with worry and fatigue, warmed. His hand finally moved from her hair as he turned her face towards his and looked into her eyes. Despite how close Bruce was, Sigyn still felt relaxed and safe. Bruce let go of her completely and stood up. "Your vitals are stable. I don't think Fury's stunt left any lasting injuries or weaknesses. Congratulations, you are a full-blown Valkyrie now."

"Don't forget, she's half witch as well." Natasha bounded into view with a brown paper bag. "Doesn't matter, anyway, I would still be hard pressed to deliberately piss you off. Do you like Thai?"

Natasha pulled out three take-out boxes. "The cafeteria food here is decent, but I needed a change. Something with actual spice to it."

She held out a box. Sigyn could tell what was exactly mixed in, though the aroma was making her stomach growl. As she reached for the box, Sigyn noticed that Natasha's expression was slightly tense. Looking over at Bruce, she noticed the same false smile. Digging into the dish, spicy noodles with chicken and vegetables, Sigyn inquired "So what is it that you aren't telling me?"

Natasha turned toward Bruce. "I told you she would see right through us."

"It was worth a try." Bruce's defense was weak at best.

Sigyn tossed the empty take-out container towards the garbage to the right of the door. "It would be amazing if you two actually shared what it is you are hiding from me. I mean, I can probably figure it out even if you didn't." When the two shared an uneasy glance, Sigyn went on. "Well, clearly I am in another cell, this time one without windows. The glass one that I was in offered better security, but I was practically on display. So Fury still thinks of me as a threat but needs to make sure that I am not found easily, so someone is trying to find me. No one is sure if this mystery person wants to help me or hurt me, which is why you two are in this room with me instead of assisting with the new prisoner who is now in the same glass cell that I was in recently. How am I doing so far?"

Natasha stood. "Pretty much spot on, though you haven't guessed who your visitor is."

Sigyn scoffed. "Please, I thought the identity was a given. So how is my fiancée faring in his cell?"

Before she received an answer from either Natasha or Bruce, an alarm sounded. Sigyn smirked. "Obviously, not well."

She watched as Natasha pulled out a gun and followed Bruce out of the cell. Perhaps Sigyn should have reminded them that if Loki did escape from his holdings, her room would be the first place he would go. No matter, Loki and I have a lot to discuss. She thought as she settled back onto her bed. Might as well prepare what I have to say while I wait. Sure enough, within a few minutes, Sigyn heard a loud crunching sound followed the screech of her cell door being torn from the wall. Lifting her head, she studied Loki as he stood where the door once was, panting and staring back like a hungry animal who found an injured prey.

Sigyn felt a twinge of doubt as she looked at the fallen Asgardian Prince, her intended. What if he was using her to get back at Fury and the Avengers for his failure in New York? Despite fearing for her life, Sigyn could not help the burning sensation encompassing the pit of her stomach and moving swiftly between her legs. She desired the man, that much was evident, but would her lust be the death of her? Loki broke out of his revere and, taking only two long strides, cleared the distance between him and Sigyn. He dropped to his knees and grabbed her, one hand on her hip and the other at the nape of her neck. "Beautiful" he growled.

Almost as soon as the words left his mouth, he crushed his lips to hers. Sigyn expected the kiss to be a mess of tongue and teeth. Instead, Loki gently moved his mouth against hers. The heat Sigyn felt when she was just looking at him grew in intensity. She wrapped her arms around his torso and pressed her fingertips into his back, desperate for more. Loki moaned and traced the seam of her lips with his tongue. Sigyn eagerly opened her mouth and ran her tongue over his. She felt his hands move to under her thighs. As Loki lifted her closer, Sigyn gasped in surprise as she wound her legs around his hips. They settled back onto the bed, but it was different now, softer. Sigyn stopped for a moment to inspect the sheets. There were no sheets before. The rays of sunshine startled her as well. Sigyn untangled herself from Loki, who groaned and tried to pull her back. "Are we in my room?" She asked.

"I was hoping that you wouldn't notice until much later. But yes, we are now in your apartment. Actually, I was always here." Loki explained before lowering his mouth to Sigyn's collarbone. "We can talk about the specifics later."

Sigyn was too distracted to feel Loki nip and lick at the junction between her neck and shoulder. Standing, she gaped at the tan carpet and the standard white walls of a rented apartment-covered with different paintings and mementos that she had collected over the years. Sigyn glanced back to her bed; she had saved for three months to afford the black Egyptian cotton sheets and patterned down comforter. Loki still laid in the middle, waiting for her to come to grips with the new information. Sigyn ran her hand over her beloved handmade bookshelf. "This is my room."

"Yes."

"We're in my apartment."

"Yes."

"But you were never at the S.H.I.E.L.D headquarters?"

"Partially, I sent a fragment of myself so I could be physically able to retrieve you. My main body, however, remained here." Loki reached out for Sigyn. "Darling, we were in the middle of something."

Sigyn looked wistfully out her bedroom door to where the bathroom was. Despite the cramped space and astronomical rent, her shower was the plumbing equivalent to heaven. She was unpleasantly reminded of how long it had been since she had a wash. Trying to find the right words to let him down gently, Sigyn returned her attention back to Loki, who sighed with annoyance. "Fine. Go. We'll talk later."

With a delighted squeal, Sigyn bent over to kiss Loki. "Sorry, so sorry, but I feel disgusting." She started to run towards the bathroom. "This will only take a minute, I promise!"

Approximately 45 minutes later, Sigyn breezed out of her bathroom. All of the sweat and S.H.I.E.L.D official smell had been scrubbed off. She walked back into her bedroom. "Ok, maybe that was a bit longer….huh?"

The bedroom was empty.

Sigyn started to walk through the rest of the apartment. Muffled grunting noises spilled out from the kitchen. Upon inspection, Sigyn bit back a startled scream. Loki stood with his back to her. David, her roommate was pressed against the pantry, Loki's hand gripping his throat. Even though Sigyn hadn't spoke, Loki turned towards her. "Who is this pathetic mortal? Is he yours?"

"What?" Sigyn's head reeled momentarily. Think. David walked into the apartment and used his key. Loki must not have known that he lived here as well and thought that David was my boyfriend. Loki's jealous? SHIT! "No, Loki. It isn't what you think. I'm definitely not his type"

Instead of placating Loki, her words only made him tighten his grip. "He referred to you as sweetheart, isn't that a Midgardian expression for a loved one?"

"Jesus, Loki, he's gay! We've been friends for years and call each other that all the time. We don't mean anything by it! Just. Let. Him. Go."

Loki looked back at David. Despite turning bright red, David ran his eyes over Loki's body, pausing at the broadness in his shoulders. As Loki understood what Sigyn was saying, David smiled weakly and winked. Loki released his grip on David and turned back to Sigyn. "Well, how was I supposed to know?"

David coughed and massaged his throat. "It's all good." His voice was hoarse but still full of humor. "Though, it would be lovely if someone told me what the hell is going on. Sarah, someone came in here a few hours ago and took a bunch of your stuff, saying that you were never coming back!"

Sigyn began to stutter. "Um, that is, well, it's a long story."

David shot Sigyn a glare as he opened a cabinet and took out a glass. Maintaining eye contact with her, David whipped open the freezer and took out a bottle of Johnny Walker Red and poured himself a generous amount. He took a sip before gesturing towards the two. "I've got all day."