Loki's mind was in shambles as he raced after Thor. Finally reaching the bottom of the stairs, Loki found Thor in the living room looking frantically for James. Thor eyes finally lands on the basement door, assuming James would be down there, and made his way towards the door. Loki, rushed in front of Thor blocking is entrance to the basement.

"Loki!" Thor boomed. "Move out of my way. Now!"

"Thor" Loki said trying to catch his breath "Stop… please…I'll explain."

"I need no explanation." Thor said, attempting to move Loki out the way, but he wouldn't budge. Thor stared down at Loki, he shirt unbutton and open, his bruises fully exposed. " What more of an explanation do I need then that." Thor said gesturing at his exposed chest.

"Thor…please! I'm begging you. Its late, we will talk about it in the morning. I promise. Just please don't do anything." Thor's anger boiled down as he heard the desperation in Loki's voice.

"Loki…" Thor whispered.

"Please Thor, I don't think I can handle anything else tonight." Loki said softly.

The next morning, Loki sat down at the dining table with Thor across from him. In front of each was a cup of coffee and a bagel, which neither of them made an attempt to reach for.

"Loki." Thor stated calming, breaking the silence. Loki only smiled, as his eyes looked down towards his coffee.

"Hmm now where shall I begin," Loki said, grabbing his coffee and taking a small sip.

"From the start" Thor stated

"My story is a long and complicated one, Thor, are you certain about this?" Loki asked, prolonging the inevitable.

"Please go on." Sighing, Loki began to tell his story.

"This abuse I have gone through is nothing new. I have no parents, no family. As a baby, I was left in front of the emergency room door at a hospital. No notes, no clue as to where I came from, nothing. I was alone since the very beginning having to fend for myself. As soon as I was old enough I was put into to foster care system. I bounced from home to home, and I can tell you from experience, it felt like going from one hell to another. I have faced all kinds of abuse in those homes. I was torn down and apart, mentally, physically, emotionally and even sexually." Loki paused, taking in a deep breath before continuing. "I ran away consistently, sleeping outside more often than I did in beds. I was quick to act with my words and that ended up making things worst for me. After a while, I couldn't trust anyone; everyone was evil in my mind. And the scars I wear, even till this day, gives proof of all of this. But one house was different; one family was different. When I was about sixteen I was put into another house. It was a middle age couple, who didn't have much, but gave the world. I remember the way they smiled at me the first day I arrived. I had cuts on my face and a black eye from I fight I had gotten into. They jumped right into action and took out the first aid kit and went to work, before I even got into the door." Loki chuckled. "I was in such shock I couldn't even speak.

They took me in with open arms and treated me like I was their son. After a while, I even begin to open up to them. They put me in school, really took care of me, they really loved me." Loki smiled slightly. " I even took up their last name, Anderson. I felt like I finally found some place to call home. I wasn't alone anymore. I was finally happy. But obviously, happiness isn't permitted in my life.

One night, about a year after I started living with them, we had an argument, I don't even remember what it was about; all I remember were that my words were not kind. I left the house, in anger, and decided to stay at the local park from a couple of hours to cool down. When I returned it was terrible sight. My heart dropped to my stomach as I walked closer my home surrounded by officers." Loki looked up as his eyes began to fill up with tears. "Forgive me..." he whispered.

"It's okay Loki, please take your time." Thor said, reaching forward and touching Loki's hand. Loki took a deep breath and continued.

" When I arrived home, I arrived to a crime scene. There were cops everywhere. Panic washed over me and I rushed inside, only to find the bodies of the people who took care of me, who loved me, who I screamed at." Loki shook his head, unable to keep the tears from falling down his face. Thor moved over, sitting next to Loki, wrapping him in his arms. Loki put his face in Thor shoulder and felt a sob build up in his chest. "I haven't… I haven't told anyone this story, I haven't thought about it in such a long time."

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." Thor whispered.

"No…no its fine." Loki sniffled, pulling slightly away from Thor. "I was told it was a robbery gone wrong, and the killers were never found. I had nowhere to go, I just felt like dying. I finally found some happiness and it was stabbed over and over and left for dead. A part of me died that night. A part of me I could never get back. This is how I meant James. He was 24 at the time, and the leading officer in the murder case; he took me in and cared for me when I was broken. He gave me that moral support I needed to pick up my pieces and try again. As time went by we developed a romantic connection to each other. He was perfect to me, he always treated me right, he was never rude or harsh to me, I really started to fall in love with him. He made me forget all the bad things that happened to me. He gave me hopes of a brighter future." Loki smirked, shaking his head and wiping his eyes.

"Some bright future he gave me. Over the years, he being to turn cold, his once sweet heart turned corrupted. I don't know if it was from the job or some sort of inner struggle he was facing, but he wasn't the man I fell in love with. He started drinking every night, developing these anger problems. I remember the first time he laid his hands on me. We were fighting about his drinking habits. I told he was drinking too much and one day it would really going to catch up to him. I told him that I didn't want to see someone else I cared about dead. I guess this struck a nerve with him and he slapped me. Hard. It's like he turned into someone else for a second, some monster. After he slapped me he stopped and realized what he did and began apologizing over and over again. He said he was sorry and that it was a slip of judgment and he would never do it again.

However the damage was already done. James knew about my past, he knew about my life, he knew about the abuse I have been through and that's why it hurt so much. He promised me he would never hurt me, never lay a hand on me, but I guess not all promises are kept. After that day James would come home more and more drunk and our fights got worst and the abuse became more frequent, that monster showing up more often. Until finally I just stop fighting, keep quiet and dealt with what was heading my way. It's been like that ever since. The James I knew, or at least thought I knew has been long gone for years now… " Loki faded out. He looked over to Thor and smiled.

"I'm sorry, to suddenly lay this out on you. I've talked so much our coffee got cold. I'll get us a refill." He said as he stood, only to be stopped by Thor grabbing his wrist.

"Loki…I…" Thor said, looking up at Loki.

"I didn't tell you my story to receive glances of pity from you." He stated snatching he arm away from Thor.

"I can assure you Loki, It is not pity I feel right now; anger, sadness maybe. But pity is not one of them. However I do have one question. Why have you never left, run away from all of this?"

"Don't you think I've thought of that Thor!" Loki snapped, "Thoughts of leaving, running away and starting new runs through my mind everyday. I have no money, no family, nowhere to run to. James has connections everywhere; he has eyes and ears in every police department in this state, who knows maybe in this entire country. There is no running away Thor, besides, I'm worthless, damaged goods, who would want to take me in anyway…" Loki finished softly.

"You are not worthless." Thor said standing up, hovering slightly over Loki.

"You are not damaged goods. You are a kind person with a good heart, and you do not deserve such misery." Loki looked up at Thor and smiled.

"Your words are kind Thor, but that doesn't mean anything will changed." Turning around, he grabbed the cups of coffee and walked to the sink, pouring it in. "Would you prefer more coffee or something else to drink" Loki said as he washed out the cups. "Thor?" Loki questions after hearing no response. Turning away he found Thor staring at him. His eyes shined bright as a smile spread across his face.

"Are you okay Thor?" Loki questioned suspiciously.

"An idea has formed in my head." Loki raised an eyebrow questioningly. "Come back to Asgard with me!" Thor beamed.

"Thor, stop joking." Loki said turning back to the sink to continue rinsing out the cups.

"Joking I am not." Stepping towards Loki, Thor turned him around and stared into his eyes. " Do you think my eyes are deceiving you? I'm serious, come back to Asgard with me." Loki shook his head, breaking the eye contact with Thor.

"I could never." He said softly.

"Why not?" Thor questioned. "You will be safe there, James has no connections to anyone in Asgard, and even if he did, I am prince, soon to be the crowned king. I have authority, I have power in Asgard, No one will be able to harm you, I will protect you!"

"Thor, Do you hear yourself! You are asking me to run away to another planet! A planet even you can't go back to right now! What makes you think I will be accepted up there, what makes you think everything will go as well as you say?" Loki retorted.

"Cause I am here." Thor said stepping closer to Loki, softly placing his hands on his shoulder, staring into his eyes. " I can protect you. No one in Asgard will dare lay a finger on you."

"And how do I know you won't betray me too." Loki said softly staring up into Thor's bright blue eyes, searching for anything to show Thor was lying, anything so Loki wouldn't get his hopes up. Thor pulled Loki into a firm embracing, planting a soft kiss on the top of his head.

"You have been hurt enough Loki, Let me take care of you." Thor pulled back slightly, placing a finger under Loki's chin, bringing his face up so their eyes met, their lips only centimeters apart, Thor whispered, "Look into my eyes and you will see my words are not false. I promise to never betray you."

Loki's felt his breath caught in his throat. Thor…he was so close. Their lips…so close… just a little closer…

Loki's heart suddenly began racing when it looked back into Thor's eyes and notices Thor was feeling the same emotion… thinking the same thing he was. They both search each other's eyes, but Loki was the first to break contact.

"Thor…"Loki whispered, stepping back.

"I'm sorry." Thor said snapping back into reality.

"No no it's fine." Loki said cleaning his throat as he turned around back towards the sink. "Lets get our priority set first. We have to help you this hammer thing first…"

"Mjonir-" Thor intercepted

"Yeah yeah that" Loki said heart still slightly racing as he cleaned the cups for what seemed like the hundredth time. "The best time of the year is arriving; the police convention in which James will be gone for two whole glorious weeks. We can begin our search once he is gone. Does this work for you?

"Perfect!"

End of Chapter 7

Well it's been some time once again. I've started school again so things have been a bit hectic. I know people expected James to be destroyed by Thor in the chapter, but trust me, it's not time. I have much in stored.

Thank you for all the reviews and favorites. I appreciate it more than you guys know! 3