Chapter 13! How about that...
thephoenixandthedragon4ever, to answer your question, Loki doesn't know that he is a Frost Giant. He was kicked out before he could learn the information. But don't worry, he'll find out.
Thanks SO MUCH for the questions and reviews guys! And for following the story, 13 so far!
As always, I hope you enjoy the chapter and questions are always welcome.. As is constructive criticism.
Previously
"Well brother, I suppose this is goodbye for now." Thor says to Loki, his expression like a kicked puppy.
"Yes, it is. And I will see you at home someday." Loki says gruffly. They shake hands and Loki watches as Thor leaves, possibly for forever.
Chapter 13
The door has been closed for several minutes and Loki is still standing there, going through the memories of his time in Asgard with his brother and feeling sad that that part of his life is ending, yet happy at finally cutting ties and living free of everyone who thought they knew him and becoming his own person. Isabella comes and stands next to him, lightly placing her arm next to his as she silently gives him her support.
It takes a few minutes still, but eventually Loki sighs out the last shackle tying him to Asgard. He turn to Isabella and says softly, "I'm sorry that you had to witness that, I hadn't planned for you to meet him so soon."
Isa flushes slightly as his words sink in, asking softly, "You wanted me to meet him?"
Floundering slightly, Loki thinks back on his words and nods, "Of course, we are dating and isn't 'meeting the family' part of the dating process?"
"Only if the relationship is going down the long-term road." Isabella says, looking down, her flush spreading from her face to her ears now.
Loki grasps her chin and lifts her head so they are eye-to-eye, asking softly as he leans in, "Are we not, girlfriend?"
Isabella nods, stuttering out as her happiness momentarily overtakes her, "Y-yes, w-we are, boy-boyfriend."
"Good." Loki murmurs, bringing their lips together in a soft kiss, his arms going loosely around her waist as her arms wrap around his neck. This kiss reinforces the steadily strengthening bond between these two totally different, yet scarily similar, people who managed to find each other and stay together.
Shadow observes the two and slips out of the kitchen, allowing the couple their privacy. She is pleased that the godling has decided to take her Mistress's past and use it as ammunition to give her a better, happier future. She just hopes he doesn't screw it up.
The next Friday; Winchester Movie Night, 7:00
"Hey Lucy, when is your girlfriend coming? We're almost done with the food." Dean calls from the kitchen as he finishes frying up the burgers, some with cheese, the lettuce, tomato, pickles and a few other things having been chopped up. There is bacon frying in another pan for the burgers as well. Loki and Sam are preparing the selection of movies/TV shows which are, Star Trek: The Original Series, Harry Potter, (1-6), and Lord of the Rings.
"She'll be here in a couple more minutes, she had to finish up some paperwork for the bakery shipment coming in tomorrow afternoon." Loki calls, rolling his eyes.
"Yeah Dean, get off his back, she'll get here when she gets here; don't worry, you'll still get to eat." Charlie scolds, putting the many bags of popped popcorn into 3 large bowls, one for each couch. Dean grunts his response.
The burgers are done and everyone is situated on the three couches by the time Isabella's car rolls into the driveway. Loki smiles, a bit relieved, and shoots Dean a warning look to play nice. Dean pulls a face at being the one he shoots a glare to but nods, Cas rolling his eyes and whispering something in Dean's ear.
Loki looks away from the couple, opening the door for Isabella. He smiles and looks her up and down, a bit confused at her attire.
Isabella looks as well, twisting her mouth into a knowing grimace at her teal sheath dress that has a white and black pattern on the sides that accentuate her tiny waist and ends an inch above the knee, 4.5 inch nude heels that make her legs look a mile long, a few gold bracelets on her right wrist, a thin gold chain around her neck, and small-ish gold hoops. In her hands is a bag that contains extra clothes so she can change.
"I'm so sorry I'm late, I just got out of a meeting concerning the next shipment of dairy and dry goods. It lasted longer than necessary, but what can you expect from men who think they know everything. Do you mind too terribly if I change out of this?" Isabella says in a rush, looking tired and ready to get out of her business meeting clothes.
"Of course, let me show you to the bathroom." Loki says, wrapping a hand around her waist, "I hope you're hungry, we made a lot of food. We even got some soda and water for you because you can't drink beer."
"Thank you," She says, still having to tiptoe to kiss his cheek, just not as much. They talk a little more as Loki shows her where the upstairs bathroom is.
Charlie whistles slightly from next to Bobby on the 3-people couch left of the TV, saying once the couple is out of earshot, "No matter what you may think of her, she sure knows how to dress. I wonder if she can help me pick out something for this uptight, important people conference Gilda is dragging me to next week."
Jessica, Sam's girlfriend, nods in agreement from the center couch that seats 4 comfortably, "I know, we need to drag her shopping with us soon."
Sam rolls his eyes and nudges his girlfriend gently, "Spending your whole paycheck in the process."
Jess shoves him playfully in return and says seriously, "Some things just need to be done."
Loki comes back into the living room, sitting in his previous spot by Sam and Jess, telling them, "She should be right out. I told her the selection and she wants to start with Harry Potter."
The group has a ripple of agreement, getting things ready with much teasing and shoving. The food is being distributed when Isabella bounces down the stairs in a sleeveless dark turquoise collared shirt, light wash jeans and tan Bobs that have memory foam.
Loki smiles at her and gestures her to come and grab what she wants from the formidable feast spread out on the kitchen table: Burgers, some with cheese, bacon on the side, Nachos on two huge plates, 3 different types of chips, many packages of red vines and chocolate candies, three bowls of popcorn, and an array of beers, sodas and water in the cooler to the right of the table.
She looks on with wide eyes, whispering to him, "I don't think I'll be able to eat so much."
Loki squeezes her shoulder reassuringly, "Eat what you can, and a little more. Don't worry, these people have bottomless stomachs, all the food will be eaten."
"Alright, thank you." She says, getting on her very tiptoes to kiss his cheek, going with him to get some food.
Once everyone has their food and is seated, Sam presses the play button for the first movie. Isabella cuddles close to Loki, working her way through her burger slowly as they watch the movies.
She puts the half-eaten burger on the table, unable to eat anymore. Loki looks worriedly at her, silently asking if she feels alright, to which she nods and mouths, 'Too heavy for me.'
He nods in understanding, a bit worried at how much- rather, how little- she is eating. She started to eat more leading up to that evening where she told him her history, but that quickly went downhill afterwards. He is actively trying to get her to eat more, but it doesn't seem to be working.
The first movie ends without Isabella picking up her half-burger. Loki frowns slightly and looks at her, asking softly, "Are you okay? You're not eating as much."
"Yeah, I'm fine, just not hungry." She insists, smiling reassuringly, although that falls a little flat.
The god's frown deepens, then gets up from the couch and takes her hand. She follows him, grabbing their plates so it looks like they are going to get more food.
"What happened at the meeting? You look exhausted, you're not eating, which I've noticed is due more to stress rather than habit, and haven't said anything the whole movie. Harry Potter is the series where you point out the mistakes and what's missing from the book." Loki says, seating her on a kitchen chair and sitting across from her, her hands in his.
Isa sighs slightly, running a hand through her hair, then remembers she has it up and smoothes it down instead. "The company where I get the dairy and dry goods for the bakery has a new manager that is a completely horrible. He questions every decision I made and had the audacity to change my order to his "better one". To add to that, he was constantly trying to get my personal number and a day during the week that we could discuss "business". It was absolutely horrendous."
"But that's not all, right?" Loki says, squeezing her hands softly, both not noticing the family meeting outside the door of the kitchen listening to their conversation.
"No, he-he also said that if I didn't listen to his "advice" then he would cut ties with me and my business. Their business is the only one that can provide everything that I need in the timely manner that I need it. I have to make the order every 3 weeks because if not, then the materials don't get used and it's a waste of resources and money. It's quite frustrating." Isabella says, looking down at their hands and biting her lip.
"Well, you know that you could always threaten to sue." Sam comments from the doorway, the couple jumping slightly, Isabella's shirt moving away from her shoulder to reveal the puckered skin which means a scar.
"I don't exactly know a lawyer who would take this lost cause." Isa says derisively, turning to face the family, crossing her legs.
"I'll take it," Sam shrugs, "Besides, this guy sounds like a spineless coward, so the threat of the law for threatening in the name of the company is bound to get him scared off."
"Well, thank you Sam. I appreciate you offering to do that for me." Isabella says with a shy smile.
Sam shrugs, "You're family, and family sticks up for family."
"Yup, look at what they did for me. I helped them out a couple of times when Dick Roman was on a bloodthirsty rampage for companies and they helped me get out a sticky situation when Roman found out I hacked into their files." Charlie pipes up, then asks, "Why do you have a scar on your shoulder?"
Shocked, Isabella checks to see if it's showing and grimaces. Bobby says gruffly, "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to Isabella."
"You know her full history?" Loki asks, startled at that.
"Of course, ya idjit. Who do you think helped her come here?" Bobby intones with a 'duh' expression on his face.
"Are we missing something here?" Dean asks, everyone but Isabella, Loki and Bobby confused.
The three share a look, communicating silently which annoy the other 5 members of the clan. Isabella sighs and says, "Alright, alright, I'll tell you. The scar came from my ex-boyfriend after a particularly bad beating session. I was hospitalized and have more scars on my back and front torso, and one on my left upper thigh. Bobby had seen a news clip of my attack as he was in Illinois at the time for a car convention. He told the nurse he was my uncle and got me out of the hospital whenever I was released. He brought me to my brother's in Missouri where I explained everything to him and Samantha. We parted ways after that until my ex found out I was in Missouri and tracked me down. I fled to here where Bobby set me up with a place. I got settled in and built my bakery. The rest if history."
The group is stunned by this information, both Bobby's intervention and the seemingly-perfect Isabella Bane having such a violent past.
Dean says with finality after a long while, "He won't be the only one helping you now. Welcome to the Winchester clan."
The group nods in agreement, Isabella smiling gratefully at them, some of the weight of her troubles and worries lifting from her shoulders.
After a too-long moment basking in the sense of family, Dean coughs and says, "No more chick-flick moments, I already feel like I'm should be in a dress with long hair like Sammy's. Let's go watch something violent and drink a ton of beer."
The group laughs and agrees, all moving back into the living room where they watch the Godfather movies. Isabella curls up with Loki and falls asleep during the 3rd one thinking, It's so nice to be home.
There it 'tis! Isabella's part of the Winchester Clan and it seems like Loki's rid of Asgard forever.
Or is he?
Tell me what you think, theories about what will happen to him, and most especially what you want to see in later chapters.
Thanks for reading and I'll see you next time.
