It appeared as if the same realization was dawning upon the rest of the table, as eyes began to flit back and forth between me and Jane Foster.
I swiftly took my spot next to Captain Rogers and leaned back to watch the whole ordeal unfold.
Go on Odinson, let us see you try and talk your way out of this one, I laughed internally.
"No catfight then?" Tony asked under his breath, obviously disappointed.
"What cats? And why in the name of the Allfather would you make them fight?" I asked quietly, face contorted in confusion.
"Turn of phrase."
Midgardian language would never cease to confuse me.
I returned my gaze to Thor, who was mumbling on about how nice it was for Jane to be alive and well.
His brother had always been the one with a way with words.
My face soured at that remembrance.
It did at many.
There were few that made me smile now.
How simple it all was back then.
How naive we all were.
"What's wrong, Xena Warrior Princess? Your face is looking a little long."
I shook myself from my thoughts.
"No, no there is nothing wrong."
"Yah sure? Cause' your immortal demi-god boyfriend is gettin' looked over by his mortal ex-girlfriend." Tony prodded. "You know, the woman he almost gave up Asgard for?"
"You really are insufferable, Anthony, and no, I have no concern over what is in the present, it is the past that vexes my mind."
"The past? What use is the past?"
"All I have is the past." I growled. "I am nothing but the past. A bygone god, as you've so joyously said yourself."
"Oh come on Princess, don't say that."
"And why should I not?"
"Because, Princess, in your own special way, you're part of the future now." Anthony gave a wink.
I rolled my eyes and reverted my attention to the Director.
He was watching, just as intently as I was, eyes flitting between Thor and Dr. Foster.
Thor had been stumbling on for quite some time.
He really never was one for words.
When he did speak, it was with few and sparse terms. He meant what he said, there was never misgiving.
"Alright, if the happy little reunion's over, would you please turn your attention back to the front?" Director Fury asked, pointing angrily to the large screen full of images behind him.
"The Chitauri are still out there, as all of you now know, and they seem rather intent on invading us. We got about diddly-squat on these space-slime, but what we do know, is that there is a large invasion force floating somewhere within this galaxy. Which is where Dr. Foster comes in." Director Fury cleared his throat.
They would try and take out the force before it could reach Midgard.
It was a simple enough plan, if only in essence.
"With the knowledge she has of the Great Unknown, we hope to have a functioning plan in place within the month."
The risks involved were great, and even in my usually risk-prone mind it seemed too much.
And if it felt like too much for an Asgardian, Odin knows what the mortals felt.
I glanced warily at Natasha, attempting to gauge her reaction.
Her mask had years of experience behind it, and even then, I could see the faint flicker of hesitation as she looked to Fury.
But there was determination too.
This was their home, and by Valhalla, they'd fight for it.