Anara makes her way down to the laboratories on the underside of Asgard. Buried beneath miles of rock, the labs were located there to prevent any mishaps from harming the population above. Far from being dark and dank as one would expect for rooms in a cave system, the labs are well-lit and ventilated, the Asgardians having found a way to simulate sunlight for those spending their days in rooms without windows. She spends the rest of the day working with several scientists on a signal amplifier for the holo-communicators. The task tries the patience of all involved due to huge differences in technologies, as Asgardian technology doesn't utilize electronic circuits, but instead uses quantum conduits to transfer energy from one point to another. Finally, long into the night, they come up with a way to tie the two technologies together. Satisfied they now have a working plan, they all head off for some well-deserved rest, and the scientists leave Anara with the promise of a working amplifier within the week.
As the weeks pass, Anara and Thor can be seen spending more and more time together. They take walks through the city, Thor introducing her to the Asgardian culture and people. Seemingly primitive in some ways, yet highly advanced in others, they are a fascinating society. Anara watches Thor's interactions with the merchants and populace. Always willing to listen, he takes their concerns to heart, and his care for them is obvious, as is their love and respect for him. As Anara and Thor learn more about each other, their relationship grows, but does not advance too far, both still reluctant to move past their easy but close friendship, each for reasons of their own. Often, they can be found with Heimdal in the observation room: Thor and Heimdal showing Anara the various realms and telling her the histories of Asgard's interactions with them. They spend quite a lot of time watching Earth and members of the group of humans known as the Avengers.
Hearing the story of Loki's attempt to conquer the planet, she wonders why he's allowed to walk free. She asks Thor this, and he responds that Odin determined Loki was under the spell of the Tesseract, a very powerful Asgardian artifact. Determining that he was free of its influence when they returned to Asgard, Odin allowed Loki his freedom on Asgard, but set his two ravens to watch Loki continuously. Unseen and unknown to anyone but Thor, Odin and Loki, Loki also wears an unbreakable bracelet that would kill him should he leave the realm of Asgard.
It was on one of these days, while watching Earth and Tony Stark in particular, that Thor got an idea.
Turning to Anara, he asks, "Have the scientists been able to synthesize a working crystal for your lightsaber yet?"
Anara, intently watching Tony solder a component of his Iron Man suit, distractedly replies, "No. They can't seem to get the formulation right to make a plasma stream." Looking away from the scene before them, she says, "However, I hear they have found other uses for the crystals that have failed my tests."
Thor smiles at her and takes her hand, turning back to the scene on Earth. "The Bifrost will be complete in a few weeks. When it is finished, I will take you to Midgard. I believe that perhaps Tony can help you create the crystal and the other components you need to keep your lightsaber in working order."
Anara is thrilled by this news and gives Thor a hug. Having observed Tony working several times before, she can tell that the technology on Earth may be similar enough for her to be able to use in not only her lightsaber but in other components as well. Enough things were damaged on her ship that she hasn't been able to do much with what was left, including C-3PO.
Hugging her back, he continues, "And we could take one of your holo-communicators as well. If it works, SHIELD will have a way to communicate with us, and Heimdal can spend more time watching other realms."
Heimdal laughs and replies, "I don't mind so much. The Midgardians amuse me with all of their petty dealings."
Teasing Thor, he says, "Do you know, women still swoon over pictures of you, Thor?"
Thor shakes his head in denial. "You jest Heimdal. Surely they have advanced more than that in a couple thousand years?"
"Alas no, my lord. And it's not only you. They worship the people who appear in their moving pictures as if they were gods. As I said, they are amusing to watch."
Thor, curious, asks Anara, "Do cultures in your realm worship gods?"
"Some do, some do not. Some, like the Midgardians, worship members of their own race for one reason or another. To be honest, you are the first race I have met who have been called gods by others. Any such race in my world has long since died out or destroyed themselves."
They continue to watch various scenes on Earth for a while and then take their leave of Heimdal. Both restless, they decide to head up to the upper practice field to spar – hand-to-hand. Anara still refuses to face Thor and Mjölnir with her lightsaber, now out of fear of damaging her own weapon.
The day is warm so they both strip down to basics. Thor removes his breast plate and faces Anara stripped to the waist. Anara tosses her tunic to the side, revealing one her typical midriff-baring workout tops. They square off, circling each other, lunging, testing each other's reflexes. Thor tries to grab Anara, but she flips out of reach. Knowing she can't take him head-on, she maneuvers around and flips over his head, intending to kick his legs out from under him when she lands. She doesn't make it. Thor picks her out of the air, catching hold of her ankle. Their momentum spins them around, and Anara is not sure if he's going to throw her or dump her on her head. Stopping, Thor holds her by her ankle, laughing at her. Try as she might, she can't break free, not without breaking his fingers with the Force. She stops struggling, hoping to lull him into loosening his grip.
"I do believe I've bested you," he laughs, holding her up higher to look her in the eye, her ankle still in his iron grip.
"And you know what that means..." he insinuates, leaning in to kiss her.
She kisses him back, a heat unrelated to the weather rising in her.
"Only if I yield," she whispers.
With a quick toss, she finds herself cradled in his arms.
"Well, do you?" he asks, his voice suddenly husky.
She answers with a kiss, putting her arms around his neck. Calling Mjölnir to his hand, he spins up the hammer and with Anara clutched to his chest, he flies off over the surrounding forest. Landing in a secluded clearing, far from prying eyes, he lays her down in the soft grass. They make love slowly, exploring, playing, teasing, blissfully unaware of anything but each other. As the sun sets, they finally return to their senses, sated at last. Not saying anything, still wrapped in each other's arms, they watch the stars blink into existence as the sky darkens. Anara finally breaks the silence, snuggling into Thor's chest for warmth.
"Do you think anyone's missed us?" she asks.
Thor laughs, "Of course they have. When we didn't show up for dinner, I'm sure someone sent for Gabrielle and Alrik, and by now they've found our clothes at the practice field."
Thor suddenly realizes Anara may have second thoughts about what happened. Rolling onto his side, he looks at her, concerned.
"Do you regret what we did, my lady? Do you wish to keep it a secret?"
Anara smiles at him, propping herself on an elbow.
"Of course not." She smiles slyly and runs a finger across his chest. "I know how word spreads in a palace. We couldn't keep this quiet if we tried. Besides, it's no secret that you've been courting me for months. I'm sure some bets will be settled this night."
Thor laughs, knowing what she says is true and grabs her in a bear hug. Making love once more, they then dress and Thor flies them back to the practice field. True to his prediction, their things are gone, likely gathered by their personal servants and returned to their rooms.
Thor looks down at Anara, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Well, shall we head to the Mead Hall to face our friends and Fandral's disappointment at not bedding you first, or should we sneak back in and hide till morning?"
Anara, happier than she remembers being in a very long time, finds herself feeling a bit mischievous as well.
"I say we do both. A little late-night snack in the Mead Hall, then we can sneak off somewhere till morning." Laughing, she continues, "I can't wait to see the look on Fandral's face when we walk in like this!" They make their way to the Mead hall, laughing and speculating on their friends' reactions.
They're called out as soon as they walk through the door to the hall.
"There they are, the scoundrels!" Fandral yells, gesturing to them like an actor in a play.
Attempting to look innocent and failing, they make their way to their friends. Anara notices several servants exchanging money purses in the shadows as they walk past. Curling up together on one of the couches, they wait for the teasing to begin. Sif smiles at Anara then pokes Loki in the ribs.
"Pay up Silver Tongue. I told you Thor had better moves than Fandral."
Loki grins slyly at Sif. "Oh, but my dear Sif, we have no proof anything happened. For all we know, thieves took their clothes while they were hiking in the woods; they got lost; and now Anara's simply snuggled up to my dear brother for warmth." He gives them both a knowing glance.
Volstagg, having joined the group at the end of Loki's speech, talks around the turkey leg in his mouth.
"You got lost in the woods? What were you doing, walking around blindfolded?"
The group laughs, much to Volstagg's confusion.
Fandral comes to his rescue. "No you big oaf! Loki doesn't believe that Thor bedded Anara. He was just surmising what he thinks really happened."
Volstagg nearly chokes on his food, sputtering for a moment, before Loki addresses the pair.
"So, my lady, did Thor truly best you on the practice field today and take you away to be ravished, or were you the victims of a very peculiar thief?"
Fandral interjects, "Please Anara, tell me you weren't ravished by Thor! He's such a beast!"
Thor roars in response, beating his chest, and everyone laughs. Snuggling further into Thor because she really is cold, Anara smiles slyly.
"A Jedi never reveals what goes on behind closed doors," she purrs, pausing for effect. "But I willingly admit that Thor bested me on the practice field today."
Fandral's jaw drops, and Sif smiles, poking Loki again and motioning for him to pay up.
"You are right, Fandral." Anara continues. "Thor is quite the beast. He won by snagging me out of the air and hanging me upside down by my ankle in that iron fist of his."
Thor makes a move for her leg. "Want me to do it again?"
Laughing, she tucks her legs under her and bats his hand away. "No you brute, that leg's already bruised."
Volstagg bursts out laughing. "I bet that's not the only thing he bruised."
Glaring at Volstagg, she hides her blush behind a goblet of wine before snuggling back up to Thor.
The jesting and teasing go on while Thor and Anara eat, sharing a plate. Eventually running out of puns and quips, talk turns to other topics.
Not quite done teasing, Loki addresses Anara. "The Master Armorer says he'll have my staff ready for testing again tomorrow. What do I get if I best you then?" He grins slyly.
Sif beats Anara to a reply. "Likely Thor's boot up your ass," she laughs.
Loki glares at Sif, then bursts out laughing. "Well played, Sif." he chuckles. "In truth," Loki says, looking back to Anara, "the staff will be ready for testing tomorrow, if you're up for it. We wouldn't want to aggravate your ankle," he says with a wink.
Anara throws a small cushion at Loki, which he easily dodges. "My ankle will be fine, " she hisses. Looking from Loki to Thor and back again, she continues, "Sheesh, Thor isn't the only beast in the family," causing everyone to laugh. Finishing the wine in her cup, she sets it down and rises.
Nodding to everyone, she says, "If I'm to be at my best tomorrow, I should retire and give my ankle a rest. Good night."
Smiling, she turns and heads towards the door, stopping to give Thor a lingering kiss. Hoots and hollers follow her out the door. Hiding in an alcove off the hallway, she waits for him, massaging her ankle where Thor grabbed her. Several minutes later, he leaves the Mead Hall. Looking for her, he heads down the hallway. She lets him pass, then quietly sneaks up behind him. He jumps when she runs her fingers across his back. He turns and scoops her up in his arms, carrying her towards his chambers.