A/N: Only a few hours left 'til The Abominable Bride… :D

It's only half past the point of no return:
The tip of the iceberg, the sun before the burn.

It's only half past the point of oblivion:
The hourglass on the table, the walk before the run.

Loki watches Molly carefully, waiting for any kind of reaction. She'd listened to his entire tale, interrupting only a few times, when he'd spoken of things she did not understand – things not of this world. He glances at the clock on the wall. He hadn't realized he'd been talking for over three hours.

He enjoys talking to her.

The thought hits him like a blow to the back of the head, rendering him motionless, yet awakening him at the same time. For a reason he cannot explain, she is capable of making him speak freely about his past.

She is rather interesting, for a mortal. She knows her flaws, and recognizes the faults of those around her – yet believes in their goodness. It's quite a change from his consistently negative view of those around him.

He has always sought out – and found – the darkness in himself. How can she possibly see something good in him?

Finally, Molly speaks, breaking the silence. "It's simple. You have to turn yourself in."

Loki simply stares at her. "Are you mad?"

Molly frowns. "No, I'm completely sane. And serious. Loki, you have to go back."

"And-and what? Let them throw me in a cage in their dungeon? Let them hate me even more than they always have?"

"That's the problem. I don't think they've ever hated you."

He scoffs, turning away. "Please."

"Well, they may not like you very much right now," she concedes. "But imagine how well thought-of you'd be if you went back willingly. They would see how much you've changed."

Molly pauses when she sees his expression.

"What makes you think I have changed?"

The words are low, dark, and menacing. Loki knows he's scaring her, but he can't help it. He hasn't changed. Of that he is certain. He still feels hatred pounding through his skull, trying to consume all of his thoughts. Beneath it lingers the need to crush those who have harmed him. He has not contained such dark feelings for a long time – not since that fateful day in the weapons vault. Just hours ago, laying there bleeding in the rain, he thought he'd never have to contain them again.

But how can he explain all this to the strange girl before him?

Suddenly, Molly places her hand on his shoulder, pulling him back from his mind.

In that moment – in that touch – he feels all the anger, all the hatred – the will to destroy – simply settle. They do not disappear, but every ill feeling stills for a moment, frozen by her calm presence.

"How do you do that?" he murmurs, before he realizes what he is saying.

"Do what?"

"Whatever it is you have just done to my mind."

Molly laughs quietly. "It's called compassion. It goes a long way, you know."

Loki allows himself a small smile. "So I've heard."

"See – you have changed. I doubt that the Loki you described from three years ago, or even three days ago, would have acknowledged that I could help you. He certainly wouldn't have smiled like that over something so simple." She pauses a moment, thinking. "You're only half past the point of no return. You can still come back from this. What you did in New York…you made a mistake. A huge, terrible mistake, but a mistake all the same. And if I've learned anything from my own family and friends, it's that mistakes can always be undone. Forgiveness can always be won." She tilts her head so that he is forced to meet her eyes. "You can and will be forgiven, Loki."

He remains silent, contemplating her words. Forgiveness? True forgiveness? Is that a possibility now, after all he has done?

"I do have one question, though." Her voice breaks through his thoughts. "Why? Why did you allow your hatred to consume you? I mean, all those lies your own family told you were unacceptable. They still are. But…why did you let it go so far?"

Loki closes his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. He reaches into the recesses of his mind, assessing the quantity and quality of his remaining power. After so many days of pushing himself to the limit, and then attempting to heal himself earlier, he knows that what he is about to propose will strain him even further. He won't be able to defend himself for several days. Even worse, it's the first time he'll ever let someone into his mind in such a personal way.

The thought terrifies him, even though he will never admit it aloud.

But I trust her.

It is the truth. No matter how much he wishes he could deny it, it is the truth. She is the first person to win his trust in many years.

"May I show you?"

"Sh-show me?" she stutters, disbelief evident in her tone. "How can you possibly show me?"

"I can take you through the emotions associated with my memories."

"Really? That's amazing."

"Close your eyes." Molly holds his gaze for a moment longer, then does as he says. "I'm going to put my arm around you. Is that alright?" She nods. Loki gently places his arm around her shoulders, pulling her to his side. "I must warn you, Molly, this will not be enjoyable. It is worse than my 'story,' as you call it. But it will teach you what you wish to know."

Molly nods, leaning against him.

Summoning all the power he has left, Loki closes his eyes as well, and sends them plummeting into darkness.

To be continued…