"You did WHAT?"

Clint stared at Steve as if the captain had just grown an extra head. Steve sighed.

"I told you. I told Thor to go to Asgard and tell his parents about Loki."

"No, what you said AFTER that."

"Thor said his mother would probably want to come here, and I said that would be no problem."

Clint shook his head in disbelief.

"Isn't it bad enough we're hosting two Asgardian gods already? I mean, I barely dare to sleep with that mind-controlling creep in the building! And you think it's a good idea to invite his parents here?"

Natasha interrupted.

"Clint, they are Thor's parents, technically. Plus, we are not at war with Asgard, they are welcome here on earth."

"That's not it, it's… it's…"

"Steve sighed again.

"When I woke up from the ice, I was disoriented and scared and I'm not ashamed to admit that I really longed to see my mother. Why would that be any different for Loki?"

Clint looked at Steve with raised eyebrows.

"Since when do you pick the side of Mr-Kneel-Before-Me?"

"Since said person is comatose and definitely not much of a hazard to us anymore. I protect the weak, Clint…"

Clint frowned deeply and even shrugged off Natasha's comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Fine! Go play knight-in-spangled-armour, I don't care! As long as you know that I'm NOT agreeing to any of this! When he's back on his feet and trying to kill us all I…"

"Yeah, then you can say I told you so. Baby."

Clint let out a grumpy noise and stamped out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Natasha looked apologetically at Steve.

"It's still a sensitive snare…"

"I understood so much. I just… I hope he'll understand in the end. I trust Tony's judgement."

"I'm not saying that is such a great idea in general, but… I'm with you on this one. I've seen the tapes of the workshop, and that guy didn't even have the composure to go to the toilet on his own, let alone to do evil plotting."

Natasha shrugged.

"Anyway, I should go check on Clint."

"Thanks for the support."

"No problem, cap."

(Pagebreak)

Justin was not pleased. He had gone home first to change his clothes –he had thrown up on them- and then directly to Stark Tower, mentally making a list of all the things he would throw at his best friend's head, both verbal and material.

Now he stood before Peter, giving the other boy his patented look of disapproval –the only thing he copied from his father- while tapping his foot.

"I'm listening."

"Well… It's…" Peter sighed. "Come on Justin! Don't dot his to me!"

"You have this awesome mutant power and you DON'T TELL ME? Why are we even friends?"

Justin exclaimed indignantly.

"And then I also find out you don't only have this epic spider-web power, but also that you live with the coolest bunch of humans since the invention of the wheel! How could you not tell me?"

"I…"

"No excuses!"

"I'm sorry Justin. I… I should have trusted you."

Justin frowned.

"Yeah, you should. Now, where is Creepy? She deserves a scolding too for making me ruin my best pair of shoes."

Peter grinned apologetically.

"Drugged to her eyelids and sleeping in my bed."

"What?"

"It's a long story. Anyway, remember the creepy guy with the horned helmet and the evil alien army? He's living here too for the moment."

Justin's mouth fell open.

"WHAT?"

"My thoughts exactly. Also, he is Hela's dad."

Justin looked at his friend, opening and closing his mouth like a fish. Finally he said.

"You know, I don't envy you. Dinner with the in-laws is going to be absolute hell for you."

With that, Peter knew all was good again between him and Justin. He patted the smaller boy on the shoulder and said.

"Want to meet Dr Banner?"

"The HULK?"

"Well, not necessarily. He's really a lot less green and a whole lot less angry usually."

"Cool."

(Pagebreak)

Tony still sat next to Loki, softly caressing the god's hand.

"You promised you would wake up for me… Please don't let me down…"

It was as if Loki heard that small reminder of the promise he had made. He shifted in his sleep, frowned, and at long last opened his eyes. As soon as the first confusion disappeared, the fear was back. Tony had known this would happen, but it still hurt to see him like that. His whole body cramped up and the fear in his eyes was so deep it was hard to imagine the relatively lucid Loki Tony had spoken to was somewhere inside there too. Tony carefully caressed Loki's hair, like he had done in the beginning. The god moaned scared.

"Sssh… Don't be afraid. I'm here and no one will hurt you. Sssh…"

The rhythmic caress and the soft words seemed to have a somewhat calming effect on Loki, but Tony could see he was still incredibly tense and scared. He continued to comfort the god until he saw that his eyelids dropped and he was asleep again. Tony wanted nothing more than to take Loki in his arms, but the god had been so squeamish to a simple touch already… Loki's state made Tony's anger towards the Chitauri grow even larger than back when they were trying to conquer his planet. How dare they…

(Pagebreak)

It was dark, and then it was light. Loki was so scared that all higher thought processes were disabled. In his head he could hear the growling voices of the Chitauri, their nails on his body, the images… Tony… Tony was dead… No, it wasn't real… or was it? It was all too complicated and everything hurt so much, all he really wanted was to forget, to disappear into nothingness forever.

"Sssh… Don't be afraid. I'm here and no one will hurt you. Sssh…"

It was a soft voice, and it sounded so familiar, so safe that without a second thought Loki succumbed to it. It made him more aware, he could see shapes now, shadows of things… Yet to actually see what was there… Even simply perceiving was tiring, a strain on his delirious mind. Listening to the soft voice he felt his eyelids grow heavy, and feeling slightly less scared he fell asleep.

(Pagebreak)

Both Loki and Hela slept to the next day. Hela woke up early though, with a fuzzy, clouded mind, slightly disoriented. She sat up but immediately experienced bouts of vertigo, so she laid herself down again. Where was she? Then she noticed Peter, sleeping on the floor next to the bed, and her memories started to return.

"Peter?"

The boy opened his eyes with a start.

"Hela? You're awake already? Are you okay?"

Hela gave him a dopey smile. She recalled the human doctor injecting her with something, and it clearly wasn't out of her system yet.

"I… I think I am…"

Peter sat up and put Hela back under the covers.

"It's still early. Why don't you try to sleep a bit more?"

Hela felt so dazed that sleeping wouldn't be such a bad plan, actually. But to let Peter sleep on the floor…

"Let m-me sleep on t-the floor…"

"No, you're the guest and you're feeling bad, so you get the bed."

"P-Please… Then s-share it with m-me."

Peter already had a backache from the floor, so he decided not to protest. Instead he slipped under the covers as well. Hela crawled up against him and he felt how he automatically put an arm around her.

"I thank you, Peter Parker…"

Even whispered by the barely-awake goddess, those words sent chills down Peter's spine. He really should ask her what exactly she meant with them…

(Pagebreak)

Thor arrived back in the Tower –more specifically, in the kitchen- the next day, accompanied by a remarkably beautiful and highly imposing older woman in a blue gown. White-blonde hair hung in two long braids over her shoulders and on her head she wore a crown. Of course, the only person in the kitchen at that time was Clint, who startled, dropped the butter, and grabbed his bow and arrows.

"Thor!"

"Calm, son of Barton! This is my mother, Frigga Allmother, queen of Asgard! Haven't the others informed you?"

They had, and Clint had been avoiding everyone ever since. He stared at the older goddess, not knowing what to say, when JARVIS came to the rescue.

"Mr Odinson, Lady Frigga, I hope you had a pleasant journey. I have alerted the others of your arrival, they should be on their way now."

Frigga looked at Thor.

"Who was that polite gentleman?"

Thor grinned at his mother.

"That was JARVIS, the ghost of the house. He sees and knows everything that happens here, a bit like Heimdall. And he is invisible."

Frigga nodded.

"He is most courteous."

Clint was in a state of shock, something that rarely ever happened to him. Frigga noticed and gave him a friendly smile.

"Thor is this one of your Midgardian companions?"

"Yes, this is Clint Barton, the archer with the sight of a hawk. I think he is slightly impressed by you, mother."

Frigga's laugh was bright and cheerful.

"No need to, Mister Barton. A man deemed worthy as a friend by my son needn't fear me…"

Barton slicked. For some reason he hoped Frigga couldn't read minds, or else she might just curse him to hell for his evil thoughts about Loki… The kitchen door opened, and Barton heard Peter.

"This is the kitchen. Come, I'll make you a cup of coffee, that'll surely wake you up."

Then he heard a loud gasp. Peter had entered the kitchen, and in the door opening stood a young girl with black hair, green eyes, and an incredible resemblance to Loki. She stared with wide eyes at Frigga. Peter now also noticed the commotion and raised an eyebrow.

"We have more guests?"

Clint decided it was a good moment to retreat. He shot a glare at Hela, who cringed, and left the room. JARVIS had informed everyone of Hela, and that they were not to shoot at her, but if looks could kill…

Frigga seemed as surprised as Hela. She whispered.

"How… How is it possible?"

Hela didn't answer; she was shocked into silence.

Peter coughed.

"Err… Does anyone mind informing me of what's going on?"

Thor smiled, albeit less happy than before.

"Peter, this is my mother Frigga, the queen of Asgard."

"Oh… Err…" As polite as Peter could manage, he said. "Nice to meet you, your majesty. I am Peter Parker."

Frigga simply shook her head. Her voice was soft when she spoke.

"Please, call me Frigga."

Her attention never left Hela, who looked both in shock and afraid.

"Hela…"

Frigga stepped closer to Hela, who clearly didn't dare to move. Peter felt his protective instinct come up, but Thor gave him a reassuring smile. The older goddess softly touched the left side of Hela's face, as if she wanted to feel through the illusion of flesh and skin.

"Hela, my granddaughter…"

She wrapped her arms around the girl, who gave in and silently cried.

"My dear, dear granddaughter… I thought I would never see you again…"

Peter looked at Thor and mimed.

"They know each other?"

Thor nodded and whispered.

"Frigga never wanted Hela to leave Asgard… she was heartbroken for months after her departure…"

They watched how Frigga held Hela close.

"You have become so beautiful, Hela dear…"

"Only because you cannot see the truth."

Frigga shook her head and wiped away Hela's tears. With a semi-stern voice she spoke.

"Have you forgotten that I possess the Sight? I see the truth and it is beautiful. Do you question my judgement?"

Hela smiled through her tears and hugged the older goddess for real now. She had missed her grandmother; despite the fact she always told herself no one in Asgard had ever cared for her, she had missed Frigga dearly.

"Why are you here, Allmother?"

Frigga's face got a sad streak.

"Haven't they told you?"

Peter interrupted.

"She just woke up, I wanted to tell her after breakfast."

The goddess nodded.

"Ah yes, most news is better received on a well-filled stomach, as Volstagg would have said." Then she looked back at Hela, who looked confused. "Your father is here. Thor came to bring us the news. He is very ill…"

Hela's eyes filled with both fear and hope when hearing that.

"He is here? How could I not find him then? And what illness does he have?"

Frigga sighed.

"Thor told me his body is healthy, yet his mind is ill. I have brought several things from home that might be of help."

Hela slicked. She had known that Loki's mind had been damaged, but for an Aesir to speak of mental illness things had to be quite…

"I want to see him."

Peter nodded.

"Come, I'll bring you."

They just wanted to leave the room, when the others –Natasha and Steve- entered. They introduced, and then proceeded to the sickbay. On the way they ran into Justin, who looked with wide eyes at the strange company. At the doors, JARVIS refused to let them in though.

"Mr Stark has announced you can't all enter."

Frigga looked at the ceiling and pleaded.

"Please, Mr JARVIS, I simply wish to see my son. Loki's daughter is here too, and I have brought medicine."

"Mr Stark says Lady Frigga and Lady Hela can enter."

The doors opened, and the two goddesses entered. Justin and Peter were left with Thor, Natasha and Steve. The Russian spy looked at the fifteen year olds and said.

"Do you play Call of Duty?"

With that, the situation was released of all awkwardness, as the company left to the living room to play "the game of Midgardian war", as Thor called it.

(Pagebreak)

Frigga immediately saw it when she entered the room. She indeed had the Sight, which enabled her not only to foresee the future, but also to hidden magical connections between people. A blue glow surrounded the bed where Loki lay, and the man who sat next to it. A thick golden thread connected the two. It was a rare sight, and despite the awful state of her son she couldn't help but softly smile. For so long she had thought Loki would never find someone, because he was so reclusive and different… To see that golden thread warmed her heart because it meant two souls that belonged together had found each other. As for the glow… perhaps that was why Hela had not been able to find Loki…

The man next to the bed looked up, his expression sad and tired.

"So, you are Loki's adoptive mom."

"I am his mother, yes."

He nodded and said.

"I am Tony Stark."

"The Man of Iron."

"Just Tony will do, really. How do I call you? Your highness? Your majesty?"

"Just Frigga will do."

Again, Tony nodded. He looked defeated and exhausted, and Hela, who had until now done nothing but stare at the pale body of her father, suddenly felt sad for him. She pointed her staring green eyes at Tony and said.

"You care for my father."

Tony looked up, surprised.

"Ah, the daughter. Still planning on poisoning the planet?"

Hela shook her head, a sad expression around her mouth.

"No."

That was all she said, but her eyes told Tony a lot more. She had her father's eyes, which could be so full of emotion that they were practically like an open book to read. She sat down on the other side of the bed, across Tony, and softly touched Loki's face.

"Oh father, what have they done to you…?"

Her voice was calm and collected, yet in her eyes tears were blinking. Frigga put a hand on the girl's shoulder.

"He is safe. Those that followed him cannot find him here."

"How do you...?"

Frigga smiled sadly and pointed at her eyes. Hela nodded.

"Ah."

"You should rest, my dear. Eat breakfast with the young Mister Parker, as you had planned, and rest."

"But I want to stay here! My place is by my father's side!"

"I must discuss some things with the Man of Iron. Will you allow me this privacy, granddaughter?"

Hela sighed and nodded.

"Of course, Allmother."

With hanging head, she left the sickbay. Frigga turned to Tony, who looked at her with raised eyebrows.

"What do you want to discuss with me?"

Frigga pointed at Loki's sleeping form.

"You love him very much, don't you?"

Her voice was not accusing, it was almost happy. Tony's first reflex was to deny, but then he sighed. It was true. He loved Loki. He nodded sadly.

"Yes. I do. I love him and I'm so scared I won't be able to protect him that it keeps me awake even more than is usual for me."

"The energy you hold in your heart is very strong, Man of Iron… I mean, Tony. It has formed a shield around Loki that even Death couldn't see through."

"How do you know that?"

"Hela has searched for her father, and she can usually find everything and everyone with the eyes of Death."

"I mean, about the shield thing. Loki told me that my arc reactor somehow keeps his tormentors at a distance, but…"

Frigga didn't answer. She sat down and looked pensively at her son.

"You must tell me everything, Tony. Every misdeed, every injustice done to my son. Even if it was me, or Thor, or my husband. We have been silent for too long."

And so, Tony told her everything he knew about the torture, and Loki's problems with his heritage, and how he missed his children, and so many other things the god had told Tony in that single week they had been together. Frigga listened, like only Asgardian queens and trained psychiatrists can listen. In the end Tony had to admit it also made him feel better. Frigga was like a big mother wolf guarding a young, and for some reason it felt as if that protection also stretched to him.

(Author's Notes)

So, Frigga has entered the story! Sorry, I couldn't help it because she is simply the most awesome mother in the nine realms. And there is some cute reunion stuff for Frigga and Hela. Next chapter will have more of Loki, I promise...

Still my offer stands: bring it over 30 reviews and I will write a silly gift for you people! I love all reviews, even if they're just a small message of appreciation/dislike, I love them like I love food, water and riding crops! Please, please please REVIEW!