Hey guys! I'm really sorry for leaving the story hanging for a while, school has kept me very busy, but I have no plans to abandon the story. I want to thank everyone who has reviewed this story or has decided to follow it, it really means a lot to me. I hope this chapter makes up for the long wait.

"Do you really think they received the message?" Natasha Romanoff asked Stark for the third time of the day.

"I believe they did. Thor told us the last time he was here about the gatekeeper who could see everything that happened in the nine realms and so on, didn't he? I think he should have seen us then." The billionaire answered checking the tower's security system.

"Well, excuse me for doubting on a man who stood on the platform talking to the air searching for some kind of answer six hours ago." The spy replied irritated.

The whole group was together once more at the Stark Tower after everything that had happened. On one of the couches close to the bar, seating next to each other, were Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton. Both have recently returned from a mission when they received the news about what had happened to Dr. Foster. Steve Rogers stood close to the bar with a frown, close to him was also Wanda Maximoff. They had been in New York when everything had happened, but they weren't there in time to stop it. Banner and Stark had been the only ones present when everything had happened. When Jane Foster had moved to the tower some years ago, she had easily felt comfortable with the two scientists right away. It had been on a calm day like those, when they were the whole day in the lab that everything had happened. They had decided to take a small break and left Jane alone on the lab when all the systems failed. When they returned to the lab all that they saw was a silhouette and the already unconscious astrophysicist on the floor. They had checked everything, but her health seemed to be alright other than the fact that she wouldn't wake up.

"I was trying to see if this so called 'Gatekeeper' could hear me and at least inform Loki of what had happened."

"It has already been six hours, since you 'informed' him." The super soldier reminded him.

"You think I didn't notice?" Tony replied sarcastically.

Just then did they look up to see the bright light that shone in the sky.

Barton smiled along with the rest of the group, "I think they are here."

They watched as the bright light descended rapidly upon the platform of the tower leaving two tall figures and disappearing just as fast as it had appeared. They all gasped and Barton and Stark had to hold a laugh when they saw the female figure almost fall on her face. Natasha gave them both a warning glare as Banner opened the doors that lead to the platform. The girl was very tall and beautiful in their opinion. Even when her fall had not been that beautiful.

"Such a graceful entrance." They heard the God of Mischief as he helped the girl up. She gave him a glare almost as deadly as those Natasha would sometimes give.

By her height they all immediately knew she was indeed asgardian and had to be Thor and Jane's daughter. She had some physical traits that helped as well to figure that out.

"Well, look at that Stark. Another woman taller than you." Natasha teased.

"Oh please, she is taller than all of us except Rogers. She shouldn't even count." They laughed as they received both asgardians on the entrance.

"Welcome to Stark Tower, Althea." Tony told the young woman with his usual smirk. The girl bowed respectfully at him."Welcome back, Rock of Ages."

"I knew you would say something along those lines." Loki told him

Stark invited them both in closing all the doors and checking again that all the security systems were completely intact.

Althea looked at the group with curiosity and confusion. She had never really introduced herself to strangers in the past, so she really didn't know how to act. They seemed very different to what she would usually see in Asgard. For some reason she found the tall blonde man very intimidating. The man who had received her looked nice enough, she thought. The two women did seem intimidating, but something about them also made her feel welcomed. Just when she was going to look at the other men did Loki started to introduce them.

"Althea, this man is Anthony Stark. He has been taking care of your mother for the last years." Loki said motioning to the man who had welcomed her.

He stepped forward and shook her hand politely, "Call me Tony. Is a pleasure to finally meet you."

"Likewise." She answered politely with a smile.

Tony then took the liberty to introduce the rest of the group. "This is Bruce Banner, my lab partner and a close friend to your mother." The man stepped forward and shook her hand simply nodding. She easily noticed how shy he was.

"This woman over here is Natasha Romanoff." The woman smiled at her and Althea smiled back. For some reason she knew they would get along fairly well.

The rest of them were introduced normally and after all the names were clear she looked again at Stark. "Is my mother alright?" She asked with a worried look.

"Her health seems to be alright, none of us can explain why she fell into comma. There was clearly someone else on the laboratory when we found her, but it makes no sense that it managed to not be recognized by any of our security systems." He explained to both Althea and Loki.

Althea looked clearly disturbed by the news and she looked at Loki who clearly had a lot of things in mind. He was always one step ahead, but this time he really didn't know what to think. Thor had a lot of enemies, but none came to his mind that would actually take the time to hurt a mortal. Even when his expression remained neutral, Althea knew he was in deep thought.

"Could I see her?" She asked breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Tony looked at Loki waiting for his approval first, he really didn't know how much knowledge of the situation Althea had.

"If Stark allows it." Loki answered after a while for the relief of the group.

Natasha got up from the stool close to the bar where she had been seating and motioned for Althea to follow her. After glancing at Loki one last time, Althea followed the woman closely to one of the last rooms on the floor. Natasha looked at her with a sad smile before opening the door, "You can stay with her as long as you want." She told her in a low voice. Althea nodded gratefully. Part of her was nervous, but for the most part she was happy that even though the circumstances were not the best she was finally going to see her mother.

She had waited a long time for this.