Another chapter up this early? Haha, I didn't have anything pressing to do, so I decided to write. I will alternate Brynja and Bryn. They are the same person, but if it bothers you, let me know. Ragnar...you can't exactly shorten that. Hope everyone enjoys this chapter!

Telekenetic in the usa: Thank you very much for the review! :)

JJwolf: I'm glad you liked it! More cuteness to come!

Chapter Sixteen

Willow was sleeping soundly in bed when someone pushed her shoulder. Opening her eyes slowly, she saw Brynja and Ragnar in the room.

"Mama, it is time to wake up," Ragnar stated excitedly and jumped on the bed.

"You both are up too early," Willow groaned and rolled over, hiding her face in the pillow. The sound of their footsteps faded toward the doorway and then they disappeared. Willow propped herself up on her elbows and rolled over to her back. Closing her eyes, she decided to go back to sleep.

In what seemed like a few minutes later, Willow was disturbed from her slumber. Opening her eyes, she saw Loki on the other side of the bed. He greeted her with a smile and she returned the gesture. He ran his hand along her jaw and then pulled her into a kiss. Taken by surprise, Loki trapped Willow underneath him while not breaking the kiss. The door creaked open and Loki broke the kiss suddenly. Willow pushed him away and saw Brynja enter the room. Her cheeks were tear-stained and her head was bowed. Loki watched curiously as Bryn suddenly crawled into Willow's lap.

"What ails you, love?" Willow asked, hugging Bryn tightly.

"Ragnar has left me to play with the other boys," Bryn said, sobbing.

"He's a boy, dear. You will find others to play with," Willow assured her.

"Can I stay with you today?" Bryn asked cautiously.

"Of course you can stay," Willow replied and kissed Bryn's forehead. Loki caught Willow's attention and left the room quietly. As much as he wanted to spend time with Willow, Bryn needed her more.

Willow lulled Bryn to sleep and let her sleep in the bed while Willow changed her clothes. Coming out of the bathroom, Bryn had just woken up.

"What shall we do today?" Willow asked as Bryn stretched.

"Can we fly today?" Bryn wondered, making Willow grin.

The dream had made Willow cry when she woke. While wiping the tears away, Willow sat upright to find Loki sitting in the chair by the bed. Glancing out the window, she noticed it was dark outside.

"Are you well?" Loki wondered to which Willow responded with a smile.

"Sorry, I just had a strange dream," Willow explained and was about to wipe the rest of the tears from her cheek, but Loki brushed them away with his thumb.

"Was it a nightmare?" Loki wondered, scanning Willow's face. She looked into his eyes, knowing no one else would understand.

"Brynja came crying, saying that Ragnar abandoned her for the other boys," Willow stated simply and Loki had a slight smile on his face. A stray tear fell down Willow's cheek and Loki kissed it away. He then kissed Willow's lips. Her back hit the bed and Loki kissed her neck, trailing kisses up to the corner of her mouth.

Willow woke with her head on Loki's chest. He was playing with her hair absent-mindedly. Smiling, Willow looked up at Loki and he leaned down to kiss her. There was a knock at the door and Loki ignored it, engrossed in kissing Willow. Ethan's voice sounded through the wood, "Sir, Director Fury and Agent Barton are here. They are demanding that you turn over Willow."

"I will be out shortly," Loki replied and didn't move. He sent an illusion of himself to see what Fury wanted. As he controlled the illusion, Willow snuggled closer.

Director Fury noticed that this Loki was an illusion. He stepped forward and Clint joined his side.

"Why don't you show yourself?" Fury demanded and Loki grinned.

"I feel it is much safer this way. What do you hope to accomplish by coming here?" Loki wondered lazily.

"Where's Willow?" Clint asked with his eyes narrowed at Loki.

"She's recovering from her injuries." Fury didn't believe it.

"Where is Willow?" Clint demanded; his hand on his bow.

"She is perfectly safe," Loki stated, "Now, you must keep up your end of the bargain. There are two gems to retrieve."

"We will get the gems and then you're going back to Asgard," Fury stated and turned to leave the room. Clint didn't move, though.

"Run along, Agent Barton," Loki stated.

"I want to see Willow and make sure she's alright," Clint said, eyeing the door. Ethan moved in front of it a bit.

"Go, Agent Barton," Loki ordered.

Willow sat up, hearing the commotion outside, and pulled on her bloody clothes. Loki couldn't stop her and when she opened the door, Loki's illusion disappeared and Clint scanned Willow's face.

"Are you alright?" Clint asked, placing a hand on Willow's shoulder.

"I'm fine, Clint, I promise," Willow assured him, "You should get back, though. I'm safe here."

"You have my number, so call me if something happens," Clint stated and Willow nodded. Before the two departed, they hugged. Willow watched Clint leave, and then returned to Loki's room.

Standing by the window, Loki was watching Director Fury and Agent Barton leave. He was fully clothed with his hands behind his back. Willow joined his side and watched as the black SUV drove off.

"How did they find this place?" Willow wondered. Loki turned to face Willow and caressed her cheek.

"You should return to your room and change," Loki advised and Willow leaned forward to kiss him softly.

As Willow left, Loki paced. He didn't know how he'd keep Willow from the Avengers. Surely, they would steal her away and he'd be haunted with what could have been. Making up his mind, Loki decided that they needed to leave the hotel.

Ethan told Mimi that Willow was back as soon as she got back from work and that was where Mimi was headed. Willow was wrapped in a towel when Mimi entered the bedroom.

"You could have called and said that you were back," Mimi stated, sitting on Willow's bed.

"Sorry, I wasn't in the best condition. Besides, I thought we were fighting," Willow pointed out, looking through the dresser for clothes.

"What happened? Are you hurt?" Mimi wondered, concern in her voice.

"I'm just tired," Willow replied and dressed quickly.

"I'm sorry about the fight. I'm just tense and Maureen is hounding me about what's going on with you," Mimi said with a heavy sigh.

"I think I might have to quit," Willow mused and Mimi frowned.

"You can't just quit. You're great as Maureen's assistant," Mimi said, standing up.

"There's too much going on. When all of this is over, I'll think about getting back into the world," Willow explained and Mimi shook her head.

"I need you, Willow. You can't just disappear off the face of the Earth," Mimi begged.

"My future isn't here, Mimi." Mimi narrowed her eyes, knowing exactly what Willow meant.

"Is it with Loki in Asgard?" Mimi folded her arms across her chest as she asked the question.

"It might be, but what's wrong with that?" Willow inquired softly. She didn't want to raise her voice.

"You're a human being, Willow, and he's not. I don't think it would work," Mimi doubted.

"I've seen my future with Loki and it's a happy one!" Willow yelled and held her wounded side. Raising her voice made her wound hurt. She reached out to the dresser for support.

"How can you see the future? You're not psychic!" Mimi argued. The door opened and Ethan was there. His gaze fell on Mimi and then Willow. She was wincing in pain and Ethan approached her.

"Are you alright?" Ethan asked, assessing Willow's condition.

"Yes, I'm fine," Willow dismissed him and then turned to Mimi.

"Loki wants to see you," Ethan mentioned and Willow left her room. Mimi was about to follow Willow, but Ethan stopped her.

"Let me pass," Mimi stated.

"Willow is injured, Mimi. Raising hell like that could worsen her condition. You need to be careful," Ethan warned her.

"Willow is delusional. She thinks that she's going to end up with Loki," Mimi pointed out.

"Why do you care so much? You should want what's best for her and I know that Loki makes her happy," Ethan argued.

"Loki will be the death of her, Ethan. You have to help me make her see reason," Mimi pleaded with a soft expression.

"Willow isn't weak to let Loki push her around," Ethan mentioned and left Mimi alone.

Instead of doing as Ethan requested, Willow left the hotel. Drax came up to her and she found his leash. After Drax was leashed, Willow left the hotel and got a cab. She wanted to go home for a bit and get away from everything. The ride to her apartment wasn't long and Drax was keeping her entertained.

When the cab pulled up to her apartment, Willow got out and opened her apartment. It was as she left it. The room was dark and Willow opened the blinds. Drax, sniffed the room, aware that other people had been there.

"Let's stay here for a while, bud," Willow said to her canine and he wagged his tail.

The fridge was a mess and filled with outdated food products. Willow went through and threw away many of the items. When she was finished, Willow took a seat on the couch and turn on the TV. It had been ages since she had actually watched the news. There were spreads on the destruction in New York and a few cameramen had filmed her, flying through the air. It bought a smile to Willow's face and after watching for a few minutes, Willow attempted to find some snacks. Drax was clawing at his bowl and she searched through her cabinets for his food.

As night fell, Willow curled up on her bed with Drax at her side. The TV continued to go on about New York City and after a while, Willow turned off the TV. She nestled into her blankets and closed her eyes, waiting for sleep to come.

Brynja was sitting in the grass, next to Willow, playing with wooden figures. Willow gazed up at the walls of Asgard and found Loki sitting on the balcony, reading through a thick volume. Suddenly, Ragnar came running from the palace, headed right toward Willow and Brynja. He sat down next to Willow and was silent.

"You should leave, Ragnar," Brynja muttered, but Willow turned to look at her son. He was distressed.

"What seems to be the problem?" Willow wondered and Ragnar pointed to the palace doors. A group of boys exited and looked around.

"I turned one of their friends into a frog," Ragnar elaborated and Brynja laughed.

"I'm sure you can turn him back," Willow assured him, but Ragnar shook his head.

"I don't know how to do it and they are afraid of father." Willow smiled. Everyone was afraid of Loki. To them, he was unstable and devious.

"I will speak to your father. You must apologize to those boys," Willow advised and stood. Brynja looked up at Willow with a frown, dropping her toys.

"Mama, can I come?" Brynja wondered and Willow nodded, helping her young daughter up.

Ragnar walked over to the boys he was playing with and Willow led Bryn into the palace to speak with Loki. The large double doors groaned as Willow entered and Brynja ran ahead, eager to see Loki. He smiled when Brynja approached him.

"Ragnar is in trouble," Brynja stated and Loki looked up at Willow.

"He turned one of the other boys into a frog and doesn't know how to undo it. He also claims everyone is afraid of you," Willow elaborated. Loki grinned and put his book down.

"Tell your brother I wish to speak with him," Loki said, leaning down to Brynja and she left the study quickly.

After Brynja left, Loki stood and looked out toward Asgard. Willow folded her arms across her chest and eyed the study. There were piles of books everywhere due to Loki's extensive research.

"I think I know where Ragnar gets his behavior." Loki turned at Willow's comment.

"He is my son, after all," Loki pointed out.

"Both of your children are mischievous," Willow added.

I'm pretty sure there will be a Ragnar & Brynja dream in almost every chapter from now on. I just love them both so much! I don't know about everyone else, but I think everyone in Asgard would be terrified of Loki after what happened in New York :)