I apologize for the long wait. Finals are a pain haha Hopefully, we can get somewhere with this. To be honest...I have the dreaded Writer's Block XP Ugh it sucks, but hopefully over winter break I'll be able to watch the Avengers and Thor again to get back into the swing of things. Is anyone else freaking out about The Hobbit? 'Cause I'm going stir crazy over here. I simply cannot wait! Anyway, I hope you enjoy! Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, and added this fic to their alerts and favorites! You guys are awesome! :D

Chapter Twenty-Three

Willow found a SHEILD vehicle on the side of the road and Clint opened the driver's side door. No one else was with him and it gave Willow some peace of mind. He beckoned for her to get in and she walked over to the vehicle. The drive was long, considering they were headed to Stark Tower, according to Clint.

"What happened when Thanos attacked?" Willow asked suddenly. Clint gripped the steering wheel tightly.

"It was nothing," Clint muttered and Willow rolled her eyes.

"Why can't you tell me? Did Fury swear you to secrecy?" Willow demanded and Clint shook his head

"They hurt Nat pretty badly," Clint stated and Willow looked at her hands in her lap.

"Is that why Fury wants to talk to me?" Willow was curious to know why.

"I'm not sure what he wants, but it's a harmless talk," Clint assured her.

Willow leaned her head against the side of the door and closed her eyes. The sooner she had her little talk with Fury, the sooner she could think of a way to destroy Thanos.

Shaking the rubble from her hair and shoulders, Willow stood to find New York City in an uproar. People were running everywhere, trying to hide from the Skrulls that were attacking. Thor held out a hand for Willow and she took it, standing.

"What's happening?" Willow inquired, looking around.

"Thanos has killed the Captain," Thor stated solemnly. Willow tried to process the idea. How could Steve Rogers be dead? Just as Willow was about to ask if Thor was certain, she heard a monstrous yell and looked to see Thanos holding the limp body of Steve. In the distance, Willow saw Tony Stark surrounded by Skrulls. Clint and Natasha were yards away, blood smeared on their faces and clothes. Hulk roared in anger as Skrulls descended upon him.

In all the chaos, Willow couldn't find Loki. Was he even here? Turning to Thor, she knew he was distracted.

"Where's Loki?" Willow inquired, but Thor shook his head.

"He gave his life to save mine. I told him I would protect you," Thor said and placed a hand on her shoulder.

Thanos sent a car toward Willow and Thor used his hammer to block it. Willow jumped up, unfurling her wings, and flew straight toward him. She was able to throw him into a building, but Willow went with him. She groaned as she rolled onto her back. Thanos had a hand wrapped around her small neck. He was suffocating her. Willow struggled in return, hoping she could get away. Thor came and blasted Thanos away from her. Gasping for air, Willow sat upright.

"We need to get out of here," Willow managed and Thor nodded.

Clint shook Willow awake. They were parked in an underground garage. Willow opened her door and followed Clint to an elevator. It had a vast amount of buttons and Clint pushed one of the higher numbers. As they ascended, Willow folded her arms across her chest and avoided eye contact with her cousin. She knew he meant well, but after seeing the Avengers get their asses handed to them, Willow wasn't confident.

The elevator door opened and Fury was standing there with the Avengers. Willow let Clint go first and Fury didn't take his gaze off her.

"It's good of you to join us, Ms. Crecy," Fury noted and Willow nodded.

"What did you need to talk to me about?" Willow inquired and realized Natasha wasn't in the room.

"You need to stay at Stark Tower. We need your help now more than ever," Fury pointed out and Willow looked at the floor, pondering what she should do.

"Let me think about. I'll give you my answer tomorrow," Willow stated, meeting Fury's gaze.

"Fine, but there will be consequences if you don't agree to living here," Fury warned and Willow nodded.

When Clint drove her back, he let her out away from the Victorian house. Willow gave her cousin a nod as she left the car. He waited for a few minutes until she had gotten inside. The bedroom window Willow had gone out of was still unlocked and she slipped through it. A hand was at her throat as she entered the room and then she was released. Loki stood there, enraged.

"Where did you go? I had thought Fury came to take you back," Loki stated, his anger subsiding.

"Clint surprised me and said Fury wanted to talk. I have to move into Stark Tower to help or there will be consequences," Willow said quietly.

"What troubles you?" Loki wondered, placing a hand at Willow's cheek.

"Would you give your life for Thor, even if it meant leaving me?" Willow inquired and Loki was astounded.

"Why do you ask this?" Loki was worried.

"No reason, I was just curious," Willow lied casually with a shrug. Loki eyed her carefully and then pushed the thought aside. If Willow was lying, she was getting better at it.

Ethan came into the room, stopping instantly when he saw Willow. She folded her arms across her chest and noticed that he stood in front of someone.

"Who is that?" Willow demanded and Ethan moved aside to show a small girl.

"I found her and figured she'd do well serving you," Ethan mentioned and Willow shook her head.

"Did you just take a girl off the streets?" Willow demanded, taking a step toward Ethan.

"No, this is my cousin. She has no place to go," Ethan explained and Willow shook her head.

"I don't exactly care. There's too much shit going on and I don't need to keep an eye on someone," Willow stated, her eyes narrowed at Ethan. The girl at his side was frightened.

"Why can't you let her stay here? She'll help," Ethan argued and Willow took another step toward Ethan.

"I won't take her in. Why would you even bring her here? This isn't some sort of charity," Willow growled.

"You're heartless," the girl pointed out and Loki gazed at the girl. She was small and watched as Willow tensed.

"Get her out of here, Ethan. Don't try to bring in anyone else or you'll regret it," Willow threatened and Ethan led his cousin out of the room. After they left, Willow let out a breath and then smiled.

"I am surprised," Loki stated.

"I don't like Ethan. He's plotting something and I believe he wanted to keep his cousin here to spy on us," Willow figured.

"You knew it as well?" Loki inquired and Willow nodded with a solemn expression on her face.

"He's been talking to Mimi and I think they're still trying to talk me out of living this kind of life. To their displeasure, the life I used to lead is nonexistent," Willow said with a shrug.

"You would not go back?" Loki was curious.

"I have this ring on my finger and I'm pretty sure it means we're both in this together. Wherever you're going, I'm going with you," Willow stated and showed Loki her left hand, "I think I'm going to agree to live in Stark Tower."

"No, you will not," Loki said clearly.

"Then come with me. They won't bug me if you're glaring daggers at them," Willow suggested and Loki contemplated the idea.

"If it will ease your mind of Ethan," Loki mused and Willow nodded.

"Then we'll leave tomorrow. I'll call Clint tonight," Willow mentioned and went to her dresser. Loki watched as she went to work gathering her things.

The day progressed and Willow was packed. Pulling out her cell phone from the pocket of her jeans, she dialed for Clint. He picked up almost immediately.

"I'll come live at Stark Tower," Willow said instantly.

"I'm on my way," Clint stated.

"No, I'll come tomorrow. Loki's coming too," Willow mentioned and it was silent on the other line.

"Are you sure you want him along?" Clint hated Loki and didn't want him near them.

"If you want me to stay, Loki is coming," Willow stated, standing her ground.

"Fine, but if Loki's coming, we're keeping him far from you," Clint replied sharply.

"We'll see," Willow muttered and Clint hung up. Turning toward the door, Willow found Loki standing there. She put her phone back in her pocket and put her bags together in a pile.

"You spoke with Barton."

"He wanted to come right away, but I persuaded him against it. He's pretty mad that you're coming," Willow noted and Loki shrugged.

"He must come to terms with it," Loki stated. Ethan knocked on the door and entered with his head bowed. Willow looked at him and folded her arms across his chest.

"What do you want?" Willow demanded of Ethan.

"I have something I must attend to," Loki spoke up and kissed Willow's forehead before leaving with Ethan.

Night came and Willow yawned as she made her way to sleep. With her eyes on the door, she fell asleep. In the early hours of the morning, the bed shifted and Willow opened her tired eyes. Loki was facing her, eyes on her. She turned and looked at the clock at her bedside table. It was three in the morning. When she looked back at Loki, he was still watching her.

"It's early in the morning. What in the hell were you doing?" Willow inquired in a tired voice.

"Nothing that concerns you," Loki replied and Willow narrowed her eyes. She pulled the pillow from under Loki's head and put it on his face.

"I want to sleep," Willow stated and rolled over to her other side. Loki pulled her away from the side of the bed and she groaned in protest. Her back was against Loki's chest. He wrapped an arm around her waist and rested his chin on the top of her head.

Willow woke the next morning and found the blinds open. She had put a pile of clothes on the dresser last night in preparation to leave for Stark Tower. As Willow climbed out of bed, pushing the sheets at the end of the bed, Loki entered the room. He was ready to leave.

"Give me fifteen minutes and I'll be ready to go," Willow said and wandered into the bathroom, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Loki waited for Willow and when she exited the bathroom, she was fully awake and ready to leave. Grabbing her things, she led the way to the car she was going to drive to Stark Tower.

On the drive, Willow put some music on, but turned it down so it was mainly in the background. Loki was looking out the window and Willow kept her eyes on the road.

"What did you tell Ethan to do while we're at Stark's Tower?" Willow inquired, glancing over at him.

"I instructed that he do whatever he wished," Loki said, meeting Willow's gaze. She nodded and then turned her gaze back to the road.

It was silent for a few moments.

"When you asked if I would give my life for Thor, what was the purpose of the question?" Loki wondered and Willow bit her lip, hoping to figure out what she wanted to say.

"It was nothing," Willow said, but Loki didn't believe her.

"If it meant protecting both you and Thor, I would gladly give my life," Loki said seriously.

"I had a dream when Clint drove me to Stark Tower. Thanos killed both you and Steve. Thor promised you that he'd protect me," Willow recalled, her eyes on the road.

"Ragnar was not there?" Loki wondered.

"No, I didn't see him," Willow answered, giving Loki a quick look.

"You could not possibly have visions," Loki said suddenly.

"That's sort of obvious after everything that's happened," Willow pointed out with a slight smile.

Oh Ethan and Mimi, they're so devious haha but Willow's not putting up with their crap. I hope you enjoyed! I'm hoping to get the next chapter up as soon as my writer's block will allow. I assure you I have no intention of abandoning this fic! By the way, I am thinking about doing a sequel for Head Over Heels (if you've read it on my profile)...but it's going to be about the kids falling into the Hobbit. Obviously I can't write it until I go see the movie, so it'll be a bit, but that's in developement currently.