She walked through the corridors, the Asgardian people watching her as she passed. She was getting use to the stares; however she tried her best to ignore them. The corridors were lavished in gold, elaborate floral decorations and statues. Each corridor looked so alike it made it hard for her to navigate her way around. She had only been here for 7 days and yet she was slowly just beginning to get her head around where she was going. She managed to find her room and slip into it before relaxing. Thor had insisted that she was to stay within the palace, but that also meant she was staying under the same roof as Loki. That was a concern to her but Thor promised her that no harm would come to her from his brother.

The room she was given was bigger than her entire apartment back on earth. She had already unpacked the little what she was allowed to bring, mostly it was clothing and photos of friends and the people she classed as family. She didn't need much else around her. She was use to having very little to call her own. Thor had also provided her with plenty of reading of the history of Asgard as a starting point, which meant she could start her research at least. She was about to sit down and prepare to start her work when there was a loud thunderous bang on the door. She got up and headed over to the door opening the large ornate carved door to see Thor standing there.

"You are to join us." He smiled looking down at her.

"Pardon." Leah smiled at him, she liked Thor, he was definitely an optimistic soul to say the least. She still however had no idea or understanding of what he went on about half the time. This occasion being one of those times.

"For the feast tonight, in your honour." Thor beamed at her obviously pleased with the idea of the festivities.

"There is no need to do that Thor." She laughed to see him look a little upset to her response, she just let out a sigh before smiling back at him. "However I will be pleased to join you, do I need to change." Leah looked down at her standard issue tight black trousers, black tank top and unzipped jacket.

"I does not matter what you wear." Thor laughed

She shut the door behind her and followed the Tall god. Thor was different to the others on this planet; his time on earth had him understanding humans a little better than they did. He didn't seem to think of her or other humans as little mortals. Thor had a good heart and meant well, from the time they spent together before Loki's attack, she had become fond of the large man and trusted him. She just hoped that her intuition about people serve her well while being here.

She tried to remember which way they were going for future reference but she lost track of stair ways and turnings they took. It was just impossible to keep track of where they went. She gave up and instead enjoyed the stunning views and the beauty of Asgard.

"How are you finding it here Lady Leah."

"You can just call me Leah Thor." Leah corrected him smiling at his ways, she glanced up at him to see he was not looking at her, she just sighed. "It's beautiful and I am sure I will learn a lot during my time here."

"You went to see my brother again today?" Thor continued his questioning.

"Yes." She nodded not really knowing what else to say. She knew that they the Asgardians all knew the reason for her being here. They all knew what Loki had done to her home world, so she wasn't going to lie and say otherwise.

"Did you have any thoughts?" He glanced down at her, with a look of curiosity on his face.

"Many thoughts actually." Leah looked up at the god pausing for a moment thinking about what she should really say. "He looks rather comfortable which I am sure many people would rather he wasn't."

"He is still a prince still around here Leah. He is still my father's son even if he is not of blood." Thor replied to her comment looking a little concerned "He did wrong but we do not want to inflict pain and suffering like he did. It is not our way."

"So what is his punishment exactly?" Leah asked no one had really spoken much about it, it was only mentioned that he was imprisoned.

"His powers have been stripped by my father and he is to live within his cell for as long as we see fit. He will also never be able to leave this planet, so he can't repeat his actions again. Its gives him very little existence and meaning to live."

"Right." Leah thought about his reply "Thank you too for your help in making me welcome here."

"It is very little to do really." Thor glanced down at her. "You are a friend."

"As are you." Leah smiled back at him

Thor just smiled down at Leah before opening the tall golden doors which lead into the largest room she had been in yet which was lit with lanterns. She looked around it was beautiful, there was a open section which revealed Asgard in all of its true beauty in the evening sky. She was stunned for a moment which seemed to happen a lot the past few days. She was just breath taken to the magnificence of this planet and what it had to offer. She noticed a long table full of food and four people standing opposite the table.

"My friends this is my Midgardian friend Leah Barton, Leah this is Lady Sif and the warriors three. Volstagg, Hogun and Fandral."

Leah stood there as the three large men approached to greet her, she did her best to understand them. They all seemed to talk at once to her, about battles they fought and won, about Thor and Asgard. She just smiled at them not really sure what she should say or do. She just tried her best and looking attentive to what they were saying and absorb as much as she could of what they told her for further conversation if needed. Each one of the men were different, Hogun was the quietest and the most reserved towards her. Volstagg was a large, friend and enthusiastic man who seemed a overall very jolly soul while the last Fandral was most definitely a womanizer, she knew one when she saw one. He was handsome she guessed but his arrogance towards woman was off putting other wise she could see she would get on with all three of the men.

Once they finished there introductions, they headed to the table guiding her with them. She took a breath in, relaxing slightly as they made their way to sit down, the Lady Sif then approached her. She was extremely beautiful but also stood proud and strongly for a female which Leah respected greatly.

"Excuse the men, they do not know when to either start or stop talking." She said with a warm smile on her face. "My name is Sif."

"Leah." Leah introduced herself smiling back at her. "Its fine, I am sure it's just a trait that all men possess, it doesn't matter where they come from."

Lady Sif laughed before sitting down beside her, Leah just sat there listening to the Asgardians talking, it was amusing to hear their tails of battles and fights they had been in. She just picked at the food, it didn't seem too different from earth. Meat seemed to be the main part of the meal which suited her perfectly, as well as fruit, bread and cheese. The conversation had not come to her which she was happy about till one of the warriors three asked.

"So are you a warrior Lady Leah."

"Ah it not something I would call myself." Leah replied looking a little bemused by the question. She had fought her way out of situations, but she never looked to fight or be involved within wars. She knew she wasn't a front line solider more a back line.

"She is one but is modest about it my friends. I fought at her side on Midgard against Loki." Thor interrupted smiling at Leah as he told them. "She is trained in combat, has a brilliant mind and is a useful source of information."

"Thank you Thor." Leah blushed feeling a little awkward again till the conversation turned to other battles that were fought where she was not the centre of attention.

"So you fight." Sif frowned looking Leah up and down seeming a little doubtful.

To be fair Leah's frame was deceiving; she was small and petite with the curves of the woman. She didn't look like she would possess any strength, however she was stronger than most women, agile and deadly too. This suited her style as she rarely needed to fight in combat and preferred to be behind the scenes. It also meant she could take her opponents by surprise.

"If I have too." Leah nodded feeling a little embarrassed considering she was surrounded by warriors. "But not often."

"I would like to train with you if I may." Sif suggested

"Of course, it would be good for me to learn new techniques if you would train me." Leah replied.

The Lady Sif just smiled and nodded, Leah felt that she could get to like this Lady Sif in time. The evening was getting late and the morning ever closer. Leah felt that she may have possibly drank more wine than she should have had but there was no harm in that.

Thor showed her the way back to her chambers before bidding her a good night at the door. She laughed at his ways quietly before opening the door and closing it behind her. She turned to see the last person she expected to see sitting at her chair his feet upon her table. She just gasped looking at the man before saying.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Loki looked up from his lap at her. She felt a shiver run down her spine as his emerald green eyes met her silver ones. She pressed her back against the door not moving just watching him. He looked a lot better than he did earlier, back to the man she remembered in New York. His dark black hair was slicked back it was still longer than she remembered, but not as scruffy looking like it was before. He was dressed in green and gold the outfit he wore when on earth not the shirt and trousers he wore in the prison cell. He looked stronger, healthier and more intimidating that ever.

"I thought I would pay you a visit somewhere a little more private than the dungeons." He replied sounding very calm and real, his eyes yet to leave hers. "After you have visited me, daily so far."

"How did you get out of your prison?" She frowned trying not to let the little tremble come through. She looked around the room to see nothing had been moved.

Loki just smiled at her but did not give her a reply. She wasn't sure what she was going to do but she knew she didn't particularly want him here in her room alone with her. She just remained standing at the door, just watching him. She assessed what was best to do, but the irrational side of her mind had taken over by the surprise of seeing him here.

"You seem older than I remember little one." He commented cocking his head slightly a small smile still on his lips ignoring her question.

"Being on deaths door for a week does that to you." She snorted slowly feeling a little bolder as each minute passed and she realized he didn't seem to intend to harm her. She knew however with Loki that could change at any time.

"You were never going to permanently die from your wounds." Loki drawled looking at her seriously "We both know that don't we."

"Well thanks for checking on me." She replied sarcastically looking at him as he rose from the chair and standing up showing that he was definitely back to his old self. He seemed a lot taller than she remember as she had to look up at him. "Now." She tried to sound more confident than she felt "Get out."

"You don't mean that little one." Loki smirked at her moving a little closer to her.

Leah knew that he was partly right; she wanted him to leave but was currently to shocked and scared to be convincing about it. She just stood there a moment before she knew she needed to make the first move. She walked over to where he stood and went to grab hold of his armoured arm; however he vanished before her eyes. She stood there confused for a moment looking at her hand outstretched in front of her. She didn't quite understand what had just happened, whether it was her mind playing tricks or was it actually Loki's doing. She then heard someone tutting from behind her. Slowly she turned around and saw Loki resting on her bed looking very comfortable and pleased with himself. She knew then that this was all down to Loki's magic.

"So you still have your powers." She muttered feeling foolish to think otherwise. "Or at least some of them still."

"My so called father has stripped me of most of them." He told her as he leant back in her bed, still looking very pleased with himself. "Others are harder to get rid of."

"So does anyone else know about your wandering?" Leah asked crossing her arms and staring at him. The smile on his face slowly faded as a shadow grew within his eyes.

"No." He still sounded too confident for her liking. "I am still in the prison cell after all."

Leah just sat down in the chair which he had been in only moments ago; she stared at him trying to make sense of the situation. This was not going to be as easy as she thought a minute ago. She just stared at the man in her bed, knowing he had no plans in moving. With his ability or abilities still in tack, being unable to touch him, she had no chance in getting him to move anywhere. Slowly she stood up and paced the room for a minute, trying to plan her next move. She knew that her brother was right now and that this was not going to be as easy as she initially thought it might be. She just knew she had to play Loki at his own game to even get him to leave her alone. She just turned to face him again seeing that he was still on her bed and staring at her.

"All I want is some sleep Loki so you can stay or go, considering I can't touch you; I presume you can't touch me." She said her thought process aloud. She pulled out a blanket that had been left on the side of the bed and lay down on a couch. "So I guess this is good night."

She just lay there not moving, she didn't hear him or see him move. She thought about what her brother said to her the night before she left.

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"You can't be serious." Clint shouted at her, his eyes coming off the paper target 500 metres way and looking at her as his bow dropped.

"Why not?" Leah looked at her brother feeling the anger slowly building as it always did when he doubted her abilities and training.

"They are different to us; it could be a trap and your closer to him. They are one of the many reasons why you shouldn't do this mission You're not ready, physically and mentally your still adjusting and learning about your abilities." Clint said his anger boiling over; she could tell he was not going to accept this so easily.

"This is what I am trained to do Clint, I can't be wrapped up in cotton wool for the rest of my life." She argued back at him. "I know your just being my brother, just trying to protect me but seriously after all that's happened do you think I need that."

"More than ever." Clint replied raising an eyebrow at her. "They did things to you Leah that I still can't get my head around."

"I am not a broken little girl any more Clint." Leah sighed looking at her brother trying to calm the situation down. She knew she needed to get Clint to think about this more rationally than he was at this moment in time. "I am stronger than you think, I coped when Loki had captured me and I am sure I will be well looked after."

"So those nightmares you have had since they." He began pausing not really sure what to say.

"Are none of your concern." She hissed interrupting him, a bitterness rising in her throat as she cut him off. She looked away for a second as a memory crept up making her close her eyes as goose pimples rose on her skin. "I have had them for nearly two years now and you know they were not caused by Loki."

"That's why you're not ready to do this Leah. What they did to you in Budapest and then Loki." Clint muttered sounding more like his normal more rational self. "I regret everything I did with Loki daily. Most of all I regret telling him everything about you."

"You couldn't help yourself, you had no control." Leah shook her head trying to reassure her brother. "You told him a lot of things you shouldn't have."

"But it made him take you by force, holding you hostage and hurting you." Clint grumbled the guilt pouring through in his voice.

"Yes but we stopped him, the Asgardians have a prison for him. So I don't think we really need to worry about that. Thor has no reason to lie to us." Leah told him. "After all he did help to put Loki in that prison."

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