Leah woke in the morning to kisses on the bare skin on her back making her smirk into her pillow as she remembered the night before. She just laughed and smiled sleepily as she looked over her shoulder at Loki who seemed wide awake propped up on one arm looking down at her. His long black hair falling down pass his ears and still looking completely askew. She stared at him, looking at his handsome features feeling her heart swell even larger for him, she loved him completely unconditionally.

"Morning." She smiled at him.

"Morning" He repeated back to her as he kissed her on the lips his fingers dancing over her naked skin down her abdomen to her womanhood. She just rotated her hips pressing her behind against his firm erection. He slipped a finger inside of her as his thumb pressed against her clit making her gasp.

"Ready like always." He whispered in her ear causing a shiver spread down her spine. She could feel the dampness between her legs already.

She could feel Loki kiss and nip at her neck and shoulder which only fuelled her need for him even further. She just rolled her head back into his shoulder, he began to kiss her near nibbling at her making her go crazy. Leah pressed herself further back against him, grinding against him, which made him wrap his spare arm around her to still her movements.

"Steady little one." He nipped at the spot on her neck which made her lose control and cry out.

"Please love." Leah groaned turning her head to look at him. "I need you."

Loki just chuckled in her ear. He released his hold on her, kneeling up letting the sheets fall away from his magnificent form. Leah just looked at him grinning, she just followed suit before Loki grabbed her lifting her up. She just gasped as he made her wrap her legs around his waist as he held onto her buttocks. As he lowered her she felt him slowly enter her, more intimately. Leah hung onto his shoulders for dear life, as his hands slipped to her legs. Slowly using her own body strength she started to move up and down. It was a lot more intense than all the other positions they had tried. It was more physically overwhelming but as well as being a lot more penetrating as others. Her body had the familiar build up, which made her loose her strength and rhythm, Loki gently placed her down on the bed getting to a pace that he obviously wanted as they both climaxed together crying out.

It took a couple of moments to calm their breathing and gather their thoughts. Leah slowly sat up holding the blanket to her chest running her hand through her hair. She looked around the room to the empty cot, she missed Astrid already even though it had only been the night. It was already weird being out of routine, considering they would normally have Astrid awake by now.

"What are you thinking Little one?" Loki frowned.

"I am just missing our daughter." She shrugged glancing down at him, he seemed completely relaxed laying back on the bed. "It's already strange to be without her, I feel incomplete."

"Mmm." He smiled at her. "I will miss you both while I am gone."

"Really." Leah smiled leaning back down and resting herself on his chest. "I would have never thought the great Loki would emit to missing us."

"You are my family." Loki sighed wrapping his arms around her. "You are everything that's important to me now."

"I love you too." Leah smiled placing a kiss over his heart. "And I will miss you so much while your gone but we'll be proud too."

They just looked at each other for a few moments, Leah felt the sinking feeling in her stomach return, she was not sure how she was going to cope with him here. She had never been in Asgard without him about, that was going to be strange. She just closed her eyes before sitting up again sighing.

"I am going to bath." She said leaning over and kissing Loki on the lips. "Then I will collect Astrid, we could spend the day together."

Loki just smiled nodding before Leah quickly bathed, changing into a simple gown before heading to the Queens chambers to find Astrid. She knocked on the door with the two armed guards standing outside. Leah slowly opened the door to see Astrid sitting on the floor with the Queen who was magically making little animals. Leah just smiled, Astrid didn't seem that bothered to be away from them.

"Morning." The Queen smiled up at her. "Did you have an enjoyable evening."

Leah just blushed slightly nodding before sitting on the floor, Astrid looked away from the magical creatures before a massive smile came to her face. She almost managed to launch herself into Leah's arms which made Leah grin at least she showed some sign of missing her.

"Thank you for looking after her." Leah turned to the Queen cradling Astrid to her.

"She is a delight to look after" The Queen replied "If you should ever need some time to yourself, please just ask. I want to be as involved as possible with my grandchild's upbringing."

Leah got off the floor carrying Astrid back to their chambers to see Loki reading on of his books glancing up at Leah as she entered. Astrid immediately held her hand outstretched towards him, Leah handed over the demanding child as Loki passed her the glass vial with the milky liquid again.

"Why thank you." Leah drawled taking the potion he had given her. "The taste hasn't improved."

"It won't." Loki smiled as he kissed Astrid's head rocking her from side to side.

He walked off talking to Astrid, Leah just shook her head as she ate some fruit. Leah just watch him out on the balcony with Astrid, the way he stood showed how relaxed he was and Leah noticed how he talking to her seriously. Leah noticed how much happier and calmer he was now than the man she first met, that made her happy knowing that she helped get rid of the hate and anger he once held for everyone. She slowly made her way out on the balcony to Loki, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her head to his shoulder.

"I will need to go and get ready in a bit." He told her

"You sure you can't spend some more time with your family." She asked as he turned slightly placing an arm around her.

"I must prepare little one." He kissed the top of her head.

"Okay." She let out a sigh nodding, Loki just kissed and handed Astrid back to her. "I will see you in the throne room before I leave. I will get some one to call for you."

Leah just nodded before watching him leave, she just stood there with Astrid before looking at her daughter taking her inside before breast-feeding her. She changed Astrid into a lighter outfit allowing her to play on the floor with the toys that they had for her. Leah just watched her daughter, looking around her, this was not how she imagined being a family would be.

She got up and paced the room, she knew she was going to drive herself crazy if she kept this up. She eventually sat down with Astrid playing with her, showing her how toys worked and watching her learn herself. There was a knock at the door, Leah got off the floor opening it too see a guard standing there.

"My lady, Prince Loki would like you to join them in the throne room."

Leah just nodded picking up Astrid before heading to the throne room, she could feel her heart pound painfully as she followed the guard. The Queen joined them glancing at Leah before looking back ahead.

"You look pale." The Queen commented. "I know this will be hard, the number of times I watched Odin go off to war, wondering if he would ever come back. It is hard, but we mustn't show them how much, it will only make it worse saying good-bye."

"I know." Leah whispered turning to her, knowing it was really a duty she had to do now.

"We will be strong and supportive." The Queen told her.

Leah just nodded trying to smile but unable to do so. Leah entered the throne room where there were a handful of guards, the warriors three, Sif, Odin, Thor and Loki. Leah smiled seeing Loki talking and laughing with Thor, their bond as brothers obviously growing. It was pleasing for Leah to see Loki actually being himself around his actually family, the bitterness dwindling for them.

Loki saw her immediately smiling and heading over, he seemed lighter in his footsteps and looked younger in his appearance, it made her laugh slightly. Thor joined him looking at Astrid who stared in awe at her large uncle.

"May I." Thor asked

"Of course brother." Loki laughed at him, taking Astrid out of Leah's hands placing her into Thor's.

Astrid's eyes went wider for a moment till she moved her hands up and patted Thor's face before smiling at him like she worked out who he was. Loki looked at Astrid before back to Leah, Leah just smiled at him taking hold of his hand.

"Are you alright with all of this?" Loki asked looking at her seriously.

"Yes." Leah nodded "Its your duty, just make sure you come back to us."

Loki nodded before leaning down and giving her a gentle kiss, before looking back at Astrid who was managing to wrap Thor around her little fingers already with her big silver eyes. Loki took his daughter back off his brother before spending a couple of moments with her. Leah looked up at Thor for a moment before she said.

"You will look after him?"

"You are concerned?" Thor frowned

"No." Leah shook her head. "I just love him too much to lose him now."

"I will do my best to return him to you then sister." Thor smiled down at her.

"Thank you." Leah sighed "And look after yourself too."

Thor just nodded before Leah left them, she join Loki hearing him tell Astrid that she needed to be good for her mother. Leah watched as Astrid stared at him wide eyes like she was taking in everything that he told her. Loki looked down at Leah smiling.

"I will be back before you know it little one." He told her reassuringly.

"It won't be soon enough for me." Leah leant against him.

The horns blared as Odin stepped up onto the throne, everyone turned to face him. Leah just felt Loki wrap his arm around her pulling her against him. Odin said very little but only wishing luck onto the mission, good fortune and pray that no one met there end. Leah just stared up at Loki as Odin spoke, her eyes taking in his handsome face, the green in his eyes, the dark loose strands of his hair, the porcelain colour of his skin and the way the small smirk occasionally appeared on his face. Once Odin had finished the guards started to file out of the room, Leah just continued to look up at Loki as he looked down to her.

"Look after yourself and Astrid for me." Loki told her, his voice firm but she could see the slight pain in his eyes. "Please do not do anything that risks either of you. I love both of you, you know that don't you."

"Always." Leah nodded smiling up at him. "I love you too."

Loki kissed her passionately before giving Astrid a kiss and handing her back to Leah. Astrid started to grumble and cry which was unusual for the normally happy baby. Loki turned and walked away from them catching up with Thor, Leah just watched him leave a single tear running down her eye.