She felt like she was being turned inside out and pulled through frigid ocean water in the brief seconds it took to cross the threshold of time and space, though it seemed like an eternity. She was in danger of losing consciousness, terror piercing her mind like an arrow as she considered what would happen should she lose her grip on the scepter in her hand, when her feet hit what felt like hard glass, sending a freshet of pain through her ankle again and everything went gray as she stumbled and fell onto her back, hitting her head against something hard and metallic. She lay there, eyes shut, panting for breath, too dizzy even to speak. A voice boomed from high above her, "I saw you coming and I summoned a horse for you. She will need the healer's attention."
Something was being wrapped around her, she could smell cloth and sweat, a faint scent of cologne, Loki's suit jacket. It was folded around her and suddenly she was being lifted by a pair of strong arms, she opened her eyes momentarily and caught a glimpse of metal and a golden eye like that of a lion and she was being lifted higher until she was sitting on something hard, and she slumped sideways, coming to rest against Loki's shoulder. There was a slight rise and the sound of hoofbeats, a strange hum and the sound of striking glass with every forward jolt of the horse's stride. Her head hurt so badly, her stomach clenching, trying to find a way upward, she bit her lip to stop the gorge from rising. She could hear Loki, his breath quick in her ear, his arms taut around her body as he gripped the reins. A great creaking, and the sound of chains being ratcheted and the hoofbeats started to echo. She raised her head and could see high walls on either side of them rising into a starlit sky, a glance over Loki's shoulder as two massive doors slowly closed and a glimpse of the multi colored road seemingly made of crystal that they were riding across, stretching into the distance behind them, she turned her head forward and saw towers, spires rising around her in such designs as she had never seen before. Arches impossibly high, statues the likes of the Colossus of Rhodes in an endless row, bridges, waterfalls that would dwarf the Bridal Veil many times over and in the midst of this vast landscape, what seemed to her like a great shimmering mountain overlooking all. She closed her eyes again, her vision blurring. She felt the horse shudder to a stop and she was being handed down to a pair of waiting arms, the hand she had been gripping Loki's shirt with, slipped away and she tried one last time to see him but the grey returned and this time faded to darkness.
Loki followed the healers until they entered the healing rooms and would not let him enter. He stopped, staring at the doors as they closed, then turned, taking long strides through the halls of the palace, ignoring the stares of Volstagg and Sif as he entered the main throne room to find Odin and Frigga in quiet conversation on the dais. "Mother, Allfather." He stopped at the steps leading to the throne and bowed deeply. Frigga stood, swiftly taking the steps and enfolding Loki in a warm embrace, "My son, we heard of your arrival. It is good to have you back home." Loki gave her a small grin but the tone was grim, "I have brought a Midgardian woman with me. The healers have taken her." Frigga stepped away and held him at arm's length. "Loki, you risked her life bringing her here. Travel between the realms is difficult even for a god. For whatever purpose would you do such a thing?" Loki looked up at Odin who had sat, quiet, listening, then he glanced back at Frigga, a stray tear reaching his cheek before he could wipe it away, he was weary to the bone of the ceaseless struggle, the battle he was forever fighting within and around him and all at once he wished for the sweet peace that death would have given him in the deep recesses of the void had he been able to will it. "It was the only way, mother," He sat heavily on the steps and put his head in his hands, "I could not bear to leave her behind." He heard the ringing thud of Odin's staff and he turned to see him walking down the steps towards him. "My dear, I would have a word alone with Loki if you please." He said as he laid a hand upon Loki's shoulder. Frigga bowed and giving Loki a warm smile, turned and drifted from the throne room.
Odin's steps were a bit slower now, his hair whiter than Loki could remember but his eye remained clear and bright and he seemed to be weighing his words carefully before he spoke. "You did not take my advice, Loki," They were standing at the far end of the throne room, looking out across the landscape to the remains of the Bifrost and the new portal being constructed at its furthest reaches. "Your mother is right, you have risked her life bringing her here." Loki put a hand to his forehead, "It was either take her with me or leave her there where I would never be able to see her and that is something I wasn't willing to accept." Odin studied the drapes on the terrace for a moment, then, "Did you consult with her before you brought her here? Did she willingly place her hand on the scepter?" Loki nodded at this, "What of your brother then, does he know what you have done." "I told Thor nothing, he wouldn't have let me go." Loki growled. "Thor is wise. He knows right from wrong." Loki backed away from Odin, his hands in fists, "He spends his free time on Midgard with Jane Foster, a vituperative, venomous woman and he presumes to pass judgment upon my efforts to remain with Sarah as if he himself was free from sin." Loki felt the old rage rising in him again, "He watches my every move, he is a thorn in my side from the time I awake to the time I lay my head on my pillow…" The metallic thud from Odin's staff cut Loki short, "He is fulfilling his obligations as was asked of him, do not fault him for that, rather the fault must lie with you. You have incurred a great debt, one that cannot easily be repaid. You have done a great wrong to the citizens of Midgard and as such they do not trust you, this is the burden you must carry. Would you ask this woman to shoulder that burden with you?" Loki was silent, "And do you believe she would?" Odin leaned upon his shaft and waited, finally Loki nodded. "She came here with me even though she didn't believe me when I told her about Asgard, she took such a leap of faith the likes of which I've never seen before." Odin stood there quiet for a moment, then put his hand upon Loki's shoulder, "We will give you a feast to welcome you home and to welcome the Midgardian woman to our realm when she be well enough to attend."
Sarah had slept a dreamless sleep, deep, what the healers needed to do their work and they left her to awaken on her own which she did seemingly hours later. She lay in a huge, comfortable bed, a green blanket shot with gold threads and the softest material she'd ever touched covered her body. When she tried to sit up for the first time, the blanket slipped a bit and she realized she was naked beneath. She pulled the blanket further up to her and glanced around the room she was in, torches lit the walls which were lined in white marble that glowed gold in the firelight. A small table beside the bed was lined with cloth and held a silver ewer and cup as well as little dishes filled with items and unguents she could not identify. She wanted to get out of the bed and find Loki but she would have to procure some garments first, she was thinking this when she realized that her ankle was no longer throbbing, in fact, as she twisted it around a bit, she felt no pain at all.
Unnoticed, one of the healers, a tall older woman approached her with something draped across her arm. "I have a gown for you to put on, M'lady," She said as she laid it on the end of the bed and started to pull the covers away which Sarah at once gripped tightly. The healer hesitated, then smiled warmly at her, "There's no need for modesty here, I promise not to let anyone in until you are clothed." Sarah looked at the dress then sighed, and pushed the covers away from her while the healer brought the dress, a sage green shift with long open sleeves that let her arms show to the wrists. She stood up to slip it on and still felt a bit light headed. "Where's Loki?" Sarah ventured to ask as the healer was adjusting the dress for her. The healer shook her head, "He is likely getting dressed for the feast. The Allfather has deigned to hold a feast to celebrate Loki's return and to welcome you to Asgard. You've traveled a great distance to be here." Sarah decided against asking just how far and was about to ask for something for her feet when the great doors across the room swung open and a stately woman with a sparkling bronze colored gown and grey blond curls piled atop her head, pinned in an updo, glided over to Sarah. The woman took Sarah's hands and squeezed them in hers. "Welcome, Sarah, to the kingdom of Asgard." Sarah nodded, bowed as best she could in her gown. "I'm glad to see you're well enough to be up and about." "Thank you," Sarah said in a small voice. "I'm Loki's mother, Queen Frigga." Sarah smiled and curtseyed, "It's wonderful to meet you, your Majesty." Frigga smiled graciously. "This place is beyond words." Frigga slipped an arm around her shoulders, "Indeed it is. I must ask you," She started to walk slowly towards the doors, with Sarah, nodding at the healers as she passed by while they bowed in reply, "How is it you came to know.."
Before she could finish her question, the massive doors to the healing rooms swung open and a handsome white haired older looking man dressed in what looked like plated and leathered armor, and sporting over his right eye, a golden metal eye patch which looked to be securely fastened to his face, strode through the doors. Frigga and the healers in the room dropped to one knee, crossed their right arms over their chests and put a closed fist over their hearts. Upon seeing their reaction, Sarah at once followed suit, though a bit sloppily as she wobbled on one knee. "My dear, the banquet is nearly ready," The man said in a voice almost too soft for the man she suspected he was, but with a weight to it as if he could shake the very foundations of the palace had he wished to do so. The Queen stood, "I shall go to the Great Hall to check on preparations if you wish." The man smiled tenderly, "If you please, I wish to walk with the Midgardian woman, Sarah, for a bit." Sarah glanced up at him and his one eye was fixed upon her, the seriousness there, belying the smile he still held on his face. The queen bowed slightly, gave Sarah a comforting squeeze on her shoulder and walked through the doors behind the man, exchanging a glance between them as they passed. " I am Odin Allfather, King of the Aesir, rise, Sarah Miller and indulge me with your company if you will," The man said nearly causing her to wobble completely onto her backside, then he was walking down the steps towards her, hand outstretched. "Come, my child, you must still be weak from the healing," He took her hand and helped her to her feet, then curling her arm around his and patting her hand comfortingly, they started up the stairs out of the healing rooms and into the main palace.
They walked for a minute in silence, Odin keeping his hand over hers, patting it gently. The hall they were passing through was carved throughout with gold bas reliefs of what seemed to be great battle scenes, strange creatures rearing up, men with swords and spears, horses, at one point, she was sure she could recognize Thor holding a hammer, his mouth wide in an eternal call to arms. The hall led into a larger room with immense marble columns supporting the great cathedral ceiling above them, beyond lie a vast terrace with a heavy marble railing around the edge, a perfect place from which to survey the city and Odin stopped, letting her arm free after a final pat with his hand. Her insides clenched in anticipation, she knew he was going to be asking some hard questions. He stared out across the city for a moment, then, "M'lady, how came you to know my son, Loki? Sarah crossed her arms, feeling vulnerable, "I worked with him.." And here she couldn't believe she was saying it but there it was, "On Earth." Odin peered at her, "Worked with him? Please explain." Sarah shrugged, "He was a guest at the S.H.I.E.L.D. office where I was employed as an agent." The word guest seemed more implausible now that she was saying it. Odin nodded, "Thor told me of this place where he often stays when on Midgard. It is Thor's responsibility to watch over Loki while he is there." Sarah considered holding her tongue, but indignation won out. "Why must Loki be watched over like a criminal? He is nothing of the sort." She pushed the thought of the cd sitting at home in her briefcase a world away but pushed the thought from her head. Odin, seeming to pick up on her thoughts said, "Has he told you of the past transgressions that brought him to such a pass?" Sarah shook her head, "We've talked about Asgard, his brother, things like that." Odin continued to gaze out over the landscape and Sarah, turning, could see a long thin glowing strip, a bridge disappearing into the distance, where she'd first entered the city with Loki on that long, painful horse ride. "It is not my place to tell you of his past. That is something he must choose to do himself." He paused, "Tell me, has Loki said anything about himself?" Sarah cast a curious look at Odin, "Like what?" Odin turned from the view of the city below to fix her with his gaze, "Has he told you, he will outlive you by many years, what you would consider forever, with your limited lifespan. Though he will age, it will be much slower than yourself, you will not grow old together. I have seen the anguish this causes." Sarah was taken aback and Odin continued, "You are not the first Midgardian to visit Asgard, my dear. There have been times such as this down through our ages, painful to witness." Sarah wished, for all the world, that Loki was at her side here and now, she was starting to feel sick and it suddenly hit her, "Outlive me? Aren't gods immortal?" Odin shook his head, "Not the Aesir, we too can die just as yourself though we can withstand many times over what would kill a human in an instant, we can still be killed." Sarah had a moment of weakness but it couldn't be helped, "Kind of negates the whole god thing then doesn't it?" Odin considered her comment, "That it is what it is has been our lot in life." He studied her face, then asked the only question she was able to answer easily since they'd started talking, "Do you love my son?" "I do." Sarah responded. Odin gave a kind smile, "And does he love you?" Though he knew the answer, he felt compelled to ask. "I believe he does." At once, a servant was at their elbow, "Your majesty, the feast is prepared." Odin acknowledged him with a wave to which he bowed and left. "Time for ceremony, then we will welcome you formally, my dear. I have enjoyed our walk"
Here Odin bowed and Sarah responded in kind. Odin turned and there was a tall man dressed in full body armor wearing a massive winged helmet leaving Sarah to wonder at the stealth with which the people moved about the palace. "Please see M'lady Miller to the throne room." With another bow, Odin was walking away, back down the corridor which they'd come before. The guard bowed and directed her forward with a flourish of his hand.
She entered the throne room after the guard, who presented her to a woman of medium stature with dark brown hair pulled back from her face with a leather strip, wearing pair of leather breeches, boots and a provocative vest which pushed her breasts together quite nicely. "Lady Sif, Lady Sarah Miller." The guard said, then turned and left her in the company of this woman with an almost angry glare fixed to her face. Sarah surveyed the throne room itself, looking for any signs of Loki. She looked to the top of the dais whereupon sat the largest throne she had ever seen, in person or in books, it looked like the hilt of a massive sword rising up towards the ceiling and it and the entire dais, stairs and drapes were gilded in gold. The people surrounding her were dressed in robes and shifts much like hers, in a myriad of colors and Sarah wondered to herself whether the colors had meaning to them, whether it meant they were officials, peasants, other gods, members of the court. She considered asking Lady Sif but had experienced no welcoming vibes coming from her, so kept silent. There was a sound of a horn being blown, a deep resounding two note rift that rose upward in octave and all around her knelt to one knee, once again, she followed their lead, watching the dais where Odin was walking towards the throne, Frigga on his arm. He led her to the smaller throne to his right and kissed her hand as she sat down. Then he turned, approached the larger throne and stood before it.
A voice from in front of her spoke, "All hail, Allfather" The crowd about her murmured in repeat and then stood up. The sound of marching started to her left down the long aisle to the dais and she watched as two lines of guards, dressed like the guard who had accompanied her, marched nearly to the steps and turned to face each other, flanking the aisle. Odin's voice boomed out into the room, "We are gathered here today," The remainder of the traditional wedding vows started to play out in Sarah's head and she suppressed a giggle, the action not lost on Sif who turned to glare at her. "To welcome home my son, Loki, who has been gone from us for some time. In his honor, we have prepared a feast and entertainment for the evening." At a nod from Odin, the guards all at once pounded their lances on the floor. Sarah watched the people bow again and from the darkness at the far end of the aisle advancing in large strides, appeared a man dressed in a combination of black leather pants and boots, a heavily tooled, wide shouldered, green and black leather long sleeved jacket with a black undercoat with metal accents, a wide gold necklace draped around his chest, a dark green flowing cape that swirled and swept the floor when he walked and an incredible helmet atop his head, dark gold, gleaming covering all but his face, great horns curved feet high and backwards. As he came closer, and she finally saw the man's eyes, she realized that it was Loki and she drew in a sharp breath. Never had she seen a man with such presence, the change in him when he was in his element was palpable and if she hadn't believed before now that he was truly a god, it was starting to sink in to a mind already filled to capacity.
Loki stopped before the stairs to the throne, dropped to one knee, crossed his right arm over his chest, a fist over his heart. "Allfather," Odin lifted his hand and Loki rose to stand again. He was tall without the helmet on, over six feet, the helmet made him seem like a giant. "I wish to present to you the Midgardian, Sarah Miller." Sarah felt herself blush furiously and she met his eyes over the crowd, he giving her a playful smile and nodding as he held out his arm, hand extended, palm down. At first she felt rooted to the floor, she couldn't make her feet move until she felt a hand at the small of her back, rough and insistent, pushing her forward. She turned to see Sif, eyes narrowed, her head tilted towards Loki. Sarah walked forward as the crowd parted and stood next to Loki. He looked at her, mouthed the words, "On top" and Sarah, recalling a scene from an old King Arthur movie she'd watched, laid her hand atop his. "We welcome you Lady Sarah Miller of Midgard, to the realm of Asgard and we will now honor your visit with a grand feast." Loki bowed and Sarah curtseyed, glad she'd watched the old Robin Hood series on late night tv. The guards struck the floor with their lances once again and Loki turned, Sarah still with her hand atop his and he spurred her on down the aisle with her. The horn once again sounded it's mournful blat and she could hear the people around her start to murmur as the ceremony ended and she turned to see Odin descending the dais with Frigga on his arm as they blended into the crowd who surged around them.
When they were out of view of the court, Loki leaned over and kissed her for a long minute, she could feel him moving as he fought to keep the helmet balanced steady. When he backed away, she was overcome, "Loki, this has to be a dream, I think I'm going to schedule a CAT scan when I get home." Loki put a hand to her nape and rubbed her neck. "I knew you would be amazed." Sarah nodded and he put his hands out, turned, "What do you think?" Sarah had to smile, "Incredible, I've always loved a man in uniform," Loki laughed and caught her up in his arms, kissing her again, this time their lips parted in unison, she tugged at his bottom lip gently with her teeth savoring the groan that escaped him they deepened the kiss, the sensation of his tongue meeting hers, passing it, exploring, probing. She broke the kiss, panting, she looked into his eyes, filled with desire, and laid her head on his shoulder, "If we're late to the feast, we'll be missed for sure." She whispered, finally pushing away from him. "I would think if it were for a good reason, they'd understand." Loki purred, putting his arms around her waist and kissing her neck. The pressure of his body against hers sent shivers through her, beginning to weaken her resolve and she once more pushed him away. He grinned and held his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, shall we then?" He offered her his hand and they made their way to the Great Hall.
Stark stood in Fury's office along with Thor and Banner. "You know I'd like the world to prove me wrong once in a while, I hate to be right all of the time, it gets real boring." "I know, doesn't it?" Tony agreed with Fury, earning him a fixed glare, "Yes it does, and right now you're the luckier of the two of us aren't you Mr. Stark?" Tony gave Fury a quick smile, "Haven't I always been?" Fury walked from behind his desk and up to the screen on the wall with a remote in hand, he began to flick the video feed of lab 3's surveillance cameras across the screen. Loki in the corridor, his hands turned blue, pressed to the glass doors, the lab doors, glass shattered, Loki carrying Sarah across the threshold, the guards arriving at the scene and one of the scariest feeds of all, in Fury's opinion, Loki standing with the scepter in his hands once again, Agent Miller looking scared senseless as she reached for the scepter. "I prefer to think that Loki forced her into doing what she did, any other explanation would be unacceptable but it still doesn't negate the fact that you, Mr. Stark, failed to keep a lid on them while they were in your townhouse." Tony gave a wry grin, "It was a party, what did you expect? You have been to a few parties in your life haven't you, Fury? They usually involve lots of booze, lots of fun, lots of sex, depending on the type of party. They don't often involve sitting on your guests so they behave. I don't agree with what he did, don't get me wrong there, I'm on the side of right and justice and all that bullshit but, maybe, just maybe you could have given the kids a little leeway. Loki's been sorta well behaved lately compared to, well…he's been a good boy. Doesn't he deserve a cookie once in a while?" Fury turned away from the group, "Ever been in a staring contest, Stark?" "Not with a one-eyed man, no" He replied, eliciting a cough from Banner, "Well I have, and every time I blink, something bad happens. I'm holding you personally responsible for this incident." Tony nodded, "It's okay I can take it, I have broad shoulders, I'll file it with Pepper if you like." Fury sat down in his chair and looked around at the group before him, "Which brings us to the next problem, Doctor, can you set up something that would give us some leeway in getting a response team to the lab if and when they do come back, something that would read the energy signature of that damn pig sticker when they are coming through?" "Banner adjusted his glasses on his nose, "Uh what kind of leeway are we looking at?" He turned to Thor, "About how long do you think it takes for you to travel home with that scepter?" Thor thought for a minute, "It is as powerful as the Bifrost, if not more, I believe the time may be quite short." Banner shrugged, "So what would you say a minute, maybe two?" Thor closed his eyes, then, "Perhaps, time has a way of changing when you travel between worlds though. It is all I have to offer you, I'm sorry." Banner grinned sheepishly, "Well at least it's something to go on." Fury stared at him, "So can you do it?" Banner looked around the room, "Unknown variables, unstable energy source, indeterminate distance? Yeah I can probably rig something up." Banner chuckled but Fury was already standing up again, "Then get on it, I want a progress report every two hours. When Loki does return, and I'm sure he's going to. I want the jump on him, I want him locked down as soon as his feet hit that floor." "What about Miss Miller?" Banner asked, barely above a whisper. "If she survived the trip in the first place, we'll deal with that when it comes."
Loki pulled out the chair at an immense banquet table, to the left of Frigga who smiled as Sarah sat beside her. "My child, you must be so hungry." She said as she reached over and placed a bowl of fruit before her. Sarah doubted she would be able to eat much at all but she nodded politely. Loki pulled out the chair beside her and sat down, he then reached up and took the helmet by the side plate, pulling it until, with a click, the bottom part gave way and he slid it off, he then reached up with both hands and removed the massive horn section, put the pieces back together and set the helmet on the floor, and smoothed his hair back from his face. "What did you think of the great throne room? Have you ever been to a ceremony like that, my child?" Sarah shook her head. "Well they like to make a grand entrance, don't they." "Don't all men?" Sarah replied to which Frigga clapped her hands and laughed melodically. "Sarah is a warrior on her own world, mother." Loki suddenly spoke up, causing Sarah to whirl around and face Loki, shocked. "Yes, she's what is called an agent. She's trained to protect people from criminals.." "That explains why she's here then," Came a reply from across the table. Sarah looked across to find Sif staring at Loki and when she turned to look at Loki, he had returned the stare and was now glaring at her. "That's very interesting," Frigga spoke up, "How do you train for such a position?" Sarah looked at the plate of fruit before her, "We have to go to an academy to train, like a school. We learn hand to hand combat, weapons, negotiation skills, languages, profiling, everything you would need to know to protect someone like the President." Frigga wore a curious expression, "President?" Loki spoke up, "Like the Allfather." Frigga nodded, "You are like our guards here at the palace. They are steady and loyal, ready to die for their king, that is a very noble profession." Sarah smiled and thanked her and was about ready to attempt a piece of what looked like an apple when she saw Sif staring at her across the way, a smirk on her face. Sarah narrowed her eyes and tightened her lips into a thin line, watching Sif's expression darken into a frown. They stayed like that for a minute, two, and finally Sarah could bear it no longer. She stood with her hands on the table and Sif did likewise, pausing before finally giving in with a grin, "You look as though you may have more woman on your hands than you can handle, Loki." It was Frigga's turn to stand then. "Sif, there will be no more of this. You show bad manners towards an honored guest." This served to break the spell and Sif bowed low in Sarah's direction, "Forgive me, I meant you no slight." Sarah waved her hand, "Okay, sure." Sitting down, she noticed that Sif was once again eyeing Loki, and she wondered if there would soon be words between them.
Odin had set at the head of the table watching the exchange quietly. He now sat forward in his chair. "Mother is right," He sent a gracious nod in her direction, "There is to be no discord for the rest of the evening." Odin paused, "From either party," Sarah kept her gaze at her plate, sure she'd been delivered a smack down as well. A steward walked behind her chair and began to fill a chalice beside her plate from a gold carafe. She picked up the chalice and sniffed it, the sweet strong smell of fermented grapes and maybe a touch of honey came to her. She took a tentative sip and the taste exploded over her tongue like fireworks. "They've nothing like this where I come from, unless I'm missing out, probably something from Stark's cellar." She took a deeper swallow, "But this is wonderful." She felt a hand on her thigh, a light massaging touch, and looked towards Loki who wore possibly the most adoring expression she'd ever seen, on his face as he watched her turn the chalice between the palms of her hands. "And if it's a dream, I'd like to sleep in a little longer."
The sopophoric effect of the wine, the hum of hushed conversation and Loki's ministrations upon her leg had served to lull her into a contented state and she sat listening to the people around her, the stories they had been telling of battles, the discord between worlds, the proper way to please a woman. That one had perked her up a bit and she had strained harder to hear what they were saying, was in fact picking up on some good ideas when she felt Loki lean close to her, his hand brushing a stray tendril of hair away from her face and close to her ear in a low voice just above a whisper, "I'm going to take my leave for the evening, will you come with me?" She turned and looked at him, could see the flush in his face and resisted the urge to kiss him, then nodded and watched as he stood up. "Mother, father, we wish to thank you and bid you good evening. I will show Lady Sarah to her rooms." She heard a giant of a man with a red flowing beard and hair whom she'd heard referred to as Volstagg, cough violently, suddenly, avoiding Loki's gaze. Odin and Frigga stood up in kind. " I hope you'll find the accommodations to your liking, my dear." Frigga said to her as Loki reached down and offered her his hand. "Thank you so much, your majesty." She replied with another curtsey and she was following Loki out of the great hall and down the torch lit corridors to her room.
Loki swung open a pair of gilded bronze doors and Sarah peered in. A great carved hardwood frame against the far wall held the bulk of a massive bed which looked like it could hold a whole baseball team at once. Two graceful oil lamps hung, glowing, on the wall on either side of the bed which was draped with a blue silk coverlet and great white pillows leaned against the arched headboard which was carved what she thought was a great curving dragon looking back over it's shoulder, it's front paws reaching out from the edges of the bed to grip two ball finials at the top of the arch. A dressing mirror stood against the wall to her right, stretching to the ceiling high above. She stepped further into the room and was delighted to find a part of the same beautiful terrace that she had stood at to speak with Odin curved around the outer edge of the room, three smaller pillars supported the roof and formed the only barrier to the view out into the cerulean night sky.
She turned to Loki and smiled, "They certainly like big things here, don't they," He smiled in return, "I think it serves to humble us, to remind us that despite the fact that we believe ourselves to be giants among men here, that there are far bigger than us in the universe." She looked at the bed, "Or that it gives you bragging rights." Sarah giggled. The wine had relaxed her, sent all thoughts of S.H.I.E.L.D., Fury, even her job, off to spend an evening alone with themselves. She walked over to the bed and sat down. "Oh isn't this delicious?" She flopped back and stared up at the dark ceiling. When Loki remained silent, she sat back up to see him standing by the door. "Loki? What's wrong," He shook his head, "Nothing, I trust the accommodations are to your liking?" Sarah stroked the covers under her hand. "If you're asking if I love the room, the answer is yes." She could see his jaw clench suddenly, "I will see you in the morning then," He bowed and was nearly to the door when Sarah caught up with him, "Why do you have to leave right now?" She put a hand on his forearm, fingering the soft leather, feeling the sinew of the man beneath it. But Loki seemed almost to balk at the same touch that had made his breath catch in his throat hours ago. "I am afraid, Sarah, for the first time in my life, truly afraid to stay here any longer." Indeed he glanced towards the door as he said it. Sarah withdrew her hand and crossed her forearms, cupping her elbows. She could feel her pulse in her fingertips, so hard was her heart beating. She watched him for a moment then said, "But, I'm harmless," She opened her arms, "See, no gun." She smiled at him and was surprised by his swift movement as he gripped her shoulders, "But I am not, Sarah, I hunger for you. For every part of you, and I fear the consequences of my actions but it does not alter the way I feel about you." He leaned to her and placed a trembling kiss on top of her head, the scent of her hair, her skin beneath the palms of his hands driving him even farther from his resolve. Frustrated and confused, Sarah broke away from him. "Damn you, Loki," She paced back and forth for a moment, "Damn you for bringing me here, Damn you for following me down that damn hallway, for coming to my apartment, for kissing me, for making me love you." Tears were starting to constrict her throat and she uttered one more, "Damn," and sat down heavily on the bed. "I was damned long before that, Sarah."
She looked up at Loki who would not lift his gaze from the floor and she stood and walked over to him, put her hand beneath his chin, feeling the warm wet of his own tears, his eyes meeting hers, breaking her heart in two. She took his hand and he allowed himself to be led over to the bed where she sat him down. She took the heel of one boot and with a short tug, it slid down his leg, she did the same with the other one. He touched a hand to her hair, then reaching behind her, undid the leather strip that the healers had tied there when they'd given her the dress to wear, and she felt her hair release to her shoulders. She straightened up from the floor and putting her palms against his chest, slid them beneath the thick leather lapels of his jacket, pushing it backwards over his shoulders, he bending his elbows to facilitate her as she pulled the sleeves forward and off his arms. She put her hands on her hips for a moment, eliciting a smile from him as he reached forward and undid the gold buckler around his neck with a deft turn of his wrist, revealing a silk cord laced through the front of his tunic. Her hands started to tremble as she untied the bow and released the knot, glancing up at him for approval. He took her face in his hands, the kiss between them filled with an urgency, a passion that took them by surprise, his hand slipping behind her head, threading through her hair, hers responding in kind as she slipped her hand beneath the tunic to grasp his bare shoulder, the kiss causing her head to swim and her knees to relax when she was borne by an arm around her back. She reached down and slid her hands against his stomach and under his tunic, reveling in the light strip of hair she grazed as she brought the edge of the tunic up, he assisting her in continuing her task, kissing her throat as she rose to lift it over his hands. She sat back on her heels and stood up, looking down at him, studying to learn every mark, every scar, each curve, the graceful sweep of his long neck to his strong shoulders and lean muscular arms tapering to slender hands. He stood up with her and began to untie the satin cords tied at her shoulders which held the gown in place and she put her hand on his, trepidation momentarily breaking her.
"I will never hurt you, my heart." He whispered, as he bent down and kissed the bare skin of her shoulder, nipping at her collarbone, his teeth grazing the skin as he turned her and let her down gently on the bed, reaching down to her thighs, taking the hem of the dress and pulling it away from her, over her feet to drop on the floor at the end of the bed. She was suddenly self-conscious, scrambling backwards until she found the edge of the sheets, lifting them to cover herself when she heard him chuckle, "You are beautiful, Sarah, please don't hide it from me." He knelt on his hands and knees and crawled over to the middle of the bed where she lay, half under the sheets, her breath ragged in her throat and stopping as he dipped his head to her, his hand sliding along her rib cage to cup one breast, his lips encircling the tip gently, she could feel the movement of his tongue against her and she let a groan as she stretched and shivered, putting her hands against his head, feeling him smile against her skin as he moved over her to give his attention equally, his hand caressing, skimming over the other he had just left. She arched her back, her breath in short gasps as he worked his way down to kiss the hollow of her belly, then upwards, his lips trailing little kisses everywhere, her ribs, her wrists, her shoulders, her chin until he at last reached her mouth again, tugging at her lip as she had his, breathless together, their kisses peaking in intensity with each turn of their head, Sarah, her hands at his back, pulling him further up to her. He suddenly lifted himself up with one arm and was reaching down for the tie to his breeches when he felt another hand join his as Sarah completed the task, her hands pushing him onto his back, a smile on her lips. She pulled, peeled his breeches down the length of the bed and off to join her dress in silent witness to their lovemaking.
When she turned to him, he made to rise but she put a hand to his chest, amidst the dark hair and pushed him back on the bed. She lifted her leg and swung it over his hips till she was astride him, a shudder of desire wracking her body as he lifted his hips to meet hers, their eyes locking as she slid against him, her hips acquiring a rhythm, the heat of their desire mingling with her own arousal as she dipped her head to his chest, all sanity abandoned as she reached down between them and her hand encircled him. He put his hands to her face as she looked up at him, "I love you, Sarah Miller," and she knew she would never hear sweeter words spoken as long as she lived. She raised herself up deftly and guided him inside her, his shuddering gasp serving to move her as he brought his hips up to meet hers in a slow, aching rhythm until he was leaning forward, turning her over so that she lay on her back and he pushed himself up on his forearms to watch her as she arched into him to meet each powerful thrust, her hands gripping his biceps, face sheened with sweat, lips parted in passion. The world faded for him, colorless, lifeless save for the woman beneath him, he dipped down to kiss her open mouth and she arched harder, trying to close even the merest distance between them. She was lost now, her body trembling with ecstasy, she could feel the buildup within her as his strokes increased in rhythm, his arms about her waist pulling her up to him until he felt her breath catch, felt her convulse around him as she breathed his name into the night air, her passion spurring him, moments later to his own release within her as he threw his head back and cried out her own name to the stars that winked down upon them in silent sentinel. He lay tenderly against her then, their wild heartbeats mingling, their breath slowing as they descended from the peak of their union, sweat drying upon their bodies as the night breeze flowed across the terrace and into the room. "We are now one, Sarah." Loki whispered against her throat, his hand tracing circles upon the skin of her stomach. "We have shared a divine union, one that cannot be broken." Sarah gazed down at him, her eyes shining, "No one ever will, Loki, I promise." He lifted himself on one elbow and smiled at her, that smile that, now, she was sure she would die without, and they met again and again that night in love, each moment as sweet as the next until they collapsed, sated, exhausted into a dreamless sleep, Sarah enfolded in his arms.