Loki tried not to be too obvious about how tired he was. Despite his best efforts he could not avoid some staggering as he ran to Thor and Tony. Thor set Tony down and Loki knelt by his friend.

"You had better be alive Anthony Stark," Loki muttered.

"You know I hate it when you call me that Reindeer Games. A little help?"

"Of course. I want you in optimum condition for your conversation with Lady Pepper. I think flying a nuclear device far outdoes me taking on Malekith," Loki commented sarcastically while feeling relief in his friend's relatively good condition.

"What did I say about her ability to multitask? We're both going to get big time reamed. What's with all the dead aliens," Tony replied.

"They all died right as the metal device explored Starkson," Thor interjected.

Tony gave Thor an unfriendly look.

"Don't call me that," he said flatly.

Loki gave Thor a tight grin.

"Tony doesn't like his father. We get along quite well," he commented.

Thor winced. Loki frowned due to confusion over why Thor would wince instead of heatedly defending Odin. Putting that aside for now he continued.

"I thank you for saving Tony. He is a good man."

He did not claim Tony as a shield brother since he was not sure how Thor felt about Loki. Claiming Tony as a friend could put Tony in danger. Tony had no such qualms.

"I'm Loki's shield brother! If you're here to drag Loki back to Assgard you can think again."

Whatever Thor was going to say in response was interrupted by loud stomps. The Hulk, with amazing gracefulness, slid between Thor and the other two Avengers.

"You no hurt green god or metal man. You try and Hulk smash."

Evidently Dr. Banner had taken Loki's advice about letting his protective emotions power the Hulk. The only problem was that Thor was surely not going to take this well. Thor spoke before Loki could get his mind to focus.

"I mean Loki no harm. I have done him harm, yes, through irresponsibility and misunderstanding. I would never harm him on purpose. Man of metal-"

"That's 'Iron Man'," Tony snapped.

"Iron Man, I am not here to force Loki to go to Asgard. I would wish him to return, for I have missed him and I need him, but it is his choice," Thor told them.

There was a whirl of sand as the SHIELD helicopter landed nearby. Agent Coulson walked over. Loki saw his other teammates coming as quickly as they could despite injuries. Captain America, Agent Romanov and a man who had to be Hawkeye were heading in his direction. Unfortunately, he also saw the Warriors Three and Sif heading over as well. Tony saw them and lurched up to his feet. Loki tried to help him, but his own weakness almost made them both topple over. Thor stepped forward but the Hulk growled warningly. Loki found himself impressed by both the Hulk's and Thor's restraint.

"Prince Odinson, I am Agent Phillip Coulson. We are very grateful for the help of yourself and your fellow warriors. We are also pleased that you have no plans to retrieve Loki by force as he is under the protection of the agency I work for. My agency wants to establish peaceful relations with your realm. If you and your warriors could please accompany me to this vehicle we can speak further and gain any medical attention you may wish."

Loki had to give Coulson full marks for diplomacy. He looked forward to how Thor would respond. Thor was behaving oddly muted. Loki did not know what to make of it. Could, as some barely voiced part of him had wished, his letter have shaken Thor up? Caused Thor to learn restraint? Or had Thor somehow learned how to dissemble and wanted to make Loki look like a villain?

"My friends and I would be glad to do so if that would be agreeable to you brother," Thor entreated with a puppy look. Tony groaned.

"Did he do that as kids? Cause if he did then why did you need a silver tongue Loki?"

"It is a skill he has. Though I don't remember him looking this heartbroken before," Loki mused. Surely that would cause a reaction.

"I have never had as much of an occasion to mourn as losing you brother. I apologize for how I hurt you. I would speak more with you when we are all well if you would allow it," Thor replied earnestly.

"Gentlemen we should get going," Coulson pointed out.

"Brother, what do you wish done with Malekith? Perhaps we can have him here in the short term, but I am worried this world cannot contain him. Can I carry him for you? Not because you are too weak but because you have done more in this fight than I."

Thor admitting someone had outdone him in a fight. Loki's knees nearly gave out in shock and he clutched at his staff to stay on his feet.

"Your leaving made him think. It made all us all think," Volstagg explained. Loki decided to nod both to that remark and to Thor's request. As they went to the helicopter he looked at his teammates and those from Asgard. Captain America was recovering from some injury in his stomach judging by how he was slightly hobbled over. Natasha looked like she had a sprained or broken ankle. Barton had what could be a dislocated shoulder. The Hulk was turning back into Dr. Banner who looked embarrassed at being naked. Captain America leant Banner his shield. Banner had scratches but no major injuries. Loki gave him an encouraging smile.

"No major injuries. A benefit from the big guy I guess," Banner said and grinned happily.

His eyes moved onto the Aesir. Thor appeared uninjured but his armor was dusty. Sif was limping from what looked like a knee injury. Volstagg had a broken arm, Frandal one or more broken ribs and Hogun a foot injury.

They all sat down in silence. Coulson brought them food which was voraciously devoured. The Aesir all were shocked when they rendezvoused with the SHIELD helicarrier. Loki smiled when it turned out the helicarrier could fly and appear invisible. They were met on the landing pad by a fleet full of security men who grabbed the still bound Malekith. Malekith glared at Loki and Loki sneered at him.

The other people on the pad were doctors who didn't bother bringing stretchers because they knew everyone would be too proud to use them. Each Avenger and Aesir got a doctor who started checking them over as they walked to the medical area.

"Mr. Loki I see broken ribs, a sprained ankle and other injuries. Could you please provide some input on how the magic used during the battle will affect your recovery?"

"Doctor I just need rest. I can heal myself."

His spells would hold even Malekith for a few days. Once Loki was better only the Geneva Convention would prevent Loki from having a 'talk' with Malekith.

Everyone put up a verbal battle about being separated. The Aesir wanted to remain together. Tony refused to leave Loki's side despite a concussion and other injuries. The other Avengers did not want to be separated either. The head doctor finally decided to take them to the main emergency treatment area rather than individual rooms. This allowed everyone to watch each other as they were treated. Loki attempted to keep an eye on everyone. Unfortunately, his body decided he had done enough and he soon slipped into sleep.