"Oh my God, what the hell is he doing?" Kara asked as she gripped Tony's armored hand.

Tony looked down. "Ease up, kid, you're going to hurt your hand." She looked down, her eyes widening as she noticed the grip she was using with the enhanced metal of her gauntlet had managed to scratch the suit. She stepped back with a flush. "I don't know what he's up to," Tony continued. "Jarvis, do we have the image file?"

"Yes, sir. I took the liberty of downloading all pertinent…"

"You're a lifesaver, J, maybe literally. Fandral, can we defend him?"

"No, but they will give any who wish an opportunity to speak of his character as part of sentencing."

"Uh…do we have to keep it strictly to that? If so, we may make it worse."

"Tony!"

He shrugged. "Sorry, Kara. Your boyfriend is a royal pain in the ass…no pun intended."

Fandral snickered. "No, the call for those to speak for him does not specify what you may speak about."

"Well I can speak of…" Kara began.

"No," Sif told her. "You, most of all, must not speak. It is obvious that you hold great bias in Loki's favor. You were also not harmed by his actions. It is best if the others speak."

"How about if I start, as our leader, and ask Clint and Tony to clarify points and show evidence?" Steve suggested.

"That is a good plan," Fandral agreed. Sif nodded her own approval and stepped back.

"As the accused offers no defense, the Tribunal will move on to sentencing," Odin announced. "Are there any who would speak on his behalf?"

Steve stepped forward. "I would!" he called out.

Odin frowned then nodded. "Speak then, Captain Rogers."

Sif pointed to the spot where they'd stood to speak before and Steve stepped up to it. "The Loki who came to Midgard through the tesseract, uh, Cosmic Cube as you call it, is not the same man who stands here today. I mean that both figuratively and literally. As you've been told, that Loki used the scepter he was armed with to take control of the minds of nearly a dozen of our people. One of them is here with us, Clint Barton, known as Hawkeye." He paused as Clint joined him. "When Loki took control of him, there was a physical change that we all noticed. His eyes shifted in color from a dark blue to a bright electric blue that matched the gem in the scepter."

He paused and Odin frowned again. "And that tells us what, Captain?" he asked.

"May we show you an image of it, sir, so that everyone can see what I mean?"

"Very well."

Tony stepped up. "Here is an image of Hawkeye immediately before Loki took control." He gestured and an image of Clint was projected onto a wide smooth-surfaced column from his suit by Jarvis. "This image was taken immediately after." Another image joined the first and showed Clint's eyes glowing an eerie blue. Gasps arose from the crowd. "After a run-in with another Avenger and several hard knocks to the head, Clint was back with us and back to normal." Clint stepped up next to the images and turned around so that everyone could see his eye color matched the first image.

"I see. The power of the scepter invading his body was visible in his eyes. Go on," Odin commanded.

"Here is a picture of Loki, immediately after he came through the gate." The images of Clint shrunk and moved to the bottom of the column and a large image of Loki was displayed, the electric blue clearly shown in his eyes.

"He is holding the scepter, could that not be a reflection of the gem?" King Frey asked in a rumbling voice.

"I'm glad you asked," Tony said. "Here is another image. No scepter, as you can see, same funky blue eyes. And a third image, taken in the same room, Less than an hour later, after Thor pulled Loki up out of a hole in the floor that the Hulk made by pounding Loki's body into said floor repeatedly. Or, you might say, after several hard knocks to the head." The third image showed a bruised and battered Loki…his eyes their normal green. "And finally, so you don't think the difference is because of the injuries, another image from after he returned to Ea…uh, Midgard and had spent a month healing from the injuries he received at the hands of our mutual enemies." This picture showed Loki standing tall and strong, a small sad smile gracing his lips, his eyes still their normal green. Kara crossed her arms over her stomach, trying not to react to the picture she knew was taken just before he returned to Asgard.

"Are you then saying that Loki was controlled by the enemy?" Odin asked.

"I was not a mindless tool under the control of our enemy!" Kara bit her lip at Loki's angry outburst.

Odin looked toward three Æsir who were standing on the opposite side of the dais from the Tribunal. The three conferred and one of them stepped forward. "Loki speaks the truth."

She rolled her eyes and walked up beside Steve, pulling away from Sif after using a quick burst of heat to warn the warrior to let her go. "Of course he speaks the truth, but no one has asked him the right questions," she told them. She ignored Loki's glare and kept her eyes focused on Odin. "Ask him if the Mad Titan and the Other that Loki and Iron Man killed yesterday were able to see and hear what he did during that time. And ask him if they had a backup plan if he did not appear to be doing as they expected."

Odin's eyebrow rose for a moment and he turned his attention back to Loki. "Answer those questions."

"By your law, I am not required to respond," Loki snarled.

"Prideful idiot!" Kara yelled before she could catch herself.

Odin frowned. "Fine. Let us assume then, for the sake of argument, that the answer, were Loki to give it, is yes. What difference should that make?" he asked them.

"All the difference in the world," Clint said. "When Loki took control of me, the mental order he gave me was to always, and I quote 'fight the fight that is offered you, no more and no less'. Later, when he was escaping from our group, he gave me verbal orders to, and again, I quote 'find Natasha Romanov'. Not capture her, not kill her, just to find her."

"That seems…odd," Odin said. He turned to glare at Loki as Loki started to interrupt. "You have forfeited your right to speak on this issue, keep silent."

"No kidding. Especially since Loki also knew that Natasha and I have a history, that she considers that she owes me her life, so if she could avoid it, there is no way in hell that she would try to kill me. So since Loki didn't order me to capture or kill her, and his previous order precluded me from trying to kill her if she didn't try to kill me, she was able to knock me unconscious and free me from his control."

"Why would he do this?" Odin asked, turning to glare down Loki again as the fuming god started to speak again. "If you do not keep silent until I give you permission to speak I will sew your lips together." Loki's eyes widened and he subsided, turning to stare at them sullenly.

"We don't think they knew what was going on in his mind, just what he saw and heard and that he did this for the same reason he waited to throw me out a window until I had my new armor ready to activate. It was also the same reason he had the Hulk dumped out of the sky over New York City. That freaking brilliant son of a…gun was herding us into the right place at the right time and in the right frame of mind to kick ass," Tony explained. "And not just the Chitauri, but his, too, to break him free."

Kara smiled as she saw comprehension dawning on the faces of several Tribunal members. She couldn't feel their emotions from here, but at least it looked like they understood. Loki felt embarrassed…and angry. "I see. Is there aught else you wish to say?"

Steve spoke up. "Yes sir. When he came to us over a month ago Loki was angry, argumentative, and just plain miserable to be around. By the time he left, we were all sorry to see him go, he'd changed so much. This is not the same Loki who came through the Cube. This isn't even the same Loki that fell into the Void, and we don't think he should be treated as though he was still that man."

"Very eloquent, Captain. Thank you." Odin looked out over the crowd. "Is there any other who would speak for Loki?" he asked. He frowned as Fandral stepped forward. "No, Fandral. I count your words in with those of the Avengers you spent time with. Anyone who was not on Midgard with Loki?"

"I saw something on the battlefield that must be said, All-Father," Volstagg offered. Odin nodded and the big man stepped forward. "As Thor lay unconscious, surrounded by Svartálfar magic users, separated from Mjölnir, we had little hope of reaching him before the enemy finished him off. Mjölnir answered Loki's need, Loki was able to wield the mystic hammer and destroy many of the enemy and then use it to destroy, with the man of iron's help, their leader."

Shock rippled through the hall as everyone digested that news. Thor's expression shifted from shock to joy. "I see," Odin said. "That is momentous, indeed. Will anyone else speak for Loki?" he asked.

… …

"I will speak for Prince Loki," a gravelly voice boomed from the back of the Hall. Tony looked toward the sound and saw the gold helm worn by Heimdall moving down the hastily created aisle. The man…god himself came fully into view a moment later. He stepped up to the spot they'd just vacated and bowed to Odin. "My liege, you tasked me with watching over Loki as he recovered from his injuries on Midgard."

"I did, indeed. What did you observe that you wish to share with the Tribunal?" Odin asked.

"I saw a man who grew in honor. A man who came to value those he previously saw as lesser beings. A man who has learned both to have and to be a friend. A man who has learned to love without expectation of being loved in return. A man who puts another's welfare above his own. I saw a man who changed, decidedly for the better. I now see a man who is deserving of being a Prince of Asgard."

"Wow," Tony whispered in Kara's ear. She glanced up at him and nodded. "Go, anti-Claus." He heard a clunking sound and looked down to where she had elbowed him. "You're going to get bruised inside that armor if you keep hitting me, you know."

"Hush," she whispered back as Odin asked if there was anyone else who wanted to speak, but received no further response.

"Very well, comments are hereby closed. Sentencing is now in the hands of the Tribunal," Odin declared.

They watched quietly as Odin called for other business and several people came up to petition him or to present items to him or the other Sovereigns on the dais. Tony was getting antsy and stared around the Hall, looking to see if there was any way they could get Loki out of there if sentencing went south. "Shit. There's no damn way," he groused quietly. He looked at Loki who was standing stiffly, staring at the floor, his face set in a pained grimace. Hogun was ignored as he tried to talk to Loki. Tony wasn't sure how Loki could ignore the guy, the novelty of the normally silent man speaking more than one or two words at a time would have caught his interest if it had been him.

"We'll have to wait until they move him, if we have to rescue him," Cap said. "Logistically, that's our only chance."

"What chance?" Kara asked. "Where are we going to take him? We can't get out of Asgard without Odin's help. There's nothing we can do," she whispered hoarsely.

"Don't give up yet, my friends," Fandral said. "The news of Mjölnir's favor shocked everyone, Heimdall's word carries much weight, and I noticed the members of the Tribunal paying close attention to your words and your images as well. All is not lost."

"Tis true," Volstagg rumbled. "Haakun was impressed, I could tell. I've hunted with him a time or three, I know his reactions."

"Well, let's hope for the best, then, because I don't know what the hell we can do if they come down hard on him." Tony said and sighed as Kara finally lost control of the tears that had been threatening since shortly after Court had begun. "Kara, hang in there. You heard Fandral. Don't give up hope, it isn't over until it's over." He frowned as Steve wrapped his arms around her. That was something he couldn't do in the damn suit.

"We're here for you, doc…Kara," Steve said quietly. "We'll find some way to fight it, they've got to have some kind of appeal process if they come down too hard on him."

Hawkeye caught their attention. "I think they've made a decision. Haakun just brought some kind of paper over to Odin and they're going over it," he told them. "They're talking in another language though, so I can't read their lips."

Tony looked up at the dais. Sure enough, Haakun was bowing and stepping away from Odin, leaving the king with a paper…no, that looked like real parchment, classy…or did they not have regular paper here?

… …

"Loki, born Laufeyson, now Odinson, come forward." Loki looked up sharply. Had he heard right? He moved forward, without Hogun this time as the man was, by protocol, obliged to remain where he was. His hopes rose, slightly. Surely Odin addressing him as 'now Odinson' was a good sign? "Crown Prince Helblindi Laufeyson of Jötunheim, come forward." Or perhaps it was not. He bowed and saw his half-brother do the same. "Prince Helblindi, do you contest the dismissal of charges in the death of your king and father?"

"I do not. My council has confirmed that succession has historically been accomplished through assassination or by outright challenge of the king. However, in light of the other charges, I do insist that my half-brother confirm that he abdicates his right to the throne of Jötunheim in this public gathering and that he do so again at a similar gathering in my realm."

Loki nodded. He didn't have much problem with that. "I do abdicate any right to the throne of Jötunheim until and unless the throne breaks its treaties and accords with Asgard. Should such happen, my abdication will be null and void. I will gladly repeat this to the people of Jötunheim, subject to a guarantee that I may come to do so without conflict and then leave safely."

Helblindi nodded. "Agreed, brother. You may bring whatever guards you wish should you doubt my ability to keep my word on this."

"Loki will bring whatever guards I wish to ensure he does only what he is instructed to do and no more," Odin interjected.

Biting back a smirk, Loki bowed his agreement; out of the corner of his eye he noted that his half-brother did the same. "As you command, my liege," he said.

"In the matter of the unprovoked attack on Jötunheim, we are prepared to announce sentencing. Prince Helblindi, the Tribunal has agreed to your terms for this." Loki frowned as Helblindi bowed again and stepped back. "Loki, you are hereby sentenced, with your powers otherwise bound, to use the Casket of Ancient Winters to restore the ice fields in Jötunheim to repair the damage your rash act has caused. You are also sentenced to surrender access to your personal fortune to pay restitution in goods to replace those destroyed by your acts there. What say you?"

"I will do all of this and gladly, All-Father," he managed. He looked over to his half-brother, who bowed again with what looked to be a pleased expression.

"In the matter of your actions on Midgard, the charges against you for the incident in their state of New Mexico are dismissed as regardless of intent, you provided Thor with the means to prove himself worthy of redemption. For the incident related to the invasion, you are sentenced as follows: First, your powers will be bound for the span of one hundred and ten cycles. One cycle for each mortal life for which you are personally responsible, one cycle for each mortal whom you controlled, and three cycles in restitution for the property damage that occurred. During this period, you will be required to reside primarily on Midgard, and assist the Avengers in defense of their world and people from any and all who threaten it."

Loki frowned. "With all due respect, my liege, how am I to defend anyone from anything with my powers bound?"

"The key to the binding of your powers will be in the possession of a suitable Midgardian who will act as your gaoler, and who will release your powers to you in times of need and who will then bind them again when the crisis has passed."

A Midgardian? Loki tried to imagine what Midgardian could possibly handle the power needed to do such a thing. His eyes widened as Odin turned and looked toward the Avengers. "Kara," he breathed.

"Kara Gunnarssen, known as Hellbringer, come forward," Odin asked. She stepped forward, her expression confused and wary.

… …

Tony's eyes widened. Oh shit. Seriously? He frowned trying to think of anybody else who might be able to handle this magic garbage. Hmm, no one affiliated with S.H.I.E.L.D. could do it, and while he'd heard good things about one of the mutant groups, he didn't know any of them personally and S.H.I.E.L.D. sure as hell didn't trust them. "Yes, your majesty?" Kara asked as she moved back into the spot they'd occupied before.

"We are minded to give you the key to control the bindings on Loki's power. You are the only Midgardian whose honor we trust that is capable of channeling the power this requires. Will you accept this task?"

She gasped and looked back toward them. Tony nodded at her. Turning back to face Odin she took a deep breath before speaking. "How long is a 'cycle' in Midgard terms?" she asked.

"One of your years. Time runs differently in each of the other eight realms and is…undependable to measure as our seasons are not governed by the movements of a planetary body. We find it convenient to measure time, when we must, by your years."

"Oh, so one hundred and ten years then. Well, I would agree but there are a few things that would keep me from properly discharging that duty," she said.

"Such as?"

Tony could hear the smile in her voice when she spoke again. "First, I'm dying. I have a year to live on the outside. Then what will happen?"

Odin's eyebrow rose and one corner of his mouth turned up in a definite smirk. "Lady Eir, is this true?" Odin asked their goddess of Healing. Oh boy, Kara was going to be pissed.

"Not at all my liege," Eir responded. "We treated Lady Kara's illness when she was brought to us, she is quite healthy."

"I-I thought you treated my migraine," Kara said, obviously confused.

"Yes, my lady. In Asgard we do not treat symptoms without treating the cause. It is a waste of effort."

Tony pressed his lips together as Kara's gauntleted hands fisted. Oh boy. He glanced over at Loki in time to catch him with his mouth hanging open in shock. "I-I see. So my nervous system damage is completely healed?"

"Of course."

"Hmm. It would have been nice if someone had mentioned it to me." Tony flinched at her pissy tone. They were so not going to tell her that they'd already known about this but had been sworn to secrecy…no way in hell. "Okay, so, that's one of the issues resolved. However, we still have a problem. I'm mortal. I'll be too old to do this in maybe thirty years at the outside and I'll likely be dead of old age in twice that. That leaves you with a whole lot of years with no gaoler."

Odin smiled. "The binding of the key to Loki's power to you would have physical benefits. Your aging will slow to match his. That effect would be permanent, I'm afraid. If you wish to remain fully mortal, to eventually die of old age, I can see how that would be a problem."

Score! Tony thought. "Oh," Kara said. "Um, not really, I guess."

"Are there any other issues?" Odin asked.

"I have an issue with the choice, my liege," Haakun said. Odin nodded to the councilor. "What is to prevent Loki from killing her while the power has been loosed to him and then retaining it?"

"I would never do her harm!" Loki shouted. "I have given my word on that." Odin glowered at him. "This is not part of defense or character statements, All-Father. My forfeiture of defense does not take away my right to speak during sentencing."

Odin sighed. "True." He turned back to Haakun. "The ritual I intend shall bind them fully. If she dies, so shall he." Tony glanced at Loki to see how he was taking this. Yep, shocked…wait…pleased? Huh?

"No," Kara said. "That's not fair. I'm human and not particularly durable; even if you do extend my lifespan, I could get killed some other way and it wouldn't be fair for Loki to lose his life if I manage to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"Kara, let it go," Loki hissed.

"Then it shall behoove him to see that you are well protected. This is not negotiable, Hellbringer," Odin told her sternly.

"But it's not…"

"Damnation, woman, it is fine, please just agree," Loki grated. Wow, the Lokester had his puppy dog expression beat by miles, Tony thought. "Kara, I am happy to accept this, I swear to you," Loki continued.

She sighed, lifted her hands in frustrated surrender and turned to them. "Guys, since only Nat and Bruce stayed home we've got a quorum here. Is it okay with the three of you? You're the ones who had to fight him before, can you deal with Loki working with you and being around all the time?"

Cap looked at him and Clint. "I'm fine with it, Clint, will you be okay?"

"Yeah, sure. It'll save us a lot of trouble," he said as he glanced around the room with a smirk.

"Tony, you're okay with it, right?" Tony rolled his eyes and nodded. Cap looked back at Kara. "It's fine with us, so that makes it your call since you'll be the one with the responsibility."

"Thanks, Steve, guys." She turned to face Odin. "Okay, I accept. Now what?"

That sneaky son of a bitch was smirking full out now. No, not Loki, Odin. What. The. Hell. Tony nudged Sif. "What's going on?" he whispered.

She shrugged. "I-I'm not certain, but our queen seems pleased."

No shit. Frigga was positively beaming. Thor was still frowning, so he hadn't been clued in on anything, but Loki? Tony seriously doubted Bambi had known going in what was going to happen, but it was apparent he'd figured it out. "Okay, I guess we wait."

"Loki, born Laufeyson, now Odinson. Kara Gunnarssen, known as Hellbringer, come forward," Odin ordered.

Tony watched as Loki moved to the center of the area in front of the dais and held out a hand for Kara. She took it and he guided her up to the step just below Odin's level. "Remove the gauntlets, love," he heard Loki whisper. Kara tugged them off and looked around for a place to put them. Loki held out his free hand for them and then tossed them to Hogun.

Odin looked down at the two of them, and then nodded at Eir. The healer stepped forward holding an ornate goblet. "To key Loki's bound powers into your keeping, we will need a bit of your blood…and his," she said as she stopped in front of Kara and held out a small knife. Loki reached for the knife, nicked Kara's thumb and let a few drops of her blood drip into the goblet, then added a few drops of his own. Once finished he handed the knife back to Eir who touched each of their thumbs briefly then stepped back and held the goblet up to Odin.

The old god held one hand over the goblet and a golden glow emerged and then changed into a mist-like form that seemed to rain down into its bowl. Frigga stepped up to him holding a fancy pitcher and poured liquid that looked like the mead they'd been served at meals into it to join the blood and the golden mist. Odin swirled it around then looked back down at Loki. "Loki," he began. "Do you agree to be bound to this woman, Kara, now and forever?"

"I agree," Loki said. Tony couldn't see his face, but he could hear the smugness in his voice…and why the hell did this seem so…son of a bitch. He nudged Sif who was staring at the dais, her mouth hanging open. Thor looked similarly surprised, but his open mouthed gawking turned into a huge grin as Tony watched.

"Kara, do you agree to be bound to this man, Loki, now and forever?" Odin asked.

"Holy shit, Kara, don't argue," Tony muttered as Kara frowned at Odin and then gave Loki a questioning look. Loki nodded at her, and now Tony could see the slight but very smug smile on the pain in the ass's face.

Kara sighed and looked back at Odin. "Yes, I agree," she finally said.

Odin nodded and held the goblet out to Loki who took it and sipped from it before handing it to Kara. "You'll need to finish it all, my lady," Eir said from the side. "That is what will allow you to hold the key."

Nodding, Kara drank the remainder of the liquid. Loki took the goblet back from her and handed it to Odin, smug grin still in place. "The bond is complete," Odin announced. "Court is ended. We shall gather again this evening to begin the celebratory feasting!"

Tony shook his head as the populace erupted in cheers. Thor was grinning like an idiot. Son of a bitch. "Tony?" Steve asked. "Did they just, uh…"

"Pepper dragged me to one of her friends' pagan wedding, if I'm remembering it all correctly, yeah, they did."

"Geez. I don't think Kara knows."

"Me either. We are going to see some fireworks and our boy Loki is going to be couch man."

… …

Kara stared at Odin. What the hell? Who celebrates their son's…well, adopted son's sentencing for crimes with a feast? Thor came bounding over to them, pulled them both into an all but crushing embrace and bellowed "Congratulations, brother!"

"Thor, you're going to hurt Kara, ease up," Loki groused.

"Oh, sorry, my lady. This is such a glad happening!"

"Welcome to the family, my dear," Frigga said from behind Thor's bulk.

"What?" She frowned at Loki who wore a smile worthy of a cat who'd gotten the canary. "Loki, you'd better start talking, now. I'm getting pissed."

He chuckled. "Are you getting dizzy at all, love?" he asked.

"Should I be?"

"Ah…Eir, she should be, yes?"

"She will be shortly," Eir confirmed. "Perhaps you'd best take her back to your chambers so that she may rest until the feast while her body adjusts."

"Perhaps someone should explain to me just what the hell happened that everybody but me seems to know about," she grated as she saw the guys coming towards them with ear to ear grins. Thor's friends were close behind and they were also smiling suspiciously.

"Congratulations, my brother." Kara looked back at the owner of the sharp voice that did not belong to Thor. Oh, Prince Helblindi. The Jötunn crown prince towered over all of them. The top of his head was about even with the top of Odin's helm though the king stood another step higher. "I have heard much of your lady's power. She is a fitting bride for the son of two kings."

Bride? "Bride? Loki!"

The damned man was still smiling. "Yes, love?"

"If you don't start explaining, you're going to have to deal with everyone seeing you curled up on the ground screaming in terror. You've got three seconds."

"Ah, don't be hasty, Kara. I'll explain. Ah…" she frowned at his suddenly nervous look.

"You have won yourself a fine wife, Loki," she heard Heimdall rumble from the aisle. Her jaw dropped as the light bulb finally flared into life.

"Did you…did we…holy crap. Damn it, Loki. Did you know about this?" she demanded.

"Not until it was happening, love, I swear. Aren't you happy?"

She sighed at his confused expression and noted the thread of hurt crawling through him. "Of course I am. I just would have appreciated knowing what the hell was going on. I mean…getting married is a big deal. It…I guess I…oh God," she said as the room started to sway around her.

"Kara, are you…"

… …

"…feeling dizzy?" Loki asked his new wife just before she began to collapse. He caught her and swung her up in his arms. "Good timing," he muttered as Thor frowned. "Hopefully by the time she's recovered she won't be so terribly upset."

Odin chuckled from above them. "Blame it on me, son. I was quite deliberately vague as to my intent."

"So you were…father." He frowned and sighed. "Thank you. I will do my best to be worthy of the chance you have given me."

"You were already worthy, Loki. You have proved that to us all. Go, take your wife to your chambers, let her rest. We'll understand if you arrive late at the feast…it will go on to all hours tonight, we have much to celebrate between a great victory, a new alliance with Midgard's greatest heroes, reaffirming alliances with many of the other realms, and your wedding."

"I'll try not to dawdle too much. She's missed knowing about the ceremony in advance, if she misses her wedding feast I shall never hear the end of it." He grinned and carried Kara from the hall as laughter and congratulations followed them.

"Hey, ice man, where the hell are you going with my sister?"

Loki rolled his eyes. Stark was going to regret that…again. "Anthony, are you a glutton for punishment?"

The man shrugged. "I decided it would be easier to deal with Jarvis calling me Anthony than to give up the nicknames. Seriously, what the hell? You people don't ask a girl's family for permission to marry her?"

"Technically, Kara was asked and she did ask all of you. If that wasn't enough, blame Odin. The father of the groom is responsible for such things, not the groom himself."

"Oh, so now you're claiming him. Convenient."

"He's claimed me, Tony. Even after all I've done."

"Yeah, he sure did, Lokes." Tony shook his head with a smile. "So, why did she pass out?"

"Hmm? Oh, the elixir, it, well, in addition to binding my powers to a key under Kara's control, it is, hmm. Reworking her, well, everything just a bit. That's what will make her as immortal as I am."

"Well, shit. I wasn't imagining that part, then?"

"No. I won't have to watch her grow old and die." He frowned. "Though we will have to stand by and watch it happen to all of you. I'm sure she won't be too pleased about that."

"She'll have you. You'll help her through it. So, how long will she be out?"

"A few hours, I think. She should be fine by early evening if not sooner. Her nervous system is already advanced enough and that is usually the most dangerous part of this process."

"Dangerous? Wait…nobody said it would be dangerous for her. I would have remembered that."

"Because it is not. As I said, the dangerous part would be the adjustment of the nervous system and hers needs no adjusting. Don't worry, Tony. Would I risk her life for something so selfish?"

"Definitely not. Okay, keep us posted, 'kay?"

"I'll send word as soon as I know more. And Tony? Thank you. You are a good friend."

"Damn straight, I am."

… …

Author's Notes: Okay, have you all recovered from the last chapter's heart attacks and ugly tears now? The story is not yet over…there is more to come! Thank you for all of the reviews and encouragement, they mean everything to me!