"Heimdall, alert Thor if you would; we'll be ready to return to Asgard in the morning," Loki called out as they made their way back to the room they shared with Hogun, Fandral and the other Avengers. "I'm a bit worried," he admitted to her. "It seems Odin must have figured out my genealogy, else he would not have known how to help me."

Kara stared at him. "Why would that worry you? I mean, seriously, they'd already figured you were related to the royal house anyway because of how much Æsir blood you have and your shape shifting and magical ability."

"But how closely are we related? Does this put me and Thor into contention for the throne again? After all, he's also part Jötunn."

"Loki! Are you telling me that now you want the damn thing? What was all of that crap you told Helblindi, then? Sour grapes?"

He frowned. "No. I don't want it, not really. I'm…confused, I suppose."

Her husband looked lost, she decided. "What do you want?"

"Other than you and having a family with you? I don't know. Even that much seems so out of reach that anything more seems hopeless."

He had a textbook case of clinical depression. Well, that was kind of a given considering everything Loki had been through in the last year. Kara ran through the treatment possibilities in her mind. Would he even trust Raj at this point? "You already have me, so we're halfway there."

"I almost lost you again," he whispered.

"Technically, I almost lost you and then our friends would have lost both of us." He gave her a sour look for her attempt to joke about it. She stopped and hugged him close. "I know, I was scared, too. But we're both fine. We've got good friends who will be there for us, family that will go through agonizing pain for us, and you've got a father who will reach across realms to help you."

"Odin is your father now, too. Or at least he considers himself such," Loki pointed out as they started back down the long corridor.

"That's just creepy. In-laws who want their son or daughter-in-law to call them 'mom and dad' kind of freak me out."

"What did you call your foster parents?"

"They were older folks, old enough to be my grandparents, so I called her Amma and him Afi."

"Obviously they had a Norse surname, were they both of that background?"

"Yep, hence the Norse names for grandmother and grandfather. They emigrated from the old country, as they called it, right after they married. Nazi Germany was starting to make noise in Europe and they wanted an ocean between them and the threat of war."

"They came all the way to a new country for a safe new life and never had children of their own. That's rather sad."

"No, they did and that's the real tragedy. They had a son and he ended up being drafted and died in Vietnam." He gave her a blank look. "It was kind of an undeclared war in Southeast Asia. I won't get into whether the U.S. should have been there or not, but it was a big mess and more than fifty-eight thousand Americans died there."

"Sad and ironic."

"Yeah. Lucky for me, though. It left them childless and willing to take a chance on a teenager no one wanted. They passed away a few years ago." She looked up at him as he held the door open for her. "I think they would have liked you."

"Of course they would have. I'm another child nobody wanted."

"Loki!" Honestly, sometimes she just wanted to smack him. "Odin and Frigga wanted you."

"Yes…I meant unwanted by my birth parents, or at least my birth father."

"Oh, okay." The room was empty for a change; everyone else was still helping Helblindi celebrate. "I've always wanted you, from the first time I saw you."

He smiled and shook his head. "Battered, bruised and drowning in my own blood?"

"No, manic and angry and sneering at Nick Fury as he told you to put down the weapon."

"Ah, the security tapes. You fell in love with me when I was like that? Really, Kara?"

She made sure he could see her rolling her eyes. "No, I said I wanted you, not that I fell in love with you; big difference." Pressing her hands flat on his blue chest, she adjusted her temperature and then traced his clan markings with her fingers. "I fell in love with you when you were all set to run right out and destroy the people who had hurt me."

"Offal, not people." He frowned. "Which reminds me, what happened to the so-called researchers who used the drugs on you?"

"Does it matter? I wouldn't be who I am if they hadn't. You'd be dead, Clint would be crazy, Nat would be devastated, Pepper would still be waiting for Tony to climb off the damn fence, and…"

"I know," he told her, placing his fingers over her lips. "But they still need to pay for the pain they caused you." She closed her eyes and rested her forehead on his chest. A moment later, the chilly flesh warmed as he shifted back to his Æsir form. "Kara," he said gently. "Talk to me."

"They paid. One of them is still paying," she said hoarsely. Old pain flashed through her and tears welled up. Loki gathered her closer and he combed the fingers of one hand soothingly through her hair. She could feel him patiently waiting for her to be able to continue. "It was how I discovered I could project emotions…it was an accident. I wouldn't want to hurt anyone that way, not even them."

"I know, love. Drop your shields for me, darling."

She did as he asked and his unconditional love flooded through her. "I love you too," she whispered. He hugged her tightly and pressed a soft kiss on her temple. "They'd just given me another round of the drugs; they'd decided to up the dosage. It hurt so damn bad and I screamed from the agony of it and all I wanted to do was send the pain away."

"And you did."

"Yes. The one who'd actually injected the drugs into the IV picked up a scalpel and slit his own throat. I was strapped down, there was nothing I could do but scream for help. Problem was, I screamed for help whenever they dosed me with the drugs and the staff had been instructed to ignore me. The other just collapsed on the floor. He's still a vegetable; he's been unresponsive to any mental stimuli for over twelve years. He'll eat if you put food in his mouth, but he can't communicate in any way. It's…pretty gruesome."

"I'm sorry you've had to live with that, but I'm not sorry that they suffered. Would you feel better if we asked if Lady Eir might attempt to heal the one that still breathes?"

"I honestly don't think so. That's one of the reasons I keep telling you that I'm the monster."

"You, my lady, were a traumatized child. They reaped what they had sown. Both of these individuals and the three you first used your fire upon were victims of their own evil. You had no idea that you could do such things and you had no conscious control of the abilities; it was simply a reflexive response to extremes of pain and fear. Let him remain a vegetable, I call it justice."

… …

"I don't." They both turned as Natasha entered the room, Clint close behind her. Loki glared at her, trying to convey without words that she was not to make Kara feel badly about this. The damned woman smirked at him. "Justice would have been bringing him back to consciousness only to execute him for a variety of heinous crimes, his experiments on you just the most recent of them. S.H.I.E.L.D. investigated him as soon as they recruited you." Kara turned in his grasp and stared at the other redhead. "I'm not supposed to tell you this, but I don't want you wasting your energy running around wondering if you should try to talk Asgard into fixing that bastard. He's dead." She shrugged one deceptively slender shoulder. "My final sanctioned target as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent."

"Why?" Loki asked the former assassin.

"He was a loose end," Kara told him instead, almost choking on the words. "Someone whose condition could prove what I could do, how dangerous I was. This mission didn't go on the official books, did it?"

"No, it didn't even go through the official communications network. It was a face to face order from Fury with Dr. Nassar there as well."

"Was this before or after I submitted to the scans for comparison to Kara's?" Loki wondered.

"After."

"They were protecting you, Kara. That was the day they discussed the Council of Regents unfortunate obsession over using you as a super-weapon."

"I know. Nick pisses me off on a regular basis, but he really does try to do the right thing. And I know everyone is angry with Raj about hiding his true position, but he's been there for us, too."

"I'm not angry with him, simply annoyed that he fooled me. I am the god of Lies; I should be able to sense a lie of omission better than that."

"You were going through a lot at the time, and how much did he actually talk?"

Loki frowned as he thought about it. "Not much," he realized. "Is that typical of your profession?"

"It's the most common therapy method. I don't rely on it as often because I know for a fact what the patient is feeling, I don't have to discover it by having them talk around it. It's a huge advantage for me."

Natasha had folded her arms across her chest and was staring at Kara. "What's wrong, Natasha?" he asked her.

"I think I was expecting more of a reaction from Kara."

Kara pulled away from him, went over to Natasha and hugged her. "I know this isn't the reaction you were expecting, but thank you. It's one less burden on my mind. I kind of see it as a mercy killing. His soul is no longer suffering and can move on."

"See, Nat? Told you she'd be relieved," Barton said from where he'd settled himself on their bed. "Hey, Loki? Any idea what this booze is made from?"

Loki glanced at the contents of the drinking horn and stiffened. "How much of this did you drink, Barton?"

"Uh, this is my second one."

"Come with me." He grabbed the archer and pulled him along to the privy. "Has Banner or Natasha had any?"

"No, they were drinking that ale you and Kara liked."

"Thank the gods." He took the horn and emptied it into the commode. "I assume you know how to force yourself to vomit?"

"Uh, yeah, but…"

"Do it, now. It's poisonous to mortals in that quantity."

"Oh, crap."

Loki watched as the mortal dropped to his knees, stuck his finger down his throat and began bringing up the liquid…and parts of his recent meal. "Natasha?" he called over his shoulder while he kept an eye on Barton.

"Yes?" She stared a moment at her lover and narrowed her eyes.

"I need you to go find a loaf of bread, a full loaf, please. He'll also need water; do you have any more of the bottled kind I saw Banner with?"

"We all do, it's in the kits I packed."

"Good, go find bread, please hurry if you'd like him to keep his stomach lining. Kara? Look through the packs and pull out the bottled water, at least three bottles of it, Barton is going to need it." He watched as the mortal woman paled and then headed out the door at a swift trot.

"What's wrong?" Kara asked as she hurried over, four bottles of the water clutched in her arms.

"The beverage he was drinking can be highly toxic to the human digestive system, particularly in the quantity he consumed. I'm having him regurgitate it, then he'll need a good deal of water and the bread Natasha is retrieving to soak up the remainder and flush it out of his system." He accepted one of the bottles, looked at the contents to ensure the additives wouldn't exacerbate the situation then opened it and handed it to the now flushed and perspiring man. "Drink it down as quickly as you can manage."

"'kay." Barton dutifully chugged the water down while Loki checked the contents of the commode bowl.

"Good, no blood. That should mean we've caught it quickly enough."

"Seriously?" Kara asked.

"Very. The Æsir and the Jötunn have enzymes in their stomachs that neutralize the toxic elements. Humans do not and it will eat away at the linings of their organs if it is allowed to digest naturally. Clint, who gave this to you?"

"Uh, one of the guard lieutenants. The one with the scar on his right forearm."

"I've got the bread," Natasha said from the door to the main part of their chamber. She continued across the room carrying two loaves of the crusty bread wrapped in a cloth. Slingard entered the room behind her.

"Ah, good. Slingard, do you know a lieutenant with a scar on his right forearm?" Loki asked.

"Of course."

"Would he have any reason not to know that Feigr is toxic to mortals so that he might in ignorance urge Hawkeye to drink Feigr?"

Slingard's eyes narrowed. "He specifically would know that it is toxic. I told them all so in the early part of your visit, shortly after you gave me the list of problem items. The information has been repeated, by their captains, before every mixed gathering. We do not want any of your people death-bound from the drink of that name, nor from any of the other items you apprised us of."

"Then you have a problem."

"Not for long." The giant turned on his heel and stalked out of the room.

"Do you think he'll pull a Helblindi?" Barton asked around a mouthful of bread.

"No, he'll be far less merciful. This was no mistake, it was treason. If one of you died, they could have expected that Odin would be quite displeased. Someone does not want a new and binding treaty with Asgard to replace the truce that now exists. Natasha, get your weapons ready and watch the door. Kara, go find Banner and bring him back here. Get the rest of your armor on first and expect trouble. I'll stay with Barton; I know the symptoms to watch for." He crouched down and settled back on his heels as the women nodded and headed out.

… …

Kara stalked down the corridor, fully armored and helm in place, reining her anger in. She'd had it with enemies targeting people she cared about and if anyone thought that Bruce was the one they most needed to avoid angering, well, they could think again. You could be lucky and run away from Bruce's other. Once she had their energy, they were done. Sounds of battle in a distant part of the fortress alerted her to trouble on the way. A few moments later, the fight spilled out into the corridor, Jötunn versus Jötunn, but which were the enemies and which were her friends? Another pair of fighters staggered in her path, one was Gymir and the other…wasn't. She focused fear and speared it into the enemy's psyche. He screamed, loosed Gymir, dropped to the floor and cowered with his arms over his head. "Gymir, step back," she ordered. When he complied, she let the fire flow. Both her original target and another warrior with a scar on his right forearm who tried to help him up erupted in flames.

All of the combatants scrambled away from the burning Jötnar. The terror on their faces would normally have sickened her, but all she could see was the dread for Clint in Nat's normally fearless eyes. "Princess," Gymir began from behind her.

"Every damn one of you, on your knees, now!" she ordered. The still tussling Jötnar hastened to obey. Well, all except for Slingard and Gymir, but she hadn't meant them anyway. "I am so sick of traitors. I came here, with my husband and my friends to help you and you have to attack someone in an underhanded and cowardly way like poison? Really? What kind of warrior poisons someone under the guise of friendship? Do you, do any of you understand what in hell you're messing with? Do you see that?" she asked pointing as the remains of the two she'd burned. Their bones were melted together and still burning sluggishly. The denser material of the Jötunn skeleton took far longer to be reduced to ash than that of a human.

Someone shouldered Gymir to the side and she felt the Hulk's simmering anger move up behind her. "Enemy?" he rumbled.

"Both friends and enemies," she told him, smiling beneath her helm as she felt the behemoth's confusion. "Don't smash yet." Looking up at Slingard she advised him: "Pull your loyal troops out of the group."

"No."

"Excuse me?"

"We will not have you and yours fighting our battles. It is dishonorable."

"They brought us into it by poisoning Clint. I am fighting my battle."

He nodded at the smoldering pile of near-ash. "Yours is finished. The rest is ours."

"Kara." She turned as her brother-in-law arrived. "Please take your large friend and return to your chambers. We will deal with the remaining traitors as our law requires. You must respect that."

Damn, Helblindi and Slingard were right. She bowed to him to reinforce that she accepted that he was the final word in his realm, despite his newfound fear of her. "I apologize, King Helblindi," she said, bowing again and trying to sound humble. "In my anger and fear for my people I overstepped. It won't happen again." She took the Hulk's huge forearm in one gauntleted hand and tugged. "Come on, let's go check on Clint," she told him. "Helblindi will punish the enemy."

"Helblindi-friend," he grunted and followed her even though she could still feel his anger seething beneath the surface. The Hulk's fury settled as they walked toward their chambers…okay, stomped toward them. Her own anger was fading as well. After a few minutes she felt Bruce's calm behind her and she turned and caught him as he staggered. "Wow, I'm still conscious," he muttered.

"Yep, good job. Did anything happen to you before you changed?"

"Uh, yeah. One of the Jötunn stabbed me with an ice blade of some sort." He held up his right arm to show her the reddened hole in his sleeve. "They were trying for the torso, but it hit the armored portion and slipped." A wry grin curved his lips. "The other guy wasn't nearly as amused as I am. He left a crushed bundle of blue flesh back there."

"Serves the traitor right. God, I am just so over this shit. I wonder if there was this big a problem before Malekith stuck his ugly nose into things?" She shuddered. "I really hope that son of a bitch is dead under all of that ice and snow. If I ever have to lay eyes on him again, it will be too soon."

"I guess we won't know for certain until some of it melts. We'll just have to keep our eyes peeled."

She reached for their door and stopped as she felt a spear of uneasy vigilance on the other size. Activating her comm she said, "Nat, you got your ears on? We're just outside the door."

"Come on in," her friend responded. "Thanks for the warning, my trigger finger is itchy."

Kara chuckled as she pushed open the door. "Yeah, I could tell."

… …

"How's Clint?" Kara asked her as she slipped in the door followed by a weary looking Bruce.

"Improving." Natasha nodded at the bloodstained rip in Bruce's sleeve. "Healed?"

"Yes, it's fine now."

"Kara?" Loki called from the bathroom. "Did you have any problems?"

"Um, yes. It's handled, but I may have pissed off your brother."

Bruce chuckled. "May have?"

Natasha shook her head, trying and failing to suppress a grin. "Is everything settled, then?" she asked.

"Um, no. But Helblindi is handling it now."

Loki came out of the bathroom, half-carrying her Hawk over to the bed. "Lie down and rest, but keep eating the bread. I'll find more water for you," he told her lover. "Kara, you might want to check his energy, just to help him along on this."

"Absolutely," she said, pulling her gauntlets off and tossing them on the nearest table.

"Ask her what she did to Helblindi," Natasha advised, letting the grin emerge this time as Loki's eyebrows rose.

The prince sighed. "Kara, what did you do to my brother?"

"Um, I may have been a bit pushy with his people; but I backed off as soon as Helblindi showed up to take charge." She pursed her lips mutinously. "And I apologized to him and bowed…twice."

"Don't look at me," Bruce told him when Loki frowned in his direction. "My other just took out the one that attacked me personally," he said as he held up the arm with the blood rimmed hole in the fabric.

"All right. You're both here and safe…I assume my brother is still alive?"

"Yes, I am still alive," Helblindi grated as the door swung open. "Your wife needs a lesson in protocol."

"Oh, now that's not fair," Kara snapped. "Half of Gymir's wounds were reopened and I had no idea who was loyal and who wasn't. I helped as best I could."

"You should have stayed out of it."

Natasha snickered, she couldn't help it. The giant was glaring down at Kara, his expression affronted. Kara wasn't backing up an inch. Her hands were on her gold-armored hips, her bright eyes were narrowed and her posture screamed annoyance. She wasn't one bit afraid of the towering Jötunn and he knew it. "Both of you need to back up, calm down, and start thinking instead of reacting," she advised them. "You look like a pair of children squabbling on a playground."

Kara deflated first. "You're right, Nat; I have a problem with going into automatic aggressive mode when I'm afraid or when people I care about are threatened."

Helblindi was still glaring. "Your actions threatened my authority," he accused.

"Her actions nearly made you wet your pants," Natasha corrected. "She's scary, get over it, we've all had to."

"See, Loki? Even my friends are afraid of me. I don't…oh never mind, what's the use." Nat watched her closest female friend fling herself into the nearest chair and close her eyes. "Please tell me you're not afraid of me?" Kara asked as Loki crossed the room to kneel beside her.

"I'm absolutely petrified…that you'll decide I'm the worst mistake you've ever made, sweet lady." Nat grinned at Kara's disbelieving snort. Loki looked up at her and winked. "Come now, we're all exhausted. I know you did what you thought you had to, and I'm certain if Helblindi takes the time to think about it, he'll know the same." Nat smirked at the warning glare Loki gave his half-brother.

The newly crowned king huffed in annoyance and settled himself on the largest of the chairs, one they'd been using as a sofa. The giant filled it comfortably. "The current issue is being resolved. The remaining traitors have confessed and have begged for mercy. What concerns me is that some of my people will choose to believe that I cannot enforce my rule without Kara's support so I shall need to go through another one of these rebellions once you are all well gone."

"I'm sorry," Kara said from her huddled position on the other chair. She turned into Loki's body as he sat down next to her. "I really thought Gymir was in trouble and I didn't want you to start your reign without your shield-brother by your side."

"Your intentions were good," Helblindi allowed. "But I must show control. You are all confined to this chamber until you leave. Guards will be posted and if you attempt to leave this chamber without Slingard's escort, I will be forced to issue a public punishment. You would not find it a kind one."

"Brother…"

"No, Loki. Your wife overstepped her bounds. Do not fight me on this; I would prefer us to remain close, to truly be brothers. If you all remain confined here until it is time to leave, all will be well. Your other two leaders have been located and are with the other Æsir. They have been advised they are to remain there for the night. Now, I understand they do not have one of your distance speaking devices. I will take them one if you wish so that you may communicate."

Natasha waited but Loki refused to look at Helblindi. She turned to the king and pulled her own communicator out of her ear. "Yes, we'd appreciate that. Please give this to Hogun. Fandral talks too much."

… …

"I screwed up," Kara said quietly.

Loki hugged her close under the blankets. She'd removed her armor and the arctic wear, claiming it was too hot with him in Æsir form. He'd refused to change back as he didn't want to contribute any further to her obvious exhaustion. "You did the best you could, love. It could have been much worse. At least you realized your mistake and made your apology promptly and publicly. It will be fine. On the morrow we'll be home and you can rest up before we return to Midgard."

"After I yell at Odin."

He chuckled and nuzzled her cheek. "I'd really rather you did not. Please?"

She sighed and tucked her face into his neck. He smiled as he felt her lips press a gentle kiss against his pulse. "All right. For you, I'll let it slide."

"Thank you, Kara." He rubbed her back soothingly until she fell asleep then settled her on the mattress, kissed her forehead and got up to check on Barton. Thanks to their quick action and some follow-up healing energy from Kara, the archer was looking much better. "Any fever?" he asked the woman who held him close.

"Not a noticeable one. He seems to be resting comfortably and there hasn't been any of the digestive system noises that you wanted listened for."

"Good. He was very lucky. We all were. I did not relish the idea of explaining to your friends at home that I'd managed to lose one of you."

Her perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose. "Uh huh. That's the only reason you were worried?"

He shrugged. "Kara considers him a friend."

Natasha shook her head slightly. "Keep trying."

"I owe him."

"How did you become the god of Lies when you can't even lie to me?" she asked.

Loki groaned. He was out of practice, obviously. "Part of it is the ability to always know when another is lying. That hasn't failed me, or at least, not when my mind is fully my own."

"He likes you too, Loki. Asking you to be our baby's godfather was his idea; I didn't push him into it and it wasn't because you're married to Kara." He stared at her, shocked beyond responding. "Bruce is okay, I checked on him a few minutes ago. Go lay down with your wife. Kara will sleep better if you're holding her."

"Thank you, Natasha. Good night."

… …

His sister by marriage was suspiciously quiet this morning, Helblindi thought as he and Slingard and a small company escorted them to the approved travel point between their realms. While it was technically possible to enter Jötunheim using the Bïfrost or the Cosmic Cube at any point, the power needed to use another area was substantial. Kara trudged along beside her husband who was in his Æsir form and garbed in his Asgardian dress armor. Her helmed head was tilted down and her gauntleted hand clutched Loki's forearm. Helblindi swallowed a frustrated growl wondering if the woman was as subdued as she appeared or was hiding her temper. By the set of her shoulders and the expression on his brother's face, he guessed the former. He stopped at the edge of the rocks that surrounded the ancient carving. "My first feast day as king is in seven Midgardian months. Will you attend?"

"Me or us?" Loki asked curtly.

"Both of you." He frowned down at his brother's wife. "Kara, I am not angry with you, I needed to show that I am king, not you and not my brother. Are you angry with me for that?" he asked her.

The faceplate on her helm opened. "No. I'm embarrassed that I made it necessary and I was worried I'd ruined the chance for you and Loki to have a relationship."

"You have not. You are both welcome to visit, but please, try to leave administering justice to me and my appointed representatives, hmm?"

The woman's cheeks flushed pink. "If no one attacks us, sure," she mumbled.

He chuckled. "I will take that if you will refrain from doing more than defending yourself and yours from direct attack, hmm?"

"Sounds reasonable," she agreed.

Loki was shaking his head with a rueful expression. "Do you really wish a wife you care for so very much, Helblindi?" he asked. "You see what I must deal with."

He looked from one to the other and grinned. "Absolutely."

… …

Hearing voices over the wind, Thor stood up from the small boulder he'd been using as a seat while waiting for his brother and his companions to arrive. He walked out from behind the tall standing rocks that provided a wind-break to the circle. He walked out slowly and looked at the gathered group of Æsir, Jötnar and mortals. Despite knowing that they'd had problems over the past week, all of them looked comfortable with each other. Loki and Kara were even smiling as they spoke with Helblindi…who was wearing the Jötnar crown. That was a new development. He squared his shoulders and strode towards the group. "Greetings, King Helblindi," he offered politely.

The Jötunn nodded. "And to you, Thor Odinson.

"Has my brother completed his work here as he was tasked?"

"For now, yes. He feels he may need to return in a few months to unleash more storms as the snow pack compacts. We will need to watch and measure it to be certain."

"So all is well?"

His brother growled half under his breath and Helblindi smirked. "Of course. Our brother is an honorable man. He has done all he has promised and has done it well despite unexpected difficulties cast in his way."

Thor grinned. "We realized there were problems; I'm glad to see all is well." He looked Loki in the eye. "I was worried for you and yours, my brother."

Loki's expression softened. "I was worried for us as well. But we are fine and more than ready to go home." His brother gave Helblindi a mischievous smile. "Despite my half-brother's best attempt to provide adequate entertainment."

Helblindi snorted. "It was you who provided the best entertainment, brother. But perhaps we should have a boring visit next time?"

"It would be best, I think."

Now he was really curious. "Well, the Bïfrost repairs were finished in your absence, Hogun, Fandral, would you send your squadron home?"

"Aye, Thor, we will," Fandral agreed and they stepped aside to allow the other Æsir to pass.

Thor noted numerous injuries, but all appeared, from what he could see under the cloaks they all wore, to be healing well. "It seems you have quite the tale to tell, Loki," he commented.

"It is no tale, and I'd prefer to tell it but once if you don't mind."

"I…you take offence where I meant none. Please, do not make assumptions that I mean ill because of my poor choices in wording. You know I'm no orator and have little skill with it."

Loki stared at him for a moment then nodded. "You are right, I did assume. I am tired, brother and ask your forgiveness."

"None is needed, not between us. If Helblindi gives us leave, let us go home."

"By all means, Odinson. Take good care of our brother. I would have him and his lady visit to celebrate my next feast day."

"I will. And congratulations, King Helblindi," he told the Jötunn. "We'll be in contact."

… …

"Welcome home, Prince Loki, Princess Kara," Heimdall rumbled as they stepped out of the dome. He frowned at the redheaded mortal female who accompanied them. "Was this trip less stressful, Lady Natasha?" he asked.

"Much, thanks."

He nodded and looked over the remainder of the prince's companions. They all looked drained. "A carriage is on the way, and a meal has been prepared."

"Will our parents be joining us?" Loki asked.

Heimdall frowned at Thor. "I didn't think it an appropriate subject to bring up in the presence of the Jötnar," Thor muttered.

Loki turned to glare at his elder brother. "What happened?" he asked.

"Father overextended himself and slipped back into the Odinsleep," Thor said quietly.

"Kara, please?" the younger prince asked.

"Absolutely." She shifted the spear she had been carrying to her other hand and wound her arm around his waist. Heimdall noticed Loki's emerald eyes take on a slight glow as he reached out and took a firm grip on his elder brother's arm. The trio vanished, leaving a light green haze behind them.

"Holy crap," the Hawkeye said. "What happened?"

Heimdall shook his head slightly. "The All-Father is not well, his children have hurried to his side."

"Damn. Poor Loki just can't catch a break."

"Indeed."

… …

Loki handed the silk-wrapped bundle containing the Casket of Ancient Winters to Thor. "Hold this," he ordered then hurried to Frigga's side. "Mother, how is he?"

"Resting, my son. How are you? We worried so when Odin felt your pain."

"I-I am well. He felt it? How? Why?"

"Your father loves you as much as I, though he's a hard man and does not show it so well. My unease troubled him, so he monitored you closely. He did not say just what had happened, we knew only you were badly hurt." Frigga bit her bottom lip and reached for him. He hugged her close. "Odin sat and watched the flames for hours on end, waiting to see how you would fare. With the storms raging, it was impossible for any of us to reach you. The night passed and he moved not. Near dawn he spoke and then collapsed."

Loki's eyes drifted shut as guilt flowed through him. "He saved me, mother. He far-spoke through me and gave Kara the clue she needed to help me."

"He loves you, Loki," Frigga told him again as she held him close. "We all do. Not allowing Thor to go haring off to try and save you was the hardest thing Odin has ever had to do. We knew that Thor would not be able to reach you in time and that he would only make things worse. Your brother did not take it well."

He smiled and looked up at the headstrong oaf of a brother that he could finally admit to himself that he loved. "No, he would not. Thor, put that down," he told him. Once the silk-wrapped bundle had been set down, he gestured his brother and Kara over and pulled both of them into a hug with his mother. "Thank you," he told them. "Thor, you especially have been waiting to hear this fall honestly from my lips for the longest time. I love all of you. For better or worse, by blood or no, you are my family and I am grateful for your love and your belief in me."

"My beautiful son," Frigga murmured as her face lit up with unfeigned joy. "Welcome home."

Author's Notes: Aw da fluff!