Kara stared at the path that led into Frigga's garden. A shimmering golden haze floated over the entire retreat, preventing entry. Her mother-in-law had assured her that the two men inside could leave whenever they desired; she just wanted to guarantee that they had privacy to settle their differences. While Kara hadn't seen any anger in Odin when he entered, she still worried. "How long they been in there?" Clint asked as he hoisted himself up on the wall behind the small bench where she sat. Nat squeezed her shoulder gently and sat down beside her.

"Nearly three hours."

"It's late, Kara," the other redhead told her. "Why don't you go to bed? Loki will find you there. I know you're not going to be able to sleep, but you could at least stretch out and rest. You had a tough workout with the magic-users today learning how to break through shielding."

"I still stink at it. If Malekith isn't already dead, I still can't touch him."

"You're getting better. From the talk I heard, you impressed that grand vizier person. Quite frankly, he doesn't look like anything impresses him."

She snorted. "Cantankerous old fart. He's ancient even compared to Odin. Apparently he was a contemporary of Bor; Fandral says he's only still alive out of sheer stubbornness. But he knows his magic, particularly shielding. I couldn't make a dent in his."

Clint chuckled from his perch on the wall. "Yeah, but you shocked the shit out of some of the others. That blonde chick pissed herself when you got that projection of terror through her shields."

"Amora. Yep, she's definitely not a fan, now on two fronts. Gossip Central…"

"Fandral again?"

"Yes, Clint. Anyway, he says she sniffed around Loki for years, but mostly because she was interested in his power, not because she wanted him personally. Stupid bitch really had the hots for Thor."

"Kara, you think any woman that doesn't find Loki more attractive than Thor is stupid."

"Well, come on, Nat. If you didn't have Clint and you didn't have a history with either of them, which would you pick?"

Nat stared at her with a deadly expression. "If you think for one minute that I'm going to answer that, you've lost your mind."

She thought about it and shrugged. "Okay, good point. Besides, I'll admit I'm horribly biased."

"No. Really?"

"Oh, stop it. What is taking them so damn long?" she griped.

"Geez, Kara. They've got over a thousand years of issues to iron out. Even if you gave them one minute for each year it would take 'em a good seventeen hours."

She sighed deeply. Clint had a point. "I guess I should go to bed."

… …

"Perhaps you arose too soon," Loki suggested as they walked slowly out of the garden. His father's eyebrow lifted. "Not that I don't appreciate you wanting us to talk before I had to leave, but I'd rather you took more care for your health."

"I am well, son, don't fuss. And barring the advent of Ragnarök I'll be here for several thousand years yet."

He had to bring that up. "If the Norns are right and I have anything to do with the outcome of Ragnarök, you'll be here for several thousand years whether it comes or not."

"No, Loki. Promise me that if I do not survive it, you will not blame yourself. Amongst the gods there will be a sacrifice even should we win. As I am the All-Father, that sacrifice will be mine to make."

"No, father…"

"With great power comes greater responsibility. I have known this since this prophesy first surfaced, as has your mother. By the time Ragnarök arrives, Thor will be ready to sit the throne and you will be free of your sentence and ready to take your rightful place as his first advisor. The two of you will bring in an unprecedented era of peace and cooperation between all of the Realms, including Midgard."

"But that's not fair."

"Isn't it? I am a warrior, my son. I was what was needed when all of the Realms were warlike and teeming with arrogance and aggression. Now, save for Svartálfheim, Muspelheim, and Midgard, peace is sought by all the realms. And even in Svartálfheim and Midgard the people want peace; it is only their leaders that wage war. My time is all but done. Now what is needed is not just a warrior, but a diplomat. I am no diplomat; Thor is no diplomat and never could be though his prowess as a warrior is still needed. That is why you are so important. Together you will take the Realms forward. Were either of you to stand alone the Realms would fall into chaos."

"I feel as though I've just gotten a real father, I do not wish to think about losing you so soon." He knew he sounded childish, but could not manage a more reasonable tone.

Odin stopped walking and turned to him. A tired smile emerged and Loki was pulled into a firm embrace. "I know, my son. We have time yet, I promise you."

… …

Thor stirred from his doze as the figures emerged from his mother's garden. Loki and Odin, arm in arm, both wearing quiet smiles. It was a miracle. "Thor, what are you doing here?" Loki asked.

"I cannot sit outside mother's garden?" he asked. Both men frowned at him. "I wanted to see this," he admitted, spreading his arms to encompass the pair. "I know how good it felt when Loki and I spoke; I wanted to see that with the two of you."

"You wanted to see if we'd managed to come to blows, more like," Loki muttered. "You know our tempers too well."

He grinned as his brother winked at him then laughed aloud as his father did the same. "For all that you are only distantly related, the both of you are very much alike," he informed them. "Come, let us break our fasts. The day is ready to begin."

"Father needs to get some sleep," his brother protested. "And I need to find my lady."

"I have slept for nigh on six days, and your wife is likely in her bed. She is not nearly as foolish as my elder son to stay up all the night waiting for us," their father told Loki. "But let us take our meal in the royal apartments. Your mother will wish to join us and we can send for Kara. We'll start this new day together, hmm?"

"Aye, father," Thor agreed as Loki nodded. "As a family."

… …

Steve smiled as he stretched out his legs and stared up at the stars. This had been a great idea. Sometimes Tony wasn't so bad. A great view, a convertible, and a pretty girl; what a combination! "That was fun," Beth told him as she snuggled into his side. "And the bear is adorable." A giant stuffed bear with a blue bow around its neck that he'd won for her pitching baseballs on Coney Island sat in the back seat.

"Yeah, it was. It was pretty great of the carnie to let me play even though he recognized me. I thought it was kind of unfair."

"No, they set the rules, you followed them; you even stepped back another two yards. Besides, they wouldn't have discriminated against a major league baseball player, so why shouldn't they let Captain America play?"

He shrugged. "I guess. Still feel kind of funny about it."

"You think too much. Look at those stars. That's what I miss about living in the city, you never see the stars."

"There're sure a lot of them."

"You're not even looking at the stars, silly."

"Maybe not, but you're a lot prettier than they are." He grinned when she blushed and her long lashes fanned out on her cheeks as her eyes closed. "I'm really glad you moved into the tower. With your schedule and mine, we'd hardly ever get to spend any time together if you hadn't."

"It's made it a lot easier on me; I don't have to work nearly as many hours." She sighed and he felt her soft lips brush against his jaw. "Pepper offered me an official job as soon as I get my degree as the Avengers' personal physician. I tried to tell her that my residency is going to take up a lot of hours, but she's kind of insisting."

"They'll make arrangements for the hours you get called in to help us to be counted towards your residency requirements. You know that, so what's really bothering you?" Beth sighed again and he squeezed her gently. "Come on, out with it."

"They want to start paying me now, but I'm not even doing anything."

"Uh, sure you are. Didn't you do that whole nutrition thing for us?"

"Well, yeah, but…"

"Didn't you set up that computer record thing for our medical records and put all those old paper records in it?"

"Sure, I set up a database but…"

"Then you deserve to get paid. End of story."

"Steve, how did you get so logical?"

"I had to be when I was young. As a small guy, that and being stubborn was the only way I got things done." He ran his fingers across her cheek and down to her chin. "Beth, you're part of our support team now. It's all good."

"I'm getting free room and board." She managed a small smile when he shook his head. "I guess it just feels like charity. I've worked for everything I have, Steve, and it just seems like cheating."

"Beth, you're the most honest and open person I've met since I've been back. Don't worry about it." He frowned as tears sprung up in her eyes. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?"

"Steve, I'm sorry, but can we go back? I really need to call my boss at my other job to talk about work and stuff."

"Um, okay, sure." He hit the button to close the convertible rooftop and watched her chew on her bottom lip. "Beth, did I say something to upset you?"

"No, you just made me think." She leaned over and kissed the edge of his mouth. "It's okay, that's a good thing, but I've really got to take care of some stuff, okay?"

"Okay."

… …

Raj groaned as he looked at the clock sitting just past his telephone. He'd just gotten to sleep a half hour before. What emergency had cropped up now? "Nassar, here," he answered.

"It's me."

"What's wrong?"

"I-I just had to tell you; um, I quit. I'm sorry, but I just can't do this."

He sighed as he sat up in the bed and leaned against the headboard. "What can't you do, Bethany?" he asked gently.

"I can't lie to him, Raj. I-I love him, and I won't continue to lie to him, it's wrong."

"You have not lied to Steve Rogers." Silence greeted his statement. "Bethany, what lie have you told him?"

"A lie of omission is every bit as much a lie as speaking an untruth. I'm sorry, but I believe that. I can't do it, Raj. I can't be your designated successor and lie to Steve about it. Eventually he'll find out and he'll hate me for it. I'm not going to lose him over this, I can't."

He rubbed his free hand over his face. "Where are you now?"

"Um, at Avengers' Tower."

"Go find Rogers, and bring him here."

"I don't understand."

"Bethany, I need you to keep this position. The selection of chairperson is critical. You have everything needed to be successful: compassion, an innate honesty, determination, intelligence, good judgment, and the ability to manage people and events without seeming to be doing so." He paused to let his words sink in. "You are special, Bethany. The regents will run roughshod over a weaker person and will corrupt a less honest person. Ultimately, it is not I who need you, but the entire world."

"Maybe this is selfish of me, but Steve means more to me than the rest of the world."

"I know. Go find him. Bring him here. He's already aware of my involvement with the council. We'll talk to him and see if he can accept you having that involvement when I'm no longer able to do the job. If he can't come to terms with it and support you, I'll accept your resignation, all right?"

"You're willing to trust him?"

Raj had to chuckle at that. "Trust the most honest and trustworthy man in the world with a secret? If we can't trust Captain American, who can we trust?"

… …

Kara moaned as Loki's long-fingered hands traveled down her spine. "You are so good at that," she breathed as he continued the best massage she'd ever had in her life. "I think I'll keep you."

His chuckle made her smile, particularly since any self-pity or fear over losing her or not deserving her was absent for once. "You, my love, are quite stuck with me. But I'm pleased that makes you happy."

She rolled over as he slapped her left butt-cheek playfully. "Very happy. Today has been such an amazing day. Has your face cracked yet?"

"Has my…what?"

Shrugging, she told him, "You've smiled so much today I was worried your face might crack from all of the unaccustomed exercise of the muscles."

His jaw dropped and she burst out laughing. "You little minx," he managed before pouncing on her and holding her arms up and to the sides as he stared down at her. His expression was priceless…and it was all hers. "I love you, Kara. How have you managed this?"

"I got undressed and complained about my back aching."

"Ha-ha. I'm not jesting. I felt mortals were beneath me, yet now I love a woman born one with all my heart and I'm friends with many others. Granted, they are all exceptional mortals, but still insignificant, or they should be."

"They're not, you know."

He sighed. "I do know. I also have the family I thought I'd never have. You have done all of this. What is this magic you wield?"

"Besides love?" He nodded. "Plain old human cussedness; I refused to accept anything less." She smirked as he shook his head. "Just like I refuse to accept anything less than my husband giving me at least three orgasms before we get some sleep."

Loki laughed and dropped down on his side. "No less than three? My, you are a demanding woman."

She shrugged. "Well, since you are a god, I thought that was totally reasonable."

"Hmm, true. Very well, then, but you will have to promise the same to me."

"Okay…but any you get in giving one to me counts."

"What? No, that would be my doing."

"You wish. Nope, they count or no deal. Remember, you're a god and I'm not, so consider it leveling the playing field."

"You will be a goddess one day, Kara. Meanwhile you're a terribly demanding termagant."

"And you love it,
admit it!"

"So I do, my lady." She watched avidly as he crawled backwards on the bed and slipped one hand between her cooperatively spread thighs to begin a delicious dance on her clit. Before he even stopped moving backwards she was shaking and arching her back in ecstasy. "That's one," he smirked.

… …

"You can tell so much already?" Bruce asked Lady Eir as she finished examining Natasha Romanov.

"Yes, my power allows me to see the body at the genetic level, even that of an unborn child."

"Do you…could you…"

"I can see what happened to yours, Dr. Banner. But I have no way of reversing the changes."

He nodded. "It was worth asking. But if the goddess of Healing can't fix the damage, I'll have to live with it."

"I am curious. Why do you call it damage? I see no actual damage to the cells; it is a change, more of an enhancement to their structure. That is why it cannot be reversed."

Natasha's lips had curved into a light smirk. Clint was standing over in the corner frowning with as much confusion as he felt. "I can't see it as an enhancement. I can't control what I become or when I become it, so it feels like damage to me."

"But you're learning to control it, Bruce," Natasha said. "Every time it happens you're more in control."

"When's the last time you hulked out when you specifically didn't want to; uh, not counting when you were under direct attack?" Clint asked.

"It's been over a year. But I've come close."

The archer grinned. "Close only counts in horseshoes and explosives."

Eir was fussing with something she'd taken from a closet. "Take this," she said, handing him a corked vial. "On high stress days put no more than a drop in a hot beverage. Only use it on very high stress days as continued use will decrease its effectiveness and your body will eventually develop a tolerance for it. It will not prevent you from allowing yourself to release your anger; simply make it more a matter of choice. I give you so little as by the time it is gone, it will no longer be effective for you."

He looked at the brown glass tube and nodded. "Thank you. Even if I never have to use it, it's a relief to know I'll have that option. That alone may negate the need for it."

"Exactly," the goddess agreed.

… …

Loki frowned in disgust as he brushed back his hair. "I don't have time to cut it. I don't know why I didn't think of it yesterday."

"You were having too good a time yesterday to worry about the length of your hair. Why do you want to cut it, anyway? Thor is letting his grow long."

He held up the ends that were showing a distinct and offensive tendency to wave as the layers grew out. "This…this is unacceptable."

His darling lady smirked at him. "I think it's cute and yes, I do know you don't like that word especially in relation to your looks." He sighed as she carded her fingers through the long strands. "I could braid it back for you. That will make it curl more when you take the braid out later, but until then it won't bug you as much."

"Thank you, Kara. I can keep it braided until we next retire." He sat back and relaxed as she pressed a kiss to his cheek and then began her task.

… …

"I should stay here, with you," Thor protested.

Odin eyed his elder son speculatively. "You are needed to appear with Haakun and Loki before Midgard's United Nations."

"Loki and Haakun can manage without me, you need more rest."

"Do I? Have I suddenly grown feeble or do you have a reason to wish to avoid your friends there?"

The golden head dropped. "No father. I-it's complicated."

"It will become more so should you continue to avoid the woman. Go to Midgard; speak with her. Be honest about what you want and need. If she is half the person you think she is, she will understand."

"She will be hurt; while I did not say I loved her, I know my actions implied it."

"We hurt and are hurt when love is not mutual. It happens. The only way to soften the blow is to be honest and open as soon as possible." His lips twitched as Thor squirmed uncomfortably. "I am heartened that you care enough to wish to avoid hurting this one. You have not always considered the hurt you have caused the women who have offered you their hearts."

The boy sighed, not like him at all…and that was good. "You are right, father. It is good that I do not wish to cause her pain…that I even recognize that this will cause her pain, but that does not make it any easier."

"No, it does not. Now go, your brother and your friends await you."

"Yes, father."

"Thor?" He waited until his son turned back to him, still looking troubled. "I love you and I am proud of you. Caring for the feelings of others shows that you are a true man rather than an overgrown boy."

… …

Steve fidgeted as they waited in the middle of Central Park. Haakun had carved a circle of runes here around the edge of a fountain. The city had allowed Tony to set up a switch that allowed the water feature to be turned off and a platform slide over it so that it could be used as a landing platform for the Bifröst. All at his expense, of course. It hadn't taken much persuasion. Being able to get direct help from Asgard instead of having them travel across the country or ripping a new gate open with the tesseract and attracting unwanted alien attention was a big selling point. It had been two weeks since the others had left for Asgard, and Haakun was certain that either they'd all return or Asgard would send a messenger today. "Seems kind of funny to just be standing around out here waiting," Beth said. "Maybe we should have brought a picnic or something to like, fit in."

"We had to turn the fountain off; that kind of makes it obvious something's going down. But yeah, we should have gotten more comfortable." He smiled at his girlfriend. She looked as tired as he felt, but she was still the prettiest girl around. Waking up shortly after one in the morning to her frantic knock and pleas to take a ride with her last night had been the start of a long surreal experience where he discovered that his girl was the next in line to be the chairperson of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Council of Regents. Only three people in the whole world knew it: Dr. Nassar who was the current chairperson, Beth herself, and now him. Nick Fury didn't even know. It was pretty neat that Nassar trusted him enough to bring him in on it. Beth's safety depended on her anonymity until such time as she had all of the chairperson's resources. He'd keep her safe. She loved him enough to quit the job if it interfered with their relationship, but Nassar had convinced him that she was needed. It would be fine.

"Penny for your thoughts?" she asked softly

"Aren't they worth at least a quarter in today's money?" he teased.

"Probably." Beth reached out a hand and he wrapped his fingers around it and squeezed gently. "Everything about you is priceless to me," she added.

That made him smile. Yeah, everything was great. A weird trembling in the air caught his attention and he turned toward the fountain. The sky seemed to open above it and a blue light was shining from it. A moment later figures hurtled through and landed on the platform. The rest of the Avengers were home. "Welcome back, everyone," he said.

Thor straightened first with a bright smile. His broad shoulders eclipsed all of the others though the horns on Loki's helm made him look taller than his larger brother. Kara stepped from Loki's side and Clint turned to his right as they both grabbed Natasha Romanov by the elbows. "Nat, how's the stomach?" Kara asked.

"Not too bad. I think the ride on the Bifröst is a lot smoother than the tesseract. I'm okay."

"Great."

Steve frowned. "Didn't like traveling through the gate, huh? I wouldn't have figured you for having a sensitive stomach."

The former assassin glared at him. "I don't."

… …

Loki looked around them. They were standing on a raised platform in the middle of a park. Glancing up he saw the tell-tale skyline. Central Park. He wasn't fond of this place. Between being taken home from here in humiliation and then nearly dying here, it didn't hold the best of memories. Rogers and his blonde girlfriend were there to greet them, hand in hand like the innocents they were. How annoyingly sweet. He bit back a sarcastic comment, knowing Kara would not approve and would give him that look. "Captain," he said instead. "Miss Anderson, thank you for greeting us."

Kara turned back to look at him with an approving grin. At least she appreciated his efforts to be friendly. "Our pleasure," Steven said. "We've got a couple of cars nearby. It's a more low profile way to travel than having S.H.I.E.L.D. bring in a Quinjet." He grinned. "I haven't qualified to fly our own solo yet. I'm working on it, though."

They followed the couple to the nearest drive. Two limousines pulled up to meet them and they all piled in. Thor and Bruce joined him and Kara. Barton and Natasha took the other with Rogers and his young lady. Mid-morning traffic ensured that the trip to Stark's…Avengers' Tower was tedious, but it was still soon accomplished. A gate opened and allowed the vehicles to drive into the underground parking area where they were dropped off next to the elevators. "Welcome home, your highnesses, Natasha, Master Archer, Dr. Banner," Jarvis greeted as the elevator doors closed.

Loki frowned. "Is there a reason you are still addressing Barton as Master Archer, Jarvis?" he asked the AI.

"I was not instructed to stop doing so, Prince Loki."

"Clint decided he liked it, so we didn't override you. Huh, I guess Jarvis never addressed him in New Mexico or on Asgard," Kara said.

"No. Very well, then, carry on."

"Loki, it would be nice if you cancelled out the other programming."

"We'll discuss it later," he told her as everyone else looked at them. "I'll consider it if Tony is behaving himself."

Kara sighed. "We'll be bouncing his grandkids on our knees before that happens."

"His choice."

"Brother, I don't understand, what are you discussing."

"It's old news, Thor."

"It was funny. It would have been hysterically funny if you hadn't had to leave just then. I would have loved to see you trying to keep a straight face in front of Tony when Jarvis started calling him Anthony and everyone else their joke names."

Thor looked between the two of them, obviously disappointed that he'd missed out. "Jarvis," Loki asked. "Did Kara or Lady Pepper override the instructions for Prince Thor?"

"No, your highness, they did not."

"Thor, ask Jarvis a question, any question will do."

"Oh boy," Kara muttered.

"Have faith, love."

Thor stared at the ceiling for a moment. "Friend Jarvis, is Tony here in the tower?" he finally asked.

"Indeed, Prince Fabio. Mr. Stark is in the observation lounge."

Loki smirked as Kara dissolved into laughter, Steven's girlfriend choked and buried her face in the soldier's shoulder. Even Natasha snickered aloud. "Loki, man, you outdid yourself this time," Hawkeye told him.

Banner was biting his lower lip, his dark eyes alight with amusement. Rogers seemed confused. "I don't get it," he admitted.

"Oh, Steve," Beth managed. "Fabio is a romance novel cover model with long flowing blonde hair and really sculpted muscles. He's not known for being, uh…particularly bright."

Thor's jaw dropped. "Brother! Do you really see me thus?"

"I used to. Remember, this was done before you took me back to Asgard to search for that artifact. I still had no appreciation for you."

"Very well, then. But do make it stop."

"If I must."

… …

"Honey, they're ho-ome!" Tony called out as the elevator doors opened and disgorged two and a half gods, two 'enhanced' humans, two former assassins and a soon to be medical doctor. "So, welcome back," he said to those who had just returned from Asgard. "What did you bring me?"

"Tony!" Pepper scolded as she came into the living area from the kitchen. "He doesn't mean that," she said to the others.

"Yes, he does," Kara disagreed as she peeled herself from Loki's side and came over to him. "Here," she said as she held her hand out and tried to give him a small bundle wrapped in silk.

"Don't hand me things. I hate being handed things."

Pepper sighed. "You can hand it to me."

"No, actually, I can't. I'm under orders to hand this only to, and I quote, 'The Man of Iron'. So, Tony, take it or I'm going to drop it on the floor at your feet. But first I'll tell everyone else to get out of the tower because I really have no clue what will happen when this puppy hits the ground."

His eyes widened and he held out his hand. Only the Asgardians would specify 'Man of Iron'. Kara carefully placed the small item in his palm and he fought back the urge to jerk his hand away. Gingerly pulling the gold cloth back, he gasped as a small blue cylinder with one flat and one rounded end was revealed. The thing glowed, much like the tesseract or the crystal in Loki's spear. "What does it do?"

"It's a one-shot recharger. I was informed that you are to keep this with your suit at all times, that you're going to need it. Frigga couldn't tell me when or how, just that it would make all the difference. It's kind of a last resort thing, don't use it until you'll get killed otherwise, okay?"

"Okay…how do I use it?"

"Just place the flat end against the arc reactor and hold it there until the cylinder stops glowing."

"Cool beans. I'll add a compartment to my suits to store it that I can open if I'm on low or no power."

"Aren't you bothered by this gift, Anthony?" Loki asked.

"Oh, come on. What's with the full name? Didn't I suffer enough with the hay?"

The trickster grinned at him. "Consider it a warning, Tony."

"Geez. Why should it bother me?"

"This gift was commissioned from our greatest sorcerer by Frigga, one of our most gifted precognitives."

Tony blinked slowly as he processed the possibilities. "Son of a bitch. That means we're going to face something that two and a half to four and half gods, if Sif and Haakun are still here, can't handle without me losing power at a point when it will still matter to our surviving it. Oh fuck."

"Tony, lang…"

"Pepper, this deserves the word. Think about it," he interrupted. "Your old not-friends?"

"Probably. They are still trying to return here. Without an artifact being available to them on their target realm, Midgard is the only access to the remainder of the Nine Realms and the Mad Titan desperately wishes to reach Asgard and the dangerous treasures protected there."

"Shit. How long we got?"

"I've no idea. If they find a way to open a bridge, it could be days. Otherwise we're looking at years. No more than a decade, though."

"Okay, I'll bite; why no more than a decade?"

"Seriously, Tony?" Apple Pie boy interjected. "Do you think you'll still be Iron Man in ten years or more?"

"Huh. No, Cap, you're right. Even though I'm in the suit, it's tough, takes a physical toll. I can handle it now, but in a decade, yeah, not likely." He rewrapped the cylinder and stuck it in his pocket then clapped his hands together. "Okay! Well, lemme get this beauty stashed away in my suit room and then we can get everyone settled. Any special precautions on storing it?" he directed to Loki and Kara.

"Just keep it in the silk and protect it from impacts, Frigga told me," his honorary sister instructed.

"Got it. Why don't you all get comfy, and I'll run this downstairs and be right back." His eyebrows shot up as Thor slipped into the elevator behind him. "What's up, Buttercup?" he asked.

Thor frowned. "I've had quite enough of the nicknames this day already, my friend."

"It wasn't me," he said quickly.

"Nay, it was your computer voice…though Loki admits it was his doing."

It hadn't occurred to him to check the programming for a name for Thor, though he'd found one for Nick Fury. "Okay, lay it on me, Jarvis. What did Loki program you to call Thor?"

"Prince Fabio, sir. Though his highness has just now reversed that order."

Thor sighed heavily. "Thank the Nine."

"He only picked on the men for some reason."

"My brother is chivalrous to a fault unless he is in battle with a female opponent."

"Good to know. Okay, you didn't jump in here to talk about your brother, you hate this 'moving closet' as you call it. What's up that you couldn't talk about in front of the others?"

… …

"Not could not," Thor admitted to his friend. "Would not." He frowned and followed Tony out of the moving room when the doors opened again. The mortal headed for a clear panel which opened upon his approach. "Where might I find Jane Foster?" he asked as the panel closed behind them.

"Uh, she'll be here in the tower in a few hours. She had a lecture to give at MIT. S.H.I.E.L.D. asked her to give it, so they're flying her there and back. What's the matter, missing your ladylove?"

He stared at the floor. "You have had much experience with the women of Midgard. How does one tell a worthy woman that they are not loved while hurting them the least?"

"Oh, shit." Tony was staring at him, the deep brown eyes wide. "Buddy, you're asking the wrong man. That's not something I've ever been able to manage." The engineer broke off and turned to what appeared to be a blank wall. He palmed a spot that looked like all the rest and a portion of the wall slid out towards him, revealing a box-like padded space within which was nestled several arc reactors. Reaching in, he rearranged the items and then settled the silk-wrapped artifact on a side by itself. Tony stepped back, palmed the front of the compartment and it disappeared back into the wall. "Jarvis, any change in energy readings?"

"Negative, sir. The reactors and the new device are having no discernible effect upon each other and none are detectible from outside of the holding area."

"Excellent. Now, Thor…shit, man. That's tough. I thought you were all about Jane?"

"I thought so as well. I suppose Loki taught me many lessons, one of which was unintentional. Through his love for Kara I see how deep such a feeling should be. I realized that I could walk away from Jane and it would pain me little. I would miss her, certainly, but I would not give up my position for her, let alone my life. We both deserve a love that is deeper than that. And while I have time to find that love while enjoying a lesser attachment, she does not. I cannot waste the best years of her life when I am certain there is a more fitting love for her out there somewhere."

"Wow. That's a beautiful sentiment, buddy, and that's how you should tell her. But don't take my word for it…Jarvis, ask Pepper to come down here alone, and play this conversation for her while she's in the elevator."

"As you wish, Mr. Stark."

"Normally, I don't go playing conversations back like that, but seriously. Pepper needs to hear it so she understands. She's dealt with my shit for years. I think she's the genius about relationships and love and stuff."

"I bow to your knowledge of such." He followed Tony around as the man showed him the improvements he'd made to his suits using the Asgardian metal working technology. Thor felt that even Odin would be impressed. "Have you started on armor for the others?" he asked.

"Yeah, since Romanov and Barton were with you, I only got so far with their stuff. However, Steve's new and improved body armor is ready for testing." The grinning mortal hit a button and a tall door slid open to reveal armor in a familiar shade of blue.

"It does not look much different."

"No, and that's the cool part. It isn't any heavier or thicker, but it's nearly three times as strong. And this is without any magical enhancements. Odin gave me some drawings for runes to be etched into it and he said Loki could have his magic released long enough to…crap, what did he call it? Oh yeah, invoke them all once all of the armor was completed."

"Excellent indeed." He glanced at the clear panel that closed off the area when it opened to admit Pepper Potts.

"Tony, oh my God did…oh, Thor, you're still here."

"Where else would I be, my lady? We awaited you."

"I see. Um, well, I'm so sorry, Thor. You…" she broke off with a sigh. "What are you going to do?"

"I must tell her, somehow. I'd hoped for advice on how best to do so. I have no wish to hurt her."

"It's going to hurt anyway, but from what you told Tony, you realize that. Okay…this is one of the few times you're going to hear these words from my lips, so listen carefully. Tony is right."

"Hey!"

"Stop it, you know you're rarely right about anything to do with relationships. But he's right about this. You need to explain it to her just that way. Show her that you have her best interests at heart. It's still going to hurt and she may wonder why you don't just stick around anyway, but tell her you care too much to hurt her like that."

"That is the truth."

"Exactly. She needs to hear that from you. Meanwhile, I'll arrange a therapy…hmm, she doesn't like shopping. Oh, a spa day. I'll get a therapy spa day set up, complete with frosty beverages and cabana boys. An entire girls day out kind of thing."

"This will soothe the hurt?"

"No, calling you every dirty name in the book while she vents to the rest of the girls will soothe the hurt, mostly because we'll be agreeing with her."

"I wish to be honest with her and not hurt her, yet you agree I should be called vile names?"

"No. We will agree with her to encourage her to vent and get the anger out of her system. Then we'll point out your honesty and desire for her to find true happiness with someone who deserves her."

"Ah. I see. Very well. I shall tell her when she returns this afternoon."

"No, no, no, no, no. This afternoon you'll just stick with the group. Everyone will want to hear everything that happened while you were all away. Tomorrow morning you'll talk to her and then we ladies will scoop her up and drag her out to the spa to ply her with comfort and alcoholic goodness."

"One question, if I may?" Thor asked. Pepper nodded agreement. "What is a spa?"

… …

Author's Notes: Ah, the FEELS! More of them in this chapter. Thank you to all of you who reviewed and to my new followers, Welcome! I'm taking votes on whether Nat is carrying a boy or a girl.

My 1/6th scale Thor and Loki figures have arrived. Pictures can be found on my KieraPSI Tumblr account.

Just a note for those who have seen IM3 and the trailer for Thor2 and story synopsis for CapAm2: This story goes AU after the events of The Avengers. I am not going to retrofit the movie-verse changes into this story; that way lays insanity! If I enjoy any of the upcoming movies enough, perhaps I'll begin new stories jumping off them once this one is done. Of course, if all of you want to petition Marvel to scrap their current scripts and use this story instead, that would be cool. :wink: