Chapter Two

Remember when you were a child and you stood in line eagerly awaiting to get your picture taken with Santa? And, each second that passed by was longer than the next? But, finally it was your chance and you sat in gleeful awe. Meeting Thor was exactly like that moment—tenfold.

Agent Coulson and I sat in a plain room. The walls were bare, painted a bright white with fluorescent lights flickering above. A large, blue couch sat firmly against the wall and a green, plotted plant stood beside it. Never had I felt so uncomfortable and yet so excited at the same time.

Hours—which really were only minutes—passed by when suddenly the door opened. Quick to my feet I stood, trying to keep my smile professional. My muscles ached and I knew I looked like a crazed sociopath.

To my slight disappointment it wasn't Thor who entered but Director Fury. He was tall, wide and built like the fighting machine that he was. His head was cleanly shaven, and his circle beard was neatly trimmed. The black, leather trench coat he wore flapped behind his booted feet as he stepped inside, the door slamming closed behind him. Everything from the way he stood with his hands behind his back to the eyepatch he wore over his left eye was intimidating.

During my training for S.H.I.E.L.D. I did my best to research what I could, especially about Director Fury. Unfortunately I couldn't find much, which was extremely disappointing. But, from what I did find was almost impossible to believe—as if alien attacks and men turning into raging green monsters were far from fairytales—was that Nick Fury started S.H.I.E.L.D. in World War II. That made Nick Fury at least 90-years-old. After doing a little more digging I managed to find out that he was injected with an anti-aging serum, a serum that was infused with the supersolider serum that created Steve Roger's Captain America. After that, there wasn't much more I could find out about Director Fury. Staring at him now, I knew why.

Doing my best to not frown that it wasn't Thor who had entered the room I stepped forward and extended my hand to greet him. With his one good eye he stared at my open palm, both hands still firmly placed at his back. Swallowing, I looked to Coulson who slightly pushed out his lips and shook his head. The heat rushed to my cheeks as I quickly withdrew my hand to my side.

"Director Fury, it's a pleasure to meet you," I professionally stated, smile firmly in place.

He looked me up and down before turning to Agent Coulson. "This is the Norse Mythology Consultant?" I tried not to look hurt, but it was clear that he wasn't impressed, and that stung.

Agent Coulson nodded. "Agent Waltham," he corrected and I couldn't help but smile at him in gratitude. "She's been studying Norse Mythology since she could read, even gave several lectures before graduating high school and had her first paper published at the age of twelve." He shrugged and added, "I assure you she is the best, sir."

Fury gave me another once over. "Are you sure you can handle the implications of this mission?"

Without hesitation I nodded. "Norse Mythology has always been a big part of my life, sir." Sure I felt sick to my stomach and my palms were ridiculously sweaty and I could have easily passed out but I knew if I didn't take this chance I'd forever regret it.

Fury smirked—at least I think it was a smirk. His lips definitely tugged upwards—and I quickly looked to Coulson who nodded at me in return. Good, approval. For a second there I thought I was going to be sent packing back home to Southern California ashamed and sad.

"So, let's discuss what we here at S.H.I.E.L.D. expects of you. We've been given permission by Thor that one of our own can go to Asgard to learn from the hoof sort of speak. With these new alien races and threats we didn't even know existed we have a great opportunity at hand here."

Fury discussed what was expected of me while on Asgard. I was thrilled at the aspects before me. This was more exciting than when I traveled abroad for two years in Scandinavia and a year in Iceland. This was uncharted area for the mortal realm and I was the first known person to travel there. The excitement was too much.

And as if I wasn't being blessed enough as it was none other than Thor Odinson, King of Asgard, God of Thunder, walked into the room. Never before had I been so starstruck. This was the babbled God I grew up learning all that I could about who no one even knew existed up until somewhat recently. Even in current media and news it was still hard to process his existence.

Yet there he stood. The drawings in the books I grew up with did him no justice. He was depicted as tall, strong and most notably his golden locks of hair. The descriptions were almost offensive to the being standing before me.

Thor wasn't just tall. He was tall. He easily stood at 6'6, 6'7 at the least. I barely even came up to his chest and I was in heels. He wasn't just strong in appearance; he was built like ten brick houses. Muscles rippled through his armor, his bare arms not even flexed were bigger than my head. And his hair was not just golden it was the shade of liquid gold melted down just to descend upon his head.

What the books failed to mention and the media failed to portray were the deep blue of his transfixing eyes. I've seen some beautiful eyes in my travels but never had I felt compelled to just stare. And, that's all I could do—stare.

Thor beamed as he approached Agent Coulson, slapping him jauntily on the back. "Son of Coul," he shouted as Coulson gasped for air. "It is so good to see you my friend," he continued, oblivious to Coulson struggling to regain his composure.

"And you too," he breathed, straightening his disheveled tie. "Thor, I'd like for you to meet Agent Waltham," he said gesturing toward me. "She will be the one studying Asgard for awhile."

"Ah," grinned Thor reaching out to grab my hand. I instantly froze at his touch as he brought my hand up and slightly bowed. I couldn't help but giggle as my cheeks began to flush. "An honor my lady."

Fury rolled his eyes. "I'm needed elsewhere. Coulson I'm sure you can handle it from here," he said and turned to leave without offering anyone else a goodbye.

Not that it mattered. I was completely transfixed. Thor let go of my hand—and I held my disappointment as well as I could—as he turned to Agent Coulson and widened his smile even more than before. "Tell me friend, when does this begin because I would like to make a visit if I could?"

Coulson nodded and folded his hands in front of himself. "No worries, I know it's been a while since you've been to Earth. So long as we have Agent Waltham in Asgard by tomorrow morning feel free to enjoy yourself."

Thor reached forward and clasped Agent Coulson's shoulder with one hand and used the other to clasp his forearm. "Until next time my friend," he said before turning to me and bowing once more, "I look forward to getting to know you."

"Likewise," I whispered trying to keep myself from blushing even more than I already was.

Agent Coulson and I watched as Thor left the room leaving the two of us in an awkward silence. He cleared his throat and smiled. "Well, shall we send someone to collect your things?"

I sat in silence, staring at my reflection in the mirror. My long, brown hair was tied into a neat bun atop my head. The green of my eyes were dull, the dark bags that had slowly been appearing over the last couple of months were increasingly noticeable without any make-up. My lips were pale, and I could see the skin flaking where I had been constantly chewing.

There was no denying it. I was the definition of haggard of at that very moment.

Groaning, I slipped on my robe. The cotton was soft against my skin and the warmth of Sully laying on it moments before was still there. I snuggled against it as I walked into the kitchen, the fat dog chasing after me. Shaking my head at him I told him he had enough food for the day. He tilted his head to the side as though he didn't understand the meaning of no food. Laughing, I reached down to pet his bulky head. He quickly moved away, licked at my hand and walked to his empty food dish.

Giving in too easily, I gave him a small bowl and watched as he gobbled it up in mere seconds. It was no wonder he was starting to get so pudgy. Realizing now that he had eaten before bed I better take him out to the bathroom unless I wanted to accidentally walk in something in the middle of the night. Which I did not.

Bracing the cold New York winter I took Sully outside so he could do his business. Since he refused to go if I watched him I turned my attention to the sky. It was black save a few stars that were bold enough to shine through the constant city lights. I wondered if while I was in Asgard if I'd be able to see the same stars. Or, would they be different? Would the moon be the same? Or would their days be different than ours?

There were so many questions I had, and so many things I'd soon learn. I wasn't sure if I was actually prepared for it or not, despite what I had told Fury earlier that day. My entire life I had studied Norse Mythology. My Father was a history teacher at the local community college and my mother taught Mythology at a private school. Instead of reading about Princesses that waited for their Princes I learned about Gods who fought viciously against one another, and men who had their hearts ripped out for breaking the hearts of vindictive Goddesses.

But, as much as world history fascinated me and as much as I enjoyed learning about other culture's and their ancient beliefs it was Norse Mythology that stuck out to me the most. At the age of twelve I had my first paper published on the effects of Norse Mythology in today's media. It was well-received for the most part and encouraged me to continue with my research and study. I always planned on teaching, like my parents, so when I started taking college classes for it the lie that I had moved to New York to take a teaching job was easy for them to believe. How little they really knew.

I scoffed. How little I really knew. This wasn't just a field trip for a day at school. I was going alone—thankfully Sully was allowed to accompany me but still, alone—to a world that no one even knew existed until the events that took place in New Mexico a couple of years ago. And, even though it was pretty top secret and didn't get out into the public until the alien attacks in New York. That was harder to cover up and the excuse military training wasn't exactly viable for that one.

So, the truth came out. The public cried for something to be done. And, S.H.I.E.L.D. stepped in. And, that was where I came in. Out of every single person to have studied Norse Mythology was I really the right person for it? Sure, I knew a lot but I was starting to feel like it was trivia information I knew. Like, if I were to go on Jeopardy: Norse Mythology edition I could easily win. But, to be the most qualified person out there—it seemed highly unlikely.

Sully barked, breaking me from my thoughts and sat at my feet. I smiled at him and gestured with my head that we go back inside. He jumped up and followed me at my heels as we entered. Closing the door and locking it tight behind me I turned off all the lights leading to my bedroom. As I began to strip myself of my robe I groaned in frustration as a light breeze tickled my bare skin.

That damn window!

Annoyed, I strode over and shut it tight, twisting the lock several times. What was up with this thing? Scratching at the base of my bun I circled the room a couple of times making sure no important papers were scattered from the wind. Certain that everything was as it should be I sighed and looked to the window one more. Before I left I had to make sure to tell my landlord and have him glue that window shut. The last thing I'd want is for it to blow open while I was gone and stay open until I came back. Who knew what the state of my home would look like then.

Yawning loudly I turned off the light to my bedroom and fumbled around the dark until my knee hit the edge of the bed. Sully snorted at the sudden movement and grunted as he started to get comfortable. I crawled over him and pushed myself up against the wall, pulling the blankets all the up to my neck. Tomorrow was a big day and I wanted to try and get as much sleep as I could.

"Good night Sully," I muttered. He snorted and laid his head on my legs.

I smiled to myself and started to dream about what it would be like in Asgard. My dreams didn't do the reality of it justice.

A/N: Thank you for reading and hope you enjoy what you've read so far. Please feel free to review and comment :D I won't say no to that!

vicvic221: Thank yoooou! And, I always have something tricky up my sleeve. And, I look forward to Jessica being a hussy :D Thanks for the shoutout by the way! 3

mydarkestway: Yes, I love Phil and couldn't keep him killed off. Plus, I'm pretty sure that Whedon is bringing him back to life. And, thank you.

Usedmemories: Thank you so much!