Sigyn looked away from Stark and out over the city. The adrenaline coursing through her veins turned everything sharp with clarity – the horns and squeals of the vehicles far below, the place in the bodice of her dress that pinched with every shallow breath, the lights on the buildings, so bright and pervasive they blotted out the stars above.

Somewhere up there, far out of her reach, were her son and her husband, each of them waiting for her safe return. Her response to the unexpected inquisition she was facing would determine if she would see them again, or if they would all be kept apart for eternity.

With a deep breath she leaned carefully against the railing, taking in a line of traffic that glittered much like the Bifröst at home, and she was struck by a sudden memory.

A terrace in the palace on Asgard, her shoulders warmed by a shawl Loki had conjured for her, his fingers in her hair and his mouth on hers, open and warm and gentle. Her certainty in that moment, as she held him to her, tasting his lips and breathing him in, that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

Yggdrasil's branches would wither and die before she would let these Midgardians take that from her.

"Well? What have you got to say, sweetheart?"

Sigyn raised her head, fortitude straightening her spine. She spun to face her inquisitors once more.

"Mr. Stark, this is a magnificent palace you've built for yourself."

He let loose a short laugh, his forced mirth failing to completely hide his irritation. "I'm not really sure what that has to do with –"

"Tell me, how did you make the fortune that paid for it?"

He narrowed his eyes. "Are you not going to answer my question?"

"I have no need to. You and I both already have the answers we seek." She stepped forward. "Thor told me much about you before we traveled here. Weapons and munitions – is that not how you acquired your wealth?"

"Stark Industries is no longer in the business of dealing in death."

"Is that an admission that at one time, it was?"

"The old Stark Industries may have had a hand in the more…unsavory aspects of the global markets. But it made me a ton of money – money that I'm now using to fight those forces instead of support them."

"I see. So…you've had a change of heart?"

"If you're implying that Loki has had a similar experience, then you'll have to forgive my skepticism, sunshine. Last I checked, a change of heart requires you have a heart."

"You think Loki heartless?"

"I'm sorry, but were we watching two completely different videos back there? Do you have any idea how many innocent lives were lost during his spectacularly failed bid for world domination?"

"The weapons that built your empire – did they not also take innocent lives?"

"Not by my hand, they didn't."

"And would the people felled by them recognize the distinction?" She swung to face Barton before Stark could reply. "And you, a trained, lethal soldier. How many have been brought down by your arrows?"

The archer considered her with a shrug. "Considering how much evil is still lurking out there, not enough."

"Evil. Such a subjective description, wouldn't you agree? Do you not think the families of those who have died at your hands would look upon you as the evil one?"

Barton didn't answer.

"Do you think," continued Sigyn, "that given the chance to explain your motives you could bring those people to understanding? That they could learn to forgive your actions?"

"I doubt it."

"Then perhaps you can grasp just how difficult my job is."

"What exactly is your job, Lady Aradottir?" asked Stark. "We've been led to believe you're just a junior delegate from Asgard."

"That is the truth."

"But not the entire truth."

Sigyn looked him in the eye, determined not to flinch or look away. "The hair you found is mine. I gave the braid to Loki myself, not quite two years ago. Loki is my husband, and the father of my child."

She expected anger, but the laugh that burst forth from Stark's mouth startled her. "You had sex with that guy?"

"Unless your means of conceiving a child are radically different from ours," said Sigyn, completely taken aback by his boldness, "then I can assume you know the answer to that."

"On purpose?"

"I hardly think the details are any of your concern. He didn't force himself on me, if that's what you're suggesting."

"I've gotta ask…does he wear that helmet in bed? Because that seems awfully dangerous."

Sigyn clenched her jaw, ignoring his query and answering with a question of her own. "Do you plan on detaining me? Perhaps punishing me in Loki's stead? If so, I suggest you get on with it. But know this; you do so at your own risk."

"Is that some sort of threat?"

"More of a warning. Harm me, and my husband's vengeance will be unmerciful."

"Not really much he can do from a prison cell, is there?"

Sigyn smiled at this, a humorless smile, full of terrible knowledge and understanding. "He will wait, and you will think yourselves safe. Your grandchildren, possibly even their grandchildren, they will know peace. But Loki will outlive you all, he will remember, and he will see justice done."

"We survived him the last time he was here."

"He was weakened, and you had Thor's help. You would lose the advantage of both should you choose to test his resolve."

They stood that way for a time, minutes that stretched into what felt like ages, none of them saying a word. It was Barton who eventually broke the silence.

"I've been under Loki's control. I've seen his mind, and let me tell you, it wasn't pleasant. I'm not easily rattled, but that bastard…" He let his words trail off with a shake of his head.

"Agent Barton, I do not make light of the fact that you in particular were terribly wronged. And though it will be of no comfort to you, I, too, have been victim of his misplaced anger. But it is not my place to ask forgiveness or absolution – that is for Loki to seek himself, if he chooses to do so."

"He didn't send you here on his behalf?"

"He did not. In fact, he was quite against my coming here, fearing for my safety. Thor and I assured him I would be in no danger, that we would keep my identity hidden. I see now that was a foolish miscalculation on my part."

"What is it you want from us?" asked Stark.

"I only ask that I be allowed to continue my work, to learn of humanity and its place in our cosmos without fear of reprisal for Loki's crimes. And if you eventually find it in you to listen to what Thor and I know of him – of the time he spent in the void, in the company of true monsters – then I believe both of our realms would be better for it."

The smirk on Stark's face was so redolent of her husband's mannerisms it took Sigyn's breath away. "That's a hell of a speech, Lady Aradottir – they teach you that in Diplomacy 101?" Ignoring her moue of confusion, he continued on. "But I have to ask…do you truly want peace for both of our realms? Or do you just want Loki's freedom?"

"I don't find those desires to be mutually exclusive, Mr. Stark," said Sigyn, her voice at once sad and hopeful. "I will do everything in my power to ensure both come to pass."

"And why should we trust you?"

"In my time here, I have done nothing to indicate I harbor any malicious intent toward your realm. I have certainly had opportunity to do so, were that my wish."

"You lied to us about who you really are," said Barton. "That doesn't exactly work in your favor."

"I would argue that I did not lie – that I merely withheld information for my safety, and for yours."

Stark clicked his tongue in disapproval. "See, once again, that sounds an awful lot like a threat."

"I am no threat to you," said Sigyn, holding her hands out in a gesture of surrender. "I have none of Loki's sorcery, or Thor's strength. As neither of them is here now, I am completely at your mercy, as I'm sure was your goal. I can only give you my word that my intentions have been entirely honorable, and hope that you believe me."

Stark looked out over the city, his eyes focusing on a distance spot. "Can you even grasp how many people out there would love to see your husband's head on a platter? How many of them would happily tear you apart in his place?"

"I cannot even begin to imagine. But just as I would not demand you grant Loki's forgiveness by my actions, I would ask you not condemn me for his." Taking a risk, she stepped forward gingerly, placing her hand on Stark's arm. "Spare me now, if not for Loki's sake, then for my son's. He is innocent in this; do not sentence him to a life as an orphan."

Before he could answer, Sigyn could feel the hair on her neck prickle, the subtle shift in the air around her just before a bolt of lightning burst from the sky, hitting the top of Stark Tower not far from where they stood. She jumped, squeezing her eyes shut in reflex. When she opened them again, Thor was beside her, his eyes blazing with fury.

"What is the meaning of this?" he bellowed, Mjölnir poised to strike.

Stark, wisely recognizing his inability to fight an Asgardian without the benefit of his armored suit, stepped back. "Hold up there, Lightning McQueen. Don't kill me just yet."

Sigyn launched herself between the two men, her hands splayed on Thor's chest in an attempt to appease him. She was nowhere near strong enough to stop him if he wanted to push her aside, but he hesitated, lowering his hammer by the smallest of margins.

"Are you injured?" he asked. "Have they hurt you in any way?"

"No! No, they haven't," said Sigyn. "But I need you to listen. They know the truth."

"How? What did you tell them?"

"Nothing they didn't already know or suspect. They have proof tying me to Loki. From the braid of my hair he had."

Thor dropped his arm completely, grinding his teeth in exasperation. "Damn that sentimental fool."

Sensing the immediate threat to his life had passed, Stark spoke up. "You should be really proud of her, Odinson. She's a hell of a negotiator. Pulled out all the stops. Used everything from my personal history to her own kid to save her skin."

Thor snapped his head to Sigyn. "They know of Ari?"

"Yes."

"A little junior reindeer," said Stark. "Who would've guess-"

A glare from Thor shut him up. "Where are Radi and Sandarr? I will have their heads for leaving you unattended."

"And where were you?" she countered with a hiss, her professional comportment dissolving beneath the knee-buckling relief of Thor's return.

He sighed. "Conferring with a friend, just as Stark suggested." He looked away, defeat and understanding marring his handsome features. "And now I see why."

"Yeah, sorry about that," said Stark. "And how is Ms. Foster? Doing well, I'm guessing, considering how long you were gone."

Thor growled at his insinuation, drawing in a deep breath before answering. "Ms. Foster is fine. She continues her work – some of which you might find to be of paramount importance."

"Such as?"

"I will happily share what Ms. Foster and I discussed, once Sigyn's safety is assured. Otherwise, I will have Heimdall open the Bifröst and retrieve us right here – and you will be left to defend yourselves without Asgard's help."

"You would leave us to possible destruction? And I thought we were friends."

"We are. But harm Sigyn, and Loki's vengeance will be –"

"Let me guess," said Stark, cutting him off with a wave of his hand. "Unmerciful? Yeah, we've covered that." He ran his fingers through his hair. "So, either way we're screwed, is that what you're saying?"

"That is for you to decide."

"Not much of a choice, is it?" He rubbed the back of his neck, and Sigyn could see the click in his throat as he swallowed. "Let's get inside. You can give us your big news, and if I need to, I can make a few phone calls."

"You are a wise man, Stark," said Thor. "You have my gratitude."

"Save it big guy, you're not out of the woods yet." They walked to the door, and Stark opened it for Sigyn. "I still can't wrap my head around it. Loki, with a wife? What the hell did he ever do to deserve you?"

"I've spoken to Ms. Potts, Mr. Stark," said Sigyn, shooting him a sidelong glance as she passed him. "Surely that is a question you ask yourself every day."

"Ms. Foster has continued to pursue the work she started in New Mexico," said Thor, settling into a chair that looked fit to burst under his bulk.

"And what work is that, exactly?" asked Stark. "S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn't necessarily share all of its secrets with me."

"She is searching for a way through the Nine Realms that does not involve the Bifröst. More specifically, a way to Asgard itself." He glanced at Sigyn, his countenance carrying a measure of guilt that surprised her. Though he had not spoken much of his time spent banished in Midgard, Sigyn was aware that Jane Foster had made a significant impression on him – maybe more than he'd let on.

"And what does her research have to do with this potential threat you mentioned? She find some sort of new monster out there in deep space, just waiting to destroy us?"

"She does not believe it to be a new threat – but rather one we have already seen."

"The Chitauri?" asked Barton.

"And whomever they were working for," said Thor. "Recently, her equipment picked up distant readings she found familiar. When she investigated more closely, she discovered them to be identical to those recorded during the invasion of New York."

Stark leaned forward. "You said 'distant readings'", he said. "Just how distant?"

"Not distant enough. And drawing closer to your realm with each passing day."

Stark collapsed back into his chair. "Well, shit." He rubbed his mouth absentmindedly, his eyes flitting back and forth as he considered Thor's words. "How much time have we got?"

"She is not certain, but she fears the next month may find them within striking distance."

Stark pursed his lips, and Sigyn could see every possibility play themselves out behind his eyes in the space of a few seconds. With a breath, he slapped his hands down on his legs, and the finality of the sound made her flinch. "I guess we don't have much time to lose then, do we?" He turned to Barton. "Let's round everyone up, make a battle plan." He started to rise from his seat, but Thor stopped him.

"If I may, there is another who may be able to lend his assistance."

"I hope you're talking about yourself."

"Myself, yes – but also…" He turned to Sigyn, almost apologetically. "Loki."

Stark was reduced to an apoplectic invective at the suggestion – his rant was colored with expletives, used so creatively Sigyn was sure they would have impressed even the most battle-hardened Asgardian warrior. Barton had no need to give voice to his own concerns – the loathing radiating from him even in his silence was nearly palpable.

"But how?" she asked Thor, once Stark had settled enough for her to interject. "These Midgardians clearly don't want his help. And I suspect convincing Loki to lend his aid would be beyond even your talents. He would undoubtedly welcome a blow to the head from Mjölnir first."

"His motivations have changed since he was last here, Sigyn," he said, leveling her with a look weighted with meaning. "I'm certain, given the right incentive, he will do what is right."

"And your father? He would never allow it."

"My father fought for the security of Midgard before. He will want us to use whatever tools we have at our disposal."

"Hold up there," said Stark. "We haven't agreed to this plan just yet."

"Loki spent a lengthy period with these creatures, learned their ways in a manner you could not hope to achieve in the short time you have. His knowledge could prove critical in your defense."

"Or in our defeat," countered Stark.

"He has much to lose should his allegiance prove false," said Thor. "More than even he would risk." He reached for Sigyn, squeezing her hand in his.

"His allegiance?" said Stark with a scoff. "He didn't seem to care much about anything beyond himself."

"There was a time I might have agreed with you, Stark, but that time has since passed. Let me go to him, convince him to help. His reward would leave him forever in your debt."

"I'm pretty sure that's a debt I wouldn't want repaid." Stark got up and began pacing the floor like a caged animal, weighing his options. He whirled back to Thor after a few passes. "What guarantee do I have that you would even come back? Why wouldn't you just retreat to Asgard and hole up until the threat's gone?"

"A threat to this realm is a threat to all," said Thor. "Eliminating it now would only benefit both our worlds."

With a sigh, Stark returned to his pacing. Silence filled the room, only the sounds of Stark's incessant footsteps serving to break it. At last, Sigyn spoke up.

"I will stay. As assurance of Thor's return…and as inducement for Loki's cooperation."

Stark stopped in his tracks. "Now that might work."

"Sigyn, no," said Thor. "Loki entrusted me with your safety. I cannot allow –"

"You sound exactly like him. When will either of you learn that I am fully capable of caring for myself?"

"I'd believe her," said Stark. "She held her own just fine earlier."

"Ambassador Bjornson can stay with me, if it will ease your mind," said Sigyn. "He and I can continue our studies until you return." She turned to Stark. "I presume that we will be allowed to remain here under your protection?"

"Not a problem. We've got plenty of room."

"And what am I to tell Loki?" asked Thor, his normally booming voice reduced to a whisper with worry. "When he asks why you did not return with me?"

"You tell him the truth. That my love for him and our son has required that I make a difficult choice, one that he would do well not to squander."

Frigga, having seen such an improvement in Loki's demeanor with his visit to her garden, requested he join her again the following day, and the day after that – until it became something he looked forward to with such yearning it made his skin crawl while waiting to be retrieved.

It had been five days since Sigyn and Thor's departure, five long days of worry and fear – skillfully hidden under a veneer of indifference around the ever-present guards, and broken only by Ari's laughter as they played together in the sunlight, dappled across the ground as it filtered through the trees.

Loki remained in his jotun form most of the time, not only to match his son's appearance, but also because it freed enough of his magic to allow him to conjure things for him. A bird, a spinning top, a toy soldier that danced with a flick of his wrist – all of them earning delighted squeals. Ari's smile was an exact twin of Sigyn's – and Loki sought to recreate it as often as he could.

They were lying together on a blanket, Ari fast asleep and Loki propped up on one hand watching the soft rise and fall of his tiny chest as he breathed. He could feel himself trying to match the cadence, his eyes growing heavy and his body quietening into relaxation, when he heard heavy footsteps and his mother's voice.

"You've returned!"

His drowsiness vanished, Loki jumped up at once, careful not to disturb Ari in his haste. He rushed to his mother's side to find Thor in her embrace.

"Loki, I am glad to see you," said his brother. "We have an urgent matter to discuss."

Something in his tone made Loki's stomach turn. He glanced over Thor's shoulder, looking for Sigyn but finding no one.

"Thor," he said through gritted teeth. "Where is my wife?"

A/N: Just a quick note of thanks to all of you who have commented/favorited/followed since my last update. That is my only paycheck for writing this - the knowledge that someone out there is enjoying reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. 3