Loki took in the sight of his son in Stark's arms, the enchantment concealing Ari's jotun appearance well in place this far from the palace. A war of conflicting emotions and reactions ran rampant through him – relief, fear, joy, anger, love – but overwhelmingly, his mind conjured one scenario after another of potential tortures Ari may have been subjected to at the hands of their Midgardian hosts, each worse than the last.

Trying desperately to tamp down his panic, he turned to Sigyn. "What is he doing here?" he asked, his voice a harsh rasp.

Stark spoke before she could answer. "Well, I kinda own the place…oh, you mean this little guy?" he said, bouncing Ari on his hip. "I gotta tell you, this kid is fantastic," said Stark, stepping farther into the room. "Such great taste in people, too." Ari gurgled up at him, reaching out to pull at the hair on the man's chin. "Thank whatever gods you guys worship he looks so much like his mother."

Sigyn stood quickly, crossing the room in three long strides. "Here, darling," she said, taking Ari from Stark. "Your Papa's awake now…come see." Ari's smile grew even wider in his mother's embrace, and he set about babbling excitedly.

Loki began to raise his arms, holding them out toward his son, before going motionless. He had been so caught up in Sigyn's story, he'd forgotten he was still in his jotun form. For his family to see him in that state was something he'd long since become accustomed to, but Stark was an entirely different matter.

He pulled his arms into himself, reaching into his mind to rearrange the bonds that controlled his appearance, and found…nothing.

Not even the smallest spark of magic was within his reach. It was as though all of his abilities had been scrubbed clear; nothing remained behind to indicate he'd ever had them at all.

He stared at his hands, unable to look away.

"What have you done to me?" he asked to no one in particular. At that moment, everyone in the room was suspect.

It was Thor who answered. "Brother, forgive me – we weren't sure how you would react upon awakening. The failsafe –"

"You removed my powers?"

"Not removed, merely bound completely. It was for everyone's safety –"

"Loki, we were afraid you wouldn't give us a chance to explain what happened," said Sigyn. "That you would wake up fighting and possibly hurt yourself or someone else in the process."

He couldn't fault their reasoning; if he'd had his powers at that moment, at least one person in that room would have been in desperate need of medical attention.

"So, I am stuck in this form? For everyone to see?"

"Only temporarily, brother."

"Mother, can you not restore them? Even partially?"

"I'm afraid this spell is beyond my abilities to reverse."

"Loki," said Thor, "once we return to Asgard, father –"

At this, Loki's head shot up. "So, I am once again at Odin's mercy? Do you truly believe that after all that's happened – after you freed me from my prison against his orders – that he will have the slightest compunction to leave me in this form forever? Thor, you truly are the biggest fool I've ever known."

"Do you always wake up this grumpy?" asked Stark.

Only his continued exhaustion from his injuries – and Ari's presence – stopped Loki from jumping from the bed to throttle the insufferable Midgardian with his bare hands. He settled for a look he hoped would accurately convey his feelings instead.

"How many?" he asked through clenched teeth. "How many have seen me like this?"

"Aside from the entire team in Canada?" said Stark. "Only the necessary medical personnel on my staff. In exchange for your admittedly coerced help, S.H.I.E.L.D. has been monitoring global communications to make sure your appearance has been kept secret. As far as the public knows, you helped the Avengers defeat the Chitauri threat as repayment for your crimes."

A vague memory crept into Loki's mind – the sensation of his armor and clothing being forcibly removed after the battle. He was currently wearing the Midgardian equivalent of sleeping garments, with no recollection of how he got into them. "Who…who put me in these clothes? Who saw me undressed?"

"You were gravely injured," said Sigyn, attempting to pry one of Ari's fists from her hair. "The Midgardian healers had to remove your clothing in order to stabilize your condition. If they hadn't, you wouldn't have survived long enough for our healers to arrive with healing stones."

"Let me tell you," said Stark, "the entire team was pretty, uh, impressed with your physique. I thought a couple of the nurses were going to come to blows over who got to give you and your 'royal endowment' a sponge bath."

Horrified, Loki opened his mouth to object, but Sigyn spoke first. "Don't worry – no one bathed you but me. Well, I did have Thor help me a bit; only because you're much too heavy for me to lift on my own. But no one else."

She turned to Stark before continuing, her voice icy. "And for some reason, Mr. Stark, your staff felt the appropriate time to ask me highly personal and invasive questions about our anatomy was when my husband was fighting for his life. You might want to have a word with them about their professionalism."

"I get it, sunshine. They might have been a little overzealous – but can you blame them? It's not every day they have an opportunity to observe an alien up close."

"I understand their curiosity. And if they want visual confirmation about how and whether our individual reproductive systems work together, they need only look at Ari to see that we clearly succeeded at least once."

At this, Frigga quietly cleared her throat. "Perhaps the details of that can be discussed another time."

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," said Sigyn, blushing in belated embarrassment. "It won't be discussed now, or ever. Mr. Stark, if your medical staff wants information beyond what they can observe, they'll have to look elsewhere. I think we've all done enough for your realm for now; none of us are specimens to be studied without our consent."

Loki stared at his wife, simultaneously rendered speechless by her self-assurance and slowly going mad with frustration and anxiety from not having been able to protect her from an unwanted inquiry; but he wouldn't give anyone the victory of watching him break down in their presence. He was just about to speak, to beg them all to leave him alone for a while, when a single, tiny voice pulled him from his despair.

"Papa," said Ari, smiling at Loki from his perch in Sigyn's arms. "Papa."

Loki reached out to him once more, no longer caring about his appearance. He just needed to hold his son in his arms. Sigyn handed him over gently, reclaiming her seat on the edge of the bed.

From his half-reclined position, Loki decided the easiest way to hold Ari was to set him directly on his chest. He went to hold Ari's hands to keep him still, only to realize he was clutching something tightly in one tiny fist. Loki reached for it…dismayed to find it was a small replica of Stark's Iron Man armor.

Norns be damned.

Without thinking, Loki wrenched it from his son's hand, crushing it in his fist before throwing it across the room.

Ari blinked once, twice, took a deep breath…and wailed.

"Nice job, dad," said Stark, inching closer to the bed. He reached into his pocket and pulled out another toy, identical to the one Loki had just destroyed. He held it out to Ari. "Here you go, buddy. Plenty more where that came from."

Ari took it from him, his crying settling into shuddering breaths and hiccups. He raised the tiny Iron Man to his mouth, putting the head between his front teeth with a smile.

Suitably chastened, Loki reached up to wipe a tear from Ari's cheek. As soon as his cold fingers swiped across Ari's skin, the enchantment dissolved away, revealing Ari's jotun appearance.

"Holy shit," said Stark with a gasp, giving no thought to inappropriate language in mixed company. "That's pretty fucking incredible. You've got to tell me how that's done –"

"Touch him again," said Loki, "and not even my lack of magical abilities will prevent me from forcefully removing your ability to procreate."

"If you don't mind," said Sigyn, wisely stepping up before Loki could make good on his promise, "could the three of us have a moment alone?"

Stark made no indication that he'd heard either of them, continuing to stare at Ari as if mere observation would tease out his secrets. "Is it some sort of rearrangement on a cellular level? Or is my brain just being tricked into seeing something that isn't there?" He absently made to touch Ari once more, when a large hand on his shoulder pulled him away.

"Stark," said Thor. "As grateful as we all are for your continued aid and hospitality, it would probably be for the best if we took our leave for a while."

Stark shook his head as if clearing out a particularly lucid dream. "Yeah, yeah…sorry. Erm, good to see you up, big guy." He allowed Thor to usher him away, mumbling to himself about "cloaking abilities" and "practical applications".

Frigga approached the bed, reaching out to brush Loki's hair from his face. It was a gesture she had used countless times in his life, one that had brought him immeasurable levels of comfort in times of distress. For one breath – and despite all he'd done and had done to him – he was no more than a little boy with his mother. He could feel himself relaxing under her gentle touch.

"Loki, rest assured that not once has Ari been out of sight of at least one family member since his arrival here. We brought him so that his presence might help hearten you in your recovery – for your benefit, not the Midgardians'."

"Mother, they may have used me and Sigyn in their schemes; but I will see every Midgardian dead at my feet before I allow them to use our son."

"I believe your wife and your brother would see to that before you even had a chance to rise from this bed."

Loki didn't even need to glance at Sigyn to see her vigorous nod of agreement in his peripheral vision.

"And do not trouble yourself with thoughts of what awaits you on Asgard," continued Frigga. "Trust that Thor, Sigyn, and I are taking steps to ensure everything will be sorted out in a most agreeable manner, for everyone involved."

She moved to tickle Ari under his chin. "For now, for these few precious moments, relax and enjoy the company of these two who love you so dearly."

"Thank you, Mother."

She nodded before turning toward Thor, who stood at the door waiting for her. Loki could see a few curious faces beyond his brother – some he recognized and some he did not – before they were all cut from his view as the door latched shut.

He watched Ari as he sat on his chest, spit slowly running down the face of the Iron Man toy as he happily gnawed on it; Loki silently wished that Stark himself was in the suit, drowning in his son's drool.

"It must be so frustrating, Sigyn – the thought of raising a child with such an incompetent father."

"You're hardly incompetent…merely inexperienced. It gets easier with time."

"Time? And how much time will I have with him, with you, before Odin locks me up in the very bowels of the dungeons, stripped of every rudimentary luxury and forbidden from ever seeing either of you again? I would almost rather remain here at the mercy of these detestable Midgardians than to return to Asgard a fugitive and risk losing the two of you permanently."

"After everything I've done, everything I've told you, you still have so little faith in me?"

"And what can you do against the Allfather, Sigyn?"

"On my own? Very little – which is why I will have others to assist me."

"If you're talking about my mother and Thor, I fail to see how they will be of any help. They didn't keep me out of my prison the first time."

"That was under very different circumstances, Loki. You fought with the Midgardians this time, not against. If some of them were willing to come to Asgard and speak on your behalf –"

"You cannot be serious."

"I'm completely serious. Stark has already volunteered –"

"What?! Why would he do that?"

"To help."

"No. He has reasons beyond that."

"He's curious about Asgard, of course. He's a scientist – it's in his nature."

"So, he's helping for his own selfish motives?"

"He's not as terrible as you would like to believe – something I've had to repeatedly remind him about you as well. You know, the two of you are very similar –"

"I'm nothing like him."

"Oh, my mistake," she said, rolling her eyes. "Nothing like him at all. Your mother, Thor and I are all in agreement that out of our admittedly limited choices, bringing him to Asgard to speak for you is the wisest course of action. He's willing to do what he can – if not for you specifically, then for Thor, for me, and for Ari."

At the mention of his name, Ari cooed around his fist, his precious Iron Man toy having finally been dropped from his grip and forgotten. Sigyn reached over and secreted it away before he could notice it again.

"We can discuss the particulars later," she said, stretching out beside Loki on the bed. "Do you realize that this is the first time the three of us have been alone together like this? It's almost…domestic."

"Domestic," said Loki, the word rolling across his tongue like a sharp-edged pebble. "How terrifying."

It was another two days before Loki felt strong enough to leave his makeshift recovery room, and even then it took hours for Sigyn to convince him that there wasn't a crowd of hostiles waiting outside the doors to ambush him.

He was grateful she'd had the foresight to bring him more clothing from Asgard. As he dressed, he watched Ari as he pulled himself up to standing using the sofa near the window as leverage. He traversed the length of it on shaky legs; before long, he'd be walking unassisted. Loki hoped he wouldn't be watching his son's first steps from behind a prison wall, or even worse, miss them entirely.

"The Warriors Three and Sif returned home yesterday," said Sigyn, valiantly attempting to hold Loki steady as he slipped on his boots, "but not before Fandral nearly learned firsthand what a Midgardian "Taser" feels like, courtesy of Dr. Foster's assistant. He's gone far too long with Asgardian maidens throwing themselves into his bed on a whim. I think he was surprised that a mere Midgardian would be so completely resistant to his charms."

Loki had to chuckle to himself at that, sorry he'd missed a chance to see Fandral rebuffed.

"Most of the Avengers are busy assisting S.H.I.E.L.D. with the cleanup and recovery from the Chitauri attack," she continued. "Stark remains here; there are important details he wishes to discuss with you about our impending departure."

"He is still determined to accompany us?"

"Yes. Dr. Foster has been invited as well."

Thor no doubt had encouraged that, Loki was certain. He wondered for a moment how Sif felt about their complicated relationship before pushing the thought aside. His brother had a long road ahead of him on that front; Loki feared it would be one of the few times in their long lives where his attempts at counsel would be unwelcome.

"She must be quite anxious for the opportunity," was all he said.

"Oh, yes. By her reaction, you would have thought she'd been offered the throne of Asgard itself."

His smile was rueful. "That's not as great a reward as I once thought it was."

Sigyn's face fell. "I'm sorry, Loki. I didn't mean –"

He shook his head, pulling her to him. "I only meant…for too long, a kingdom was a prize I sought above all others, thinking that alone would bring me satisfaction. Instead, my pursuit brought nothing but destruction and ruin – and very nearly cost me your companionship."

"You can't be rid of me that easily."

"I don't want to be rid of you, beloved. Not ever. That you would willingly stay with me remains my second greatest accomplishment – shadowed only by the gift you have given me in our son."

"He is a gift to us both." She reached up for a small kiss. "And are you now satisfied?"

"It's not in my nature to be satisfied, Sigyn. But I can be content in my dissatisfaction, with you by my side."

She narrowed her eyes. "Was that an attempt at flattery? Because honestly, I'm feeling a little offended."

"Forgive me – my silver tongue is rather out of practice."

"Well, you'll just have to remedy that."

"Oh, I intend to." He leaned back into her, kissing her again with purpose before remembering himself and pulling back. "It's probably best my powers have been bound," he said, his voice low. "I'm feeling much recovered; had I the ability to revert from this form, Stark would find his wait for us to be interminable."

"I would have you, regardless of your form, Loki," she said, sighing when he scowled at her for the suggestion. "But not here, and not now. You're not fully recovered, no matter what you might think – and I won't risk Stark's medical staff acquiring any more knowledge of our intimate life, no matter how innocuous."

He bristled. "I'd hardly call our intimate life innocuous."

"No, for now I'll call it nonexistent. But when we're home, and healthy, and settled, I'm all yours. Besides," she added with a grin, "right now we have an audience."

They looked over to find Ari looking up at them, grinning as though he knew all their secrets.

Stark, Dr. Foster, Frigga and Thor were waiting for them in the meeting room; it felt cavernous and deserted compared to the last time they'd been in it.

"Wow, you're not even limping," said Stark. "Any chance I can learn more about your magical healing arts in Asgard?"

"I'm not the one to ask," said Loki as they took their seats. "No one felt the need to consult me on this plan before this morning."

"Well, we're consulting you now. There's one bit of unfinished business with the Chitauri – something, it seems, that will require your assistance."

"After all I've done – you have the nerve to request even more?"

"Just listen to him, brother," said Thor. "I think you'll be very interested in what he has to say."

Loki took a deep breath before returning his gaze to Stark. "Go on."

"Our combined forces were very thorough with the Chitauri – we destroyed nearly all of them. All but one. I believe you called him 'The Other'."

Loki couldn't stifle the jolt in his body at this new information. "That creature still lives?"

"As far as we can tell, yes – inside a giant block of enchanted ice."

Loki had been unable to return to him in the melee after encasing him, later thinking he'd been eradicated along with all the others. But now…it seemed the fates had given him one more chance for vengeance.

"Hmmmm. And you can't remove him from it."

"We've tried every weapon and tool at our disposal, and short of nuking him into oblivion, we've run out of options. For obvious reasons, we'd prefer to keep him in one piece so we can pick whatever passes for a brain about his boss. Is that something you'd be willing to help with?"

Loki remained silent for a long while, considering his words, when finally he turned to Sigyn. "Would you and my mother mind taking Ari outside for just a moment?"

She stared at him, the urge to defy him for coddling her clear on her face, but he didn't look away. Finally, she nodded at Frigga, and the two women stepped outside.

As soon as the door shut, Jane spoke.

"She's a grown woman, not a child. I don't think she appreciates you treating her like one."

"Dr. Foster," said Loki, "Sigyn is an ambassador, trained in the art of diplomacy. Her instincts lie toward reason and peaceful discussion. I intend to use neither of those skills on that creature." He could see Sigyn just outside the room, Ari in her arms, watching them through the window.

"You are a scientist," he continued, "as is Stark. My brother is a warrior. None of you will be horrified or even surprised to learn just what I'm willing to do to get your information."

"I don't think your wife would be surprised, either," said Jane.

"Likely not. But hearing me voice it is a far cry from merely suspecting it. I would keep her and my mother from that direct knowledge for as long as possible; you will just have to forgive me for sending them away."

He turned back to Stark. "As you well know, I currently have no ability to remove him from the enchantment, not with my powers bound as they are. But if Odin can be convinced to restore them, to allow me to live as a free man with my family, then I can assure you – I can and will gain all the information you seek. With unmitigated pleasure."

"Excellent –"

"Provided," continued Loki, "he returns to Asgard with us…and that no one questions my methods of interrogation."

"I'm not sure I can –"

"Those are my demands, Stark. Meet them…or The Other remains as he is."

"All right then. I'll do my best to make it happen. What exactly are you planning on doing to him anyway?"

Loki smiled, a half-crazed grin utterly devoid of humor. "Let's just say – what was done to me in his company will pale in comparison. Your medical staff was quite eager to learn about alien anatomy. Rest assured, when I'm finished with him, I will supply them with more data than they ever dreamed possible."

Two days later, Sigyn found herself once more in the clearing in Alaska, preparing to go home. She knew Midgard was a realm she would come to visit often, but she hoped it would be some time before she had to return – and then only under better circumstances.

Thor and Stark were supervising a small group of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents as they unloaded the equipment and packages that would be going to Asgard with them – among them, a particularly large box containing the single Chitauri survivor. Sigyn had asked Loki what he intended to do with the creature, only to be met with silence – and a look that implied she really didn't want to know. She hadn't asked again.

Eventually, everyone was settled. Ari was fast asleep on Sigyn's shoulder; Frigga had conjured a cocoon of sorts around her body to protect him in the journey through the Bifröst. Loki stood next to her, smoothing his hand over Ari's back, his eyes distant.

"Everything will be fine, love," she said, trying her best to comfort him. "You must believe that."

"I hope you're right. But just in case – kiss me once more before we leave. If they drag me away upon our arrival, I want your taste on my lips when they do."

"Such a way with words. And I thought you said your silver tongue was out of practice."

She leaned into him, their son cradled between their bodies, the Bifröst lighting up around them just as they pulled apart.

A/N: Many, many thanks for your continued support and patience as we head into the final stretch of this story. Comments, favorites, and follows always welcome and appreciated. :)