Chapter 12 up. Enjoy and thanks for reading.

Cap. A POV

Thor and I stood across the medical room, watching as Bruce examined the still unconscious Alex. Tony had already been medically cleared and was in his lab, running tests on the device.

Bruce took one last look at one of the monitors, then joined us.

"Well, she looks to be doing fine. Her vitals are steady and strong. Whatever the toxin is, her body is breaking in down. It's fascinating." He took off his glasses and looked up at me. "This is the woman you've been dating?"

I nodded. "Apparently, I didn't know her as well as I thought I did." I looked to Thor. "Who is she?" I asked.

"Her name is Alexiya. She's a Mystic." The Asgardian replied, giving me a worried look.

"Mystic?" I questioned.

"She's an Asgardian magic user who can take an animalistic form."

Bruce looked fascinated. "Was Loki one of these Mystics?"

"No, Loki is just a magic user. He was gifted with illusion and mimicry, but his changes were only manipulations of the mind. Mystics can actually change forms. All users of magic have the potential of being a Mystic, but few are. It's something you are born to do, apparently. I have little knowledge of Mystics. They mainly keep to themselves, but are very active during battles. They are powerful warriors and also make exceptional healers. I'm afraid I know little else about them." He looked over at Alex.

"You know her." I said. It wasn't a question.

"Yes." Thor replied. "I've known her most of my life. She became a Mystic shortly after my first visit to this world. I've had little contact with her over the last couple of years. I didn't even know she was on earth. Mystics do not need the power of Odin or a Bifrost to teleport to your world."

We heard a groan and turned to see Alex open her eyes. She looked pale and weak, but very much alive.

We all approached her. She looked up at Thor and smiled. "The next time I decide to voluntarily take three doses of toxin from a discovery device, please stop me." She rubbed her temple with her hand. "It gave me one hell of a hangover."

"So, you are here to find the weapon?" Thor asked, taking her hand.

Alex nodded, finally looking up at me. We locked eyes for only a moment before she looked away. "It's not really a weapon. It's a device used on magic users to determine if they have the potential to be a Mystic. We shoot you with it and if it forces a form changed, then you are a Mystic. If it simply makes you sick, you are healed and sent on your way. There are 4 of these devices. Three are currently on Asgard, at the Temple of Melanor. The fourth was lost on earth and thought destroyed. Maliki, the elder of our order, felt the device being used here on earth almost a year ago. I volunteered to hunt it down."

Alex sat up, propping herself up into a seated position. "I could only track the device when it was activated. I've spent the last year slowly following it around the planet, getting closer and closer to it each time it was used." She once again looked over to Thor. "If I had known you were on earth, I would have contacted you."

Thor nodded.

"I'm assuming the device is here?" Alex asked, looking between us.

Bruce nodded. "It's being examined."

Alex sighed in relief. "Very well. Just be aware, I will be taking it back to Asgard. It is far too powerful to remain on this world. It serves no purpose here, since humans can not be Mystics. It must be returned to the temple. It was never meant to be a weapon but I fear it could be using as nothing else if it remains on earth."

There was a moment of silence, then I looked to my Avenger brothers. "Can I have a moment alone with Alex."

Thor and Bruce both nodded.

Thor squeezed Alex's hand. "I'll be back later." He gave her a look which obviously meant they had some things to discuss, then left with Banner.

Alex looked up to me with sad eyes.

"I'm sorry, Steve. I'm sorry I kept this from you. I had no idea who you were. If I had known, I would have told you."

I smiled at her and took her hand. "It's alright , Alex. I understand why you didn't tell me what you are. It's not exactly something you'd just tell anyone. Even with the existence of other worldly people being common knowledge. I'm not mad at you. I'm confused and a bit worried, but not mad."

"Worried?" Alex asked.

"I saw what that device could do. I guess I'm still a little concerned about you."

"No need to be. The toxin in the device can't kill me. It makes me sick, but my body will eventually fight it off. You don't need to be worried about me."

"Can I ask you a question?" I asked. A question had been rolling around in my head since Alex's true identity was revealed, but I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer.

"Of course. You can ask me anything."

"Was our relationship just a part of your plans to find the device? Was it just a means to keep your true identity hidden? Were we just a cover?"

"No, Steve. My feelings for you are real Always have been. I was leery of getting to know anyone too well when I first started my search. I didn't want to bind myself to this world. But then I met you and I felt something I hadn't felt in a very long time. It was a spark. An attraction I couldn't ignore." Alex took a deep breath, leaning her head against the wall.

"Are you alright?" I asked, concerned. She seemed to have paled slightly.

Alex opened her eyes and looked at me with a smile. "My body is still fighting the toxin. I think I might need to rest, before I pass out again."

I helped her to lay back down, making sure she was comfortable. I gave her a gentle kiss, like so many we had shared over the last two weeks. "We can talk later. Get some rest."

Alex gave me one more smile before closing her eyes.

To Be Continued...