Second to last chapter here. Thanks for reading and reviewing. Love you all. Enjoy!

Alex POV

I stood on the roof of my apartment, the door locked from the outside. I didn't need anyone accidentally walking up here to find an alien teleporting away.

I had a small bag with me, which contained the discovery device, my various power orbs and a small dagger I had brought with me, just in case. I was wearing the long golden robes I had worn when I arrive over a year ago. I left everything in my apartment from my time on earth. I wouldn't need it on Asgard anyway and it just served to remind me of a time I was ready to forget.

Part of me wished I could say goodbye to Steve, but I had been the one to break things up. I doubted he wanted to see me again, anyway.

I cursed myself. There was no point in thinking about what I had lost. My future was on Asgard. My future was with Loki. I just had to accept it and move on. No good could come from getting emotional about it.

It was nearly noon. I placed a small golden orb on the ground in front of me, then took a few steps back. I could use the orb to teleport back to Asgard at any time of day, but it used less power and took less time to recharge, if I used it when the sun was as its peak.

I took a deep breath preparing to activate the orb, when I heard someone try to open the door to the roof. I figured whoever it was would probably head back downstairs to call the manager to open the door. I'd be long gone by then.

Suddenly, the door burst open and Steve stood before me, looking almost panicked.

"Don't go." He stated.

I was still shocked at his entrance. "What?"

He stepped in front of me, his look intense. "Don't go. Loki can't have you."

"Steve, I can't. It's…"

"You are an amazing person, who deserves better than Loki. Send the device back, but stay here with me. Please. I don't want to lose you."

I was near tears. I had thought that Steve didn't want to see me again, yet here he was, begging me to stay. I collapsed into him, welcoming the hug. We had only shared a few quick hugs and a soft kiss here and there so far in our relationship, but I still felt comfortable and safe in his arms.

"I won't go." I said softly.

Steve loosened the hug just enough to kiss me. This kiss was not like the others we had shared. This one was long and hard, full of passion. It was as if he was trying to prove to me that I had made the right choice with this single kiss.

After the kiss ended, he just held me for several minutes, as if I'd disappear if he let go.

"I'm sorry I walked away when you told me about Loki. I'm afraid I'm not very good at being in a relationship. I'm over 90 years old, but most of that time was spent frozen in a block of ice."

I chuckled. "It's fine, Steve. Loki is the only man I've ever seen on any intimate level. He's not exactly a good point of reference. I'm also older than you, if it makes you feel any better."

Steve laughed with me. "I didn't expect to be the younger member of this relationship. I won't ask your age."

I pulled away from him and smiled. "Good, because I don't really know my exact age. When you're more/less immortal, you eventually stop counting your age in years. I'm somewhere between one hundred and two hundred. We just don't keep track of such things on Asgard."

"I guess there is a lot I have to learn about you now. At least now we can be totally honest with each other."

I nodded. "We have a long conversation in our future. But right now, I need to get this device to Asgard and unfortunately, I need to take it back in person. It's been too much trouble to just ship back. I will not be happy until I place the thing into Maliki's hands." I place my hands on Steve's worried face. "I promise, I'll come right back. I'm teleporting directly to the temple. I'll drop off the device, speak with Maliki, probably speak with the All Father, then come right back. It might take a day or two. It's been over a year since I've been back to Asgard."

Steve sighed. "After everything that has happened, I won't stop worrying until you get back."

"I'll be as quick as possible. With any luck, I can avoid seeing, talking and even thinking about Loki while I'm gone. This planet and you are my future. He is my past. A past I plan to forget." I said confidently. I gave him a quick kiss, then turned back to my orb. "You might want to take a step back."

Cap A POV

I stood back and watched as Alex said a few words, then approached a golden orb on the ground, taking her bag and the device with her. There was a bright flash of light and she was gone.

I stood in stunned silence until Thor landed next to me. His ability to fly using his hammer never ceased to amaze.

"Don't worry, Captain. She'll come back soon."

I looked over to the other man. "Were you eavesdropping?" I asked.

"Maybe just a little. I wanted to make sure you got to Alex. I was prepared to stall her if you didn't get here in time to stop her."

I smiled at Thor. "Thanks for having my back."

I turned to leave the roof, but Thor grabbed my arm to stop me. "Oh, and I don't think this needs to be said, but I'm going to say it anyway. You hurt Alexiya in any way and I'll make sure you regret it. I like you and all, but she's family."

I chuckled at the Asgardian's protectiveness. "Trust me, if I ever hurt her, I'll give you full permission to beat me within an inch of my life. I won't fight back or anything."

Thor patted me on the shoulder. "I believe we understand each other. Let us return to the tower and celebrate. Natasha will be overjoyed with the news. There is little point to standing around here. Alexiya will know how to find you when she gets back."

To Be Continued...

One chapter left, which will some things up. I've already started a sequel to this story, but I am still battling on the direction. If you got suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Thanks for reading and I'll get the final chapter up soon.