Note: sorry for the extreme lateness, though you guys are probably used to it by now. I really thought I was gonna get to Asgard, but Jane hijacked the chapter and wanted to talk with Darcy. So this is basically just yada yada, but ext chapter is gonna be way more interesting.

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Chapter Four

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The choice to go to Asgard is pretty simple. What is not simple, is the absolute harassment Darcy receives from SHEILD leading up to her leaving the planet (so fucking cool). Fury grills her about not starting an intergalactic war with Asgard, who, for all intents and purpose, is the only set of aliens not bent on destroying earth.

Reasonably, Darcy is really offended by the whole ordeal, and tattles to Thor.

Thor takes it in stride, but does sort of mention that if anything, for what happened to Darcy, SHEILD would probably be the ones declaring war. Fury seems somewhat mollified, but Darcy suspects it's only because she's leaving, and partly because Thor is a better diplomat then she is (and the alien god likes her more then the others. Ignoring Jane, cos Darcy's like .05-96% sure that they are gonna get back together, and its just one or the other, she hasn't decided yet).

Either way, the trip looms over head, and Darcy procrastinates on packing—kinda in the same way she procrastinates on her school work (only the stuff not crucial for her major, who needs art, anyway?).

"Have you packed yet?" Jane asks, and it's pretty sweet, because it's like they are back in New Mexico for a moment, and things are cool.

Darcy shrugs, causing Bruce to glance between them. Darcy makes a face at his back, answering Jane, "Not really. I wouldn't even know where to start. Would I need to bring my iPod charger? Would they even have outlets or would it be better to charge it up and use as little as possible?"

Jane blinks. "You are going to Asgard, another planet, I might add, and you are worried about your iPod?"

Darcy shrugs, ignoring Jane's bafflement. "I'm only going because I turn into a hammer—it's not like it's a romantic getaway."

Jane gives Darcy this sort of pseudo pat on the shoulder in lieu of not saying anything.

"Besides," quips Darcy. "I never got my other one back-despite the fact, that now, I am technically sort of really important."

Bruce almost laughs.

Darcy counts it as a win and writes a mental check. She procrastinates for awhile after that, staring off into space and checking her tumblr while Jane disappears into the world of science.

Darcy screams to get Jane's attention. She isn't sure if she's shocked or not that it takes that much effort-but if Darcy is telling the truth (which she totally isn't, because where's the fun in that?) she thinks that she should have at least figured out in the time she was in Hell with the whole Thor-fiasco, one thing.

Jane Foster is basically dead to the world when it doesn't have to do with Astrophysics or Poptarts.

And Thor is kinda an exception to the rule, so she doesn't really count him (especially now when they seem to be on the outs).

Darcy on the other hand, is probably the definition of the rule-she was half sure it was invented to keep Darcy away from whatever uber-important experiment Jane was currently conducting, because, ya know, that's what Astrophysicist do.

So Darcy has to yell to get Jane's attention. No biggie. She's used to it.

"Jane~" Darcy trills, kinda. Not really. It's more of a half-assed attempt at sounding marginally cute that she ditched halfway through. Of course, Darcy wasn't admitting this, so therefore she trilled. "Jane."

And since Jane is totally dead to Darcy, in the nicest terms figuratively, Darcy has to repeat her name several times before she finally pulls out the Poptarts card.

It works almost instantly, especially after she mentions Cherry, which is probably Jane's all time favorite thing in history of the universe aside from maybe Thor and the whole of creation that applies to her work.

Jane's simple like that, and Darcy loves her for it.

Upon finally having secured her pseudo-best friend's (meaning that Jane doubles as her boss) attention, Darcy gives an awkward wave (it's not like she has to work at it, it's truly a gift), and says, "So while you were off in Jane-Astrophysics-Wonderland, I finally realized that this whole trip to Asgard is pretty awesome and I have no idea what to pack."

Darcy places her hands on Jane's desk, pretending not to notice Jane's look, or how generally unappreciated she is sometimes.

"Okay, so like is it warm? Cold? Should I dress for Rio or prepare to get kidnapped by lizard people?"

She catches Bruce giving her a concerned look out of the corner of his eye. She waves him off, grumbling, "Reference. Good one too."

"Last time I was there I didn't get much of a look around or have time to pack. I'm pretty sure they'll give you something to wear too-but it wouldn't hurt to bring something." Jane finally says.

Darcy sighs dramatically, ripping the herself away from Jane's desk and summarizing, "Basically this super genius Astronomer who's been off planet has no sense of fashion and I am in a crisis."

Jane looks mildly amused, and Darcy wonders why she didn't just start out with saying that to begin with.

Then Jane inevitably deadpans, "Darcy, you have no fashion sense-and I'm pretty sure you can scrape by with a few changes of underwear and a few changes of clothes. You aren't gonna be there long."

Darcy gives Jane a distraught look. "You where the one telling me to pack!"

"I still am, but now I'm telling you what to pack." Jane pauses. "Bring your iPod charger, you never know."

Darcy grins, and skips off to pack.