Rather short chapter compared to my others... But it's necessary. Hope you enjoy my undertones of secrecy :) By the way, I don't own anything but the plot... just thought I'd mention that, since I mentioned Gillyweed and am using quotations.

CHAPTER FOUR:

MANY QUESTION; FEW ANSWERS

"Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves, like locked rooms and like books that are now written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer."

Rainer Maria Rilke

MIDGARD

THREE DAYS LATER…

4:00 p.m

"You fight with passion," Thor said at last, eyes focused on the girl who jogged towards him.

She swiped her hair out of her face, and peered at him with a confused expression. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Back at home, women traditionally do not engage in combat. I know of but one. You remind me of her."

"Lady Sif?" Natasha asked, and her eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"Yes." Thor briefly glanced in his peripheral vision, and saw a sulking boy, quiver of arrows strapped to his back, staring at them.

But he was snapped out of his reverie by a question. "Was Loki telling the truth when he said…?"

"No. Lady Sif and I are just friends. One of the few warriors who I would trust with my life. Nothing else, and nothing more. Beware of my brother, Loki, Natasha. He is incapable of sincerity."

"I don't think so. I think he just puts up walls."

Her answer surprised him, and he made no secret of it.

"You don't believe me…" she sighed, "But I think it's true. It's the first time I've seen brothers interact, and I don't think it would've been any other way. He doesn't lie to cause anything but mischief. I don't think that's a bad thing."

"You shouldn't underestimate Loki."

"Maybe you shouldn't underestimate me. I've been told I'm very perceptive."

"That I can see," and he laughed.

"Hey..." she pouted goodheartedly. And then asked, "So have you seen anything you're interested in? As extra-curricular?"

"A lot, now that you mention it," Thor whispered, hoping she heard the subtle undertone.

And she did.

MIDGARD

4:00 p.m.

"So Midgardians do not visit this institution twice a week?" Loki asked, looking up at Bruce from his position on the floor. He sat comfortably, his fourth new book in his lap, legs folded beneath his perfectly upright upper body.

"Yep," his new-found friend replied, "Tomorrow and Sunday are our off-days. It's a completely amazing concept, isn't it?" Bruce added, making use of his arsenal of sarcasm. But it was lost on Loki.

"Why?" he asked. "Is learning not valued on Earth?"

"A lot but… did you even write the homework Mr. Coulson assigned? That'd keep me up for hours."

"Is it not to be done during class hours?"

"Wait... what?" Bruce asked, it coming across as a yelp, "You can't be serious."

"I rarely kid. That would explain my brother's paranoia about the homework. And why he gives it to me."

"Thor…" Bruce said almost wistfully, "God of Thunder, right?"

"Mmmhmm," Loki replied curtly, without looking at him.

"Mind if I ask you something?"

"It depends… Gillyweed is a fascinating herb. I must find more material to research it further."

"It doesn't exist," Bruce pointed out, as gently as you could.

"How can it not?" Loki asked, disbelief evident from his tone, "Are you saying that this… book… is a work of fiction conjured up from someone's twisted imagination?"

"It's called Literature here… and yes. Doesn't Asgard have fiction?"

"Yes, but there is often a measure of truth layered beneath the surface. I just thought… Never mind," he shut the book, and turned his body such that he was facing his friend. "What was it that you wished to enquire?"

"I wanted to ask," Bruce began, "Why did your father sent you and Thor to Earth."

"That's not information I wish to disclose at such a time. We barely know each other."

"I know you are from Asgard. I've been reading… this," he replied, holding up a thick book with the words Scandinavian Mytologi scrawled in an exotic font. "What doesn't make sense is the fact that what you're implying… and what this book reads… are two very different things."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"It's just that… according to legend, Thor was supposed to come to Earth on his own, leaving you with the kingdom. But by banishing both of you, Odin Allfather sort of prevented that."

"Are you saying it seems to indicate that he did NOT want me on the throne?" Indignation rose up within him like magma is a volcanic eruption.

Bruce shook his head, but there was something insecure about it, as though he was withholding information. "I think he was trying to prevent something in the grander scheme of life."

"Can I see that?" Loki asked.

"It's the one book I forbid you to read in forever."

"The Gods tend to toy with those who use absolutes," Loki said darkly.

"And the Gods must be completely crazy if they decide to get me mad."

The statement was left hanging in the air, between them. And Loki had a strange suspicion that Bruce Banner was no exception… when it came to the abilities of students who attended this school. He didn't press, but rather chose the path of least resistance.

"I apologize for having such a thin skin."

"Me too."

A pause. "Is there anything I should know, though?"

Bruce met his eyes. "I can't be the one to tell you. One day… probably very soon… you'd know the truth. But you have to promise me something."

"And what might that be?"

"Don't get mad… SO mad that vengeance becomes your purpose in life."

"I promise," Loki said, almost amused at the promise. When had he ever sought out retribution? Never.

But as he thought that, it occurred to him that Bruce had settled into a pensive mood… as though the words somehow applied to him.