Loki made sure that Ava was sound asleep before he gently untangled himself from her and crawled out of bed. He walked through the halls until he arrived at Odin's study once again. When he arrived at the door, he heard voices from within. He recognized them as Odin and Frigga's voices. "I've already given the decision to him. It is up to him. I will not change my mind." Odin said from within.

"Why? Why would you do that? You are the king. That is a decision for you to make." Frigga countered. "Or are you testing Loki again? You are aren't you?"

Odin did not answer.

Loki chose this moment to knock. "Come in." Odin called from the other side of the door.

Loki opened the door and walked in. He made himself seem surprised to see Frigga, wanting to make them believe he hadn't heard what they had just said.

"Loki, is Ava alright?" Frigga asked.

"She is fine. She's resting peacefully." Loki answered.

"Good." Frigga said.

"Is this about the decision I asked you to make?" Odin asked.

Loki nodded. "I've made my decision."

"I see." Odin replied. "And what is your decision?"

"To not make the decision." Loki answered.

"Why have you made this decision?" Odin asked.

"Because, whatever decision I make cannot be objective. If I say he lives, it is because I hope that he will change even though I know how unlikely that is." Loki explained. "But if I say he should be executed, it will be a decision of anger for what he did to Ava…you are the king of Asgard…my king and I will stand behind whatever decision you make regarding my father's punishment, but I will not be the one to decide."

"I see." Odin replied. "I thank you for your honesty…and that is a wise decision."

Loki nodded unsure of what else to say.

"You may leave, Loki." Odin said.

Loki nodded again, bowed respectfully, and then left.

Odin had to admit that he was rather pleased with Loki's decision. He also was a bit proud that Loki had stood up for himself.

"Do you think you'll be able to stop testing Loki now?" Frigga asked. "He did just say you were his king after all."

"He has proven himself." Odin answered.

Loki…

Loki walked back into the chambers he and Ava shared and headed back into their bedroom. Ava was still lying in bed, but she was no longer sleeping peacefully. The look on her face appeared to be pained and there was a slight sheen on her brow. She began to toss and turn. "No…stop…please…my baby!" She cried out in her sleep.

Loki rushed over to her and climbed on the bed beside her. He pulled her into his arms and began to stroke her hair. "Ava, my love, wake up. It is only a bad dream."

Loki watched as Ava's eyes slowly fluttered open. He could tell by the look in her green eyes that she wasn't entirely aware of her surroundings just yet. She was still in her nightmare. "Somebody save my baby?" She sobbed.

"Ava, my love, you are alright. Our baby is alright." He whispered to her. "Please wake up, my darling?" He placed a hand on the side of her face and stroked her cheek with his thumb, wiping away the tears. "It is just a nightmare. Everything is alright."

Ava turned to look at him. She blinked a few times and Loki saw as recognition and clarity came to her eyes. She threw her arms around him and began to cry into his chest.

Loki stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. "Darling, it was only a dream. Everything is alright." He assured her.

Ava sobbed a while longer before she was able to calm herself down more. "It was terrible, Loki…it felt so real." She spoke, her face still buried in his chest.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Loki asked.

"I was in…a dark room…tied down…and…so…someone ripped our child from my womb." Ava explained. "And…I could hear him or her crying…and there was nothing I could do."

Loki kissed his wife's head again. "It's alright, my love. Everything is alright. That is not going to happen. It was just a terrible dream."

Ava hugged herself tighter to her husband. She felt his hands moving up and down her back, in a soothing manner. She allowed herself to draw some comfort from Loki's embrace. She was glad to have him there to hold her at that moment. Of course, she was always glad to have him.

"I promise that nothing like that is going to happen, ever." Loki assured his wife. "I will keep you and our baby safe."

"I love you, Loki." Ava said, still hugging him tightly.

He kissed the top of her head once again. "And I love you, Ava."

They sat there like that for a while, just holding each other, while Ava finished calming down from her nightmare. She pulled back after a few moments and looked up at Loki. She could see the worry in his eyes. "I'm sorry to have worried you."

Loki smiled softly at his beloved. "Don't ever apologize, my love. I am always going to worry about you, just as I know you are always going to worry about me."

"I just feel bad breaking down like this…over a dream when you're having your own issues with the decision about your father…"

"Don't even think about that." Loki replied. "I've already told your father that I won't make that decision and that it is up to him."

Ava just nodded. She really wasn't sure what to say.

Loki laid back, pulling Ava with him. "Now, rest my love." He said kissing the top of her head.

"Okay." Ava replied, snuggling closer and closing her eyes.

Loki placed a hand on the side of Ava's head and used his magic to ensure she had sweet dreams before they both fell asleep, holding each other.