Read Me!:

Hi y'all! I know people are not reviewing just yet, but I figured I would give the story a little more just to see if that pulls people in.

Once again, this is a Loki/OFC Fic with the Avengers. Please let me know what you think, if I should continue, scrap it, hide away from Fanfics forever! I truly hope not the last one...

Anyway...

Please Read, Review, and above all... Enjoy!

It is dark around
but the fire knows
we feel our way in the dark.

KrystynaMaria Postawa

Steve Rogers wasn't exactly adjusting the way Shield had hoped he would. After recently waking from his sleep like state, 70 years to be exact, Steve was having a really difficult time functioning. New people were coming to meet him, some trying to talk about his feelings of waking up in a different time. Steve would have none of it. Honestly, he did not want to be some freak case, and he most certainly did not want anything to do with Shield just yet. Unsure if he should trust them, he was hesitant in opening up.

Shield 'forced' Steve to stay within headquarters property for his safety and above all to keep an eye on him. America's greatest hero could still be a threat in their eyes.

Steve sighed as he walked into the training room. Shield had gone out of their way to decorate the room with a 1940's style; a wrestling ring, a few punching bags, propaganda posters, American colors, and even the light fixtures were correct to the time period. If Steve did not know any better, he probably could even believe the façade. Yet, this place was not home; this time period was far different from his own, no matter how hard Shield tried.

Steve was wearing a white wife beater and khaki colored army pants, his wrists wrapped in white bandages, and an army duffle bag hanging over his shoulder. He placed the bag down by the wrestling ring and looked to the punching bag. This was where his frustration went; this was where he could be alone and let everything go.

One punch, the bag vibrated slightly, second punch, the bag vibrated a little stronger. Steve started his rhythm slowly, his mind flashing back to a time long ago. The gunshots echoed in his ears, the explosions, fire, fighting flashing before his eyes, and then of course there was… her; Peggy.

With one final punch, the punching bag snapped off the chair and flew a good ten feet across the floor. Steve was panting as sweat covered his body, his eyes fixated on the deflated punching bag.

"I'd hate to be on your bad side." A woman's voice echoed in the gym.

Steve turned to see who the unfamiliar voice came from. His eyes first fixed on her bright red orange hair, it reminded him of fire. Next, his eyes trailed to her stomach. She couldn't be a Shield agent, right? "Accidents happen, Ma'am." He said as he walked over to his duffle bag. "I hope I did not frighten you."

"It takes a lot more than destroying a punching bag to frighten me." She smiled sweetly as she watched Steve grab a towel from his duffle bag and wiping his brow. "You must be Steve Rogers."

"Yes Ma'am." He was very polite, especially to women. "I'm sorry for my attire, I wasn't expecting company."

"No need to apologize, I should be apologizing for arriving unannounced." Kaleria's smile quickly became sympathetic. "I've heard about you Mr. Rogers."

"You can call me Steve, Ma'am." He was still hiding behind a wall, Kaleria could sense it.

"Thank you Steve." She was unsure how to bring about talking with Steve, or how to make him comfortable. "Tell me a little about yourself, Steve?"

Steve looked at her in somewhat disbelief and slight annoyance. Who was this woman that was intrusive and now asking about for information about him? "Are you some kind of shrink? Shield has already tried having me talk to a few of them before. It's not going to work."

Kaleria had a puzzled look on her face. "I don't know that word for Midgardians… are you asking if I am… becoming small." She knew she was giving herself away, but she was genuinely confused by the lingo.

Now Steve was confused. "No, you know, a shrink, a doctor that talks about your feelings?"

"I assure you I am no healer of any kind." Kaleria replied.

There was a moment of silence as Steve studied Kaleria carefully. Finally he spoke. "What exactly is a 'Midgardian' anyway?"

"It's a term from where I come from." She stated as a matter of fact.

"And where are you from?"

"Far away." Kaleria admitted. "You and I are not so different."

"I doubt we have any similarities, Ma'am." Steve said more skeptically than accusingly.

Kaleria chuckled softly. "Well, neither of us belongs here, that's a start."

This got Steve's attention. "What do you mean?"

"You are a Soldier from a different time." Kaleria began to slowly walk closer.

"And how do you know that?" Steve asked, tensing slightly. "No offense ma'am, but in your condition I doubt you are an agent of Shield."

Kaleria sensed his uncomfortable demeanor and stopped walking. "I'm currently on maternity leave." She replied. "I was acquired by Shield a little over eight months ago. They've been watching over me until I can finally go home…" Sadness filled her voice at the mention of home.

Now his curiosity was getting the better of him. "And where is home?"

"Oh, forgive me. I have not even introduced myself, have I?" Kaleria smiled warmly. "My name is Kaleria."

"That didn't answer my question." Steve replied. "Why do I get the feeling you're not telling me everything?"

"It's not often I explain myself to strangers." She admitted. "I was asked by Shield to help you, to give you someone to talk to. Fury thinks I am qualified for this job because I know what it's like to be…" She sighed. "Lost in a world you don't understand, without a familiar face in the crowd."

That got Steve's attention. There was silence once more as the two locked eyes for a moment. Even in that moment, they understood. Finally, Steve spoke. "Care to take a seat?"

Kaleria smiled with relief. "I'd love to, my feet are quite sore." She laughed, causing Steve to smile slightly as he found two folding chairs for Kaleria and himself.

Steve unfolded the folding chair for Kaleria and then one for himself. "I'm sorry I have nothing more comfortable."

"Honestly, anything is more comfortable than standing." She watched Steve sit across from her; he was still eyeing her cautiously, but was definitely feeling more at ease with Kaleria. "Maybe if I explain to you more my history, than maybe you can see how similar we are."

"Well first you can start by telling me where you're from."

Kaleria smirked. "Have you ever heard of a place called Asgard?"

"Can't say I have." Steve said.

"It's a place where science and magic are one in the same." Her smile was sad, but happy at the memory. "It's my home… well, it became my home. I am from Vanaheim, part of the nine realms."

"Realms?" I'm sorry to be skeptical ma'am, but I'm not sure I understand." Steve shook his head. "I've never heard of Asgard or Vanaheim, or anything like that."

"That's because we are just stories and legends to Midgardians." Kaleria stated. "You may find stories of us in your libraries."

"But those are just stories, right?"

"Give or take, most of those stories misrepresent us." Kaleria smirked. "However, we are real. We are considered Gods among your people."

"I don't mean any disrespect, but there is only one God ma'am."

"May I show you something, Steve?" Kaleria's smirk turned mischievous. Steve simply nodded. Kaleria held her hand out before Steve. He watched her hand for a moment, only to nearly jump out of his seat as her hand was suddenly engulfed in flames.

The flames disappeared quickly; Steve's eyes were wide. "How did you do that?"

"I am a flame bender. It is my magic." Kaleria said. "However, my gifts were very hard to control for the longest time."

"Alright." Steve grinned, leaning back on the folding chair. "You have my attention. What is your story?"

"I suppose I can skip a few details to get to the more interesting parts." Kaleria commented. "I was younger than I am now, not too much younger. Time is measured differently where I am from. I was leaving my home of Vanaheim to be with my sister in Asgard… this was to help me learn control of my gifts. I can start with my first day in Asgard…"

Final Thoughts: Thank you again for reading! I hope you continue to read and please review! Let me know what you think!