Read Me!: I want to thank everyone that reviewed the Author's note from last chapter, it really helped lift my spirits and showed me that people really still are interested in this story. That really makes me happy.

Like I said in my last note, I've been going through some difficult patches in my life, updating won't be as often as it used to be but, I will try to update at least once a week for y'all.

Thank you to those who are still reading and reviewing. You're making this so much easier.

I'm sorry this chapter is short and seems a little rushed, but it's the last of our flashbacks! We are heading into present day so the chapters will be longer and not just from Kaleria's POV (sorta).

So as always...

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

"Fourteen days." Kaleria muttered, looking out the window through glossy eyes. She was lucky that Jane was able to convince Agent Coulson to let her stay here until SHIELD was ready to leave the small town. That day was nearing and still no sign of a way back home. Jane had promised Kaleria that with her research she would find a way to the Bifrost and find a way to return Kaleria home. Though Kaleria knew there was an ulterior motive, Jane wanting to see Thor again, she knew it was her only hope to go back home.

It had been two weeks on Midgard; Kaleria was still unsure of what had happened to the Bifrost and what was happening on Asgard. She had no idea what happened to her sister, to Thor, to the Warriors, and even to Loki. Did Loki win? Was this her punishment for what had happened? Was she to be stranded here on Midgard forever?

"Hey, Kali." Darcy said from behind Kaleria with a yawn. "Any changes outside?"

Kaleria breathed a sigh. "Nothing as of yet, today could be the day though." Darcy didn't reply as Jane and Erik entered the room, already in discussion about new findings.

Kaleria turned to face them, smiling faintly as Jane looked to her, forcing her own smile. "We'll get there, Kali." She said. "We're going to figure a way to get to the Bifrost."

Kaleria nodded. "I trust you." Even though deep down she knew she had no other option.

"Well, come sit and have breakfast." Erik said as he placed a bowl on the table along with a box of cereal. The same cereal Kaleria had been eating these past fourteen days. It was called 'Lucky Charms' and she loved it.

She was learning a lot of different Midgardian customs, such as, when Darcy has these white 'ear buds', as they were called, in her ears, not to bother her. She also learned about computers, though, she still had trouble understanding the 'internet'.

Jane had let Kaleria borrow a few Midgardian books that she graciously took. The books were on Midgardian history, constellations, and even Norse mythology. Kaleria had to laugh at some of the stories Midgardians had come to make up about Asgard.

Jane had given Kaleria some close to wear in hopes to help her blend in. She was nervous about changing out of her clothes that were tailed to her special abilities, yet so far there were no accidents. Kaleria was wearing a pair of blue jeans, a gray tank top, and a green plaid shirt; another new thing she had learned about Midgardians.

As Kaleria was about to take a bite of her new found favorite food, a knock came from the door. Jane rolled her eyes. "And right on schedule." She mumbled as she headed for the door. Kaleria knew exactly who was knocking at the door. Around the same time every morning, Agent Coulson would arrive to check on Kaleria. He would also return in the afternoon and once in the evening. She was convinced he was making sure she didn't run away.

Jane walked back into the room followed by Agent Coulson; he smiled politely as he removed his sunglasses. "Morning all." He said as the group grunted in reply. "I'd like to make a quick announcement, if that's okay?"

"You're going to anyway." Darcy mumbled into her spoonful of cereal.

"SHIELD is heading back to New York today." He began. "And as we discussed, Kaleria would be coming with us for her protection."

Kaleria looked to Jane, her arms were crossed, and she was distraught. Kaleria knew she would have to go with Agent Coulson that was the deal. "And what if Jane finds a way for me to go home?" She asked to the room.

Jane smiled sympathetically. "I will keep in touch with you; you'll be the first to know."

Kaleria looked back at Agent Coulson. "And what happens when I go with you? What happens to me?"

"We're just here to protect you until we can send you home." Agent Coulson smiled sincerely. This move was no surprise to Kaleria in the end; she had heard Jane and Coulson arguing the night before about it. Jane did not want Coulson to take Kaleria, she was the only thing to hold on to, a reminder of Thor. Coulson did not want to leave Kaleria here, in fear of her being a threat. Coulson had made a good argument; Midgard was not ready for a misplaced Goddess roaming around. "I suppose I should change back to my old attire." Kaleria said.

"You can keep what you're wearing." Jane said. "It looks better on you anyway." She joked.

Kaleria smiled slightly, taking a bite of her cereal. As much as she did not want to leave Jane and where the Bifrost last was, she knew she really had no choice in the matter. A new adventure was starting.

Her heart raced as she was escorted by Agent Coulson and two other Agents down the white hallway. Although she was happy to be out of the flying death trap (and after arguing about not wanting to get on the damn plane), she was still nervous. She barely heard a word Coulson had said to her as they walked, he had been giving her the grand tour but, none of that really interested her just yet. "And here is where you'll be staying." He said with a smile as he opened up her new living quarters.

The room was small, she noted; a small bed, a closet, desk; simple things. "So what am I supposed to do here?"

"In here? Sleep, change, you know, it's your room." Coulson said.

"No." Kaleria sighed. "I mean here, with SHIELD."

"Well, that's up to you." Coulson said. "You can help educate us on Asgard and life there. You can research about Midgard, I hear you like learning." Coulson thought for a moment. "You can watch movies."

"Movies?" Kaleria asked, raising an eyebrow.

Coulson shifted awkwardly. "Right, that's something we'll have to teach you."

Kaleria nodded. "I don't plan to be here for very much longer."

"Right but, for the time that you are here, you might as well not stay bored." Coulson smiled, knowingly. "We do have an extensive library." Kaleria returned his smile as Coulson motioned for her to follow him.

Her first day at SHIELD, Kaleria sat in the library and read as much as she could; taking in books from a Midgardian culture. Her new found favorite was a book called 'Macbeth'; it was violent and peaked her interests. The first night she spent crying, curled up in her bed. She was miserable, homesick, and above all she missed Loki. As much as she didn't want to admit that, her heart wrenched at the thought of him. She missed everything about him.

The next few days were a little better; Kaleria would finish more books and soon was becoming an attraction for different SHIELD members. Many of them had heard about her and her gifts and were curious. They asked about her home and if they could see her gifts, she would oblige, seeing it as the only reminder of home she had.

Three more weeks had passed and she was introduced to a "video conference" with Jane. She was baffled at how the contraption worked. The disappointment of the lack of progress from Jane took a toll with Kaleria, forcing her into a depression that night.

The following nights, Kaleria was introduced to 'movies', at first she didn't understand the concept of the motion pictures but soon she learned to love them. Coulson introduced her to a few different 'classics' as he called them, Star Wars was one of his favorites, and soon Kaleria's. She wouldn't tell him that though.

Agent Phil Coulson was a distraction; he kept her mind off negative things, especially Loki. Loki invaded her dreams but, in her waking hours she was answering all of Coulson's questions, and he hers.

She slept very little, lying awake and staring at her silver ring. Her heart wrenched as she cried for Loki, for Sif, for home. She wanted nothing more than to go home again.

Kaleria was able to go wherever she pleased, finding new places to explore, and new faces to greet. During the day she was content with the company she kept, the ugly thoughts in the back of her mind were at bay, lingering.

Kaleria had found her way into a rather large white room, the lights turning on automatically as she entered. The room was practically empty as she walked further in. "Training room." A voice from behind caught her off guard as she spun to face a somewhat smiling red head. "We use this room for training."

"There's nothing in here." Kaleria remarked as she turned to face the empty room.

"There's nothing in here if you don't know where to look." The woman said as she walked passed Kaleria, tapping a nearby wall which opened to reveal weapons. "Care to try?"

"I don't really use weapons." Kaleria admitted somewhat disinterested.

The woman turned to face Kaleria, an amused expression as she examined her. "Right, you're the fire girl from another planet, right?"

"Asgard." Kaleria corrected.

"Right." She nodded. "I've heard other agents talk about the stories you've told them." She smiled a little more. "It brings out their interest; you have a knack for storytelling."

"Thanks, I suppose?" Kaleria shrugged.

"I know it must be hard for you to be thrown into a place you are unfamiliar with." The other woman said. "I'm Natasha."

"Kaleria, though, you seem to know who I am." Kaleria smiled slightly.

Natasha returned the smile. "Yes, well, it is my job to know." Kaleria shuffled awkwardly before Natasha spoke again. "Coulson was looking for you, he said he had something new for you to try. He's in the lab." Kaleria nodded as she turned to leave the training room and Natasha.

Kaleria made her way to the laboratory, a place she was told was for science and learning new things. She ventured there a few times out of curiosity and to light a few Bunsen burners. The scientists were curious about Kaleria and had asked her to demonstrate her gifts occasionally; she obliged happily. It reminded her of home, it reminded her of Loki...

Kaleria wandered into the laboratory, seeing a giant see through chamber, two scientists, and Coulson. Coulson was the first to notice her, smiling as he saw her. "Kali, welcome!"

"What is all this?" She asked curiously as she came closer to the chamber."

"This chamber should be able to withstand anything you throw at it, strength wise or even elemental." Coulson remarked, a grin on his face.

Kaleria was eager to try. "Have you tried fire?" She walked around the chamber, eying it for weak spots.

"This chamber is made for something much stronger than anyone can understand. I think you'll be fine." Coulson said. "Care to try it out; see how hot you burn?"

A chance to use her gifts to their fullest extent, it was exciting. Kaleria nodded eagerly. "What happens if I start to melt the chamber?"

"There's a failsafe, if the chamber gets too hot it will force you to cool down with air streams." Coulson said. "But don't worry, that means you'll have to raise the temperature within the chamber to approximately three thousand kelvin." Kaleria looked at him curiously. "That's about the temperature of boiling of iron."

"I have no clue where my limit lies." Kaleria admitted. "I accidentally forced a lot of energy once… and it drained me."

"I'll make sure we stop the test before that happens." Coulson said as he walked over to a nearby panel and opening the chamber; Kaleria took a deep breath as she went inside, feeling excitement and fear all at the same time.

Kaleria watched as the door to the chamber closed behind her. She stared at the smiling Coulson, as the two other scientists joined him. His smile was reassuring her as she nodded to signal she was ready. She inhaled deeply, slowly forming fire on her hands. She watched the fire before slowly increasing the energy. Within moments, her entire body engulfed in flames, the fire and energy flowing through her, making her feel strong. She looked to Coulson, his eyes wide as he watched her glow.

Kaleria turned her attention back to her hands, her eyes falling to her wrist. The blue handprint stood out like a sore thumb, the only part of her body that was not glowing or on fire. Her heart sank as she stared at the scar, her stomach tying in knots. She felt sick, her body felt heavy. She was angry, she was hurt, she felt betrayed and heartbroken all at once.

Her body began to glow an alarming orange color, the walls around her began to moan as the heat became too intense. She saw Coulson out of the corner of her eye, panicking as he pressed the failsafe button.

A cold cloud of white surrounded Kaleria, making it hard to breathe as her fire died down, causing her to collapse to her knees. She felt sick, no, she felt she was going to be sick… no… she got sick.

She emptied the contents of her stomach as the chamber door opened and a panicked Coulson ran in. "Kali, Kali look at me." He kneeled next to her.

Kaleria panted, looking to Coulson. Her eyes must have still been an orange color because Coulson jumped slightly. "I need to cool down."

"We need to get you to the infirmary." Kaleria nodded as the world around her went dark.

Her vision was hazy as she opened her eyes. She was lying down in an unfamiliar room, a bright light overhead nearly blinding her. Voices around her were muffled at first, then slowly becoming clearer. "She's waking up." An unfamiliar voice said.

Kaleria turned her head towards the direction of the voices; she saw Coulson and an unfamiliar man in a black coat with an eye patch over one eye. Both looked at her curiously before Coulson spoke. "Hey Kali, how are you feeling?"

Kaleria sat up slowly, rubbing her head. "I've been better."

"You're gifts are quite impressive." The other man spoke. "Your body reached almost five thousand Kelvin."

Kaleria looked to Coulson whom verified. "That is almost the temperature of the sun…"

"A gift like that can be dangerous if in the wrong hands." The other man added. "But I can tell you're a good person who will use your gifts for good, even if testing them in such a way was dangerous." He glared at Coulson.

"Kali, this is Director Fury." Coulson changed the subject. "He is head of our SHIELD directive."

"As head of SHIELD, is there any chance you might have a way for me to go home?" Kaleria asked.

"I wish I could send you back." Fury said sympathetically.

Kaleria looked at both the men, something wasn't right. "There's something else."

Coulson was the first to look away, confirming Kaleria's suspicions as Fury spoke. "We took a small blood sample to test your vitals as well as test for any abnormalities."

"Because being from another realm is not an abnormality on its own?" Kaleria raised an eyebrow.

"We know this is going to be hard to tell you… it's been a really rough two and a half months for you as it is; being away from your home realm and family and friends and-"Coulson began.

"Just say it, Phil." Kaleria growled.

"You're pregnant."

Final Thought: Again, sorry for the short chapter and kind-of rushed pace. I figured most of Kaleria's time at SHIELD wouldn't be eventful anyway and I'm sure we all can't wait to get back to Loki times! So thank you again for reading, please remember to review!