Author's Note: I'm sorry I haven't updated, leaving you all with a cliff-hanger but I do have a life outside writing fanfiction. That and I have had serious writer's block about how to continue this story, there are only a couple of chapters to go.

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Chapter 56 – Odinson

The Asgardian prince spun around at Coulson's voice. He made his way out of the lab, still starring at the ghost before him.

Thor looked Coulson up and down, surprise evident on his face, "When the Lady Sif informed me that one of my Midgardian friends required assistance I did not believe it could be you, Son of Coul. Fury told us if your death at Loki's hands." He smiled, thumping Coulson on the back, "Not that I am not gladdened to see you but I must ask how you survived my brother's wrath?"

Coulson gave a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "A story for another time, my friend. I am also glad to see you but today is not a day to be happy. Why did Sif believe I needed your help?"

"She believed the new would be better coming from a friend. The Lady Sif relayed a message from the gatekeeper Heimdell, he said to warn you that the woman you search for is gone." Thor replied gravely.

Coulson crossed his arms, the others remained silent having heard Thor's words, "What do you mean gone? You don't know Skye, if there was a way out she found it."

The smile was long gone from Thor's face, "I am sorry, Son of Coul but Heimdell sees everything in the nine realms. The woman and her child burned in the blaze. He fears you will search for eternity when there may be nothing left of them to find."

Coulson felt himself sitting down in one of the cargo bay seats, although he didn't remember making the conscious decision to do so.

Thor remained standing, looking down at the friend he thought dead for so long, "I am sorry for your loss. If the woman was as Heimdell claimed her to be it is a loss for us all, her kind was rare and deserved to thrive."

Coulson looked up, "You're father wanted her dead."

Thor shook his head, "My father desired her to be contained. As rare as her kind was they are also dangerous, they see things no one else sees and their blood is like no other. It was my mother's job to control them, I fear with her death my father sought his own solution to the problem."

"Skye is a human being, not a problem to be dealt with," Coulson snapped.

"That is where you are wrong, my friend," Thor replied gravely, "The girl you call Skye was far from human."

"Is," Simmons interjected angrily, not caring that she was facing down a god.

"I'm sorry," Thor asked, turning to the biochemist.

"Skye still IS, not was," Simmons snapped.

"I am sorry loss, I too have known its sting recently but Heimdell would spread falsehoods, not to those I call friend," Thor sighed.

Tears returned to Simmons' eyes, still stained with ash and dirt. At Thor's words the biochemist ran from the cargo bay, quickly followed by the engineer who had refused to leave her side.

Trip took this as a sign that it was time for him too to leave, after the day he'd had he really wanted a drink.

May refused to leave Coulson alone with Thor, afraid of what the SHIELD director might do if the Asgardian repeated that Skye and the baby were dead one more time. As always the Calvary stood silently but on the inside her heart was breaking at the sight of the broken man sitting in front of Thor.

"I am sorry," Thor repeated, "To find out you are alive but suffering such a loss pains me greatly."

Coulson sighed, "It's not your fault."

Thor shook his head, "None the less I fear my father's interest in the girl is the cause of her death." Coulson looked shocked but let the prince continue, "I fear that there are some that would rather see the girl and her child dead than in the hands of Odin."

Coulson clenched his teeth angrily but could still not bring himself to blame Thor for the current situation, he knew better than most that a son shouldn't be blamed for his father's actions. Coulson looked at the Asgardian carefully, "Do you know who is responsible?"

Thor shook his head sadly, "That was information Heimdell would not share, even with me. Tell you of the girl's death is one thing but helping you seek your revenge is beyond him. Heimdell is only an observer of this world, he will not interfere. However he did inform me that there is one who knows who is to blame and already hunts them."

Coulson was curious, "Who?"

Thor once again shook his head, "Again, something he would not share, only that there is one who seeks justice for your friend. I do not know if that helps."

"It does," Coulson smiled weakly, "I only wish I could help them."

"You are not a vengeful man, Phillip," Thor answered, finally taking a seat, somewhat awkwardly, next to Coulson, "Do you believe your friend would want you to become one for her sake?"

Coulson sighed, defeated, "No."

"Then don't," Thor replied, "Honour her memory, the memory of her child, by being the man she would want you to be."

Coulson smiled, "When did you become so wise?"

"Through loss of my own."

"I'm sorry," Coulson replied weakly, not knowing what else could be said.

"No matter," Thor replied, thumping Coulson on the back again as he got to his feet, "Now that I have delivered the message and learned of your survival I must return to the New city of York."

Coulson stood up too, "I thought you were in London."

"I continue to visit the Lady Jane Foster there but I currently reside with Stark in his mighty tower," Having turned toward the ramp Thor turned back to Coulson, "Tell me, do the others know of your survival?"

"Natasha does," Coulson answered, "And it wouldn't surprise me if Clint does too but as far as I know Banner and Stark still think I'm dead. I was never sure about Rogers."

Thor raised an eyebrow, "And you do not want me to inform them?"

"Not yet," Coulson shook his head, "I think it's something I need to tell them myself, in person."

"Indeed," Thor nodded, "I believe news such as this must be delivered in person if one is to believe it is not in jest. However I do not believe I can keep such joyous news to myself for long."

Coulson shook his head, "I don't think that will be a problem. Something tells me we will cross paths again sooner rather than later."

Stepping off the Bus Thor nodded to Coulson, "Despite the circumstances of my arrival it was good to see you Phillip, Son of Coul. Until we meet again."

Despite the day he had had Coulson still found it fascinating to watch the Asgardian prince lift himself into the air with a swing of his mighty hammer. Coulson continued to watch the night sky as Thor disappeared into the distance. Knowing he was not alone Coulson turned back onto the Bus, once again being met by May, arms crossed.

The Calvary raised an eyebrow, "Do you believe him?"

Coulson sighed, "I believe that he believes Skye is dead. Whether it is because it is true or because someone is lying to him, I don't know."

May looked doubtful, "You think the Asgardians took her and covered their tracks?"

Coulson shrugged, "The thought had crossed my mind. Thor isn't lying to us but that doesn't mean someone's not lying to him."

May took a step forward, choosing her next words carefully, "And maybe he told the truth because it is the truth."

"Don't," Coulson snapped, raising his hands, "Just… Don't. Not yet."

"It's a reality you might have to face," May replied gravely.

"Not today."

However the day did come. It was almost a week later that Coulson stopped searching for a sign, anything to indicate that Skye had survived the fire. The director of SHIELD was reluctant to admit that Thor may have been right, maybe there was nothing left to find.

It had been six days since the fire, although May had been admit they would find nothing since day one he had searched with Coulson for four more days. When May had stopped searching so had Trip and Fitz, hoping that their absence would convince both Simmons and Coulson that there was nothing left to find. Whatever Fitz said to Simmons it worked because the next day Coulson went out alone. Working the remains of the house alone Coulson had time to think and it was there where he came to a decision.

Returning to the Bus earlier than had the other days Coulson head straight to his office, ignoring the looks he received from his team. Locking himself in his office Coulson spent the next hour making several phone calls to all the people he thought could help him. When he left the office Coulson couldn't even be bothered to call a team meeting, choosing instead to make a beeline for May.

Coulson couldn't be bothered being polite, not this week, "How soon can you get us in the air?"

May just raised an eyebrow, all she needed to do to ask the question Coulson knew was coming.

Coulson crossed his arms, "New York."

Author's Note: I promise answers in the next chapter, bear with me.

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