A/N: Ugh, many apologies for taking so long to update. I've had some health issues, but am better now.

Just FYI, this story is nearing completion at last! Probably only one or two more chapters to go. Thanks as always to everyone for reading, and the faves and follows, and of course, the reviews! I heart you all.

Seds

Loki recovered from the contraction and Bruce noted the time as they stepped out of the elevator. He gave Loki a concerned look. "We need to get hold of Thor, right? So he can get your mom?"

Loki nodded, gesturing impatiently. "Yes, yes, but first I intend to see Tony. Where is he?"

Bruce led him to a lounge area at the back of Tony's laboratory, where Tony was irritably snarling and trying to force Pepper to take the ice pack, waving it around like a piece of bad fruit. Pepper was holding him down in his chair with her hands firmly on his shoulders.

"I have to get JARVIS back on line, now let me up!" Tony barked.

"You have to sit still for at least thirty minutes, now settle down!"

"Is our patient being uncooperative?" Loki asked genially as he approached.

Pepper gave a sigh of relief, and Tony visibly brightened. "Well, hey, kiddo—I know I get on your nerves sometimes, but did you have to knock me out?"

Loki smiled broadly. "If I'd been the one to knock you out, you'd still be in la-la land." He awkwardly lowered himself to kneel next to Tony and gently cupped his face. "How are you, love?" he asked softly.

The gesture sent Tony's spirits soaring. Yeah, yeah, he knew Loki loved him, but sometimes... Well, it was nice to see the look of genuine concern in his eyes. "I'm okay. I, uh... wondered where you were."

Loki had the good grace to look ashamed. "I'm afraid I didn't handle the sight of your puny mortal body lying unconscious on the floor very well. I'm so sorry. I should have remained by your side all along."

A worried look crossed Tony's face, but he quickly waved his free hand dismissively. "Nah... I'm sure you had better things to do. Speaking of which, am I keeping you from something? Filing papers, doing your nails, reading Shakespeare...?"

Loki started to make a snappy remark, but Bruce came up behind him. "Actually, Loki needs to make a phone call—or something. Right?" he asked meaningfully.

"Oh, uh, yes. Yes, I do."

Tony looked from Bruce to Loki suspiciously. "What's going on?"

Loki casually smoothed back his hair. "Eh, well, according to the good doctor, I'm actively in the process of spawning your get." He then struggled to stand up and fumbled in his pants pocket for his phone. He frowned distastefully as wet fabric clung to his legs, but he focused on scrolling down to Thor's number, and then gave it a tap. He walked to the other side of the lab for quiet.

Tony's gaze followed Loki's receding figure, and then he turned to Bruce. "Huh?" he asked.

"He's in labor," Bruce clarified.

Tony looked as if he'd been hit on the head again. "Labor? You mean, like, having-a-baby-labor?"

"Yeah. His water broke, and apparently he's been having contractions all morning. But they're not close together, and not particularly strong, so it's not like it's imminent or anything."

Tony stared as he allowed the full meaning of that information to soak in. "Shiiiiiit..." he finally managed to croak. He shifted in his chair and sought Bruce's eyes. "This is early, right? Too early?"

"Uh, well, no. I mean, yes, it's a little earlier than expected, but not by much. Full term is 40 weeks, and we're at 38 and a half. That's not terrible, not by a long shot."

"Not terrible," Tony said blankly, letting the ice pack drop to the floor. "Okay—so, what do we do?"

"Loki contacts Thor, Thor brings Frigga here to do interplanetary midwife duty. I sweetly ask Pepper to run to the apartment and get my medical bag." He gave her a hopeful grin, and Pepper rolled her eyes, but nodded in agreement. "And, once I'm convinced you're not concussed, we take this party upstairs to where things are a little more hospitable and set up a birthing area." Bruce pulled out his penlight and checked Tony's eyes again. "How're you feeling?"

"Like someone clocked me with a tire iron."

"Good, that's exactly how you should feel. Now, follow my finger."

"I beg your pardon?" Tony asked. "Do we really know each other all that well, Doctor?"

Bruce sighed, unamused. "Just do it." He moved his index finger back and forth, up and down, and observed Tony's response. "All right, that's good. Now, stand up and let me see you walk."

"Bruce." Tony no longer sounded light-hearted. "I'm fine. It's not like I haven't been hit in the head before." He looked over to where Loki was standing, talking on his cell and frowning irritably. "I have bigger and better things to worry about right now. Let's go set up a birthing area."

Bruce followed his gaze and nodded. "Okay. But, if you feel like you're going to hurl, tell me."

"Oh, I totally do—but not because of my head." He gave a rueful grin. "It's because I'm going to become a father." He turned and looked toward Loki again. "To... something."

"It's a baby, Tony."

"Yeah. You say that like it's a good thing."

Bruce chuckled and called to Loki. "What did Thor say?"

Loki strode back, shaking his head in annoyance. "Oh, the big simpleton started crying."

"Seriously?"

"Oh, yes. He has a sentimental streak several furlongs wide. I had to remind him that I'm actually in need of his assistance for a change. It took a moment, but he's on his way to Asgard now. He should return in a couple of hours."

Tony flinched. "Do we have that kind of time?"

"Have you had another contraction?" Bruce asked Loki, and Loki shook his head. "Then, we're good. Things could change, of course, but this being a first pregnancy and contractions being this far apart, we should have several hours before things shift into high gear."

And, maybe a lot more than that, Bruce thought grimly. Or, less. He had no idea how any of this was going to go—who knew how long Jotunns were likely to be in labor? It was all very confounding, but he kept a neutral expression on his face. Both Tony and Loki were looking to him for guidance, and the last thing they needed was to suspect that he felt uncertain. He took Tony's arm as he stood up and shadowed him to the elevator in case he became unsteady, but Tony appeared to have mostly recovered from his injury.

They took the elevator up to the living quarters, and Pepper ducked out to get Bruce's medical bag.

"And what, exactly, do you expect me to do now?" Loki asked, his hands on his hips and a displeased sneer on his face.

Bruce had suggested they use a twin-sized bed for Loki to lie on so that it would be easier to minister to him from both sides if necessary. There was only one in all of Stark Tower, and it was in a tiny far-away spare bedroom. When Pepper returned, she and Bruce wrangled it into the living area, where they would be close to both the kitchen and a bathroom. Plus, there was plenty of room for whatever contingency might arrive from Asgard.

Bruce had commandeered a sturdy table and set up the various pieces of equipment he'd been collecting for the last several weeks in anticipation of the blessed event. Now, there really wasn't much left to do until Thor returned with Frigga, and/or Loki began having regular contractions. Bruce shrugged at the god's question and gestured at the bed.

"Honestly, it's up to you. Feel free to lie down if you want, but it's probably a good idea to walk around as much as you can, while you can. Also, eat a light snack if you're hungry, and stay hydrated. Oh, and make sure you note the time when you have another contraction."

Loki gave him a doleful look. "May I shower? I feel disgusting." He was still wearing his amniotic fluid-soaked pajamas.

"Sure. Just be careful not to slip and fall—Tony, maybe you should help him."

"I can do that," Tony said briskly. "Come on, space man, let's get you cleaned up." He held out an arm and Loki grinned as he took it.

"No shower shenanigans, Stark. I'm in labor."

"Wouldn't dream of it, babe. Just want to keep you safe." The two looked at each other with such tenderness that Bruce couldn't help but smile. He would never have thought Tony capable of being so nurturing, and certainly not with Loki of all people, but here they were. He ruefully nudged back a tinge of envy and turned to Pepper.

"Pepper, is there a basinet or something? I'd like to have it handy for when the baby arrives."

"Yes, in the nursery. I'll go get it."

"Thank you. Also, could you get some towels—a bunch of them? And, an extra blanket, in case Loki gets cold. Please."

Pepper took a moment to hug him. "Feel free to order me around as much as you need to. I'll play nurse, gladly. But, as soon as I'm done hunting and gathering, I need to go back down to the lab and get JARVIS back on line."

"Wow, you can do that?"

"Of course. I'm not the expert Tony is, but I can replace a couple of fuses and sensors. And, I'll wear proper safety equipment." She flounced her hair and gave Bruce a smug look as she headed out of the room.

Bruce watched her leave, impressed and appreciative. "You're amazing," he called after her.

"I know!" her voice drifted back.

Bruce grinned.

Hours passed. Loki, freshly showered and clothed in a soft white tunic over dark green pants, dourly paced around the living quarters, pausing occasionally to pick up a decorative object and scowl at it as if it were personally responsible for his troubles. Tony perched on a bar stool, sipping a club soda with lime and staring distantly out the window. Bruce and Pepper played cards on the couch. Traffic sounds provided a comforting hum, and somewhere a clock ticked.

"Where the hell is Thor?" Loki suddenly demanded, one hand grasping his side.

"Is that a contraction?" Bruce asked, grabbing a pen and the pad of paper he'd been using to note Loki's pains.

Loki squeezed his eyes shut, but managed to maintain an otherwise stoic face. "Yes."

"Are they getting harder?"

"A bit."

Bruce frowned, biting his lip thoughtfully. "Okay. Listen, Loki—I need to, uh, check how far you're dilated."

Loki was relaxing after the bite of the contraction, but he raised an eyebrow disdainfully. "I beg your pardon?"

"Aw, come on, man—we discussed this." Bruce shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "I need to give you an internal exam."

"Oh, right, I do recall something about that. Well, let me put it this way—no." He ambled off to the other end of the room.

Bruce gave Tony a pleading look. "It's really important to know where we are in the process."

Tony slid off the stool and walked toward Loki, but Loki turned and held up a hand in warning. "No, Stark. I will not submit to his Midgardian attempts at control. I'm fine, and no one will touch me until my mother arrives." He cast a glare at Bruce. "You will not deliver this creature, Doctor, and I will not assume my Jotunn form until it's absolutely necessary. So, put those notions out of your head."

Tony looked back and forth between the two men helplessly, and then shrugged at Bruce. Bruce consulted his watch. "Where is Thor?" he said, half under his breath. Pepper patted his hand and spoke equally softly.

"It's still okay. The contractions aren't very close together, right?"

"Yeah... It's just, I thought we'd established some trust. That seems to have gone out the window."

Pepper put her head closer to Bruce's. "This is hard for him."

"I know. But, it's not like it's going to get any easier." He took in a deep breath and then they went back to their card game.

Two more hours passed, and Loki was beginning to feel like a prize boar in an Asgardian livestock auction, what with everyone hovering around, observing his every move and facial expression, and then talking among themselves, speculating on what they might mean.

He didn't feel well. The labor pains were taking more and more out of him, and it was getting harder to pretend that he was taking them in stride. In a way, he wished he could disappear into a cave and do this in total isolation, free to writhe on the ground and scream and curse as much as he liked. But, having Tony at his side was comforting, and as much as he disliked having Bruce see him in this weakened and vulnerable state, it was good to know there was someone with birthing experience handy if things began to go amiss. Still, as the hours wore on, he felt a ball of tension growing in the pit of his stomach.

And, in truth, his contractions were still unhelpfully far apart.

He wished his mother would get there already.

Steve Rogers stopped by to check in, not having heard a word from any of the other Avengers for some time, and was duly informed of the current situation by Bruce. Steve's eyes widened and he hastily began looking toward the exit, but Bruce put a hand on his arm and led him out to the hall to talk, a grave expression on his face.

"Frankly, I wouldn't mind if you hung around a while."

Steve swallowed hard. "Why?"

"Well, Loki's contractions are irregular and don't seem to be productive. His blood pressure's fine, and his and the baby's heart rates are still good, but I'm beginning to worry that labor might be stalled, and Loki's not cooperating with me at all. If things get dicey, I may need you to run interference in getting him to a hospital."

"What about Tony?"

"He's a little fried. He's just trying to keep Loki calm, which is becoming more and more of a challenge."

Steve took a deep breath. "Okay. Just keep in mind that I'm kind of squeamish about babies being born, anyway. If I had to watch Loki... I have a feeling that's not the kind of thing a guy recovers from very quickly."

"Yeah, well, I doubt it'll come to that. Just stick around until we know what we're dealing with."

"All right—will do."

They went back to the living room and after some small talk, Steve joined Bruce and Pepper's game.

Tony had put on soothing music and was now resolutely walking the floor with Loki, one arm around his waist, cajoling him to keep going until he complained of being too tired. Tony then led him to the little bed and helped him lie down. He cuddled beside him and rubbed his back, keeping up a stream of jokes and conversation that Loki didn't seem to appreciate in the least; but when he stopped, Loki plaintively said, "Keep talking to me. It's annoying as hell, but it keeps my mind off of other things." And, Tony resumed his patter in a soft gentle tone, and Loki closed his eyes and burrowed miserably into a pillow.

After another hour passed, Pepper quietly walked around the bed and tapped Tony's shoulder. He gave her an inquiring look, and she indicated he should meet her out in the hall. "I'll be right back, baby," Tony said to the half-dozing Loki. He slipped out of the room and went up to Pepper.

"What?"

"Bruce is really worried that things aren't progressing. Have we heard from Thor?"

"The last two times Loki called, he didn't answer. Loki thinks he's in transit, but... it's hard to say." Tony looked uncomfortable.

"Something may have happened."

"No, no way. It can't. Loki's counting on his mom to help him. He doesn't want Bruce—"

"I know, but there may not be a choice. He needs to let Bruce examine him. If he's not having strong enough contractions, Bruce can give him some medicine to move things along."

"He won't want that."

Pepper didn't bother to argue, but her face said everything. Tony sighed. "I'll go talk to him."

It took a long time. Tony sat next to Loki, tightly embracing the god. Bruce, Steve and Pepper left them alone and went to the kitchen for a snack, but they could hear raised voices from time to time. Finally, Tony came to find them.

"He says okay," was all Tony said.

Bruce hurried back to the makeshift birthing area, with Pepper and Steve behind him. Loki had already shifted to his Jotunn appearance and was staring out the window, jaw set, eyes narrowed. A current of air blew his long hair away from his face and ruffled the fabric of his tunic. He turned when the three came in. "Just you," he said to Bruce. When Pepper and Steve had left the room again, he added tonelessly, "Do what you need to do."

"Okay. It'll only take a moment. If you could undress below the waist and lie back, please? Here, let's cover you with this blanket." Bruce put on latex gloves and waited until Loki was lying comfortably on the bed. "Would you like Tony to sit beside you?"

Loki nodded, his mouth a grim line, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. Tony sat down and took his hand, and Bruce performed the exam, taking care not to appear to gawk at what was beneath the light cover. But he had to look in order to find his way around properly. It was a different sight than he was used to, certainly—nothing so odd as to be difficult to navigate, but strange. Still, once he became accustomed to Loki's physiology, he was able to quickly assess his progress.

Which wasn't much.

"Well?" Loki demanded when Bruce removed his hand from his body and began cleaning up.

"Uh—you're only dilated to three centimeters. That suggests we've got a long way to go, and since your water broke, well... in humans, that means there's an increased risk of infection. I don't know if it's the same in your case, but regardless, I'd like to start you on a pitocin drip to induce labor."

"No."

Bruce sighed. "I understand, and I don't blame you for being reluctant. We don't have to do it right now. But, if your contractions don't improve and you stay at three for another hour, I'm really worried that both you and the baby may face some real difficulties later."

The strain was beginning to show in Loki's face and he just grimaced and turned to Tony. Tony gathered him in his arms and held him. "Maybe you should walk around some more," he said gently.

"I'm tired," Loki said, his voice uncharacteristically weak. "I just want to lie here for a while."

Tony looked to Bruce, and he motioned for Tony to come to him for a word. "Let him rest for a few minutes, but if things don't get moving pretty soon, it's going to be a problem." He put a hand on Tony's shoulder. "If he ends up needing a C-section, I can't do it here. We'll have to get him to a hospital.

"No!" Tony snapped. "I don't want him being exposed like that, or our baby, either. We can't."

"I know, I know, I understand. We need to do everything possible to avoid it. So—you're going to have to help me convince him to let me use the pitocin."

"Not yet, you said."

"No, not just yet. Let's see what happens after we get him back on his feet for a while."

"I'll walk him all over this town if it'll help," Tony said grimly.

"I hope it will. But—"

A low rumble sounded outside the tower. Both men stopped and raised their eyes to the big picture window, where a dark lightning-filled cloud had inexplicably moved in over their little portion of the otherwise sunny city. Loki sat up in the bed, indigo lips spread taut against white teeth in a humorless grin. "Ah, Thor, the Ever-Tardy... When this is all over, I'm going to turn him into a chinchilla and trim my boots with his fur."

A sharp crack of thunder was followed by a dull floor-shaking thud on the roof of the tower, and Tony spoke to the air. "JARVIS? Are you alive?"

"Yes, sir, I am, thanks to Miss Potts."

"Yeah, well, sorry I didn't take care of you myself, but I've been a little busy. So, do we have visitors?"

"Indeed we do. Mr. Thor and some others. They're in the elevator now."

"Cool. Thanks, buddy, and sorry about the off-line thing."

"No apologies necessary. The brief outage left me feeling quite refreshed."

"Wish I could say the same. I—"

Just then, the elevator doors slid open. Thor strode out along with Frigga, who was toting a large tapestry bag. They were followed by Farbauti and Alfarin; Farbauti also had a pack slung over her shoulder, as well as a sheathed hunting knife around her waist. Loki rose and walked to them as quickly as he could. He threw his arms around his mother and she held him close, smoothing his hair and murmuring into his ear. He pulled away, a genuine smile on his face as he turned and nodded to Farbauti. "I see you made a side trip," he said to Thor.

"Heimdall has been observing your situation. Mother thought it well to bring Queen Farbauti along for her expertise, considering the circumstances."

Loki took the queen's hands in his. "It's good to see you, Your Highness."

The regal Jotunn smiled ruefully. Her thoughts had been with her long-lost son almost constantly since she learned of his existence, and hearing the formal address jarred her into recalling that, from his point of view anyway, they were little more than brief acquaintances. "Please, call me Farbauti." She squeezed his hands. "Loki." She knew he wouldn't appreciate her calling him "son."

Loki greeted his grandfather with a small bow before stepping away from the group. "So, you all concur with Dr. Banner—that my labor is not progressing as well as it should?" He turned, his face studiedly blank.

Frigga went to stand before him. She lay her hands on either side of his belly and closed her eyes. The whole room became quiet and a soft sizzle of energy seemed to travel between the two. When she opened her eyes, she had a worried look. "This happens sometimes. I've brought a tea that will help your body harness the energy needed, as well as ease the pain." She opened the tapestry bag.

"Wait!" Farbauti said sharply, reaching into her pack. "I also have a potion for pain relief, and mine is no doubt more suited to the Jotunn constitution than yours. Besides, given the situation, Loki will need more than a mere soothing analgesic, don't you agree?"

"I beg your pardon?" Frigga asked.

Farbauti shrugged, and pulled the fearsome-looking knife from her sheath. She held it up and admired it before speaking, not noticing the sudden tension in the air. "When we remove the child from Loki's womb," she said, running her thumb alongside the gleaming blade, "even a great warrior such as he will need something to dull the pain."

Loki's blue skin seemed to pale. "Wait a minute, you don't seriously think I'm going to let you—" He faltered as a contraction jolted him, and when it lessened, he hissed under his breath at Frigga. "You're not going to let her perform Jotunn-style surgery on me, are you?"

"Of course not," Frigga answered quietly. She now pulled herself to her full height, brow furrowed in dismay. "Your Highness, please, I'm quite certain that such measures won't be necessary!"

Farbauti stopped short and gave Frigga a shocked look. "Surely you don't expect him to suffer the cut of the knife with no pain abatement! And, you call us monsters! Even the Jotunn are not so cruel as to inflict such misery on our birth-givers!"

"No, no! I mean, we won't have to resort to a blade in order for the child to be born. It will happen naturally."

At this point, Bruce stepped up. "Ladies, please, listen. Loki's contractions haven't been very productive, and he's gotten really tired. I'm afraid the baby might get into trouble if we don't move things along, and I have medicine that'll do that. And, if surgery does become necessary, we're going to have to take Loki to a hospital—there's no way we could do it here."

"Don't be ridiculous, mortal," Farbauti said scornfully, casually brandishing her knife in his direction. "We've no need of your weak Midgardian potions, nor do we need to move Loki away from the comfort of his palace. I've performed dozens of such procedures, from the battlefields of Jotunheim, to the filthy swamps of Muspelheim. Trust me, little one, I will deliver Loki of his child swiftly and cleanly. I—"

"No way!" Bruce snapped, forgetting that he was speaking to the queen of a warrior people, so upset was he by the thought of attempting a C-section outside of a proper operating room. "That'd be disastrous! I—"

Farbauti pulled herself into her towering full height. Frigga got between her and Bruce, Thor got between Frigga and Farbauti; Steve Rogers tried to be heard, using a calming tone, but voices were raised, and the entire room seemed to rumble with the roiling emotions of gods and men. But somehow, over the din, Tony's commanding voice penetrated everyone's ears.

"Hey! HEY! Everybody pipe down! You're upsetting Loki!"

Everyone became quiet and they looked around to see Loki sitting on the edge of the bed, his arms wrapped around his swollen belly, his head dropped low, rocking back and forth. "Tony. It hurts," he said softly.

That was as close as Loki ever came to asking for help. Tony rushed to his side and pulled him into his arms, looking disapprovingly from Bruce to Frigga to Farbauti. "Come on, you guys. Isn't there something you can do to make him feel better?"

"I told you, we can put a stop to his misery in mere moments," Farbauti snapped, holding up her knife.

"And, I told you, you're not touching him with that shank!" Bruce retorted. The two looked as if they were about to go head-to-head, when Frigga stepped between them again and held them apart with a hand on each one's shoulder.

"All right, enough," Frigga said firmly. "We mustn't fight. And, I do not believe surgery will be necessary. I have another method that should not only ease Loki's pain, but will bring about the birth as nature intended."

"And, what would that be?" Farbauti asked suspiciously.

Frigga turned to Tony. "You have bathing pools in this realm, yes?"

"Uh—well, we have pools. And bathtubs. What exactly did you have in mind?"

"Loki needs to submerge his body in warm soothing water."

"Wait, you want him to give birth under water?" Tony asked, looking slightly horrified.

Bruce's irate expression turned thoughtful. "It's okay," he said slowly. "It's a technique a lot of people are turning to. I'm afraid I don't have any experience with it, and of course the medical community isn't particularly in favor of it. But, there are a lot of advantages if you have someone knowledgeable guiding you."

Farbauti looked skeptical. "I've never heard of such a method. How can it be safe?"

Frigga went to sit on Loki's other side, and she put her arm around his shoulders. He slumped against her, and she gently rubbed his back. "The bathing area should not be remote or excessively deep. The parent is in no danger, and when the child arrives, it is still attached to the umbilical cord, so it will not inhale until it's exposed to air. It suffers no trauma. And, Loki will be able to move about freely as he labors, as the water will make him feel weightless. It'll be much more comfortable for him."

Loki made a low grunt, and grabbed his side as a fresh assault of pain flashed through him. When it abated, he said tiredly, "Well, I wish something would make me more comfortable. Mother, I'm willing to try this idea if you'll be by my side."

Frigga nodded. "The baby is strong, and in the proper position. We should get started as soon as possible." She looked at Bruce. "So, does this at all mesh with your Midgardian teachings, Doctor?"

"Yes, ma'am. And, we still have some time. Let's do it."

A resolute look crossed Frigga's face. "Where is this 'bathtub' you spoke of?" she asked Tony.

"Come on, I'll show you." He led the way to the master bathroom, a huge room with a sunken marble tub that could easily hold four people (and had, once, a long time ago, Tony thought with a smirk.)

"'Twill be no fun, hauling heated water," Farbauti said thoughtfully.

"Oh, no, see, we have, uh, water heaters. It'll get hot right out of the tap." Tony leaned down and ran some water, gesturing for Farbauti to put her hand under it. She gave Tony a dubious look, but held her hand under the stream for a moment, nodding as she realized the temperature was getting warmer.

"Fascinating! I had no idea you Midgardians were so advanced. This is quite convenient."

"Well, we like it." Tony crossed his arms awkwardly. "So, you want me to get this filled up with warm water?" he asked Frigga.

"Yes, please. About to here," Frigga said, bending to indicate the fill line she had in mind. "But, not too hot. And, these lamps will never do." She began pulling candles out of her pack. She placed them all around and waved her hand, lighting them all at once while the electric lights dimmed to almost nothing. An invigorating citrus-y scent began to fill the room. "We need music." She looked at Farbauti.

"Yes. My father is in charge of that." She cued Alfarin, who took a small instrument out of his robe and went to sit in the bedroom, out of sight but close enough that low soothing notes of some sort of flute wafted into the bathroom. Loki looked around, impressed by the transformation of the familiar room.

"Well, this is different."

Frigga nodded. "Loki, dear, you may disrobe and get in the water whenever you're ready. We'll step out to give you privacy, but Tony should help you so you don't slip."

"All right."

When they were alone, Tony took the hem of Loki's tunic and carefully lifted it, helping him slip it off. He knew Loki didn't really need help undressing, but he hated feeling useless. He steadied Loki as he slid out of his pants, and then guided him into the water.

"Are you sure about this, babe? Don't let them talk you into something you're not comfortable with."

"No, it's fine. My fath—Odin robbed me of my history and knowledge of my bodily functions. I can only trust those who seem to care for me, that they know what's best." He didn't speak bitterly, Tony noted; he just sounded resigned. "I certainly don't."

"Okay. But, just remember—I'll be by your side every second. If something seems wrong, just give me the word. I'm not going to let anything happen to you or the baby."

Loki smiled and caressed Tony's cheek. "I know." He then stepped into the bath's more shallow side. He perched there and settled in, letting a low moan of pleasure escape his lips as he sank into the warm water. He closed his eyes and leaned back. A look of peace came over him, and for a moment there was silence except for the soft drone of Alfarin's flute.

"This is most relaxing," Loki said eventually.

"Good." Tony knelt by the side of the tub and squeezed his arm. "You stay put. I'm going to change into swim trunks and then I'll join you."

"All right." Loki had a quiet moment to himself as he adjusted his Jotunn form to the warmth of the water and calmed his mind, letting the music and the scent of the candles guide his thoughts. Soon, Tony returned and slid in next to him. Frigga came in and knelt beside Loki.

"Are you comfortable, my son?"

"Yes, Mother. This is very good."

"Tell me when you have another pain."

Loki nodded without opening his eyes. Time seemed to slow down and he could feel some energy return to his body. Another contraction gripped him and he reached for Tony's hand, bracing himself, but he noticed that his mind felt less scattered as he rode out the wave.

His mother brought him a cup of tea flavored with honey. "Drink this, darling. It'll take the edge off the pain."

"It won't hurt the baby, will it?" Tony asked worriedly.

"No," Frigga said gently. "It's ancient medicine, completely safe."

Loki drank, and then Frigga slipped off her dress, leaving her in a simple gown. She joined Loki and Tony in the tub and took Loki's hands in hers. "Now, Loki, I want you to breathe with me. This also will help you manage the pain."

Soon, the effects of the tea took hold, and Loki felt himself relax even more. When the next contraction came, it was stronger than the ones before, yet the pain was no longer sharp and stabbing, but rather a binding feeling that seemed within his power to control as long as he breathed as Frigga had taught him.

Frigga and Farbauti took turns sitting in the tub, massaging Loki's back and keeping him chatting when he seemed to want conversation. From time to time, Bruce managed to persuade Loki to let him check how far he was dilated, and after the third check-up, he was relieved to announce that Loki was now at eight. Frigga put her hands on Loki's tummy again and ascertained that the baby was still doing well; Bruce backed up her assessment with a fetal heart monitor. He took Loki's blood pressure and heart rate, and smiled. "They're both doing great," he said. "I don't think it'll be much longer now."

Tony got out and put on a robe. He went to update everyone in the living room. The tense mood instantly lightened as Pepper, Thor, and Steve whooped in relief.

In time, Loki felt the baby shift within him. Now, it felt as if the child was determinedly pressing at his quim from the inside, demanding to be let out. He knew that wasn't really the case; still, he felt an overwhelming ripeness in his groin, as if the baby was about to slip between his legs at any moment. He looked sharply at his mother. "I think the baby's coming. Now."

Frigga checked his belly and grinned. "Not quite. He's in position. But, you mustn't push."

"I want to push," Loki said evenly.

"I know, but it's not time just yet."

With his mother's encouragement, Loki had tried moving from one position to another in the water, keeping himself from stiffening up and also learning to listen to what his body was telling him. Now, he turned to face the edge of the tub, resting his weight on his arms and his knees. It felt right and natural, and he decided that was the pose he'd assume when it came time to push. Suddenly, he felt a great wrenching burst of pain from deep within his core. He cried out, and Frigga and Farbauti both spoke to him comfortingly, the Jotunn queen rubbing his shoulders and back with her large strong hands. "It's all right, young one. Your insides are opening up for the baby—as they should. It won't be long now."

Tony had taken a break, but hurried in when he heard Loki's anguished cry.

"Everything okay?" he asked.

"We're getting very close," Frigga said serenely. "Tony, can someone bring towels and a blanket, please? We'll be needing them soon."

"Yeah, we've got 'em ready. Yo, Pep! Where're those towels?"

Pepper came in and quickly recreated the setup Bruce had had back in the living area. It was alarming to hear Loki making choked-out grunts of pain. She managed to catch his eye and gave him an encouraging smile. He had the look of a wounded animal and didn't appear capable of acknowledging her, so Pepper just eased out of the room. She started to fetch the basinet, but scratched that idea when she realized just how many people there were ready and eager to hold the new arrival. It would probably be a while before anyone was willing to relinquish him.

Another hour ticked by, and Loki seemed to turn inward, wholly focused on dealing with pain and fighting the urge to push. He wouldn't talk and answered questions with only a shake of his head, at best. Suddenly, a dark look came over him. He looked at his mother, his eyes flashing. "This. Baby. Is. Coming," he said, biting off the words. "Do not tell me not to push."

Frigga hastily moved next to him, put her hands on his stomach and closed her eyes. Then, she nodded. "Yes, my love, it's time. Do it. Push."

Loki got in position and gave a strong heave. He could feel the baby traveling down within him. He tried to listen to his mother's instructions as she paced him, telling him when to give another push, but it was more and more difficult to maintain control. Plus, his energy level was close to depleted.

"Push, Loki," his mother said firmly.

"I can't," he said weakly. "I just can't."

"Yes, you can, babe." Tony was right beside Loki, keeping a hand on his back for comfort. "I know it's gotta be tough, but you can do it. You're the freakin' god of mischief, right? You can kick one little trickster out of the nest! Come on, baby, let's do this." He nuzzled into Loki's neck and whispered, "Let's meet our son!"

Loki's wet hair was hanging in strings around his face and his deep red eyes looked near tears. But he nodded, and took a deep breath. With a loud groan, he put everything he had left into a hard push, and Frigga gave a shout of excitement. "We have the head! The head's out, darling, now just a little more. I know you're exhausted, but we're so close. One more push, my love, one more..."

Loki wasn't sure where the strength came from, but he managed one more push and he felt the baby slip out of his body. He was able to reach down and clasp the tiny child in his hands, while Frigga held him around his shoulders, whispering instructions. "Bring him up slowly, dear, don't jerk the cord." Loki swiveled around and carefully brought the infant upward, until his little head was clear of the water. Loki stared. His skin was a creamy pale blue, faint tribal ridges on his cheeks and forehead. Otherwise, he appeared just as any human baby looked in its first moments on the planet—damp and round and wrinkly.

"Oh," Loki said softly. "He... He's not breathing."

"Slowly take him all the way out of the water."

Loki awkwardly maneuvered the baby into his arms and against his chest, sitting up straight. After a moment, the little one began grimacing and a tiny, mewling noise escaped his lips, followed by a healthy newborn cry. The pale skin seemed to flush slightly pink, and then became a deeper blue.

Everyone laughed in relief, even Loki.

"He's fine," Frigga pronounced, one hand on her grandson's head. She reached for Tony's hand, and replaced hers with his. The genius inventor looked as if an angel had touched him. After a moment, Frigga asked him, "Papa, will you cut the cord?"

Farbauti handed Tony the scary Jotunn knife, and he gingerly took it. He listened to Frigga's instructions and then cleanly sliced through the umbilical cord, just where Frigga indicated. She tied it off while Tony stared at his baby. He didn't see blue skin or ridges; he saw two gorgeous dark eyes, blinking curiously; reaching fingers, wriggling toes, and a little frowny face that already appeared to be trying to figure things out. Tony looked at Loki and smiled crookedly.

Their son was beautiful.

"He's perfect," Tony said.

"He's... alive," Loki said disbelievingly, feeling the energy of the babe's life force spark through him.

"Of course he is," Farbauti said, looking on approvingly. "He's magnificent! Just look at him, strong in body and spirit, in spite of his mortal blood! He will be a fine warrior, just as you are."

Loki didn't bother to respond. He just held his son against his own skin, two shades of blue, and wondered at the silky feel and the indescribable scent of a newborn.