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Chapter 22

Loki felt that there was no stronger motivator that fear. The last couple of hours had proven him right. It was fear, pure fear for Natasha's life that had allowed them to arrive safely on Asgard. He would not allow her to die now, not when he could save. Not when there was still a Natasha to save.
They were of course greeted by Odin and a small army of guards. But even his adoptive father could not dismiss the terror that filled Loki's features. And at least, if he had denied Loki entrance to the Golden City, Thor would have demanded that he heal Natasha. Yes, Thor had his uses sometimes.

Odin didn't seem surprised that Loki had his powers back. In fact, he didn't appear to notice. He just took one look a Natasha's bleeding form, , and gave directions for some guards to take her to the infirmary. People moved to lift her out of Loki's arms, but recoiled. These people despised him. There was no way he would allow their hands to touch his Natalia. She belonged to him, every bit as much as he belonged to her.

Thor helped Tony limp out of the burning ship, and together they made their way into the palace. Tony momentarily forgot his pain, and looked in appreciation at the towering pillars inside the building.
"Who did the decorating Point-break? Is he still around?" Thor gave him a look of confusion, but seemed to be too deep in though to answer. Finally they turned around a corner, into the large room that Loki remembered from his childhood. So many memories of running there after receiving a beating from Thor's group of friends, or to show his mother a new bruise that Thor had given him in a play fight. It wasn't until later that Loki realised the admitting pain was a sign of weakness. He had stopped coming here after that.

Frigga was waiting for them inside and recoiled at the depth of Natasha's wounds. Loki knew she had seen worse on Sif and probably on herself, but of course she believed that no Human could survive such damage. Then again, she didn't know that Natasha was no ordinary Midgardian. Loki left her gently down on the long bench, and pushed a strand of hair of her brow. She had made no improvement on the journey to Asgard. If anything she had deteriorated, sinking deep into unconsciousness. He ran a hand though his hair, and turned to face his mother.

"Will she live?" He asked trying to keep the desperation out of his voice. To his horror Frigga only sighed and motioned for him to follow her. He gave one last look to Natasha, then followed Frigga into the hall.
"Her wounds are severe. Thor tells me that she has strength that is unnatural for mortals, that she can survive much, but Loki... Her wounds will take long to heal, even if she were one of Asgard."

Loki allowed himself a little hope. "But they will heal?"
"With time and patience I believe so- But Loki, do not allow yourself to much hope. Human's are... unpredictable in everything they do." She gave a small smile then, kissed Loki's cheek.
"I am so happy you've returned to us. No matter what you believe, my son, we are your family and we love you." She said softly. Loki returned her embrace awkwardly. "I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused to you and Thor. You never did me any wrong." Frigga gave him a worried glance.
"What about your Father?" She said, her smile faltering a little. Loki gave a harsh laugh.

"Odin? He lied to me my entire life, then he stripped me of what little identity I had left and sent me to Midgard to be ridiculed and perhaps to my death. The man may have raised me- but he'll never be my father." Frigga jerked away from him. Loki resolved his features then gave her a stiff nod.
"I'll return to Natasha now." He said, turning on his heel and stalking away.

While Thor tried a find away to transport all four of them back to Earth, and Tony marvelled at the technology of The Realm Eternal, Loki never left Natasha side. He slept on the chair beside her bed, he eat his meals on his lap, he spoke to her constantly. She never gave him any reason to believe she was listening but he spoke all the same. He told her everything from what he was eating for dinner to his memories of Asgard. He told her of the time when, in a fit of jealousy, cut off the Lady Sif's hair, or when the Mighty Thrym stole Mjolnir, and he and Thor dressed up as women to retrieve it. He almost imagined her laughing at that one. Almost.

Eventually though he began to run out of tales though, and she made no improvement. Frigga said that the injuries to her head were so severe that while she might regain conciousness, she might not have all her memories. The idea hadn't worried Loki to much to begin with, she would still be Natasha, until Tony reminded him of something. She may not remember that Loki had changed. That she loved him. Or worse she may not remember him at all.

Pushing that thought out of his mind, he took her hand in his. "Natasha? Darling, you must wake up. We have no reason to leave here until you do, and Thor, that bloody oaf, is not trying nearly as hard as he should to find a way to return home." He said, not with affection.
"Forget us for a minute, love. What of your team back on Midgard? Directer Fury, the good Captain, the wild beast that speaks of peace? What of your Hawk who cares for you so deeply. What of him?"

Though Loki couldn't explain it, he felt an odd sense of duty towards the Hawk. He felt honour-bound to return Natasha to him safe and sound. He had cared for her first, loved her first until Loki had the good sense to love her as well. He would not send him to the brink a second time by being the cause for Natasha's... death.
"You've left me here, completely dependent on your recovery. You're my drug Tasha, if you should never return to me... I'd return to that place, that dark place I was in. I feel like everything I love is always taken from me, and I do love you Natasha. I love you, darling." He raised her hand to his lips, and kissed it, his tears wetting her skin. HE felt it jerk in his grasp, and he sucked in his breath. A slow smile spread across her features, and her eyes fluttered open. She moved her head with a groan, then her eyes locked onto his.

She screamed.