Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to any of the Marvel characters or BTVS!

Chapter 19: Dinner with the King

******Asgard******

Dawn viewed all the guests with mixed feelings. Some were an echo of memory in her head; others were strangers. She squeezed Xanders hand, needing the feel of the familiar. It was like she had awoken from a dream. The fog lifted more and more as she spent time home. And Asgard was home. It was funny. It was home, but it was not. She looked at Xander and smiled. At least he was the same. She knew that he was freaked and uncomfortable, but he was always a rock for the Summer girls. Dawn couldn't imagine that anything would change now. Glancing around, she searched for Loki.

Odin proudly gestured for her, so she led Xander to his side. She rose up and kissed Odin's cheek. Warmth filled her when she gazed at him. It was funny how she viewed him through her human side and through the side that had known him always. One side of her was in awe of him and a little fearful. The other loved him almost as much as she loved her sister. She looked back at her sister, who was flanked by her ex-vampire lovers. Buffy would do well in Asgard. She would do well anywhere. Dawn wasn't worried about Buffy. She could handle Thor and anyone else. Not even Thor had any real idea what humans were capable of. Nor could they imagine what her sister could do. They would be in for more than a few surprises.

"Where is my brother?" she asked Odin. "You told me that you'd work something out so that he'd get to be with me. Why isn't he here?"

Xander flinched when the All Father frowned at Dawn. He couldn't get over how casual and familiar she was with the Asgardian king. A part of him knew that her behavior was expected if they were really related. Xander still wasn't completely convinced of that. In fact, he was going to have Willow do a DNA test.

"Loki isn't sure he wants to be muzzled," Thor said as he came up and overheard Dawn's inquiry.

"What?" Dawn asked.

"Loki desires power. He resents the fact that he is not my heir. Finding out he was adopted has only made him more bitter," Odin explained.

"I'll talk to him," Dawn said.

Xander looked upset. "Not alone, you're not! The man is insane!" he exclaimed.

"No, he isn't!" Dawn said, frowning.

"He has become a bit erratic," Thor agreed.

"You think?" Xander said sarcastically. Thor gave him a sheepish smile.

"I will have Frigga take you to him tomorrow. If he agrees to wear the device that will contain him and his powers, I will consider letting him out—at least around the castle," Odin said.

Dawn beamed at him. She let go of Xander's hand and moved to hug him. When she pulled away, Odin kept his arms around her shoulder and faced their guests.

"Our princess has returned to us!" he announced. Cheers went up.

Dawn gave him a pointed look. "You have to tell everyone. I can't pretend to be the same. I won't pretend Buffy doesn't matter," she told him.

Odin wanted to argue with her, but Frigga reached for his hand and gave him that look—the look that spoke volumes. He sighed in resignation. He knew that whatever he said to the group tonight would be spread throughout his kingdom by the next day. "Atali was changed forever while she was gone. She was turned into a human and given a human sister. Buffy Summers," he said, pointing to Buffy. "Buffy is a warrior of earth, beloved by Atali. She will be beloved by Asgard as well. She has protected and kept Atali safe for us. All of Asgard will consider her a princess of Asgard."

Buffy's eyes widened at Odin's declaration. "Is he insane? I'm no freakin' princess!" Buffy said to her friends.

Spike snickered and put his arms around her shoulders. "If we hook up again, will that make me a prince? I've always wanted to be a prince. A dark prince," Spike said with a wink.

"A dark prince? Whatever," Angel scoffed. He gave Buffy a warm smile. "Here you have an entire planet that will treat you as you deserve. Enjoy it."

Buffy glanced at Willow, who was on the other side of Angel, Illyria next to her, Natasha across from her. Willow just smiled in amusement. Buffy turned back to Dawn, glaring at her.

Dawn grinned and waved. She knew that Buffy would never like all the attention. However, she would have to deal. Dawn was both a princess of Asgard and a sister of the Slayer. There was nothing she could do about the new reality. All of them would have to adjust.

The king sat down. Frigga moved to the other end of the very long table. Thor sat on his right and Atali on his left. Xander sat next to her. Buffy could tell he was not comfortable with the setting. The changes were coming too fast. Although Buffy hadn't known about her sister and Xander for long, she couldn't help but hope they'd survive the changes with their relationship in tact. Xander deserved to be happy. If her sister made him happy, Buffy wanted that for him.

Dinner seemed interminable. Course after course was served. Although Buffy and Kennedy loved the insane amounts of offered foods, they both chaffed at the containment. Neither was used to sitting for so long and doing little.

When dinner was finally over, Odin announced that everyone would report to the ballroom where there would be music and dancing.

Buffy groaned. "This night is never going to end!" she complained.

"I get first dance!" Spike announced, elbowing Angel, who glared at him, cursing himself for being so slow.

Before Buffy could protest, Spike dragged her to the ballroom where a waltz was playing. Spike looked delighted. "I love the waltz!" he shared.

"Really?" Buffy asked in surprise. She saw Spike as a more Rock-n-Roll, head-banging type.

"My mum taught me when I was a boy. I got a few chances to dance it as a human," Spike shared.

Buffy smiled warmly at him. It was rare that he spoke of his time as a human. She had missed him more than she realized. "Are you happy, Spike?" she suddenly wondered.

Spike was surprised at the question. "I'm as happy as I can be with a demon in me and you on the other side of the country," he said.

"I miss you," she admitted.

Spike grinned and shot Angel a smug look. He was watching from the sidelines. Spike knew that he was probably listening to every word.

Dawn watched Spike and Buffy dance. "Do you think they'll get back together?" she asked Xander hopefully. Spike had always been her favorite of all her sister's boyfriends. He never treated her like a kid. Buffy hadn't really had a steady boyfriend since Sunnydale.

Xander made a sound of derision. "Not unless she wants me to poke out my other eye," he said in disgust at the thought. "He tried to rape her. You don't come back from that. Ever."

"He didn't have a soul then," Dawn said.

Xander looked at her in disappointment. Instead of arguing about Spike, however, he brought up Loki. "Loki does. What's his excuse?"

Dawn looked like he'd slap her. She pulled her hand away from him and glared. "I don't want to fight about my brother. You don't know him. You of all people know that things aren't always black and white. There are grays," she said. She refused to believe that the brother she'd adored was gone completely. Her memories were so new and fresh it was almost like no time had really passed.

Thor came up to them, interrupting. "Xander, do you mind if I dance with my sister?" he asked.

"Sure," Xander said. He watched them dance. It was clear by the way they talked and laughed that the bond between the two was strong. On one hand, Xander was a bit awe struck to be able to claim such a connection to the god of Thunder. It was every fan boy's dream. On the other hand, he wasn't sure he could fit into this new world. He feared the changes would drive he and Dawn apart.

Xander was broody and barely noticed the song change. He looked up and noticed Dawn dancing with someone else. One of Thor's friends. The good-looking one. Frowning, he watched them.

"That's Fandral," a voice said. He turned and saw the stunning Xena Warrior Princess standing beside him. He glanced at her in wonder, his mouth open slightly. She was a bit taller than him, dressed in a form fitting dress that showed off ample cleavage. Xander worked hard to keep his eyes on her face. "Excuse me?" he squeaked out.

"The man dancing with Atali. Fandral is something of a flirt and lady's man," the woman said. "But he won't behave improperly. Don't worry."

"Worry?" Xander said, his mind working in slow motion.

The woman found his dumbfoundedness amusing. Thor barely notices her no matter how much she tries. This human's awestruck look did much to soothe her bruised ego. "Would you like to dance?" she asked.

"Uh, who are you?" Xander finally bit out.

"I am Sif. I fight with Thor and the Warrior's Three. Fandral is one of the three," she said. She pointed out the other two. "There is Hogun. Over there eating yet again is Volstagg. Never get between him and a meal. Not if you value your life."

Xander had to snicker at her commentary. "Good to know," he said.

"So?" she prompted, holding out her hand.

And that was how Xander found himself dancing with a very own warrior princess. What a strange day it had been!

Dawn eventually noticed Xander dancing with the beautiful woman. She knew Xander so well that she could tell he was more than a bit smitten. Jealousy had not been an emotion she'd experienced with Xander because he was always with her or Willow or Buffy. There had never been anyone else. Now, however, Dawn saw him dancing with whatshername. "Remind me who that is?" she asked Fandral.

"Who?" he asked. He looked to where she was pointing and smirked. "Sif. A fine swordswoman and loyal friend."

"Is she married?" Dawn asked, trying to sound casual.

Fandral grinned wickedly. "Isn't that your beau she's dancing with? Are you worried?" he wondered.

"Of course not! I'm just curious," Dawn said defensively.

"Well, you need not worry. Sif only has eyes for our prince. Thor, though, isn't the brightest of chaps. He has yet to notice," Fandral said. "And now he's enamored of a human woman."

Dawn felt something inside her unclench at his words.

Fandral laughed knowingly and spun her out.

Clint, Natasha, and Steve were watching the couples dancing.

"So how long should we stay here?" Natasha asked. "I didn't even warn Fury that I was leaving with Willow."

"You didn't?" Clint asked in surprise.

"Willow appeared back at Stark Tower, so I called Tony who told me she was probably at home gathering resources," Natasha explained. "I went to her place, and she was doing a spell. I helped. She was just so incredible that I felt compelled to come with her here."

"I thought you were too scared to come," Clint teased.

Natasha gave him a dark look. "Not scared. Just not interested. Not all of us have a burning desire to go to an alien planet you know," she said sullenly.

Clint snickered and Steve bit back a grin. "Well, think of all the agents who are going to envy us when we get home," Clint said, throwing his arm around her shoulder. "Another story to add to our legend."

Natasha could never stay mad at Clint. He was an ex-lover turned friend turned brother. The only family she had. They were like two sides of the same coin. He knew her better than anyone alive, and she knew him the same. "I think our legend is big enough," she said.

"Never!" Clint exclaimed with a wink.

Steve smiled at the two of them and glanced out at the dance floor. Buffy was now dancing with the other vampire, the one that seemed to hold the leash of the Illyria creature. He gestured to the dance floor. There was something different about this vampire and Buffy. "I think Buffy and that one may still be involved," he observed.

Clint looked at them and frowned. The look on Buffy's face when she looked up at Angel was tender and loving. With the other, she'd had open affection and laughter on her face. But with this one, she was noticeably tuned to him in a much more intimate way.

"No, they're not," Natasha supplied. "Willow told me the sordid tale. They're like real life star-crossed lovers. Angel was a really evil vampire, and he killed a gypsy, whose clan cursed Angel. One moment of perfect happiness, and he loses his soul. It happened once in high school with Buffy. The next day, he started tormenting Buffy and attempted to kill all her friends. He killed Giles' girlfriend and put Willow in the hospital. Then he tried to destroy the world as we know it by opening a hell dimension. Buffy killed him to send him back after Willow did a spell to restore his soul. It was too late, though. He'd already opened the dimension. She told him that she loved him then stabbed him in the stomach, and he was sucked into hell."

The two men looked at her in various degrees of disbelief. Clint was struggling to understand a woman who was so focused on her mission that she'd kill the man she loved. Steve was admiring her dedication but was puzzled. "How is he here now?" Steve asked.

Natasha shrugged. "That was never very clear. He was sent back, as was the other after dying. Odin said it earlier. Spike sacrificed himself. Angel died because he had to die," she said. "Something wants them here on earth, though, fighting."

"Yet Angel is the one she loved," Steve observed watching them.

"No accounting for taste," Clint said with a snort.

"Some girls like a little bad in their men," Natasha said with a grin. She watched Willow as she approached.

"What about in their women?" Willow asked, giving her a flirtatious smile.

Natasha returned her smile. "I like a little bad in everyone," she said.

"So how come you haven't asked me to dance yet?" Willow asked her.

"I thought you'd be dancing with your little blue friend," Natasha said pointedly.

Willow snickered at the thought. "I can't picture that!"

Clint moved in front of Natasha and smiled at Willow. "Would you like to dance? I'd be glad to dance with you!" he said gallantly. He held out her hand to her and looked back, smirking at Natasha.

"I'd love to! Thanks!" Willow said, giving her hand to Clint.

Dawn watched her friends and sister enjoy themselves and relaxed. This would work. She just knew it.

******The Next Day******

Buffy knocked on her sister and Xander's door. Dawn opened it and stepped back to let her in. Buffy had to blink at Dawn's appearance. She'd always been pretty, but now she was stunning. Like Hollywood royalty beautiful. It was disconcerting to see someone she knew so well suddenly look so different and be so different. However, she still felt like Buffy's sister, and Buffy could tell that she still felt like Dawn's sister to Dawn. She'd have to be grateful for that.

"Xander's in the shower," Dawn said.

"How's things going between you?" Buffy asked.

"I'm hopeful. He's a bit freaked. It's a lot to get used to," Dawn said.

"So what's the plan? How long are you planning on staying here? What about school?" Buffy asked.

As Atali, she'd had scores of learning from various planets. However, her time on earth was dear to her. Finishing her degree meant something to her. She knew the All-Father would not understand, however.

"I have a semester left. Of course, I want to finish," Dawn said, frowning. "My father, though, won't easily allow me out of his sight."

"Well, he can't hold your prisoner here! I won't let him!" Buffy announced.

"I'm not a prisoner, Buffy. But look at it from his point of view. I was taken and basically destroyed for generations. Then I was turned into a human and only returned to him by chance. It's normal to feel overprotective. I know you would be," Dawn said pointedly.

Buffy knew she had a point, but she wasn't ready to concede much. She just knew that she wasn't going to let the All-Father keep Dawn on Asgard if Dawn wanted to leave. "So what are you going to do?" Buffy asked.

"It's too bad they don't have the internet up here. I could do a lot online!" Dawn said with a grin.

"Are you saying you want to stay?" Buffy asked in dismay.

"I'm saying it'd make my choice easier if I could finish school up here," Dawn said.

"You know Xander won't stay here, right? You're in love with a human. That means you live on earth with him. You'll outlive him, of course. You'll outlive me, too. Have you thought of that, Dawn? Either way, you'll break his heart," Buffy said, upset as the truth of that suddenly rushed over her.

Xander had been standing in the bathroom door listening to them. He decided it was a good time to interrupt. He stepped into the room.

"I'm really interested in hearing your response to that," Xander said. Both women glanced up at him.

Buffy felt guilty for her words. She wasn't trying to cause problems, but she was concerned.

"Why do we have to figure everything out right now? We have time. It's not even been a full twenty-four hours yet, guys. Give me a minute to adjust," Dawn said in frustration.

"Tony has given me an incredible opportunity, Dawn. I don't want to just abandon him," Xander said.

"And you don't have to," she said. "I can open portals. You guys seems to forget that little detail. I can go to earth and come back here as easily as I can open the bedroom door. I want one more day here. Then we can go home. I promise."

"What if the All-Father says no?" Xander asked.

"I can deal with him. I've had a lot of practice," she said with a cheeky grin. "But I'm going to see my brother today. He needs me."

Buffy and Xander exchanged looks. "Loki is dangerous, Dawn," Buffy warned.

"So are you," Dawn said, grinning. "Don't worry. Loki may have changed a lot. He may actually hate our father now. But he doesn't hate me. He doesn't really hate Thor. I know it. Some bonds can never be truly severed. He and Thor were inseparable growing up and for a millennium. I refuse to believe it was all an act."

"Refusing to believe something doesn't mean it's not true," Xander said bluntly.

"Loki hates humans. He thinks we're beneath him. How do you think he's going to react to see you're in love with one? Or that you care about other humans?" Buffy asked pointedly.

"I didn't say he wasn't an idiot sometimes. He's a man," Dawn said with a shrug. She winked at Xander. "But he's my brother. I love him. Atali was dear to him once. I will be again." She looked at Xander. "Get dressed if you want to go with me. I'm going to go see him now."

A short time later, Thor and Frigga escorted her to his cell. Loki stood to his feet, his eyes lighting up when he saw his sister.

"Welcome to my new home," he said, giving Thor a look of derision.

"You're lucky you're still alive, brother," Thor said, reminding him of the bond. Loki's lip curled at his words. "Our sister wants to speak with you."

"Loki, Father said he'd let you out if you agreed to have your powers suppressed," Dawn told her.

Loki gave a dismissive snort but said nothing. Dawn pressed on. "I wanted you to meet my sister Buffy. She's the Slayer. This is Xander, my boyfriend," Dawn introduced.

Loki barely glanced at Xander but saved his interest for the tiny blonde, the one that had been hitting Thor so fearlessly the day before. "You are unafraid of my fearsome brother," Loki noted.

Buffy glanced up at Thor, a small smirk on her face. Loki noticed the smirk and grinned.

"We had a difference of opinion," Buffy said. "I think he's learned his lesson."

"Truly. I have," Thor acknowledged with a grin. "Buffy has decided to forgive my slight transgression."

"Slight? You kidnapped my sister, you big, dumb oaf!" Buffy fumed.

"Dumb? I am not dumb!" Thor said in slight offense.

"But you are an oaf?" Xander asked with his own smirk.

Loki laughed, enjoying any insults to his arrogant brother.

"Loki, will you be reasonable?" Frigga asked, interrupting.

"Mother, I'm not a dog to be muzzled," Loki said in disdain.

"You've acted quite beastly, Loki. This is more than generous," Thor said coldly.

"Mother, will you and Thor give me a moment alone with Loki?" Dawn asked them. She knew Loki would always put up a wall when confronted with his brother whom he saw as a rival.

Thor and Frigga walked several feet away, giving them some privacy. Xander and Buffy refused to give even that. Both stood with their arms crossed, glaring pointedly at Loki, who found their behavior amusing.

"Didn't you miss me, brother?" Dawn asked him.

"Of course," Loki said. She was the only thing in his life besides his mother that he had never resented. But he wondered. "Did you know I was adopted?"

She nodded. "Yes. It mattered not to me. I loved you the same as did both our parents. Surely you know that?" she pressed.

Loki's eyes got cloudy. "I deserve to rule. Thor's an idiot! He may be strong and good in a fight, but his mental powers can never compare to mine! I should be allowed to rule Asgard!" Loki exclaimed.

"Why? Because you can?" Buffy asked, inserting herself into the conversation. "Is there room in that cell for your ego? I'm not sure how you manage to turn your head with all that extra weight!"

Loki glared at her. Dawn glanced back at her. "You're not helping, Buffy!" she scolded.

"Dawn, he's like a petulant child! 'I wanna be king!'" she mocked, stomping her foot like a child throwing a tantrum would. Xander snickered but remained quiet.

Loki stepped closer to his boundary, glaring at her. "Why does she call you that? Who is Dawn?" he asked, ignoring the woman's tirade against him.

"Dawn Summers is who I was when the monks formed me into a human and gave me to Buffy to protect me. She's the reason I still live, Loki. She's my family, too," Dawn told him.

"She's a human," Loki said, saying the word with clear distaste.

"Yes, so am I," Dawn said. Then she grimaced. "Well, I was. A part of me always will be. You're going to have to set aside your prejudice, Loki."

"I'll try," Loki said, not wanting to fight with her. Humans didn't live very long, so it wasn't like he'd be bothered by her human attachments that long anyway.

"So are you going to agree to Father's terms?" Dawn asked. "Please? For me?"

"And forever stay bound and muzzled here on Asgard? I'd rather die!" Loki exclaimed.

"What is it you want then? To stay locked up forever?" Dawn asked, becoming frustrated.

"I want to rule!" Loki informed her.

"Well, you're not going to rule Asgard, brother. You may as well let that dream go," Dawn said. "But maybe we can give you another dream."

Loki looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"You want to rule. You are the heir to a kingdom, right? The Frost Giant king, your biological father, was going to let you die. Our father saved you, Loki. Surely, you get that? You would be dead without him. Let go of this vendetta against the family that loves you. Instead, we will help you take your birthright," Dawn announced.

Loki looked surprised. "What?" he asked.

"What?" Buffy demanded in a much louder voice. Her outrage brought Thor closer.

"What is wrong?" he asked.

"Our sister has vowed to help Loki take back a kingdom," Buffy said sourly.

Everyone looked at Dawn. Buffy mentally groaned as she had that familiar stubborn look in her eyes.

*****Chapter End******

Although Dawn has this thought, I have another immediate storyline planned. I hope my spin with Loki/Dawn seems as plausible to you as it does to me. I appreciate your reviews! Thanks!