I really like the new changes made in the Marvel world with the new Captain America movie. Although I've been mostly ignoring Iron Man 3's extremis stuff and Thor 2 obviously hasn't happened yet in my timeline, I do want to bring hints of Winter Soldier into this tale. If you've not seen it, you won't even notice. I plan on writing a sequel to this story, and I can see easily how the implications of the new movie will affect the direction of my tale to a degree. I've also decided to bring some of the Thor 2 Dark World events into this story. However, there will be some obvious differences. If you haven't seen it, it won't affect your reading of this story.

Chapter 21: Family Drama

*******New York******

Pepper waited with trepidation. She didn't like the idea of Tony being so far away from her where anything could happen. She'd just finished calming down Willow's one remaining employee. It'd taken longer than it should've. She really hoped Willow returned soon.

Tony appeared. "I'm all packed up!" he said, a rolling suitcase behind him.

"Your suit is in there?" Pepper inquired, smiling.

"Yep, my latest creation. It's smaller and more flexible, not as cumbersome, but it'll get the job done," Tony said with confidence.

Bruce appeared holding a piece of paper. "Well, I did the analysis, and there is definitely a DNA match between Dawn and Thor," Bruce announced.

"Are we happy about this?" Penny asked uncertainly.

"Who the hell knows?" Tony said. "I think Buffy would prefer it to not be true, but I'm sure Fury will see an advantage in having one of ours so strongly connected to Asgard."

"Where's Illyria?" Bruce inquired, looking around.

"I believe she followed Clint and Natasha to SHIELD headquarters. I think she wants to torment Director Fury," Pepper said with a grin.

"My kind of gal, but I guess we should go find her," Tony said. He gave Pepper a kiss. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. Keep JARVIS out of trouble while I'm gone."

"Really, sir," JARVIS said. Tony just laughed as he and Bruce walked out of his office, waving goodbye to Pepper.

"Isn't he going with you?" Pepper asked in confusion.

"He can be in two places at once!" Tony boasted with a proud grin. Pepper gave him a fond look as he and Bruce left.

******SHIELD*****

Nick Fury was fast running out of patience. He had tried in vain to get the woman—creature—whatever she was to leave his office. Instead, she'd sneered arrogantly and stayed put. He knew better than to send his people in after her. He needed a private word with his two agents, but she seemed determined to not let it happen. Finally, he latched onto a thought. He'd almost forgotten the other slayer that was sent here. He called Zara to his office.

"Zara, would you mind giving our friend here a tour of our facilities? Maybe if she saw what we had to offer, she'd consider becoming our ally and not our enemy," Nick suggested with a reasonable smile.

Zara snickered. She knew that Illyria was a thorn in Fury's flesh. Although she appreciated Illyria's skills in pissing people off, she decided it may be better to earn some brownie points with her new boss.

"Hey, Illyria. Do you remember me? I'm Zara. Buffy's sent me here to work with him and his agents for a while. Can I show you around?"

"You are a slayer. Why would you lower yourself to work with these weak humans?" Illyria asked with a sniff.

"Because sharing our gifts is the American way. Didn't you share your portal opening gift with Buffy and Willow?" Zara asked.

"They are worthy," Illyria said, making it clear that she didn't find SHIELD to be any such thing.

"Well, give these guys a chance. They may surprise you," Zara said, winking at Fury. Clint and Natasha were trying to hold back their amusement and failed miserably.

Fortunately, Illyria gave them one last dismissive sniff and followed Zara.

"That woman is impossible!" Nick complained.

"She's a good person to have on your side, though," Clint said.

"So what's the situation?" Nick asked. They gave him an update.

"So the Slayer's sister is really an Asgard? How's she handling that?" Nick asked.

"About as well as you'd think," Natasha said. "I think her boyfriend Xander is having the most problems."

"I'm glad you're back. Project Insight has been given a green light, and I could use you, Clint, to put out some fires overseas," Nick said.

Clint had never really cared where he was sent, but that was before he met Buffy. For the first time, Clint didn't want to go on assignment. "Sir, do you think it's a good time for me to go off the grid?" Clint asked. He gave Natasha a beseeching look.

"We've both established relationships with Buffy and Willow, sir. What if things grow worse with them and the Asgards? Shouldn't we be on hand to help diffuse the situation?" Natasha asked.

"That's a good point," Nick said. "I'll delay your trip a week or two. But I only need one of you to go overseas, so one of you will be on hand to help with any escalating situations here."

"Do you want us to return to Asgard with Illyria?" Natasha asked.

Nick thought about it a moment. "Well, I need one of you to stay here. Natasha, I think you'd be good to start showing our new slayer the ropes. Two more slayers are supposed to show up by the end of the month. Kennedy is in Asgard," Nick reminded them.

Natasha nodded. "Copy that. I'll go find Illyria," she said. She left the room.

"So is the situation up there precarious?" Nick asked Clint.

He shrugged. "I think Dawn changing into Atali right before her friends and sister's eyes has freaked them out. But she is still Dawn and wants to come back to earth to finish school," Clint shared. "The problem may occur when they get ready to leave and Thor's father objects."

Nick frowned. "We can't afford to let things get out of hand. Make sure you do what you can to diffuse the situation," Nick said.

"I'm going down to my locker to get a change of clothes," Clint said.

"Good luck," Nick told him as he left.

Down on the lower level, Zara was showing Illyria the gym. "It's got pretty much everything you could want," Zara said. "Got time to spar?"

Illyria smiled. "If you enjoy getting beat," she said casually.

The two walked to the mats and began exchanging hits. Zara was light on her feet and could take even Kennedy in hand to hand, but Illyria was extraordinary. She moved like water, and her hits always knocked Zara off her feet. Zara bounced back up with an eager grin.

Their impromptu sparring match naturally drew an audience. Clint had come down to grab some clothes. Some guys talking in the locker room had caused Clint to follow them out, curious. A small group of agents were taking bets and shouting encouragement to Zara. He found Natasha off by herself, not really a part of the group. He shouldn't be surprised that they were so actively rooting for the new slayer even though they didn't know her. The dislike of Illyria ran deep amongst the agents. She'd bested them one too many times. Things were just getting interesting as Zara finally hit Illyria hard enough for her to lose her footing when Tony and Bruce showed up.

"Tell Illyria that play time's over," Tony said to Clint. Natasha walked over and greeted Tony and Bruce.

Clint approached. "Ladies, sorry to stop your fun, but Tony is here," he announced.

Illyria hit Zara one final time causing her to go airborne. She smiled in satisfaction. "That was fun. This slayer knows how to take a hit. She shall come with me for my amusement. Spike grows tiresome. This one is more pleasant to the eyes," she said.

Zara, who really was quite attractive, got up rubbing her jaw. The men and women watching couldn't believe she was still standing. "Gee, thanks!" she said. "But I already have two jobs. I don't need another."

"Buffy and Willow want her here," Clint informed her, aware of how much influence Willow especially had on the Old One.

Illyria cast the human spectators a withering glance. "If she becomes dead, I will be most displeased. I will return and lay waste to this entire building, killing all who were too craven and weak to guard her," Illyria baldly stated to her audience. More than a few blanched and took a step back. A few eyed Zara warily.

"Great! Now no one will play with me!" Zara grumbled.

Illyria opened her mouth to demand exactly that when Tony intercepted her. "Okay, we'll come back and spank them later. Now it's time to get this show on the road," he said. "We got the results."

"Fine," Illyria said. She looked at Zara, giving her a regal nod. "Take care."

Natasha stood next to Zara. "Don't worry, I'll keep her out of trouble."

Illyria gave her a nod. The Black Widow, as she was called by SHIELD, was unusual for a human. She wasn't a slayer but still quite gifted. She would age and die, but she would never allow anyone to take her out without a fight. Illyria respected that even as she didn't really like her close to Willow, who Illyria considered hers. Willow was unlike any human on earth and completely worthy of Illyria's friendship and loyalty.

Zara smiled and waved as Illyria opened a portal. She motioned Bruce through. The spectators were left gaping as the trio stepped through the portal. Illyria followed them.

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

Tony looked around, grinning. "JARVIS, are you getting this?" he asked.

"You brought your A. I.?" Bruce asked in disbelief.

"Of course! He's got to record every second, so I can show Pepper!" Tony said with a grin. There was no way he was going to another freaking planet without a record of his adventures! He looked at the bridge they were on. "What is this made of? It almost looks transparent. It's got to be some form of crystal."

He and Bruce began theorizing as they followed Illyria. Clint shook his head in bemusement. It took all kinds.

Xander was the first to spot the new arrivals. He was listening to Fandral tell him how to pick up Asgardian women. Thor was listening in amusement, waiting for his sister to appear and remind Fandral who his new protégé already belonged to. Sure enough, Atali and Loki appeared with Buffy a step behind them just as Fandral was telling Xander the best way to pleasure the women of his realm.

Atali and Buffy stood by the two men a moment. Buffy finally couldn't hold back her snort as Dawn said, "I see the women of this world are still as gullible as always."

"What about the men?" Buffy asked pointedly.

Xander flashed Dawn a guilty look. "Hey, Dawn. We were just sharing tall tales," Xander said.

Dawn reached into her dress and pulled out a small dagger. She put it up to Fandral's neck. "You wouldn't by chance be encouraging the man I love to pursue other women, are you?"

Xander's mouth fell open in amazement. Never had Dawn shown any real violent tendencies or a possessive streak toward him. He found the new display both freaky and an incredible turn on.

Fandral grinned and held up his arms in surrender. "Atali, it's good to see you! Did I ever tell you about the love sonnets I used to compose about you when I was a lad? There was one particular fine piece that was an ode to your eyes that I think you'd really like!" he shared, winking at her.

Dawn laughed and put her knife away. "Incorrigible as always!" she said.

Xander saw Tony make an appearance behind Illyria and grinned.

"So have I missed all the fun?" Tony asked. The rest turned and saw him and Bruce.

"Hey, boss!" Xander said. "Glad you could join us!"

"Everything's okay," Buffy told Tony. "So far there's only been minimal violence."

"I decided I couldn't let you guys have all the fun. Bruce figured if things were good, he could come, too. And if things got bad, the Big Guy could help level the playing field," Tony said with a wicked grin.

Bruce looked sheepish but didn't disagree.

"Did you run the test?" Xander asked.

"What test?" Dawn asked suspiciously.

Xander and Buffy both looked guilty and couldn't meet her eyes. "What did you guys do?" Dawn asked.

"We just wanted to make sure that these people hadn't pulled a fast one on you," Buffy said.

Thor frowned. "What is that supposed to mean? 'A fast one'? Are you implying my family and I are without honor?" he asked, offended.

"You could've been mistaken," Buffy said coolly.

"Dawn is ours. We have a right to make sure she really is this Atali," Xander said defensively.

Dawn's anger at the insult warred with her innate understanding of their need to find alternative answers. Her sister especially always needed a monster to slay. Buffy hated it when things were out of her control. "You should trust that I know who I am," she said quietly. "You got a DNA test, didn't you?"

Finally meeting her gaze, Xander nodded. "I had to know for sure," he said honestly.

Dawn reached out and took his hand, squeezing it. "I get it. I don't like it, but I get it," she said. She looked at Tony. "Tell them." She knew what it'd say, of course.

"You and Thor are blood relatives," Tony answered. Xander looked disappointed and Buffy resigned. Neither, though, were prepared to apologize for their actions. Thor had crossed a line in the way he'd handled the entire situation. Buffy figured he should just be grateful she hadn't bloodied him over it.

"Of course, we are!" Thor said knowingly. "I would not have taken her had I not been so sure."

"You are such an arrogant, entitled ass," Buffy said, finding him more annoying all the time.

"Buffy!" Dawn admonished.

"Shall I teach him some humility for you?" Illyria asked eagerly. She knew the god of thunder would be a formidable adversary, one she would relish defeating.

"Some things are beyond mortals," Tony said with a smirk. Thor gave him a disapproving look.

"Fortunately, I am not mortal," Illyria said smugly.

Tony laughed, acknowledging her point. "By all means," he said, gesturing toward Thor.

However, Dawn rose to his defense. "My brother is as humble as he needs to be. One day he will be king of Asgard," she reminded them.

"Oh, joy," Buffy said dryly. "Will there be room on his head for that crown? His ego takes up a lot of room."

Tony laughed and slapped Thor on the back. "That's a good one," he agreed. Thor knew Atali's sister had a right to her ire, so he let it go.

Loki, enjoying any criticism directed at his long lauded brother, examined the blue tipped woman near them with interest. She wasn't human but wasn't Asgardian. Her blue nature reminded him a bit of his brethren, but she was too small. "What are you?" he asked her.

Illyria recognized Loki for what he was. For once, her normal arrogance and disdain did not color her voice. She knew power and ruthlessness when she saw it. Loki had both in spades. However, his soul was also tinged with darkness and felt familiar to her in a way most did not in this new realm. She answered simply, "I am Illyria, once a god, now reduced to this shell of my former glory."

"I can relate," Loki said, indicting his own metal band that bound his powers. Of course, he knew he could remove it whenever he wanted. The All-Father had to know that, too. The depth of love they both felt for Atali was all that allowed his circumstance to be. He gazed at his beautiful sister. Her loss and abandonment had hurt his young heart deeply—he'd been barely a man when she'd disappeared. She was the same yet not. He watched her easy way with the human she called sister. Then his eyes took in the appearance of the human that caged the massive, deadly beast inside and frowned. The Hulk could harm Atali. He was basically a mindless beast. "Why is that human who can turn into a weapon that could destroy all of Asgard allowed to roam free and yet I remain bound?" he asked, a note of disapproval in his voice.

Atali looked at the new arrivals. She hadn't met Tony's friend. She looked at Buffy. Buffy read her question and answered. "Dr. Banner is the Hulk," she explained.

"Willow can handle Bruce," Tony said proudly.

"There won't be any problems with the Big Guy as long as everyone plays nice," Bruce said pointedly.

Loki gave Thor a disapproving look. "It is your duty to protect our sister," he admonished.

"Dawn doesn't need Shakespeare here to protect her. I've been doing that just fine!" Buffy said.

Tony snickered. "Hey, that's my line!" he said, recalling his first encounter with the god of thunder.

"Who is this Shakespeare you all keep mentioning?" Thor asked perplexed.

"He's this famous British writer from the dark ages who wrote a bunch of plays no one understands," Xander said.

"Don't let Pepper hear you say that! Some people understand and adore him," Tony said, grinning.

Angel and Spike entered the room, eying the new arrivals with interest. Angel, as was his custom, focused exclusively on Buffy and Dawn while Spike recognized Tony. They made it to Buffy's side.

"Kennedy wanted to let you know that she is exploring the city and will return by dinner. Two of Thor's friends are with her," Angel said.

"Which friends?" Fandral asked, feeling left out.

"The hot girl and the fat guy," Spike supplied.

"Hot?" Thor asked in confusion.

"That means beautiful," Dawn explained with a grin.

Buffy introduced Spike and Angel to Bruce. Loki was watchful without saying much. These people were important to his sister; he could tell by watching the open affection she displayed with them. She seemed particularly fond of the blonde. He frowned when Atali asked them if they needed blood.

"I could use a spot of something," Spike said with a grin.

"Humans drink blood?" Loki couldn't help asking.

"Vampires do," Spike said. He displayed his vampire face. Bruce, Tony, and Clint instinctively flinched. The incident at the hellmouth was a little too recent for them.

"Fascinating," Loki said. It seems he didn't know all there was to know about earthlings after all. He had noticed the others' reaction, though, and inquired, "Are vampires uncommon on earth?"

"We didn't know they existed until Buffy started working for me. She's got some predestinated calling to slay them and has been given certain natural gifts to fight them," Tony explained.

"They're normally soulless demons who kill humans. Angel and Spike are the only two in existence who have a soul, so they don't feed on human blood or kill humans. They're champions," Atali said, giving them a proud look.

"Guess us earthlings aren't so antlike after all," Tony said with a smirk.

Loki nodded his head in acknowledgment. It seems his sister had instinctively surrounded herself with powerful weapons. Of all the ones here, he figured the two demons would be the most useful to him. He gave Illyria a thoughtful look. She was an unknown but filled with immense possibilities. She was no ally of Asgard that he knew. Maybe she'd be willing to become an enemy.

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

In case you're confused, I am consciously switching back and forth between Dawn and Atali. I am doing so not to confuse you but to reiterate the point that to some of the characters she is Dawn and to others she is Atali. To us, she is both. I hope you enjoyed this update.