Ninety Nine

Almost a month later, Loki had the same symptoms. He was frequently sick, and tired. I was really wished Bruce wasn't MIA. Bruce was the only one I trusted with handling Loki. We both trusted him. I made a very awkward call to Nick Fury, asking for a trustworthy doctor for a very personal problem. He put me in touch with a Professor Hank McCoy out of New York. I made the calls and arranged for him to come out, but I told him it was for me. I didn't want to let him know it was the war criminal that caused the destroyed half of Manhattan.

The day the doctor was supposed to arrive, Loki had a high fever. I had given him fever reducers, padded him with ice. McCoy called me and let me know he was on his way from the airport when Loki passed out.

"I have a slight emergency. Any way you can get here quicker?"I quickly admitted.

"What kind of emergency? I can meet you at the Emergency Room." He offered.

"No, it's not me. Look, I'll level with you. You're here to see my boyfriend, and he's had a fever all day and just passed out."

"Ice him down, break that fever. I'll be there quickly." He told me. I already had ice on him, the only think I could think of was to drag him to the shower. I doused him in cold water. He quickly reverted to his Jotun form and woke up, his ruby eyes flashing up at me.

"I had to, love bug. You weren't cooling down." I explained. He nodded in understanding. I sat with him in the freezing water, making sure he was okay. He seemed less sick in his blue form and quickly became affectionate. He kissed any open patches of my skin. As soon as I took advantage of his kisses the doorbell rang.

"Dr. McCoy?" I answered the door still clothed, but dripping wet.

"Mr. Stark? Why are you all wet?" He inquired with a sideways glance. Hank wasn't exactly what I expected, and I made a mental note to ask Fury where he found this guy. He was a large blue furred beast. I just hoped I knew what I was doing.

"This way." I led the way, leaving a trail of water. Loki had changed and was already back in his Aesir form. Again he didn't look well.

"Who's this?" He asked as firmly as he could with a fever.

"This is your new doctor. He's here to figure out why you've been so sick. He's coming under the recommendations of Nick Fury." I told him. I bent to kiss him. "Behave yourself, I think he can handle himself, even if you set him on fire." I whispered.

"So, this is your boyfriend?" Hank asked.

"Yes, Dr. McCoy, this is Loki Laufeyson." I introduced.

"I see." He went wide eyed at the name, but gave no other response. "And what has been the problem?"

"He's been very lethargic, frequent vomiting, and now this fever." I explained.

"Mr. Stark, why don't you gather some dry clothes and change before I'm treating you too." Hank suggested.

"Good idea." I gathered jeans and a tee and went to change in another room. I knew this was his way getting to speak to Loki alone. I paced the hall outside my bedroom, waiting to be told I could come back. I imagined their conversation in my head.

"I am Loki, Prince of darkness. You shall not touch me beast." Loki's imagined words ran through my head. I shook my head trying to clear it. I paced the floor faster, trying not to listen in.

Hank finally emerged from the room, his large paw clasping me on the shoulder.

"His fever is caused by the frequent shapeshifting. He is going to need to stay in his true form until his condition resolves itself." Hank explained.

"Condition?" I asked, concerned.

"I'll allow him to tell you. He is also allowing me to study his physiology, so that I may better help him. I will need a place to work." Hank went on.

"Ok." I said still unsure of the situation. I wanted to check on Loki, see exactly what his condition was. Was it life threatening? Was he dying?

I led Hank to my lab. It was a place to work with an adjoining bedroom. I quickly showed him how the computers worked and thanked him for his discretion and service. I practically ran up the stairs, tripping up several of the steps.

I burst into the bedroom, quickly shutting the door behind me. Loki was resting, covered up. I sat next to him, gently pulling the covers off his head. I would never tire of his true form, the beautiful blue coloring, the dark lines. I softly ran my fingers over the markings on his forehead and cheeks. Loki's ruby eyes fluttered open, fixing on me. I smiled softly.

"He told you?" Loki mumbled.

"He only told me that you must stay in this beautiful form until your condition has resolved itself. He didn't say what the condition was. You're not dying, are you?"

"No, no." He struggled to sit up, the covers falling off his gorgeous form. He took my hand in his, reaching over his body. He placed my hand over his lower abdomen. My eyes went wide and focused on his face.

"Loki?" I asked, wanting it to be real. I suddenly felt faint. This had to be a dream.

"Tony, I'm pregnant."