Awakening

*Fawkes flies in and grabs hold of the disclaimer before vanishing in a ball of flames.*

Penny's POV
(Finally, I know right?)

I could feel the wall that my Sister created holding back my chaotic mind, it was like a pillow smothering my thoughts and I was just barely able to string thoughts together. I knew that I wasn't up to my normal mental standards, and it was with a tinge of shame that I realize that my mind was barely up to Stark standards.

Mortem's mind and energy was still wrapped around mind, embracing my tightly through the Bond, and my Bonded's presence helped me more than I would have liked to admit. It took both Insania's shield, and Mortem's presence to calm my mind enough for me to focus, let alone think; and I knew that if I lost either one of them, I would fall back into the chaotic abyss that was my mind.

"….Penny, you alright?" Dad's soft question broke me out of my inter evaluation and my slow working mind slowly was able to fully lock onto the situation before me.

"For the moment," I responded quietly, giving Dad a small smile. Tony nodded, and turned back towards everyone else, but he didn't let go of my shoulder, and I had a feeling that he wasn't going to.

"Do I really have to deal with all of this right now?" I asked Mortem through our Bond, repeating almost perfectly the phrase that I had spoken aloud almost moments ago.

Mortem chuckled, and he snaked his arm around my waist in comfort. "I'm afraid you do, for while the danger is done, what has happened today is part of your Realm."

I scowled but a soft cooing from my lap caused me to look down, and finally notice the phoenix that was using my lap as a nest.

My eyebrows raised in surprise, though the metal wall kept my thoughts and emotions in check.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Fawkes." My voice almost broke at the large bird's name, and Mortem chuckled softly as Tony snorted quietly.

"Bird hasn't left your side, seems quite attached to you, not that I have any idea why." Tony told me, muttering the last part to himself. I shook my head and patted Dad on the arm.

"I'll explain later," I told him just before Fawkes trilled again, and this time a voice echoed in my mind.

"Of course I'm attached! Immortality does get boring you know, and this chick has never ceased to cause trouble wherever she goes! I didn't enter Infinitas' serves just for fun you know."

I gapped at the bird, open mouthed, while Mortem burst out chuckling.

"Oh, so that's why you stopped working with Vitam…she's gonna be so pleased to hear this!" Mortem chuckled to himself, causing Tony to give him a questioning look.

"Apparently, this phoenix used to work for my Sister Vitam, but because your daughter has a tendency to get in trouble, changed alliances over to my Sister Infinitas so that he could keep an eye on her." Mortem explained as I still tried to wrap my head around that the phoenix from my First Life was sitting on my lap… and worked with Vitam at one point…

I guess that it made sense, since Fawkes was reborn often, he would be part of Vitam's Realm, but being immortal, he would also fall under Infinitas'. It wasn't often that a person's serves chanced, but not completely unheard of.

Mostly, I was just surprised that he had done it for me…and that he could talk.

Ok, my brain was currently working below the Stark standard now…

"It's good to see you again, old friend." It took me a while to say anything, and Fawkes didn't speak again, though he did rub his head against my cheek in response.

Stroking his feathers, Mortem's arm around my waist and Dad's hand on my shoulder, I was able to focus enough to gaze around at the others in the room.

Rogers and Barton were both talking to Banner, who was filling them in on what had 'happened' or rather, what Bruce was having them believe. The story was rather convincing. All of the Avengers had appeared on the roof to find the while cloaked figure, me, fighting with a purple eyed Loki. Then Mortem and Fawkes had shown up, and the person controlling Fati had blasted everyone back before fleeing Loki's body, and knocking me unconscious a long with most of the Avengers.

When asked why Bruce, Thor, and Tony hadn't been knocked out, the Mark VII, Arc, Hulk, and Thor's Asgardian nature had been given as excuses.

During his story telling, Bruce would often glance over at me to make sure that I was ok. Dad was also participating in the conversation, though only adding his two cents in every once in a while to seem 'in character' or something.

Romanoff was listening to the conversation, but not joining, instead she was staring at me in surprise and fear, especially after Tony, Mortem and I had all narrowed our eyes at her. None of us had done anything against the agent yet, but she wasn't off the hook for shooting me yet.

Thor was tending to a distraught Loki, who couldn't believe what he had done. He was slightly out of it, and even though Thor tried to reassure him that it was Fati's fault for his actions, he still blamed himself.

"Brother, please, you know of her power, there was little that you could have done. The Others have said that you fought hard against her power, and she almost destroyed you because of it! No one blames you for your actions, and if any of the Mortals do, they will have to take it up with every member of our family!" Thor exclaimed but Loki's bruised and downcast face didn't even turn to look at his brother.

Thor was near his limit, not sure how to help his bother. I glanced up at Dad, who seemed to sense my gaze and our eyes connected. I nodded over towards Loki and Thor's attempts to show him that it wasn't his fault.

Dad raised his eyebrow in a silent question and I nodded, with a sigh Dad stood up and walked over to a corner cabinet, muttering to Jarvis.

"Let me up love," I asked Mortem as I wrapped an arm around Fawkes so that he wouldn't just fall to the ground when I stood.

Mortem gazed at me in uncertainty before I gave him a stern look. Sighing, Mortem withdrew his arm and lifting Fawkes into my arms I slowly got to my feet.

My simple actions seemed to draw every eye in the room besides Loki's and all conversation seemed to dwindle. The other Avengers were wiry of me, and the ones in the know were worried. I smiled simply at Thor as I passed him and Fawkes trilled quietly and jumped over to Loki, landing in his lap.

Loki almost jumped in surprise at the sight of the phoenix and looked very uncertain about the bird that had practically curled up in his lap.

"Your brother is right, Loki," I stated softly and Loki's head snapped up and his forest green eyes widened as he caught sight of my own emerald ones. "Your actions were not your own, you fell victim to Fati's web as many before you, including myself, have."

Switching languages so that the others couldn't hear I knelt down in front of Loki, so we were at the same eye level, even if it was because he was lying on the couch.

Loki's eyes were filled with anguish and pain, and I knew that the road before him was going to be a long one, but everything would be all right in the end.

The wall in my mind shook as past memories of Loki and Thor as small children, and their father when he was younger flickered in my thoughts. My time as an Asgardian had been a long one. I was Odin's friend and council for many years, I was there when he married Frigga, and I was there for Thor's birth, as well as Loki's arrival.

I had been named Godfather to Thor, and though both boys had called me Uncle E're, I had always been more like a father to the young mage.

It had broken my heart when my time on Asgard came to an end, and I knew that it had broken the boy's hearts as well, especially since I was forced to leave in a very bloody way…my physical form fading in Loki's own, young, arms.

Forcing myself from the past I looked at the man who had once been a boy, and knew that both of them were finally letting themselves realize that yes, I really was here. Thor's reaction had been one in the mists of battle, and he had assumed for months, so he had time to process the information.

Loki did not.

"E're," He choked out, sounding very much like the small child that had once helped me prank the Allfather.

"Listen well, Loki." I said tapping into my power, though my words were still as soft as they had been before. "None of what has taken place is your fault. My Sister struck out; trying to hurt me you were simply caught up between as her pawn. No one blames you, and if they do they will have to face the wrath of not only myself, but my father and Bonded as well. I also believe that Thor would introduce such a person to Mjolnir."

I glanced up at Thor to see him nodding seriously, a dark expression on his face. I looked back over at Loki to see his eyes flickering between me and Thor.

Loki didn't speak, and I could tell from his eyes that he didn't completely believe me. I sighed and reached out a small tendril of my power and gazed into Loki's mind. Loki's mental shields were destroyed, and it wasn't hard to get a sense on his thoughts, much less his feelings. He was practically projecting them at the moment.

I smiled at Loki sadly, and my heart tightened as I saw just how much physical, emotional, and mental pain the Asgardian was in. He might be fully grown, but I still saw him as a young child, after all, compared to me, he was.

"Oh Loki," I sighed rolling my eyes. "Adayna isn't going to be mad at you, I may not have seen her since she was a child, but I knew even then that you two were meant to be. Besides, if what Hel has told me is true, then she's probably tearing apart the Nine Realms looking for you, and I'm sure she'll be doing the same looking for Fati when this is over."

Almost as if on a cue, the shadows around the room lengthened and I could sense Hel's power flaring momentarily, before another Asgardian's presence appeared.

"Seems that Infinitas' timing is impeccable, as usual." I chuckled as the shadows retreated, leaving a dark haired Asgardain in the middle of the room.

The woman was taller than I, and pale, much like her husband. She had high cheekbones and dark lips, her eyes were a dark amber color framed by dark lashes. Her black hair was the same color as Hel's and fell around her face in controlled waves; though most of her hair was piled on top of her head in a messy, but elegant, knot. She wore a dark violet dress that fell to the floor in thin waves in a cascading effect. Black pearls dangled from her ears and a very thin black beaded band was woven into her hair just above her forehead, showing her Royal status.

Her eyes scanned the room as soon as she appeared and instantly focused on Loki and Thor, though she did seemed to be surprised to see Mortem there, and gave me a confused look.

"Adayna!" Loki gasped, speaking for the first time since I had sat by his side. I nodded my head and without even looking at Thor, the two of us helped the younger Asgardian sit up.

"Loki!" The Trickster's wife exclaimed in worry and shock rushing forward and kneeling at Loki's side as I moved aside. Adayna glanced down at Fawkes in surprise before pulling her husband into her arms, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Who are you?" Romanoff asked coldly, her hand twitching towards the gun on her hip.

Tony, Bruce, Mortem, and Thor all rolled their eyes, though I was surprised that Thor did so.

"Obviously she knows Loki," Tony drawled, piecing together the pieces instantly. "And considering she's practically choking him to death, and looks like a certain little Asgardian girl we know, I'd assume that she's Loki's wife."

Thor chuckled as Barton's face made the 'oh' look.

"Indeed," Thor stated as Adayna pulled away from Loki's shoulder, but maneuvered around him so that they both sat on the couch, and her arms were still around her husband.

"My name is Adayna." She stated her voice filled confidence, power, and a hint of a challenge. "I am wife of Loki and Princess to Asgard; and I'm here to take my husband home!"

Loki's head snapped up at her words and his eyes widened in surprise, though he still didn't speak aloud I sighed as I caught a glimpse at his rambling thoughts once again.

"He's surprised that you're not mad at him…that you don't hate him." I stated softly, so the humans couldn't hear, well Bruce might've but he didn't let it show.

Her eyes widened for a moment, before narrowing at me. I returned her hard gaze steadily; just letting the Asgardian read me as much as she could.

"Preposterous." Adayna exclaimed and looked down at Loki with a sad look on her face. "Tis not your fault, your actions were not your own and even if they were I would still love you, you would be sleeping on the couch for sure, but I would never hate you."

Thor glanced down at his sister-in-law in surprise, obviously wondering how she knew the details of Loki's actions. Adayna caught his look and a smirk settled over her lips as she mouthed Infinitas.

Thor and I both chuckled, obviously.

Loki smiled sheepishly as her words finally broke through his stubbornness, causing Hel's mother to roll her eyes.

"Now, come, I'm taking you home." Adayna stated before glancing up at Thor and I, "I shall keep you updated on my husband's condition, thank you for helping him."

"Of course," I stated with a small smile, trying to ignore the buzzing in the back of my mind.

"Aye," Thor exclaimed simply.

"He's not going anywhere!"

Thor, Tony and I all turned and glared at Romanoff, who was eyeing us coldly.

"That is not your decision." Adayna coldly hissed in return, giving the woman just a chilling stare that Romanoff began to look uncertain. "I am taking my husband home, and that is final."

"Take Loki home," Tony jumped in, smiling slightly at the Asgardian. "We can handle everything else here."

"You have my thanks." She nodded and Loki gave me a small smile, though his eyes showed the pain he was still in as the shadows in the room reached out and wrapped around the pair.

"Thank you," I heard Loki whisper right as they vanished, "E're."

My lips twitched as I turned and glanced around everyone else in the room.

My work wasn't done yet.

Oh my…I'm SO SORRY this took so long…it was weird, I wasn't busy, but it was like…every time I went to write, all of my motivation just vanished….

So, sorry, I hope you like it and I'll try to update soon! I swear I'll try!

Cp