Neither Loki nor Erna slept much that night. They would sporadically have snatches of conversations as thoughts popped into their heads, but it was mostly just eliciting promises not to take a specific risk here or action there.

After a long bout of silence, Loki spoke again, sure Erna wasn't dosing, as her breathing wasn't regular enough. "Why does it feel like the night before battle?"

"If that's what this is, it's awful."

"I know it's necessary and that we have to eliminate this threat, but I've never been so reluctant to part with someone in my life."

"What is it you've said to me earlier? You won't be rid of me this easily?"

"And if I recall you forbade me from saying such things even in jest. I ask the same courtesy, please."

"I don't mean it like that, but just because I'm leaving doesn't mean I'm staying gone, Loki. This is my home, as are you."

"I promise I'll have this over as soon as possible, little one."

She let the silence hang between them for a moment, before changing the subject. It was more of a thought than anything, but she blurted it out all the same. Fatigue was wearing away at her filter. "That title used to annoy me, you know."

"What?"

"Little one. I thought it was condescending at first."

He laughed softly and kissed her forehead. "It probably was to begin with, at least a tiny bit. Does it still bother you?"

"No. Actually, I love it. It's unique to you. It makes me happy now."

"Then I shall never stop using it."

"See that you don't."

She drifted into a light doze after that. Normally not deep enough to incite dreams, she started seeing snatches of her nightmare all the same. At that moment, she realized they weren't ordinary dreams. She was sending them to Erna.

Erna ached for her daughter having to sense such things before she was even born, but in her semi-conscious state she began to understand that the visions were a warning. A portent of things that might come if they didn't take action.

It all felt connected to the attacks on her, that somehow she was the linchpin between this horrible future and a happy one. For some reason it all came down to her and only her daughter had made the connection. The dreams and visions were just a way to convey the news.

She probably should have told Loki of her theory then and there, but he'd barely conceded that the child was protecting Erna from the poison. This new insight might strain his already frayed acceptance.

So instead she concentrated on soothing her daughter. She had no idea if the connection they shared worked both ways, but she would at least try. She focused on their plan and tried to convey her faith in Loki. Your father will stop this. Trust him.

She also tried to let the child know that the warning had been received and that she was grateful for it. I'll protect you, sweetheart. Your father will stop the threat to us and I'll keep both of us safe while he does.

Finally, she implored her to rest. You've done so much, my darling. You must leave it to your parents. We'll deal with it. Rest now.

What she received in return wasn't in the form of words, but rather a very intense sense of peace. Somehow the message had been received. Erna rubbed a hand across her belly, marveling at this development. She had some kind of deep connection with their baby. It was amazing.

"Everything alright, little one?" He'd noticed her movement.

"Fine, Loki." She took his hand and linked it with hers before returning it to her belly. "We have faith in you. Trust that."

"We?"

"Yes. Your wife and your daughter."

"I won't let either down."

-XXX-

They left the palace before the sun had fully risen, concealing themselves until they were safe in Heimdall's gatehouse. The three others gave Loki and Erna space to say their final goodbyes. He seemed completely unconcerned about their audience and kissed her deeply before sinking to his knees to kiss her stomach as well. Thor gave her a knowing look behind his brother's back, but otherwise stayed silent.

Erna brought a few necessities with her, including a change of clothes, but other than that she would have rely on Jane and Thor's hospitality. Both time and stealth had prevented her from packing properly. She hadn't even thought of Midgardian garb until Loki told her to stand still while he attended to the issue.

He transformed her gown into something similar to Jane's outfit, just with different coloring and compensation for her belly. It wasn't exactly the same, but the pants, shoes, and sweater looked like they'd been purchased from the same store. She reasoned that Loki didn't know enough about Midgardian fashion to design anything from scratch. All the same, she was grateful for the layers and the bulky sweater. She smiled at seeing the emerald hue Loki favored on many of her new garments.

When they could delay no further, the three travelers lined up. Jane took Erna's hand and gave her a reassuring smile. "First time's always the most interesting, but you'll do fine."

She nodded at Heimdall, indicating her readiness and watched as set the mechanisms in motion. The bright light appeared and she felt herself tugged off her feet into nothingness.

Grateful for Jane's hand, she realized she wasn't anchored to anything else in the shining current of glittering light. Before the notion could grow into panic, she felt her feet touch down onto solid, if a bit scorched, ground.

The light receded and she found herself in a small park. They'd landed in a grassy area beside a set of swings. She had to squeeze her eyes shut as a wave of disorientation passed over her, but it was gone as swiftly as it appeared.

"Are you ill, sister?" Jane removed her hand, and patted her awkwardly on the back as Thor inquired. His panicked expression was almost comical.

"No," she answered, opening her eyes to scan the quiet predawn space. "I'm all right. Where are we?"

"A park by the house." Jane answered her and explained further. "This early I didn't want to draw any undue attention to the house."

"Wise choice. Shall we proceed?" Erna was ready to begin her self-imposed exile.

"Yes. Yeah. Of course. We can get you settled and have breakfast."

Erna reached over and squeezed her sister-in-law's hand. "Thank you, Jane. For everything."

Over their meal, Jane explained that they were in a place called upstate New York, close to a nearby Avengers facility where they both worked. Jane had a suite of research labs and Thor did whatever heroes did while not avenging. By the look of him, he was fond of the gym.

The small house the couple shared was neat and charming in a slightly off-kilter way. Scientific texts mingled with poetry collections and romance novels on their bookshelves and there seemed to be a good balance between the Midgardian and Asgardian tastes. It seemed a happy home to Erna.

Immediately after breakfast, Erna had to beg her hosts' forgiveness and retire to the guest room. After a night of almost no sleep, her body was protesting. She settled in for a nap, grateful for the quiet, but worried about Loki all the same.

When the trilling of a strange bell woke her some time later, the unfamiliar surroundings confused her until her foggy mind caught up with her. Making her way towards the living area, she heard Thor speaking in low tones.

"I care not if you like it, but if you wish to keep me as a friend, you will honor my wishes. I vouch for her."

She saw he was speaking into a small device held to his ear and assumed the conversation was about her. Slipping past him to settle on the couch, she waited for him to end the communication. As interested as she was in the gadget, she was more anxious to hear what they'd been discussing.

He told her in his typical straightforward fashion. "SHIELD knows you're here."

Her stomach clenched, knowing this was one of Loki's fears. "How?"

"They monitor for bifrost activity on Earth. They know two of us left and three came back." He patted her shoulder reassuringly. "But they do not know your identity. I trust SHIELD to an extent, but not enough for them to know you're Loki's queen."

"What will they do?"

"Hopefully nothing. I've asked them to trust me that you're not a threat. They've reluctantly agreed not to interfere as long as you cause no trouble. I think the worst they'll do is surveil you from a distance. They will at least try to identify you and see if you match any known Asgardians."

"Thank you, Thor. I had no idea seeking sanctuary here would endanger your relationship with SHIELD. I wouldn't have asked otherwise."

"You are family, Erna. I will gladly inconvenience them for the sake of your safety. What kind of uncle would I be if I didn't do what I could to protect my niece?"

"You're very kind. I can't thank you or Jane enough."

He pulled her into a fierce hug, but very gently put her back down when finished. He was large and a bit ungainly, but also a sweetheart. And while his personality didn't match her own from a relationship compatibility standpoint, she was happy to call such a man family.

"Is there anything I can do around here to help? Any chores that need doing to make up for the inconvenience of my presence?"

"Sister, you are not an inconvenience. We're not happy of the circumstances that facilitated it, but we'll enjoy your company as if this was a social visit." He shot her a wide smile. "That, and I'm of the understanding that you should be resting whenever possible."

"Loki got to you, didn't he?" She studied him through narrowed eyes, watching as he continued to grin placidly. She probably wouldn't be able to intimidate him on this.

"He explained that the healers threatened you with full bed rest if they think you're pushing yourself too hard. I believe chores would fall under that category. Wherever you want to settle is fine, but you will settle somewhere, sister. I made my brother a promise to make sure you took care of yourself."

"Fine," she grumbled as Thor continued to smile down at her. He looked far too pleased with himself for her liking. He may not be biologically related to Loki, but that smirk ran in the family.

"Jane went to her lab to see to some experiments, but she should be back soon." Almost impossibly, his grin got even wider. He looked more a sun god than one of thunder. "Then we shall luncheon. I am preparing something I think you'll enjoy, sister!"

She sighed and fell back into the cushions. There was no arguing with him. She'd heard Loki lament as such dozens of times and now she was witnessing the well-meaning stubbornness first hand. She was truly part of the family now.