The blanket of unconsciousness began to lift its heavy hold, Oveaus' words still echoing in her eardrums. Jennica tried to gather her bearings, tried to remember all that had happened. She was so delirious in that moment. Now she fought to open her eyes, to see where she was laying down and why she was so cold.
Her ears hummed, either clogged or something really happened in her head, for she could not hear, at least not well. They felt submerged under water, but they were not. Am I dead?
It was a foolish question, she reckoned, because she was not dead and that would only cause undesirable panic. Her fingers began to crinkle the sheets of the bed she was laying on. Her ears cleared enough to hear a faint beeping sound, her eyes began to open...
"...I am insisting that you do not take it off." Thor's voice sounded near, and he was. She saw him. He was talking to the nurse standing by her bed.
"You're certain she can't do without her locket? It has been a hazard to us medics since she first arrived, we can hardly get anything done."
"Please, just let her wake on her own. Our own Asgardian healers couldn't do any better, the locket is guarding–" he froze mid sentence, eyes meeting with Jennica's. "You're awake!"
"Hey, you..." her voice was raspier than she expected it to be. Thor knelt beside the bed.
"Do you feel better? You were in such pain an hour ago."
"I barely remember anything, to be honest. Just glimpses..." she tried to sit up. "Where am I?"
"The medical wing in your new home."
Brows furrowing, she tried to piece together what he meant by that, and then she had an epiphany. "I'm at the Avengers Headquarters?"
"It's the safest place to have you right now. From today's incident, I couldn't be any more certain."
Jennica swallowed, sinking more into the bed. "I didn't hurt anyone, did I?" She expected a list of problems she might have already caused, but Thor only gave a kind smile, shaking his head.
"Not one. You just gave us a bit of a scare."
"Oh good." Her head throbbed from a coming migraine and she closed her eyes, swallowing to will away any nausea. There was a leftover tingling in her fingers, but the pain in her chest was gone at least. Oveaus must have succeeded in helping.
Now if only I could gather strength...
Thor stood from his kneeling position. He slid a chair over, sitting down and indicating that he was going to stay for a while longer. The occasional beeping on the nearby monitor startled his attention in short waves.
The migraine subsided and Jennica opened her eyes again. She tried to smile, to assure Thor that she was going to be safe and he did not need to be so protective, but a piece of her held back. She wanted that protection and reassurance; she was terrified herself, more so than anyone else could be.
"Catch me up on what I've missed these past few months." She blurted, begging for something to distract her.
Thor sat up straight. He smiled.
"Certainly. Where would you like me to begin?"
"Start with Alfheim... How is my family?" She let her muscles release their tension.
"They miss you greatly, but the kingdom is flourishing! We are hoping to send Asgardian ambassadors to keep the peace between realms. Our unity is succeeding thus far."
"That's a comfort to hear."
"I agree, and you may take more comfort in knowing that I have begun a thorough search for the Infinity Fractals."
Jennica looked surprised by this. "Really? On your own?"
"We don't have time to waste. If they all behave as strongly as yours do, then we do not want them falling into the wrong hands. Just the one incident made the humans lock you up for a year."
A year... It had really been that long. Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach.
"I... I didn't realize. I was a-always reliving being torn from my parents... b-but I never... I didn't..."
"Hey..." Thor placed a large hand on her shoulder, firm but gentle. "Everything is as it should be."
"Not everything." Her headache was returning and her eyes began to water.
Loki is not here, he should be here.
"My brother is doing well."
Jennica's eyes shot up to his. "How did you..."
"I could see it in your eyes. They always have this discernible glisten when you think about him."
She swallowed. "I... presume he is living comfortably on Alfheim?"
Thor's smile dropped. He looked uncomfortable. "No... actually. He has returned to his cell on Asgard."
"He's a prisoner?!"
"Yes. He... could not bear to stay with the elves after you left and so he returned with me. Father was not as forgiving as we had hoped."
There was a throbbing pulse behind Jennica's eyes and she wanted to cry.
"It hurt to leave him. He was so sincere, but I was scared."
"Scared of his past."
Jennica nodded. "I was."
The room felt so cold and her heart pulsed, achingly. She was too exhausted for her emotions to find their way into turmoil again, but she could not stop them.
"I thought you were always the one seeing past the old mistakes, loving people for who they are in the present."
Guilt hit. "I... I was never faced with it so strongly... I saw things in a different light. If you were in my place–"
"I know, and I understand." He heaved a low sigh, obviously exhausted himself. "I don't mean to stress you. You were dangerously in harm's way and need all the rest you can get before training."
Jennica sat up. "Training?"
"I will be your mentor for containing these Fractals, once you are strong enough. You will have your own room, a place on the team... Stark will provide more details, but that is the brief."
"Oh..." she sunk back into the bed. "Wow..."
A smile played on his lips again. He was trying to bring her as much peace as we could. "Rest well, Jennica." He stood up. "Do not worry until you feel yourself again." He left the room.
Feel myself? I doubt I will ever feel the same again...
...
She was on her own two feet the next day. In attempts to believe it was a dream, she could not dispel the reality she was living. Her new clothes, leather jeans and a grey top, were a fresh change from the thick jumpsuit she wore in the compound, weighted to keep her from running easily if she tried to escape.
Thor led her to an office. She felt like she was preparing for an interview, getting ready for a new job. The smell of new furniture tickled her senses. This room was refurbished.
"Is this her?" A young man, who was sitting at the desk, looked up. She hadn't seen him before or heard his voice.
"Indeed." Thor nodded his head and then introduced the man. "Jennica, this is Agent Boldt, an intern joining our team to assist in..."
"Headquarters management and emergency field work." The man concluded. "If you prefer to call me by my first name, it's Layten. I'll be helping you get comfortable here and assisting Thor with your training, and first name basis tends to break the ice." Jennica nodded, finally taking a seat beside Thor in front of the desk. Layten pulled out a manila folder. He opened it. Clicked a pen. "Under the Avengers Recruits Contract, you are legally signing your loyalty and devotion to the team, as long as you are able. Was that made clear to you?"
Jennica's mouth grew dry. "I was only informed of being brought here for my safety... and of Thor's training."
"Yes, and serving on the team in between. You are not trapped here, but we need some form of legal documentation to keep you covered."
"It's a precaution." Thor explained. "Rogers said you are in no obligation to stay."
That put Jennica at ease.
"And are you aware that we may take any means necessary to keep the team safe if your powers go awry?"
It was a frightening question to answer... any means necessary... but one she had to nod for. She was undeniably dangerous and refused to let others be hurt by the Fractals.
Layten smiled. "Good! We can guarantee that your needs will be met here. You will have a room, food, clothing, toiletries, but you will have to do a screener check at the end of every week. Is that clear?"
"It is, thank you."
Surveillance... She hadn't earned full trust yet.
"Perfect." He flipped the papers around. "Just sign here, please." He handed her the pen.
Her fingers trembled. For a moment, she tried to remember how to write, and then her signature was imprinted in black ink after a moment of short scribbles.
"So, is it official?" Stark entered the room, Captain Rogers following in tow. Jennica met their gaze.
"She signed the papers, so yeah." Layten replied, putting the signed documents into the folder.
"I'll take that, son." Rogers accepted the folder. He flipped through the papers. "You briefed her on her role, her security limits, everything?"
"She's ready as she'll ever be. Thor just has to handle the rest."
"Steve and I can run this through, we just wanted to make sure Jennica had a warm welcome." Tony answered.
His tone was hard to read, she had already grown accustomed to his sarcasm. She couldn't tell if he meant it or not at all. To be honest with herself, she was afraid. She felt that her decision to join this team could jeopardize Oveaus' attempts to find her. He was near, she could feel it in the pit of her soul, but it worried her that he had still not come.
"We know that you're a friend of Thor, which is why we trust you enough to stay." Steve startled her from her thoughts. His arms were crossed. "But abide by our guidelines and don't cause trouble."
"We're here to protect, not babysit." Tony added.
Jennica regressed, nodding. "I understand. I only wish for answers, and there are many I do not have. Once my training begins, I will be on my way."
A hint of a smile tugged on Steve's lips. "Welcome to the Avengers."
