Working Title : Loki & Annie

58 Intentions

Thor had spent the ride back to Annie's thinking about what he would do next. What he could do. As was usual, he had no idea. He went round and round with random thoughts until he was glad he wasn't driving because he would have crashed more than once. And gotten lost as well. 

Knowing that there was no other to ask for aid meant that Loki was forced to remain in this form he had been compelled into - a helpless child. Who seemed to have no memory of his magic, which made sense to Thor as he thought about it. At this age, Loki had been interested in their Mother's magic but too young to perform any of his own. He had been listening, learning but Thor was certain it would still be a few years before Loki mastered even the most basic of spells. Which left Thor certain that Loki would be able to even tell Thor how to get the collar off, not that Loki was speaking.

Thor rubbed over his face, tired more than physically. His Brother could be the most stubborn creature, no one able to get him to do something that he didn't want to. Even their Mother had been refused when Loki was in a mood. If he couldn't get Loki to speak then there was no possibility at all to learn if his Brother had any memories of the spells he had mastered. Thor came to only one firm conclusion during the drive back to Annie's. They weren't going anywhere while Loki was silent.

When he had parked the car several blocks from Annie's home he had made sure to thank J.A.R.V.I.S. for taking him both to the Tower and bringing him back. He had walked the streets with his hands shoved into his hoodie, thinking about how he would handle this new circumstance. By the time he had arrived at the large home that was the apartment, he had made several decisions.

"Hey there."

Thor looked over to the woman who was standing on the front porch, watching him intently. He recognized her as Annie's friend and gave her a smile as he forced himself to be pleasant. Removing his hands from the single pocket he gave her a nod of his head. "Lady Sherise. A pleasure to see you today."

Sherise didn't look impressed. "Uh-huh." She walked to the edge of the porch but didn't step down, she wanted to keep her height equal to his. "I noticed you took the cart back."

Thor nodded, "Yes, Lady Annie was most adamant that we not be, ah, one of those people." His smile became more genuine. 

Sherise nodded while keeping her eyes sharply focused on him. "What exactly is your intent with my friend?"

Now he frowned, "Your pardon, my Lady?"

"What are your intentions with Annie?" Sherise gave a tilt to her head while her whole attitude remained closed off.

Thor felt uncertain how to answer this inquiry. He had never been asked for his intentions towards a woman. If he wasn't bedding courtesans then his encounters were discreet. Despite what Loki said, Thor didn't bed everything that held still. He just liked to flirt. However, he had a deep feeling that this was not what he was being asked. Just to be safe he went ahead and spoke in case he was wrong. "I have no intentions at all towards Lady Annie other than to try to repay her kindness as best as I may."

Sherise raised an eyebrow.

Thor continued. "You may be secure in the knowledge that I have no dishonorable intentions to Lady Annie. She has been most kind to my Brother and myself by offering her home for us to take respite in." He straightened to his full height while pushing his shoulders back, "I would never take advantage of her."

Sherise didn't look the slightest bit intimidated or abashed, "So you don't plan on sticking around for much longer?"

Thor was wary now and spoke carefully. "Lady Sherise, perhaps you should just speak your concerns bluntly."

Now she walked down the steps and straight over to him even though that meant giving up her height and distance advantage by having to bend her head back to look up into his eyes. "Okay, I will." She pointed at his chest, "I know who you are. " 

Thor didn't feel surprised at these words. He opened his mouth to speak but didn't get the chance.

"I also know that someone like you," Her emphasis on that last word could have meant anything, "Doesn't need to live way out here with some unknown, random woman rather than at that high-tech Tower in The City. So you're here because you can't be there." Her eyes narrowed as she put her hands on her hips. "Now you don't have to tell me why you're running," Her hand waved dismissively before going back to her hip, "But I know that someone's looking for you. Probably some crazy-assed space alien police or something. And that means you're dangerous to her."

He adamantly shook his head, "As I said, I would never put Annie in any danger. Nor allow anything to happen to her." He made sure his voice conveyed his conviction. "I would not repay her hospitality with peril."

Sherise was far from convinced. "Hmm, well things happen we don't have any control over." Golden-green eyes stared into blue, searching for something. "You're not from around here," She gave him a knowing look. "And while your problems might sound like the same kind us normal people have, I think the consequences could be more than what we normally deal with."

Thor opened his mouth to speak, "I can assure you-" then closed it when Sherise held up a hand. 

"No, don't make me any more promises you don't know if you can keep." Her voice was hard. At Thor's fallen expression there was a slight mellowing on her face and she spoke softer, "Look, she's one of my best friends, I've known her since we were kids and she's had enough crap happen to her. She doesn't need-" Sherise waved her hand to encompass Thor's imposing size from head to foot, "Some guy using her for his own reasons then leaving her to face the consequences of her being too trusting. Which is why I won't just stand by and watch my friend get hurt."

Thor nodded, taking his time to compose an answer that was worthy of this woman's feelings of loyalty. "Your concern and safeguarding of your friend speak well of your affection for her." He brought a large hand up to rest on his chest, "I understand your feelings for her and would like to consider her a friend to myself as well. I can assure you it is not my intention to bring chaos-" Thor ignored the unbelievable irony in that word choice, "Into her life." He gave Sherise a slight nod of his head, "You may not want it, but you have my word of honor that no harm will come to her, Lady Sherise." He tried to give her a smile that conveyed the certainty and conviction that he would make sure her friend stayed safe.

The woman's eyes studied him searchingly, roaming over his face. Her lips pursed until she spoke, "Fine. I'm going to accept this weird honor thing as your understanding that if anything happens to her," She pointed to Thor, "You'll be answering to me."

Thor gave a grin that had charmed many a maid in his past while giving a slight bow, "I would expect nothing less from such a fiercely loyal friend as yourself, My Lady."

Sherise rolled her eyes and snorted as she shook her head. She was married to a grown boy and had given birth to his son, she knew when she was being manipulated."Boy, you are nothing but trouble wrapped in a pretty package. All your talking about honor and ladies." She waved at him dismissively as she turned back to the porch, "Go on and go see Lady Annie. And don't forget we're getting together later."

To her retreating back, Thor chuckled, "I look forward to it." His lips twisted into a smirk, "My Lady."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." She muttered about, "Pretty white boys," as she went up the steps.

Taking the three flights of wooden stairs three at a time Thor quickly found himself enthusiastically knocking on the door to the apartment. He could hear the steps of Annie coming closer though they were heavier than normal. There was a pause as he saw movement through the odd little window in the door then the sound of the door unlocking before it was pulled open.

On the other side stood Annie with Loki in her arms. Seeing him her face broke into an excited grin before the words rushed out. "Loki talked!" Annie nearly bounced on her toes, "To me, he talked to me!"