Worthy

Part 3 - You Think Me Strange?

*FLASHBACK - 5 years ago*

You couldn't help but feel sorry for the giant man now sitting in front of Coulson.

After witnessing him struggle to lift the hammer that had created a hole in the middle of a New Mexico desert; the painful roar he let out resonated with you, now no longer seeing a threat, but simply a broken man. After managing to convince Coulson, he allowed you to escort Thor back to a safehouse, until such time as they could figure out what to do with him; one instruction, you were to watch him at all times.

You decide to make one stop before the safehouse, stopping off at a local bar in town. Both of you sit in silence for a while whilst you drink; but you can't keep your eyes off him. "You think me strange Agent Brooks?" he asks, catching you staring at him.

You immediately blush. "It's Kate and yeah," you take a sip of beer to try and steady yourself. "A little."

"Good strange or bad strange?"

"Haven't decided yet," you laugh, making him smile at you.

"Well, would it be strange if I told you you're far kinder than I deserve Lady Kate." You smile at him and raise your glass in a toast, he reaches over his and clinks. "This realm surprises me, didn't think it would be as good as Asgardian ale, but it's not bad."

You laugh whole heartedly this time. "Who are you really?"

"What do you mean?" he looks at you quizzically. You pull out your phone and show him all the pages you had looked up online about Norse mythology, specifically Thor, since he had arrived claiming to be the God of Thunder.

"This is who you're claiming to be." He studies the phone, turning it in his hands with a look of wonder, before you pull his attention back to the screen, making him read; laughing as he reads about himself, making you smile too.

"Some of that MIGHT be true," he chuckles before downing his glass. You manage to grab the attention of the barman and order another round.

"You can't really expect me to believe that?" You scoff at him. But part of you already did. After an experience as a child, you had always had a belief in other worlds, imagining about what could be out there. Years of therapy had somewhat convinced you otherwise, but there had always been that small piece of hope and wonderment. It's one of the reasons you were sitting where you were; why Fury had recruited you and sent you on this mission with Coulson.

"You should," Thor replies, half downing his next glass, while you're still struggling to finish your first. "Your people have done so well over the years, despite these fantastical tales." He hands you back your phone. "You Midgardians have impressed me greatly."

"Midgardians?" You question, but before Thor can respond, a drunken townie approaches your side.

"Hey, I saw you in town earlier sweetheart, with all those science freaks," he hiccups. You can smell the alcohol on his breath and it nearly makes you gag; not as much as his body odour though. "Why don't we go out back and you can do a little 'research' on me!" He laughs, getting cheers from the crowd of drunken idiots behind him.

Thor tenses beside you, you can see his knuckles whiten as he holds onto his drink; you see a slight crack appear in the glass. "I have no quarrel with you," he turns to the townie. "But she's a lady, and you will have some respect."

"You should shut the hell up Princess," the man snarls, sizing up Thor. Expecting Thor to stand and take him down, you had seen what he was capable of, you're surprised to see him keep calm. He looks at you, but you can see he's fighting himself: he clearly wants to hurt this guy, but doesn't want to cause problems for you.

"I won't fight him," he whispers, and you nod, understanding completely.

"Then it'll be easier to kick your ass, blondie!" The townie moves closer to Thor, making your get up from your seat, standing between the two of them.

"Gentlemen, let's just keep our heads." You say, Thor smiling at you, while the townie reaches around and slaps your ass; receiving more cheers from his gang. Instantly Thor's eyes turn dark and he makes to stand, but you place a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

You turn and look at the fool, whose gazing at you with an encouraged grin as you smile at him. Suddenly you punch him in the throat, before kicking him hard in the groin. He hits the ground hard, groaning and gasping for air as he struggles to decide which part of his body he comforts first. You look over to his friends who had suddenly went very quiet. "Anyone else?" you ask with a raised brow. They all shake their heads, turning back to their table, silently downing their drinks, not wanting to make eye contact with you.

"Come on spaceman," you nod at Thor who looks at you, admiration etched on his face before he downs the rest of his drink. Laughing at the fallen drunkard before following you out the door.