Lost in Time

Forty-Seven

Tony stood in the corner of the room, his foot tapping rapidly against the floor as doctors checked Elle over. Loki was stood to the left of her bed, holding her hand, and Thor was next to Tony, clearly anxious about the whole situation. Every time the nurses cleaned Elles cuts, Loki made the equipment and dressings used, disappear. He had said that no one was to have a single drop of her blood, and that they would not be drawing her blood for tests either.

Tony had no idea, after these last few years, that Elle had such injuries that resulted in having vibranium bones. Could he call it that? Tony shook his head, too scared to leave her in case the worst happened. He knew he had to make a call to Pepper and tell her, knowing she'd be waiting at the tower for their return.

'You knew of us?..'.. Thor said from next to him.

'Yeah, about a year and a half now. Never asked her about it, or you. Figured I shouldn't, that if it was important enough, she'd tell me..'.. Tony let out a breath... 'How long have you known her?..'

'She came to me, the night of the battle with Loki. Told me something that only my mother had ever spoken to me. She explained where she was from, and needed to come to Asgard, to talk with us. We do not know the full extent of why she came here, only certain details, but she has already changed Asgards fate, and our mother's..'.. Thor looked at Tony... 'Our mother was meant to die, Elle saved her, saved our realm. We are forever in her debt..'... Thor turned back, to Elle in the bed, as the doctors and nurses left... 'She is a warrior of Asgard, and we stand with her, as do the other realms. We know something is coming, a war, and we will fight at her side..'

The room fell silent for a moment, and Tony moved to the other side of the bed, and sat in the chair, watching Loki with Elle... 'What happened with you? You've changed from the homicidal maniac-..'

'I caution how you speak of my broth-..'..

'Thor..'.. Loki cut him off... 'It is alright. And Stark is not wrong in his assessment..'.. Loki chuckled, turning to Tony, still holding Elles hand... 'Shortly after Elle met with my brother, she came to Asgard. Our first interaction..'.. Loki shook his head with a smile at the memory... 'She appeared in my cell, and I was quite rude and dismissive but that did not deter her. She actually shouted at me that she was my babysitter..'.. Stark and Thor chuckled at that... 'Shouted it a few times, snatched my book from me and hit me round the head. She then proceeded to bind my magic and tell me that I was going with her..'

'Defintoy sounds like something she would do..'.. Tony smiled.

'She brought me to Midgard, and out to dinner. Explained that she was giving me freedom, and a chance. That before I even really knew her, she trusted me with her life, and that of her son. In time, I began to enjoy life here, even though I tried hard not to..'.. Loki chuckled... 'Being here, I have no expectations placed upon me. The unconditional love that Elle and Jace so freely give me, I never thought I'd want to be here. Being Luke, the career she has helped me to find, the life she has found for me, it feels as though I was meant to be here all along..'

'You in love with her?.'...

'Not in love, no. But I do love her. It is hard not to, she is the light in the darkness, the calm in the storm. She makes you feel worthy of living, and taking care of both her and Jace, it is an honor to have. I know she has put so much trust and blind faith in us..'.. Loki looked to his brother and Stark... 'And I know you want answers Stark, but I would like to ask one request from you..'