Watch What You Wish For

Chapter Sixteen - It's Only Research

Glymir was so helpful to Olivia allowing her access to records and artifacts in an attempt to help her to learn more about their race so in the end she stayed another two full days after the wedding. When she did return home she created a file on her laptop which she filled with all the various bits of information she had gleaned during her time in both Asgard and Jotunheim. She then added into this all the things Loki had shown her about how to transform to her Jotun form and her natural abilities while in this form.

As August ends and autumn is in full swing Olivia notices that the weather although still warm has dropped a few degrees. As she walks around the small town doing her shopping her thoughts turn as they always seem to do these days to Loki. In the two letters she has received since their brief meeting after Helblindi's wedding he has kept the mood light telling her of his sparring bouts with Fandral and of Thor's wasted attempts to get him to socialise more. The last letter was accompanied by two books for her to read with a note to say she would find them useful when they eventually saw each other again. Preparations he called it for her next lessons in Seidr which helped to boost her mood how could she not be bolstered by his optimism, at least it helped her through the long days she spent alone at her home when she wasn't working.

It isn't that she wants for anything, far from it her work for a New York recording studio meant frequent two or three day trips there which now came with the added bonus of being allowed to stay at Avenger's Tower when she did. When he found out she was using a nearby hotel Stark had insisted that there were plenty of spare rooms so she could just use one of those. So between her work and the friendships she had made with the various Avenger's company was always just a phone call or visit away if she felt the need to be around others. The problem was that since her abduction and ill treatment at the hand of Thanos and his minions Olivia has never felt completely safe, not even in her own home. She is constantly checking over her shoulder to see if there is anyone watching her.

Returning home she's surprised to see the Quinjet and Steve sat on her garden swing. "Hey Steve this is a nice surprise."

"Hi, let me help you with your bags."

As they start to put her purchases away Olivia asks "so why the unannounced visit? As you're on your own I can't imagine you popped in on your way back from a mission."

Steven laughs "no, in fact no-one knows I'm here except Bruce" he looks out across the back lawn.

"What's up you look like someone who doesn't know how to say something." His manner and the look on his face are making her feel nervous her stomach feels like a million butterflies are battling in there.

He looks over at her and smiles "I know how to say it I just don't really want to have to."

Olivia crosses to him "now you have me a little worried."

"The truth is I came here to forewarn you that Fury is planning to invite you to work at the Tower" he places a hand on her shoulder "don't get stressed though, he just wants you to work with Bruce. As he put it to study your ice capabilities."

Olivia gulps "how much does he know?"

"Only what the team agreed with Thor and Loki to tell him, that you can transform to your Jothun form and freeze things. He knows nothing of any magical abilities Loki insisted that we didn't tell him. I think he's worried Fury will force you to use them if he thinks they will be useful to SHIELD."

Although she feels scared at the thought of seeing Fury again the fact that Loki worries about her makes her heart swell with happiness "I'm glad you came to warn me at least now I have some time to prepare myself for his visit. It would have been a huge shock if you hadn't. Do you think you could give Thor a letter for Loki for me if I write one quickly?

"Of course, I'll make us drinks while you sort it."

After Steve leaves promising to give the letter to Thor who is due to arrive tomorrow Olivia cooks herself a meal but after just a few mouthfuls she runs to the bathroom to throw up "shit" she curses holding her throat being sick has wrenched the still tender muscles. After taking painkillers she decides to have a bath to try to ease the tension she is felling since Steve's visit.

Three days later as Olivia is fetching in her washing from the line she hears a car pull up, her body tenses and her stomach churns, taking a deep steadying breath she turns towards the house just as Nick Fury comes round from the front "Miss Walker."

"Director Fury" she says unable to keep the tremor from her voice.

"Could we talk over coffee?"

"Sure" she starts up the steps with Fury following her. As she makes their drinks she asks "so what brings you to my neck of the woods?"

"Straight to the point I see" as she looks at him she notices he is trying to hide a slight smile "I was wondering if you would allow Dr Banner to study your Jothun side."

"Why?"

"I think it would help if we had some technology at our disposal in case the earth ever comes under attack from those Frost Giants as it seems they have a way to get here no-one knows about."

"How can you expect me to help you develop weapons to be used against my father's people?"

"Miss Walker, they are not the only ones out there and from what I've been told they are not hostile to us only Asgard."

"I told you before I didn't want to be part of anything until I felt 100% which I still don't."

"I know and that's why this will only be for research purposes and not active missions and only Dr Banner will be working with you."

Olivia sighs deeply "you give me your word it's just Banner."

"I do and you'll be based at the Tower. Captain Rogers has agreed to collect you when you're ready."

"Do I have a choice" as he shakes his head "I thought not. I'll need a few days to sort my things and secure the house."

"You have two, he'll be here on Wednesday to collect you" with that he stands and leaves.

"Damn" she slams her fist down on the counter causing ice chips to scatter over it "research my ass."