The Soldier's Goddess

Chapter 2: Midgard, 1942

        "FOR THE LAST TIME, I'VE TOLD YOU TWO TO STAY OUT OF MY KITCHENS!"

Kari and Loki ran from the very angry man wielding the large cleaver, hand in hand, not laughing until they knew they were safe.

        "What did you manage to get?" she asked him as soon as she got her breath back.

        "Nothing, this time," he pouted, leaning against the wall surrounding the palace gardens. "I was spotted before I could conjure the snakes." He looked at his girlfriend and they both cracked up laughing again.

        "What have you two been up to this time? Actually no, don't tell me," grinned Thor, creeping up behind them. "The less I know, the more I can deny."

        "Ok, I won't tell you, I promise, just don't go down to kitchens for a few hours," Kari grinned. Thor just stared at them.

        "Again?" He burst out laughing. "What am I going to do with you, little brother?" He threw his arm round Loki's shoulders and the three of them made their way back into the palace.

*****

Kari couldn't wait to see the surprise Loki had for her. He held his hands over her eyes, and led her into the room. When he moved them away, she gasped. It was beautiful. There was a blanket laid out on the floor and so much food, just for the two of them, upon it.

        "What's the occasion?" she smiled, turning to him. He pressed his lips against hers.

        "No occasion," he said, "it's just because I wanted to." She slid her arms round his neck and smiled.

        "Thankyou," she whispered. He grabbed her hand, kissed her on the forehead, and they went to sit down.

        "I love you," she said, as he was just biting into a chicken leg. He stopped and stared at her. "I, um, I didn't...." As Loki stared at her wide eyes, he suddenly remembered he was eating. He began to choke on the piece of chicken, spitting it out all over Kari.

        "I have to go," he spluttered, running off, leaving a confused Kari sitting there. After a while, she decided he wasn't coming back, so went off to find Sif. She was with Thor and the Warriors Three, so tried to get her to come away quietly, but upon seeing her tear stained face, they all made her sit down with them and tell them what had happened. Fandrall, who Sif always joked had a crush on Kari, just held her in his arms while she sobbed about feeling so stupid, and that she should have seen it coming. 

        "You aren't stupid," Volstagg said, "it was all Loki."

        "Yes, if he wasn't ready for anything, he should have let you know. Or at the very least answered you," sighed Fandrall, ignoring the smirks of his friends.

        "He actually spat chicken at you?" asked Hogan, in disbelief. Kari nodded, then started laughing. It was completely surreal. Here she was, in the company of the most honourable people in the realm, including a prince, and she was crying about having chicken spat in her face, because she said those three little words. Three little words, which were actually a lot bigger than anyone ever thinks they will be. By the other prince. The others just started at her like she was crazy, but one by one they, too, began to laugh, until the room was filled with happiness and tears of joy.

*****

        "Come on, Kari, you need cheering up. It's been months." Sif wrapped her arm round her little sister's shoulder.

        "Have you seen him?" Kari asked. Sif shook her head.

        "Not properly, no, he has been avoiding everyone still. Well, not everyone, there was that palace maid he um, ahem, yeah," Sif said. Kari burst out laughing.

        "He's an arse, really isn't he."

        "Yes he is. I know he is, sorry, was your best friend, but it's good to see you happy these days. We've missed you."

        "I'm still here, sweetie," Kari said, giving Sif a hug.

        "I know, but you still need cheering up, and I've been working out a plan with Heimdall."

        "Great, my friends don't know how to help, but my brother and sister do?" Kari chuckled.

        "Shut it you," Sif smiled. "Anyway, as I said, we've been plotting. Heimdall is going to open the Bifrost to Midgard for a short while, so you and I can go down and have some fun. Well, before the All Father finds out."

        "When?"

        "Tonight," said Sif. "Volstagg and Fandrall have offered to help too."

That evening, Sif and Kari crept down to Rainbow Bridge, dressed in simple clothing, to the Bifrost, where Heimdall stood.

        "I do not know how long I can give you, but I will try to send a signal if something has happened," he said. His sisters nodded and he opened the Bifrost. They walked into the spinning hole, and were shot down the force field, landing in an open field. As they walked towards the sound of people, they left behind them an intricate pattern on the ground. They didn't have to walk very far before they reached the source of the light and noise. A huge metal globe stood before them, with a large sign saying '1942 World's Fair. New York welcomes you.' Kari frowned at her sister, then together, they joined the throng of people, moving all around. They stopped at a stage, where a man, who said his name was Howard Stark, was showing the crowd some sort of metal machine that could fly. It didn't work very well, in fact it crashed to the floor after hovering for only a few seconds, but it didn't seem to faze him in the slightest.

        "I'm getting a bit hot," Kari said. "I'm going over there, meet me when you are ready." She pointed to a large, white building, covered in a sign of a man in a green uniform, pointing, with the words 'We Want You.'

        "Ok," nodded Sif. "Remember, smile," she chuckled. 

As Kari made her way over to the building, she spotted a man standing away from the crowds and looking dejected.

        "Everything ok?" she asked, walking up to him. He was quite small and skinny, but he had a charm about him that Kari liked. He was cute, with sparkly blue eyes, even through the disappointment he seemed to be showing.

        "Oh, um, yeah I'm fine, er thanks," he spluttered. Kari smiled.

        "It looks to me like you are the opposite of fine, but hey, what do I know?" The man smiled back at her.

        "Sorry ma'am, I'm just no good with the ladies," he sighed.

        "That's ok, I'm not very good with the men," she grinned.