Life's Pursuit {Book 2}

Chapter 2: Between Worlds

The blanket of unconsciousness began to lift its heavy hold, Oveaus' words still echoing in her eardrums. Jennica tried to gather her bearings, tried to remember all that had happened. She was so delirious in that moment. Now she fought to open her eyes, to see where she was laying down and why she was so cold.

Her ears hummed, either clogged or something really happened in her head, for she could not hear, at least not well. They felt submerged under water, but they were not. Am I dead?

It was a foolish question, she reckoned, because she was not dead and that would only cause undesirable panic. Her fingers began to crinkle the sheets of the bed she was laying on. Her ears cleared enough to hear a faint beeping sound, her eyes began to open...

"...I am insisting that you do not take it off." Thor's voice sounded near, and he was. She saw him. He was talking to the nurse standing by her bed.

"You're certain she can't do without her locket? It has been a hazard to us medics since she first arrived, we can hardly get anything done."

"Please, just let her wake on her own. Our own Asgardian healers couldn't do any better, the locket is guarding–" he froze mid sentence, eyes meeting with Jennica's. "You're awake!"

"Hey, you..." her voice was raspier than she expected it to be. Thor knelt beside the bed.

"Do you feel better? You were in such pain an hour ago."

"I barely remember anything, to be honest. Just glimpses..." she tried to sit up. "Where am I?"

"The medical wing in your new home."

Brows furrowing, she tried to piece together what he meant by that, and then she had an epiphany. "I'm at the Avengers Headquarters?"

"It's the safest place to have you right now. From today's incident, I couldn't be any more certain."

Jennica swallowed, sinking more into the bed. "I didn't hurt anyone, did I?" She expected a list of problems she might have already caused, but Thor only gave a kind smile, shaking his head.

"Not one. You just gave us a bit of a scare."

"Oh good." Her head throbbed from a coming migraine and she closed her eyes, swallowing to will away any nausea. There was a leftover tingling in her fingers, but the pain in her chest was gone at least. Oveaus must have succeeded in helping.

Now if only I could gather strength...

Thor stood from his kneeling position. He slid a chair over, sitting down and indicating that he was going to stay for a while longer. The occasional beeping on the nearby monitor startled his attention in short waves.

The migraine subsided and Jennica opened her eyes again. She tried to smile, to assure Thor that she was going to be safe and he did not need to be so protective, but a piece of her held back. She wanted that protection and reassurance; she was terrified herself, more so than anyone else could be.

"Catch me up on what I've missed these past few months." She blurted, begging for something to distract her.

Thor sat up straight. He smiled.
"Certainly. Where would you like me to begin?"

"Start with Alfheim... How is my family?" She let her muscles release their tension.

"They miss you greatly, but the kingdom is flourishing! We are hoping to send Asgardian ambassadors to keep the peace between realms. Our unity is succeeding thus far."

"That's a comfort to hear."

"I agree, and you may take more comfort in knowing that I have begun a thorough search for the Infinity Fractals."