When War and Lies Collide

You too, Sif

"Loki!"  Sif exclaimed, her tone full of surprise.  Her whole expression had brightened, and her dark brown eyes that normally appeared menacing and more than a bit aggressive seemed to twinkle.  Although she was still in chains, they didn't seem to bother her much anymore.

"Are you alright?"  Loki asked, noticing the scrapes and bruises she wore on her skin.  He knew she must be, as they were already fading.  Still, he wanted to make sure.  It would, in his mind, be his fault if she had gotten harmed.

"Of course I am, you oaf.  You should've seen the other guy."  She chuckled back, her voice teasing.  A reassured smile returned to the prince's lips, staring at her for a moment more before his attention went back to the men behind him.  The simple look seemed to say more than words ever could, and Sif seemed to know so. 

Loki turned abruptly, facing the Agents that stood with their mouths hanging open in shock.  "Open the door and release her."  He commanded, the caring glow in his eyes vanishing as quick as a snap of the fingers.  The cold hearted war criminal seemed to stand before them, not the loving gentleman that seemed present when he spoke with the Goddess of War.

"Yes, of course."  Coulson replied quickly, his surprise not yet ebbing away.  Nobody had thought it was possible, and here it was; what and unlikely pair!  War and Lies...  It would either be the best example of true love, or cause World War lll.  Phil wasn't yet sure.

The two Agents rushed over to the door and slid their key card through the slot, the glass door sliding open with a whoosh of air at the mouth of the entrance.  The whole moment seemed like ages, as Loki was dangerously close.  As soon as the door slid open, however, he was gone.  Loki was no longer at the Agent's sides, but at Sif's.

"It's about time, I do despise being treated like a prisoner."  The goddess muttered stubbornly as the Agent that had been at Coulson's side undid her chains.

"Sorry, ma'am."  The Agent stuttered quietly, Sif's tone enough to demand respect.  She never really meant for it to happen, but she truly was a powerful being.  The gods and goddesses respected her, the mortals feared her wrath.  It proved to be a complicated relationship again and again.

"All is forgiven, do tell Tob- I mean Agent Grant that I said farewell."  Sif replied as she stood, brushing off her clothes for good measure.  "I do assume we are leaving?"  She turned to Loki who had a dark expression as he nodded.

"We are leaving."  He confirmed, his stomach seeming to tie itself in knots at the thought of what was to come.  Sif would be sure to find out the whole story sooner or later.

Loki lead the warrioress down the hall as the Agents went ahead and released the rest of the Asgardians.  Within seconds, they surrounded the two and were bursting with questions, completely dismissing the company of SHIELD.

"That creature mentioned you on the recording, Loki!"  Fandral blurted, unable to contain himself.  At that reminder, even the gleeful Volstagg seemed to wear a more glum appearance.  Trouble for their prince was trouble for them all.  And, the mighty few seemed to be become more accepting towards their fallen prince since the beginning of their adventure.  Fandral, in fact, clearly enjoyed the mischievous company.

"Yes, and I will explain everything.  I promise you all that.  But, we must get home immediately.  There is something I must do."   Loki said, his tone echoing finality.  Such words caused worry to boil within Sif, her eyebrows knit together in a concerned expression as they followed the Agents to the exit.  Loki wouldn't even look at Sif for the large part of their walk.

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It wasn't long before the Asgardians had been escorted to their hotel and retrieved their things, showering and putting on appropriate attire to Sif's relief.  No doubt she had missed her honorable suit of armor compared to the flimsy and somewhat discouraging mortal garb.  Loki couldn't help but crack a smile at the look of relief that spread across her face once she was dressed, his gaze then falling to the floor.  It was only a small distraction for what was to come.

"Are you ready for our grand departure?"  Sif joked, wanting to lighten the mood.  She didn't exactly enjoy Loki being in the mood he was in, and couldn't wait to step foot back in the Bifrost building.  She figured being in Asgard would be a relief to them all, and had no idea that trouble would be following them there.

Trouble, destruction, and death.

"As ready as I shall ever be."  Loki replied, grabbing for their bags.  Sif stubbornly held her own things, slinging a large duffel bag over her shoulder and onto her back, the strap firmly holding her shoulder and going diagonally down her chest and abdomen.  At all times, she seemed to appear as fierce goddess, even with simple tasks.  

The group strode silently to the Bifrost mark, even Fandral managing to keep his mouth shut.  Even the ones who didn't know what was to come could feel the change around them.  They knew something was coming, and they gathered the fact that it wouldn't be pleasant.

Moments later, the Norse gods and goddess were sucked into a tunnel of color, a refreshing wind swirling around them as they left Midgard in a blur.  Not even the quick, joyous Bifrost travel cheered their mood, and they all wore a solemn expression as they found themselves standing on the floor of the Bifrost building.

"Greetings, Heimdall!"  Fandral said, his tone less cheery than usual.

"Hello, and welcome back."  The Gatekeeper answered in his deep voice that echoed around them, his golden eyes glimmering with a sense of knowledge.  He knew what was to come, as his vision had been enough to tell him so.  

With a farewell nod, the raven haired prince led the way out and onto the rainbow bridge, their footprints glimmering behind them as a temporary trail.  "Volstagg, Hogun, Fandral; I will meet with you later.  There is something I must do."  Loki addressed the trio once they reached land, the sound of the ocean below them filling their ears.

"Of course, you will know where to find us."  Volstagg said with a halfhearted grin.  "Thank you for the journey."  He added, the usually rambunctious trio leaving the couple in their spots.

Finally, Loki's gaze met Sif's and his sorrow reflected there.  "Something terrible is in store for Asgard, isn't there?"  The warrioress asked, her dark brown eyes unblinking.

"Yes."  Loki answered simply, the word seeming to claw it's way reluctantly out of his throat.  Loki's emerald eyes were fogged with determination, but Sif could see the subtle fear.

After a few moments of silence, Loki finally spoke up again.  "I will meet you back at the house, there is something I must discuss with the Allfather."  One could practically cut the tension in the air between them with a blade.

The dark haired daughter of Asgard nodded understandingly, although she worried how well this 'discussion' would go.  All the nine realms knew that Odin and Loki got along as well as a starved cat with a cornered mouse.  She was sure they would be at each other's throats in seconds.

Finally, Sif stood upon her tiptoes, pecking Loki's cheek affectionately.  "Be careful."  She stated, her eyes flicking back to his.  A small smile returned to his lips at her action, his hand grazing over the side of her cheek gently.  Sif held his palm there, their expressions sharing what words could not.

Unable to wait any longer, the prince's lips crashed to Sif's hungrily, the warrioress temporarily stunned by his sudden movement before she responded to it with just as much vigor.  One hand lay at her waist as the other tangled in a lock of her long, dark hair.  Sifs arms wrapped themselves around his neck and held him close throughout the vehement embrace.  When they pulled away, it left the two Asgardians breathless and a little light headed.

His intense gaze met hers as he tried to regain composure, neither of them looking overjoyed at the situation to come.  "You too, Sif."  He said simply before turning heel and leaving her where she stood, his feet taking him to the palace to face who he had avoided for years.  Odin.

Sif watched him go until his form faded from her sight, a small sob caught in her throat.  Just as life had begun to gather itself up, it had been torn to pieces.  Sif knew that the enemies were coming for Loki, and a fierce possessiveness along with a sharp anger burned through her body.  Through gritted teeth, she growled to herself.  "If they want him, they will have to get through me."  And with clenched fists, she started towards their home.

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