My Friend Loki: The Price You Pay

Part 13

"Hey," I said, addressing Dr. Lowenstein and Thor, "would you guys mind if Loki joined us?" I asked, my tone was one of concern, "I'm not sure when he last ate... it's probably been quite a while."

"I don't mind, if Thor doesn't," Lowenstein said.

"Not at all," Thor said, "however, keep in mind, he might not want to join us. Beverlee, since he only responds to you, we shall wait here to find out his answer."

"Thanks," I said, "I'll try not to be too long."

*******

Dr. Lowenstein directed me to Loki's room, walking me up as far as the hallway. A question had been on my mind since I met him, and I thought this would be the best time to ask.

"Dr. Lowenstein," I began.

"You can call me Tom," Lowenstein smiled at me.

"Tom," I said, testing the name out, "I need to ask you something. I understand many at SHIELD are not very fond of Loki, for some obvious reasons. You, however, don't seem to share that opinion."

"Beverlee, the world has suffered many things and will continue to do so. Don't get me wrong, I'm not insensitive to it. The Battle of New York was tragic, but what Loki did, why he did it... Well, as a doctor, I may not condone his actions, but can see past certain things. That truth is much more tragic."

I was stunned by his answer but also gratified to hear such a response. I touched his arm in solidarity and nodded.

****

Closing the distance to Loki's room, I opened the door a crack, then waited, testing a theory; he couldn't see who was on the other side by my position.

"Beverlee! I was wondering when you would get here," I heard Loki say, his voice sounding quite keen. "Please, come in!"

Ah, so Thor was correct - Loki did have some kind of "radar" to sense people coming into his "personal space." It made me happy to know that my friend had this ability to give him a head's up and possibly protect him from undesirables.

I opened the door, walked into his room, then stood there for the moment. I smiled and took in the view.

Although he was in bed under blankets, I noticed that Tom had gotten Loki some comfortable and remarkably stylish patient clothes to wear. They certainly didn't look anything like the gowns one wore in our local hospitals.

It may have only been a bit more than an hour or so since I had seen my friend, but I could see he looked much better than he had been when I first saw him in that holding cell.

With alacrity, I walked over to his bedside. Just like in his cell, he stretched his arms out to me, and we both took each other's hands, interlacing our fingers - Loki still gently pressing on my wrist with a thumb to be sure I was really here.

"How are you feeling?" I asked. "After all those tests Dr. Lowenstein put you through, I hope you got some rest. None of those tests caused you any distress, did they?"

"Don't worry, Beverlee," he gave me a small smile, "Dr. Lowenstein was very kind. He made sure to ask, quite frequently, if I was comfortable. Everything went well. However, after the tests, I found it difficult to slumber when he told me his prognosis... what my main injury was caused by," his gaze was now a suffering one, a storm was going on within his blue-green eyes, "the memories just... flooded back."

I could see he had been ruminating on them.

"Loki," I said softly with deep concern, "don't do that to yourself."