I Die Without You

Prompt 5: Eavesdropping

When Loki had finished telling Beverlee what had happened, instinctively she held Loki tighter.

"That's terrible - no wonder you were having a difficult time," Beverlee said. "Do you have any idea what could have caused the nightmares?"

"Not a clue," Loki said, sadly, "I initially thought it was residual self-doubt about our friendship, but I no longer believe that to be the case."

Beverlee released the hug a bit, then lifted one of her hands to cup the side of his face. She looked at him with a compassionate smile, "Loki, if I ever say anything remotely unwarranted like that character in your nightmare said to you... Well, you have my permission to stab me, and... continue stabbing me well after I'm dead. I'll even put it in writing if you want, so you aren't culpable."

Loki smiled mischievously, "Consider it added to our Friendship Agreement," Loki said.

They both chuckled. 

"Beverlee," Loki said with concern, taking her hand from his face and holding in his own,
"why... did you visit with Thor and... Blitz?"

"Because I was stupid," Beverlee responded, "and I had hoped Thor would have kept his mouth shut.  Honestly, I should have really come to you first. I wanted to surprise you with a nice gift for when we met on Valentine's Day. And as for Blitz being there, he showed up unexpectedly." With a sheepish look, she added, "I mean the guy is okay, but at times he makes me feel..."

"Uncomfortable?" Loki finished for her.

"Yes," Beverlee said. 

Loki pulled Beverlee close, feeling elated to hear her say those words. 

"I'm so glad," Loki said, then quickly added, "I mean, glad that the reason you met them was for the reason of learning what to get me as a gift. After the nightmare, then hearing about your meeting with Thor because you were having a problem... I thought..."

"Oh, Loki," Beverlee said, "you never have to worry about that... whenever I'm with you I'm so happy. If there ever is a time that I'm not, you can be sure I would talk to you about it."

Loki released the embrace a little to look at her, "Please... stay with me tonight?" he asked, looking at her with puppy dog eyes. 

Beverlee gave Loki a soft smile, "of course," she replied, "I just have to let work know I'm not coming in tomorrow."

"You've just made ME very happy," Loki said, kissing her cheek.

"I'm sorry to eavesdrop," it was Doctor Lowenstein. Loki and Beverlee were so engaged in their conversation, they didn't hear him approach, "but did I hear you right, Beverlee is going to slee-stay overnight?"

"Yes," Beverlee confirmed, "why?"

"Well, did I also hear correctly that Loki had another nightmare before you arrived?"

"Yes," Loki said quietly, "it was just as unpleasant as the previous one, perhaps more."

"Normally in these situations," Lowenstein said, "I would have a patient take a two-day sleep study in the Med Centre. We would use different pieces of equipment to gather information to measure sleep stages and cycles," he looked at Loki, "however your physiology is disparate from us humans, so we wouldn't know where to begin - although, at a later date, I wouldn't mind setting up an appointment." He then turned to Beverlee and  handed her a small rectangular device, "but maybe we both can help Loki."

"What's this?" She asked.

"A piece of high tech equipment - a pager." Lowenstein replied with a smirk, "I'm staying late to do some work, and will probably be sleeping on this couch tonight. I don't mean to impose, but if you do observe Loki suffering again with a nightmare, I want you to contact me right away."

Beverlee glanced at Loki then back at Lowenstein, "it's no imposition when it comes to Loki's health," she looked at the device in her hand, "umm, how does it work?"

"Let me take you both to supper," Lowenstein said, "and I'll show you. It's pizza night at the cafeteria..."

"I almost forgot," Loki said excitedly, looking at Beverlee, "asides from pancakes, I have become quite keen on this Midgardian dish - Chef Barber has also come up with some innovative combinations. I sure hope he's made some mushroom and broccoli tonight, it's one of my favourites."

"If he hasn't," Lowenstein said to Loki, "you can be sure he'll make one just for you," he looked at Beverlee, "Chef Barber has taken a shine to your friend. You see, one of Chef's special qualities is trying to make foods available on the menu that the majority of people want, and he goes out of his way to find out what the employees at the facility like - believe it or not, we get a weekly email survey.  So it thrills him to no end when his dishes appeal to Loki, someone who is out of this world."

"He sure is," Beverlee said, looking at Loki with a proud grin, "and now I'm curious about your favourite pizza."

"Then let's go," Loki said, his whole countenance beaming with joy.  

****

When the three of them arrived at the cafeteria, they saw Sasha, Minerva, Blitz and Jamal sitting at a table enjoying their pizzas. They waved at the trio, making a gesture to join them. Upon recognizing Beverlee, the expressions on their faces clearly showed they were excited to see her.  

Before sitting down, Beverlee went over to Sasha. Leaning in close and putting a hand on Sasha's shoulder, she said, "I heard you were the one who took Loki to see Doctor Lowenstein. I can't thank you enough for looking after him."

"My pleasure," Sasha said, "it's good to see him smiling again. He was so upset before I brought him there. Is he okay now?"

"For now, yes, but we're keeping an eye on things just in case."

"Let me know if there's anything you need," Sasha said, "at least we know when you're with him, he cheers up pretty quick."

Beverlee gave a gentle squeeze to Sasha's shoulder, then sat in the saved chair beside Loki at the table.  All of them soon fell into some casual talk, catching up with each other.

"Where's Thor?" Loki asked.

"Oh, he was here earlier," Minerva said, "after he finished eating, he said he was going to back to his quarters, he had some work he had to do."

"That doesn't exactly sound like Thor," Loki said, as he knew his brother was one to live in the moment, and usually would stay well after his meal for some captivating conversation. 

"Maybe we should check on him after supper," Beverlee suggested.

Loki nodded. 

Lowenstein had gone up to the counter to bring their pizzas to the table, and when he returned, he placed two plates in front of Loki and Beverlee, and one for himself.

"Broccoli and mushroom pizza?" Jamal said, incredulous, "I know there's always been the debate whether pineapple should be on a pizza, but broccoli - ugh."

"Don't knock it till you tried it," Beverlee said, as she picked up a slice of her pizza and took a bite. 

It tasted divine.