Beyla ~ (Loki)

7.

Thor and Dr. Selvig sing joyfully as Thor aids him in the trailer. "The mood is good, our hearts are full, there's magic in the air. It's all because we're here tonight, and haven't got a care. So raise a glass, and toast to life, wherever it may lead Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, a friend is fine indeed. Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, a friend is fine indeed!"

The small trailer is in a state of perpetual disarray, strewn with various books, old pizza boxes, etc. A worried Jane lies on her bed, trying to read. She's startled by the loud voices at the door.

Thor stands there with the unconscious Selvig slung over his shoulder.

"Erik! Is he all right?"

"He's fine. Not injured at all." As Thor enters, he hits Selvig's head on the doorway. "Sorry, my friend."

Jane watches in confusion as the god carries the grown man on his shoulder. "What happened?"

"We drank. We fought. He made his ancestors proud."

Thor sets Selvig down on Jane's bed. Selvig awakens groggily and looks up at him through bleary eyes. "I still don't believe you're the God of Thunder. But you ought to be." Thor grins, pats him on the cheek. As Selvig drifts off to sleep, Thor pulls a blanket over him. Jane watches, stunned by their friendship, impressed by Thor's tenderness.

"These are your chambers?"

Jane suddenly becomes aware of the mess and starts cleaning up the trailer around her.

"Well, it's more of a temporary living space, really. I don't usually have visitors in here. Actually, never..."

Thor picks up a sock off the floor. She snatches it from him, putting it away.

"Can we go outside?"

Thor steps off a ladder onto the roof of Smith Motors. He offers Jane his hand, helps her up. There's a telescope set up, a couple of chairs, some blankets.

"I come up here sometimes when I can't sleep. Or when I'm trying to reconcile particle data. Or when Darcy's driving me crazy. I come up here a lot, now that I think about it." Thor looks at the night sky, filled with stars.

"You've been very kind. I've been far less grateful than you deserve." Thor draws within himself, being reminded of a certain kindness one Goddess has always shown.

"I also hit you with my car a couple of times, so it kind of evens out." He grins, then reaches into his pocket and pulls out her notebook.

"I don't believe it." She takes it from him, surprised and grateful.

"It was all I could get back. Not as much as I promised. I'm sorry."

"No, this is good. Thank you. This means I don't have to start from scratch." She sits down and opens the notebook eagerly, then stops, a harsh realization clouding her face. Thor notices.

"What's wrong?"

"SHIELD, whatever they are. They're never going to let this research see the light of day."

"You must do this. You must finish what you've started."

"Why?"

"Because you're right. It's taken so many generations for your people to get to this point. You're nearly there. You just need someone to show you how close you really are."

Thor stares at her smiling. "What?" "I have a friend who would love to meet you." Jane smiles crossing her arms. "Yeah? Another story?" Thor chuckles. "No, no. She's very much real. Her name is Beyla. When the times comes she'll travel here and help the growth of the land spread." Jane grins listening to the tale. "Beyla? Like... the Goddess of Bees?" Thor nods with a wide smile. "She's over this Realm. You two share the same ambition. All she's ever wanted to do was use her gifts."