Loki and I got dressed for dinner and left the safety of his room. He never stopped touching me. Whether it was touching my waist, or holding my hand, he never took his hands off me. I wasn't sure if he was being possessive, or if it was for comfort, but my skin tingled under his touch and it put a smile on my face.

We both paused at the doors to the dining hall. Loki and I looked at each other and took a deep breath before Loki nodded at the guard manning the door. We both froze when the door opened. The dining hall was packed with Asgardians. There were way more people than yesterday.

"What's happening?" I asked Loki in slight panic that only got worse when everyone looked at us. I felt a bit self conscious since I was dressed casually compared to everyone else. I wore the outfit Frigga gave me this morning.

"I'm not sure, but I suspect Odin to be behind this, so stay alert." Loki whispered back to me before leading me into the room, my hand in the crook of his elbow. The whispers and chatter started again as people went back to talking. I couldn't help but feel like they were talking about me, especially when they weren't very subtle with there glances.

"Our guest has arrived." Odin's loud voice carried through the hall. "Let us start the feast."

Everyone moved to their respected places while Loki and I walked to the main table. The seating arrangements were thankfully different than last nights. I'm guessing Frigga had something to do with it, but it could also still be part of whatever Odin was planning. Frigga sat on the far left, then Odin, and Thor, leaving two spots left for Loki and me. I took the spot next to Thor, after ignoring Loki's protests, and Loki sat on the end.

"Are you alright, little sister?" Thor leaned over and asked. I turned and gave him a teasing smile.

"How long have you been waiting to call me that?" I asked.

"Since the day I found you two together." Thor smirked back. I scoffed and rolled my eyes playfully.

"I'm just a bit tired." I tried to play off my uneasiness.

"It seems my brother has forgotten that mortals need their rest." Thor smirked and looked to my neck. I tilted my head in confusion until he continued. "Though, it does look like you two had fun." Thor said and winked at me. I sat with my brow furrowed for a few more seconds before my brain caught up. And, when it did, I blushed, hard. I quickly moved my hair to cover my neck as much as possible and looked to my lap.

"Thor..." Loki warned. "Stop embarrassing her." He said. "That's my job." He added teasingly. I smacked his arm while Thor laughed at us. Loki smiled and I couldn't help but laugh with Thor.

"It's not funny." I told him while trying to stop my giggling. Loki just chuckled before grabbing my hand and bringing it to his lips. Loki and I smiled at each other for a moment before Odin ruined it.

"Thank you all for being here for our celebration." Odin announced. "There has been a recent discovery for the future of Asgard." He continued proudly. "I cannot wait to share it with all of you, but first we feast!" Odin rang the dinner bell and food was immediately carried in by servers.

Dinner went surprisingly well. Odin didn't speak one word to me the entire time. Thor, Loki, and I talked the whole dinner. We laughed and joked, told stories, and had a genuinely great time. When dinner was over, everyone moved to the large ballroom connected to the dining hall. There, everyone conversed, danced, and drank. Loki and I ended up with Thor, Sif, and the Warriors three, minus Hogun since he was home for the week. I was listening to the story Sif was telling while I was tucked under Loki's arm.

"So, Sammee," Volstagg said when Sif was done talking. "How are you planning to remove the Aether? You aren't planning to just coincide together, correct?" He asked.

"Definitely not." Loki started before I could. "We will actually be leaving after the festivities tonight. Sammee has a friend on Midgard she believes can help."

"You're leaving?" Thor asked surprised and sad.

"We've been here long enough, Thor." I told him with a small smile. "Plus, I don't want to stick around to figure out what Odin is scheming." I added. Thor pressed his lips into a tight line before nodding.

"That is probably for the best." Thor agreed.

"So, we don't have time for a rematch?" Sif asked to get the conversation more lighthearted again.

"Rematch?" I laughed. "There was barely a match. You kicked my ass!"

"Only because you weren't fighting your hardest!" She chimed in. "You could have easily won if you teleported my weapons from me."

"Don't be so sure. I'm good with a blade, but I'm only mediocre at best when it comes to a fist fight." I laughed.

"I'm sure you would manage." Sif smirked. I immediately stopped laughing and raised my brows at her, matching her smirk.

"Glad to know you think that highly of me, Lady Sif." I said in a flirtatious tone. Loki tightened his grip around my waist and bent down to my ear.

"Darling, remember what happened last time you made eyes at someone else in front of me?" He asked lowly.

"Vividly." I said while still looking at Sif.

"Are you sure you want another punishment like that so soon?"

I quickly snapped back to reality and averted my eyes to the ground.

"Good girl." Loki smiled and kissed my temple before starting up another conversation with Thor like nothing had just happened. I stayed quiet after that. I snuck quick glances at Sif who I swear was trying to get me in trouble. Every time she caught my eye she would wink, or comment something with a double meaning. She was evil and I loved her. After about ten more minutes, Odin stood from his seat and raised a hand to get everyone's attention. Once everyone was quiet, he spoke.

"As I have said, this is a celebration. We are here to celebrate the future of Asgard." Odin's voice boomed through the room. His eyes fell on our group and I instinctively held on to Loki tighter. "Thor, would you please bring Mjölnir up here." Odin said. Thor looked confused, but nodded and moved to stand next to his father. Odin held his hand out and Thor placed the handle of Mjölnir into Odin's hand. Odin stepped forward and placed Mjölnir on the top step of the raised landing they were on. "I have recently been made aware of someone worthy enough to be on the throne." Odin continued. "Someone who is not Thor." Odin smiled smugly at the confused crowd. I was starting to catch on and just wanted to get out of there.

"We need to leave!" I told Loki and tugged on his arm. Loki looked down at me with concern, but nodded and started following me out. We didn't make it five feet before guards stopped us.

"Loki, escort Sammee to the front." Odin called to us. Loki looked back at Odin before looking to me again. Hesitantly, he took my hand and placed it formally on his arm. Loki took a step forward, but I didn't move. Odin was challenging me. Challenging what I told him... in front of everybody. He wanted Loki to prove that he wasn't worthy. Odin wanted to embarrass him.

"Kitten." Loki said softly to get my attention. I took a deep breath and turned to face Odin, staring him right in the eye. This time when Loki took a step forward, I took one with him. We slowly made our way to the front and up the stairs to stand next to Thor. I never took my eyes off Odin. I made sure he knew I was pissed off and that, if looks could kill, he'd be dead.

"It is said that whoever holds Mjölnir shall be worthy of the throne and possess the powers of Thor." Odin started. "Many have tried and failed to be worthy of such power. Only one other in this room can lift Mjölnir. Apart from Thor, Frigga, and myself, that is." Odin explained before turning his head to look at where Thor, Loki, and I were standing. "I am glad that everyone here will witness what I already know." Odin said directly to me. I clenched my teeth together and felt myself start shaking with anger. But, his next words shocked me to my core and dissipated the anger.

"So... would you do the honors, Sammee of Midgard?"

After the initial shock of it all, I started laughing. It was a completely humorless laugh. Odin stayed quiet and continued to look at me, letting me know that he was serious.

"I can save you all the trouble, I'm not worthy." I scoffed once I stopped laughing.

"If you already know, then there is no harm in proving me wrong." Odin told me. I sighed dramatically and shrugged my shoulders.

"Ok." I said casually and took a step in front of Loki. Instead of walking to the hammer I put my hand out to call for Mjölnir. Surprise, surprise, nothing happened. I put my hand down and looked to Odin.

"You are not trying." Odin stated. I rolled my eyes and looked back to the hammer. I stuck my hand back toward it and focused more. I called to Mjölnir in my mind and expected to have nothing happen once again... but I was wrong. I saw Mjölnir shift slightly and I immediately dropped my hand. I backed up a few steps in complete shock and disbelief. My body started shaking again, but not in anger. I stared at the hammer with wide eyes as whispers erupted from the audience.

"Silence!" Odin commanded. Everyone quieted instantly. "Pick it up." Odin told me.

"No." I said with as stern a voice as I could muster, shaking my head back and forth.

"Pick it up." Odin repeated.

"No!" I told him again only louder.

"Pick. It. Up." Odin yelled. He pronounced each word which continued to ring through the ballroom. Loki took a step closer to me just in case he needed to defend me. I took a deep, shaky breath and slowly crept toward Mjölnir, never taking my eyes off it. When I reached it, I froze for a moment. "Do it, girl." Odin commanded. I gulped and hesitantly reached down to wrap my hand around the handle. With one last shaky breath, I stood up, picking Mjölnir up with me.

I stood completely frozen for a second, unable to comprehend what was happening. The sound of clapping snapped me out of my stupor. I immediately dropped Mjölnir and backed away from the hammer. I looked up with wide eyes into the faces of the Asgardian people. I turned my head to look at Loki who was equally as shocked as I was. His eyes were glued to Mjölnir with his mouth slightly open in a silent question. When Loki's eyes finally looked up to me I decided that our leave would be taken then.

I teleported to Loki and put my hand safely into his. I immediately felt less panicked.

"We're leaving." I told him and started to pull him away.

"You can't run from this, Sammee." Odin taunted.

"Like hell I can't!" I yelled back and pulled Loki down the stairs with me. The crowd parted for me and Loki as we made our way through them. I didn't stop once we were out of the ballroom. I kept going down the hall.

"Kitten." Loki said to get my attention, but I ignored him. I didn't want to talk about it. "Sammee!" He said louder and stopped walking, making me stop with him.

"What?" I snapped and turned to him. I immediately regretted it and took a deep breath to cool my temper. "Sorry, what is it, Loki?" I asked in a softer tone. Loki looked a bit startled, but recovered quickly.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay? Get answers?" Loki asked and rested his hands on my shoulders.

"Positive." I told him. "I don't want to know what Odin is going on about because then I would just freak out even more. I just want to get out of here and back to where I know everything that's going to happen. No more surprises!" I said and looked down to the floor. "Now, come on." I told Loki and tugged on his arm. He didn't release my shoulders.

"I understand, darling, I do, but this isn't a small thing. You are worthy." Loki smiled. "You've achieved something I could never."

"I haven't achieved anything!" I stated. "It was a trick, only a trick. I- I don't wanna talk about it. Can we just go, please?" I begged Loki, placing my hands on his chest and stepping closer to him. I pleaded for him to just drop the subject. Loki looked at me for a few long seconds. I saw him bite his lower lip in thought as he looked into my eyes. Finally, he nodded.

"As you wish, Kitten." He said softly and dropped his hands from my shoulders. Moving to hold my hand instead. I smiled gratefully at him before turning back to move down the hallway.

I didn't know which way to go, so Loki led us to the rainbow bridge. We walked quickly to the bifrost even though no one had tried to stop us. I finally relaxed some when I saw Heimdall.

"Your highnesses." Heimdall greeted.

"What can I do for you both?"

"You already know, Heimdall." I sighed. "Can you please send us back to Midgard?" I asked.

"I can." Heimdall said. "But, you might want to hurry." He continued and nodded behind us. We turned to see guards on horses riding toward us. "Once the Alfather gives the order to shut the bifrost down I cannot help."

"Let's go then." Loki said and nodded toward Heimdall who bowed his head back. We walked to the opening of the bifrost before I turned back to Heimdall.

"Can you send us to where Tony Stark is?" I asked.

"Of course, Princess." Heimdall smiled, knowing I didn't like the name.

"I think I prefer Lady." I frowned as Loki put his arms around my waist and held me tightly to him. Heimdall laughed lightly as he opened the bifrost.

"Farewell, your highnesses." Heimdall said before Loki and I were surrounded by beautiful color. We shot through space at an unimaginable speed. I was in complete awe again. Stars lit up around us. Clusters of pink, blues, and purples splashed the dark background. It was one of the most amazing sights I'd ever seen.

We arrived on Midgard with a loud crack of electricity. When the bifrost closed I looked around us to see the pattern it left behind, burnt into the ground. I looked past the circle to see that we were in the woods and it was snowing. I was freezing within seconds.

"Shit," I mumbled and tried to curl into Loki's warmth. Although his body ran colder than everyone elses, he was still warmer than the snow. "We're in Tennessee, I think." I said through chattering teeth. Loki hugged me closer to him and summoned me a warm fur coat. I sighed into it, instantly warmer.

"Why are we here? Where is Stark?" Loki asked looking around.

"Half of the third Ironman movie takes place in Tennessee. Stark must be here somewhere." I told him and looked past the trees to look for him. "Oh, shit! You can't be seen!" I panicked. "You need to go." I told Loki. Loki frowned and looked down at me.

"You want me to leave you?" Loki asked sadly.

"Only for a bit. I have the amulet. I'll call if I need you." I smiled sweetly and went on my tiptoes to kiss him. Loki kissed me back before pulling away and sighing.

"Fine, but I'll be close by." Loki told me sternly. "And you might need these." Loki summoned my daggers, Eldr and Íss. He also summoned holders for them. After strapping one to each of my hips, he leaned forward and kissing me again. When I opened my eyes, he was gone. I stood silently for a few seconds with a slight frown on my face at being away from Loki.

"Sammee?" A very confused Stark called to me. I turned quickly to see him still quite a ways away. He was dragging his Ironman suit that had crash landed after the attack at his beach house.

"Ironass!" I said joyfully. "I knew I'd find you here." I laughed and jogged over to him.

"Where the hell have you been?" He asked and dropped the suit.

"Asgard... didn't Nat tell you?" I asked with a confused look on my face.

"Tell me? Oh, yeah, she told me all right." Tony scoffed. "You've been gone for months! You know, I could've really used you these last few weeks!" He told me angrily.

"I know." I said sadly. "I didn't mean to be gone that long. Time on Asgard is different, so to me it's only been a few days. I'm sorry... I meant to be back, so I could help you." Tony looked at me for a few more seconds, silently seething. He then picked his Ironman suit back up and walked passed me without saying a word.

"Take it!" I yelled at a very stubborn Tony. I had been trying to give him my fur coat for the last ten minutes. He not only refused to talk to me, but he refused to acknowledge me. "Tony, I swear to god! Take. It." I told him again, but got the same reaction. He was freezing. He was walking through the snow in a thin, dark blue tshirt with a light grey long sleeve underneath and blue jeans. "Please, Tony? I'm warm enough. You're freezing and I don't need to explain to Pepper that you died because of your stubbornness. She doesn't need to morn you twice in the same forty eight hours." I said in a softer tone.

Tony finally stopped and turned his head to look at me. I smiled sweetly and held out the coat to him. He looked down to the coat in my hand before looking back up to my eyes. He was still furious with me, and the death glare he gave me only confirmed that.

"Please." I added in a small voice. Tony rolled his eyes and sighed before putting his suit down and taking the coat. I silently cheered in my mind knowing I won.

"Don't look so damn smug about it." Tony grumbled as he lifted the suit again.

"So he speaks?" I fake gasped. Tony only glared at me over his shoulder as we kept walking. I could see the town lights as we grew closer to them. It took around five to ten more minutes until we reached the convenience store. Once we got there, I turned to Tony. "You go call Pepper. Let her know you're alive. I'll steal the poncho from the Indian."

"Right." Tony mumbled as he dropped the suit and walked to the phone booth. I turned to the wooden Indian sculpture and took off the cloth poncho from his shoulders. I would never admit to Tony how cold I was. I'd rather suffer than have him give the coat back. I slipped the multicolored poncho over my head and wrapped it around my shivering form as I waited for Tony. When he was done leaving his message to Pepper, he came back out into the cold and over to me.

"So, Skydive, I'm guessing this is the third movie?" Tony asked. I nodded at him. "And you couldn't have warned me?" He asked a bit angrier.

"I already told you that I planned to be back way sooner. I apologized, made a mistake. Get over it." I told him. I was trying to stop my body from shaking.

"You're shaking." Tony said in a softer voice. "Give me the poncho and take your coat back." He told me and started to remove the coat.

"No," I told him and shook my head. "I'm fine. Keep the coat."

Tony lifted an eyebrow at me and continued taking the coat off.

"Tony, I said I don't want it." I said stubbornly.

"And I said to give me the poncho." Tony told me and held the coat out for me to take. "Hurry up, Buttercup. I'm losing body heat already and I'm not putting the coat back on."

I grumbled at him, but took the poncho off and handed it to him while taking the coat from his outstretched hand. I quickly threw the coat on and sighed at the warmth. In the corner of my eye, I could see a black cat duck behind the building. I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, but before I could investigate Tony's voice distracted me.