Archive of Our Own

Loki had left Asgard, without anyone knowing he had even returned, after the battle on the Dark World.

Odin still lives on as King of Asgard while Thor and Jane are beginning their lives together on Earth.

But unforeseen events cause an irreparable rift in The Avengers team.

Trust becomes key in surviving a crisis when assistant becomes limited and a lost option.

Will The Avengers be able to adjust to the hindrances or will they be forced to disband?

Thor and Jane had finally grown closer even though life for the unique duo had not become less difficult. It was nearly impossible for the couple to be together without Thor constantly being mobbed by (almost literally) every other person who recognized the famously heroic God of Thunder. Craving isolation in a desperate bid to try and allow their relationship to flourish and with few options at their disposal the young lovers decided that it would be best for Thor to live in the sanctuary of Stark Tower in New York City. Jane Foster was of course welcome to join him and she of course accepted the offer.

A personal plane was sent to London, courtesy of Tony Stark, to escort the loving pair to New York. Once in the sky it seemed everything would finally gain some sense of normality despite being an abnormal couple with an equally abnormal lifestyle.

"This city is most impressive Jane Foster." Thor was admiring the view from his seat through the airplane window.

In spite of the massive devastation left in the wake of the Chitauri invasion the city showed little scars or lingering damage from the otherworldly attacks. The city and its people had healed and moved on. Though it was a slow process New York and its people would soon resume their daily routines and prosper on for centuries to come.

"Well, I think S.H.I.E.L.D. helped. A little." Jane had been looking out her own window gazing down at the shining skyscrapers as well.

"S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"Yeah, there were plenty of eye witnesses who claimed to have seen strange men with dark vans gathering up all the alien weapons and technology. Who do we know that fits that description?"

Thor looked over at Jane with a smug smile. "It was wise for S.H.I.E.L.D. to claim the foreign weaponry."

"But is S.H.I.E.L.D. wise enough to know how to properly handle all the alien technology they've confiscated?"

Thor just smiled broader. "Perhaps it is you, Jane Foster, who should lead S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Oh, no! I can barely handle being in a relationship with a god and having someone like Darcy as my intern. The last thing I need it to take care of all the worlds' problems and all the problems from all the other worlds who make contact with this world."

The plane turned and dipped as it began its descent to the runway. Thor gripped the armrest of his seat tightly and Jane noticed his knuckles turning white.

"Nervous?"

"I am always nervous when I am in the sky. Even more so when I am not in control."

Jane put her hand on his. "Well, this pilot works for Tony stark, so I'm sure he'll take extra precautions with a god on board."

Thor tried to chuckle but was interrupted by sudden turbulence. His eyes widened and his face slightly paled.

Jane just smiled. It was a rare treat to see the 'mighty' Thor so uneasy.

On Asgard the healing process had only just begun.

Heimdall had resumed his duty as the gate keeper of the Bi-frost. Despite his role in assisting Thor and Loki's escape from Asgard, thereby committing treason against his King; no punishment was laid upon Heimdall as Odin's wisdom allowed him to see the good intentions in Heimdall's actions. Though Thor would not return to Asgard as he had given up his right to the throne Heimdall had taken a personal responsibility to keep an eye on the well-being of both Thor and Jane while they began their lives together on Earth.

The aftermath of Malekith's attack had been cleared away from the palace and the surrounding courtyard. Debris had been removed and the buildings were being repaired slowly by the hour. But it wasn't the physical pain of the attack that weighed heavily in the hearts of the Asgardians. It was the memory of their Queen and of her death. Her murder at the hands of Malekith's most loyal solider, the Kursed, blanketed the denizens in a black cloud of sorrow.

The AllFather himself was still in the greatest pain as he had lost his true love and now his only two sons. The memories of losing his wife, losing his youngest son as he died honoring his Mother while protecting his older brother, and the knowledge that his eldest son would never return home caused him to become reclusive. But Heimdall knew that with time Odin's stubbornness would give way to curiosity and he would ask about Thor's well being.

However, it was not Thor's fate that had captured Heimdall's attention. It was the fate of another man. A man that had once been beloved on Asgard and a man who still held a place in Odin's shadowed heart. Heimdall summoned a guard to deliver a request to speak with Odin, claiming that it was required his presence as the information was too important to be handled by a carrier. He then waited at the Bi-frost gates unsure if the stubborn AllFather would grant his requested counsel counsel.

The sun over Asgard set while the brilliantly bright stars of the night sky glowed with a peaceful ambience over the prosperous realm. A comforting silence fell upon Asgard as day steadily turned into a warm night.

It was then Heimdall heard the distinctive sound of eight galloping hoof beats of Odin's personal steed; Sleipnir. The unusual beast raced down the length of the rainbow bridge with the AllFather in the saddle. The mighty steed came to a stop just outside the bi-frost gateway and stood idle as Odin looked down at Heimdall with a tangible pain shining in his one remaining eye.

"Why is it that you summon your King, Heimdall?" Odin demanded as dismounted from Sleipnir's back and stood before the guardian standing tall and proud. "What is it that you see?"

"My King," Heimdall's words were heavy with grief and empathy as he addressed his wise ruler. "I see pain, torture and eventually death."

"To whom has this tragedy befallen and why bring it to my attention?"

"The victim of this plight is a man you once cared about. A man I believe you still care about." Heimdall's gilded eyes reflected the pain lingering yet inside the depths of Odin's own heart. "Your son."

Odin's single blue eye widened with fear. "Thor?"

Heimdall sadly shook his head 'no' but said nothing more.

Odin felt an odd combination of fear and joy in his heart. His eye darted about the chamber of the Bi-frost nervously as the only possible name of the man came to his mind. "Loki...? Loki still lives?"

Heimdall nodded obediently. "Yes, my liege. Loki is alive."