Goddess of Deception

November 17th, 2013

The Bifrost sends us to the patio of Jane’s apartment. Jane runs up to Thor and kisses him. I walk past them while they make out on the patio. I walk inside.

“Anyone have a phone I could borrow?” I said

“Sure,” Erik said handing me his phone.

I dial a number.

“Selvig” Fury said

“Surprise. It's Runa.” I said

“Runa! Your back on Earth? For how long?” Fury said

“I don’t know yet. I need a favor.” I said

“So do I. We need to talk about Greenwich. The world wants answers and you two hightailed it out of here before we could even ask the questions.” Fury said

“I know. I’ll give you all the answers you need, but I need a ride out of London.” I said

“Alright, I’ll make some calls. Head down to Heathrow for 1800, I’ll have some agents waiting for you.” Fury said

“Copy that,” I said hanging up the phone giving it back to Erik

“You're leaving already?” Erik said

“Yea. I got some shit I got to take care of.” I said

I make a glass of water and down it. I walk towards the door. Thor walks in before I could leave.

“Runa. Wait. We have to talk.” Thor said

“Fuck,” I said under my breath

We walk out the door and into the hallway

“Where are you going?” Thor asked

“Back to S.H.I.E.L.D. technically I’m still an S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and I left very abruptly and I have business I need to take care of,” I said

“Alright, but I supposed I owe you an apology. I didn’t know Frigga asked you to talk to Loki. To try to help him. It’s just…You can’t trust Loki. I thought he got to you. That creature said you two were talking about overthrowing the throne. What was that about?” Thor said

“I would ask Loki questions and just let him talk. Let him get it off his chest. And I would listen. Obviously, many of his answers were about overthrowing the throne and this and that, so I wouldn’t doubt if the creature thought he heard us talking about it. Because technically we were, but not like the creature thought.” I said

“Did you have feelings for him?” Thor said

“Excuse me,” I said

“Like I said I saw the way you two look at each other. I saw you holding his hand when we entered the Dark World. I saw your reaction when he died.” Thor said

“Of course I had feelings for him. I spoke to him every day for over a year. But not what you think. I felt sorrow and pity. I did care for him, but I also felt sorry for him. He was a broken soul, that even I couldn’t fix. He was beyond repair.” I said

“I’m sorry I questioned your allegiance. Runa, we may not be close, but you are my daughter. And I care for you immensely. I may not show it very well, but I am so very proud of you. What you’ve been through, what you had to overcome. To be the person you are today. You are honest and humble and smart. If you choose, you may make a wonderful Queen one day.” Thor said

I am speechless. He literally has no idea who I am. I feel a sense of relief that my cover is still intact, but I also feel warmth. Like someone actually cares for me. I haven’t felt this feeling since my Mother. My eyes start to water a bit.

“Thank you,” I said

I walk away and head to the elevator. I walk into the elevator and a tear runs down my face. I hate that son of a bitch. He’s never been there for me. My whole life he was never there and now all of a sudden he’s trying to win Father of the year. Fuck him.

“AGH” I yelled and punched a hole in the button panel.

The elevator stops. The doors don’t open. I pry the doors open and there is a group of people standing there. I walk out. They look shocked

“Your elevators broken,” I said leaving the building

I hail a taxi down and get in.

“Heathrow airport,” I said

The driver starts to drive away.

“You’re here for the convention.” The taxi driver said

“What convention?” I asked

“London Comic Con. You have a pretty cool Runa cosplay. I and my mates were there all weekend.” The taxi driver said

“Cosplay?” I said

The taxi driver keeps looking back at me then back to the road then back at me.

“Oh my God. It’s you. Your Runa.” The taxi driver said

He swerves into the other lane but corrects himself.

“Hey, hey, hey watch the road,” I said

“I can’t believe it. You're in my taxi. This is insane. Wait a minute, why are you even in my taxi, can’t you fly?” The driver said

“No, I can’t fly. Why do you think I’m going to an airport?” I said

“Oh, its just Thor can fly so I assumed you could.” The driver said

“Thor can’t fly. It’s the momentum of the spinning hammer that lifts him off the ground. Asgardians can’t fly.” I said

“Ok…wow. This is just crazy. So…how are the Avengers? Are they cool? What about Iron Man, he seems cool? And Captain America? Oh and what about the Hulk? I heard you're stronger than him, is that true?” The driver asked

“I don’t know. I only fought the Hulk once, kinda sorta, but not really fought him. Steve is cool and Stark is what you would think Stark would be like. Did I miss something? Why are you freaking out?” I asked

“Freaking out? Because you’re an Avenger. What you did in New York and just last week in Greenwich was amazing. You saved the world. You have superpowers. You’re an alien. It’s awesome. It's like all the stories I read as a child come true. The whole world looks to you in awe.” The driver said

“The world really shouldn’t look at me that way. I’m not what everyone thinks. I’m not some hero. That’s Cap’s job.” I said

“But you are a hero. We all look up to you. There are little kids running around in the streets dressed as you. You give them hope, hope that there’s a brighter future ahead.” The driver said

“Thanks, I guess,” I said

I finally got what I wanted. To be known again. Worshiped by the mortals. To rule Asgard. But why do I feel so bad? Thor is actually trying to be my father now and Midgardians finally are looking up to me, but they have no idea who I am and what I’m capable of. And quite frankly, I don’t think I know either. We pull up to the airport.

“Hey, can I get a picture and an autograph?” The driver said

“Sure,” I said posing for a selfie with the driver

I sign his baseball cap. I meet up with the two S.H.I.E.L.D agents.

“Agent Thorsdotter, its good to have you back.” The agent said

“Well enjoy it while you can because it might not be for long,” I said

The plane lands in DC and we are met by a caravan of black SUV’s. Fury stands outside one.

“Where’s Thor?” Fury asked

“Still in London. He’s going to be living there with Jane.” I said getting in the SUV

Fury gets in and closes the door. We are heading to the Triskelion.

“What about you? Are back for good?” Fury asked

“Thor’s here for love, I’m here on a mission,” I said

“Mission?” Fury said

“I said I needed a favor. Odin sent me on a mission to retrieve Loki’s scepter. I need to bring it back to Asgard. And I’m pretty sure you have it” I said’

“You also said you were going to answer some question,” Fury said

“I will in return for the scepter,” I said

We pull up to the Triskelion.

“Let’s go inside and talk.” Fury said

We enter an interrogation room.

“Really, is this necessary?” I said

Fury sits down

“What happened in Greenwich?” Fury said

“You want me to tell you or the camera,” I said pointing to the two-way glass window where there is most likely a camera recording me.

Fury gestures to the people behind the glass. The mirror effect goes away and I can see three agents standing behind the window with no camera.

“Well, where do I start,” I said laughing nervously.

“This guy, Malekith, he was an ancient race of Dark Elves. He had this thing called the Aether that would cause eternal darkness throughout the universe. Then there was this thing called the convergence, where all the nine realms align. That’s why Malekith came to Earth because he could get all nine realms in one shoot. Myself, Thor, Jane, Erik, Darcey, and Ian stopped him. The end” I said

“Ok, but we're going to need you to go into greater detail,” Fury said

“Yea…right,” I said annoyed

*Hours later*

We walk out of the room and walk down the hall.

“So, where’s the scepter,” I said

“About that. We can’t give you the scepter.” Fury said

“What now?” I said confused

“We can’t. Give you. The scepter.” Fury said

“Don’t fuck with me, Fury. The scepter belongs in Asgard. It’s either you give it to me or I’m going to start busting down doors and I’ll take it myself.” I said

“It’s not that I don’t want to give it to you. We don’t have it anymore.” Fury said

“What!?” I yelled

“There was an incident. We had the scepter, but our scientist Nicholas Cooper was killed and the scepter was stolen. We have been trying to track it, but we don’t know where it is.” Fury said

“Why did you lie to me and waste my time then.” I said

“I didn’t lie to you. I never said we had the scepter.” Fury said

“Of course… Fuck.” I yelled

I rub my face with anger.

“Do you have any leads?” I asked

“Agent Mark Smith. He went rogue, and dropped off the radar.” Fury said

“I still got a desk here,” I asked

“I can get you one.” Fury said

“Have it ready for tomorrow,” I said

“So your giving orders now?” Fury said

“Yes because you’re the one who lost the scepter and now I have to clean up your damn mess. What else is new? I’m used to cleaning up S.H.I.E.L.D.’s messes.” I said walking away.

I start to walk down the hallway. I see a random S.H.I.E.L.D agent

“Hey, you, what’s your name?” I said

“Darren Hardgrave,” Darren said

“So Darren, do you have a car,” I asked

“Yes, why?” Darren asked

“I need a ride,” I said

Darren drives me to my old apartment. It’s just as I left it a year and a half ago. For the next few months, all I do is chase down leads that take me nowhere. I take the quinjet and fly from country to country. I use satellite imaging. GPS tracking. I cant find this guy or the scepter.

January 6, 2014

I go out to the top of the parking garage.

“Heimdall” I yelled

The Bifrost opens and I am taken back to Asgard.

“Back so soon,” Heimdall said

“Yea I just needed to talk to Odin for a minute and I’ll be back on my way,” I said

I walk into the palace and Odin is not there. I turn to one of the guards.

“Where is my Grandfather?” I asked

“He is in his chambers, do you wish for me to tell him you’re here?” The guard said

“No, I got it,” I said

I walk up to Odin’s room. I see Loki sitting in the tub. Loki turns around.

“Runa, I wasn’t expecting you. You have the scepter?” Loki said

I sit on the edge of the tub

“No, S.H.I.E.L.D lost the scepter and I’ve been trying to find it, but I can’t. I’ve tried everything. Well, not everything” I said

“What are you thinking,” Loki said

“I might seem crazy, but I have to assemble the Avengers,” I said

“Yes that does sound crazy,” Loki said

“It’s my only chance. Stark has the tech, Steve has the military training, Nat and Clint have the spy training, and Banner is pretty smart too.” I said

“You left someone out,” Loki said

“This is a need to know mission and he doesn’t need to know. He’s happy with Jane for now.” I said

“Is that all you came here for?” Loki asked

“No,” I said reaching down and touching Loki’s thigh

Loki smiles and grabs me by my waist and pulls me onto his lad in the tub, clothes on and everything, but that’s soon not a factor. *Que Beyoncé drunk in love*

After we were finished I along with the rest of my clothes were drenched. I get dressed.

“You're leaving already?” Loki said

“Yeah,” I said

“Ha” Loki chuckled

“What?” I said

“Usually, during a one night stand it’s me leaving,” Loki said

“How the tables have turned,” I said

I start to walk out the door. Loki grabs my arm.

“Hey, you need to hurry up, I want you here with me,” Loki said

“Oh Loki, don’t tell me you went and fell in love,” I said jokily

But Loki wasn’t laughing.

“Oh no…You did. Loki…This isn’t like that. This is more like a rulers with benefits thing. I don’t…” I said

“You seem to have that effect on a lot of people. Like Captain Rogers. He pounds one out every night thinking about you, as do I. What do you expect when Lust is your greatest power. Are you not capable of Love?” Loki asked

“I learned a long time ago that Love gets you hurt. I’m sorry if I lead you on to think that…” I said

“No, don’t be sorry, it was my foolishness to think that you’ve changed your ways. I know at night when you touch yourself you don’t only think about me, you think about Sif, and as much as you would like to deny it you think about Captain Rogers as well. Along with Stark, and Natasha. Is there anyone you don't lust for?” Loki said

“Well, if you’ve been watching me for as long as you say then you should know by now, monogamy has never been my strongest characteristic,” I said

“Let me know here and now that I don’t have a chance. That I will never win your love. Don’t hold me, prisoner. Let me know that you don’t feel that same way as I do. If not then walk away so that I can go drown my sorrows in a brothel.” Loki said

I pause to think. I do believe that I have feelings for Loki it’s just it’s been so long since I’ve had feeling for someone else other than lust. I’ve forgotten what it felt like to have other feelings. It’s not exactly love yet, but there’s something there. He’s basically another version of me and the narcissist in me loves that. I grab Loki’s hand and look up at him and kiss him.

“You still have a chance if you don’t screw it up. And to answer your question, yes, I am capable of love.” I said walking out letting go of Loki’s hand

I walk down the rainbow bridge and turn around to see Loki standing on the balcony looking at me. He then turns back into Odin. I continue to walk.

“I see you went for a swim,” Heimdall said

“Oh yeah, I…I had an accident. I wasn’t watching where I was going and walked into the fish pond.” I said

“Back to Midgard,” Heimdall asked

“Yep,” I said

Notes