I do not own Marvel.

Syndra watched the woman before her, she was aware she was an illusion but her illusion being here meant she were somewhere in the building. She assumed she was probably with Loki giving similar threats. She looked at the beautiful woman before her and frowned. Loki had called it off with this woman almost seven months ago and yet this woman was obsessing over him, she could understand why Loki called it off now. The woman was insane and obsessive. Insane because she was trying to kill her for something that happened by accident. She stepped back away from the illusion, only for another one to appear behind her. she wasn't sure if the illusions could actually hurt her, so she stayed put between them.

Chills ran down her spine as the real one walked into the room shrouded in a cloak of invisibility. A haughty smirk lingered on the woman's lips as she circled her. Syndra kept her gaze on the woman, not trusting her to keep her hands to herself in the slightest. Sigyn stopped beside the tv and turned it on and cycled through the channels for a while before she landed on one she was satisfied with. An image of Captain America showed up on screen, saying he was a fugitive. She only knew about him from Loki telling her about him as well as Thor's stories. Then it cycled out and showed an image of another man, who they called Nick Fury and it said he was dead and that Captain America knew who killed him. She didn't understand why this was relevant until video footage of the metal armed man showed up on tv and he was fighting with Captain America.

Her heart thumped in her chest as she watched the man fight with them. She swallowed softly and tore her eyes away from the screen to look over at Sigyn as she transformed into a bald man with glasses and smirked at her. "When he's done with them, he's coming for you." She said as she transformed back into herself. "It's easy to be able to kill someone with a super secret soldier when you know what the man controlling him looks like." She said and Syndra's eyes began to sting with her unshed tears. She didn't want to die.

Sigyn placed her hand on Syndra's cheek and frowned at her as the tears began spilling over her cheeks. "Poor sweet little Syndra. The little lost elf... never should have fallen in love with a man she couldn't have." Sigyn mocked as she shoved Syndra's face away from her. "When I'm done with you... I'm going to kill him too." Syndra closed her eyes and forced herself to stop crying. She had to stop showing her weakness. She looked to Sigyn and could see the reflection of her eyes in the glass as she held up her hand towards Sigyn and a spear of ice formed in her grasp.

Sigyn was shocked when Syndra lunged for her with the ice spear. The woman stumbled backwards and summoned her own spear to try and knock Syndra's away, but Syndra held out her other hand and a dagger of ice formed there. While their spears were interlocked, Syndra took the chance to thrust the smaller blade into Sigyn's side. SIgyn cried out and attempted to pull the blade from her side, only for Syndra to melt the blade and grab her spear with both hands. She unlocked their two weapons from one another and lunged straight for her once more with a yell of anger.

"You can kill me but you will never hurt him!" she screamed and kicked the other woman to the ground. She had the element of surprise as she forced the spear down towards Sigyn's chest. The moment her armor was knicked, Sigyn headbutted Syndra sending the shorter woman recoiling and the spear skittering across the floor. Sigyn flipped their positions and began punching Syndra in the face repeatedly. Syndra tried to bring her arms up in front of her face to stop the rapid hits, only for Sigyn to wrap her hands around her throat and begin to squeeze. Syndra's eyes began to flutter as her heartbeat began throbbing in her head and she struggled to get air.

Her eyes began to flutter shut, only for a sharp searing pain to make itself known in her side. She felt herself slipping from consciousness as the grip on her throat was unrelenting. "I told you I would kill you... I just didn't want to get your blood on my hands." Sigyn said, her voice dripping with disgust. "You just made it happen sooner." She felt the blade twist in her side as the spots littered her vision. Her eyes fluttered shut as she gave in to the darkness, but not before she managed one final plea.

"Please don't hurt him..."

:-:_:-:

Loki sighed as he continued to think about what she had said. She was going to take Syndra from him and it was his own fault. Goosebumps rose on his skin as a chill filled the air. He rushed to the elevator and began pelting the button, as if that would make the elevator move any faster. He tapped on the screen and Pepper's face appeared on screen. "What's going on Loki? Where is Syndra?" she asked frantic and his fear filled his form. "She is in trouble, get Tony in there as soon as possible. I'm on my way!" he yelled as he frantically pushed the button to get to the floor she was on. He knew better than this... he knew he should have never left her alone. Especially not when Sigyn was running around.

"Loki what is happening?" Pepper asked and he stared at her image for a second, his heart thumping in his chest as the elevator set in motion. "You need to stay away Mrs. Potts. SIgyn is dangerous... she's going to kill Syndra and it's my fault..." he said as the elevator stopped and he tried frantically to open the doors. When the doors opened, it felt like everything was moving in slow motion as he rushed forward and threw Sigyn off of Syndra. He turned towards her, only to see her smash the window and take off out of it. Tony came rushing in soon after and looked at the destruction in his living room.

Loki fell to his knees beside Syndra and his shaky hands found their way to her already bruising neck to feel for a pulse. It was there but it was weak. He brushed his thumbs over her cheeks only to then begin searching her form for the cause of all the blood he was currently kneeling in. He found the small shank in her side and he left it there, it would do more damage if he pulled it out than if left in. his anger filled his being as he watched Sigyn look back at him only to take off once more. Tony ran over to the catwalk and watched her as she left, only to make his way over to Syndra and rolled her to place her on a couch cushin to ease the flow of her blood.

"Jarvis, call an ambulance. Tell them to hurry." Tony said and Pepper rushed over to the group and placed a towel gently over the wound, causing Syndra to flinch in her unconscious state. Loki sat there in the same spot, long after the paramedics had come and taken her away. "Loki... please... they need you down at the hospital. You should be there when she wakes." Pepper said and he turned to look over at the woman who had placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. He placed his hand on top of hers, only to gently shove it off of his shoulder as he moved to stand. He didn't deserve to go see her. he didn't deserve to be anywhere near her right now. He had left her to the wolf in this instance.

Sigyn had placed him right where she needed him to be while she attacked Syndra. "She needs blood Loki, and human blood won't help her." Pepper said softly and he sighed as he looked over to her. what made her think that his blood would be of any assistance to her? He was... the last of the frost giants... and she was a partial. He had to help her because he was the only one who could. He sighed and nodded as he followed Pepper to the elevator, his appearance changing to that of his human alter ego so no one would attack him.

He watched the woman beside him as he walked, her lips were pursed in a grim line and his gaze sank to the floor. If she had lost enough blood to need a transfusion, things could be looking bad... "Mrs. Potts... how bad is it?' he asked and she looked up to him and offered a small smile. "She just needs some blood, but they have everything else under control. You may not like what she looks like though, she's looking a bit rough." She said and he nodded. He had seen the way Sigyn was pinning her to the ground, so he knew that she was in dire condition the moment he saw her. He did regret not going after Sigyn, but that would come soon enough. He just had to ensure Syndra was well first.

He slipped into Pepper's car and looked out the window as she drove. He could have sworn he caught a glimpse of a flash of light similar to the Bifrost and he narrowed his eyes. "Go back to the tower." He said and she furrowed her brows at him but did not object. They pulled back up to the front door to see two boxes sitting on the ground with the engraving of the Bifrost beneath them. He slipped out of the car and made his way over to the boxes. He lifted the lid on the first one that had his name on the top and he chuckled lightly as he looked up to the sky.

"Watching out for us even though you're mad, are you... Father?" he asked as he slipped the daggers back into their boxes and carried both boxes with him to Pepper's car. He slipped back into the seat and motioned for her to drive with a single wave of the hand. She looked over at the boxes in his grasp, but asked no questions about them, to which he was grateful. He continued to stare at the blades within for a while, and he sighed as he closed the lid once more. He wondered what spell his father could have placed on them.

His eyes landed on the hospital coming into view and he set the boxes in the back seat as he stepped out and made his way inside, where Tony was waiting for him. Tony grabbed him by the arm and dragged him right back through the double doors leading to the emergency room. When he got into Syndra's room they had her hooked up to all kinds of monitors. He sat in the medical chair beside her and nurses came in and began briefing him on what was going to happen. A direct transfusion they said.

He rolled up his sleeve and allowed them to place an I.V in his arm, he didn't flinch when they jabbed the large bore needle into his vein. He was doing this to save her. He had to save her no matter what. He watched as they hooked him up to an odd machine and then moved to hook Syndra up to the other side. They were aware of who he was and they treaded lightly around him, but not near Syndra. He didn't blame them though, he was something to be feared. He was a monster and they knew it.

His eyes landed on her hand that lay open off the side of the bed and he scooted his chair a little closer just so he could touch her hand ever so gently. The urge had been overwhelming for him. He didn't quite understand it, but it made him feel better. Her warm fingers twitched and closed around his and he sighed as he squeezed her hand a little tighter, eliciting a similar response from her. A smirk crossed his lips at the determination of this woman. Even in such a poor state she was thrilled to touch him.

:-:-:

Syndra could feel his presence, even in her current state. The warmth of his fingers as they entwined with hers, it was soothing to her. She had tried her best to fight Sigyn because she didn't want him getting hurt. That was the last thing she could ever want for him. She knew he had done his wrongs, but he was trying to do better and she could see that. She wondered if Tony had seen the same and that was why he let Loki stay with him. She enjoyed the fact that Loki had made friends with Tony and Pepper, he needed more people around him.

She wondered if he knew how much he truly meant to her.

She would die just so he could live, but it seemed as if Sigyn hadn't succeeded in her attempt. She could hear them all around her, talking about her condition. She was stable and all she needed was a blood transfusion. She wondered briefly where they were going to get the blood for her, seeing as human blood could kill her. Her question was answered the moment she felt the blood enter her veins. It was cold, like ice, as it traveled through her, spreading itself through her system. She squeezed her hand and felt his still there in her grasp. After a few minutes she had the energy to open her eyes once more. The lights overhead were dimmed down for her, seeing as Tony had told the nurses of her visual condition.

She followed her arm down and saw his hand laying within hers and a small smile broke out over her lips. He was sleeping with his head propped up on his other hand. She squeezed his hand gently and his eyes cracked open and he watched her for a second before he gently squeezed her hand back. "Are you well, Loki?" she asked and he nodded as he leaned forwards and brushed her mess of hair away from her face. "I was more concerned with you, foolish woman." He said and she laughed lightly, but her throat hurt. She looked out her window to see it had most likely been hours since she had been attacked, seeing as though the sun were peeking up over the horizon.

"How long?" she asked and he shook his head at her. "You've been out for a week. What were you thinking? Fighting with her?" he asked with a frown and she cast her gaze to the hand that still held hers. He didn't seem angry, but he was upset... no... he was disappointed. She thought about it for a moment and wondered if she should tell him what she had actually said, seeing as it may enrage him. Her eyes made their way back to his face and she could see the worry residing there. She hadn't meant to worry him.

"She said she was going to kill you and I couldn't let her do that... I can't let her hurt you. I've already cried over possibly losing you once... I couldn't handle it a second time..." she whispered and he nodded. He turned to look out the window and she could see the exhaustion in his features. He seemed so deep in thought and she couldn't understand what he could be thinking so deeply over, but then her eyes went wide and a small blush coated her cheeks. She had just unknowingly admitted to him that she had mourned him. She looked back at him to see there was a slight smirk on his lips.

"So, you would have missed me huh?" he asked and she frowned at him. "Of course, I would have... you were my friend... and..." she cut herself off there. She was not ready to admit how she felt for him, and she was pretty sure he wasn't ready to hear her say that either. She opened her mouth to say something more to him, but a knock on her door made her clam up once more. "May I adjust your light?" a man asked from the doorway and she nodded. He brightened the room the slightest bit and made his way past Loki to sit on a rolling stool next to her. he pulled back the blanket and began examining her wound and she allowed him to.

All she could think about was the fact he had kissed her that day. She didn't understand why he would kiss her then push her away. She knew he was struggling in his own mind, but that was ok. She was doing the same. She could only think about him when it came to anything remotely romantic anymore and it was starting to consume her thoughts. She wanted nothing more than to feel his lips on hers once more, but she knew that wasn't going to happen again anytime soon. Her eyes drifted back to the doctor who was examining her wound and she watched as his gentle fingers pulled back the bandage and pressed around the outside of the wound. It made her flinch and he apologized but made a comment on how well it was healing already.

She knew it wouldn't take long for it to heal once she had received the blood from Loki, however she was surprised it had taken a week for her to wake back up. She looked back over to Loki who was just listening to the doctor as he spoke to him. She looked back to the doctor, who was getting up and leaving the room. "When can I leave?" she asked and he frowned at her as he folded his hands together. "When that wound is a little more healed, we would rather it not split open once more." He said and she nodded as she pulled the covered back up over her.

She wanted nothing more than to leave this place. She felt exposed here and she hated it. She really would much rather to return to Asgard, but she knew that she wouldn't be returning there without Loki. She knew there was a way for him to return as well, she just didn't know what it was. She looked back over to him and he was just watching her now, silently. "Loki... do you want to go back to Asgard?" she asked and he seemed caught off guard by her question. He sighed and crossed his leg over the other one and propped his head back on his hand, not once removing his other had from hers.

"Yes, I want to return to Asgard. But... I don't want to rule it. It feels like too much effort to do that now." He mused and she smiled softly. "I want to... I don't know what I really want to do when I get there. I'm just tired." He sighed and she nodded. She could understand him being exhausted with everything. She looked down to where his hand still lingered in hers and she smiled. "Would you ever think about settling down with anyone?" she asked and he smirked at her once more.

"Is that an offer?" he asked, his amusement showing in his entire form. She blushed and looked away from him. Damn him and his ability to make her so nervous. "Only if you want it to be." She managed and he chuckled lightly as he crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his seat. She could understand why Sigyn was so intent on ensuring he never left her. He was handsome and he knew it. Perhaps he didn't think himself as eye grabbing as his brother, but he knew he had some sort of effect on women. Usually slapping from what she had heard, but an effect, nonetheless.

"Getter more blatant about it are we?" he mused and she sent him a smile this time. "Not as blatant as you were when you kissed me." She said and he cocked his head to look at her, but if he were surprised by her sudden snap back he didn't show it. She had more so surprised herself with her sudden burst of confidence on that one. He stood from his place and made his way over to her, one slow step at a time. She could only watch his movements and compared them to a cat, sleek and efficient as he moved.

He leaned over her and smirked wickedly. She could feel her heart racing and she wondered what he was going to do as he moved to lace the fingers of his hand with hers once more. She offered a smile to him as he leaned in closer to her now. She knew what he was doing, he was going to tease her again, it seemed to be his favorite thing to do. She wasn't going to let him though, because the moment his lips got within range of her she connected their lips once more, looking him directly in the eyes as she did so.

The amused look in his eyes told her he was plotting, but he wasn't going to do anything too drastic while she was injured, this was a plot for later when she was fully healed. She didn't care though, whatever it could be couldn't be so bad as long as he were with her. she moved her lips against his and he deepened the kiss, leaning closer to her once more. She reached her free hand up to place it on his cheek, but before she could they heard yelling out in the hallway. She sighed as he pulled away from her and crossed his arms over his chest to await the boisterous blonde that was making his way through the hospital following the more quiet Tony.

The door opened and the two of them began talking at the same time. "Shut up you fools." Loki snapped and they both silenced immediately to glare at him, although once they saw her they both rushed over to her. "Syndra, what happened?" Thor asked and she frowned as she began explaining to them exactly what happened. Tony knew some of it, but he wasn't fully in the loop on it because no one but her had known exactly what had happened, well her and Loki now. Thor frowned as he looked over to Loki. She could see the anger on his features so she grabbed Loki by the sleeve and pulled him further behind her as she sat up.

This small movement made Thor's entire demeanor change. He looked between the two of them and suddenly a big smile broke out over his lips. "Dearest Syndra! We must speak alone!" he said and she nodded as she released Loki's sleeve and motioned for the two of them to leave the room. Loki took one last look at her before he left the room and she only offered him a comforting smile as he slipped the door shut behind him. She looked back to Thor who had pulled the chair closer to her side of the bed and grabbed her hand gently.

"Are you well?" he asked and she nodded as he situated himself better near her. He looked over her, moving her hair out of the way to see the almost faded bruise and then returning it to its position with a sigh. "So, you're why Sigyn returned to Asgard injured." He sighed and she nodded. "She was going to hurt him..." she said and he frowned as he looked to see Loki peeking through the window by the door. This elicited a chuckle from the blonde, who shook his head at his brother's antics.

"He cares for you... and you care for him..." Thor began and she looked to face him once more. "Is he still in here? I can't see through his illusions but you can." He said and she nodded. "He left." She said and Thor nodded. He sighed as he leaned back in his seat and looked to where Loki was staring once more, only to smile and give his brother a little wave. To which Loki rolled his eyes and turned to face Tony, who had been talking to him about something.

"Do you love him?" he asked and she blushed lightly, making him chuckle and pat her on the shoulder. "There's no need to be ashamed dearest Syndra. He is also very worthy of love. He just doesn't believe he is." Thor explained and she turned to look at Loki once more, who had been watching her out of the corner of his eyes. "He is very protective of you, you know." Thor said and she looked over to Thor once more. It seemed he was going to explain so she held her tongue and waited.

"he had apparently been here every day since you were injured, and he has been pestering every doctor and nurse about what they had been doing as far as your care. And something that surprised me when I was told about it, was the fact that instead of going after Sigyn, he stayed by your side." Thor said and she looked back to the dark haired man standing outside the room once more. He appeared to still be watching her, although he was still focused on his conversation with Tony as well.

"I'm glad to see he is doing well here." She whispered softly and Thor tilted his head in confusion. He didn't understand why she would say that so suddenly. "I almost don't want to have to take him back to Asgard." She said and he frowned. "You both could be happy there. I know he cares for you." Thor said and she nodded. She knew Loki cared for her, even if he was trying his best to hide it, he couldn't. she knew he felt something for her or else he wouldn't be so tempted to kiss her all the time.

"I feel like there is too much temptation there for him. Like I know that the tesseract and the casket are still in Asgard, so I think he will still be tempted to touch them." She said and Thor sighed and crossed his arms over his chest once more. He knew just as well as she did, that if the temptation were there he would take his chance to grab those items once more. Her eyes landed on her hands and she began fiddling with them once more. She didn't want Loki to go down that path again, she just wanted for him to be happy.

And for him to be happy, he couldn't be around those objects that would draw his attentions.