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Chapter Nine

Nobody's POV

When the first screams echo through the hallway, Thor walks into the room Leah has been calling home for the past several days and finds her leaning against her bed, crying. He shuts the door behind him quietly, blocking the majority of Thea's anguished cries, and walks over to the girl, barely making a noise, although his cape swishes slightly.

"Leah," he says quietly.

She doesn't look up, but her body begins to rack with sobs. "Leah," sighs Thor, sitting next to her and wrapping his arms around her small frame. "Leah,"

For a bit, he just holds her, letting her cry. Finally, Leah looks up at Thor, her lip trembling and her eyes red from crying. Her mousy colored hair is tangled. "Is it happening to Thea?"

"Yes," says Thor gently. "But she is going to be all right. She is young and strong."

A particularly loud shriek comes from the hallway, and even the heavy door cannot hide the sound. Leah begins to cry again, and Thor soothes, "It will be over soon. It does not take long."

"Why did it have to be me?" sobs Leah. "Why did God have to take mommy and daddy from me and Thea? Why did the aliens have to hurt my family?"

Thor grimaces, taking his time in formulating his answer. Then, he says, "I cannot tell you why fate decided to take you this way."

Leah leans against him, wiping her nose. "When can I go home?"

Thor hesitates, trying to decide whether or not to tell her. Then, he says as calmly as possible, "Leah, your home is no more."

"Wha-a-t?" asks Leah, her head jerking up.

"The Imel-the aliens destroyed your dwelling- Darling, please do not cry." He adds as Leah begins to cry again, mixed in with a few coughs.

"But I want to go home!" she wails. "I can't stay here for-forever."

"I know," says Thor softly. "You will not stay forever. Just long enough for us to figure out what your attackers mean and long enough to avenge your family and the lives of others they no doubt have marred."

Leah sniffs. "How long will that be?"

"As to that, I do not know."

"Where's Jane?"

"So many questions," he teases, but then replies, "She is with Tony Stark and Dr. Banner, looking over some artifacts and iridium samples."

"How much longer will she be?"

"I do not know," Thor says, "Once Jane has begun her work, she gener-"

"Not Jane. Thea."

"Ah." Thor glances towards the closed door. "Soon, Leah. Very soon."

Another scream echoes through the surroundings, and Leah shudders, her shoulders shaking as she continues to cry. Thinking quickly, Thor says, "Tell me about your life on earth."

"I don't have one anymore," Leah cries.

Thor frowns at the little girl's blunt response, so dull and dark. Looking at her, he realizes that she has been scarred and that it will take a very long time to be able to heal her.

"Well at least tell me this," says Thor. "What do you like to do?"

As Thor wipes her face of some of the tears, she says in a small voice, "I like to draw. Thea does too. She teaches me. And one day, we-"

A terrible shriek resonates, and Leah closes her eyes tightly as Thor grimaces.

"Go on," Thor encourages. "What do you like to draw?"

She hesitates, then says timidly. "Trees. And dogs. But dogs are hard. But horses are harder."

"Ah, yes, I can imagine why horses may be hard to draw," amends Thor. "I own several back in Asgard."

"Where is Asgard?" Leah asks.

"Somewhere a long way past earth," replies Thor, pointing upwards.

"What's it like?"

Thor pauses. "Well, it's rather large and grand. Especially the palace."

"You live in a palace?" Leah's voice has a twinge of awe.

"Well, yes. I'm the heir to the throne of Asgard."

"Oh," says Leah. "Can I visit one day?"

Thor raises his eyebrows, "Why would you wish to leave earth?"

"Well I could come back," Leah says, looking at her fingers. "I just want to see it. And can I ride one of your horses?"

Thor smiles. "I shall see what I can do."

"Does Jane live with you?"

"Not presently. Her home is on earth."

"Oh." Leah pauses. "She can come with me, then. And Thea."

"Very well," says Thor. "If one day you are lucky to set your eyes upon Asgard, Jane and Thea will accompany us."

"Oh good," says Leah. "Because-"

The door opens and both Leah and Thor look up to see Loki.

"It is over?" asks Thor.

Loki nods.

"Is Thea okay?" asks Leah hesitantly.

"Yes," says Loki, looking down at the girl. Then, he turns to Thor. "I need to confirm that her scar has not re-formed after its twin has been destroyed."

Thor nods, then picks Leah up, walking over to his brother. Leah hesitates, curling her arm around towards Thor's chest, looking at Loki apprehensively.

"Do you not trust me?" asks Loki wryly.

Leah doesn't say anything, but Thor says, "Go on, Leah. His bark is worse than his bite."

Loki scowls at Thor as he takes Leah's reluctantly outstretched arm and turns it around so that the scar's former resting place is visible. He runs his fingers across the surface, then nods. "It's gone. Both girls are safe."

"Are you sure, brother?" asks Thor.

"I am certain."

~Thea's POV~

My eyes flutter open, and I groan. My head is throbbing and I feel like it weigh a thousand pounds. I try to sit up, but instantly regret it- my entire upper body screams in protest.

"You may not wish to do that."

"Go away, Loki," I mutter, lying back down.

"I dearly wish I could," he says, and I realize that he is standing by the door. "Seeing as your mood has not improved much even though the poison is gone. However, Dr. Banner is meeting with Stark briefly, so I have no choice but to watch over you."

"How long have I been asleep?" I ask.

"Almost a day," he says. "Which is significantly longer than Leah."

"Leah. Where's Leah? Is she okay?"

Loki rolls his eyes. "She's fine. I swear, virtually your first question is always about Leah."

"She's my sister!"

"I'm well aware of that." Says Loki smoothly. "You remind me about every day."

I'm about to snap something back when I see movement at the door. It's Dr. Banner, holding his glasses and looking at Loki with his eyebrows raised.

"She's awake," says Loki to Dr. Banner, completely ignoring me.

Dr. Banner smiles at me. "It's about time."

"When can I get up?" I ask.

"When you're ready," Dr. Banner replies simply.

"Which will be..."

"Not sure." Dr. Banner sits at the end of the bed. "Probably soon now that you are awake. How are you feeling about now, Thea?"

"Pretty fine," I lie.

"She's lying," says Loki.

I scowl at him as he walks out of the room, leaving Dr. Banner and me alone. Shaking his head, Dr. Banner says, "Any way you feel, you will be able to move about soon enough."

"Where's Leah?"

"She is with Thor," says Dr. Banner, "Although that is probably not surprising."

"It's not," I say shortly.

Dr. Banner looks over me. Then, he says, "Why does it bother you that Thor-and Jane- care for Leah so much?"

I cross my arms, ignoring the stinging pain in my head. "Because they're not her parents."

"And if I am not mistaken, your parents are no longer here. I'm sorry if that seems harsh," says Dr. Banner quickly as my scowl deepens. "But it is not fair to Leah to expect her to go without comfort during this time of need."

I don't reply, because as Loki so wisely pointed out, I hate being wrong. And I know I am wrong. Honestly, I'm happy that Thor and Jane are kind to my sister. I'm not sure why it bothers me so much.

"And it is not fair to you to keep refusing comfort," says Dr. Banner quietly.

My head jerks up. "I can take care of myself. And Leah."

Dr. Banner doesn't say anything. Then, he gets up, saying, "Very well. I am going to leave you to rest by yourself for a bit, seeing as you are awake. If you need anything, just holler and someone will come running."

I sink back into my pillow as Dr. Banner walks away, closing the door quietly behind him. 

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