The explosion devastated the procedure room.

Several hours later, Emergency Work Crews arrived on the scene, to dig through the debris and rubble. 

The workmen were dispatched to various areas of the chamber so they could do the job in a more efficient and timely manner. They also kept in contact with their communication devices, letting the person in charge know what they were finding, and seeing if anything could be salvaged.

After a few minutes, a workman called to his fellow colleagues, "hey, over here! I found two people."

****

Beverlee awoke to brightness, and as her eyes adjusted, she immediately knew where she was.

The Med Centre at the auxiliary SHIELD facility. 

She had visited this place enough to know it as well as her own domicile.

"Loki?" she called out.

There was no answer.

She started to get worried. Searching for the button to call the nurse, upon finding it, she pressed it with determination.

She waited impatiently, every second feeling like an eternity. Finally, someone arrived.

It wasn't a nurse or even a doctor. 

It was Coulson and Thor. Both had a sombre expression on their face as they approached her.

They didn't have to say anything - she already knew and could feel tears immediately stream down her cheeks. 

No... 

Loki couldn't have died...

"I'm sorry," Coulson said, "we -"

"What went wrong?" Beverlee said, cutting off Coulson.

"The Chitauri energy beam, it..." 

"Not that," again Beverlee interrupted, "what happened to Lo... him?"

"Dr. Reiss is still reviewing the situation," Coulson replied, "but his theory is that when the beam harmonics changed, instead of the cyst being decimated... it burst, similar to an appendix. Whatever energy spilled out, it was deadly." Then added gently, "Loki... didn't survive."

Incompetent Midgardian medicine...

I never should have let him take part in this procedure... 

Beverlee felt another bout of fresh tears fall.  She felt Thor's hand on her shoulder.

"I-I want to see him," she said quietly.

"Are you sure?" Coulson asked.

"Yes," she replied. "The Initiative has been told?"

"Yes," Thor said, his voice quiet, "they are grieving, and they asked about how you were," he looked at her, "they want to see you."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Beverlee's hands came to her face. She was now shaking with long, racking sobs. She was finding it hard to breathe.

This had become the worst day of her life.

Thor moved to sit beside her on the bed and then put his arms around her. 

"I'll make the arrangements for her to see him," Coulson said. Once he saw Thor nod his head in acknowledgement, he took his leave.

Thor held Beverlee close and stroked her back to comfort her. He wanted to say something, but he knew actions at this point spoke louder than words. However, one thing came to mind, "I don't if you knew this, Beverlee... but whenever he would tell me he was going to visit you, his eyes would light up... a brightness I never saw - even during my entire life on Asgard." 

"Really?" she whispered. Thor's words made her smile a little, and it evoked a memory, "Thor... did he ever make that guttural sound in front of you when he was happy?"

"You mean 'BEEYEAAH!'?" Thor clarified, with a chuckle, "yes, many times."

Beverlee chuckled too.

They began to share stories about their memories of Loki and talked for a long time. 

"Beverlee," Thor said, sounding unsure, "when you see... Loki... may I accompany you?"

"Of course," Beverlee replied, "it wouldn't be right if you didn't."

"I should let you rest now," Thor said, giving her a warm smile, "I'll come back later and bring us some supper."

"I'd like that," Beverlee said. She gave Thor a big hug, "thank you."

"No, Beverlee," Thor said, putting his arms around her again, "thank you."

****

Coulson had arranged for Beverlee and Thor to view Loki's body in the morgue. He also made sure that the body would not be presented in the standard way, under a sheet. A majestic blanket in a rich green hue with a gold key design pattern was used to cover him. 

When Thor and Beverlee arrived in the room, as soon as she saw Loki, the way he was lying so perfectly still, even though she knew he was...

The shock of it made her want to run out of there straight away.   

Her heart was racing,  and she burst into tears, again feeling overwhelmed with strong emotions. 

 She took a step back and bumped into Thor.

"Easy, Beverlee," Thor said, putting his hands on her shoulders, "it's okay.  Remember, it's Loki. Why be afraid now?"

Thor was right. In life she wasn't afraid of Loki, so why in death did she feel such trepidation? 

Because she didn't want to let him go.

She found it hard to move from where she was standing or even think clearly. 

"I will stand with you all day if need be, for you to find your courage," Thor said softly.

Comforted by Thor's words, she took a moment to take some deep breaths. After a few minutes, she was able to reclaim some semblance of order within her mind.

Was Loki really gone? 

No.  

A part of him would always be with her.  

Remember the joy, not the loss.

She looked up at Thor and nodded that she was ready. 

Thor gave her an encouraging smile, then both of them walked up to Loki.

Beverlee placed her hand, which shook at first,  on the blanket where Loki's shoulder was and looked at his face. It wasn't the same in life, but this didn't matter, as she had plenty of memories to remember it, especially his smile. Thinking of that smile soon brought one to her lips.

"Beverlee," Thor said, "no disrespect to your beliefs, but if I may, I'd like to recite an Asgardian prayer?"

"Of course," Beverlee replied, "I think he would appreciate that."

Thor took Beverlee's hand, then spoke, "Loki, I bid you take your place in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave shall live forever.  Nor shall we mourn, but rejoice, for those who have died a glorious death." 

"That's beautiful," Beverlee said, "and there was much to rejoice about him."

"Yes, there was," Thor said. He spied some chairs nearby and pulled two of them over for them to sit by Loki. "Let me tell you about one of my favourite memories..." 

Beverlee didn't sit down right away. She wasn't sure if she would. At this moment, she felt more comfortable standing by his side, keeping a hand on his body.  It reminded her of a quote by Emily Dickinson, something she first found when her grandmother had passed away and then more recently, her uncle: 

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality."

Thor and Beverlee began to bring up other memories of Loki in which to rejoice. Although Loki was unable to be a participant in the conversation, they still included him.

"Brother, should I tell her about the time when we, I mean, I was eight and you..? Perhaps not." Thor said.

"Oh come on, you have to tell the story now!" Beverlee cajoled.

"Well, Loki did find it a fond memory when I told it awhile ago. Okay. One time, Loki transformed himself into a snake, and he knows I love snakes..."

For a while, it seemed they no longer were in a morgue, but more like some pub or restaurant. 

Then Beverlee suddenly had a disquieting thought.

"Thor," Beverlee said in a shaky voice, "I - I guess after all this, it means I won't be seeing you or the Initiative anymore. Whatever I had here was all connected to Loki. He's gone, so SHIELD has no more use of me." 

"Do you really think so little of yourself that SHIELD could not make use of your talents?" Thor asked, looking at her closely, "your journey with Loki may have come to an end, but with me, and the Initiative, a new chapter will begin."

"I don't understand."

"Loki was clever till the end," Thor said, "he was unsure of this procedure's efficacy, so in the event of his death, he made sure you would be taken care of." Thor gave Beverlee a sympathetic smile, then pulled an envelope out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her, "in truth, whenever we went on assignment, he would always write up a new document to be sent to you just in case something happened."

Beverlee looked at Thor with astonishment, then at the envelope in her hand. She then turned to gaze at Loki with deep admiration. 

...for love is immortality. 

And my happiness goes on because of your love.

She noticed his paler visage beheld such a sweet and peaceful expression. It brought another smile to her face, and it drew her to carefully embrace him.  One arm moved to touch the top of his head, stroking his hair, and the other, gently holding his side. 

She lowered her head and kissed him.

I love you, Loki.