Author: @dm1n (Page 9 of 25)

—Shouldn´t we intervene Sir? —Coulson asked Fury worried about Lea´s safety

—Not yet. —Fury replied —I want to see how this plays out. —

The hellicarrier had been hovering over the Tower in camouflage mode for a while now.

—I don´t understand why are we here if we´re not going to step in. —Coulson confessed. —We should´ve revealed ourselves when Leah stabbed Doom. —

—I wanted to see what she was capable of, I got to admit I´m a bit disappointed that she didn´t killed him. We´d finally be rid of him once and for all. —Fury pointed out.

—But all the international ramifications Sir? —Coulson asked alarmed by Fury´s statement.

—We would already have the perpetrator, besides can you think of a better way to coerce her to work for us? —Fury asked.

—But what about Loki? —Coulson asked in return.

—He will follow her wherever she is. Eventually we would be able to … convince him to work for us too. We might even be able to set them as a team, can you imagine that? Magic and super soldier abilities working together, that´s one hell of a combination. —Fury added excited at the prospect.

—She´s no agent Sir, even if she´s learn to fight like one. —Coulson volunteered.

—Nothing we can´t fix. —Fury calmly told him with a smile.

Leah was well aware she was trapped; on one side there was Doom and his doombots, on the other side a 1130 ft. fall. Her weapons completely out of her reach and with one dislocated shoulder she had only one good arm to fight with. Doom was walking threateningly towards her.

—You should´ve killed me when you had the chance. —He chided her.

—I won´t make that mistake twice. —Leah answered him with a confidence she really didn´t felt, she couldn´t retrieve any further; not unless she wanted to fall of the building again.

—You´re not going to get a second chance. —Doom icily told her as he swiftly caught her by the throat and raised her off her feet, Leah desperately gasped for air as Doom mocked her —Don´t worry, I´m not going to kill you … yet. — Then he threw her against the floor towards the entrance of the penthouse making her fall on her injured shoulder on purpose.

As the elevator finally arrived to level 86 they all could hear Leah screaming in agony again, Loki bolted out of the lift and desperately called for Thor.

—Over here Loki! —Thor answered as he strived to finish half dozen doombots. There was pile after pile of crushed doombots scattered all around the floor; no wonder Thor had been caught up in that level.

Loki swiftly ran towards them when he heard Clint warned him. —Loki quick, duck! —As soon as he had an arrow passed by him, it exploded on its target destroying the doombots that had begun to chase after him and Eerika. As he jumped behind the barricade both Thor and Clint had made out of broken doombots he checked on Eerika, after making sure she was all right he sighed with relief.

—Thor! —Loki called for his older brother as he demanded anxiously. —Take this things off me! —

It only took Thor a second to release him of his shackles, with a stern voice he told Loki. —The tower isn´t a safe place for Eerika, you need to take her elsewhere. —He haven´t even ended his phrase when he threw his hammer against another approaching doombot.

—I see that. —Loki growled between clenched teeth, he knew what he had to do but he didn´t wanted to do it. —I´ll be back, I´m borrowing Clint. —He barely informed Thor before disappearing taking both Eerika and Clint with him.

He had caught Clint totally of guard, as he suddenly found himself inside of what appeared to be a huge mansion he uttered. —What the fuck? Where are we? And what do you meant by borrowing? —

Loki explained him as fast as he could, he had no time to waste, he feared to imagine what Doom could be doing to Leah. —Consider this a sanctuary, if you don´t get out no one will find you, you will be safe here. —

—Wait Loki, you can´t leave us here! —Clint told him alarmed.

—I´ll be back as soon as I can. —Loki volunteered as he started walking down the hall.

—No, you don´t understand! A baby needs to eat every couple of hours, what am I supposed to feed her with, air? And what about diapers? —Clint stated worried, the battle could still last for hours.

Loki grunted annoyed, Clint was right. —Follow me. —He ordered Clint as he walked quickly through the hall, suddenly he stopped in front of a wooden door with golden letters that read Eerika. —“The nursery without a doubt” —Clint figured out.

—I think you will find here anything you might need. —Loki volunteered.

—What did you do, stole a babies department store? —Clint asked surprised, he could already see formula and diapers among other hundred things.

—No, I bought one. —Loki told him.

Clint opened his mouth to say something but decided against it, instead he told Loki. —I´ll take good care of her. —

—I know. —Loki acknowledged, suddenly he noticed a red stain in Clint´s uniform —Are you hurt? —He asked with a worried frown.

—It´s just a flesh wound. —Clint volunteered.

Loki sighed exasperated as he walked to Clint and without saying another word healed him. Clint noticed Loki´s face paled when he used his magic. —Loki are you all right? —He inquired concerned.

—Walking through the paths of Yggdrasil always drains my magic. That´s why I planned for a situation like this. —Without waiting for Clint´s response Loki went out of the nursery and directed himself to another door in the same hallway. Clint followed him closely, the room Loki had entered looked like a studio. Over the desk was a crystal case with maybe over a dozen gems in it, Loki snatched a pair and quickly explained Clint. —This gems work as your batteries, I stored my magic on them and now I´ll use them to rescue Leah from Doom. —

Clint nodded in agreement —We´ll be here waiting. —Loki had disappeared again leaving him alone with Eerika.

Clint sighed as he looked to Eerika who hadn´t stopped crying —Well kid, is just you and me. We´d better start looking for the kitchen so I can make you a bottle. —Fortunately he had experience with babies, while he walked down the hall he wondered if Loki knew that.

—That´s what I wanted to hear. —Doom exclaimed with glee as he approached Leah again, she tried to get out of his reach without success, he kicked her side before she could get up. She whined painfully as she curled trying to protect her injured side from another attack.

Doom was preparing to kick her again when all of a sudden a large green figure landed behind him and smashed him against the ground reveal times before throwing him against the penthouse windows which broke on impact.

Leah had remained curled up while it happened trying to cover her head from the debris that scattered around, as it all went quiet she nervously opened her eyes as she raised her head she was met by a couple of huge eyes staring at her. She´d never seen Hulk up close before, he was really an impressive sight, she doubtfully asked —Bruce? —. As the creature grunted annoyed she corrected herself —Hulk? —This time she received and approving nod. As she slowly got up she winced in pain and nursed her wounded arm.

—You hurt? —Hulk asked with a worried frown.

—It´s not broken, at least I don´t think it is, don´t worry I´m sure y… uhm … the Doctor could fix it just fine. —She explained making an effort to smile.

—Need Bruce.—He stated firmly, then he closed his eyes with a sigh, before her own eyes Hulk changed back into Bruce before she could protest against it.

—Leah? —Bruce asked confused. —What happened to you? —

Leah´s eyes were overfilled with tears, she´d never been happier to see him before and at the same time she hated the fact that he made her feel like a 5 year old who scrapped her knees while being disobedient, she quickly dry her tears with her sleeve as she told him. —Doom. —

Bruce could tell immediately something was wrong with her arm for the way she was holding it. —Is it broken? —He asked with a frown.

—No, just dislocated. Don´t worry it can wait. —Leah acknowledged.

—Will you stop playing the martyr? —Tony’s irritated voice suddenly sounded on her comlink.

—But … I …—Leah tried to defend herself but Tony didn´t give her a chance.

—What the hell were you thinking staying alone with Doom? He could´ve killed you or worst …—He sounded extremely angry —We could´ve lost you …—His voice broke down at that point.

—You fought Doom alone? —Bruce asked surprised as he examined Leah´s shoulder.

—I did what I had to do if I hadn´t Doom would´ve taken us to Latveria as his prisoners. And I would do it again … —

Out of the sudden she screamed painfully, Bruce had seized the opportunity to set her shoulder back into place while she argued with Tony. —What the …?—She looked at Bruce shocked.

—It´s easier to set it straight if you´re distracted. —He told her as he shrugged his shoulders

—I´d rather you don´t do something like this again. — Tony finally told her.

Without a warning a ray engulfed Bruce as he was thrown off the Tower.

—No! Bruce! —Leah leaned into the rail as she observed Bruce fell, when suddenly a metallic glove seized her hand, it was Doom.

—Leah, what´s happening? —Tony asked her disturbed by what he could hear over her comlink, as he received no answer he told Jarvis. —Set up Mark 283, and hurry. —

—Sir, that suit hasn´t been tested yet. —The A.I. reminded him.

—I know, but it’s the only suit with big enough guns, we´ll just have to test it on the go. —Tony told the A.I.

Doom started dragging Leah towards a descending aircraft —We´re going to Latveria now, I´ll be able to deal with you without further interruptions. —

Leah resisted his pull leaning all her weight against it as she desperately tried to wiggle her hand free of his grasp. —No! Let me go! —She screamed at him when a tremor made her fall to the ground, it was Hulk, he´s jumped back to the rooftop and placed himself between Leah and Doom.

—Hulk protects. —He growled at Doom who released Leah´s wrist as he prepared to fight Hulk.

—Did you really thought I would come unprepared? —He mocked the green creature as he threw a magic beam against Hulk, the beam grew into a bubble that imprisoned Hulk.

Leah observed the turn of events with despair, all her instincts told her to run, so she did exactly that. When Dom realized she was trying to escape he threw another ray against her which exploded as it hit the ground sending Leah flying a couple of meters away.

—This should keep you busy at least until we are gone. —He told the Hulk with an evil smirk, even if he was pounding the sphere with all his might his prison was holding. Next Doom walked towards Leah who was trying to crawl away from him, she was too disoriented to get up. Within seconds Doom had grabbed her through the hair on the back of her nape and forcefully pulled her up, he shook her up angered by her resistance as he yelled at her —Stop fighting! —

—Never. —Leah yelled back as unwilling tears rolled from her eyes, she felt helpless, but she wouldn´t give up without a fight.

Unexpectedly Doom slapped her with such strength Leah fell to the ground, as she looked up at him in disbelief she cleaned up her mouth with her hand leaving a smudge of blood on it which infuriated her.

As Doom contemplated the rage in her eyes he mocked her. —That´s only a taste of what awaits you in Latveria. —

She clenched her teeth and against all prudence snatched an arrow from her quiver and tried to stab Doom with it. Doom caught her hand and squeezed it until Leah had no choice but to release the arrow when the pain became unbearable.

Doom laughed amused at her failed efforts. —Enough I said! —He yelled as he threw her towards the aircraft.

—Tony they have them! — Loki told him in distraught as he opened the comlink channel.

—Loki? What happened? —Tony asked concerned.

—A doombot has them, I overheard it talking; they are taking them to the rooftop. There´s no time to waste, meeting Thor will have to wait. —Loki told him as he tried to catch up with the doombot.

Suddenly Leah´s comlink channel opened, they could hear the doombot´ s voice. —Targets acquired, deploy ships to draw the Hulk away from the building, send additional doombots to prevent any interference. —

— “Smart girl” —Was Loki´s thoughts.

Next a sound of broken glass and a scream were heard.

—Shit! —Loki exclaimed. The doombot had went flying through the window. —The damn thing just went through the window. —He explained to Tony as he turned swiftly back to the elevator.

—You stupid suicidal robot! Let me go! —Leah complained very displeased at the doombot maneuver.

The doombot rose spiral circling the outside of the tower to the rooftop. Again it´s voice could be overheard in the comlink. —Approaching to vessel, destination Latveria, departure: immediately. —

—Like hell we are! —Leah yelled at the doombot before pulling out her hunting knife and stabbing the doombot in the head.

—Warning! Systems failing! —The doombot reported while flying over the roof. Leah stabbed it again, this time she unintentionally hit the jetpack that exploded almost instantly destroying the doombot and throwing Leah and Eerika away from the building, Leah shielded Eerika as fast as she could from the explosion; the strength of the shockwave knocked her out momentarily.

Everyone had heard everything and started calling for Leah without any response when they heard the explosion, it took her about 5 seconds to come back only to realize they were falling.

—We´re falling. —All of a sudden she answered. —I´m afraid I didn´t though this through, I can´t fire a line to save us I lost my bow. —

—Don´t panic Leah, I´m already on my way. —Tony told her as he finished another doombot. —Jarvis locate Leah’s coordinates. —

—She´s falling fast sir, they are at the 700 ft. mark, you won’t make it on time. —Jarvis reported.

—I don´t want to hear that Jarvis, reroute all energy to the propellers. We are going to get there on time. —He snapped at the A.I.

Leah had overheard everything, and knew fully well there was a good chance that Tony didn´t got to her on time.

—Loki? —She asked nervously trying hard not to break down.

—Leah, you´ll be all right. Tony is on his way. —Loki tried to reassure her while he continued his race to the rooftop knocking doombots left and right.

—Loki … I´m sorry. —She confessed.

—No Leah, don´t you dare give up! —Loki scolded her.

—I´m sorry. I love you. —She ended her farewell then she turned her attention to Eerika who was crying. —I´m sorry Eerika. —She curled up in what she knew was an useless effort to protect her baby from the fall. —I guess it wasn´t meant to be Eerika, I´m sorry I failed you. —

All the team had a lump on their throats by now.

—Sir, she´s too close to the ground. —The A.I. reported.

—I don´t want to hear it Jarvis, adjust the trajectory. —

Leah had closed her eyes when she noticed she was too close to the asphalt. —I´m sorry. —She said yet again as she waited to hit the ground, but instead a couple of metallic arms caught her only a couple meters from the sidewalk. —Tony! —She yelled surprised as she felt his grasp. Cheering could be heard on the comlinks. Loki sighed with relief and silently thanked the norns as he continued fighting his way to the rooftop.

—Please tell me you´re not apologizing for dying. —Tony told her.

—I was scared. —Leah confessed. —I thought we were done. —

—Don´t you ever apologize for dying. —Tony scolded her, while still feeling a lump on his throat; it had been a very close call. —You fight it! —

—All right. —Leah answered through tears of relief.

—Sir, I must remind you that the energy is almost depleted. —Jarvis reported.

—We are heading to the rooftop. —He said to no one in particular.

—I´m almost there. —Loki answered.

It only took them a minute or so to get to the rooftop; as Tony carefully placed Leah and Eerika down a powerful ray threw Tony into the penthouse. Doom had unexpectedly made his appearance.

—No! Tony! —Leah screamed, she was trapped again, as she checked in panic her surroundings for an escape route Loki made his entrance, he was still fighting a couple of doombots which he ended swiftly.

—Loki! —Leah exclaimed, he still had his shackles on his wrists. Neither of them would have a chance against Doom if Thor didn´t removed them. As if he had read her mind Doom shot his rays against Loki who managed to duck just in time to avoid them, unfortunately the next blow hit him full knocking him out.

Leah ran to him fearful, as she made sure he was still breathing she could see more doombots walking into the penthouse; she had to do something or Doom would take them all to Latveria as his prisoners.

She removed the baby carrier and the backpack she had been carrying with her and carefully placed Eerika over Loki´s chest, turned her sound input off she didn´t needed to hear everyone’s advice to run but they would need to know what was happening in case any of them could be able to help them so she left her output on; next she picked up her bow that lied beside Loki. For an instant she contemplated them, her family; she had gone through so much to keep them and now Doom wanted to take them away from her, she allowed all her fear to become rage. Before facing Doom she told Eerika. —Take care of daddy honey, mummy has to take care of some vermin. —

—Silly woman, you really think you can face me? —Doom mocked her—Drop that before you hurt yourself. —

—You are goi8ng to regret doing that. —Leah replied to him as if she hadn’t heard his mockery, clutching her bow tight without a warning she shot an arrow against Doom who deflected it with a magical field.

—I told you so. —He laughed at her. —You are not strong enough; I´d rather not damage my prize but if you keep being stubborn I might change my mind. —

Leah tightened her jaw, an attack from the distance wouldn´t work; she would have to get closer. She ran swiftly towards Doom while shooting her arrows which he deflected every time. All of a sudden he threw a blast against her that made her fall on her back knocking her air out.

—This is getting boring, you are nothing but a nuisance, if you weren´t useful I´d be inclined to kill you. —Doom told Leah as he walked by her side.

That was all that Leah had been waiting for, with one swift move she swept Doom´s right leg making him fall by her side, Doom tried to elbow her missing for just a second as Leah rolled up. They fought hand to hand for a few minutes until Doom managed to grab Leah´s left wrist and twisted her arm against her back forcing her to kneel as she screamed in pain.

Both her scream and the sound of Eerika´ s crying woke Loki up who found Eerika resting on his chest, as he got a hold of her protectively he sat up only to find Doom towering over Leah.

—Leah! —He screamed a mix of anger and concern. —You will pay for that Doom. —

—You´d better stay still Loki or I´ll break her arm. —Just to prove that he would he twisted Leah´s arm a bit further extracting another painful shriek from her.

—Stay still Loki! —Leah pleaded laboriously. —Just take care of Eerika. —She begged him through steamy eyes, while she tried to force a smile she winked at him.

— “She has a plan” —Loki thought in hope. Whatever was her plan it seemed she needed help, Dom was keeping the twist on her arm too tight; she frowned in pain as she failed to restrain a muffled whimper. Loki´s heart shrank, he was hurting her. If only he had his magic back he would make Doom pay for it. Suddenly Loki noticed she was reaching for something in one of her boots.

—You will regret doing that Doom. —Loki menaced him trying to distract his attention from Leah.

—I hardly think you are in position to make threats Loki, they bind your powers somehow or we wouldn’t be having this conversation if you had your magic back. —Doom scoffed him. —Now, why don´t you stay still while I teach your … mistress some manners. — Then he turned to Leah —I´m going to enjoy breaking you. And I might just keep Loki alive long enough to see the look in your eyes when it happens. —Then he added. —You should´ve taken my offer woman. —

—No, you should´ve taken mine! —Leah responded as she purposely dislocated her shoulder as she twirled out of Doom´s grab and with one forceful blow stabbed Doom between his shoulder and his chest. It was now his turn to scream in pain.

Doom released his grip on Leah´s wrist surprised by the pain of being stabbed. Feeling her arm free Leah threw all her weight against Doom successfully knocking him down. She landed on top of him with one of her knees on his chest still holding the knife against him, she knew she wouldn´t be able to hold that position for long not with her arm being injured so she did the only thing she could think off, she sat on Doom´s chest resting all her weight against her good arm and the knife, if Doom moved it would prove very easy to cause more damage by just slipping the knife.

—In case you are wondering this knife is made of an adamantium alloy if it cut easily through your armour imagine what it could do to your flesh and bones, —Leah viciously told him.

—You wouldn’t dare! —He challenged her.

—Oh! But I would! —Leah responded with a ghoulish smile. —Your mother sold her soul for the sake of her people, I´m ready to loose mine for their sakes. —She told him while eying Eerika and Loki.

Loki was surprised too at Leah´s quick movements, but what froze his blood was her last remark, did she really meant to kill Doom? —Leah …—He started to say.

—Stay out of this Loki. —Was her swift response, she had to get them out of there before… she couldn´t believe how much her arm hurt.

—Jarvis, override Leah´s comlink audio settings. —Tony told the A.I. while he run to his lab.

—It´s done sir. —Jarvis informed him.

—Leah don´t do it. —Tony hurriedly told her. At the same time she could hear everyone´s voices telling her to stop.

—Tony! You are all right! —Natasha said surprised.

—That depends on your definition of all right. I need another suit. —Tony responded swiftly

—That goes for all of you too, everyone shut up or I´ll turn my comlink off. —She menaced them, she couldn´t afford the slightest distraction.

—Jarvis turn off Leah´s sound input for a moment. —Steve asked the A.I.

—Certainly Sir. —Jarvis responded.

—You have to help her. —Loki whispered concerned.

They were interrupted by Leah talking to Doom again. —Do we understand each other now? —Leah almost purred at Doom as she twisted the knife just a little bit, but enough to make Doom growl in pain.

—I´m not sure she is the one that needs help. —Clint spat.

—Yes—Doom furiously answered then asked. —What do you want? —

—For starters tell your doombots top let Loki and my child to go free. —Leah calmly told him. —You and I have some unfinished business to discuss and I don´t want them to get in the way. —Suddenly she added. —When Loki gets his powers back I´m sure he would like to deal with you on his own terms, but for now you´re mine. —

—What is she doing? What´s Leah thinking by staying alone with Doom? —Tony anxiously asked.

—She´s trying to keep her family safe. —Steve volunteered.

—She must know she´s not an opponent for Doom. —Loki added in a low tone.

—She knows Loki. —Thor grimly added.

—She´s trying to stall Doom until Thor can remove Loki´s shackles. —Natasha told them.

—All right! —Doom agreed. —They can go. —He could always capture them back later.

Loki was astonished Doom had accepted, he tentatively raised to his feet as he looked at Leah. —I can´t leave her. —He said mostly to himself.

—Loki take Eerika and go! —Leah yelled without turning around, she had to keep Doom pinned down just for a bit more.

—Loki do as she says! She need to know Eerika is safe. —Thor raised his voice; they had been fighting for over two hours now and the doombots just kept coming.

Loki hated the thought of leaving Leah with every fiber of his being but he knew they were right, he had to take Eerika somewhere safe and unbind his powers before being able to face Doom, he just pleaded Leah would be all right until then.

—All right. Don´t be long. —Loki told her as he turned away and ran into the penthouse whiel heading to the lift.

—Loki get down to level 86. Thor and I will be waiting. —Clint told him, hoping as Loki did that Leah would remain safe until then. —Steve, Natasha! Would you join us? —

As Leah heard the elevator door close she left out a relief sigh, Dom seized that momentary distraction to throw Leah off him, she landed on her injured shoulder which made her scream in pain, she had to get up before Doom dis.

They all had heard Leah´s scream, Loki had never felt so helpless before, the lift couldn´t move fast enough.

—You whore! —Doom angrily yelled as he pulled her knife of his chest before throwing it into the floor. —I´m going to make you pay dearly for this—

Leah had managed to get up, she knew from the beginning she wasn´t a match against Doom, she just hoped she could hold her ground for a little more. —What? You didn´t enjoyed it Cause I did. —She smirked at him while taking a couple of steps backwards.

—No, but I´m going to enjoy this! —He menacingly said as he walked towards her.

Leah went back to Loki´s cell to grab his blanket, next she offered it to him. Loki gave her a puzzled look as he asked. — What am I supposed to do with this? —

— You need to wrap it around yourself. — Leah explained to him.

—I´m not doing that. Forget about it. —Loki complained

Leah sighed as she explained —Doom is using thermal imaging to find us, the blanket will hide your body heat long enough for us to get to Eerika. —

—You are joking right? —Loki asked her amused —I did explained you I´m a frost giant, didn´t I? —

—Oh! —Leah blushed as she remembered. —But can you control it without your magic? —

—I think so, I´m not sure. I´ve never tried it before.—Loki confessed.

Leah look at him concerned, betting their safety on a supposition wasn´t a good idea. Loki had the same though, with a resigned sigh he grab the blanket. —I guess we´d better be safe than sorry. But this will get in the way if we have to fight. Talking of which I´ll need a weapon— Loki said eyeing Leah´s bow.

—If we have to fight you can lose the blanket and I´m not giving you my bow. —Leah complained.

—I´m quite good with it—Loki told her trying to convince her.

After accidently leaving the audio channel of her comlink open during her argument with Loki, Leah was making a conscious effort of turning it on and off; as she opened the channel again she asked —Thor? How skilled is Loki with the bow? —

—Very, but you are better—Thor volunteered.

—Traitor. —Loki mumbled annoyed.

—Sorry Loki, but I´m keeping the bow. —Leah told him with a proud smile. —You can have this. —Leah offered the firemen axe to him; Loki observed the axe annoyed without grabbing it.

—That´s not even a real weapon. —Loki grumble.

—All right, you win. You can have one of my hunting knives. —Leah yield as she offered him a large knife which she seemed to have pulled out of thin air. —Tony made them for me they are made of an adamantium alloy, it will pierce easily the doombots armor, but it´s really expensive so don´t lose it or Tony will bite my head off. —

As he heard Leah´s explanation of the knife Loki took it and admired the craftsmanship but he couldn´t help to wonder. —Where did you pulled out that from? — He hadn´t noticed she was carrying it with her before and couldn´t imagine where the pair was hiding.

—Guess! —Leah said winking an eye at him while smiling mischievously.

Loki opened his mouth but he still didn’t had a clue of where she pulled it our form, but the idea of frisking her to find out was appealing. —Umm. —He uttered when Tony interrupted them.

—Kids, can´t you behave for one second? —He admonished them half joking half meaning it.

—Tony! Are you all right? —Leah asked him, she was glad to hear his voice and in the other hand she was annoyed with herself, she had forgotten to turn her channel off again.

—I´m fine if you don´t take in consideration that Doom just tricked me and escaped. —Tony added with a hint of anger. —By the way you should really get moving, there are more doombots coming your way. —

—We are moving. —Was Leah’s response as she wrapped the towel around herself she waited until Loki had done the same to sprang out towards the gym. Fortunately they didn´t ran into any doombots on their way.

As they arrived Leah headed straight to the clothes basket she had used to make a cradle for Eerika, she sighed relieved as she found her sleeping still.

—She´s still sleeping. —She told Loki with a smile; before she could say anything else Loki kissed her. As the kiss continued Leah decided to turn off her comlink completely, she had already shared more than she could handle for the day.

As Loki released her she told him. —I´m not complaining, but … what was that for? —

—For luck. —Loki answered her smiling.

—Is that an asgardian costume before going to battle? —She asked intrigued but she was pretty sure it wasn´t.

—Well, no. I just been meaning to do it since you rescued me. —He confessed a bit flustered. —I´m not used to being rescued, so I guess what I´m trying to say is … thank you. —

Leah was taken aback for his gratefulness and shyly responded. —You keep saving me all the time, that´s the least I could do. —She ended while shrugging her shoulders.

—Don´t sell yourself short Leah, it took a lot of courage to come for me alone, especially … —Loki suddenly stopped, he hadn’t meant to mention Doom so soon.

—Especially after Doom´s menace. —Leah ended his sentence with a scowl, suddenly she felt enraged —I could just kill him! —She spat full of anger.

Loki looked at her surprised at her outburst, when Leah realized Loki was staring at her she added. —Don´t tell me you hadn´t thought about it. —

—I have. — Loki confessed. —But I don´t think the Avengers would give me another opportunity if I did, and neither would Fury. —

—No, I guess they wouldn´t. —Leah acknowledged still angry. Doom´s diplomatic immunity made him virtually untouchable, unless you wanted to start a war with Latveria crossing him was ill advised.

—Don´t be upset Leah, he won´t go unpunished for what he tried to do to you. I promise, there are other ways of getting even with him. —He tied to comfort her as he hugged her.

—Killing him would be easier. —Leah growled displeased between clenched teeth while looking to the ground.

Loki stood silent as he worryingly pull her out of his embrace; he tried to look her in the eye while wondering if something else had happened, something she wasn´t telling him.

Suddenly Leah looked up at Loki as she apologized. —I´m sorry, I´m just too angry and tired. Forget I said anything.-

Loki looked at her sympathetically as he fixed a lose strand of her hair —You should be in bed resting.—

—I don´t think that´s going to happen any time soon. —Leah acknowledged wryly.

—No, I don´t think so either.—Loki admitted. —Are you sure you are up to this? I could go to Thor by myself. —

—I´d probably accept your offer if the doombots weren´t invading the inferior levels as we speak; if we stayed it would only be a matter of time before they found us. Besides I´ll feel safer if we are together. —Leah confessed.

—We´ll stay together then. —Loki agreed.

—Now if I could just find an extra comlink. —Leah told him as she registered the place. —Thor is always leaving them around when he comes to …train. There you are! —She said cheerfully as she picked it up, next she placed it in Loki´s ear.

Meanwhile the rest of the team had noticed Leah´s comlink was off.

—What are those two thinking turning their comlink off in a moment like this? —Tony complained loudly

—Maybe they just needed a moment. —Steve volunteered.

—A moment for what? We are in the middle of a battle here! —Tony spat angrily.

—To talk. —Natasha suggested. —I don´t think Leah meant to let her channel open for us to listen about what happened with Doom.-

—That sick bastard! —Tony yelled. —When I get my hands on him I´m going to kill him.

—Not If I get to him first. —Natasha added followed by Thor and Clint replies.

—Come down guys, you know we can´t do that… — Steve warned them.

—Why not? —Tony asked displeased.

—Because that´s not the way we solve things …—Steve told them

—So he´s just going to get away with this? —Tony asked very crossed —Like always. —

—I never said we couldn’t beat him to a pulp …—Steve volunteered.

—Now you are talking …—Clint cheerfully agreed.

Leah explained quickly to Loki about the operation of the comlink. —You´ll be able to communicate with them even if we got separate. —Next she cradle Eerika up and carefully placed her in the baby carrier she had attached to her chest.

—You won´t be able to fight like that. —Loki pointed out concerned.

—I´ll manage. —Leah replied —Besides that´s why we have a dashing asgardian warrior like you protecting us. —She ended winking an eye at him.

Loki tried his best not to smile at her comment, he wished he felt that smug with a sigh he accepted her compliment. —Just be careful. —

—Don´t worry I will. We should turn our comlinks on and tell them we are ready. —First she turned her own on then helped Loki with his; then she tentatively asked —Tony? —

—Leah? Why on earth did you turned off your comlink? I´ve been worried sick. —He scolded her.

—I´m sorry, we are ok. I didn´t thought …—She tried to apologize before being interrupted by Tony.

—That´s right you didn´t think. We are in the middle of a battle here we don´t have time for you two to be fooling around. —He answered in a very angry tone.

—We weren´t fooling around. —Leah defended herself.

—I don´t care what you were doing you don´t turn your comlink off! —Tony yelled at her

—Stop yelling at me I didn´t do anything wrong. You sound like my mother! Geez! —She answered raising her voice.

—I wouldn´t be yelling at you if you behave young lady. And I´m not your mother! —Tony spat back.

Loki and the Avengers couldn´t keep a straight face any more and broke laughing at that point.

—If I didn´t knew better I would say you were siblings. —Loki told them between laughs. —You sound like Thor and me. —

—We don´t …—Both Leah and Tony talked back at the same time which only made them laugh as they realized how silly the argument was.

As they stop laughing Tony told Leah in a calm tone. —Once this is over we really need to talk. —

—I know. —Leah acknowledged half-hearted.

—You worry too much, everything will be all right. Now, are you ready to move? —

—Yes, we are. —Loki answered.

—Your best route to the upper levels is through the service stairs, they are relatively free until level 84, Thor is in level 86 as Clint trying to keep the doombots at bay. Call them when you are near those levels if battle improves they might be able to get to you. —Tony explained.

—We will. —Leah acknowledged. —I guess trying to hide from thermal imaging on those levels would be useless. —

—I´m afraid so, they’ll have visual contact on you. And you´d better be prepared to fight them; I´ll try to get rid of them before they get to you while I look for Doom but those damn things are sneaky. —Tony responded.

—Yes, they are. —Loki agreed as he motioned Leah to leave. —Let´s go to find Thor. —

Loki went ahead as Leah guarded the rear, if they noticed a doombot coming their way he would get ahead and took care of it before he alerted others of their presence. As they got close level 84 they would find doombots more often, suddenly turning a corner Loki found himself surrounded by three doombots. He stab the first one through its jaw making it short-circuit, then he tricked the second one to fire on the third while using it as a shield, next he charged against the last of them disposing of it quickly. Unfortunately he didn´t saw that the first doombot had stood up and was sneaking up behind him. Suddenly an arrow flew right past his left ear and hit the doombot in one of its eyes knocking it down.

Loki looked down surprised, it had been Leah who had finished the doombot.

—I thought you needed help. —She volunteered doubtfully.

—Yes, I did. Thank you. —Loki admitted then asked. —This feels strange, right? —

—I know. —Leah agreed. —I never thought of fighting by your side. —

—Nevertheless I think we make a good team. —He told her with a smile. —Although you took your time to get here. —

—On that point I just want to say that I officially hate stairs. —She pouted upset. —At least for the moment. —

—Are you sure you are all right? —Loki asked her worried.

—I´m fine, just let me catch my breath for a moment. —Then she asked. —We are almost there, aren´t we? —

—Yes, next level is 84, we´ll have to get to the elevator from there. Although … I wish there were another way; we´ll be exposed on the hallway. —Loki told her with a frown.

Leah sighed concerned. —Unfortunately there´s no other way; following the stairs is out of the question according to Tony they are swamped with doombots in the next level. — Then she took a couple of minutes to check on Eerika as Loki reported to Tony.

—Are you ready? —Loki asked her as she finished taking care of Eerika.

—No, but we’ll have to do it anyway. I guess we´d better get to it. —

—All right. —Loki agreed. —I´ll go first and I will call for you when I´m sure there are no doombots around. — They were halfway to the lift when a half dozen doombots appeared; within seconds both Leah and Loki were in the middle of a heated fight. As Loki has predicted trying to protect Eerika made Leah an easy target. She tried to counteract by using her bow as a fighting Stick to keep her enemies from getting to close to her, suddenly one of the doombots got pass her defenses knocking her bow right out of her hands and quickly got a hold on her. AS it grabbed Leah through her waist the doombot fired it´s jetpack.

—Loki! — Leah shrieked as she felt the pull of the jetpack dragging her upward.

—Leah, no! —Loki shouted as he got rid of the last doombot standing, next he retrieved Leah´s bow that was lying in the ground and ran to her aid; but it was too late the doombot was already flying far away from his reach taking both Eerika and Leah with him.

—Target acquired. —The doombot reported. —Rendezvous at the penthouse roof. —

—Let me go you stupid piece of shit. —Leah growled as she tried to wriggle out of its reach.

Without a second to lose she put her comlink on her ear –Tony! Can you hear me? Where´s Loki? Is he still in his cell?-

-Leah! Are you all right? – Tony asked eagerly, he was very happy to hear her voice.

-Yes, kind of … forget about that. Is Loki still in his cell?- Leah answered overwhelmed by the myriad thoughts his question aroused.

-What do you mean kind of? – Tony asked preoccupied.

-I´ll be better once you answer my question.-Leah told him with impatience.

-Yes, he is. – Tony finally answered.

-Can you get him out? I know that´s not what you agree on, but I think these are extraordinary circumstances …- Leah started to say when Tony interrupted.

-Sorry baby, I can´t. When the attack began the cell went automatically to lockdown. I can´t open it remotely. – Tony told her troubled.

-No, Tony! We have to get him out before Doom finds him.-She told him anxiously.

-Why? Did Doom found out that Loki is changing teams?-Tony asked confused.

-No. He doesn´t know.-Leah quickly answered.

-Then, what´s the problem? I thought they were allies.- He asked bemused.

Leah sighed before reluctantly telling him. –Doom offered me a deal and I … decline it. And now he´s going to retaliate against Loki if he finds him.-

-A deal? What did he wanted?- Tony had the distinct feeling Leah was hiding something.

-Nothing I was willing to give.-Leah answered with impatience.

-Leah, don´t be childish! What did Doom wanted? – Tony admonished her.

-I don´t want to talk about it.-Leah angrily answered.

-But …- Tony started to scold her again.

-We don´t have time for this Tony! Are you going to help me or not? – Leah asked enraged.

-All right, this can wait.-Tony sighed, he wasn’t going to get a straight answer from her at the moment.

-Thank you.-Leah almost whispered. –And Tony … guys? Please promise me something, no matter what happens to me or Loki you won´t allow Doom to get his claws on Eerika.-She begged them anxiously.

-Leah, you are scaring me.-Tony confessed.

-Promise me!-Leah demanded.

After a moment of silence Steve answered her plea –We promise.-

Leah let out the breath she’d been holding inadvertently as she thanked them, next she asked anxiously –You know where she is, right?-

-We have an idea.-Natasha volunteered.

-But you have a bigger problem now.-Tony interrupted to warn her. – Doom is heading your way.-

Leah´s heart stopped for a second, had he found her? Or was he heading to Loki´s cell? Either way they had to move fast. –Can I get pass him? – She asked Tony trying to sound calm.

-I´m already on my way.-Tony told her, he wanted to keep her away from harm’s way.

-I´m not waiting here anymore Tony. Please tell me how to get pass him undetected.-Even if she said it slowly and calmly he could hear the despair in her voice.

Tony sighed loudly.-All right, you´ll have to take the stairs, go right in the hallway and bend left on the second corridor, but hurry he´s in the lift now.-

-Thank you, I will.-She said with relief as she tightened the towel around her, then ran off as fast as she could. The cell was only a couple of levels down so it didn´t took her long to get thee, when she tried to open the door her code didn´t worked. –Tony I´m here but my code isn´t working.-

-I know, you´ll have to open the panel and bypass the cables.-He explained.

-With what?-She asked confused.

-I don´t know. Improvise!-Tony responded.

Leah sighed frustrated, then she remembered the fire hose cabinet in the hallway, she rushed back and hurriedly broke the glass to extract the firemen axe. Again in the cell´s entrance she carefully cut her way through to the control panel; once she did she called Tony. –Ok, done. Now what?-

-There´s a yellow wire and a green one, cut them and jump-start the door open.-He added.

Suddenly a buzzing sound followed by a pain exclamation and some cursing could be heard.

-And be careful, don´t zap yourself.-Tony jokingly warned her trying hard not to laugh.

-Too late for that.-Leah answered annoyed. After a couple of intents she managed to open the door. –I´m in.-She triumphantly said as she hurried inside.

-Loki! – She couldn´t be happier to see him.

-Leah, what´s happening?- Loki asked her disquiet.

-Doom.-She answered dryly. –Tony, how do I get him out?-

-Well, that´s going to be a bit tricky.-Tony reluctantly told her.

-Tony!- Leah snap at him.

-You´ll have to use one of your exploding arrow.-He finally told her.

-But that will attract Doom´s attention.-Leah worryingly reasoned.

-That´s why I´m going to distract him. I was waiting for you to be ready.- Tony revealed.

-Be careful.-Leah advised him.

-Am I not always? – Tony responded.

-Not really.-Leah answered with a smile.

-Ok, at the count of three. – Tony ordered her.

-I´m ready.-Leah answered as she pointed her arrow to the cell´s control panel.

-One, two.-Tony started the countdown.

-Three.-Both Leah and Tony said at unison.

The explosion filled the cell´s corridor with smoke that made Leah cough. As it dissipate she found the glass door opened and Loki walking out of it.

-Leah! By Odin´s ravens, what happened to you?-He softly stroked her bruised cheek while looking attentively at her.

-She smiled at him. –Nothing to be concerned about, I´m fine.-

-Tony?-She asked through the comlink.

-Busy love.-He answered between fighting noises.

-Thor?-She asked hoping he would be able to hear her.

-I´m listening.-Thor answered.

-How do I get the cuffs out of Loki?-Leah asked trying not to sound too desperate.

-You can´t.-Thor answered her through ragged breath.

-What do you mean I can´t?-Leah asked alarmed.

-There´s a spell on them, Thor is the only one that can remove them.-Loki explained her.

-Can you get to us Thor?-Leah asked in hope.

-I´m afraid not.-Thor laboriously answered.

-Then you´ll have to hide as well as Eerika.-Leah reasoned.

-Hide? Why? – Loki inquired intrigued.

-Because of Doom.-Leah volunteered.

-You´re not making any sense. I´m sure he is after Eerika. Why do you want me to hide? – Loki questioned her.

-Because I made it worst.-Leah confessed anguished.-He offered me a deal but I spat it in his face.-

-What deal? – Loki asked her while holding Leah by her shoulders.

-That´s not important.-Leah answered unwilling to look into his eyes.

-What did he say? – Loki asked again, her negative to face him worried him the most. – She only nodded her head negatively this time.

-Leah, what did Doom wanted? – Loki shook her slightly trying to get her to look into his eyes.

Leah broke his contact as she yelled with exasperation. –He wants me to be his fucking stud-mare, all right? Are you happy now?-

-Son of a bitch.-Tony suddenly spat in her ear, she could hear the shocked angry outbursts of the rest of the Avengers.

Leah closed her eyes frustrated and embarrassed, as she covered her face she turned her back to Loki, how could she been so stupid? She forgot to close the audio link, everyone had heard them.

-Did she just said …?-Clint asked through.

-Yes, she did.-Natasha cut him off before he could repeat her words.

-But that´s not what’s bothering you.- Loki kindly acknowledged as he placed his hand on her shoulder.

-Just leave it.-Leah pleaded.

-Did he … try…? – Loki was unsure how to ask her such a delicate question.

-What?! No!- Leah spat surprised and disgusted by the idea.

-Then what happened? You wouldn´t be so worked up just because of that.-Loki reasoned, he was worried.

-I … don´t want to say it.-Leah pouted while holding her arms in a useless effort to comfort herself.

-Well I´m not hiding.-Loki said with decision.

-I´m not losing you over your foolish pride! – Leah shrieked.

-You are not losing me!-Loki snap back exasperated.

Leah looked at him anguished, they were losing time and only one thing would stop their discussion. She sighed resigned to tell him the truth. She kept her eyes on the floor as she started her confession.

-He said he would make me pay for my negative, that he would … kill you but before he would make you watch while he …- She couldn’t find the strength to say the words, the thought of the desperate look in Loki´s eyes as he watched powerless while Doom raped her weighted heavily on her heart. -… while he …- She tried again to end her sentence, she hadn´t even notice she was crying.

-No … stop.-Loki´s eyes widened with understanding while he embraced her tightly. –You don´t have to say it. I´m sorry, I shouldn´t have made you to.-

Leah sniffled as she told him. –Do you understand now? You have to hide! I would rather die before he used me to hurt you.-

-Don´t say that.-Loki pleaded. –I won´t let that happen Leah, do you understand? – He looked with resolution into her weeping eyes. –I would be lost without you.-Loki confessed as he dried her tears with the palm of his hand. –and I´m not useless without my magic. I do know how to fight you know?-He jokingly told her.

-He does Leah, he might not be the best warrior but he can defend himself.-Thor added trying to reassure her.

Loki´s keen ear overheard Thor´s comment and complained. –What do you mean I´m not the best warrior?-

-Well, you aren´t.-Thor huffed amused.

-I´ll show you, you stupid bigelsnipe.-Loki menaced him in good spirit.

-All right.-Leah finally agreed with a smile. “Brothers!” She thought amused by Thor´s and Loki’s little quarrel. –So, what should we do now?-

-We go to Thor so he can remove the shackles. – Loki suggested.-And then I can take you and Eerika to a safe place.-

-That sounds like a plan.-Thor agreed as he continued fighting the seemingly endless doombots tide.

It was around 3 in the morning when a sudden explosion awoke Leah; for a moment she thought it was an earthquake due to the shaking of the Tower until a second explosion was heard.

Bruce ran into her room and nervously told her –We are under attack, communications are down. I can´t reach the others.-

Leah paled at his words, but there was no time for panicking so she asked –What should we do?-

-I hate doing this, but I´ll have to leave you alone. Jarvis told me the intruders had breached the southwest corner of level 90 before communications broke down. I have to stop them before they reach the inferior levels. You´ll have to take Eerika from the nursery and hide just in case.-

Leah swung herself out of her bed even before Bruce had ended his sentence, her legs wobbled under her weight.

-Easy Leah, take it slow.-Bruce hurried at her side. –You´ve just given birth the day before yesterday.-

-We don´t have time to worry about that right now Bruce, you said it yourself. I´ll be all right, I just moved too fast.-Leah told him as she regained her balance. – Where are my clothes?-

-I´m afraid that in your room, I wasn´t planning on discharging you until tomorrow.-Bruce confessed.

-I guess this will have to do then.-Leah said with a scowl as she wrapped the hospital bathrobe around her medical gown.- I´ll be all right Bruce.-She reassured him.

-All right, should I find anyone I´ll send them to you.-Bruce told her as he looked directly into her eyes, he wished he could make sure she would be safe.

-I know Bruce.-Leah nodded her head in agreement.

As soon as Bruce ran out of her room she started walking to the nursery as fast as she could, fortunately she could feel her steps becoming steadier which was a great relief.

Eerika was sound asleep in her cradle, the nursery was sound-proof which seemed silly at the time Tony mentioned it but proved to be an incredible good idea under the circumstances. It might be the best place to hide, even if Eerika cried no one would be able to hear her from the outside; that thought bothered her at first until Tony reassured her that Jarvis would alert Bruce every time Eerika made a sound.

As she attentively watched her surroundings she found a blind spot where she would be able to hide from any unwanted looks.

“-What now?-“She asked herself mentally. “-Plan B? Running would sound like a good plan B if I were alone, but how to take Eerika safely with me? I can´t carry with me her cradle, but what about a baby carrier? Tony said he had equipped the nursery with everything we might need. Now, where´s everything?-“ Leah quickly started to rummage across the cabinets and drawers until she found everything she thought she might need, fortunately seemed like Tony had bought the entire babies department.

The rest of the residents of the Tower have had a very similar awakening as Leah did, with the advantage of recognizing the sound of an explosion which allowed them to get in touch with Jarvis before the communications went down. They all assumed Bruce would stay with Leah and quickly changed into their uniforms and directed themselves to the source of the invasion with the exception of Tony who went to his lab to restore communications, they were fighting blindly without them.

After Eerika had been borne they had stopped taking shifts to watch Loki, therefore he found himself alone and trapped with no idea of what was going on outside. For the next couple of minutes he tried to break the glass window of his cell, but it just remained unscratched mocking his efforts. Trying to remove his shackles was useless, only Thor could open them, the magical runes on the shackles were very similar to Mjolnir´s giving control over them to the commander of the lighting and the storm.

He crumpled in despair, he wasn´t able to protect them, he had only been a father for two days and he was already letting his daughter down.

The second Tony arrived to his lab he called for Jarvis, as no answer came he started typing furiously as he tried to figure out what happened.

-Dammit! I should´ve known!-He finally growled. –A virus! Stealing the blueprints wasn´t the only thing they did that day.-

He continued typing as fast a she could in order to regain control of the system, suddenly he smiled as he yelled –Gotcha!- After pressing the enter key he called for Jarvis again, this time there was an answer.

-Yes Sir.-The A.I. responded.

-What´s our status?-Tony asked impatiently.

-Communications are still down, someone is jamming our frequency, and army of doombots commanded by Dr. Doom are currently inside the Tower, they have taken level 85 to 90, the Hulk is fighting them off in the exterior breach, the rest of the team is also engaged in battle in the invaded levels.-Jarvis informed.

-What? Bruce turned into Hulk? Where´s Leah? No, forget that I don’t want them to locate her in case there´s still a bug in our system. First things first, we need to restore communications. What if we rebooted our systems? – Tony asked Jarvis.

-The rebooting of our systems has 54% probability of regaining control of the communications.-The A.I. reported.

-All right, but what if I rewrite our main systems first?-Tony asked again.

-The probability would increase to 90%- Jarvis answered.

-Ok, let´s do this tehn.-Tony said with a smirk as he kept typing, after ten minutes he ordered the A.I.-Reboot all our systems now.-

-Right away Sir.-Jarvis agreed.

All the lights in the Tower went out, emergency red lights could be seen all over the place. The change in the light took everyone by surprise, Leah gently pulled Eerika out of her cradle and held her carefully against her chest as she hid in the blind spot she discovered minutes before, she had a small backpack at her feet with everything she could pack in it. “-If only I had any weapons on me, or at least my uniform.-She sighed in a low voice.

Out of the sudden an explosion on that level made her jump to her feet, followed by a second and third explosion that collapsed one of the exterior walls from the nursery as a crack opened across the floor; Leah took some steps back to avoid falling into it until a voice made her stop.

-So you are the trickster lover.-Dr. Doom acknowledged. – I must admit he has a fine taste in women.-

Leah turned to face him, her heart was beating fast, she couldn´t allow him to know just how scared she was so she answered in her calmest voice –And you are Dr. Doom, I read your file.-

-I´m flattered, and did you find it interesting?-He asked out of curiosity.

-Interesting is not a word I would use to describe it.-Leah told him dryly.

-And how would you describe it?-Doom asked her again eager for her reaction.

-As interesting.-Leah told him.

Doom laughed at her answer –I should´ve known Loki didn´t choose you by your looks alone. You´re a smart one, I like that.-

Something in the way he said it made Leah shiver.

– I think we can get pass pleasantries. To what do we owe the honor of your visit? Are you here to free Loki?-Leah asked him while at the same time she eyed her surroundings.

-I´m still thinking about it, I can´t decide if he´s still a good ally, he seems to act rather foolishly when it comes to you. He´d never let himself being caught before, I assumed it was all part of his plan to snatch you out of here, but he hadn’t made his move yet, maybe he was waiting for his child to be born but I very much doubt he will give me a straight answer. Rescuing all of you should indebt him in my favor, but will he grant my wish? Probably not, he seems too attached to his little family.-Doom explained Leah.

Leah was afraid to ask but she knew she had to. – What do you want?-

-Power, an apprentice; a very skilled one I can shape to my needs.-Doom volunteered.

“-He wants Eerika-” Leah thought with fear.

-Yes, I want your child. I can sense great power in him.-Doom said reading her expression, Leah protectively pulled Eerika closer to her.-But that doesn´t mean you have to part form him.-

Leah quizzically looked at him –What do you mean?-

-I have no time to raise a child, and what better way to ensure his loyalty than keeping his mother close to me.-Doom revealed.

-Her.-Leah interrupted him.

-So, she´s a girl. That might work even better than I thought.-Doom almost purred.

-You wouldn´t! – Leah exclaimed with disgust.

-Of course not, she´s too young for me, though if I had an heir she might make an excellent match. On the other hand your genes seem to have excellent compatibility with magic.-Doom said as he walked closer to Leah who retrieved back until she felt the fissure beneath her heels; she gasped surprised as she looked behind her, the backpack was dangling on the edge of the crevasse only a couple of centimeters from her feet. She could partially see the levels beneath, it wasn´t a big rift, if she jumped she could reach the other side without a problem even if she didn´t had any superpowers, but then what? She couldn´t outrun Doom. When she turned her head upfront she froze; Doom´s face was only a few centimeters form hers, she could even feel his breath over her skin. Even if Doom´s face remained emotionless due to his mask she could see he was enjoying toying with her, his eyes looked at her as a hunter looks his prey.

Out of nowhere she felt his cold metal hand touching her cheek, she closed her eyes in disgust as she tried in vain to turn her head away from his caress.

-You know you are trapped.-He mocked her.-None of the Avengers will come for you, my doombots will see to that. Make no mistake I´m not foolishly in love with you, you are only the means to an end. I will take both of you with me to Latveria and you will give me an heir whether you like it or not. This is the only opportunity you will have to do it willingly and so earn my favor. I might even consider freeing Loki if you want.-

-Let him and Eerika go and I will leave with you.-Leah told him decided to sacrifice herself if she had to, there was still a slim chance of being rescued before … she couldn´t even bring herself to thought about it.-

-I thought I made myself clear, this isn´t a negotiation.-Doom scolded her as he slid his hand down uncovering her right shoulder from the hospital bath-robe.

Leah looked up at him trembling in anger, a couple of tears strolled down her cheeks, as she steadied herself she told Doom –I assume you want an answer.-

-Yes, I do.-Doom dryly told her.

-Never!-Leah yelled at him as she took a step back knocking with her the small backpack as she let herself fall through the crack.

-You will regret this you little bitch, I´m going to kill Loki just to make you suffer but before that I will make him watch as I have my way with you.-Doom roared in anger, he couldn´t risk firing into the cleft to widen it enough to allow himself to get through, he might kill his price, and he was now bent on getting them both alive.

Leah could hear him shouting at her as she fell, the rift was barely enough for them to go through, she shielded Eerika with her own body from the debris that surrounded them, after falling a couple of levels she felt again the floor beneath her feet, sprang by fear she started running as fast as she could. Eerika was crying but she couldn´t stop. “-How did he found me?-“ Was the question in her mind; after all they had relocated the medical ward once they knew the blueprints had been stolen. She didn´t even had her comlink on her and communications were death, so how? An idea hit her, thermal imaging, but Tony had told her that he had built the Tower with a defense mechanism against an outsider locating them that way, but they weren´t dealing with just anyone, it was Doom, if someone could bypass Tony´s security measures it was him.

How to hide? She struggled to remember everything Clint and Natasha had taught her about it, hot, cold, hot that´s it the sauna rooms in the gym level, they didn´t even needed to get inside for the heat in the sauna rooms to hide their thermal print, just close enough. She had to hide Eerika there while she found a way to get to the shooting ring undetected, her uniform and weapons were there; if she met Doom again she would need them. She was halfway there when the lights went up, a familiar voice could be heard all over the Tower. –Everyone get your comlinks on.-It was Tony, he had restored communications and encrypted their channel to avoid Doom overhearing them.

They were all glad to hear his voice with the exception of Hulk who was too busy smashing doombots.

-Tony, status?- Steve asked first.

-Hulk is in the exterior perimeter, Thor is in the level beneath yours as Clint, Natasha is around the corner from you, I´m in the lab and Leah is on the run.-Tony reported.

-What do you mean on the run? She is alone?-Thor asked worryingly.

-I´m afraid so, there was an explosion a couple of minutes earlier in the medical ward, it seems she was able to escape with Eerika.-Tony answered.

-How did they found her?-Natasha asked next.

-That´s what I´m trying to figure out, this was planned carefully to separate her from us. What are you doing Leah? This is not the time to go to the sauna.-

-Said that again, where is she?-Clint asked anxiously.

-At the gym level, near the sauna rooms, but there´s no weapons there nor somewhere to hide, so what’s she doing there?-Tony inquired.

-The heat from the sauna rooms.- Both Clint and Natasha answered at the same time.

-She´s trying to hide from thermal imaging.-Clint added.

-But that´s not possible, the Tower defenses should.-Tony started to retort.

-How else can you explain that they found her in this maze of yours? – Natasha cut him off.

-Um, good point. – Tony reasoned.

Meanwhile in the gym Leah had stopped to take care of Eerika, she changed her, feed her and currently was trying to get her to sleep as she hurriedly looked for a place to hide her. An empty dirty clothes basket seemed like a good cradle for starters, as she placed her sleeping child inside it she said in a low tone. – I know you are no Moses, but this will have to do. Sleep tight my love, mommy will be back before you know it.-

Next she started to check herself for wounds, she was covered with bruises and cuts from her fall; even if the hospital bath-robe was shredded to pieces none of them were of concern except for a large gash on her right forearm which she bandaged quickly. Making sure Eerika was comfortable she bit her lips, if Doom caught her before she got to the shooting ring she had no means to defend herself, but she wouldn´t be able to defend Eerika neither, she had to go.

-Now where are you going? And why are you wrapped in a towel head to toes?-Tony asked mostly to himself.

-Possibly to the shooting ring.-Clint volunteered with a hinge of pride. –Her uniform and bow are there. And she´s doing what we taught her, hiding her thermal signature, a blanket would’ve been better but a towel will do –

-I think you are right.-Tony added.-Doom is awfully close to her, I think I should welcome our visitor.-

-Give him our regards.-Steve told him with irony.

-Did Steve just made a joke?-Tony said raising his eyebrows.

-I think he did.-Natasha agreed.

-Shut up and suit up Tony!-Steve told him irritated.

-Yes, sir.-Tony jokingly answered.

-Stark!-Thor boomed.

-I´m going, I´m going!-Tony answered as the automats in the lab suited him.

While Leah changed into her uniform she couldn´t help to remember Doom´s cold touch over her skin, as the shiver travelled through her spine she remembered Doom´s last words.

-Loki!-She gasped. – God dammit! He´s a sitting duck in his cell, if Doom gets his hands on him … she didn´t even wanted to think about it.

Everyone was watching the new parents unwilling to disturb their first moments with her newborn daughter. Both Loki and Leah looked equally happy, lost in the moment; unmindful to the five pair of eyes watching them until Leah noticed and motioned them to join them. –Are you going to stay there, or are you going to say hi to Eerika?-

-Wee didn´t wanted to interrupt.-Steve volunteered.

-Nonsense, come here. You all are like family.-Leah told them with a smile.

Tony and Natasha were the first to move followed by the rest of the team.

-Hi precious, it´s uncle Tony.-Tony greeted Eerika by gently stroking her cheek.

-Do you want to hold her?-Leah offered.

-Really? I can?-He asked surprised.

-Of course you can.-Leah almost giggled at Tony´s surprised expression.

-But I´ve never done this before…-Tony complained as Leah placed Eerika in his arms.

-Oh my god! She´s so small.-Tony was completely taken aback by Eerika. -Hi there! Who´s the most beautiful baby in the word? You are! Yes, you are!-

Everyone smiled at Tony´s baby talk. Natasha approached them. –You are going to be a heartbreaker, aren’t you? Less than a minute and you already have stolen Tony´s heart.-She said with a smirk.

-Don´t listen to her, she´s jealous I´m holding you and she’s not.-Tony jokingly told Eerika.

-She really is beautiful Leah.-Natasha told her with a smile as she admired Eerika.

-She really is.-Clint told her next while he joined them to greet Eerika.

Steve Bruce and Thor were looking eagerly at them, they didn’t wanted to overcrowd the newborn. Tony noticed and suddenly walk to them placing Eerika in Thor´s arms as he told him. –And this is your uncle Thor, you´ll find out he´s a bit stubborn but with a huge heart.-

Thor gasped surprised as Tony placed Eerika in his arms, just as Loki before he was speechless. Both Steve and Bruce were already hovering around him to greet Eerika while Thor contemplated her niece with a huge smile on his face.

-She looks like you.-He suddenly said.-Like both of you. – He corrected himself.

Loki cautiously approached him as he gazed at his daughter he said to Leah. –He´s right she has your nose.-

-And your eyes.-Leah answered him back.

Suddenly Eerika began to whimper; Thor quickly placed her in Loki’s arms.

Loki could feel his own heart beating like a drum on his ears as he hold his daughter for the first time, it was now inconceivable not to be part of her life; he couldn´t understand why did he ever though once he could stay away from them. Eerika quieted down under Loki´s soft cooing.

-She knows who her father is.-Steve told Loki with a smile.

Loki looked up surprised as he asked. –Do you really think so?

-Yes, I do. I never thought about you as a family man.-Steve confessed. –Not until now, you really love them don´t you?-

-With all my heart.-Was Loki´s answer as he looked blissfully at Eerika.

-Maybe that´s all it takes.-Steve said out loud mostly to himself.

-What do you mean? – Loki asked intrigued.

-I been thinking about this for a while now … and I think that you´ve earned yourself a chance.-Steve volunteered.

-A chance?-Loki repeated. –Do you mean you´re accepting me as one of your team?-He asked in hope.

-Not yet.-Steve answered.-Next time we are on a mission you´ll get your chance to prove yourself.-

Loki looked at Steve intrigued as he continued.-You will join us in the next mission, no shackles to bind your powers. If everything goes all right and the rest of the team agrees we´ll pick up this talk again.

-Really? You are going to give me a chance after everything I´ve done?- Loki asked surprised top the rest of the team.

Thor nodded in agreement as he says –Yes.-

-For them.-Clint agreed as he looked at Eerika and Leah.

-For them.-The rest of the team coincided almost at unison.

Loki looked both relieved and confused as he asked –I don´t understand, why now?-

-Because I don´t think a man that looks at his daughter like you look at Eerika will purposely do something to disappoint her. I want to believe than both Eerika and Leah will keep you true to your promises.-

-Thank you Captain.-Loki acknowledged.

-Call me Steve.-He offered Loki.

-Thank you Steve.-Loki corrected himself as he added. –And thank you to all of you. I won´t disappoint you.-

-You´d better not. –Clint said with a stern look only top jokingly added next while pointing at Leah. –Or she´ll kick your ass.-

Leah turned bright read as she answered with a pout. –I already said I was sorry. You will never let me forget it, don´t you?-

-Not on your lifetime.-Clint teased her.

-What´s he talking about?-Loki asked intrigued.

-Oh! Nothing! Just a silly rivalry.-Tony told him, then he said in a lower tone. –Leah beat him in the shooting ring.-

-She cheated.-Clint pouted having overheard Tony´s comment.

-I …- Leah started to defend herself then changed her mind. –You made me angry.-She pouted in return.

-They been at this for a month now.-Natasha added amused by their little quarrel as she added addressing Loki. –He told her you´d never make it as part of the team.- Loki looked at her surprised as Natasha continued her recollection.-Needless to say she didn´t took it kindly and beated his ass in the shooting ring.-

-She didn’t, she cheated. – Clint reasserted.

-All right, I did.-Leah admitted.-Now, will you admit you were wrong about Loki?-

-I will when we come back from his first mission.-Clint volunteered then asked while approaching Leah with is hand extended. –Rematch?-

Leah bit her lips trying not to smile as she answered.-All right, but this time I´m going defeat you fair and square.-Then she extended her hand.

-I sincerely hope so, I haven´t spent hours training you for you in vain.-Clint pulled her softly into a hug which Leah accepted happily. Even if they had been training in almost daily bases thing had been really tenses during Loki´s stay.

-Can I join in?-Steve asked as he approached Leah, they had also had become distanced for the same reason, the rest of the team learned to steer away from the subject as much as possible, though they didn’t had such strong opinions against Loki as Steve and Clint did.

-I´m sorry.-Leah said with a guilty look, she looked near to tears.

Steve looked at her sympathetically before hugging her warmly. –Me too, let´s forget about it, we both said things we didn´t meant.-He volunteered.

Leah whined softly under his embrace –I´m sorry Steve.-

-Water under the bridge kiddo.-Steve told her comfortingly.

After a while she softly whispered.-And thank you for not telling everyone else about … that night in the cell, especially Tony. I´d never seen the end of it.-

Steve tried very hard not to laugh out loud, he could very well imagine Tony teasing both Leah and Loki for not having some restrain in front of the cell´s cameras. – Don’t mention it Leah. And I mean it, never mention it again.-He half-joked, that was an image he was still trying to erase from his mind.-

Meanwhile Tony told Loki who looked at the scene totally confused. –They actually went at each other’s throats over you. Rather nasty fight, we had to break them apart. They hardly spoken to each other since.

-Are you serious? – Loki asked Tony surprised.

-Dead serious.-Tony confirmed. – She really loves you, you know?-

– I do.-Loki acknowledged then lower his voice to tell Tony –She never told me anything about that.-

-That she got into scuffles over you? –Tony interrupted him. Loki nodded affirmatively. –I didn´t though she would.-He volunteered then added.-She´s too proud for that.-

-And Stubborn.-Loki added.

-Already taking bad about me? – Leah asked while looking at them, she was still embracing Steve who just giggled imagining Tony´s face.

-Damn!-Tony coursed out loud, he tend to forget how acute was both Leah´s and Steve hearing was. –Not at all love, just doing some male bonding.-

-If you say so.-Leah said to them without too much confidence.

Tony gestured Loki jokingly “we are in trouble”. Loki bit his lips trying not to laugh. He was happy, not only because of his newborn baby girl, not just because he might have an actual chance of joining the team and becoming someone his daughter could look up to someday. It was the first time he actually had the hope of finding a place he belonged, true camaraderie, strange thing he should find it between his once enemies.

Suddenly Leah yawned, Steve broke their embrace to look at her; she was looking happy but spent.

-I think we should let you rest.-He told her with a smile.

-But I´m not …-she started to protest only to be interrupted by another yawn.- …tired. Don´t go-She nervously pleaded.

Bruce walked to them as he examined Leah´s vitals on the monitor he agreed with Steve. –You need to rest; you did great now you need to recuperate. Get some sleep while you can.-

Right on cue Eerika began crying. –IO think someone might be hungry.- Bruce said turning his head towards the crying sound. You should try to feed her, if your milk hasn´t come down yet I´ll give her some formula until it does.-Bruce suggested her.

-All right people, time to go.-Tony started herding everyone out.

Leah looked worryingly at Loki who walked forward to deliver Eerika in her arms; Bruce noticed her anguished look and told her. –He can stay in for a little while more.-

-He has to go back to his cell? – Leah asked disappointed.

-It is just for a little while.-Loki told Leah trying to comfort her.

-Just until our next mission.-Steve added.

-All right.-Leah sighed resigned as she received Eerika in her arms; as her crying continued she looked shyly at everyone as she coughed trying to get their attention; almost everyone if not all of them had seen her naked but that didn´t meant she felt comfortable baring her breasts right there.

-We´ll give you some privacy.-Bruce kindly told her.

-Yes, we´ll come back later.-Tony added as they all went out.

As soon as they did Leah pulled her medical gown down enough to reveal one of her breasts which she offered to Eerika who hungrily latched on it. Loki had been the only one who had stayed behind and was attentively watching her.

-So, do you have milk?-He suddenly asked out of curiosity.

Leah looked up confused being caught off guard. –Umm, I don´t know. – She answered feeling clumsy. –I guess we´ll have to wait, if she doesn´t finds any I´m sure she´ll complain.-Then she involuntarily yawned again.

-You are too tired.-Loki told her concerned.

-Just a bit. – She acknowledged, then suddenly asked him. –Are you happy?-

-Of course I am. – Loki told her then asked intrigued –Why you ask me that?-

-I don´t know, maybe I´m too tired; I always felt you were scared of this day.-She confessed.

-Not for the reasons you think. – He told her with a soft smile. –Don´t worry about that now.-

-Ok.-She agreed as she yawned again. –I think she fell asleep.-Leah told Loki as she detached Eerika from her breast and offered her to Loki. –Will you stay until I´m asleep? – She drowsily asked.

-Sure baby.-He leaned to kiss her as he cradled his child between his arms while sitting in the bed next to her side.

Meanwhile somewhere else in the tower Clint asked Steve –Are you sure you made the right call?-

-I do think so, yes. Do you still have doubts?-Steve asked in return.

-Not really, but I think I´ll feel better once Loki has passed his test mission.-Clint volunteered.

-We all will. – Steve agreed.

-I´m worried about her Thor.-Loki confessed with a grim look –She won´t admit it anymore but she hasn´t stop thinking about it.-

-About her nightmare?-Thor asked intrigued.

-Yes.-Loki acknowledged.

-You really don´t think she’s really capable of killing? – Thor asked surprised.

-Less than a month ago I would told you I wasn´t, now I´m not so sure. But more importantly is that she think she is. You and I were brought up as warriors, we always knew killing was expected of us during a battle. One way or the other we both made our peace with that long ago; but she’s not like us Thor. She´s rationalized it to the point she´s actually do it If she feels she doesn´t have a choice, but I don´t think she really understands what it will do to her.-

-You can´t be serious. – Thor paced around upset.

-I wish I wasn´t. Think about it for a second, she already lost her husband and first child to a drunk driver, do you really think she wouldn´t do it if something threatened Eerika? -Loki told him concerned.-If she´s cornered she won´t hesitate, you can´t let that happen.-

-What do you want of me? – Thor inquired.

-I can´t protect her in here!-Loki said raising his voice.-I´ve done everything you asked of me but you still don´t trust me.-

-That´s not entirely true Loki, your information has proved both correct and useful. I think it´s just a matter of time.-Thor informed him.

-We´re running out of time!-Loki yelled at Thor, then he sighed deeply as he lowered his tone. –If something happened … I´m afraid I would lose her. Please, if it comes to that … make the choice for her.-

Thor looked surprised.-Are you asking me to …?-

-Yes, I am.-Loki interrupted him in a stern tone.

Thor kept pensive for a moment before asking Loki –Do you really think SHIELD will do something? Or is it our mysterious enemy that has you so worried?-

-I´m not sure, maybe both. I hoped by now I would´ve earn your trust, she´s going to give birth one of these days, both parties probably know about it, an attack is imminent and you know it.-

-I know.-Thor said with a frown.-We all know Loki, they wouldn´t have gone into that much trouble if they weren´t. We want to protect them too.-

-Then let me help!- Loki pleaded.

-I´ll talk to Steve again but I can´t make you any promises.-Thor volunteered.

-I guess that´s better than nothing.-Loki accepted with a sigh.-Thor if everything´s gone wrong…-

-Nothing will go wrong.-Thor tried to reassure him.

-No, let me finish. I haven´t told you everything; all the time since my last letter until our confrontation in Central Park I wasn´t idle.-Loki told him eagerly

-What do you mean?-Thor asked him intrigued.

-Leah was right, we can´t raise our child within the boundaries of the Tower, it wouldn´t be safe for them. Even if everything works out and I become one of you, this can’t be our home, so … I built us one. A sanctuary if you like protected from its foundations by ancient and powerful magic as well as state of the art technology, invisible to both our enemies and friends, my gift to her. If something happens…-

-Nothing will happen.-Thor interrupted him.

-If something happens, let me take them there Thor.-Loki ended his phrase regardless Thor´s objections.

Suddenly Tony´s voice interrupted them. -Thor I need you to get to the medical ward ASAP! And bring Loki with you!-

-Why? What happened?-Thor asked him worryingly.

A scream could be heard in the background when Tony answered back nervously.-Leah is giving birth. Now bring Loki before his daughter is born.-

It took them a moment to react, Loki looked both excited and scared. Thor doubted for a moment if he should place the chains in his shackles before deciding against it and rushing Loki out of the cell and into the corridor.

Some minutes earlier Tony and Leah had been lazily sprawled over the couch watching a movie, the team had just returned from a mission a few hours before and everyone was unwinding.

-Ow! – Leah suddenly complained as she felt a contraction.

-Another false alarm?-Tony asked strenuously.

-Mm … I don´t think so Tony.-Leah swiftly told him.

-How would you know? We´ve already had like six false alarms this week.-Tony teasingly told her.

-Because my water just broke.-Leah plainly told him.

-What?!-Tony was so surprised he fell of the couch where he had been laying which caused Leah to laugh amused.

-How can you be so calm? We need to inform Bruce and…-Tony frantically started to say when Leah interrupted him.

-And walk to the lift to go six floors down into the new medical ward. Relax Tony, is not like you have to drive to the hospital or something like that.-Leah kindly told him.-Now if you help me up we can be on our way.-

Tony agreed -All right, if you put it like that. Jarvis inform Bruce and the rest of the team and …- suddenly Leah hunched as she felt another contraction.

-That´s not right.-Tony told her nervously.-Did you just had another contraction?-Tony worryingly asked.

-What do you think?-Leah asked him angrily as she gasped.

Natasha and Clint had been in the same floor and quickly arrived to help.

-Is it for real this time?-Clint asked which caused Leah to give him dirty look.

-Yes, it´s for real.-She finally answered annoyed.

As they helped her out of the elevator Steve arrived running through the corridor, within seconds another contraction presented itself.

-How far along are they?-Bruce asked as they rushed her in.

-A couple of minutes.-Natasha informed him.

-I thought you said that labor could take hours, because it isn´t.-Tony told him bewildered.

-I was afraid of that.-Bruce said with a scowl.-Accelerated metabolism … -Then he instructed Steve and Tony.-Get her to the table quickly; I need to know just how much dilated is she.-

When the next contraction came Leah screamed in pain, as it passed Clint worryingly asked Bruce. –Can´t you give her something for the pain?-

-I´m afraid not, her labor is moving too fast. Anesthetics take too long to take effect.-Then he turned to Leah.-I´m sorry, but you´ll have to do this the old way.-

-Where´s Loki?-Leah asked in ragged breath.

Only then Tony noticed they hadn´t arrived yet.-Jarvis, is Thor still with Loki?-Tony asked the A.I.

-Yes Sir.-The A.I. replied.-It seems he had turned off his comlink, I haven´t been able to communicate with him.-

-Override the security cell communications protocols and patch me to him.-Tony told the A.I. anxiously. -Thor I need you to get to the medical ward ASAP! And bring Loki with you!-

-Why? What happened?-Thor asked worryingly as Leah had another contraction.

-Leah is giving birth. Now bring Loki before his daughter is born.-Tony nervously answered.

-Leah, you are almost fully dilated, as soon as you are you´ll have to push.-Bruce instructed her.

-I´m not pushing until Loki is here.-Leah said defiantly.

-But Leah …-Tony started to say.

-I said I am not pushing until Loki is here.-Leah panted angrily.

-I´m afraid that´s not a choice.-Bruce informed her.

-I don´t care what you think! I´m not giving birth to this baby until Loki is here! Now go get him!-Leah screamed loudly as another contraction came.

Tony bolted out of the medical ward to find Loki and Thor stepping out of the elevator.-Thank God you are here!-He told Loki as he pushed him in.-Now get in there before Leah bites both our heads off!- Loki looked confused and nervous by his statement but didn´t resisted.

-Loki!-Leah sighed relieved.

-Get over there now Loki!-Bruce instructed him to stand besides Leah´s right side.

Loki quickly obeyed and took Leah´s right hand in his.-I´m here love, didn´t I promised?-He softly told her.

-Yes, you did.-Leah smiled for a moment before another contraction came, she inadvertently squeezed Loki´s hand too tight making Loki squirm a bit.

-All right Leah, next contraction push with all your strength!-Bruce told her.

-Ok.-Leah nodded as she struggled to recover from the last one, she was sweating deeply, exhausted by the effort. Loki´s heart was beating as fast as hers, he soon would be holding his daughter in his arms. He looked into the eyes of the woman he loved with deeply admiration until the next contraction came.

-Leah push!-Both Loki and Bruce encouraged her.

-Hi Eerika.-Bruce welcomed her with a smile, next he suctioned clean her mouth and nose; suddenly a baby´s cry could be heard.

Leah and Loki looked at each other happily at the sound of Eerika´ s first cries, tears of joy were rolling down her cheeks. Loki couldn´t remember ever feeling that happy before, he kissed Leah´s excited as he told her.-You did it Leah! You did it!-

Bruce walked to them with Eerika in his arms and softly placed her in Leah´s.

-Hi sweetie, it´s mummy.-Leah greeted her with a smile.

Loki leaned to softly touch his daughter´s cheek when a little hand grabbed his fingers, he gasped surprised; unable to talk he just stared at her mesmerized.

-And that´s daddy.-Leah told Eerika as he smiled to Loki who was still looking to his daughter fascinated.

They kept quiet for a long while just enjoying each other´s company until Loki broke their silence.

-Not that I am complaining, but what happened?-he asked

-We had sex.-Leah joked back.

Loki frowned while looking at her. –You know that´s not what I meant.-

-I know. – Leah sighed conflicted. –I just don´t know where to start.-

-By the beginning?-Loki suggested.

-Leah sighed again as she bit her lips contemplating her options. –Fine. – She finally said; after all it was the reason she came to him in the first place, she paused for a while as she gathered her thoughts –The first thing that I remember is that we were in a huge underground cave, I don´t remember how many we were or who was there specifically, but I do know you were amongst them. We were on the run, escaping from something, everyone had been injured including you.-Leah frowned as she struggle to remember the details. –We had nowhere else to run, the cave ended right there, we had trapped ourselves, before the end of the cave there was a slope, beneath a shallow river flowed. I took a stand on the slope because … for some reason I was the only one who wasn´t injured, the only one still capable of fighting back. –Loki could feel Leah´s heart rate beginning to raise as she kept telling her nightmare. -I knew that if I fell the rest of you would be unequivocally dead.-Leah paused for a moment as she shivered at the memory of the nightmare playing in her head.-Then they came … a pack of alien looking creatures, just a big bigger than a Chihuahua. ..-

Loki had to interrupt her.-I´m sorry, but what do you mean by alien looking creatures? And what is a Chihuahua?-

-What? – Leah was taken by surprise by his questions and suddenly realized he didn´t understood neither of her references and paused to explain –Alien like in the movie? – She asked.

Loki nodded his head negatively.

Leah frowned as she told him –I´ll ask Tony to show it to you later, but they have a reptilian kind of appearance, claws, big head, big teeth, really scary looking. And a Chihuahua is a small dog, about this size.-She demonstrated with her hands what she meant.

-All right.-Loki acknowledged satisfied by her explanation.

-Ok.-Leah frowned, she had lost her concentration.-Where was I?-

-The alien looking creatures were approaching.-Loki reminded her.

-Oh! Yes, of course.-Leah looked nervous.-You have to understand, I had no weapons, throwing anything at them wouldn’t do anything but piss them off. All I knew was that I had to stop them somehow, they couldn´t get pass me, I couldn´t let them. Then …. It happened, the biggest of them, probably their leader attacked; it jumped on me clawing and biting and all I could do was try to get a hold on it as he fought me. I knew I wouldn´t last long if I didn’t do something to stop it, and I had to stop it or they would kill all of us so I … tried to get a hold of it by its neck as soon as I succeeded I started to tight my grip on it.-Leah was sweating, her hands mimicked what she was narrating, her eyes seemed unfocused.-I could feel it´s slippery skin, I could smell it´s nauseating odor , it started to desperately wring out of my grasp when it realized what I was doing….but I kept clutching it harder, it kept twitching under my hands, trying to escape, and I kept tightening my grasp, I wanted it death… and then I felt it happen … something snapped and the creature stop moving …and then it hit me … I had killed it. I never thought myself capable of doing such a thing … I never thought … and it just happened.-Leah looked distraught absentmindedly staring at her own hands as if they had betrayed her.

-But it was just a dream.-Loki tried to comfort her.-You haven´t killed anything.-

-No Loki.-Leah nodded her head negatively.-It may have been a dream, but in that instant it was real to me, and right there I made a decision, one I can’t unmade. And now I know …-

-You know what?-Loki inquired worryingly.

-That I´m capable of killing.-Leah looked into his eyes anguished.

Loki looked at her confused by her statement, but before he could tell her anything she continued.-I) know it in my heart, if I had to do it again… without a doubt, without a second thought, if anything threatened you or Eerika … I wouldn´t hesitate to kill.-Tears were already over flooding her eyes as she ended her sentence.

Loki held her tight against his chest.-You don´t know that, not for a fact. It was only a dream.-He understood better than she knew the source of her distress, it seemed that the first kill either in reality or in a dream had the same effect.

-No.-Leah nodded negatively between his arms.-No, I would. I know. Natasha talked about side effects of the serum, do you think that ….-she stopped afraid to end her phrase.

Loki looked worryingly at her eyes as he asked concerned.-Think what?-

-That I´m … going crazy.-Leah shrieked as she started crying again.

-No, no, my love, don’t cry. You´re not going crazy.-Loki reassured her as he hold her tight.-It´s not crazy to protect your loved ones. You are still the same woman I fell in love with, believe me, you are. No serum can ever change that. I will do anything within my power to protect you from a situation like that, but even if it … happened. Even if you actually did, it would be because you had no other choice, not because you went mad, not because you enjoy it.-

-How can you be so sure?-Leah asked him sniffling.

Loki smiled gently at her.-Because I know you, even when you didn’t recognize yourself, I knew your heart. I forsake a realm for you, doesn´t that tells you how I feel about you?-

Leah suddenly asked him nervously as she cast her gaze to the ground.- Do you ever regret it?-

Loki was stunned by her question, he looked at her in disbelief as he answered. – Never! How can you even ask me that?-

-I´m sorry.-Leah apologized.-But your life could´ve been easier if you hadn´t saved me that day. You wouldn´t be locked in here, you might have ended ruling a realm someday.-

Loki looked at her sympathetically, she was feeling overwhelmed by guilt, her question was inadvertently devised to hurt herself, she wanted him to tell her she wasn’t worth it.

-Leah.-Loki started in a stern tone.-You are right, in a century or two I might have ended ruling a planet. But then what? I never thought about it. I never realized that if I ever succeeded I would have no one by my side to share it with. What good is a realm if you´re alone? Saving you… that one good deed saved me, changed me … forever. And if I´m being punished for doing so, well… so be it. I´ll endure any trial to prove my love for you. There´s nothing I wouldn´t do for you or for our child, do you know why?-

Leah had stopped crying and was looking at him intently moved by his admission.

-Because you love me?-She asked doubtfully.

-Yes.-Loki smiled.-And you know why?-

Leah nodded her head negatively, she couldn’t think of a reason.

Loki looked at her with loving eyes.-Because you are the gentlest soul I have ever known, even when you had no reason at all you cared for a villainous soul like mine.-

-You were saving me.-Leah told him.-I hardly think that as villainous at all.-

-Then If I´m not a villain, how could you be one?-Loki softly told her

Leah looked baffled by his answer, she opened her mouth but she couldn´t think of a thing to say. Loki seized the opportunity and sweetly kissed her and then said.-Let´s dreams be dreams my love, I doubt we´ll get another opportunity to be together like this in a while. How about we make the most of it?-He winked an eye at her.

Leah casted aside her fears and anxieties as she answered –Let´s.-

It was the middle of the night, everyone should´ve been asleep; but someone wasn´t. Barefooted steps echoed along the hallway, ragged breath, for a pregnant woman she was really fast, only one thing occupied her mind.

-“I got to see Loki. I need to. They won´t understand.”- She was wearing a maternity pale blue night gown, her hair was loose, entangled curls hanged in disorder around her face hiding her tears stricken cheeks.

As she got near she remembered Steve was on watch in the cell control panel, they´ve had been taking shifts just in case.

-“Please Steve, let me in”- She pleaded mentally, she would be able to get to the cell´s corridor without any issue, Tony had given her the code so she would be able to get in and talk to Loki whenever she wanted; but this night, this night just talking to him wouldn´t do, she desperately needed his comforting presence, she craved for the safety that Loki´s arms promised.

Inside the cell Loki also felt restless, something told him that something was wrong. He was sitting on his bed pensive when Leah rushed in.

-Leah! What´s wrong? – He worryingly asked her as he stood up in a hurry to meet her.

-Nightmare.-She manage to say between gasps as she tried to catch her breath.

Loki´s eyes widened, it had to have been a very bad one to make her run to him in a hurry.

-It was only a dream, it can´t hurt you now.-Loki said trying to calm her, if only he could held her in his arms like he used to every time a nightmare awoken her, he knew they could shake her up very badly, and he couldn´t recall seeing her so agitated about one before.

She nodded her head negatively –You don´t know.-Then she turned to the place she knew a camera was hidden and raised her voice –Steve, let me in please.-She pleaded.

Steve who had been watching the whole scene with a frown on his face answered through the intercom –You know I can´t Leah.-

-Please, I need him.-Leah broke up in tears as she felt to her knees.-You won´t understand, I didn´t thought I was capable, but I was. Oh my god! Why? Why did I did it?-She was shaking badly.

-Leah, what are you talking about?-Loki asked worryingly as he knelt by her side.

-I did it Loki, I did it. I knew exactly what I was doing and nevertheless I did it. – Leah whimpered in total despair. –Please, let me in, let me in, I need to get in.-

Loki´s heart shrank at her painful cries, it might be useless but he had to try.-He turned to the same spot Leah had spoken up a few moments ago and pleaded. –Please, I beg of you, let her in. She´s in pain, can´t you see that?-Then he turned back to look at her. –Leah, it will be al right, whatever happened it will be all right.-

Steve was deeply conflicted, Leah really looked in bad shape; whatever her nightmare was about it certainly had stricken her heart with fear, he raised his hand over the cell´s button still undecided when another hand press it as a voice said.-Leah, Loki stand back, I´m opening the door, as soon as you can get in Leah, I´m closing the door right behind you. Loki stay back until it´s closed.-

Steve looked surprised at Bruce.

-You were going to let her in anyway.-He simply stated.

-You´re probably right.-Steve acknowledged.

Both Leah and Loki obeyed Bruce´s instructions to the letter, as soon as she was in she ran into Loki´s arms crying –I´m sorry, I´m sorry.-She shrieked.

-What for? You haven´t done anything! – Loki answered distraught by her crying.

-But I did! – Leah whined. – I´m sorry!-

-Leah, calm down! What happened? – Loki tried to calm her down without success; she kept ranting about something she had done, out of despair he suddenly kissed her. Leah sniffled surprised for an instant before closing her eyes and surrendering herself to his kiss, it had been so long since he last kissed her.

Their breaths grew faster as the kiss grew in intensity, all the longing they had felt over the last month translated into that one kiss.

Both Steve and Bruce were surprised by the turn of events.

-I didn’t thought they would get to that, that fast.-Bruce acknowledged.

-Oh my god! – Steve utter when Leah and Loki started to furiously undressing each other-

-Jarvis, cut out the visual-Bruce quickly stated.

Then a loud moan was heard.

-And the audio too.-Bruce added flustered.

Steve looked at him totally shocked, his mouth stayed open for a couple of seconds before he could ask.-They knew we were watching, didn´t they?-

-Probably, but I don´t think they cared.-Bruce volunteered.

-You knew this was going to happen?-Steve asked surprised.

Bruce let out a little laugh before answering. –Steve, you could cut the sexual tension between those two with a knife.-

-And now what?-Steve asked.

-Jarvis, can you tell us when they umm … are done?-Bruce asked the A.I. –And have their clothes on.-He added.

-Certainly Sir.-The A.I. answered.

-Now that I think about it, what are you doing here?-Steve asked Bruce as he noticed he was wearing his pajamas.

-Ever since I released her from the medical ward I asked Jarvis to monitor Leah´s vitals and alert me of anything unusual happening, especially if she´s alone. And tonight something did, her vitals went off the roof. I don´t know what happened but she fled in a hurry from her room to Loki´s cell.-Bruce explained.

-A nightmare.-Steve told him.

-It must have been a hell of a nightmare then.-Bruce reasoned.

-It seems that way.-Steve agreed.-She kept ranting about something she did, but she wasn´t making any sense.-

-Whatever it was Loki will help her deal with it.-Bruce added convinced.

-Do you trust him?-Steve asked.

-About her? With my life.-Bruce answered.-On a mission, I still have my doubts, but I do think he´ll do anything to keep her safe.-

The loud moan Steve and Bruce had heard was Leah´s; Loki was nibbling a very sensitive spot on her neck which sent shivers all through her spine, her breasts were half exposed, Loki´s chest was already bare. Suddenly Loki lift her up and carried her over to his bed. As he lay her down he stay pensive for a while contemplating her belly, how to do it safely was the question in his mind.

Leah guessed what he was thinking and leaned up to whisper something in his ear.

-Really?-Loki asked surprised while raising his eyebrows as she kept whispering.

-Really.-She confirmed with a smile after a while.-I researched it on line.-

You did, uh?-Loki smirked-Well my naught girl … I´m glad you did.-He removed his trousers and slide down his underwear revealing his harden manhood, then he sat down next to her while helping her out of her night gown and maternity underwear.

-You look beautiful!-Loki told her as he admired her body before kissing her deeply again.

Leah giggled a bit while he kissed her then as Loki stopped for a breath of air she answered.-You look at me with loving eyes, I´m huge.-

-As expected, but that doesn´t diminish your beauty, it enhances it.-Loki told her with a gallant smile.

Leah blushed at his comment.-You think so?-she asked shyly.

-Undoubtedly.-Loki answered while leaning to kiss her as he carefully laid her down.- Are you sure this is safe?-He asked concerned.

Leah smiled softly as he pulled him down for a kiss. –Yes, it is. We just have to be careful and follow the instructions.-She told him as she winked an eye.

Loki slid his fingers inside her which caused Leah to jerk surprised as a moan escaped her lips.

-Are you all right?-Loki asked preoccupied by her strong reaction.

Leah panted while she answered. –I wasn´t expecting that, I didn´t knew … what more sensitive meant until now.-She laughed, ten told him.-Please, don´t stop.-

Loki smiled relieved.-You are so wet already.-

-Yes.-Leah sighed.-I´ve missed you.-

-So have I.-Loki confessed as he slid his fingers again inside her, this time he was prepared for her reaction, it didn’t took him long to get her to cum. –Something tells me this is going to be much better than angry sex.-He purred in her ear.

Leah laughed between panting.-You have no idea!-Then she pulled him down for a kiss, she kissed him fierce fully, a deep passionate kiss that made Loki moan as he felt the stir in his loins.

-Help me up.-Leah asked as she released the kiss.-Now lay down.-Loki obeyed her eagerly.

Carefully Leah mounted him, they both moaned as his penis penetrated her, Leah arched her back while the arousing sensation traveled through her as Loki pushed his hips up to meet her. They were oblivious to anything else from them, filled with contained passion they unleashed it.

Loki panted with every thrust, he might have pull her down for a kiss if her belly hadn´t got in the way; instead he hungrily stoked her breasts with both hands as their rhythm increased.

With an almost simultaneous moan they both came, then Leah slide down to Loki´s side trying to catch her breath.

-That was …-Loki started to say but he couldn´t find his breath yet.

– Uh-huh.-Leah answered with a big grin.

Loki rolled to his side to look at her.-I love you.-He confessed.

Leah smiled back as she answered.-I love you too.-

Loki rested his head on her chest, the sound of her beating heart was the most comforting sound he had ever heard.