I couldn't open my eyes, but I could hear voices arguing around me.

"Why must you always assume I did something? She just started holding her head and screaming. I called for the guards when she collapsed." That must be Loki. He sounded angry, but there was also a hint of worry in his tone. Was he worried about me, or about getting blamed, I wondered.

"Why was she even in your cell?" a deep voice asked - must be Thor.

"I'm not sure. We didn't exactly get to finish our conversation," Loki hissed at him.

"Boys, be quiet." Ahh, that was Frigga's voice, a true mother. "She wanted to make sure Loki was safe. I knew she went to see him, but when she didn't return I became worried."

I tried to sit up but felt like a thousand pounds were pushing down against my chest. My eyes fluttered as I tried to shield them from the light. "Why is everyone talking about me?" My voice sounded hoarse and it hurt to talk. "What happened?"

"Rúna, you're awake," Frigga rushed forward, grabbing my hand. "You gave us quite a scare. I just thank the Norns that Loki was with you." I gave a side glance towards him. He seemed embarrassed that his mother was making a big deal out of the situation.

"I just called the guards, Mother. It's not like I performed surgery." I gave a small giggle at his exasperated tone.

"Well, thank you for taking care of me," I tried to give him a smile but he had already turned away. I tried again to sit up, but Frigga put her hands on my shoulder.

"Rest. We still don't know what caused your episode." She turned back to Loki and Thor, "I'm going to start checking the magic books, one of you needs to be with her at all times." Thor nodded and smiled, but I saw Loki roll his eyes. Apparently, Frigga saw it too. "If it's such an inconvenience, then I'm sure Thor can escort you back to the dungeons, Loki." Ohhh, she was not happy with him. I wanted to make a witty comment, but there was no way I was going to get in between those two. I don't care if I am older than both of them, Frigga is downright intimidating.

"Of course not, Mother. She is in my room after all." Loki straightened up and met his mother's gaze.

Thor snickered behind him and mumbled under his breath, "Finally gets a girl in his bed and can't do anything about it." Did he seriously just say that? I flicked my hand and magically slapped the back of his head. "Loki!" he yelled.

Loki laughed and pointed to me, "That was all her, oaf. Maybe you shouldn't speak so ill of a lady, even if the insult was meant for me." I liked the way his eyes gleamed when he called me a lady. Nope, nope, get that thought out of your head right now, Rúna. Fictional characters, remember.

"Whatever, you have to take the first watch. I have a meeting with Father," Thor turned and stomped out the door. Frigga made her exit as well and left Loki and me in awkward silence.

I sat tracing patterns in the blanket absentmindedly until Loki spoke, "Do you always do that?" I looked at him confused, then saw him point to the small flowers dancing in the air above the blanket.

I giggled and the flowers fell onto the bed. "Sorry, I didn't even realize I had conjured them. I'm not used to being around people this much, it's a bit overwhelming."

He came closer and sat on the edge of the bed, picking up a flower. "Interesting. They're real, not illusions. Your magic is very powerful indeed. How did you learn it?" I could almost see the wheels in his head turning trying to figure me out. It won't take him long - he's too inquisitive, too smart.

I opened my hand and showed him a small image of his universe, "I was born this way. Some I learned to harness from other witches, some I've taught myself over the years." I watched him closely as I expanded the image to fill the room. "This is your universe," I told him and pointed to Asgard. "But this, this is where I live," I filled the room with thousands of galaxies. His eyes were filled with wonder as he reached out, running his hands though the image.

"Which planet is yours?" His voice was just above a whisper.

I shook my head, "None of them, all of them. I don't have a home really, I'm a wanderer. Just yesterday, I was on a beautiful little planet over here," I made the planet light up for a moment, "it is filled with lush plants and lakes, but no people."

"How long were you there?" I could see his curiosity growing by the minute.

"I think I was there for a hundred years or so. Time doesn't mean much to me." Oops, I think I may have just broken him. The look on Loki's face was a mix of awe and terror. Yep, the realization is sinking in...three, two, one..and go.

His voice was just a whisper, "You're her."

And we have a winner, folks!

"Yep," I popped the p for effect. He sat for a few moments longer, his mouth moving, but no sound coming out. "Are you okay?"

"I'm not sure, to be honest. It isn't every day you are sitting in the same room with the Goddess of Time and Creation, or that she's lying in your bed." His voice was matter of fact, but his green eyes showed a storm of questions behind them.

"Well, you're taking it far better than your mother did," I laughed softly. "Then again, I did blindside her a bit. I didn't really mean to tell her, it just slipped. But you," I sighed, "I knew you would figure me out. She said you liked puzzles."

His eyes snapped up to meet mine when I said puzzles. What was that look? It made me feel flush inside. His movements were almost catlike as he moved up the side of the bed, "Have I pieced all of the puzzle together, Rúna, or is there still more to learn about you, little one?" I swear to the Gods, he just purred, and I'm melting inside.

"I guess you'll have to figure that out for yourself, Loki," I wanted my voice to sound strong, but instead it came out as a soft whisper. My breath caught as I realized his face was just inches away from mine. Damn his lips look soft and ohhh, the way he darts his tongue across them before he speaks. I think I need a cold shower.

He tucked a strand of fallen hair behind my ear and whispered, "Challenge accepted, little one." I shivered slightly and he noticed it. The look on his face clearly told me that he considered himself the cat and I was the mouse in this situation. I was about to say something when Thor came busting in.

He stopped short and saw where Loki was then rolled his eyes, "Really Loki?"

Loki stood and spread his hands, "She is in my bed.." This time I magically slapped his head. "Ow, I didn't say anything that wasn't true," he complained, rubbing his head. Turning his attention back to Thor, "Did you need something, or do you just like barging into other people's rooms?"

"It's Jane. The Aether is killing her, I need your help," Thor's voice was desperate. I pushed myself up against the pillows. I knew where this was going and I wasn't interested in playing out Loki's fake death. Besides, the timeline was already messed up, what more could go wrong.

"Wait right there, mister," I yelled. "This is a bad idea. You take her off-world," I point at Loki, "get him killed, well sort of, then Maleketh escapes to Midgard and wreaks havoc, then you guys destroy the Bifrost, and Jane gets left behind." Thor was sputtering and gasping, but Loki stayed fairly calm, only raising his eyebrows when I mentioned his death.

"How could you know any of this?" Thor demanded.

I started to explain, but Loki cut me off, "It's a long story, Thor. Just trust that she is telling the truth. If you don't believe me, then ask Mother. She will vouch for Rúna's skill as well." I noticed he had taken a step closer to me as he spoke. It was comforting, but still so odd.

"Then what do we do?" Thor asked.

I swung my legs out from under the covers as Loki reached out a hand to steady me. "Let me take the Aether," I said quietly, "Then I can destroy it." That will alter more than one movie because the Aether is an infinity stone. Take that purple grape titan timeline I giggled to myself.

"Rúna, are you sure you're up to this? We still haven't figured out why you collapsed this morning?" Loki's voice was soft and he searched my face for any doubts.

Again, I don't know why I did it, but I put a hand on his cheek, and stroked it gently, "I'm fine, Loki." He leaned into my touch and kissed the center of my palm. What is this connection I feel towards him?

"You realize I'm coming with you? I still haven't solved my puzzle, little one," he smiled with a mischievous grin.

"Fine," I mumbled. "Now turn around, both of you so I can get changed." They gave me a confused look, but did as I asked. "Stop peeking," I chided Loki as I saw him glancing backward. He laughed and turned away. In a shimmer of lights, I put on my clothes. They were functional and comfortable, not all flowy and goddess-like. I'd given up that look eons ago. "I'm decent, boys."

I began trying to braid my hair as we walked. "Oh let me," Loki fussed, then grabbed my hair and quickly put it into two plaits. Damn, that was fast.

"Um, thank you," I said hesitantly. He just grinned and continued walking. I looked around the halls as we walked and noticed most of it looked like the movie, but some parts seemed to have changed. The once golden-lined halls were now a mix of gold and marble with dark stained wooden doors. It was beginning to look less Hollywood and more Norse. Oh, that could be really bad, I thought to myself. When we get this finished, I need to see the Norns.

"Um, where are we going exactly?" I said in a low voice to Loki.

"Don't ask me, this is Thor's party remember," he grinned as he took my hand and continued to pull me along. Why is he holding my hand? Why am I letting him?

I stopped short when I saw the spaceship. Do these guys ever listen? What part of not going off-world did Thor miss. "Thor, what the hell are you doing?"

"I'm saving Jane and you said you would help," he growled at me, taking a menacing step forward. In a flash, Loki had put me behind him and was standing nose to nose with Thor.

"Come any closer to her, brother, and I will kill you," Loki's words were low but threatening. Oh, my Gods, this man was protective and it was sexy as hell. I'm really having a hard time remembering that he's not real.

I huffed, placing my hand on Loki's arm, "Boys can you just not." I looked up at Jane who was wobbling next to Thor. Poor thing looked terrified and about to collapse at any moment. I took a step towards her, "Hey, I'm Runa. You're Jane, right?" She nodded, but I could tell she wasn't really comprehending everything that was happening. I saw the Aether swirling inside of her, breaking down her body like a corrosive material. Even if I removed it, she would have side effects, possibly life-threatening ones.

I don't even remember why I did it, but before anyone could react, I embraced Jane and began to chant. The Aether and my magic began to swirl around us as we were lifted into the air. I could faintly hear Loki calling my name while Thor was calling for their mother. Jane will need healing - I projected to Loki, watching his eyes widen at my thoughts. He nodded and I released her down into Thor's arms.

"Take her to Eir immediately, brother. She is still at risk even without the Aether," Loki ordered him. Thor hesitated for a moment but saw the concern in Loki's eyes and quickly left. Frigga was standing next to Loki as my body still hovered in the air. I could see the fear on both their faces as the red waves of the Aether crashed against my own wisps of magic. "I have to do something, Mother," Loki groaned. "I just found her, I can't lose her now."

Frigga held his arm, "Wait. She's stronger than you realize, son."

He gave her a worried glance, "I know who she is, Mother, but that doesn't mean she isn't in danger." Frigga nodded but continued to look on not knowing what to do.

I wanted to tell them I would be fine, but at that moment, I wasn't so sure about my decision. I needed to get somewhere safe, somewhere contained. The dungeons! I could get into an empty cell, maybe my old cell, and work this out. I focused my memory on the cell I had been in and pushed myself there.

"Where the hell did she go?" Loki roared when I vanished. I could hear him in my head all the way down here. I'm guessing he hasn't realized our link yet. Hell, I'm not even sure how or why it's there, but it is.

Stop yelling and come to my cell in the dungeon, Loki - I chided him mentally.

In seconds, he appeared in front of me, but I quickly teleported him out of the cell. "What did you do that for, and why are you even down here?" he demanded, his foot tapping rapidly.

I couldn't help but smile at his expression, "The cell is to contain both the Aether and myself should something go wrong, and you, well you need to stay out there. One crazy person with magic is bad enough, Norns forbid you get infected with the Aether too." He gave me a frustrated scowl, then conjured a chair to sit in.

"So what happens now, Runa?" His voice was angry but also worried.

"I really don't know," I said, hanging my head in my hands. "I didn't think it through. I saw the way this thing was literally eating away at her from the inside out and I reacted." I lifted my head, "Did they get her to the healers? She had damage to her internal organs already. She wouldn't have lasted the day."

Loki's eyes were filled with fear, "You saw all of that in her and still you took the cursed thing into yourself?" He ran his hands through his hair, "Damned healers, you never stop to think about your own lives." I felt a slight pressure on my arm and realized he was using his magic to comfort me. Touching the spot on my arm where I felt his hand, I smiled.

"I told you I'm not good with people. Too many centuries alone. I'm sorry, I just didn't want to see her die. She and Thor really do love each other, you know," I giggled slightly, then winced as the Aether dug in again.

Loki saw my reaction and leaned forward, pressing close to the shield, "Tell me what to do, little one." Oh damn, seeing the pain in his eyes was way too much. What was going on here, this was not the Loki from the movies. This man was caring, tender and more concerned about me than himself. This is fiction still, right?

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. If this was fiction, then the Aether shouldn't harm me, but it was. I could feel it ripping me apart inside, feeding off my own magic. I needed help and it was far more than Loki could give.

"What do you mean by fiction? What are you hiding, Runa?" Loki's voice pierced my thoughts.

"Oh, now you decide to notice the mind link thing! Took you damn long enough," I growled in response. He gave me a frustrated glare, waiting for me to explain. "This world isn't real, or at least it wasn't. I'm not entirely sure anymore. When I arrived here it was by a crummy spell. Your world, your story is a work of fiction from a series of movies made on Midgard. That's how I know about events here. I've seen them in movies already."

Loki sat back down in the chair, fitting each piece of the puzzle together before speaking. "The spell has taken on a life of its own now though, hasn't it? We're as Midgardians say 'off-script' now aren't we?"

His comment made me smile. His intelligence rivals the real Loki's. "I believe you are correct, but I don't know what repercussions that will have." I should have left sooner, but I couldn't...I didn't want to.

His eyes went wide as he picked up on my thoughts again, then he looked up at me again, "You stayed to save her...and me...but why? Why would you sacrifice yourself for people who aren't even real according to your timeline?" My eyes burned with tears. I hadn't cried in centuries, but this man had me in tears. The thought of him hurting, suffering, dying - it ripped my very soul, and now he knew it. I couldn't block him from my thoughts even if I wanted to. "Shh, little one, please don't cry," he pressed against the shield. "I would hold you if I could and take your fears, Runa."

I put my hand as close to the shield as I could before answering, "I know, and it scares me. I don't understand what is happening. I need to consult the Norns, Loki. I need to go to Yggdrasil."

"I'll speak to Mother. We will figure out a containment spell or transport to keep you safe on the journey." His eyes never left mine as he spoke. "I'm not losing you, Runa. I'll move the heavens for you if need be, but I won't lose you." His words were calm, but I knew he meant every one of them. It made my chest feel lighter.