My fingers anxiously tap out a string of messages to my contacts as Peter is in the kitchen explaining everything to May. I can barely look in their direction without wanting to vomit. There's no way I can talk Peter out of this, which means I have to be even more careful than before.

"Lia?" May calls as she approaches me. It takes everything in me to not fall apart on the spot. I hate myself for bringing her into this—for falling in love with her nephew only to bring endless chaos into his life. Now, I'm taking him away from her to live on the run.

"I'm so sorry." I sputter out.

"Hey," she whispers and kneels in front of me. "Don't apologize. You know I love you as much as I do Peter."

"But I shouldn't be dragging him into this."

"You're not dragging him into anything. I know my nephew, and he'll do anything to protect you. All I ask is that you stay safe and take care of each other, okay?"

"Okay." I whisper back as she wraps me in a tight hug. "I promise, I'll take care of him."

"Good." She pulls away and wipes her eyes. "He should be done packing, and I know you two need to leave as soon as possible."

"Yeah. Happy said he'll make sure you stay safe too until everything's cleared up." I pause halfway out of the room. "May? He's a really great guy, and for the record, I think you two would be great together."

I leave her to think about it and walk into Peter's room. "I'd keep your suit on. There's no guarantee on who we'll run into." He nods and slings his backpack over your shoulder. "Got everything I told you to pack?"

"Yeah, and a couple extra things just in case." I nod and strap my own on. "What's the plan?"

"We stop in at a friend's. He'll help us get to where we need to start." The words feel sluggish coming out of my mouth. No matter how much I expected this to happen, I wasn't prepared for it. All I can do is reach out my hand. "Let's hope we've practiced enough to pull it off."

Peter doesn't hesitate to take my hand. "You got this."

It makes me feel a little bit better. "Remember. Hold on tight, and just take a step back." I remind him as I wrap him up in what to everyone else probably look like a simple hug. My mind takes a second to clear, and once it does, I mentally build a bridge connecting to both places.

Then, I step.

The world looks like it blurs past as the space between the two places begins to shrink. By the time my foot touches the ground again, we're inside the Sanctum Sanctorium. Peter looks around with wide eyes, taking in every detail.

"Where are we?" He asks as he takes a step back, while pointedly keeping a hold of my hand.

"Like I said, it's a friend's." I tell him as one of the wizards like Strange comes rushing down the stairs, sparkling orange circles in front of his hands. "We're not here to cause any trouble. I just came to see Strange. Is he around?"

"I said I'd be if you ever needed me. It's okay; they're friends." His voice drifts through the large foyer, and I awkwardly shift on my feet. "I'm assuming you need help? I saw the news."

Peter offers me a confused look as I sigh. "It's more complicated than that."

"Come on, we can discuss it over a cup of tea." He nods over his shoulder, but I shake my head. "It's that bad then?"

"Worse." My hand squeezes Peter's for reassurance. "I've been running from some dangerous people, and if we don't move fast, they'll hurt everyone I care about to find me, which is why we're here."

"Come with me; I'll take you wherever you need, but I expect a full explanation when this is over." Stephen says and heads towards the stairs.

"I promise, you'll get one when this is all over. For now, I need you to get Peter to New Asgard."

"Don't you mean, he needs to get us to New Asgard." Peter interrupts, and I shake my head. "We already talked about this. I'm not leaving you."

"I know, and I'll meet you there once I'm done drawing attention elsewhere. It will buy us some time and hopefully keep them from going after May." There's still a frown on his face, and I hold his face in my hand. "I'll be an hour tops. I'm just gonna cause some trouble, make sure someone sees me, and come right back."

"Fine, but I'm staying on with ARTI the whole time. If anything goes wrong, I'm coming to help you." He argues with the utmost severity. "We promised to not leave each other again, and I'm holding you to it."

"Good. Because I don't plan on breaking it any time soon." I turn back to Strange. "We're ready when you are."

Strange looks between us for a long moment. "Okay. New Asgard it is." He turns away and starts to open the portal. The circle sparkles as the sight of New Asgard appears through the portal. I turn to Peter looking for reassurance, which he offers with a soft smile. "You sure you wanna come? I don't know when we'll be coming back, and we'll always have to look over our shoulders. It's not easy, Peter, and even when this is over, it'll be hard to truly come back."

"We've already talked about this, Lia. I'm not letting you do this alone, and nothing you can say will change my mind." He replies and without looking back at me, goes through the portal.

I close my eyes and hope with everything in me that this won't end in disaster—that he won't end up hurt, dead, or hating me by the time this is over. The last one feels ridiculous, but with everything that's happened—what I've seen and done—it's hard to imagine that it's not a possibility. Even though every part of me that knows Peter is absolutely certain that would never happen, the doubt still lingers.

There's no room for it though. Not if we're gonna make it through this alive. All my focus needs to be on the sliver of light that's finally starting to break through. Because as much as we have yet to go through, I know that Peter won't give up on me or on the end we've been fighting for since we were fifteen.

So I step through the portal into New Asgard, and I don't allow myself to look back—not until it's finally time to come home.

When I step through into the heart of it all, I can't help but smile and let out a sight of relief. This is the closest to safe we can be under the circumstances, and I'm grateful for it. Even more so as I spot Valkyrie, who has taken me in here once before since everything happened at the final battle. I almost collapse in her embrace as she pulls me tightly against her. "I would say I'm happy to see you, but I wish it was under better circumstances."

"Trust me, I know." I tell her with a soft smile. "One day I will come for something other than hiding out."

"Don't worry about it. You're always welcome here, and I'll get everything ready for you."

I almost collapse in exhaustion and relief. "Thank you. We're in a tough situation and don't have anywhere else to go. It'll only be a little while. The people after us will only hesitate for so long, and I don't want to put you or your people in danger." I look back towards Peter and Strange, who are merely watching the exchange. "It's a long story, which I promise to explain when I can, but I have a quick—um—errand to run first. I've got to pull the attention away from everyone back home."

"I understand, I'll try to get everything ready by the time you get back."

As she leaves, I look back at Peter. "Before we do this, I should warn you—it won't be pretty. Most of these people either believe their doing the right thing or being paid well enough to keep silent, which means getting even the smallest bit of information in a short amount of time is difficult without applying the right kind of pressure. And I'm scared that once you—when you see the person I have to be to get things done—it will change the way you look at me."

Peter just smiles a little and holds my face in his hands. "Lia, I know things aren't how they'd be under any normal circumstances, and nothing you say or do would ever change how I feel about or look at you."

"Please, be sure about that before you come with me for this."

"I am a hundred and fifty percent sure." I can't help but smile at that as I nod.

"If you two are finally certain you want to do this, then we best be going." Strange interrupts us looking less than amused. "I'm sure you already have a place in mind?"

"Yeah, Belfast. I've been keeping an eye on a scientist that sees to be pretty high ranking as far as I've mapped out in the network. If you get me there, I can track him down and get him rattled up enough to send word up the chain."

"Which will probably lead whoever put the hit out on you to send word to the Reaper."

"And it draws attention away from New York and May, yeah."

"Let's get you to Belfast then." Strange just nods and turns around to open another portal, which Peter and I quickly step through onto a rooftop.

I look around to get a pinpoint on where we are. "ARTI, get me a location on the target and best interception point. It needs to be away from prying eyes and fairly close to his route."

"I'm pulling it up on your display." He replies and shows me the spot about three blocks away. "You have approximately five minutes to get in place."

"On it." I reply, rolling my shoulders and activating my suit. "I'll only be a few minutes. Wait here, I'll come back when I'm done."

"Take your time." Strange replies as he leans against the ledge. "It's not like I have anything better to do."

I level my gaze on him, even though he can't see it through the mask. "Thank you. I wouldn't have made it this far without your help."

Strange's expression goes dark, and I can see a flash of guilt in his eyes. "No need to thank me. I owed you after everything that's happened."

I shake my head to brush it aside and turn to Peter. "You ready? I need someone to watch my back."

"Pretty sure I've been doing that since we first partnered up." He snaps on his webshooters with a grin. "Do you really think I'd leave you alone now?"

"No, but I thought it was only polite to ask." I smile at him and let him wrap his arms around my waist as he lowers us to the ground. Peter holds on to my hand as I use most of my concentration to keep us hidden until we make it to the interception point. "You should probably head up to the rooftop. It will give you a better vantage point. If I draw anyone's attention, have ARTI send me a signal, and we'll get out as fast as we can."

"What about the cameras? You can't take care of the all and intimidate this guy."

"ARTI's getting into the system and will run a disruption program." I shrug and watch the empty street through the mouth of the alley. "As long as we're careful, everything will be fine. I promise."

"Okay, but at the first sign of trouble, we're going." Peter demands as he presses his forehead to mine. "I can't let anything happen to you."

"Same goes for you." I tell him as I try to memorize the exact colors of his eyes. "Maybe once this is over, we can try to find a less dangerous project to occupy our time."

That earns a laugh out of him. "How about running you dad's company and trying to make some new tech that can help people."

"I was thinking something like going to university, but that works too."

"Sorry to interrupt, but target is forty five seconds away from the intercept point." ARTI states loud enough for both Peter and I to hear. We step away from each other and nod. Both of us know what we have to do and the price we may have to pay if we don't succeed. "Fifteen seconds."

I press my back against the wall as the timer counts down. Just as it hits zero, the balding man appears at the mouth of the alley. My fingers twitch as I use my shadows to pull him in and pin him against the wall with his jaw locked shut to keep him from shouting for help. "Good evening, Mr. Lynch." His eyes fill with a fiery anger as he struggles against me to no avail. "Now, now, take a breath. I'm not gonna hurt you unless you give me a reason to. I just want to talk."

"You have no idea who and what you're dealing with." He spits out the moment I give him the chance to.

"Actually, unlike you, I know exactly who I'm dealing with." I counter, my voice becoming much colder than before, "I know you got into the trials differently than most. You did it for the cash, which is why you've risen through the ranks faster than most—because you decided from day one you weren't going to have a heart when it came to the people in your labs. You reduced them to numbers in a file and cash in your hand."

"Because you can't better the world when you're worried about what it costs to do so."

"Funny you should bring that up, because I did my research into you—your family, your friends, the people in the shops you frequent, and everyone you've had so much as a second of meaningful interaction with. You know what I found?" He stays deathly silent at the question, and I can feel his heart racing as the panic—as the fear that I know his secret settles in. "Despite the hefty monetary incentives to test those around you for the program, you never do. I guess your bosses don't know your niece is a REM. Or is it just that the blood you signed your soul away with isn't potent enough to do that to your own family?"

"How did you?! No one knows about her." He fights like a rat caught in a trap—struggling to get free and save its own life at any cost. "They'll kill me and take her away if they knew."

"I'll admit, the first one wouldn't bother me that much. It'd just be more blood dripping off their hands, but I'll admit I'm hesitant to put anyone—much less a child in their hands. Still, don't underestimate what I'll do to take them down once and for all." I shrug and slam him back so I have his full, unwavering attention. "Which is why you're going to pass on a message for me."

"Yes, of course, whatever you need. Just don't tell them what you know."

"As long as you do your job right—this will stay between us." I linger for a moment, hating the way his lips tremble as sweat rolls down his brow from everything I'm saying and doing, but I've learned the hard way you can't get cooperation from them otherwise. "Tell your superiors: I'm coming for them next. No matter who they hire, how much money and resources they pour into tracking me down and stopping me, I will tear down everything they've built and make them pay for everything they've done—even if it means I die with them."

Lynch just frantically nods and falls to his knees the second I let go. "I'll tell them. I promise." He blubbers as he stumbles over his own feet to get away.

I watch with a bitter feeling growing in the pit of my stomach. There's a strange feeling that comes with facing who you've had to become to survive and knowing that the one person you love most in the world had to see it firsthand. I just hope that when this is all over, the girl I was still has enough life—enough fight—in her to come back.

Peter drops down next to me with his jaw clenched and an unreadable expression on his face. "We should get back to Strange." I nod and try to ignore the hesitation he shows before he wraps an arm around me.

It breaks my heart and the small bit of hope I allowed myself to have. This was exactly what I was scared of most. The last thing I ever wanted was for Peter to look at me differently—like the monster I see myself becoming again.

Even as Strange opens the portal to New Asgard, not a word is spoken. I want to say something—anything—that will make this better, but I can't find the words. Peter barely glances my way the entire time.

"How did it go?" Valkyrie asks the second we step through the portal.

ARTI shows me the flurry of chatter across my lenses and says loud enough for everyone to hear, "Word is spreading quickly of your appearance in Belfast, which means it's only a matter of time before the Reaper is notified."

"Which means it went exactly as we planned." I add and smile. "It'll take the heat off of everyone back home, but it also means that we can't stay here for long."

Valkyrie nods, "Well, you're welcome to stay as long as you need to, and we'll do whatever we can to help and protect you."

"Thank you," I sigh, "but I can't let you put this place or your people at risk. The second I even think there's any danger, I'll go."

"We'll go." Peter amends, and I hate myself for the small flicker of hope that bubbles up in my chest.

"Well, let's at least get you cleaned up, fed, and rested for whenever that happens." She smiles and wraps an arm around my shoulder. "Come on, I have you all settled in. You'll have a beautiful view of the ocean, hot water, and if you need me, I live in the cabin right here."

I note the cabin she's pointed to. It's small, overlooking the docks and ocean, and somehow exactly the kind of quaint, peaceful place I would expect her to live. "It's even more beautiful than I remember."

"Of course! You were here for less than a day over six months ago." She teases. "Places change just like we do."

I nod. People change; and I just hope I've still got some change left in me. This isn't who I planned on becoming, and it's certainly not who I want to continue being once this is over.

"And here's your place. I've cleaned it up since Thor and his mates lived here, which took some effort. Those three were living like slobs."

"I believe it." I chuckle and see both Peter's and my bags settled against the mattress. "Thank you again, Valkyrie. For helping me last time and again for now."

"No need. After everything we've been through—that you've been through—I'm happy to help in any way possible." She smiles and wraps me in a hug as she whispers in my ear, "You're going to get through this."

I force a smile on my face and nod. "Go ahead and get some rest. I'll bring you guys some food later this evening."

The same tension that's been lingering since the alleyway crawls back over us—somehow stronger than before. "You might wanna take a shower and rest up. I don't know when we'll have hot water or a decent bed next." I call to Peter, who's back is to me as he goes through his bag in the other room.

"Go ahead." He calls back and finally faces me with a sad, sensitive smile on his lips. "You probably need the rest more than I do."

I can only nod as I grab a fresh set of clothes from my bag. My fingers brush over the cold cover of my little notebook, and I have to ignore the way my chest aches at the mere thought of it. It's something I won't—that I can't face right now.

Right now, I just wanna clean off the lingering feeling of shame and self loathing and crash for the rest of the day. It will probably take the Reaper a while to pin down where we are, and even if they do, they'd take their time to find an easy way in without invading the new home of a bunch of Asgardians.

It's why I came here the first place shortly after I had to go on the run. No international government would dare try to cross New Asgard. Plus, I knew Valkyrie would be one of the few people who would actually believe that I was innocent. I was just hoping the next time I came, it wouldn't be like this.

The hot water feels like heaven. It helps my head to clear and muscles unwind. But it's not enough. I clench my fists. All I want to do is scream and cry.

Peter wasn't supposed to have to deal with this. It's my burden to bare—my war to wage. I ran six months ago to keep him safe. I kept my distance. I tried everything I could to make sure he would be safe.

My hands won't stop shaking as I dry myself off and get dressed. I can hear Peter shuffling around, and I still don't know how to face him. Despite his promise that nothing will change, there's always that nagging doubt that it will or maybe that it already has. Maybe our relationship is as lost as the girl I was before the Blip.

Or maybe we still have a chance despite all of this.

"Hey, Pete." I call as I search for him and continue to dry my hair. "The shower's free if you wanna—"

The whole room spins when I find him in the bedroom, that adorable look he gets when he's confused etched across his features, and my notebook in his hands. I can't stop to think of a better way to handle the situation as I snatch it from him.

"What is that?" He asks as I turn away try to keep from crushing it in my fist, "And don't say 'it's nothing' because clearly it's not."

"It's personal." I try to keep my voice even, but it's as shaky as my body is.

"Lia, please, just talk to me." He sighs, and the sadness he says my name with physically hurts, "I know you. You think you have to do all this alone, but I made a promise to you that no matter what, I'd always be here for you. That hasn't changed." His arms wrap around my waist as he presses a kiss to the top of my head. "That's never gonna change."

"It might if you knew everything I've done since I left." I mumble.

Peter spins me around so we're face to face. "No, it won't." His hands cup my cheeks. "Because no matter what happens, I know who you are. What you've had to do to help others and survive will never change that."

I nod and look down at the worn leather notebook still in my hands. "It's my—" the words get caught in my throat, but Peter just waits patiently, "it's my list of everyone—everyone that I saved and mostly the ones I couldn't.

"It's written in the same code my Dad and I used to write secret messages when we were far away from each other." I point to a line written in blue, "This one—Victor—he was a REM with energy manipulation. He would absorb the kinetic energy of punches, bumps, anything, and then control how much of that energy he put into his own hits. Watching him fight was insane."

"What happened to him?" I look at Peter with wide eyes and wonder how he seems to have instinctively known. "You got that look on your face."

I nod and try to hold back the tears, "He—he sacrificed himself to make sure myself and the others got out. When I found him, he told me he was a huge fan; said, 'the world needed more heroes willing to fight for people both big and small.'

"I—I made the mistake of trying to salvage data by getting one of the 'scientists' to cooperate by telling him and his family run and hide—that I could protect them." I screw my eyes shut as the memory replays, "I thought I was gonna win that one. Most times they caught on I was there before I could stop them, but I was just getting played. The second he got to the computer he put in the code to wipe everything. Except, shortly after I started coming after them full force, they decided to cover all their bases and kill the subjects too.

"Victor—he stayed behind to blow the computers before they could hurt anyone." I wipe away a tear and flip through the pages. "Most of the names in here are of people I was too late—or too naive—to save."

"But look at all the ones you did save. Do you remember the first time we lost someone on a patrol together? You told me that it's impossible to win every fight, and the best way to honor the ones we lost is to keep fighting and save as many as we could after that." Peter kneels down in front of me so I have no choice but to look at him. "So we're gonna keep fighting until the ones we save outweighs the ones we lost. No matter what it takes, okay? We're doing it together?"

"And we don't feel like heroes by the end of it?"

"Didn't your Dad always say, 'only the good guys spend every day questioning if they did the right thing'?" I nod and let the tears stream down my face. "You are a hero, Lia Stark. Always have been and always will be. It's one of the many reasons I love you."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being my hero, and loving me through this whole mess." I smile softly and press a kiss to his lips. "We've still got a long way to go."

"And I'll be here for it all."