The autopsy table was hard and unyielding, but Loki had never slept better.

The entire group crashed at NCIS headquarters following the battle. Loki had instantly headed down to autopsy to sleep, too drained to do anything else after escorting Bishop to her desk, which she fell asleep behind. Gibbs also slept on the other autopsy table, tucking a roll of paper towels under his head.

When he woke, sometime later, Loki had trouble placing where he was for a moment. Then he sighed, his shoulders slumping. They'd defeated HYDRA and the Dark Elves. For now, NCIS was safe.

Sitting up, he slid off the table and stretched. Gibbs was already gone, and Loki headed out of autopsy and took the elevator up to the main floor. Blankets were scattered about the squad room, DiNozzo curled up behind his desk, McGee behind his, Bishop behind hers, Thor slumped over on Loki's. Hailstohm was reclining back in Gibbs' chair, boots up on his desk. Kate lay curled up between McGee's and DiNozzo's desks. Gibbs was standing by his desk, looking down at Hailstohm with an impassive expression, a steaming cup of coffee in his hand.

"Hey!" Gibbs snapped. "Get out of my chair!"

Hailstohm opened her eyes and focused on Gibbs. "Good morning, Agent Gibbs." She took her boots off his desk and stood up, getting out of Gibbs' way as he sat down.

Slowly, the other agents began to wake up, and the others all congregated in the squad room. Loki headed over to Bishop's desk and crouched down beside her, gently touching her shoulder. "Morning, darling."

Bishop opened her eyes and blinked at him for a moment, before a tired smile spread across her face. "Morning, Loki," she said, sitting up and wrapping her arms around his neck as she kissed him. Loki smiled into the kiss, grateful she was alive, grateful they all were. The Aether's power had been too much, too corrosive. He could feel the dull ache inside him from where it had burned him, tempting him to change reality to fit what he wanted, trying to steal everything else. But it had constantly scared him with the thought of losing Bishop, and after hearing Drax's story of his wife's death, seeing the effect of his mother's death on Odin, and watching Thor watch Jane die, the reality of his own loved one being torn away from him struck home too closely.

Soon the squad room was crowded. Rogers, Carter, Hill, and Wilson had all picked up coffee and breakfast for everyone, which was quickly wolfed down. Tekahionwake and Mordo were speaking quietly with Rogers and Gibbs, leaving shortly after without another word. But Loki heard Tekahionwake telling them to call her if her aid was ever needed. Then their orange portals cut through the squad room and whisked the sorcerers away.

Torres and Romanoff returned, after leaving Pierce and Carpenter in the NCIS holding cells. Fury was nowhere to be seen, which seemed to be exactly how he wanted this now. Loki remembered the advantages that came with everyone thinking you dead, and wondered how Fury would use his newfound advantage.

At some point, Kate and Loki ended up standing together, by the windows. Loki had realized, since entering the squad room that morning, that he had an odd perception of her, like a sixth sense that alerted him to where she was. It was barely perceptible, but flared up when in her proximity.

When he asked her about it, turned out she had the same thing. A leftover vestige of the Aether, it seemed, binding them together.

****

The next several days passed swiftly and were full of chaos. Pierce and Carpenter were both safely in prison and awaiting trial. Thor, Darcy, and Selvig were busy arranging a funeral for Jane, and Romanoff was involved in hearings before the Senate to discuss the whole SHIELD/HYDRA business.

Peter Quill, Gamora, Rocket, Groot, and Drax left, flying back up to outer space with the Power Stone to bring to Xandar and the Nova Corp. They said they'd keep in touch with the Asgardians, but Loki had his doubts. The so-called Guardians of the Galaxy didn't seem like the type to keep in touch with authorial figures. Or listen to them, for that matter.

The Aether was given into NCIS custody, at least until further decision could be made. Loki didn't know where it ended up, and he didn't want to know. The less he knew, the better. Their power was dangerous in his hands, and he didn't want it.

They all attended Jane's funeral. Loki and Bishop stood with Thor, whose face remained impassive throughout the ceremony. Loki placed his hand on his brother's shoulder as they stood by the grave. First their mother, now Jane. Too many losses, too close together, and he found himself tightening his grip on Bishop's hand.

"I'm sorry, Thor," he murmured.

Thor gave a nod his way; he wouldn't look at him.

Ian's funeral was held shortly after Jane's. Then NCIS seemed to be back to normal. Abby was back in the lab, Ducky and Jimmy were back in autopsy. The members of the NCIS team, Loki, Thor, Hailstohm, and Rogers were no longer considered enemies of the state, which was a good thing. Loki didn't like being considered an enemy of the state. Been there, done that. No need to do it again.

Fury opted to continue to let the world think him dead. He had a headstone and everything to mark the deceit. But he refused to get out of the industry, and his headstone became a meeting spot. Gibbs, Loki, Kate, Rogers, and Torres all met there on the third day, waiting for Fury to arrive. Torres was dressed in a white T-shirt, black jeans, and a black leather jacket, with dark shades concealing his eyes.

"Your SHIELD assignment is over," Gibbs remarked. "What does Vance have you doing now?"

Torres smiled. "Still on assignment for Fury. He's sending me off to California, to check up on a former SHIELD agent. He doesn't think he's affiliated with HYDRA in any way, but we need to make sure." He gave Gibbs a cocky grin. "If you need me, you can reach me at Pym Technologies. Vance will know the specifics on how to contact me."

A man approached the grave. None of them gave him a glance until he came up beside them. Nick Fury had arrived.

"Torres, here's your ticket and new ID," Fury said in a low voice, handing him a manila envelope. "Good luck."

Torres nodded, gave Kate a smile, and left. Gibbs had a feeling they'd be seeing him again someday.

"Hill got a new job, working for Stark," Fury said. "And Sharon Carter is beginning work at the CIA. New starts, for a lot of us." He looked at Kate. "What about you, Sniper? You can't just waltz back to NCIS – you're still a wanted criminal. That doesn't just get to go away."

"You made it go away for Romanoff," Kate pointed out.

"She's with us," Rogers spoke up firmly. "Sam, Kate, and I will be searching for Bucky."

"On that subject, I have something for you," Gibbs said, holding out a file to Rogers. "It should help."

Rogers took the file. "Thank you."

Gibbs shook his head. "Thank McGee. He wanted to help Kate with her quest."

"HYDRA may have lost this round, but the fight is far from over," Fury said, with a shake of his head. "Can I count on you, Gibbs, to finish this off?" He glanced at the former Marine.

Gibbs gave a nod. "Sure."

Fury glanced at Loki. "What about you, Asgardian?"

"Permitted my father doesn't recall me, I'm staying," Loki stated.

"Who knows?" Fury shrugged. "This may be an Avenger level task. I might just have to give Stark a call."

"Just keep us updated," Gibbs said. He nodded at Loki. "Give us a moment."

Loki exchanged a look with Rogers and Kate, then the three of them walked away. Gibbs waited until they were out of earshot before turning back to Fury. "Thought you'd want this back." He held out the dated piece of technology, which he had taken from Fury after he was shot.

"Thanks." Fury took the object, studied it for a moment, and then placed it into his pocket. "This is our last hope, should everything else go wrong."

Gibbs lifted an eyebrow. "You think I don't know that?"

They stood in silence for a moment. "It's a nice headstone," Fury remarked. "Sort of a shame I'm not actually dead."

Gibbs just snorted.

****

The Warriors Three and Sif arrived on the fourth day after defeating HYDRA. The Bifrost set them down in the middle of the Navy Yard parking lot, renewing the fading lines from previous landings there. Loki saw them from the windows of the squad room and stiffened.

"Thor, Father's summoning us back to Asgard."

Thor stood, and Hailstohm joined them. DiNozzo, McGee, and Bishop all rose from their desks, their expressions grim. "I don't want you to go," Bishop said quietly to Loki.

"I don't want to go, either," Loki told her. Stepping quickly to her, he embraced her and kissed her. "But we do have an alliance to conclude with Jotunheim."

"And we need to crown their queen," Thor stated quietly, looking to Hailstohm. "I will attest to your ability to my father, Lady Hailstohm, if need be. There is no one worthier to be queen of Jotunheim."

A surprised smile crept across Hailstohm's lips. "Thank you, Prince Thor," she said. "That means a lot to me."

Loki felt a slight twinge in his heart at Thor's affirmation of Hailstohm. Stop it, you didn't want the throne anyway. What do you care if Thor thinks her worthier to rule Jotunheim than you? You didn't want it. You don't claim that part of your blood. You don't want any throne, and aren't worthy of any.

Gravely, Loki hugged DiNozzo and McGee goodbye as Thor and Hailstohm shook hands all around. When Hailstohm reached DiNozzo, she came to attention and tapped her fist over her heart twice. "You have earned my respect, Agent DiNozzo. Do not do anything to lose it."

DiNozzo did grin at that.

As Thor and Hailstohm headed outside to meet the Asgardians, Loki took the elevator first down to autopsy, to bid farewell to Ducky and Jimmy, and then hugged Abby goodbye in the forensics lab. When he arrived back in the squad room, he glanced up at the second floor and saw Vance at the railing. They exchanged a nod.

Gibbs came around the corner as Loki came level with DiNozzo's and Bishop's desks. For a moment, they just looked at each other, before Loki approached him. "I have to go back to Asgard," he said quietly. "My father summons my brother, Hailstohm, and I. I don't know when I'll be back."

"Soon," Gibbs told him firmly. "The mission's not over, Laufeyson. Tell the Allfather I need you down here. We're going after the remainders of HYDRA, to finally clean up this mess. And that means you."

Loki smiled faintly. "I will tell him that."

Gibbs surveyed him for a moment, then gave him a brief hug. "You better."