Chapter Two

They stood there staring at each other for some quite time. She could feel her heart pounding so hard in her chest that it would beat right out of her chest.

"Steve," she whispered so quietly, she didn't think he would hear.

"We should get on the quinjet," he said as he turned quickly and headed towards the plane.

"I'm sorry," she whispered before wiping a tear and walking towards the plane.

"Are you alright sister?" Thor asked he calmly as she start up the platform.

"I am fine Thor," she said as she quickly wiped the rest of the tears from her face with a deep breath. "Where are we heading?"

"We are heading back to base," Natasha's voice came from her chair. "Everyone might want to sit down for the moment. With this storm we are going to hit some turbulence."

"Did you forget you have the God of Thunder and Sky on board?" Nel said with a smile before looking at her brother.

"Sister," Thor warned.

"It was only a suggestion brother," she smirked back.

"So you two are siblings?" Tony said as he sat down in one of the seats.

"In a way," Nel responded looking over to him.

"Well that is a vague answer if I ever heard one," Nat whispered from her seat causing Nel to smirk.

"I promise we will explain everything, once Loki is secured," Nel said.

"Good, because I myself would like an explanation," Steve's voice came from behind her causing her to turn quickly and lose her balance. She felt arms wrap around her waist catching her firmly before she hit the ground.

"Lithoniel?" Thor's voice came, full of concern.

"I am alright. Thank you, Captain," she said quickly as he lifted her to her feet, her cheeks turning a light crimson. "Can we talk in private?" she whispered to him as quiet as she could.

"Not now," he said quickly as he released her and walked over to sit down.

"O this is too perfect," Loki's voice came.

"Quiet Loki. Or I will silence you myself," Nel said turning to face him, fury written all over her face.

"Of all the people on Midgard to have been on of my captures, it is him," he sneered looking between them.

"Loki," she warned as she began to walk towards him.

"What is Reindeer Games talking about?" Tony asked glancing around.

"O this should be good," Loki said with a smirk.

"Sister?" Thor asked looking at her.

"By all means darling, please explain to everyone how you betrayed your people all for one person," Loki sneered.

"Loki," Thor warned.

"It is fine Thor. He has hurt me enough. His words hold no power over me anymore," she said as she gently placed her hand on his arm.

"Oh, I have more than words my darling. Or do you need a reminder?" Loki sneered.

"Enough!" She said turning to face him. "You will never lay your hands on me again!" she exclaimed as she crossed to him. "I am no longer yours. I do not belong to you," she said before waiving her hand. "That is quite enough from you for now. If you behave, maybe I will let you speak." They all stood there for a moment just staring at her as Loki kept attempting to talk. Nel felt a strong hand on her shoulder and she felt her body relax some as she let out a small sob with the breath she had not realized.

"Nelly," Thor's voice came softly, calling her by a nickname he had given her when they were children just to annoy her. His face coming into her blurry vision.

"No, Brother. Not now," she said as she walked away quickly, tears streaming down her face.

"What happened between them?" Tony whispered, but not low enough for her not to hear.

"She was betrothed to Loki at a young age. One day we were practicing fighting on the Bifrost and she fell off. She came to Midgard. Our Father did not want us to come fetch her. He has a way with teaching lessons. While she was here, she changed. She even fell in love with a mortal. That is when we were sent to retrieve her, tearing her from the life she had built. When we returned to Asgard, she visited the Bifrost everyday to check on her love until one day he was lost. She mourned until it became time for her to honor the betrothal set by her parents long ago. She did her duty and married Loki. He," Thor stopped. "All I can say is he broke her. He broke her spirit, her body and even parts of her mind. It was an unhappy marriage from the beginning. She still holds resentment in her heart towards not only Loki but towards herself. I fear she will never face it and it will eat away at her."

"Wait she has been here before?" Tony said after a moment of silence.

"Yes," Nel responded from her spot near the back.

"When?" Tony asked.

"1941," Steve answered for her.

"You know her?" Thor asked.

"Yes. The Captain and I know each other," Nel responded not turning to face them.

"How?" Tony asked, now interested in the conversation.

"Peggy Carter and Howard Stark. Peggy found me after I fell and took care of me. I was present the day that Captain Rogers became Captain Rogers," she responded turning to face the men.

"I thought HYDRA had captured you. I spent months searching for you," Steve said looking over at her.

"I know. I remember everything," she responded softly, meeting his gaze.

"He was your reasoning for frequently visiting the Bifrost," Thor said after a moment of silence.

"Yes," she said breathlessly before glancing over to Thor. "Brother, you are bleeding."

"It is just a scratch," he responded waiving her off.

"Let me decide that for myself," she said crossing over to him and examining his arm. "I warning you about watching out for trees when you are flying."

"That may have been my fault," Tony said, causing her to give him a quizzical look.

"We didn't know who had taken Loki. So, we fought Thor," Steve answered.

"Just a misunderstanding, Sister," Thor said gently placing his hand on her face.

"It should heal alright. I should have brought my kit. I did not think of it before we left," she said softly.

"So, we know Thor is the god of thunder, Loki is the god of mischief, but what are you the goddess of?" Tony asked nonchalantly.

"I am not. At least, I am not a goddess by birth right," Nel responded as she took the seat to Thor's left.

"I just watched you silence him with a waive of your hand," Tony said gesturing to Loki.

"That is something I have always been able to do," she responded with a small smile.

"She used to use it on Loki and I when we were children in the palace. Any time argued with her she would silence us so we could not make out point. It would infuriate us so," Thor said with a laugh.

"Yes, I did win many arguments because of it," she said as she smiled at Thor before turning to Tony. "I am the goddess of mercy, but it is up to the King if I will keep my title now that my marriage is now longer bound," she told him.

"What can the goddess of mercy do?" Tony asked.

"She is a skilled healer. If the subject is too lost, she can take their pain and help them cross peacefully without horror," Thor responded placing his hand on her shoulder.

"So, kind of like an angel?" Steve said.

"What is an angel?" Thor asked.

"No, not like an angel. Angels cannot heal as I can. I am more like a nurse, as you would call it," she responded after placing her hand on Thor's shoulder as if to tell him that she would explain later.

"I hate to break up this chat," Natasha said from her seat, "But we are landing. So, if you could all take a seat."

Within minutes the quinjet landed on the carrier. As the door opened, they were met by additional people who took Loki into custody.

Nel went to follow but was stopped by a hand grabbing her wrist. "They have him. Fury is going to want to talk to you and Thor," Steve's voice came causing her to turn and face him. She simply nodded her head. "You may want to return his voice."

"Alright," she said as she waved her hand in Loki's direction. Steve walked past her to exit down the ramp where another man was waiting.

"Captain," she called, and he turned to face her. "We still need to talk."

"We will. I give you my word," he responded before turning his attention to the man outside the jet.

"We need to get inside," Nat's voice came from at the end of the ramp, breaking Nel from her thoughts.

"Lead the way," Nel said as she reached Nat.

"We have assigned rooms but there are a few empty rooms near where Rogers and I sleep. I am sure I can get Fury to agree to let you sleep in one of them," Nat said as she led her into the carrier and to the elevator.

"Thank you. I truly appreciate it," Nel said as she removed her cape, draping it over her arm.

"We are going to go to the conference room first. I believe Steve is there with Thor and Dr. Banner already," Nat said as the elevator reached the correct floor. Nat led her quickly to the conference room, where everyone was waiting.

"Nel, this is Dr. Bruce Banner," Nat said introducing her to the man in the room she did not now.

"You are a healer?" Nel said as she shook his hand.

"Kind of," he responded with a smile.

"If you ever need a hand, I am a gifted healer," Nel smiled back.

"Has he said anything?" Nat said motioning to the screen on the table showing Loki.

"Fury is giving him the ground rules," Steve said, looking at the screen.

Loki's laugh came through the screen, followed by his voice, "Its an impressive cage. Not built, I think, for me."

"Build for something a lot stronger than you," Fury's voice said.

"Oh, I've heard," Loki responded. "A mindless beast, makes play he's still a man."

Nel saw Nat and Dr. Banner look at each other.

"How desperate are you that you call on such lost creatures to defend you?" Loki continued.

"How desperate am I?" Fury asked back. "You threaten my world with war. You steal a force you can't hope to control. You talk about peace and you kill because it's fun. You have made me very desperate. You might not be glad that you did."

"Ooh," Loki sneers. "It burns you to have come so close. To have the Tesseract, to have power, unlimited power. And for what? A warm light for all mankind to share. And then to be reminded what real power is."

"Well, let me know if "real power" wants a magazine or something," Fury responded as he walked away.

Loki stared into the camera as the feed goes out.

"He really grows on you, doesn't he?" Bruce said breaking the silence.

"Loki's gonna drag this out," Steve spoke up still looking at where the video had been playing. "So, Thor, Nel, what's his play?"

"He has an army called the Chitauri. They're not of Asgard nor any world known. He means to lead them against your people. They will win him the earth," Thor said as another woman joined them. "In return, I suspect, for the Tesseract."

"An Army," Steve said looking at him. "From outer space."

"So, he's building another portal," Brice said as he held his glasses in his hand. "That's what he needs Erik Selvig for."

"Selvig?" Thor asked, concern written on his face.

"He's an astrophysicist," Bruce responded.

"He's a friend," Thor responded.

"Loki has him under some kind of spell," Nat said from her seat. "Along with one of ours."

"I want to know why Loki let us take him," Steve interjected. "He's not leading an army from here."

"I want to talk to him," Nel said from where she was standing.

"No," Thor and Steve said together, causing Nel to jump.

"That is not a good idea," Steve said quickly.

"I appreciate your concern Captain. But I know Loki better then anyone in this room," she said glancing over at him.

"I agree with Steven," Thor said. "Sister, it is too dangerous. He is not in his right mind."

"What can he do to me while I am on the outside of his prison?" she said gently placing her hand on his arm. "Let me do this brother."

"I don't think we should be focusing on Loki. That guys brain is a bag full of cats. You could smell crazy on him," Bruce said looking at the table.

"Have care how you speak," Thor spoke. "Loki is beyond reason, but he uif of Asgard. And he is my brother."

"He killed 80 people in two days," Nat stated.

"He's adopted.." Thor stated quickly.

"I think it's about the mechanics. Iridium, what do they need the iridium for?" Bruce asked.

"It's a stabilizing agent," Tony said as he walked into the room. "I'm just saying pick a weekend. I'll fly you to Portland. Keep love alive," he said to the man he walked in with. "It means the portal won't collapse on itself like it did at SHIELD," he said before turning towards Thor. "No hard feelings, Point Break. You've got a mean swing," he said as he walked past Thor and hit him on the arm. "Also," he continued. "It means the portal can open as wide and stay open as long as Loki wants. Raise Missenmas. Jib the topsails," he said out to the people seated below them. "That man is playing Galaga," he said pointing off to his right. "He thought we wouldn't notice, but we did." He stood there for a moment holding his hand over his eye and turning to look at the screens. "How does Fury even see these?"

"He turns," the other woman responds.

"Sounds exhausting," Tony said before walking over to a screen and continuing. "The rest of the raw material, Agent Barton can get his hands on pretty easily. The only major component he still needs is a power source of high-energy density. Something to kick start the Cube."

"When did you become an expert in thermonuclear astrophysics?" the woman asked.

"Last night," he said as she looked at him, questions written all over her face. "The packet, Selvig's notes, the extraction theory papers. Am I the only one who did the reading?" he asked as he walked towards them.

"Does Loki need any particular kind of power source?" Steve asked him.

"He would have to heat the Cube to 120-million Kelvin just to break through the Coulomb barrier," Bruce stated as he paced around.

"Unless Selvig has figured out how to stabilize the quantum tunneling effect," Tony responded as he crossed towards Bruce.

"Well, if he could do that, he could achieve heavy ion fusion at any reactor on the planet," Bruce said to Tony.

"Finally, someone who speaks English," Tony said gesturing to Bruce.

"Is that what just happened?" Steve asked to no one in particular.

"No, it is not," Nel whispered with a smile on her face.

"It's good to meet you, Dr. Banner," Tony said shaking Bruce's hand. "Your work on antielectron," Nel heard Tony say, before she could no longer hear him.

"Nelly," a voice whispered in her ear, causing her breath to hitch and her heart to race.

"I know you can hear me darling. I can hear it in your heartbeat," it said softly. Nel gripped the chair in front of her.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Head," she sneered back.

"Come to me my elsker (love)," Loki said softly. "You shall be my Queen, as you were always meant to be."

"No," she responded as she tried to push him from her mind.

"You know you are not as strong as I. Come to me elsker. Let me talk to you face to face," he continued softly.

"Sister?" she faintly heard Thor's voice.

"Leave me be!" she yelled at him.

"If that is how you want to play, then fine. When I get out of this prison, and I will elsker, I will make you suffer by killing what you hold most dear. I will make you watch as I take your Captain from you. But do not worry my dear. I will not kill him quickly. I will make him suffer. And as he begs for death and you fight to take away his pain, only then will I kill him and then you will be mine for all eternity," he laughed.

"Nelly," a voice came, and she felt a touch on her arm.

"No!" she cried as she grabbed the arm and twisted it, bringing her dagger from her waist band and to the person's throat.

"Nel, put the knife down," Steve's voice came hesitantly.

"Sister, it is only I, your brother," Thor's voice said softly as he held up his hand to the others.

"Thor?" she said blinking quickly as tears rolled down her face.

"Give me your dagger Nelly," Thor said softly as she slowly withdrew it from his throat. She quickly let go of the dagger as Thor wrapped his hand around it and placed it on the table. "Breathe Sister," he said as he placed his hands on her face. "You must settle your breathing. What has you in such a fit?" he asked scanning her face.

"I," she said glancing around nervously. She saw that almost everyone had left the room; they were the only ones remaining along with Fury and the other woman. She glanced at Steve and then back to Thor with horror and panic written all over her face.

"He is in you mind, isn't he?" Thor asked gently. She didn't respond. Her breaths quickened and she felt her knees start to give out.

"What do you mean he is in her mind?" Fury said stepping towards them.

"He isn't controlling me, if that is your concern. If he was, you would already be dead," she said as she calmed her breathing.

"It is something Loki can do. One of his power's. He can talk to people in their minds. He usually enjoys doing it as a mean trick," Thor said quickly as he still held on the Nel's arms.

"I need to talk to him," she said after a moment. "Face to Face."

"Absolutely not," Steve said from his spot across the table.

"You may come if you wish," she said looking at Steve. "But I must talk to him. Please brother," she said as she turned to Thor.

"Only if someone accompanies you," Thor said softly. "I know how he torments you so."

"Thank you, Brother," she said placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Fury?" Steve asks looking at him in disbelief.

"I am not going to argue with a Goddess. Besides if she can get something out of him, then by all means," he said stepping away from the conversation.

"I will take you down," the woman said. "I am Agent Maria Hill," she said extending her hand. "We didn't get to meet before."

"Pleasure," Nel said as she shook her hand.

"Are you coming Captain?" Hill called from the elevator.

"Lord give me strength, Yes!" Steve called before jogging to the elevator.

"Can I state that I still don't think this is a good idea," Steve said as the elevator descended.

"You can, but it does not mean I will listen," she said with a small smile. "You should know that about me by now."

"I thought I knew you," he whispered.

"You do know me, truly," she whispered in response.

"Here is the flood. If you follow this hallway, it is the third door on the right," Hill said has she held the elevator door open.

"Thank you, Agent Hill," Nel said as she exited the elevator.

"Be careful, both of you," she said before letting the door close.

"Are you sure we should be doing this?" Steve asked as she walked forward. "Nel?" he said as he grabbed her arm, turning her to look at him.

"No, I am not sure. I have to try," she said looking in his eyes.

"Why? If he hurt you so bad, why are you trying to save him?" he asked.

"Steve," she said stepping towards him. "It is not him that I am trying to save."

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"I promise that I will tell you everything once we are done," she said as she placed her hand on his cheek. "I truly promise."

"Ok. Let's get this over with," Steve said as she let go of her arm and walked forward towards the door.

"Steve promise me that no matter what he says, you will keep a level head," she said from where she stood.

"I promise that I will try," he said before motioning for her to follow him through the door.

It wasn't a huge room that housed Loki's prison, but it was large enough to house the large cell in the center of the room.

"I thought what I said would bring you to me," Loki smirked at her.

"Loki give up this plan. It will not work and will cause needless pain and death. You have taken enough life," Nel said as she walked up to the entrance. "Come Home."

"Why? So I can watch you go to the Bifrost everyday to ask about the person you truly love? So I can watch that oaf take the throne?" He sneered at her. "You have been here a short time and you have already crawled back into his bed."

"I have done no such thing," she answered standing up straight.

"It is only a matter of time," he sneered at her before addressing Steve. "Did she tell you everything? Is that why you came with her? To be her big protector? Captain America, defender of the weak. I am sorry to tell you Captain, but you have been played."

"Enough!" Nel said harshly, she could feel the anger radiating off Steve. "Captain Rogers is here at the request of Thor."

"That oaf never did trust me alone with you, which is laughable considering you are my wife," Loki smirked, emphasizing the end of his statement.

"Was your wife. Our marriage is broken, never to be repaired," she said softly.

"Oh, I think not. You can hide wherever you chose, but you will always belong to me," Loki said as he walked towards the glass with a smirk. "Tell me darling, do you miss is?"

"Miss what?" She asked taking a step back away from the door.

"The feel of my touch, my affection. The feel of my pressing you against the wall or into our bed every night," he answered in a low seductive voice, causing her breath to hitch. She saw Steve tense out of the corner of her eye.

"Enough," she whispered turning from him, hiding the tears in her eyes.

"I feel it. I feel you mourning the idea of never touching me again," he said softly as if he was luring a prey.

"Those people are gone. The affection between them died long ago," she said not turning around.

"We can be those people again, my elsker. Let me out of here and I will let you feel all of my affection," he softly said, his velvety voice sending shivers down her spine.

"Nel," Steve whispered, attempting to get her to look at him. She shook her head.

"No," she said softly.

"No?" Loki asked. "Do you dare tell me no?" Loki asked harshly.

"Yes, I do. I always have dared to tell you know," She said as she glanced up at Steve, her amber eyes on fire with anger.

"Because it has always turned out well for you," Loki yelled, crossing to rest of the way to the glass.

"We will not speak of the past," she said calmly.

"What? You don't want to discuss how I broke you after your precious Captain went into the sea?" Loki sneered as he pressed his hand on the glass.

"The past is the past, let it be," she said softly.

"Oh, but why would I? It is not in my nature to let old wounds heal. You of all people should know that," he laughed.

"This was a mistake. There is no reasoning with you," she said walking away from him and towards Steve.

"I meant what I said my darling. Refuse me and I will take what I wish by force and then make you watch as I kill all you hold dear," he said as he hit the glass.

"Get me out of here," she whispered as she reached Steve and placed her hand on his arm. He simply nodded before pulling her into the hallway.

"Nel, what was that?" Steve asked once he had closed the door.

"The desperations of a mad man," she said meekly.

"Nel," Steve said holding her in place by her arms.

"I promise, I will tell you," she said as she started sobbing. Steve instantly pulled her into his arms as the sobs wracked her body.

"Shhh, it is alright doll," he said quietly into her hair.

"We need to go somewhere to talk, privately," she said softly into his shoulder.

"My room is not to far. Let's head there. You can clean up as well," Steve said as he pulled back to look at her. She was covered in dirt and grime from the long day. Tear streaks stained her face. "Come," he said gently, as he grabbed her hand and led her to the elevator and up a few floors to his room.

"Steve," she said gently after he closed the door, but he held up his hand and gave her a small look of comfort.

"Wash up first. We can talk after. I will go see if Natasha has some clothes you can borrow," he says before turning to leave.

"Steve," she says gently, causing him to turn. "Unless the washroom is the exact same as it was in the 1940's, I have no idea how anything works," she said with a small smile.

"Oh, right," he said before walking into the bathroom. She heard the water turn on and Steve walked back into the room.

"There are towels in there and some toiletries. Feel free to use them. I will be right back," he said with one more glance before leaving the room.

She crossed to the bathroom and closed the door behind her. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her chestnut hair was falling out of its braids and had a weird coating of dust from the cliff they had been on. She was covered in dirt and her amber eyes were dull from exhaustion. She slowly and carefully removed her armor and placed it on the grown. She removed her clothes and folded them neatly, placing them next to her armor. She stepped into the stream of water and felt it relax her muscles slowly. She washed quickly, not wanting to stay in the water longer then need be. She smiled as she remembered always having to bang on the door to hurry Peggy along when she was using the washroom. That seemed so long ago.

She managed to figure out how to turn the water off and squeezed the excess water from her hair prior to wrapping a towel around her body. A knock came from the door followed by Steve's voice, "I have some clothes from Natasha that should fit you."

"You can come in Steve. I am covered," she said only loud enough for him to hear. He cracked the door open slightly and reached his arms in with the clothes.

"Always the gentlemen, Captain," she smiled as she took the clothes. "Thank you."

"I'll be out here," he said as he closed the door for her to get dressed.

She quickly put on the clothing Steve had brought her. She had expected a dress, but the fashion of Midgard had changed drastically in the years since she had been there. She pulled on the tight black pants and the fitted shirt. She pulled her own boots back on before she glanced in the mirror and ran her fingers through her long curls to help them dry slightly faster.

"I will say, clothing has changed significantly since I was last here," she said as she walked back into the room.

"You have no idea," Steve said from where he was sitting in the room. "Here," he said handing her a sweater out of one of the drawers. "I know how easily you get cold."

"I could have easily worn my cloak, but thank you," she said as she pulled it on. She was instantly enveloped in the smell that was him. She smiled slightly as she inhaled the smell. When she looked up, she saw Steve looking over her, blushing slightly.

"Where would you like me to start?" she asked, breaking his concentration.

"I would say the beginning, but we may not have time for that. Why not start when you left?" Steve said as he crossed and sat on the edge of the bed.

"I did not leave of my own accord Steve," she sighed.

"What do you mean?" he asked, concern written all over her face.

"The day I left, I fought. I fought the hardest I have ever fought, but I was still forced to leave," she answered softly as she crossed to sit next to him on the bed. "I awoke that morning, got ready as usual. Except, Peggy left before me. She had something urgent she had to attend to before everyone arrived that morning. I told her I would be fine getting to the office. I was so wrong." She glanced down at her hands and started to fidget with her finger. "As I walked to the office that morning, I felt as if I was being watched. I walked as fast as I could. As the gate came into view, I saw you. You were standing at the entrance, waiting. I started to call your name, but I was pulled behind a tree. I screamed, kick, and tried to fight but it didn't help. Once I settled, my attacker turned me to face them. It was Loki. He was smiling his usual smirk and pulled me into his arms. He was telling me how relieved he was that they had found me, and it was time for me to come home. I fought with him. I told him I did not want to return. I tried to call off our betrothal. It only angered him. Before I knew it, he had used his magic to render me unconscious. When I came to, I was back on Asgard in my chambers, Loki at my bedside. I screamed at him. I said hurtful, horrible things. I knew then and there that our relationship would never be the same. He had come to Midgard to rescue his bride, only to find out that she had given her heart to another," she said, her voice breaking at the last few words. She could feel the tears burning on her eyes, but she willed them not to fall.

Steve gently placed his hand over hers and gently gave her a reassuring squeeze, urging her to continue.

"I visited the Bifrost everyday after that. Heimdall had the ability to see everything. I was always there checking in on you. It broke me knowing you were searching for me. Heimdall was ordered by Odin to not let me return to Midgard. All I could do was watch from afar and wish happiness for you and Peggy. If anyone were to take my place, I was happy that it was her. The more I visited the Bifrost, the angrier Loki grew with me, until once day I visited and Heimdall wore a solemn expression. I knew, I just knew that something bad had happen to you. I broke before he even spoke the words," she said as her tears began to fall. She instinctively moved her hands to the small charm she wore around her neck and began to rub it between her fingers. "I locked myself in my chambers and mourned for what felt like an eternity. I barely ate. I didn't sleep. My world crashed around me and all I could do was scream and cry from the pain in my chest. Loki took pleasure in my pain, but Thor worried. He convinced his mother to assist him in getting into my room, he feared what I would do in my grief. He had right to fear, for I began to see no way out of my grief. By the time Thor broke down my door, I was delirious from lack of rest and malnourished that I was fading away. He instantly picked me up and rushed me to the healers. They magically induced me into a coma, but they did not know if I would ever wake. Loki realized how awful he had been and did not leave my side. You would think a magically induced healing coma would be dreamless, but it was not. I was trapped in a constant loop of nightmares. Soon rumors spread through the palace and Asgard. Loki's would be bride was in a coma and she was screaming in terror in her sleep, but it was not Loki's name she screamed. When I woke, Loki would barely look at me. I had brought shame and rumor upon him. In order to try and quell the rumors that I was unwell, Odin pushed up our wedding. He made it an extravagant affair to show the kingdom, and the realms, that all was well, and Loki and his Bride were happily in love. You were gone, so I did as I was told. I married Loki, but once the doors closed out the rest of the palace, Loki was bitter. I was a free spirit and Loki set to tame me into a meek wife. He slowly broke me at first, little things I did not notice at first. I thought he was just trying to help me adjust to being a princess and the duties it held," she said before taking a deep breath and turning from Steve. "As time moved on, others in the kingdom began to question our marriage. Loki and I still occupied separate chambers, not unheard of, but we never visited one another in the evening. Loki had his mistresses, but I stayed in my room to my own devices, only surfacing when it was required of me. One night, Loki came to my chambers. He was completely inebriated and in a fit of rage. We fought, verbally and physically. I truly believe that had Thor not come to investigate, I would be dead," she said as she moved her hair showing a scar that ran along her left shoulder.

Steve gently, ran his fingers along it and she shivered from the feeling.

"After that, Thor tried to be my protector when he could, but he was Odin's heir. He had matters to attend to in other realms. Thor tried to take Loki whenever he would leave, but that was not always an available solution. Loki began haunting my dreams, using them to break me further. One evening Thor was away, Odin and Frigga were out on a ride. I locked myself in my room to try and keep away from Loki. He managed to somehow make his way in through a secret passage. We fought, as we often did. He wanted a child, an heir and I refused him. I told him I would not bring a child into a marriage full of hate and distrust. He did not like that answer. I do not believe I need to finish that part of the story, but that night he succeeded in breaking me. He broke my mind, my spirit and my body."

She heard Steve take a sharp breath and felt him tense next to her. She stared down at her, tears falling steadily.

"When Thor found me the next day, he was full of rage. He confronted Loki, who denied everything. I was his wife and his property; Thor could do nothing about it. Thor did what he could. After that he made sure that Loki was sent on all the same trips that he was after that. He kept Loki at bay as much as possible for years, until the day you came out of the sea. One of my handmaidens had brought word that Heimdall needed me urgently. When I left my chambers, Loki was there. I could see the anger burning in his eyes. Thor turned up and stopped anything from happening. He even escorted me to make sure I stayed safe. When Heimdall told me, you were alive and searched for answers still, my heart felt like it was mending. I made Heimdall promise to not tell Loki. Soon after Thor was banished, even though he was kind to me, he tended to lean towards violence to solve most issues. My protector was gone, but his warrior friends remained. I stayed in their company as much as possible through the ordeal, until they came searching for Thor. After Loki faked his death, we all mourned. We were still mourning when one day I was talking to Heimdall about you when he saw Loki arrive here. We were sent after him. To bring him home, to stand trial and punishment," she finished. She kept her back to Steve holding her breath.

"Nel, look at me," Steve said gently. She released the breath she was holding but stayed where she was. She felt the bed move slightly as Steve moved into her eyesight.

"It is ok," he said as he wiped away her tears.

"How is it ok? Steve, I lied to you. You hate liars and I lied to you for so long and then I just disappeared," she sobbed as she continued to play with the charm around her neck.

"But you are here now, and you are telling me the truth," he said as he grabbed her hands and pulled her into his arms. She curled up into his arms as small as she could and cried softly.

"You still have that?" he asked gesturing to the pendant after a few moments.

"It is what keeps me grounded. I never take it off," she said with a sad smile.

"Remember when I gave that to you?" He said with a nervous laugh as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Oh yes. You gave it to me right before you left to save Bucky. I thought Peggy and Howard were going to murder you, but they helped you instead," she laughed before noticing Steve's smile falter.

"I am so sorry about Bucky, he was a good man and a good friend," she add placing her hand gently on his cheek.

"He really was," Steve smiled softly. They sat there for a few moments, Nel breathing in his scent as she was wrapped in his arms. It felt like old times. "I should go check if there is any progress with the Cube or Loki's scepter. Do you want to come with me?"

"No, I need to wash my garments. I will find you once I am done," she said standing from her position. Steve nodded his head before turning and leaving. Nel let out a sigh and started to cross to the bathroom when she heard the door open again. Before she could even register what was happening, Steve had walked back into the room and crossed to her, enveloping her face in his hands and pulling her into a deep kiss. Instinctively, she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him even closer. It felt right to her. Like every bad thing she had ever felt or gone through had purpose, and this was that purpose. Her utter and complete happiness.

"I just needed to do that, at least once," Steve said breathlessly, resting his forehead against hers.

"Hopefully there will be a more than once," she replied softly.

"If I have anything to say about it, there will be many," he laughed. "I really must go." He placed a small kiss on her forehead.

"I promise to find you soon."

"No disappearing this time?"

"Hmm, my usual kidnapper is locked in a cage three floors below," she responded. "But I promise, no disappearing this time."

Steve placed a chaste kiss on her lips before exiting the room again. Nel's fingers instantly hovered of her lips as a smile crept on to her face. She almost had to pinch herself to make sure she was not in dreaming.

She rushed to the bathroom and quickly washed her clothing out and hung it over the shower stall to dry.