Chapter 20
20
Thor immediately knew something was up when the ladies barged into the gym like something was on fire. They hadn’t found him upstairs, so asked the AI for his location. He gave a startled, questioning glance to Natasha. Luka was literally bouncing, her hands fisted in her skirts. The wild grin and feverish looking eyes told him she was fired up about something.
The big god had a pretty good idea what was on Luka’s mind, so he wasn’t shocked when she informed him she was going to Mumbai, like it or not. “You will be pleased to note I have taken the time to ensure my well-being, Thor. I have asked the Lady Widow to accompany me and she has agreed. So, there is no need of your pointless fretting. I will be perfectly safe.”
The goddess’ chin lifted and her eyes flashed. Thor could see she was spoiling for a fight. Just so she could show how unreasonable he was in front of his friends, (Tony and Steve were also in the gym). He sighed; he wasn’t going to give it to her.
“Alright, systir minn. I can see you are determined to do this thing. I am not happy, but I do understand this is something you truly wish. I will, no doubt, still fret, but I will not stop you.” Thor smiled, shaking his head. “Will you do one thing to ease my mind? Please call me each evening before you retire?”
“I... what? Of course, of course.” Luka stopped short, scowling. She gave her head a shake to clear her mind. Shocked, it took her a minute to process Thor’s words. “You truly will not fight me on this? No argument? No complaints?”
Thor grinned; it was rare that he saw her so perplexed, so off balance. Luka’s brow lifted, and she cocked her head to the side. Thor could see her trying to figure out his motive, if there was some hidden plan, a catch in his easy agreement.
“Em k tyna, brodir.” The goddess raised her hands to shoulder height and spread them apart. Shaking her head yet again, she shrugged. “I confess, I cannot perceive any duplicity on your part. That worries me.” She smiled, tentatively and glanced at Natasha.
“Don’t look at me,” Nat laughed. “He said you can go. In front of witnesses.” She pointed at the other two Avengers. “I wouldn’t complain. Just call your designer for when you need to see her. I’m sure she’ll want to do some fittings before we all head to India.” Turning to leave, she spoke over her shoulder. “I’m going to go call Fury and pack.”
“Go, kaereste. Enjoy your adventure. Just remember to call,” Thor nodded. “I will wait to hear from you.” He bent and lifted the weight bar.
“You know, PB, my company has an office in the city. I could have someone keep an eye out for her,” Tony offered after the women had left. “Discreetly, naturally. She’d never know.”
Thor laughed, but he wasn’t amused. “You think not, my friend? You might be surprised at how difficult it is to observe minn dyr ein without her discovering it.” He huffed a sigh. “She learns things no one else can. How, I do not know. She always has done so.”
*
While Natasha was at SHIELD, she ran into her old partner. Clint asked the usual ‘what’s up’ type question. He got a little upset at her answer. “Fury’s okay with you taking off? I mean, you and Thor’s lady friend, all by yourselves?”
He shook his head and shrugged when she asked if he had a problem with it. “I don’t know, Nat. She makes me twitchy is all. Just be careful, okay? My kids would never forgive me if anything happened to you and I might have prevented it.”
The Widow chuckled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Of course their dad doesn’t worry, either. We’ll be fine, Clint. It’s only a fashion show. It’ll be fun.”
Fury was, of course, furious when the Widow told him her plans. Although he knew about Thor’s companion, it was second and third hand. A report from Barton’s therapist, who Clint still occasionally visited, and some observations from the security team he had permanently watching the Tower were the closest he had to actual information on this new ‘goddess.’
Romanov didn’t actually ask for permission to suspend her training duties, either. She just informed him she was going, at the big Asgardian’s request. He was worried about his ‘sister’s’ safety. Having dealt with Thor and his crazy brother, Fury wasn’t sure just what Thor thought any mortal could do to harm her, but, whatever. He just said he wanted thorough, daily reports and grudgingly told her to stay close.
“Don’t worry, Boss. Luka is quite fond of me and she relies on my knowledge and expertise. I’ll keep her out of trouble.”
“You’d better. We don’t need another interspecies incident.” Fury was studying a photo of the goddess as he spoke. He noticed with a shudder just how similar this ‘Luka’ seemed to Thor’s little brother. Clint had told Dr. Feldman she had the same voodoo as Loki, too. Beautiful as she was, it creeped him out.