Chapter 23
23
Tony’s private jet actually avoided the three major NYC airports. Landing instead in Teterboro, NJ, they were only about one half hour from the Tower instead of an hour or more in traffic. Happy met them in Stark’s private terminal as it was raining when the jet landed. He’d already spoken to Betsy Vines, the customer service VP and all the paperwork was finished.
The black limo had pulled up right next to the passenger exit from the plane and its driver stood there, grinning as the ladies disembarked. By the time both were comfortably ensconced in the back, the crew had loaded their luggage and all their shopping into the trunk of the car. All under SI’s security chief’s watchful eyes.
Luka observed the big man hungrily watching her companion and decided to make his life a bit easier. “Karl Hogan, there is no need to be so formal. We are all friends, are we not? Come, give your fiancee a kiss and welcome her properly!” She chuckled when his face flamed and Pepper blushed, but he did buss her pink cheek. Then, straightening his jacket, Happy returned to his driver persona and took them home.
The following day, Sunday, saw everyone relaxing. Happy dropped Luka at the Tower Saturday night and then he and Pepper left for his Long Island condo. It being late, Luka did not see Thor until morning as it was his turn to patrol, which suited her well. She had time to organise her thoughts and list the questions she needed answered.
Thor peeked into the guest room upon returning from patrol. Seeing Luka sleeping peacefully, he tiptoed back to his own room, took a quick shower and stretched out with a quiet, content sigh. There had been no problems reported from her trip and she appeared well.
In the morning, the Thunderer rose to the sounds of Luka in his kitchenette. Smiling, he sniffed deep. Smelling coffee and something deliciously meaty cooking. She was humming softly as she moved about; apparently her short trip had improved her previous mood.
Thor quickly dressed, planning to surprise his Lady with a gift. Her own credit card, a gift card to The Strand, NYC’s famous book store, and a Starkpad with a map of the tri-state area. He never got the chance; she shocked him silent first.
The Thunderer rounded the corner from the main room to the kitchen and staggered in horror. So stunned that he dropped his hammer and her gift, he sputtered and shook his head in denial. The worst of his nightmares was sitting at the dining table, staring back with a glaring frown.
Lifting his head, brow raised sardonically, Thor’s little brother sneered at him. “So, my Prince. You recognise this form quite well. I keep seeing him in my dreams and visions. Who is he, Thor? Why do you call him ‘brother’? You look nothing alike.”
Totally overwhelmed, Thor could only shake his blond mane for a moment. Dismayed, the first coherent sound he made caused him to slap a hand over his mouth. “Loki?” he whimpered.
The being sitting at his table blinked, startled by Thor’s instinctive response. Then his eyes rolled up and he slid to the floor, unconscious. Moaning, the Thunderer came out of his trance and picked him up, carrying him to his own bed.
Friday, having observed the whole thing, made an executive decision. She did not send out the alert her protocols call for. Instead, she spoke to Thor. “Thor? I am not alerting Tower security, but I must tell the Boss what has occurred. You understand?”
“Yes, yes. Please send for Dr. Banner, as well. I do not know what he can do, but I need his advice.”
“Of course, your Highness. Already done. They should both arrive together. I would suggest a cold compress for her forehead, perhaps a glass of water, and friction to her hands and wrists. It may help to wake her.”
“Thank you, Lady Friday,” the Prince wept. He rubbed his hands over his face, tugging at his beard. What was he to do now?
Tony and Bruce burst into the apartment, calling out, “Thor? Where are ya, buddy?”
“What’s wrong, Thor? Is it Luka?” Bruce queried, medical concern foremost on his mind.
“In my bedroom, my friends. Please, try to withhold your shock. She has changed to her former self. I don’t know what to do.” Thor met them in the doorway, blocking the entrance.
Both shorter men peeked under his outstretched arms, then looked up at Thor, confused. “What do you mean, Thor? Is she asleep or ill?” Bruce ducked under the god’s arm and immediately placed a hand on Luka’s brow.
“No fever, a bit pale, did she faint?” He asked. The doctor lifted her hand, checking her pulse. Thor’s face reflected surprise, but he only shook his head in affirmation.
Tony hadn’t said a word yet, just standing there frowning. “Friday said she saw your crazy brother in your kitchen. Did he do something to her? Is he still here? I thought he was dead?”
Finally finding his voice, the Thunderer confusedly questioned his friends. “You only see Luka? Nothing else?”
“Um, yeah. What did you expect us to see?” Tony scowled, staring at the comatose woman.
“Oh, my God!” Bruce suddenly exclaimed. He dropped Luka’s hand and leapt away from the bed.
“What? What?” Tony jumped at the doc’s reaction. “Brucie? What’s wrong?” He grabbed his hand, turning the gasping man to face him. “Oh, no! Don’t you dare! C’mon, bro! Breathe, Brucie Bear. Just breathe!” The doc’s eyes were green and he shivered, shaking his head in denial.
“Please, my friend!” Thor cried. “You are safe. He is no danger to you. Remain calm, Doctor. Please!”
“He, who? Thor?” Tony questioned his other agitated friend. Sitting on the side of the bed, Thor lifted Luka’s hand. Watching his mortal companions closely, he asked again. “She seems the same to you both?”
Bruce took a deep breath, freed himself from Stark’s grasp, and turned to the blond god. “Yes, Thor. We only see Luka as she normally appears. But, that’s not her normal shape, is it? You told us she had suffered some terrible shock that caused her amnesia. Not the truth, either, is it?”
Thor dropped his head into his hands, literally sobbing. “I am so sorry, my friends. I have indeed not told you all. I do not know how I can without causing you such ire, that you will reject our friendship. I have nowhere else I can take her...” He looked up through his tears. “I cannot live without her. In whatever form she takes.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, now! Nobody said anything about you leaving. Or us kicking you out. I mean, we’re friends, right? Friends have compassion for each other. They help when you’re in trouble, not run away.” Tony started to try and calm Thor.
Bruce lay a hand on the genius’ arm. “Tony. Thor’s trying to tell us Luka isn’t who she seems. She isn’t even really a she.”
Tony looked at the beauty lying beside Thor. “No. No, no, no!” He shook his head, denying what he was coming to believe. “You told us he died, Thor. Saving your life?”
“That is what I believed, what I was told by my father. I only found out recently, when she seemed ill and I brought her to Eir, what really happened. My father’s einherjar brought my brother’s body back to Asgard after the Convergence ended. But, he survived the Kurse’s attack. Probably because the elf did not realise that Loki is not Aesir. So, he assumed he had stabbed him through the heart, but he missed.
“They only healed him enough that he would live, and my father threw him into the dungeon. A cell meant for prisoners used to a much warmer climate. I think he meant to murder Loki slowly. He was given food and water only once a day. If he died in confinement, my father could claim it was not his fault. But I overheard a pair of guards discussing his plight, actually betting on how long he would last!
“I freed him and took him to our healers. Lady Eir said she was forbidden to treat Loki, so she changed him. My brother is an accomplished shapeshifter, you see. Odin had not said Eir could not help Luka, only Loki. In order for her to be safe, Asgard’s healers had essentially forced amnesia on her. They also implanted false memories, hoping she would accept her new life.”
“So your people did the same thing to him as the bad aliens... Odin tortured him and your healers brainwashed him!” Bruce was aghast. “Thor, how could you?!”
“I did not think of it in that fashion. Only that it would save my brother and I could keep him with me. I have never loved another in the way I love him. Not even my mother, who meant everything to me... to us, really. I would die if he were taken from me again; just lose the will to live and stop.” Thor wailed in distress.
“I gotta question,” Tony piped up. “Why did you think she, I mean he, looked different?”
“Because I see my brother’s natural, well, his usual form. If you do not, then perhaps the Watcher only sees Luka, as well. And we are still safe.” At the humans’ confused expressions, Thor explained, “if she regains her true form, that could only mean, to my father at least, that she remembers who she really is. He will kill her; I have no doubt.”
A quiet voice sounded from behind the men. “I knew something was very wrong. Right after the first time I saw my true face. You need not worry, Thor. I warded myself immediately. Heimdall only sees what I wish him to see. As do your friends.” She shimmered soft gold for a moment and when the glow dissipated, Luka lay there again, even to Thor.
“Minn svass brodir! What do we do now? How...”
“Thor! First you must remember - ‘systir’ only. Heimdall will hear you. Be more careful of how you speak.”
“I’m sorry, Lo... Luka. I’m just upset. I worry about you, kaereste. You’ve suffered so much already.”
“I still have no clear memory of my life before now, Thor. I do get flashes, short visions. None are coherent enough for me to connect any kind of timeline to my past. I know certain things; I love learning, playing tricks on you, I know I was adopted, but I don’t remember from where, I remember falling...” She gasped and paled. “That is not a pleasant thought.”
“Don’t, Luka! Please!” The Thunderer grasped her hands. “It pains you when you try.”
“Yes, I do remember pain, great pain. But not the cause.” She rubbed her forehead.
Bruce added quietly, “Thor’s right, Luka. It’s not a good idea to force yourself. You tend to become ill and it must be frustrating, too. Not good for your health.”
Tony had an interesting observation. “So, she doesn’t remember who she was? What happened her last ‘visit’ here? You really think Patch and crew are gonna care?” He stared at Luka’s big, guileless, emerald eyes and shook his head. “I’m not sure I can just forget, either.”
Thor begged, “Tony, please!”
At the same time, Luka asked, “What happened? What did he do?”
“Well, among other things, he... you, threw me through a penthouse window without my suit,” Tony started.
Luka gasped, eyes huge, her hands coming up to cover her mouth and nose. “Why would I do that? You have only been kind to me!” She stared up at Thor. “B... brother?”
Bruce snapped at his science bro and smacked his arm. “Tony! Not helping!”