Fated Marks

One Week Later-

“I don’t see why we have to do this…” I said as I pushed the grocery cart behind Kol and Rebekah.

“Because you finally found the light at the end of the tunnel.” Rebekah said.

“What I don’t understand is why we’re having it at my flat?” Kol said.

“It’s not a party just a nice dinner and a movie night with your favorite sisters.” Rebekah said.

“You’re my only sisters.” Kol retorted.

“Okay but if we’re doing this we’re doing it right… margarita and baked goods.” I said.

“Brownies.” Rebekah said hopefully.

“Cookies.” Kol added.

“Tequila first man.” I said turning into the liquor aisle without looking and crashing into someone else’s cart. “Oh shoot, I’m sorry.” I said before looking up and realizing who I ran into.

“It’s no big… deal. It’s you!” A familiar brunette said. “Jane look who it is.”

“Oh…Hi.” Jane said awkwardly.

“Hi…” I said. What do you say to your soulmate’s ex girlfriend who you got introduced to during the video call he made to break up with her?

“Hayley what brand do you like, Beks wants Cuervo but… Hello.” Kol said.

“Kol meet Darcy and Jane, they’re friends of Thor.” I said giving him a look of silent communication.

“Nice to meet you, I didn’t know he… oh.” Kol said realizing what I meant by friend.

“You guys having a party?” Darcy asked trying to lighten the mood.

“More like siblings movie night. We’re staying in.” Kol said.

“So are we!” Darcy exclaimed.

“Why don’t you both join us?” Kol said obviously trying to get in Darcy’s good graces. Jeez he sure got over Davina pretty freaking quick.

“No it’s alright…” Jane started.

“You know what it’s a special night just take them all.” Rebekah said coming over and putting two bottles of tequila and a bottle of vodka in the cart with some chasers. “Oh hello.”

“Beks these are friends of Thor.” Kol said giving her the same look I had given him.

“Nice to meet you,” Rebekah said.

“Is Thor here?” Jane asked.

“No he left a few months ago, you know how that is.” I said and immediately regretted what I had said.

“Yeah, just make sure if he comes back to fight aliens he calls you to let you know he survived.” Jane said.

“Well he knows how to use a phone now so that won’t be a problem.” I said. Can I be anymore awkward?

“We should probably go, big plans tonight.” Jane said to Darcy.

“No we don’t.” Darcy said. “You’re just going to obsess over those crappy reading from the old toaster.”

“Again big plans.” Jane said giving Darcy a look to shut up.

“You two should come, I made lasagna from scratch.” I said.

“She’s making brownies and crack cookies.” Kol bribed.

“Cookies!” Darcy perked up.

“Thank you but we promised to meet up with a friend of ours.” Jane said. “Have a good night.”

With that they left.

“So brownies?” Rebekah said.

“We need chocolate chips.” I said pushing the cart forward.

After we drove back to Kol’s apartment in Greenwich and I popped the lasagna in the oven and got started on the brownie and cookie mix. Rebekah and Kol kept the drinks coming.

“So Thor’s Ex…” Kol started.

“Yeah that was uncomfortable.” I said.

“It was painful to watch… though I’m starting to see Thor has a type.” Rebekah said.

“Jane and I have nothing in common.” I said.

“Well you both are awkward.” Kol said.

“You’re both smart. I mean she has a Ph.D. in something sciency and you have all your computer stuff.” Rebekah said.

“Jane and I are nothing alike.” I said.

“Really? Cause from where we were standing it was like looking at a slight older and shorter you.” Kol said.

“What? No… it was just a sticky situation. I mean her and Thor had a thing and I happened to get introduced to her during the video call he made to end said thing.” I said.

“Oh… Yeah there’s no escaping that awkwardness.” Rebekah said.

“I stand corrected.” Kol said as the oven timer beeped.

“Dinner’s ready.” I said pulling the lasagna out of the oven.

We each served ourselves and I put the brownies in the oven before going to sit in the living room.

“So you’ve screwed Clint, Natasha, Tony and Steve so far.” Rebekah started.

“And you’ve slept with Demitri, I don’t know how many other guys and John?” I retorted.

“Oh don’t get so defensive. Its just sex.” Rebekah said.

“I mean it was and it wasn’t.” I said.

“Oh I really don’t want to hear this.” Kol said covering his ears and I threw a pillow at him.

“We’re they bad at it?” Rebekah asked.

“Bekah come on I’m eating here. You promised no girl talk.” Kol whined.

“Kol’s right, this isn’t sibling movie night talk but yeah they were freaking amazing.” I said.

“Uh.” Kol groaned before grabbing the remote and turning up the volume to the point the furniture vibrated every time there was an explosion.

After a few minutes he finally turned it down and we started talking.

“So Thor and Bruce…” Rebekah started.

“Uh Bekah I really don’t want to hear about the many times our kid sister has gotten lucky.” Kol whined.

“Shut up this is important.” Rebekah said.

“What about Thor and Bruce?” I asked.

“How are things with them?” Rebekah asked.

“Well I talk to Bruce almost daily, mostly text and emails. He sent me this hilarious science meme… Sometimes we just skype just to watch each other work. He gets this adorable twinkle in his eye when he starts explaining something. Those freshmen are lucky to have him.” I said smiling at the memory.

“And?” Kol asked.

“And what. We talk, we’ve been on a few dates. We’re taking it slow.” I said.

“Thor?” She asked.

“I haven’t seen him in months. I miss him and I’m kind of scared to see him again because I’m going to have to explain the past six months to him. And even before all of this things were… rocky and he was… he was so good. I mean the guy is a freaking god but once you get to know him he’s a freaking teddy bear. He’s patient and he’s so good. I mean his brother invaded the freaking planet and destroyed half of New York and he still thinks somewhere deep down there is still good in Loki. Maybe in another life I could have turned out as optimistic and hopeful as he is.” I said.

“Damn…that was deep.” Kol said.

“You have it bad for them. Tony still the only one you’ve admitted to loving?” Rebekah asked.

“And Steve. I mean it just seemed like the right time. I feel like everyone deserves an equally grand gesture for the first time I say it to them individually.” I said.

“You have six soulmates, you’re going to have to lower your standards a bit.” Kol said.

“But they deserve more. I mean I’m trying to learn Russian so that I can fully explain my feelings to Natasha and end it with the big three words. So far I know how to ask for vodka at a bar and how to curse someone out.” I said. “I was going to say it to Clint while we were in the shower last time he was here but he said it drunk on a beach in Aruba then followed it up with him declaring how much he loved me and us having sex for the first time. Also we were in the middle of make up sex so not the right time.”

“I don’t think they really care when you say it as long as you say it and mean it but I get where you’re coming from. John and I haven’t had sex yet.” Rebekah said.

“You’re kidding right?” I asked.

“Well last time you slept with him you didn’t call him back until two months later and after that you didn’t call him until after Hayley got kidnapped.” Kol said.

“We’re taking it slow. We’ve made out a bit obviously and I like him, I like him a lot. He’s a good man.” Rebekah said.

“But?” I asked.

“He’s too good for me.” Rebekah said.

“Bullshit.” Kol and I said at the same time.

“Rebekah you are the biggest pain in the ass, reckless, impulsive at times a total bitch…” Kol started

“My point.” Rebekah said agreeing with Kol.

“What Kol means is that you’re all of that but you’re also loyal to a fault, caring, kind and you deserve to be happy. You always put the needs of everyone else above your own and by no means is John too good for you.” I said. “No one is perfect, I’m sure John has his own issues you’ve yet to discover and that’s okay but don’t ever put yourself down.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Kol said raising his glass. “Davina agreed to have dinner with me.”

“Hey that’s great.” I said.

“Yeah, I’m pulling out all the stops.” He said.

“We’re stopping you right there.” Rebekah said.

“Dude, you need to ease back into this. Don’t overwhelm her.” I said.

“You dropped a huge bomb on her. Chances are she’s still processing everything.” Rebekah said.

“So what do I do?” Kol asked.

“Show her that even with everything she knows you’re still the same Kol she fell in love with just with some extra baggage.” Rebekah said. “Go to dinner. Talk about things you used to and if at some point she just needs to vent be patient, be honest, and whatever you do don’t take her anywhere we do business.

“Is that what you do with John?” Kol retorted.

“Considering you called him in the middle of the night to treat me after the beating I took I don’t think the same applies there. He knows how to roll with the punches, Davina is still processing.” I said.

“This conversation got way too serious. It’s supposed to be a celebration. We see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s almost over.” Rebekah said.

“She’s right, what happens after this?” Kol asked.

“Honestly I never thought I’d actually do it, it just seemed impossible I never let myself start thinking past that point.” I said.

“Well you better stop thinking like that, you’re going to be around for a long time.” Rebekah said.

“Yeah…” I said not being able to shake this uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.

A Few Days Later-

I had just gotten out of a Programming Lecture when I got a text message from Rebekah.

I have a hit on you sister in law

My eyes widened in surprise.

Where to?

I texted back immediately.

Warehouse district, lot 25 Greenwich.

I sighed. I quickly googled it and drove to the location. Normally I’d be creeped out about having to meet one of Rebekah’s contacts in an abandoned warehouse but Rebekah’s instinct’s about people tended to be spot on. I made it to lot fifteen but I didn’t see anyone else. There were a few kids on skateboards just hanging around. Not the ideal place for a hangout or a meeting. Or maybe they were just watching the perimeter, wouldn’t be the first time something like that happened.

I got out of the car and locked it up before trying to find a way inside the warehouse. I walked inside and heard voices coming from up the stair well. I walked up a few flights of stairs and saw some kids throwing things over the ledge and looking down.

I walked closer and saw some of them look worried.

“You guys by any chance see a tall blonde woman anywhere around here?” I asked.

“No.” One of them said.

“Look at this lady.” One of them said before throwing a soda can down over the ledge before it disappeared and then it started falling down from above us over and over again before it suddenly stopped appearing.

“Whoa.” I said.

“Some times it comes back and sometimes they don’t.” One of the kids said.

“I lost my shoe.” One of them muttered.

“Mom’s going to kill you.” Another said as my phone started ringing.

“Uh kids I have to take this don’t throw yourselves or anything over the ledge.” I said.

“Are you the police?” One of them asked.

“No I’m just a… student.” I said giving them a reassuring smile.

“Let’s go play with the truck.” One of them said before they all ran off.

I picked up the phone.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Ha… ere….ou…” Someone said.

“Shit hold on.” I said walking toward a more open space with less interference. I moved down a hallway.

“Beks?” I asked.

“Where the bloody hell are you?” Rebekah said.

“Factory close to lot 25 in Greenwich where the hell are you?” I said.

“Poplar I called and left a message but you didn’t pick up.” She said.

“Sorry there’s a ton of interference hardly get any signal.” I said as suddenly the call cut off and there was a gust of wind which made me trip. “Ow.” I said reaching over to pick up my cracked phone. I looked around and realized I was in some sort of cave. “Oh shit. I’m definitely not in Kansas anymore”

Third Person’s POV-

It had been months since Thor left Earth, months since he’d last seen his soulmate. That didn’t mean he ever stopped thinking about her. Nothing was the same since he met her. Even on opposite sides of the universe he could still feel her, the joy, the peace, Anxiety, fear and the always-present sense of unease. He had awoken a few times in the middle of the night feeling pain or intense fear. It had gone as far to dream of her in distress though whenever he had gone to the Aesir to ask Heimdall to check on her he always said she was being taken care of by one of her other soulmates.

Thor would give anything to just be able to leave Asgard and return to Hayley but he couldn’t, he had responsibilities to his people and he made her a promise to do what he had to do.

It was just after the final battle in Vanaheim that all of his friends and fellow warriors were celebrating their victory and the end of the months of battle that he stepped away to look up at the stars. Hayley loved stargazing. She loved hearing Thor tell her stories behind each constellation.

“There was a time you would celebrate for weeks.” Lady Sif, one of Thor’s oldest and most loyal friends said interrupting his daydreaming.

“I remember you celebrated the battle of Haragon so much that you nearly started a second.” Thor retorted.

“Well, the first was so much fun.” Sif said lightening the mood making them both smile. “Take a drink with me. Surely the All-Father could have no further task for you tonight.”

“No, this is one I set myself.” Thor said standing up.

“It has not gone unnoticed that you disappear each night. There are Nine Realms. Future king of Asgard must focus on more than one.” Sif said.

“But there’s only one person who holds my heart. I thank you for your sword and for your counsel, good Lady Sif.” Thor said as he walked away.

‘He sure has changed.’ Sif said happy for her friend.

Thor walked out of the dining hall were the celebration was being held and walked to the palace garden, He swung Mjolnir before flying off to the Aesir. He landed a few feet from the entrance and continued walking until he made it inside.

“You're late.” Heimdall said not needing to look at who had arrived since he already knew who it was.

“Merriment can sometimes be a heavier burden than battle.” Thor said with a kind smile.

“Then you're doing one of them incorrectly.” Heimdall retorted making Thor chuckle.

“Perhaps. How fare the stars?” Thor asked.

“Still shining. From here I can see Nine Realms and ten trillion souls.” Heimdall answered knowing Thor didn’t really care about the stars. “You recall what I told you of the Convergence?”

“Yes, the alignment of the worlds. It approaches, doesn't it?” Thor asked.

“The universe hasn't seen this marvel since before my watch began. Few can sense it, even fewer can see it. A world that's infected can be dangerous. It is truly beautiful.” Heimdall said with a small smile.

Thor looked out towards the stars and didn’t notice and difference from a normal night. “I see nothing.” Thor admitted.

“Or perhaps that is not the beauty you seek.” Heimdall said with a smirk making Thor laugh.

“How is she?” Thor asked.

She's quite the spitfire, your soulmate. She doesn't know it yet, but she’s observing some of the convergence’s anomalies. Even...” Heimdall said before his smile faltered and he started looking concerned.

“What?” Thor said growing worried.

“I can't see her.” Heimdall said.

“She’s not in London? Try New York.” Thor asked.

“Your Hayley is not on Midgard.” Heimdall said.

Hayley’s POV-

I looked around trying to see if anything around here seemed familiar but all I saw were rocks. I really hoped this wasn’t another drug induced black out. Last time I lost two weeks, with it being so close to the deadline I didn’t have any time to waste.

I felt a breeze and I remember on an episode of ‘Man Vs Wild’ they said a breeze in a cave meant there was an exit somewhere. I decided to follow it and hoped I was just up in Scotland or something. I ended up in some giant cavern with a stone bridge leading up to a column. At the center of it was some sort of red light.

I got closer and saw some sort of carving on the column and at the center was some sort of think red cloud.

“What the…” I started before suddenly the cloud moved towards me and everything went dark.

When I opened my eyes again I was back in the warehouse. That was one trippy dream.

All the kids were gone and my phone was cracked and wouldn’t turn on. I walked out to go make the call from the car.

I made it outside and was greeted by a very freaked out Rebekah.

“Hayley! Where the hell have you been?! I’ve been worried sick!” She exclaimed.

“I was inside. I just hung up on you.” I said.

“Hayley that was hours ago.” She said showing me her phone.

“What the hell?” I said. “That can’t be right. I just hung up on you Beks. I was about to go meet you in Poplar…”

“Hayley you were gone for five hours.” Rebekah said.

“Oh fuck I missed the meeting.” I said and suddenly it started raining.

“That’s not normal…” Rebekah mumbled and I looked around and noticed it was raining everywhere but not on us.

I suddenly felt as I was being watched. I turned around and saw Thor standing there.

“Thor.” I whispered before walking closer hoping I wasn’t having some weird hallucination.

“Oh bloody hell.” Rebekah said as she started getting wet.

The closer I got the faster I started walking.

“Hayley.” Thor said once I was close to him and that was all he got to say before I jumped into his arms and kissed him.

“Sorry just needed to make…” I started before he kissed me.

“I’m real.” Thor said leaning his forehead against mine smiling.

“I missed you.” I said.

“And I you love.” He said. “Where were you?”

“Here in London.” I said.

“I was worried, Heimdall could not see you.” He said.

“I thought you said he could see everything?” I asked.

“He can but he couldn’t see you. I returned at once to find you.” He said.

“Uh hales, I hate to interrupt the reunion but uh we have company.” Rebekah said as a patrol car started pulling up.

“Oh crap, if I get the car towed Tony will never let me hear the end of it. I’m gonna go… don’t go anywhere.” I told Thor giving him a quick peck on the lips before going to talk my way out of a parking citation.

“Excuse me ma’am, this is private property and you all are trespassing.” One of the officers said.

“I’m sorry officers we got a bit lost and got out to see if we could find anyone who could point us in the right direction.” I said playing the innocent victim.

“You’re going to have to come with me.” one of them said grabbing my arm but suddenly the red mist from before appeared and pushed the officer away and knocked me down.

“Ow.” I groaned.

“Hayley! Hayley.” Thor said helping me sit up. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, what was that?” I asked.

“I don’t know.” He said and I could feel how scared he was.

“Place your hands on your head, step back!” the other officer said.

“The woman is unwell.” Thor said.

“She's dangerous.” He said.

“So am I.” Thor said and I could feel his anger from the mark on my shoulder.

“Requesting armed response officers to the scene.” The cop said.

Thor put an arm around my waist and pulled me closer. “Hold on to me.” He said.

“What are you doing?” I asked as Thor raised his hammer and suddenly I beam of light from the sky came down on us and it felt like we were blasted upwards on a rocket. Just as quick as the feeling came it went and I felt my feet hit solid ground.

“Welcome to Asgard.” Someone greeted. I stood up but started swaying.

“Hi, Whoa.” I said.

“Oh, forgot it’s been a while.” Thor said holding me up.

“So much for talking my way out of that parking ticket.” I said as the room stopped spinning. “Hi, Heimdall nice to see you again.”

“It is good to see you are doing well, Lady Hayley.” Heimdall greeted. As I started feeling another dizzy spell.

“I think I need to sit down for a bit.” I said as I started swaying and almost fell.

“Hayley!” Thor exclaimed as he caught me just in time.

“Take her to the infirmary, something is wrong.” Heimdall said.

“Come love,” Thor said picking me up.

“I can walk.” I said.

“Of course but I wish to hold you close.” Thor said shifting around a bit. “It’ll also make the journey quicker.”

“Why?” I asked as he started swinging Mjolnir around before we flew up. “AH!!!” I shouted. I forgot how awesome flying was. The view was amazing and it was fast.

“Here we are.” Thor said as we landed.

“Can we do that again?” I asked.

“Of course but first you need to be looked after.” Thor said.

“I feel okay. Just needed to get my bearing’s back after being blasted into space.” I said.

“Still as stubborn as I remembered.” He said proudly.

“Would you have me any other way?” I said with a smirk.

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He said with that adorable smile of his.

“Prince Thor.” On of the healers said curtseying.

“I need you to look over my… Hayley. She is feeling unwell.” Thor said.

“Of course, please lie down here.” One of the women in the infirmary said. It was some sort of weird gold table. I did as she said and suddenly the table under me started glowing and above me a gold hologram model of me appeared.

“Whoa.” I said reaching up or it. “That is so cool.”

“That should pass, please hold still.” One of them said.

Thor gave me a smile before looking at what one of the other burses was looking at on the screen.

“Is this a what was it Bruce called it… a quantum field generator?” I asked.

“It is a soul forge.” The healer answered.

“What does it do exactly?” I asked.

“Transfers molecular energy from one place to another.” She answered.

“Well it’s a lot cooler than a CT or MRI. Not as loud too.” I said looking over at Thor who just smiled at me even though I could feel his worry. Something was wrong.

“So this is the mortal that has you so distracted?” A man with long white hair and a gold eyepatch said as he walked in followed by a woman with blonde hair who was wearing a gold dress. She just gave me a kind smile. For some reason she seemed really familiar.

“She's ill.” Thor said.

“She is mortal. Illness is their defining trait.” He said condescendingly.

“Rude.” I said at the same time as the blonde woman.

“I brought here because we can help her.” Thor said defensively.

“She does not belong here in Asgard anymore than a goat belongs at a banquet table.” He exclaimed making me sit up but before I could say anything the woman at his side beat me to it.

“She is your son’s soulmate whether you like it or not. It’d be best you come to terms with it.” She said.

“That may be but I am still king and if I wish to do so she will be banished for as long as I am alive which would still be longer than her mortal life.” Odin said glaring daggers at me.

“Something is within her father, Something I have not seen before.” Thor said trying to reason with who I now figured out was his father and I’m guessing the woman next to him was Thor’s mother. I see where Thor get’s his kind eyes and smile from now.

“Her world has its healers, they’re called doctors, let them deal with it. Guards, take her back to Midgard.” He proclaimed and the guards grabbed my arms before the red energy from before threw them across the room.

“I swear that wasn’t me.” I said before Odin could try to have me stoned to death for something I have no control over.

“Don’t touch her.” Thor said stepping in front of me defensively before gently holding my arm. “Hayley, are you alright?”

“I’m okay.” I said holding him hand.

“That’s impossible.” Odin said before running his hand over my other arm.

“The infection it’s defending her.” One of the healers said.

“No it’s defending itself.” Thor clarified.

“I just happen to be the human shield.” I said.

“Come with me.” He said marching out of the infirmary. Thor helped me down and after saying thank you to the nurses and healers we followed after Odin.

“So that’s your dad?” I asked Thor.

“Aye, I am sorry for…” he started.

“Don’t, he’s a king, kind of a god back on earth, and in his own way he’s trying to look out for you.” I said.

“I missed you.” Thor said putting his arm around me for a side hug.

“Missed you too.” I said hugging him back. We walked a bit further until we entered a library and Odin went straight to a book on a pedestal and opened it. A light filled the room and holograms with figures started appearing.

“There are relics that predate the universe itself. What lies within her appears to be one of them. The Nine Realms are not eternal. They had a dawn as they will have a dusk. But before that dawn the dark forces, the Dark Elves, reigned absolute and unchallenged.” Odin started. Thor Walked towards the book and started reading.

“’Born of eternal night, the Dark Elves comes to steal away your light.’ They were these stories mother told us as children.” Thor said.

“Their leader, Malekith made a weapon out of that darkness, it was called the Aether. While the other relics often appeared as stones, the Aether is fluid and ever changing. It changes matter into dark matter and seeks out to host bodies, drawing strength from their life force. Malekith sought to use the Aether's power to return the universe to one of darkness. But after eternities of blood shed, my father Bor, finally triumphed, ushering in the peace that lasted thousands of years.” Odin said.

“What happened?” I asked.

“He killed them all.” Odin answered.

“Are you certain? The Aether was said to have been destroyed with them and yet here it is.” Thor asked.

“The Dark Elves are dead.” Odin said giving Thor a stern look.

“So this Aether thing is essentially a parasite that’s slowly killing me? Any chance the book explains how to get it out of me?” I asked.

“No, it does not.” Odin said.

I survived growing up with a mom involved in organized crime, an older brother that made my life a living hell, hunted me down for five years, being kidnapped twice, tortured for hours, being injected with an extremely dangerous version of the truth serum, standing on a freaking landmine, and I finally managed to get so damn close to freedom only to be infected with an energy parasite that’s going to kill me.

The universe really fucking hated me…