Author's note: I was never going to kill Loki, this was always the plan- though had you all asked for something different you would have gotten it. Thanks for the lovely comments and reviews. Sorry it's short, I just didn't want to keep you beautiful people waiting.

Odin cleared his throat and finally spoke.

"Loki, I came here to take you back to Asgard to be executed."

Loki showed no surprise, just weary regret.

Thor growled and thunder rumbled overhead, Jane looked heartbroken and Rilla sobbed into Jane's sweater. Sten still wasn't sure what was happening but stayed quiet- his usual smile gone.

Thor was about to protest when Odin held up a hand to command silence.

"But, it's obvious from what Heimdall tells me and from what I've seen here that you've changed. For the better. That's not to say you're blameless or that you won't have to pay a price for what you did, but I'll see to it that you and your children are kept safe from any that would do you harm."

Odin allowed emotion, mostly regret, to finally show on his face.

"Come home. Please, son?"

It was the closest thing to 'I love you, I'm sorry and I was wrong.' that Loki had ever heard come out of Odin's mouth in 1000 years. He still half expected something to go wrong as Odin's words slowly sank into his usually quick brain.

Not only would his children be safe, but his little family could return to the home he once thought he hated.

"…Okay. We'll return." Loki nodded.

Rilla once again freed herself from Jane's arms and ran to her father, clinging to him for dear life.

"You're not going away, right Daddy? Not without us. Not to Valhalla?"

"That's right, darling. We're staying together. All of us- Jane too." Loki added, glancing up at Odin.

Odin nodded his agreement and they were all transported instantly back to Asgard. Not to the gate and Heimdall but straight into Odin's private chambers in the Citadel.