A/N: This is it. The final chapter. It's been real. And it's been great. And it's been really great. I love you all. It's been my pleasure.

It was possibly one of the biggest bluffs I had ever attempted. I was far from being ready to get married, especially not to a person I had known for three months. I chewed my lip nervously, hoping my willingness would at least give him some sense of satisfaction. It couldn't be avoided, however, if it was what he wanted. I would have to live with the consequences of a failed attempt.

"Wait, what?" He stopped abruptly, my hand flying from his grasp. Hallelujah!

"I said, we're getting married." I hoped my true feelings didn't bleed through.

His face contorted into one of astonishment. "Olivia, I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Why not? You said you wanted a guarantee-"

"I wasn't thinking marriage." Relief flooded me. I couldn't help but let out a sigh of alleviation. "I do love you but I'm not-"

"I understand."

"You're not terribly disappointed, are you?"

I shrugged my shoulders, trying my hardest to appear nonchalant. Internally, I was whooping with delight.

A knowing smile spread across his face. "You didn't want to either, did you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about..." I looked down at my feet, feigning innocence.

" Oh, I really should have let you go on with it. I wonder, what would you have done?" He was gaining far too much pleasure from it. I scowled in response.

"I would have gone through with it, naturally. I would have been a nervous wreck but I would have kept my word."

"All so I would have felt comfortable coming with you?" His brow arched in incredulity.

"Well...yes." I coughed nervously. "But like I said, if it was what you really wanted-"

He burst out into laughter, genuine laughter. It was something I never expected and I felt my mouth go slack. "You are the most ridiculous woman I've ever known." His arms wrapped around me and he kissed the top of my head. "But I appreciate your gesture all the same."

"Well, since that's settled...what exactly were you thinking of?"

"Not getting married."

"I hate you." I muttered, slightly miffed.

"I hate you, too." I could hear the smile behind it.

"Are you going to answer my question?" Curtness ringing in my tone. That obnoxious grin I found so irksome was plastered on his face again.

"Has anyone told you how green your eyes become when you're angry? Truly, they turn a bright shade of-" I smacked him in the chest and turned around, my steps echoing across the marble floor.

"Am I to be left here alone, then?" The mischievousness in his voice riled me.

"Yes! Here's a quarter!" I threw the coin in his direction. I snickered when it hit him in the face. "See what you can do with that!"

I heard the faint chuckles from behind and smiled to myself. It was probably wrong how much I loved this sort of thing, but I really did. A few moments later, he was beside me at the doors.

"Am I forgiven?"

I narrowed my eyes in mock appraisal. "I suppose, given that it's my birthday today, that I'm feeling in a merciful mood."

"Your birthday? Am I allowed to ask how old you are?"

"Too young for you, old man." I punched his shoulder lightly. My lips pursed as I regarded him. "You are not going out there dressed like that."

"Pray tell, what is wrong with my armor?"

"Just that. It's armor. Besides, you want everyone out there to tackle you in hatred? The government may have pardoned you, but the bulk of humanity hasn't. You're safer looking like one of us." Not that I was entirely sure I was still human. I couldn't remember what had happened after I touched the box. It was as if it had never happened. The suspicion that I was not entirely myself gnawed at me, though it could have been my imagination.

I watched, slightly awed, as he changed before my eyes, a golden glow surrounding him. An instant later he was dressed in a very dapper suit with a walking stick and scarf. "Uh, no. You look like a magician." It certainly wasn't a bad look, but it was far too pretentious to blend in.

"I am a magician."

I pointed my finger at him as I spoke. "Not the kind I'm referring to." He looked confused, studying his clothing. "What's wrong with casual wear?"

"I do not wear 'casual'-"

"Yeah, well, you're with me now. I live casual. Get used to it." Loki sighed dejectedly, his finger tracing the tip of his walking stick before changing again. It was strange, seeing him in such common clothing. I couldn't decide if it was laughable or awe inspiring.

"Is this acceptable?" The manner in which he glared at the green shirt expressed his sentiments loud and clear. I, however, found it to be an improvement from the prior.

"Yes. Now if only you'd wipe that awful look off your face." The grimace remained intact. I sighed, pushing on the carousel door. Round and round it went until I stood in the busy street of New York.

The city had rebuilt at a remarkable rate, having nearly returned to its grandeur before the attack of last year. At that moment, a blue, Acura SUV pulled up to the door. I recognized the driver as Richards, the woman who had so kindly gotten me new clothes. "Doctor Grant, it's all yours." She tossed me the keys, which I caught, somewhat surprised.

"Um, are you sure this is mine?"

"You paid for it, didn't you?"

"Well, yes. But I was expecting more of something like a Prius or something..." While it was true I had asked Fury to send someone to pick me up a new car, given the size of my recent paycheck and the need for a vehicle, I wasn't predicting them to get me something so...fancy.

"We have an arrangement with the manufacuterer. Oh, I almost forgot!" She opened the backseat and began to remove something from the back. The yellow, striped fur and orange eyes were recognizable in an instant.

"MY BABY!" I squealed. Normally, the sound disgruntled me. I loathed hearing women and girls squealing with delight over things. I was so excited to see my Sawyer, however, it flew out of my mouth. I didn't even care that Richards seemed terrified of me as I hoisted the cat into my arms. He mewed with confusion, his ears pinned back from the sounds of the city.

I covered his fur with kisses, tears running down my face. "I missed you, my love." He squirmed in my grasp but I held him fast. "Did they take good care of you? Hmm?"

"What is that?" Loki inquired, his voice full of disgust.

"Sawyer is not a 'that'! He is my best friend. My confidante. My constant companion. Not to mention, I've spent the past few years under the impression that he's my soul mate. So, don't ever speak of him in such a manner again!"

His eyebrows raised in alarm. "Olivia, it's a cat..."

"He! He's a cat!"

"I never knew you were one of those women-"

"What? A crazy, cat lady? You should now right now, that I am. This cat is my kitty-child and I spoil him rotten." I went into a frenzy of kisses against his fur again, Sawyer howling in discontent.

"I don't think he's enjoying it."

"You know nothing of our love..." I stroked his head happily for a moment before loading him back into his carrier.

"I have to compete...with a cat..."

"You make it sound like it's a bad thing." Walking to the other side and opening the door, I looked at him earnestly. "Are you coming?"

He hesitated for a moment, deliberating. Finally, he shook his head and approached the car. I sat down in my seat, the slightest twinge of a grin on my face. His door closed and we sat in silence, allowing me to fully appreciate what I was doing.

"I'm moving across the country with an alien." My eyes widened as I spoke, mind whirring.

"Should I be offended?"

The words flew out in a jumble. "I've never even been on a date. Ever. Never, ever, ever. I went to prom with a cardboard cut out of Aragorn. While the other girls in college were sleeping around, I was busy watching Doctor Who."

"I take it you weren't sleeping around then?"

"No! I've never..." My voice trailed off, my face turning crimson. "And now, I mean, my first romantic involvement is with an extraterrestrial who is probably thousands of years older than me. I can't even..."

"Do you still want this?" The trepidation in his voice was apparent. As I looked at him in the seat next to me, I became aware of how strange it must have been for him as well. My eyes glanced flicked to Sawyer in the back. It was then that I evaluated my present opportunity. I had my beloved cat in the backseat. Beside me was the only person who could ever understand me, simply because we were both so broken. Our pasts were incredibly similar. We had the same vulnerabilities and insecurities. More than that, he loved me. And I him. What was I so afraid of?

Confident in my decision, I replied. "Yes. I do." My finger pushed start, the engine purring to life as I did so. "I should probably warn you that this is an incredibly long drive."

"I don't mind." As my hand reached for the gear shift, Loki leaned into me, his mouth at my ear, fingers brushing aside my hair. "I am more than willing to rectify the time lost during your schooling." His lips kissed my neck, sending my stomach into a fit of flips.

"Well-" I choked, slamming the car into gear. "M-maybe. I don't know. I-I'll have to think about it." He smirked wickedly and I pressed my foot to the gas pedal.

"I must admit, I'm rather enjoying seeing you this flustered."

My face transformed into a scowl. "Of course you do."

"Your skin is bright pink."

The heat in my face told me as much. "How observant you are. A regular Sherlock Holmes." My tone was dry, laden with sarcasm.

The same pleased expression remained on his face. "Where exactly in Washington are we going?" His finger twirling one of my red curls lazily.

"S-Seattle." My breath came out in bursts. This was entirely unfair. I had no reason to be so frazzled. It wasn't as if I was a prude. "Will you stop it, already?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"You know exactly what I mean."

A mischievous chuckle sounded from him. "As you wish."

I readjusted in my seat, my knuckles white from clutching the steering wheel tightly. I took what I hoped to be a subtle glimpse at him. For all his vexing, I knew how fortunate I was. It was I who got to see the real Loki, the one that had been lost so long ago. And it was I who had the opportunity to make something with him. Sawyer mewed, my eyes catching him in the rearview mirror. For a girl who had lost a great deal, I seemed to have gained the world in return. The road flew past my windows and I smiled.