Ch. 41

A week after they had returned from Asgard, things were starting to return to "normal". Jane and FitzSimmons practically lived in the lab, spending every available moment taking what they had learned on Asgard and using it to recreate a device that could be used to transport people back and forth to Asgard.

Late one night, Jane came back to the small room on the Bus that she shared with Thor. He was snoring lightly, but roused when she came in. He spent the days training, getting ready for the next big battle that was surely just around the corner.

"I didn't mean to wake you," she said by way of apology.

Thor sat up in bed, running a hand through his hair. He didn't mind. With Jane's long hours, he hardly saw his wife lately. He was glad she woke him.

"How are things going? With Fandral and Sif?" Jane asked as she began to quickly change into her nightclothes.

Thor shrugged. "They are . . . adjusting. This world is far different from Asgard. But I have hope. How is the progress on the Bifrost device?"

A smile engulfed Jane's face as it always did as she talked about her work. Her enthusiasm and dedication were two of the things Thor loved most about her. "Wonderful. We've already run several tests, transporting smaller inanimate objects back and forth without a problem. We'll be able to start on live subjects soon. Heimdall's been really helpful and so far, Loki hasn't done anything to impede our progress."

Thor's expression darkened at the mention of his brother. Loki's destruction of Jane's and FitzSimmons' first attempt at the device was still as sore spot between them. "Jane, I must ask," Thor began. "We could have fought to take over Asgard. You would have become queen of the realm. I know that my brother is hardly your favorite person in the universe. Why did you not push for me to wrest control away from Loki?"

Jane sighed as she sat down next to Thor. "Loki has his faults. He's done some horrible things in the past. But . . . he did save my life. Twice. And . . . I've seen the way he looks at Darcy. Like she's his entire world. If he's willing to change . . . if he's willing to make up for his past, well . . ." she spread her hands out.

"I don't know what I have ever done in my life to deserve such a blessing as you," he declared, taking his wife in his arms.

"That's why it's called a blessing," she said, holding on just as tightly. "Because you don't earn it. And I feel the exact, same way."

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Early that next evening, Fandral sat on his tiny bed on the Bus, an ancient piece of technology in his hands. His fingers shook slightly as he dialed the number Agent May had scrawled on a piece of paper for him.

"Hello?" a female voice answered.

"Um . . . yes. Hello. Is this Agent Maria Hill?"

"Who's asking?" the woman replied suspiciously.

"My name is Fandral. Agent May told me that she would contact you and let you know that I would be calling?" Fandral fidgeted nervously on his bed, uncomfortable in the odd Midgardian clothing he was wearing. Agent May called them "jeans" and insisted that they would help him blend in, but Fandral missed his leather breeches terribly.

"Yes," she replied and Fandral could hear the smile in her voice.

"I have been informed that we will be visiting the main 'headquarters' of S.H.I.E.L.D. within the week for a new assignment and I wondered . . ." Fandral faltered for a moment. Given his string of disastrous attempts at relationships of late, he felt dubious about his own legendary skill with women. He swallowed hard. "I thought . . . perhaps . . . you might want to accompany me to a tavern to indulge in . . ." He trailed off, wincing at his own ineptitude. He used to be so good at this. His lack of self-confidence was disheartening.

"Fandral, are you asking me out for a drink?" Maria asked.

"Um . . . that I am," he said.

"Sounds great," she replied briskly. "Call me when you get into town."

Fandral blinked. "I will." He thought it best to end the call before making any missteps. "I wish you a lovely night."

"Right back at you. Bye," she said.

"Good-bye," he replied before hanging up.

As he sat the phone down on the bed, a grin spread across his face.

Living in exile didn't seem so bad after all.

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Jane and Thor finally took a day off before the big upcoming assignment meeting at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. Leo and Jemma decided to stay in the lab, reviewing the data they'd collected while using the Bifrost device. There were a few more tests they wanted to run before trying the device out on any live subjects.

"Okay. Three . . . . two . . . . one!" Leo pressed down on the activation button of their device. He grimaced slightly at the delay. The Asgardian Bifrost was nearly instantaneous. Their version took several seconds. Considering the great distances crossed, it wasn't a horribly long setback, but it still worried Leo a bit.

Finally, a wooden box reappeared inside of the designated quarantine cell. "We did it!" Leo and Jemma shouted at once, hugging each other in glee. Jemma squinted through the glass as she noted that there was a small note attached to the box.

All is ready

- Heimdall

"Why is Heimdall sending us notes?" Jemma asked suspiciously.

Leo shrugged. "I'm going to try to try out the device once more," he said.

"Why?"

He didn't answer. He pressed the button once again and smiled as a metal box with intricate, exotic runes on it materialized on a nearby table.

"What's that? Why isn't it in quarantine?"

"It's fine. Open it up," Leo suggested.

"Leo, you know that we should never just open up some alien technology. There are protocols. It should go through quarantine."

"It's okay. I promise. Open it up," he insisted.

Jemma shook her head vehemently. "Remember the whole Chitauri contagion? I nearly died."

"Oh . . . bloody hell, woman, just open it up," he said, irritated beyond belief.

"Leo, I . . . " she protested.

"Fine," he said curtly. "I'll do it." He took the small metal box, sank down on one knee in front of Jemma, and opened it in front of her, his hands shaking slightly as he spoke. "Jemma, I love you. You are the most amazing person I have ever met. I can't imagine my life without you. Will you marry me?"

"Oh, Leo," she began, her voice breaking as she saw the gleaming golden Asgardian ring, encrusted in dazzling jewels. "Yes! Yes! Of course!"

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In the training room, Sif smiled as she saw the sweat pour down Agent May's face. They had spent the better part of the last two hours sparring and while Sif could go on for several hours more, she knew that Agent May had hit her limit.

"We should stop here," Sif said. "We can always continue tomorrow."

May nodded, slightly out of breath. As skilled as she was, she was aware of the fact that she didn't have the endurance of an Asgardian. She appreciated the fact that Sif pushed her to test her own limits. She scooped up a towel from the mat, throwing another at Sif, although she knew that the Asgardian didn't need it.

"So, how are things for you? Living here on Earth?" May asked.

"Rather well, I say. As advanced as Asgard is when it comes to technology, there are parts of the society that are somewhat . . . backward," she said.

"I could see that," May said dryly. More than one recruit on Asgard had protested having a Midgardian train them, much less a woman. May had quickly shown them the error of their ways.

"I feel . . . for the first time in my life, that there are possibilities all around me." Sif smiled. "I'd hate to admit it, but perhaps Loki did me a favor by exiling me."

May chuckled. "Well, we're glad to have you." Having Thor, Fandral, and Sif on their team had been an unexpected, but welcome blessing.

"And we are glad to be here," Sif said, her voice grave. "You took Fandral and me in, made us part of your team . . . part of your family. Such a debt is not easily repaid."

"Well, in a family, there are no debts. We take care of one another," May said fiercely.

Sif smiled, not having the words to express how grateful she was to start her life over again.

A new beginning was always welcome.

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"I overheard you . . . talking to Sif. Saying that we're all a family," Coulson said. They were in their private bunk. May had showered and redressed and was sitting on their bed, brushing her hair. He sat down next to her and took her in his arms.

"Now, don't get all sentimental on me," May nearly growled, setting down the hairbrush. She felt a bit embarrassed that he had heard her.

"I know. But . . . I've been thinking of having a family of our own," Coulson said, wiggling the new wedding ring on his finger. They had rushed to Vegas the second that they had returned from Asgard, determined to make up for lost time.

May tensed in his arms, pulling away slightly. "Phil, I'm fifty. There's no way I'm having a baby. And even if we adopted one, are we going to attend their high school graduation and then go back to the retirement home once it's over?" she asked acidly.

Coulson held her all the tighter. "I know. I know. But, being around Skye, knowing her history . . . it got me to thinking. There's a lot of eleven, thirteen year old kids in the system, being bounced around from one foster family to another. We could adopt an older child who got looked over, give them a chance at a real home. I know that you would make an amazing mom. And, let's face it, I'm everyone's dad whether they like it or not," he chuckled.

"Oh, Phil," May said, burying her head in his chest.

"Is that a yes?" he asked hopefully.

She nodded, not trusting her voice.

"And think of it, we'll skip over the late night feedings and dirty diapers," he teased as he brought her even closer for a kiss.

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Skye and Grant, on the other hand, were knee deep in late night feedings and dirty diapers. Both sleep and quiet were distant memories. Baby Frigga slept all day and howled all night and although they had both taken family leave to care for her, they were at their wits' end.

"How're you doing?" Grant asked, as Skye set Frigga down in her crib, an illusion of mobile swirling overheard, courtesy of her mother. She was swaddled tight and a pacifier in her mouth in the vain hope that she'd drift off to sleep.

"Good," Skye lied, stifling a yawn.

"Good?"

She turned to him, looking him straight in the eyes. Eyes that were bloodshot like hers, dark bags underneath them as well. "Alright. I've never been so tired in my whole, entire life."

Grant smiled. "Same here."

"It's hard. A lot harder than I thought it was going to be."

He nodded. "I know. I know."

"But still . . . I look at her and I just feel this overwhelming feeling of love. Like we've been given this amazing gift, this incredible blessing." She still couldn't believe how she had gone from an unwanted orphan to a loved daughter, wife, and mother.

Grant looked down at Baby Frigga, at her delicate features and felt the same wave of love nearly engulf him. His family. Over a year ago, he had been in the depths of despair. The woman he loved had been shot and was clinging to life.

And now, she was his wife, the mother of his child. They were taking this opportunity to make their own family. To rewrite the pain and sadness of their pasts and to create a new story. A new beginning.

He felt tears of joy well in his eyes.

A gift, indeed.

Author's Note- First off, thank you so very, very much for all of your kind support! As I said before, over a year ago this started off as a short story. But your encouraging words made all the difference. Thank you for every single follow, favorite, and review!

I have one last favor to ask. If you've enjoyed these stories, would you mind letting me know in a review? You would make my day!

Some readers have requested yet another sequel. I may try that or a series of short stories focusing on each couple, if there's enough reader interest.

You can follow me on tumblr - creativereadingfanfiction or PM me. I love talking to my fellow Marvel fans!

Thanks again for everything!