A/N: Here it is – the final chapter! Thank you all again for reviewing, favoriting, and following. It's really been a lot of fun. :)

There you are, sitting in the garden – clutching my coffee, calling me "sugar."
Have you ever held your breath, and asked yourself, "Will it ever get better than tonight?"

Four years.

She thinks about him on this day every year. It's silly and sentimental, she knows, but she can't help it.

Has it been four years there, too? Does he ever think of me?

The day before she ended her engagement to Tom, a mysterious black spacecraft had landed in the middle of London. An Avenger – Thor, she heard on the news – saved England from destruction.

The newscasters never mentioned his brother, but just the thought of him made her think long and hard about her decision to marry a man she didn't really love. If Loki's story taught her anything, it was that everyone deserves the chance to be loved – truly loved. It isn't fair to hold Tom, or anyone, back from earning that chance.

Thoughts of Loki are far from her mind now, though, as she slams and locks her flat door behind her. She closes her eyes in temporary relief at the safety of home, leaning back against the old wood while the haunting phrase rings in her mind.

Did you miss me? Did you miss me?

Sighing, Molly tosses her keys onto the table, setting her purse down on the counter. She has already shed her coat when the complete silence of her flat suddenly strikes her as very, very odd.

Where's Toby?

She searches frantically in every room, calling his name, but there is no sign of the tabby cat. She can't help but think the worst after the broadcast.

Moriarty never liked Toby.

Holding her breath, Molly finally looks in the last place she can think of – below her kitchen window, in the little garden she and her neighbors keep on the side of the building. She immediately smiles with relief at the sight of Toby batting at the snow hanging from one of the low tree branches.

For one blissful moment, she forgets the broadcast, focusing only on the fact that Toby is unharmed. She practically flies down the stairs, bursting through the door and emerging into the January sunshine.

Her heart stops at the sight that greets her just beyond the threshold.

There is a man clothed in black and gold, a green cape billowing behind him as he crouches down and scratches Toby's chin. His raven hair is more well-kept than she remembers, falling in soft waves to his shoulders now and giving him a calmer, more respectable air. The lines of worry and exhaustion have disappeared from around his blue-green eyes. He no longer looks haunted – he looks rested, healthy, and…happy.

"Loki?"

She is terrified that speaking his name aloud will shatter whatever illusion this is, and he will disappear completely. But he looks up at the sound of his name, and slowly rises to his full height, a small smile spreading across his face when their eyes meet.

"Hello, Molly."

"Loki!" she shouts, racing towards him. She throws her arms around him, hugging him with every ounce of strength she has. He returns the embrace happily, laughing as Molly peppers him with questions.

"You're here! You're alive! Did they let you go? Did your family forgive you? I saw Thor was here, in London! Were you here then? I thought you might have something to do with it, but when I didn't hear your name, I figured you were back in Asgard. Were you imprisoned? How long did they keep you there?"

Loki releases her gently, grinning as she finally pauses to breathe. "Did you miss me, Molly?" he asks, eyes sparkling.

Molly pulls away as if the words have burned her.

Did you miss me?

"Sorry," she sputters, irritated that their reunion is forever marred now by Moriarty's disturbing message. "It's just…that phrase…. Let's just say it's been a strange day."

"Might it have anything to do with the return of a supposedly dead consulting criminal?"

Molly blinks in confusion…then her eyes widen with realization. "That was you?!"

Loki throws his arms wide and bows. "I am called the god of mischief, Molly." He winks. "Besides, I heard your detective got into a bit of trouble. We couldn't have that, now, could we?"

"How…how did you do that?! That's amazing! How did Mycroft not catch on? Or Sherlo—oh my gosh, you saved Sherlock!" Her praise stops short, though, as the true gravity of the situation suddenly dawns on her. "Wait, that's…that's horrible! Do you realize how terrified I was? Greg had to drive me here in his police car! I was petrified that my psychopath of an ex-boyfriend would try to kill me on my way home from work!"

"Molly, I never intended to frighten you."

"I know," she says, "but I was scared. It probably seems silly to you, but Moriarty was capable of so much. The thought that he might still be out there, coming for me…."

"If it's any consolation," Loki says quietly, eyes flashing with mischief, "I promise I'll never do it again."

"You…I…that's…" Molly sighs, breaking off. "You're brilliant. Unorthodox and frightening, but brilliant." His grin spreads into a genuine smile as she continues. "I honestly did miss you."

"And I you," he replies. "Molly, I have more news. I have been crowned King of Asgard."

Her jaw literally drops. "No."

He grins. "Yes."

"You're the king. As in…the king?" She gestures wildly with her hands as she speaks. "Crown, scepter, throne, palace, and all the people under your rule?"

"Indeed."

"And who thought that was a good idea?" she asks, equally playful and serious.

Loki laughs. "No one, I'm sure. But after this past year, I am the only one left to take the throne. My mother was murdered by the elves that attacked London. Odin died only a few weeks later, from grief. And Thor, surprisingly, refused to take the throne. Instead, he chose to remain here, guarding the nine realms while staying beside his mortal."

"Wow," Molly states, not even attempting to hide her surprise. "So, Thor just let you take the throne?"

His eyes glint in a way that instantly makes her worry. "Not exactly. I may have taken a page out of your detective's book in order to convince him that I was worthy of his trust."

Molly's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "Oh?"

"I faked my own death at the hands of the elves."

"Loki!" she scolds.

He lifts his hands in a conciliatory gesture. "I know how awful it sounds, but I promise you it was not false at first." His words do little to reassure her. "I believed I had died. Truly, I did. I lost consciousness for quite some time; yet, somewhere in my mind, my magic – or perhaps my…true form – saved me. When I awoke, I was no longer bleeding, and my magic felt more powerful than ever before. When Thor returned to Asgard, I created an illusion that made him believe he was speaking to Odin. What he confessed regarding the throne was, therefore, spoken to me. I knew he would never trust that I hadn't done this all for my own gain." He pauses, allowing her time to process his words. "Molly, I am the King."

"That's…" Molly trails off, at a loss for words yet again. "That's amazing."

He grins again. "I must admit, it does feel wonderful."

She laughs, shaking her head. "You're crazy. You know that, right?"

"Of course, Molly. Why else would we have become friends?"

"That's not fair!" she replies, struggling to keep a straight face. "Not everyone I love is a sociopath!"

Loki raises his eyebrows. "What did I tell you about lying to me, Molly?"

She rolls her eyes dramatically as she gathers Toby into her arms, giving Loki a small smirk.

Maybe it's just my type.

Turning to go inside, she motions for him to follow.

They have much to discuss.

The End!