Alexandra stood before Odin who was seated on his throne. He waved his hand, and the sole guard who escorted her from her cell bowed and left. She was alone with the Allfather.

"After some consideration," Odin said, "I have decided to return you to Midgard. The Tesseract, as I understand it, had a lot to do with your visions, and Loki was using its power to gain followers. You were clearly affected."

Alexandra closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I wasn't."

"I beg your pardon."

"Yes, it did have something to do with my visions, but Loki never used it to make me follow him."

"I offer you freedom, and you stand here and try to convince me that you were in full control of your actions."

"Because it's the truth, and it isn't what you think."

"You do not know what I think."

"I have an idea. You think I joined Loki to help him conquer the Earth. That I wanted to be with a ruler and wanted power. But that's not why. I didn't want to be with Loki at first. I wanted to save people. I didn't fall for Loki until later, after spending time with him." Alexandra took a step forward. "Loki asked me to beg you to send me back to Midgard. He wants me to be free and live my life."

"And yet you turn the offer down."

She dropped to one knee and bowed her head.

"I beg you instead for Loki's freedom. He's been through so much more than you realize since you last saw him, and he has changed."

"On your feet."

Alexandra stood, but left her head bowed.

"Do you accept my offer to return to Midgard?"

"I respectfully decline," she said. "I want to be where Loki is."

"And so you shall. You will be moved to a cell next to his."

Odin called for a guard, and Alexandra was escorted back to the prison. Loki stood when he saw her, but the guard kept her moving past his cell to the next one. They would be separated.

Loki watched as the guard walked away, then he stared at the wall. His hand reached out. His fingers brushed over it. Then with all his might he pulled his fist back and threw it at the barrier.

Not a dent. Not a scratch.

He moved to the edge of the wall, where it met the shield holding him in his cell, and he leaned against the wall. His head rested against it.

"Alexandra."

"Loki?"

He heard her move closer to where their cells met.

"I didn't think we'd be able to hear each other," she said.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine."

Loki smiled. How many times had she said those very words to him as he worried about her?

"Is he sending you home?"

"No," she said.

Loki closed his eyes. "Did you beg?"

She hesitated for just a moment. "Yes, I begged."

"What did you beg for?"

She was silent.

"Alexandra?"

"I begged for your freedom."

"Are you mad?" Loki pushed away from the wall. "Odin will never release me! You could have tried, Alexandra!"

"I don't want to go back!"

"You would rather die in a cell?"

"I just want to be near you, Loki."

Loki heard footsteps, then a guard called his name.

"Odin will see you," the guard said. There were three more behind him.

Loki strode into the throne room, standing tall. He walked quickly, and spoke before he was halfway down the aisle to Odin.

"Are you deliberately trying to torture me? Is this to be my punishment?"

"I have know idea what you're-"

"Oh, come on. You put her in the cell right next to me. I can't even see her."

"At her request. I offered her freedom. She declined."

"What?"

"Did she not tell you? I was going to send her back to Midgard. She insisted she stay where you are."

"She's lost her mind," Loki whispered to himself.

"What was that," Odin asked.

Loki looked up at him, then took a knee. "Please, I beg you, release her."

"I tried."

"Send her back."

"She doesn't want to go."

"I don't want to be in that cell, but you'll keep me there! Send her back!"

"And if I do? Does she know you want her to leave?"

"Yes, for her own good. So she can have a life."

"She will know I did it now at your request."

"I know."

"She will never forgive you."

Loki hesitated. "I know."

"Stand," Odin commanded. "If I honor this request, will you surrender yourself to whatever punishment I see fit."

"Yes."

"Very well." Odin turned to a guard. "Bring me the Midgard woman."

When Alexandra entered the throne room she was surprised to see Loki. She walked until she stood next to him, but he didn't look at her. He kept his head down and Alexandra saw a sorrowful expression on his face.

"I have decided," Odin said, "to grant Loki's request."

"Why do I get the feeling I'm not going to like it?"

"You wouldn't if I were granting his most recent request, but I'm not."

Loki's head popped up. "What?"

"I'm not returning her to Midgard. You're original request was to have her become Asgardian, was it not?"

"Yes," Loki said. The shock on his face was evident.

"To live in exile with you?"

"Yes."

Odin looked to Alexandra. "And you are sure this is what you want?"

"Yes," she said with a small smile.

"Then it will be done. Frigga is making preparations now."

Alexandra grabbed Loki's hand, but she couldn't contain her relief and excitement. She threw her arms around Loki's shoulders as a tear slipped down her cheek.

Loki rubbed his hands over her back and kissed the top of her head, but his eyes were soon on Odin again.

"You are not known for changing your mind," Loki said. "What is the cause of this change?"

Alexandra pulled away and faced Odin, but held on to Loki's hand.

"You are right. I do not often change my mind. The truth is that I had heard of Alexandra and how you helped against the Chitauri, and I was almost persuaded to grant your request upon your arrival. I even heard your discussion in the hall before you saw me. But I had to be sure. I had to see, with my own eyes, your love for this woman. To see what you would sacrifice for her."

Loki looked at Alexandra and squeezed her hand.

"I know the look on your face," Odin said. "I have seen it on Thor when he speaks of Jane."

Loki smiled down at Alexandra. He whispered, "I love you more than Thor loves Jane."

Alexandra smiled, but Odin shook his head.

"Always in competition with your brother."

"Only where it matters."

"Obviously," Odin said to get the conversation back on track, "you cannot hold your royal title in exile."

"I don't need it," Loki said as he looked at Alexandra.

Odin smiled. "Despite how you got here, I have never been more proud of you than I am at this moment."

Loki's eyes locked onto Odin's.

"The Prince who sought a throne at any cost no longer requires a title," Odin said. "You have realized there is more to living than power."

Odin looked to Alexandra. "Young lady, please know that this is not something I often do. You were born human, and so you should remain. However, I've made the rare exception before, and considering the problems left for you on earth by your choice to help Loki, no matter your reason, exile may be what is best for you now. So, you will become Asgardian to be with your beloved."

Loki squeezed Alexandra's hand. "Are you still sure, my love?"

"Yes," she nodded. "I'm sure."

"Tonight," Odin said, "you will stay in the palace. Tomorrow you go into exile. The guards who knew you were here will be made to forget."

Odin descended the stairs from his thrown and walked toward a side door. "Follow me."

Later that night, Alexandra stood on the balcony in Loki's chambers wearing a light, loosely fitted, flowing blue gown. He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. His lips pressed softly against her neck, and she reached behind to sink her hand into his hair.

"How do you feel," he asked.

"Wonderful. All the little aches and pains I've learned to live with... they're gone."

"Asgardians do not suffer from such things."

"It's amazing."

"You're amazing, my pet," he whispered against her neck. "Do you still like that name, my love?"

"I do," she said with a smile.

"And what about 'my love?'"

"I like that, too," she said as she rubbed a hand over his arm.

"What about... 'my bride?'"

Alexandra's hand froze.

"Or... 'my wife," Loki asked.

Alexandra turned in his arms.

"I have asked Odin if he would marry us," Loki said. "All you have to do is agree. Everything is a-"

Alexandra cut him off with a kiss.

"Yes," she whispered against his lips.

With his arms still around her waist, Loki lifted her from the ground as they kissed. Alexandra soon wrapped her legs around him, and his hands gripped her rear. He groaned before he pressed his forehead to hers.

"I think you will still drive me mad a hundred years from now," he said. He put her back on her feet. "I want to make slow, passionate love to my wife," he said. Loki stepped back and put his hand out for her to take. "Shall we get married?"

Alexandra smiled and took his hand. "I love you, My King."

"And I love you, My Queen."