AN: Thanks for being so patient with me guys! Finally, I am writing again, so watch this space for more fics, and I promise I will update my other fics too. I have so many ideas, you won't be able to stop me posting - mwahahahahaha! Be afraid, be very afraid!

Disclaimer: I do not own Avengers or any of the characters therein, mores the pity, or there would be plenty more romantic pairings in it!

The door to the cell hissed shut and closed with a resounding thwump. Mechanical locks snapped into place, and Director Fury smirked at the now captive Loki.

'I'm sure you've met before, but let me re-introduce you.' He said smugly. Pointing at Loki, and then the whirling propellers beneath his prison, two words drawled out. 'Ant…boot.' Throwing the muzzled and bound Loki yet another self-satisfied half smile, Nick Fury turned his back on the dangerous captive and left the prison.

Ten minutes later, he entered the conference room. The Avengers team were assembled, waiting to be debriefed. Cap. Steve Rogers lounged back in one of the many leather backed chairs, his hand resting lightly on the table. Dr. Bruce Banner, dressed casually in a S.H.I.E.L.D tracksuit, stood off to one side, looking out of the large window. Thor stood, his arms crossed and a frown furrowing his brow. Agents Barton and Romanoff sat next to each other, looking tense and ready, not meeting each others eyes. Tony Stark, still in the Iron Man suit, was leaning against the wall, one foot flat against it, his arms folded and a thoughtful look on his face.

'He's secure.' The two words rippled through the room, and acted like a balm to the weary heroes. Visibly, they relaxed, and inaudible sighs of relief disturbed the still air. Nick Fury rested his hand on his hips and looked around at them all. 'You did good. Didn't think you would pull it together in time, but you managed it. Thor will take the Tesseract and Loki back to Asgard tomorrow.'

'I must protest.' Thor's deep tone carried through the quiet room. Fury turned to him, slightly annoyed that he had been interrupted. 'I require time to keep a promise.'

'I don't really care. I want that lunatic off my planet!' Fury could feel his temper simmering. 'Promises be damned, you are taking him tomorrow.' Thor turned to him, and stared him down.

'Erik Selvig is my friend. I promised him that I would ensure his safety. I failed. I will stay and ensure his good health before I leave.' Thor's tone brooked no argument, and Fury took a deep breath. 'Loki is quite safe in your metal prison. All I ask is for one day.' The director glared at Thor, then acquiesced grudgingly.

'Fine. A day to keep a promise. After that, Loki goes, and I think some leave is in order for all of you. You will stay in contact.' He stared them down, then turned and left, a small smile playing on his face.

The team stayed quiet for a moment, then by unspoken agreement, left the conference room and made for their private rooms. Thor stayed behind a little longer, then went in search of Erik. After a couple of wrong turns, he chanced upon a recovery room, where his friend was sleeping after his ordeal. Pulling up a chair, Thor placed Mjolnir carefully on the floor next to him, sat down and tiredly rubbed his face. Leaning back, he dropped his hands to his lap and watched his friend sleep. The next thing he knew, Erik's voice was calling him.

'Thor, wake up!' Erik grinned at him from his sitting position as Thor jerked awake. 'Welcome back. You gods, you eat like horses and sleep like the dead, I swear. What are you doing here?'

'Erik Selvig, I am glad you are awake. I was concerned you were injured.' Erik grimaced.

'Don't get me wrong, I'm not gonna be running any marathons anytime soon, but I'm ok.' He pushed himself up a little further. 'Boy, Loki sure did a number on me huh?' His wan grin did not disguise the pain in his eyes, pain that was not lost on Thor.

'You did well to resist him as much as you did. Loki is a powerful enemy, and I am ashamed of the things he has done. You fought bravely, there is no shame in it.' Erik turned his face away.

'It shouldn't have happened. I told him everything. Everything he asked, I told him. I couldn't stop. I was trapped inside myself, while a shadow dredged up all the information and spewed it out. I even told him about…' Erik tailed off, and Thor leaned closer.

'Jane?' Thor breathed.

'I'm sorry, I couldn't stop, I tried but….'

'What did he ask?' Thor demanded urgently.

'Her name, her age, a description, where she was, everything! At least I couldn't tell him that, and he was too busy to waste time and find her himself.' Erik slumped in defeat. 'I promised her that I would protect her. I failed. I betrayed her.' Thor stood up and placed a hand on Erik's shoulder, forcing him to look at her.

'Do not blame yourself. Loki has lived his life with deceit. It is natural to him, and he is very good at it. You resisted him, enough to foil his scheme. You gave us a way to win the battle, and that redeems you.' Erik grasped his hand and nodded, the pain still evident on his face. He sighed, and Thor relaxed slightly, walking away from him and picking up Mjolnir again.

Absentmindedly, he tossed the hammer from one hand to the other, and a few moments passed in companionable silence as he meandered around the room. Erik watched, amusement tugging at his features. Honestly, the man was ridiculous. Erik could see what he needed to do, and decided to take pity on him.

'You know, I would feel a lot better if someone just went to check on her.' He shrugged nonchalantly. 'Make sure she's ok, you know? Just to put my mind at rest. I'd go myself, but you know. Doctor's orders and all that.' Thor looked at him quizzically and Erik groaned internally. Choosing his next words carefully, he loaded them with sarcasm. 'I'd ask a S.H.I.E.L.D agent to go, but there is no way they could fly there fast enough if there is trouble.' Finally a light dawned in Thor's eyes.

'I should go and make sure she is not hurt.'

'You do that.'

Director Fury's door banged open and struck the wall with considerable force. Giving him his due, Fury didn't jump, just glared at Thor as he stormed into the office.

'Where did you send Jane Foster?' He demanded, looming over Fury, who stood up and leaned on his desk, pushing back at him.

'She is safe, and no concern of yours at this moment in time. Your mission is to take your brother' he spat the word out ' and the Tesseract back to Asgard. End of discussion.' He sat down again, the conversation over.

'Loki has deceived Erik Selvig. She may be in danger. I must ascertain her safety. Erik has requested that I go to her at once.' Fury sighed, and realised that he was not going to win this fight. Putting down his pen, he steepled his fingers and regarded Thor calmly.

'You have twelve hours. Understand?' Thor nodded, and gripped Mjolnir tighter. 'Tromso.' Thor inclined his head and left quickly, leaving behind an amused Fury.