Odin's Visit

Chapter Two

Loki's P. o. V:

I storm out of Bruce's room, emotions whirling through my head. The raw pain in his eyes when I told him that I was giving up the child haunts me. I honestly didn't expect him to actually care for the child. I expected him to be disgusted. I gently place my hand over my hidden belly. A small flutter hits the palm of my hand. Adrenaline runs through me. Could my baby be kicking already? I'm only about three months along. I feel another movement beneath my palm. Without thinking, I rush back into Bruce's room. He is still sitting on his bed, stunned. I knock on the door, then walk in. I sit down next to him, then get rid of my glamour. His eyes fix on my belly, and my cheeks color in embarrassment. Gently, I grab his hand and place it over my belly. The confused look on his face soon morphs into one of astonishment. I hear a gasp in the doorway. In a panic, I use my magic to slam the door. I hear a thump, then the sound of a body rolling down the stairs in front of the door. Bruce jumps up and yanks open the door. I rush to his side as well. My stomach lurches as the scene before me unfolds. Pepper is laying at the bottom of the stairs, and she isn't moving.

Bruce's P. o. V:

I rush down the stairs, not really believing what I am seeing. I crouch down next to Pepper, checking her vitals. She has a pulse, but only just. "JARVIS, do a scan on Pepper. I want to know what's wrong," I command cooly.

"She has a broken leg, and her back is broken. It is not recommended that you move her. She is in critical condition, and she needs the help of a doctor soon," JARVIS concludes. I nod.

"Thank you." Before I can call any of the Avengers, Loki reappears. He looks slightly sick, but in control. "Can you help her?" I ask. Loki shrugs.

"I'm not sure. I have never healed such a major injury. However, I can teleport her to her room, and summon a doctor," he replies. I nod.

"Please do that." Loki nods, closing his eyes to concentrate. Pepper's body floats back up the stairs and into her bedroom. At last, he opens his eyes and relaxes.

"She is resting comfortably. If you wish to see her, you may. I require sustenance," Loki informs me. He tries to take a step, only to crumple to the ground. I try to help him up, but he bats me away. "I do not need your help!" he hisses. I slowly back away and head upstairs to see Pepper. Loki follows behind me.

"I thought you required sustenance," I gripe.

"It can wait. I want to talk to Pepper," Loki says. I nod, and we both go into Pepper's room. She is awake, but unable to move. Loki has her strapped to a board so that she can't move and hurt herself.

"What happened to me?"

"You fell down. Are you okay?" Loki lies smoothly. Pepper shakes her head, looking confused.

"I can't move. I think my leg is broken."

"How much do you remember before your fall?" Loki wonders. I can see the panic in his eyes.

"I don't remember anything," Pepper says, looking sad.

"That's completely normal. I'm sure the memory will come back to you within the next few days," Loki reassures her. I can see the relief in his eyes, and momentarily wonder what he was so worried about. He shoots me a look, his back turned to Pepper. "Later," he mouths. I nod. Loki turns back to Pepper and lays his hand on her leg. Green sparks of magic flow out of his fingertips, knitting around her leg. Pepper whimpers in pain, but her face shows relief. Loki crashes to the ground, whimpering in pain. I rush over to help him, but he smacks me away. "I'm fine. It's a side effect of the healing. It took a lot of energy out of me. I'll be fine once I get some substantial food into me," Loki replies, brushing past me. I stare at him, stunned. He ignores me and continues on his quest to the kitchen.

Loki's P. o. V:

The healing took more out of me than expected. My legs are weak, and I fear for the health of my child. Gently, I place my hand over my concealed belly and check the vitals of my unborn child. Everything looks good, besides a slightly elevated heart rate. A strong kick meets my hand, causing me to jump. My child's heartbeat speeds up even more, inching close to 200. I start breathing slowly, desperate to slow her heartbeat. My blood runs cold as realization hits. The child that I am carrying carries the Hulk's gene. If her heartbeat gets over 200, it could have dire consequences for me.

Natasha's P. o. V:

I go to visit Pepper after Loki and Bruce are otherwise occupied. A doctor is in the room, taking care of her. When he sees me, he gets up and gets ready to leave. "She will be okay to rest now. I will not be able to heal her, but she will not damage her back anymore. I'll leave you two alone now," the doctor concludes, leaving the room. I wait until he is gone, then turn to Pepper.

"Do you remember anything that happened before you fell?" I ask.

"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. I remember everything that happened. I saw something...." Pepper trails off.

"What did you see?" I wonder, although I am pretty sure I know.

"My eyes may have been playing tricks on me, but it appeared as if Loki was...pregnant..." Pepper chokes out. I let out a huge sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank God! I'm not going crazy!" I exclaim. Pepper shoots me a puzzled look. "I walked in in him one time, and he looked pregnant. He dismissed the idea and hustled me away, but I still thought he looked pregnant. It's not possible though. He's a man, for heaven's sakes!" I exclaim.

"JARVIS, do a search on Loki's past. Tell me everything you find," Pepper commands.

"Working on it. This may take a few moments," JARVIS informs us. We both sit and wait. At last, JARVIS' voice answers us. "Loki is the adopted son of Odin. His original father was Laufey, king of the Frost Giants. During a battle, Odin discovered Loki laying in a temple. He took him home and raised him as his own. Recently, Loki discovered his true heritage. He is a Frost Giant, which explains why he is able to do magic. However, it also means that he is neither male or female. All Jotuns are born with the ability to reproduce. Although Loki often takes the form of a male, when he goes into heat, he must take the form of a female. The heat will not end until he has conceived. Once he has conceived, he can take the form of a male if he stays female on the inside. Loki has fathered many children, and is known as the Mother of Monsters. His children include Hel, goddess of the dead, Fenrir, the wolf, and Sleipnir the eight legged horse. All of these children suffered wrong at the hands of Odin. He is also known as the God of Mischief, the Trickster, Liesmith, and Silvertongue. Loki is highly influential, and has used that to his advantage before. Currently, he is on S. H. I. E. L. D's most dangerous list. At the moment, he is presiding in the Tower, and is in the kitchen."

"Thank you, JARVIS," Pepper says, looking totally overwhelmed. I'm sure my face mirrors hers.

"So he is pregnant," I muse.

"What's that?" Clint asks, entering the room. I jump slightly. Clint is one of the only people who can manage to sneak up on me besides Loki.

"Hmm? What's what?"

"Don't play dumb with me. I heard the entire thing. So, our prisoner is pregnant. Interesting," Clint smirks, his eyes hard.

"Please don't do anything to harm him or the child. Bruce would be devastated!" Pepper pleads. Clint looks mildly shocked.

"So, Bruce and Loki? Can't say I saw that one coming," Clint chuckles. "Boy, do I feel bad for their kid! A green rage monster for a father, and a psychopath for a mother!"

"So I'm a psychopath now?" Loki asks cooly from the doorway. His emerald eyes sparkle with an emotion I can't quite identify. Could it be...laughter? Loki smirks. "Assemble the Avengers. I have something that I want them to see," Loki says.

"JARVIS, tell all of the Avengers to come to Pepper's room. It's urgent," Pepper says. Within a minute, Steve, Bruce, Thor, and Tony have all entered the room. The room is spacious enough to accommodate us all easily.

"What did you want us for?" I ask.

"I want to show you that I am not evil," Loki replies, walking over to Pepper's bed. He places his hand on her forehead. "I have been studying some spells that have to do with paralysis. I am fairly confident that I can fix your back." Once again, magic flows through his fingertips, knitting around Pepper's body. At last, Loki lifts his hand from her brow. Pepper cautiously sits up, looking delighted to be able to do so. She grabs Loki and squeezes him in a tight hug. Loki looks surprised, but returns the hug. Just as Loki is opening his mouth to speak, a bright flash of light and the smell of ozone fills the room. Everyone looks at Thor.

"What? It wasn't me!" Thor says defensively. A shape materializes in the center of our group. Thor immediately kneels. "Father. What has brought you to this realm?" Thor wonders.

"Rise, my son. I come to punish your brother." Loki jumps up.

"What have I done wrong?" Loki hisses angrily.

"You have been lying to the Avengers, you've been tormenting this realm, and you almost killed one of the major members of this household. You destroyed part of Stark Tower, and you are a nuisance to everyone. You brought the Chitauri here and almost destroyed New York. For this, you must pay," Odin concludes.

"But-," Loki protests, but Odin cuts him off.

"No excuses. You will pay for your crimes." Odin grabs Loki's shoulder, forcing him to his knees. Loki appears in full Asgardian garb. Odin grabs his helmet, then yanks it off, jarring Loki's head in the process. "You will be stripped of your magic, and forced to go around in mortal form. You will have to live in this tower and peacefully coexist with all of its residents. You are not to cause any more trouble, whether in this realm or another. Do this, and I will restore your power when I feel you worthy," Odin concludes, ripping sections of Loki's armor off. At last, Loki collapses to the ground, wearing human clothes.

"You shall be the death of me, Father. I hope you're happy!" Loki hisses, his eyes shining with unshed tears. Loki clutches his belly, accenting the fact that there is indeed a bump sticking out between his hips. Odin looks slightly taken aback, but disappears before I can be sure. Loki curls up into a fetal position, silent tears streaming down his cheeks. Finally, he manages to straighten up. He wipes his face and walks over to Bruce, wrapping his arms around him. Bruce looks surprised by the touch, but allows it to stay. "Well, as you mortals would say, the cat's out of the bag," Loki sniffs. "I am pregnant with Bruce's child. She will be half Hulk, half Frost Giant. Without my magic, my body will not be able to carry her to full term. Depending on how fast she grows, I may not even be able to carry her for 4 months. I just want you to know, if it comes between my life and hers, I want you to save her," Loki informs us, tears shining in his eyes again. Everyone is silent. Odin has given Loki a death sentence.