While at work, still remembering the fantastic time I had at The Plaza, with Loki, Thor and the members of the Initiative, I got a text from Thor.

Yet again, the Initiative was called in for another assignment.

Shrugging my shoulders, I texted him back:

"Understood. Be safe."

Concerned that they had been called in as it was getting closer to the official holidays, I was aware crime and mayhem never took a break. In fact, it just got worse during these times...

I offered a silent prayer to anyone who may have been listening for my dear friend and the Initiative to be successful, and come home safe.

Then I got back to work.

****

Just like October, I continued to immerse myself in mundane reality, short of practicing my part for the Winter Party. I made every attempt to stave off those usual worrisome thoughts and prayed that my mischievous friend would not show up earlier than a day before the event. But as before, days were passing quickly...

Then, all of a sudden, I began to have anxiety attacks - but had no idea why. While I understood anything could be a trigger, I hadn't suffered from many attacks after my recovery from being shot in that mall in New York. One night I was feeling particularly overwhelmed and I ended up sleeping on the couch in the living room for comfort.

It was then, the day after when I came home after work, which was a Thor's Day - I mean Thursday - when I got a text from Thor:

"Initiative has returned. Loki is in the Med Centre, but soon will be discharged to his quarters. He's injured - not in any serious danger, but he needs you."

I texted back:

"Then come get me. Open the portal now."

****

Emerging through the portal into the auxiliary SHIELD facility, Thor was waiting for me. I gave him a big hug then asked the obvious question, "what happened?"

"I'll tell you on the way. As you know, I can't tell you much, but you can talk to Doctor Lowenstein after so he can clarify the details."

"I intend to," I promised.

What he could tell me was that it took place in an electronics assembly plant. Once the team got what they came for to complete the mission, something went wrong, and they had to punch their way out of it.

During the battle, and it was quite the mishap, Loki fell into a large bin of miscellaneous electronic parts. Seconds after, he started to cry out in pain. At first, they all thought it was a joke, but knew better, when, between his cries of anguish, he told them he wasn't able to physically climb out of the bin. Thor had to retrieve him.

They took some scans of the contents of the bin for Doctor Lowenstein to study. During their trip back to the facility, a brief assessment revealed there were some raised bumps on Loki's back, with a few near his spine, which looked like small nodules.

"Wait," I said, starting to worry, "are you telling me Loki can't walk?"

"Oh, he can walk," Thor assured. "Whatever happened in that bin only temporary paralyzed him. However, because of those things on his back, some movements cause him discomfort."

"Beverlee?" A familiar voice spoke from an adjoining corridor.

Turning around, there stood Sasha and Minerva. Two people who were part of the Initiative, but also friends who had looked after me when I was recovering from my injuries from that mall incident. We embraced one another warmly.

"I didn't expect to see you both, but I'm glad of it," I said between hugs. "Thor was just telling me about what happened to Loki."

"It's just terrible what happened. I take it you're heading to Loki's quarters?" Minerva asked.

I nodded.

"We're heading in that direction ourselves," Sasha said. "We'll walk with you."

We continued down the corridor, to an area I had never been before, the wing where the initiative had their quarters.

Sasha and Minerva soon pointed me toward a door.

"Here we are," Minerva said. "Please give Loki our regards."

"I will," I nodded, then turned to Thor. "Thank you for giving me the heads up on this."

Thor simply nodded in acknowledgement.

"He's going to be so happy to see you, Beverlee," Sasha said with an encouraging smile. "Tell him if he needs anything, just let us know."

"And that also includes you," Minerva said with a wry grin. "If you plan on staying the night, we'll make sure an overnight kit is brought to you."

"I will," I said, now giving them a soft smile. Their support always made me feel better. "Thanks again."

Once Thor, Minerva and Sasha took their leave, I approached the door.

Never before had I been inside Loki's quarters, and to say I was curious would be an understatement.

Do I knock or would he know I was here?

I decided to just stand wait outside the door.

Although I couldn't be sure if it had taken a few seconds longer then usual, my hunch still paid off - the door opened for me, and I went inside.

****

My eyes swiftly scanned the room to find him, he had to be in his bedroom.

But where was it?

Then, I heard him say my name. 

Turning toward the sound of his voice, there he was - sitting up in his bed, with a small smile on his face.

Quickly I made my way over to him, and without hesitation climbed up on the bed. We both crawled toward each other, then Loki and I rose on our knees. He put his arms around me.

"I'm so glad you're here," Loki whispered. "But I don't know what all the fuss is about. I got injured, but I'm fine."

Being careful, I lightly wrapped my arms around him as I didn't know where his injuries were located.

As I held him, I could feel his body trembling.

"Loki, it's okay.  You don't have to put on a brave face for me."

In response, he lowered his head and buried his face against my shoulder.

"I'm sorry, so sorry, please don't be cross with me," Loki quavered. "I didn't mean to let you and the others down."

"Hey, take it easy, you haven't let anyone down, least of all me," I assured. "What are you talking about?"

"I... I got hurt, I didn't mean to, it was an accident..."

"Loki," I said softly, "of course it was an accident, we know sometimes during your assignments these things happen. But I don't understand, why on earth would you think I'm mad at you?" I released the hug a little so we could look at each other.

Loki always had a pale complexion, but at this moment he looked even more so. Asides from the distress and anxiety that clearly showed on his face, he also looked very tired.

"The... the show..." he whispered nervously. "I... might not be able to perform. We worked so hard..."

"Oh, Loki," I soothed, with a sympathetic smile, now understanding his dismay. "You have such a good heart. I know we both worked hard on this routine, but if we're unable to perform, so be it." I released one of my arms, and gently cupped his cheek, "I care more about you than any show. As I said before, you're already doing something special by being a member of the Initiative."

"But the kids," Loki said, his voice now sounding less stressed. "I... we... can't let them down. And... we promised Ruth we would be there no matter what..."

He was right. I had forgotten how hard we made our case to her to be in this shindig.

"Well, we still have time," I said. "And I plan on seeing Lowenstein..."

I trailed off as I saw my friend's face go blank for a second or two, then it became a look of apprehension.

"Beverlee," Loki whispered, "whatever happens... please, don't leave."

The door chime to his quarters sounded. With a wave of his hand, Loki opened the door.

Speak of the devil, it was Dr. Tom Lowenstein himself, holding a medical bag.