Chapter 43

I laid back in the grass and watched a pair of butterflies float above me. There was a babbling brook at my feet, and it was a warm sunny day. It was peaceful and I laid there, just enjoying the day. I heard footsteps coming close to me. I twisted and looked behind me. A tall dark handsome man was standing there with a smile.

"Loki!"

I gave a happy shout and shot to my feet. I ran to him and threw myself in his arms. He held me tight and swung me in a circle laughing. I giggled in joy as he set me back down on my feet. His hand skimmed my cheek and tucked my hair behind my ear. 

"Hello, my sweet. You weren't very easy to find." He looked around. "Where are we?"

"It's a field that was behind the house where I lived with my parents. Alice and I spent most of our summer days here playing in the water, chasing butterflies, or watching clouds in the sky. It was always a fun and peaceful place and one of my favorites." I beamed up at him. "And now you are here so it makes it even better."

He smiled and kissed me softly. "Yes, I'm here love. But I am afraid I am not able to stay. I need you to come back with me, my sweet."

A sad look crossed my face. "But why? I'm nobody there. Here I matter. I don't matter there."

"You DO matter Ariane. You matter to me and Bucky. To Wanda and Nat. Steve, Vision, Tony, Bruce, Clint, Thor. We all love you and we want you to come home. Thor is sad that his sister is missing, and Bucky and I miss you terribly love. Please, will you come home with me? This is a beautiful place and I promise we can come back anytime. We will bring Bucky with us next time. Please my love, I am begging you. Please follow me home?"

I heard their names, and I realized how much I missed them all. I took a look around the peaceful field. I looked back up at Loki, smiled and took his hand. "Okay Kokoro no Yokubo. Lead the way."

He gave an infectious laugh, grabbed me and spun me again. As he set me back down, he kissed me hard then rested his forehead on mine. "Thank Odin. Let's go home, love." 

He grabbed my hand and together we walked away from the clearing. I was heading home.

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I slowly opened my eyes. I was back in the hospital bay... again. I sighed. 

"Hey Doll. You're awake."

I looked around and saw all the faces that had become so dear to me. Vision, Tony, Thor, Nat, Clint, Steve, Bruce. I looked to my left and looked at Bucky. 

"You look like hell Kokoro no Kiseki."

He laughed with tears in his eyes. "You are still beautiful as always."

"Liar." I struggled to sit up. 

"Be easy, pet. It was not an easy journey, and you will be more tired than you think."

I looked to my right and saw Loki and Wanda. They both looked exhausted. I frowned and reached out my hand to him.

"Are you alright Kokoro no Yokubo? Wanda?"

He took my hand. "Yes love. As I said it wasn't an easy journey for either of us. Wanda helped me find you and bring you home." 

She nodded and smiled. "You wandered quite far, almost too far. But I'm glad you're back. I missed you."

I smiled and looked at everyone. I saw smiles and tears. My smile faded. Tears slid down my cheeks.

"I'm so sorry. I know I worried everyone. I don't mean to. But it keeps happening. I'm so sorry to all of you for being so much trouble."

"Don't worry about it, Kid. That's what families do. We worry about each other. Now you focus on getting rest. The team and I have some... loose ends to tie up. We are all looking forward to having you back out there with us."

I smiled and nodded as everyone but Bucky, Loki, and Bruce headed out. I looked up at Bruce.

"Hey, what's up Doc?'

He snorted. "Ha. Ha. Like I haven't heard that one before."

"Well did you hear the one about the duck that walked into a bar?" I grinned.

"Smartass. Which means you're feeling better." He listened to my heartbeat and shined a light in my eyes. "Hm, let me run some quick vitals." He looked at Bucky and Loki. "If everything's normal I don't see why she can't go back upstairs with you guys."

They both looked happy at that and watched Bruce eagerly. After a few minutes, he pronounced me fine and bundled me out the door with my guys. It was night and we walked hand in hand back to Loki's room. Walking in, I looked around at the familiar furniture and then turned and kissed both men soundly in turn. 

"Ok, I need a shower and I am sure you guys do too. I know what showering all together is like, so I suggest we each head to our own showers and then meet back here for some relaxing?"

"Of course, Doll." Bucky stroked my cheek. "Enjoy your shower." He turned and headed over to his room. 

Loki took me in his arms. "As loath as I am to let you out of my sight, I can not disagree. Enjoy your shower but come back to us soon." He kissed me roughly and then shooed me out the door. 

I went to my room. It seemed like years since I had last been there. I walked into my closet and grabbed some comfy nightclothes. I headed to my bathroom, turned the shower on hot, stripped off my clothes, and stepped into the water. God, it felt good. I washed off the blood and grime and then just stood there. I was feeling fine. I knew I had hit a dark place and Loki had brought me out. But now I felt back to my old badass self.

I had an evil idea. I checked my head to see if my doors were still there and open. They were. We had gotten so used to them so quickly that it was second nature. I grinned. I knew that we could share sensations when we were together... but could I share sensations that I felt when they weren't in the room with me? Good time to find out. I got out and dried off. I didn't put my clothes on. Instead, I walked to my bed and leaned against my headboard.