This Time Around (Sequel to All Over Again)

Chapter Seventeen

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The worst feeling in the world had to be rage-fueled helplessness and it was one Loki did not tolerate well. Still, he managed to remain calm as he rocked McKenna against his chest. Remained calm when all he wanted to do was unleash the rebuilt Destroyer onto Midgard with the strict order to find Ward, cook him into oblivion, and return with Selig.

"I'm sorry..." McKenna whispered, her shoulders finally going still as she sank into him.

"Sorry for what?" He caught her beneath the chin with a bent forefinger and lifted her face to his. Her eyes were red and swollen, shiny with the remnants of the tears that still slid down her stained cheeks. He couldn't recall ever seeing her cry this way and that rage-fueled helplessness swelled, making it more and more difficult to keep his temper in check. "You did nothing wrong, love. How many times has Ellen watched Selig without incident?"

McKenna sniffed, swiping at her left cheek with the back of her hand. "I should've been more careful now."

"And if you thought for one moment he was in any danger, you wouldn't have let him leave here. I know you. Neither one of us thought he'd be anything other than safe."

She pulled out of his arms. "I wish Coulson would just call me already. Or Heimdall would. Or someone would."

"What else did he say?"

"Who? Ward?" When he nodded, McKenna swiped at her cheek again. "He said he thought Selig was a good kid, that he liked him, and no harm would come to him. And he still wants the Tesseract."

"And what did son of-Coulson-say?"

"That he would get everyone together, form an extraction team, and let me know what was going on." She looked up at him. "He doesn't want me involved."

"As well you shouldn't."

"Loki, I know what I'm doing now. I'm practically S.H.I.E.L.D. now."

"You're also Selig's mother," he reminded her gently. "And Ward knows-or thinks he knows-you." He curved his hand against her cheek. "You should go and lie down, love. Go peek in on Aislinn, and then go and try to sleep a bit."

"How can I sleep? What if Phil calls and I miss him?"

"Darling girl, it isn't as if he has our phone number. S.H.I.E.L.D has their way of contacting us and he knows you're here. I promise to let you know when he does." Loki hoped his smile wasn't nearly as forced as it felt, but remaining calm was becoming more and more difficult. "Go lie down."

"Loki, I don't think I-"

He caught her face in both hands and kissed her gently on the lips. "Try. Meanwhile, I'm going to go speak with Heimdall."

"If he hurts Selig-"

"Don't do that," he scolded softly, his thumbs grazing her cheeks. "We will do whatever we must to bring him home. I promise you that, love. We will bring him home."

With that, the doors opened and Tyra came into the room. "Your Highness, come with me."

"Go." Loki gave McKenna a gentle push. "I promise you, I will let you know as soon as I know anything."

McKenna sniffed again and nodded slowly, wiping at both eyes this time. "I-I-okay... you win."

She reluctantly allowed Tyra to guide her from the Throne Room and Loki managed to hold in his fury until the Throne Room doors closed noiselessly. Then, his hands clenched and with a sudden jerk of both fists, everything in the room went flying into the walls, chairs upended, artwork crashed from the walls, even Odin's throne itself toppled backwards from its dais.