Saving the Party

"Would you care to dance,"

Thor blinked in surprise. "Really?"

Jen nodded. "Yes, really. There's no reason we can't be friends." She held up her finger though stopping him as he opened his mouth. "Just. Dance. I don't want you getting any ideas, buster. Try something even a little like you did earlier and I'll kick your ass and while I get the impression you might actually like that too... everyone else wouldn't and it'd spoil the party."

Thor pursed his lips thinking. He had been watching She-Hulk and her new man, Walter, earlier dancing and had been envious. The thing between She-Hulk and him had been fun but it had been quite sometime ago. She'd moved on from him and seemed quite taken with this Walter.

And he was envious. Walter seemed to have both her and the other two women with them eating out of the palm of his hand... and vice-versa. He was envious not because he especially desired the ladies. He was envious of Walters happiness... and he didn't like that. He didn't like feeling that way at his own party in his own hall.

Thor nodded. "Very well. A dance... as friends. I think I can manage that."

He took Jen's hand and they stepped out onto the dance floor. "Thank you for this."

She nodded. "You're welcome, Thor. We were close once-"

"We were very close, as I remember," he chuckled.

Jen shook her head. "But not emotionally. That was simply physical and... wasn't quite what I was looking for or what you were really looking for either. That's why it wasn't satisfying for either if us."

"Not satisfying?!" Thor bridled but settled as she gave him a look.

"Don't play the fool," she said. "You're not half as stupid as you pretend... which makes the whole act more tiresome, honestly. You know what I meant. It was just sex and while it was ok-"

Thor raised an eyebrow.

Jen rolled her eyes but smirked. "Ok it was really pretty good... but it wasn't fantastic. There was no emotional investment and-"

"And he gives you all of that?" Thor asked bitterly.

Jen smiled. "All that and so much more! He's honestly 'the best'. He pushes me to do better, both in the bed and out of it, and also be more 'me'. Things I haven't been or have struggled with for a while he supports me fully. He's not just sweet, romantic, caring and passionate... but he loves me. For Jen and She-Hulk together. He accepts me. All of me... and that's rarely what anyone has done."

"I-" Thor started then stopped and nodded. "I wanted She-Hulk."

Jen nodded smiling. "And I was no better. I wanted Thor the Mighty. Having a sex with someone who could come close to matching my strength- Don't roll your eyes! You know what I mean... that was exciting for both of us."

Thor nodded. "And he can do that?"

Jen sighed shaking her head. "No... more! He can make me submit. " She sees Thor's shock and nodded. "And more he makes me want to. Makes me want to beg him to make me surrender to him. But I don't have to either. He just freely gives it to me. Accepts it. He even likes to have tables turned the other way! He admires my strength as well as everything ekse... but it usually ends the same... because I want it. And he loves me enough to give me what I want with no questions about it. He WANTS to give me everything. No one has ever done that. I feel... foolish. Thinking about all the fooling around I did. Wishing I had meet him sooner... them sooner."

Thor shakes his head. "I'm happy for you then... *sigh* looks like I lose again."

She laughed. "Not everything is a competition, though that has its appeal too." She looked at Jane and then Sif who was talking with Walter. "What about them? You actually loved them both once didn't you?"

Thor shrugged. "Jane... Jane is different now. She admits that herself. She's become her own hero. She outgrew me." He shook his head smiling. "In many ways she was an even better 'Thor' when she took up the mantel. She is still getting over her past relationship but she's... stronger than I am that way. And Sif..." they watch Sif take Walters hand laughing and smiling.

---

"Greetings! You must be Lady Sif?"

Sif looked up at Walt and nodded. "I am... and you're the visitor from earth I've heard tell of, Walter?"

Walt bowed. "I am he." He then extended his hand with a grin. "It's an honor to meet the second greatest warrior in all of Asgard!"

Sif sighs and rolls her eyes clearly annoyed but she sticks out her hand anyway out of politeness. "I'm actually the best. Thor is mightier but I'm actually the much better warrior."

Walt nodded and clasped her forearm in the old warriors way and not the more modern handshake. "I know," he said clarifying. "I was speaking of the late Brunhilde. The two of you were indeed the greatest and most talented warriors Asgard has seen. It's truly my honor to meet you, Lady Sif."

Sif smiled and her face brightened considerably. She was quite the raven-haired beauty with tresses as dark as empty space... but she had a dazzling smile that was like a sun! "Well now! That's a nice change of pace and good to hear for a change! And you're quite correct... Brunhilde was an amazing warrior!"

Walt nodded and grabbed two cups passing her one. "I met her before and she truly was. I was sorry to hear of her passing but glad to hear she died how she would have wanted to. Would you care to join me in drinking to the memory of Brunhilde?"

Sif nodded. "It would be my pleasure. To Brunhilde!"

"To Brunhilde!" Walt said and they drained their cups. He smiled thinking about her. "Her skill was breathtaking. I would have liked to have seen her do battle with my own eye's just one more time in my life."

Sif nodded smiling. "And I'm impressed you know your warriors. Rumors abound that you are a wizard but there are also those that say you're not... so which is it then?"

Walt laughed. "I like your directness, Sif. In a den of gossip you cut right through like the sure stroke of a blade!"

She laughs too. "And that's a pretty deflection but not an answer!"

Walt held up his hand. "I yeild. Mercy." They both laugh some more and Walt said, "Yes. The answer is yes. I'm a fairly accomplished warrior as well as a 'wizard' of sorts. Does that disappoint you?"

Sif shrugged. "At least you're honest about it, unlike Loki was. Odin himself as well as Freya were great warriors and accomplished with magic. To be honest that is a bit impressive if true for it must be doubly difficult."

Walt nodded as he refilled their cups. "I thank you for that. Yes, it's extremely difficult to master multiple skills but that's what I have dedicated my life too. Though it wasn't always such. I started as a warrior and soldier before."

Sif smiled. "Before?"

"Before my adventures," he said. He looked around and felt Thor watching him and shrugged. He leaned in to quickly whisper into Sif's ear for a bit about his quest.

Her eyes went wide when he leaned back. "Truly?" He nodded and she said. "That's one of the most romantic and one of the saddest things that I have ever heard... *ahem* well that would necessitate one becoming a wizard as well as a warrior I suppose. I'm sorry for your loss and that your quest was doomed from the start."

Walt shook his head and smiled. "I thank you but it has ultimately brought me happiness." She sees him smile at the ladies who came with him. "I have found a happiness and joy that I wasn't able to before. It changed my life and me along with it... would you care to dance Lady Sif?"

She smiled and nodded taking his hand. "A warning," she said following him out onto the dance floor. "I have no intention of joining this 'harem of happiness' you've found for yourself."

Walt laughed. "Well that's unfortunate for me... but that doesn't change my opinions at all. Still you have my condolences."

"Condolences?" She asked as they danced and surprised when he let her lead. His movements were sure, swift and practiced. He'd squeeze her hand just so and surrender the lead to her. Then signal again and take over... it became a thing they could share and she was delighted and started using the same signal, enjoying herself.

"I was saddened to hear of your brother's passing," he said. "We were, friends of a sort. He was a good man."

"Heimdall," she said. "He was a strange man... but yes a good one. Very wise."

Walt nodded. "He was. It's hard to see everything like that. I think one would have to go insane or become strong and wise enough to use it... And I'm sorry that you still carry a torch for Thor-"

"What?" She asked surprised.

Walt blinked. "Am I wrong? Apologies if I'm mistaken."

She shook her head. "Of course... you're like Heimdall, then?"

Walt laughed. "Oh not at all! I see more than most but no I'm not like that at all... unless you meant 'wise', then thank you for compliment, Lady Sif?"

She laughed and shook her head relinquishing the lead. "Alright drop the 'lady' bit already. Just call me Sif, alright?"

Walt grinned and nodded. "Love to, Sif. You just call me Walter or Walt then like all my friends do... but you haven't answered my question. Who's evading now I wonder?"

She blushed. "How did you know?"

Walt nodded. "Observations and little things were clues but mostly I just guessed."

"You guessed?!" She asked shocked worried that everyone knew-

"Relax," he said. "You aren't that obvious about it anymore... but he was your first love from when you, he and Loki grew up together, yes? That's fairly common knowledge. You've always loved him and he's... well, he's Thor..."

"Still an idiot," she muttered. "He's gotten better but he's still a dunderhead about such things..." she narrowed her eyes. "If word of this gets out..."

Walt shook his head relinquishing the lead to her once again. "It won't have come from me, I assure you."

She nodded and smiled. This man was a bit how she wished Thor would be... wise, sharing, self assured but with out the arrogance. "Pity..."

Walt shrugged. "I don't know what you mean exactly... anyway Thor is a good man, or has that potential. He's struggling now but he's changed from his cocksure youth into an experienced man. He's trying to develop that experience and refine it into wisdom... but he's also struggling. He's trying too much to force himself to be like his father, when he needs to be more himself and grow naturally into embracing the role. Odin didn't become Odin, overnight after all... he could benefit from friends by his side. The wiser the better."

Sif snorted. "His friends are fools too. I should know as one of them!"

Walt laughed and shook his head. "Forgive me but I believe you give yourself too little credit, Sif."

She smiled. "Perhaps... thank you, Walt."

Walt smiled too. "You're very welcome, Sif. Say... Perhaps you can help me?"

Sif looked intrigued. "I'm not sure I can but I'd be happy to try. What do you need assistance with?"

Walt nodded. "Tell me... whatever Heimdall told you about the Bifrost? I'm trying to investigate a way to fix it..."

---

"And Sif what, Thor? You didn't finish your thought," Jen asked as they watched Sif smiling and dancing with Walt. "They look like their having fun!"

Thor frowned and nodded. "They do." Jen felt him tense up. Walt was right! Thor obviously still had feelings. She could sort of understand... it made her just the tiniest bit jealous too but she'd learned to share with Jubilee and Gwen... and they all made it work. In a way it was beautiful... and Walt was generous in his love as well and if- "Hmmmm... I see. I wonder if Sif will be joining us in Walter's group? Walter does like strong, dark-haired beauties after all..." she smirked.

Thor took the bait and growled. "He better not-" he narrowed his eyes at She-Hulk's grin. "I care not."

"Now, now," she said. "That's quite obviously untrue. You still care deeply for her and for Jane both. I'll give you partial credit though. You're trying to let them live their own lives."

Thor smiled sadly. "I made mistakes in our relationships. They deserve better."

Jen laughed. "Mistakes are a part of life! Walter and I started over a mistake of sorts... but we make it work and still do. I messed up the start of our romance... several times infact! But he hasn't held that against me. It takes two to make it work... and when he messes up he freely admits it, often blaming himself for things beyond his control, but tries even harder to commit himself to doing better... and not just 'for' me. But because he 'wants' to be that for me and the others... and it's the same for us." She smiled. "I was worried at first. Especially after my more recent experiences at being manipulated. But it's not his way like that... more the opposite infact. He manipulates himself for us trying to anticipate and fulfill our wants and desires... he's unselfish that way. Devoted... you could try being that way a bit. I think it might suit you. After all that's why you're keeping distance from Jane and Sif. It's a bit sweet."

Thor chuckled. "But misguided? Is that what you're telling me?"

Jen shrugged. "We women are complicated so who can say? But you'll never find out without making an effort to learn for yourself."

Thor chuckled at that and then laughed as they finished dancing. The music changed. It became more more lively and playful. "Is that...?"

Jen nodded smiling. Gwen was over by the musicians and Walt was moving to join her. They were playing a version of Don't Bring Me Down on the medieval style instruments. "Earth music. Party music." Her smile widening into a grin at both the song and now the colorful lights as Jubilee started using her powers to give a colorful display and really liven up the party.

Thor looked around and saw his fellow Asgardians start to get more into a 'party mood'. They were starting to enjoy this. They'd changed some during their time on Midgard. Exposure to different cultures, especially Earths, had been both difficult and exciting. And what was more he saw smiling faces not just at the music, display and each other... but at him too. Their king was enjoying himself a bit more and so did they seeing it.

Thor laughed. "I take it I have been the one being the 'party pooper'? Am I this, 'Bruce' in this song?"

Jen laughed and shrugged backing away. "That's up to you to figure out for yourself, your Majesty." She winked. "Who do you want to be?"

Thor laughed. It really was past time to get this party actually started... and time for the King to actually lead the reveling for a change!

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

Will Return In

Party and Intrigue

Coming Soon]