Thor made his way back up to the kitchen, where he put the plates into the sink. He didn't like that he had to keep his brother locked up, even though he knew it was necessary, and that put him into something of a dismal mood.

Doreen noticed first and caught his eye. Then she quirked an eyebrow at him.

Thor managed to muster up a bit of a smile.

"Breakfast was wonderful," he said, nodding to her. "Thank you very much."

"My pleasure," Doreen said with a bit of a smile. She hesitated for a moment before she went on. "You look like you could use someone to talk to."

"The gesture is appreciated, but you need not burden yourself with my troubles," Thor said, looking at her. "They are mine alone to bear."

"Troubles shared are troubles halved," Doreen wheedled. "I won't tell anyone. Besides, it's a token of my appreciation for your endless kindness and consideration." She shot him a brief grin.

Thor considered her for a moment before slumping a bit in his seat.

"My brother," he said at last. "I had not realized what a burden to the heart it would be to become his keeper. His crimes were grievous, and I am glad he was spared the axe, but he seems not to care that he is a prisoner. And as solitary as he tended to be in our youth, I fear that the isolation may do more harm than any harsher punishment could."

Doreen nodded slowly, considering that. "Isolation is harsh," she agreed quietly. "And I know you can't just let him out, either. But maybe..." She was quiet for a few moments, frowning a little. "Maybe what he needs is a new companion, someone else he can talk to, someone who hasn't been involved in his past before."

"The notion crossed my mind," Thor admitted. "I hesitate in allowing it, however. Even without access to his magics, there is much Loki could do to cause harm, especially to one unaccustomed to his ways."

"Right, I'd imagine so," Doreen allowed. "So you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. Wanting better for your brother, but not wanting him to hurt anyone else."

"Yes," Thor replied. "Exactly." He sighed. "It aches to see him this way. He is my brother, and he is also a criminal, and I cannot see a way that allows him the freedom he once had."

"Then perhaps instead of the freedom he once had, look for a new kind of freedom?" Doreen suggested. "Or something that's new but would allow him to still enjoy his life?"

"You sound as if you have such a thing already in mind," Thor said, looking at her.

Doreen shrugged, suddenly uncomfortable. "Well, there is quite a lot to see here," she offered slowly. "I could see about giving him access to some information. Harmless things, of course, like the movies you all watch, or pictures of this world. Maybe challenging him to learn about Earth instead of just trying to, erm, conquer it will strike his curiosity?" She hesitated a moment longer before going on, "And I wouldn't mind talking to him either."

Thor was quiet for a moment.

"The idea is not without merit," he admitted finally. "But Loki can do things even with the simplest knowledge that would astound lesser scholars. I hesitate to give him too much."

"Well we can try just showing him pictures of other places," Doreen offered. "That should be harmless enough."

"Perhaps," Thor ventured finally. He was still torn, but he didn't want his brother to be too isolated.

Doreen nodded and decided not to push anymore for now. That wouldn't do any good anyway.

"My apologies for burdening you with my troubles," Thor said after a little while, getting up. "And my thanks for listening."

"You weren't a burden at all," Doreen assured him. "And I'm glad to be able to help you."

"As I said, my thanks for lending an ear," Thor said. "It was much appreciated."

"Anytime," Doreen told him with a little smile.

Thor managed a small smile back, and then wandered off. He was still in something of a melancholy mood, and he was rather hoping Steve was in the gym. Perhaps he could get the captain to spar with him for a bit.

A few months later, the girls had really settled in, had continued their PR work and their research, and life was good.

Up until Ragnarok, anyway.

Laurel didn't think much of it, until she started getting notes on the blog a few days before.

"We've got people asking us about the end of the world," she commented to Doreen. "That is this year, isn't it?"