Bad dream

Part 1. Be careful

Erik was writing a formula on the desk in his office. He was totally merged in his work without noticing anything around him.

'We need to solve a couple of equations, and then we'll come closer to singularity description, Jane. You'll see! We're on the right way…'

His pupil was quiet and just continued to sit at the table. She seemed to be nervous.

'What's up, Jane? Have I made a mistake?' he asked paying attention to the noise. Without glancing at her, Erik started to verify the formula.

'Oh, no. Everything's just fine. Actually…'

Their glances met. Jane looked… guilty. Erik felt anxious.

Jane made a deep breath. There was no sense to hide anything.

'Well, I know it's a very important moment and I promised to stay with you today', she smiled. It was too hard for her to keep her place, so Jane got up. 'But I need to go out because of one serious business…'

'What happened?'

'… We have heard about meteoritic rain not far away from here and…'

The next moment Thor entered the room. He was completely ready for a picnic taking a rucksack on his shoulders. The rucksack was choked up with different stuff and was almost ready to come apart at the seams, but still seemed to be too tiny for Thunder God.

'Are you coming, Jane?'

She took a sign and scowled.

'I didn't have time to tell him yet…'

'Have you told him we are leaving?' asked he at the same time.

Erik laughed.

'You both even speak at the same time. I like it! It's a good sign. Go away, have some fun', he answered to Jane and Thor. 'Let's go to watch a meteoric rain…or whatever you call it'.

He expected Jane to leave the room when felt her arm on his shoulder.

'Are you angry with me?'

She really cared about him and tried to be serious. Anyway, Erik saw her eyes: they were shining.

' Let's go. Don't worry. You're all right, aren't you?' he recollected suddenly and asked his question. Then Erik realized he could have asked it earlier. An Hour ago. In the morning. At the time when Thor came back from Asgard…

Jane didn't notice anything and was really happy to hear such kind of question.

'Yes, of course. We spend a lot of time together and even learn something new everyday', she admitted. 'We even started a new cooking course! We're going to make a duck with oranges. Can you imagine that?'

Imagine Thunder God standing at the kitchen? Why not.

Thor lost his patience somewhere near the front door.

'Jane, I'm waiting! For Odin's sake…'

'I should go', constrained she. Jane went to the door. 'Have a good time!'

'You too!'

Despite this Jane came back and appeared on the threshold again. She seemed to be worried now.

'If you feel sick or anything bad happens, just phone us, and…'

'I'll be fine'.

She was taken aback catching his glance.

'Take care of yourself, right?'

'Just go', he waved for goodbye.

Their care was too onerous sometimes. Coming back to his calculations, Erik felt better. The work in silence carried him away. When he couldn't stay at the board anymore, Erik continued to write formulas in the notebook. He derived some new equations forgetting about any time. It was midnight, but doctor Selvig still worked in a house which became so empty without Jane, Thor, Darcy and Ian.

At some point he felt tiredness. Erik leaned back in his chair rubbing his temples.

'A bit more time and I can come closer to singularity… Just another try…' he thought.

'An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening. Take a rest, Erik. You can't find a solution now'.

He turned left and was terrified. The half of the room vanished turning into a huge room. It seemed endless like a numerous mirror reflections.

He recognized this voice. He couldn't be wrong. Or could?

Loki stood not far away from him smiling like an old friend. Erik felt quiver. He wanted to close his eyes and hide from Loki's invasion to his mind.

'It's impossible', he murmured trying to stay cold.

'I missed you too, Erik', answered Loki coming closer to him.

Erik realized Loki was standing in a huge hall which shined with gold.