A/N: I had a reviewer on "Restored" request a side story on Jane and Loki's cat and how it came into their lives. It wasn't something I'd really considered, but after I read that, I couldn't stop thinking about it. So – voila – here is the result! This is dedicated to the requesting reviewer known only as "Guest" – but you know who you are :)

I've also considered making this into a collection of short stories that show Jane and Loki dealing with all the funny situations that can come with owning a cat instead of just a one-shot. Because really, can you imagine Loki cleaning a litterbox? Review and let me know whether to keep it going or leave it as is.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I don't own anything having to do with Marvel Comics or any of its creations. I can only appreciate the characters they've given us to work with. I'll take credit for the cat, though.


Of The Feline Persuasion

Adoption

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea."


"We should get a pet."

Jane continued to innocently swipe the dust rag over the bookshelf as if she couldn't feel the way his eyes bored into her back.

She'd had a few animals growing up, but in all the years she'd lived on her own, she'd never really considered getting her own. Responsibility over anything greater than an artificial plant wasn't exactly her forte, not with the obligations she'd had to her research and then to S.H.I.E.L.D. In recent years, however, those obligations had lessened. There was still plenty of research to be done, but it didn't consume her life the way it used to.

Which was why now was the perfect time to get a pet.

"Why?" She didn't even need to turn around to know that he was probably looking at her skeptically with a raised eyebrow. It had become his signature way of responding to anything 'Midgardian-related' that he didn't fully understand.

"I don't know… they're good companions. Lots of people have pets; it's fun to have something else around."

"I think not."

Mildly indignant at the hasty dismissal, she spun to face him and crossed her arms. Absentmindedly, she noted that he was staring at her skeptically with a raised eyebrow just as she'd suspected. "Why?" She echoed his earlier question.

He methodically lowered the book he'd been reading, placed one of her old bookmarks between the pages, and set it aside. Then, in a perfect imitation of a therapist, he laced his fingers together and regarded her over the top of them. Jane would have been tempted to recommend the career if it wasn't for his title. Being the official God of Mischief didn't exactly inspire confidence in his ability to be professional.

"Why do you need something else in the house when there are already the two of us living here?"

"Well…" The problem was that there really wasn't a reason to get a pet other than the fact that she just wanted one.

He regarded her silently as she fumbled for a reason. "That is not an answer, Jane." She gave him a half-hearted scowl, but when she still failed to supply a purpose, he continued again. "A pet would require attention and nourishment on a regular basis. After the novelty of it wore off, it would only be one more thing to clean up after."

"I already clean up after you."

She had to physically restrain the laugh that bubbled up at his outraged expression. "Jane, that's absurd…"

"I'm joking!" And she was. Loki was the cleanest man that she'd ever known. The man didn't so much as hang a towel crooked; much less leave socks strewn throughout the house or dirty dishes in the sink. "But still, I don't understand why you're so against it."

"I never said I was against it."

"You don't have to; it's only slightly obvious." His neutral expression was beyond frustrating. "Didn't you ever any pets when you were young?"

She pictured Loki playing with a golden retriever, but it didn't really fit; a bright and bounding dog would've been more suited to Thor. A snake? Creepy crawly things freaked her out so she promptly tossed that idea. A hamster? But she couldn't really imagine Loki content with watching a rodent roll around in a plastic ball. Perhaps, a cat. Felines tended to be, for the most part, aloof and reserved which seemed to make more sense for him than anything else.

"Allowing animals to live indoors is not a common practice in the Realm Eternal."

Her vision of a young Loki playing with a kitten vanished in a puff of sullen smoke. "Well, then you were deprived as a child." That about summed it up in her mind because didn't all children have at least one pet growing up?

"I may have been many things as a child, but deprived was not one of them."

Jane decided to not even ask for any details, settling instead on one last plea. "You might enjoy it."

He stared at her blankly.

"You never know…"

Still nothing.

"Fine." Mentally, she was saying something more along the lines of 'whatever' in a teenage-esque huff. She was nothing if not determined, though. Give her some time, and Jane was positive she could wear him down. Until then, she was willing to let it drop. "I need to get some groceries. Do you feel like coming?"


Jane knew that Loki was no longer as impressed with the grocery store as the first time she'd taken him. However, even now after several visits, he still showed a small measure of appreciation at the collection of fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats around the outer aisle; although, his admiration was somewhat diminished by the disgusted face he made when reading the ingredients on the labels of products in the inner aisles.

Unlike Thor, he'd never taken to the idea of toaster pastries or pancakes.

In the end, though, it was a win-win for everything but her bank balance. When living by herself, it became really easy to fall back on frozen pizza and microwave meals; it was difficult to cook a well-rounded meal for one without eating leftovers for a whole week. Having Loki staying with her meant she could cook better meals, and his inclination for fresh fruits and vegetables meant healthier food all around.

With a basket full of groceries, they made their way back to her car. They had just finished loading everything into the backseat when she heard it – the unmistakable sound of a puppy barking. With at least a small part of her mind still focused on their discussion from earlier, she automatically turned to the sound to see a number of wire pens set up on the far end of the parking lot. Holding up her hand to block the glaring sun, she squinted to read the hand-painted sign.

PET ADOPTIONS: DISCOUNTED FEES AND FREE SPAY/NEUTER

"Oh my god." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Loki straighten and look first to her and then in the direction of her gaze.

"Jane…"

He issued the warning, but she was already walking towards the pens. With no other choice other than to remain at the car by himself, he was forced to follow. In the shade of the tents, she stopped to take in the plethora of dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. After a moment, she felt Loki come up beside her.

"It's meant to be."

What other explanation was there for a random adoption to be going on the day they ventured out to buy groceries after talking about getting a pet?

"It is coincidence."

"It's fate."

At her insistence, he turned to her with a slight frown. "I thought we agreed not to take in any creatures."

Ignoring him, she knelt down and wiggled a finger through the chicken wire, smiling at the puppy that ran forward to lick it. "We didn't agree to anything; I just relented for the time being. But now…"

Jane shuffled to the next pen to pet an exuberant border collie and then to the next to play with a long-haired dachshund. After plenty of barking and licking, she moved over to another set of pens that housed the cats. A large tabby and a smaller calico approached the front of the cage and alternated between sniffing at her fingers and allowing her to scratch under their chins.

She felt more than saw Loki follow to stand behind her.

"Did you plan this?"

She laughed at his suspicious tone; as if she had organized the entire situation as part of her master plan. Looking up from the grey and white kitten now cradled in her arms, she offered her most winning smile. "Nope. I told you – fate." But he only responded with another snort. "Come on…" Reaching into the pen, she picked up a fluffy black and white kitten and held it out to him. "How can you say no to this face?"

He pursed his lips. "I assume you are talking about the animal's face and not your own."

"I'll go with both, if it helps." Although his cocked eyebrow indicated that neither helped. "Seriously, just hold her."

And before he could say otherwise, she plopped the kitten into his hands which had come out reflexively. Satisfied, she sat on the ground to pull out a cat in one of the lower cages. Petting the elderly Siamese, she watched as Loki awkwardly lowered himself to sit across from her, the kitten still tranquilly curled in his cupped hands. Once on the ground, he crossed his legs and set the kitten onto his lap. No longer holding the animal, he rested his hands on his thighs, and they both watched her meander across his legs, occasionally stopping to rub against his curled fingers.

"That's adorable." Jane tried to hide her grin at the sight of the ancient god with a kitten in his lap. "She definitely likes you. Look at me, pet at me, love me…" When his eyes snapped to hers, she felt heat rush to her cheeks and clarified. "The cat, not me; that's what she's… um… saying. Don't get any ideas."

Smooth move, Jane.

Thankfully, her less-than-eloquent explanation was overlooked. Or he was just being nice by not embarrassing her further by calling attention to it. Either way was fine with her. Meanwhile, the kitten continued to move around his lap, rubbing her head into the bend of his knee only to move to his crossed ankles and knead before curling into a ball on his upper thigh.

"How is it that she happens to know the exact place to lay that will cause the most inconvenience or discomfort?" Loki regarded the kitten, head tilted comically. "It's like she's trained to annoy."

"No, it's like she's a cat. Lie on laps, knead, purr, sleep… it's what they do."

Another confused frown pulled at his brows. "If that's all they do, I hardly see the point in them." The kitten rose from her previous resting spot to place her front paws on his torso, stretching up towards his face.

"Cats are great. I really do think you'll like her if you just give her a chance." Not to mention she'd been spot on about him and felines; they really did seem to fit the mysterious god.

He stared at her and sighed deeply before looking down to the kitten once more. She was still looking up at Loki, paws lightly kneading his chest, and Jane watched as he gently rubbed one fingertip against the kitten's cheek, frown smoothing into an almost-smile at the sound of the rumbling purr that started up. Then, as if realizing what he was doing, he blinked and glanced at her suspiciously to which she dutifully pretended like she hadn't even noticed the affectionate gesture.

Face a blank slate once more, he carefully grabbed the kitten and held it out to her. "If you plan to continue insisting on getting a pet instead of abandoning the idea, I suppose this one will suffice."

She curled the purring ball of fluff into the crook of her arm. "Well don't sound too thrilled." Then, she flashed him a smirk – he couldn't fool her with his offhandedness – and stood, motioning to catch the attention of one of the workers.

Jane paid the adoption fee and silently sent a thank you to whoever was listening for the discounted costs. As it turned out, the kitten was too young to have been spayed yet and would need booster shots within the next month, so she jotted down the number for the local vet that already had the kitten's records with plans to call and make the necessary appointments. With paperwork completed, they made their way back to the car, Jane handing off the kitten to Loki once they were safely inside with the doors closed.

Without any restraints, the kitten crawled across Loki's lap and onto the console. Immediately, Jane placed her back into his lap. "Be careful to hold onto her on the way home. Sometimes, animals go kind of crazy in moving vehicles."

"Wonderful." His hands wrapped around the small form, holding her still. "And what crazy antics are typical for a cat?"

"Oh, nothing too bad. She'll probably just meow a lot and try to crawl over to the window or down to the floorboard. Just make sure she doesn't get away and everything will be fine." The last thing she needed was a tiny kitten wedging itself behind the gas or brake pedal.

The engine cranked and, after a few adjustments, she started to drive home. They now had a pet, almost like they were some sort of weird family; it was both crazy and exciting to think about. Jane knew from experience just how entertaining cats could be and couldn't wait to see how Loki would respond to the situations that would come up. How she managed to convince him to get a cat, she'd never know. But she wasn't complaining. The kitten, on the other hand, was complaining. Loudly.

"I was right… she is annoying."

Jane glanced over at the whining kitten struggling futilely against Loki's hands. "She'll stop eventually." Hopefully… Jane mentally crossed her fingers. "Just consider yourself lucky if she doesn't throw up on the way home."

"What?!"