Chapter 1
Jane watched with the others as Thor left with Loki, bound up and gagged.
Serves him right. Bastard, Jane thought to herself. She despised him. He deserved whatever punishment Odin decided for him. He destroyed an entire city, killing innocent people, and for what? No one knew. For all Jane cared, Loki could rot in hell. Her blood boiled as she saw the smug look in his eyes.
As soon as the two Asgardians left, Jane turned and walked toward the escort vehicle with a few other agents. Fury grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks.
"Thank you, Miss Foster. You were instrumental in his capture."
Jane nodded. "Of course. Glad to help. If there's anything else you might need, you know where to reach me," she replied. Fury nodded in thanks, and Jane got in the car. The SHIELD agent informed her that she would be taken directly to the airport and head back on the first flight back to New Mexico.
Thank god, she thought. I need to get back home.
oOoOo
Thor appeared in the BiFrost room, Loki in tow. Heimdall did not meet his gaze; he welcomed them with nothing but a distant look in his eye.
"Welcome home. Your father awaits you in the throne room."
Thor nodded and led Loki out of the Bifrost room. Strangely enough, Loki did not struggle against his bonds. Thor said nothing to his brother; there was nothing he could say.
As soon as they had reached the throne room, a palace guard announced their arrival. Odin turned around from where he stood, and Frigga moved quickly to embrace them. She wrapped her arms around Thor first, planting a light kiss on his cheek.
"Welcome home, Thor." Frigga then moved to Loki and placed her gentle hands on the gag. It fell away, and Loki stretched his jaw. His expression remained stoic, and Frigga gave him a sympathetic look.
"I welcome you home as well, my son." She reached out to touch his cheek, but he flinched away from her touch, causing her hand to retract. Loki met her gaze, and noticed a brief flash of hurt in her eyes. She turned away and joined the Allfather once again.
Odin stepped forward and spoke. "Loki Odinson, your crimes against Asgard and Midgard cannot and will not go unanswered. The devastation you have attempted to cause Jotunheim and the destruction you have instigated upon Midgard have been reviewed by the war council.
"As it stands, the members of the council have left me with the task of deciding your fate, your punishment. What is needed most is an offering of peace," Odin continued vaguely. Loki met the Allfather's gaze, steeling his resolve.
"I assume you have something in mind," Loki replied neutrally. He knew, in the back of his mind, that that Allfather was highly unpredictable; trying to predict what he would do or say always proved to be a waste of time and energy.
The Allfather raised his hands. "I strip you of your power, just as your brother had been stripped of his. You too will be forced to find your way without the power that comes naturally to you until you prove to me that you are worthy enough to wield it once more."
Loki snarled. "What a splendid punishment, Allfather," he said, voice dripping with sarcasm. "I was never worthy enough in your eyes, and I never will be. I suppose I shall live without the magic you always seemed to encourage."
Odin did not respond, but only continued. "As for the remaining punishment, you will know in a few days time. Until then, you are to be placed under strict watch. It would serve you well to avoid causing any trouble, my son."
"I am not your son!" Loki spat. The Allfather's expression remained neutral at Loki's outburst, but the look in his eye conveyed something differently. His gaze glistened with tears, and he turned away.
Thor clenched his jaw and grabbed his brother by his arm, nearly dragging him out of the throne room. When they were out of earshot, he turned on Loki and met him nose to nose.
"Why would you say such a thing?"
"Because it is true, brother. Is that not what both you and father have always tried to encourage? The truth?"
"Why do you mock the love we have for you? Have you any idea what your disappearance had done to us?"
"Sentiment is useless. There is no place for it where it will not be heeded."
"Father mourned the most. You are his son; that will never change. You will always be a part of this family, no matter how many times you deny it." Loki tore his eyes away from Thor's.
"Do we mean nothing to you?" Thor whispered, his tone a little less sure than before. Loki met his brother's gaze once again; his eyes searched, but he was not sure what it was he searched for.
"I should ask you all the same."
Loki broke free from Thor's grasp and began to walk away.
"Where are you going?"
Loki turned and replied in a mildly broken voice.
"Where you will always find me when you become afraid of the night."
oOoOo
Thor walked back into the throne room, joining his mother and father once more. Frigga moved away from the Allfather; it was clear she had just been consoling him.
"Father, what do you propose we do?"
"I do not see it as a wise decision to keep him here; he does not want to be here."
"But where would he be otherwise? This is his home." Thor drew his eyebrows together in confusion.
"There is still hope for your brother, Thor. There always has been," Odin remarked soberly.
"What hope is there now?"
"I have entertained an idea for some time; a strange idea, but an idea nonetheless." Odin sighed. "If he is kept under constant watch here, he will not change. His resentment will only grow for us. However, if Loki was exposed, similarly to you, to an outside force, there is possibility for change. A strong possibility."
"What are you saying? That we send him back to Midgard?" Odin nodded, and Thor stepped back in confusion.
"I do not understand. How would being sent back to Midgard help him? He was only just brought home!"
"Do you not know the best how time spent in the company of strangers can change you for the better?" Odin asked. Thor remained silent, aware that the Allfather spoke only truth.
"What do you plan to do?"
"Send him to Midgard, as I did with you. Only instead of loosing him upon the mortals, I will place him under the watchful eye of Jane Foster."
Thor nearly choked. "What?"
Odin nodded. "Who better to facilitate change than Lady Jane Foster?"
"I would no sooner force that upon her than send my own brother to Midgard alone to face a hostile world."
"Why not? I have come to the understanding that you no longer seek her affections, and she no longer seeks yours. Is there another conflict you speak of?"
"He nearly killed her! Had I not been there to shield her, Jane would have died beneath the rubble of a fallen building. At his hands," Thor explained heatedly.
"Yes, but he would learn humility. He would not have his power until he earned it. Jane will have nothing to fear."
"How do you know she will agree to this?" Thor grasped at straws.
"I do not. I can only hope that she would agree. For everyone's sake."
oOoOo
"Absolutely not! Are you crazy?" Jane asked incredulously. Director Fury stood patiently in front of her, Thor only a few steps behind.
"Miss Foster, there is clearly an opportunity here for achieving a better understanding of Loki." Fury sighed. "You did mention that if we needed anything else, we should call you."
"Yeah, but when I meant 'anything else', I was talking about research, not this!" Jane shook her head. "I won't do it."
Thor stepped forward. "Jane, might I speak with you a moment? Alone?"
Director Fury took this as a sign to leave, and he walked out of the room. Thor stepped closer to Jane, giving her an apologetic look.
"I know I have no right to ask this of you, but I beg you to consider it."
"I refuse to be a glorified babysitter. Who's idea was this?"
"My father's," Thor explained.
"No. He could have killed me. Several times I might add. If you hadn't been there that last time, I wouldn't be standing here in front of you now." Jane crossed her arms. "What makes your father think that I would be the person for this anyway? It makes no sense. We both hate each other; that much is clear. There is nothing that we have in common with one another, and nothing about him that would remotely interest me."
Thor inhaled deeply, trying to pull his thoughts together. "The Allfather believes that you would be best suited for this task because of the change you instilled in me those many months ago. He sincerely believes that you have the heart to take him on, and he earnestly hopes that you will do the same for him as you did for me." He sighed as Jane waited for him to continue. "Loki will not fare well on Asgard for very long; he resents my mother and father; most of all, me. Being imprisoned in his own home would drive him mad—"
"Well, then let it. I don't want to be anywhere near him; he's a threat."
"He would not be a threat. My father has stripped him of his abilities, so he would be as much of a threat as I was when I was banished here." Jane raised an eyebrow.
"Do you not remember the havoc you wreaked at the hospital? Or at the SHIELD base?"
"Well, he would be less of a threat than that. Loki was never a physical person; he preferred intellectual pursuits."
Jane remained silent, unconvinced.
"Jane, if you will not do this for my father, please consider it for a friend. For me. It is much to ask of you, but I know you can do it. I know you can help him as you helped me." He took her hands in his own and gently squeezed them. "Please consider it?"
Jane thought for a few moments. Well, what's the worst that could happen? She inhaled sharply before answering him.
"I'll do it, but only because you asked me to. Promise me one thing though."
"Anything that I can, Jane."
She jabbed a finger at his chest. "You're taking me to see Asgard when this is all over, okay? Remember that."
Thor grinned and kissed her knuckles. "I will."
oOoOo
A week later
Jane turned around, cell phone pressed to her ear.
"I don't know, Darcy; I haven't seen him yet." She rolled her eyes at Darcy's constant questions and heated opinions.
"Look, Darcy, no one has told me very much yet. Even Fury doesn't seem to know exactly what's going on. All I know is that Thor really thinks I can change Loki just like I changed him."
Her friend's voice crackled over the speaker as Jane pressed the speakerphone button; Jane carried the phone into the kitchen of her new and temporary apartment given to her by SHIELD and began looking for any tea or coffee she could make.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah, I know. I don't really know what made him think that. I know he'll be here tomorrow morning though; Thor's bringing him by." Jane sighed. "I don't know how this is going to work."
"Are you scared?"
"Of course I am; he's tried to kill me more than once and completely resents me. But you know what? I won't let that get to me. This is just another stupid SHIELD assignment as far as I'm concerned. Maybe this way we won't have to worry about him anymore."
"But what about his magic powers? Doesn't he still have those?"
"No. Thor told me that Odin stripped him of everything, so he's pretty harmless."
"Yeah, well, be careful. I don't trust him at all. You shouldn't either."
"Don't worry. I don't trust him." Jane yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. Picking up the phone, she shut off speaker and pressed it to her ear. "Listen, I'm gonna get going. Tomorrow's going to be a long day and I still have to go and talk with Fury about a few things. I'll call you when I can, okay?"
"Sounds good. See ya, Jane."
"Later, Darcy." Jane pressed the end button and stuffed her phone back in her pocket. She looked out the window and sighed; she missed the stars already. She had only been in the city for a day and she already missed home.
A few minutes later, Jane walked out of her temporary apartment with a steaming mug of coffee as she went in search of Fury. After all, her new apartment was only a few floors above SHIELD headquarters. In a matter of minutes, Jane was stepping out of the elevator and heading down the expansive hallway toward Fury's office.
At the door, Jane raised her hand and knocked loudly.
"Come in," came Fury's booming voice.
"Hi Director Fury," Jane greeted as she entered. He turned to face her. He looked exhausted.
"Good evening, Miss Foster. What can I do for you?"
"I just had a few questions, you know, about tomorrow."
"Go ahead."
"Well," she began, "is it just going to be me that sees him? Or other people as well?"
"As far as I know, just you and Thor. Thor and I talked about this earlier and thought it best to allow some time with you at first."
"Does that mean that I'll be the only one working with him, or whatever it is I'm supposed to be doing?"
"For the foreseeable future, yes," Fury answered patiently. Jane bit her lip.
"Okay. So, where is he going to be staying?"
Fury smiled at this. "Miss Foster, you haven't figured it out?"
"Figured what out? I just want to know if I'm going to be relocated anytime soon," Jane said, raising the mug to her lips and taking a large gulp.
"Miss Foster, since Loki will be in your care, he will be staying with you."
Jane choked on her coffee. "Excuse me? What did you just say?"
"You heard me, Jane."
"Nick. Please tell me you're joking."
Fury shook his head. "Wish I was, but seeing as you're in charge of rehabilitation and study, the best way is to room the both of you. Didn't you wonder why we gave you such a large apartment?"
"You can't be serious! Why is it necessary to share the same space with him? Do I need to remind you who I'm dealing with?"
"I understand your concern, but if he's under your constant watch, then there is a better chance for rehabilitation." Jane shot him a look that could have burned a hole in the wall behind him. He held his hands up.
"Look, Miss Foster, Thor suggested it. He felt that it would be best if he became better acquainted with you." He sighed. "Give it a few weeks. If after two weeks it becomes too much, come and find me and we can talk then." Jane glared at him.
"Oh, and one more thing, Miss Foster."
"What?"
"Not a word of this to any of the team." Jane knew he meant the Avengers. "Deal?"
Jane huffed. "Deal." She stood up and walked out of his office without another word.
oOoOo
Jane slammed the door to her apartment. How could I have been so stupid? Of course they would put Loki close to me. She sighed in frustration. No wonder this apartment's so huge. There's a spare bedroom and bathroom.
Setting the mug down on the island in the kitchen, Jane made her way to her room. The floor was scattered with her belongings; she had spent all day unpacking and reorganizing, preparing for her prolonged stay in New York. She stripped out of her day clothes and into a tee; it was way too warm for pajama bottoms. It wasn't too soon after that Jane flopped down on her bed and began to drift to sleep.
Tomorrow's going to be a long day.
oOoOo
Jane awoke with a start to a strange noise. She lifted her head and winced; she had fallen asleep on her neck wrong and the pain jabbed at her sharply. The noise came again, and Jane finally decided it was the sound of someone pounding on her door at an ungodly hour of the morning.
Opening her eyes, she noticed it was still very much dark outside. Rather, as dark as New York City could get. Rolling over onto her side, she checked the time: 3:41 AM. She groaned and swung her legs over the side of the bed, grabbing her robe from off the floor. Jane padded out of her room, lazily tying her belt. The pounding continued.
"I'm coming!" Jane snapped. She reached the door and unlocked it. Her eyes widened: before her stood Thor, Fury, and him.
Loki.
oOoOo
The door opened. Finally, Loki thought. He was irritated that it had taken this long. What he saw next nearly made him step back.
Jane Foster.
He took her in slowly; she wore a light robe, tied sloppily at the waist. She tried to pull it closer around her when she realized who had summoned her. Jane ran a hand through her chestnut hair. She had the look of sleep about her; from the way she was dressed, he knew she had been rudely awakened. The thought made him smile.
"Uh, come in," Jane said tiredly, stepping back so the three of them could step forward. Fury entered first, followed by Loki and Thor. Loki still wore shackles around his wrists.
Jane flipped a light on, illuminating the entire apartment. Loki studied his surroundings; to the right was an open kitchen area, and to the left was a living space with a hallway that led somewhere else within the space.
His gaze returned to Jane. She rubbed her eyes with the heel of her palms and sighed. So far, she had completely ignored Loki.
"Fury, I thought this was going to happen tomorrow? Not in the middle of the night?"
Thor stepped in before the man called Fury spoke.
"Forgive the intrusion. It was my fault, Jane. I did not account for Midgardian time."
She nodded. "It's okay." Loki's gaze followed her as she walked to the kitchen and took a glass down from a cabinet and filled it with water. "Can I get you guys anything?" Both Thor and Fury shook their heads. Jane's gaze landed on Loki; it was gentler than he would have expected.
"What about you? Water? Tea?" she asked, not unkindly.
"Nothing, thank you."
Jane shrugged and filled the glass from the sink. She took a drink and set it down on the counter. She looked over at Loki once again, eyes falling to the shackles. Something in her seemed to stir because her facial expression became softer.
"He doesn't need those now. He's here," Jane reasoned. Thor stepped forward and freed Loki's wrists.
Loki rubbed his wrists and met Jane's gaze; he did not hold it for long, for her brown eyes shifted from him to Fury.
"I guess I'll take it from here. See you in the morning?"
Fury and Thor nodded, taking their cue to leave. Jane walked them toward the door, but grabbed Thor's wrist before he could leave. She spoke something to him in hushed tones, to which he nodded in reply. Jane gave him a quick smile before shutting the door. She turned to face him.
"Well, I guess this is home? There's the kitchen, the living room," she explained, gesturing to each as she introduced them, "and back through that hallway are the bedrooms. There are two bathrooms, so one for each of us." Jane walked back through the kitchen and picked up her water glass, taking it with her as she continued the rest of the tour. Loki continued to watch her silently as she moved around the apartment.
"Come on, then. I'll show you where you'll be staying." She waved a hand at him, beckoning him to follow. He did so wordlessly.
The both of them reached the hallway and Jane veered off to the left, opening the first door she came to. She flipped a switch, and the room was immediately illuminated. Inside was a small bed along with a dresser and a nightstand. All in all, the room itself was very plain.
Jane muttered something to herself and walked past him back into the hallway. Loki stood in the doorway, watching where Jane went. She had opened a hall closet and seemed to be reaching for something. He stepped closer to investigate, and watched as she struggled to reach a set of bed linens. The image of Jane jumping up and down made Loki snort.
"You know, I could kick you out. I don't have to do this," Jane explained.
"Where would I go then, pray tell?" he asked coolly, crossing his arms over his chest.
"That's not exactly my problem, is it?" Jane quipped in return. She shot him a glance, and the laughter died in his throat. Despite her appearance, Jane's gaze made him shrink back.
With a sigh, Loki uncrossed his arms and walked behind her. Jane froze as he reached up to pull the bed sheets down from the shelf, his hand lightly resting on her waist. He stepped back and handed them to her, and she quickly took them from his grasp. Shutting the hall closet, Jane hurriedly walked back into the spare bedroom and began putting the linens on the bed. Loki leaned against the doorframe and watched Jane.
"So, is it safe to assume you didn't bring any clothes with you?"
"You would be correct."
Jane paused, but continued making the bed. "We'll have to remedy that. I'll see if I can get someone to pick up some things you can wear for the next few days until we can get this all sorted out."
She walked out into the hallway again and reopened the hall closet, quickly pulling out a comforter. Carrying it back down the hallway, Jane moved past Loki once again and spread the blanket over the sheets.
"Well, there you go. Anything else I can get you while I'm here?" Loki shook his head. "Okay. If you need anything, my room is through the door at the end of the hallway. Just knock." Jane stifled a yawn and made her way out of the room.
"Well, I'm going back to sleep. I guess we have a long day tomorrow. Goodnight," Jane said before walking out.
"Good evening, Lady Foster."
That was the last he saw of Jane for the next few hours.