I own nothing of the Marvel world and am just writing for some fun. Please read and review.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air as the gurgling sound of the finishing drops of coffee filled the pot. Shortly after the sound of footsteps replaced the final hissing sounds of the coffee maker.

"Jane, this is the last pot unless you get some more coffee." Darcy said as she poured two cups of coffee pouring in the right amounts of cream and sugar. She brought back a cup for Jane who was currently in the middle of writing some notes from the information she found.

Shortly after the attack on New York she was contacted by SHEILD requesting that she be relocated to ensure that she would be safe. Jane of course was furious when her things were relocated and her funding taken away unless she agreed to the terms. She flat out refused much to the indignation of Darcy who received a paycheck for the first time from the grant money.

"Yeah, I'll pick some up later this afternoon." Jane looked at her notes and became confused. "That's not right." The equations didn't make any sense to her.

"I'll go out now unless you need me for something."

"Go ahead, I'll probably be too focused on this to remember anyway." Jane was very grateful for Darcy and felt so guilty for leaving SHEILD and the grant money behind. But she was still too angry with not only SHEILD but with Thor who hadn't contacted her. She was grateful for her being protected but it hurt that she wasn't contacted.

Her feelings for Thor were complicated and it hurt to think that she was not significant in his life in some way. But then Jane remembered that Thor was not only a demi-God but a prince as well. She simply was not important enough in the larger scheme of things for her to matter. She pushed down feelings of self-pity and went into her research.

Part of her wanted to be part of SHEILD but only for the opportunity to speak with Thor. Last she heard he returned to Asguard to return the Tesseract and Loki's staff. She was sent a message that his brother Loki may try to harm her. It's been a while since New York and she has yet to be approached by anyone matching his description.

Darcy put her in touch with someone she met while researching in the university library. Jane was skeptical but decided to try dating if only for a distraction. The world had changed around her and everyone had this odd sense of uncertainty mixed with enthusiasm. Aaron wasn't what she was looking for and even insulted him the first time she met him. He took it all with a sense of humor.

'Well I am playing second fiddle to a demi-god that helped save the world. I can understand why a cup of coffee would seem dull compared to that. But hey it's a free cup of coffee. I can at least offer you that.'

She smiled at him then and said yes. One cup of coffee led to many after that and a dinner or two, even a few movies. It was then that she remembered that she was supposed to meet him this afternoon, in ten minutes.

"Crap!" Jane jumped up and tried to find her cell phone. Just like her to find that it ran out of power to make a call. Why can't these things just stay charged?

There was a knock on the door and she sighed wondering who would be here at this time of day. Not even sales people were here at this time of day. Jane opened the door and found Aaron standing there holding a pizza and some flowers.

"Darcy warned me about scheduling anything with you during the early afternoons. I came prepared."

Jane laughed and let him in. Her stomach growled and the pizza was a very happy food for her.

"I am so sorry. I just realized and I was going to call but…"

"Your phone died." He finished her sentence.

"Yeah, I am a horrible girlfriend." The last word slipped out before she could stop herself.

He looked at her stunned and even blushed a little. "You think of yourself as my girlfriend? Best compliment I had in a very long time."

Jane had to admit that Aaron was a wonderful guy who seemed to read her better than Darcy. "Yeah, that is if you don't mind being a boyfriend to research obsessed woman who can't remember her own schedule."

He took a long playful moment to mock think. "I can deal with that. As long as you don't mind having a marketing advisor for one of the fastest growing companies in America as a boyfriend."

It took her a moment and then she realized what he was saying. "You got the job!" She reached up and hugged him. "When do you start?" It was great news as it would mean that he would be living in the same city.

"I start next week and as a bonus they are throwing in a condo. I am sure I can arrange for you to do some research on the roof." He kissed her and she laughed in his mouth.

"I'm not that bad."

"Yes, you are but that's what I love about you." He looked into her eyes and then it became serious for a moment.

Both of them paused then kissed each other passionately. Jane needed this, someone who understood her and even enjoyed the silly ways she did things. Aaron was the perfect fit for her and she was falling in love with him.

Just as Jane was beginning to undo Aaron's top the sky grew dark and thunder filled the sky. Her instruments went crazy and that could only mean one thing. Thor.

"Now, why now of all the times?" Jane kissed Aaron one more time before slowly detangling herself from him.

"It's him isn't it?" Aaron heard the stories about him to know when Thor made and entrance.

Jane only nodded her stomach now riddled with knots. Her mind wasn't ready for this now, not after she was ready to move on. Her research even dipped into different areas leaning toward renewable energy scources that Tony Stark was intent on developing.

"I suppose I should go out and say hello."

Aaron knew that Jane was hurt and still confused by her dealings with Thor but he wasn't going to tell her what to do. He wasn't threatened. Jane already made her choice.

"What me to go with you?"

"No I'll be fine." Jane sighed and took the keys to her new truck and made her way out to meet Thor only to realize he landed only half a mile from her home.

Thor was halfway to her before she got to the truck.

"Jane."

He went up to her and hugged her with a large smile on her face. Jane hugged him but it was half-hearted and he sensed it.

Slap!

"You couldn't even contact me when you were here?"

He knew she was upset and deservedly so. "I understand why you are upset but it was for your own safety. My brother made a threat on your life. I know him too well to know that he won't make an attempt on it."

Jane's heart was breaking and knew that things were well beyond her control. "I know but it still hurt to hear nothing from you in all that time, nothing Thor."

"But I am here now."

"So is someone else." Jane said without thought to how Thor felt. Guilt filled her realizing she truly hurt him.

Thor looked at Jane's home and saw a man standing in front of the door. He wasn't as built as himself and had dark brown hair. From the car he saw Thor knew he was of some status in this world, possibly of a status that was growing. It was selfish of him to think that she would wait for him.

"I see."

Jane started to tear up hating the conflicting emotions she was dealing with.

"Jane, don't. The fault lies with me and me alone. Time is not the same for me where a few years is nothing. It is a precious thing for you and I didn't honor that." Thor lost her and knew that her heart was with another. "I am sorry."

"I know you didn't leave me on purpose but…look you came here for a reason what is going on?" Jane desperately wanted to change the subject as soon as possible.

Thor seemed thankful for the change as well. "I came to tell you that my brother has been spotted but has not been caught. He's planning something and I came here to ask that you go with SHEILD for your own protection. You may now love another but that does not free me in my oath to protect you from Loki."

"I can't just pick up and go just because your brother might show up and harm me. After New York I am sure I am low on his list of priorities."

"Please Jane it is very important that you not stay here. You don't know him like I do. I was sent here by my father to collect Loki and bring him home. He has done too much to simply be let go." Thor knew that SHEILD would be here soon enough to speak with Jane. "SHEILD will be here soon. I don't like their tactics that is why I want to tell you before so you can make preparations."

Jane turned back to find Aaron starting at them. "Aaron, the man you see. He has a place in the city. I'll be safe there if that makes you feel any better."

Thor looked at the man again and this time Aaron was walking toward them. He held a confident walk and a slight smile.

"So this is the man that helped save Earth from his brother." Aaron held out a hand. "I want to say thank you personally while I have the chance. My name is Aaron Locke."

Thor took the man's hand and shook it making sure not to squeeze too hard. Midgardian's were a fragile people.

"It was my honor and duty as a guardian of the seven realms. Jane's life is in danger. That is why I am here. Jane can't stay here as my brother is planning something and I want Jane safe."

Jane jumped in. "Aaron I was going to ask if I could stay at your apartment in the city for a short while. You can say no if you want. It's your place but it will put a lot of people at ease and SHEILD off my back."

Aaron didn't hesitate. "I was going to ask you to move in with me so I guess that works out well doesn't it?"

Thor gave Aaron one last hard look. "What is your title?"

"Ah yes my job. I'm now one of the top marketing executives for one of the fastest telecommunications businesses in the country. If you want things to be said in terms of status, let's just say I can more than provide and protect Jane." Aaron didn't even flinch.

Thor wasn't fully convinced. "I will look into that. I am honor bound to protect her."

"I would expect nothing else." Aaron took out a card. "I am sure your friends at SHEILD can take a look at this and offer you up every detail you need to know about me."

Thor took the paper and looked at it not sure the full meaning of the words on it. It was at times like this that he wished he had his brother's talent for languages and communication. Frigga did her best with him but he was always more interested in fighting techniques and weapons than to spend the time required on books.

Thor brought his attention to Jane. "I'll contact you again soon. Please be careful, these are perilous times." Moments later he stood back and used his hammer to fly into the air.

"Ok, that was cool." Aaron commented shaking the dust off his clothes.

…..