Disclaimer: Not mine or Lokane would be legit. Also please excuse any spelling error, and please mention them if you're bothered by the imperfect English, thanks. c: Enjoy!

Their first official meeting had been a catalyst, kick-starting a chain of reactions that Loki had never even dreamed of. What started out as frequent exchanges of smiles and greetings, and the occasional sitting together during lunch, slowly led to meeting once or twice a week in the garden, where they talked or read in silence. They discussed a great variety of topics- philosophy, science, morality, politics- and rivaled each other in debate. Loki has never met a more fiery temper than this petite honeyed head, which made him even more in awe of her. Though as much as he yearns to always put a smile on Jane's face, he loved also to rile her up and see her agitated, determined look as she argued with him. Her eyes would be hardened and exasperated, she would frown as if reproaching a rebellious child, and her mouth would pout ever so slightly, her face flushed as she gestured animatedly with her hands. It all fondly reminded him of a squirrel who found out its nuts had been stolen, wild-eyed and red-cheeked. In other words, a pissed Jane was a cute Jane.

In the span of two months, he and Jane went from strangers to the closest of friends. But there was one topic they have not tread upon in an unspoken agreement, and that was their past. Loki because he didn't want to face her pity, and Jane because of the pain. It was a wedge between them, preventing an even deeper connection and relationship to form, to Loki's regret, but he won't force her, not when he can't return the favour.

They continued their routine, occasionally even going over to Jane's place to study and revise for upcoming examinations ("A hostel room isn't very comfortable for two people", Loki explained), and it wasn't until another five weeks that their cycle was broken.

Loki strode quickly through the corridors to the garden where Jane was already waiting. He was fifteen minutes late, held back by his physics professor, and though he knew Jane wouldn't mind, he didn't want to let any time he could spend with her be wasted. Stepping through the archway, he was about to call out to her, a broad grin on his face, when he realised she was staring into the distance again, book open on her lap. The grin slipped off, replaced by a concerned frown as he silently, carefully made his way to the bench. He felt his heart squeeze painfully when he caught sight of the pearl-like tears slipping off her eyelids, and he sat down beside her, pulling her close so that her head could lean on his shoulder.

"It's alright," He whispered, "Just let it out, however loud you need to."

As if she'd been waiting for his permission, Jane let out a howl so full of anguish that it pierced his very soul. Long, racking sobs seized her as she collapsed against him, and Loki let a lone tear escape him in empathy. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, lips lingering for a few seconds, then held her tight against him, rubbing her back soothingly.

After what felt like hours but was really only ten minutes later, Jane's softening cries finally subsided. With a deep breath, she pushed herself slowly off him, murmuring, "Thank you, and sorry I ruined your shirt."

"That's the least of my concerns Jane," Loki frowned, unsure as to how he should breach the subject of her emotional outburst. He didn't want to trigger another painful memory, but he was loathe to let Jane wallow in misery by herself.

"You want to know." Jane glanced up at him from the corner of her eye.

"I do." He nodded once, firmly, and kept his voice low, "But only if you're ready to share."

She sniffed, blinking rapidly, and for a moment he was worried she'd start tearing again, but she held herself together, and nodded.

She told him, in a hoarse voice, how she had a best friend who died three years ago, just before they were supposed to head for University, and he knew immediately that this was the Darcy he had previously heard.

He gave Jane his full attention as she relayed how a boy Darcy had fell head over heels in love with changed her promiscuous lifestyle, how she was so relieved and overjoyed at first, seeing her friend no longer jumping from guy to guy, that she completely missed the signs of an abusive man. Loki fought to hold himself back from crushing Jane against him when she whispered in a broken voice how that vile man had raped her closest friend when she grew sick of his increasing abuse and broke up with him. How it left her shattered and hollow, a mere shell of who she had been before. The spark was completely gone from her eyes, and she was withdrawn, speaking to no one, getting out of bed only when she needed to relieve herself. He wiped away the tears that fell again as Jane chokingly explained how she found Darcy with a bleeding wrist that afternoon when she made her daily visit, how she knew her best friend was gone when she saw her pale white face and felt her ice cold skin.

"It's all my fault," Jane turned away from him, burying her face in her hands, "If I'd noticed the signs earlier, I would've been able to stop her before things got too far. Or if I'd been there her when she broke up with him, I could've helped her fight him off. Or... or if I tried harder to talk to her-"

Loki, who had turned increasingly rigid with every word coming out of Jane's mouth, grabbed her hands and pulled her to his chest forcefully, cutting her off.

"Jane, how could you think that? How can it be anyone's fault but the rapist's?" His tone was harsh as he frantically tried to get Jane to believe him, "It's NOT your fault Jane. Darcy never blamed you, so stop blaming yourself because no one needs or wants you to. You hear me?"

Jane blinked away her tears, moved by the intensity of Loki's concern, and she wanted desperately to nod, to assure him that she understood, to get her burden off his chest because it was hers alone to bear. But she couldn't, not when it'd be a betrayal to his trust in her.

"It's hard to let go Loki, it'd take more than just a simple pep talk for me to forget the pain."

He tightened his grip on her for a second at her strained whisper, then relaxed, brushing his lips lightly against her hairline. Looking up, Jane was startled at the intensity of his gaze. His blue-green orbs were shining with an emotion stronger than mere care or concern, and she struggled to identify it, her instincts screaming at her that it was a significant information...

He trusts me.

No, no, it's something more than that. She knew he wouldn't display so much emotion to people he doesn't trust, but that's not quite the word...

Does he... does he love me?

Love. Was that it? Her head was starting to pound as the afternoon of emotional turmoil caught up to her, and she decided that she'd think about the implications another day. For now, she just wanted to relax. Though she felt marginally better after sharing her heartache, her soul was still heavy with grief. Sniffing, she offered Loki a watery smile.

"Thank you, I knew I needed to talk to someone about it, I just didn't want to burden anyone with my troubles."

"I'll always be here for you Jane," He softened his gaze, brushing back a lock of hair, "Anytime you need me."

"I know." She hesitated before adding, "You know I'll be here for you too, right?"

Loki stilled, his past flashing in his mind. He simply nodded his understanding, reluctant to see the pity in her eyes if he shared the dark times of his childhood. He knew it wasn't actually such a big deal, that there were plenty of people with similar pasts to himself, but it was his, and sometimes, it still hurt. Of course he overcame it, but the scars remained, and he'd die happy if they stayed where they were buried, in the deep recesses of his mind, for the rest his life. Yet Jane had demonstrated her trust in him by sharing with him her most painful memory, isn't it only right that he do the same? He knew he trusted her, but he'd been so used to isolation that sharing any kind of problem felt foreign and awkward. Pride, of course, was another factor, and he was not so ignorant that he would deny it's existence.

Mentally shaking off his thoughts, he offered his arm to Jane, breaking into a wide smile.

"You must be famished after this draining afternoon, let me treat you to my signature French Toast and scrambled eggs!"

Jane giggled at the sudden dramatic flair and heavy French accent, deciding to put aside the moment of turmoil she saw within his eyes, and gently placed her arm around his.

"I would love to try your cooking, Loki, thank you." With a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, she added, "Just don't poison me okay?"

"You dare insult my skills? I am a magnificent chef!" Loki's exaggerated gaping sent her into another bout of giggles, but it turned into a surprised gasp when he yanked her towards the exit, adding with a grin, "Let us proceed to your abode this instance, where I shall prove you wrong!"

/

And so the day ended with Jane asking for second helpings and Loki looking smug and amused as they settled for a rare activity, 'Friday Movie Night'. And what did they watch? Two episodes of Star Wars.

*Cue the non-stop comparison Loki makes between Padmé and Jane.*

Well... I'm sorry, I'm very sorry I took so long, forgive me. The chapter was actually completed like a month or two ago, but I didn't have time to post it because of the current bane of my existence called the O levels. Or rather the preparations for it (homework, unending past year papers etc.) that made me feel like I had no life outside of school and home. *sigh* Oh well, since it's the one week holiday I finally have the time to do this, but please do not expect a new chapter in the next 6 months because A) no time and B) no plot. xD Again, my apologies. I do hope you enjoyed this lil' chapter though! :)