It was nearing dawn when Sigyn awoke. She opened her eyes slowly, relishing the last remains of her dream. Her husband had returned and all had been well. All had been very, very, well again. A pity it was a dream.

She curled and stretched, awakening her body.

"Your habits have changed little over the years."

She rolled onto her side and found herself nose to nose with her husband, in her bed and unrobed. She yanked the blankets over herself. "You dare enter my room."

"If they perceive you as the goddess of fidelity, should you not welcome me back in to your bed?" He played with a strand of her hair, wrapping it around his fingers and kissing it. The golden hairs slipped free and he ran his fingers up her bare arm. He traced her collarbone before his fingers danced along her throat.

"It has been a long time. There is much to relearn."

He snorted. "From the cues your body gave, I doubt it needs much relearning." He leaned against the pillows of the bed, his muscles rippling with the small movement. The sheet was pulled taught across his body. "I have been patient. I waited until you had awoken to present myself physically."

She sat up, the sheet still clutched to her bosom. "You—you entered my dreams last night? How could you?"

He rose to meet her, to look deep into her eyes. "I needed to know. Time may have registered differently for me, yet I have missed you! All of me has missed you, both body and soul. You are my other half." He took her hand and kissed it. "I beg your forgiveness for what I have done and I will pay a thousand times more. But for now, I beg you, let us take advantage of what we have. For the days will only grow darker before they grow lighter again."

She let him stroke her face before he cradled her head in his arm and kissed her, gently at first, teasing both parties, before allowing the hunger of the last millennia to break free. Her hair, as long and bright as their memories, flowed about them as they sated their hunger until the flowers outside began to brighten from the effects of their actions.

The sun grew hazy and hot, drying the remaining mud puddles. It is still said now that the last flowers before autumn will stir within one the greatest passion for one's soul mate. And only one's soul mate can quench the fire, a blessing and a curse from the returned Æsir.

When at last they lay together, Loki turned to the wife of his youth. He traced her features with his finger, the light sparkling from the stone on his finger. "You are exactly as I remember. The years have been kind to your face."

"One of the English poets wrote something similar: 'God in His mercy grant her grace for she has a pretty face'. I took the compliment and the gift and left before the poet could further his attentions."

He sighed and pulled her close again until their noses touched. "I never forgot you. The years in Asgard without you were crueler than any of the time forced under the torment of the serpent."

"I forgot how golden your tongue truly was," she said, throwing him and the blankets off and rising. Her golden tresses surrounded her like a cloak as she pulled clothing from her wardrobe.

He rose up on one arm. "What are you doing?"

"Preparing for work, naturally." She threw a green silk blouse on to the bed. "Or what has become natural for me."

"You still wear our colours," he observed, his mouth slipping into a smile. The fact pleased him more than it logically should have.

Sigyn looked over the varying shades of gold and green filling her wardrobe. Black was in abundance and she selected a black skirt. "Few other colours feel right. Some habits refuse to die."

She closed the wardrobe door and dressed.

"I fear I find this more arousing than watching you undress," he said, sitting up, the sheet still across his middle.

"Then it must truly have been too long since you enjoyed the company of a woman. Or a man, depending on your form." She sneezed while attempting to clasp the lacy bra.

Loki leapt to attention.

Sigyn ignored his renewed interest and slipped into her shirt. She pulled on a pair of high, black boots and pinned her hair up before leaving.

"Sigyn!"

She poked her head back in the door. "You summoned, my lord and master?"

His face flushed. "You would just leave?"

"My apologies, husband. Some habits died long ago."

She kissed him on the cheek before turning. Loki shivered at the frost which fell across the room in her absence.

Sigyn dismissed her final class for the day. Outside, it was dark and the rain poured forth again. Thunderstorms were predicted and, shouldering her bag, she wondered if tonight would bring back Thor and the Æsir to reclaim their rightful positions.

But that was merely wishful thinking. In the hallways, she passed the students and other faculty members who were still in at such a late hour. She was recognized as The Expert in her field, a fact which many of her colleagues both respected and resented. One of her graduate students asked for an appointment the next day, which she marked down before bidding him good evening and walking to her office.

Inside the sanctum of those four walls, with the lights turned off, she threw herself into her chair and sighed. Unbidden, an illusion built up around her, a winter glade where Loki had chased her for three years and a half in their courtship. She smashed the illusion, condemning it to the deepest recesses of her mind, and watched the rain beating against her window. Lightning lit up her dark office for a moment and the thunder followed so immediately that she jumped, rattling her mug on the desk.

There was a knock at the door. An unfamiliar voice called, "Professor? Professor Sarah Thorson, are you in there?"

She opened the door, remembering to flick on the light. An unfamiliar man and woman, both of whom she towered over, stood outside. He held up a badge. "Agent Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D., ma'am. This is Dr. Jane Foster. I was wondering if we could talk."

"I already told your people, I am not interested in working with you. I am fully committed throughout the next two years and have no time for government tricks."

She tried to close the door, but Coulson stopped it. "It's not about that, Professor. It's just a routine questioning."

She folded her arms in front of her. "I have done nothing wrong."

"We know."

"Does this concern my son?"

"No, ma'am. It concerns you. May I step in?"

"I was just about to go home."

He smiled apologetically. "I'm afraid I have to insist. There's a fugitive in the area who I think you can help us with."

"I will do what I can," she said, propping the door open. "Please, sit."

They sat quickly on the seats provided for students, uncomfortable but serviceable. Agent Coulson quickly said, "Professor, I have a few confidential questions for you. You may wish to close your door."

She sat perfectly straight on the other side of her desk. "I doubt there is anything you can say that is that private."

"Professor, I just wanted to know if you have seen this man around."

He held up a picture of Loki and she raised an eyebrow. "Is there any reason I should?"

"We have reason to suspect he was in your neighborhood last night. We weren't able to get ahold of anyone at the house, so we looked you up. You have a son, right? How old is he? Could he have seen this man?"

A brilliant beam of lightning struck the building, knocking out the electricity. Sigyn's phone signaled a text message. Mother, come home, please. "I'm sorry, but I must hurry home. There has been an emergency."

She gathered up her bag and shooed the two outside. "I am a very quiet person, Agent Coulson. My son and I retire early. I wish you luck in pursuing your suspect."

"You seem anxious. Is there anything I can help with?"

She locked the door. "I doubt it."