(A/N) Whoot! Finally I was able to sit down and turn this chapter from my notebook into a digital chapter. :D I apologize for the lateness. I rewrote this chapter nearly four or five times before I got it the way I wanted it. At first, this chapter was going to be broke up into two parts, but I thoughts everyone would like to have an extra long chappie instead. Enjoy!

Location: Asgard

The bright glow of torches decorating the ornate walls did nothing to alleviate Thor's mood. The light itself flickered and danced across his stern features, as if to try and cheer the Thunderer from his depression. Alas, nothing in all the nine realms could cure him of his misery. Slowly, almost too slowly, the god turned away from the warmth of the torchlight and faced the open balcony overlooking his new kingdom. It was here, in his chambers that Thor took to his grieving. It had been weeks in Midgardian time since the fateful event that marked such suffering. The event itself played through Thor's mind again and again. Each and every detail became clearer and clearer as he tried to understand why. Why had Loki avoided his touch like the plague, why had he turned against his family and friends, and why by Odin, did he let go? The thought overwhelmed him. It was then, he slammed his fist into the ancient stone wall by his window and a volt of electricity surged violently through his body, making a light snapping and crackling sound as it danced wildly across his flesh. Luckily, his outburst of anger seemed to calm into a light simmer as he stared at the crumbling stone coating his hand. Thor hoped his anger would quell itself when he was to give audience to Heimdal and his search for Loki. He truly didn't want to anger the all-seeing God when so much was at stake.

"My Lord?" Came a casually monotone voice that Thor instantly recognized.

Thor glanced over his shoulder at the man he was expecting by the door of chambers and gave him a acknowledging nod.

"I have done as you have asked." Heimdal said, taking the cue to continue speaking from the greater god. "Although, the realms you have asked me to search are vast and hold large amounts of unknown magic, I have managed to clear at least three of them from our search. Sire, we can safely rule anyplace on Asgard, Helheim, and Jotenheim out of the search."

Thor gave a saddened nod at the information he was hearing from the dark skinned god.

"That only leaves us to search the realms of Rotara, Salow, Omeda, Kentaheim, Evaro, and Midgard."

The thunderers shoulders slumped when he heard Heimdal finish his report. He was searching for magic in the other realms, but something bothered Thor. Loki was surely prone use magic for nearly everything, but if he couldn't find his magic signature. Then-

"Do not worry so much, my Lord." Heimdal immediately said, breaking Thor's depressing thoughts. "Nothing escapes my sight."

Thor turned toward Heimdal and looked into his golden, swirling gaze. He had never questioned the power of the all-seeing eyes before, but he couldn't help himself.

"Perhaps a change in scenery would help you ease some of the stress of your predicament." The all-seer suggested, never breaking eye contact with the skeptical Thunderer.

Thor instantly took a step back from the lesser god and furrowed his brow in rage. Was his friend suggesting he just ignore the possible danger his dear brother could be in lieu of his duties. What a preposterous notion!

"Don't misunderstand me, Thor." Heimdal argued. "Bottling these feelings are not doing you any good. It is the same as Loki. The longer-"

"Silence!"

"You know not what you speak!" Thor roared, turning his wrath onto the smaller man in front of him. "You may see all with those eyes of yours, but you do not know all! What would you know of Loki?!"

The dark skinned god kept silent under Thor's tirade, his glowing, golden gaze staring steadily at the other man before deciding to answer him.

"What I know." He stated, unafraid of his Lord's wrath. "Is that I may understand Loki's actions until now."

Thor paced his chambers nervously, no longer able to stand his argument with the other god. He ran a large, battle scarred hand through his loose blonde hair to try to ease his frazzled nerves.

"If I may elaborate." Heimdal continued in a more relaxed tone. "After you, Loki, and the Warriors Three left to Jotenheim, something became apparent to your dear brother. Loki found that he was unharmed from the Jotun's touch. Becoming frightened and confused over this, he wanted answers. When you returned to Asgard, Odin was angry at the possibility of a war and Loki had watched from the sidelines as you and Odin had argued. Through all of this, your brother didn't want to be part of this upcoming battle. It is true that you have been long since humbled by your mortality in Midgard, but at the time you were rash and battle happy. I think that Loki saw this as a terrible beginning for the new King of Asgard or a king of any kind. During your exile in Midgard, Loki came to Odin with questions of his time in Jotenheim. By then, the truth was out. Of course, that is the time that your father fell into an Odinsleep. Angered by the betrayal of his kind, Asgard's loyalty to you, and other such dilemma's, Loki may have lost himself in the quest in the utter power and tried to rule as a bitter king himself. I daresay, his intentions were food at first, but I suspect the shock of his heritage may have made him lose sight of what it means to be a true king."

Thor stopped moving about his chambers as he quietly listened. The answers seemed so obvious now. That was why he tried to keep him mortal during his exile in Midgard and this was why he had lied about Odin's death all those months ago, but something still bothered him. Why did Loki let go of instead of letting himself be pulled up to safety? At least then, Thor would know he was alive and safe. Thor shook his head to clear his mind from the pain from a newly formed headache. Everything just seems to get more and more complicated. Heimdal, himself, couldn't agree more. The stress was also wearing on the all-seer's nerves. Mentally, the lesser god sighed tiredly at the thought of having to soon search the other worlds for the Prince of Lies. It was surely to be a long night, especially with an impatient Thunder God breathing down ones neck.

"Perhaps a trip to Midgard will lift your spirits?" Heimdal suggested casually. "I'm sure Jane would welcome a visit."

The all-seer admitted the idea was a bit brash and not too well thought out, however, friends in another realm tend to do wonders in easing old pains. Looking up at his King, the lesser god saw the uncertainty in the other mans eyes. It of course, was to be expected. Thor of course, seemed unsure of this option. The biforst was destroyed. How could they even travel now that it was a pile of rubble?

There are more ways besides the bifrost to travel. It was just eh most direct." Heimdal supplied easily as he saw Thor's questioning stare.

Wordlessly, the god argued and turned away from his old friend and guardian to prepare for his journey.

Location: Midgard

"Pathetic." Loki hissed harshly as he stood over the fallen Midgardian man.

It was true that his desperation would lead him to this, but something about this situation marveled him. How can the leading race of this realm be so intolerably simple, not to mention crazy? The God of Mischief had to restrain another sigh of frustration when the light tube Midgardian's refer to as a flashlight rolled to a stop at his feet. The offending object tapped against his ruined boots and illuminated his lower half with bright light. He hated this world and everything about it. Although, thinking it over, he supposed that such an object may prove useful in the following days being in this wretched world. Looking down at the fallen man, Loki supposed the only thing left to do was claim whatever else this fool had to offer, then he'd be on his way with more pressing matters. Reluctantly, the god bent down to retrieve the flashlight, being careful not to aggravate his slowly healing injuries. He certainly didn't want a repeat of the last time he was foolish enough to ignore these pains. The dried blood still staining his palms proved how delicate his situation really was. Perhaps, facing Thor and all of Asgard would have been easier than surviving this world? Thor, the dolt, would have least not let him suffer such heinous pains in lieu of a fitting punishment for his crimes. No, the moron would have most likely let him go after a few centuries of isolation. The thought proved tempting, but sadly, he couldn't change the past. That he was certain.

"Loki?" A quivering feminine voice asked, immediately putting the god on guard.

Loki jerked towards the remnants of the rusted out dumpster. Lost in his thoughts, he forgot about his preys, prey. He assumed the frightened lamb of a woman would have escaped by now. Realizing this surroundings and the metal fence blocking the only other exit, the woman would have likely hidden in hopes of surviving this hunt. Oh, those pitiful Midgardian's. Her presence normally wouldn't have bothered him, but her words did. She had recognized him.

"What do you want, wench?" Loki asked, his tone imposing a bitter distrust.

Without the aid of his magic, he could almost feel the woman flinch as she cautiously showed herself to him. For a moment, he stared openly at her, being sure keep his powerful, if not dangerous, appearance in check. Her appearance, however strange as it sounds, caught his attention. He observed how the woman's dark, but still slightly curled hair was disheveled, her cheeks pink from exertion, and her eyes slightly riled behind her square shaped glasses, easily expressing her fear and curiosity.

"I…..Did you….?" She stuttered in a half formed question.

It took a moment to register what she had meant. Loki for the second, was distracted by her, losing himself in a memory of the only times he had seen a woman in this state, no doubt the other causes being of pleasure, not of fear.

"Not yet." Loki answered bitterly. "I haven't finished with him if that's what you mean. I don't want blood on my new coat."

The god spared a glance to the green coat Jake was wearing. The woman's body language eased as he gave his explanation. Was she seriously relieved that he had only rendered the fool unconscious instead of dead.

"Thank you." She breathed out, taking a small step toward him.

Her relief made him tense. He'd never seen a person be glad to see him like this. It was unnerving to simply see the fear in her eyes change to something akin to joy.

"Do not thank me, mortal." He argued. "I will kill him. I just want my prize first."

He watched the woman's newfound peace turn to distress.

"You can't kill him!" She blurted out.

A wave of frustration and pity surged through Loki. Don't kill him?! Trusting his powers as a god, he strode up to the foolish girl, leaving only mere inches between them.

"You're mad!" Loki almost yelled at her rage. "Do you honestly believe he'd do the same for you?!"

He glared angrily down at her much smaller form, his anger building. He didn't know why he started arguing with her. He didn't give a damn about her or her world. He just wanted a hot meal and a bath. Oh how he missed such pleasantries as a wash in this dank place.

"I know." The woman said, avoiding his gaze. "It would just make you and me both like him if we killed him."

Loki's lip twitched, revealing a sharp white fang for an instant. In a metaphorical sense she was right. As an Asgardian, ahem, Jotun, she was so wrong it was laughable.

"No." Loki said with such coldness there was surely ice in his veins. "It's kill or be killed. It's survival. This is not a choice you can make."

The woman looked up at him in shock. Somehow, somewhere he thought he had seen this girl before. He relished these looks when he invaded Midgard. He could almost place her, but no matter how silver his tongue claimed to be, he couldn't find her name.

"Woman." Loki tried again, attempting comfort. "I do what I must. Go home. Forget this night, forget me."

Her brown eyes stared into his green, unsure of his motives. This kindness left the god of mischief on edge. Kindness was something he rarely used unless it was against the lower races. The honesty of this new craft, made Loki's stomach turn nervously. He felt weak, emotionally as well as physically doing such things. He despised this feeling and the woman who made him feel it.

"Loki." She said, her beautiful brown eyes growing wide in utter shock."Look out!"

As the last word fell from her lips, his world turned upside down. Out of pure instinct, he shoved her away from him and attempted to move as a new pain tore into his upper back. The pain, roared through his tender senses painfully. Loki gasped, a wet, gurgling sound reaching his ears.

"She's fucking mine!" An outraged Jake screamed.

The God of Mischief stumbled back a few steps, eyeing the thick blood covering the hunting knife Jake held fisting in his grip. Fuck! Loki cursed himself. He had left himself get caught up with that woman and utterly forgotten the insane fool he had taken down earlier, certainly, not one of his best displays of intellect.

"Loki!" The girl screamed out in fear of his safety.

The young god swallowed back the thick blood threatening to choke him. Now, he was pissed. That fucker wasn't going to live, no matter how much that bitch spewed philosophy at him.

"Die!" Jake screamed, eyes wild as he attempted a second lunge at the god.

The speed of the deadly weapon was almost too fast to see, but for a god….

"Go to Hel!" Loki barked out at the last possible second, his hands glowing a bright green as he made his own strike at the mortal man.

True to his words, Jake's body engulfed itself in Loki's glowing magic and the charred scent of sulfur and hot metal filled his senses, leaving a vaguely human shaped ash mark smeared on the cement ground. This was great for both Loki and the woman. The battle was over, but something was wrong. This came into a horrible reality, when Loki's vision began to blur and his body felt like it felt like it belonged to someone else. Unwillingly, he dropped to his knees as wracking coughs forced him into submission. A feeling of cold washed over him. By Odin, what has he done?!

(A/N) To not confuse anyone, the reason I didn't use Darcy's name in this chapter was because it was written mostly from Loki's point of view. Oh, one more thing. Please review!