The last time the two had talked had been shortly before Sif and the Warriors Three had gone to Midgard to find Thor. She had slipped away from the others, as they vented their feelings; their distrust of Loki, their alarm at Odin's sleep and their fear that if Thor did not return soon, matters would only grow worse.

She had gone in search of Loki. He was still in the throne room but no longer seated. Instead he stood by the window, but his back was to the view. He was looking up at the throne, thinking...well who really knew what thoughts went through Loki's head?

He had turned at the sound of her step and raised a quizzical eyebrow.

"The Lady Sif returns? Two visits in but one hour? To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"May we speak in private?" she asked, glancing towards the two guards.

He studied her for a minute, an unreadable expression upon his face and then he smiled. It was a smile Sif knew but one she had never quite liked and did not know why. "Leave us," he ordered. He did not speak loudly but he spoke with authority and the guards left quickly. "Now, what is it you want?"

She came closer to him, tried to meet his eye and keep her voice gentle. "It's about Thor."

Loki laughed. It was a soft, quiet laugh and there was no humor in it. But Sif could think of no other word to describe it other than 'laughter'. "I have already discussed this with you and the Warriors Three. Did you think your charms would sway me?"

She gritted her teeth but refused to get angry. "I know Loki, that it has not always been easy, being Thor's brother-"

Loki laughed again. "You'd be quite shocked at what I could tell you about that."

"But," she continued, ignoring him. "You have to know what danger Asgard is in. Odin lies on brink. You say the Allmother fears he will not wake again. If that is true Thor should be at his side. With his family."

"Odin was the one that chose to banish him."

"But the circumstances-"

"Has Thor miraculously changed already, with his short time on Midgard? Thor, the man who is so obstinate and mulish? That would be a miracle indeed. I am afraid Sif that you must do without him for the time being. It was my father's wish." He laid a strange inflection on the word father.

"Asgard is on the brink of war with Jotunheim! We need Thor!"

"Asgard will have to make due with me!"

She raised her hand. There was a long heavy silence. She wanted to slap him. But for once she forced herself to remain calm. Lashing out at Loki had never fixed anything in the past. Perhaps if she pushed through this, she could understand, she could see what was behind it and then she'd know what to say, she'd know how to have him see reason…she'd understand why she kept coming back to him…she'd understand…and maybe it would all be alright…

"Loki." She didn't slap him. Instead she stepped forward and placed her hand gently on his face.

He pulled back, sharp and quick as if she had indeed struck him.

"My decision is final," he said coolly, turning his back to her. "You may tell the Warriors Three you have failed to change my mind."

She turned on her heels and stormed out. She found the Warriors Three as quickly as she could. They did not seem to have particularly noticed her absence. Volstagg was eating, Fandral about to lose his temper, Hogun in deep thought. Fandral exploded within seconds and he and Volstagg began to squabble.

"Stop it! Both of you stop!" She had said. "We all know what we have to do." And they had gone to Midgard.

She wondered, afterwards, whether it really was what they had had to do?

He had been thinking of Odin. He had been thinking of Jotunheim and Laufey. He had been wondering, trying out plans in his head. He understood that he had come to a point of no return in his life. He must make decisions that could give him everything he had ever wanted…or bring all that he had down to ruin…

She had come to him then and asked to speak with him alone. Would she want to be alone with him if she knew what he really was? He had smiled at the thought.

It was about Thor. That was why she was here. He was sure of that. But a part of him almost hoped that it wouldn't be. Perhaps she would mention Odin, give her sympathies. Ask how Frigga was holding up. It was foolish. He knew it was. And he laughed at his own foolishness the moment she spoke,

"It's about Thor."

Of course it was. It was always about Thor. He was almost insulted that she thought she could use their history together to change his mind. She had always made her feelings on their encounters clear, when not with word, then with action. And now she thought she could act as if their relationship had been important to her? Important enough to warrant special favors?

"I know Loki, that it has not always been easy, being Thor's brother-"

He had laughed again. If she was disgusted before at their meetings, how much more would she be horrified if she learned of his true heritage? He was almost tempted to show her his true face here and now, just to punish her, just to make her hate herself too.

She had continued to plea, she had mentioned Odin's health and then she had mentioned Jotunheim and he'd snapped.

He had seen Sif raise her hand and for one minute he thought he would feel the sting of it across his check and almost relished the thought. But she didn't strike him. Of course not. She was trying to fake some small semblance of feelings, trying to talk to him one on one as she might to a child. Hitting him would have broken that illusion and he could see the realization of that flash across her face.

She had instead stepped forward and touched him. And he had recoiled. All she wanted was Thor. And all Loki was, was a Jotun.

Well, he thought, as he heard her footsteps echo away and he had looked back towards the throne, that and King. For now I am King. That is all. And so I will do what I must.