Holy smokes, it's done! I have finally finished this chapter! By the old gods and the new I never thought that this would be so tough. Now I have to do the next one *gulp* read and have fun please leave a review and thanks to all of you that have followed and faved! Sorry for the wait, I'm finally getting more time to write!

"Ah," Loki breathed with appreciation when the mortal handed him one of her astrology books. Loki had been reading a book -considerably better than the last one handed to him- he now placed to one side. It had kings and queens killing each other over a throne, but the real threat to the people was from a place in the north. It amused him greatly to watch them fight other a throne when they would all die anyway from a force far beyond their reckoning. Loki started to flip through the pages of Jane's book -his eyes lit with intrigue.

"Why did you want me to bring you that anyway?" Jane asked round a mouthful of muffin and sipped at her coffee. Loki didn't look up and kept reading.

"The stars, I have always been fond of them." The smell of whatever she was drinking was strong and invasive. "What on Mid- earth is it you drink everyday?" he looked over at her with a repulsed expression.

"Coffee," Jane mumbled quickly swallowing her muffin, "Here have some, I can't drink it all anyway." Loki took the strange paper container – which somehow contained the liquid- and took a sip after eyeing it for a moment. He pulled it away with disgust.

"Don't like it?" Jane asked taking the drink from him.

"Detest it," he sneered, almost appeared to be expecting it to attack him. How could Thor endure such a thing? He thought going back to reading. There was silence for a while but Jane kept shifting as if something was on her mind. "Yes?" he asked looking over the pages on Jupiter.

"Where are you from?" she suddenly blurted. It stopped Loki in his tracks blinking at her before he had time to smoothly cover for himself -and he hadn't understood what she had said.

"Norway," he said, "Why?" Jane gave a nervous laughed and chewed her lower lip.

"I've been tying to place your accent," she said, "The closest I got was British."

"Umhum," Loki flipped though the pages, "I have been there, but that was a long time ago." – The 11th century to be precise. He and Thor had been quite young when the All-Father and first taken them to the realm. There was another long pause when Jane didn't say anything more; finishing off a bit of her work with her head bowed low.

"I- I was wondering," Jane said, waiting for Loki to look up he again with his sharp eyes. "How did you suddenly appear in the road the other night? When I hit you," she added needlessly.

"I have still very little memory of that," Loki replied, "Afraid I can't help you." Well it was sort of true, he didn't remember much –other than looking up at her- but he doubted that she would understand the concept of falling through time and space. Perhaps one day. Jane looked disappointed.

"Oh, okay," she pulled back from the subject and looked at her dissertation again. There were a few things she would have to go into the lab for. She looked at the clock on the wall then the time on her phone.

"Is it alright if I leave you for a few hours and come back later with dinner?" she asked, gathering her things into their bags.

"Perfectly," Loki said reading a page on a red dwarf. He was already half way through the book. Jane smiled at the focused furrow of his brows.

"OK, see you later," she waved and ducked out into the corridor when her phone started to buzz in her pocket. She fumbled for it while waiting for the lift to arrive. She answered as the doors opened and she jammed the ground floor button.

"Hi Jane it's Emily, Masie's mom."

"Hi Mrs. Randal," Jane greeted.

"I had to call and let you know that Masie won't be coming back for a few months."

"What-why? Is she OK?" Emily interrupted Jane's incoherent babble

"She broke her leg while ice skating with some friends, and the university has kindly said that she can have a gap year while she recovers, I don't think that she will be doing any track and field soon."

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Jane said –she really was- Masie was good at sports and loved them, Jane couldn't imagine what it would feel like to her if she was unable to do her work. That brought back unpleasant memories from last night. She shook Don from her head and hailed a cab.

"Well I was just calling to let you know so that you can find a flatmate for the year. The university doesn't let one person live in a two person flat, even if they can pay and need that space. Stupid if you ask me."

"Yeah sure," Jane said nodding. Not really paying attention.

"Well OK, bye Jane." Emily said cheerfully.

"Bye," Jane hung up her phone and let the city pass as the driver expertly navigated the midday traffic.

She got to the lab and settled down into one of the swivel chairs.

"Nice to see you Jane!" Chris –a fellow dissertation writer- called from across the room, earning him some angry shushing by the others in the lab. Jane waved and set on by her computer, she had a few things to do on it, but first was check her e-mail. She opened her inbox deleted the junk and spam but a new one flashed at the top while she was there. She opened it and read the message.

- Miss Foster

This is a mandatory e-mail to inform you that at the end of the month you will have to vacate your accommodation. It is against university policy to have a single occupant living in a two person occupancy. Therefore we will fill the room with another or you will have to move out into one of our smaller accommodation. You may find another person to fill the remaining room of your flat yourself. But we must inform you, that there are couples who are interested in accommodation such as yours and it would not follow protocol to not allow them the space when there is only one occupant.

Yours sincerely

The University of New York Accommodation Service-

Jane read, and then reread the e-mail. Her jaw dropped and she stared at the screen in shock. Did these people have a life besides kicking people out of their home? –apparently not. She closed the message and leaned back in her chair, running her hands through her hair. Who could she get to fill the spare room? Wait Masie's things were still in there! Jane groaned and covered her face with her hands. Maybe some of the guys in the lab needed a place? Nope, none of them needed a place. There was John, John was always asking to crash at other peoples; however that was because of his psycho girlfriend always kicking him out. His psycho girlfriend also got jealous and Jane didn't want to be anywhere near that train wreck.

Jane sighed. She had a month she could do that. She finished her work –which had taken longer than she thought- and bought some nice meals from the local shop and went back to the hospital, where she had a lovely time talking with Loki about what she did for her work and the stars. He had finished the book and had been quizzing her extensively. Over the next few weeks she bought him books and soon he was remembering more than she was about her own subject. After the second week he was sitting in a chair like hers and they would sit by the window. She even gave him her dissertation to read, he would point out bits she needed to tweak.

Loki was reading it when he suddenly stopped and pointed to one of her tables.

"This is wrong," he said.

"What?" Jane leaned over and took the paper back. Loki leaned into his chair and folded his arms. "No," Jane scanned over it. "It's not," she chewed her lip. Loki waited for her to notice it. When she did her eyes widened. "Oh," she gasped looking from one table to another, "Yes it is," she reached into her bag and grabbed a red pen and furiously corrected her work.

Loki held back his tongue, there were actually a many few things she had wrong, but they were not her fault, they were the fault of the realm's current understanding of the galaxy. He really wanted to show her how wrong they were, but he thought that it was best to leave that till after she had finished this trivial project that was so important to her. The situation with her flat flew from her mind as she grew more and more immersed in her work.

The end of the month was the day after tomorrow when Jane remembered it. She was stressed and rushed off her feet, almost to the point of begging. Don had tried to call her almost every-other-day, she had her phone turned off mostly now. It was the end of a particularly stressful day and she was no better than the start –her whole life was one stress after another now it seemed. As if on cue her phone rang and it was Don –she had turned it on to call the 'accommodation people' to ask for another week –they said no. Jane gritted her teeth and turned her phone off. Jane hopped in a cab –her car was still getting fixed at the shop- and bought a ride to the hospital, she wanted to talk to someone. Lucky thing Don works nights on the lower floor, she thought. It was a miracle that she had not run into Don more than twice that month. To her it was over –looking back- it had been over for a long time. But Don didn't seem to have gotten that message yet.

The hospital was busy again -loads of people were waiting for appointments.

Jane moved past the hordes and down the long corridor to the food court.

She bought two bottles of juice, a coffee for her and a sandwich. She also got a salad and some fruit for Tall- Loki- she corrected herself with a shake of the head as she entered the elevators. It was a unique name.

"Loki," she said allowed -she liked it, she found herself just saying it when she was alone. She punched the button for the third floor and waited.

Jane hadn't come to visit him so far today. Loki had been stuck in the humans healing facility for far longer than he had ever wanted. The loss of his magic had bedridden him, at least he could pace a little now to door of the ward then back to his bed, he had been moved to a place where he didn't need to be watched constantly like he had in the other one. He tired to summon his magic again –like he had been doing all month- but alas, he was emptier than the taverns after Thor had visited them. Loki found himself wanting Jane to show up soon, so that she could distract his mind from the insanity that threatened to take over. He wasn't just having trouble pinpointing why he felt at ease with the mortal, but also he was plagued with dreams –well nightmares- when he closed his eyes. This was fine he could go weeks without sleep. But he did need a bit of stimulation to stop him self from dwelling on memories he would much rather forget. He was about to try making a run for it from this strange 'hospital' and its smells – he also wanted her to bring him better food than the slop that was on his plastic plate.

Fate and the Norns must have been on his side, because it was at that very moment that said mortal came clumsily into the ward. Her arms were full of shopping bags and some books –it looked heavy.

Loki lay aside his book and watched with growing amusement as she struggled not to drop anything before she slumped into her chair next to him.

"Need any help," he smiled. Jane sagged further than he thought was possible into the chair.

"Yeah thanks," she scoffed rolling her eyes. "But that was nowhere near as bad as the rest of my day has been." Loki raised a brow.

"Do you wish to tell?" he shifted a little straighter in his chair, swung his legs and stood up to stretch out his back. He had a gown that itched and a soft fluffy robe draped over his shoulders. The gown was open at the back –what a shock that had been when he had first tried to stand and felt a cool draft. The memory of that day flashed and made him smile. He made sure that the soft robe was tied so that there was no risk of exposing his modesty.

"Are you sure you should be moving!" Jane had questioned frantically, "You were hit by a car- I mean- you know that- I know that I was the one that hit you- ah sorry again- hey!" Loki waved away her ramblings and her hands trying to help him.

"Be still woman," Loki grunted and sat up with his feet just touching the cool floor.

"But-but," Jane had been at a loss he looked so pale –but that might just have been how he always looked.

"Woman," it wasn't a growl per se but it made her frown and pull away with her arms crossed, muttering something under her breath about men. Loki smirked. He had won. He tested out his legs, gently easing up to stand. Despite Jane's irritation with him she edged forwards, looking ready to catch him. But he was steady and strong, he rocked back and forth on his heels, the corner of his mouth twitched. Progress. "Now, about your bad day?" he smiled at her. Jane was watching his knees brow twitched with repressed irritation, the sooner he was out of this damned 'hospital' the better. He clenched his jaw.

"Feeling alright?" Jane asked. She had a strange look on her face... oh that woman! She knew, she knew what was under the soft robe and paper gown.

"A bit chilled," he replied. His smirk had the desired effect, her cheeks tinged red and she cleared her throat. Loki chuckled and shook his head. He walked for a few paces. "Tell me,"

"Hum?"

"Would they allow me to leave here?"

"Well yeah I guess, you could check yourself out… why?" Jane watched Loki, his hand twitched.

"Would you be so kind as to retrieve my breeches from the draw on the other side of my bed?" he asked. He could walk now but bending over was a risk of exposing things he had no desire to.

"Sure thing," she hopped up from the chair and circled his bed to the draws, with a confused expression but she still did as he had asked. Jane rummaged and found what could only be called breeches, she handed them to him, trying not to stare.

"Now Jane if you would please, about this bad day of yours, I hate asking twice." he gestured for her to continue what she was saying before about her day. Jane instantly cringed. And slowly, she started to tell him about everything that had happened. Loki paced gently to the other side of his bed and took out –from the top draw- what appeared to be a deep green tunic. He laid it out on the bed and turned his back to her as he tugged on his breeches. Jane looked out of the window while he tugged the strange thing son. She turned back just as the dressing gown slipped off his shoulders and was discarded shortly the hospital gown was gone too. Jane faltered with her story telling, his toned back and arms were reviled. He wasn't 'big' like some men who would go to the gym –all burly with arms able to crush heads- he was strong, no doubt about that and not to mention godly tall. Jane had been right when she had thought she would just reach his shoulder, in actual fact she was a good four or five inches below it- the muscle of his back rippled as he shrugged on his tunic and she was transfixed. She had called him handsome, but beautiful was closer to the truth –like a panther. He tuned around and Jane snapped her eyes away with a steady heat rising up her neck into her cheeks. She continued her story.

Loki saw Jane's eyes dart away and the corner of his mouth twitched up but he pretended not to have noticed. He walked cautiously over to the window and stood with his hands behind his back next to Jane.

"So you find yourself to shortly be without a home then?" he watched the sky. Jane sighed.

"Yeah," Jane watched him from the corner of her eye. The sky was polluted and grey. Loki unclasped his hands and opted for the more casual stance of sliding them into his pockets. Jane narrowed her eyes slightly and twisted round to look up at his profile. And idea slowly formed that could solve her problems. There was no harm in asking, was there? "Hey- um- I was wondering – ah this might sound stupid-," she was helplessly rambling and cursing herself for it.

"Is there a point to what you're saying, or is my appearance just too distracting?" he smirked confidently with a glance down at her. Jane breathed in and puffed out her cheeks. Ugh this man!

"Do you have a place to live?" she plunged right on into the deep end.

Now that Loki had not been expecting. His eyes widened and his mouth went a little slack -he closed it before he looked like a fish.

"What do you imply?" a brow was slowly creeping up.

"Well," she licked her lips, this was a stupid idea! Oh well in for a penny, in for a pound. "Do you need a place to stay?" there was a pregnant pause.

"Miss Foster," Loki slowly turned to face her. Was this mortal mad? Inviting a man she hardly knew to live with her. But her face was growing more determined by the second. This woman… "Unfortunately I do not." He said. He sat back down on the bed, and suddenly the feeling of claustrophobia came back and he wanted more than ever to be out of the hospital right then and there, the bed was awful, the company was awful -and here was his chance. Do not look eager, he warned himself –but couldn't help the feeling of glee settling over him. He could have real food again!

Jane cleared her throat and swallowed.

"Would you like to make a deal then?" wow! Where did that come from Jane? She forged on ahead anyway. "I give you a place to live and you stop me from getting kicked out."

Loki remained silent for a few seconds, trying to read her and what she might be thinking.

She was about to say something else when her eyes caught sight of someone in the doorway of the ward.

"Jane?"

Jane cursed, Don, he was holding his phone in his hand and he had an almost frantic look in his eye. She thought about diving under the bed and hiding –but that was childish, he had seen her now so what was the point?

"Don," she replied tightly. Loki looked at the man walking towards them. And he was irritated with just the sight of him –he reminded him of Thor. Don saw him and the shock and confusion satisfied him greatly-

"Who is this guy?" -being ignored did not. Don was staring intensely with accusation at Jane and she was clenching her jaw. Loki was about to introduce himself.

"My cousin," Jane quickly clarified. Loki raised a brow at her.

"Right," Don wasn't convinced. "Jane I heard about you having to find a roommate and-,"

"I have found one," Jane cut in, "Loki will be staying with me for a while."

Presumptuous woman, Loki thought, I haven't said yes yet. Don was on the back foot now and he looked a little lost. Jane was then free the presume away to her delight.

"Why is he in the hospital?- I have been trying to call you-,"

"I turned my phone off. He was hit by a car after coming off his plane and missed the opening for his hotel so he will be staying with me," Jane's tone was firm, daring Don to try and do anything.

Loki wasn't unused to being in the middle of and argument, but it was strange when it was two people in a relationship fighting –with a woman stating that he was to be sharing her living quarters -normally the woman denied he had been there. Jane glared at Don and finally he got the message. He left, angry tilt to the Thor-look-a-like's walk.

Jane fumed for a minute the flush of her cheeks slowly fading away then replaced with a flustered one. "I'm sorry- I only said that to get rid of him –about you staying- you can say no-,"

"Accepted," he cut her off.

"OK- Uh, okay," a slow smile broke across her face. Strange mortal. But then he already knew that.

"When do we leave?" Loki asked.

"Huh?"

"When do we leave for your home?" Loki was not used to repeating himself so much.

"Well, today, I guess," Jane was starting to feel nervous now -sharing a dorm with a very, very attractive man who wasn't her boyfriend- this is the best idea you have ever had Jane, she mentally kicked herself, stupid. But the faint smile on Loki's lips made her feel more at ease.

Good, the tension Don had brought was fading. Loki widened his smile a fraction and got back to his feet. He Held out a hand to carry some of her things.

"Very well then," he said "Shell we go?"

"huh?" Jane felt very stupid sometimes.

"I'm going to, as you said earlier, 'check myself out'," Loki smiled and gathered a few of the shopping bags.

"Cool… aren't you going to put on some shoes?" Jane asked.

Loki looked down at his bare feet. "That would be an idea," he smirked.

Ok as I said this was a damn hard chapter to write… sigh. I just didn't know what to do but hopefully this is alright and this was the best place I could get to have a break in it. Please leave a review I need it.

Odin damn it, I apologize for the stupid long wait, but things have been rather hectic as of late and I seem to have miss placed the rest of this fiction…. But I will find it, it is turning out to be longer than I had planned.

Preview: Jane opened the door to the student café and let the guy behind her through. He took a seat opposite her with suspicion.