Moving this right along...the pace should be picking up in the following chapters as there will be a shift : ) It still won't be break-neck but it'll be altering some assuming my muse doesn't slap me around.

The Art of War

Chapter Nine: Deal

"In honorable dealing you should consider what you intended, not what you said or thought."

-Marcus Tullius Cicero

Loki sighed as he tossed a small blue rubber ball in the air, catching it a moment later when it fell again. Then repeating the gesture as he kept himself entertained while he laid on the bed waiting. This was almost as frustrating as his imprisonment in Asgard, except this time he was allowing the woman to keep him here. Another point where he'd purposefully accepted a cell so he could manipulate the people around him. Nonetheless this time was more annoying than the last. Drive someone crazy and their friends just never get over it.

Outside in the main room people had been chatting for nearly an hour – all science and while Loki didn't know all the English terms he'd understood parts of what they were discussing. The humans as a race really were so far behind his own, they were still trying to figure out how weather patterns altered with the activation of portals such as the Bi-Frost. That was apparently the subject of the evening as they had barely deviated other than to exchange general pleasantries. It was all much too dull for the Asgardian – he wouldn't have minded his captor at least bringing him a meal. He got that much on his own world.

"Well, I'm gonna use the restroom I think before I leave. Early morning. The stew was great Jane though, thanks for the dinner." Erik was saying, his voice closer than before.

"Wait, that bathroom isn't..." Jane tried to stop him but the door was already opening. "...working..."

"Oh is it not?" Erik glanced through the room, and back at Jane. "All right, I'll wait for Darcy."

Jane popped her head in a moment later, she didn't see Loki at first, blinking and coming inside, shutting the door and then jumping a few inches when she turned around to him being back on the bed. He only grinned, she could tell he was quietly laughing at her. She shook her head and left again. He rolled his eyes, not even a thank you for the effort. Had she really thought he couldn't hide himself in case of a misunderstanding like that?

The girl was amusing. Loki could understand why his brother had thought to give up everything for her. It was still foolish of him but that was one of Thor's defining traits. Why give up a throne for a woman when with the right steps she could rule beside you? The ball went up in the air, spinning slightly as he waited for it to fall again.

This plan was turning out to be a lot more fun than he'd originally thought. Of course, he'd had to tell the woman more than he often told anyone but there was little other method to garner her trust. He could see in her face when he spoke of his past the pity she had for him. He didn't desire her pity but he would take it, as far as Loki was concerned it was a food in the door. He caught the ball and tossed it into the air again.

"Did he see him?" Darcy was hissing in hushed tones just outside the door to what Loki would assume was Jane.

"Shhhh." Jane shushed back. "No, but be quiet. I dunno what we're gonna do next week for Thanksgiving. This is driving me nuts."

Loki smirked slightly, he waited for her to say her eventual goodbyes, the incessant ranting of her intern, and the eventual closed door before exiting from his cell. "You know, I could just put on an illusion and attend next week."

Jane glanced his way, she was already walking for the fridge, after that she wanted another drink. For some reason the whole being dishonest with Erik and worried Loki might leave the bedroom at any time thing had left her on edge. "I don't know. That seems like a bad idea. What if your illusion goes away? You haven't really been a hundred percent lately."

"I've been feeling much better now that I'm not rotting away in an abandoned building covered in debris. Besides, my wound is nearly healed now." Loki stated with a shrug. "It does get old just sitting in a side room."

"Well, I think you'd make everyone uncomfortable too." Jane answered, frowning at him as she poured a drink. "It's only once a week. It's not like there's much more to the apartment out here than in there."

"Care to make me one as well?" Loki asked as he watched her pouring the alcohol. He didn't imbibe as often as his brother but the depressing truth was that she was right. It was dull here – not as much as his cell had been in Asgard prison but still less than desirable. "I'm curious, do you still have the device you all used to augment physics in your realm during the convergence?"

"Um, Erik still has plans for it but SHIELD took the prototype we used." Jane explained, pouring a second glass as well. "Why?"

"I was thinking that with the right place and energy we could possibly activate the bi-frost from here." Loki stated thoughtfully. He was already getting tired of this world and he didn't plan to be put into a back room once a week while she had dinner with friends.

"Well, couldn't that land us back on the hellish planet of deathly sandstorms too?" Jane didn't like that place very much.

"It's possible but with me to help calibrate the machinery doubtful. Thank you." He accepted the drink she offered him. Meeting her eyes, it was clear she was still hesitant.

"Uh, no offense, but you don't seem all that scientific." Jane commented, sitting on the opposite side of the couch, turning slightly to face him since they were speaking.

"Because of my training with magic?" Loki smiled, amused at her observation. "I am a creature of many talents. I rarely shirked on any of my training. If anything I have a fair amount of understanding when it comes to portals. I did get us out of Asgard if you recall."

"Yeah but that doesn't mean you can get us back." Jane replied. "It's only a month before Thor is due to return, can't you just wait? I mean, that's not really long in Asgardian time is it?"

"Times passes no faster simply because we have more of it." Loki remarked, sipping at the drink she'd offered then looking at it curiously...it was certainly different compared to ale. "Or are you afraid of what you'll find when we get there?"

"I'm not sure what 'we' you're talking about. I might help you get back but why would I come with you?" Jane shook her head. She didn't want to get stranded on a planet worse than earth – and from what she'd seen so far she had a fifty-fifty shot.

"Well, if I return alone, without some witness as to what happened to me...how I was found. How do you think I'll be treated? If not outright killed?" Loki replied. "If I don't bring you back with me I might as well not return at all."

Jane resisted the urge to scowl at him. She felt like she was walking into a spider's web – or already tangled and just being pulled by his strings. Yet his justification was sound – if he returned to his world without someone else to confirm his story then they might just throw him back in prison or kill him. Thor had told her last time Loki only survived because Frigga spoke on his behalf – this time she wasn't there and even if no one blamed her for the goddess' absence Jane still blamed herself.

"All right...well, I guess I can ask Erik for all his notes. Do you really think you can build a gate? Doesn't that take incredible power?" Jane asked, a little unsure about this. Last time he created something like what he was talking about there was the whole New York debacle.

"I am a Prince of Asgard, I know enough about the bi-frost that I should be able to build something capable of activating it without too much energy. Though yes, it would still be draining. We would need to hook it up to one of your world's electrical systems." Loki explained, finishing his drink and holding it out to her. "Something you make that's acceptable. I'll take a second."

"You could say please." Jane deadpanned without taking the glass away from him. "Or get it yourself, you've watched me do it mister genius. As for stealing energy I'd rather not do that, it sounds like something you'll get a lot of attention for."

"If I have the notes to look at and something to build then I suppose I'll be too busy to cause you trouble on this Thanksgiving of yours." Loki replied, getting up and moving toward the kitchen at her rude reply. Jane rolled her eyes, anything that would resolve him of having to say something like 'please'.

"I'm not going to hack into a cities energy supply for you to behave one holiday." Jane replied. "I do want to see Thor but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't approve of this plan."

"Getting his brother back? Then I suppose you lied when you said he cared about me." Loki was pouring, again his words were harsh. It was clear she hadn't believed him in the first place and Jane had to grit her teeth to keep from snapping at him. He was always so impossible...did he have to turn her words around on her all the time? She knew she was just being manipulated this time but she did want to see Thor – to make sure all the things Loki had said were lies.

"Fine...I'll get you the materials but you behave yourself and I'll choose when and where we harvest any energy. Nobody gets killed." Jane insisted, laying down terms. It seemed the best way to approach Loki's mannerisms.

"Then we have a deal." He returned, holding out his glass as if to seal the deal with a toast. Jane shook her head as she reached up to tap his glass in return – anymore she always felt a bit like she was making deals with the devil. At least she'd have a peaceful holiday to look forward too before more madness...

End Chapter