The both of them sat at the site of the Bifrost for the better part of two hours. Jane spent most of the time telling Loki of the myths and legends behind the constellations she had studied for years. Loki listened patiently, quietly amused with her passion for the stars. At one point, Jane stopped talking and sighed happily. Talking about the stars always made her feel better; when the stars were out, everything was right with her world.

Jane began to hum to herself. She couldn't exactly describe what she felt, but part of her knew she was some sort of content. Loki couldn't help but listen to her humming; it was somewhat soothing, and beautiful, in a way. Feeling the magic within him begin to swirl, as if suddenly activated by Jane's beautiful tune, he put his hands together and summoned what magic he could access. A light began to form in his palms, and he closed his eyes, focusing his mind on that light.

Jane stopped humming and watched Loki in amazement. Her eyes grew wider as the light emanating from his palms became brighter. At first, she couldn't make out what was forming, but soon enough an image began to form. It was a cluster of stars, only miniaturized. She gasped audibly, and Loki opened his eyes. He looked over his handiwork, and gave Jane a satisfied grin.

"What is that?" Jane asked incredulously.

"It's a model, of sorts; a representation. Quite small, but effective," Loki said matter-of-factly. Jane looked closer at the glowing light in his hands, and found that she could not recognize any of the stars that were represented.

"Wait, these aren't our stars; whose are they?" Jane asked, confused yet enraptured.

"They're constellations of Asgard. My home," he said quietly. He raised one hand, lifting the ethereal model, and pointed to various constellations with the other. Jane instantly became engrossed with everything he was saying. He told her each story behind every star he knew of, and she listened diligently.

Jane never interrupted Loki, except to ask an occasional question. He told her everything he knew about Asgardian stars; he withheld nothing from her. Her curious mind reminded him of himself, in a way; when he was a child, he always yearned for more knowledge, more information.

When Loki was finished explaining everything he could about his stars, the Midgardian moon had risen even further in the sky. As he was beginning to relax, he felt a strange but familiar tug at his core. Magic. Before he could control what was happening, he fell into darkness.

The concrete walls reverberated every footfall and echoed for several meters. Several people moved around quickly, looking for something. He turned, and there was an entire laboratory with numerous control boards, as well as people quickly working with them. A tall dark man with an eye patch and dressed in black clothing stood at the center of the lab, conferring with another man. The second man was not as tall; he wore shaded glasses and his hair was cropped and styled. He wore a sharp suit, and was speaking animatedly with his hands. Loki carefully walked closer, but when it became apparent that no one could see him, he relaxed. He stopped when he could hear what they were saying.

"The Cube is reacting in a strange way lately, and none of my scientists can figure out why. It's like something's supercharged it; something…I dunno, but it's probably a good idea to find out what it is. Sooner than later," the shorter man said.

"What do you mean by supercharged? Interesting term, Stark," the darker man asked. He was an authority figure; Loki could tell just by the way he spoke and stood. The second man, Stark, seemed to struggle to find an appropriate response.

"It's the best way to describe it, yeah. But our technology is crapping out, and it's because the Cube is reacting to something."

"You sure it isn't anything else, Stark?" the first man asked, raising an eyebrow. Stark nodded.

"Yeah," he replied with conviction, as the first man began to turn away.

"Well Stark, the clock is ticking. I suggest you find out what's making it act so strange. Any leads, you find me. Understood?"

"Fury, we know where the signal might be coming from," Stark blurted before the tall man, Fury, could leave. He turned and faced Stark.

"Where?"

"Puente Antiguo."

Loki waited to hear more, but something was pulling him away. The scene began to swirl away as he returned to consciousness.

"Loki? Loki! Wake up!" came a panicked voice. He was suddenly aware that he was no longer in the underground compound, but in Jane's arms. He opened his eyes lazily, and he could see the panic written in her face. She sighed in relief and helped him sit up. He touched his palm to his brow, feeling confused. Jane looked him in the eye.

"What just happened?" Jane demanded. She searched his face for anything that might give away what he was feeling, but his furrowed brow only revealed as much confusion as she was feeling.

"I don't know. One moment, I was here, and another moment, I was in an underground building of some sort. People were everywhere, and two men were speaking hurriedly to each other. Stark and…Fury. The man you mentioned a while ago. They were talking about a surge of some sort," Loki spoke thickly. Although the darkness shielded most of her face, he noticed the colour drain from her cheeks.

"Is that all?" Jane asked vehemently. Loki paused, but nodded.

"They discussed something, an item; they called it the Cube," Loki replied. Jane's mouth fell open.

"We have to ask Erik about this. He'll know," Jane said quickly. She stood up, and held her hand out for Loki to hoist himself up. He took it and rose, following closely behind when Jane walked back to the van.

oOoOo

Jane pulled up to the lab, and shut off the engine. She quickly hopped out of the van and into the building, followed by Loki. Erik was in the kitchen area, boiling some water for tea.

"Darcy back yet?" Jane asked hurriedly.

"Not yet. Why?" Erik asked.

"We need to talk," Jane said abruptly, not answering his question. Erik turned to face the young woman, and noticed Loki was standing directly behind her. His mouth was pulled into a tight line, and his expression unreadable. Erik looked between the two, and something felt off.

"What is it?" Erik asked, suddenly serious. Jane turned around and faced Loki.

"Loki, I think you need to be the one to tell him," Jane said gently. He nodded, and began to retell the vision in the desert.

When he had finished, Erik was silent. The three of them had moved to sit at the kitchen table, and as Erik was about to reply, Darcy opened the front door to the lab and walked in. The smile on her face fell when she saw the expressions the faces of her companions.

"What?" Darcy asked.

"Well, there's a good chance S.H.I.E.L.D. is headed this way now, and there's not much we can do about it," Erik remarked soberly. Darcy's expression changed, and she hurried over to the kitchen table.

"Are you kidding me? What do they want?" Darcy demanded. She was still clearly upset with the organization.

"Me," Loki replied softly. The others turned to look at him.

"How do you know?" Darcy asked. The question had been on Jane's mind, but she didn't want to give voice to her own fears.

"Because my magic is interfering with a hidden power source; they call it the Cube," Loki said flatly.

"You can use magic? Darcy asked incredulously. Loki nodded.

"Why didn't you use it before, though? Why now?" Darcy continued.

"Because I was injured; I didn't have the strength to summon it. To put it simply, I draw from my magic like a well, and in order to do that, I have to use my own energy. When I first came here, I had none; I was injured, and I had been stuck in a space, or wormhole, for quite some time. I had no energy to use to draw on my magic. Now that I have that energy, I can use it. I used it only a little while ago," Loki admitted.

"But how would it interfere from so far away?" Jane asked, feeling confused.

"It is not; the device is quite close," Loki sighed. It was Jane's turn to ask questions.

"What? What do you mean, it's close? Fury told me it was in New York!" Jane cried. She looked between Loki and Erik; Erik had his head down, and Loki returned her gaze helplessly.

"I—I wasn't supposed to tell you, Jane. That was the recent development that we spoke of weeks ago. Fury's purpose in bringing you back was to see if you would take the research more seriously," Erik said, hints of defeat clear in his tone of voice. Jane's eyes welled up with tears.

"What? And I didn't pass? Is that why I can't go back to work at their labs?" she looked over at Erik, and his gaze dropped to the linoleum floor.

"Please don't tell me you agree with them." Jane managed to choke out. Erik looked up, and his face was filled with hurt.

"Not for a moment, Jane! I believed in you from the start, and I still do. What Fury did was wrong and unjustifiable. You know your work is brilliant Jane; absolutely brilliant," Erik reassured her. He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently. Jane felt relieved.

"Thank you, Erik," Jane said gratefully. Erik nodded. As the sentimental moment ended, the four were still left with a feeling of uncertainty.

"When do you think they'll be here?" Darcy asked bluntly. Jane turned to look at her intern.

"Come on, Darcy. Loki saw the exchange in a vision, a dream. Do you really think they're going to be that specific?"

"I was just asking!" Darcy said, throwing up her hands. Jane rolled her eyes, and sighed.

"Sorry for snapping; didn't mean it," Jane apologized, putting her head in her hands. The silence began to feed into Jane's frustration, and she stood up. The chair screeched backward, making everyone jump.

"This isn't gonna happen again. They're not going to take you away; they have no right!" Jane said, raising her voice. Loki could read her like an open book; he could see she was confused, and was holding something back that she wanted to say.

Jane stormed out of the lab and onto the roof. She angrily sat down on the lawn chair and huffed. She couldn't understand the feelings that were surfacing; she didn't want to lose Loki, but she couldn't say why. The logical side of her mind didn't want to lose Loki because he was the most vital part to her research, but her sensitive side didn't want him gone for another reason entirely.

A part of her did not want to even acknowledge that sensitive side; Jane didn't want unwanted feelings springing up in her mind. She cradled her head in her hands and cried out in frustration. Why can't I figure this out? She asked herself.

She missed Thor, every day: his warm and inviting smile, his sparkling blue eyes and gentle gaze, and his genuine countenance. Jane sighed. It had been over six months, and he hadn't returned to her. Like he promised, she thought sadly. Would he even be back? And now, she was faced with losing Loki. She thought of his angular features, his deep emerald eyes, and everything else that contrasted his with Thor. He shared her passion for the universe, and his intelligence challenged her to think differently and approach everything she encountered in a new way.

Jane was beginning to realize just how much she didn't know Thor, and how empty she had felt lately when she thought of him. For the past week, the nightmares had gone, and the memories stopped arising in her sleep. She began to realize that waiting for Thor was a hopeless endeavor, and that was what was holding her back from her research. But just as her mind had reached one epiphany, another started to form in her mind: what if it isn't Thor who keeps me going? What if it's Loki?

oOoOo

Darcy, Erik, and Loki remained at the kitchen table, silent. Darcy had kicked off her shoes and tucked them under herself on the chair. Erik leaned back in his chair, and Loki was leaning forward on his knees, his eyes distant.

"What are you going to do?" Erik asked. Loki should have expected this question, but he hadn't thought of it. What should I do? he thought to himself.

"I…don't know."

"Leave, maybe. Get a head start and leave Puente Antiguo," Erik proposed. Erik looked at him and shrugged. "Just a suggestion."

"Would it be worth it? They'll find me anyway, and I cannot return to Asgard, even if I wanted to," Loki remarked soberly.

"You can't just give up like that," Erik replied, shaking his head. Darcy nodded in agreement.

"Well, what if we negotiated with them or something?" Darcy suggested. "What if we showed them the research you've been working on with Jane? They can't ignore that."

"But once they find out who I am, it will not matter; my actions with the Destroyer outweigh any type of research I may have assisted Jane with."

"We don't have to tell them who you are, though," Darcy replied. Loki shook his head.

"I believe that would make it worse for me in the end," he stated flatly. Darcy didn't have any more suggestions, and Erik had nothing else to say.

oOoOo

After spending an hour on the roof, Jane decided it was time to return downstairs. She slowly made her way down the steps, and through the lab. Darcy was on the couch, flipping through a magazine, and Erik stood in the kitchen, boiling more water for tea. Loki was the only one remaining at the kitchen table. Jane sat down in a chair across from him, observed him. There was a vacant look in his eyes; he was in a far away place, clearly not thinking of his current situation. She sighed and rested her chin in her hands, defeat washing over her.

Suddenly, Loki tensed. Jane raised her eyebrows.

"Is everything okay? Well, I mean, besides the obvious," Jane asked lamely.

"They're near," he replied flatly.

"What? How do you know?" Darcy piped up, closing her magazine. Jane wanted to ask the same question, but she followed Loki's gaze. There was a caravan of bright headlights heading straight for the lab. Jane gasped; she didn't expect them to appear so soon. Her heart swelled with panic, and her eyes widened. She looked at Loki helplessly, and was surprised to see how calm he was. His jaw was set, and he looked as if he was accepting the inevitable.

Loki stood up, and Jane did as well. She moved over to the lab table and grabbed the small black notebook, carefully stuffing it in her belt under her shirt out of habit. Darcy turned her body on the couch so that her feet were no longer propped up, but resting on the linoleum floor, and her gaze darted to the approaching headlights. Erik emerged from the kitchen and watched as the caravan of black cars fan out and surround the lab. Several figures emerged from the cars, but two led the group. Jane recognized them immediately. Nick Fury swung the lab door open, closely followed by Tony Stark. Three men in black suits flanked them. When Tony saw Jane, the corners of his mouth turned up, and his eyes brightened.

"Hey sweetheart! Miss me?" he asked lightheartedly. Jane laughed nervously.

"Always, Tony," Jane replied hesitantly, her eyes avoiding his gaze. Her fingers began to shake, and she shoved them in her pockets to prevent them from seeing how nervous she really was. Loki stood a few steps behind her. Fury's eye scanned the room. Jane shook her head, knowing how unusual and suspicious the silence seemed.

"I-I'm sorry, make yourselves at home. Anything to drink?" Jane offered. The three unknown men standing behind Fury and Stark shook their heads. She looked over to the remaining two.

"Scotch?" Tony asked hopefully. Jane thought for a moment, trying to remember where Erik put the bottle. She remembered where it resided, and nodded. He grinned.

"Nothing, thank you Miss Foster." Fury said. Jane turned to head toward the kitchen. Loki, sensing her overwhelming nervousness, turned to follow her. Darcy scooted over on the couch and patted the seat next to her, inviting Tony and Fury to sit next to her. Tony happily obliged, and Fury walked to the empty chair next to them. Darcy initiated conversation with Stark, and the atmosphere lightened. Erik walked over with a mug of tea in his hand and struck up a conversation with Fury, but Fury's mind was elsewhere.

Jane reached for a high cabinet to where the nicer glasses were. The bottle of scotch was sitting on the counter, but she cursed her height as she stretched as far as she could for the glass. She debated climbing on top of the counter, but as she was about to hop up, Loki moved behind her, putting a hand on the small of her back.

"It's not proper to jump up in front of guests," he whispered in her ear. A shiver ran up her spine, and she stopped moving as Loki reached up to the cabinet above her and pulled down a glass.

"Thanks," Jane said softly.

"Jane?" Loki said in a low voice. Jane was flustered. He sighed.

"Please, do not be nervous. After all, they may not believe that the interference is from a being instead of an object." Loki remarked. Jane nodded slowly; she could sense that even he knew what he was saying was unlikely. She picked up the full glass of honeyed liquor and walked over to where everyone else was. Loki followed, and brought over two chairs from the kitchen table for the both of them to sit in. Jane handed the tumbler to Tony, and he grinned.

"Thanks, sweetheart. How've you been?" he asked. Jane nodded.

"I've been good, thanks. Just busy." She half smiled.

"Good to hear. We all miss you, back at the lab. Extremely boring without your lovely face to brighten up the place," Tony said genuinely. Jane blushed furiously, and looked down at her hands folded in her lap. The way Tony was speaking with Jane sparked a familiar emotion within Loki: jealousy. Tony spoke so easily with her, and it unnerved him. He set his jaw and crossed his arms.

Loki had been so distracted by Stark's flirtations that he hadn't realized Nick Fury had been eyeing him suspiciously since he sat down. Before Tony could start talking again, Fury spoke.

"Dr. Selvig, I see you've been keeping some…interesting company," he remarked drily. Loki's gaze met Fury's; both were silent, but their eyes challenged each other. Erik looked up from his mug, confused, but he hastily recovered.

"I apologize; this is—"

"No need for introductions, Erik. We already know who he is. Welcome to Earth, Loki."

Jane's head snapped up and she gasped. Tony shut his mouth, and stared at Fury. Darcy's eyebrows shot up, and she sat straighter.

"Excuse me Nick, but what did you just say?" Tony asked, confused. He set down the glass of scotch on the coffee table.

"Stark, do you recall the disturbance we encountered over a month ago, here in Puente Antiguo? Similar to the storm that brought Thor down to Earth, was it not, Miss Foster?" Fury asked sharply, now looking at Jane. She held her breath. Tony nodded.

"Well, along with your recent report of something interfering with the Cube, there have been a few more reports of atmospheric disturbances in the area. Loki is the only one who could have caused them."

"Wait, wait, wait. You're telling me that this man," Tony said disbelievingly, pointing at Loki, "is Loki, the Norse God of Mischief, and he's responsible for all that interference? But how?" Tony asked incredulously. Fury nodded.

"Why don't you tell us, Loki?" Fury's glance hardened, and Loki's mouth remained shut as he thought of an answer. Jane became incredibly nervous; her mind was racing, thinking of the worst possible scenarios in her mind.

"You will tell us one way or another, Loki Odinson," Fury threatened.

"You would not understand if I told you. Nor would you have the patience," Loki said coldly. Fury's eye narrowed, and he looked back at the three men in suits standing by the entrance to the lab. He nodded once, and they advanced toward Loki. Jane stood up and quickly moved to stand next to him. One of the men grabbed Jane by the arms while the other two twisted Loki's behind his back. He didn't struggle, but he held his head high.

"Jane Foster, you harbored a wanted criminal and said nothing about it. Stay out of this, and I will be lenient. As for you, Erik Selvig, you are no longer permitted to work within S.H.I.E.L.D. laboratories for withholding information on the whereabouts of an international threat. If either of you interfere, your punishments will be harsher than this," Fury said sharply.

"No! Please, you have no idea what you're doing!" Jane cried. She kicked her leg out against the force holding her back. Tears welled up in her eyes.

"Oh, I don't? I believe I know exactly what I'm doing," he snapped.

"Please, you don't understand! Loki can help you! Please!" Jane pleaded. She struggled wildly against the guard holding her back.

"Stark, we're leaving." Fury said, ignoring Jane's cries. Stark stood up and let out a disappointed sigh.

"Tony! Please, just let me explain—"

"Not this time, sweetheart. I can't help you," Tony said sadly as he walked away.

Jane's struggle intensified as she saw the other two guards escort Loki from the lab. She kicked backwards, and the heel of her foot connected with the guard's knee. He buckled, releasing her. Jane ran through the doors; Loki looked up and his eyes widened as the third guard that had been holding Jane approached her from behind. He grabbed her arm roughly; she drew her fist back in retaliation, but before she could release it the guard had pulled out his gun. In an effort to subdue her, he hit Jane on the back of her skull but the butt of the pistol.

"Jane!" Loki cried out. The source of magic within him began to grow immensely, and he lashed out at the two men holding him. They crumpled to the ground, and he ran over to Jane. She was still conscious, but in a daze. As soon as he kneeled down, one of his two guards rushed over to properly secure him. Before Loki could retaliate a second time, Fury's booming voice silenced everyone.

"Enough! Arrest them both! And for God's sake, do it right this time," he barked. Loki struggled as he watched Jane's limp form being picked up and carried to another vehicle. Rage boiled over inside of him; he wanted to strike back, to free himself to get to Jane, but he knew that it would only make their situation more unbearable than it already was.