In Her Eyes

by LauraKathleenB

This is a Loki Laufeyson fan fiction based on Marvels depiction of Loki. It takes place after the Dark Elves failed in their attempt to bring about the end of the universe. All of the chapter titles (save chapters 8 & 9) are titles of songs by Josh Groban. They all have to do with what happens in that chapter. If you wish to listen to them, they can be found on YouTube or Spotify.

10. Higher Window

The next morning down on Midgard, Grace was at a drugstore with the camera in her hand as she waited for someone to come and assist her. She thought of her last moments with Loki and she wondered why he could no longer come to see her. A cold tear formed in her eye as she thought of the last kiss they shared.

Then a clerk came up to her and asked, "What can I help you with today?" He smiled and his hazel eyes glimmered as he spoke to her. He had short black hair as he wore a red vest over a white shirt.

"Yes, can you please develop the last four photos on this camera?" Grace answered as she held the camera out in front of her.

"Why not all of the photos?" He asked.

"Because this is not my camera. A friend of my daughters lent it to us and we only took four photos." Grace answered plainly.

"No problem." He answered with a bright smile on his face. He took the camera from her hand and said, "Since you only want four, these will be ready in about a half hour. Feel free to browse around the store as you wait."

The clerk then turned his back and Grace asked, "What aisle are your picture frames in?"

The clerk turned back around and looked at her. The camera in his hands was on and the photo of Loki and Beth was being displayed on the screen. He looked at the photo again then back up at Grace and asked as he pointed at the image on the screen with a long finger, "Is that who I think it is?"

Grace followed his finger with her gaze and saw that he was pointing at Loki. There was the most beautiful smile on his face as Beth sat by his side. The flash on the camera had caused his golden breastplate to shine and his pale face to glow. But the most obvious thing in the picture was the amount of sorrow that was locked behind his smiling green eyes.

Grace then looked up at the clerk and answered his question by saying, "That depends on who you think it is."

The clerk backed away from her and answered her question from earlier, "Picture frames are right behind you."

Grace thanked him and turned around and looked at the selection of picture frames that were available. There were very few there and the ones that were for sale had either black or pink frames. She continued to look around and eventually found some that had wooden frames with a small piece of gold painted plastic around the inside of the frame. She got four of those and turned to the clerk who was printing the photos for her and asked, "Can I leave these here while you print those photos for me?"

The clerk smiled a stiff smile and answered, "Of course you can."

Taking no notice of this, Grace set the picture frames down on the counter and began to walk around the store. Her thoughts traveled back to last night when Loki kissed her. She remembered the feel of his soft lips against hers as they shared a tender kiss. There was something in that kiss that was never there before. She was not sure what it was, but it both disturbed and exhilarated her.

Grace just walked causally and nonchalantly through the store as she waited for her pictures to be finished printing. She saw nothing, she heard nothing. All she thought about was if and when she would see Loki again. Then it occurred to her that Loki was saying goodbye with the kiss that they shared last night.

A half hour later, Grace heard her name called over the speaker system so she walked over to the counter and picked up, as well as paid for, the photos and the picture frames. She then limped home with a plastic bag in her hand and a broken heart once again. She had thought that he was dead only to discover that he had survived through some miracle, but he could not stay with her. Why must he stay so far away from her? Why does he not remain with her and disregard the rules?

A few days later on Asgard, Loki was walking in the garden with a heavy heart. Every little thing he saw reminded him of Grace. He saw her delicate beauty in the flowers, he heard her sweet musical voice in the birdsong, and he could swear that he felt her love in the light that shone down from the sun. He sat down on a bench and watched as the birds flitted around the garden. He thought of his last night with Grace and the memory of the kiss that they shared that night filled his mind. He longed to hold her in his arms once more but he knew that he could not.

The All Father had told him that if he ever caught him with Grace again, he would have her killed. Loki knew that she was far too valuable on Midgard to even risk it. He was glad that she at least had a photo to remember him by, for he would never forget her. She was the one person who had accepted him the way that he was and loved him.

A tear formed in his eye as he thought of Grace. Loki may never see her smile again. But at least she would be alive. He rested his head in his hands as he thought about little Beth. She was another person that he would miss dearly. It had taken her a few days to warm up to him, but once she did, he experienced the most pure love of a child. He was not her father, but he desperately he wanted to be.

Suddenly, he felt someone sit beside him on the bench and he looked up and saw Thor smiling down on him with an understanding look upon his face. Loki sat up straight and wiped the tears away as his brother examined his face. His lips parted and he said, "I know how you feel, brother."

Loki looked into his brothers blue eyes and answered quietly, "No. You cannot possibly understand. You have been accepted and loved all of your life. Whereas I have never experienced just how wonderful it is until I meet Grace. She has showed me that even a monster like me is capable of something good." He paused and placed his head back in his hands. "I love her, Thor, and I will never see her again."

Thor placed his hand on Loki's shoulder and whispered to him, "Perhaps there is still a way. You will see her, but she will not see you."

Loki looked up at his brother and saw that he was being honest. "How?" He asked.

Thor smiled and answered, "You can use your magic, Loki."

Loki looked dejectedly down at the ground and answered, "I do not have my magic anymore. Father correctly assumed that I would use it to sneak off to see Grace. So he took it away."

"Cheer up, brother. We shall find a way." Thor said as he playfully hit Loki on the shoulder. "Oh, I visited Jane this morning and she gave me something to give to you. She said it is from Grace and Beth."

Loki sat up at attention with his green eyes wide with excitement as he watched his brother pull five sheets of paper out of the folds of his garment. He took them out of his brother's hands gently; almost as if he was afraid this was a dream. Thor watched his brothers face as he examined the photos and unfolded the piece of paper. He watched as a pleasant smile formed and remained stationary on Loki's face the entire time he was looking through the photos.

The moment Loki unfolded the piece of paper a tear formed in his right eye as the smile grew. Thor asked, "What is it, brother?" He had to fight the urge to look over his brother's shoulder because he was consumed with curiosity as to what could cause his brother to cry.

Loki handed the paper to Thor and said, "Beth drew this at school. She showed it to me when she arrived home." Thor examined the drawing in his hands of three figures holding hands with the smallest in the center and names written under each figure in a child's handwriting. Thor found himself smiling as he gazed down at the simple drawing of Grace, Loki, and herself in his hands.

"You know, Loki, if you cannot go to Grace, I will gladly bring her here if you would like to see her." Thor said as he handed the drawing back to his brother. "Both of them."

"Really? You would do that for me?" Loki asked in shock.

"Of course I would. You are my brother." Thor answered with a smile on his face as he clasped his hand on Loki's back warmly.

Loki smiled back then and answered, "I would love it if they came but," Loki paused and a sad dejected look formed on his face as he looked down to the ground and Thor released his grasp. "I cannot take her away from Midgard. She is needed there. I cannot take her away from the sick and wounded."

"That is very noble of you, brother, but she is needed here as well. Besides, they would just come for a visit. Not to stay, that is until father consents." Thor protested.

Loki smiled as a single blue bird flitted up to them and landed on his shoulder peacefully. Thor was a bit taken back as he watched his brother reach his left hand to his shoulder and the bird hopped onto his finger without protesting. He watched as it appeared as if his brother was communicating with the bird on his hand. Loki stroked the birds feathered back and thought about what Thor had told him. "Alright. Let me write a letter asking her if she would like to come and visit."

The next day on Midgard, Grace was preparing a lunch of macaroni and cheese as Beth sat at the table reading the book of fairy tales out loud as Grace listened and corrected her pronunciation at times. It was a Saturday and Beth was home from school. Suddenly, there was a slight whooshing sound in the air and Grace turned around hopping that she would she Loki standing there. Standing at the entrance to the kitchen all resplendent in his battle armor with a silver breast plate and red cape over his muscular arms stood Thor.

"Hold on a moment please, Beth." Grace said as she stopped stirring the noodles and turned to face Thor as she crossed her arms across her chest. "Jane is not here, Thor. She left for New Mexico this morning." There was an element of despair in her voice that she was desperately trying to hide but failed in the attempt.

"I am not here to see Jane. I am here to see you. I am delivering a message from Loki." Thor responded in his deep voice as he took a step into the room.

Beth perked up and said, "Loki? What is the message?"

Thor turned to Beth and squatted down so he was eye level with her and said warmly, "He really loves the drawing that you sent him, as well as the photos. But I think the drawing is his favorite." Thor smiled as Beth grinned shyly and swayed gently in her seat.

Thor stood and looked over at Grace and said, "He also has a message for you. Actually, it is more of a question."

Grace then turned back to the noodles and asked, "What is the question?"

Thor then pulled a letter out of the folds of his cape and replied, "It is in this letter." He reached his hand with the letter out to Grace but she just stirred the noodles in the boiling water. Thor said, "I do not understand. I thought you love him?"

"I do love him, but every time I reach out to him and he reaches back some cruel twist of fate comes along and pulls and us apart. I am not sure if my heart can take much more of it." Grace answered as she continued to stir the noodles.

"That is when you have to fight for it, Grace. Fight for him! Loki has been disappointed by everyone his entire life! One day, he shut the doors to his heart and built a large barricade around it! Do not turn your back on him just when he is beginning to let his guard down! He has been walking around like a shadow of his former self. He does not eat, he barely sleeps, and it almost seems as if he is in some far of realm." Thor protested in a loud voice as he pointed to the letter with his hands clenched tightly into fists.

"I have never been good at fighting for things." Grace answered calmly.

"What do you mean?! From what Loki tells me, your entire life has been a fight! You even had to fight to get him to open his heart! Now that it is open, you are just going to leave him! Why? Imagine his heartbreak when he learns that the one person he loves will not even look at a letter that he sends to her! I will have to tell him, because as soon as I get back to Asgard, he will inquire what your response was!" Thor shouted.

Grace was weeping silently as she listened to Thor's words. Loki's caring and gentle heart would truly shatter if he learned that she did not read his letter. So she turned the stove off and wiped her tears away with the sleeve of her black shirt. She then turned to face Thor and said as she stumbled over to him, "You are correct. I do not want to cause him any more heartache then he already has to deal with." There were still trace elements of sorrow in her voice as she spoke and Thor noticed that she was leaning on the counter as she walked. Had she gotten worse?

When Grace took the letter from his hand, Thor excused himself from the room and stood outside as she read the letter. Grace stumbled over to the table and collapsed down in one of the chairs that were surrounding it. Beth just sat there silently as Grace read the letter and watched as her face transformed from one of sorrow to pure ecstasy and love. The letter read:

My dearest Grace,

I feel I must explain as to why I had to leave you so suddenly. You are aware that my father does not approve of our love for each other and I have been disregarding him and sneaking out to see you. My father had discovered this and, knowing that threatening my life would not yield his desired result, he thus threatened to have you killed if I did not cease in my visits. So, to save your life, that is exactly what I did.

I want you to know that you possess my thoughts and my heart at all times. I long to see you once again more and more with every passing second, but I know that my visit would mean your death and you are far too important on Midgard to even risk it. They need you there with them, Grace. Far more then I need you here with me.

My brother believes that we can manage to bring both you and Beth up to Asgard for a visit. You must tell him 'no'. It is far too treacherous to even attempt. I fear what my father will do if he finds you here. As I stated earlier, you are far too important to risk your life.

Please, tell Thor 'no'.

Yours and yours alone forevermore,

Loki Laufeyson

Grace folded the letter and held it close to her heart as she closed her eyes and let his words sink in. Beth waited patiently as she waited for Grace to open her eyes and explain what Loki had said to her in the letter. When she did open her eyes, she immediately stood and walked back to her room all the while leaning on the wall for support.

A few moments later, she returned with a piece of paper and a pen. She sat there and wrote a quick note to Loki. Then she folded it and held it to her lips as a single tear fell from her right eye. Beth folded her little arms on the table and rested her head on them as she watched Grace and waited for an explanation.

Grace then called Thor back into the room and held the letter out in her hand for him to take. He hesitated and asked, "What is this?"

"It is my response. I told him 'no'. It is far too dangerous. For Beth's sake, I will not risk it." Grace answered point blankly. Thor took the letter regrettably and left the room with a down cast gaze. He then stepped into Bifrost and return to Asgard.

Grace then turned to Beth who inquired, "What did Loki ask?"

Grace smiled and unfolded the letter and handed it to the young girl who was across from her at the table. "Here, I will read it and you follow along. Alright?" Beth smiled and nodded her head eagerly. Grace then began to read as she gracefully moved her finger across the page as she pointed to each word that she was reading.

When Thor arrived back on Asgard, he headed straight for Loki's chambers. When he arrived, the door was wide open but he still knocked on the door. When no answer came, he walked into the room to lay the letter on his bedside table. It was a rather large room that was dark in coloration which made it appear to be smaller for there were dark green curtains that were drawn over the windows and black furniture in the vast room. The bed was large and plush with fine green satin and silk covers.

The bed appeared as if no one had slept in for days. This was true. All that he had told Grace was true. Loki was not behaving like himself at all. There had not been a single prank played on anyone since he was forbidden to see Grace. Once Thor reach Loki's bedside table, he noticed that there was a thick braid of brown hair tied with a red ribbon lying within an arm's length from the bed. It was Grace's hair. He had noticed that her hair was shorter this time then it was the last time he had seen her.

Thor placed the letter down beside the lock of hair and turned to leave when he saw something in the corner of his eye. He turned to the bed and saw four photos laid out neatly on the covers. Curious, Thor walked up to the bed to examine the pictures. He picked up the two with Beth and Loki together and smiled as he examined them. He paid particular attention to the one where both he and Beth were laughing. It had been a long time since he heard his brother laugh.

Thor placed those down and picked up the next two gently. Loki was with Grace in these two pictures. There was one were his arms where wrapped around her tightly as she leaned on his chest. The other they were kissing in and there were tears streaming down his brothers face. These must have been taken on his last visit with her. As Thor gazed at the pictures in his hands he felt even worse about the news that he was bringing his brother.

Then, the door closed behind him and Thor spun around and saw that Loki was striding into the room. Loki folded his arms behind his back and said to Thor threateningly, "What are you doing in here, Thor?"

"I came by to give you Grace's reply but you were not here and I saw that the door was open." Thor answered.

"So you just came right in?" Loki asked as he took a step closer to his brother.

"I doubt you want father to see the letter from the very woman he is trying to keep you away from." Thor answered.

Loki's eyes opened wide with excitement as he walked the final few steps up towards his brother. "She answered with a letter? Where is it?"

"Do not get to excited, brother. She said 'no'." Thor said with melancholy clear in his voice. "But if you still want to read it, I placed the letter on your bedside table."

Loki had to hide a smile. Grace was going to do exactly what he told her to do. She was not going to come up to Asgard. Why did she write a letter though? Loki picked it up and watched as Thor left the room. Once he was gone, Loki sat on the coach in his room and unfolded the piece of paper eagerly. On it was Grace's dainty handwriting and as he read it, he could not help letting a smile spread across his face. It read:

My love,

I told your brother what you wished me to say, but you have to know that I will not waste a chance to see you. I care not for my life. I just need to see you, to feel your touch against my skin, and experience the tenderness of your kiss once again. I love you, Loki. I will see you soon.

My heart belongs to you,

Grace.

Loki folded the paper and looked at the photos on his bed. They were all still there but had been moved. So what if Thor saw them, it mattered not. Grace was still going to come and see him. A smile spread across his face as he thought about Grace walking with him in the garden. He would walk with both Grace and Beth through the garden as he held their hands in both of his.

Loki began to read her letter again then and a realization came upon him. She was coming here! That is precisely what he advised against! He needed to write her back without rousing any suspicion. He quickly got a piece of paper and a quill and began to write. If she just disregarded this letter like she did the last, he did not know what he would do next.

Once he finished writing the letter, he folded the paper and went out to find Thor. When he found his brother, he was in the banquet hall dining with the warriors, he said, "May I speak with you privately for a moment?"

Thor smiled and answered, "Yes, of course." Thor stood and walked with his brother out into the hall. Once they were out of earshot of everyone in the hall, Thor asked, "What may I help you with?"

Loki then lifted the letter that he had written to Grace a few moments ago and asked, "Could you please deliver this to Grace. It can be either tomorrow or in a few days."

"Loki, I am not your mail currier!" Thor protested. He looked into his brothers pleading green eyes and took the letter out of his hands. "I will deliver it in a few days so as not to seem too desperate."

"Thank you, Thor." Loki said as he watched his brother stride back into the banquet hall answered by a chorus of loud bellowing cheers. Once Loki had walked away as well, a figure rounded the corner and eyed his back suspiciously. It was Lady Sif. She had not heard all of what had transpired between Loki and Thor, but there was something odd about it. She wanted to inform the All Father about it, but she knew she needed more facts first. So, she just walked back into the banquet hall and resumed the feast.

A few days later, Loki awoke in his bed lying on his chest as he tightly grasped the soft braid of brown hair in his hand. He looked at the braid and smiled as he thought that he may be getting another letter from Grace soon. He laid there with a content smile on his face as the satin and silk covers rested on his bare back. He heard a knock on his door and he answered by calling out with slumber lingering in his voice, "What is it?"

Thor's voice called back in by saying, "Have you just awakened? It is already noon and I have just returned from Midgard."

Upon hearing that, Loki sprang out of bed and rushed to get a shirt on while he conversed with his brother through the door. "Was there any reply?" He asked as he slipped a large grey shirt over his head.

"In a manner of speaking." Came the reply through the door. There was a hint of desperation in Thor's voice but Loki did not notice. He was too delighted at the thought that Grace may have answered his letter. And so quickly once again.

Loki chuckled and answered as he walked towards the door, "Come on, Thor. Is there, or isn't there a reply?" He opened the door then and all the blood ran out of his face and just about froze in his veins when he saw Thor standing there with Grace held in his arms. She was out cold and it appeared as if both of her legs were stiffer than ever. "I asked you just to deliver a letter not bring her to Asgard! Get her in here!" Loki hissed quietly as Thor carried Grace into his chamber and laid her on his bed. "Where is Beth? Did you bring her as well?" Loki continued.

"No, I left her with Jane in New Mexico! I could not just leave her on her own! Beth was begging for me to bring Grace here though." Thor responded.

"Why?" Loki asked with a slightly softer voice. "Is something wrong?"

"Beth informed me that Grace has not moved for two days. She was breathing, but she was not moving as she lay there on her bed! She is now, but only just." Thor responded with a note of urgency in his voice.

When Loki heard this, he was by her side in an instant. He was holding her hand and stroking her brow tenderly as he gazed affectionately down at her. Thor watched this and wondered at how loving his brother was towards this mortal. He watched as Loki sat beside her on the bed and continued to stroke her burning hot forehead with his cold hand.

After a few moments Thor said, "I will go send for the healers." After he had left, Loki continued to stroke Grace's forehead with his cold hand and his bright green eyes ran over every detail of her face. He wanted to make sure he had it memorized. Even though he had the photos, nothing compared to having an actual memory of her. He watched as she shifted slightly on the bed and contemplated pulling the covers over her to keep her warm.

A few minutes later there was a knock on the door and Loki, not wanting to leave her side, said, "Who is it?"

"What do you mean, who is it? It is me with the healers." Thor shouted from the other side of the door.

Panic suddenly surged through his entire frame. What if they reported back to his father that Grace was in his chambers? Why did he care? Grace was here with him. That was all that mattered to him now. Loki looked back down at Grace's face and that seemed to calm him as he pushed a strand of her short brown hair behind her ear. He leaned forward then and kissed her on the forehead tenderly.

At that precise moment, Grace opened her eyes. She saw Loki leaning over her with a relived smile on his pale face and she smiled back at him not realizing where she was. She thought she was dreaming as she often did. She reached up and stoked the side of his face with the backs of her fingers lovingly. "I missed you." She whispered.

Loki gently grasped her hand and kissed her fingertips and replied, "I missed you as well." His voice was low and quiet as well as he gazed into Graces bright blue eyes.

Thor, who was still on the other side of the door with the healers, was growing distressed. He did not hear anything in the room and thought that Loki had fled out the window with Grace in his arms. He was about to open the door and march in when he heard his brother call out to him, "There is no need for the healers. Everything is alright." There was a certain amount of peace and tranquility in his voice that caught all of those waiting outside his door off guard. What was going on in there?

Inside the room, Grace was now sitting up leaning against the headboard. Her legs were curled up underneath her and a long white skirt was draped over her legs. Loki sat at the edge of the bed watching her with a peaceful smile on his face. He wore black cloth pants and a grey baggy V-neck shirt that showed the end of one of the extensive scars on his chest. They just sat there for a few moments and just watched each other breath. They just took in the others presence as they sat four feet away from each other. After a few moments, Grace broke the silence by saying quietly, "It is so nice to see you again, Loki."

Loki nodded his head. "I cannot agree more, Grace." He replied breathlessly. He was fighting the urge to reach out and hold her close to him. He was actually trembling slightly from the excitement of seeing her again.

Grace noticed this and leaned forward and threw her arms around Loki and smiled as she felt his arms tighten around her. She whispered in his ear, "Why were you holding back? Why did you not just reach out to hold me?"

A single tear ran down Loki's face as he heard Grace question him with a hurt expression in her voice. Loki pulled out of the hug and placed his hands on either side of her face gently. "Because I knew that the moment I touched you, I could never let you go again. I also know that you cannot stay here, even though I want you to stay desperately."

Grace rested her hands on his chest as she asked, "Why not, Loki? Why can we not stay in this room forever?" Loki then kissed her on the lips and she kissed him back. They both missed each other so much that they were totally immersed in their shared affections. As their lips moved in sync with each other, the sound of their hearts beating was the only sound that could be heard.

Loki suddenly pulled away and said, "No. You are needed back on Midgard. Beth needs you. The people need you." His head was hanging low as he spoke.

Grace placed her delicate hand under his chin and lifted his gaze to meet hers. "If I have to go back, would you like to come with me?" A smile flashed across Loki's face for a split second as he thought about returning to Midgard and seeing Beth again. Then he remembered his father's threat. He did not want to risk getting her killed.

Loki looked into her eyes and said, "I would love to go back to Midgard with you but, I am afraid, it cannot be. Grace," He paused and looked down at the bed then back up into her eyes. There was a certain level of sorrow and distress in his green eyes that made her eyes begin to mist over. "I love you with all of my heart, Grace. But, I am afraid we cannot be together. It is far too perilous for you to stay here or for me to come to Midgard."

Grace grinned sadly and replied by asking, "How long? How long can I stay here with you before I am discovered?"

Loki put his hand on the side of her face and Grace leaned her head into his hand as she put her hand over his. "You would really be willing to risk your life to stay with me?" Loki inquired.

Grace smiled and answered, "I have met many people in my life, Loki. Of all of them, you and Beth are the ones that I would happily give my life for."

Loki then pulled her into a tight embrace as he wept gently on her shoulder. Grace smiled and kissed him on the cheek affectionately. Loki smiled and pulled her tighter then whispered in her ear, "You can probably stay for two weeks without detection. I am sure I can manage to have you around for another week or two if you like."

"I would love that. But what about Beth?" Grace asked as she pulled away from Loki and looked into his green eyes.

"Thor told me that he dropped Beth of at Jane's house in New Mexico. I will send him tomorrow to tell her that you have recovered but you are staying up here for a few days." Loki replied with a smile. "Well, it is noon. I had better go get lunch. I will be right back." He smiled and left the room leaving Grace alone in his room resting on his bed.

Grace looked around and saw that she was in a rather large plush room. There was black furniture in the room and four windows that were covered with thick curtains blocking out most of the light. She looked over to one of the windows that had a large heavy green curtain that reached all of the way to the floor drawn over it. She stood and walked in her bare feet across the floor that was covered with a white fur rug. She reached her pale hands out and grasped the curtains and threw them open. Bright sun light flooded the room and Grace just stood in awe of the glorious sight in front of her. There were many gold buildings and a bright blue sky with two moons. There were several people walking around on the streets wearing either robes or armor.

At that moment, Loki reentered his chamber with a cloth napkin in his hand that was laden with food. He saw Grace standing at the window with the curtain drawn back and she was standing in the full light of the afternoon sun. She was not aware that he had reentered the room and she just stood there in awe and shock of what she saw. Loki placed the food on his bed and walked up behind her and placed his hands tenderly on her arms.

Grace jumped slightly at Loki's touch, but when she realized that it was him she relaxed and asked him, "Where am I?"

Loki sucked air into his lungs and answered as he gazed out of the window as well, "This is Asgard. This is where I was raised." His voice was rather melancholy as he spoke.

"You mean, this is your home?" Grace asked in amazement.

"Far from it." Loki replied. "My home is where ever you are. I would follow you anywhere."

Grace then dropped the curtain and as it fell over the window she turned around to face him. As she looked up at Loki she said in a soft voice, "You would give all of this up? For me?"

As Loki gazed down into her blue eyes, he pulled her close and whispered, "Of course I would. I love you more than anything."

Grace then stood on her tip toes and reached up and wrapped her arms around Loki's neck and as he leaned forward, she kissed him on the lips and he kissed her back. After a few moments, the kiss ended and Loki said, "You had better eat. I would like to show you around later and you will need your energy."

Grace smiled as Loki took her by the hand and led her back to his bed were there was the napkin with a few pieces of cheese and a few slices of meat. As they both sat on the bed, Loki told of the last month up on Asgard while Grace ate the food that he had collected for her and listened to him intently.

Little did they know, but Sif stood just outside the door listening to the conversation transpiring just beyond the doors. Loki had a woman in his chambers! A mortal woman! In fact, it was THE mortal woman that the All Father had forbidden him to visit! Every cell within her wanted to go inform the king, but then, she also wanted to meet this woman who changed Loki's life so drastically. She just stood there and listened as they spoke in the room. Eventually, she left and went about her way to return later.

The next day on Midgard in New Mexico, Jane, Beth, and Darcy sat at the kitchen table eating breakfast. They all sat there silently as they ate there meal. Beth was seated in the middle of the two ladies and she looked from one to the other with her eyes as she spooned her cereal into her mouth.

Then, there was a bright flash of light and a slight whooshing sound and the three of them turned around and saw Thor standing there with a bright smile on his face. Both Jane and Beth ran up to him and when they both had received a tight embrace from him he turned to Beth and said, "Loki wants you to know that Grace is fine. She will just be up on Asgard for a few days. Is that alright with you?"

Beth smiled and replied, "Yes it is."

"So, what are you ladies going to do today?" Thor asked as he took a set at the table.

Darcy was the one to speak up. She said, "Probably just the usual stuff. Go to science labs and work on some secret stuff. As well as tase some guys." She looked over at Beth when she said this and saw that she giggled.

Yesterday, Darcy had told Beth how she had met Thor and the events that transpired afterwards. Beth laughed harder than she ever had when she listened to her tell the tale of how she had met Thor and the comments that were exchanged afterwards.

Back on Asgard, Grace was sitting on one of Loki's back chairs reading one of the extensive amounts of books in his room as she waited for him to return. The chair was soft and plush and it seemed to be covered in some sort of black fur from some animal that she had never seen before. Whatever it was, it was extremely soft.

Grace's bright blue eyes scanned over the words in the book that she held in her hands and she turned the page every now and again with a delicate thin finger. The door opened to Loki's chamber and she did not even look up. She just assumed that it was Loki coming into the room. She was wrong.

"What are you doing here?" Asked a feminine voice. It was commanding and held a certain amount of suspicion in it that caused Grace to jump. When she looked up she saw a tall woman dressed in armor with long black hair that was pulled back into a ponytail revealing high cheekbones on a tanned face. Her deep green eyes where filled with rage as she glared at Grace.

Grace set the book down and slowly rose to her feet as she kept her eyes slightly downcast. "I am not quite sure why I am here, my lady. But I do know that Loki has generously agreed to care for me until I can return home."

The woman drew her sword and pointed it at Grace and said, "You are lying. Loki does not care about anyone but himself."

Grace was shocked and looked up into the warrior's eyes as she responded, "Really? He did not give me that impression."

"Yes. I grew up alongside him!" The woman shouted. "He is a master of lies and deceit! He even tried to kill his brother a few times!"

"No offence, but you obviously do not know him all that well. He does not seem to be a deceiver to me. Honestly, he is a really bad liar." Grace replied calmly.

The woman was taken off guard by this. Her green eyes widened and she lowered her sword and asked, "What is he like with you?"

Grace smiled and answered, "He is hard to explain. He is loving and gentle, but very protective. He is thoughtful and compassionate, yet broken." Grace stopped and looked up into the woman's eyes and smiled all the brighter as she added, "I would give my life for him in an instant."

At that moment, Loki walked into the room with a bright smile on his pale face. The moment he saw the woman in his room, the smile disappeared from his face and he quickly raced to stand in between this intruder and the woman he loved. Once he stood in front of Grace he asked, "What are you doing in here, Sif?" His voice was thick with fury and contempt as he spoke to her.

"I just wanted to meet the mortal who had stolen your heart." Sif answered softly as she looked past Loki to Grace who stood behind him.

"Then why were you pointing your sword at her?" Loki asked threateningly.

Grace walked past Loki and stood in front of him and turned to him and said, "She did not know what to expect, Loki. It is understandable." She then turned to Sif and curtsied as best she could and said, "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Lady Sif. My name is Grace."

Sif was taken off guard by this and sheathed her sword. She replied, "There is no need for that bowing, Grace. I am not royalty. I am just a warrior to defend the king and all of Asgard."

"Oh… I apologize. I was merely mistaken by your regal garments." Grace responded.

Sif then looked at Loki and said to him, "I can see how you fell for her. She is very sweet." Sif then took on a sterner expression as she asked, "Why did you bring her here, Loki? Your father will not be pleased when he discovers what you have done."

"She was ill. I was told that she had not moved for days when Thor brought her here. But, now that she is on the mends, she will only stay for another week or so. Just so I can make sure that she is alright. Please, Sif, do not tell Odin that she is here." Loki begged as he gripped Graces hand tightly.

Sif bowed slightly to him and said in reply, "I never intended to tell Odin, I just wanted to meet her." With that said, Sif swiftly left the room as she closed the door behind her.

Grace turned to Loki and wrapped her arms around his neck. She looked up into his bright green eyes as he smiled down at her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He then picked her up and he carried her over to his bed. Once he set her down she kept her arms wrapped around his neck so he could not stand up.

"Come on, Grace, please let go. I have to make an appearance at the feast or everyone will get worried and come to my room in search of me." Loki said sweetly. "I will be right back."

"Not until you kiss me first." Grace answered as she closed her eyes.

Loki smiled and leaned forward and kissed her gently on the lips as her arms remained wrapped around his neck. His hands rested on her shoulders as he kissed her and they slowly traveled to her waist as he pulled her closer to him. Once their lips parted, they remained close to each other and Loki whispered to her, "I love you, Grace."

Grace smiled and replied, "As long as I am alive, you and you alone have ownership of my heart." She then released him and crossed her hands over her chest. Loki, however, stayed close to her even though she had released her grip on him. He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips one more time before he left the room. He gave her the instruction to remain on the bed and rest while he was gone.

So, Grace remained on his bed as she remembered the soft feel of his lips against hers as she gently touched her lips. She remembered the last kiss she had shared with him at her house versus the kiss that they shared only a few moments ago. The one back at the house was sorrowful and passionate, but the one that they shared here, in his room, was joyous and romantic. They knew that they were not going to be separated for at least a week.

Grace closed her eyes and drifted off into a light slumber. She dreamed of Loki walking alongside her as she grew old in one. Loki stood by her side at Beth's wedding to a nice young man in another. Finally, Loki was helping push her along in her wheelchair when she no longer could walk.

A few minutes later, the door opened and Loki came striding into his room. He saw that Grace was asleep and he walked quietly up to her as he tried not to wake her. Once he reached her side, he looked down at her lovingly. He then leaned forward and kissed her cheek tenderly and watched as a grin grew on her angelic face. Then he went and sat on the couch as he read the book that Grace was reading earlier.

A few days later, Grace stretched her arms above her head as she awoke in bed and felt a strange dangling object on the headboard. It was small and smooth. Grace opened her blue eyes and saw a beautiful elegant golden bracelet with small green gemstones in it. She sat up on the large bed with black satin sheets and green silk covers. She gently picked it off of the headboard and held it in the palm of her hand. It was truly beautiful. It was a small and dainty bracelet with golden leaves and emeralds scattered all through it.

Loki was standing by his large wardrobe watching as Grace observed the bracelet that he had put on the headboard for her to find. A smile spread across his face when he saw her pick it up and examine it closer. In the dim light that was coming in from the thin openings in the dark green drapes that where pulled over the windows in his chamber, Grace appeared to be glowing like a pure white angel in a dark room. As she fingered the bracelet in her hand, Loki slowly walked towards the bed and sat down on the edge and tenderly took it out of her hand. Grace looked up at him with her large blue eyes and smiled as she held her wrist out for him to put the bracelet on it.

Loki obliged and once it was on Grace's wrist, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it lovingly. It looked truly stunning against her pale skin and the green set off the blue in her eyes. She was wearing a long white dressing gown that was slightly big on her. It belonged to Sif. She had been kind enough to lend it to Grace while she stayed on Asgard.

"Do you know why I got this for you, Grace?" Loki asked in a voice that could almost be described as a loving whisper.

Grace held his hand tightly in hers as she responded, "Not really." She gazed into his soft green eyes and used the same tone of voice that he had used.

Loki smiled and responded by saying, "Because I love you, Grace. You and no other. You are the only one who took the time to actually see me. Not just the threatening façade that I portrayed, but also what I was trying so desperately to hide beneath it.

"I never thought anyone could understand me, let alone love me. When I learned that I was adopted, I was devastated and just wanted to end it all. I did not care what happened to anyone anymore then my adopted father did about me. When I met you, everything changed. I felt something move inside me that had not moved in a very long time. You have changed my life, Grace. I am forever in your debt."

Grace was getting teary-eyed as she listened to Loki speak. A small smile lingered on her face as she placed her hand tenderly on the side of his face. He put his hand over hers and continued to speak quietly, "Also, because you would not let me get you a proper ring." He smiled then and it was one of the most beautiful smiles she had ever seen on his face.

Grace giggled lightly and glanced down at the ring that he had given to her in the prison cell. It was made out of his hair that Loki had cut off and given to her. It was interlaced with magic to hold it together and it shimmered with green sparks when the light hit it just right. "I love them both the same, Loki. And do you know what?" Grace asked with her soft sweet voice landing like flowers on his ears.

Loki smiled and asked, "What?"

Grace then wrapped her arms around his neck and as she leaned in close she whispered while her lips were an inch or two away from his, "I love you more." Loki then grasped her gently around the waist and kissed her on the lips ardently. Grace smiled as she kissed him back and slowly leaned back onto the bed and Loki followed her down. His torso rested softly on top of her as they kissed each other and her arms remained around his neck as his hands rested on her shoulders warmly.

Suddenly, the door opened and light footsteps came rushing into the room. It was Sif and she was dressed in her usual battle armor and dark red leather pants. When she saw Grace and Loki on the bed together she quickly apologized to them for this interruption. They both sat up and Graces hands rested on Loki's chest for a few moments as she gazed into his loving green eyes. Loki then looked over at Sif and asked, "What seems to be the problem?" He had a jovial smile on his face as he spoke.

Sif stared at them for a few moments. She could hardly recognize Loki. He was smiling! When she finally found her voice, a warning came out of her mouth. "It is the king. He suspects something. He is coming to your chamber." Sif answered urgently.

Upon hearing this, a look of sheer terror entered into Loki's eyes as he thought of his father discovering Grace in his chamber and throwing her in prison to be killed the next morning. Grace knew this and wrapped her arms warmly around him and embraced him from behind as she rested her head on his shoulder. Loki then put one of his hands over her hands and looked over his shoulder at her. He smiled weakly at her then as a single tear ran down the left side of her face.

Sif saw this and added quietly, "You probably have a few minutes if you want to hide, Grace."

You would have thought that the bed had been set on fire. Loki jumped up so quickly and he picked Grace up and opened the trunk at the end of his bed. He looked at her and asked, "Is this alright? My father will never look in here."

Grace looked down into the trunk and then back up at Loki and asked, "Do you think I will fit in there?"

"It is bigger than it looks." Loki said as he set Grace down inside it. Before she lay down, he rushed over to the couch and grabbed a small pillow. He then brought it back for her and laid it down on the far side of the trunk. Once he stood up again he looked into Grace's bright blue eyes and said as he put his hand tenderly on the side of her face, "If there was any other place I know that my father would not search, that is where I would have you hide. I am sorry."

Grace smiled weakly at him and stood on her tip toes as she kissed Loki on the lips gently. She then gracefully lay down inside of the trunk in the fetal position as Loki slowly closed the lid. Just before he was out of view and everything went dark, Grace could have sworn that she saw a tear run down the left side of Loki's face.

After Sif quickly left the room, Grace heard three pairs of heavy footsteps coming into the room. She then heard the voice of the All Father yelling and shouting in an extremely aggravated tone of voice at Loki. He was demanding to know if he had still been sneaking off to see the mortal or if he had brought the mortal here to Asgard. Then she heard Loki deny his father's claims which was closely followed by objects clattering onto the floor as the other two men who came into the room with the All Father searched for her. It followed in this same fashion for what seemed like hours.

Graces heart seemed to be pounding in her chest a million miles per hour as the footsteps got closer to the trunk that she was hiding in. As the footsteps stopped near the trunk, she placed her hands over her mouth so they could not hear her raged breathing. Suddenly, the lid to the trunk was flung open and a blinding light shown in on her. On instinct, she raised her hands in front of her face to block the light. Then a pair of hands reached in and grabbed her by the wrists and pulled her out as she protested and shouted with her eyes screwed tightly closed. She fought against this person with all her might as she tried to hit and scratch this person. It even seemed like her blows landed a few times.

The hands around Grace's wrists remained tight as she fought against them with all her might. She did not even hear as someone called her name. The hands then gripped her shoulders and pulled her into a tight embrace. Once she was in that individuals arms she noticed that there was something extremely familiar with the way she was being held. She stopped fighting then and opened her eyes slowly to find that Loki was the one who held her in his arms. They had not been discovered after all.

"I am sorry, Loki." Grace apologized as she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and laid her head on his chest.

Loki kissed her on the top of her head and asked, "For what, my dear?"

"I hit and scratched at you." Grace replied as her arms remained wrapped tightly around Loki's waist.

"Listen to me, Grace." Loki said as he placed one of his hands under her chin and lifted her gaze to meet his. "You were only defending yourself. I should have let your eyes adjust to the change in lighting before I pulled you out. I was just too excited." He smiled then and Grace saw a scratch on his chin that was bleeding slightly.

Grace gasped and released Loki's waist and reached up to his face and tenderly touched the scratch. "Did I do that?" She asked as it healed before her eyes.

Loki smiled at her and answered, "Do not worry about it." He then tenderly grasped Graces hand and brought it up to his lips and kissed it gently. She blushed and grinned lightly as she looked down at the ground. Loki could not help smiling when he saw this act of modestly on her face that she displayed often.

After a few moments, Loki spoke, "Grace," He paused for a moment as he tried to form the correct words to say and how they would accomplish what he was about to ask. Grace looked up at him and her bright blue eyes were ablaze with adoration in the dim light of the room. Loki lost his voice for a few moments when he noticed this. He just stood there and looked at her and marveled at her beauty. Her short brown hair was beginning to grow out and it was now almost shoulder length. Her thin fragile frame was covered with a white bed dress and the bracelet that he had given her was around her dainty wrist. That someone as beautiful as her would love someone as broken as he was completely baffled him.

Grace watched him as he tried to form the right words to say to her. Loki stood in front of her with her right hand held tightly to his chest as he gazed down into her eyes. His black hair was beginning to grow back as well and was just a bit past his shoulders. As he looked down into her eyes he felt his heart begin to beat faster. Grace could feel this for he was holding her hand over his heart. "Loki?" Grace whispered. "I think you were going to ask me something."

"Oh… That is correct. What was it?" Loki inquired.

Grace laughed and wrapped her other arm around his waist in a tight embrace. Loki smiled and kissed the top of her head as he wrapped his other arm around her waist. After they stood there for a few moments, Loki said, "I remember what I was going to ask now."

"What was it?" Grace asked as her head laid against Loki's chest with her eyes closed.

"Would you like to go for a walk in the garden?" Loki asked.

Grace pulled away from him slightly and looked up at him as she said with shock in her voice, "I thought that was too dangerous to go outside?"

"Not if we go walk at night while all of the others sleep." Loki answered. "Besides," Loki paused for a moment as he picked her up and held her in his arms. "I would love for you to see the gardens that my mother tended to while she lived."

Grace leaned her head against his shoulder as Loki walked over to the couch and sat down. She sat beside him as her legs lay draped across his lap on the couch and as he leaned back, Grace again rested her head on his chest and listened to his strong heart beat as he wrapped his arms around her once more. "It would be an honor to see your mothers' garden, Loki." Grace said softly after a few moments.