Chapter Ten: Dinner

A shape-shifting spell, three doppelgangers, the mind-spell on Darcy and a flask of Asgardian Liquor later, Loki sauntered into the S.H.I.E.L.D. dining area feeling like death itself. But despite his exhaustion, he was filled with adrenaline at the thought of how close he was to victory.

Darcy clung to his side, much to his sinister delight, and only her eyes betrayed the slightest hint of being under any spell. But to most, and hopefully most importantly to Jane, it looked like a simple spell of love. Loki grinned as Darcy nestled her warm head into his chest and he walked with his arm around her towards the dinner table.

The original underground garage set aside simply for Tony Stark's ridiculous collection of cars had been transformed in a matter of hours into a dining hall capable of holding all the S.H.I.E.L.D agents present. Dim orange lighting was arranged, and a huge, long table spread with simple crockery and a few candles served everyone perfectly.

Loki's casual one-sided grin adorned his face as he surveyed the scene. How romantic, he thought, glancing back at Darcy, who was playing with her fingers on the other side of his waist.

A tingle raced through his stomach as she turned to look at him … with the same mechanical eyes.

"Come," he whispered in her ear, "let us find a seat, my love."

Loki, heavily disguised as a dashing mortal male with glasses and short black hair, swayed Darcy artfully into a chair opposite Jane, who sat in all her goddess-glory next to Agent Fury. She noticed Darcy, then followed her hand which was firmly clasped around Loki's black shirt.

Jane met his eyes and Loki swallowed infinitesimally. Would she recognise him?

But after a moment's pause, she looked back to Darcy, trying to make eye-contact.

"Darc…? Um… who's this?"

Darcy fluttered her eye-lids sleepily and turned to face her best-friend.

Loki quickly muttered something under his breath, forming words for Darcy to speak:

"He's my boyfriend, Leo." She gazed back at him in deep infatuation, "I thought I'd invite him to the dinner."

He sat down gracefully, softly staring at the table. Then he let the full power of his gaze pierce Jane as he looked up. She visibly stiffened.

That's it, Loki smiled friendlily at her. Fear me.

"Oh… I see… um ... a pleasure to finally meet you Leo," she reached her hand across to him and he took it gently.

"The pleasure's all mine Miss Foster," he smiled warmly at her again. "Darcy's been talking about you non-stop ever since we first met."

"And… when was that exactly?" Jane asked suspiciously, anxiously watching Darcy's behaviour.

Loki turned to Darcy, her eyes still locked onto his face. He muttered under his breath again:

"It's not like you were here to notice…" she said coldly, glaring at her now.

Jane's mouth opened slightly. "Oh…"She looked very confused and hurt. "Darcy? What's going on?"

Loki chuckled: "I'm afraid she's completely intoxicated. She can barely stand for the alcohol."

He wished with all his heart that Jane's stupidity would override her scientific mind. Just this once, do not be like Thor and care too much for others.

Jane relaxed slightly, "she's always been one to drink far too much." The mood about them loosened and Jane began laughing. Everything brightened…

Especially for Loki.

With a dark malice, he realised he'd gained their trust. As he "nursed" Darcy and bore the responsibilities of taking care of her within their sight, everyone started buying it. He could see it in their expressions, a look he was such an expert on.

With an insipid word here, a twisted truth there, and always an air of confidence and nonchalant indifference, he knew his story was becoming more and more believable.

He was vaguely aware of Jane's calculated stare on him the whole evening, but in his elation he paid no attention.

Darcy giggled as he tickled the skin at the back of her neck. His arm was around her casually, everyone now relaxed as the meal was coming to an end. The one they called Tony Stark was making a show of his drinking abilities, gulping down a bottle of Vodka with considerable grandiose.

Everyone was in a settled mood.

Casually he slid his hand down Darcy's neck, allowing his fingers to rest at the start of her low-cut dress – a dress he'd happily chosen for her.

"It's nice that Darcy has someone," Jane said, smiling at him. Loki smiled back cheerfully.

"She gets lonely…" Jane mused, watching as Darcy slouched into Loki's chest again, still clutching at her shirt. She hummed a laugh, "she's so cute when she's drunk."

Then, the moment he'd been longing for, Jane met his eyes, willing to start a conversation.

"So… you've heard a lot about me… but I haven't heard anything of you," she cocked her head, "what should I know?"

What shouldn't you know, Loki thought, everything about me is pitted against you, you foolish mortal.

Darcy's show was warming Jane to him, just as he'd hoped. His doppelgangers were already ransacking her room for information as they spoke – everything was perfect.

"Not much… except that I care for Darcy more than my own life," he stroked the hair out of her face as she began to sleep.

Jane stared wistfully after them, "I'm glad."

"There's something I would like to ask of you, however…" Loki said gently.

"Anything."

"Your husband…" he began, creasing his brow, "is he here? Darcy was never clear on where you both lived."

Jane stiffened, "no... he's at home..." she said absently, narrowing her eyes slightly, "he's busy there… with some work."

"And you didn't bring him with you? When such danger is imminent?"

"N—no…his father… lives there. He said he wanted him home in order to protect it." Jane stared into her almost empty wine glass, suddenly losing the urge to finish it.

"Oh I see…" Loki rubbed his chin, staring into space. "Pity. I would have liked to have met him."

Darcy mumbled in her sleep and clung to Loki tightly. He felt her leg sneak up about his waist, and that same uncomfortably delightful tingle rushed through him again.

"Sometimes … he frustrates me … my husband that is," Jane suddenly said, to Loki's surprise.

"Oh?" he turned to her eagerly. Darcy's lips opened slightly as she let out an irresistible moan. Loki shivered. She was so distracting.

Jane was still fiddling with her wineglass, staring into the red mist at the base, a look of total concentration on her face like she was working out an equation. "He's… not mysterious. He's very upfront and honest, which is what I love about him…"

Go on, you pathetic morsel, Loki hissed in his mind.

"But … at times I think… there's a weakness about him … one which, if anyone out to harm him knew, would cripple him forever…" her eyes remained on the glass.

Loki was almost bouncing in his seat. It was all too perfect to comprehend.

"Plus… he's so childish," she rolled her eyes.

Suddenly Darcy awoke, and mumbling incoherently, she reached up to Loki and planted a soft, seductive kiss on his neck.

"Y-yes, he can be somewhat," Loki said in his excitement, trying to sound like he was interested in Jane's words when something far more inviting was wrapping itself around his neck.

And then it hit. His face fell and a chill colder than usual shot through his chest. He stared wide-eyed at Jane, realising what he'd said. He'd given himself away completely.

Jane didn't look up from her glass, however, she smiled. A simple smile, but a sinister one, even for Loki.

"Got you," she said.

And everything shut down.