"Loki," Thor called, walking into the library where his brother was stationed, a tome open before him on the table. Loki vaguely acknowledged his approach with a wave of his hand, attention focused on the tome.

Thor sighed. "What was with you back at breakfast?"

Loki sighed, obviously tired of the conversation before it had even begun, "Nothing," he sighed, "it was awkward and I was finished anyway."

Thor raised an eyebrow, coming up behind his brother, "Oh really? Awkward?" He wrapped his arms around his brother from behind, only to be pushed away roughly as Loki turned to face hi. "Knock it off, Thor. Does discretion mean nothing?"

When Thor did not respond Loki huffed, going to a bookshelf to retrieve another tome. "Come on, brother, we have something we need to discuss anyway."

"Sif," Loki commented, sitting back down at the table with his book. Thor nodded, taking the seat across from him. "We need to discuss how we are going to handle this, Loki, and do not tell me you are not angry, for it would be a lie."

Loki glared death at Thor, who sat looking amused. "Do not fret, I am angry too, Loki. She cannot go unpunished Loki, and you cannot kill her. So I wanted to ask how you think this should be handled, since you are the injured party."

Loki gazed around for a moment in thought, before inhaling deeply, and beginning speak, "I don't know Thor. I just wish it to be over. I have had enough attention called to myself already." He paused for a moment, before speaking, "Odin will find out."

"You mean Father. And yes, I have no doubt he will. He might already know. Father has always had a sixth sense when it comes to problems."

Loki stared idly at a speck of dust on the table, before answering. "Yes, I know he does. It's rather bothersome…always has been."

"Well? I think we should figure out how we are going to handle this, before he steps in, don't you?"

Loki nodded, agreeing. "I guess so. Fine. Let's talk."

Thor leaned onto the table, focusing his gaze on Loki. "She cannot go unpunished, Loki, but I do not wish for her death."

"Why? She wished for mine." Loki stated, flipping a page in his book. Thor sighed, "Loki, could you please pay attention?"

"I am," Loki stated, flipping another page idly. Thor hit the table with his hand, the sound reverberating through the vacant library. "Fine, Thor," Loki matched Thor's gaze, a sarcastic look on his face, "Better, dear brother?" Loki stated, batting his eyelashes.

"Its fine Loki, just give me your opinion and this whole thing will be over and I'll leave you to yourself."

Loki sighed, rolling his eyes, "Alright. You want to know what I think? I want her dead. Just like she wanted me."

"Loki," Thor said in a warning tone, "You know that I do not think that is an option."

Loki huffed. "You asked for my opinion, I gave it. If you do not agree, then be gone with you. I wish to be alone right now anyway."

Thor sighed. "Alright, Loki, I understand why your upset…I'll leave you alone for now. But I will be back."

Thor stood briskly, walking out of the library. When he got to the balcony, he gazed out of Asgard. It had been awhile since he had been felt whole in this place. But he did now. His brother was no longer missing, and he hoped his family could get back to having at least some semblance of normalcy again. But Thor doubted that Loki would allow that.

His eyes gazed around, before catching on the Bifrost. Then something struck him as odd. Why had Heimdall not mentioned the incident?

In a few moments, Thor was off, heading in the direction of the Bifrost.

Heimdall did not move when Thor entered the Observatory. He was sure he already knew what it was Thor had to say.

"Heimdall!" Thor announced, as he walked into the Observatory. He stopped in front of Heimdall's perch, gazing at him. "I wish to ask you something!"

Heimdall's voice reverberated around the large Observatory, "I know you do, prince. Ask of me your question."

"Heimdall," Thor began, gazing into Heimdall's yellow eyes, "Did you not see what transpired in Vanaheim?" Heimdall stood for a moment, his face emotionless as it normally was, before he opened his mouth to speak.

"I will not lie. Yes, I did see what transpired in Vanaheim." Heimdall's eyes stayed fixed on Thor. Thor's face was quickly twisting into a mask of anger.

"Then why did you tell anyone? Why did you not even try to intervene? Is that not your job Heimdall? Have you told Odin?"

Heimdall stayed silent until Thor was finished, before he began his answer. "No, I have not told Odin yet. And yes, I did witness the events on Vanaheim, however horrific they may be."

"They why, Heimdall, did you not do something, get Father, anything?" Thor exclaimed, exasperated.

"Because, my young prince, that was not all I had witnessed; and if my vision is correct, one of you're friends currently conspires against you. Would Odin being involved in all this be what you really wanted?"

Thor stared at Heimdall in horror. Heimdall must have seen what Fandral had seen. Thor silently thanked God for Heimdall's trademark lack of emotion. Thor sighed and shook his head at what a clusterfuck Sif had created.

"I guess, if what you say is true, than it is probably best that Odin not be involved in this yet…" Thor trailed off, deep in thought. When something Heimdall had said sparked his interest. "Heimdall, you said that one of my friends conspired against me?"

"Yes."

"Who?" Thor asked, mind racing as he desperately tried to find which of his friends would dare conspire against him. After a pause, Heimdall responded.

"Fandral, my prince; he is the one who conspires against you." Thor was shocked. Fandral? He wondered why one of his closest friends would even wish to do so. As Thor thought about it harder, he realized he had noticed Fandral hanging about Sif more often than was usual. He had also been the first to rise to her defense, and the only one of the Warriors Three to go so far to protect her.

Thor nodded, "Thank you Heimdall, for your information. I apologize for coming here with a tempter. I did not know you had…" He trailed off, embarrassed. Heimdall nodded in understanding, watching as Thor left the Observatory in a rush.

He stood at his post, as he usually did, unmoving. Sometimes he regretted that he saw as much as he did; but alas, it was his job as gatekeeper, and he would not have it any other way.

As he thought this, he turned to look after the Mighty Thor.

Thor walked through the halls of the palace, intent on finding Fandral. As he walked his anger was rising; why would Fandral do something like this? When he finally tracked Fandral down, he was sitting in the dining hall, munching on a roll.

His eyes widened when he saw Thor's rage.

'Thor?! What's going on?" He exclaimed, standing from his chair when Thor grabbed him by his clothing, lifting him off the floor. "Stop this madness! What are you doing?"

"Heimdall tells me you conspire against me! Is this correct? Tell me, now!" Thor bellowed, angered and hurt. Fandral tried to pry himself from Thor's hands as he began his answer. "Thor, please, I do not wish to act on what Heimdall is saying. I simply want to talk first! Please, calm down, set me down, and we can talk like civilized beings!"

Thor glared at Fandral, contemplating Fandral's request, before setting him down. "Fine, tell me what you wish to discuss."

Fandral straightened his clothing, readjusting himself and clearing his throat. "Listen, Thor, the only thing I wanted to discuss was Sif's sentence." Thro interrupted, "I cannot promise anything I told you!"

"Then I have this to tell you, Thor. And you may kill me if you wish, but my threat still stands. Make sure Sif is not killed."

"I cannot promise anything, Fandral. You know this! My Father carries the final decision!"

"But you carry weight in his court! You can persuade him, you are his son! And Sif is your friend!" But Thor nodded his head, "Sif must pay for what she has done. And I cannot stand in the way of justice. What she has done carries the same weight as if she had tried to murder me! That is the end of it, Fandral!"

"Listen," Fandral began, "You either keep Sif from being executed, or I tell all of Asgard, including Odin, what you and Loki have done."

Thor stood mortified, and was not even sure if he had heard his friend right. "Is what you are saying true, Fandral? Would you do this to me?"

"For Sif, yes, I would."

And suddenly a realization dawned on Thor that he had not considered before. "You love her, don't you Fandral?"

Fandral remained silent for a long time, before answering. "I….I do."

Thor shook his head, pushing past Fandral roughly and heading out of the dining hall. He had to find Loki immediately. Soon Odin would hear of this, and when he did there would probably be no way to stop Fandral from spreading his knowledge.

He and Loki needed a plan, and Thor knew Loki was better than him at making those.

When he finally found Loki, Loki was practicing his magic in the library where Thor had left him earlier. He looked up concerned when Thor thundered into the room. "Brother! We must talk immediately!"

Loki stood abruptly, a look of confusion and worry crossing his face. "Thor, what in Odin's name is going on? What is the cause of this panic?"

Thor grabbed Loki by the shoulders, "Fandral has threatened to spread what he knows of us, if Odin executes Sif! And you know that if Odin finds out about this, there is no telling how he will react. And once he makes a decision, there is no changing his mind!"

"Okay, okay," Loki removed Thor's hands from himself, trying to calm his brother, "Let's talk about it, alright, and there has to be something we can do about it."

Thor nodded agreeing, finally sitting down at the urging of his younger brother. "That is why I am here. You are good with these things, Loki. We need to have a plan. We need to stop this immediately."

"I agree, brother. But first we need to calm down and think."