A/N - Thanks to all who left reviews! The majority went with Jane, so I picked her. But I don't really want to tell you if I picked redemption or not…I want to leave you guessing. Btw, many thanks to wolftattoo for pointing out that Tony should be pissed off at Clint for shooting at Pepper. I totally forgot, and thanks to her, I added a little bit in that explains why he didn't seem to be. Many thanks to everyone who's supporting this!
Who the hell is calling at two in the goddamn morning?
Groaning, Natasha fumbled blindly for the phone, frowning at the unknown number. But she accepted it anyway. "Hello?" she inquired politely enough, but allowed a note of Calling people at two in the morning is not a courteous thing to do to escape through her voice.
"Natasha?" asked a familiar, confused voice. "Thor?" questioned Natasha, a wry smile tugging at the corners of her lips in spite of the earliness of the hour. "Did you need anything?"
"I have decided," said Thor. "I'd like to have Jane over." Natasha's smile only grew. "Yeah, that's great, Thor," she said hazily, blearily blinking her eyes. "But couldn't this wait until the morning?"
Thor's voice immediately switched to a contrite tone. "I am sorry," he apologized profusely, "Have I waken you?"
"Yes, you have," said Natasha, "But don't worry, it's fine. So, about Jane, are you absolutely certain you want her over? With Loki and everything?"
"Yes," said Thor confidently. "I have given the matter much thought, but I do not believe, if we are careful, that Loki would even know she is here. He is restricted to only one floor, no?"
"No. I mean yes," answered Natasha, becoming slightly muddled. "But yeah, I guess if we're really careful, everything will go smoothly. But next time, call after the sun rises."
"My apologies, Lady Natasha," said Thor gentlemanly. "Tony just told me that it would take her five hours to fly over, and I wished to enjoy the pleasure of her company today itself." Natasha pulled a dry look on her face, not sure what enjoy the pleasure of her company really meant, and to be honest, the Black Widow didn't think she really wanted to know.
"I'll call Stark, then," she said, grinning in the dark at the thought of Tony's annoyed voice. "You won't disturb him, right?" asked Thor anxiously. Natasha grinned again. "Oh, no," she assured him. "No, not at all. After all, everyone knows that playboy, genius billionaires adore being waken up at two in the morning."
—
Loki stirred, opening his eyes as he took in his surroundings. He was staring at a familiar broad back, with familiar, muscled arms hanging at the sides and a familiar hammer was being twirled between skilled fingers. Immediately, Loki closed his eyes again.
"Tell me when he awakens," said Thor's voice. "I will come immediately." Lucky me.
"Sure, Thor," Bruce reassured him. Thor strode easily out of the small room, and Loki felt relieved. Not for long, however.
"He's gone now," said a dryly amused voice. "You can open your eyes." Loki, caught out, was torn between feigning unconsciousness, or getting up and resigning himself to the fact that he couldn't outwit the mortal doctor. He opted for the latter.
Grudgingly he opened his eyes, scowling as he slid up in his seat and leaned comfortably on the pillows. Banner opened his mouth to speak, but Thor briskly walked back into the room, brilliantly blue eyes lighting up as they fell upon his brother. "Loki!" he exclaimed in delight.
Bruce smiled lightly. "I'll leave you to it," he murmured, quietly sliding out of the room. Loki glared at his retreating back, then turned resignedly to Thor.
There was something unusual about Thor, though Loki couldn't put his finger on it. His sharp green eyes ran over Thor's body. Something irked him, but what?
It was the way he was dressed, Loki realized. Thor was dressed more formally than usual, and his blue eyes were dancing as though contemplating some unseen joy. His blond locks were tied back loosely, and Thor struggled to keep his face from breaking into a broad smile.
"Why are you so happy?" demanded Loki at once. Normally, Thor would've looked confused, but now, a guilty, uncomfortable look flashed over his face. "Why—why, just to see you, Loki!" exclaimed Thor with false cheer. Loki's green eyes narrowed in suspicion as his mind worked overtime, having an inkling that there was something very big linked to Thor's happiness, but what?
"I am not your brother," Loki said absently as he tried to fit the puzzle pieces together. But the pieces didn't want to be fit together. It could be a coincidence….but is the universe ever so lazy?
There was that dreamy look in Thor's eyes again as he gazed hazily at Loki. Loki was just about to sardonically comment, Take a picture, it lasts longer, when it all suddenly clicked.
Thor was lovestruck.
Thor was only in love with one person, as far as he knew. And that person was…Jane Foster.
Loki wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. How lucky he was, the mortal woman delivered into his waiting jaws, and how stupid were the Avengers to let her come while he was there. He'd researched nearly everything there was to know about her, carefully planning an attack on her. He just never got around to it, however.
Now, maybe he'd get the chance.
—
"Nice dress, Pepper," commented Tony as he walked with her, Pepper sliding her arm into his. Pepper smiled appreciatively. "Yes, isn't it pretty?" she asked eagerly. But Tony wasn't done.
"They'd look better on my bedroom floor, though" he said charmingly, offering her a snarky grin as Pepper frowned at what Tony was implying. "They'd look even better rammed down your sorry throat," returned Pepper. Tony's grin grew wider.
"As long as they're off, I'm good."
In a huff, Pepper rustled past him. Tony looked amused, but his pleased expression was wiped away as Natasha walked over. "Where's the sorry bastard?" he demanded, voice low enough so Pepper couldn't catch it.
If Natasha was displeased at his address of her partner, she didn't show it. "Gone," she replied. "I'm not sure where he is now." Tony was sure that was a lie, because Natasha knew everything there was to know about the archer.
"Listen, Tasha," said Tony, voice serious. "He shot at my girl. Avenger or not, he's not getting away with this without consequences. I'm fucking pissed off right now, and if you knew where he is, you'd better spill."
Natasha did not reply, face impassive but Tony knew she was deep in thought. Finally, she replied.
"I would," she answered hesitantly. "I would tell you, Tony, but it's confidential. Clint trusted me with the location of this place, but I can assure you he cannot stay there long. It's too much for him…emotionally." Tony just frowned, but he supposed it could wait.
"Whatever," he mumbled, changing the subject. "Tell Thor that I completely closed off all the entrances to Loki, so Jane will be safe enough. She doesn't know he's there, right?"
"No," Natasha replied. "I'll tell him."
—
Jane was nervous.
Why would the Avengers, of all people, ask to see her? Tony had here flown over here in almost no time at all, but Jane had not enjoyed the luxurious ride at all, racking her brains as to why they wanted her.
Jane had watched footage of what happened in New York, and frankly, she'd been furious that Thor hadn't visited her. Sure, he was busy saving New York from being annihilated by his crazed younger brother, and that wasn't bad as far as excuses went. But still….he might've dropped by before flying off to Asgard.
Jane wished Thor was with the Avengers; she really wanted to lay eyes on him one more time, to make sure he was all right. To hug him, to kiss him, or just to have him hold her.
Her dark eyes clouded over at the memories of him, bringing a sharp ache to her stomach. When would she see him again? Had he forgotten her—a little grubby mortal tucked away in the vast reaches of the galaxy—and found a more beautiful Asgardian lady back at his home?
Jane sighed, wrapping her light sweater around her tighter. There was no way to know for sure.
It wasn't long before the elevator rolled to a stop, and the queasiness filled her stomach again as the grey door slid open easily.
The first person she saw was Tony, standing awkwardly with hands jammed in his pockets. He had never met her personally, nor she him. They had conversed on the phone many times, discussing theories and having heart-to-heart scientific conversations.
With her heart in her mouth, Jane realized all the Avengers were there. She just expected Tony to give her a light welcome, then to tell her why he called her over. But what…
"Um, hello, Mr. Stark," began Jane, unsure of how to address him. He just grinned, breaking the ice. "Just Tony," he told her, then enveloped her into a sudden hug. After he released her, the pretty redhead—the Black Widow—smiled at her, and Jane remembered her from the videos too. Then Tony stepped back, allowing her a clear view behind him.
Jane glanced over his shoulder, but her features froze into an expression of shock as she saw who was standing there, out of his armor but casually dressed in regular clothing.
Time seemed to freeze as Jane gaped at him, falling in love all over again. She took a step forward, then another as her liquid brown eyes locked onto his electric blue ones. Then she began to walk, pace slowing increasing as she ran as fast as she could, throwing herself onto him, laughing and crying.
Thor caught her easily, sweeping her off her feet as he spun her around. Then he laid her gently on her feet. "Jane," he started, but Jane didn't let him finish.
She stood on the tips of her toes to lock her arms around his neck, entwining her fingers into Thor's dark blond hair as she forced him forward. Thor didn't hesitate as he bent over, encircling his arm around her slender waist, drawing her in as his lips crushed against hers in a passionate embrace.
They were oblivious to everything—the knowing smile on Natasha's face, the way Steve ducked his head bashfully as he shuffled his feet, the way Tony pretended to fiddle with the buttons on his jacket—they knew nothing. There was nobody in the world but them, kissing and kissing as though it were their last.
They probably would have stayed like that for a bit longer, but the sudden ringing of Natasha's phone jerked them back to reality from their blissful dreaming.
Natasha smiled apologetically. "I've got to take this," she excused herself, ducking out of the room. Jane didn't turn her head, but stepped back lightly, looking up at Thor's face as though she couldn't get enough of him.
"You've got a lot of explaining to do," she said, attempting to make herself sound angry, but it only came out as giddy and excited. Thor just emailed. "Then let us talk it over in my room," he said, and the two of them slipped off.
—
"Hello?" asked Natasha, slightly impatiently. It better not be a stupid advertisement.
"Mrs. Romanoff?" came the confused reply. "What device is this?" Loki tried not to smile. He knew what a phone was—he just wanted proof that Jane Foster was indeed there.
An exasperated sigh came from the line. "This is a phone, Loki," said the widow. But Loki was not paying attention to her voice, instead his concentration was on the background voices. There was Thor—and a female voice. He'd know that voice anywhere.
It was Jane.
Leaning back in his pillows, he gave a sigh of content. "Never mind," he said into the speaker. He flipped the phone off, then dropped it on the bed.
His mind worked at top rate, piecing together a plan, leaving almost no loopholes for failure. If all went well, Loki would be out of this dump by tomorrow.
Life was finally going his way again. He'd been dull and listless before, without a plan and enslaved to mortals.
But now he had a purpose.
Oh, and it was glorious.
A/N - Did anyone catch the BBC Sherlock reference? To whoever does and reviews it, I will personally give them a little shout-out in the next chapter. How did I do on the Thor and Jane kissing scene? I've never written much romance before…tell me who I did. Thanks :)