marganaPendragon: 10 should have loaded. Maybe there was a bad connection or something, but I assure you, there should have been a chapter there. And, no, this is not meant to be left for the imagination. There is much more to come. The story has only begun and I intend on finishing it.

Chapter Ten: Halcyon

Jane woke up feeling sour. Yesterday evening was fresh in her mind and with it all the angry thoughts. Loki setting up that dinner – she was not using the word 'date' – was obviously another attempt on her attentions. Well, if he thought he was getting anything from her, he was mistaken. Her attention was on Thor. She groaned. Not even in private could she conjure the word 'love' when thinking about Thor. She loved his smile. She loved the endearing way he didn't understand most 'Midgardian' things. But, she wasn't sure she loved him. This was not what she needed. She was supposed to be a prisoner, not rethinking her entire relationship with Thor, if she could even call it that. It was Loki's fault. Ever since she arrived, he had done nothing, but act like a gentleman - at least as best he could - calling her 'beautiful', offering to escort her around the palace, sitting with her for meals – it was all too much. All of it was an act and for what else, but to take a stab at Thor. Their problems with each other – or more rather Loki's with Thor – didn't make any sense. Jane couldn't understand why Thor talked kindly of Loki, only pointing out the good from the past, whereas Loki refused to talk about Thor at all.

A shot of guilt jolted her gut. The look on Loki's face when she compared him to Thor was also fresh in her mind. It was subtle, barely noticeable, but it was there. His face for half a second lost its calm demeanor and she caught a glimpse of something else. She didn't know what it was, only that it was not anything she had seen on his face before and the look didn't suit his usual, all over cold exterior. She squeezed her eyes shut, pressing into her bed, banishing the image from her mind. She didn't feel bad. She wouldn't let him make her feel bad. Everything was a trick. Everything was an act. She couldn't trust anything he did.

A knock made her bolt upright in bed. "Who is it?" she asked, hoping beyond all odds it wasn't who she thought it was.

"Fandral, Lady Jane, it is I."

She relaxed, sighing in relief as she made her way to the door to let him in. "Hey. Why are you here?"

The candlestick hopped into the room as she closed the door behind him. "Oh, nothing, nothing." His eyes were perusing her furniture casually as he shuffled around. Then he looked up at her with a grin. "Can't one frequent the room of a gorgeous lady?"

Loki wasn't the only one showering her in compliments. "Not if she doesn't know the one's intentions." Her eyebrow arched as she waited for the real reason he was there.

Fandral didn't seem to be in any hurry and took his time approaching her bed as she sat back down. "Well," he started. "What other reason than to gaze upon your loveliness?"

Being flirted by a candlestick. Jane couldn't think of any stranger situations. "Out with it. What do you want?"

"Alright, you caught me. I came here to ask a question concerning my friend."

"Your friend?"

"Yes, a friend of mine."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Who is this friend of yours?"

"Another candlestick fellow, I'm sure you ran into him around the palace."

A candlestick, huh? Jane smiled knowingly. "Now that you mention it, yes, I have run into another candlestick."

"That's him." Fandral nodded. "So, my friend is having lady troubles."

"Lady troubles?"

"Yes. The kind you wouldn't believe."

"And you're telling me this?" It took all her efforts to suppress a giggle that threatened to rise from the back of her throat.

"There's no one else to talk to and you're an outside source. You aren't biased to the situation."

"Alright, fair enough." Not that she was any help in the field of romance, but her curiosity was peaked and she had to hear what troubles the candlestick found him in. From what she remembered Thor telling her, he was excellent with women, so this had to be interesting if he was coming to her of all people. "So, this friend of yours? What's wrong?"

"Something tragic has happened. The unspeakable. It is a fate worse than death."

Jane's brow knitted in concern. "That sounds serious. What happened?"

"He thinks he has a thing for his friend."

Jane took it back. This took all her efforts not to burst out into a full on laugh. Biting her tongue, she reined it in until she knew her voice would sound normal and said in a rush, "Why is that bad?"

Fandral looked galled. "Why? Why is it bad? Milady, it is unthinkable, unheard of for me – I mean - my friend to have feelings for a woman beyond a good time. Besides, she is a dear friend to him. He cherishes her friendship." Then in a quieter voice, he asked, "What if she never speaks to him again?"

Jane was at a loss for words. Her experience with romance was very limited. But, there was one thing she thought of. "Look, Fandral, you, I mean, your friend should just be honest with her. Women appreciate it when guys tell the truth."

Fandral didn't say anything for a moment and then he nodded once. "Lady Jane, you are a kind soul and I shall tell my friend your advice."

After she let him out, Fandral waited until the door closed before shaking his head. "As if I'm going to tell her," he muttered. "She'd have my head."

Not yet, at least. For now, the candlestick had a better plan. Remembering a vase of flowers perched atop one of the dining tables, he hurried to the banquet hall.

/

/

Another knock sounded at Jane's door almost as soon as she sat down. It hadn't been long since Fandral left, barely a few seconds, so she thought he came back for more advice and went straight to open the door. "Fandral, what else did you-" She stopped her sentence short on seeing blue. All words left her when her eyes locked with red ones.

Loki was surprised the door swung open so quickly. There was a moment's pause as he wondered why she thought he was the candleholder. None of that was of concern right now. He had others things to worry about. Like how he was going to tell Jane about his proposal without her blowing up like yesterday. He had no idea what brought that on and was sore about it. He hadn't the time to feel bitter towards her - though he was – he had to move this 'love' business along. He conjured the words, but before he spoke them, Jane beat him to it… again.

"What is it?" she asked. Was that a hint of guilt? He wondered what that was about.

Polite, he reminded himself, pushing all thought of yesterday clear from his head. "Jane Foster, I hoped you would join me-"

"No."

He stared at her, perplexed by how fast she answered. She didn't know what he was about to offer. He couldn't say he was surprised, though. Why would she want to spend time with him? "Perhaps, if that is how you feel, then I will watch the stars alone." He watched her face carefully to gauge her reaction.

Surprise lit her features instantly, followed soon by suspicion and caution. What else could one expect? He was the God of Mischief. Having doubts towards his word was expected. After all, he wasn't Thor. Loki swallowed back the bile in his throat and waited for her response.

"Stargazing?" she asked. "As in outside of the palace?"

Loki indulged her insistence of repeating the obvious and nodded. "Yes, we will leave the palace. Unless you know a better place to see the stars?"

Jane took a moment to process those words. Loki was asking her to watch the stars with him. Outside. As in, they would leave the palace. The idea of getting fresh air was so appealing she almost forgot who she would be spending that time with. Loki. Destroyer-of-New-York-Loki. Kneel-before-me-Loki. Most-likely-to-steal-kittens-Loki. She wouldn't put it past him. Here he was again, another romantic scheme brewing, and he might as well be offering her all the gold in Asgard. She wanted nothing more than to see, let alone have enough time to study Asgard's stars and after what had to be a week or two locked up in the palace – no stars – here comes Loki, telling her that he wanted to show her them. If he wasn't who he was and she wasn't in a hostage situation, this would top every single romantic endeavor anyone has ever tried to do for her. That was pathetic, she knew, but really, what could possibly top being asked to see an alien's planets stars? Even if it was with Loki. "When are you going?" she asked, finally.

Loki quietly let go of a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and said, "Around dinner. I was planning on bringing a picnic to enjoy while the sun went down."

Jane wouldn't hear the end of it if Darcy ever found out about this. Back before she met Thor, Darcy would rave to Jane about how her future husband would end up being a foreign guy who would come up to her and offer her to go on a picnic under the stars. "If that happens, Jane, marry him. That is your man." This is certainly not my man. He wasn't her anything. He definitely wasn't her future anything, either. An evening outside wouldn't mean anything, would it? It was only stargazing. And she wanted to leave the confines of the palace so bad. Then for a split second, Darcy's voice rang through her head, Well, he is foreign. Shut up, Darcy.

"I'll go," she said. Then she quickly added, "To see the stars. That's it."

Loki nodded. "To see the stars," he repeated. "I'll be here by dinner to escort you. Don't be late." With that, he left.

/

/

When Loki came to her room, she was in another green dress. This one was longer than the others, cutting off near her ankles and had no sleeves. Jane specifically picked this one when the thought dawned on her that they would be alone. Not alone in the banquet hall or kitchen, but really alone. As in, no spice shakers, no teapot, and no flirtatious candleholder. Alone. While they dined alone, they weren't really as Fandral and Sif were always standing at the sides, and in the kitchen the spice shakers were always there. Now they were leaving the palace, meaning they were leaving the safety of others. Jane cringed. She chose this dress because it was the most modest and, at least in her mind, it conveyed 'I'm-not-interested-in-your-schemes-leave-me-alone'.

"Lady Jane," he greeted her. "You look lovely."

"Thanks," she replied politely, reminding herself to act civil. He was taking her to see the stars after all. She couldn't complain about that.

He nodded. "The stars are waiting for us."

She stepped out of her room, noting the basket in Loki's hand and waited by his side. "Alright. Lead the way."

Silence was becoming a frequent acquaintance between the two of them. Jane didn't have anything to say and likewise, he kept his mouth shut as they wound through the palace. Soon they went through the entrance and started on a paved path.

"Where are we going?" Jane asked, too curious to remain quiet.

Loki glanced at her. "Not too far," he replied. "There is a hill near the palace where the stars are better seen."

Jane noticed that the sky was still bright, but the sun was beginning to set. Not long after, they came upon the hill. When they neared the top, Loki set down the basket and Jane moved to sit on the ground, but he held out a hand in front of her. She halted and looked at him strangely, he returning her gaze with an unreadable expression. His eyes flickered from her face to the ground and then he said, "Your dress will be ruined if you sit in the grass. Allow me." He reached behind his shoulders and unclasped his cape, then laying it on the ground in front of her.

Jane stared at it for a moment. Then she nodded at him, muttering, "thank you" and sat down, tucking her legs underneath her.

Loki settled next to her, not brushing against her and opened the basket, going through the contents. He hesitated, frowning. His eyes glanced in her direction as he said, "Note, please, that Fandral arranged the meal and I had nothing to do with it."

She wondered why he said that until he took out a little sandwich in the shape of a heart.

/

/

Earlier that evening…

"Are you sure?" Volstagg asked.

"Trust me," Fandral said. "Hearts are romantic."

/

/

"For a supposed ladies' man, Fandral is a dork," Jane said, chuckling at the dainty heart sandwiches.

Loki smirked. "Tell him that."

Jane shrugged, looking over the sandwich in her hand. Loki watched her. He didn't care, but the thought momentarily struck him and he wondered what she was thinking about.

Don't think about sitting next to a murderer. Don't think about sitting next to a murderer, Jane chanted in her head as she focused her attention anywhere, but the man beside her. Or whatever he was turned into. She chanced a glance at him and found him staring at her. He blinked and turned his gaze towards the sky. Jane's eyes lingered on him a beat longer than appropriate, but she was fascinated by his blue skin and the markings embedded in it. What species had Fandral told her? Frost Giant. She caught him glancing at her from the corner of his eyes and she quickly averted hers. She instead looked up and felt her breath catch in her throat. The sun had gone down and in its place were billions of pinpricks of light, bright and vast, closer than any of the ones from home. The stars seemed bigger, brighter, more beautiful than she could have imagined. "This… this is amazing," she breathed, never taking her eyes from the skies.

Loki wasn't looking at the stars. He was looking at her. The smirk was gone, and a small smile was in place as he took in her awed expression, the excitement in her eyes, the look of wonder like a child. "I'll take your word for it."

She threw a bewildered look in his direction, the smile on his face growing. "You don't find this amazing?" She was galled.

"Staring at the same skies for a few hundred years does that to you," he replied coolly.

She blinked. It was disconcerting, remembering that Loki had hundreds of years on her, especially when he said things like that. She shook her head, turning her face skyward. "Yeah, well, I can stare at this for ages." A smile spread across her face as she traced the stars with her eyes, dictating every detail to memory so that she'd never forget.

Loki spared a glance at the sky, noting the same stars, the same patterns he had seen over the countless years. Nothing changed. His head turned back to Jane and he watched as her lips turned up in a smile. In the light of the stars, in this muted light, with her hair draped over her shoulders and her eyes bright, Loki thought she could be considered pretty. For a mortal. "I've been taking it for granted," he said softly. She didn't hear him.

/

/

Fandral, with a bouquet of flowers clasped in his holders, hopped towards Sif.

Sif, on seeing him, made a face and suggested, "Jane mentioned her distaste for these ones. Roses would be better."

Fandral easily brushed off her comments and told her with a lazy smile, "They're not for Jane."

Sif's porcelain face scrunched up. Of all the ladies who were in the palace, few were turned into any piece of furniture desirable to look upon. Supposing he was out to flirt, she could imagine him stealing flowers from a vase and presenting them to one of the many feather dusters sweeping about or maybe one of the shapelier objects. Though, flirting when in the form of everyday items was highly distasteful in her opinion. Nevertheless, she mentally shrugged and simply nodded to him. "Whichever poor woman ends up in your company, I hope cares not of candle wax."

A cheeky smile spread across his face as he told her matter-of-factly, "She does not." Sif was about to turn from him, but was halted when he held the flowers out to her, causing her eyes to widen in surprise. "You do not mind candle wax, do you?"

Eyes flashing, Sif bit out through gritted teeth, "What joke is this?"

Easily, smoothly, Fandral told her, "I was thinking that maybe we should enact a scenario for Loki and Jane. Test it. See what works, what doesn't. Here is the first step. He enters the room, strolls up to her and presents her flowers." Shrugging, he added, "Let's say, roses, for her sake."

Sif furrowed her brow. This felt wrong somehow. Acting like Loki and Jane, though bothersome in itself since she loathed the snake and Jane she didn't know well enough, was not as unsettling to her as the fact that it was her and Fandral the ones acting. Together. A beat and a sigh later, she relented, reasoning with herself that practicing scenarios could do well in the future. "Alright." Grimacing, she tried, "These are pretty. Thanks." Inwardly wincing, she reprimanded herself for sounding so flat and emotionless. She swept those thoughts away as Fandral apparently moved on to step two. He was leading her out onto the balcony.

As Fandral led Sif, he couldn't wipe away the smile at the thought that he succeeded in luring Sif on a date. Pretend date. He grinned broader. A date is a date, pretend or not.

/

The genre label reads 'drama', but the fanfiction's heart says, 'secret comedy'.