Teach Me
Chapter 12
Waking the next morning before first light, Jane had once again been struck with the odd thought that Loki's chest was one of the most comfortable places she'd ever rested her head. She'd laid there still for a few minutes, just basking in his warmth and the sound of his steady heartbeat as he breathed slowly in his slumber. A peaceful sound so far removed from the chaos that ensued from her classroom, it made Jane's head wince from the stress of it.
"Alright everyone," she called out, her voice both raised and firm. "I know it's almost lunch, but there are a few things we need to go over before your quiz tomorrow."
There was a collective groan, and Jane suppressed a bitter smile at the predictability of school children. "I'll make you a deal," she said, deciding to make things easier on them as well as herself. "I'll give you ten minutes to study the handouts I gave you. Look up anything you like. After the time is up, we'll go over the worksheet aloud, and if you guys can answer them all correctly, I'll dismiss you to an early lunch."
Students smiled at each other, some actually sighed in relief, while others whooped out loud. Jane was use to those reactions of course; they'd been the same as when she was younger, though she still didn't understand it. After all, they were still doing the work she'd set for them at the beginning of class. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Erik use to tell her as a child. And a silent, studious class, whatever the reason, was a gift indeed.
It was so quiet, Jane actually heard her cell phone vibrate from inside her purse. Sighing to herself, she walked towards the teacher's desk and sat down before bending towards the floor to retrieve her bag. Her hand pushed odds and ends out of the way in search of her phone. Jane smiled when she saw the text was from Loki.
'Be free in fifteen,' she answered him, and then turned her attention towards grading a previous class's homework. Ten minutes passed quickly, but Jane was glad they actually knew the answers and was able to send them off early. She returned to grading papers after setting her cell phone on the desk within easy reach. Every two papers or so, her eyes would dart towards her phone, but it remained silent. She swallowed nervously, worried something had happened.
"What has you in such a state?"
Jane's attention snapped towards the classroom door, where the man on her mind was leaning against its frame. "Loki," she sighed out, a smile pulling at her cheeks until they hurt.
"Were you worrying over me, Ms. Foster," he asked with a grin, his body moving swiftly, yet gracefully across the room until he reached her desk. "It's a disconcerting thing, Jane."
"What is," she questioned, her brows dropping in confusion.
"Waking in your bed without you," he growled, bending down until his lips had claimed her own. Jane rose up slowly until they were both standing. "I missed you," he murmured between kisses. Eventually Jane remembered herself, where they were, and took a step back from him.
"Loki, the door is open. Is it safe to-"
"I don't care," he snapped out angrily. "I want you, Jane. Why should I apologize for that?"
"You shouldn't," she assured him. "I just… I … What happened today?"
"Ms. Foster," another voice called from her doorway, her attention shifted quickly, even as Loki stiffened and cursed under his breath. "Is there something I should be made aware of?"
"Mr. Odinson? What are you doing here?"
The blond smiled, though it was forced. "The school called. Loki was skipping again, and yet here he is. So, tell me, what is it he's supposed to apologize for?"
Loki turned towards him, and Jane watched tensely as the brothers stared each other down. "Nothing," she interrupted them. "He's having a rough time, you said so yourself, Mr. Odinson."
"I also said for you to call me 'Thor'," he grinned as he looked her over quickly.
"Yes, and I would have thought you'd learned your lesson last time about cutting me off," Jane sassed back, and the mountainous man chuckled lightly.
"I can see why my brother likes you, Jane."
"It's 'Ms. Foster', actually," she corrected and his smile widened.
"You're a little spit fire, aren't you," he laughed, shaking his head. "I can hardly wait for tonight."
"Tonight," she asked and Loki's features became uncertain.
"Your study session at the house," he replied easily.
"I never agreed to that," Jane stated, her lips pursed in agitation.
"Sounds lovely, brother," Loki spat out, causing Jane to turn towards him sharply. "Was there anything else?"
"I thought it would be nice to have Ja- er, Ms. Foster stay for dinner."
"Of course," Loki answered, and Jane was beginning to wonder if they'd forgotten she was even there.
"Actually, I have plans tonight," she interrupted.
"Tomorrow then," Thor said in such a way all she could do was nod.
"We need to talk," Loki whispered after the blond had left.
"I'd say," Jane huffed. "I don't need you making decisions for me."
"Not here," he hissed out, his eyes darting about the empty room. "Just let me explain later?"
Jane narrowed her eyes, but nodded all the same. "It had better be good."
"It is. I just…" Loki pulled her into a quick hug. "You make me forget everything else, Jane. I…I should go before I say anything else."
"Loki," she called after him as he rushed from the room, causing him to pause at the door, "later?"
"Later," he smiled before disappearing – from her classroom, and the school altogether.
