A/N: I think this is the shortest chapter of the whole story! but I do hope you like it! please review and I might upload another chapter later today!


Christmas came and went. Loki decided that he quite enjoyed the holiday with all of its little quirky traditions and the general happiness that every one shared. However two days after Christmas, on the 27th, it was time for Loki and Stella to leave and return to New York, hopefully the sensation surrounding her book will have died down and they would have a simple, fun New Year. But no such luck as the attention became even more concentrated on Loki and Stella's relationship and accusations started flying. Loki did his best to defend Stella whenever he could and eventually, after one rather nasty incident with a reporter being turned into a snake and Loki insisting he would turn back eventually, things started to quiet down.

The weeks rolled lazily by as Loki slowly became a steady fixture at SHIELD. People were starting to understand his sense of humor to a point where coffee cups exploding and computer mice being turned into actual mice garnered laughter instead of contempt for the trickster. As for Loki, despite it being 'all part of the plan', found himself enjoying them, as in the people, as well.

And in regards to the Stella front he would often find something in a window or on display that he thought she would like and would bring it home for her. He knew, logically, that this was part of the plan as well but that did not explain the sheer happiness that seemed to well up in his stomach at the sight of her face lighting up from whatever trinket he brought her that day. He also found himself going out of his way to find her something especially impressive if he had gone a few days without bringing her a gift and his nights were less consumed with planning his ultimate take over and more filled with 'foolish' ideas of what he could do for her next, even though he would never admit it, even to himself.

Loki, while he was looking for something to read since he had finished 'The Lord of the Rings', stumbled upon Stella's old and battered copy of 'The Complete Works of William Shakespeare'. The name rang a bell in the back of his mind and he seemed to remember her mentioning it a while ago. He hefted the large book up and grimaced slightly as the cover slid sideways across the pages, holding on by a thread or two. He sat on the couch and opened the book. After studying the table of contents for a moment he settled for a comedy then skimmed through the titles when one caught his eye "Much Ado About Nothing". He smiled at the thought, opening the book to the page and began to read.

Stella came home to find Loki sitting on the couch reading Shakespeare and positively giggling.

"So you finally found him huh?" She smiled as she set her purse and jacket down. Loki looked up at her slightly confused and she continued. "William Shakespeare. The Bard. Billy Shakes as Tony would call him. That's my old copy from college back when I was…a sophomore? The second year of college." Stella clarified. "Which one are you reading? Not Hamlet I hope or, heaven forbid: Macbeth…"

"Much Ado About Nothing. I must say it is quite amusing!" Loki said looking back down at the book.

"That's the first one you picked?" she asked hesitantly.

"Yes, it sounded…funny." Loki smiled at her then seeing her slightly confused face asked "Why?"

Stella smiled widely again and said "Well it's just 'Much Ado About Nothing' is my favorite Shakespearian play. It's kind of strange that you picked my favorite to read first. I've read it only a million times! I must have it memorized by now."

Loki smiled softly then went back to reading and the day passed.

It was a Saturday evening in mid March when there was a massive banging on their door.

Loki didn't even look up from his book when he said "It seems Thor has come to pay us a visit."

"BROTHER! LADY STELLA! I HAVE WONDERFUL NEWS!" Thor shouted at that moment through the door.

Stella opened the door as Loki tucked a bookmark between the pages of his current book, Pride and Prejudice (Stella had to threaten him to get him to read it) and stood up just in time to be crushed in a huge hug from Thor.

"Loki! Father is allowing you to return to Asgard!" Thor said after he had put Loki back on his feet.

Loki, looking slightly ruffled from being hug-attacked by Thor, said "Is that so? So soon?" brushing the non-existent wrinkles from the shirt he was wearing.

"Aye! The mortals have forgiven you very quickly. You see? They are not foul creatures as you once thought; they are full of forgiveness and compassion." Thor proclaimed.

Loki grimaced slightly at the mention of how he had felt about mortals…wait, no, STILL felt about mortals, right? Moving on. It wouldn't do to have Thor reminding everyone. "Yes Thor. I gathered that much seeing as they have pardoned me."

"Yes! And now you must return to Asgard!" Thor said grabbing Loki by the shoulders and shaking him probably a little more vigorously than he meant to. "I have come to retrieve you!" then he turned to Stella who had been attempting to look happy for Loki and said a little quieter "I am taking Jane along with me and I am sure she would be glad of the company in a strange new place."

She tried to hide the bright smile that slid onto her face "Are you sure? I wouldn't want to intrude…"

"NON-SENSE!" Thor boomed and Stella thought she heard the windows rattle. "I'm sure mother and father would be happy to meet you."

Her smile was back and she agreed. Thor did not stay long after that, he left telling them that they would leave the next day around noon in New Mexico. The couple sat quietly on the couch, both thinking of the trip tomorrow but with wildly different feelings on the matter.

Stella was excited for the chance to study Asgard and maybe a little nervous…who was she kidding? She was terrified! She had been worried when Loki met her mother! And now she was going to a different realm and meeting a king AND a bunch of mythical gods who just so happened to really not like her boyfriend! This could turn out badly but she pulled herself up and decided that she was just going to be her normal, happy, sarcastic self and if they didn't like her well then that was just too bad!

Loki was feeling conflicted. He knew he should be happy that his plan had worked so well but the actual emotion was absent…strange. He felt almost guilty. He had used Stella, someone he had grown rather fond of over the past months. Upon thinking about it further he found that he actually liked her. How very mortal of him. Even as he thought it, it held less venom than he had intended. But he also felt incredibly relieved that she would be coming with him. He had gotten so used to her presence that being without her felt very odd indeed. He decided that he would think on it further that night after Stella had gone to sleep.

~next day~

"Loki? What should I wear?" Stella had literally torn apart her closet looking for something that she thought might be appropriate. She had even called Jane but she was no help because she had no idea either.

"I am assuming the dress code will be formal but I do not think the all-father will judge you harshly if you do not show up in a ball gown." Loki's voice drifted lazily through the open bedroom door.

"Well at least I know what shoes I'm wearing." Stella muttered to herself pulling out the box that held the shoes Loki got her for her birthday. She had been saving them for a special occasion and this seemed like the perfect time to break out the big guns.

At long last, an hour before noon, Stella settled on a classic LBD or little black dress with a sweetheart neck line, cap sleeves and a fitted skirt. She dressed it up with an emerald necklace and matching bracelet Loki had gotten her, she was making a point of wearing his colors to clearly announce where her loyalties lay. She had done her make up before attempting to find a dress so she was pretty much ready.

"Okay. How do I look?" Stella asked nervously as she stepped out of the bedroom.

Loki had to consciously keep his jaw from dropping. She looked drop dead gorgeous! She turned so he could see all of her and Loki's eyes raked in the sight until they stopped on her shoes. The red soles that she had loved so much stuck out like a sore thumb.

'Easily remedied' Loki thought and wove a simple spell to change the red to a deep green. 'Perfect.'

"Stella darling…you look absolutely dazzling." He said standing from the couch then leaned in to kiss her when she abruptly turned her face so he caught her cheek.

"I don't want to mess up my lip stick." Stella chuckled lowly.

Loki pulled away and studied her face. She was already a lovely woman thanks to nature but the red lips and dark eye shadow brought her facial features to another level. Loki couldn't help the smile, she was perfect, and exactly what he needed.

"Are you ready then?" Loki asked her.

"Are you? You're not dressed or anything." Stella said looking at his slacks and casual button down.

"I'll dress when we get there." Loki said as if it were obvious.

Stella rolled her eyes dramatically "Alright, let's go."

The two of them materialized outside of Jane's trailer in New Mexico and were promptly ushered inside by Jane who was incredibly frazzled and commandeered Stella to help her dress and do her hair. The two brothers sat, cramped in the tiny breakfast nook, both being far too big for the space. Loki was much too tall and Thor being too big in general. The silence grew between them, getting more and more awkward by the second until Thor broke it saying how happy he was that Loki was coming home. Loki had to bite down the scathing response about him having no true home and replied that it would be nice to see Asgard again as a free citizen. The small talk continued until Jane and Stella retuned.

Loki spared a glance at Jane. He could still not understand why Thor had chosen her; she was nice looking he supposed but nothing out of the common way in her burgundy dress and black heels. Her brown hair done up in a simple bun. She was ordinary and bland when compared to Stella. Stella who was unique and different and for the first time Loki did not envy what Thor had for he had found something better.

Loki fought the grin that was desperately trying to make itself known and just waited for Jane and Thor to exit the trailer first before offering Stella his arm and following.


A/N: Don't forget to review so I can put up another chapter! :D