IMPORTANT: To anyone clicking through from the search results link, please note that there are three new chapters, 10, 11 and 12. Don't want anyone to read only the most recent posting not realizing that there were multiple updates ;)

I've been working all day on this one. Wanted to get 12 up right away because I promised Loki would be in 11, but it didn't work out that way. But he's in most of this one!

This is a longer chapter, hope you enjoy!

Unwilling Heart: Chapter 12

Jane ran to the large, vacant room where she hoped to find her solitude. When she arrived her eyes darted around it's corners to be sure she was alone. Satisfied that there was no one around she dropped her bag to the floor and rubbed the shoulder that had been holding it. As she massaged her aching muscles she took note of a smooth bit of wall that she hadn't noticed when she passed through here previously. She eyed the wall curiously, slowly walking closer to it. It looked like a door, caked in dust, but there were no handles. She looked to the side of the door to find a smooth panel, also caked in dust.

Her hand passed along the panel, clearing the build up away and she coughed as some of it flew to her nose. But even as she coughed she noticed that the dust had been concealing buttons. It was an elevator. Could it actually work? She closed her eyes and breathed before pressing a button.

Nothing happened. Of course not. Her fingers pounded the other buttons angrily but the doors yielded no response. She shifted back to the closed doors and ran her hand along the dusty surface, clearing a reflective metal surface as the thick dust fell away. She held her other hand to her mouth and nose to keep the flying particles from disturbing her again. Her image reflected in the surface that she uncovered and she stared at it absently.

Removing her hand from her face she tried to pry her fingers between the crease where the two doors met and attempted to pull to one side. She knew it was hopeless before starting, barely able to wedge even her fingertips into the crease. Regardless, with whatever grip she could manage she pulled desperately, imagining that the doors would actually part with her efforts.

They did not. And disappointment gnawed at her for the umpteenth time that day.

She kicked the door as hard as she could and pounded at the surface with the sides of closed fists. Silent tears now fell as she paced back to where she had laid her bag, plopping herself down beside it. To her amazement, she hadn't shed a single tear since this whole mess began. But tears now clouded her vision and her hand looked blurry to her eyes as she swiped them together to rid her palms of the dust that clung to them.

She remembered when Loki had first arrived in her home she had stubbornly refused to shed tears in the face of death. And that was all because she wanted to be strong for Thor. But she grudgingly admitted to herself that her tears had been denied since then, not because of a desire to make Thor proud, but because of Loki. She had no shortage of reasons to weep since her arrival here, but had held her tears each time they threatened for fear that Loki would walk in as emotions overwhelmed her. She didn't think he would be impressed by such a display, and the fact that she cared about that at all made her weep even harder.

She opened one of the water bottles and poured some of the liquid into her hands, rubbing them together to rid herself of the dust entirely. She then wiped her hands against her pants to dry them before wiping the tears from her eyes. She closed her lids in an effort to cease her crying and a few minutes and deep breaths later she managed to get her emotions back in check. She was extremely grateful that she had stopped her crying when she did, because only five minutes later a smooth voice filled her ears.

"Hiding, Miss Foster?"

He had come in so silently she couldn't be entirely sure when he had entered. She greatly hoped that it was after her tears had ceased. Her head bowed and shaking fingers wiped her face of any remaining wetness as she answered his query. "Yes," she responded. There was no reason to lie, of course she was hiding. Why wouldn't she be hiding?

He stood in front of her now, towering over her and casting his shadow on her small form. He placed a pale palm over his heart and professed, "How you wound me! I allow you to roam freely and unshackled within your confines. And you take advantage of my generosity by neglecting to return to your quarters at a reasonable hour. You've had me looking for you for quite some time now. Do I need to put you on a curfew?"

Jane glanced at her watch. 3:45. That answered her question about a.m. or p.m.

"What does it matter where I stay? That room, this room, some other room, they're all within this place. This place that I can't escape," she forced out bitterly.

His legs bent and he seated himself a few feet away from her. His transition from standing to sitting was so fluid she had to mentally kick herself for admiring his grace. He crossed his legs and leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. His long fingers weaved themselves together, thumbs pointing upwards, the tips resting against each other. He looked attentive, amused and as flawlessly handsome as every other time Jane had seen him.

"It took you all night to discover what I've already told you? That this base is inescapable?"

"I had to try," she couldn't keep the sadness from her voice and averted her gaze so he at least wouldn't see it in her eyes.

"I supposed you did," he agreed simply.

She felt her eyes burn again and lifted her opened bottle of water to her lips to distract herself before tears could fall. It was only then that she acknowledged how thirsty she was and had to keep herself from downing the whole bottle in a few uncouthly gulps.

His eyes remained fixed on her and he spoke only when she lowered the bottle. " To answer your initial question, it does indeed matter where you stay."

She uttered what defiance she could. "To reiterate my initial question, why should it?" She knew she was being hostile, but at least hostility was an appropriate mask for the attraction she had been feeling towards him.

"Because your quarters are also my quarters."

She looked him dead in the eyes at that. "I'd rather not share quarters with you," she spat the words coldly at him. "I'm quite fine where I am."

"That's rather short sighted of you, Miss Foster."

He leaned forward slightly further, his green orbs burning into her, speaking in little more than a whisper. "Has it escaped your notice that you happen to be the only woman in a compound brimming with morally questionable men? As I understand it, more than half the inhabitants of this base are mercenaries and murderers. And more than half the people they encounter are, no doubt, victims or victims in waiting." He gave her a meaningful look, leaning back to his original position. "Are you really comfortable allowing sleep to take you while you lay vulnerable in such an environment?"

He was echoing her concerns from earlier almost exactly. Concerns that were proven quite valid by the implications those beastly guards had made. She wondered if word of that incident had made it back to his ears. She hoped not. "And you aren't a morally questionable man?" she asked skeptically.

"Whether I am or am not is irrelevant in this instance. It wouldn't serve my purposes to have you harmed by these men. I have ordered that they keep their distance from you, but you humans are a disobedient lot."

Her reply dripped with sarcasm. "So I should fear them more than you?"

"I don't recall saying that," he smirked. "But as I've said you haven't much to fear from me at the present time. That's the best you can hope for at the moment."

"Well it would be nice to know when I do have something to fear from you. At least give me a running start."

"I'll take it into consideration," was his amused reply.

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Jane was more than a little uncomfortable with the idea of going back to that little room with him. As if reading her thoughts he stated, "you have but two options. Either choose to return to your quarters when you take rest or remain bound to that room permanently. Either way, spending your nights in my presence is not negotiable. You might show some gratitude for the protection that my company will offer you in this place."

"It's difficult to show gratitude when I don't belong here at all."

He raised a brow slightly but did not bother to respond.

Great. She had only recently come to the conclusion that her inconvenient attraction to Loki was the result of stockholm syndrome. And now she was being forced to rely on him for protection from whatever beasts dwelled in this hell hole. That reliance wasn't going to help with her stockholm syndrome one bit. Even now she felt drawn to him... especially now, sitting close as he was, giving her his undivided attention.

Every word he'd spoken to her had been as smooth as honey. If he sat reading her the phone book she would have paid rapt attention. His armor rested on his frame, complimenting him as perfectly as if he'd been born in it. The dim lighting did nothing to diminish the sculpted features of his visage. Even if her attraction to him wasn't the result of terrible circumstance, she would have still appreciated his unearthly beauty.

She realized that she was staring and abruptly lowered her eyes, swirling the water around in her bottle. About half of the liquid still remained and she gave it her full attention, as though it were the most interesting thing she'd ever seen.

"May I?" She looked up at him confused and he gestured to the half consumed bottle. She passed it too him and his fingers lightly touched hers as he took it. She pulled her hand back as if she'd been burned.

He brought the bottle to his thin lips, taking in the clear liquid. "It's... it's been long since I've had need or opportunity to speak in such length." He stopped for a moment, seemingly lost in his own statement before his eyes refocused and he downed the remainder of the water.

He looked worn and tired to her then. And it occurred to her that from the moment she first laid eyes on him she felt that there was something very sad and lonely about him. Jane longed, not for the first time, to know what had happened between Loki and Thor. It seemed that her captivity would not end anytime soon. There would be time to gently prod for an answer to that question.

She found that she could not remove her eyes from him. Luckily he didn't notice as he seemed rather engrossed by the empty water bottle. It turned in his hands as he examined it, running his fingers on it's surface curiously. Presumably plastic bottles were not found on Asgard. Jane found his fascination with the simple object to be... charming. Much to her dismay she felt a swell of affection and she lowered her gaze again in an attempt to be rid of it.

They sat in silence for some time before Loki spoke again. "That was a rather touching display earlier, between yourself and Doctor Selvig." She searched his voice and expression for any hints of his trademark sarcasm but found that he seemed only curious. He had placed the water bottle to his side and she once again had his full attention.

"The two of you are close?" She hesitated to give any response. Her mere presence in this place was proof that Loki was willing to use the closeness between two people as a weapon against them. She was being held hostage here because of her relationship with Thor. Heaven forbid Eric be used in the same manner. But there was no denying her connection with the Doctor. Loki had already seen how affectionately they had reacted towards each other, he was well aware that there was genuine love between herself and Eric.

Still, instead of answering yes or no she took another approach. If she could not find a way out of this place for herself and Eric then perhaps she could bargain for his safety. "Eric is a good man. One of the best examples of humanity you could possibly find. Won't you let him go? Please?"

He smiled broadly at her and laughed. "Well this is touching isn't it?" There was a pause. "But no. I have use for the good doctor. He remains here."

She leaned forward and was sure to keep eye contact with him. "After then. After you've finished with him. Will you let him go then? Will you leave him unharmed?"

The smile had not left his face. "And what would you give me if I agreed to do so?"

She thought for a moment. "Anything. Whatever you ask. I'll stay here with no arguments and you can use me in your plans in anyway you wish."

"That is no bargain," he scoffed at her. "I already possess both yourself and Selvig, you offer me nothing I haven't already taken. But still, how sweet your willingness is to give all to ensure the Doctor's safety. How selfless of you."

"Is there no one you would offer the same for? A friend? Family?" She regretted the words the moment they escaped her lips. His eyes flashed dangerously. His cold stare fell upon her and she felt a shiver up her spine. But despite his unnerving stare she found herself pitying him. Was he really so alone?

He ignored her question and posed one of his own. "And what of Thor, Miss Foster? Would you sacrifice yourself so freely for his benefit?"

"That's why I'm here, isn't it? You know quite well that I would."

"I know nothing of the sort," he hissed at her. "I know only of Thor's little infatuation with you. Tell me, have your emotions remained faithful in his absence?"

How was it that he knew exactly where to stab at her? She had been struggling with her emotions since she arrived here, this was the last thing she wished to discuss with Loki. Jane did her best to deflect his line to questioning. "Thor... he never returned. Everything that you're doing, kidnapping me to use against him, it's all needless. If Thor cared so much he would have returned long ago."

She swallowed. It was an insecurity that she had refused to spend too much time focusing on. But there it was, out in the open.

One finger now rested upon his lips and he stared at her as though he were mulling something over. "He never returned because the bifrost was destroyed. But his devotion to you, no doubt, remains." He eyed her, obviously trying to gage her reaction. "So I ask you again, Miss Foster. Do you remain faithful to Thor?"

Jane felt terrible. She had hoped beyond hope that Thor's interest in her had not waned, had convinced herself that it hadn't. But she was now hearing confirmation that Thor still waited for her, and it did not bring her joy. How she had longed for that confirmation and upon hearing it, she felt nothing. Nothing but guilt.

None the less, she answered him. "Yes. Yes, of course I remain faithful to him."

"Do you?" His smile was unpleasant. "Why do I not believe you."

She looked down to her hands. "I love Thor."

"Well, if it's truth you speak then I'm sure he'll be pleased to hear it. But I can't help but notice that you don't look at me as you say so." He leaned forward again, his voice like silk as he spoke, "look at me, Miss Foster, and say it again."

Her eyes met his in defiance. She stared into his gaze, his beautiful green gaze. And she could say nothing. "I..." she tried but couldn't manage and looked down again, defeated. Her hands shook so fiercely she had to press them against her lap to still them.

"Is it so difficult to say? You must not truly love him then. Have your attentions swayed to another?" He asked it with a smirk. "Tell me about him. Blonde like Thor, or dark haired? Is he wealthy? Does he promise you security and a lavish lifestyle? Is that what it takes to pull your affections from the mighty Thor? Or perhaps you've been won over by some dreamy eyed mortal with a poetic tongue."

Jane still looked down, shaking her head side to side furiously.

"No?" He purred, "someone else then? Someone... more worthy, perhaps?"

Jane shook her head again, forcefully declaring, "There's no one! I've told you, I love Thor!" She still did not look at him.

"It's not me you need to convince, Miss Foster." She was startled when he rose abruptly, grabbing her wrist as he went and forced her to stand with him. She tried to resist when he dragged her over to the reflective surface of the elevator door, but to no avail. She was forced to stand in front of him before the elevator, her back pressed to his torso. One powerful, leather clad arm draped across her collar bone, hand clinging to her shoulder, pinning her to him. She could see them both reflected in the metal door's surface. Only then did she notice with embarrassment that her eyes were still quite red from the tears she had shed before his arrival.

He purred in her ear, "lie to me all you wish, but don't lie to yourself. Look into the mirror and say it."

She took one look at her own reflection, Loki's form towering over her, and looked away. "Stop this!"

"Why is this so difficult for you?" He seemed like he was enjoying her discomfort far too much. "I'll tell you why. Because you're too honest. Perhaps that is part of what Thor so loves about you? You're too honest to lie to yourself. Too honest to lie even to me. I wonder, will you be able to trick him into believing you still care for him when you are reunited?"

"I do care for him!"

"But not as much as you care for this other man, I think." His free hand grabbed her chin and forced her to stare at the two of them reflected in the metal. "Are you in love with him? This new man who has replaced Thor?"

"There is no other." She whispered it quietly and weakly.

He was not convinced. "There is. Do you love him?" He whispered it back at her.

She was shaking now. Her legs were weak and her heart felt like it was lodged in her throat. Loki stared at her image in the door, allowing her mind to work as he patiently awaited an answer. She was faint, wanting to drop to the floor, if only to end this conversation. Her brown eyes took in his reflection, holding her tightly to him. His dark hair made his face seem so pale, his skin was like porcelain. But as always it was his eyes that drew her. She looked into them, seeing the young boy that Thor had told her he was so close to. The young boy with a sense of humor who laughed heartily and easily. Her vision became blurry with tears. There was no stopping them, and when she shut her lids tightly, the drops of liquid rolled down her cheeks.

Her lids remained tightly closed when she finally answered. It was barely more than a whisper. "Yes, I.. I love him." There was anguish written all over her soft features and if she had opened her eyes she would have seen Loki's triumphant smile.

"Poor Thor," he said with mock sadness. "How crushed he shall be."

Guilt tore at Jane's insides like a blunt knife. She had truly loved Thor only a few days ago. She knew she did. And she had loved others before him. But the extent of what she felt for Loki now... she had never felt anything like it, never anything so potent. And she couldn't recall how it had happened.

How could anyone fall in love with a stranger in only mere hours? It was complete nonsense, really. She couldn't even recall actually having fallen in love with him. It was like contemplating the existence of the universe itself... it was just there, and had always been there... somehow. And somehow, she was deeply love with Loki. Her heart would accept no assertions to the contrary.

She felt so out of control and lost. Her own emotions had betrayed her.

She felt Loki's grip on her loosen and she finally opened her eyes when he released her. Her body felt cold when he moved away from her. "Come now, we must be heading back."

Her fingers wiped the wetness from her face, her feet rooted to the spot. Upon seeing her apprehension he sighed. "We've been over this. Sharing my quarters is not an option, slumbering in the open is unwise and dangerous for you in this place."

When she still didn't move he picked up her bag and gestured for her to follow. "I shan't lay an unwelcome hand upon you as you sleep, if that is your fear. How could I? Knowing how attached your heart is to this mystery man of yours." She missed his knowing look.

There was no choice but to take his words at face value, unwise though that may be. So she followed.

"Besides," he added "You aren't to my rather particular tastes."

After having just admitted to herself that she was so hopelessly in love with him, that comment felt like a slap. But how could she expect him to know how much that stung when she had not revealed that Loki himself was her mystery man.

Oh, that pesky love spell. Stockholm syndrome my butt ;P

That was kind of a mean jab by Loki at the end there, I know. Actually I've gotten a few comments asking if Loki will fall in love with Jane, since he's so unpleasant at the moment. Rest assured, he'll see her good qualities. In fact, in this chapter he came to realize how honest and selfless she is, so he's seen a bit in her already that he didn't know was there ;) But he's so angry and distant from everyone that he has to allow himself to see others in a positive light. He's a tough nut to crack ;)

Thanks for reading! And sorry if the multiple chapter updates this weekend caused any confusion. Please review!