A/N: Those of you who wanted to kill me for the cliffhanger can now relax. I'm posting right on time! ;) I'm happy to welcome a handful of new readers and followers. Thank you for joining us! And to everyone who has left me reviews and feedback, thank you very much! I always appreciate hearing from people.

As always, italics indicate nonverbal communication.

And now, without further ado...

Chapter 20

When their minds met this time, it was nothing at all like the last. There were no coercions for Jane to fight, and nothing in particular for her to search for. Their minds met and blended, exchanging thoughts and feelings far faster than such things could be spoken aloud. The room around them faded from their perceptions; they ceased to hear the crackling of the fire or to see the lights in town slowly start to blink out as the night grew later.

Loki felt Jane's fears and desires as if they were his own; he felt the way her attraction to Thor had begun to fade, particularly once she had made a connection with him. He saw her tears in Frigga's garden, and knew the reasons for them. He saw her confusion, her desperate wish to avoid being a block between himself and his brother just as she had described, but he also felt that it was because she truly believed he needed his family more than he needed her. And that what she also honestly believed that what she might feel or need was less important. She instantly learned that he disagreed, and that he needed her fully as much as he needed anyone else in his life.

He also learned that she had been, and still was, torn between desires. He knew in that moment just how very much her work meant to her, and that she would be hard pressed to give it up. That she believed that she needed to use her knowledge for the benefit of her world, and didn't believe that she could do so from Asgard.

At the same time, Jane learned that the connection between them had affected Loki just as deeply as it had herself. She felt how he had missed her, the loneliness and feelings of loss he had experienced; she grieved briefly for having caused it until he picked up on her grief and stopped it. She witnessed, in an instant, the conversation with Thor that had led to Loki's earlier comment; that Thor wouldn't stand in the way of their happiness if they were meant to be together. She saw that Loki solicitous care of her had been the only way he knew how to express his growing feeling for her.

And finally, they both dared to put a name to what they felt.

Love.

As they both came to the same conclusion, Jane felt a further upwelling of feeling from Loki. She sensed that he felt no fear of either her or her power and that he hoped she would feel similarly about his magic. She silently assured him that his magic didn't frighten her and that she trusted him to use it properly. Jane shared with him her joy at this blending of minds; they were completely open to one another, and she knew that she would never be able to fully close him out again… and that she felt the connection building between them would allow him to pick things up from her mind if she didn't prevent it.

Slowly, gently, Jane began to withdraw her mind from his. Though it was a heady experience to be nearly lost in each other's mind, it was something of a drain on her energy. They came slowly back to separate awareness and resumed input from their physical senses.

As she dropped her hand from Loki's temple, she felt his arms come around her and pull her gently into his embrace instead. With a contented sigh, Jane let her head rest on his chest and settled her hands on his hips. Loki rested his cheek on her hair and just held her, enjoying the physical closeness as their minds settled again.

Are you well, my love? he asked her silently, knowing that she would hear him.

Loki's mental voice "sounded" much like his voice when he spoke, but it held undertones of warmth, joy and love that were immediately obvious to Jane when he "spoke." She knew immediately that never again would he be able to lie or tell a half-truth without her knowing about it, and she felt his wordless acceptance of the fact. She knew that she would allow him to keep some of himself private if he asked.

I'm fine, she told him, weariness coloring her mental tone. A little tired.

Shall I leave you to rest? he asked gently.

Not yet, she replied, her tone telling him that she didn't want to let go of this feeling just yet. So Loki scooped her into his arms and carried her over to the small sofa that sat by her fireplace. He settled onto the cushions with her cradled in his lap.

Jane lifted her head to look at him as they settled on the couch. On his lap, their eyes were nearly on level and she smiled gently at him. "It may be a little silly, after all of that… but I just wanted to tell you that I love you, Loki."

Loki's return smile was the most brilliant expression she'd ever seen light his face. "I'll never complain about hearing it," he replied in a voice nearly as warm as the accompanying thought. "I love you too, my Jane."

Jane's smile brightened and she leaned in to catch his lips in a soft kiss. He blinked at her for a moment when she released him, then pulled her back in for another kiss. Longer and deeper than the first. When he released her, Jane sighed happily and snuggled close to him again. They both sat and watched the fire. No words were spoken between them, but none were needed. Their minds touched, just at the edges of their awareness, and the emotional connection was all either of them needed in that moment.

Jane drifted to sleep first, the emotional stress she had been laboring under finally relieved. Loki was awake just enough longer to think that he should be gentleman enough to let her sleep in peace and take himself back to his own room. But before he could act on the thought, he too succumbed to dreams.

Jane woke the next morning feeling better than she had in days. She was fully rested, oddly comfortable and felt like she could face almost anything.

"Good morning, love," Loki murmured, having awoken only a few moments prior.

She heard the thought just a few seconds before she heard the words, and it was an interesting double sensation that she decided she would think about later. She opened her eyes to see his green gaze resting gently on her face. "Good morning, yourself," she replied, not quite fully awake yet. She needed her caffeine before she'd really be functional. She felt him chuckle quietly as he picked up on the thought.

"I should probably go get washed up and changed," Loki murmured quietly. "But I can send someone up with breakfast for you if you'd like. Or…"

"Or?" she asked.

"Perhaps you'd like to meet me on the balcony for breakfast?" he suggested, picturing for her the balcony overlooking the gardens at the end of the hallway in her part of the guest wing.

Jane smiled. "That sounds lovely. Maybe send someone with some tea while I get ready and I'll meet you for breakfast? In maybe an hour?" she suggested.

"Very well, my lady," Loki agreed. He lifted Jane easily with him as he stood, then he set her gently on her feet beside him. "I look forward to seeing you again soon," he murmured as he kissed her hand gently. With a whisper of magic he faded from view, leaving her chuckling. As he reappeared in his own room, he still heard the murmur of her laughter in his mind. You know, I could get used to this very quickly, he told her silently.

I probably could too, she agreed. Then she very gently withdrew herself from his mind, leaving them both alone to take care of the private business of getting clean and dressed for the day. Loki felt a hint of her presence, but nothing of her thoughts as he stepped out to request that a pot of tea be delivered to Jane's rooms and made arrangements for their breakfast before he headed off to his own ablutions.

Jane, meanwhile, checked to make sure that she was sufficiently shielded to give them both privacy before making her way to the en suite bathing room. One of the many things she absolutely loved about Asgard was the fact that they apparently built bathtubs made for lounging. Though she missed the convenience of a quick shower, it was lovely to have a giant tub to soak in. She thought idly that the tubs were more than big enough for two; then she blushed, glad that Loki couldn't hear her thoughts at the moment. They would probably laugh over it later, but she didn't think she'd really be comfortable sharing something like bath time so soon in their relationship.

They met on the balcony at almost the same time, just as the agreed-upon hour finished. A small table was set for two, with a wide variety of choices available to them. Breakfast included a second pot of tea, and Jane made a note to herself to thank the next servant she saw. She had gotten moderately familiar with one or two of them while she'd been working in her rooms, and she thought one of them must have had a hand in setting up breakfast for them.

When she'd gotten dressed that day, Jane had chosen a gown of gold with undertones of rose. The dress was embroidered and accented with green; not Loki's usual forest-green shade, but close enough to compliment his usual green and black. When they met, she saw the appreciation in his eyes and felt it in his mind though he said nothing about it aloud.

Instead, he simply helped her into her seat and then sat across from her at the small table. In the bright sunlight, her hair shone with hints of gold and red highlights and Loki simply admired the view before following her lead in helping himself to the food.

You know, Jane's voice murmured, sounding amused, into Loki's mind as she ate, this telepathy thing could come in handy if we ever didn't want to stop talking just to eat.

I suppose that's true enough, he replied similarly. Though I'd imagine that it would be rude to hold a conversation this way when in company. Much like speaking another language so that your guests cannot understand your words.

Can't argue with that, Jane agreed readily enough.

Have you any idea how many people you could converse with this way? he asked, overtones of curiosity coloring his mental voice.

None at all, she replied thoughtfully. I haven't tried. I wonder if there's anyone who would be willing to let me experiment.

How strong of a connection do you need for this? was Loki's next question.

Again, I don't know. After last night… well, this isn't even remotely complicated. Jane sat back in her chair, cradling her tea cup in her hands as she thought. But the connection between you and I is quite a bit stronger than it was even yesterday.

I think I understand. It is easier to work magic cooperatively with someone else after the first time I try to do so, he commented. There seem to be enough similarities that it's a reasonable guess.

Well, Jane said after a few moments to consider, Eir and I have something of a working connection between us, after the help she has given me. Perhaps she would be willing to try?

We can ask, Loki agreed. After you finish eating, love.

Jane colored just slightly and returned to her incomplete breakfast. Loki smiled and continued with his own as well. They were just finishing when one of the servants arrived to check on them.

"My Prince, my Lady, is there anything more which you need?" the man asked them. Loki shook his head.

"No, I think we're fine," Jane replied with a smile for the man, one of the few whom she was getting to know. "Thank you for checking with us, though, Finnr. And please pass along my thanks to whomever made sure I had more tea."

Finnr chuckled quietly, inwardly pleased that at least one guest of Asgard treated everyone with respect regardless of station. He still found her awkwardness with having anyone to serve her to be both amusing and rather charming. "We are getting quite familiar with your desire to always have a hot drink to hand, Lady Jane. But you are welcome."

Loki slanted a glance at Jane, not having noticed this penchant of hers. Jane shook her head and smiled just a little. "It keeps me going," she replied to both Finnr's comment and Loki's unspoken question. "I miss my coffee, but tea works and I appreciate it."

"Coffee?" Loki asked quietly as they left the balcony area.

"It's a beverage that I drink quite a lot of, back on Earth," Jane explained; rather than trying to verbalize the taste and effect, she simply shared with him her memory of it. "It contains something like double the caffeine that tea does, and it's part of how I function at this point. I'm doing okay, though," she assured him when she felt his silent concern.

"Perhaps I should send Thor to Midgard for some," Loki replied after a moment.

"Maybe," Jane answered with a soft sigh.

Don't worry, love, Loki told her silently. If it means so much to you, I will ensure that you return home when your shields are strong enough to keep you safe. His mental voice couldn't hide either the concern or the pain he felt at the idea of her leaving and he felt her answering emotion, torn between two difficult choices. We will figure something out, my Jane, he promised her.

Jane nodded, not knowing what else she could say. Give up her home for the man - God, whatever - that she loved, or give up her love to return home. Neither choice seemed appealing. She knew Loki wouldn't prevent her from studying or working on whatever project she felt drawn to if she stayed on Asgard - but then who would benefit by it? It wasn't as if she could set up an Internet connection with Erik and Darcy from here… she didn't think that Inter-Realm communication would allow her to remote-access her equipment or to collaborate with anyone back on Earth.

Stop fretting, Jane, Loki interrupted her internal musing. I can't hear it, exactly, but I can feel it in the back of my mind.

I'm sorry, Loki, Jane replied, guilt tinging her tone. She did her best to stop her whirling thoughts and simply focus on the moment. The love shared between them made her happy; everything else could be worked out later, and she tried to let that flow between them instead of worry about things she had no answers for.

Loki relaxed beside her, and Jane hoped that meant she was being successful. They both settled into a state of calm as they approached the Healer's area; Loki hadn't felt comfortable involving himself in her lessons until this point, but now they both had questions and it seemed to make more sense for him to be there.

TBC...