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Jane didn't lose consciousness. Her consciousness just…untethered itself from what it normally ought to have been concerned with for a little while. The life-or-death struggle they'd just escaped? Unimportant. Her mind dismissed it with an airy wave. What was of vital importance was each breath that aspirated her lungs. Each thudding beat of her heart, sonorous as a timpani, ringing in her ears. The squeezing rush of blood through her veins. Jane was suddenly aware of herself as a biological machine, a consciousness upheld only by the mercy of thousands upon thousands of normally unconscious running subroutines, each one of which was a unique and fascinating sensory experience.

How hadn't she felt them before?

Why was she feeling them now?

There was a face hovering above hers. She could see each of the dark hairs of its eyebrows, the way its pupils dilated and shrank by fractions of a millimeter. She found herself lost in all the tiny creases of its lips, and the way they disappeared or deepened with the words they spoke. The words themselves were inconsequential. All that mattered was the physicality of the being that produced them.

That being wasn't totally unfamiliar, either. The pale skin, the dark hair, the variable eyes…Jane knew who it was. She just needed to remember.

Remember…

Memory was a needle, precise, stabbing through her mind. Experiences and feelings she hadn't considered—or even recalled well enough to consider—in years occurred to her now again, so fresh and vibrant they were like shadow plays acted out before her eyes. That face featured in so many of them; long nights, bright days, quiet moments, chaotic ones. Oh. She knew who it was. How could she have forgotten?

Speech was an additionally complex operation. She felt a skim of moisture on her lips part as she opened them. Her diaphragm tightened as her lungs compressed and expelled air. That air shuddered past her vocal chords until two syllables emerged.

"Darcy. You're here."

Her friend breathed a short sigh like a boiler releasing pressure. "Yeah, babe. It's me. I got off Asgard just after the two of you did. You back with us at last?"

She didn't know how to answer that. Back? Where had she gone? She hadn't gone anywhere, had she? Just deeper inside herself than she ever thought possible. And how was it possible, exactly? Memory. She remembered soot and scarlet light, breathing into her, through her pores, into her blood, penetrating her cells. She remembered power bursting out of her, a concussive blast that crumbled Odin's vault above their heads.

Aether, her mind whispered. The power to alter reality, but which has no reality of its own.

"Earth to Jane? Hello? Dude," and now Darcy was speaking to someone on Jane's other side, "you've gotta do something! What use is all your power if you can't—"

"Be silent," the unseen figure hissed back, "I have done all I can, which is more than your miniscule mind can conceive, but my power pales in comparison to the Reality Stone. It is in her now, they are as inseparable as the air from her lungs. If I were to remove it when it wished not to be taken, she would die."

"Not gonna die," Jane murmured. She knew that as well as she knew anything in that moment. Whatever else the Aether wanted, it desperately, voraciously, wanted freedom. For millennia it had been locked away, deprived of the reality it craved, and now Jane was giving it a host of new experiences it had not tasted before. It wouldn't let her die. "I'm all right."

She sat up, muscles responding easily to the first impulses from her brain. Jane was in pretty good shape for her age, but there were mornings where her back ached and her shoulders were sore. And after her experiences in the Jotun court and then on Asgard, she should have been creaking like a rusty clock. She felt none of it, though. She sat up, leaning back on her hands, looking around at her familiar room on Jotunheim with clear, unclouded eyes.

Darcy and Loki looked back. Her heart gave a glad leap at seeing them alive and safe; the Aether curled itself around her sensations of relief, gratitude, and happiness, and purred.

"Holy shit," Darcy said. "Um. How are you feeling?"

A lot, was the honest answer. "Okay," was what she said. "The Aether is getting used to me. We're…" she shifted, feeling power move, sinuous, beneath her skin, "we're getting used to each other."

"The what?"

"The Reality Stone must have chosen its own name," Loki answered for her, "It had little else to do during its captivity."

"No," Jane corrected him, "it was always the Aether. A pure essence of cosmic potentiality," words surfaced on her lips; she spoke them. Only when they reached her ears did she even know what she had said. "Aether is what the universe could become and the power that can make those possibilities real."

"Okay," Darcy stretched the last syllable, forehead puckered with worry, "But what's it going to do to you, Jane? If Loki told me the truth, you kind of…exploded on Asgard. Is that going to happen again?"

"If I want it to," she replied, shifting up against the back of the sofa. She swung her arms around to gather in her knees. "The Aether was trying to keep me safe; it felt my fear and responded. The explosion was probably my fault. I was really scared, so it reacted proportionately."

"With a really big boom?"

Jane nodded. "Yeah. With that."

They fell into an awkward silence. What was there to say when a person just confessed to exploding a room because she'd been scared? Jane didn't even know what to follow that up with. A promise not to do it again? A promise not to hurt anyone? How could she possibly make those promises, when circumstances might very well need her to hurt someone or explode something in the future?

"I heard," she swallowed, throat dry, "I heard you tell Darcy you couldn't take the Aether out of me."

Loki answered by running his palm over the back of her hand, a scant inch above her skin. She felt his influence plucking at her; rather, at something deeper in her. The Aether flared up through her skin, flaming a heated red, and Jane sucked in a breath.

"Don't—" she pulled away, but Loki had already removed his hand.

"As I have tried to explain to your friend, and as you see now," he sighed, weary, "the Reality Stone is part of you. After so long in darkness, it has no desire to be parted from its host. Perhaps if we were to find someone the Aether would prefer to hold it, it might be willing to relinquish you. But I am afraid that if I try to force you to separate, it would tear both me and you apart in its effort to remain. I am no match against an Infinity Stone."

"What about the other stone? Do you think it could help?"

"It might, were it not buried in Odin's vault. Your passenger is the only thing we managed to salvage."

"Oh," she closed her eyes, running her hands over her face. Wait a minute. Hands?

She almost jumped off the sofa. Her left arm, formerly bandaged tightly against the terrible cold it had suffered and healing one cell at a time—if it had been healing at all—was now bare, fresh skin pink and whole, and each finger flexing effortlessly.

"Oh," she groaned, relieved tears tangling in her lashes, "Did you do this?" she turned to Loki, a smile spreading irrepressible across her face.

He answered it, but sadly, shaking his head. "It was beyond me. But not beyond a power that alters reality to its whim. Call it, perhaps, the second favor your passenger has done us. I do not know how we would have escaped without its intervention. And it will likely do us a further favor yet."

"What do you mean?" Darcy snapped. "Jane doesn't know how to control this thing. We don't even know if she can control it. You're not gonna make her do anything she doesn't want to do."

"Even if I wished to, I no longer could. Jane wished for independence from me; she now has it. If she learned to wield the power she now holds, she could overthrow my father—either of them—with a thought. I was only referring to our plans to do so."

"Laufey wanted an Infinity Stone," Jane was pursuing her own train of thought, the Aether putting the pieces together while simultaneously basking in the delicious feel of wiggling her fingers. Relief goosebumped her skin; it loved that sensation too, exaggerating it until her whole body was in a shiver and all her little hairs were on end. "At least we managed to get one for him. He'll have to help us now."

"He will," Loki nodded. "So you see, Miss Lewis, there are many reasons why I cannot remove the Aether, not the least of which being Laufey would undoubtedly try to claim it if it were a free agent. If Jane holds it, he must ally himself with us to benefit from its powers."

"Fine, okay," Darcy crossed her arms. "So I've been out of the loop for a bit. Hardly my fault, is it?"

"No," Jane threw her arms around Darcy's shoulders, riding out her jerk of surprise at being tackled, "No, it's not. I'm so sorry I had to leave you there, there just wasn't anything else we could do, and I'm so, so sorry, it wasn't fair."

"Wow," Darcy patted Jane's back, "It's okay. I heard the story of how you got out; I wouldn't have wanted to be there anyway. Hey," she cooed, as Jane's breathing became suspiciously soggy, "it's okay. We're all fine, right? Everyone's okay."

Jane nodded into Darcy's shoulder and sniffled. "Right. You're right. But now that you're here, you should go home."

"Home?"

Jane sat back, wiped her face, and looked at Loki. "You could bring us from Asgard to Jotunheim, so you can take Darcy to Earth, can't you?"

He nodded, searching her face. "I can. Are you sure you wish me to?"

"Jane," Darcy shook her head, "I—I—"

Jane shook her head. "Don't say you don't want to go. All this time, I've been trying to get you back home. This is the chance. Maybe the only chance. If you stay, who knows what will happen? Believe me," she tried for a smile but it wobbled, "if I could go with you, I would."

"Why can't you? What do you owe him," Darcy jerked her chin, "or Laufey, or anyone? Come home with me. Be safe."

"Be glad Jane has more sense than you," Loki scoffed. "Where in the universe will be safe for the woman who robbed Odin of his greatest treasure? Jane understands the truth that this battle does not end until Odin no longer rules Asgard and cannot continue to spread his influence to your little world."

Darcy wasn't about to be shamed. "Some big bad god you are," she sneered. "Aren't you stronger than this? Why do you need her to fight your wars for you?"

"Perhaps I would have been able to let her go before this. But now she is as much a part of this fight as I, and without Jane, we stand no chance of victory. She knows this."

"Hey," Jane interjected. "Sitting here. Sitting right exactly here. I can speak for myself."

"Then tell her."

She didn't like to admit it, but, "Loki's right. If we could safely separate me from the Aether, I'd—"

She stopped.

"What?" Darcy prodded.

"I was going to say, 'I would'," she hesitated. "But, no. I still wouldn't."

"So you want to hang onto one of the greatest powers of the universe, something that could kill you if anyone decides to rip it out?"

"Don't say it like that," it made her a little nauseous to think of someone taking the Aether, which right now was curled up inside her like a plump ginger cat, basking in the sunlight of all her emotions and perfectly content. Hard to see it as a world-ending danger when she kind of wanted to give it a pat. "I don't want the danger. I really don't. But if I hold onto this, if I'm part of this fight…"

Midway through, she realized the end of her sentence would be: then Loki will be grateful to me. He'll have to keep his promises. I'll make him keep his promises. But that wasn't a safe thing to have floating about. Instead, she finished, a bit lame:

"Then I'll know how it ends."

"We'll know one way or another," Darcy shrugged. "I don't get why you have to be there for it, but I can tell you're serious. You're really staying."

"I think I have to."

She sighed. "Whatever. I'm not gonna try to argue you out of this insanity because, let's be honest, when did that ever work on you before? But promise me, Jane," and now there were tears in her eyes, "promise me you'll come home safe. And don't you dare do anything reckless for him. Okay?"

"I promise."

Darcy stared her down. Then, the lines on her face softened. With her muscles slack, she suddenly looked both older and far, far more tired than Jane remembered her being. How old was Darcy, anyway? She always seemed so fresh and ageless, powered by an enthusiasm—or a fury—that never needed to be recharged. But no one was meant to endure what they'd been through without consequences, and Jane knew she was seeing the result of what all this had done to Darcy.

She was so glad Darcy hadn't been stubborn enough to insist on staying.

"All right, I'll go back. I'll see what kind of state Earth is in. Maybe there's something we can do to help." At Loki's snort, she shot him a look that was pure poison. "Got something to say?"

"Nothing I am sure you do not already know. Midgard is in no state to assist us."

"Oh yeah? Who made that true?"

"Okay," Jane put up her hands. The Aether pulsed, nudging at her to see if she wanted to fight; she dropped her hands and it quieted. Good to know. "There's blame enough for everyone to have seconds, but now's not the time. What else do we have to do to get ready for this fight?"

"We have to raise my allies. I have been sowing seeds of discontent throughout Yggdrasil; now is the time to see if they have sprouted. I am sure that it will encourage everyone to learn we also have the power of an Infinity Stone on our side; you should accompany me."

"Will that be safe?" Darcy put in.

"As safe as remaining on Jotunheim would be, which is to say, not exceedingly," Loki did not seem concerned as he continued. "Many worlds beyond Midgard are not overly friendly to mortals, though the Aether will do my work for me in ensuring Jane will adapt to foreign atmospheres and environments well enough."

"Great," Jane's courage was fainter than her voice, but she couldn't lie to herself; the thought of exploring farther into space wasn't wholly terrifying. "When do we start?"

"As soon as possible. It is likely Odin is already mounting a force to reclaim the Aether from Jotunheim. Laufey will undoubtedly be pleased to see the back of us. So, Miss Lewis," a rakish smile split his face, "I am sorry to say that our paths diverge here. Where again shall I find a woman so beautiful and so devious? I cannot—"

"Save it," Darcy cut him off with a groan, "If I never see your pale, pointy face again it'll be too soon. And if I do see you again, and it's for any other reason than bringing Jane back to Earth, I'll find some way to peel that face off. Got it?"

Loki's smile soured. "There was a time," he began, softly, "you could not be in the same room with me without trembling. How I miss that fear."

Darcy's face set in sharp, furious lines, and she was on the verge of retorting when Jane interposed again.

"Okay, okay. No love lost, we get it. Darcy," she said, scrambling for a tablet, "when you get back, see if you can get in touch with any of my contacts at SHIELD." She opened a blank file and began typing in every phone number she could remember, every name she hadn't seen on a casualty list. "If anyone's still around, they'll know—if anyone does—about any hidden materials or resistance movements who might help us. Give them this code," she added that to the document, saved it, and handed over the tablet, "and they'll know you're legit."

"You were always a super genius, but now you're also a superhero and super-spy," Darcy joked, but her heart wasn't in it. "I'm really gonna miss you, Jane."

"I'll miss you too," she said, sniffing again. The Aether wanted to know what her tears felt like; she could feel it creeping around her ducts, waiting for them to fall. But she held them, and it, in check. She coughed. "If you can't contact anyone, don't worry. Just find somewhere safe to wait all this out, and…hopefully I'll be there soon."

"Okay."

Jane smiled, hard. "Okay."

Loki left to coordinate their plans with Laufey, allowing Jane and Darcy a few minutes to have a more emotional farewell. They both emerged from underground red-faced and blotchy, but their tears would have been a liability in the frigid air of Jotunheim. More of a liability would have been any sign of weakness in front of Laufey, who had followed Loki back.

Darcy nodded to the King, thanked him in words more gracious than Jane could summon for his hospitality, and vanished into the portal Loki summoned with a long backward stare at Jane.

Then they were three alone.

Loki also bowed to Laufey. "I would echo what my companion so eloquently said. Your kindness, Father," and even Jane heard the needle-sharp sarcasm in his tone, "is beyond compare. Without your—"

"Silence," Laufey waved an irritated hand. "I want nothing from you, boy. I did not come all this way to see you gone. I came to see her."

As there was only one 'her' left, Jane swallowed. She would never get used to those burning eyes.

"What have you to say to her?"

"Nothing you need hear. Walk away, Odinson. And should you try to hear what I say, I will have my men cut your ears off for the trouble."

Loki looked inclined to start trouble on her behalf, but Jane, flexing her hands and feeling the Aether's power rise and fall in her palms, shook her head. "I'll be fine." Discreet, she lifted one hand so he could see how it glowed. He grinned.

"You have only to call, and I will be with you," Loki murmured into her ear. With a further bow to Laufey, Loki retreated into the world's darkness. Once snow and shadow had hidden him, Laufey began.

"You have power, Jane Foster of Midgard. Such power that you no longer require that runt. We are better free of him."

This was not what she'd been expecting. "Oh? He says we can't win this fight with just your power and the Aether."

"He does not have to die now," Laufey allowed, "He can still bring the rest of Yggdrasil together. Once we have an alliance, he does not have to lead it. Do you really trust an Aesir to deliver what he promises?"

"You've not given him a choice."

"By overthrowing his father he will give me what I desire. I had to allow him the illusion he would sit on the throne once it was done. He does not have to hold the throne long."

Jane was beginning to think Loki's cunning wasn't a result of his Asgardian upbringing. Her mind raced; even in Jotunheim's deadly cold, her palms were sweating. "Who else would rule, if not him?"

"Let Asgard succumb to chaos. Better that way, that none can make use of its power. Odin's family has controlled Yggrasil for generations, and without a living heir to his line, Asgard will destabilize and fall. What say you?"

Tread carefully, a voice within her—yet not of her—whispered. Jane's first reaction was to reject this proposal, not because she cared what happened to Loki, which was a question she did not want to set herself just then, but rather because murder was not the sort of decision she was inclined to make at a moment's notice.

And that was the decision Laufey was asking her to make. There was a chance Laufey would be able to assassinate Loki himself, but if he were confident of that, there would have been no need to bring Jane into it. No. It was clear he planned the blow should come from a person Loki would not expect.

On the other hand...the look on his face, heavy as a stone gargoyle's grimace, was not one that expected her to refuse him. Also, refusing him right then would take away the edge Laufey had given her in sharing his plans to begin with. Neither risk was one she could afford to take.

Added to all this, Laufey wasn't wrong. No, she couldn't make this decision right away. She would take her time, consider it, and act if the moment arrived.

Jane looked up, set her jaw, and nodded.

"You're right," she said, sticking to the truth. "We can't trust him."

Notes: Credits for a few cribbed lines:

"Sitting right exactly here" is from Buffy. Cracks me up every time.

"Blame enough for everyone to have seconds" is from Dollhouse. Joss Whedon may be a tool, but he's king of witty one-liners.

Thank you as always to you all for your lovely comments!