"Hey! You seem to be in a good mood today." Jane stated as Ashera cleaned up around the lab.
"Why do you say that?" Ashera asked as she blushed slightly and busied herself with cleaning the lab desk which had materials strewn all over it in shambles.
"Well for one, you just blushed" Jane said with a laugh, "And another who is THAT happy when they clean, you have been smiling more since you got here today than I have seen in a while."
"Oh, umm guess it's just a nice day?" She tried.
"No bite, sorry but you will have to try the truth" Jane laughed "Is it your new boyfriend? Did you guys get to a new level or something?" she pried trying to get more details.
"Something like that I guess," Ashera admitted, thinking quickly she added, "I have come across some new information and I am looking into it. It is well… family related so I didn't want to worry you until I found out more." Ashera looked sheepishly at Jane.
"That's great news! You found a link then?" Jane asked excitedly. Ashera had told Jane she didn't know her real family and her adoptive family had died several years ago. It wouldn't do for her to know the full truth. "If there is anything I can help with just let me know!"
"Thanks." Ashera hesitated, "hey Jane?"
"Hmm?" She looked back up.
"What would you do if I had to leave because of this? Would you be ok?"
Jane studied Ashera for a moment seeing her hesitance and nervousness she had to smile. "You always worry too much Ashera. You do what you have to and whatever is best for you. I will be here. This is my life you know that. I will sorely miss the company and help but I won't ever stop you."
"Thanks Jane." Ashera said releasing a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She turned away again to hide her now clenched jaw.
"But you know phones exist and other things it's not like we would never see each other again. I mean I even hear form Darcy now and then and she becomes distracted easily."
"Erm, right" Ashera blushed. Her stomach twisted uncomfortably. She did not want to admit if she did end up leaving they would not talk. She couldn't risk what happened in Washington to happen again. But that was worry for another day; she would not be able to move until Loki had finished her training. She needed to be prepared if she was going to move on. Besides, she truly did enjoy her time with Jane, as well as her time on Asgard. She was glad she could call Jane a friend and felt lucky to have come across Loki and Asgard because of her. Her biggest fear was a repeat of Washington and she would not subject Jane to that.
"Mind if I take off early? I have a few things to do back home."
"Of course! It looks like everything is pretty organized now anyway." Jane turned back to her work before adding, "Next time we can go over my latest findings!"
Ashera rushed out and back toward her apartment. She would have loved the luxury to just talk about anything as friends should; but in reality she couldn't stand to keep lying blatantly in front of Jane. She was always so kind, it wasn't fair to her at all. The more distance she kept the better it was for everyone.
"Loki." A voice caught him off guard as he strode through the hallway toward the library.
He grimaced before turning with a grin, "Yes dear Einherjar?" the slight mocking tone not going unnoticed.
"His majesty, the Allfather, has requested your presence prince." The guard stated.
"Oh?" Loki said slightly shocked.
"He is waiting for you in his study." The guard said before turning and leaving just as quickly as he had come.
Loki looked after the guard with suspicious eyes. His father had not called upon him since he had lifted part of his exile, and even then he had barley spoken to him. After another moment's pause Loki turned on his heel and headed to his father's quarters.
"Father." Loki acknowledged.
"Loki! Come here my boy." Odin motioned for Loki to come closer. "I have been keeping an eye on you and, you have done well. I am," he paused briefly, "proud of you my son."
Loki was unsure how to react. He simply shifted uncomfortably near Odin's desk.
Odin sighed in response, "Frigga warned me it would take a while for us to come to an understanding."
Loki clenched his jaw at the mention of his mother. She wanted him to be happy which meant she had spoken with Odin regarding his punishment.
"I am lifting your punishment ban. You will be allowed to come and go as you please. You are still not allowed to travel off realm without my consent; but you are free to go anywhere on Asgard. I trust this will be sufficient for some time."
Loki narrowed his eyes. It felt too much like a trap. Where was the catch?
"I would also very much like you to work with Thor to train our armies. I know your diligence in combat has not swayed and your styles differ from Thor greatly. Your strategies cannot compare to brute strength alone." Pausing again he saw a slight scowl on Loki's face. "They tend to be far superior in the long run." He continued grinning, "I need you to work together to ensure our armies are the finest so we may continue to safeguard our people and the realms under our protection. Would you do this for me my son?"
Loki stood quietly. He was honestly shocked Odin would allow this. More freedom as well as more responsibility? It was impossible. The one thing he could believe was that his mother had a hand in this. That was why he would have to concede. His mind was working furiously trying to come up with a response.
"Thank you Father." He bowed his head curtly, "I am sure the opportunity will not be wasted on me." He gave another short nod before begrudgingly adding "Thank you, for your generosity; if that is all I will take my leave."
He turned to leave when Odin stopped him one more time.
"Son," he attempted to start. Loki stopped, back still to him, waiting. "Do not disappoint me." Odin gritted his teeth as he watched Loki ball his hands into fists. With another curt nod to his side he flourished his cape and was gone. Frigga was right. Everyone's pride really did get in the way of things.
Loki stood outside Thor's door. Taking a deep breath he knocked only to have the booming voice call out to him. "Enter!"
"Thor," Loki stated after shutting the thick door behind him.
"BROTHER!" Thor shouted excitedly. "What brings you here?!" He beamed at the man in front of him.
"Thor," Loki repeated. "As you probably know, I have further freedoms and I am to be assisting you in training the guards."
"Ah yes! We can practice again like in old times!"
"Aha, yes, I suppose. But Thor," Loki tried again.
"Father mentioned he was going to ask you!"
"Thor,"
"We will have the finest armies!" Thor blurted out interrupting Loki again.
"Thor!" Loki finally screamed.
Thor stopped in his tracks worry coming over his features as he now stared at his brother.
Loki pinched the bridge of his nose as he spoke, "I came here to speak with you regarding another matter." Loki let his hand drop to his side again and straightened. "I wanted to thank you for your support as well as apologize for my outburst during our spar." Loki gulped as he watched Thor's jaw drop slightly. "I know you meant well and I appreciate the words you spoke to father on my behalf. So thank you…." He paused before finishing with, "brother."
Thor was awestruck and his mouth moved but no words came out. Loki wanted very badly to leave. He had swallowed his pride as both Ashera and his mother had suggested. If he was being honest with himself he had only gained the courage to come forth knowing Ashera would be pleased. It was difficult to feel as though he was giving something up but he knew it would be for the best so he had finally conceded. The one thing he was looking forward to from this was telling Ashera and having her proudly smile at him for taking the step they all knew was needed. He wanted her to know he was trying to be a better person and growing from his experiences with her.
Thor finally found his voice and began to stammer his own apologies. The ones he had been practicing for weeks since their spar.
"Loki it is I who am sorry, I did not mean to push you so. I… I, Loki, thank you!" Thor was so excited he grabbed Loki into a bear hug which he slipped out of quickly.
"Let us just put this behind us shall we?" Loki suggested.
"Yes, yes, very good." Thor agreed. "This is so exciting! I am so glad we are to be working together once again!"
"Yes," Loki agreed reluctantly, "It has been a long time."
A/N: There are a lot of breaks that don't show up on here so I am sorry if this one is a particularly difficult read. I know its short but the next chapter should be up soon. Thanks for your continued reading/support!