This ridiculous Christmas holiday thing was taking place two days after Maisy's waking nightmare, which meant, at the current moment, Loki was out with her as she did some last minute shopping on Christmas Eve. For some reason she'd wanted to bring Jane along and the scientist was helping her pick trinkets out. Loki mostly watched them with an indifferent expression seared on his face and arms crossed.

"This would be perfect for Linn!" Maisy exclaimed, looking at a blue fuzzy sweater with little puffy things all over it. Loki had to agree that it would suit the young woman well and even if it didn't she would be happy as a troll in a butcher's shop to receive such a gift.

"Totally," Jane nodded.

"Loki, what do you think?" Maisy held it up to him and he nodded his approval.

"Perfect."

"Great, is it okay if I sign your name to it too? She'll be so excited to see it's from both of us!" Maisy smiled.

"Of course."

Loki had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. A few years ago, if anyone had told him that he would one day be standing in the middle of Midgardian store giving his approval on a fuzzy blue sweater as a gift for a laundry maid he would have killed the person who told him. This was not exactly an activity that he found to be much fun, but he'd said that he would guard Maisy everywhere she went and he meant it. He couldn't bear the idea of her being so frightened of the images in her head that she put herself in danger.

"Oh, hey, Maisy," Jane looked at her watch, "We've got half an hour until the store closes… you need to get that thing."

"Oh right!"

"What thing?" Loki asked.

"Just something for one of my earth friends who I'm hoping to see while we're on the planet," Maisy waved the matter away and Loki thought he saw something of a lie on her face before she turned from him, "Hey, let's look over there for it!"

She pointed in the direction of some festive dresses, but when Loki turned to look back at her she'd vanished. He quickly looked around in surprise, trying not to worry. There was a logical explanation, he was sure. She was probably just a little out of his range of sight. She was behind a rack of clothes or something. She had to be somewhere.

"Maisy?" He spun around more frantically as he didn't find her, "Maisy?!"

"Oh, she just ran to the restroom," Jane replied.

"How did she sneak off so fast?"

"I dunno," Jane flipped through hangers on the rack absently and then sent him a look, "So, can I ask what you got Maisy for Christmas?"

"Excuse me?"

"Did you get her a gift? Or make something?"

"No," he replied, the thought hadn't occurred to him, "It is a Midgardian holiday. I do not celebrate it."

"Oh, okay," Jane shrugged, "That's fine."

"It is," Loki nodded and was silent for a while, wondering when Maisy would return. It wasn't that he didn't like Jane - in fact he thought she was probably too good for his oaf of a brother - but she had never particularly liked him and this led to many awkward exchanges between them. And even more awkward silences.

"Did Thor get you something?" He finally asked.

"You know, he's terrible at keeping secrets," Jane laughed, "He has a box in his closet with my name on it and he left it open. I tried not to peek."

"Was he here for the holiday last year?"

"Yes, and he didn't really understand it, but I think he's really gotten into the holiday spirit. Tony even got him to do a charity thing with a bunch of little kids where he dressed up in holiday gear and stuff."

There was another long silence.

"Do you think I should get Maisy something?"

"I'm sure she'll understand if you don't. And if you don't want to then I wouldn't. It's more the thought that counts, you know?"

"So it should be meaningful."

"Yes, or something you saw that made you think of her or something you know she'd really like," Jane looked at him, "Like I said though, if you do it just because you feel obligated it won't mean as much."

Loki pondered this for a while and then sighed. He knew exactly what he wanted to get her. And he knew where to find it too, but it was back in Asgard. He knew he could make the trip and be back in a very short time, but finding the object might take a while… and some persuasion. He might miss the party the Avengers were having that night, which was fine by him, but might upset Maisy.

"Jane," he finally said, "How important do you think it is that I attend the festivities tonight?"

"Not very. Maisy was telling me she was thinking of skipping anyway since she knew it would make you uncomfortable."

"Would you ensure she makes it back safely? And tell her to go to the party if she wishes. Tell her I need to run a quick errand, but I'll be back tonight before she falls asleep."

"Okay," Jane nodded, "Thor would never forgive me if I let you loose on Christmas, so you have to promise you won't paint the town red or anything."

"Red isn't my color," Loki winked and then headed outside. He found a secluded ally and asked Heimdall for a ride.

A note from the author: Hey guys! Sorry about the long time with out posting! Between my two jobs I just worked twelve days straight without a day off, which probably isn't so bad for some people but I am not used to working that much so I was pretty worn out! Thanks for your patience!

Even though we won't be needing the Pillow Fort of Denial for a few more chapters, everyone ought to know that a study room has been added on since lots of people are studying for finals. :P There is a big table and books with every subject imaginable and reliable sources for research papers and lots of flash cards and highlighters. And, of course, a large pile of chocolate. ;)

Special thanks to my top notch reviewers:

Guest: yay! I am back! lol

MetallicarBaby: No worries! Glad you are still enjoying the story and I hope you have some very happy holidays and a merry Christmas as well! :)

XinterestingX: He's such a diva. I mean, who writes a play about themselves for goodness sake? But he's our diva and we love him. XD

CheetahLover: I actually considered having Loki agree with Thor, but then I thought "nah, he knows that's going to piss Maisy off and he's too smart for that" so he came up with a better plan. Plus this way they can sneak off to the park together and do some clandestine smooching and possibly make snow angels together. ;)

nina del carmen: thanks!

ferbette: Jane probably took him aside and scolded him, probably mentioning Sif and Natasha and his mother and how the ladies do not need him to look after them. He probably was thoroughly sorry and apologized profusely. XD

Ninja Squirrel: That is my absolute favorite quote from The Secret Life of Pets. XD Now I'm imagining Mr. Sichore sounding like that dog. As for Maisy's episodes... hmm, is it something in her brain? Is it magic? Is it because of all of the Christmas cookies she's been eating? Who knows? Well, I do, but I'm not telling!

You are, as always, the bestest readers ever! Thank you so much! :)

TTFN!