Description: Thor is given a chance to become King of Asgard while Loki deals with a worrisome choice about Jane.

Song: Say (All I Need) by OneRepublic

Sitting on the steps leading up to the throne, Frigga rubbed idly at the forefinger of her left hand as she waited for her sons and Jane to arrive. Of all the times for her husband to slip into Odinsleep, why did it have to be during a time where several other events were taking place? Thor was supposed to be in MIdgard by now, Loki and his brother had gotten into yet another skirmish, and Jane was carrying her first grandchild. While the latter did bring a hint of warmth to her heart at the idea of her being able to experience life as a grandmother, was she wrong to want the other events to be as glorious as an addition to their family? Letting out an exhausted sigh, the sound of the double doors opening greeted her; Frigga's lips curving up as the atmosphere surrounding her two sons seemed content. Hopefully, as she stood up to greet them, they had been able to sort things out between the two of them. However, while she was glad to see her sons, the lack of her daughter-in-law was noticed.

"Where is Jane, Loki?," she asked; concern for the young woman soaring through her veins

"She is still resting, mother," Loki called out as he walked toward his mother. "As she is still sleeping, I would very much like to get back to her. Morning sickness is not agreeing with her, it seems, and I'd rather not have her strain herself."

"Spoken like a loving husband," Thor commented before also walking toward his mother. "How are you doing, dearest mother?"

"Ready to take a nap myself, in all honesty. But, in the meantime, we must decide who is going to take over the throne while your father recovers," she murmured while looking at her sons.

"Well, given that Thor is already in line to become King of Asgard, it would only make sense that he would be the proper choice for a stand in. I, honestly, have zero interest in the crown. I do not mind helping out where I can, but my priorities have changed significantly."

"Aye; it would make more sense that I take the throne for the time it takes Father to recover. How long do you think he'll be in Odinsleep?," the blonde God of Thunder gazed at his mother.

"It all depends. Last time he went, he was asleep for nearly a month. We have to realize that he is getting older so each time he goes through this, there's a high chance you'll be King of Asgard for a year or so. Still, I am glad you are willing to do this without any pressure or persuasion. Loki -" her eyes moved to stare directly at her dark haired son. "- would it be all right if you become your brother's advisor? While you, understandably, do not want to be King, you know as well as I that you understand what it takes to be a King. Would that position be suitable?"

"Ah-" he paused. While he was eternally grateful for Thor agreeing to take up the role as King, being the King's advisor meant that he would need to spend a great deal of time here in Asgard. Jane, however, wanted to go home. Peering down at the floor as he struggled to make a decision, he was presented with the idea that Jane could go home and that he would simply go to and from to check up on her. That way, she would be able to focus on her work and spend time with Darcy and Erik while he focused on his attention on matters here in Asgard. While, of course, he would miss her greatly, it was the worry of being too busy to spend time with her that made him think sending her to London to be with Erik and Darcy seemed the more reasonable option. So, as he looked from the floor to his mother's gaze, Loki nodded before continuing to speak, "it will be a suitable position."

"Good!," Frigga exclaimed; the stress of having to figure out what to do with Odin being in his comatose state and being able to resolve it giving a tremendous sense of relief. "I am certain Lady Jane will be happy with remaining here in Asgard."

"She won't be. Given that I'll be busy with all of this, I'd much rather have her with her friends." While the idea sounded reasonable, the idea of losing time with her caused his heart to ache. But, if it meant that she would be able to work on what she loved, he felt the choice would be the best for them. "Are we done with this meeting? I imagine you and Thor need to sort out details and so on."

"Are you sure she'll be all right with being sent home, my son? For as long as I've known her, she has always showed a fondness of Asgard. Plus I cannot help but think she won't be pleased with this," Frigga said, wondering why her dark haired son would want to send Jane away.

"Just as I am not pleased with the fact that the Allfather always seems to go into Odinsleep just when things are getting rough," Loki bit off; irritated at the change of things and wishing he and Jane could have stayed back in Tromso once more. "You know - if you hadn't messed with Sif, brother," he paused while glaring over at Thor who looked understandably ashamed at what he had done, "Jane and I could have stayed home. But, yet again - we all must rally together because one of us makes a mistake. If you'll excuse me, mother, I'd like to think of what I'm to say to keep Jane safe from our family's idiocy." Bowing his head slightly, Loki turned and headed briskly for the door.

"You've overstepped th-" Thor started to say while moving to walk after Loki only to stop as he felt something pull him back. Blinking in surprise, the blonde God of Thunder looked at the source of what had stopped him ony to find his mother shaking her head up at him. "Mother, why are you stopping me?"

"Let him go, Thor. Whlie he did make some rather harsh statements, you have to recognize that everything he did say was truthful. He's upset about having to send Jane home. With the baby on the way, I imagine he'd much rather be with her. So, if she does agree to go, we will be dealing with his frustration and worry." Frigga murmured as she watched her youngest son cast a spell to transport himself; the sight of him disappearing greeting her eyes as her heart ached with worry.

"With the way she and Loki are, though, I sincerely doubt she will agree to leaving him. While it still does plague me that she loves someone else, I've witnessed their love and it's truly genuine."

****

**

Humming idly as she flipped through a book on lunar esclipses and constellations from the past fifty years, Jane smiled at the sight of a heart shaped sticker on the upper right corner of the left page. The page had the constellations that could be seen during the spring months and, for some reason, her eight-year-old self had thought it important enough a bright green sticker on the page. The book had been a gift from Erik on her eighth birthday; the memory of how overjoyed she was at the sight of it replaying in her mind. Surrounded by friends of her father's as well as Erik, Jane had been told to close her eyes by Erik only to feel the weighty book placed on her lap. Most kids that age would have wanted toys or a pet of some kind. She wanted to know anything and everything about the stars. Turning the page, she reached down to caress her abdomen before looking down. "Sweet little baby, I can't wait to show you this book." The sound of approaching footsteps pulled Jane away from her little talk with the baby; her eyes moving up only to widen in surprise as a bright smile decorated her features. "Loki, you're back," she exclaimed, setting the book down and sliding off the bed to wrap her arms around him just as he reached the bed. "I missed you."

While he was still upset at what had occurred between his mother and Thor, the warmth of Jane's embrace seeped through his skin and warmed his heart. Why was he so lucky to have a woman like her in his life? Wrapping an arm around her waist, his other hand moved up to cup the back of her head; his own head leaning in to softly kiss her forehead. "I missed you, too, my Jane," he muttered against her skin. Was he really going to send her away and risk missing her and the important moments of her pregnancy? The thought of not seeing her for months on end made his heart ache tremendously; a pained grimace finding its way on his face. But, for her sake, it did make sense for her to go be with Erik and Darcy while he was busy with matters here in Asgard. If that, however, was the truth, why did the thought of her leaving hurt so much? Pulling away from the soft skin of her forehead, Loki exhaled softly as he watched Jane look up at him curiously. "Love, the Allfather has fallen into the Odinsleep and we do not know when he will awaken. Given that the throne is now unmanned, it has fallen to Thor to become King until Odin wakes up."

Her eyebrows rose up in surprise; her lips parting as well. She could not imagine how worried Frigga was knowing that her husband was in a comatose state. As for Thor, it did make sense that he would take up the duties as King given that he was in line for the throne, but why did her husband look so miserable? "There's more, isn't there?"

His lips quirked up in amusement at his wife's talent for being able to notice even the slightest changes in his mood; a trait he found endearing. "Indeed, there is. While Thor takes up the role as King, I have been appointed his advisor as I understand a great deal of Asgard's rules and so on. Given that I am going to be incredibly busy with keeping an eye on Thor, I feel it best that you should return to London, Jane, You will be with Erik and Darcy and be able to focus on your interests." While I ache and long for your return, he finished in his thoughts.

"So, let me get this straight: you're going to be helping Thor with Asgard, correct?" The sight of his nod greeted her and allowed her to continue. "You will still be able to have breaks and go to bed, correct?"

A frown formed on his lips as his dark eyebrows grew together. What was she getting at? "Yes, of course."

A look of comprehension caused her eyes to brighten as she found the loophole in his choice. "So, no. I'm not going without you, Loki. We're in this together, remember?"

"Jane, I am going to be his advisor. I am not going to be able to always be here when you need me," Loki remarked while mentally cheering his wife on for refusing to leave.

"So, what? Sending me back home while I worry endlessly about you? Loki, I don't mind that you'll be busy, but you're bound to have free time and someone will need to take care of you when you get stressed out. Scalp massages, remember?," she even went as far as drawing a hand up as her fingers mimicked a massaging motion before she continued, "So, I'm staying here. Final decision."

Love for the woman in front of him pushed the anger he had felt earlier away as he found himself gradually beginning to relax. "Insufferable woman," he muttered while bowing his head and taking her lips in a passionate lip lock; admiration and love fueling him as he drew his hands up to cup her face. The sweet warmth of her lips sent shivers down his spine as the welcoming sound of a pleasure filled moan vibrated against his lips as he felt her kissing him back. The knowledge of his wife choosing to stay in Asgard soothed his wearied soul in ways he could not begin to describe; all he could manage to feel was joy and ease knowing that she would be there.

Parting from the glorious kiss, Jane peered up at her dark haired husband; the sight of his wavy locks draping over his ears. While she had grown used to the sight of his hair slicked back, the relaxed appearance looked more natural. Drawing a hand up to sink her fingers through the dark tresses, her fingers caressed the silky locks while feeling his beautiful green eyed gaze wander over her face. "You can't just Loki this up."

Sudden laughter burst from his throat as he tossed his head back, his surprised laugh filling the room at the silly thing his wife had said. Moving his head forward, Loki's shoulders shook with amusement and laughter as his eyes twinkled. "Wait just a minute, my Jane - did you just use my name as an adjective?," he asked as a thoroughly amused smile adorned his features. Oh, how he loved this woman dearly.

"So what if I did? You have a history of being rash." As much of a challenge it was to keep a relatively serious expression on her face, Jane mustered up all of her willpower to do so despite how glad she was to hear Loki laugh; the sound always making her happy.

"If only we could pull a Jane," the dark haired God of Mischief smirked in delight.

"Hey! That's my idea!," she snarled as her attempt to be appear serious failed; her lips curling up happily in a giddy smile.

"Too bad. Not all of us drive ourselves to exhaustion and worry our husbands sick," he retorted.

"You're still not the boss of me, mister."

"Jane," he started to say as the amusement dimmed, "my Jane - you must promise me that if you do ever want to go back home, please let me know and I will make the necessary arrangements. While Asgard is not your original home, I will see to it that everything that you love back in Tromso will be either replaced or brought here. The last thing I need is for my wife to be uncomfortable throughout her pregnancy. Speaking of which..," he paused as he slid down onto his knees in front of her while eyeing her stomach. "while I do not think the baby has grown into a fullblown fetus as of yet, but when I came in, I saw you talking to the baby. So -," he drew a hand up to his mouth as he cleared his throat. "Hello, little one - I'm your father. You're going to be my first child and I cannot wait to hold you in my arms." Feeling Jane's hands slide into his hair, he glanced up and smiled at the sight of her smile. Moving his head forward, he placed a soft kiss on her lower abdomen before wrapping his arms around her hips and hugging her close to him. "Thank you for giving me this chance, Jane."

(Whew! See you at Chapter 18! Thank you, once more, for the follows and reviews!)