Finding Jane

Chapter 2

The next two weeks were hectic for Jane. Thor, who'd at first been sweet and concerned towards her after receiving the devoice papers, soon turned accusatory and bitter – going so far as to claim that she was cheating on him! He hadn't gone quietly either, and Jane had ended up tending her resignation in order to just escape his constant harassment. The idea of starting a new life after her divorce was fermenting itself within her mind to the point Jane was finding herself longing for a freedom she'd once rushed into marriage to avoid. Darcy, her best and perhaps only friend, was becoming an even stronger constant in her life. There were lonely moments were she'd visualize a different sort of life for herself, and a few fantasies that starred that stranger from the bar.

"Loki," she whispered with a faint smile, half hoping she'd one day bump into him again – only this time as a free woman. Not that she allowed herself much time for sappy sentiment, especially over a man she didn't even really know.

"Guess what," Darcy had squealed excitedly one day when Jane had joined her at the local coffee house at the usual time.

"Ian proposed?"

"No," she gasped out, but Jane was certain a small amount of disappointment had entered her eyes. "Remember Evelyn Pierce?"

"Pierce, Pierce," she repeated as she racked her brain. "Oh, the 'cheating ho' that stole your boyfriend senior year?"

"The very same. It seems she's married a dean at the state university, and they're currently looking for a new Astronomy teacher," she grinned.

Jane's head snapped up with interest. "Really? Don't play with me, Darce."

"Serious as a heart attack," she replayed. "Now, there are lots of applicants – or so Evelyn says – so I've managed to get us invited to the Academic's Ball tonight. You know, give you a chance to impress the dean's before your interview."

"You didn't," Jane gasped out. "Darcy, you're incredible. I love you!"

"Never that I'd hear that from a woman," she teased before assuring Jane she could make it up to her with lots of shopping.

"Always a catch with you," Jane sighed out as they left the café.

"I look like I stepped out of a Disney movie," Jane moaned as she touched up her makeup in one of the university bathrooms.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," Darcy said, smoothing out her own overly puffy lavender gown. "What woman doesn't want to feel like a princess once in her life?"

"This one," Jane countered with a deep, tired sigh as she repositioned her peach corseted gown top over her cleavage. "This thing is actually less comfortable than the trampy tube tops you use to talk me into wearing in college." 'And the tube tops didn't have freaky silver glitter all over it,' she added silently.

Her friend laughed as she picked up her clutch bag. "But things are going good with the dean, aren't they?"

Jane's eyes sparkled with happiness then. "He's willing to let me start teaching as a temporary replacement for the time being."

"There you go. I know you'll knock their socks off, Jane, and they'll be offering you a permanent position in no time," Darcy cheered. "But for now, two more dances before we call it a night?"

Jane bit her bottom lip in thought. Her feet were killing her and her corset was tighter than she'd like, but Darcy had done so much for her lately – not to mention she'd always been a great friend. "Two dance," she conceded, "but then it's pumpkin time, Cinderella."

Darcy wasted no time finding a partner once they were back in the dance hall, while Jane made her way to the drink table.

"I'll take that name now," a deep, some-what familiar voice whispered in her left ear.

Jane turned quickly, a small gasp leaving her throat when her eyes connected with hypnotic grey ones. "Loki?"

He gave the slightest of nods. "You really do have me at a disadvantage, miss-"

"Foster," she supplied, wondering why she'd automatically given him her maiden name. "Jane Foster."

He repeated her name as if testing the way it felt on his tongue. "Care to join me for a dance, Jane?"

"Alright," she agreed hesitantly, "but only one. My friend and I are leaving soon."

"Always running away from me," he teased and she blushed lightly.

"Perhaps I have good reason," she countered softly as he took her into his arms and they began to sway slowly together.

"Oh? Like what? A boyfriend? Husband?"

Her amber eyes lifted towards his own grey ones when the last word left his lips.

"I don't see a ring," he pressed.

"We're separated," Jane answered.

"Divorcing?"

"Just filed," she whispered as he spun her before pulling her body close to his again.

"Good," he purred, stepping slightly closer to her. "Then there's no reason I shouldn't do this," he whispered heatedly, his lips lowering to crash against hers. It was as heated and heady as the last time, and Jane couldn't stop herself from moaning and leaning into him more.

"I should go," she forced herself to say when she'd finally pulled back, her voice breathless and slightly husky.

"Your husband maybe fool enough to let you go," Loki replied, his eyes heated yet determined, "but I'm not. I will see you again, Jane Foster."

Jane swallowed, looking around to see if anyone had noticed their slight altercation (they hadn't), and turned to find Darcy.