Chapter 1 - A Promise Kept
Jane smirked at the juxtaposition of chiseled features and brutish table manners. She sighed lightly as her very own Asgardian prince shoveled food into his mouth without stopping to catch a breath.
Some things never change, she thought. Her elbows rested against the counter, and she gazed at him from across the room. It'd been several months since Thor chose to return to Earth, but some days it felt as though he'd never come back at all. She tried to be understanding, but the Avengers and SHIELD took up so much of his time. The fact that it took him months to call her after Loki's attacks left a sour twist in her stomach, but she always buried it.
"This is delicious, Jane. Your Midgardian meals please me greatly!" He interrupted her thoughts with a mouth full of food and a hearty laugh.
Jane replied with an unsteady grin as he continued to devour the plate of eggs. She loved how he exuded the innocence and wonder of a child—even with something as simple as a breakfast at her kitchen table. She feared to ruin their time together but she had to say something.
"I wish I could see you more often. Before I met you, I thought I was a work-a-holic."
"A work-a-what?" He set his fork down and looked up at her.
"Oh, nothing," she hesitated, "I just feel like you're always off protecting the world from every possible disaster. I know that it's the right thing to do…but is it so wrong that I miss being with you?"
Even as she said it, she felt ridiculous. How could she compare to saving lives? She couldn't, and didn't want to. What she did want, however, was to have a boyfriend who was actually present. Fiddling with a placemat strewn across the kitchen island, she wondered if she had gained some kind of PTSD from Thor always going MIA.
"Jane, I came here for you. I left Asgard, my father, my friends—all of it—because I chose this new life. I have responsibilities, though, whether to my people or to Midgard. "
"You're right. I'm sorry; can we just drop this for now? Let's enjoy our day together before you have to leave."
His eyes softened and he nodded.
Jane's shoulders relaxed. At least it was Sunday, so no one would interrupt them for once. After Thor finished his food, they curled up on the couch together. She inhaled deeply and rested the back of her head against his strong torso. His arms wrapped around her, and her eyes drifted closed. When she opened them again to admire the view, two eyes stared through her living room window and an open palm pressed against the thin glass. A shriek escaped her lips, Thor jumped to his feet, and she tumbled off the couch with a thud. He rushed to the door as her heartbeat finally stabilized.
"Sif? What are you doing here?" he called out, concern lacing his tone.
I'm okay, thanks for asking, Jane grumbled to herself as she rubbed her thigh.
"Please come in, Sif," she said, attempting to salvage some semblance of manners. "You scared the living daylights out of me, though, wow. People from Asgard sure know how to arrive in style. You are lucky I wasn't in my car." Jane rambled on, still a bit jittery as she righted herself. Her last comment drew a confused look from her guest and a deep chuckle from Thor.
"I apologize for the intrusion, but I come bearing news of misfortune," Sif said, tears pooling in her vision.
"What terrible fate has befallen us? Is my father unwell?"
Sif physically shook.
"No, it's mine. My father died this very morn. I cannot bear to be alone. I need my four closest friends by my side. Please tell me you will return for his funeral procession. I ask this one favor of you."
Thor placed one hand on his friend's shoulder and the other on the side of her neck, his gaze steady and voice solemn. She gently returned the touch by resting her delicate fingers on his forearm.
"You have my word, dear friend. We shall depart and mourn him together, for he led the life of a valiant warrior."
Jane's brow furrowed and her heart weighed heavy. She had sympathy, but when trouble arrived from beyond the stars it felt surreal. What caught her off guard was how much intimacy the moment held. She stood like an intruder in her own home. Chewing on the side of her lip kept her collected as the two of them embraced. As they hugged, Sif and Jane locked eyes. A flicker of mockery played across the warrior's face. The tears and frown could not mask the truth in her eyes.
Is she making a play for him? Jane used to wonder if they had history, but Thor painted Sif like one of the guys. Besides, who would flirt during such a dark time? The worries nagged at Jane, but she chalked it up to misunderstanding. No one is that crazy. Except maybe me…I think I might be losing it today. I'm acting like a drama queen. If Darcy were here I wouldn't hear the end of it. I really need to get out more.
"Jane, I must go. I'm sorry to miss our day, but this is of grave importance. I will return to you."
She had heard those words repeated many times before, I will return. She accepted it, though, because Thor and his friends were important.
"I understand. Please, be safe, and come back to me soon. Also, Sif…I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you, Jane Foster."
Thor placed a light kiss on Jane's lips, "Goodbye, my Jane," and then hurried out, side by side with his childhood companion.
As the door swung shut, the silence crept in. A light frown frosted her features, but Jane decided to sleep it off. Between relationship strain and a love affair with science, her body showed the wear and tear. She deserved some rest, even if it kept her locked away from the world, per usual. Climbing into bed, she pulled the soft comforter around her body and allowed herself to drift off to sleep.
»»-¤-««
As Thor stepped foot in Asgard, his city, his home—as breathtaking as he remembered it—he paused. Sif grabbed his elbow and lightly tugged for him to follow. She glanced behind to meet his gaze with veiled eyes.
"Drink with me, Thor. Please. I want to unburden myself."
He thought about denying her at first because he wanted to greet his father upon arrival, but decided he could do so later. Sif needed his support.
"Let us go then. Will Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg be joining us?"
"They will meet with us this evening."
The two of them drank heavily and laughed like old times. Soon a substantial buzz settled over them. Sif flashed a weak smile and laid her head on Thor's shoulder. Before he could protest, she passed out. He chose not to move her and let his eyelids slip closed as he thought about his day. As a god, he didn't require much sleep, but he hadn't had a good rest in over a week.
He worried about Sif and her loss. Her father had been everything to her. She was beautiful, strong, and forever loyal by his side. Their history together spanned many years, and even his mother used to push for a future between them. The corners of his mouth lifted at the thought of Frigga. Her absence burdened his heart but her spirit stayed with him.
Despite his respect for Sif, he knew he wouldn't dishonor Jane. Most didn't understand the duties he had as a prince and a future king. He chose to stay on Midgard, but in his heart, Thor knew he couldn't stay on Earth forever. He dreaded that day, for he didn't know to which path he would commit. The drowsiness finally overtook him, his thoughts flitted away, and a deep sleep consumed him.
»»-¤-««
The feminine figure shifted slowly once her companion slipped into dreams. Using a sleight of hand, the illusion melted away, leaving Loki towering over his unconscious brother. He presented an imposing figure, adorned from head to toe in his cloak, leather, and finely crafted armor.
You were always a fool, brother. Do you never learn?
The repugnant burden of fawning over Thor all day had paid off, and he couldn't help but smirk gleefully. The heat of anger coursed through his veins, but playing tricks brought him a special kind of joy. It defined him. He would get his revenge, but he would have fun in the process.
»»-¤-««
As Thor stretched, his skin grazed over cold metal. His senses sharpened and his eyes flew open. Somehow he had ended up on the floor. He rose to his feet and took a look around. His eyes narrowed and his mind clouded in response to ending up on the wrong side of an Asgardian holding cell. In the prison across from him, a woman sat against the wall of her confined space, head on her knees. He recognized her instantly.
"Sif! What happened? Did you see anything? We were just drinking together moments ago."
"I wasn't with you, Thor, it was another. I'm afraid Loki is very much alive and up to no good. I discovered his deception when he imprisoned me weeks ago. He's been impersonating your father."
Her words opened a floodgate within him. Loki was…alive? Loki died, and yet he falsely mourned his brother a second time. The anger and relief crafted a swirling torment that threatened to drown him.
"LOKI!" he shouted to no one, following it with a loud, guttural roar that stung his throat. Thor's battle cry echoed through the hall as his hand stretched out in raw urgency. A few seconds later Mjolnir flew through the air and into the room at breakneck speed. It didn't come to a stop at the energy barrier but instead smashed straight through it, collapsing the cage in a field of sparks. Grip tight and eyes misty, he stepped out of the ruined cell and walked over to free his friend. They had to find his father and stop Loki's plans. Sadly, he feared the worst.
"Come, Sif. We need to gather our friends and speak to Heimdall." Thor turned and strode up the stairs, the heavy weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He worried the escape proved to be too easy. Perhaps he played into his brother's hands, but what other choice did he have?
»»-¤-««
Jane stretched her toes and rolled over. Peeking through squinted vision, only a sea of darkness greeted her. The faint glow of her alarm clock stayed blurry until she rubbed her eyes. She groaned at the shining numbers that read 8 p.m. Somehow she had slept the day away. Cursing her predilection for a good nap, she slid out of bed. Ruining her schedule wasn't too foreign due to her bad habit of working on calculations late into the night. Even though Thor came back to Earth, she still wanted to build an Einstein-Rosen Bridge. He may have been her current love, but physics was her first.
She grabbed herself a bottle of water and settled down with her laptop, hoping to get some work done. Fingers hovering above the keyboard, her cell rang. Caller ID showed Darcy on the other line.
"Hey, Darcy."
"Jane! I texted you earlier, but you didn't respond. Too much fun in the bedroom, huh?"
"Good god, I merely overslept. It was a bizarre day, and I needed the rest."
"You had me at bizarre. Spill."
She filled her friend in on the events of the day, making sure not to leave out any details. Jane even voiced her worries about her relationship with Thor. It came pouring out, and to her surprise, she felt a little better.
"Okay, so, let me get this straight. Xena shows up on your doorstep, and now your man is gone again? We really need to put a leash on him."
"Darcy!"
"Sorry. Anyway, I think you're too worried. Just try to spend more time together when things get back to normal. You really need to get out more—or at least get laid," her friend teased. "You should plan some kind of surprise for him. When is he coming back?"
Darcy's inquiry reminded her that in all the commotion she had forgotten to ask him when he would return. She frowned but focused on finishing up their conversation. After she got off the phone, she decided to buy something to surprise Thor. She still had a little over an hour before the stores in town closed for the night, so she threw on a jacket, locked up, and headed to her car.
As her little outing progressed, it became increasingly clear to her that she had no idea what she was doing. Jane exhibited the usual "all work and no play" philosophy in most areas of her life. She shopped for necessity, not leisure. Jane stood awkwardly in the middle of a small lingerie store, trying to determine if Thor would like any of the lacey options. Did they even have lingerie in Asgard? Picking out something simple, but sexy, in black lace she went over to check out with a slight blush creeping over her features. She never considered herself a prude, but she valued her privacy more than most.
After safely tucking away the first gift in a shopping bag, she realized she had no more ideas on what to purchase. Jane headed home but stopped at the grocery store for a few items on the way back. She smiled as she grabbed a box of pop tarts from the shelf. Sexy underwear and pastries…what more could a guy want? She laughed at herself and headed out to the car.
Following a short drive, she arrived home again. Climbing out of the vehicle, she collected her items and turned toward the house. A hand snaked around her mouth from behind, and her heart leaped as her possessions slipped from her fingers and crashed onto the dirt below. The source of the grip spun her around and her eyes went wide.
Loki, dressed in his full armor and helmet, in all his intimidating glory, stood before her. One hand on her mouth and one pressed flush to his lips, partially obscuring a psychotic grin.
"Shhh," he whispered to her as he finally released his grip.
"We meet again, Jane Foster of Midgard." He spoke in a not entirely pleasant tone, eyes narrowing.
"We…we thought you were dead!" She stated the obvious as she inched backward to put space between her and the man before her. The layers of Asgardian gear brought back memories of the videos she had seen of him in Germany not all that long ago. He seemed so cruel, so ruthless—the thought frightened her even now. Something didn't feel right. He shouldn't be alive, and he certainly shouldn't be there with her on Earth while Thor was away.
"If you're looking for Thor, he will be back soon. Probably tomorrow. You should come back then," she rushed her words, eager to escape.
"Oh? Alone, are we?" He smiled wickedly.
Jane cursed herself for letting that fact slip. The intense need to get rid of him fogged her logic. A tingle crept up her spine as her mind raced for a plan of action. She knew Thor loved him and would be happy to know he was alive, but she learned over the years to trust her instincts. Loki was not here for a house call.
"I need to finish some work. I'm pleased you're alive. Thor will be happy too. Please, excuse me."
Rage splashed over his features at the mention of his brother.
"You trying to play nice bores me. Let's try something new, shall we?"
"I…I don't know what you mean. If are threatening me, Thor will find out." She considered herself a strong, independent person, so throwing out a mention of her protector pained her—but she knew she was no match for a god without him.
"Will he? Are you so confident, mortal? Tell me…where is your god of thunder, now?" He asked, his voice low and rough like gravel. An equally imposing chuckle escaped him as he moved so close that his breath chilled her skin as he spoke.
»»-¤-««
Threatening her felt good—it gave him a rush of adrenaline. He loved to play games, so very much. Not that far in the past, he had admired her fierce nature. She punched him "for New York" as she stated, and it amused him. However, he enjoyed chaos and confusion. Being playful with her one moment then frightening her the next was only the beginning of his fun. Soon his brother would return to Midgard to protect Jane Foster.
Too bad we will not be here to greet you, brother. Although, I do so ever enjoy the challenge. Let the chase begin.