I GRADUATED! YAY! So, I have a bit of a dilemma. I've gotten two different opinions as to how Liri and Loki should interact. One person says that they should remain friends while the other thinks that she should fall for him. I could use a bit of help, guys, so hopefully I'll get some more input after this next chapter.

DarkDragonne: Okay, thanks for your input. You won't be disappointed concerning Darth Vader. I've got big plans for him. ;)

Pergjithshme: So glad you like it! I was kind of leaning in that direction, where she would fall for him and he would not fall for her.

After the woman left, a bright smile spread across Loki's face. "Thank you. That could have turned ugly. For her."

"I don't doubt it," she said, giggling. "Watch that magic of yours. It could get some people royally pissed off at you." She leaned forward and gave him a one-armed hug. "It's so good to see you." She took a step back and said accusingly, "You didn't say goodbye last time."

"There was a complication," he admitted. "I would have if I could have."

She decided not to tell him that she knew what had happened. She was already having trouble restraining herself from hugging him again. She had never wanted to hug someone more than she did now. Loki had a strange charm about him that drew her in. A sort of calm—yet somewhat sad—demeanor. Perhaps it was the fact that he had saved her life as a child. Either way, Liri hoped he couldn't hear her pounding heart.

"I understand," she said at last. "What brings you here?"

He shrugged. "I felt the need to return. It is nice to get away from the family every once in awhile." Especially if said family doesn't particularly care one way or another about your presence, he thought. Such thoughts were frowned upon, he knew, and he had to stop thinking them.

Liri touched his arm lightly. She wanted to comfort him and be there for him. She wanted to use her power of sensitivity to others to reach out to him. Yes, she recently discovered that she can sense what a person is thinking and feeling. Those thoughts and feelings would become hers if she listened to them. Touching Loki's arm now gave her a window into his inner self. He was in pain. That much was clear. She sensed swirling, pent up jealousy and a desire for something that overshadowed everything else. Was it the throne of Asgard? No, not even that. It concerned…his brother. Loki wanted to be like his brother. Or equal to him, anyway.

"Liri?" The smile on his face was becoming uncertain. There was so much behind that charming smile. How could she convince him that it didn't matter here? No one in her world knew Thor, nor would they ever.

Liri blinked back her thoughts. This was getting too deep for her. "Sit," she urged him. Though she would not say so aloud, she felt very much at home with the Asgardian.

Loki sat. He wondered why Liri looked so pensive. What was she thinking about? It was clear that her mind was elsewhere. He now knew why Thor got so annoying every time he, Loki, sat down to think. His brother was probably wondering what lay inside his mind. Watching Liri now made him realize just how strange it felt to be around someone who was not mentally there with you. "Perhaps I should leave you to your thoughts," he suggested.

A light turned on in Liri's eyes. She was back. "No, no. Don't go. I'm sorry." That pretty smile returned, revealing pearly-white teeth. There were some Asgardians that weren't as beautiful as her. It was surprising to find a mortal so striking.

"Sorry for what? Daydreaming is natural for mortals and immortals alike."

Liri nodded. "True. So, tell me more about Asgard. I'll bet it's really beautiful."

"That would be the understatement of the millennium," he said, smiling warmly and reminiscing about the wonders of his home.

Liri listened to Loki speak freely. She sensed that it was a rare occasion for him to open up. In response to his relaxed conversation, Liri found herself speaking her mind as well. They talked for hours, though it hardly felt like any time at all. Liri was beginning to feel like her old, happy self again. Even Loki enjoyed the easy exchange.

"Thor claims to have won that battle himself. He still does to this day," Loki explained. "He neglects to add my part in it. I influenced the leader to call the attack off, because we were clearly losing. Thor thinks he drove them off. But when an army of warriors suddenly turns tail and flees, would you really think that it was you that caused it?" Loki was beaming as he told the story. "Thor's inwardly-focused perspective is amusing. Especially when the victory clearly points to me. A whole army, gone in seconds. Not bad for the god of mischief."

"I have powers too," Liri said eagerly. "I can feel people's thoughts and emotions through pictures in my mind. I can't hear words, but I feel what the other is feeling and can anticipate their intentions and movements that have not yet been made. It's like a keener version of the normal Force sensitivity."

"Incredible." Loki was impressed. "Can you tell me what Anakin thinks of?"

"Easy. That Senator from Naboo. Amidala."

That was a pretty easy one. Loki knew of the marital union between the two, but did Liri? She had told him during their conversation that attachment and love was forbidden in the Order. If Anakin was breaking the rules, then it would probably be best if he, Loki, stayed out of it. "How about Yoda?" he asked.

"That's a hard one. His thoughts and feelings are simple, but there is deeper meaning and wisdom behind them."

"And me?"

Liri hesitated. "Your thoughts dwell on your father," she said at last. "You want to impress him so much, but you feel like you're screaming for him to see you, to hear you, but no sound is coming out. No matter how much you strain yourself to get his attention."

Loki nodded. "You're good." For a brief moment, Liri thought she saw his expression reflect his feelings for the first time since they'd met. It disappeared almost instantly, though.

"You know, Loki, your brother doesn't exist here. Back on Asgard, I'm sure he's all that. But here, you're the only Asgardian we see. I'll bet you anything that a lot of the Jedi here would find you pretty cool, you know? You can be yourself with us, because no one in my world casts a shadow over you. Nor will we judge you based on anything other than your own actions."

Loki considered this a moment. He did feel considerably more comfortable here. He knew he couldn't stay and hide from his problems forever, but it was nice to spend a little leisure time in a place where his presence wasn't blocked by his own flesh and blood. "Thank you." He put a hand on her shoulder. He knew he could trust her. She had shown him kindness as he had shown her when she was but a youngling.

"Anakin's coming," Liri warned him.

Loki pulled his hand away and said causally, "And that's how I pwned Anakin Sky—oh. Hello, Anakin." Loki blinked innocently. "How was the report?"

"It was concluded hours ago, Loki," Anakin informed him. He was not upset, though. In fact, he appeared quite amused.

"Hours? Was I gone that long?" Loki glanced at Liri. His surprise was reflected on her face.

Anakin chuckled. "Yes. We figured you'd gone AWOL again."

"Why would I do that?"

Anakin shrugged. "Anyway, I wish I could spend more time with you, Loki, but I've got to go speak to Chancellor Palpatine, so—"

"Chancellor? Is he the ruler of your realm?"

"Sort of. He presides over the Senate," Anakin explained. "The Senate is a body of representatives from each planet that come together to solve galactic problems."

"I would like to meet this Chancellor of yours," Loki said.

"Very well. Come with me, then. Liri? Are you staying here?" Anakin asked the apprentice.

Liri nodded. "I'll see you later, Loki." Anakin noted a new energy in the girl. She was almost an adult; he had to remember that. The seventeen-year-old was maturing so fast.

"Onward, then." Anakin and Loki got a transport. The former turned to address the latter as they travelled. "She's very fond of you, you know. I worry that she is too much so."

"I noticed that. She tells me that attachment is forbidden when you are a Jedi. I feel no romance in the girl. Just fascination and some other feeling that I cannot place."

"Caring and compassion. She feels a deep connection to you. In other words, if you died right now, she would feel the ache of loss and never be the same again. She can be herself around you, I think." He stepped out of the transport. "On that note, let's go meet with the Chancellor."

They went up to the large office where Palpatine worked daily. He lifted his head when Anakin stepped in respectfully. "Come in, my boy, come in," he invited him.

"Greetings, Your Excellency. You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. I would like you to personally give me the report of the mission you just came back from several hours earlier."

Anakin was confused. "Didn't the Council report to you?"

"The Council didn't go on that mission. You did. I prefer to hear it from someone I trust."

Bewildered, Anakin told him everything he had told the Council. When he finished, he gestured for Loki to show himself. "Your Excellency, I have a friend that would like to meet you."

"Any friend of yours is a friend of mine. Let him come in."

Loki approached slowly. As he drew nearer, he felt a strange sensation of negative energy. The old man in the chair was giving him vibes that he did not like. The Chancellor seemed to share this feeling of mistrust and tension, because his gaze hardened.

"This is Loki Odinson. He lives in a realm that he calls Asgard," Anakin introduced him. "Loki, meet the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic."

"Pleasure," Palpatine said in a voice as smooth as honey.

"I am interested in this realm of yours," Loki said stiffly. "It is very impressive, from what I've seen thusfar."

"No one has been to all of the systems," Palpatine said. "There are a great many planets."

"Indeed. Where I come from, there are only nine."

"Interesting. Anakin, my boy, could I speak to your friend alone, please?"

Anakin frowned. He wanted to ask why, but this was the Chancellor. He had no place to question him. Bowing, Anakin left to wait outside.

When he was gone, Palpatine gestured for Loki to sit. He did not.

"Tell me, how did you get here? If it was by ship, then we would have figured out how to find you years ago," Palpatine said curiously.

"I refuse to betray the secrets of Asgard. Our means of travel is of no concern to you. You are ruling enough as it is." He eyed the man carefully. "You are no mortal. I feel a great amount of power within you. What are you?"

"I am a man that wants what is best for his people. No more."

Loki didn't believe that for a second. "You wish to rule the galaxy."

"You are a perceptive one, Loki. Your insight fascinates me. How do you tell these things?"

Loki wasn't sure how to answer this. He knew better than to tell the suspicious individual about his powers.

"You have powers?"

"So you read minds. And you lie. You said you were just a man that wants the best for your people, yet you are no ordinary man, Chancellor, and I know you want more than what is best for your people. You lie to everyone every day so you can achieve your ambition and keep your plan concealed."

"And you don't? Yes, Loki Odinson, god of mischief, son of Odin and brother to Thor. I can tell everything about you just by listening to your thoughts. You lie all the time. You are known for it. Do not criticize me for something you do yourself." He paused a moment, listening to Loki's mind. "So…there is a bridge that takes you to other realms. But only you can come here. How interesting."

"Get out of my mind," Loki growled. "What do you want from me?" he added through his teeth.

"I want you, Loki. I want you."

"For what?" He was beginning to grow wary. He did not know the full extent of what this being was capable of.

Palpatine got up and walked around so that he was right behind Loki. "Isn't it obvious?" he hissed in Loki's ear. He placed his hands on the Asgardian's shoulders and leaned around so that his head was parallel to Loki's. Loki went rigid as the Chancellor continued. "First of all, you know too much. You are too insightful to let loose now that you have figured me out. Also, you have power. I want it. You live in a realm of powerful beings. I would give anything to see them with my own eyes, to make them do my bidding. I sense that a Gatekeeper brings you here at your leisure, and can take you home. You will call upon him and take me and my army to your realm."

"I will never betray them," Loki said coldly. "You are sick and twisted. I intend to tell Anakin of your evil ways."

"And I intend to tell you more. You assume that you are going to overpower me and unleash the truth. You said exactly what I expected you to. But you will find that I am very persuasive. Guards. Come out." Several guards ran out and pointed guns at Loki. Palpatine put a hand over Loki's mouth so that he could not call for help. "I foresaw your arrival, see. I was prepared."

Silly mortal weapons. I can get out of this too easily, he thought. I'll just summon a little magic, and— His thoughts were interrupted by an excruciating electrical shock coming from Palpatine's hand. Force Lightning! Didn't see THAT coming…

Loki wasn't sure how long he endured the pain, but the last thing he remembered was falling to the ground and seeing the guards rush toward him.

"Anakin!" Palpatine cried. Anakin rushed in to see the Chancellor lying on the floor. The desk was overturned and papers were scattered everywhere.

"Chancellor, what happened?" he demanded, helping the older man up. "Where's Loki?"

"He…he…he attacked me, Anakin…He used his magic and everything went blurry…I think he went home when I called your name!"

Anakin gasped. "No…He wouldn't! I trusted him! He wants to rule the Republic, doesn't he? Because he can't rule Asgard because of his brother."

"That's what he told me," Palpatine said weakly. "You must inform the Council. I will depart to a safer place. He will not attack me if I am not alone."

Anakin bowed. "I will immediately."

Loki half-opened his eyes. His wrists burned and his head hurt. He realized, upon turning his head, that he was hanging by his arms, attached to some sort of electrical current that kept him in midair. Great. Just great. If there was one thing he hated, it was being restrained.

"You're awake," a familiar voice said. Loki looked down to see a figure with a black robe and hood over his head, concealing most of his face. "My name is Darth Sideous," he introduced himself. "Dark lord of the Sith. Basically, a more powerful version of the pitiful Jedi. On to the point: I have a proposition for you."

"What do you want?" Loki growled.

"I told you what I want. Your realm. If my plans work out, I am to be Emperor of the galaxy. I would like the Asgardian race to know of my ultimate power."

"There's one flaw with your plan. Me. I refuse to cooperate."

"You will, soon enough. You will order your Gatekeeper to take you home. He will be surprised to find an army waiting for him."

"Heimdall is much smarter than that. He's never let anything into Asgard that doesn't belong there. You will be disappointed to find failure staring you straight in the face. Plus, Asgard has a mighty army that is far more powerful than your puny little clone troopers."

"Perhaps. But I still have you. The Asgardians would surely make a bargain for your life." Palpatine was taunting him. He knew that Loki felt alienated by his parents.

"If they're smart, they won't," Loki said simply. He refused to reveal that the Chancellor's words had hit home.

"We'll see about that. Your immortal body can take a lot of pain, can't it? Let's see just how much."

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Liri and Anna. As if you guys didn't know that by now. But I still have to put it down anyway so no one can hold anything against me.