A/N: Well! It has been a long, long time! I really needed to get my head back into this story. I had totally forgotten where I was going with this. I apologize most profusely for the unacceptable wait. I promise that I won't take that long again. This chapter is, admittedly, not as funny as the previous ones, but I promise that I will return to the humor momentarily.

Further note: BBC Sherlock makes a cameo here, and for those of you unfamiliar with it, Irene Adler is a dominatrix. (you should totally watch it, though. Excellent program).

Berner's…Jane repeated the name in her head as she dressed and readied herself for the lunch.

Berner's Berner's Berner's…she brushed her hair.

What was she thinking, anyway? What was she doing? She wondered idly about the funeral, and she sighed. Why had Thor really invited her?

Jane put on a nice skirt and top, slipped on some nice shoes, and left the hotel.

"Berner's," she told the cabbie.

"Right, miss," he said, and they were off.

Jane watched as the London buildings whizzed by, and thought a moment about Frigga, and how Thor had said she had always loved her. She had…they had gotten on quite well together.

Until that happened, and things went to shit.

"'ere you are," the cabbie said, and Jane thanked him and got out of the cab.

She was wringing her hands a bit, nervous at the prospect of seeing Frigga and Thor. She went to the maitre d, and asked for the Odinson table.

And as she followed him, she noticed that there were three, not two, people sitting at the table…

One had raven black hair…

What the fuck.

"Hey…" Jane began, and Loki's back stiffened, but he didn't turn to face her.

He was facing Thor, which pleased the latter greatly.

"Jane!" said Thor. "Have a seat!"

Jane offered a very weak smile, but sat anyway, swallowing her concern, and not looking at Loki. "I'm very sorry, Mrs. Odinson, for your loss."

"Thank you Jane."

Loki hadn't yet recovered, his eyes on his plate.

"And Thor…I'm very sorry."

He nodded.

Jane swallowed and attempted to look at Loki. She wouldn't be made a fool of, not here. Not after everything that he had done heretofore. "I'm very sorry, Loki."

And now he looked at her.

And she nearly jumped with the sight of it…

He was looking at her with pure loathing. "Are you, Jane Foster?"

"I am," and the server came to take her order. "I'll have this salad, please," she pointed to the menu. "And just water, please."

"Nonsense!" said Thor. "Have some merlot, Jane. I know that is your favorite."

"Oh, no. I'm alright," she replied through thin lips.

But he wouldn't hear of it. "Two merlots, please."

Jane blushed and her head fell. This was awful.

"So!" and Thor clapped his hands together. "What a cozy lunch!"

Frigga stood.

"Mother, you aren't leaving, are you?" Thor protested.

"I need to use the loo, if you must know," she snapped a touch.

Jane desperately wanted to join her, but couldn't seem to move. She had been hoodwinked into this lunch…it had never occurred to her that Thor would entrap her so. How awful to have to endure this, but she imagined that she deserved a bit of her own back, so she kept silent.

"You are a rogue, Thor Odinson," Loki, apparently, didn't think that he deserved anything.

"What? We are enjoying a nice lunch," and he buttered a roll.

Loki leaned into the table. "You are orchestrating a scene. You wish to determine the nature of my relationship with Jane here, so you coerced us into meeting here with you and Frigga."

Thor's face dropped in shock. "Is that what you think of me?"

Loki raised his eyebrows.

"Well, so be it. I thought that my brother wouldn't seduce the woman I loved, and I was wrong."

"The difference being, I am not wrong, nor am I your brother."

Jane looked at them now (she had been staring at her plate). What did Loki mean by that? Not his brother…?

"I want to hear what Jane has to say on the matter," said Thor, looking at her.

"She has nothing to say," replied Loki with heat.

"No?" Thor looked at her. "Have you nothing to say? Do you always allow your lovers to speak for you?"

"He isn't my lover," she replied.

"Tsk. Did you end it, Loki?"

"I did," whispered Jane.

"You did?" he couldn't believe it…but this was all he required. "Well, that is a pity. I suppose your brilliance doesn't translate to the bedroom, brother," he smirked.

At this, Loki stood, withered a glare at Thor, and left.

"I guess I deserved that," Jane said after Loki left, without looking at Thor.

"It wasn't meant purely as a means to punish either of you, Jane."

"No?" she played with her cup. "Isn't that why I'm here?"

"What do you mean?"

And now she looked at him. "I mean…I'm here because you wanted to make me feel badly for what I did. And I do…I feel wretched. But I cannot change what happened, Thor. No matter what lunches you arrange or how many trips to London I make."

Thor sat back in his chair and looked at his ex for a moment. "Are you in love with Loki?"

She stared at him, disbelieving…wanting to get up and leave. "It doesn't matter," she replied.

"It does," returned he. "Are you in love with him?"

She shrugged.

"My god, Jane," for Thor now knew…he had seen it in his brother's face, and now Jane betrayed depth of feeling.

"What? It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter, it never will. He doesn't love me, he can't. He doesn't know how…he is arrogant, self-righteous…self absorbed…"

"He just discovered that he is adopted," Thor interrupted.

Jane's mouth hung slack and Frigga approached. "Where's Loki?"

Without leaving Jane's face, Thor said, "He left mother. He wasn't feeling well."

"Oh, dear. Well, he did say that he wished to return to New York, I think perhaps it's best."

Jane blanched, swallowed, and stood. "I should go."

Frigga looked at her. She couldn't say that she was sorry to see Jane Foster leave. "Alright. Have a good afternoon, Jane."

And Thor's eyes remained fixed on Jane. He should do something, but what, he couldn't say. They were in love with one another, and it wasn't up to him to do anything about it. He had been hurt beyond measure by the two of them.

He certainly wasn't going to play matchmaker.

"Bye, Jane," he said nodding, then allowing his gaze to fall to the menu.

Jane smiled a wary smile, and clutching her bag, left the restaurant.

"What a rude girl," Frigga observed to Thor, then sighed and looked at the menu herself.

"Mmm," replied he. And he wondered if Jane would be going to him to console the bastard.

Jane got into the cab.

Adopted! He must be horrified. She honestly felt a bit sorry for him.

But she suppressed it. She wouldn't be there for him to cry to.

Jane arrived at her room at the hotel and got out, went to the consierge…"Hi," she began. "I'll be checking out tomorrow," she said.

"Name?"

"Foster."

He checked the log on the computer. "We have you down until Saturday."

"I understand. Change of plans."

He nodded. "Unfortunately, Miss Foster, we cannot refund your money. There is a no exceptions addendum to your agreement."

"What the fuck," she replied, and covered her face in her hands.

His smile was plastered on his face.

"You know, you British are so entitled," she whispered, dropping her hands. "You guys think that you're so much better than the rest of us because you drink fucking tea all the time. Well, we beat you before, and we'll beat you again," her eyebrows rose. This was a shitty day, and this smug fuck was gonna pay for it. "So you may think that you've won just because I signed some bullshit agreement, but I'm gonna take this to my lawyer. I'm not gonna be charged for time wasted!"

She turned on her heel and left.

Not gonna be charged for time wasted…

There was a meaning hidden in there, a message from something somewhere…

She went to her room and flopped on her bed, taking out her phone.

"Email email email email…" she muttered. Nothing. "Facebook Facebook…" nope. Nothing of interest, and nothing from Loki.

She turned on the tv and flipped through.

God she hated BBC.

Actually, that wasn't true…Dr. Who was ok. There was that Eastenders thing…oohhh…it was on.

Jane looked at her phone once more.

She should just text him.

No. She wouldn't give in. He was a prick, a selfish, asshole, loathsome…

She sighed.

Look. I know that I'm currently not speaking to you, but are you alright?

She looked at it.

Send.

Jane flipped BBC 2 on…some Sherlock show was on. But…hang on…it was set in modern London. Interesting.

Jane settled in.

She was halfway through Season 2 (some sort of marathon…and was Sherlock gay?! But what about Molly…? And that Irene Adler woman. Seriously? Wtf. She scared the shit out of Jane…) she received a text.

I'm surprised that you care, Jane.

Jerk.

Of course I care. Thor told me about you being adopted.

Send.

She expected to see another text straight away, but none came. Maybe that was the wrong thing to say.

Oh well. She showed her concern, and he was still being an infuriating asshole. She turned her attention once more to Sherlock.

"I don't know what's gotten into him, Jane," Frigga was saying. "I understand that he's hurt, but my goodness! What a woman to get mixed up with!"

(who was she talking about…?) "Oh, well. You know Loki. That's just his way."

"But she's honestly quite frightening. I have a feeling that she is up to no good…here they come now…"

And when Jane turned, she saw that Irene Adler was on Loki's arm, and she was smiling a devilish grin right at her.

"Ooohh. fresh meat, Loki…"

"Now Irene, darling, do be gentle with her. She's just a girl," he looked at Jane with loathing.

"Ummm…" Jane began to back away, and as she did so, Irene took out a whip, and winked at Jane.

She approached her, and a beeping sounded.

"Damn. My phone always seems to interrupt," Irene purred.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep.

Beep…

Jane's eyes slowly opened. It was her phone ringing…

But by the time she reached for it, it had stopped…

She checked it. Loki.

She waited to see if a voicemail had been left, and rubbed her eyes. What a weird fucking dream.

He didn't seem to have left a message, so she began to text him.

Hey, sorry I missed your call. What's up?

Send.

She waited, and then saw that he was responding.

I wanted to speak with a human voice, Jane. I got your automated one. Most displeasing, really.

Jesus.

Ok…well…can you tell me what you wanted via text?

Send.

When are you leaving London?

Jane stared at it for a moment. There could be much going on with that question, or there could be nothing.

Friday.

Send.

I was planning on leaving tomorrow…but have extended the trip by a day or two. Might you be available for some breakfast in the morning?

Jane swallowed and looked at the screen.

And a lot went through her head at once…

…she was supposed to hate him

…she was in love with him.

…she cared about him despite her better judgement.

…he was hurting.

Alright, Loki. Wanna just meet somewhere?

Send.

Wonderful. 10 am?

She texted the affirmative and he set the particulars.

She readied herself for bed and honestly hoped that she didn't just make a terrible mistake.