Some might say that to yearn is a fate every soul suffers. Some might say that in our struggles, we find ourselves. Others still may give way to the idea that only in the darkest hour of our torment, this life which finds us so ill at ease in so very many ways, we notice the flicker of the light of promise, and that is enough to continue on our journey.

Or, as Shakespeare had once penned:

"She should have died hereafter;

There would have been a time for such a word.

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day

To the last syllable of recorded time,

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage

And then is heard no more: it is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing."

Yet Jane felt not that particular hubris…for surely it would have been much easier to surrender to the bullet. To fight can be foolish, especially when one is dying…and, she thought, perhaps she would see her parents once more.

But when the feel of Loki's magic had softened her sting in her stomach, she was there…she felt it and she smiled.

How could she leave him, when it was the only thing he had ever asked of her, truly…? For her to stay was the one thing he begged her to do. And here she was, leaving him.

She did, admittedly, get lost on her way back…navigating the unconscious, even if it is your own, is a questionable pursuit. So Jane tried, and she tried, knowing that she needed to get back to that particular light she had seen just before all went black.

And the light was soft, and it felt warm after traversing her mind in dubious exploration.

Her eyes opened. She swallowed.

And the pain was acute.

Her stomach was an ache she had never experienced….to breathe was to feel it…

Her head jerked from the venomous sore, and she felt something to the right of her move.

She turned her head and saw him.

What … Who she was looking for.

His face was aghast…his jaw dropped and his eyes went wide…he pulled away…and his fingers touched her face.

"Jane?" he whispered.

Her smile was an attempt in futility. She tried, but her body wouldn't allow it. Instead, she moaned and her hand flew to her stomach.

Loki immediately stood and placed his hands over her abdomen, and called, "Eir! Come quickly!"

The release of the pain was nearly immediate…and her brow relaxed a bit.

Eir came into the hall. "Loki?"

"She is awake…quick…she needs the panacea…I'll see to the rest…"

And Eir conjured (she had some magic as well) the ingredients…she mixed them, and handed Jane a glass while Loki's hands hovered above her midsection, a green glow descending upon her.

Jane drank it, and felt heady from the effects. Her head fell back…she was weak.

"Thank you, Eir…" and Loki sat back down again, not really looking at the nursemaid.

"She will be fine, now, Loki," the two had always been rather close, so she addressed him informally.

"Yes," he replied.

And she left the pair.

Jane's eyes were trying to focus…she lifted her arm clumsily from her side and tried to rub her eyes into submission. They were stubborn.

Loki took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. "How are you feeling?"

"I don't know," her voice was labored.

He conjured two glasses of water for them, and helped Jane to drink some. He downed his glass as well.

Jane looked at him. "You don't look so great yourself," this time she smiled.

He laughed. "No, I don't imagine that I do…I have been quite worried about you." His eyes were bloodshot, his hair unkempt, his face peppered with stubble, his shirt half open…

"Loki…"

And he laughed, his eyes became wet with his emotion…over two days he had spent here, and she had finally uttered his name. "Yes, elf?"

"I like your hair better that way."

He nodded, not knowing how exactly to respond.

So Jane continued, "What happened?"

At this, he looked away. "I think it's best if I wait to tell you that story…"

"No. Tell me now."

And he returned her gaze. He sighed, "Did you bring a weapon here, love?"

"I…" oh my god…her gun…and it all came crashing back to her mind…Torben, in her room…and he shot her…she sat upright, and immediately wished she hadn't, for the pain seared inside once more…she began to cry…it was her fault…all her fault…she had caused pain for Loki…she had caused Torben pain…and she, she basically shot herself. What an idiot she was!

"Jane…Jane…hush…" he was holding her, attempting to soothe her…"I need you to lay down…"

"Oh my god oh my god oh my god…I did this! I brought my gun!" and she laid back down, bringing her knees up to her chin and rolling on her side, facing Loki. "It's my fault! And I knew how he liked me…and I was too caught up in myself…I should've talked with him more…made him understand…"

"Jane, stop this…Sigyn…" he cleared his throat. "Do you recall, that night, when Torben was hurt in the dungeon and you came looking for him?"

"Yes."

"Yes…well, he had spoken with her…she had used her power to make his feelings and his perceptions more acute…more intense…her spell convinced him that he was in love with you, that I was dangerous…and in that vein, he thought that he was saving you from me," he paused. "It was an erratic spell, and very potent…I had thought that I had eradicated it, but, I suppose, I hadn't completely…so if you care to lay blame, I suggest you look beyond yourself and condemn me."

"I had disturbed you that night…I touched Torben's hand and distracted you…"

He sat back in the chair, shaking his head. "Jane, what am I going to do with you? Very well…yes. This is your fault entirely…you may has well shot yourself," and suddenly his mouth upturned a bit. "I shall need to find an appropriate punishment for your recklessness."

And Jane laughed. And then stopped. Her stomach…

But no sooner had she grimaced, than Loki had her turned on her back, and his magic was at work, soothing her pain.

"You should go," Jane said.

"Go?" he replied, sitting back down next to her.

"Yes…go, clean yourself up, get some rest, eat. See your family. I'll be fine."

"But…your pain…"

"If you aren't here to make me laugh, then I won't be in much pain…" she smiled. "…and can't you just give me a more binding spell…to last until you come back in five or six hours?" she swallowed and attempted a giggle.

Loki swallowed and nodded. "If you wish for me to leave…"

"Stop it, Loki. I want for you to take care of yourself. That's all. When you are rested and cleaned and have eaten and stuff, then I want you back here…I came back for you, you know."

"Pardon?"

"It would've been easy to just die…but I didn't want to leave you…so I came back."

He smiled. He stood, and he leaned forward, and claimed her mouth in a tender and chaste kiss.

He then lowered his hands over her stomach and closed his eyes…he did his best to make the spell last, but his fatigue was great…"I'll be back in a few hours."

"Ok."

And he disappeared.

Jane laid there, closed her eyes, and felt his magic guide her into somnolence.

After about five days passing with guests periodically coming and going (Loki being the most persistent of guests), Jane felt better. Yes, though she still experienced a dull ache, but it was bearable, and she decided she would get up. She was loathe to spend much time in idle attitude, and desired refreshment lest her muscles atrophy.

Loki had left her an hour or so ago, and she thought that she would surprise the royal family with her unexpected presence at the dinner table.

Jane got up, her legs felt quite weak, so she stretched them out a bit.

She went to a mirror to look at herself, and gasped.

She was pale.

Her hair was in utter disarray.

Her eyes were slightly sunken.

Her collar bone jetted out somewhat in a strange splay of wings.

She touched her face.

Jane Foster, you look awful.

She needed real food…a proper bath…comb out the mop on her head…perhaps fresh air to add some color to the pallor of her cheeks.

With purpose she left, ignoring the scream of protest in her body.

She readied a bath and sunk into its warm depths…she even shaved her legs, something she was not apt to do.

She massaged her hair with shampoo, and ignored the weakness in her arms with the effort.

She got dressed and saw to her hair.

It took near twenty minutes of laborious effort to see the job to its end, but she was pleased with the result.

Jane took out her makeup bag, and began to apply a bit. She hadn't really worn any since she had arrived in Asgard…she wondered if Loki would notice.

After her ministrations were complete, she looked at herself once more.

Much better. Still terribly thin, but everything else looked much better…she even felt better, getting up and moving around.

It was then that she noticed that the carpet had been changed in her room…the only explanation was that she must've bled on the old one, and she felt a shiver run down her spine.

She carefully went downstairs, taking things quite easy…she thought that she only needed some food to see her aright.

As she entered the dining hall, she caught Frigga's eye, and the Queen immediately stood, smiled, and went over to her.

"Oh, my dear, sweet, darling girl! You look wonderful!" and she took Jane into her arms and hugged her soundly.

"Hi, Frigga…its great to be up and about."

Jane backed out of the embrace and looked at the table.

Thor and Loki were standing, Odin remained seated at the head.

Thor smiled broadly.

Loki's face registered shock.

Frigga took Jane's arm and guided her to the table.

"Here, sweet, sit next to Loki…" and she pulled the chair out for her.

"Hi," Jane said to the group.

The brothers sat, neither taking their eyes from her.

"Well, Jane! You look well!" said the thunderer in his massive voice.

"I am feeling much better, Thor…thanks."

Jane turned her gaze to Loki on her right. "Really, I am feeling better."

Loki nodded and smiled.

He remembered himself, and poured her some water.

"You gave us a scare, little Jane," continued Thor. "Be mindful of that…don't go looking for trouble, whatever your wanderlust commands of you."

"Truly, Thor, you have the most curious of habits…asking people to curb their desires and proclivities to ease your own mind. How should you like it if I asked you to hang that hammer of yours?" Loki stated, slightly irritated.

"Loki…I only mean that Jane is mortal, and in a foreign land…"

"I am quite certain that she is aware of who she is and where she is. And as I recall, brother, the same cannot be said of you, particularly when overindulgence of a certain libation occurs," Loki looked warily at him.

"Loki…"

"Hush, the two of you. Can't we just enjoy the fact that Jane is well?" Frigga shook her head.

Jane smiled with a hint of embarrassment and sipped the water.

And before long, wine found its way into her glass.

And since it had been a little while, she felt its effects immediately.

But the supper was good, and she felt some energy pulse her body…

"I think…" she began after dinner. "I think that I'd like a walk…" she turned to Loki. "Care to join me?"

Loki nodded and swallowed, appearing a bit nervous, but got up all the same and followed her.

They didn't speak on their way down the path.

The twilight was falling in a cloak on the horizon. The air was warm, however, and sweet with the scent of blooms.

There was a stone alcove at the end of the path, and Jane made her way over to it. It was adorned with a vine, whose ends boasted violet flowers.

Jane leaned against the stones, and finally looked at Loki.

"Are you displeased at my emergence?"

He couldn't seem to look at her fully. "Of course not."

"Then why are you so distant?"

"I didn't realize that I was…"

Jane laughed. "No?"

He turned from her, folded his hands behind his back and looked to the sky. "I… am surprised to see you…and I suppose…" he cleared his throat…"I suppose I wonder at your purpose in bringing us here."

Jane went to him, and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Are you suddenly shy?"

"I am not."

"What, then?"

"I do not wish to hurt you, and you being so recently recovered, I am fearful that my dynamism might do damage."

"You worry at your virility?" she asked into his back.

"Yes." Jane laughed, and Loki turned. "What?" he asked, slightly hurt.

"Oh come ON. Don't give me that."

"You doubt me?"

"Completely…you are not to be trusted," and she smiled. "Loki…that night, just before I was …shot…I had made up my mind to…let myself go…to…well," and she paused. "To…"

"Yes?"

"To make love to you."

"Ah…" and Loki smiled. "That, elf, is a most delightful thought…" and now he paused. "But my concern stands…"

"What." she stated simply.

He touched Jane's face…"Jane…it nearly killed me to see you so close to death…I cannot have you suffer further...especially not at my hands."

She pulled away. "I don't understand you…you're all over the place. You want me, then you don't, then you do…"

"I always want you, love."

"No you don't…I'm fine, Loki…really…" and she was suddenly struck with a thought…she grabbed him and pulled him to her, assaulting his mouth.

Her tongue demanded a rejoinder, and he acquiesced.

He moaned softly, and Jane lost herself in the feel of his back under her hands…she pulled him even closer so that no space could be spied between them.

He led her to the stone wall which she had so recently leaned against, and pushed her back. His hands were now given free reign over her, and he completely succumbed to the desire…Over her breasts, avoiding her stomach, her hips, her bottom…He pulled her legs up around him, and pushed himself against her, leaving her mouth and kissing her neck hungrily.

"Jane…" he breathed…"I cannot…"

"What?" and she grabbed his face and pulled him toward her, kissing him once more.

He pulled away…his breath was very heavy. He swallowed.

"Not here…not like this…" and he took her hand and they appeared in his room. He sat her on the bed. "Jane…I have a wonderful idea…"

She looked at him crookedly. "What is it?"

"Tomorrow, I shall take you somewhere…and then, after we spend a day in complete bliss, I shall take you in my arms and love you properly."

"Are you nervous or something?"

Loki laughed heartily…in fact, he couldn't stop. "Nervous? You think me nervous?"

"Why else…?"

"Because I mean to ascertain your health…and I want you well rested…I have many plans for you…"

"You mean to frighten me?" Jane giggled.

"No…" and he knelt before her, his hands on her hips. "No…I mean to ravish you…I mean to devour your very soul…I mean for my name to be burned into your being so that no man, nor woman, nor any other thing in all of Yargasill shall ever be uttered from your lips in passion again…you shall know no ardor such that I will supply you with…none ever have, nor ever will touch you with my intent…and you will be mine…" and as he finished into her mouth, he claimed hers, and she suffocated from the intensity. He wrapped his arms around her possessively, and pulled her close so that her legs wrapped around his chest, and she fancied she might faint…

He pulled away, and took her head in his hands. "Does that sound agreeable, elf?" his tone decidedly less dark, and his mouth curled in humor.

Jane could only nod in response.