CHAPTER 13

Thor stepped out of the Bifrost right outside of Stark Tower expecting to see Jane instead was met with a slap by a furious looking Black Widow.

"How could you be so stupid?!" she practically yelled at him as soon as the he appeared.

Thor was taken back a bit by her tone and the anger in her voice. He wasn't exactly sure what he had done to make the woman so angry.

"How could you avoid the woman you love so callously?! Did you know that she hasn't stopped crying for the past two hours?! Isn't that almost an entire day in your realm?!" How could you push her away and think she doesn't exist?! I for one thought you better than this Thor but apparently I was wrong. You don't deserve her," she spat the last part out at him in anger.

Jane, she was talking about Jane. "You are right, Natasha, I don't deserve her and I don't think I ever will," he said hanging his head in shame. His brother was right. He should have talked with Jane about his own insecurities instead of avoiding her.

She was about to rail at him again when his words stopped her as did his demeanor. "You haven't talked to her about any of this have you?" she asked

He simply shook his head no.

"Thor, you have to talk to her about this. You love her don't you?"

"Yes, I do, but she is so different from the woman I used to know. She has changed. She's more independent and self-assured. I just don't know how to approach her now. She reminds me a lot of Lady Sif actually and I have a hard time talking with her at times especially when it comes to how I feel."

"Well, big guy, come with me. You are going to talk to the woman if it's the last thing you do."

She dragged him to the apartment Stark had left Jane in and practically threw him in closing and locking the door behind her.

Thor came face to face then with a very distraught Goddess of Reason.

"What are you doing here?" she asked through her tears that she desperately wanted gone.

"Jane, I am sorry. I didn't realize that I was being, as Natasha so kindly pointed out, a jerk. I just….well that is….When you explained to father and I about Loki I realized that you didn't need a protector and that is what I am and it made me feel useless. I know I should have told you how I felt and talked about it with you but I didn't want to seem weak in your eyes," he started out.

"Thor, I get it. Really I do. You have always been one to rush in without thinking and even now I have a feeling you are here without the Allfather's permission. But how did you know I was even here?"

"Darissa."

She should have guessed her sister would have figured out where she would have disappeared to.

"She looked everywhere for you the entire day, so that she could tell you about her and Loki's soon to be marriage," he began

"I know that they are going to get married. I ran into them this morning."

"Yes, Loki said as much but she wanted to ask you when you thought they should get married, but she couldn't find you."

"Look, I know I should have left Darcy a note telling her I was going to Earth but I needed to get away for a while. What with you avoiding me and all, I just didn't feel I was wanted on Asgard anymore. I know you think that I am more independent than I used to be but I am still me. I still have bouts of shyness and self-doubt. The woman I used to be is still there, Thor, she's just hidden. I know I shouldn't have just run away but every time I tried to talk to you, you would walk away and it hurt."

"Jane, can you forgive me? I am so sorry."

Instead of answering him she leaned up and kissed him with every drop of need within her. She was tired of waiting for him to come to his senses and court her again properly. She wanted him, fully and completely and she would have him.

For his part he returned her passionate kiss with one of his own. He could still remember the night he had first taken her, the night he now knew was the same night she had become pregnant with the child that they had lost. The night he had first asked for her hand in marriage.

Flashback

"Princess Jarissa, will you take a walk with me?"

"Of course"

They walked into a secluded garden overlooking the bridge. "Jarissa, I love you and I would be honored if you would be my wife" he said.

"Are you asking me what I think you are asking me?" she said with a grin.

"Yes, I suppose I am," he returned with a grin of his own.

"Well then, my dear Prince, I guess to answer your question or statement. Yes. I would be honored to be your wife."

He swung her up into his arms gently embracing her before setting her back on her feet. Then he placed a golden ring with four small red gems onto her finger, kissing her hand after it was in place. "Dear Heart, I think we had better return to the feast before they come looking for us."

Together they had returned to the feast. Later that night Thor was asleep in his bed when he heard the door open and close. Opening his eyes he saw Jarissa clad only in a lightweight lavender nightgown.

"Jarissa, is there something the matter, my dear?"

Instead of answering she climbed into his bed, straddling his hips. "I want you to claim me, my love. Now. I don't want to wait until we are wed. I don't think I can wait that long. Please."

His own need for her answered her inquiry and he pulled her down and kissed her deeply. He then rolled so that they were facing each other. "Jarissa…. Sweetheart…..are you sure? I want you to be sure because once we do this there is no going back. You will be mine. Once our bodies join you will be my wife in body though not yet in name. So I ask you again are you sure?"

"Yes, Thor I am more than ready. I know what it will mean. Why do you think I am here? I want this. I love you and I want to show you how much."

After her answer he pulled her closer and kissed her sweetly before pulling her gown from her lithe, petite form. Once it was gone he kissed her again only this time with far more passion than the previous one.

He came back to the present with her having pulled nearly all of his armor off. He knew then what she wanted and if he was honest with himself he wanted it just as much. He missed holding her as they slept, missed making love to her, missed touching her smooth, flawless skin. He gave in as he carried her to the bedroom and laid her down pulling her dress off her as he did so.

Once she was bare he began to reacquaint himself with her all over again. He spent the next few minutes pleasuring her before pulling off the rest of his garments and joining himself to her. Their combined moans rent the air and it didn't take long before they were both soaring.

Later, when their hearts slowed, he kissed her head and asked her to marry him again which she agreed to immediately before slipping into a peaceful slumber.