Loki and Hope were very rarely apart after that revelation, even when Loki was researching or training. In the library, the girl would snuggle to the smitten god as he read his books, often falling asleep on his lap. It was the only time he could get away with playing with her long hair, the action soothing to his frustrations. The pair only had one night left together and Loki had no viable way to keep her with him. None that she would agree to anyway.

"Any luck, Grumpy Butt?" A sleepy voice asked him. Loki looked down to see sleepy brown eyes blinking up at him. The frown he had apparently been wearing melting into a smile. Something about whenever she was first waking up was always adorable to him. "Your book any good?"

"No. It was in no way helpful." He closed the book, setting it aside. "Just tells me everything I already knew. It's ridiculous. Besides I have something much more beautiful to look at." As usual, Hope played off the compliment.

"What's really ridiculous is that you keep playing with my hair after I asked so nicely for you to stop. That's very ungentlemanly of you, your highness." He chuckled at her mocking tone. This was a common argument between them.

"One, I never claimed to be a gentleman. Two, if you didn't keep it so irresistibly long and silky, I wouldn't be so tempted to run my fingers through it. It's fully worth the risk of you slapping me, my little Pixie."

"Oh now, you're really asking for it. I am not little! You, good sir, are just freakishly tall!" She sat up, pulling her hair from his grasp. "So be nice you bloody abominable snowman!"

"Just because my skin is colder than yours doesn't make me a snowman."

"OR I'll sic Momma on you." Loki had learned when Hope referred to "Momma", she was actually talking about the Tardis. He had been exceptionally surprised to learn that the Doctor's ship was actually alive and had quite a personality.

"If you let that blasted box keep hitting me with its door, I will be forced to lock you up in my room away from the damned thing. And maybe turn it into firewood." The relationship between Loki and the Tardis was one of mutual detestation. It hadn't been for a lack of trying on Loki's part, the damned box just didn't like him. Hope giggled.

"You wouldn't do that because then I'd be hopelessly distraught and more than likely trapped in the dungeons or sent back to Earth."

"Perhaps but I could visit you on Earth." This had been a quickly shot down idea. Hope loved traveling with the Doctor. The way she saw her situation was she either stayed with Loki in Asgard or returned to the stars with the Doctor. She didn't want to return to Earth just yet. "I know it's not your favorite idea," he began as she scowled. "But it would save us so much trouble."

"Would it? You could never stay for long, could you?"

"Well, no. But you would be in one place where I could always find you. It would be so simple. And I would know there would be no foolish being on another planet trying to steal your precious affections from me." She giggled.

"But there are plenty of foolish men on Earth who would try to steal my affections. Aren't you worried I'll try to settle down with a nice, normal man?"

"For one, you thirst and yearn for adventure my love. For two, no Midgardian fop could possibly compare to me, Pixie. I've nothing to fear from them."

"Oh so modest, my love," Hope said with a roll of her eyes, standing up. "It's getting late. We should probably get ready for the feast tonight…" Loki frowned. Odin had decided, for whatever terrible reason, to hold a farewell feast for the Doctor tonight and the God of Mischief had been dreading it all week. He didn't need reminded that Hope would be leaving him.

"I don't want to go." He wasn't going to celebrate heartbreak.

"I know you don't, love… I don't really want to either…"

"Then let's not go. We'll hide away here. Or even in the Tardis. You and I don't have to attend. You can show me more of these 'Disney movies' you love so much." Hope laughed.

"Nice try. You're a prince, you do have to attend. And the Tardis would just spit us out in the middle of the feast. Besides… I'd kinda like to go…" She began to sound nervous and shy. "Pretend to be a princess… Just for one more night…"

"Hope, you are a princess," Loki affirmed, wrapping his arms around her waist. "You are my princess. No matter what, you will always be." The girl turned to him, her cheeks a rosy pink. He loved bringing that blush to her face. "If you want to attend this feast and be a princess, then we will attend." Hope slowly smiled, entranced be the Silvertongue's words.

"Thank you, Love…"

"Now as you said, we had better get ready." So the pair retired to Loki's bedroom, a changing screen separating them as servants helped them, or more Hope, prepare for the feast. Loki was the first to finish dressing as he typically just allowed his ceremony armor to form on his body, a perk of being a master of sorcery. As he waited for Hope, he paced his room, his mind a frenzy of thoughts.

In his research, he had found two possible solutions to their current problem. The first was he could ask Hope to marry him. It would have to be in secret but once married Odin wouldn't separate them then. He certainly wasn't opposed the idea. Was it practical? Possibly not because how little time they have known each other, and he was certain she wouldn't agree simply for that very fact. The other option was he'd abandon his duties as Prince of Asgard and travel with her and her Doctor. As much as he was not comfortable the Tardis and the Timelord, he found himself fascinated by Hope's tales of new worlds. His thirst for knowledge wanted nothing more than to see those worlds for himself.

"Loki, who's at the door?" The god looked surprised. He was so lost in thought he hadn't heard the pounding at the door. He answered, finding a guard carrying a richly decorated golden box. Loki took the box, dismissing the guard. He had forgotten the gift he had commissioned for Hope. Of course, that had also been when he thought the Doctor wouldn't come back for her. Hope poked her head out from behind the changing screen.

"Loki? Who was that?"

"Oh, one of the guards was delivering something."

"Oh, what?"

"Finish getting ready and I'll show you." She pouted, but disappeared back behind the screen.

"This isn't another lavish gift is it? Seriously, Loki, it's all too much!" He chuckled.

"No it isn't too much. It is the perfect amount for my woman. Isn't it traditional on Earth for a man to shower his lover with affections?"

"Only if he's really desperate to get some or is in the doghouse." As much as he loved this girl, sometimes he had no clue what she was talking about.

"I do not understand. Are you implying a man only spoils his love when he wants something in return? That is not how things are supposed to be."

"Says the god who offered me a new stallion because you accidentally broke a Blu-ray disc, which you promptly fixed anyway." Hope appeared from behind the screen, as usual stunning the God of Mischief into silence. This time, her dress's neckline wrapped around her shoulders. The hourglass necklace rested just on top of the neckline, giving it the appearance of straps. Like her previous gown, this was made of green velvet with gold trim, a belt of reversed color scheme hanging loosely around her hips. Her hair was piled into a curly bun at the top of her head, a few strays falling past her cheeks. He grinned.

"Perfect. Except…" Hope's smiled faded slightly. Loki opened the chest, revealing a tiara, armband, and ring. He took out the gold tiara first, turning to the Tardis daughter. Her jaw nearly hit the floor. The tiara was decorated with emeralds and sapphires held by delicate swirls. "A princess should wear a crown, should she not?" He asked as he set the tiara on her head. It took her a few moments to find her words again.

"At least it doesn't have ridiculous horns…"

"Don't start that again."

"Too late." However, she didn't continue the teasing, far more intrigued by the chest. "What's all that?" It was worth a shot, as Hope would say, wasn't it?

"Well… before your damned Doctor returned…" Hope shook her head at the moniker, chuckling. "I had entertained the idea that you would be staying with us… possibly forever or at least… for as long as you lived…" The girl was watching him intently, as if mesmerized by what he was saying. His hand went straight to the armband, feeling a touch nervous. "Our, uh, traditions are a bit different from Midgard's, but…" He presented the gold band, decorated much more simply than his other gifts, to her. "Hope Black, would you do me the honor of being my wife?" Hope's typically wide eyes grew to the size of dinner plates.

"Loki… I…" She stammered in shock. He found her hand to help keep her focused.

"I know, I know we haven't known each other very long. But if you and I were wed, you could stay with me, and we could actually learn more about each other. We don't even have to wed right away. We could-"

"I'm not ready for this…" He went silent at that. Even though he had known this would be her answer, it still stung his heart to hear. "I love you, Loki. I want to say yes but… It's so soon… I'm just a baby compared to you. I don't know to be a wife…"

"You don't need to."

"But I want to." Loki, stunned by the guilty determination in Hope's eyes, forced himself to remain silent. He had a painful notion what she had to say was important. "I know nothing about being someone's wife on Earth, let alone to an Asagardian prince. The idea still scares the hell out of me. I… I just can't agree to marry you yet."

"Yet?"

"I love you. I have a feeling one day I'll be able to say yes with confidence… It… It just isn't today…" Hope had broken eye contact with him, almost hanging her head in shame. "I… I'm sorry…"

"Shh… I expected this answer…" Still hurt though. "Don't apologize… I understand…" He hugged the girl to him, making it much simpler to hide his disappointment. "Even if you won't marry me yet…" He clung to the word. "Will you still wear the band please…?" She smiled at him, giving him the tiniest shred of hope.

"Absolutely." Loki grinned, a touch more hopeful. As he slipped the armband onto her upper arm, he found himself surprisingly grateful her gown was merely straps around her shoulders. "It's beautiful…"

"Like you, Little Pixie." She blushed. "Let's go before we're late."

About two hours before the feast ended, Loki pulled Hope away from the crowd, leading her out to the gardens. "Loki, where are we going? The party's inside." He didn't answer. "Loki, love, if this is about what Thor was saying…"

"Don't!" Loki hissed. As usual, the oaf had thoroughly embarrassed him, joking that only Loki could possibly be foolish enough to fall for a woman he could never have and still pursue her. He knew his brother was merely jesting but it stung deep. He didn't need to be reminded how hopeless his situation was. As it was, he still had one option that thoughtless fool would never think of.

"Loki. H-hey! Loki, stop!" When he felt a tug on his arm, he did stop and turn. Hope wore an exasperated look on her face, her tiara slightly askew. "You've been dragging me back here. Slow down." Loki shook his head, sighing.

"I'm sorry. I just…"

"You're frustrated. I understand." She wriggled her wrist out of his hand, finding it with her own. "But don't let Thor ruin this night. He was only joking." The god huffed a little. "Please?" Her lip poked out a little, wide eyes growing wider in that ridiculous pout he couldn't resist. And worse of all, she knew he was helpless to the pout. He chuckled, kissing her hand.

"I am sorry, my love. You're right, Thor's… lack of tact, shall we say, shouldn't ruin our night." Hope grinned. "Besides he'll be very surprised when I leave." The girl's grinned turned confused.

"Leave? Where are you going?"

"Where do you think?" He asked as he straightened her tiara. It had been bothering him. "I plan to leave with you and the Doctor." Hope's eyes grew the widest he had ever seen as her jaw dropped in shock.

"Loki, have those horns dented your brain?" He chuckled.

"I know it seems sudden but I've been thinking about this for some time. I'm actually packed too." She just stared at him shocked. "Hope, this is perfect. We can see your stars together. Its per-"

"Loki, you can't go." Not the answer he was expecting. He blinked several times, stunned.

"But love… we'd be together… Don't you want me…?" His heart sank as a tear formed in her eye.

"Oh Loki, of course I want you…"

"Then I'll travel with you and the Doctor." The tear fell from her eye, followed closely by another."

"You're needed here. With your family."

"No, I'm not. Thor is to become king. I have no purpose in Asgard." He began wiping the tears from her eyes. "I'd rather be with you where I belong than here where I'm constantly mocked."

"But your family…"

"I can come visit them." He didn't understand why she was so against him joining her. So jealousy crept spitefully into his heart. "Did he say this? Your precious Doctor?"

"He's not my Doctor but yes, he did say this." Loki nearly saw red. How dare the Doctor forbid her from him?! "I've already tried… but the Doctor said no… that it was selfish of me to take you from your home…"

"And it's not selfish of him to keep you to himself?!" He didn't mean to shout at the girl, but he was furious. The man claimed to care about Hope's happiness then does this?! "Perhaps you do not feel anything for him but somehow I suspect the feeling is not mutual." Hope's jaw dropped through her heartbroken tears, her eyes now angry as well.

"The Doctor's not like that, Loki. He's a good man."

"Who's stealing you from me."

"That's not his fault!"

"Isn't it?!" What could possibly make him think it's not wise for us to travel together?!"

"I don't know! He won't tell me!" That caught the jealous god's attention. He won't tell her… what?

"What do you mean?"

"I think… he knows something we don't. But all he keeps telling me is 'spoilers,' meaning he can't or won't tell me what it is." Loki frowned, though his jealous rage had quelled a little.

"And he can't tell us why?"

"He thinks it'll mess with the time stream. I don't see how though. Not us…" Hope angrily wiped at her eyes, turning her back to him.

"…Hope, I'm sorry." He reached out to comfort her but she pushed him away. "Don't be angry… I just don't want you to go." She didn't move. "Hope, I'm truly am sorry. Please, I don't want this to end with us angry at each other." This time when he reached for her, she didn't fight him. He pulled the crying girl to him, hugging her tightly. She buried her face in his armor, her shoulders the only movement she made. The Silvertongue had no idea which hurt worse, seeing her cry or knowing he had upset her before she left him…

"I'll come back."

"What?" Hope looked up at him, wiping her eyes.

"I'll come visit. The Doctor is willing to bring me back to see you." Loki smiled a little, hope warming his heart.

"You will?"

"As often as possible, at least once a year…"

"A year?"

"The Tardis isn't always reliable." She wrapped her arms tight around him, snuggling close. Loki embraced the girl just as tightly, especially after he noticed the blue Police box behind her. "It's behind me isn't it…" Hope whispered sadly. He didn't answer. He didn't have to. "I have to go…"

"Please don't…" He begged, a tear slipping from his own eye.

"I have no choice… I'm sorry…" She hugged him tighter to her, rising on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, "I left a note on your dresser…"

"Hope, we need to go."

"I'm coming," She huffed at the Doctor.

"Just go, love…" Loki offered, looking down. "Make it quick…" Hope seemed shocked at first, but quickly threw her arms around his neck, kissing him hard. It was with great reluctance on both sides that they finally pulled away, their hands finding a tight grip on each other. "I love you…"

"I love you too…" Loki's grip remained tight as Hope entered the Tardis, not letting go until the very last possible moment. With a flash of the top light, the Tardis slowly disappeared, leaving a distraught go in its wake.

To Be Continued….