She didn't go, though. She went to the library instead, and began to read on crime and punishment in Asgard, looking for an argument she might use for Loki's defence.

Unfortunately, there was little in terms of interplanetary takeover, except where Odin was concerned. He had done things similar to what Loki had done. How was that tenable? Jane began to sympathise with the dark prince, understand his resentment.

She was treading dangerous waters here.

She couldn't go to Odin and tell him he was punishing Loki for the same crimes he had committed and been left unpunished.

Jane sighed and closed the heavy volume.

She looked outside of the enormous window.

What an enchanting place to grow up! Imagine, living in a castle! Being royalty! She smiled.

Her thoughts turned toward the man sitting in isolation in the depths of the mammoth structure. Jane hesitated, then got up.

He wasn't able to do much in terms of conjuring, but he could play with the threads of energy which hummed in his body. He was turning them over and over, blue, green, red...but they were bound, just like him. His head fell back, smacking the wall behind him.

"Careful. You'll hurt yourself."

It wasn't often he was caught unawares. "Jane. What a dubious surprise," he yawned. "What is the time?"

"I'm not sure. Early, or late...there is little in terms of time keeping instruments here."

"Is Thor asleep?"

"I think so."

He laughed. "And you're here."

"I am, yes."

"Come to needle me some more?"

She sat down. "Well...not exactly, no."

"You'll pardon my manners. I have no refreshment to offer, no comfortable place in terms of a seat...no entertainment save my conversation."

"That's ok. I'm easily entertained," she looked about.

"How fortunate for me."

"Odin was a conquerer."

Loki narrowed his eyes. "You are very forthright, Jane Foster. I imagine it would be quite something to know you under different circumstances."

"Such as...?"

"Well...had I fallen into Midgard's atmosphere and you had happened upon me, instead of Thor, for example."

She laughed. "That would've been interesting," she lowered her gaze away from him. "But Odin..."

"You should be on your guard. Never forget who I am or what I am capable of."

"That's not an answer."

"Odin," he sighed. How many more interviews should he suffer. "Yes. He took over Jutenheim by force. That's when he found me."

Jane nodded. She swallowed.

Loki got up. "Why are you not with Thor? Has he left you so unsatisfied?"

She met his gaze. "No."

"No. Hmmm...I wonder...why are you here at this hour?"

"Insomnia."

"Indeed?"

Jane nodded.

He was coming closer. "You asked me earlier what Odin would need to hear from you to ensure my release. Well...I have thought on it...and the truth is, nothing."

"I don't believe that."

"You are more foolish than you look, then. The key to this is Thor. You need to convince him. Odin will listen to him and him alone."

Jane rose from her station. "You mean...?"

His eyebrow cocked. "Yes...if we are of like minds."

"Oh god. I'm not about to use sex to do this thing. I'm not your prostitute. Forget it. It's not that important to me."

He shrugged. "You mentioned your wiles...I believe you meant..."

"My powers of persuasion."

"Precisely my point."

"God, you are a pig."

Loki laughed. "Do you honestly think that sitting here, asking me questions...that that will induce Thor to go to Odin on my behalf? I'm not telling you anything he doesn't already know, my naive mortal."

Jane changed tactics. "What will you do when you are released?"

This stopped him. "Excuse me?"

"What will you do? I hope my efforts are not in vain."

"IF I am released..."

"Semantics," Jane returned and smiled.

He sniggered. "Well. I could tell you that I will spend the remainder of my many centuries making amends for all of my heinous deeds...make peace with the mortals, the frost giants...spreading good will among the branches of Yggdrasil."

"That sounds perfect."

"...and it would be a lie."

"Then tell me the truth."

"That, Jane Foster, is something I hardly ever do, and shan't do it for your sake."

Jane got up. "Then do it for yours."

"Who are you?" Loki asked.

"I don't understand..."

"I mean, who are you? You are here in Asgard, under the guise of being Thor's love, his bedfellow, here because he is willing to forsake almost anything for you, and yet...you're here. You are dealing with the very devil, seeking his release. You are, in any manner one looks at it, a mere mortal among gods. Yet you are so bold as to speak to the god most would fear as though he were nothing but an equal among you. You have gall. Or else are incredibly foolish."

Jane listened intently. "I am Jane. I lost both of my parents at the age of ten. I lived with the man Erik Selvig who you tortured with mind control. I made my way through a male dominated field and rose to the top on my own intellect and abilities. I met Thor while studying the sky. I love people, I'm here because Thor loves me. And I have scruples, however silly it may seem. And I find you interesting," she stopped. "Can you read minds?"

Loki had been held rapt at her blunt manner. "Can I read minds?"

"Yes."

He smirked. "No. But I can enter them."

Jane shivered. "Isn't that the same thing?"

"It's not. I cannot tell what you are thinking at present, Jane Foster. But if I so desired, I could sojourn into that tiny vessel, perhaps discover a few things, and then exit."

"So, more like possession."

He shrugged, "If you prefer."

"Actually, I don't. I was just curious."

"That, my dear, shall be your undoing," and Loki turned from her. "Are we quite finished here, Jane? I grow weary of our conversation."

"No. You didn't answer my question."

"I've already forgotten it."

Jane sighed. "What are your plans after your release?"

"I have none," he lied.

"I don't believe you."

"That's the wisest thing you've said yet," and he laughed, and laid down on the sofa.

"If you don't tell me, I won't come back."

He looked at her. "Are you threatening me?" his gaze was steady.

"I guess I am," and Jane held her head high. She was no longer afraid of him, for she felt she had entered into his confidence, and even when he did get out (she was certain he would), she honestly believed that no harm would come to her by his hand.

"Careful, mortal."

"Ok. I guess that's that, then," and she turned.

Loki sat up. "I don't understand why that's any of your concern."

"Because, as you said, I'm working for the release of a monster. I want to know if you plan on going back to Midgard, or if you have plans to destroy Asgard."

"And those are your two worries? Asgard and Midgard?"

She nodded.

"In other words, if I promise not to inflict violence of any sort on those two realms, you shall continue to aid in my release?"

"Yes," she couldn't believe it, but she honestly, at this point, just wanted the people on earth and here to be safe.

He studied her a moment. It wasn't in his plans to harm either realm, really...only to exact revenge on Thanos. "You have my word."

Jane smiled. Then the smile fell. "But...your word...well, let's just say it isn't worth much..."

Loki laughed heartily. "Clever girl. Very well," and he got up. This would likely hurt him, but to prove a point, it'd be worth it. "Come here, Jane."

She went over to him.

"Place your hand against mine," and he put his hand on the swimming glass.

She did as she was told.

And suddenly, she was filled with a sensation...it was incredible...her hand felt warm, and pulsing, as though her entire being was one heartbeat, and only a heartbeat.

"I promise not to harm the people of Midgard or Asgard upon my release from this chamber," said Loki.

"Or any time thereafter," qualified Jane.

He looked at her, sighed, and nodded. "Or from this day henceforth."

His hand slipped, and he stumbled back to the sofa. His arm and head hurt dreadfully, just as Odin intended them to, should he release his magic. But it felt wonderful to experience that release...as though it had been pent up for many years...as though...

And he looked at Jane with a stare that nearly undid her, for she had felt it too.

He was sitting, looking at her. "...that was trying for me. But the spell is binding, and I will not be able to break it, lest I die."

"Wow."

"Indeed."

Jane cleared her throat. "Well...I should go, then."

Loki didn't respond, he merely laid down on the sofa in exhaustion and pain.

Jane hurried up the stone steps.

At the top, she stopped, and caught her breath back.

She felt...incredible. The sensation that went through her body was orgasmic. She wondered if Loki always felt that way when he performed magic...

She trembled. Go back to bed, Jane.

And she did.

She didn't go back that day.

"You seem out if sorts, dear. What troubles you?"

"Nothing," Jane responded flatly.

"Ah...but I know you, and something is bothering you."

"I was just wondering...thinking about what it would be like to grow up here."

"In Asgard?" Thor asked.

"That...and a palace, with Odin as a father."

"Well...much as you'd imagine. Odin is a formidable being."

"Yeah."

"So...one didn't often gainsay him...though I tried often enough," and Thor looked away.

They were sitting in the vast garden, drinking a honey colored drink.

"Did Loki?"

"Did Loki what?"

Jane shifted. "Often go against Odin's command?"

"No. Not exactly."

She nodded. "Why doesn't Odin like him?"

"Odin loves Loki."

She smiled. "...but he doesn't like him."

"Loki is difficult to like."

"You do."

Thor laughed. "I suppose I do."

"You should visit him. I bet he's lonely."

He looked at Jane. "I suppose he is. Why do you care?"

"I told you. Because we owe him, Thor...and I hate to be indebted."

He nodded. "I'll visit with him."

She smiled. "I guess I'll be going back home soon."

"What? Why?"

"Well...because. I have a life. Things to do..." Jane looked away.

"What things? Jane...something is going on here. Why should you wish to leave?"

Jane turned with emotion. "Look. I'm sorry of my life isn't all about you. But it's not. I have a job, you know. People who care about me. I can't just stay! I need to...get back," she finished with a stale tone.

The god shifted. "I care about you."

Jane sighed. "Yes. Yes...I know that you do...so just...visit?"

Thor shook his head. "It may be that mortals and Aesir are not meant to be, though I'd certainly like to attempt to disprove that conceit."

"Perhaps they don't...and I wouldn't mind your efforts in that experiment."

Thor swallowed. "When should you like to go?"

"I dunno...maybe in a week?"

He nodded, and got up.

And she didn't think about the fact that a part of her was sad at the prospect of leaving a certain sorcerer behind...that though she would likely see the thunder god again, she had no idea where all of this was going, and she needed to leave...and once she left, the other would be lost to her utterly.

It didn't matter. He was fascinating. He was cruel. He was everything that she always thought that she hated. But she had formed a bond, however flimsy, and it stung ever so slightly, in the palm of her right hand.