Though it would be much more than a grave mistake to believe that Loki was at all moved by the mortal, that he had been touched by her wit, her strength, even her idiocy at speaking to him in such a familiar manner, he was certainly not untouched. She was a strange thing, and he felt curiously drawn to her, in a way; which way that was, exactly, he couldn't say, but it was a thing, a state, and he felt annoyed.

So when Thor was standing in front of his cell, he knew, without question, that this was Jane's doing.

"Loki," Thor said flatly.

Loki inclined his head ever so slightly. "Well, Thor. Come to gape at the monster in his prison?"

"I came to see you and inquire after you."

Loki had been sitting in his chair, reading a volume. He snapped it shut. "Is that so? Inquire after me?"

"It is. And so...how do you fare?"

"Much the way you would expect a being such as myself to fare in a state as this."

Thor shifted. "You are unwell?"

"Me? No! There is little I love more than to be confined to a cell in the depths of a palace I once called my home at the hands of my so-called father and a brother whom I've aided on more than one occasion, promised release from the very cage I now occupy, and who, in fact, is not my brother at all. It is a situation that is desirable in every way imaginable."

Thor didn't laugh. "If you have nothing useful to say..."

"Useful? Please do pardon me. Thor. How thoughtless of me to speak the truth! How insensitive I am! You care not for my welfare...your inquiries are merely a means to satisfy arbitrary convention," and he stood.

"I love you, Loki."

He turned. He shook his head. Calm yourself, Loki. Know what it is you are doing...he returned Thor's gaze after a moment. "Yes. And how are things in other areas of this vast monument?"

"They are hale enough."

Loki nodded. "And Odin?"

"The same."

"Tell me...there are whispers of an impending wedding...do you mean to marry your mortal?"

Thor looked away. "I do not know."

Loki's hands folded behind him. "Do you not love her?"

"I cannot say."

"You once confided in me," Loki said softly.

"And you once checked your temper."

They shared a brief laugh.

Thor continued, "It pains me to see you thus, Loki."

"I daresay not as much as it pains me to be here."

"No...I have been remiss," Thor went on.

"Have you? Surely not. Not the golden thunder god," but Loki's tone was playful.

Thor laughed. "I think Jane would like you. She shares your wit."

His eyebrow arched. "I'm not certain that wit alone can win the esteem of a mortal whose people I attempted to subjugate."

"Jane is forgiving and wise."

"I'd not trust anyone's wisdom who would choose to think highly of me."

Thor approached the cell. "You think so ill of yourself."

"It is as I have been taught to think. And why shouldn't I?" he turned away. "I've given few the opportunity to believe otherwise."

"I do not think so lowly of you..." he was sad in his tone.

"That's because you are an idiot," he paused. "However, you are a good sort, Thor. Forever the optimist."

"I'll not leave you alone for so long again," said Thor.

"I await your next visit on tenterhooks," and Loki smirked, turning away.

He heard him leave. Well done, Jane Foster.

Loki slumped in his chair.

How he loathed Odin and his hypocrisy! How misguided Thor was in his loyalty! He needed out. He honestly wanted nothing more to do with either of them. Get to Thanos, kill the beast dead, and escape to some quaint corner of Yggdrasil.

He wasn't surprised when Jane paid him a visit some time later, he was, in honesty, rather looking forward to it.

"Bravo, Jane. Well done. You convinced Thor to visit me."

She smiled and nodded. "It wasn't terribly difficult. He wanted to come."

"Hardly. He was uncomfortable in the extreme," and Loki got up and poured himself some drink. "It is unfortunate that we cannot toast your efforts."

Jane laughed. "It's not done yet, though. He needs to be convinced of you before he goes to Odin."

He sat and drank deeply. "Perhaps..."

"What?" and she sat on the floor.

"I think...he more needs to be convinced of you my dear. A happy Thor is an effective Thor where Odin is concerned."

Jane looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean? Convinced of me?"

Loki sat his glass down. "He claims he is not certain of his regard for you...that perhaps he does not mean to marry you."

Jane swallowed. "Well...perhaps he doesn't."

"He did, not so long ago."

"I fail to see how my nuptials, whether they are spoken or not, effect your release."

"It isn't the vows, but his favor...how can you have his ear if you haven't his heart?" Loki's eyebrow raised in question. "You must know that any number of very fine Aesir women can satisfy Thor's insatiable libido. Very, very few have claimed his heart. He will bend to you, Jane, if you keep it secured."

Jane pulled her knees up against her chest and wrapped her arms around them. "You know...I'm not going to marry Thor just so you get out of that cell. I'm not stupid. I want to help you, but I'm not going to sign my life away in the process."

"What is it that you want?"

"We are here to talk about you, Loki. Not me."

He smiled. "Oh, but let's play fair..."

"You don't play fair," she observed.

"I can, however. It isn't in my nature, true...but I am capable of being a fair and reasonable man..." and he placed a long finger alongside his cheek.

"Is that what you are, a man?" she smiled crookedly.

At this he laughed thoroughly. "I imagine...that is something you'll never discover," but it was a loaded statement. "But we digress...what is it that you want?"

Her knees fell and she looked away. "I want..." What did she want? "...a life where I have few worries. A comfortable home. And...I suppose, someone to talk with," she looked at Loki. "It needn't be a lover or husband or whatever. A friend would do..."

"Friend? You do not desire the marriage bed?"

"Sex is easy enough to come by, if need be."

Loki nodded. "I see."

Jane shrugged. "So...I got Thor to visit. How should I get him to come back within the next day or so?"

"You employed guilt?"

Jane nodded.

"You should remind him, then, of the time we spent as children...make mention of the battles...there were many..." and he looked away from her.

"Battles?"

"Yes. Thor loves a great battle almost as much as he loves...well. I'll let you finish that statement."

Jane laughed. "And you? Did you enjoy these battles?"

"Fighting is not something I ever give much thought to. Sometimes it is necessary, but one should avoid it if possible," and he swallowed. "Odin agreed with that conceit a very long time ago."

"But you led a great battle on Earth," she observed.

"Ah...Jane. You know very little about that."

"Then explain it to me," her tone was defiant.

He took issue with that tone. "I need not explain my actions. It is of little consequence now, at any rate."

"Why? Why don't you need to explain?" though she was curious, it didn't effect her desire to see him freed.

He stood. "Because I don't. Cease your incessant inquisition! Are you through here?"

Jane now stood. Her sense of power growing with every moment. "I'm not. I want to know why. Why did you kill those people? I know the story you told Thor and Odin, but I also know that was a lie!"

How. How was it possible that this mortal knew what Odin and Thor merely blindingly accepted? Because, he thought, he gave them the answer they expected. "I..." he began unsteadily. "I had fallen to the plight of Thanos...powerful and manipulative...he threatened me, promised me things...threatened my..." he stopped and turned toward Jane.

Her face was unreadable. She believed every word he said, however, and she swallowed. "I see."

Loki nodded.

"And so...you acted accordingly."

"I did, as you say."

Jane smiled at him. "I'll speak with Thor."

And she left.

"Tell me of a fierce battle you fought, Thor," Jane began. It was the next morning, and the light cast upon the table they sat at was lit from behind the god, creating a halo of orange light, casting his visage in slight shadow.

His voice carried with it an eagerness. "...and though the giant was some fifteen feet in height, Sif had slung the boomerang around its legs, tripping it up fully. Loki pressed down upon the beast, and with his magic, he subdued it enough to stop its writhing and carry it away."

"Loki carried it away?" she sounded unsure.

"Well...he might've been able to...but he used his magic..."

"Must be cool to have a sorcerer on your side."

Thor nodded. "Loki is always a source of concern for any enemy...he is the greatest sorcerer in the realms. Only Odin's magic can compare."

Jane laughed. "Wow."

"Yes."

"You miss him," she said.

"I do, yes."

And he got up, leaving Jane alone with her thoughts. She was pleased. He was fairly easily manipulated, and though she was mildly concerned that she was, she was more concerned about getting Loki out before she went home. She couldn't help him from Earth.

"Why? Why do you always make things so difficult?" Thor had entered the bottom chambers already yelling at Loki.

For his part, Loki was drinking still, slightly bemused by his brother's abrupt entry. What on earth had Jane said to him? "You'll forgive me, Thor. I'm at a loss as to what you are on about."

"You! You are impossible! You cause so much...pain, Loki...when you could give so much more."

"Oh please. Spare me your pathetic strictures," he downed his drink and stood. "You are a pawn, Thor...a puppet for Odin. Did he send you?"

"No! Odin wouldn't...I was speaking with Jane..."

And Loki turned away from him to hide his smirk. "Oh yes. Your mortal. I understand she is virtuous indeed...she will make you a proper wife."

"Wife?"

Loki faced Thor. "You wish to marry her, despite your objections."

"I never said such. She desires to leave Asgard."

This he hadn't prepared for. "She is leaving?"

"So she claims," and Thor ran his fingers through his hair.

"Your mortal is leaving? Without you?" Loki's face was beginning to betray him.

"Why are you asking about Jane?"

Anger brimmed. She was leaving? Either she was abandoning him and her promise, or she was closer than he believed at realizing her goal. "Why are you here, Thor?"

"Do not turn this to me, Loki! I want to know why you care if I marry Jane. Is it because she is from Midgard, and if I marry her, I'll be released from my duties to Asgard?"

"Get out. Odin is King. I am here. That's all there is to this tiresome tale."

Thor turned and left.

And Loki's hands shook, for as he dwelled on what had transpired, he realized that he was terrified at the prospect of being left alone by his only ally. That she would consider leaving him to rot.

Why shouldn't she, really? She had no connection to him, save the fact that he saved her life. He had placed much in his belief in her abilities with Thor. He had counted on so much regarding her. When had this happened? Trust. He could only trust himself.

And Jane Foster was leaving him.

Jane Foster was going to Midgard.

She was running. She needed to get away…or to something…the sky was brimming red and heat was emanating from the earth beneath her. Run…her thoughts pounded…and there was Thor…his red cape screaming in the breeze…and then Loki, standing behind him…Loki was looking at her…get there…get to them both…Thor grabbed her arm…Jane screamed, for at that moment, Loki turned and began to walk away…Thor then glared at her…she shook her arm free and made her way to the other…and blackness fell…she was blinded by the tenebrious sheet of dark…and then she felt a hand at her back…lips were on hers…powerful, sweet, and determined…her clothes were gone, and a weight was atop her…she wanted this…she wanted it…and the sky bled rain, and screams…..something was descending….

Jane woke in an empty bed, but she heard him at the balcony.

Thor was distracted. He stood on his balcony, fraught with many thoughts concerning his brother, concerning Jane.

"What's on your mind, Thor?"

He turned to see Jane standing in the doorway, smiling. "I wish for you to stay."

"You may think that you do, but trust me, it isn't what you really want."

"I need you here, at least for a while…I need a voice of reason."

She approached him. "Reason?"

"Nothing is making any sense…Loki is so…"

She was in front of him now. "So…?"

"Angry."

Jane nodded. "Shall I speak with him?"

"You would do that?"

Guilt laced its fingers around her mind. "Sure. I can do that."

She patted his arm, and left for the dungeons.

She stood there.

He was staring at her, his expression unreadable.

Jane cleared her throat. "So…"

He smirked.

"Right. So, Thor said that you were angry."

Nothing.

"Is it a secret why you are angry?"

He tilted his head to one side.

Jane sighed. "Are we not speaking? Did I miss something?"

"Apparently, you enjoy keeping secrets and playing games. I'm simply returning the favor," Loki replied, never taking his eyes off of hers.

"Am I supposed to know what that means?"

"Yes, you are. You are slippery, Jane Foster."

"I am?" she was genuinely confused.

"I understand you plan on returning to Midgard quite soon."

"Yes."

"Yes," and now he looked away.

"And…how is that a source of concern for you?"

He got up. "Well, as I recall…we had an arrangement…"

"We do."

"And yet…I'm no better off than when you first visited me a few days ago…and you are going to be leaving, and I suppose that makes me a fool," his gaze was deliberate, his voice oily.

"How? You'll be out before I leave."

"You think so? You are very confident."

"I am."

He laughed. "I cannot believe that I was so eager that I consented to such an austere plan as yours. I must have been desperate."

Now Jane laughed. "My plan is working beautifully."

"Is it? Has Thor spoken with Odin?"

"No."

"Is Thor convinced that I deserve release?'

"I'm not sure," she admitted.

"No," and he approached the glass. "No…he isn't. He isn't convinced…and here I remain. And you are useless."

"You know, if I were you, I'd watch it. I'm your only ally…"

He breathed in deeply at the recollection of that exact word in his reverie. "My ally…" he hissed. "Yes…"

"What?"

"Well…it is ironic, is it not? My ally being the race whom I chose to invade."

Jane shrugged. "I guess so."

"I think that you should leave."

"I'm not going anywhere," she was stubborn.

"Why? Why do you insist on plaguing me with your presence?"

"Because."

"You are eloquent," and he turned. "You are an orphan, you are lonely, and you fancy us alike. But allow me to open your eyes. We aren't…I am a god, Jane Foster. A sorcerer. A force. A blackguard. You…you are an insignificant insect."

"Ha!" she returned. "You are a despicable mess! You…you stand there, with your glares and your sarcasm and you think everyone is against you! Yet here I am, as you said, a mortal. And I'm helping you…risking things for you…and your future is inextricably tethered to me! How's that for eloquence?!"

His breath heaved, and he approached her once more, damning the bewitched glass. "How dare you…"

"Oh but I do! How can I not?! You are…everything you said…but you are wrong…we are alike. I see it…and you haunt me…and I…" she stopped.

Loki swallowed. "You are a foolish girl."

"Maybe I am. But know this, Loki. I am trustworthy. And I will get you out, if its the last thing that I do."

And someone came into the space, electrified with the pair's words.

"Hurry, Lady Jane," said a guard. "The King and Prince need you immediately."

She looked at Loki with a worried glance.

The concern was etched on his face. He nodded.

She left.

He placed his hand against the glass and felt its energy tingle his palm.