Her ankle twinged slightly, and her mind echoed that feeling. Jane awoke with a pang in her ankle, a singed memory of Earth, and a guilt toward Thor.

He had been attentive, kind, and understanding. Jane had neglected him for no good reason other than her boredom.

And what about Loki? He was cruel and false, and she shouldn't trust him.

She would set this to right.

She would be kinder to Thor, he deserved that much.

So it was, when she found the thunder god later, she offered to go with him to the sparring circle and watch him with Sif and Fandrall.

Jane sat along the periphery, sipping something that tasted rather like pomegranate juice.

Thor was, admittedly, impressive in his state. He was comfortable with many a weapon, and laughed heartily at his victories which he enjoyed with ease.

Jane clapped with vigor and smiled.

She then spotted a figure lurking in the shadows on the outskirts of the garden.

"It is a comfort to see you, Thor, engaged in such ferocity. You are a capable warrior…pity I didn't enjoy your expertise on Jutenheim," Loki said, emerging from the shade.

"Loki!" and Thor greeted his brother happily. "Come, show me how you defeated the villain!"

"Nay, brother. I think not…" and his gaze found Jane. "I think that your lady wishes to see a healthy and sound Thor."

"You think that you can defeat me?"

Loki laughed, and looked back to Thor. "Without a doubt…" and he conjured a dull blade, and assumed a combat stance.

The metal struck, sending sparks from the impact.

This took Thor a bit unawares, but he recovered quickly, and soon had Loki on the defensive.

Loki was quick and nimble, Thor's braun slowing him ever so slightly, and soon the pair were grimacing in their effort. Thor soon backed him into a corner, his sword pressing against Loki's chest, but Loki would not concede so readily, and pushed with some force against the hammer wielder. Thor faltered, and Loki took advantage. His offense was soon too quick, and he struck repeatedly until Thor was on his back, Loki's sword at his throat.

He panted, "Well, Thor. I believe that was a sufficient illustration as to how Thanos met his demise…and I didn't even employ magic."

He threw the practice blade to the ground and stepped away from Thor.

But Thor stuck out his leg and tripped the sorcerer, laughing.

"Never turn your back, my brother…I never thought I'd say this, but you are too trusting," and Thor rose from the ground, offering Loki a hand.

Loki laughed, got up, and punched Thor in the face. "Careful…I'm not above turning you into some hideous monster…no one will deign to look upon you again," and he left with a scowl.

Thor rubbed his face. "He has more strength than he appears to have," and he went to Jane, who was watching the entire scene, mouth agape.

"What was THAT about?" she asked.

"Sibling rivalry," replied Thor.

"Over?"

"Everything."

Jane nodded. "Sorry," she muttered.

"He has always been thus. There's nothing to be done. Loki is resentful, and we all must suffer for it."

"But you love him…" as they entered the palace.

"Of course. But that doesn't lessen how irritating he is…"

Jane stopped. "Is he staying here?"

"I know not. He hasn't divulged any intentions to me one way or the other," he paused. "And what of your plans, lady?"

Jane smiled. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "Not sure yet…maybe a few more days…"

And Loki was watching it all, hidden in a corner.

Jane sat at the great dinner table, listening to Thor and Odin talk about things she had no idea of, nor could ever hope to, really.

She excused herself, and went to the guest room she now occupied. She was soon asleep, and dreamt of her being forever muted, of black smoke emulating from her orifices, of Loki…and his kiss…

She awoke cold. She looked out of the window, and the sky was tenebrous and cloaked.

She decided to get up…it seemed painfully exciting to traverse the palace in the middle of the night unattended.

Jane opened her door, and the place was dark, save a few flickering torches dotting the expanse.

She crept along stealthily, her heart pounding in her ears in anticipation…what she imagined she would encounter, she didn't know…but her mind conjured beasts and spectres and other hideous things.

Her feet padded along…she wrapped her robe close.

The stone walls added atmosphere as well as exacerbated the chill.

A sound was heard…like the turn of a page…

The library, Jane surmised.

She was only a few doors away from it.

She made her way, and opened the door.

Jane turned and looked inside, expecting to see a servant or perhaps Odin, but Loki was sitting by the fire, his back toward her.

"We really should stop meeting at such dubious hours, Jane. People will talk," he didn't change his position to look at her.

Jane walked over and sat in the chair opposite him. "Can't sleep?"

"No," and he looked at her. "Though in general, we need less sleep than mortals."

She nodded.

"And you?"

She looked at him and smiled. "Bad dreams…"

"Did no one ever tell you, Jane, they are only dreams."

"I know. But…I woke up, and was wide awake…and I guess it felt thrilling to walk about a castle in the middle of the night."

"Are you always a thrill seeker?"

She shrugged. "No…well…" she paused. "In a way, I guess…"

"Thor should well be able to satisfy that particular tendency, I'm certain," though his voice hinted at sarcasm.

Jane didn't feel like getting into a debate about Thor. "Do you get a rush from danger?"

"A rush?" he looked at her quizzically.

"Yeah…you know…heart pulsing, blood rushing…"

"I can think of a thing or two that would render me as you say, but danger is seldom one of them…" and he cocked an eyebrow.

"Shut up. You know what I mean."

He smirked. "I suppose…" and he looked to the fire. "Yes, occasionally. But I have been on the receiving end of too much horror to adequately reciprocate your love of risk."

"Horror? Like what?"

"You should not ask such questions…but I will tell you that much of it was of my own doing, some was not…and some…was at the hands of those whom I trusted."

Jane shuddered. When he spoke, the firelight illuminated his face in such a way that his visage appeared mask-like, as though her weren't real. "I'm sorry…"

Loki shrugged. "It matters but little now."

Jane looked about the room. "Is this place haunted?"

Loki snapped his gaze to her. "Why…?"

"Because it seems like it would be…many thousands of years old…"

"Oh…yes…the energy is dark in Asgard's palace…the servants creep along in fear of the midnight dread…there are specters the likes of whom only those with a most perverse imagination can conjure…" his voice had dropped to a mere whisper.

Jane's eyes were wide, and she shook at his finish.

Loki laughed soundly.

"You bastard!" Jane yelled, and laughed.

"Oh, come now Jane…you don't believe in such nonsense…you…a scientist?"

"I dunno…it can be fun…"

"No," he continued. "It is not, as you say, haunted. And if anyone were to know, it would be me."

Jane nodded.

"You have moved to guest quarters."

Jane swallowed. "Yes."

"Why is that?"

"Well…because…Thor and I…"

"Yeeesss?" he asked with a lilt.

"Well, we are moving slowly…and I'm returning to Earth soon…and I just thought it was best."

"Moving slowly."

"That's right."

"I was under the impression that the two of you weren't moving at all," he snorted.

"Well…I mean, I am not in love with him, if that's what you mean," she added in defensive tone.

"No. I mean, Jane, that you seemed rather set on things ending between the two of you…or is it that now that I am out of my cage, and you are not in yours, that things appear differently to you…that I am more of a threat…?" he paused. "For you wouldn't be wrong."

"A threat…how?"

"A threat in general…I told you, never forget what I am or what I am capable of."

Jane's back became rigid. She wasn't afraid of him. "And what is that, Loki? What are you suggesting here?"

He leaned toward her. "I am suggesting that you are attempting to rid yourself of me, and that you are wise in your pursuit."

"You are completely fucked up. You ask about Thor, and you suggest that I am…I am…drawn to you…which I've admitted to…and then you tell me to stay away. I don't understand you."

Loki leaned back into his chair with a smirk.

So Jane continued. "I don't want anything from you. If you think otherwise, well, you are mistaken. I'd simply like to…you know…be a friend of sorts until I leave."

"A friend?"

"Yeah."

"I haven't the faintest idea what that entails."

Jane looked at him completely nonplussed. "What."

"I haven't got many friends, as you term it."

"Well…let's change that in the next few days."

"And what of Thor?"

Jane laughed. "I think that Thor can handle me dividing my attention between the two of you."

"You are a strange creature, Jane."

She nodded her affirmation.

She yawned. "I should get back."

Loki nodded in response.

Jane got up and left.

A friend. She wanted to be his friend. How deliciously fatuous.

Her journey back wasn't nearly as thrilling, as her fatigue was great.

Her hands shook…she could feel the presence in the air…it choked her…and she stumbled blindly in the raw atmosphere…and she found the bridge she sought…and she slipped on it…she clung to the edge with desperation…she cried…no one could hear her…her attempts to rise on her own strength were fruitless…and she begged for someone to hear…a hand reached for her…strong…it pulled her up…and when she gazed upon it, she screamed…black nothingness was in the shape of a head…and she fell into it…she was being sucked into the abyss which had aided her…

Her eyes opened. She saw that morning had dawned.

And if she was honest, she knew what that dream meant…but Jane had learned the art of deception.