And so it was, reader, that Jane Foster and her Bach dud slowly soften the stubborn god (not unlike she did with Thor, but more impressively, since Loki was not easily touched).

Three weeks hence they languished in the pale desert heat. Three weeks thus, and Jane began to heal as well.

She had gotten used to the god and his doleful character (she even recognized it for what it was…attention-seeking nonsense), and learned to laugh at him.

And Loki had tolerated her laughter, even engaging in a bit as well…

They were at her table in the lab, eating lunch one afternoon, when Jane was suddenly struck with a recollection.

"Say, how long do you imagine you'll be here, anyway?"

"So eager to be rid of me, are you?" he smirked.

"No. But Thor was only here for a few days…you've been here a few weeks already…" her voice trailed as she saw his face drop.

"Apologies, Jane. I had thought that you were pleased with my company. Clearly I was mistaken," of course he had been, no one actually enjoyed his company. They tolerated it out of some silly conventional obligation…

Though Jane had no obligation to him, and he wondered at that for a moment.

"Don't be stupid," she replied. "Of course I'm pleased. I was just wondering…" and she had been. She didn't mislike Loki's dubious company, but it was playing upon her conscious a touch, the fact that he had all but leveled her town. And though she was mostly healed from Thor's abandonment, it was a fresh scab, and still tickled a touch.

But she knew better than to ask Loki about him. Things were, evidently, not great between the two…

She had figured she's be asking him when things settled for him a bit.

Though they had, and she still hadn't brought it up.

Oh, no matter, it would be talked about eventually…

At that, her phone rang. "Hello?"

"Miss Jane Foster?"

"Yeah?" her brow furrowed.

"This is Agent Coulson of S.H.I.E.L.D."

"What do you want?" and she stood.

"Ah, so you remember me," she heard a smile in his voice, and she looked at Loki.

Loki, who was studying her intently.

Loki, who was wondering whom she was speaking with.

Loki…whose anger was brimming, ready to spill.

Jane cleared her throat and turned away. "Yes, I remember you. Not difficult to forget, considering you totally stole my stuff."

"The purpose of my call, Miss Foster…"

Well, he certainly avoided that conversation….

"…is to inquire about your newest house guest."

"Excuse me?" Jane went to the window.

Nothing.

Looked up at the ceiling…nothing there.

It must be here…must be must be…

Loki stood, looking at Jane, a worried expression on her face.

Something wasn't right…and he hadn't tested his magic properly since he arrived on this rock. He could try to disappear…he doubted very much that he would be able to transport himself anywhere effectively.

He swallowed…he loathed Midgard. What a useless pile of rubble…

"I was asking about your new guest, Miss Foster. We know that he's not of this…world…"

On impulse, Jane hung up, and instantly regretted it. Fuck.

She looked at Loki, "Wait here a minute," and she ran to the back room, threw some belongings in a backpack, along with her computer, some food…water bottles. She turned off her phone, took his hand, and left out the back door.

She knew that S.H.I.E.L.D. would be watching, but at this point, she didn't care.

Drive drive drive drive…

They had been in the truck for about two hours before she really thought about where she was or what she was doing.

She looked at Loki, and he was staring out the window in front of him.

"I'm sorry," she said, quite out of nowhere.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm sorry," she repeated, clearing her throat.

"What for?"

"For getting you mixed up in this. I should've planned this better, should've…"

"There is nothing to be sorry for. As soon as my magic returns, I'll be able to leave you alone, Jane Foster," and Loki looked out of the window next to him, the landscape whizzing by.

After some hours, the sun was setting, and Jane was tired. They were now in Arizona, and she wanted some reprieve.

She spotted a Best Western, and pulled in.

"Mind if we stay here for the night? I'm beat," she turned the car off and looked at Loki.

"Where are we going, Jane?"

"I…don't know. I just need to get away from S.H.I.E.L.D. I don't trust them, and I don't think that you should, either," she paused, and looked at the steering wheel. "I mean, I guess that you wouldn't, and they probably know where we are…I didn't think this through very well. I panicked."

Loki nodded and opened the car door. He was relieved beyond measure to be out of that moving box. "Let's go, shall we?"

And Loki, God of Mischief, in his cargo shorts and grey t-shirt, retrieved Jane's bag from the trunk, and went to the hotel.

Jane smiled at the scene and followed him.

After a room was procured by Loki, explaining that his wallet had been stolen and his girlfriend was in shock, they went to a comfortable room together, and Jane flopped onto the bed. "God," she sighed.

"Yes?"

She looked up and snickered…resting her cheek on her palm, she looked at Loki, then looked around the room. "Oh good. You got twin beds. How'd you manage that?"

"I am well versed in many things, Jane. It was hardly difficult to feed the imbecile a story. And anyway, why would anyone care what sleeping arrangements we have?" he turned on the TV, closed the curtains, and went to the bathroom.

Jane heard him turn the faucet on and got up to change. She slipped into some comfy shorts and a t-shirt, then laid back down, arms behind her head. What were they going to do? This was such a mess. She hadn't thought about this at all. She heard Coulson's voice and panicked…she was certain that they were there, watching her.

She left without thinking, without telling anyone where she was going…

Left the state with an alien god.

Jesus Jane. What is your problem?

"Shall I put a barrier up?" Loki entered the room and pulled the covers down on his bed.

"Barrier?" she coughed…she hadn't meant to sound startled.

"Well, I can conjure a barrier so that we cannot see nor hear one another, but still watch the lighted box."

Jane looked at the TV and smiled. "Alright," and she pulled her covers down, and laid back, watching whatever drivel was on.

Loki waved his hand, testing the result, mindful of the effort it took to create it…he was weak still, but was able to perform minor acts.

That was something.

He laid back, and thought about what had happened that day.

Jane had been quite worried, he'd never seen her in such a state…he had only known her for about a month…but she was beside herself, not herself at all, really. He could have objected, but he maintained his silence, for he rather thought that he needed to leave that lab, anyway. He had gotten too comfortable there. That didn't suit him, not at all. He wouldn't be here much longer, he just needed to get Heimdall's attention. Make him see him.

Arizona, where they currently were, might be a suitable place for that.

She hadn't any real plan, not really.

So, Jane's lack of any plan had rendered her befuddled, and wanting desperately to be out of New Mexico, landed her and the God of Mischief in Safford, AZ.

"Good morrow, Jane Foster!" Loki entered the room, carrying stuff in his arms.

"What…?" she looked at him crookedly. "What is all of that?"

"Sustenance," and he sat on his bed. "Or what passes for it in Midgard. I believe this is called a 'donut.' Terribly sweet, but it cures one of any hunger, I assure you," and he handed her one.

"Thanks," she replied, and took a bite. "So…I hadn't really thought about what we are going to do…"

"Never mind that. I have. We shall stay here for the next few days, and then I shall call Heimdall. He's sure to hear me in this desert."

"What will calling Heimdall do? And why do you need to wait?"

Because I am weak as of yet, and one needs strength for one's voice to reach the highest Realm…"Atmospheric disturbances are high here until mid-week. I checked," he lied.

"Can I…can I…?" she didn't know how to ask.

"Come to Asgard?" he supplied.

Jane nodded.

Loki shrugged. "That isn't my decision," and he went to the window.

The wine was flowing, the room service food spent, and Loki and Jane were sitting on the floor of the hotel room in hysterics.

"You didn't actually do that, did you…?" Jane gasped, hiccuping.

"I did," he responded, downing the rest of his wine.

It rather felt like she was on a holiday, drinking and eating to excess. "Where did you get all of that money?"

"Money, Jane, is simple enough to conjure," he said.

And then…"Hang on. How did you pay for all of this?"

Loki looked at her and winked. "I'll never tell."

"Loki!" but she was too tipsy to really protest, and they spent the rest of the night laughing and carrying on until Jane passed out.

He looked at her. She was a soft specimen. He could see how Thor liked her.

Not that he did, but all the same, he saw her charm.

He lifted her into her bed and covered her with the blanket. It would be but a day or two now, and then he would call Heimdall, leave this place and her.

No…just this place.

Just this place, and he looked at Jane…just this place, and the thought strained his mind…

Loki couldn't sleep, so when the sun's light began to glow its rays along the desert expanse, he got up and dressed, went outside.

Why couldn't he sleep?

True, sleep was never something that he needed much of, but he was fatigued! What could be pressing in on him?

What was making his mind wander…

Wander…

"Stop where you are," a voice pierced the deadened land. "We know who you are. Stop, hands at your sides."