He hadn't thought that Thor would be coming for him, not really. He was even more shocked to see Sif and the Warriors Three.

He had nearly freed himself of his confines, when the blast occurred, and Thor was standing above him smug and certain.

"Well, little brother, you are in a fix, are you not?"

Loki glared at him.

"What?" Thor asked, and pulled the cords and braces off of Loki.

"Many thanks, Thor, but I was quickly seeing to those," he replied, rubbing his wrists where the shackles had bit into his skin, mostly from his maneuvering them to escape.

Fandrall, Volstagg, Hogun, and Sif all smiled at Loki. "Take care, your majesty," began Fandrall. "We only just found you. We would have been here sooner."

"Because I am incapable of handling these mortals on my own?" he spat.

"No, Loki. Because everyone was worried about you, wanting you to come home. Our mother was well aware that your magic would have been depleted from your fall and subsequent injuries. She was concerned that you…" but Thor didn't finish…Fury and his assistants were entering the chamber.

"Show yourselves!" Fury yelled.

No one answered; they were looking around at one another, assuming that Loki had made them all invisible. He shook his head.

"I demand that you show yourselves, now!"

Ah…there was debris from the blast, and the sunlight pouring in from above obscured them all…

Thor leaned into Loki. "Can you stun all of them? Are you well enough?"

Loki nodded, then waved his hand.

And Fury screamed. "Those are my soldiers, Loki!"

"They are not dead," replied Loki.

"Who is with you?"

"No one of consequence," and he thickened the debris cloud with his magic.

"Show yourselves! I demand that you show yourselves, now!"

Loki then smiled and emerged. He wanted this to be over with.

He then lowered some of the smoke screen…

…and he saw Jane.

"How dare you imprison my brother! How dare you besmirch him in such a way! A god of Asgard, chained to a table!"

"Thor!" her voice seemed so muted in this dust.

"Jane!" Loki said, he wanted her to get away…He waved his hand and she collapsed, and he then turned to Thor. "We need to be going, brother, don't you think?"

Thor glared at Fury. "I will suffer none of this nonsense. We are leaving posthaste for Asgard…"

"And when will you be back?" asked the director.

"We have no plans to return."

Loki poked his finger into Thor's side…

And Thor looked at him. "Did you say Jane?"

Loki swallowed. He could lie…it would be so easy to lie…he was so well versed in the enterprise. "She's over there. I made certain that she was safe from the fray."

"You know Jane Foster?"

Loki shrugged.

Thor looked crookedly at Loki, then went over to her, lifted her.

"Excuse me," began Fury. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I owe this lady a covenant. I will return her home when that debt is settled."

"I don't think…."

"Loki?" said Thor.

Loki waved his hand and Fury fell. He had so been wanting to do that.

Thor stood at the center of the demolished room. "Heimdall!" he yelled. His four companions all smiled and watched as the beams of light reached them.

They landed in Heimdall's watch room…and the seer nodded to Loki. "Did you not see me, Heimdall? Thor here tells me that everyone was in a state."

"Not at first, my Prince, no. As you fell, I had no way to see you, and once you were on Midgard, I didn't recognize you."

Loki smirked at this convenience and followed Thor.

And Thor began to carry Jane across the Rainbow Bridge. "You realize, Loki, that though a month passed on Midgard, it was but a day here."

Loki's chin lifted, noncommittally. Of course he realized that. But he didn't at the time. He looked at Thor carrying Jane…

Well, he should probably wake her…she would want to savor this. He waved his hand, and she began to wake up.

They were just entering the palace. "Loki!" exclaimed Frigga, running to her favorite son. "Loki," she took his face in her hands. "I was so worried…"

"I'm fine, Frigga, as you can see," he took hold of her wrists in effort to remove her hands from his face.

"Stop it now, son," and she pulled him into an embrace.

"I am not your son," he whispered in her ear.

"You are, and I love you," she whispered back.

A tear stung the back of his eye, he blinked it away, nodding, and pulled away from the Queen. He turned, but Thor and Jane were gone. His head fell.

"What is it, son?" she slipped her arm thorough his and began to walk with him.

"Nothing," he muttered.

"Do you need to see Eir?"

"No."

"Loki…"

"It's nothing," and he ceased his walk. "Fatigue from being imprisoned by those tiresome mortals."

"I am sorry that you experienced that…all day yesterday we looked for you."

"I was gone for over a month on Midgard. I began to think that I'd never escape."

"Twas but two nights here, son," she smiled. "But it might indeed have been a month, we missed you so."

Loki desperately wanted to yell at her, that it wasn't good enough, this convenient time difference. But he wasn't a silly man, and he knew that she was in earnest. He knew well the time discrepancy. "I am tired, Frigga. I think I'll return to my chambers."

She nodded. "Tomorrow evening Odin and I are holding a feast to celebrate your return. There will be dancing and such. I hope that you will recover enough in time to enjoy it."

"That is very good of you," and it was. He had made a mess of things…and no matter how much he resented Odin, the King knew that Loki had only wanted to impress him. And he had Frigga. He had her…let Thor have the King. He took the Queen's hand and kissed it, and turning, went back to his chambers.

Loki entered his rooms, closed the door behind him, and rested the back of his head against the door. He let out a sigh.

He wouldn't admit what was troubling him so. He couldn't. Not to himself, not to anyone…

Loki washed his face in the basin, and went to the enormous balcony at the opposite end of his room.

He stood above his garden. His garden. He did love it so…

And he found his gaze wandering to Thor's rooms…and wondering what was going on in them.

He didn't care. He wouldn't care. He was untouched, and that was how he would remain.

Besides, it was quite clear what would be happening. Thor was here now, Thor, the favorite of everyone save the Queen. No comparison, really. He reminded himself that Thor was the desired one in this and in every scenario.

Except there was no scenario here. There would never be.

Loki swallowed, gripped the railing…and felt it warm. It was good to have his magic back. He would concentrate on that fact.

"Jane! How good it is to see you!" he laid her down on his bed.

"Thor?" Jane was trying to shake loose the effects of the magic. Though she didn't realize that it was magic, as such.

"Aye, how are you feeling?"

"Like I was drugged. Where am I?"

"Asgard."

This jolted her. "Asgard?! What?"

"'Tis true, Jane. I brought you here, as I had promised to return to you, but circumstances being what they were, decided to have you here instead."

"Oh my god," and she stood and went to the window. "Oh my god!"

Thor laughed and joined her. "You should rest, Jane. Afterward, I'll take you on a tour."

She turned and beamed at him. "I can't believe that I'm here. How did I get here…what happened?"

Thor brought her back inside, and explained it all.

"These are your rooms?"

"Yes," he replied, gaze falling. "I'll have some rooms ready for you when you've awoken. There wasn't time…"

"That's alright," she smiled. "I mean…I'd like my own room, but I understand, is what I mean."

Thor nodded his own understanding.

"What happened to Loki?"

"He is here."

"Oh," and she turned her head toward the window.

"There is to be a party tomorrow night to celebrate his return. I'm certain that you would be expected there, if you'd like to attend."

"Thanks," she smiled. "I am kinda tired, Thor…"

"Oh. Of course. I'll come for you when dinner is ready," he stood and left her there.

Jane sighed and laid back into the bed. She was in Asgard! Unbelievable. She turned onto her side, smiling.

But she had wanted to be alone just then. She didn't want to talk with Thor. She was certain that if she had wanted, he would have taken her on a grand tour of the place.

She hadn't wanted that, however. She had desired solitude…

…and perhaps something else.

No. She wouldn't think about it. She was in Asgard, with Thor. She had wanted that for months and months!

And something like an adage whispered in her ear…Be careful what you wish for…The two greatest tragedies are not getting what you want, and getting what you want…

Damn. What was happening to her?

Jane went to dinner that evening with Thor.

Loki wasn't there.

"Tell me, Jane. How do you spend your time on Midgard?" the Queen asked.

"Um…well…do you mean recreationally or professionally?"

The Queen gave her a bemused look.

Jane laughed. "Ok…well…I am a scientist. I study the cosmos, actually. That's my profession. Recreation…well. I guess I still study the cosmos," she laughed. "But I like to ride my bike. I read a bit. Sometimes I draw…"

"You can draw?" Thor asked.

"Yes. Didn't I tell you that…?" no, she realized. That was Loki she had told. Her gaze fell. "I can play the guitar, too."

"You will need to play for me sometime," he boomed. "I believe we have a comparable instrument."

Jane nodded, and fell silent for the remainder of the meal.

That night, Jane stood in her own assigned room, staring at the night sky from her balcony. She held herself close and marveled at the wispy-flowy-ness of her nightdress. It was like out of a fairy tale.

And she was in a castle.

With a King, a Queen, and two Princes.

Two princes…except that she hadn't seen the other Prince since she had arrived earlier that day.

And she rather missed him…

Jane looked at all of the many windows along the outside wall of the castle, and was awestruck by the enormity of it.

She found herself wondering which was Loki's…

She shook her head and went back inside. It didn't matter.

And there she was…by herself, standing at the back of the ballroom. Thor was wild with describing rescuing Loki, standing in the middle of the place.

Jane was standing in her periwinkle blue gown, fidgeting. She felt horribly out of place. And no one knew where Loki was. She had heard that he had been there earlier…she saw him at dinner, seated far enough away from her…

…and there she felt a keen desire to speak to him. She wanted to know how he was. She wanted to hear him speak of the escape…of Asgard and the King and Queen…she wanted to ask him if his magic had been fully restored. If he was better after S.H.I.E.L.D. had mistreated him so. To apologize once more.

She wanted to hear his voice, his laugh.

But she had been seated too far to hear either one.

Jane swallowed and took the glass the man with the tray of wine offered her.

She was having a miserable time.

She downed the wine and decided to take a walk outside…she hadn't really been outside (save her balcony) since she arrived the day previous.

Jane entered the night hesitantly, listening to her shoes click along the stone walk. She wrapped her arms about herself, and breathed in deeply.

The air was sweet with resplendent blooms. She smiled and walked on…the place was simply enormous.

She walked for what seemed to be about fifteen minutes, when she spotted a darker garden, tucked away from the main part.

She decided to investigate it. Darkness always was a bit fascinating to her.

Jane emerged on the path, barely lit by the moonlight, and walked a bit down it. She thought that maybe after a bit of time, she'd head back to her room. She had no desire to go back to the party.

"You'll be missed at the party," said a voice.

Jane turned to see Loki a few feet away from her, leaning against a tree. "Where have you been?"

"Oh, here and there. You know, never good to stay idle."

"No. But…I've wanted to talk to you."

"Have you indeed?" he replied, disbelievingly.

"Yeah," and she approached him. "How've you been?"

Loki moved away from her, hands in pockets. "Fine."

"No…I mean, is your magic back?"

"It is," and he walked toward a gate separating the path from a small stream.

"Are you feeling better?"

"As better as can be expected."

"Loki?"

"Hm?" his hands went to the railing of the gate and gripped it.

"It's me. Jane. Tell me what's wrong."

"Oh, since it's you, Jane, of course I will confide in you. You, who have Thor's ear. You, who have his bed."

"His bed?" her voice cracked.

And he turned to her. "Yes, Jane. I am no fool. I understand perfectly well what is happening here. You are here, in Asgard, and you are a consort to the Prince."

And she slapped him. "That was for insulting me and presuming to know something you clearly know nothing about."

"You stay in his chambers!" his rubbed his cheek.

"I have my own room."

He stared at her a moment, and swallowed. His gaze fell. "I hadn't realized."

"Obviously," and Jane put her hands on the railing. "So…wanna talk?"

Loki laughed a touch. "How's the party?"

She shrugged. "It's alright," and she let go of the iron and walked to an obliging tree, sat at the base. "Kinda boring. Thor is just going on and on about the rescue and stuff."

Loki followed her and sat next to her. "He does that."

She nodded. "So…why don't you tell me what happened?"

And he did.

And when he was through the tale, and they had laughed, and smiled and such, Jane leaned her head on his shoulder as she slowly drifted to sleep…

…and Loki thought that there was no going back now.

The morning found her in a mood she hadn't been in in what seemed like ages. She was light, when she had been so heavy. Carefree, when she had been careworn. And open, when she had been so very closed.

She thought about the gardens in Asgard, and thought about Loki…he had told her last night that they were in his private garden.

She stepped back inside of her chambers. She thought that perhaps Frigga and Odin would be asking her when she'd be returning to Earth.

Truth was, she didn't know. She loved it here, but more so now that Loki was definitely speaking to her.

A knock was heard at her door.

She opened it.

"Good morning, Jane," said a smiling Loki.

"Hey," she smiled in return.

"Fancy a tour of Asgard?"

Jane mentally stopped at that. Hadn't Thor suggested that they do that, and she was put off by the thought…? "That'd be great," she replied.

"Wonderful. I'll order a coach," and off he went.

A coach. Wow.

Ten minutes later, Jane was sitting next to Loki in an intimate coach, and they were driving down a lane adjacent to the palace. "Do you often go out and explore Asgard?"

Loki looked at her. "Not often enough. People outside of the palace are quite frequently wary of me."

"Why?"

"Because I am a sorcerer, and because of my evocative history," he was being obtuse.

"You haven't told me anything particularly damning."

"I nearly leveled your town, Jane."

She blushed and looked away. "I mean, other than that," and she found herself making excuses for him.

They stopped about half an hour into their journey, and got out at a market.

"Do you enjoy shopping?"

"Not really," Jane replied. "But this might be fun. I've never shopped in an alien market."

They wound their way through the labyrinth of shops, and Jane decided to ask Loki about his past, since he seldom offered that type of information. "So…what did you do that made people dislike you?" she asked softly.

Loki's spine stiffened. He swallowed. He didn't want to answer this question…"Why do you want to know?"

"Well, because I like you. Maybe I'm mistaken, but I think you're alright," she looked at him and smiled a touch.

Loki swallowed. By the gods, he didn't want to answer her. "Let's sit over here, Jane," and he showed her a small path which led down to a stream. Low-hanging willows swept the floor of the area, and wild blooms of every color presented. Jane felt as though she was in a dream.

There was a smallish stone bench overlooking the stream, and Loki conjured two glasses of wine. He gave one to her.

"It is a long tale. One I do not wish to relive. And so, because I think that we are simpatico, at least marginally," he looked at her and winked. "I shall answer your query, but reserve the right to withhold certain information until a later time," he paused and looked at her once more. "Alright?"

"Ok," she swallowed.

…and Loki began to tell her of Baldur, of his mischief, how his magic was ignited, of his rivalry with Thor…of the giant serpent which dripped its venom and stung his soul, of Sigyn, of everything and anything he could think of.

Except his parentage.

When he was through, he looked at her.

Jane Foster. His friend…

"Wow," she replied (having asked a few key questions throughout, she thought that that was an apt response.)

Loki shrugged. "You see now why they hate me."

"No…I think that you've made some mistakes…but I still don't hate you," she smiled, and her gaze wandered. "Look! The sun is setting."

He looked and nodded and smiled. Yes. The sun was setting. A new dawn awaited…

Sometimes, when a god falls, that god is injured. Sometimes, that god changes. Sometimes, they learn, sometimes they don't. (gods aren't as a rule, immune to education)

And sometimes, that fall is a metaphor.

For Thor, it was literal. He fell, it hurt. He needed sense knocked into him. He fell.

For Loki, it was metaphoric. He fell, he broke. He needed someone all his own. He fell.

Loki was trying to deny it, for he didn't want to be compared to Thor any longer. He loathed that more than anything.

More than anything.

This was the primary motivator, then, in his reluctance to admit anything remotely amorous in his regard for Jane. He also considered it a weakness, strictly speaking, so there was that to consider.

He was given to pacing about when such a situation presented itself; that is, when such a situation as fearing falling for your false brother's not-lover. What a quandary.

Loki was standing outside of Jane's chambers, trying to decide how to proceed.

They had enjoyed an easy friendship these past two weeks on Asgard. He had taken her places, and she had delighted in them. He had more than relished her company, after so long a spell in sorrowful and reflective isolation.

He loathed being alone now. He could not suffer her absence any longer.

And was that not love? The desire to be with another, almost constantly?

But surely she didn't reciprocate. They who once cared for Thor could never be convinced to care for him.

How he longed to kiss her! (it was almost embarrassing how his gaze constantly found itself on her mouth)…to hold her…

Her laugh was intoxicating. Her gaze languid yet lively. And on the few occasions wherein he managed a slight touch, a jolt was felt in his very soul…

How did this happen to him?

He sought it out, that's how. Foolish man. One day, you'll learn…

His brow was furrowed. His mouth taut in a thin line. He was staring at his feet.

"Loki?"

And there she was. Confusion bled from all of her features.

His eyes darted to hers, he had been taken unawares. "I love you," he blurted.

And he began to walk away.