When the clean-up in the city was done, and they closed up the mobile base, Jean had accompanied them to their facility on Long Island, at Director Fury's request. She split her time between the city, the base and Washington D.C. Tony, Bruce, and Steve were now living permanently in Stark tower, on their own floors. Shield had finally read Jane Foster in, and moved her lab to the Long Island facility. So, of course Thor and Loki were now residing there so that Loki could assist in her research. Despite the new alliance with Asgard, Shield still wanted an independent way to travel the cosmos besides hitching a ride with Thor or Loki. Not that Loki was traveling anywhere at the moment. Loki was growing increasingly annoyed by the lack of communication from the Allfather but he trudged along as normal, sensing a test. Thor often tried to reassure him that Odin would be pleased with his progress, which Loki sneered at.
And so the tentative flirtations between Jean and Loki had turned into friendship out of necessity and their close proximity. It was not something they talked about, they just seemed to gravitate towards each other on most days, in their down time. He often accompanied her on her morning run around the perimeter of the base. She had told him, "...if i don't run everyday, I'll be a blimp..." to which he had responded with a skeptical look. She often took the jet down to Washington D.C just for the day, staying overnight only occasionally. On those nights, he would allow Thor to drag him along with Jane and Darcy into town for dinner or for a drink.
Darcy's interest in him was less than subtle, and he steadily ignored her awkward attempts to get his attention. One night, Jean had landed in time to come join them at a midnight movie and the sudden and dramatic change in his demeanor when Jean snuck into the dark theatre and took the seat next to him had finally given Darcy the hint that she needed to back off and give up. His eyes lit up when she had dropped a bag of popcorn in his lap, buttered and salted within an inch of its life, sprinkled throughout with M&M's. "...that was just what I was craving!" he had whispered loudly as he beamed at Jean gratefully. It was obvious to everyone whose company Loki preferred.
Others were not as resigned with their "relationship". Thor was overjoyed of course, thinking that a good woman would set Loki to rights, just as it had helped him do. But, unknown to him, other members of the Avengers were weighing the pros and cons of letting them even be at the same facility. "This is a huge risk we are taking...", Natasha had argued, with Clint at her side, nodding grimly. Nick Fury had overruled them in the end, saying simply, "... it's too late for that". Clint had crossed his arms then, saying "...maybe, but whatever happens now, will be on your head Director".
That had been a few weeks ago. They had settled into the semblance of a normal routine when the nightmares had started, for Jean and for Loki. Nightmares full of fire and blood. Jean had always been a lucid dreamer, but these were different. From the moment she closed her eyes at night until she opened them, it was like a movie in her head. She had noticed that Loki was looking bleary eyed as well and was trying not to think to hard about what that meant. When Loki and Jean finished their hot chocolate she convinced him that they needed to go on an extra long run to work off the chocolate and the booze.
"But what is the point of having a treat if you are just going to punish yourself for it later Jean." Loki grumbled as he struggled to keep up with her pace, sneakers clapping against the gravel of the road that ran just inside the perimeter of the base. Jean stopped suddenly, her face alert, and stared into the woods to the right of them, focusing on something on the other side of the trees.
"What is it?"
"Loki...be a dear and run back to the barracks..." Her voice held no emotion.
"What? No. What is the matter?"
"Loki...", she said, still coldly...her eyes suddenly very grave, staring at a spot in the trees.
"Oh Jean, let him stay...this won't take long"
Loki started as an older, well dressed man appeared out of the woods, striding quietly up to the chain link fence, flanked by two other men. The man to the right of him had an extreme amount of facial hair and seemed very agitated. When Loki looked closer he realized he had sharp teeth and claws as well. The other man was younger and smooth faced, his eyes regarding Loki with distaste. He didn't need to be told that all three were mutants.
"Hello Eric." She said calmly, walking closer to the fence, putting herself between Loki and Magneto.
"No need for posturing dear, I'm just hear to have a chat. How we have missed you, Jean. You know, I didn't even get a postcard when you came "home". I had to find out from strangers. I thought we were better friends than that. Aren't you going to introduce me to your running partner?"
"No."
Loki decided that he was was insulted.
"I am Loki, of Asgard."
"I think you mean, of Jotunheim, do you not?" Loki merely glared at him.
"Oh don't look like that, I meant no harm. This one is sensitive, hmm? A bit on edge...? Well, it's good that they let you out to work off all that anger and disappointment."
The young one smirked and spat out, "Two dogs out for a run..."
"Pardon?" Loki snarled, stepping closer.
"Loki, don't." Jean commanded.
Eric pounced, "Oh, heel boy...she's quite right you know, you are out of your depth. You have no idea how much danger you are in...", he added slyly, giving Jean a toothy smile.
Loki sneered at him, "What, because there are three of you?"
"Oh no, I wasn't talking about us. In fact we came here to offer our friendship, to give you options...you know, should either of you get tired of acting like a couple of house broken pups, being led around by your leashes."
"The next man that refers to me as a dog..."
"You misunderstand me. I think you are both magnificent. But the fact remains that you are allowing Shield to train you like dogs. Her leash she wears willingly on her wrist and your leash, well...between your daddy issues and your infatuation with a certain mutant with emerald eyes...they have you well under control, don't they?" If Loki hadn't been looking for it, he wouldn't have seen her wince at what Eric had said.
Loki tried to move forward again, ready to jump over the fence, but Jean reached out and gripped his arm strong enough to leave a bruise. Her action prompted Magneto to take a small step back unconsciously. He looked suddenly uneasy as he tried to decide how far to push the conversation.
"What do you want Eric? Because I've heard your recruiting speech before..."
He looked left and then right, dismissing the two men with a nod to the the woods.
The young man stood staring at Jean for a beat longer, his eyes moving down to her bare legs. "We will see you again real soon", he leered and he turned suddenly and melted into the trees.
"I apologize for that..." Eric said with a shrug, as if to say boys will be boys.
"John has always been a hot head" Jean remarked with some distaste. Eric waited until they were gone and opened up his hands in a gesture of frustration, his voice gentler.
"You know what I want. I want you to stop pretending to be ordinary. I want to help you be yourself. Be all that you can be."
"Out of the goodness of your heart I suppose? And what do you want with Loki?"
"I don't want him...necessarily, but I wouldn't mind having him as a ally. I just want you to know that Shield isn't the only game in town. We are watching, closely."
"For me to trip up?"
"No dear one, to help you stand up. Until we meet again, my queen", he said serenely and without sarcasm. And then he backed away from them both, giving Loki a quick nod.
Loki stood there for a moment, until he was sure that they were alone. And then he looked her in the face. She was tense, and angry. She turned and started running again, heading towards the barracks, and as she was moving just out of his earshot he heard her mutter, "Fuck!". Out of pure childishness, he waited until she was all the way to the main building before he followed, stung by the implication that he was being manipulated by Sheild, and perhaps, by Jean.