Very special note: I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Jan Marek (Ice-hockey World Championships 2010 winner), Karel Rachunek (Ice-hockey World Championships 2010 winner) and Josef Vasicek (Ice-hockey World Championships 2005 winner, winner of the Stanley Cup 2006). I'll miss you guys. Thank you for everything. Farewell.

And many thanks to Shipperwolf for the language revisions!

Chapter 6: Revelations

The chapter is opened and the pages are turned
The writings say many things but who was concerned

Where can we run to now, when will we learn?
When it's lost it's gone forever

For years they told me what I should do
Down to the places I go and who should I talk to
But that don't matter no more since I found out the truth

And it feels good to me

(Black Sabbath; Feels Good to Me)

Jane turned off the engine. She was a bit late, but someone seemed to be even later. She still felt too tired to be nervous about such a detail, though. So what; a bit more time on my own, she mused and checked the half-asleep Darcy in the rear mirror.

Leonard was not coming, so she decided to sit back and rest. As early in the morning when she had first woken up, her thoughts took her to that mysterious man she had such a long midnight talk with.

She regretted despising him for so long. There was no reason, after all. How could she overlook that? He was so intelligent and witty. Now she understood what Garo had meant by 'A good companion'. Leonard Wednesday was a great companion, indeed. Something stirred inside her when she recalled his eyes.

She woke up. Stop it, Jane.

A soft knock sounded on the opposite window. She smiled and beckoned inside.

"Good morning, Lady Jane." he began as he got in, appearing completely refreshed. His long hair was still wet and loose, reaching to his shoulders, with a few tresses fallen in his face. "Oh, hello, Darcy. Finally back form the internship?" He said upon noticing another passenger in the back seat.

"As you can see." Darcy tilted her head and muttered wearily. She grinned. "Hi, Leo."

"Leo..?" Jane turned, waggling her eyebrows. "I must have missed something."

"Uh – please don't call me that." Leonard uttered and closed the door rather loudly. Then he tried to gather all the hair strands, combing his hair back with his long fingers.

Darcy chuckled and leaned against his seat. "Why shouldn't I?" she teased. "Wait, let me do this…" she said and ran her fingers through his hair slowly and held it together. Then she retrieved the rubber band from him and carefully bound the hair in his usual ponytail.

"Thank you." he murmured. Was that a blush on his cheeks? Jane observed this scene and felt strangely distant. Something inside her clenched.

"So, how did you sleep?" he looked at her, his voice cheerful.

"Badly." Jane answered wearily.

"And I am asking now: how is that possible?" he lifted one eyebrow, darting a playful look at her.

Jane laughed slightly and just waved her hand, turning away.

"I actually slept very well- just enough. I have not been able to sleep this good in months…" he mused aloud.

"Well, that's just an illusion, I'm afraid." Jane said mysteriously.

"I'm listening..?" he asked eagerly.

"You see… Like it or not, today you'll have to sleep again." she explained.

"What an interesting idea." He placed a forefinger on his lips and narrowed his eyes. "Are you implying that no one had ever slept well in this world? What a scary premise."

"Yeah. Scary, indeed. But don't tell anyone, you know. We don't need to cause a worldwide panic." She sighed and leaned her head against the rest again.

"Oh, I won't. It will remain our little, terrible secret." He added solemnly. "However," he sighed, "I doubt there's anyone who would believe us. Maybe except meths drinkers and the corn circle society."

Jane grinned. It sounded familiar to her. "However, Mr. Wednesday, you're quite late. Any explanation?" she turned to him again, cheered up a bit.

"Let's see…" He tapped at his lips. "I – think we must be experiencing relative time dilation in an amazingly compressed space, then."

She laughed. There! "Hm. That's exactly what I thought." She answered in a perfect British accent and enjoyed his surprised look. "My goodness, it's quite delightful to meet another Red Dwarfer after so long." She added, grinning widely.

"Of course." He looked down. "But for that you should thank my friend. He is sometimes unable to fall asleep without watching at least one episode." He smiled.

"Really? I used to be exactly the same case. I din't even need to watch it, just listening was enough. But that was ages ago." She sighed. "The second quote is from the 'White Hole', isn't it?"

"Yep."

"That's my favorite."

"Is it? Well, definitely one of the best. Long live Talkie-toaster…" he chuckled.

"Hello, there! Earth's calling!" Darcy's voice filtered through. She assumed her resting position again, her eyes half-closed.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" asked Leonard as he observed the two sleepy women. "I mean, do not take it badly, but you look like… "

Jane lifted her brows in question, waiting.

"…tired." He breathed out finally, smirking.

"Oh, thanks." retorted Darcy, looking at him with just one eye open, not lifting her head. "But it's her fault. She woke me up in the middle of the night." She pointed angrily in Jane's direction.

"Stop it, please." Said Jane, annoyed, and wiped her eye. "We've discussed it already."

"Well. Please excuse my nosiness, but are we actually going anywhere today?" asked Leonard, his brows up.

"Uh... yeah." Answered Jane. "Sadly."

"Shall I drive, then?" he offered.

"If you want to…" she muttered, giving him a lazy glance.

"Seems I don't really have a choice." he sighed and got out.

"But don't think I'm going to let you sleep." He added excitedly when exchanged seats with Jane. He adjusted the seat quickly and leaned over to Jane's legs, where he had left his backpack. "Sorry." He smiled apologetically. Then he managed to find a flash-disc and started to croon a melody as he plugged it in the radio. At that moment, Darcy shot up.

"No! Don't let him do this!" She exclaimed.

"Why?" Jane asked, confused, turning to face the woman on the back seat.

"Have you ever heard what this guy listens to?" Darcy frowned.

"Pink Floyd..?" Jane suggested, remembering the last night, and shrugged.

"Oh yeah?" Darcy asked, voice full of sarcasm, darting a suspicious stare at Leonard. "I wouldn't be so sure."

"What?" Jane frowned and shifted in her seat, observing both of her companions confusedly. "Maybe you owe us some explanation, Mr. Wednesday?" she said and leaned against the backrest, observing him. He just glanced at her, then swiftly turned away and looked up and outside the window, biting his lip to hide a grin.

"Sure he does!" Darcy agreed angrily.

He cleared his throat. "Depends on what you want me to explain. I think you'll have to remind me…"

"Oh really?" Darcy snorted. "Then I'd like to remind you this – do you have any idea how awkward it can be when you're riding a bus, listening to nice and peaceful Chopin's masterpieces, reading your favorite book and then suddenly, for no obvious reason you jump on the lap of a strange bloke next to you, throwing the book right into his face?" she tried hard to keep an angry expression on her face but her lips were twisting to a smile.

"Well, Miss Darcy, and do you realize what people who do things for no reason are called?" he asked silkily as he leaned against the steering wheel, his arms folded under his head, and looked back at Darcy.

"You know very well it had a reason!" she viewed him through a slit between her eyelids.

"Which was..?" Jane suggested, chuckling a bit, but still not comprehending what was going on.

Darcy snorted and waved her hand, falling back to her seat. "He just exchanged randomly selected songs in my iPod for some unbearable shrieking, nothing less. Do you know how it startled me first? And I still haven't found them all. And don't laugh at me! Both of you!"

"Or what?" Leonard asked, fighting back the chuckles.

"Or what?" Darcy narrowed her eyes menacingly. "Just wait. You'll find out soon."

"Oh, I'm interested!" he grinned. "Just be careful, remember who you are playing with…" he added as he ran his thumb along his lower lip, his eyes focused.

"Tryin' to threaten me?" Darcy tilted her head, folding her arms in front of her.

"No no, Miss Darcy, that's just a little warning." he answered, his voice inscrutable.

"Wait!" Jane intervened as she stopped chuckling. "Is that true?"

"No, Janie, I'm just trying to look like an idiot." Darcy rolled her eyes. "He even took the trouble to keep the original song titles, so I had no idea what was going on! Do you hear me? Stop laughing, I'm talking to you." She shouted at Leonard and hit his shoulder. "Don't you think you should apologize at least?"

"But why?" he asked, smiling innocently. "I apologize only for something I regret. And I only regret I did not see it myself." He added as he wiped his eyes.

"You bastard!" uttered Darcy through gritted teeth, leaned in and hit him again. But then he caught her hand. "Please stop hitting me," he said. "It hurts so bad I might die." Her hand slipped out when he loosened the grip, and then she fell back to her seat and folded her arms, muttering something about stupid idiots.

"Aah… Thank you, Darcy. I had no idea how much fun it would be." He sighed.

"Shut up!" she spat back.

"Mmm, that one hurt." He answered mockingly and smiled over his shoulder.

"Ok, stop it right now, would you?" Jane tried again. She looked at Leonard for a while. "Well, I thought you had a different taste in music, you know."

"Actually… I admit that I was being quite harsh with Darcy. Some pieces are too much even for me." He grinned. "I don't even know most of it. It's just some 'teaching material' my friend gave me."

"Your friend seems to be an interesting person."

"Indeed." He spoke in a low voice as he went through the list on the radio.

"So, what's this?" Jane asked tentatively.

"No worries, this one is nice." He glimpsed at her with a content smile. "Something we used to listen after each drunken night. It always cheers me up."

Jane leaned closer, curious. "Joe Satriani?" she read from the display. "Who's that?"

"Um…" he cleared his throat. "If you ever happen to meet my friend, please, do not ask him this question. He would eat you alive."

"Oh. Sorry." Jane apologized. " 'Ceremony'. At least the title sounds promising." She added.

"Title doesn't matter." Darcy sounded angrily from the back seat.

"Hush, little creature! Time to set off." Leonard reprimanded as he started the engine to the first notes of the song. "Not a bad sound, actually." he stated as he turned the radio up.

"That's too slow. And silent." Darcy pointed out.

"Just wait!" Leonard retorted.

"For what?"

"Just a second. And – here we go!" The music got suddenly louder. "It's amazing, isn't it?" Leonard exclaimed as he glimpsed at the prickling skin of his forearm.

"Just go, please." Jane pleaded, smiling.

"As you wish, ma'am." Leonard bowed his head and obeyed.

Jane had to admit that after the slow intro came something that had her heart beating faster. It was really amazing.

She dug into the backrest and let the music take over her thoughts. But just for a moment. Then, not exactly knowing why, she had to look at him. How he watched the streets, crooning the melody and patting the steering wheel to the rhythm. He appeared so alive, so full of energy.

"Oh, come on!" he exclaimed and shifted nervously in his seat as they approached a red light. However, as soon as he spoke, the light switched into green, as if on his command. "That's better." He acknowledged. Jane realized he was doing rather well driving her car for the first time, since he drove very smoothly. Yet… the speed was maybe too much. Jane tried to ignore it at first, but then she decided to ask.

"Aren't we driving too fast?"

"No." He answered simply.

"Ah." Well, there was nothing more to add.

They entered the dusty road when he laughed to himself.

"What is it?" Jane asked.

"Just remembered something." he muttered, grinning, not looking at her.

Jane sighed, smiling. Then she tilted her head slightly to look at him again. He seemed to be enjoying the ride as he was holding the wheel with one hand, his free arm outside the rolled-down window, patting the upper frame. He returned the look for a moment, his eyes jovial, cheerful and restless. She felt suddenly so good, so light-hearted, like he were able to pour his good mood in her veins just by that one fleeting look.

The song changed into something else as the research grounds slowly appeared on the horizon.

When they approached their destination, he suddenly spoke again, in a very casual and formal tone. "Dear passengers, we've commenced descending. Please, fasten your seatbelts and hold on tightly." He looked at Jane, lifting a brow. "I mean it."

She turned to Darcy, who shrugged.

"I warned you." He said innocently as he suddenly pulled at the handbrake.

"Wait, what are you…!" Jane felt being pushed to the side as the car spun around. "… doing." She breathed out as the dust settled. And she realized they are in a perfect row with the other parked cars.

"Mm, Shiro would be proud of me." Leonard muttered as he checked their position. Then he switched off the music, retrieved the flash-disc and his backpack and got out swiftly. Then he peeked back inside. "Local time… um… 9:50 am, temperature is too high as always. Thank you for a most enjoyable journey and we wish you a pleasant stay at the New Mexico Particle and Radiation Research Facility."

He smiled innocently, bowed deeply and walked away.

"He's insane. But so yummy!" sighed Darcy.

Jane looked out of the window. No, he can't be from Asgard.

She could think of only one being from that place that would behave like this. And she feared just to think about his name.

ooOOOoo

Jane gulped the water quickly and rushed towards Eric and Leonard's office. She slowed down and stopped a few feet away as she observed the scene inside. Eric, Garo, the director and the IT expert, Tek, were crowding and hustling themselves around Leonard's computer. They were talking excitedly, pointing at the screen and waving their hands. Leonard was standing aside with his head bowed, like he had been just pushed away. His hands were clapped together, the index fingers leaning against his lips, his thumbs supporting his chin. He was observing the scene rather confusedly, his eyebrows up. Then suddenly, he turned and looked at Jane. He then let his hands down and walked to the doorway, where he leaned against the doorframe. Lifting his brows, he gave her an innocent, puppy-like look as his lips formed a silent 'Help'.

She stirred a bit, then swallowed and walked to him. She had to grin when she saw his expression from a closer distance. However, she was not able to look him in the eye for a longer time.

"What's the matter?" she asked tentatively, swaying on her feet, joining her hands in front of her.

"What? Just look at them." he moved his head in the group's direction.

"Yeah, that. I'm afraid you've just reached the most difficult point in science." She indicated and nodded her head.

"Watching a group of middle-aged blokes arguing?" he lifted a brow. "Well, I admit it's really painful, but…"

"No!" She laughed. "I mean, obtaining a positive result is just a beginning. The hardest job is to actually convince the others about your truth."

"Truth?" he sighed. "That's actually the question."

"Hey! Believe in yourself a bit! I've seen it, it looked pretty good." she protested.

"We'll see. If I only had a chance to check it properly…" he looked over his shoulder to glance at the chattering men.

"We'll have to think about something that would get them out." Jane suggested, grinning.

"Actually…" he scratched his temple and looked around. "I considered turning the volume on Eric's stereo to max and playing one of the songs I've planted to Darcy." he sighed. "But I'm afraid the architecture of this building is not ready for such."

She laughed again. "You're quite a trickster, aren't you?" she swayed again, grinning.

"I have my moments." he dropped his look, his arms folded in front of him. Then he lifted his head and locked his gaze with hers. "I'm sorry Jane."

She blinked, confused. "For what?"

"For my behavior this morning. I just… I tend to exaggerate a bit when I'm in a good mood."

"No way!" she chuckled, tilting her head back. "Well, it was a bit unexpected, but… I feel very much alive now."

"You do? Uh – Yes, that's exactly what I was going for!" He grinned. "Just for my justification." He added, rubbing something off the door frame.

Jane's lips formed an answer, but she had not been given the chance to speak as the director stood in the doorway, too, staring at them.

"And what have we here?" he spoke, a sarcastic surprise in his voice. "The cream of particle and astrophysics finally decided to come all the way here to honor us with their presence?"

"You see - " Jane started.

"Long, long night, was it?" he asked tentatively as he lifted one brow, observing them both. Jane felt the blush coming as she watched Leonard looking down. But she got a bit surprised as she heard his comforting and playful voice.

"Long night, indeed. And fruitful! We've found a pattern in the digits sequence of pi. Right, Jane?" He stated with a victorious expression.

"Wha… Don't mess with me; I warn you, Mr. Wednesday!" the director exclaimed angrily. "Presentation! Report!" he commanded as he pointed first at Leonard, then at Jane.

"What? Now?" Jane asked, confused.

The director drew his sleeve up and checked his watch. "Well… The seminar starts at eleven as usual. Which is exactly in one hour. So – I would advise to start… now." He added sarcastically, turned around swiftly and walked to his office.

Jane rubbed her forehead. "Please, tell me it's a joke. That he did not mean it."

Then, there was Garo, wearing his usual merry expression. "Hey, Leonard! Can't wait to hear your presentation about the results!"

"But – " Leonard managed.

"No 'buts'." Garo raised his index finger to stop him. "I'm way too curious, my lad." He tilted his head. "Come on, you should finninsh what you started, am I right?" he asked and smacked Leonard's shoulder causing him to lurch a bit.

"Yeah. What else can I do?" Leonard mumbled, watching his professor leave.

"Wait! Am I right in guessing that they want you to make a presentation about such a thing in just one hour?" Jane asked, brows furrowed, her arms folded in front of her.

"Seems so." Leonard answered, waving his hands. "But I guess it'll be still more fun than making some dull report…" he smirked.

"Hey! I was actually planning to help you out, you know? So please don't mock me."

"Well, thank you, Jane. But you really don't have to." His eyes narrowed. "I shall give them a presentation they have never seen before. Just two more things are needed…" he blurted as he left her wondering in the doorway; and rushed to the corridor.

ooOOOoo

Jane was only done with the header when she felt the tiredness coming back. Her head was getting empty. At least I don't have to do that presentation. She thought.

Well, just a day ago, she would give everything to present these results to her fellow researchers, but now… Her attitude had changed, perhaps. Most probably she was finally able to admit that this field of physics was just beyond her capability. And she felt strangely relieved.

She scratched her head. Perhaps I should do this at least… she mused as she grabbed the mouse again and dragged the latest documents regarding the calculations in the shared folder. Then she stood up and walked to the next office to inform Leonard about it.

However, she nearly walked into him as she stepped into the corridor. He was carrying a box of chocolate ice-cream – again? – and a mug of coffee.

"Long time no see, Lady Jane." He chirped as he rushed back to his office. She followed him.

"I can see the report must be utterly annoying." He teased her, smirking over his shoulder, and sat the ice-cream and coffee on a small table in the corner of the room. Then he settled onto the couch next to the table, opened the ice-cream box and put a spoonful of the cold, brown mass in his coffee.

"Must you have the ice-cream even in your coffee?" Jane wondered. "What a strange obsession. At least for a man..."

"Well, some do not like it hot." he answered casually as he opened his laptop and put another spoonful into his mouth.

She hissed and frowned at that view. Leonard turned to her, question in his look.

"Just how can you eat it in such a way? You'll - " Jane shrugged heplessly.

"You'll get a headache, your teeth will hurt…" he rolled his eyes and listed with slight annoyance, mumbling, when he pulled the spoon out. "Nothing of this ever happened to me."

"Sorry. So, enjoy your… breakfast, then?"

He laughed to himself as an answer. And before he opened the editor window Jane caught a glimpse of the wallpaper on his laptop screen. It was a photograph of three companions sitting at the table in a pub. She recognized Leonard in the center. His hair was loose and slicked back. It looked… very pretty, actually. Right next to him, there was a tall, blonde man with very long hair and quite an interesting Asian guy on the left. The blonde reminded her of someone. That smile, that cheerful stare, he looked almost like…

But then, something strange caught her attention.

"That was odd. It appeared the cursor moved just before you actually reached the touchpad." Jane's brows collided.

"It did, right?" his question surprised her. "It happens from time to time." He sounded a bit distant. "Who knows, perhaps I've created a ghost in the shell while pimping this baby out." He grinned.

"Yeah, tell me about it." Tek, the IT guy, murmured, still checking something on Leonard's computer. "You built an abomination."

Hearing his voice, Leonard bent forward to look at him. "Tek? You know what I want to ask, yes?" he asked sweetly.

"Uh-huh" the latter managed, eyes fixed firmly on the screen.

"Well, I can't say 'there's no rush' anymore..."

"Just a sec, man." Tek answered absently while viewing something on his own laptop. "I'll send it over in no time, promise. It seems all right, though. At least from my point of view."

Jane decided to intervene. "By the way, what was that previous heated debate actually about? I went through the results as well, and I didn't find anything wrong."

"Result is okay. But you should maybe ask about the way it was obtained." Eric pointed out from behind of his computer.

Jane looked back at the tightening muscles of the lean person next to her. Finally, Leonard rested his hands at the top of his head, tilted it back, and looked at the ceiling. "The truth is," he said, "I used our software for this job." He darted a guilty look at her.

She frowned. "Well, I don't see any reason why I should be angry for that."

"Director was rather doubtful…" Eric peeked out again.

"What?" Jane frowned even more and sighed nervously. "Hadn't he read your thesis?"

"Thesis is one thing, practical application is another." Leonard answered absentmindedly and took a sip of his coffee. "Anyway, you needed something particular?"

"No. I've just added some useful stuff to the shared folder. So… I just wanted you to know."

"Yep. It's there." he checked briefly.

"I guess there's no spare time to read through the texts, but you can use the charts at least." Jane muttered as she leaned over and went through the list of documents.

"The more pictures the better?" he added, sarcastic and resigned. "Isn't it curious how much scientists and children have in common?"

"No it's not." Jane smirked. "And you'd best take it as a fact. Some things will get easier then." She winked and walked back to her office.

ooOOOoo

Sitting all stif and tense, Jane hypnotized the entrance of conference room.

"Good. I'll take a closer look later." Director's voice brought her back to Earth.

"Uh… Yes, of course. Thank you." She blurted out and glanced at her report in his hands. They both simultaneously checked their watch. 10:58 am. She drummed her fingers on the table. Leonard, come on…

She was about to stand up and check on him when he suddenly burst into the room, his laptop in his hands and a bottle of water under his arm.

"Morning, everyone! Sorry, I'm late. Almost." He uttered as he checked the time; then reached for the cable and connected the data-projector.

"Anyone missing?" asked the director, looking around the room. "No? Then I believe we can begin." He nodded at Darcy who switched the light off. "Leonard, please." He gestured.

"Gimme a sec." the latter breathed while lying on the table and adjusting the image emitted by the projector. "Almost there - and - three times hurray for a clearer view."

Jane could not help a grin when she met his jovial eyes. He straightened up, gulped some water and grabbed the pointer.

"Once again, good morning to everyone. I'm glad to present the very latest results concerning the 'In silico prediction of the subatomic particle behavior'." He greeted the auditorium and followed the title of his presentation. Jane checked briefly the content of the opening slide and got immediately surprised and disconcerted by the authors order. First, there was her name, underlined. Then Eric, Garo, two more people she did not know and then, at last, Leonard. What the..?

She was twisting and shifting nervously on her seat during the whole talk, and especially at the end of the presentation, when a slide with acknowledgements was shining from the screen.

She was not used to seeing her name with all the academic degrees attached anymore. She was not used to being referred to as Dr. Foster. And she was definitely not used to being mentioned as someone's supervisor.

No, that was not right. It felt so strange, so undeserved. She bit her lip helplessly as she felt everyone's admiring stare on her. She entwined and clutched her fingers, wishing sincerely for the stupid seminar to end.

However, when her wish was granted she immediately wished to be just anywhere else but at the research grounds. The director, Garo, everyone felt a sudden urge to congratulate her, thank her, wish her luck and who knows what else. The people were gathering around her, blocking her view, talking one over another, so she was able to just catch a glimpse of a tall and lean figure smiling and leaving the room quietly.

As soon as she was finally able to get out, she rushed through the corridors to find him. Full of rage, anger and… gratitude. She found him in front of the director's and Garo's office, conversing with Garo. Before she could reconsider her action, she grabbed Leonard's hand. "I'll borrow your lad for a moment, ok?" she spat at the poor old man, leaving him standing there confused.

She was holding Leonard's cold hand tightly as she navigated them back to the now empty conference room. Then she closed the door swiftly and looked up at him. He held her gaze silently, question in his green eyes. Jane cleared her throat when she realized they were still holding hands. She let go, quickly chasing away the feeling of strange emptiness as she did so.

"Leonard, I - " she suddenly was not too sure what she wanted to say. She looked at him again. "I mean, why did you do that?"

"What exactly?" he tried.

She flailed her hands desperately. "I don't know… All that Jane Foster-praising. It was… Inappropriate."

"Well, and could I perhaps know the reason why?"

"Why?" she frowned. "Are you kidding me? It was your presentation, your work! Thank you so much for everything, but... It felt awkward, you know. I did not deserve that. It truly felt strange. So – " she came closer and dug her index finger to his chest, locking her eyes with his, "don't you do this anymore, understood?" she grinned and then, slowly, dropped her stare.

"No." he said.

Her eyes shot up. She got startled and shivered just a little as he took her hand gently and pulled it away.

"Let me put this straight." He began, his voice soft but steady and determined. "Before I do something, I usually think about it. Therefore, I know exactly what I'm doing and why, as in this case."

He snorted, frowning. "Do I really have to explain it? It was your work, those were your results." He searched her eyes, his expression emphatic, pressing. "I was just lucky at the final stage, but…" he let out a reconciled laugh, "You worked too hard to achieve this goal, and you are the person who led this project defiantly to this level. I am convinced about it, and if I had a second chance I would do the same. Do you understand?" he leaned in, still grasping her hand, shaking it. "I would like to present my work, gladly, as long as I have something to present. But this was your work. You know, Jane?" he smiled and chuckled slightly. "Believe in yourself a bit, Dr. Foster." He added as he released her hand, finally.

"Okay." she agreed, stunned, giving up. "But no more Dr. Foster, please." She breathed, looking away.

"Feeling like an old hag again..?" he asked in a teasing tone.

"Oh, come on." she laughed as she opened the door.

ooOOOoo

Jane ran her hands through her thick hair. She was back in her office, sitting at the table, elbows on the desk, in front of her computer. However, she was not looking at the screen anymore. She was sitting there, her head bowed deeply, her eyes focused. Focused on a photograph lying on the table.

Maybe we've been given a chance, after all…

A single tear fell. She wiped her eyes desperately.

Thor…

She studied that picture intently. As ever. Just to remind herself that it had been true. He had been there. On Earth. Three years ago.

Three years ago…

She just had to look at it. Just to remind herself of what he looked like. How his gorgeous smile looked. But his cheerful laughter… how did it sound?

Her shoulders trembled as her forehead reached the surface of the photograph. She had to look at his picture over and over again, the only one she had, just to be sure how exactly to imagine him in her memories, her fantasies.

But no matter what, it was still such a huge struggle. She almost felt like the whole world, the whole universe was against her.

Until now.

But before, it had been different.

Just a few days after Thor's departure, she had become so determined. All of her devices had been back, and on top of that, SHIELD had made a commitment to her that they would continue. They had said her discoveries were exceptional, extraordinary, unparalleled. In weeks, the whole research facility had been built. There were devices she had barely heard about, the installation granted and funded by the government. And even more.

They all had heard about a most promising project regarding an inscrutable object called the Cube.

She had immediately applied for a position in the research group. But, despite the fact that she had actually succeeded in the selection procedure, the whole thing had turned out the other way. At first, she hadn't even known who had taken over the project. Only that the research had been passed on a mysterious corporation, which, later on, had turned out to be nothing less than Stark Industries.

And from that time on, their own research had been constantly deteriorating. SHIELD had broken most of the contacts and Jane had realized they had been left alone. They had been just receiving orders and instructions. Just gathering data from their new devices and all particle accelerators around the world to do simulations. Predictions. But she knew it was a path leading to nowhere. The results were just approximations, nothing reliable. They would constantly send out the information to SHIELD, but nothing coherent would come back as an answer.

Then she recalled the embarrassing tears building up in her eyes as she had pleaded for another school grant.

And she had cried for real when she had realized how little they had actually got. They had to contact the research groups at different universities, making their research freely available to the scientific community and they could have only hoped for… Well, something.

Of course, the situation got a bit brighter when a huge research group at the MIT had decided to join them. So suddenly, for almost no reason. Jane had been aware that she and Eric had not published anything since ages. But she had had no time for thinking about MIT's determination. She had been just glad to have their share from the money pipe, and the rest would come later.

And now, the time had come.

Finally, after months-years, they had something reliable at hand. Something that was making sense. Something that followed the newest theories and supported the latest observations. And SHIELD would have to respond for sure… Finally.

"Jane?" she heard a familiar, soft voice. Immediately, impetuously, she slid the photograph under the keyboard.

"What?" she asked in a rush, turning away quickly to gain a split second to wipe her wet eyes.

"Skipping lunch again?" Leonard asked, concerned, leaning against the doorframe and crossing his arms.

"Well, I…" Oh, please, leave me alone. "I did not bring anything." She remembered.

He remained silent for a long while.

Please, just go!

"Strange." He spoke again, finally.

Jane turned her head in his direction as the word caught her attention.

Oh, thank goodness! He's not looking.

"Garo woke me up at 7:00 as usual." He went on. "I'd forgotten to send him a message to not to do so. I could not sleep then, so I decided to prepare something for lunch and dinner as well. It's actually the same thing, I just prepared a bigger portion." He paused as she looked at him.

"That 'dinner' part will be waiting for you in the kitchen." he smiled lightly.

"Leonard, you don't have to." She tried to thank him politely but refuse the offer.

"And I don't take 'No' for an answer." He replied and retreated.

Jane buried her face in her hands and sighed.

ooOOOoo

It's… pasta? Jane had not eaten pasta for ages. And it smelled so good… Immediately, she forgot about her determination just to say 'thank you' and leave.

Instead, she rushed to the table, dug the fork into the warm food and ate, delighted.

Her plate was almost empty when she finally realized he had been watching her the whole time, leaning against the cupboard, holding a glass of water.

He was smiling, the curiosity reflecting in his eyes.

"I got almost intimidated by the determination in your face."

She swallowed. "What determination?"

"To eat the meal till the slightest bit, maybe even including the plate and fork."

She chuckled, her mouth full again. For a moment, she recalled the scenes from her childhood, when she would lick her plate clean whenever her mother had cooked something good.

Finally, she pushed the plate aside and laid her arms and head on the table. "Thank you. It was delicious."

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly as he took the plate and placed it into the sink.

She sighed deeply in response. But then she shot up, realizing how much she had just eaten.

"Leonard?" she asked. "How much of this food have you actually brought here?"

"Just enough." he shrugged.

"Have you… Have you eaten anything at all?" she frowned, tilting her head, all suspicious.

"No, he hasn't." Darcy answered the question as she entered the room.

"Leonard!" Jane exclaimed. "You should have – "

"No, it's alright. I don't eat much, anyway." He stopped her.

"Well, you definitely look like that." Darcy muttered, judging his lean appearance as she approached him. "Though, on the other hand…" she continued to watch him like a cat gone out hunting, "You appear to be quite fit." she added curiously, her eyes narrowed as she slid her fingertip down his ribs and side.

He staggered and stepped quickly aside, spitting out some water as he… chuckled?

Darcy observed him, surprised, her eyes wide, and mouth slightly open. They watched each other silently, waiting.

Then her lips twisted into a victorious grin, as if she had just discovered something ground-breaking.

"You're…" she tilted her head and moved slowly closer. "Ticklish!"

"No, I'm not." He backed off, hands raised defensively, his cheeks blushing and lips tugging and curling into a cute smile.

"Oh yes, you are!" she pressed as if trying to reassure him. "I would recognize a ticklish person anywhere, at any time." she was still closing the distance between them. "You can trust me on that."

"I warn you, don't come any closer." he pointed at her, smiling even more.

"I knew I would get my revenge somehow."

"Ah, really? I'm not going to make it easy, though." he assured her, amused as he was deflecting effortlessly all her attempts to reach him.

"Hey, Jane, are you going just to sit there? Come on, I need some help." Darcy glanced at Jane, frowning.

"I don't think it'll make any difference." Leonard pointed out playfully.

"Oh, you don't?" Jane smirked and stood up.

"Jane? What are you doing?" he sounded surprised.

"Nothing bad…" she smirked, pacing slowly around the table towards them, her hands entwined.

"Go away!" A wide grin appeared on his face as he warned her ineffectively, holding out a hand. "Don't you come any closer!" he locked her gaze, despite having to grasp Darcy's hands to keep her at some distance.

Darcy twisted slightly and entwined her fingers around his. "Oh, Janie, now!"

"Jane, please…" he murmured.

And Jane could not help but had to grin. Leonard was already laughing, and he flopped like a fish even before she could barely touch him.

"No no no! Time-out, please." he broke free from Darcy's grasp, raising his forefingers. Darcy and Jane watched him curiously.

"Let me say just one thing…" he said silkily, still smiling, but his voice unfathomable. The two women held their breaths in anticipation.

It seemed as though he wanted to say something important, but instead he just took their hands, lifted them up and stepped forward. Then turned around quickly and let their arms down again, crossing them, grasping firmly as he did.

"You did not really think I would let you do that?" He asked then, voice full of tease. Jane managed just to part her lips to form an answer, or a question, anything…

"Oh no, you did? Then," he smirked. "catch me if you can!"

ooOOOoo

"Go and laugh as you like. But we're not quite finished, remember that." Jane narrowed her eyes as she observed Leonard who was now leaning against the bookshelf in his office, reading through a paper Garo had left for him. He barely lifted one brow at her note; he just glimpsed at her as the corner of his mouth appeared to curl up a bit.

She took a sip of her coffee. Hot coffee. "You know… I would not want to be in your position now." she remarked casually, sliding her feet out of the slippers and folding her legs underneath her, and shifted a little in her comfortable position on the couch.

"Why, my dear?" still not looking away from the paper, he asked her like a father would ask his little curious daughter who just disturbed him from reading his newspaper.

"Well," she cleared her throat, "It must be really stressful, not knowing when exactly someone who knows about your Achilles heel would try something again."

"Knowing one's Achilles heel is beneficial only if you're able to make some use of it. And clearly, you're not." He glanced at her, waiting what would happen with this bait.

But she remained silent, smiling lightly to her mug of coffee. "We'll see." She said finally, her voice quiet.

Jane raised her eyes and looked at him for a while. She had to admit Darcy was most probably right. Despite being very lean, he definitely was in a good shape. Well, so what?

Jane felt a bit uneasy at this thought. She had never before regarded him this way, after all.

He glanced over at her, met her eyes for a moment, and then turned slightly to take a look at himself, then at her again. He raised a brow. "Is there anything I should know?" he sounded surprised and amused at the same time. She quickly looked away, clearing her throat.

"No." she smiled. "You don't need to know."

"No? I just got a feeling that a particularly interesting splotch appeared on my shirt…" he replied while turning around and checking on his clothes.

She let out a chuckle. "Well, Mr. Wednesday, it's a special kind of vanishing stain. Some are able to see it, while others are not."

He stopped and cracked a wide smile. "Miss Foster, are you trying to tease me?"

"Oh dear, I would have never dared! Besides, I had been always known for my awareness of whom I'm playing with." She smirked mysteriously, lips attached to her cup, observing him and waiting patiently for his move.

"Hm." he brought his index finger to his lips. "Something's telling me you could actually make a very good opponent…" he noted, watching her intently as a light twinkle escaped his narrowed eyes. "Maybe it's high time I looked for something like an Achilles heel of Miss Perfect."

"Well," Jane tilted her head. "Although I have a great respect for your mental capability, I doubt you could ever be successful in this task. It wouldn't be a shame to lose, though." She terased him even more.

He laughed appreciatively. And with that merry and so unbelievably comforting sound, the strange, amazing and light-hearted feeling reverberated through her chest once more. She was sure a blush appeared on her cheeks, but she did not care.

"I thought I knew you, Jane; however, it appears…" he stopped as he turned from her and listened to the sounds coming from the corridor for a second. Then he turned back "It appears that quite the opposite was true."

He returned to his previous position, leaning against the bookshelf, but instead returning to the paper he just propped his arms beside him and watched her eagerly. There was a curiosity of a child in his expression. He remained silent, his eyes observing attentively her entire appearance. She shifted nervously and then just had to look away.

"Is there anything I should know?" she murmured then, looking down, studying the trembling surface of her coffee.

He viewed her sidelong. "You don't need to know." he answered in a slightly teasing tone, his voice quiet.

Jane was almost sure she recognized something else in his voice. Something more, something flowing under the surface. "Well, if it's you…" he looked at her again, smiling unfathomably, "It appears the vanishing stain changed its position."

She blinked, and then glanced quickly over herself. Her eyes met his. "That was cheap."

He shrugged in reply, closing his eyes for a moment. In the meantime the chatter from the corridor ad come closer. The director entered the room.

Jane stood up and met him halfway. "Mr. Nolan?"

The man grinned. "Good news, Miss Foster! A few minutes ago I sent my report with the results to the headquarters. And…"

"And?" her brows shot up in anticipation.

"And… Their answer came almost forthwith. Which means they're actually pretty interested. However…"

"However?" she inclined her head.

"The text of the reply was even more intriguing. They would like to see all the data concerning the problem and a presentation. At the headquarters. You. Tomorrow." He grinned even more.

"Ah!" she gasped, placing a hand on her chest. Then smiled widely. "Is that…"

"Do I look like I'm joking? C'mon, you have a work to be done!" he frowned, his lips still twisting, though. "Oh, and – " he pointed at the corner of his mouth, "there's a smudge on your mouth. Coffee foam, perhaps." he implied quietly, turned around and walked away.

Someone behind her back chuckled. And cleared his throat and looked away when she turned to face him.

ooOOOoo

"Good morning everyone, thank you for coming." The director viewed his auditory gathered in the conference room. "Today's seminar will be purely informative. It won't take long, promise. I have to tell just a few but very important notes and then, I believe, we can discuss the rest at a joint lunch down town." Questioning, surprised chatter raised. Director cleared his throat. "For those who are sitting on their wires - you're all invited of course."

"Cool!" Darcy noted as she dug her elbow into Leonard's forearm. "Did you hear that? You're going to eat!"

"Hopefully, we all are, Miss Darcy. Thank you." The director answered her for Leonard.

Jane chuckled nervously. She did not remember the last time she was so nervous, anticipatory, excited… Oh, so excited about what the person in front of them was about to say!

Almost three weeks had passed since her sensational presentation at the headquarters. The people who were usually wearing a bored-to-death expression had been looking… interested. They had been shaking her hand so eagerly, then. Well, they hadn't a slightest clue, but they gave her a hope.

"So," the director clapped his hands, "as some of you may know, yesterday I spent a great deal of time at the headquarters. Mostly because of loads of news I had to listen to. To put it frankly: someone became interested in our research. Someone big. I mean… what I want to say is that an international corporation is going to grant our research, and above it all, they're going to install their most state-of-the-art technology here, at our facility."

There was almost no blood in Jane's entwined fingers. Everyone held their breath.

"It's none other than - " he looked around. "Stark Industries."

"What?" Jane heard Leonard voicing her question. The heated whipers filled the room.

"Something wrong, Mr. Wednesday? Actually," the director went through his papers, "I have some documents that require your signature."

"My signature?" Leonard repeated, lifting up a brow. "And may I ask what I'm going to sign?"

"A new contract." Director replied. "I'm very glad to tell you that Mr. Stark himself expressed his interest in you. He wants to grant your scholarship for the next six months."

"Six months?"

"Looks like you're going to please us with your presence a bit longer. Not pleased?" the director noted as he observed Leonard's confusion. "Of course Mr. Stark counts on a prolongation… Anyway, you should celebrate, Mr. Wednesday. You'll be paid…" he looked into the document. "A lot, actually."

"Horray. I'm rich!" Leonard muttered sarcastically, looking at his hands as he trailed his index finger on the table desk.

"Come again..?" director raised his brows, tilting his head.

"Oh, I… Thank you. So much, really! And a great appreciation to Mr. Stark, of course." Leonard changed his voice into a strange, official tone.

"Of course." director nodded, frowning. "Anyway, regarding the new devices…"

Jane stopped listening. She just rested her head on her hand and sighed silently. Her dream came true, that was all she needed to know for that day. She just decided to switch her racing mind off-line and to spend some of these precious moments just with herself.

After some time, she found herself getting out of the car and standing in front of a hotel, where the official luncheon was supposed to take place. Oh, the director is being quite generous, she noted to herself as she observed the architecture and the whole impression this place was displaying. Eric stepped aside and gestured to her to enter first.

It was beautiful inside. Why had someone not told her to wear more suitable clothes for this? Well, not that she possessed many for such occasions.

"Hello, sweetheart!" a familiar voice greeted her. It was him. Tony Stark. In person.

Hesitant, she took his hand and shook it. "Long time no see, Mr. Stark." She replied cautiously.

"Same to you, Miss Foster." He grinned. His eyes twinkled as he released her hand reluctantly. She almost anticipated some other "cute" phrases, but instead she heard Leonard's voice.

"Mr. Stark?"

"Oh! Nice to meet you again, Mr. Wednesday!" Tony answered as he smiled unfathomably and winked at Leonard when he took his hand.