And so it progressed, Jane training in combat with Sif and Thor, and studying with Loki. The two Kings were finally settling into their respective roles, and Thor was anxious to get on with things, though he couldn't until Loki's safe return from Helheim. Asgard needed a King, and if Loki would die during this quest, Thor would need to be present to see to things.
An unattractive prospect, but within possible scenarios.
Loki had been discussing matters with dignitaries from Anaheim, a tedious business, but one which needed doing, and one of the many tasks Thor was less than interested in seeing to. Loki did not mind fulfilling these assignments. He was good at them, and felt proud at his success.
He was in the library, reading in solitude after many hours at counsel.
Thor came in, sweaty and flushed from dueling with Jane.
"Loki! Your love is progressing nicely. She has mastered all weaponry. She only needs to maintain her balance...she...falls too much," and Thor sat opposite him.
Loki looked up from his book. "She falls too much? That's hardly good. See to it, Thor," and he waved his hand absently.
Thor laughed. "You'll merely need to keep close watch. There's not much more I can do."
"Have her fight on a beam, slightly raised from the ground. Really Thor, how many combatants have you trained?" And he returned to his book.
Thor had a bemused look on his face. "I'll do that, brother." He sat back. "And when do you leave?"
Without looking up, "Two days time."
"And how long do you expect to be gone?"
"It generally takes a week of travel to arrive at the garden, but I imagine a few days..."
Thor nodded. "When should I set out for you? At what point should I say, "They've been gone too long?" I'll bring Fandral..."
"Do you doubt my ability to be successful?" He was looking at him again.
Thor laughed. "No. But I should prepare for the worst."
Loki nodded. "At the point of ten days. Just to be certain..."
"Very well," Thor paused. "It is interesting, is it not, the way in which this all unfolded?"
"What do you mean?"
"Well...I was ready to marry Jane. And here you are, and me...and we are both Kings..."
Loki laughed. "The fact that the two of us are Kings, ruling together, is indeed, shocking," he looked at Thor. "But as for Jane, it makes no sense to me that any other outcome was ever possible, so I cannot think it strange."
The thunder god smiled. "You are well suited. I cannot believe I never saw it ...but I rather think she reminded me of you, which is why I was so taken."
"You'll make me blush, Thor. Taken by a lady because she reminds you of me? Touching."
"I'd dearly love to see a blush on that pallid face," the jibe was effective, in no small part because Thor so seldom successfully got Loki.
Loki cocked his head. "Well done, brother. I applaud you. The Kingship has done much for your abilities in witty responses. I'm certain that will aid you in the field of battle which you love so dearly."
Thor ignored that. "You love her very much."
"I do."
He shook his head. "I cannot believe it. I never would have imagined you so taken."
"Can you not? I am a passionate sort, brother. Would not that translate to romantic love? Is love not the very thing which inspires such tumultuous feeling? Such harrowing reflection? If I can feel profound anger, insistent hatred, limitless ambition...does it not make sense that I would feel blinding love?" He paused and looked away. "I loved mother with everything that I am."
"Frigga was very close with you. She loved you."
Loki nodded, but did not respond.
Thor got up. "Well, Loki. This was...not fun...but interesting. I'll get myself ready for dinner."
"I'm so glad that you feel the need to intimate me with your every intention, Thor. Truly, how would I get on if I did not know when you ate, when you slept, or when you have a thought in your head which involves anything but your hammer? Hang on..." Loki held up a finger. "THAT'S why you never divulge what you are thinking...because I already know..."
Jane was pouring over the multitudinous books in her chamber. She took notes. She was steadfast and serious, and she had ice on her back, so she was leaning forward.
"So, my small sparrow...you study with intent, as you do everything," Loki said, approaching her.
Jane nodded, not looking up. "It's an overwhelming thought, and I want to be prepared."
"You should stay here."
At this, she looked at him. "So should you."
He smirked and sat next to her in deliberate attitude. "That is not possible."
"No," and she returned.
He laughed and looked at the ice strapped to her back. "You have fallen much, I understand. Shall I aid in your healing?" He began to remove the pack.
"No...I need to do this. We are leaving soon, and I should really stay on task."
He pouted a touch. "Jane...we should discuss the possibilities of what may happen..."
"Such as?"
"Well...in case we are separated...in case you get hurt...in case Iðunn argues and decides to fight..."
Jane looked at him, a bit of shock gracing her face. "That is what I am preparing for."
Loki nodded. "Thor and Fandrall will come for us if we do not return after ten days, but you should know that I will send you away should we find ourselves in a desperate situation."
"What do you mean?"
He cleared his throat. "I mean...I will transport you to Asgard for help and safety should the need arise."
She stood. "Don't you dare! Don't you dare do that! What's the point of all of this?! I mean to go to help! And for what? So that you can send me away as soon as it becomes dangerous!"
Loki stood. "That is exactly what I will do. You may not realize this, Jane, but no matter how much you think you are prepared, you are not. Your presence may be more of a hindrance than anything, and sending you back may be the only way to ensure both of our safety."
Jane shook with anger and frustration, and began to cry. "I don't believe this! What the hell have I been doing! Staying up studying like some college student, getting my ass beaten by the god of thunder! For what? To be sent home like a disobedient child when things get tough!"
"Jane..."
"No! You've treated me like an idiot. You have pacified me with your false instruction. You never meant for me to stay long. It was always your plan to have me go for a couple of harmless days, and then send me back," she turned away and went outside to the balcony.
Loki's hands tightened to a fist, as he looked at her leave. He left the room downtrodden.
Her eyes were steaming. Jane rubbed her face and heaved. Was she putting him in danger by going? If so, how could she go? If she was truly going to be a hindrance as Loki put it, how could she go with him? Wasn't that the most selfish thing she could do?
It was. It was selfish. She hated herself. She hated that he was right. What had she to offer, anyway? She could barely fight. She had no magic. She was bright, but in the heat of things, what did that matter?
Shit, Jane. She couldn't go.
She didn't go to dinner. She pouted like the child she believed herself to be in the room.
Loki came in much later and ignored her, believing her to be too angry to converse.
Jane was sitting by the fireplace, exhausted from hours of weeping.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I'm selfish. I don't want to be left behind."
He swallowed, but didn't respond.
"I'm afraid of losing you. I've lost so much...I thought that maybe...maybe if I went...but it was really just me terrified of not knowing..." she paused. "My parents died when I was young, both within months of each other...my mom had cancer, my dad died of a heart attack afterwards. His heart broke, Loki. It broke without her. Because I was so young, no one ever explained to me what was going on..." she was looking at the fire, and he was slowly making his way closer to her. "...and so I never understood...not until much later...but the ignorance...the darkness of not knowing...and I've always felt like had I known, I could've helped somehow."
She paused and looked up at him, he was now feet from her. "And the paralysis I felt was something. The impotence of inaction."
He nodded. "I understand."
"Do you?" The room felt close. The magnitude of what she was asking was heavy. "Because as much as you believe that you love me...I love you ten times more. I've been so alone...searching for something...and I found it in the most unexpected of places..." she paused and smiled. "Well...maybe not. I've been studying the heavens for a while now...perhaps deep down I knew that's where you would be."
He went and knelt before her. "Alright, Jane. Hush..." and his hand smoothed her cheek. "I will protect you. You will come. But you cannot deny me the right to see you to safety. Once I have the apple, I'll follow," he smiled at her and dropped his hand. "But how dare you suggest that you love me more. I am quite put out..." He laughed.
Two days later Loki Odinson and Jane Foster were walking along the rainbow bridge, Thor prattling along nervously about things neither heard. The sky bloomed blue fiercely, and the amaranthine clouds threatened a storm.
A storm, Jane thought. She hadn't seen one yet...and it was the one thing that she had longed to see since Loki had described it many weeks ago now.
"...the power of my sentence still holds, brother...to Helheim and Asgard only. I'm making many allowances for you in this quest."
"Your charity knows no limit, Thor," Loki sneered. "Especially considering the fact that I am both a monarch and a sorcerer. I'm certain your paltry hold would prove quite challenging for me."
The party stopped.
"Well..." began Loki.
But Thor crushed him in an embrace.
"Do you mean to kill me before I even set out?" Loki choked.
Thor pulled away, tears threatening. "Take good care, Loki. If you do not return in ten days..."
"You'll come for us. Yes."
Thor turned to Jane. "Watch him, lady. His tongue often gets him into trouble."
She smiled. "Oh...I know about that intimately."
Thor laughed and stood away.
Loki took Jane's hand, and with a final look at the Asgardian sky, they disappeared.
Jane's eyes adjusted as she found her breath.
And the scene fell before her in a dense pattern...she gasped at it, and looked to Loki, who was smiling down at her.