A/N: Hi guys, I'm back. So, I've figured out a way for my computer to work...for now. Thus, this chapter came into being! Thanks to my cousin TFKpuppet for the idea of where Loki should take Thor. Also, a special shout-out to skydancer2ooo. How did you know what the next stop on Loki's itinerary would be? It's like you're reading over my shoulder as I write.

jaquelinelittle: Your comment has brought me much amusement. Let's just leave it at that. You are totally right. But he will learn his lesson. Just not in that way...

Thor sat out in the hall with Sif and the Warriors Three. He had vague recollections of times he'd spent with them, but he wasn't quite sure of how to think of them now. Everything was so confusing, and admittedly scary. He hoped that Loki wasn't in trouble. He sat on Sif's lap, playing absent-mindedly with the corner of his cloak, silent for once. His friends weren't quite sure how to react to the fact that their prince was a child. They had looked up to him for so long, both literally and figuratively.

"Thor, what exactly do you remember?" Sif finally asked, her curiosity getting the better of her. Thor glanced up at her.

"I remember all of you. It's all just fuzzy, though. You know?"

"I understand" the woman replied. "Do you remember what Loki did?"

"Yes, and I remember he fell."

"Do you remember why he fell?" Thor looked as though he was thinking very hard.

"No. But I know he came back." Fandral shook his head in wonder.

"You brought him back. He didn't come willingly." Thor gave the warrior a canny look.

"Did he?"

Meanwhile, in the throne room…

"Do you have a plan yet, Loki?" Odin asked. Never had Loki seen the old man look so defeated. It gave him a shiver of delight, but at the same time, he realized how much of this had been his fault.

"I have an idea or two…"

"Would you care to share?" the king asked.

"I wish to take him to Midgard. He has friends there who will help keep him safe." Odin thought about it for a moment.

"Good plan, except for that fact that on Midgard, you are a wanted man. What do you plan to do about that?" Loki narrowed his eyes. Leave it to Odin to point out the obvious technicalities.

"The friends I speak of are not the 'Avengers', as they call themselves. No, I was thinking of his friends from New Mexico. Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis."

"The mortal woman? How can she help?"

"If I have someone to watch Thor, I will be able to guard all three. Believe me, I have given this much thought." Odin nodded, still wary of the plan.

"And have you given thought to how you will undo the enchantment over my son?" Loki was visibly irritated by this insistence.

"Believe me, All-father, if I could undo the enchantment, I would have by now. He's even more annoying as a child than he is as an adult." Odin glared at him, not appreciating the humor.

"When do you leave?"

"As soon as possible, if you don't mind." Loki glanced over at Frigga, who nodded softly.

"Good luck, my son."

"Thank you, Mother." Loki turned to Odin. "Are you through speaking to me?" Without waiting for the king to respond, he continued. "Because, I, for one, am ready to go now." He turned on his heel and went to find where Sif and the Warriors Three were waiting for him to take Thor off their hands.

Sif saw Loki come around the corner of the hall. She despised Loki. With a passion. The incident involving her 'haircut' was unforgiveable in her eyes. She hated him, and he knew it, and always made sure to taunt her with courtesy. A smile spread across his face when he saw her.

"Ah, Sif, 'tis a pleasure to see you after so long." He said smoothly, bowing. Sif was about to strike back verbally, when Thor jumped out of her arms and ran to Loki, hugging his legs.

"What are we gonna do now, Loki?" The trickster softened at the innocent question. He picked Thor up and set him on his shoulder.

"We are going somewhere where I can keep you safe." Thor nodded.

"Where?"

"Midgard."

Darcy stared at the two figures standing in the apartment parking lot. Jane wasn't much better. But at least Jane had a reason to be shocked. Her boyfriend was a child now. Loki sensed her thoughts, an amused smile crossing his face…

"What did you do to him?" Jane asked, absolutely horrified. Loki set Thor on the ground, and the little boy ran over to Jane. She picked him up, hugging him protectively against her shoulder. Loki rolled his eyes.

"How many times must I answer this question? I do not know how my spell turned him into a child." Loki growled. Darcy stepped between Loki and Jane.

"Watch it. I will not hesitate to zap you." She brandished the taser. Loki chuckled.

"It wouldn't do any good." Darcy fired. Sure enough, the charges stopped a mere three inches from his chest, snapping and popping uselessly.

"Dang." She remarked. Loki smirked.

"So, what do you want?" Jane asked, finally finding her tongue. Loki became more serious.

"I just need a place to stay until I can figure out how to change him back." He paused a moment before adding a half-hearted "Please." Jane glanced over at the posh apartment she was now able to afford, thanks to SHIELD.

"I'm not sure I have enough space…" she said quietly. Loki shrugged.

"I'll sleep outside. I had been planning on that anyways." He replied. Darcy watched the exchange, feeling a little sorry for Loki.

"Jane, your apartment has three bedrooms, I'm sure you can handle it." she chided. Jane shot her a half-hearted glare. Loki noticed.

"I'll sleep in the garage if it makes you feel better. All I ask is that you keep Thor with you."

"I can do that. But what are you doing?"

"Keeping him safe. Trust me, it is not a tale for this time of night." Thor laid his head on Jane's shoulder.

"I'm tired…" he muttered. Jane hugged him a little tighter, almost without thinking about it.

"We'll get you settled in, then." She took him up the stairs, and was about to let Loki make good on his offer to stay in the garage, but Thor perked up a little, realizing what was happening.

"He comes too." He demanded. Jane turned to look at Loki.

"Okay, fine."

The next morning, Thor woke up first. He glanced over at Loki, who was still asleep. The events of the last few days had been confusing and scary at times, but at least he was still cared for.

He didn't understand most of what was going on. He could barely remember anything that had happened before he and Loki had appeared in the forest. Everything else was a blur, and he had a feeling that he didn't want to remember. It seemed kind of like a bad dream, where you don't remember what it was, but you know it wasn't good…But he knew that he needed to get that memory back. But until then, he'd just enjoy being with his brother.

"Loki, wake up!" Loki groaned in his sleep, and cracked one eye open.

"Why?" he mumbled, preparing to go back to sleep. Thor pounced on his chest, knocking the wind out of him.

"Because!" Thor said, a little glint coming into his eyes. Loki laughed slightly.

"I can't get up if you're pinning me." Thor laughed, but he moved.

"Now will you get up?" Loki smiled and pretended to fall back asleep. Thor grabbed his arm and shook him gently again. "Loki, come on! Jane's waiting for us." Loki held still. Thor leaned in close to his brother's face, pulling his eyelid back gently. "Wake up." Loki smirked as he grabbed Thor and held him at arms length above him. Thor giggled madly.

"I am awake." Loki growled, trying not to laugh. Thor grinned as Loki pulled him into a hug.

"What are we doing today?" Loki set Thor down on the mattress and sat up, stretching.

"We're going to stay with Darcy while Jane goes to work. How does that sound?" Thor nodded, his blue eyes puzzled. Loki smiled. "Good. Now let's go find Jane or Darcy, and maybe some breakfast." He stood up and set Thor on the hardwood floor. The little boy darted out the door, and down the hall. Loki froze for a moment as the spectral images of three children ran past him. Their imaginary shouts echoed in his head, and he knew he was seeing what could have been. The little girl turned and smiled back at him, and he felt a lump rise in his throat. He blinked away tears, and then the images were gone. Thor was standing at the end of the hall, waiting for him.

"Come on, Loki! Let's go!" Loki smiled, and quickened his stride.

"I'm coming, I'm coming." Thor grabbed his hand and pulled him along.