"Are you ready?" Loki asked. Jane had been dithering on the matter, so unsure of herself and whether she was making the right choice. She had avoided telling her best friend, but now the moment of departure was upon them, she had a change of heart.

"Let me call Darcy. Then we can go." She couldn't quite believe she was going through with this. It was madness. But he needed her, and she wanted to help him. She owed him for saving her life at the very least, and to her surprise, she actually wanted him to be pardoned, regardless of any debts owed.

She went back into her bedroom, her knees suddenly feeling weak and wobbly. She sat on the edge of her bed, and pulled out her phone. She had to take a few deep breaths before making the call, not sure what she was going to say to her best friend.

"Hi Darcy, it's me," she said, and couldn't get a word in edgeways for the next few minutes, as Darcy updated her on everything going on in her life. When Darcy finally paused for breath, she seized the chance and blurted out the truth.

"I'm going to Asgard with Loki." She was met with a worryingly empty silence.

"Darcy? Did you get that? I'm going to..."

"Yes, yes. I heard you." Her tone was flat. "With him? Wasn't he dead? What the hell is going on?"

Jane spent the next few minutes telling Darcy everything. It felt fantastic to finally talk about it all, and once she had started, she couldn't stop. When she had finally told all, she waited for Darcy's reply anxiously.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go!" she said, and Jane felt a huge grin spread across her face.

"Really? You think I should?"

"Yes, if you think its right, go for it! But be careful. Stay out of trouble. And yes, Loki counts as trouble." Jane was overjoyed at having her friends support, and she obeyed orders and said goodbye, ready to head to another world with a man who had tried to take over her own.

"Are you sure I don't need to bring anything?" Jane said. Loki could clearly see that she was stalling. She kept glancing at the glistening fragment in his hands, and he knew she doubted its powers. To be honest, he did too. It had taken him most of the way back to Midgard, but it had slowed towards the end, which was why he had walked the rest of the way. It wasn't strenuous, just irritating. However, it had given him time to use her crude 'phone' to track her exact whereabouts.

"Everything you need shall be provided there. Even if I am not pardoned, Thor will see to your wellbeing," he said, reassuring her. He smiled and held out his hand. It was a little forward, but the feel of her small, smooth palm in his showed how distracted she was by her nerves. They stepped outside together, and he arranged them so that they were stood facing each other.

He took a step closer to her, as close as he could be without actually pressing his chest against hers. He tilted his head down as she tilted hers up. Gripping the crystal in one hand, he placed his other hand on her lower back, feeling the heat of her body through her clothes. He gently applied pressure, and she moved forward, the length of her body now pushing against his. Tentatively, she slid her arms around his waist, and shut her eyes, resting her head against his chest. Even though she was no longer looking at him, he couldn't help but smile.

He allowed her to rest there for a minute, feeling the flutter of her heartbeat as he began to squeeze the bifröst fragment. It was heating up, and he put his other arm around, being careful not to let the now painfully hot shard touch her. In response to his embrace, she tightened hers. He smiled a little more, enjoying the physical representation of the trust she put in him.

Darts of light began to fall around them, similar to when using the main bifröst, but not as many, and not as bright. It was going to be a rough journey.

She tried very hard to supress her scream when she felt her feet leave the ground, and although it seemed impossible, she managed to squeeze Loki even tighter. His answering squeeze reassured her a little. She couldn't bring herself to open her eyes, but she could tell that this was different to the times when she had gone with Thor. This was shakier, and it felt much slower.

She hung onto him for what felt like hours, and she couldn't remember the exact moment at which he had started stroking her hair. All she knew was that the gesture was surprisingly soothing.

"Jane, open your eyes," he said, his low voice right by her ear, making her shiver. The sound of her name on his lips was divine; he managed to give it a sense of importance and gravitas.

"I can't," she managed to squeak out, her voice decidedly un-sexy compared to his.

"Please, Jane," he practically purred her name that time. She was glad her legs didn't have to support her weight.

She braced herself, still feeling wind whipping through her hair as they were carried along, and cautiously blinked her eyes open. She gasped, unable to help herself.

They were moving through space, faster than she had thought, but the ocean of stars around them seemed stationary. There were millions of them, all around, clusters and clouds of galaxies seeming so close that she felt she could reach out and brush against them. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Her grin only increased when she saw the same overjoyed and awe-filled expression on Loki's face.

"See?" he said gently. She could only nod, unable to form words.

Loki couldn't help but smile at the look of pure, unadulterated wonderment on her face. He too appreciated the beauty around them. It was spectacular.

They arrived in a backstreet of Asgard, and he lost his balance, the sudden halt unexpected. He fell onto his back, and although he tried to keep a grip on her, Jane rolled off to the side, making a rather endearing 'oomph' sound as she did. He rushed over to her, but she was already pulling herself to her feet and dusting her clothes off.

"We made it," she said, relief pouring through her.

"Indeed we did. However, I fear that the journey here may have been the easy part," he said, turning serious.

Jane had the strangest feeling of coming home as they began to walk towards Loki's judgement. She hadn't spent much time on Asgard, but she loved it anyway. She smiled at everyone they passed. The first time they saw someone, she panicked and almost shouted at Loki to hide. But when she turned to look at him, she instead found a girl around her age.

"Sorry, I thought you were someone else!" she said, before turning to hunt for Loki.

"I do believe I am exactly who you thought I was," the girl replied, and her smirk was unmistakable.

"Loki?" Jane said, lowering her voice to a whisper.

"Indeed. Shall we?" he said, gesturing for her to continue. She had to admit she was impressed at how easily he had disguised himself.

They continued on, until the reached the centre, a magnificent building rising up before them.

"Name? Intention?" a guard said, looking bored. Loki, still in disguise, nodded to Jane to speak.

"I am Jane Foster. I am here to see Thor and the Allfather." She tried to sound confident, but there was a nervous squeak to her voice.

"Jane!" she couldn't help but grin when she saw Thor coming through the doors behind the guard. "Let her through! It's Jane," he said to the guards, his voice booming with the confidence she had failed to achieve.

"Jane Foster. How are you here? And why?" he said, as he scooped her up into an embrace.

"She is here because I took her with me," Loki said, stepping out from behind her, his disguise gone.

"Loki?" Thor said, freezing for a moment before pulling out Mjölnir and yanking Jane behind him. "How?" His voice was now hoarse.

"Brother, I come in peace. I mean you no harm. I wish to speak to father, to explain," Loki said, holding his hands up in a gesture of surrender. Thor didn't seem to know what to do, and stayed in his position.

"Thor, let him explain. Give him a chance," Jane said, placing a hand gently upon his back. Her words had the desired effect, and he relaxed.

"I thought you were dead," Thor said, his voice still hoarse.

"I know. Please, allow me to explain to you and Father." Thor stared at Loki for a moment, before turning and marching away.

"You wish to see father? Well then, let us go. I want to hear your explanation as much as he does," Thor said, Loki and Jane hurrying behind.

"Please Jane, wait outside. I appreciate your support, more than you know. But don't allow yourself to be tangled in my fate," his pleading tone did nothing to soften her resolve.

"What exactly is the point of me being here if I don't get to argue your case?"

"Moral support." He smiled slightly at her.

"The worst he would do to me would be to send me back to Earth, and refuse to let me return. He would not imprison me here."

"You do not know that for certain. My crimes are great. Supporters may not get the sympathy they deserve. Do not forget that he is involved in my case on a deeply emotional level too. It may cause him to be irrational." He enjoyed the stubbornness in her expression. She was tough for a mortal, he would give her that.

"How about you shush, and go in? You look like you're stalling." He sighed, plastering a resigned look on his face.

"Very well. But I no longer consider myself responsible for your fate."

They stepped forward together, hearing the sound of Odin's voices.

"Here we go," Loki said, before pushing open the massive gold doors. They walked forward, towards the great throne, before Loki dropped to his knees, right hand curled into a fist upon his chest. Jane glanced at him, before quickly following suit. Silence pervaded the hall. She kept her eyes downcast, waiting.

"My son," Odin spoke the words quietly, hoarsely. "How can it be?"

Loki looked up from where he knelt, surprise registering on his face.

"Father, please, allow me to extended my gratitude for your audience, and I wish to offer my most heartfelt apologies for..."

"No." Odin interrupted, his voice more powerful this time, echoing around them. "No," he said, quieter this time. "You do not owe me gratitude or apology. You may have learnt that you were posthumously forgiven of all your crimes. You had a funeral fit for any king. But you must explain how it is you have risen from the dead. Explain to Thor, your brother who held you as you died."

Loki was silent for a moment, seemingly overcome by his emotions. Jane moved instinctively towards him, but he was suddenly on his feet, striding towards his father.

"Thank you, thank you," he gasped, as he fell at his father's feet. He began talking, his words pouring out in a rush, explaining all he had told Jane. Father and brother listened attentively, and Loki had to repeatedly turn down Thor's apologies.

"You were not to know brother. Jane has assured me you would not have left me if you had known I still lived. I believe that, truly I do."

"What you did, Loki, was undeniably a crime of the highest order. But as I have said, you were pardoned, and I shall not take that away from you. Know, though, that the people of Asgard may not forget easily, and the people of other realms may never find it in them to forgive you. So be warned. Life here will not be easy."

Jane turned away from the family scene, deciding to give them some privacy.

"Jane! Do not leave, we have much to discuss," Thor said, grinning as he came towards her. The solemnity of his father's words seemed to have washed over him.

"I suppose we do, after you left me on Earth. Again." She knew she sounded crosser than she was, but she did take a little pleasure in Thor's guilty face. She had waited months for him. He deserved to feel a little remorseful.

"My dearest Jane, I am so very sorry. There have been uprisings that needed to be dealt with. Here, let us sit and I will tell you all. And you must update me on your life too!" Ever cheerful, he bounced back from his guilt within moments. She smiled, letting him off the hook.

There had been a feast held in Loki's honour, and he had spent the night explaining, again and again and again, everything that had happened. The royal pardon, now reapplied to the living Loki, helped somewhat, but people still failed to trust him. His father had been right. Or rather, the apparition had spoken words Loki knew the true Allfather would have. He knew he would have to work hard to manipulate them into believing he would make a good ruler. In the past he had attempted to prove as much while sat on the throne, but now, with perspective from his misjudgements, he knew that to have true power he would need the people of Asgard to cheer as soon as he took his father's place. And so his scheme continued to unravel, moving at a snail's pace, yet still undeniably progressing.

"Sif! Come here. Jane, there is something I must tell you," Thor said, lounging back in his seat. He bent forward though as the warrior approached, a haughty expression on her face.

"Let me guess. It is your engagement?" Jane said, surprised at the stab in her chest as she nonchalantly spoke the words.

"You know?"

"It was obvious Thor. You two are well suited to each other. I wish you both happiness." She didn't know why her tone had turned so formal. She tried to soften the cool words with a smile, but she was aware her face contorted into a grimace instead.

"Are you alright Jane?" Thor's concern caused a frown to crease Sif's forehead.

"I am quite well. Just a bit tired I guess. Where can I sleep?"

"Allow me," Loki said, appearing by her shoulder. "I have picked a room with a spectacular view for you. I shall take you there now if you wish."

"Thank you Loki, that would be great. I'll see you tomorrow maybe Thor?"

"Indeed, rest well. I would not be surprised to find that this revelry extends over many nights. It's not every day royalty returns from the dead!" Thor grinned, slapping Loki on the back. Loki straightened himself up, smiling ruefully.

"Goodnight." She walked away, Loki's hand millimetres from her lower back, guiding without touching. They walked along countless corridors, through doorways so high she could barely see the top, until they came to a halt outside a more manageably sized door.

"Though this door," he said, and she obeyed, pushing it open. It was heavier than it looked. Loki stepped closer, his chest brushing so lightly against her back, she could convince herself she imagined it. His hand pushed the door with her, and she gasped, forgetting the rush heat she felt at his proximity.

"I thought you might like to see the stars from a more comfortable position. I am aware our journey here was not easy." She nodded along, gazing out at the view. Asgard stretched out before her, followed by the ocean speckled with dots of light – reflections from the stars scattered across the sky. A whole wall appeared to be missing, exposing this spectacular view.

"There is an invisible barrier there. Harmless, but it stops anything entering or leaving. As you can see, there is quite a drop," he said as she stepped closer. Peering over the edge made her dizzy. Looking at the endless stars made her ecstatic.

"Loki, it's stunning."

"I am pleased you like it. I shall leave you now. I hope you rest well," he said, and with a bow he left the room. She waited until the door had clicked shut, then did a little hopping dance on the spot. Everything was looking up.

Jane had spent some hours drawing out the star patterns before her, using a strange tablet a kind servant had brought her. It took a little getting used to, but she grasped it reasonably quickly. It wasn't that different from an iPad. The constellations fascinated her. They were at once so familiar and yet so vastly strange. She had eventually dozed off, the tablet propped on her knees and her head resting on the wall.

Loki brushed his robes for creases, before raising his hand and knocking. He waited a moment, but there was no sound. He frowned and knocked again. He disliked being kept waiting. He hesitated a moment, before pushing open the door.

Jane was lying on the floor, one arm bent under her head, the other loosely clutching a tablet. She looked peaceful. He felt his lips curl into a faint smile, and stopped himself. He began loosening the shield he had put around himself, letting some of the fear and anger slip into her. She murmured something, and a frown creased her forehead. He kept pushing the feelings onto her, watching as her distress became more and more apparent. He waited, increasing it, until she was tossing around. He moved closer, and she began to scream.

"Jane! Jane! Wake up. Please, wake up!" he shouted, as he desperately shook her, a look of deep concern plastered on his face. She shuddered awake, sitting bolt upright, gasping for air.

"Loki, what? How?" she said, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"It's okay. You were having a night terror. I heard you cry out, so I ran in to see if you were alright." She looked up at him, her eyelashes wet with tears. He had planned to wait before pushing their physical contact, but she looked so devastated, that he went with his impulse. He pulled her close, sitting himself with his back against the wall, cradling her head against his chest. He could hear her erratic heartbeat, and began to push gentle, calm feelings onto her. She needed to feel safe in his arms.

"It's okay, I've got you."