Jane walked through the garden on her way to the palace. She had tried to do herself up as best she could…she added a necklace to the gown, and pulled her hair up. Though the style wasn't nearly as popular on Asgard, Alfheim's ladies wore it often.

She was positively shaking with excitement. She was no fool, though, and knew this evening would be a one off. Thor was engaged to the Princess of Alfheim, and Jane could never compete with that.

That did nothing to dissuade her from going to the party and fantasizing that on that evening, she would be the one who Thor took to the gardens and kissed softly. Was it infidelity on his part? She didn't know, nor did she care much. The decade away had taught her bravery, or perhaps more aptly, apathy, towards others' opinions. She was Jane Foster, for better or for worse.

As she approached the palace, she saw through the glass doors, a large and imposing figure in the doorway. Thor…

She smiled broadly and went up to the entrance. She curtseyed, and looked up at him, eyes bright. "Your Majesty."

"My Lady," and he took her hand and kissed it softly.

Her heart leapt, and she blushed deeply. "Shall we have a turn about the room?"

"No, I think I would prefer to dance with you here," and he led her out of the immediate area to the gardens.

Jane was pulled close to the Prince, and they swayed in time to the music emanating from the hall. "Won't they wonder where you are?"

"I do not care."

She sighed. How wonderful to be living the daydream she had so often! To be in the arms of the man whom she loved, (at least it felt that way) and to have no other care nor concern…it was almost too much, and she nearly giggled.

But she didn't, because that's not who she was.

Thor pulled away from her. "Dearest Jane…where have you been?"

"Over by the stables," she smiled.

He laughed. "Right there…my entire life."

Jane shrugged. "Why would you look there? No one else does."

Thor took her face in his hands. "I'll never look away again."

"Aren't you engaged?" she said stiffly as he pulled away from her.

"You know too much," he replied with a frown.

"Mm…I think I know too little."

Thor took her hand and pulled her away, into the gardens. "Jane, let us talk in a more secluded place. By the stream…"

"And you'll bring some wine. And you will whisper things, assuring me, and tomorrow it will all be forgotten."

He swallowed. "I cannot deny…"

"I don't wish to be used, Thor. But I will meet you, and we will laugh, and then tomorrow, you must remember your fiancee."

He sighed. "Meet me there," and he walked back into the palace.

Jane's heart was pounding. She should not be doing this, she knew. She understood how the world worked, and she was no fool.

Thor could never be with her.

But the heart wanted what the heart wanted, and that was that.

She made her way to the smallish stream below the garden proper, and sat on a rock in the pale moonlight.

Thor hurried through the hall, past adoring Aesir, and arrived at the dining hall to obtain two glasses of wine.

"Where are you off to, brother?"

Thor jumped. "Loki! I…" he blanched a bit.

"Have you forgotten? Saga is in the room just there. She was inquiring after you a few minutes ago."

"Saga?"

"Your intended?" he smirked.

"Of course I know that she is my intended! Listen, Loki, I have but a night or two before my nuptials are announced, and I intend to enjoy them."

"How much?"

"Pardon?" he gathered the glasses.

Loki took them from his hands. "You are embarrassing yourself and your fiancee. I'll take these to Lady Foster. You speak with Saga."

"I won't…"

"You shall," interrupted Loki. "And I'll explain to the Lady."

Thor's face contorted a bit. There was no use in arguing with him, for Loki had a point. "Be gentle, brother. She is a sweet thing."

"I always am," and Loki took the glasses with him, leaving the palace.

Thor followed him with his eyes, he turned, and went into the room where his betrothed waited for him. It was but for a short while…he would need to escape and get to Jane later…he spotted Saga, found her gaze, and smiled.

…he was very attracted to the stable man's daughter.

Jane's fingertips ghosted along the tops of the sweet blooms in the garden. She sighed. How incredible these turn of events!

Of course, she was wise. She knew that the All-Father would never allow her to be with Thor. Not only was she a commoner, but he was intended to another for the good of the Realm.

So much for love.

But Jane would have this evening, and future looks and smiles, and the knowledge that for a few hours, Thor wanted her. It wasn't much, but it would be enough.

"It is a pity that you have no partner out here. The music can still be heard rather well."

Jane turned abruptly, shocked to see Prince Loki approaching her. She smoothed out her skirts, swallowed, and curtseyed.

"Now, Jane Foster. We are beyond that, wouldn't you say?" he handed her a glass of wine.

"Are we, Your Highness?" and she took it and sipped.

"I believe so. If you recall, the evening before you left for Alfheim, I made a promise to you," he smiled.

She blanched…she hadn't thought about that evening in years…"Promise, sir?"

"Aye. That I would remember you, and that while things would change, I would remember you and your fear," he took a sip of wine. "It seems that little has changed but you. And as you see, you had nothing to fear at all. You've returned a Lady, and a beauty."

Jane's eyes fell. "I am no beauty, Your Majesty."

"Loki," he corrected, and stepped toward her.

"Loki," she nodded.

"…and you are beautiful enough that Thor has lost his mind."

Her eyes snapped to his. "I beg your pardon?"

"Indeed. He has completely forgotten that he is engaged to the Princess of Alfheim. It is known but little, but I am quite certain that Odin has confided in his son these marriage plans," and he smiled once more.

"I see."

"I'm sure that you do."

Jane stepped away from him. "And so you are here to deal with me."

"Deal with you?" his brow furrowed.

"To convince me leave to the Prince alone," and she nodded, taking another sip of wine.

"Nay, nothing so nefarious."

"What, then?"

Loki put his glass down on a small wall, took Jane's and did the same. "To beg for a partner."

Jane's eyes went wide. "To…you mean, you wish to dance with me?"

His eyebrows crept up his forehead, and his hand reached for hers. "It's all in the family."

Jane swallowed once more, but allowed herself to be led into a dance with Loki. And as it happened, he was quite good…she was soon lulled into a rather peaceful motion, and smiled to herself. "I've been in love with him my whole life," she muttered.

Loki sighed silently. Of course she had been. Everyone was in love with his brother. "Tell me Jane, how long do you think you'd be dancing with Thor here?"

"Oh, I don't know. Some time, I imagine."

"And what else would you do with him?"

Jane pulled away slightly. "I…"

"Would you tell him about your adventures on Alfheim? About your father? Surely you wouldn't tell him your heart."

"No, I do not think that that would be appropriate, considering," she was still in his arms, though they had ceased their dance.

"Would you expect him to kiss you?"

Her arms fell from his. "I would never presume…"

But Loki placed his hands on her arms, and smiled. He lowered his face to hers, and gently claimed her mouth in his.

It was quite soft and rather innocent, which was why Jane was confused by the action of her heart, the vessel was beating rather emphatically against her ribs, and she was grateful that Loki hadn't pulled her close enough to feel it.

"It's all in the family," he whispered as he pulled away.

She was shocked, and couldn't reply.

Loki let go of her arms and stepped back. "Shall I see you home?"

Jane swallowed. "No, that won't be necessary."

"Is there a message you'd like me to deliver to my brother?" he picked up the two wine glasses.

She snapped herself out of her trance. "I'm leaving, then?"

"Not unless you want to, Jane. I merely assumed…we are not far from your house."

"Can we stay here a few minutes longer…?"

He smiled inwardly. The maid was very easily touched. This would not be a difficult undertaking. "If you like."

Jane nodded and sat on a bench nearby. "Are you attempting to distract me, Loki?"

Blast! She was quicker than he thought…he sat next to her. "No, not at all. I told you that you are very lovely. I am merely enjoying your beauty."

"That sounds rather…untoward, for a Prince," she smirked.

"No more so than anything Thor has done."

"I imagine he whispers honey phrases in maidens' ears…caresses their shoulders…mentions other attributes he admires beyond their physical beauty," and she looked at him expectantly.

Was she offering him strictures on wooing ladies? He didn't know whether to laugh or have her arrested. "You do not think much of physical beauty then, Jane?"

""Tis a fleeting thing, Loki," and she looked to the sky. "There are things which remain that are much more lovely than a pretty face. I would prefer someone to see those things in me. It means that they see me. I spent ten years of my life cultivating my essence beyond my face. It would be nice to have that recognized."

He was looking at her quizzically. A maid who did not want to be recognized for her beauty. "And you think that Thor would see you?"

And she smiled, her gaze finding his. "I do not know. He hasn't been given the chance."

He smiled. "Jane, I know my brother. He sees what he wants, and his gaze seldom reaches beyond the end of Mjölnir."

"Perhaps," and she folded her hands in her lap. "But if you were me, you'd like for him to have the opportunity."

"That is what you want? An opportunity for Thor to see you? As you see yourself?" he sounded doubtful.

Jane stood now. "It isn't how I see myself, Loki. It's that I am so much more than when I left. I am not child, and that is how he remembers me. I want him to see that I've grown up. And if he likes me…"

Loki stood. "You think he will fall in love with you?"

"I don't know. But I would be wretched if I never found out, or never tried."

Loki's back went up, and he looked at Jane…solemn and cerebral Jane Foster. "Far be it for me to stand in the way of love. I'll report to him that you wish to see him tomorrow, Jane. Is that agreeable to you?"

She nodded, a smile spreading across her face.

Loki bowed, took her hand, and kissed it. "Good evening, my Lady," and he turned and left her there.

This was going to be much more difficult than he thought it would be. Or at least, more trouble. He would need to arrange to have them meet, and interrupt their meetings…how tiresome. Instead of merely spending a few days in her company, now he needed to concoct plans and such.

All because she was bright.

Loki reached the palace and took the empty wine glasses to the kitchens. And to compete for a maiden's love which he had no desire for, any interest in…with Thor. Odin had better see to more than his safe passage. This was insupportable.

Of course it was possible that Thor would have no interest in her, either…that he would sincerely fall in love with Saga…

Loki waved his hand and filled his glass with more wine.

That was certainly possible. Saga was of course, very lovely. All the Light Elves were. Perhaps he should focus on that, instead of the stable man's daughter…

Jane walked into her house, and lit a candle.

What a very odd evening!

But she knew that the All-Father had sent Loki, and that made her smile. She was a danger, and needed to be dealt with.

She did not believe that anything would come of her spending a few days with Thor, but she wanted that now. She had entered the evening wanting the evening, but left it having been kissed by a Prince, and now she wanted that as well.

For though Loki's kiss was very nice, she wanted to feel Thor's lips on hers…

Perhaps she would never stop wanting, and she sat down.

Well, sooner or later the Crown would insist that she stop. And then she would.

But she would have some fun in the meantime.