AN: Well...what can I say? It's been 11 months. I am sorry...I've had many detours. And ups. Downs. And everything in between.

Two more chapters, readers. I would love to finish it this coming week...but I won't insult you with promises. Much love to you all!

…and luminescent light filled her vision. There were so many people there already, and she crept in a bit uncertainly. There were about thirty people in attendance, and they were all speaking to each other.

Jane didn't know anyone there.

She swallowed and walked with some hesitation to a table where some fruits and wine sat.

"Jane Foster, I presume?"

She looked up into the face of the Queen, and gasped. "Your Majesty!" she breathed, then curtsied. Jane looked up. "It's a lovely reception."

"Yes," Frigga looked around, then back. "Thor has returned."

Jane nodded. "That's why we are assembled, as I understand."

"It is," and Frigga slipped her arm though Jane's. "Come, have a walk with me."

Her mind raced. What in all of Yggdrasil could the Queen want with her? "Will the dinner be soon, though?" she looked back.

"It will…" and they left the hall, and onto a terrace. "Jane," she paused. "Might I call you Jane?"

"Of course," she smiled.

"My family," and the Queen took her arm back and placed her hands on the railing. "Is complicated."

"Yes. I've noticed that."

"How well do you know my sons?" she looked at her.

"Well enough, I'd imagine."

"Then you know that Loki is taciturn."

Jane swallowed and nodded.

"He is a good man," Frigga backed away…then wrapped her arms around herself. "But he cannot see it. His father does, and has made it his mission in life to shape Loki's view of himself."

"Is that possible?"

"No," she smiled at her. "It's not," she sighed and went over to Jane. "There have been things happening of a most…unscrupulous nature."

"Oh?"

"Yes. And I'm afraid that you have been caught in its web."

Her brow furrowed. "I have?"

"But Jane, you must not believe Loki. You must think about the time you've had with him, and understand that he has been…"

…and at that, the dinner chime sounded.

Jane's eyes snapped back to the Queen's. "What? What has he been?"

She smiled softly. "He has been waiting for you," and she looked behind Jane.

…Loki was there, looking at them both.

Jane smiled slightly. He looked very handsome, and she thought it appropriate, since this was to be both a welcome home dinner and a going away party.

Though she knew that Loki would be visiting Alfheim, she believed that she could avoid him well enough.

Even though she didn't want to.

"Loki," she smiled, then curtsied.

"Jane," he walked over to her. "You look lovely. Though I know how you abhor such compliments about your appearance," he smiled. "I cannot help but comment."

"Thank you," she smiled.

"Well," began the Queen. "Shall we?"

And the three turned and began to walk. Frigga went ahead, Loki and Jane lagging behind a touch.

Loki was suddenly quite calm. He knew what needed to be done, and despite his hesitation, he was confident that he could see it through.

Mostly.

Part of him was anxious to get on with it…but another simply wanted to be as near to Jane as possible, to enjoy the few hours which remained before it all was snatched away. His love did not matter. Nor did hers.

And once she knew, her love would be gone forever.

"Jane…"

Her heart thrummed against her ribs at his voice. "Hm?" was all she could manage.

"Could we…would you mind if we detoured into my quarters for a moment?"

"But…the dinner…"

"Yes I know. But I'd like a moment with you."

"In your rooms, Loki?" she smiled.

"Do you trust me?" he looked at her.

…and what could she say? She nodded.

He waved his hand, and his gaze never leaving her face, they materialized in his rooms.

Jane tore her eyes from his, and looked around. There was green a-plenty. Lush furniture and rich color…nothing like what she was accustomed to.

And it occurred to her then just how different they were. "Why are we here?" she stepped away.

"I wanted you to see me."

"See you?" she swallowed.

"To share that which is most me in all of Asgard."

She nodded.

"I know that…" he began, and walked over to the glass door leading to a balcony. "That things have been odd. That things are confused. But I wanted to tell you something…"

Her breath hitched.

"…everything that has happened has because of my regard…" and though that wasn't true at the outset, it had blossomed into truth. Loki opened the door and walked onto the balcony. "Come, Jane."

She followed him.

"The night is warm," he observed, then looked at her. "The gown suits you well."

She nodded.

"And what will you tell Thor?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Thor is here. He's likely sitting to dinner as we speak. And he will want to see you." And since the great oaf hadn't declared her no longer an object of his desire, she would need to tell Thor she was not in love with him. And then…

…it would be done.

"Why are we speaking of Thor?"

"Because, Jane. He believes you to be in love with him."

"And?"

"And…unless I am mistaken, you are not."

"Loki…why am I here?"

He went to her and lifted her chin with his finger. "Because I asked you here."

She backed away. "You want me to tell Thor I'm not in love with him? Why? What difference will it make now?"

"To Thor, all the difference."

Her eyes narrowed. Something was amiss. "No…" and the words of the Queen entered her mind. You must not believe Loki …"Tell me how you feel about me, Loki. You're leaving for Alfheim…and I will be fast on your heels."

"What?" Jane was going to Alfheim?

"Yes. Father and I…not long from now. Tell me…"

But he couldn't…for his heart was a bane. "I…" he looked at her, drowning in her eyes…he touched her cheek.

"We could go together. We could live there…"

"You don't want me, Jane."

"Why? You don't love me?" and her heart hit her stomach.

He backed away. And he knew what he must do. "It's all been a ruse."

"I don't…" she blanched.

"All of it. Everything. Odin wanted Thor to marry Saga. You were in the way," he spat. "He wanted me to seduce you…so that you might forget Thor…and Thor would forget you, if he saw that you cared for me."

She was going to be sick…she felt the bile rising from her…"I see."

"Do you?" his face contorted. "Because I don't. I see nothing but misery in the Tree. I see only desperation and loneliness…and when you go to Alfheim, you'll forget all of this. And you will be better for it."

"You are a wicked person, Loki Odinson," her voice cracked. "Has nothing moved you? You used me. You and the All-Father. For your own purposes…" she paused. "Why did you do it?"

"For safe and unencumbered travel through Yggdrasil," he muttered.

She held her stomach. "Well. You'll have it, then," and she turned, and ran out of the room, down the stairs…nearly tripping several times…

Jane was just outside of the dining hall.

She burst in, and everyone stopped.

She looked for Thor and Odin, and when she spied them at the head table, went over to them. "You've done it. I do not love your son. And you can die with the knowledge that your greater good has ruined me," she screamed and shook. "And you," she glared at Thor. "May your life be a happy one. I can say that mine will, knowing that I'll never set eyes on you again," and she turned, leaving the palace.

Jane pulled her skirts up to gain better breadth and movement…

Neither of them ever loved her, and she was wretched. How silly she had been. How naive….

And Jane lost her stomach in a shrub. She shook, getting to her feet.

How could she have been so blind?

Because, she thought, she was a child. She was a child longing for the admiration of the Princes.

And she felt like the whore the palace thought that she was.

And hot tears streamed down her face…she was alone, and no one loved her, save her father.

It was better this way, she thought. And she made her way to the pool that Loki had showed her years ago…the one he had kissed her by…

Jane slumped on the bank, crying in earnest.

Wishing she was either dead, or that she had succeeded in running away when she was a young girl.

Thor was pounding on his door again.

And Loki was on the balcony, looking at the sky.

Crash. There went his door, though he didn't flinch.

"Loki!" he boomed.

Nothing…he couldn't stand the man, and he wanted only to be alone.

He felt his approach, and almost turned and changed him into something hideous, but couldn't be bothered.

"Loki. Look at me."

Thor was standing next to him, he could feel his brawny presence. He turned, unaware of any look on his face. "What do you want, Thor?" he sighed.

"You love her."

"What does it matter if I did?"

"Everything, brother! If you love the maid, go to her!"

"She hates me," and he turned, going back into his room.

"Well, change her mind."

"It's not as simple as that, Thor. No matter what you may think, this is me we are speaking of…" he sat by the hearth.

"She loves you," he sat across from him.

Loki nodded. "Well, she did."

"A person cannot simply turn their heart on and off like a flicker of light. If Jane loves you, she hasn't simply stopped."

"You are a fool. I destroyed her," he slumped back. "I destroyed us both."

"And only you can mend it. You need to go to her, Loki. You need to tell her that you love her…" and he pulled a note from his pocket.

It was the letter Loki had written a few days ago…back when his love was not fully formed, and he was still manipulating the situation instead of ruining it. He pointed at it. "Where did you…?"

"I have my ways," he smiled, and handed the note to Loki. "And you may not have meant it in that note. But anyone could see that you love her now."

A tear slid down his cheek. He swallowed. "How can I? I hate myself," he whispered. "I deserve to leave as planned, and never set foot near her or Asgard again."

"Stop it now. Stop feeling sorry for yourself," Thor stood. "I have never loved, Loki. Never the way I should have liked. And I have suffered for it," he took a step toward him. "You love Jane Foster. And that is more precious than anything. Go to her and make up for everything that you did this past week. Mend two broken hearts."

Loki smiled, then looked at his hands. "What of your heart, Thor?"

"Mine? Well…I suppose Saga will do. I can learn to love her."

"No…I meant…are you in love with Jane?" and he looked up.

A brand smile stretched across Thor's face. "In love? With the stableman's daughter? Give me some credit, Loki."

…and his little brother stood. "What do I say to her?"

"You tell her that you're an idiot. That you were wildly wrong…that there was nothing in all of Yggdrasil that you've been more wrong about. And that you love her. Tell her," he continued. "That nothing would make your life happier, than for her to bestow her forgiveness, and that if she chooses, to love you in return."

Loki looked crookedly at him. "You sound like an expert."

"Well, if there is one thing that I've had practice with, it's groveling."

At that, Loki smiled. He nodded. "Perhaps I should wait until morning…"

"You'll go now, Loki. And if she dismisses you, you'll go back every day until she sees you. And until and unless she leaves Asgard, you'll continue to try. Nothing is more important than this, brother."

Loki swallowed. He nodded.

…and he disappeared.