She was crying, and she hated that she was. It meant that they had gotten the best of her. And she wanted that all for herself.

Jane hadn't had the benefit of her best self…she was navigating this alone. She was all alone save her father. She had no friends. She had no mother.

She had…

"Jane?"

She sat up and turned.

Loki was standing there, a nervous look on his visage.

She looked away. "I want to be alone."

"I understand, but…"

"No you don't. You really don't understand. And I want you to leave," she pulled her knees up and hugged them.

"Jane, please."

"Loki…I don't want to talk to you."

"I know you don't, but…"

And she stood. "No. No buts," and she faced him. "I'm going home," and she brushed passed him.

"When are you leaving for Alfheim?" he called after her.

"Why?"

"Because I will call every day until you consent to speak to me."

"Go home Loki," and Jane walked back.

She wouldn't play this game. She was tired of the game. She had been the game.

And Jane went to her room, and looked out into the front garden. There was Loki, and he was standing where she had left him, not moving.

She sighed, turned and took her dress off…then went to bed.

Jane laid there, trying not to think, but completely unable to stop her mind. She was so humiliated. Everything hurt. She was heartbroken and felt the intensity of her ignorance fall upon her.

How silly and stupid she had been. How completely young. She hadn't grown, not really. She had received an education, gotten some new clothes…but what had she learned? That love is false.

That love isn't real.

That men use ladies for their own purposes, and usually the lady got hurt in the end.

Because they didn't matter. Women didn't matter…

Thor's treatment of them had proved that nicely. She should have seen then. Should have seen what he really was.

And then, what was Loki?

She cried more, and turned on her side.

She had thought him the perfect compliment to her. She believed that he was her split apart…the thought that her soul was a half of a whole…

And he owned the other half.

It felt that way sometimes…but it hadn't meant anything. It had been a lie. It had been a plot to win her heart and make her forget Thor.

And they succeeded.

She turned on her side and closed her eyes.

"Jane! It's almost dinner, child!"

Her father was pounding on her door.

She couldn't bear to face him after everything. "I'm not hungry!" she shouted.

She heard him grumbling, but then he went downstairs. Jane turned onto her back. She could stay right there until they left for Alfheim. She could stay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

But, she thought, what good would that do? To wallow in self pity would not do or accomplish anything. It would make her the wretched fool she felt herself to be.

Jane sighed, then got up and pulled on a wrap. She went to her window, and there was Loki, once more, in the front garden. His back was toward her. She rolled her eyes and went downstairs.

"Jane."

She was scrubbing the kitchen floor.

"Jane, stop."

"I'm busy."

She heard her father sigh. "I see that. Can we talk for a minute? Just a minute, then I'll leave you be."

She wiped her brow with the back of hand and rocked back on her haunches. She looked at him with some eagerness mixed with annoyance. "Well?"

"I know that you're hurting. I see that. And though I don't know what you are thinking, I heard some of what happened last evening."

She dropped her gaze and blanched. Her father had heard…she felt ill.

"…and I want you to know that I love you. No matter what. And you can be sad and angry, but don't stay that way, Jane. You're so much more than how they treated you."

She looked at him. He was smiling at her. She nodded.

"Do you love him?" he asked.

She dropped her gaze and played with the cloth she had been scrubbing the floor with. "Yes. But I hate him too. And I feel like I don't know him."

"Well, you don't. But if you love him, there is something that you know about him."

"What's that?"

"That something is there worthy of your love."

She smiled and looked up once more. "I don't know. I'm confused and I feel foolish."

"Yes. And I'm sorry," he went to her and pulled her to standing. "You didn't deserve any of that. But I'd ask you to speak to the Princes before we leave, or you will spend the rest of your life regretting you didn't. And they don't deserve to have your regret," he kissed her cheek.

"Thanks, papa," she smiled. Jane hadn't called him 'papa' in some time. She looked around. "I can't now…I just can't…"

"No," he shuffled his feet. "Jane…which prince are we talking about?"

Her eyes snapped to his. "Loki," she replied, sounding scandalized.

"Right. Just making sure," and he left.

Jane shook her head. But she smiled, and went to the doorway, a smallish window in it. He was there, sitting by the stream…

He had sat there for some time, and was loathe to leave, but thought that perhaps he should soon. It was becoming ridiculous, this sitting outside of her house. He had thought that by now, she would have come outside…that at least, in the morning…

But no.

Stubborn woman.

"Loki?"

He sighed. "What do you want?"

Thor sat next to him. "Well, are you simply going to sit there? Aren't you even going to attempt to speak with her?"

"I did. She told me to go away."

"Ah, well," he sat next to him and clapped Loki on his leg. "I've heard that before. Give her a night, and then try again!"

"I am not going to bother her, Thor. She has every reason to be upset, and I'm the last person she wants to see."

"I admire your restraint, brother. But I believe it's ill gotten. You need to make her talk to you. It's the only way…if you wait too long, she'll think that you don't care."

"How did you reach that conclusion, hm?" Loki looked at him crookedly. His brother could be so daft.

'Experience," replied Thor, and he got up. "Don't let her wait. Go and tell her. And if she tosses you out again, give her up. There are plenty of ladies in the great Tree!" and he left him there.

"Spoken like a man in love," he shook his head. "What an inspiration."

He was feeling sick, though, and believed it was best that he went back. Loki stood and went to the palace, hands in pockets, head down.

He entered…

"Loki."

He looked up into the face of his father. He forced his features into a neutral look. "Father," he nodded.

"You are unwell, son."

"Am I?"

"I think so. You wait for the Foster girl by her house, and she won't see you."

"No. But, why would she? She has been humiliated, her heart is broken. And it was us who inflicted these wounds upon her."

Odin nodded. "Aye, son. And I am sorry, but it worked exactly as I had planned."

Loki's face contorted. "As you planned?" he spat. "Have you no feeling at all?"

"Well, you have, now. Loki…I thought that…perhaps…with some push, that Jane might grow to care for you. And that you might care for her in turn. And there you are."

"What are you talking about?"

Odin smiled, then folded his hands behind him. "Thor was to marry Saga, there was nothing else for it. And I knew he wouldn't mind in the end. He is easily touched, and as long as the maid had a pretty face and was good enough in spirit, he would yield. What I saw, and indeed, have seen, in Jane Foster, was something else entirely. She went to Alfheim for school…she has a keen mind," he turned to Loki. "Much like you. She, I decided was much better suited for you. And, if we could redirect your brother's gaze in the interim, so much the better."

"You orchestrated all of this?" Loki was dumbfounded.

"In a manner of speaking. You love the girl, son. Don't waste any more time," he went over to him and patted his shoulder, then turned to leave.

And Loki stood there, not knowing what to say or so. "Father?"

"Hm?"

"What do I do?" and he turned to look at him.

"Tell her that in the middle of all this, you fell in love with her. And Jane will dismiss you. But if she truly loves you, she will come back," Odin nodded and left him there.

He sighed. He hated it when Odin was right…

…he went up to his chambers and took out some paper and a pen. He'd send a letter over to her, and call later. Or in the morning. Something.

Jane,

I know that you hate me. I hate myself…

He paused. He looked out of the window. Yes. He did hate himself.

But I also know that I'm in love with you. It may be impossible to believe. I hardly do. I don't know when this happened, but I am miserable for causing you such pain. I did not know that your heart could be touched by me in such a way, I had believed that I'd merely turn your gaze from Thor.

Yet, inexplicably, you love me.

And even more befuddling, I love you.

Not befuddling that someone could love you, for you are the most beguiling creature I have ever known. But confusing because no one believed me capable of such feeling. I certainly never believed it.

Yet here I am, in misery, in a state…I want only you…you, Jane, my friend. Still another thing I never sought nor thought possible for my own.

I am wretched, and I long for your forgiveness. I know I don't deserve it, but I beg you to put me out of my misery and bestow it.

My dearest Jane, I am so sorry. I never thought that you would care for me, so I thought little of this scheme.

I long for you to whisper your words once more, but I will accept any communication you will offer.

I'll call, and hope only that you consent to see me.

Soon,

Loki

He folded the note and waved a hand, sending it to Jane.

There. It was done. She either will speak to him or she won't, and there was nothing more he could do.

He would take a respite for a short while, and then see if she'd speak with him.

Loki went to his bed and laid down. He closed his eyes, and not realizing just how exhausted he was, fell into a deep sleep.

It was there…just materialized there…and she knew who it was from.

Jane swallowed…she hesitated. By gods, she had no desire to want to read it.

But she did. She wanted to.

It was on the wooden table, green, glowing dust falling on it, then disappearing. Jane was fascinated by his powers, even now.

She went over to it, and touched the paper, then took her hand away quickly. A tear formed as she contemplated what she was going to do.

She should toss it in the hearth.

But, she was also very curious. She sighed, then picked it up…

And she read it.

Tears slid down her face as she read, and she hated him and loved him more than ever, and in equal measure. What intense feelings he inspired in her!

Jane placed the note down and got up. Loki would be there later, she was certain he wouldn't wait until morning.

And she would need to speak with him.