Morning, Glory, and September Fades

Jane heard laughter.

Laughter…what on earth?

She opened her eyes, and found herself wrapped around Loki. On her fainting couch. In Asgard. And she moved, and her ankle screamed.

"Ouch!" she said, and Loki stirred. He wasn't the one laughing, apparently.

Jane looked up, and saw Fandral standing above them. "Well well well. What have we here?"

"Fandral?" Loki said thickly.

"It's so sweet the way you say my name through sleep's haze, Loki. But you should know that I saw your brother Thor and your father just over yonder fetching breakfast."

Loki stood up immediately from the couch. He was a mess, and sporting…Fandral's eyes dropped, he coughed, and turned away.

Blast! Loki turned away from Jane adjusting himself and his pants, while retrieving his shirt from the floor.

"Loki…?"

He was looking out of the window, buttoning his shirt, running his hand through his hair attempting to tame it. "Jane…you must hide," he picked the things up from the floor and turned to Fandral. "Go and detain them. Distract them for at least ten minutes."

"I don't recall aiding my employer in avoiding family members being part of my job," he smirked.

"If you value that job at all, you'll do as I say," Loki spat.

Fandral smirked. "Mornin' Miss Foster," he tipped his hat and left.

"Loki," repeated Jane after smiling and nodding at Fandral.

"Now, Jane…" he was cleaning up from the night previous's food and such. "I know that nothing improper occurred, but we must not allow Thor or Odin to see you here. They will think ill of you and I won't have that…" he studied the couch with Jane on it. "Hm. I suppose I can claim it as my own for the moment. Tell Odin that I was thinking about adding a reading area…"

Jane looked around the shop. The fainting couch was much too big for the space. Odin would notice that immediately. "Tell him you're holding it for me while I have some work done at the shop."

"Excellent!" he clapped his hands. "Now, you must leave posthaste, Jane."

"But…"

"No buts. Let's see…you are injured, perhaps…"

"Loki!" Jane yelled.

"What now Jane."

She rolled her eyes. "Now I recall why it was so irksome having you visit the shop every day," she smiled. "Look…why don't I just go in the back, dress myself properly, then pretend that I entered through the back way to greet you? Nothing suspicious in that. You just need to keep your father and Thor out here," she smiled.

"Brilliant," he whispered, slightly in awe.

"I have my moments. Now, can you help me at all?" she attempted to get up, and Loki was at her side, holding her arm.

Jane leaned over to grab her corset…

…and Loki, recalling the night before when he stole a glance, slid his gaze down her front, and he noticed the swell of her breast, and he felt himself stir a bit persistently.

He snapped himself out of it, and walked with Jane to the back.

"Now, don't drop anything. Or make any noise. Or…"

"Yes. I know. I need to keep as silent as possible," she nodded, rolled her eyes, smiling all the while, and closed the door.

What was Odin doing here? He hadn't been to Spitalfields in ages. Loki began opening up the shop in earnest, not knowing the time, but assuming it past eight thirty, as Fandral had been there.

He fixed his clothes as best he could, pulled a comb from behind the counter, and ran it thorough his hair.

After Thor and Odin left, he'd see Jane home.

He stopped and thought about the early morning hours in the shop…Jane wrapped around him, breathing softly.

He sighed and closed his eyes.

He would never say it…never admit…

He did not dare to hope.

Fandral came in just then. "Well, it seems that your family are in town on business and won't be able to stop by until much later," he paused. "Erm…sorry?" he wasn't sure what he should say, as Loki had been behaving oddly. Understandable, since he had just slept in his shop with Jane Foster. Though Fandral was fairly certain little sleep had occurred.

Loki was staring blankly at Fandral. "Did you speak with them?"

"I did, yes."

"And they said that they did not wish to see me?"

"No…they said that they were going to a meeting and would see you later."

Loki's brow was furrowed, and he went to the window, peering out.

"Ah…Loki? Everything all right?"

"Fine," he said, examining the street.

"You don't seem…"

Loki turned around and stared at him. "I said that I was fine, man!" He went to the front door and slammed it shut.

At that, Jane opened the back door. "Good morning, Loki," Jane said smilingly, then looked around. "What's going on?"

Fandral smiled at her. "It appears that our friend here is having a tantrum."

"There is where you are mistaken, Fandral."

"Oh, not a tantrum? What would you call it?"

"I meant that we weren't friends," he hissed. "Come, Jane. I'll see you home."

"Ah…" she looked inquiringly at Fandral…a help me on her face.

He shrugged and opened the door for them both. "Will you be in later, boss?"

"I don't know," he spat, leaving at a brisk pace.

He must have forgotten Jane's injury, for she hobbled out, rather pathetically…not even bothering to call after him to wait. She smiled as she passed Fandral. "What happened?" she whispered.

"His brother and father had a meeting and they said they'd be by later," his face registered confusion. "Good luck."

Jane fancied that Fandral seemed to suggest that she needed luck a lot when she was around Loki. Perhaps he knew something that she didn't.

She sighed as she limped across the Market…the shops were all open now and the carts were out.

Perhaps she should go and see to her own charge…but she took one look at Loki's back and thought the better of asking.

…her mind drifted to the night previous, watching his back in the moonlight…

She snapped herself out of it. "Loki!" she called, friendly in tone.

He stopped, not turning toward her.

"You'll need to slow your pace a bit if you want me to keep up at all," she reached him, smiling.

He nodded, eyes on the ground.

"Everything all right?"

"No, everything is not all right," he replied with irritation. "Can we keep moving, please? I need to see you home and return to Asgard."

She put her hand on his arm and turned him toward her. "If that is going to be your attitude, I can certainly see myself home."

"Fine," he spat. "You're just like them all, Jane Foster. But infinitely worse since you pretend to care. When I see Thor this evening, I'll alert him to your feelings, the two of you would make the perfect pair. Poor Sif. I did warn her..."

"What?" she breathed, dropping her hand.

"Oh yes! Thor is all things amiable and false. He is brawny and brainless…you see where I'm going with this?"

Loki's voice was raised, and the people of the market were beginning to look. There would be gossip, Jane was certain. She took his elbow and led him away from the center street. "How dare you!"

"Oh, but I do. I dare…I was shocked, to be sure, by your admission. But having slept on it, it truly makes sense. There is no depth to you, Miss Foster. Your rash behavior is proof positive of that sentiment."

There were tears in her eyes now. "Loki…" she didn't know if she was more hurt or angry. Her face flushed pink, her eyes shone…her hands shook a touch. "I do not know the cause for this speech, but I truly hope that these are not your true opinions of me. We have become closer these past weeks than I've ever been with anyone, save my father. I am sorry if I shocked you with my admission about your brother, but I was being honest. And I was being honest when I said that it was nothing but a passing fancy. Was it intense while I felt it? Yes…but only because I had never felt that way before. I am a late joiner in everything, I suppose," her eyes dropped. "I think that you might be right about me staying at home for the week," she looked at him once more. "And I'll see you next Monday," Jane walked away, limping and squinting in pain.

He almost called after her.

Almost.

But he was seething with pain and hurt and anger, and he knew that he was in no state to make amends….he hadn't meant to be so hurtful, but when his temper flared, that was what happened. He did it to Odin and Frigga, and landed in Asgard.

Jane was right. They needed a break.

He turned, head down, and went back to the shop.

"Well, that was quick," observed Fandral at the ring of the bell.

"Do shut up Fandral," Loki replied. "What's more, it could have been a customer, you didn't even look up from your book."

"Oh, yes. A customer. You're quite right. What are those again?"

"What do I pay you for, man?! You sit here, like a potato, you read, make your comments…"

"You pay me to spy on your family, as was evidenced just a…" Fandral looked at his pocket watch. "Hang on. You couldn't have walked Jane…"

"I didn't," and Loki went to the back for some brew. He steadied himself on the table with his hands…he was so disappointed in himself for behaving thus. As though he hadn't grown at all.

He knew this to be false, of course, but it certainly felt that way after that morning's display. Whenever Odin or Thor became involved in anything, Loki was immediately a child again.

…and what he said to Jane…

He closed his eyes and swallowing, went back into the shop and handed Fandral a cup. "You'll pardon my bad behavior, Fandral. I am not myself when my father or brother are involved."

"No."

"No," he smiled and leaned across from his employee, resting his elbows on the counter.

"What happened, Loki?"

"What do you mean?" he sipped.

"What do I…?" he shook his head. "Take your pick."

Loki sighed heavily and sat down on the couch left there by Jane. "Well, I haven't got the best relationship with my father or Thor."

"No," Fandral replied sarcastically.

"I'll thank ye to let me finish."

He nodded, then went and sat in the chair opposite Loki.

"At any rate, Thor was always quite…how should I put it…well liked? No. That's an understatement…adored, more like. Especially by our father. And I suppose…well. I tried many times to gain his approval. Nothing impressed him. When I was in my mid twenties…I had befriended a lady…she fell in love with Thor…" he swallowed, recalling just how similar the situations were between Sif and Jane. "…and I…rather lost my head. Temper. Said awful things. And Odin put me here," he waved his hands around the shop, then rested his eyes on Fandral.

"I see. But that wasn't really what I was curious about."

"What, then?"

"Jane."

"Ah…" Loki shifted. He thought that he shouldn't be discussing this…but Fandral was…hm. Good with ladies? Perhaps he should confide. "Well…Jane injured herself last evening. She also has gotten herself into some trouble. Made herself a suspect."

"What?" he breathed. "How?"

"Jane is indelicate. She threatened a man who was cornering John Pizer with a knife," he paused. "No one, I believe, has put the two together…but I aim to speak with Selvig and have him publicly dismiss the notion that a woman is a suspect."

"Very good. Now…how did she hurt herself?"

"That is a bit more concerning…Jane was in an alley by the Britannia, and she heard two men speaking…" he paused, looked at Fandral intently. "Actually, we think it's the same foreign fellow we referred to before. He mentioned Mary again, Fandral."

Fandral shifted. He nodded. "Go on."

"Well, he heard Jane in the alley, and she bolted…fell, twisted her ankle. I brought her back to the shop here and we slept."

"Slept?"

"That's right."

"You…just slept?" he smirked.

"Of course we just slept! What do you take me for?"

"A man in love," he replied.

Loki stared. He swallowed. He fidgeted. "Well. That's just…I mean to say…"

Fandral laughed. "Why didn't you see her all the way home? Bad form, Loki."

"We argued," he muttered.

"I see…now this I can help you with."

"I do not require your help," he smugly said.

"Oh? What are your plans regarding this mess?"

"Jane said that she'd see me Monday."

"Mm. Brilliant…" he paused dramatically. "No."

"No?"

"Absolutely not. Now, you don't need to take my advice in any other circumstance save this one. I have plenty of experience with cross ladies. In about two days, call on her and inquire after her injury. Perhaps bring her something she might enjoy while she heals. Apologize, then leave. Don't overdo it. Be sincere, but brief. Make no confessions. And then see her on Monday," he sat back, satisfied.

"Dr. Fandral," Loki smirked.

"Have you a better idea?"

"Well, I rather had the same one. Except I was going to wait until I spoke to Selvig and had that mess sorted, so it gave me a solid excuse to call."

"Very good," he nodded. "So…you admit that you love her?" he was eager.

Loki stood. "We are running a business, here Fandral. Not a knitting circle."

"Come, Loki…just out with it! It'll do you well to say it aloud!"

"I don't know what you mean," and he went to the back of the shop to see to his ledgers.

"Poor Jane Foster," he shook his head and tidied up the shop.

It took her quite a while. Much longer than she would have thought.

Jane hobbled up the steps, cringing with every step, then opened the door.

"Jane Foster get in here now," came Dr. Foster's voice.

"Damn," she muttered. She took off her wrap and hat and set her other things down. She made her way into the sitting room, where she discovered, quite shockingly, her father, standing.

And in his place in the chair sat Odin.

And in her chair sat Thor.

"Oh…" she gasped, swallowing.

"Where have you been," her father demanded.

"I…" she wavered, and grasped the side table by the door to steady herself.

"She's unwell," said Thor, going to her.

"No no…it's just my ankle…"

"Jane, what is the matter?" Dr. Foster went to her and eased her onto the shabby sofa.

"I hurt my ankle," she explained. "I…" she thought a moment, looking at the three men eyeing her intently. She should tread very lightly. "Well. I was walking last night, as is my habit, and the stone was wet in a concentrated spot. I slipped on the wet, and twisted it. My ankle. And Loki helped me and tended to my injury."

"You were out doing your investigating, is that it?" her father asked.

Jane looked warily around at the Odinson's.

"They know, Jane. Whatever Loki didn't tell them, I provided the details for."

"Ah. Well, yes. That's right. And he wrapped my ankle and gave me medicine…"

"And why are you come at…" Odin checked his pocket watch. "Ten in the morning?"

"Well…we decided that I couldn't walk home…" she wouldn't divulge the information about the man in the alley, but perhaps about her being a suspect…the Odinson's might be able to offer some aid. "Both because of my injury," she lowered her eyes. "And because last evening I discovered that some of the locals think me the killer," she gulped, waiting for a reaction.

It was decidedly silent.

"What do you mean, you are a suspect? To the police?" Thor asked.

Evidently, the other men were shocked beyond reason.

"Well…here's the thing," she let out a steady breath. "Last week, when they found John Pizer, I was there…they took him from the alley behind the apothecary…and I…well. I know that John is innocent, and this bloke was just screaming about him being the killer, and I told him to shut up or I'd…" she paused. "I'd rip his throat."

Dr. Foster let out a groan.

Odin sighed loudly.

Thor chuckled. "Well Jane. You have fire."

"Do be quiet, Thor. This is a right mess," Odin stood. "I suppose we should go to Scotland Yard and have them make some sort of announcement."

"All right," Thor nodded. He shook Dr. Foster's hand. "We'll clear your daughter's name, sir," he turned to Jane. "Keep that ankle up," he winked.

And Jane resented the action. That was how her fancy had begun, and now Loki hated her for it.

And she felt sick at the thought that he hated her…

The Odinson's left her and her father after a moment.

"I know that your mother is long gone, Jane," her father sat across from her. "But that doesn't mean that you cannot come to me about matters…erm…" he cleared his throat. "Matters of a…sensitive nature."

Jane looked at him and smiled. "I know."

"So…you spent the night with Loki, did you?"

She fiddled with her skirts. "Yes…but if you are asking me if any activities of a carnal nature occurred, rest assured, he was a perfect gentleman."

"So…"

"Nothing happened," well…almost nothing. She did sleep next to him in a tangle while he had no shirt on…

He nodded. "You are a fully grown woman, Jane. Even if something were to have happened, I wouldn't think less of you."

"Yes you would," she laughed.

"No. These things happen all of the time. Do I wish for you to be married before you lose... your virginity…?" he paused.

"Yes, father. I am a virgin."

He nodded once more. "But if you loved the man you had relations with, I would think no less of you or the fellow."

"I'm not in love, father."

"Very well…" he stood. "Now. Can I get you something for the pain?"

"No…I just want to get to my bed," and Jane stood. It was sore still, but felt slightly better…it was certainly not broken. Merely sprained.

She made her way up the stairs and into bed…

…and fell into dreamless sleep.

"So we are all clear on this, son?" Odin sat across from Loki at his son's flat.

"Yes."

"And things are better?"

Loki looked at him. Were they? "I suppose."

"You understand that Thor and I were come because of our concern over you and this hideous murderer."

"Hm, yes," he drank the rest of his port.

"Loki…" Thor began.

Loki cringed. "What."

"Don't be cross…we are certainly here for a visit. But those things needed tending to. The Times will publish the story in the morning about how no woman is suspected by Scotland Yard, and all will be well."

"I wish that you would take more care, Loki…" Odin added. "Which is why, I have decided, to alert the Home Office about my increase in reward money."

Loki snapped his gaze to his father. "Increase?"

"Just so. I shall be offering five hundred pounds for any information regarding the identity of the killer."

Loki's face split into a wide smile.

"That is the happiest I've seen you in ages, brother," Thor observed.

"Thank you, father," Loki said with emotion.

"Your welfare has always been my concern…and now that you've roped poor Jane Foster in, I must take some responsibility," he replied with a smirk.

"Poor Jane Foster," he muttered. "This was all her idea."

"Don't take your mood out on her, Loki. What's more, you should call on her," Thor rose. "She is in much discomfort."

"I thank you for your advice, Thor. It is always most welcome."

Thor shrugged. "It is what I observed. Shall we, father?"

Odin nodded and stood as well. "Do send us a note here and there, Loki. Your mother and I worry."

Loki nodded and standing, shook his father's hand. Then his brother's. "Good night," he said.

And they took their leave…

Loki sat a good long while thinking about what had transpired. They visited with Dr. Foster as per an appointment…they had gone to Scotland Yard to see that Jane's name was cleared. They then visited Loki at home, and supped with him.

It had not been awful.

It had been, in all honesty, rather pleasant.

Was he over it all? No.

But it wasn't as biting as it once was.

And he would call on Jane in two days' time…

September is an odd time for the ladies who walk. The days are deceivingly warm, the night forebodingly cold.

Mary Kelly was walking on such a night, Fandral had called on her earlier and she quelled his concern with a kiss.

She wandered over to Spitalfields Market, the oil lamps long lighted. There was no one about…

"And why is a lovely lady such as yourself wandering these streets at night?" came a voice.

"'o's there?" she peered into a darkish side street where the voice originated.

A man with a tall hat and long overcoat emerged. He was quite genteel, refined…"No one of consequence," he replied silkily.

"I…" she recalled Fandral's warnings. "Jus' on me way 'ome, guvna."

"Well, get thee gone," said he, and with a sweep of his cloak, strode away hurriedly.

Mary turned and ran a bit.

She, at least, hadn't given her name.

…and she reflected on how he said "thee"…for no one said that any longer.

She ran to Fandral's and banged on the door.

She huddled close and banged again, louder.

He opened it, and she ran inside…

And though nothing else occurred that evening, a sinister dawn rose on Whitechapel. Blood red and cold…quiet…calm, and churning.