Jane wasn't the kind of woman to mince words, so it surprised Erna that it took her almost six days to break down and ask the question that had clearly been eating at her. Erna suspected she wanted to ask during the wedding trip, but Loki's proximity kept her quiet. Now that Erna was in her home, however, she felt no such restriction. She did wait until Thor was out. He still had a soft spot for his brother that Jane didn't understand.

"So why would you ever be with someone like Loki?" She finally blurted it out as Erna was settling herself in the living room after lunch.

Erna offered her a kind smile to show right away that the question didn't offend her. They were basically sisters after all. "He's not the man he once was, Jane. He truly feels remorse for what he's done and he's trying to be the best leader he can be for the people of Asgard."

"I kind of get that, I mean I'm trying to understand it. But beyond all that... he's... he's so Loki."

"Jane, the man you see is very different from the one I get when we're alone. Trust me, I wouldn't have married him or even considered having a child with the man if he didn't treat me properly. And in all fairness, your perception of him is colored heavily by past actions."

"God, I'm sorry, Erna. You shouldn't have to justify things to me. I'm sorry I overstepped."

"You have an inquisitive nature, sister. I can't fault you for that."

"He may not be a hearts and poetry kind of guy, but I do see that he's different with you than with anyone else."

"It was more of a surprise to me than to anyone. When we began," she almost slipped and said agreement, but she stopped herself in time. "When we began our courtship he completely surprised me. I had heard terrible stories about him, but he always treated me with the utmost care and respect. It was very... endearing."

"I think you've been good for him."

"I hope so. He's given me more than just a title. I'm free because of him."

"Free?"

"As advanced as Asgard and my own realm may be in many ways, we're still bound by archaic social conventions. Midgardian women have much more freedom to choose what kind of life they lead. I was tied to my father and would have likely been tied to his choice of husband, but Loki helped me out of awful circumstance. My life likely wouldn't have been a very happy one without him. He offered me a freedom that most men won't allow for my sex."

"So Loki's like... progressive?"

She had to laugh at the disbelief on Jane's face. "Very. We're even working to improve the lot of all Asgardian women. We want to make it more acceptable for them to have voices in the government and to have the option to do whatever they wish. He fully supports me in that."

"So you're actually helping him govern? The supreme megalomaniac himself?"

"He insists. It's one of the reasons we got along so well from the beginning. He was one of the only men I'd ever met that didn't want to stifle my voice."

"No wonder you fell in love with him."

She kept a smile on her face, but it felt brittle. Hopefully Jane wouldn't notice. "Yes. It was an inevitability, I'm afraid." Let Jane take that as she would.

"Thank you for being so cool with giving you the first degree."

"Any time, Jane. We're sisters."

"How are you feeling today?"

"I feel stronger than I have in weeks. She enjoys your Midgardian food, particularly the tacos you provided last night."

"I'm glad to hear it. If you're up to leaving the house for a little while I do have a surprise for you."

"Jane, you don't have to entertain me. It's enough that you've opened your home to us."

"It's for me too, so don't feel bad."

"Will there be any attire requirements? I'm afraid all I have are my Asgardian garments along with the one Midgardian outfit Loki conjured for me."

"That one will be fine. And it's all laundered and ready for you. No excuses, Erna. I really want to do this for you."

"Jane, you've been so kind to us. I honestly can't thank you enough."

The woman gave her a huge grin. "I'm happy to. We're sisters."

And with that decision essentially made for her, Erna began the process of extricating herself from the couch.

It was several hours before they made it back to the house, both giggling as they entered the front door.

"And he had no idea who I was and proceeded to tell me how Thor wasn't the best Avenger and why Steve would always be better-"

Jane's story was cut short by the sight waiting for them in the living room. Loki stood scowling in full battle regalia, complete with horned helmet. Normally an impressive sight, it now looked odd and out of place in the domestic setting.

Erna ignored the expression on his face and made her way to him as quickly as her body would allow. "Loki! Is anything wrong? Do you have news?"

"Where were you? I've been waiting for hours wondering if you were in danger somewhere."

"Don't you think Heimdall would have called you back if I was?"

"I... well... I still had no idea where you were." Her logic seemed to have taken some of the wind out of his sails.

She reminded herself that it just came from a place of concern, so she kept her tone light. "Jane took me to a spa! I got a pregnancy massage and a facial and... Jane what was the other one?"

"An exfoliating treatment," the other woman supplied, staying in the archway leading into the hall.

"Yes! That was most invigorating. It was wonderful, Loki! And then stopped for fro yo," she looked back at Jane, who nodded in confirmation that she had gotten the term right, "because I can't seem to go a few hours without needing food these days. So you see, I'm perfectly fine. Now I've answered your questions, would you please do the same?"

He seemed to have calmed during her explanation and now he even gave her a smile. "It's over, little one."

Unconcerned with their audience, Erna grabbed the front of his jerkin, pulled him down to her level, and kissed him deeply before replying. "That is most excellent news, Loki. I'm so relieved. Tell me everything."

"I want you settled back at home before I tell the tale. Come. We can call Heimdall from the back yard." Despite the disapproving noise Jane made at the thought of her lawn sporting a giant scorch mark, Erna knew he was being polite by not opening the bifrost from inside the house.

He took her hand, but when he tried to draw her away she stood firm. "Thor and Jane have done us a great service by sheltering me and the least they deserve is an account of the story. He'll be home soon."

"You're... uh welcome to stay for dinner."

"We shall, Jane. That's a lovely offer." She turned to Loki, now sporting a perturbed expression. "I've become quite adept a preparing the salad!"

"Fine," he snapped. Finally looking at Jane, he spoke through gritted teeth. "Thank you for the gracious invitation."

"I'll just go to the kitchen and start cooking. You two probably need some time together." Without waiting for a response, she fled down the hall and they were alone.

His stern countenance softened the moment Jane was gone. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I found myself missing you terribly, little one."

"Surprised you, did it?"

"As a matter of fact it did. I didn't sleep particularly well, I missed speaking to you, I missed the feel of you next to me at night. All of it."

"You old romantic."

"I could easily write some bad poetry to better express my feelings, but then I'd insist on performing it for you. I can guarantee it wouldn't be a pleasant experience."

"I'll take your word for it." She nuzzled his chest, enjoying the smell and feel of him. He always smelled slightly of juniper and wood smoke and something subtle she never could place. She'd missed him too.

"How is she?" She knew he didn't mean Jane.

"Very pleased, but even more so since you arrived. She enjoys the food here, particularly your brother's cooking."

"Thor cooks?"

"He's quite good. Jane says he watched programs on the television for hours on end when he first discovered the channel devoted to food."

He sighed wistfully. "Do we really have to stay?"

"Yes. And you will properly thank both of them for all they've done for us."

"But I want to see you safely tucked into bed as soon as possible. And if you're up to it, I would dearly like to show you just how much I missed you. I might not have the right words, but I have ways of making myself clear."

"And that sounds divine, but it will have to wait just a few more hours."

He actually pouted at that, but she wouldn't be swayed. They were saved any future discussion when Thor ambled into the room moments later. She was always struck by how large he looked in the confines of a Midgardian setting, as if he was made for the grand spaces of Asgard.

"Brother," his voice boomed like the thunder he was famous for.

"No need to shout, Thor, I'm right here," her husband grumbled.

"You've returned with good news, I trust?"

"Yes." He wouldn't elaborate further and Erna shot Thor a sympathetic glance over Loki's shoulder. It wasn't necessary though, because Thor was more than used to his temperamental little brother.

"Excellent! I trust you're staying for dinner?"

"We are." Erna answered with a smile as the big man ducked out of the room. Everyone seemed intent on giving the pair some quiet time together, which suited her fine.

"Now, tell me of your time on Midgard, little one." He pulled her onto the couch and although she was about to protest, her weary body gratefully sank into the soft upholstery. "Spare no details."

-XXX-

Once committed to staying for a meal, Loki refused to discuss anything of the matter until after they'd eaten. Erna suspected it was more because she'd insisted he remove his armor and helmet than anything else. But petulant or not, he still kept contact with her in some form or fashion as they ate. He held her hand when he could or simply rested a palm on her knee, shoulder, or nape of her neck. She found it tremendously comforting and didn't mention it aloud, lest he stop.

He also wanted the discussion moved to Erna's bedroom so she could rest, but she had him agree to a compromise and they ended up in the living room. Again, she was struck by how odd it was to see the brothers in this setting and wondered if Jane thought the same of her. She ended up taking up a great deal of the couch while Jane and Thor took chairs opposite her.

Loki, ignoring her bulk, gently drew her onto his lap as best he could, another unusual choice for him. In the company of others he usually preferred to remain as regal as possible. He continued to act as if their hosts didn't exist as he fussed over her position, ensuring she was comfortable before they began.

Finally, he kissed her temple and spoke in low, serious voice. "I expect you to tell me if you need to rest at any time. Yes?"

She simply nodded and motioned for him to begin the story.

"I didn't want the palace knowing you'd gone away, so you stayed in bed in the form of an illusion. We kept up the story that you were recovering from an illness, but that you were getting stronger by the day." He smirked down at her before adding the next part. "We even had a rather realistic argument about you keeping to bed rest that I'm sure at least your maids overheard. It was likely all over the castle in a matter of hours."

"How entirely unlike me," she declared. "It's a wonder nobody saw through your shoddy ruse."

"My magic is flawless. I wouldn't expect a bumpkin light elf to understand the subtleties." No displeasure colored his words. In fact, the smirk had transformed into a genuine, warm smile. He looked happier than she'd seen him in weeks.

Thor looked particularly amused at this exchange, initially surprised that Erna's complaint was met with a teasing reply from his notoriously defensive brother. Things certainly had changed in Asgard.

"But days of scanning thoughts for any new plots were fruitless. Nor did Heimdall see any unusual activity. Then we realized that if nobody was actually eating the food prepared for you, then we wouldn't know if the poisoner was back at work. I was fairly certain that the food hadn't been tainted in the kitchens, because nobody else fell ill, but I had Heimdall watch just to be sure. I had him focus all his attention not spent monitoring you on the food preparation areas."

Jane interjected with a question. "What were you doing with the food if nobody was eating it? Were there any tests that could be done to see if they'd been dosed with whatever was used on Erna before?"

"It wasn't anything I or the healers were familiar with. We detected something in the tea, but it's still too much of an unknown for a reliable test." Erna was pleased that he didn't discount the question just because Jane had done the asking. "We had no recourse but to destroy the meals presented to the queen."

He continued, now holding Erna's hand and absently stroking her palm with his thumb. She got the distinct impression he was trying to calm her before the next portion of the tale. "I finally grew tired of the game and decided to observe you being served. We called for your dinner and Heimdall watched as it was prepared and carried to our chambers. I concealed myself in the dining room and…" he faltered for the first time. "Little one, I caught her in the act."

"Her?"

"Tora. She maintains her innocence, but I saw her sprinkle something all over your food and even dose your cider. We may still not know what it is exactly, but we're sure it's what you ingested. The healers are studying it as we speak."

"But Tora isn't capable of something like this!"

"Erna, I knew you wouldn't want to believe this, but I saw it myself."

"Poison is usually a woman's weapon, if Midgardian television is to be believed." Loki and Erna ignored Thor's addition and Jane put her hand on a massive forearm to quiet the man. She knew anything they'd have to add at this point was unwelcome. No wonder Loki had wanted this discussion to be private.

"What… what was her motive?"

"She won't say anything in her own defense other than that she wasn't poisoning you. She wants to speak to you, but I've made it quite clear that won't be happening."

"And why not?"

"I'm not allowing you in the same room as the woman that tried to kill you on multiple occasions!"

"Allowing was the wrong choice of words, Loki."

"Little one, you know what I mean. We shouldn't endanger you further."

"I assume she's in a cell in the dungeons?"

"Well yes, but-"

"But nothing. I won't even go in the cell with her. I will speak to her though. If she won't give details to anyone but me, then so be it. I need to understand this."

"Heimdall and I are coming with you if you insist on this."

"I do."

They took their leave of Midgard shortly thereafter, Loki thanking his brother and sister-in-law for sheltering his wife. It hadn't even taken any prodding from Erna to extend an open-ended invitation to the couple to join them in Asgard any time they wished. For Loki, that was a big step.

By the time they'd traversed the bifrost and snuck back into the palace, she was exhausted. Loki, constantly on the watch for signs of distress or fatigue, bundled her into bed as soon as they made it to their bedroom. It was an odd sensation watching a sleeping version of herself disappear before she climbed into bed and replaced her.

And while she felt relief that she was home and the culprit had been caught, a nugget of uncertainty refused to leave her. It festered in her gut, leaving her tired, but unable to immediately succumb to sleep. They would interrogate the girl in the morning and though it promised at least some answers, she couldn't look forward to it.

Eventually, she narrowed her focus to Loki's steady breathing and was able to shut everything else out. Tomorrow promised to be a trying day and she needed all the rest she could get.