Jane opens her eyes.
Soft lightening.
Quiet room.
Where is she ?
She tries to sit up straight.
Ouch !
Suddenly she remembers everything. Thor hitting her as a cannonball. The hospital.
"Awake . At last !", a voice says.
Loki gets up from the armchair in which he was sitting and comes closer.
"Hello, Sleeping Beauty ! How do you feel ?", he asks nonchalantly.
She sighs.
"As if I have been trampled by a herd of elephants."
He looks amused.
"Poor Thor ! Not a flattering comparison."
She giggles and immediately makes a painful face.
"Don't make me laugh ! It hurts !"
He leans against the headboard.
"Don't complain. Much Ado About Nothing."
He pauses, making sure she notices the Shakespearian allusion.
"Bruises. But nothing 's broken."
"I remind you that her left ankle is sprained and she needs to rest.", a nurse says categorically, coming into the room.
She pushes her trolley near the bed and puts a meal tray on the bedside table.
She whispers in Jane's ear.
"I assure you, honey, that his coolness is just a mask. You must have seen him, anxious, pacing up and down, waiting for the results of your medical examination."
Jane glances at him.
Did he really worry about her ?
Before leaving, the nurse warns Loki.
"Sir, since it's New Year 's Eve, you can stay with her by midnight. Exceptionally. But no later than midnight, ok ?"
She waves her hand.
"See you soon, love birds !"
"We are not ...", Loki and Jane protest simultaneously.
But she 's already gone, pushing her trolley in another room.
"Well, I'm afraid it's true", Jane mumbles.
"Oh ? Is it ?", Loki purrs.
His eyes sparkle playfully.
She blushes.
"I mean... she's right, it's New Year's Eve. And look where we are ..."
She adds, half - jokingly.
"Too bad ! I have bought such a nice dress for tonight !"
He sits on the bed.
"Even in this ugly ...thing", he shows her the nightgown lent by the hospital, "you are beautiful."
She smiles a bit.
"That's why you are called The God of Lies."
He hooks a finger under her chin for her to look at him.
"Do you need a proof, my little scientist ?", he asks in a seducing tone.
Jane's mind becomes totally blank.
Is he flirting with her ?
She can't speak nor move.
He's so close...
Is he going to kiss her ?
He ghosts over her lips.
"Cavalry. On time. Always", he whispers.
He gets up graciously and takes a few steps back.
As Thor and Sif slide in the room with conspiratorial faces, Jane must admit that she isn't as relieved as she should be.