Leaving Thor was tough.
But necessary.
The link between them was more friendship than love.
Walking through the baby department, Jane remembers the last 9 months.
The one who was afraid of the separation was the one who broke up.
How ironic.
She smiles a bit. It seems (Tony was unable to hold his tongue !) that Thor's despair didn't last long ...thanks to Sif.
But Jane isn't jealous.
A lovely couple, Loki was right.
Loki ...Where is he ?
She hasn't seen him for months.
Since New Year's Eve, to be precise.
He disappeared without a word.
Without saying her goodbye.
Pepper interrupts her train of thoughts.
"Jane, look what I've found !"
She gives her an enormous teddy bear.
"Isn't it cute ?"
The small scientist almost disappears behind it.
"I'd rather say, it's bulky !", she says in a muffled voice.
But Pepper doesn't listen to her.
"Wait for me, I'm going to ask the sales assistant, if he's got a bigger one."
A...bigger ?
Jane grins.
Pepper has been changed by pregnancy.
Definitively a touch of craziness.
"A nice substitute for Thor. Craving for hugs and affection ?"
She would have recognized this voice in a thousand.
She turns around, pressing the bear tightly.
Loki.
Still charming.
But his eyes are cold and he doesn't smile.
Jane clears her throat, feeling uncomfortable.
Why does he look so icy ?
"Hello, Loki. I haven't seen you for ages", she says flatly. "Where have you been ?"
"Here and there", he answers evasively. "I came back in town yesterday."
Deafening silence.
Why does he not rekindle the conversation ?
She takes the plunge.
Bravely.
"Do you want to have a drink with me ?"
"Why ?", he snaps."A desire to tell how marvellous your life is ? Or to show me that you bask in bliss ?"
"Stop yelling at me", Jane frowns, "It is spoken from the heart."
"I don't need your pity", he shouts, "I'm perfectly happy on my own."
"Hey ! What happens ? I can hear you at the other side of the shop !"
Loki bows.
"Forgive my rudeness, Miss Potts."
He glances at her round belly.
"Pregnant as well, I see." His lips curl in a smirk. "The Avengers have been efficient."
Pepper sends him a perplexed look.
"What do you mean ? Is Sif pregnant ?"
It's Loki's turn to look confused now.
"Why are you speaking of Sif ?"
Suddenly he gasps and snatches the teddy bear out of Jane's hands, throwing it away.
"You're not pregnant !", he hisses.
"Of course I'm not", Jane answers in an outraged tone. " I broke up with Thor."
"What ?", he cries out, "Why on earth did you not tell me about your split ?"
"And how ?", Jane blows up. "I remind you that you have disappeared."
She crosses her arms.
"None your business anyway."
Loki catches her wrist and shakes her violently.
"It is, stupid girl ! Are you so obtuse that you don't understand why I left ?"
She frees herself and pokes him in the chest.
"I don't allow you to insult me ! Let me guess..."
She lifts her chin, challenging him.
"You left ...because you're deeply misanthropic ? ...because you had the Universe to conquer ? ... because you're totally unpredictable ?"
"Very funny", he comments in an acerbic tone," you have forgotten a reason: you, dear Jane, are utterly impossible."
Pepper is staring at them in amazement.
Oh Oh ...Tony's lover puts her hand on her belly.
"I'm sorry if I interrupt your enthralling conversation...but my waters have broken !"