The Lokistone

Lokistone 11

For the SECOND section, I listened to the Fellowship of the Rings soundtrack "Gandalf's Fall" followed by "Lament for Gandalf."

Please enjoy:)

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

Jane turned onto her side, and kicked off her covers. She shivered, wrapping her arms tight to herself, dull tears still running down her face. She blinked slowly. Burning chills raced over her skin, and her stomach and chest tightened in painful, stiffening spasms.

Finally, she sat up, gasping, and wiped the tears off her face. She got up, and wrapped her coat over her pajamas fumbling hands. She stepped to the door and pulled it open, and looked out into the room.

The fire had lost much of its life—it flickered low, sputtering, sending settled, listless illumination through the nearest part of the room. Thor lay on his back parallel to the couch, on a clean portion of the rug, covered in a quilt he'd gotten from the couch—he was too big to lie on the couch.

Otherwise, the room was empty.

Jane stopped. Her throat shut.

She searched the dark corners, but he didn't inhabit any of them. Biting her lip and trying not to tremble, she stepped out into the living room. When she got closer to him, Thor frowned, then blinked his eyes open. He sighed when he saw her, and gave her part of a smile.

"Hello, Jane," he said, his deep voice breaking with disuse.

"Where's Loki?"

She hadn't meant to ask that—she had meant to ask how Thor was feeling.

She stopped, startled at herself.

"Erm..." Thor grunted, turning his head and glancing toward the door. "He left some time ago. He said he needed to check the flaws in the shielding spell before he cast another one." Thor let out a deep breath, and resettled his head on the folded-up towel. He focused on her. "How are you?"

"Fine. I'm fine," Jane answered quickly—and suddenly realized that she was being far more deceitful saying that than she had been saying anything else. Avoiding his gaze, she edged past Thor's feet and sat down on the couch, tucking her legs up under her again.

"You look well," Thor commented, still watching her. She swallowed, and forced a small smile for him.

"Thank you."

Thor paused. A thoughtful air settled over him.

"He has taken care of you, hasn't he?" he said slowly. "Protected you?"

Jane swallowed again, and looked up at the fire.

"Mhm," she nodded, not trusting herself to actually say words. Thor closed his eyes.

"I knew he would," Thor stated tiredly. "When Nick Fury announced to everyone that Loki would try to harm you, I told him that was nonsense."

A tear trickled down Jane's face. Her eyes unfocused—the firelight became a blur.

"I could tell by the way he took hold of you, when I first saw you again in Stark Tower," Thor went on, his voice weary. "He treated you carefully—as he only does when he touches something of value."

Jane swiped at her cheek. Then, desperately trying to keep him from seeing her face, she lay down on her side toward the fire, curling up even tighter.

"I was glad you were not nearby when the Chitauri and the Skrulls came again," Thor confessed. His tone softened. "My only fear was that you would be afraid of my brother. Afraid that he might strike you—or kill you." Thor paused. He shifted toward her. "You are not, are you?"