He was standing on the balcony, and it was late.

Or early, depending on how one viewed it.

Loki couldn't sleep. He had sent the letter to Jane a few hours ago now, and he was nervous. He wanted to know if she loved him enough to forgive him.

He doubted it.

Loki ran his hand through his hair and sighed. There was no point in trying to sleep. He had better walk…

The garden was dimply lit with starlight, it feathered through the leaves. There were insect sounds, soft humming emanated from the ground as he walked. There was a chill about the place, and he shivered slightly.

He had long believed himself incapable of being touched the way Jane had touched his heart. He had had a lifetime of evidence to prove it. It was unfathomable, really…and he hadn't bothered looking for signs, for it was impossible. He was certain.

And he had been wrong.

Loki sat on a bench and looked at the sky. Love, thus far, had hurt. It was all misery and uncertainty. He would be much happier without it.

But the vessel would not be silenced once it had been heard, and he ached for it.

What a mess.

He leaned forward and covered his face with his hands.

"Can't sleep?"

He looked up and saw Jane Foster walking toward him.

"Neither can I. It's a pity, because it is a lovely evening for it."

"For what?" he found his voice as she sat next to him.

"Rest," she looked at the sky.

He couldn't tear his eyes from her…she was in a cream colored wrap, tight around her…barefoot, her hair down.

She was a vision.

"What are you doing here, Jane?"

She turned and smiled. "I received your letter."

He swallowed and nodded.

"I don't forgive you, for doing that would mean that I am willing to forget, and I'm not certain that I can."

His gaze fell. "I understand."

"However, I am willing to put you on a probationary period."

He cocked a brow. "I beg your pardon?"

"Well, seeing as how we love one another, it would be silly to dismiss it, when it's hardly a chance at all, wouldn't it?"

His jaw dropped and he nodded stupidly.

"And since we neither of us are silly…" she smirked a touch.

"No."

"…perhaps we ought to see where this takes us."

"Jane, are you…what are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I love you, and that you love me. And maybe, for now, we should just see. I feel as though I may need to get to know you all over again, but…" she swallowed. "I think I'd like to try."

And he felt light…as though everything in his life were a culmination of this point…that he had been waiting for this to happen…"You may be disappointed."

She looked at him very deliberately, then moved closer to him. "I'll risk it," and she touched his cheek…

Their lips met, and a warmth overtook them both. The kiss deepened, and it was fervent and desperate, as though they did not believe that it would ever happen…hands grasped at clothing, and pulled them closer…

"Jane Jane Jane…" he panted, pulling slightly away…and he trailed kisses down her neck…"I was so worried…"

"Of?" she whispered.

He looked at her. "Of never feeling you again," he cupped her face.

"I'm here, Loki. And I'm going to try…but you've given me more than I could have imagined."

"What's that?"

She smiled. "The moon," and she kissed him again.

…and the moonlight dipped in between them, the only thing able to seep through their bodies…

"I…" he swallowed. "You are full young, Jane. And inexperienced. I do not wish to tarnish you nor make you uncomfortable."

Her gaze fell and she nodded. "But where there is love, Loki, there can be no blemish nor anything but ease," she smiled and looked at him. "We are away to Alfheim."

"Yes."

"And will you come?"

He smiled at her. "Aye, love. With pleasure."

"Then allow me to have some, Loki. I have never in my life known it…"

He was hesitant, for he had never made love to a virgin. In fact, it was fair to say that love making had been rather dispassionate for him.

He looked at her steadily and then his eyes trailed down her person…her wrap was opened slightly from their embrace…and he touched the hem, opening it further. When he looked at her, her eyes were closed…

…off went her wrap, her nightdress just underneath, and he cupped her breast as she let out a sigh.

"You're the most beautiful creature I've ever beheld," he said, his passion rising. "Please ease my pain and kiss me…"

Jane opened her eyes and leaned over, claiming his mouth.

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to the ground in a heap. Loki was resolute now, and pulled her gown over her head…

And there Jane Foster was, naked on the grass.

She started to raise her arms up to cover herself, but he took her hands. "No," he said, then waved his hand…his clothing disappearing…"Is that better?" he smiled.

Jane looked at him. She had never seen a naked man before…her father was always covered, and statues, she thought, didn't really count.

She swallowed. She nodded. "Will it hurt?" she whispered.

"No," though he couldn't be absolutely certain. "I promise you…I will not hurt you," and he smiled.

She nodded.

And he rubbed his hands over her body…feeling his passion mounting…

…he fell in between her legs and kissed her sex.

Jane cried out, and, using this as encouragement, his kiss grew deeper…he hummed into her, feeling her fluids begin to flow…and she sung her own song above him, her legs twitching at his ministrations…

He sat up and looked into her face, wanton and need…

And Loki slipped himself into Jane delicately, a little at a time, until he pushed through and she gasped.

"Are you all right?" he whispered, feeling her taut and pull at him.

She nodded slowly.

"Can I move?" he asked.

"Slowly," she said, feeling full yet nervous.

…and he did. Slowly he moved, back and forth, looming large above her…she wanted him closer, so she pulled him down to her lips and he kissed her…

"Jane," he said into her mouth. "I love you with everything that I am…" his pace quickened. "I'm so sorry that I hurt you…" and he kissed her again.

She couldn't think…they were moving in tandem, and she could feel his growing inside of her…He groaned…

And spent himself.

He couldn't feel anything but a tingle all over his body…he looked at her, and she was smiling…"Did I hurt you?"

"No. It didn't hurt, exactly," she said, touching his cheek. "I don't want to go home, Loki…"

"Then you shan't," and he waved his hand, and they were in his rooms, Jane wrapped around him close.

"I love you," she whispered.

It was two weeks before the call of Alfheim made its way back to the lovers. Mr Foster was ready enough to make the journey. Asgard had lost her attraction for him after everything that had happened.

But he was happy for his daughter, no matter how odd he thought the circumstances of her love. It was clear to him that the sorcerer Prince was very much in love with her, and that had to be good enough for him.

Odin and Frigga were saddened by Loki's determination to go to Alfheim, despite Odin's talk with him.

"I go where Jane goes, mother. There is simply no discussion we can have."

"If there is a wedding, son…"

"We will be back for it."

"And what of your brother's upcoming wedding?" Frigga smiled.

"Well, we shall make an appearance, then," he kissed her cheek and walked from the palace.

With long strides, Loki walked to the BiFrost, down the Rainbow Bridge, to where Jane and her father were waiting. He was anxious to get on with it.

They had secured a place in Alfheim for now, and he hoped that Jane would consent to marriage soon, so that a place of their own would be possible.

He entered, and Heimdall smiled. "Well, Prince Loki. Off to Alfheim, then?"

"I am. We shall return for Thor's wedding, though."

"And do you plan on staying there indefinitely?" Heimdall moved aside.

Loki looked at Jane and Mr Foster. "I plan on no plans, Heimdall," he took Jane's hand…

…and they disappeared into the BiFrost.

AN: Well, that's it! Thanks for your patience with this. I hope you enjoyed it!