Cassandra's stomach rolled at the stench of the fermented fish on her plate. It had to be one of the most vile things she had ever smelled. Even Loki looked a bit green, clutching his napkin in a fist.

This is what she got for letting Thor order for her. She should have had him translate the menu for her instead of trusting him. At least delicious food would make up for this really awkward atmosphere. Too bad neither was likely to happen.

Thor oblivious, tucked into his own fish with a hearty appetite. "How are you doing, brother?"

Cassandra twirled her fork along the edge of the ceramic plate casting an illusion over her supper to make it look like some of it had vanished.

Loki pressed the napkin to his mouth and swallowed hard. "I was doing fine until you insisted on bothering us."

Jane sipped her water. She had avoided looking at Loki the entire meal. Cassandra got the impression they had a history and not a good one. "Cassandra, Thor tells me you're a historian."

"I'm a curator actually. I worked for an auction house and well, I lost my job. I now work for Tony Stark."

Actually, Cassandra wasn't entire confident about that. With her training in Kamar Taj she had logged very few hours in Tony's library lately. He might hire someone else to replace her. Save the world and be out of a job after. That sounded about right.

"That sounds interesting. I wish I could indulge in something simple like that. I'm currently studying ley lines." The astrophysicist took a delicate bite of her fish. The smell didn't seem to bother her. "Do you know what ley lines are?"

Must be pregnancy cravings. Cassandra deduced, vanishing more of her fish. She let the comments about her career slide. Otherwise, Loki was bound to get into a fight with Thor. The dinner was miserable enough. "Ley lines are natural channels of energy that run through the earth. They can be utilized in spells."

According to Master Wong the Sanctums acted as anchors in a complicated protection spell. The spell used energy from the ley lines to form a net around the world to protect the earth from evil interdimensional beings.

See? Cassandra could show off how smart she was too.

"I'm a scientist. I know very little about magic. However, I am trying to confirm if there is a connection between the ley lines and the larger universe." Jane explained, rubbing a hand over her belly smiling shyly. "Of course, I'll be going on maternity leave soon so I'll be taking a break. My assistant Darcy will have to continue the research without me for a while."

Loki's eyes shifted toward Jane's pregnant belly for the umpteenth time in the last hour. A powerful longing filled his face. "That must be difficult."

Cassandra's heart flipped in her chest at seeing his expression. She doubted Thor noticed the yearning radiating off his brother. Loki's desire for children ran deeper than she realized. Discreetly she reached for his hand beneath the table and gave it a squeeze.

Smiling faintly, he turned his hand over palm up and clasped their hands on his knee. With his left hand he picked up the champagne glass.

Jane ignored Loki and folded her hands on the table addressing Cassandra. "So, what are you doing in Norway?"

Cassandra and Loki exchanged a look. The less who knew about Merlin's secret library the better. That kind of knowledge would be deadly in the wrong hands. Thor might be an Avenger but he also had a big mouth. If they told him, word would get back to Tony and then the billionaire would be poking his nose around the vault wanting to experiment with the spells.

Last time he decided to play god, he gave the world Ultron.

"I'm here on business." Cassandra said tightly.

"I heard about your mother, my lady. If there is anything I can do to aid in the search do not hesitate to ask." Thor's blue eyes were full of sympathy. "After all I suspect we'll be family before long."

She turned red as a tomato, mouth clamping shut.

Loki choked on his champagne, spraying Thor in the face. "Our relationship is none of your business, Thor." He coughed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Worry about your own. You will soon be adding a child into your household. I hope you're prepared."

"It is a bit of a tight fit in the house with Miek and Korg." Thor admitted, wiping his face clean with a napkin. "But we will make it work."

Using her magic, Cassandra slid a glass of water toward Loki. Eyes watering, Loki smiled gratefully. She turned back to the happy couple across from them. She wanted to kill Thor for bringing up her mother. As if she wasn't worried sick already. "Thank you for inviting us to dinner. Its been...interesting."

Thor raised a brow at her sharp tone. "Have I done something to offend you Lady Cassandra?"

Only be an insensitive blockhead. Cassandra pushed her plate toward the edge of the table for a passing waiter to collect. "I'm worried enough about my mom I don't need you throwing it in my face." She snapped.

Jane leaped to her boyfriend's defense. "Thor's just trying to help. There's no need to snarl at him."

"Well, he needs to learn some tact."

"I apologize." Thor said looking thoroughly embarrassed. "I should not have brought up something so sensitive."

Jane raised her hand silencing him. Her eyes flashed. "Don't apologize. She's the one who's out of line." The lines around her mouth deepened in anger. "I was willing to give them a chance for you, but I can't sit here across from him and act like everything's normal."

Him. Meaning Loki.

"He's a monster. Do you know what he did in New York?" She blasted the accusation at Cassandra like a missile.

Apparently, Jane was done playing nice.

Pain pricked Cassandra's heart at seeing Loki's face close off into an unreadable mask. She hated to see him like this. She instinctively laced her fingers through his and held his hand tightly.

Sadness swam in his blue eyes and he jerked his hand away.

Anger mounted. Cassandra knew he felt guilty for what happened. But he had changed. Loki was not that man anymore. "I know what he did." Leaning forward she jabbed a finger at Jane, a fierce protectiveness rising up inside her. "But he's not a monster. All of us are flawed and messed up. No one is perfect. Not even you."

"I can't believe you're defending him." Jane said in disgust. "It shows how young and naïve you are. Loki is a villain. That's all he'll ever be."

Loki flinched violently in his chair, his knees knocking against the table rattling the dishes.

Cassandra narrowed her eyes at Jane. If the woman weren't pregnant she would totally kick her ass. "No, he's a hero. He saved your ass on the Dark World. He saved the Asgardians during Ragnarok. He protected his people when Thanos attacked the ship. He's saved my life more times than I can count. There's no one I would trust more to have my back than Loki. The fact you can't look beyond your own prejudice shows how blind you are." She finished in a rush, chest heaving.

The two women glared at each other for a long minute.

Jane huffed and looked away, folding her arms across her chest. "You are a stupid girl. Do not complain when he betrays you."

"I don't care what you think of me. I choose him." Cassandra twisted in her chair to focus on her god instead of Thor's girlfriend. As far as she was concerned Jane and her weren't going to get along.

Loki regarded her with awe and unadulterated gratitude. Warmth flushed through her and she smiled back. "What do you say we get out of here and get some real food?"

He hesitated, glancing at Thor and Jane. His mouth pursed for a second then stretched in a breathtaking smile. Standing, he swept out his arm gesturing for her to proceed him. "Lead the way, Sweet Cassandra." He said with a tender note in his voice.

Buoyant, Cassandra threaded her arm through his, hugging it close. They stopped in the breezeway to retrieve their coats and left the restaurant. "I'm sorry I lost my temper with your brother. Everything is so stressful. I shouldn't have taken it out on him."

Loki finished buttoning his coat. A frigid gust swept the hair back from his face, tangling the inky strands down his shoulders. "I wouldn't worry too much, darling. Thor is very forgiving." The edges of his mouth curled wryly. "Think how many chances he's given me."

Snow swirled around them, drifting across the sidewalk. Cassandra scuffed her foot through the white powder, peering up at her dark prince. "I'm glad you're not angry with me."

"How could I be angry with my staunch defender?" Loki cupped her face gently in his hands and kissed her deeply.

Her heart swelled as she slid her hands down Loki's back, gripping his waist to pull him closer. He tasted of mint and a cool winter breeze. Loki was intoxicating. In this moment, Cassandra fell even more in love with him.

The ends of her scarf fluttered loose, and she pulled back with an embarrassed giggle.

Loki readjust the folds of the green silk, using the ends to pull her mouth back to his. Heat pooled low in her belly an electric desire sizzled in her veins.

No matter what Jane said. Cassandra had faith in Loki.

A/N: I know I said I'd be gone for a month but two weeks has been enough to make me feel better. I hope you liked this chapter. Your comments mean so much. They make me smile when I'm feeling blue or plagued with self-doubt. I thank you for continuing to read my story. Hope everyone is well!