A/N:

*Welcome and behold the ultimate crack pairing that just works: Loki/Darcy! I'm such a sucker for smut and romance with these two snarky characters that I've finally ventured into writing! Gasp! This fic is set at the end of the Avengers and is completely flying around AU territory. I may or may not move into Dark World territory but...we'll see. Overall, this story has a lot of Suspense/Mystery/Horror elements based off the MCU, Marvel comics and Norse mythology.

**Trigger Warnings: Since this story follows a mystery/suspense/horror genre it will be dark with descriptions of gore, spookiness, and attempted possession. And if spiders are a trigger for you just be aware that I could mention them. The sexual content of this story is also subject to change. Ghost!Voyeurism, bondage!kink, skewed power dynamics, dub-con dreams will be involved... As this is still a work-in-progress I cannot predict to what extent I will focus on any of these things or if I will focus on some of them at all.

***This prologue is set in the middle of the story when things really start to get chaotic for our fantastic duo, much like a teaser, with the goal for the rest of the story to come full circle and catch up to these events. If prologues are not your thing you can always skip this part and still enjoy the story.

Prologue

The Promise

"Is this what sadness is all about?

Is it what comes over us when beautiful memories

shatter in hindsight

because the remembered happiness

fed not just on actual circumstances

but on a promise that was not kept?"

― Bernhard Schlink, The Reader

"Oh sweet Lord," she said, "I am going mad."

Standing in a compact room that looked like a compartment at IKEA stood earth's brightest mind, Jane Foster, a clutter of laundry between her feet. Jane flipped listlessly through articles of clothing cloistered away in her closest, keen eyes grading each and every item as if she were grading first year papers. She'd have to drive for miles till she found a boutique worthy enough for what she needed right now. And looking out her window at the storm blistering across the Norwegian S.H.I.E.L.D station, Jane glared ominously: outside was not going to let up any time soon.

Picking out threads of the stuff that bridged two distant galaxy clusters together she could do. Hell, she could spend hours on end imagining what dark matter looked like. Even doing her taxes was an easier feat than this, this matter of what to wear.

Is this what perplexes one of the greatest minds of the modern era? A voice from deep within her taunted.

Jane Foster emitted a sigh of defeat and peered deeply into the slanted mirror on her chest of drawers. She scrutinized the image glaring back at her. Already she had failed to rid herself of her dark circles. Massive ones- forged from restless nights spent crying into her pillow over what she had lost.

Darcy...

That wide eyed bushy-haired girl, that hyper happy-go-lucky twenty-four year old, she wished she could tell her now what she had never thought to then: how grateful she had been to have her there all those times she had hit rock bottom.

And how did you repay her in kind? The menacing voice returned its tone accusatory.

By ignoring her, always doubting and never paying attention, thinking she had cried wolf like any other scientist would. Jesus, why hadn't she actually listened to her friend about that god-damned house?

About being haunted?

Suddenly the memory of that bleak day came crashing down on Jane Foster. The flashing waves of light that had rolled off those blue encrypted runes, the harsh hail and glares of those watchful undead. Dr. Strange's screams for her to get into a van...Darcy's screams. The guilt; it choked the researcher like a phantom noose. She could only imagine what it was like for Darcy now, locked away in that S.H.I.E.L.D facility: a contamination cell.

A twisted nightmare with no end in sight-

Giddy, the dark voice fervently reminded her, that's what you should feel.

Thor.

Thor was coming and no longer out of her reach as the butterflies in her stomach multiplied in tandem at the thought of his strong arms encircling her. How many days and nights had she spent in the hopes that she would one day see those smiling bright eyes again?

There had been too many to count.

As soon as she had finished dressing, Jane smelled something off, something burning like- her dinner!

In a mad dash, she made her way down the narrow staircase and into the kitchen floor's smoking oven. Coughing past the fog of smoke, Jane lifted the corningware up to the stove top, where her cute Cornish hen - now turned rubber chicken-lay.

Panic surged within Jane.

How could she salvage this in time?

Too late. The voice muttered.

"Lady Jane?"

Jane froze her back stiffening as she turned to meet the puzzled gaze of Thor Odinson. Garbed in his rich Asgardian costume, the man she had only been dreaming of for over a year stood in front of her.

"Uhh, mmm…" was her weak reply as her heart skipped a beat. Thor's warm eyes had gone directly to her home cooked meal, and horrified, Jane gasped, "Oh God...I'm so terrible at this."

Thor, radiant as always, broke out into booming laughter as he reached out for her frail hands to kiss.

"I think you are a lovely hostess," the scientist smiled rather pathetically at that, "besides, I did not come for the fine Midgardian sup this night's eve, only for this realm's most beautiful and most prized lady of science; for you Jane."

The immortal's eyes sparkled and Jane felt herself flush.

Ten minutes later, with the poor bird forgotten, Jane could finally rest at ease, and as if sensing this change of pace Thor ended his tale of his more youthful days, to begin asking how she had been doing in his absence.

"-and how is your young apprentice doing?" He asked her with stormy blue eyes and a grin.

"What?" Jane sputtered, practically spitting her wine into the curious immortal's face, on edge and frantic in her seat at the mention of Darcy Lewis.

"Why, the lady Darcy," he repeated a little more loudly, "how does your good friend fare?"

Jane abruptly realized just how exhausted she felt right then and there. That, up to now, she'd only been running on adrenaline.

"What has happened Jane?" Concern dripped from Thor's voice, his eyes now grim.

How do you not know? Your brother, that's what happened, Jane thought bitterly, your estranged phantom sibling took it upon himself to haunt my assistant.

Push all of us over the edge.

Jane felt the grief inside her rise up again, but Thor would have none of it, his kind eyes egging her on. It helped to reduce her frustration over his lack of knowledge as she revealed everything to him. Thor hung onto her every word, his eyes calculating as he learned of his brother's unexpected return to Earth and his plans to use their research on the golden bridge Gjallarbrú, of Darcy's body infused with other worldly forces, of the storm that had followed in her wake. It'd been apocalyptic; the fact that she was still alive at all was a marvel, the fact that Darcy had made it a miracle; which was exactly why S.H.I.E.L.D now had her in a cell block under lock and key.

"By Valhalla, I will save her!" Thor declared his eyes fierce as he clenched his fists.

"What?" Jane jumped, taken aback by his instant bravado, "We can't just go in and grab her! We don't even know what would happen to her physiological make-up if we moved her."

"We must, try Lady Jane, those mortal men cannot aid your friend now, nor are they pure in their intentions. Only the healing powers of the All-Father can cure her."

Strength. If anything, Thor had his strength, his powerful presence and the mighty Mjölnir. If she told him the location of her friend than perhaps he could take her to see his merciful father on Asgard.

There, out of the corner of her eye she saw something; a small flash, like the static off a rug. Thor, his golden mane had, for the smallest of instances, turned a sea of jet black. Jane sucked in her breath. Thor's image was warping in front of her like the static off a television set; broad shoulders and sun-kissed skin evaporating into something dark, pale, and tall. The fierce broad-faced man replaced by the disinterested face of his brother and he was staring right at her. Jane had to look down at her napkin to stop herself from clutching at it like a life line. He'd been using Thor's promise to return to her as nothing more than a cruel trick. Gone was her golden God. Now all she could see was the man sitting before her, his twisted brother Loki.

How long had he been watching her from the shadows? Picking at her skull for information by sneaking his way into her thoughts? Days? Weeks? She didn't want to gamble on him discovering her new state of awareness.

Jane gulped, nodding at something "Thor" had said as she began to plan her escape, her head now pounding away like workers at a construction site.

Deep breaths Jane, she thought, remember what Agent Wilson was saying during the emergency protocol; the panic buttons. All you have to do is picture them, where they're located.

But she could not remember, a horrible fog settling on her mind every time she tried.

"Jane Foster."

Jane leapt at the sound of her name on his lips, fearfully peeking up from her lap only to see the menacing God staring her down, looking much healthier from the last time she had, had the misfortune of seeing him.

And, as if recognizing the pattern of her turbulent thoughts, the God of Mischief spoke.

"Looks like the 'cats out of the bag' is it not?" He sighed, his tone, almost conversational, "if it's one thing you mortal scientists have ever been, it's observant," he then took this time to roll his eyes at her, "Oh and please don't quit your day job Jane you'd make a terrible cook."

It grated on her nerves at how easily he could treat this as nothing, like he could talk to her in an almost civilized manner after what he had done to her friend. And, as if sensing her discomfort, Loki smirked in mock alarm.

"By chance, have you missed me in my absence?"

No. Everything inside of Jane screamed; her lips pressed together as her fists squeezed hard at the table cloth. And yet, it only caused the serpent to laugh in that despicable tone even more.

"I liked you better when you were dead!" Jane spat.

Loki grinned at her memory of him having been nothing more than disembodied consciousness.

"Don't act so undignified, my dear, you're not the one who had to pretend to be him just now," his mirthful face turned sour, distracted at the thought of Thor. "I think I just lost a couple of-what do you mortals say? brain ce-?"

But Jane never let him finish, for she had already made a ready running stance for the door, and before she knew it, the deity had switched from sitting elegantly at her table to roughly holding her by her shoulder blades.

She never had the chance.

"No, no, no. You can't be here...!" She screamed, her mind willing him to turn back into Thor.

"And why not?" He sneered, "Isn't this now the more plausible scenario for your mortal mind?"

Yes. Yes it was. Why would Thor come back to visit her now, of all times, when Asgard still remained distant to their calls? Why would he not know his own brother's whereabouts after all he had gone through with the Avengers? She knew, even if she refused to admit it, how the need to find him had left her blind to the wolf in sheep's skin. Blind to the fact that none of it had made any sense, even if she had so desperately wanted it to.

"He's never coming for you," Loki whispered against her, "never again will he privilege you with his empty promises…not where he's gone to anyway."

The news sent shivers down Jane's spine as she shook her head.

Thor...he couldn't be dead!

The Trickster always had some type of ulterior motive up his sleeve. This had to be another one. But for an instance, the God had actually looked frightened about something, like Death itself was on his heels. And if Loki feared something, well whatever it was, Jane had no doubt the threat was cosmic.

The God sighed, "I grow weary of this game. It is of no matter to me if you believe this visit a delirium-based dream or not. I will have the answers I came looking for this night; one way or another I will find her."

In a simple move, the God had grasped Jane's chin to peer deeply into her face, "I beseech you Miss Foster tell me where those suited men hide your young apprentice!"

But no words escaped Jane's mouth.

"Where is her prison cell? Where is Darcy Lewis?" He demanded, his eyes glowing brightly in their desperation.

Go away! Her mind screamed as his thoughts intruded upon her own.

Loki shifted his head to tap against hers.

Why? Who will stop me? Thor? Or do you honestly believe those mortal men could stop me now? Could keep me from her?

At the mention of Darcy and S.H.I.E.L.D. Loki's expression hardened, a malicious light striking his eyes as the God began to swallow all the existing light in the room.

Loki now spoke through gritted teeth, "Make no mistake, even if I have to burn this entire fortress to the ground. I will find your assistant."

But Jane was not listening, instead she was fighting the control Loki had over her mind, and for a moment, the fog that had clouded her memory was gone.

Jane's eyes went wide.

She remembered where an emergency button was!

"I won't lose Darcy to you again."

You think to stop me? The deity laughed, fueling the profound sense of dread in Jane's stomach for what she was about to do next.

Reaching under the small table where they had sat Jane pushed the emergency button hidden there. Sirens burst into their tell-a-tale jingle to raise the alarm and Jane sputtered backwards in surprise as the immortal before her ever so slowly dissipated into a pool of venomous smoke. Coughing back the cold fog enveloping her apartment, Jane made a run for the exit. Not knowing where the immortal had floated off to or caring as she desperately punched in the four digit code to the intercom.

Did you honestly think that I, Loki, omnipotent being that I am, did not know of your guardians' tactics to keep you safe? Fool woman, you were never in control.

The pool of icy miasma that'd been his body seconds ago was now slowly making its way up towards her, wrapping around her like the soft coils of a snake.

Jane felt like kicking herself...she had only done what he had known she would do from the start- call for help. The rest of the time spent was merely to toy with her and get information on Darcy.

Was it truly so surprising that he had tricked her yet again?

The researcher's body ached as she felt him drifting deeper within her. Her heart rate accelerating like crazy, Jane could not move from her position against the wall.

"Would you believe me, Jane Foster, if I told you I mean your apprentice no harm?" He asked her earnestly, his voice now barely an audible whisper, one that sounded...genuinely worried for Darcy?

How could this, this unknown entity that took such pleasure in making her life and the lives of her friends a living hell be asking her that now? It threw her, anger and frustration she could expect from him- but this hint of sorrow? Was it even possible for the psychopath to feel remorse for his sins? Was it even plausible, she wondered, that, however slight in form, he actually cared about what happened to Darcy? It confused her, was he testing her with another one of his tricks? Or was he truly asking her to believe him? But to believe…that would imply that she actually thought the God redeemable.

She did not.

"I would never believe one such as yourself, monster." She answered in reply.

"Monster…?" He softly repeated, "You are quite right it is only in my nature, I suppose; that, that is what I am and always will be. Is it not Jane?" He asked his voice uneasy.

What was he rambling on about? Jane wondered through her hysteria. What did he have to gain? Especially asking her, her opinion of him now, did he want her to pass judgment on him? And why, back then out of all those he could have used, did he choose, Darcy?

What had transpired between the two of them?

"What are you to her?" Jane suddenly asked the curious immortal as he continued to bind himself tightly around her form.

The question caused Loki to halt in his ministrations.

"Her salvation," was his solemn reply.

At that point in time, Jane didn't know what scared her more. The fact that, she had played right into his hand or the fact that Loki, a God of discord, honestly believed what he had told her.

You should have given me her whereabouts Jane.

"Ms. Foster this is Agent Wilson," the intercom finally spoke. Her agents now hovered over her front door ready for action.

"Are you there?"

Now I will wear you like one of your frilly frocks.

"Yes. I'm here." A voice answered in reply, a voice that sounded like hers but was not her own.

"Everything all right Jane?" Wilson's gravelly voice asked through the intercom's static.

No. Everything was not alright.

"Yes. I'm fine sir. Just a little bit of smoke from the oven, got a little worried that's all-"

Everything was black.

A/N:

Hope this made for a good introduction to the story. Like I've said before in the first A/N this chapter starts in the middle of the story so don't expect to have an understanding of everything yet, all will be revealed as you keep reading along ;)

Looks like Loki's off to save Darcy and string Jane along for the ride too. Sigh...stealing away another's agency just so he can get access into S.H.I.E.L.D. Doing the right thing by doing the wrong :s like really, really wrong. a.k.a the Loki way.

Loki's ability to take over another person's body was introduced in the comics when he took Sif's appearance. Throughout this story I'm going to be adding a lot of marvel comic references.

Comments feed my insanity. Please tell me what you thought.