Cat and mouse (part 1) Revised version!

Chapter 19

"I can't believe you just left and didn't tell me" Lilly pouted as I handed her a drink.
"It was all really last minute, my boss really needed me to come with him."
I hated this, lying to her face when all I really wanted to do was confide in her about how shitty the last few days had been. About how conflicted and confused I felt.
"I almost called the police!"
"Well that would have made us both look stupid."
She rolled her eyes and sipped the pink drink of vodka and cosmopolitan mixer.
"Was there at least any hot co-worker sex?"
I choked on my drink and wiped my mouth.
"No!" I said quickly.
My nostrils detected pine and cinnamon and my lips tingled on there own accord.
I couldn't fight away the memory that invaded my brain, an almost kiss with surprisingly soft lips.
"Anna?"
Lilly raised an eyebrow and I realized I was sitting there like I needed a software reboot.
"Are you sure nothing happened?" She asked grinning.
"No..nothing happened. Not really.." I said fumbling over my words.
"Something did happen!" She squealed delighted.  "Tell me! Was it magical?"
I snorted at her choice of words and took a long gulp of my own drink before responding.
"Not at all, he's an asshole. Before we went, I couldn't stand him, hated him actually."
"But then you guys fucked and now you like him?" She asked confused.
"No. We didn't have sex..He just, turned out not to be as bad as I thought. He tried to kiss me once. Sort of."
I said remembering the way he'd grabbed the back of my neck, crushing his lips into mine. The smug look on his face at the horror on mine.
"Oh so it's like a love hate kinda thing."
"More like a hate, and not as much hate" I snorted.
"So, are you guys still talking?"
"No, like I said he's an asshole, I just forgot for a second."
There was a knock at my door and Lilly and I glanced at it, our conversation about boys forgotten.
"Did you order food?" She asked uncrossing her legs.
I shook my head and got up to go unlock the deadbolt but decided to peek through the peephole only to see silver blocking the entire thing.
Hesitantly, I opened the door a crack and saw a huge man, dressed in silver and gold armor with a red cape.
"Anna!"
Jane popped out from behind him and greeted me warmly, pulling me into a hug.
"Jane?" I asked confused.
I looked at the tall man behind her, my feet frozen to the floor.
"Hi.." I said not sure what to say to the brother of Loki, the god of thunder and the current savior of the city.
"May we come in lady Anna?" He asked.
I glanced back at Lilly who was craning her neck trying to see around me curiously.
"Now's not really a good time." I whispered
"It's urgent I assure you." He said pushing past me into the apartment, Jane gave me an apologetic look but followed him in.
"It's Thor!" Lilly practically screamed jumping up from the couch.
I ran around the giant man shh'd her as she started firing questions as him in a voice that was nothing short of squeal.
"How do you know Thor?" She asked grabbing me by the arms as I told her to be quiet.
I grabbed her purse and tried to hand it to her, shoving her to the door.
"It's time for you to go Lil, I forgot I had a meeting." I lied struggling against her surprisingly strong frame.
"No no no, you can't kick me out, Thor is on your living room!" She whispered planting her feet before I could grab the door knob.
"He's looking to buy property on earth and it's not very professional to have friends gawking at my client."
She looked hurt and I wished I'd come up with a better lie, one that didn't hurt her feelings.
"Fine I'll go."
She snatched her purse from me and walked the rest of the way to the door.
"You will call me, tonight."
"I will, promise."
She walked out and slammed the door a little to make it known she was very, very pissed.
I turned around to see Jane standing next to my couch, hands folded in front of her.
Thor was sitting next to her munching on the chips I had put out.
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked shoving my glasses onto my nose nervously.
I'd replaced the pair Loki had given me for a spare I kept in my bathroom, but dammit if they didn't fit as well as the ones he's conjured.
They looked at each other and then back to me.
"What?" I asked, a feeling of dread coming back over me.
"When I received word that Loki had escaped and taken a midguard hostage, I called a meeting with the council, I'm afraid his recent actions didn't work in his favor." Thor said sounding forlorn.
"Gee, I wonder why."
Jane gave me a look that said I was being insensitive but I was to wound up to be bashful about it.
"I'm here to take Loki home."
"What does this have to do with me?" I asked shifting on my feet uncomfortably.
"You were the midgaurdian taken by my brother, were you not?" He asked glancing at Jane for confirmation.
"Yes.."
"Did he say anything to you that could help his case, I will not see my brother beheaded."
I winced a little at the barbaric punishment and
chewed bottom lip.
Loki had said something to me the last day we were in Ireland..but wasn't this what I wanted?
For him to be held accountable for his crimes?
Death seemed like an appropriate sentence for all he'd done, wasn't this why I had taken this mission?
When I didn't say anything Thor spoke again.
"I was told by the man with the eye patch, that you stopped a man from killing Loki. Why would you do such an honorable thing for a man that took someone from you?"
I looked at him shocked, Jane must have told him about Devin.
I sent her a glare and she flushed looking guilty.
"Surely there has to be a reason."
His eyes were desperate and it hurt to see the same look to save his brother that I had in mine when I tried to save my own.
"I don't know why I did it." I said finally. "In Ireland, he seemed..I don't know, different. Not..evil like I thought he was."
I hated saying it out loud. It felt like a betrayal to my brother and everyone else who died at his hands.
No..not his hands, someone worse than him who'd offered him the power and the army to take a planet.
"I think your brother was being manipulated." I said through my teeth, the words not wanting to come out.
"Why do you say that?" Jane asked surprised.
"He said something to me before they found us. He said that someone worse than him had controlled him with promises and greed." I said recounting his words. "It sounded like he made a deal that went wrong."
Jane put her hand on Thor's shoulder comfortingly as he thought on what I'd said.
"It's hard to watch your brother become a monster when you know he isn't one." He said rising from the couch. "I thank you for this piece of truth."
"I'm not saying he doesn't deserve what's coming to him, just that maybe it wasn't all his fault and that maybe..he feels a tiny bit sorry." I backpedaled feeling the need to remind not only Thor but myself of Loki's crimes.
Thor stretched and took Janes hand before turning back to me.
"Then it is settled." He said giving me a smile.
"What is?"
"You'll come with me to Asgard, you'll help me convince the court that Loki is sorry for what he's done, and that a man who regrets his mistakes should not be put to death!"
My mouth dropped open.
"No. Absolutely not."
"But you said you believed there was good in him." Jane said softly
"I didn't say that. I think that he's..conflicted. But even if I did come, No Asgardian council will listen to me, I've seen what your kind thinks of mine."
"Maybe a human who's suffered at his hands but still defending him would show the council that there's still hope for my brother." He said with hope.
"I don't know if there is." I snapped
It looked like I'd stolen all the wind from his sails and his eyes were sad again.
"Very well."
He and Jane went to my door and we're about to take their leave when Thor paused and looked back at me.
"If you help me save my brother, I will save yours."
His words made the blood drain from my face.
"We leave tomorrow at dawn, top of Shield tower. I hope you'll reconsider."
I stood in the middle of the room long after they'd left wondering if bringing Devin back was truly possible.