The Best of Both Worlds

Thor and Jane sat down, still laughing from some little in-joke. Sif decided she’d had enough.

“So, Jane,” she began. “You must feel a little out of place around here.”

Still smiling, Jane looked at Thor. “It was a little strange at first,” she said. “But I feel more at home all the time. There’s so much for me to analyze...I could spend an eternity here studying absolutely everything.”

“Including us?” Sif challenged her. “I’m sure you’d like to put us all under a microscope, wouldn’t you?”

A look of discomfort momentarily appeared on Jane’s face. “No, no!  I mean, that’s silly.  Of course, I’d like to find out more about Asgardians, about what makes you different from humans. But...no!  I’d never do anything like what you’re describing.”

Thor looked irritated.  “Mind yourself, Sif,” he warned.  “Jane is our honoured guest.  We should be making her feel welcome.”

Sif leered at him.  “I’m sure you’re doing a wonderful job of that yourself,” she said.  “I merely fear for the safety of a human being in the realm of Asgard.” She looked directly at Jane.  “Things can get quite dangerous around here for those who don’t know how to defend themselves,” said Sif, barely concealing a sneer.  “I fear what will happen to you once Thor lets you out of his sights.”

Jane appeared worried.  “What exactly should I be afraid of?” she asked.

Sif laughed.  “Oh, nothing, I’m sure.  Why, Thor and I barely broke a sweat battling those Frost Giants in Jotunheim,” she said sarcastically.

Thor discomfort appeared to grow.  “Sif, we are warriors,” he said.  “Jane is a scientist.  There is much we can learn from her.  By the same token, our skill in battle allows her to traverse the wonders of Asgard safely under our protection.”

“She shouldn’t need our protection!” snarled Sif, as the Warriors Three looked on uncomfortably.  “This human female is too weak, Thor.  You are a warrior.”  Her hand reached out to touch his.  “You deserve a worthy companion.”

Jane put her hand to her mouth.  “Oh...” she said, and stood up, knocking over a glass of water.  “No...I shouldn’t be here...”  She turned and ran away, hurrying up the stairs towards the bedchambers where she had changed clothes.



Thor watched her flight in astonishment. Gathering his senses, he looked back to the table to see Sif staring hungrily into his eyes, grasping his hand even tighter.  “Thor,” she said.  “You know we belong together.”

The golden-haired warrior stood up angrily and threw her hand way.  “I know you have taken leave of your senses, Sif!” he exclaimed in fury.  “What devilry possessed you to drive Jane away from me, after all it took to bring her here?”

Sif walked up to Thor and grazed her hand over his armour.  “You,” she said simply.  “You are the devil that seduced me towards that evil act.”  She leaned in closer and whispered: “I want you, Thor.”

Thor recoiled.  “How dare you toy with the emotions of the son of Odin??  You knew my feelings for Jane.”

“And it sickens me to hear about it,” retorted Sif. “You deserve a warrior by your side, not a feeble human.”

“I deserve to be with the woman I love!” shouted Thor.  He turned towards the stairs to follow Jane, but froze when he heard Sif speak again.

“You don’t know what love is,” she said. “You follow that Earth woman around like a puppy dog, but you have no idea what you’re feeling or why.  She hasn’t even earned your respect.”

Thor spun around in fury.  “Maybe you can help teach her,” he said, and grabbed her arm.

“What are you doing?!”

“Gaining her respect and teaching you a lesson,” he said as he dragged her up the stairs with him.

At the table, the Warriors Three looked at each other awkwardly.

“Seems like they forgot we were here,” said Volstagg as he noisily ate through a turkey leg.

Fandral grimaced.  “Not quite sure how they were able to manage that,” he said.