It was an ordinary day. Another one of the very many that had come following the incident in New York. Just another ordinary day on the Helecarrier for Natasha Romanoff.

And that's when the phone rang.

She picked up her cell-phone laying on her bedside table and answered. "Hello?"

But she couldn't believe who was on the other line.

"Good evening, Agent Romanoff."

Natasha openly gasped. "L-Loki?"

It couldn't be. It was impossible. Loki was taken back to Asgard by Thor. She had seen it herself. There was no way he could still be on Earth...

...was there?

"Did you honestly think I would be taken by feeble mortals so simply?" Loki taunted her. "That you had finally won the day and achieved your precious happy ending?"

But Natasha wasn't listening. She was too busy struggling to think back to that fateful day, and wrap her head around just how Loki could have come back to Earth. He was powerful with magic, she knew that. So perhaps...

But no matter how it happened, the fact still remained: Loki was still among them on Earth.

So Natasha asked the only thing she could:

"Where are you Loki?"

She could hear him chuckle on the other line. "One would think that you of all people would have a better grasp of what is right and real. But no matter. I am calling upon you to inform you that I have no plans at the moment to pursue you, Agent Romanoff. Midgard is far more interesting with you in it. All I ask is that you pay me the same kindness and not seek me out until I wish for our cat and mouse game to continue. Deal?"

"I'm not going to make that promise." Natasha threatened intently.

Loki chuckled again. "I know. Now, I do wish we could chat longer, but I'm afraid I must run. People to see, things to do, plans to unfold, you know."

"Loki."

"Goodbye, Agent Romanoff."

And the line went dead.

Natasha put down the phone, shaking. Loki was out there, somewhere, with god knows what kind of evil on his mind. She had no idea what to do. She was confused. And she was scared.

And the Black Widow was never scared.

"Agent Romanoff?" Natasha's thoughts were interrupted by Fury, who was standing tentatively in her doorway.

"Are you alright, Agent Romanoff?" Fury asked. "You look like you've just seen a ghost.

Natasha looked up at Fury. "Yes sir." she lied. "I'm fine."

"As you were then." Fury nodded, walking away down the hallway, leaving Natasha alone with her thoughts.

She knew what she had to do.

She opened her drawer and grabbed her passports and gun.

Whatever it took, no matter what the cost, Natasha would hunt Loki down and finish him off once and for all.

She loaded her pistol with one shot. That would be all she would need.

And meanwhile, Loki hung up the pay phone inside the grimy tavern, made his way back to his table, finished his drink, donned his hat, sunglasses and scarf, and took to the streets of Tønsberg, Norway. A maniacal, psychopathic otherworldly god-like being in a city with a population of over 30,000 people.

He would enjoy his time there, see the sights, set a plot or two into motion, and maybe have some fun here and there. But really, he would just bide his time, and wait until Natasha decided to give chase to him.

Loki grinned. The game was on.