A/N: This story is a little on the lighter side, nothing too heavy. Started it a few years ago and I just saw it the other day and thought 'I should really finish that.' So here it is, finally complete! Enjoy.
Ever since the attack on New York by Loki and the Chitauri, Natasha had felt only half-fulfilled by her work as a spy. Even though it was just as Clint had said, she was a spy, not a soldier; she couldn't help feeling like she missed being a part of a team. She missed the thrill of battling the Chitauri and the feeling of immense satisfaction whilst tricking Loki into revealing his plans. She felt like she made a major difference- she did basically help save the world after all. Now all of these missions as a spy seemed…insignificant in comparison. She wanted to feel that passion again. These days it seemed there wasn't much she was passionate about; except her newly formed friendships with each Avenger. That was one thing she wouldn't trade for anything.
Naturally, before that battle her friends were few and far between. She had to keep a fairly low profile, and connections could be dangerous. She found it hard to trust people. However she felt she could put much of her faith in Clint, Thor, Bruce, Tony, and Steve. She even felt a bit closer to Director Fury after that whole ordeal.
In between missions, Natasha stayed at S.H.E.I.L.D. base. It was comforting to have all of the people she cared for around her; even if they didn't know it (she was very good at conveying a stoic attitude). Some would say she seemed indifferent to everyone, but deep down the Avengers were close to her heart, and she could act most like herself when she was around them. Most of the Avengers could be found hanging around the base, all with their own living quarters in case they ever wanted to stay for extended periods of time.
Natasha had just returned from a mission gaining intel in Berlin when she strode into her quarters, absolutely starved. She was startled to see Clint sitting patiently at her desk, a bag of take-out Chinese in his hand. "Hey, stranger," was all he had to say to lighten her mood. She was way too preoccupied with her work; she knew she needed to give it a rest. "Clint, you and that food are a sight for sore eyes," she told him sleepily. "Long trip?" he asked. She flopped down on the bed. He could tell instantly what she was thinking, "I know how you feel, it's still not the same. You and I are one in the same Nat, we miss the thrill of the fight!" She chuckled, "It's not even just that, I miss doing something that really matters, that people see and think 'Wow, without them, who knows where we'd be…' "Or something like that," she laughed.
She thought that kind of work helped her better atone for her past sins. He smiled, "Well Nat I hate to break it to you, but not everything we do makes a difference that is so momentous it can be seen right away and by anyone other than the people at S.H.I.E.L.D. for that matter. And I know you're a girl and all and you just love all the attention and swooning…" At that she faked a gasp and chucked a pillow at his head. Her teammates, especially Clint, were the only ones who actually got to see her not so serious side. He was right though, she was a girl, and she still sometimes found herself having silly girlish desires. "Well anyways, I just hope Fury can find something a little more exciting for me next time." And just as the words had finished tumbling out of her mouth, her phone rang. Strangely enough, Clint's phone also went off. They checked their phones simultaneously, and exchanged a look. It was an urgent message from Director Fury for the team to meet in the conference hall right away. Her stomach growled angrily, Clint laughed, "I guess this will have to wait, unless you want to try and sneak it in and eat it under the table while Fury rants." She gave a dramatic sigh, "I wonder what he needs to talk to all of us about? Usually he only sends for one of us." He considered this and smirked, "Maybe your wish for real action is coming true? Way to jinx it!" She punched him in the arm as they walked out the door together, "Don't lie," she said, "You want something crazy to happen just as much as I do. The monotony is killing you."
When Natasha and Clint entered the conference hall, Fury looked a bit tense. All present were seated at a large round table, with Fury hovering over them, seeming unable to sit still for more than 2 seconds. The table was quite modern, like the rest of the base. It was sleek, grey metal, polished clean with white lilies placed decoratively at the center to match the spotless white of the porcelain tile floor. Natasha thought it had a little too much of a 'sterile' feel, but what did she know? Home décor wasn't really her forte. Everyone was obviously anxious to know what the hell was going on. All of the Avengers were present, excluding Thor. He could not be called on a whim like this given that his permanent residence was Asgard, a little further than Natasha's simple walk down the hall. And apparently, this matter couldn't wait. Fury jumped right in. "Alright you guys, listen up. We have something big happening here at S.H.I.E.L.D. base and I want to make sure you are all aware, because you will all have correlative assignments." He sighed. Now she was intrigued. What mission could possibly require them all? Another battle perhaps, but with whom? He seemed reluctant to go on so Steve spoke up. "What's going on Director, is it that bad?" He was obviously concerned. Fury gave a crooked smile before replying, "Oh I am certain you won't like this one. But it has already been decided. And no, the Earth is not in danger, as of yet..." he paused. "It has been agreed recently that the war criminal Loki will be coming to this planet, this base to be exact, to finish out the remainder of his sentence." Natasha looked around and saw mouths hanging open. She too was shocked, but well trained in concealing her surprise. "Why would that even be an option?" Tony barked. The look of incredulity on his face was priceless, Natasha thought. Normally he was so…composed. Fury was obviously not surprised by the aura of complete and utter disbelief in the room. He went on, "Odin, Thor, and myself have decided this punishment to be better suited for Loki. He has too much love for Asgard, and we wish for him to be sent to the place he tried to rule, as a prisoner this time instead of a 'king'. The irony is just too perfect to pass up." He was really going to enjoy this, she could tell. "We thought we should send him away to exile, but here would be safest because we have you fine people to watch him. We want to make sure he doesn't relapse. You know, go back to his old ways of trying to turn everyone he meets into his loyal subjects and all that nonsense." The team was quiet for a minute. Bruce was the first to speak up, "So what exactly are we going to have to do?" Then Tony chimed in, rising out of his chair, "And what kind of freedom is this lunatic gonna have?" And then Clint shouted, "And what about his powers?!" he demanded.
"Everybody just calm down and shut up for a minute!" Fury ordered.
Just as the last words had escaped Fury's mouth, Thor burst through the doors of the conference hall.
"My friends!" he greeted joyfully. "It's wonderful to see you all again. It has been far too long." He clasped his large hand over Tony's shoulder and gave it a good squeeze, earning a wince of pain from the Iron Man.
"Thor, you were just on Earth last week," came Tony's snide remarked. He rubbed his shoulder dramatically.
"When you are so far away from your friends, it feels like ages have passed," Thor replied cheerily, completely oblivious to Tony's attitude (as well as his no doubt very bruised shoulder) and to the attitude of the entire group.
"Thor, what perfect timing, we were just discussing the Avengers' next," Fury paused briefly, "assignment." He let out this last word with an agitated sigh, stuffing his hands in his pockets and rounding the large table to stand next to Thor.
"Excellent! Allow me to assist you Director," Natasha always loved listening to Thor speak, he had such a different way about talking than most mortals, she found it to be quite entertaining, "As you all have been informed-judging by the looks on your faces- Loki will be coming to Earth for possibly the remainder of his exile. My father and I believe that having Loki reside closer to mortals and their world will help him repent for his past misdeeds, and perhaps grow to feel differently towards them." He clasped his hands behind his back, pacing slowly around the table where everyone was seated. He went on, "I know many of you were hoping he would have a greater punishment, but I assure you he is suffering, even if he does not show it. My father and I are certain a large part of his actions were indeed influenced by the overwhelming power of the tesseract. One small feeling under that kind of influence can be turned into something life-altering and all-consuming. My father and I believe that he is truly beginning to realize what he did and he may truly be starting to regret his actions. That is after all the goal of all this, because he is still a prince of Asgard, if he can prove himself worthy."
"What a crock of shit!" Clint was the one to speak up this time, shooting up from his chair in anger. His face was beet red and his hands were clenched dangerously at his sides. Natasha was sure he would not be able to believe in Loki's supposed "change" so quickly. After all, he did practically enslave to poor guy. "I cannot believe we are seriously even considering the idea that he can feel remorse, let alone turn into a decent person."
Natasha had had enough. It was her turn to object, "I have to agree with Clint on this one, guys. I'm sorry, but being a glorified babysitter to a psychopath is not my idea of a great or honorable mission."
Director Fury eyed her thoughtfully before saying, "Well Natasha, I hope you weren't too set on getting an "exciting" assignment, because you are my number one girl on this job. After that stunt you pulled on Loki last time, we need someone with your cunning intelligence around to make sure he stays out of trouble."
She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Are you serious? Why not have Bruce do it? He practically lives here anyways and Loki is probably scared shitless of him after their last encounter."
Even Bruce had to laugh at that one.
Fury smirked at her, obviously not at all convinced. "Oh don't worry, you will all get a turn to "babysit" as you called it Ms. Romanoff. I am counting on you all to do this for me. And just think, you get to watch Loki wallow in self-pity all day, every day. Like your own personal soap opera," he commented amusedly. Fury was really getting a kick out of this whole thing. Natasha, however, was not amused. She had hoped this assignment would be something new and enticing.
Thor butted in, "So it is settled then! Loki will be transported here later this evening!"
The whole team groaned. Oh, this was going to be fun.