Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to The Avengers or any of its associations.
Natasha moved from behind Director Fury and came to a stop beside him. The Asgardians took notice of her then, and she saw Thor raise an eyebrow in appreciation. She was beautiful and knew it, with hair of fire and big green eyes. She adorned a tight leather uniform that left almost nothing to the imagination, fitting her body as if it were painted on.
Her expression was nonexistent, and out of the corner of her eyes she saw this draw Loki's attention. His own expression was guarded, but inside he was weary of her.
''This is Natasha Romanoff,'' Director Fury introduced. ''She is known as the Black Widow. She is one of the Avengers.''
There was laughter behind Odin in response to this proclamation. Odin and Loki did not take part in their amusement, and their faces both showed their displeasure at the spectacle the others were making. ''A mortal woman?'' One of them spat out between laughs.
Director Fury frowned.
''Perhaps they would like a demonstration of my skill set?'' Natasha offered lowly.
Agent Coulson started to object, afraid more that she would disrespect the otherworldly people than for her own welfare, but one of them stepped forward to accept her proposal.
''I will humor the fair maiden,'' said one of the Warriors Three. His name was Fandral, she learned, when one of them whispered for him to go easy on her.
Fandral moved toward her, his face adorning the arrogant smile that was sure to have won him the hearts of many women. The others held broad smiles at his back, except Odin and Loki, who were both solemn.
''Must we go to such measures?'' Agent Coulson offered. ''I assure you, Agent Romanoff is more than qualified-'' When he realized his words were falling on deaf ears, he fell silent.
Fandral and Natasha both walked to the space between their people, until they each were only a foot away from the other.
''The lady first,'' Fandral offered condescendingly, his voice laced with amusement.
Natasha did not hesitate, and struck out. She cried out from the effort, but the blow did not even turn his head. Her face showed fear when it failed to bring him down, and he laughed in her face.
''Do not feel bad my dear,'' he said, laying his hand on her shoulder as if to comfort her. Perhaps he thought that if he were to comfort her, she would find her way into his bed later.
Fandral realized his mistake only a moment before the others realized it as well. Her face drained instantly of her feigned fear, and she leapt towards him. Her body spun around his, spilling around him like liquid as she twisted them both to the ground.
Fandral landed right on his face, and Natasha perched beside him in a crouch. He cried out in surprise, and she was quick to twist his arm behind his back and secure his place on the ground. She crushed her boot to the small of his back, not hard enough to break anything but hard enough to keep him immobile.
''Let me up, wench!'' he spat into the ground, his face red with anger and embarrassment. She released him abruptly and returned to Director Fury's side, her face completely void.
Loki's eyebrows were raised slightly in shock at the transpired events, but when that gave way a smile twitched at his lips. The others looked horrified at Fandral's defeat, so Loki's reaction caught her eye. He met hers for only a moment before his line of vision was blocked by the shamed warrior.
Fandral came to a stop in front of Loki, and when he moved to stand back by the others Loki's face was serious and drawn from whatever words had been spoken between them. Natasha noted his clenched fists at his sides before she looked away, the affair between them not holding her attention.
She crossed her arms over her chest, and looked to Odin. She was not used to having to sell herself, but Director Fury had ordered her to if it were necessary. ''I will prove to be a valuable ally to you during your war with the Frost Giants, as will each of the other Avengers. The cost to you is only information. It is a small price to pay for our support, but a hefty one if you are to refuse.''
Director Fury shot her a look, but she ignored him. She would be reprimanded for her last statement, but it seemed to make an impression on Odin.
''You took down one of my finest warriors in a matter of seconds,'' Odin said. ''I believe I would be a fool to deny this request.''
''Thank you for your cooperation,'' Natasha said, dipping her head slightly before turning on her heel and heading back toward the S.H.I.E.L.D. vehicle she had vacated.
Agent Coulson and Director Fury stepped forward with extended hands and introduced themselves to Odin. Odin shook each hand in turn after he had gotten over the initial confusion of the gesture, and he and the others followed wearily behind as they sought transportation back to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.
Natasha sat in the front of the SUV with Director Fury, with Odin and his sons in the back with Agent Coulson. Natasha turned in her seat to tell them to buckle up, and they only looked to her in confusion. She unfastened her own seatbelt and reached back to the nearest Asgardian, to Loki, to demonstrate how the mechanism worked.
He shied back from her hands almost violently. ''Do not touch me, woman,'' he snarled. Natasha had done nothing to ease his concerns regarding the humans and their capabilities. He had been amused to see Fandral defeated, but the act itself had not been amusing at all.
''You may touch me,'' Thor rumbled with a smile. Natasha was unaffected by his charm, but took him up on his offer. She reached over him and extended the strap of the seatbelt, before wrapping it over his body and clicking it in place. Loki watched her hands carefully before mirroring her actions with his own seatbelt. Agent Coulson instructed Odin at the back of the SUV, and when he was secured in as well Director Fury started the engine.
All three Asgardians visibly jumped at the sound, and their hands grasped the handles on the car doors as it lurched into action. Natasha slipped back into her seat and fastened her seatbelt, before grabbing the radio and informing headquarters that they were on their way back.
They made the drive in silence, and it was only once they reached the base that Natasha looked back again to the others. Odin was relaxed and sitting calmly in the back, humming an unfamiliar tune to himself. Thor was fast asleep with his head on Loki's shoulder and a touch of drool gleaming at the corner of his mouth. Loki looked the epitome of discomfort, his hand still gripping the door handle so hard his knuckles were white, and his face looked sickly and green.
She released their fastenings with two easy clicks and Loki slipped out the next moment to get some air. Thor fell over into the space he had vacated and woke abruptly. They all slipped silently out their individual doors, with the exception of a few grumbles from Thor, before gathering outside of the vehicle to wait for the others.
Agent Hill arrived within the next minute with Sif and the Warriors Three, and they gathered together in one of the larger interrogation rooms in the facility to talk. Odin took the solitary seat at the center of the room, and Loki stood stoically at his side. Sif and the Warriors Three leaned against the wall at his back, and Thor paced the space in between them with an irate expression.
Natasha did not stay to hear the explanation, knowing she would be briefed along with the other Avengers later. She ducked out of the door and into the hallway, nearly running straight into the chest of her partner.
Clint Barton caught her shoulders, and when she realized who it was she shrugged out from under his hands. ''Did you secure Banner?''
Clint nodded, his eyes scanning her face. ''I heard we have guests.''
''From another world, just like our ice friends,'' she remarked. ''Not the same world I'm guessing, since they're at war. They're claiming to be gods, like the ones from Norse mythology.''
''Like what? Like Thor?'' he asked, incredulous.
She put her finger on her nose, meaning he was right. His eyebrows rose, and he shook his head. ''You should see them. They fit the part. I suppose the myths had to have some element of truth.''
He gave her a look as if she were speaking a foreign tongue. ''You would just readily accept that? That the myths are true?''
She crossed her arms and shrugged her shoulder. ''If that turns out to be the God of Thunder sitting in that room, I don't really have a choice.''
''If they are real, what about all the others myths? Like Santa Claus? And the boogeyman?'' When she shrugged again, he let out an exasperated sigh. ''You have to admit, it would be scary if the boogeyman was real.''
She knew he was jesting, but her face grew solemn. ''I've seen worse.''
His face fell slightly. ''I know, Nat.''
When there were no more words to pass between them, they went together to the debriefing room, where the others were gathered and waiting.
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please continue reading and reviewing!