Skadi stood alone in the ruins of Manhattan, having snuck out of Stark Tower. It was midnight and she was searching for someone. Her target was sitting in what was Central Park, her black hair dotted with what seemed to be starlight, her blue eyes unfocused. It was though she was speaking with someone who was far away.

"Nott, I should have known you would be here." Skadi said, approaching the other." Nott blinked, her eyes focusing.

"Oh. Skadi. You... startled me," she replied, running her fingers through her raven's wing of hair.

"You are helping, Loki aren't you?" Nott tilted her head to one side, her hair falling into her eyes as it always did.

"N-no..." she finally stammered out, shocked at the suggestion. "Wh-why would I be?"

"So he has not contacted you yet." She blinked, trying to quell her habit of stuttering when confused.

"Why would he have need to contact me? The only one who has remotely said anything concerning Midgard is Thor..."

"Because of what he has done! Because I have betrayed him!"

"You... You did what!" Nott shouted, her eyes wide. "Skadi, do you carry a death wish!" she added, jumping up and taking her sister's hand. "I swear... I'm the only one with /any/ sense!"

"I suppose I do, but I have good reason." Skadi said.

"And why is that! Have you lost your mind?" Nott replied.

"I have found the one who holds my heart."

"...oh in the name of the gods..." Nott whispered, letting Skadi's hand go and beginning to pace.

"I will do whatever it takes to keep him safe."

"Including betraying the God of Mischief? The King of Jotunheim!" Nott replied in a hushed whisper, as though afraid he would hear her. "We never got along..."

"I am a Princess on Jotunheim. Loki will not be that foolish."

"He must have others, Skadi. If you have done this great betrayal, he will not think! He will not care."

"Then so be it."

"Skadi... If you feel that he may seek my aid, tis not wise for you to be around me," Nott said quietly, her hair blowing out and tangling with Skadi's in a breeze. "I love you, my sister. Please, stay safe."

"I will. You do the same, sister. I love you as well." Skadi tensed when she heard a branch break. "The Chituari are here, under Loki's control."

"Go," Nott breathed. "I will be fine, sister," she reassured, pulling shadows to herself and cloaking herself. "You will not be so fortunate, if you do not hasten away! Please..."

"To tall to be Chituari, to slim as well." Skadi turned. "Loki."

"Gods damn it all," Nott murmured, allowing the shadows to fall from herself. "Hello, Loki..." she said quietly.

"Ah, could I be looking at two traitors?" Loki asked.

"Nott is not helping me nor is she helping Agent Barton and his friends."

"I cannot be a traitor, Loki, if I am on neither side," Nott added, her blue eyes darkening a shade. Loki began to grin, twirling a strand of her hair in his fingers.

"There is no reason to pull more of our family into this, brother. It is between me and you."

"Ah, but why not? This is fun..." he replied, glaring darkly at Skadi. "Go. I will not be so merciful next time."

"Do /not/ touch me, Loki," Nott hissed, slapping his hand away from her hair.

"And who are you to command me?" Skadi hissed her words. Loki smirked, snapping his fingers, Chitauri appearing.

"I am the king of Midgard and Jotunheim. Now go!"

"You are no king here! And when you lose and become prisoner on Asgard, I will be Queen of Jotunheim!" Skadi said, standing tall.

"I am not going to perish. You will /not/ be queen."

"You have not won yet. We are still fighting and we will continue to fight."

"And you will lose. Now go!""

"Do not doubt me or them." And with that Skadi left.

When she arrived back at Stark Tower, Clint was waiting for her.

"I am sorry if I worried you, Agent Barton." She said, joining him on the couch.

"Oh no, I just couldn't sleep. You go for a walk or something?" He said, plucking a leaf out of her hair.

"Yes, I could not sleep as well. There is much on my mind."

"You wanna talk about it?" Skadi looked at Clint, unsure of how to answer.

"You have to understand that even though he has done terrible things, Loki is still my brother." Skadi said, waiting for Clint's angry reaction. He moved a strand of her hair out of her face, tucking it behind her ear.

"I understand. Hey, I won't let him hurt you. I'm not sure why, but I won't."

"Thank you." Skadi said, resting her head on Clint's shoulder. "You are quite warm. It is nice." Clint wrapped an arm around her.

"I thought you liked the cold?"

"I do, but having warmth so close…It's nice." Clint smiled softly at her.

"You should rest, Skadi. I can tell you're tired."

"Yes, good night, Agent Barton." Skadi fell asleep in Clint's warm embrace.

Clint had almost fallen asleep when Steve hurried in.

"Leah and Stephanie are gone!" He shouted, awakening Skadi.

"Loki…Do you have anyway of tracking them?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Then do it. We have to get our sisters back." Tony said, joining them.

"Right, coming Mr. Stark?" Steve asked.

"Hell yeah!" They went off to track the girls and Skadi buried her face in her hands.

"I am so sorry, Agent Barton. I never thought that he would take them."

"We'll get them back Skadi. It's alright. Go back to sleep. You'll need your rest." Skadi looked at him, slight tears in her eyes.

"He is right, sister. You should rest, if we are to face Loki you will need your strength." Thor said, kneeling on the floor next to the couch.

"We will take care of this, brother. Go and check on Jane."

"Thank you sister." With that Thor left. Clint and Skadi sat together, chatting for a bit before falling asleep, in each other's arms. Two hours later Natasha woke them up and they began their search for Leah and Stephanie.