Natasha comes into work two hours early upon her boss' request. She's curious to meet Fury's potential recruit. He's inviting her to help scope the guy out, and that makes her even more curious. All she knows is that the guy's intelligent and that he knows Fury. She imagines a man in his early to mid sixties, tall, and maybe with a beard. Natasha adjusts the strap of her messenger bag before knocking on Nick's door. A muffled 'come in' is heard, so she enters upon request.
"Agent Romanoff," Nick grins. He's wearing his usual fashion, a dark turtleneck with a black suit jacket.
"Am I late?" she asks. Her eyes focus on the man sitting before Fury's desk with his back turned to her.
"You're right on time," he says, patting her shoulder. "Dr. Laufeyson." As he says the name, the man in the seat rises and strides towards Natasha. "This is Natasha Romanoff."
Natasha remains unblinking as the stranger offers his hand to her. Usually, she's pretty good with profiling. This time, though, she's pegged the guy completely wrong. He's tall, for starters, and that's the only thing she got right. Natasha takes the man's cold hand and shakes it. The guy doesn't even look to be in his forties, maybe mid thirties, at most. There's also no beard, not even a hint of stubble.
"A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Romanoff," he says with a silky English accent. He smiles widely and flashes his teeth for her.
The thin crow's feet at the corners of his green eyes tell Natasha that this guy's a big smiler. She's not sure what to make of that yet. She's not exactly looking for an overly perky partner. "Natasha," she answers him with a brief smile. "Nice to meet you, Doctor." She lowers her eyes and notices a hint of silver around his left wrist. No rings, though, just what is most likely a watch.
"Please, call me Loki," he replies, gently squeezing her hand before letting go.
Natasha nods and studies his strong jaw line and his head of shoulder-length raven hair that's neatly slicked back. She then eyes his grey suit and the silk emerald tie around his neck. The pants have prominent creases down his long legs, and his black shoes give off a freshly polished look. Natasha returns her eyes to his face and sees that he's eyeing her just as carefully as she's eying him. Unlike his designer-model attire, she's wearing a dark red blouse with a crease or two that she keeps hidden with an unbuttoned black jacket.
"You are Russian, yes?" he knowingly asks. "Any relation to the Romanov family?"
Loki softly chuckles and she pegs him as a serious, but good-humoured kind of guy. She can deal with that. "No, I'm not," she answers in a dull tone. If she has to work with the guy, then he needs to know right now that she's all business. "So how do you know Nick?"
"Mr. Fury was first to contact me," Loki divulges.
"How about a seat, you two?" Nick offers as he heads for his leather desk chair.
Loki pulls out a chair for Natasha before sitting down in the chair right next to hers.
Natasha sits and utters a quiet 'thank you.' He's a natural gentleman-that's also something she can work with. Between Tony's refusal to being handed things and Clint's stash of comic books in his desk drawer, Fury's team needs more mature, well-mannered men.
"Natasha," Nick calmly begins, "Loki is here to help in your place. Given that you expressed an interest in joining the current case, however, he'll now be your partner."
"So." Natasha turns her head to Loki. "Have you seen the details on this string of murders?"
"Mr. Fury was just telling me," he nods.
"'Nick,'" Fury corrects from behind his desk.
"You're from England," the redhead continues. "What brings you over here?"
Loki chuckles as he admires her tenacity. "I visited New York when I was fourteen with my family. We all wished to see the Thanksgiving parade everyone raves about and see some Broadway shows. I haven't had a chance to return since, so I chose to indulge myself… After a brief trip to Rome," he adds with a grin.
"Why come back here after that?" Natasha prods.
"My brother, actually." He folds his hands in his lap as he relaxes in his chair. "He requested my company and he is all I have," Loki continues in a grave tone. "How long he wishes me to stay is unknown, so I found my own place, and then I sent in an application to this agency. I've always loved psychology courses. The human mind is fascinating."
"No forensic experience?"
"I've dabbled in medical courses, although, the arts are my true passion," he freely admits. "Traditional art, culinary art…"
Natasha slumps back in her chair. So the guy does it all. But just how well will he balance case work along with his hobbies?
"What sparked your interest in joining this field if you don't mind my asking." He watches Natasha with a genuine interest.
She believes it to be curiosity. "Let's just say fate drew me to it. If you believe in that," she snorts.
"I do, yes!" he replies with a sly grin. "And you teach, yes?"
Natasha side eyes her boss. "I thought you talked to him about the case," she states in a heavy tone.
"We had a long talk," Nick admonishes.
And she was a key topic? Natasha shifts back into her chair and folds her arms over her chest.
Loki glances between the two and senses a growing tension. "The case, yes," Loki says to break an awkward pause. "Missing organs-do you have any leads yet?"
"We do, yes," Nick nods.
Natasha purses her lips. Why didn't he bring that up this morning before she showed up? Fury wanted this guy brought in to help with the case. She watches Nick hand Loki the folder containing the victim's files. The victim found yesterday is at the top of the stack. She notices Loki give it a brief once over before sifting through the papers for the first victim. Why start there if you already heard the whole story? "How about that Taggert?" Natasha dryly comments.
Loki flashes her a brief glance before returning his attention to the papers. He finds Jack Taggert's file and begins to skim through it. "Are you inquiring about his death? The missing organ, perhaps?"
Why doesn't he already know this? She gives Fury a wary glare and she can sense odd vibes ebbing off of him. He won't even look at her. He just keeps his eye on Loki, but she knows that he knows she's growing suspicious… Years of working together have given them this special type of bond.
Then something clicks.
Loki isn't entirely here to oversee the case…
Out of the corner of her eye, she spots Loki watching her, only to look away once he knows he's been caught. "He's here for me," Natasha breathes in disbelief.
Nick's fingers tightly lock together.
"You brought in some stranger to observe me?" Natasha bolts out of her chair, knocking it to the floor. "I don't need help, Nick!" she snaps at her boss.
"Natasha…" he calmly murmurs.
Loki sets the envelope back on the chief's desk so he can pick up Natasha's fallen chair. Despite being quiet, Natasha still notices and gives him a death threat with her eyes. "You know all about what I do, don't you?" she scoffs at the newcomer. "Did he tell you about how I came here without a birth certificate?!"
"Natasha!" Fury shouts.
She falls quiet and like a scolded child, she turns her head away.
"Your history is between you and I," Nick sternly warns. "Now please take a seat and let me explain."
"I'm so terribly sorry for causing this," Loki mumbles as he shuffles back to his seat.
Natasha remains standing, her eyes flickering over to her boss.
"Agent Romanoff is a very gifted asset," Nick begins. "Very bright-highest test scores I've seen in a long time."
Loki smiles and nods. "You've told me, yes." He turns his head towards Natasha. "The only other thing I know, Ms. Romanoff is that you have a unique way of empathizing. Nicholas took an interest in my psychology background and wishes to help you with this talent."
"I don't need help." Her body stiffens and she turns away.
"Stress in the field caused you to take a teaching position," Nick lectures. "I'd like for Dr. Laufeyson to be your confidant."
"My psychiatrist," Natasha corrects. Nick doesn't need to sugar coat it.
He narrows his eye at her as he continues to speak. "Stress was getting to you. Let Dr. Laufeyson help. Remind me again about your nightmares…"
Natasha clenches her jaw. Her complaints of sleepless nights had always bothered Nick, but she refused to seek out any further help.
"All sessions will be strictly confidential," Loki vows.
"And he can help with cases," Fury adds. "Who better to catch a psychopath than one who studies the mind?" A psychiatrist for Romanoff and a psychologist on the field. He's getting a two-for-one deal if Romanoff complies.
Natasha gives the men a silent, unbroken stare. She won't trust Loki, not even with an oath of confidentiality. Nick doesn't even know all of her secrets, and after having worked with the agency for just over five years, she trusts him the most. She partially feels obligated to-the man not only hired her, but he went all the way to Russia just to hear out her Red Room story. He knows her best.
Loki notes the longing stare of a child reaching out to their father in the redhead's eyes. Natasha is angry, scared… and he's the reason for her discomfort. "How would you two fancy dinner at my home?" Loki offers.
"That would be perfect," Nick replies with a smile. Natasha needs to get herself used to Loki's presence if he plans to stay. Finding her help has always been a struggle. She'll claim she doesn't need it, but he knows she does. He can't fight her, though. It will only drive her over the edge.
Natasha's ready to decline the offer, but she knows Nick will hold it over her head if she refuses to accept. He's most likely to force Loki drive her to the next crime scene…
"I will gladly prepare anything your heart desires," Loki swears to the woman. "Cooking has been a passion since I was a boy."
"Alright," Natasha agrees. "How about Italian?" She doesn't want overcomplicate things on his part, but she has a feeling this guy will go all out to impress his new co-workers. He probably knows some great places that deliver.
"You have a deal, Ms. Romanoff," he beams.
"If you don't mind, I have to prepare for a class," she announces. "Fury can let me know when we'll meet."
"Will tomorrow work?" Loki asks, eyes darting between the two.
"My evenings are free," Nick nods. He then turns to Natasha.
"Sure," she tells her potential partner. "Thank you, Loki," Natasha finishes before making her exit.
The next time she spots Loki is when her work day is done. On her way out to the parking lot, she spots him right as he's getting into his car. He's managed front row parking, a feat that can only be done if one arrives early enough. Right off the bat, she's pegging him as a teacher's pet, but with his charming personality, he's sure to be one of those naturally humble people. One look at his sleek black Jaguar also tells Natasha that his salary is in the six digit range. She stops to watch as his car pulls out and carefully makes its leave. A good guy can still be meek.
But everyone has a little darkness in them…
Natasha navigates through a gated community as her phone's GPS guides her. Fury didn't need to forewarn her that the guy lived a good life when he called to give her the code to get inside Pleasantville. She figured that Loki was living the life within thirty seconds of meeting him. Natasha shuts off her phone's nagging drone when she spots Nick's SUV parked up a driveway lined with uniform hedges. She parks right beside her boss and grabs a plastic bag with pita chips and dip before bracing herself for the chilly night air. As she heads up a set of steps, she eyes the white two story house. For a seemingly single guy, it seems a bit much. He mentioned a brother, though, so she wonders if they're living together. It still seems a bit over the top, though…She rings the doorbell and stares past a tiny stained glass window to see a blurred silhouette approach.
The door clicks and Loki greets her, all smiles. "Natasha, so glad you could make it! Let me take your coat for you."
She steps inside and feels her stomach growl as the scent of garlic and tomatoes welcome her. "Smells like you know what you're doing," she dryly comments as she hands him her bag of appetizers.
"Oh, thank you." He glances into the bag and notes the garlic parmesan chips. "Nicholas brought some wine that should go nicely with this."
"Thought it'd be polite to bring the host something." She eyes the apron tied around his waist. Maybe it's for show-to make it look like he's working hard when in reality, he's popping a premade frozen dinner into the oven. Natasha knows that game.
"That wasn't necessary, but thank you." He notices her struggle with an arm of her jacket, so he reaches out to help. His fingers barely graze the heavy fabric when Natasha chooses to act out.
She jerks her arm back, shooting the man a glare as she rips the coat away from her arms. "I can handle this."The jacket falls to the ground and she scowls. Natasha avoids his gaze as she kneels down to pick her jacket up.
"I'm sorry." Loki holds out his hand and eyes her dark coat.
Natasha shakes her head and hands him the heavy wool fabric. "Reflex thing…"
"Causing our host trouble, Natasha?" Nick says in a teasing manner as he enters the front hallway. He knows she's skittish around strangers-he even gave Loki a heads up before Natasha arrived. The last time a man put a hand on her was the same moment he nearly lost it. Natasha's death glare wasn't just for show. The woman had been trained in several types of martial arts and she's never been afraid to use those moves when threatened.
Loki chuckles and hangs her coat on a rack by the door. "Have I mentioned that you look lovely this evening, Natasha?"
"You haven't. Thank you." She smoothes down her skirt as Loki guides them into the living room.
"I'll get a bowl for these," Loki says as he gives Natasha's plastic bag a shake. "I have more hors d'oeuvres set out, so please help yourself. Would you like anything to drink?"
"I'll have what Nick brought." She sits down on the leather sofa and grabs a grape tomato from off of a veggie platter. "When did you get here?" she asks her boss once Loki's disappeared.
"About twenty minutes ago." He holds a wine glass that's only a third full to his lips. "I figured you'd arrive later," he chuckles.
"I'd feel awkward being left with a stranger," she replies. "His brother isn't here, is he?" she asks in a softer tone.
Nick shakes his head. "Hasn't said a word about him."
Natasha stands up and rather than admire the sixty-inch flat screen on the wall, she's drawn to the photos that hang over an adjacent armchair. She starts with one of an older couple, a woman with long golden hair proudly standing beside a man with snowy hair and a thick beard. The next picture is one of a slightly younger Loki standing beside the same woman in the first picture. He's wearing his black robes and an academic hat as he holds a diploma and grins like an idiot. The next photo features a very young Loki, no smiles, though. There's a little blond boy standing beside him and he seems happy, same for the couple standing behind them. The man with white hair in the first picture has fair, slicked back locks in this one. Of the four people in this photo, Loki's the only one not fitting in. Natasha inches closer, searching the woman's face for any traces of Loki.
"She is quite lovely, isn't she?"
Natasha turns and accepts a glass of wine from Loki. "Very."
"It's funny," Loki muses, "she isn't my birth mother, yet many seem to agree that we have the same smile."
Adopted. Natasha figured as much. "I see it," she agrees, mostly out of politeness. Loki has more pronounced dimples than she, but the subtle glisten in the eyes is similar.
"Tell me," Loki continues as he sets a bowl of chips and dip on the table. "Do you have any siblings, Natasha?"
"Just me," she answers before taking a sip of wine.
"You live alone, then?" Loki grabs a chip and swirls it around in the dip she brought.
"I have a cat if that counts as company." She rejoins the two men around the coffee table.
"Indignant little buggers they are," Loki laughs. "I can't help but want one of my own," he adds with a spreading smile. "I don't see my stay here as a permanent one, though. Perhaps when I finally settle down."
"You just got here and you're already thinking of packing back up?" Nick lightly questions.
"Not anytime soon!" Loki promises. "In a few years, perhaps."
"No 'special someone's' back in London?" Nick quips.
"I'm not quite ready for a relationship," Loki answers as he steals another chip. "Travel the world first, settle down later."
"That's a philosophy to live by," Nick says in agreement.
Natasha sips her wine as the old fools continue their chit chat. Love…
"You've grown awfully quiet, Natasha," Loki observes.
"I'm not a fan of the institution of marriage," she remarks as she crosses her legs. "Love in general doesn't sit well with me."
"You're as charming as Nicholas described you!" Loki jests.
"Good to know he thinks of me like that." For the first time that evening, she gives Loki a half-hearted smirk before downing the contents of her glass.
"May I ask how long you spent in Russia?" he wonders. That smile gave Loki a hint of hope that he nicked past her stone surface.
She rests her empty glass on a coaster. "Twenty-four years."
"Winters here must be nothing to you, then." A personal comment followed by a lighthearted one should help ease her into opening up.
"I hear London can get pretty brutal, too," she adds.
"Winter has always been my favourite season."
Natasha nods in agreement.
Loki then sets his own glass down before standing. "I'll finish up things in the kitchen. Dinner should only be a few minutes away."
"Do you need any help?" Nick offers.
"Nonsense," Loki smiles, "my guests are to relax."
"I think he'll grow on you," Nick whispers as Loki walks away.
"You're not right all the time, Nick," she snorts. "But if it will make you happy, then I'll work with him on this case."
"Thank you, Natasha." He offers her a small smile.
The two help themselves to chips and deviled eggs while they overhear their host's footsteps not too far away. "You think he's really a chef?"
"Maybe not a professional, but I believe the man can cook."
Loki returns moments later, but this time, there's no apron, to cover his white dress shirt and dark green vest. "Dinner is now served!" he proudly announces. His guests rise from the couch and he guides them into the dining room. "I would also like to add that I looked to Russia for some inspiration to tonight's dish." He hurries over to a table set with his finest china and pulls out the chair closest to the head of the table. "Ladies first." He then circles past his seat at the end of the table and pulls out a chair for Nick. "Tortellini alla Vodka will be our main course."
How clever. Natasha mentally rolls her eyes. She turns to her left to see all the empty chairs. The table can certainly fit eight people comfortably. Three just seems lonely.
"Sounds delicious." Nick takes a seat across from Natasha and sets his napkin on his lap.
"And to drink, I have a red wine that should go nicely." Loki turns around and opens a set of mahogany doors to reveal rows of wine aligned on several racks.
"Never invite Tony Stark here," Natasha warns as she sees him reach for a bottle. "He'll drink you dry."
"I will keep that in mind," Loki chuckles. He takes the desired bottle, pops it opens, and pours. "Let me get us started with appetizers."
"Full dinner service. I like this," Nick smiles.
Loki leaves, but is quick to return with a plate in each hand and another balanced on his forearm. He sets down Natasha's plate first, sliced mozzarella and tomatoes neatly lined up and drizzled with olive oil. "These tomatoes are locally grown, and the mozzarella is fresh from the same farmer."
"Thank you." Natasha readies her fork and knife as her boss is served.
Loki disappears one last time to let a basket of fresh garlic bread grace their end of the table. Finally, he sits and begins to dig in, starting with a bite-sized piece of cheese and tomato.
"I'll be here every night if you'll have me, Loki," Nick says after swallowing his first bite.
"Well," the younger man chuckles, "I would love your company!"
"It's delicious," Natasha agrees. "Looks like we're hiring you for the Christmas party." She hasn't had food that tasted this fresh in a while. Loki's definitely earning brownie points for his culinary skills tonight.
Loki's eyes brighten with interest. "I am very happy to hear that, Natasha." He serves dinner after the appetizer is done. "I've added some sausage with this for more spice," he adds as he sets a plate before the redhead. "Once again, I only use the freshest ingredients."
Her plate looks like something you'd get from a five star restaurant. The pasta is smothered with a rich red sauce topped with several slices of sausage and garnished with parsley. One bite is all she needs to convince her that Loki does in fact know what he's doing. The sauce is rich and creamy, the pasta is tender, and the meat's seasoning pleases her taste buds. She continues taking small bites of her meal so she doesn't look like a pig. "I didn't really believe you about the cooking," she admits. "But wow."
"Always a skeptic," Nick retorts. "I love the sausage. Best I've had!" he tells Loki.
"Ah, yes."
Natasha glances up when she notes the extra bit of silkiness in his voice.
"I have friends who provides me with only the finest," Loki comments. "And our bodies deserve the very best."
Natasha watches him take a bite of meat and for a brief second, his unsettling stare opens up a door from the past.
Loki chews, swallows, then returns his attention to Natasha. "Wouldn't you agree?" His voice sounds darker and under the light cascading down from the chandelier, the shadows play up the contours of his cheekbones and make his eyes appear darker.
Her fork and knife slip from her fingers and clatter against the linoleum. She can see the silhouetted face of one of the men in white slinking towards her.
"Natasha!" Nick slams his own utensils down and rushes to her side. He's only seen her have two previous episodes like this, but he's certain that she's experienced more in the privacy of her home. "Natasha," he whispers, kneeling at her side.
She grabs fistfuls of her hair and shakes her head as the man in her memory displays a syringe.
"Medicine…"
She takes a deep breath in through her mouth, then another, and finally exhales a shaky breath. He's not there, she warns herself. The scent of Latex gloves and peroxide aren't helping her full stomach. She lurches forward and inhales, exhales, exhales…
"Deep breath, Natasha," Fury coaxes. This is exactly why she needs the help. She can't hold herself together on her own.
You're not there anymore… She breathes in through her nose and lets the pleasant smells help push the memories away. Her muscles begin to relax and she feels fine enough to sit up. Natasha slowly opens her eyes and finds her dinner plate glaring back at her. Her stomach churns and she lowers her head again. "Bathroom?" she breathes.
Loki bolts out of his chair as Natasha slowly rises from hers. "This way."
Natasha keeps her eyes on Loki's feet as he guides her down a hall, then past a corner, until he stops to open a door for her. She doesn't bother with taking in her surroundings. The door slams in Loki's face and she drops to her knees once she's near the toilet.
"Is she relapsing?" Loki questions as he rejoins Nick at the table. He sets a glass of water beside Natasha's plate.
"I've rarely seen it happen," Fury answers. "But I feel like it happens a lot…"
Loki returns to his own seat and absently stares straight ahead. "What do you suppose caused it?"
Nick is quiet as he collects his thoughts. "Last time was when we had a conference by the beach. I'm honestly not sure what caused the problem. One second, she was fine- she always seems fine, but that's all on the outside," he warns Loki. "Who she was this evening isn't her. I don't even think Natasha knows who she's supposed to be."
"Does this go back to her childhood?" Loki wonders. He's answered with a silent nod. "Is she on medication?"
"She nearly took out my eye when I first sought out help for her," Fury sighs. "That was when we first met. I swore I'd never mention it again."
"I would highly advise some kind of medication. This shouldn't go untreated," Loki lectures.
Nick shakes his head. "Unless you treat her like a dog and hide it in her food…"
Loki eyes her plate and observes that she's made a noticeable dent in the meal in addition to polishing off her appetizer. "Eating habits seem healthy enough, weight appears normal…"
Nick's pupil dilates as he stares in Loki's direction. "If you plan on drugging her food, then I want no part in this!" he hisses.
"It is for the best," Loki negotiates.
"Again, I'll have no part in this…She'll be out of the country the second she catches on!"
"Sheltering her is a crime, Nicholas," Loki threatens in a heavy drawl.
"I've heard stories of her past and it's not something I'd wish on my closest enemy." Natasha needs the help, though. The demons from her past seem to only be alive in her memory. Still, medication strikes a nerve in her. He thinks back to what the Russian woman had told him about the daily drugging. Romanoff doesn't even bother with pills to stop a headache. He's snooped around her bathroom-nothing but makeup and toiletries. "Before anything proceeds," he hesitates, "I'd like to look over your patient history."
"I've already told you during our phone conversation that that is strictly confidential."
"You said you helped a woman like Natasha," he reminds Loki.
"Hardly." The man's emerald eyes narrow. "Natasha seems to be in worse condition than she."
Natasha returns moments later and the room is dead silent. They were discussing her, she can feel it. She sits and has a few sips of water before rising from her seat. "I should go."
"I wouldn't recommend driving," Loki urges. "Your stomach…"
Natasha narrows her eyes. "I panicked. It's over now, I can drive."
"Natasha." Nick gives her a stern stare.
"I'll pull over if I need to puke. I really just want to go home," she breathes.
Loki walks her to the door and returns her coat.
"Thanks," Natasha mutters as she snatches it away. Coat in hand, she leaves the house and welcomes the stinging cold as she hurries to her car.
