Chapter 7- Joining Forces.

Clint hurriedly got to his feet. Maybe Loki had been right after all and he was just blinded by the feeling of belonging. He started for the exit.

"Agent Barton, wait!" Nick Fury shouted after Clint, but the archer refused to slow down. He pushed through the doors, knocking them back forcefully on their hinges. The rest of the Avengers just sat completely still, mouths agape. And then, when Clint finally vanished down the hallway, they turned on Tony Stark.

"What the hell were you thinking, Stark? You must be out of your damn mind! You just cost us an important member of the team!" Fury was enraged. Tony could feel the anger radiating off of the team director. The frightening glare from Fury's one good eye bore into Tony's forehead.`

Always focused on staying cool and cracking jokes, Tony just glanced up at Fury. There was an innocent gleam in his eye, but his lips still were pulled into an amused smirk. "Sorry, boss."

Now Natasha stood. "Permission to find Agent Barton, sir?" She stared pleadingly at Fury, but remained professional. Her eyes glanced at the door where Clint had just disappeared out of.

When Fury turned to Natasha, his expression softened. "Permission granted."

Natasha rushed out of the door, scanning the hallways for any sign of Clint. The remaining Avengers shifted uncomfortably in their seats, unsure of what to do.

Bruce quietly excused himself to his lab, Steve shifted his attention back to the blueprints laying on the table, and Agent Archer, eyes wide with fear, stared at an empty wall. Fury glared once more at Tony, then excused Archer, who nodded thankfully and scurried out of the room.

Now, only Fury, Steve, and Tony remained.

"With all due respect, sir, I think we are now unable to complete this mission. We don't have enough agents at the moment." Steve announced. Fury sighed deeply, and nodded.

"The Avengers Inititative never was our most stable team. You are a group of remarkable people..." Now he turned to face Tony again. "... but sometimes you act like damn fools. I guess we will have to put this on hold until we figure out this Barton issue."

Tony acknowledged the director's decision with a roll of his eyes, while Steve politely replied with a "Yes, sir."

Then, the meeting was dismissed.

Clint turned the corner of the crowded corridor sharply, barreling into an unsuspecting S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. All of the papers she had been carrying flew through the air, raining down over Clint's head.

He didn't even stop to apologize. He kept pushing forward, blindly navigating through the falling files. He angrily shoved past people stopping to help clean up the mess.

He had only one goal in mind- to get to the roof.

Running up the narrow staircase, he was suffocated by the stagnant air. Only after he threw open the heavy, metal door could he breathe again. The fresh air was crisp on Clint's face. When he stepped through the door, he thought maybe he could be free. Maybe he could have a moment to himself up here. But the god had been anticipating Clint's arrival.

The emerald eyes were penetrating, observing the glimpses of regret and self-loathing hidden deep within the archer's expression of pure rage.

Loki circled Clint like a vulture inspecting his prey. "I'm sorry it had to come to this."

"Like hell you're sorry!" Clint lashed out at Loki, who continued to stride carelessly behind him. "This is exactly what you wanted all along."

Clint rapidly turned on his heels and put his face inches from Loki's. The god shook his head slightly, but stayed completely silent. This only made Clint more furious.

"FINE! So you were right! They don't need me. You want to say 'I told you so' or what?

"I believe you have me misunderstood. I only meant to make a deal with you- not to reveal your companions' deep-rooted deceit." And then, Loki smoothly added, "My offer still stands."

"Yes. I know." Clint hesitated. What did he have left to lose? He had lost his friends, his position on the Avengers, and his determination. He might as well give in to Loki now. "What do you need me to do? I'll do it. As long as you promise to leave after I help you."

"You have my word."

Loki contemplated the final part of his master plan. The mortal is willing- and stupid enough to agree to it. My plan is going smoothly, but I mustn't rush this last part. I have set too much foundation to let this crumble at the last moment. A simple lie, and then I shall triumph.

"I require very little of you before I sever the connection that causes you such mental anguish. Just tell Thor that.." At the mention of the Asgardian god, Loki's nose pulled up with a twitch of disgust. "... I understand now why he favors the Midgardians so. They are quite helpful!"

Loki smiled slightly at Clint, who stepped back in surprise. How is it possible that such a small task would be of equal value to Loki as Clint's mind?

"That's it? Then all of this will be over?" Clint's face crinkled with confusion.

"I assure you, Barton. Shall we- how do you mortals say- shake on it?" The god offered up his hand to the archer, who glanced down at it suspiciously.

But then, Clint raised his hand up to meet Loki's and grasped tightly. Within seconds, the entire rooftop flooded with a blinding brightness.

A searing pain shot through Clint's forehead and he winced. Falling to his knees, the last thing he saw through the blaze was a fiery red mess of hair tucked behind an electrical box.

And then, there was darkness.