Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to The Avengers or any of its associations.
The gala was being held in the mansion of one of the politicians, a man by the name of Anthony Stone. He had won his place on the Cabinet through bribery, blackmail, and the untimely death of his strongest opponent. He was also S.H.I.E.L.D.'s primary target for the night.
The mansion was beautiful, with ivory walls that reached high into the sky and formed elegant peaks just beneath the stars. The moonlight made it seem to glow despite all the dark that loomed inside. The pathway down was lined with dim white lights, and once Natasha and Loki had been approved for entry they made their way down the winding road.
Natasha glanced up at Loki, and found his eyes absently taking in the sight. He ignored the people completely, looking only to the beautiful tower before them. He felt her eyes on him after a moment and looked down to her.
''It reminds me of home,'' he said, answering her silent question.
Natasha looked away from him, taking in the sight too, but she did not have appreciation for such things, at least not in the middle of a mission. Her attention was quickly drawn away by the people around them, watching them as they maneuvered through the crowd.
''We're drawing a lot of attention,'' Natasha said with a small smile. She watched as a passing group of women gawked openly at Loki, and she forced herself not to tense when she felt the barest brush of fingers across her back as a man walked by.
''Is that a problem?'' Loki asked her seriously.
''No,'' she said. ''That means they will come to you.''
They did not dare speak openly again once they entered the mansion. They were immediately offered champagne, and both took a glass before delving further into the grand room. It was already packed to the brim, and Natasha made mental notes of all the other politicians and their stations around the room.
It did not take long for Natasha's statement to come true, though it was not Anthony Stone that sought them out as she had hoped. The politician was from Spain, and his accent was heavy when he introduced himself.
''My name is Rafael Alvaro,'' he said, offering his hand to Loki.
Loki gave it a firm shake, and Natasha almost believed that the smile on his face was genuine. ''Tom Hiddleston,'' he said.
''You sound like you are from here, but I was told you are from America,'' Alvaro commented.
''My parents were originally from London,'' Loki lied fluidly. ''I moved to the United States to attend medical school when I was fifteen.''
''You look so young. I would never have pegged you for a doctor,'' the man said, his eyebrows raising slightly on his forehead. When the surprise passed, he looked to Natasha. ''And who is this lovely woman on your arm?''
''Scarlett,'' she replied simply, but the way she said the name made it sound like velvet passing over her tongue.
The man blinked in surprise, and looked her over for a long moment, his pulse jumping erratically in his throat. He was silent for so long that it grew uncomfortable, and Loki cleared his throat absently to return the attention to himself.
''You are a lucky man,'' Alvaro said, his voice wavering slightly as he spoke.
''I am more than aware of that,'' Loki replied silkily, and Natasha felt the urge to roll her eyes at his implication.
Before Alvaro could say anything more, a man appeared on the balcony above all of their heads and snapped his fingers. He was large, faceless, and wearing all black. A bodyguard.
Alvaro's head snapped up, as well as the heads of every other politician in the room. They all looked away when they realized the bodyguard only had eyes for Alvaro. He motioned toward Loki and Natasha, and jerked his arm back with his fist clenched and his thumb extended.
''Oh, it looks like Stone wants to see you,'' Alvaro said aloud, his eyebrows raised. He looked to Loki, and grinned wryly. ''It looks like you will be getting lucky twice tonight.''
Natasha felt bile rise in her throat when she saw Anthony Stone, as it always did whenever she first laid eyes on her target. He was a good looking man, at least on the outside, and she forced the bile back down.
She wondered vaguely if he bought the sultry smile on her lips when she met his eyes, or if he didn't care if she was willing. She knew as well as he did that when his business with Loki was done, she would not be leaving the room with him. Loki had been uncomfortable with the idea, but Natasha assured him that she would be quite alright.
''Mr. Stone, it is an honor to have been invited to your event tonight,'' Loki said politely, feigning nervousness as he held out his hand. Stone waved his bodyguards back when they moved forward defensively, and he gave Loki's hand a firm shake.
''I was quite pleased that you answered my invitation,'' Stone said formally. ''You were the only doctor I reached out to in the United States that took the bait. I did not know Americans to be so prudish.''
It never failed to surprise Natasha how thoroughly S.H.I.E.L.D. prepared their missions. The planted information must have taken months to perfect and sustain. Loki coming along to play the doctor had been pure luck. Clint would never have been able to pull it off, undercover (unless tucked far away in a bush with his bow) was not his specialty.
''Perhaps they are so far in debt that they have finally learned to fear money?'' Loki replied wryly, and it earned him a hearty laugh from Anthony Stone. Natasha giggled beside him.
With an amused smile still playing on his lips, Stone continued. ''It is apparent that you do not fear money, nor everything else that I am offering.''
''The others will catch on,'' Loki assured him. ''Your business is exactly what America needs. I would be honored to be the agent to build that bridge with you.''
''I'm putting a lot of faith in you, Dr. Hiddleston,'' Stone said.
''I assure you it is well placed,'' Loki stated smoothly.
Stone's eyes flickered to Natasha, and a long moment of silence passed between them. Natasha had her hand on Loki's arm, and she squeezed it threateningly. Loki did not look to her, refusing to take the bait. Stone seemed to notice this as well.
''A token of faith would not be unreasonable,'' Stone said, looking back to Loki. ''An insurance of your commitment.''
''Of course,'' Loki replied, and though the words were polite and apologetic, Natasha could feel the tension in his body.
Stone held out his hand to Loki, who took it without hesitation. ''It has been a pleasure meeting you. I will have a few of my business partners hash out the details with you after you return to the party.'' When he released Loki's hand, it did not return to his side.
He held his hand out for Natasha, and she slipped hers delicately in place. Loki was led from the room, and the bodyguards did not return after he was gone. It was officially Natasha's turn to play her part, but it was one she had played many times.
He led her to his bed, and she led him to his death.
Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Look forward to super (hopefully) awesome action in the next chapter. Please keep reading and reviewing.
