A/N: Guess what? It's time to update! And high time, too, with the cliffie I left you on… (winces apologetically)

First, though…! A MILLION thank yous for your AMAZING reviews! It means A LOT that you're all sticking around this story. (HUGS)

Awkay, because you're probably more than ready to read more… Let's go! I REALLY hope that you'll enjoy the ride!


Bring in the Chaos and Thunder


Sixteen Months Later


It isn't very difficult to push the world into a chaos, really. Sometimes all it takes is a single event, one person charismatic enough to appeal to a great number of people. Someone who manages to divide opinions violently enough.

It took footage of Captain America killing a teammate, right after admitting to killing the other man's family. And Barney Barton's grief-filled statements afterwards.

There were a lot of people who still had faith in Steve Rogers. Who refused to believe in what they saw. But there were even more of those who were appalled, who felt like they'd been betrayed and played for fools. At first the resulting arguments were quite harmless, little more than bar brawls. But the tensions grew along with suspicions, on both sides.

So far the government's best efforts had failed to bring Steve before justice. Some people grew frustrated and demanded heavier actions. There were those who took justice into their own hands when the official routes weren't fast enough. There were also those who accused the government of the whole thing; some claimed that the entire government had been taken over by HYDRA, others simply lost faith.

It didn't take long before other age-old grudges, disappointments, frustrations and aches muddled with this newest shock. People were angry and scared, they demanded results. Protests and outright riots became nearly daily events. The only thing stopping a full revolution was that neither side was organized enough to arrange one. As nearly always happens when pure terror and fury take over, the hurricane never actually led to anything lasting. The angry mobs were like rabid dogs biting anything that moves.

In that borderline civil war, the likes of Jacob Ford blossomed. He and his various contacts fed the chaos, ensured that the rage was never forgotten. For every protest for peace there was a destructive explosion, more than once orchestrated by a team led by Captain America himself. For every desperate negotiation to stop the bitter, vicious cycle there was either an attack against the government, or new evidence of how little the government and S.H.I.E.L.D actually cared. Ford created enough distraction to ensure that in his lead HYDRA – the core of the whole madness – continued to grow, became stronger than ever. Right there, first under the streets and eventually almost fully openly, yet unseen by those who could've done something to stop the progress.

Loki observed all this from the sidelines, unseen, unknown. He allowed Barney Barton and Jacob Ford to capture the attention of people as he waited for the disaster to reach the correct spot. Waited patiently.

Patience, was one of those great many traits which he and Thor didn't share.

Loki would take control, once the time was right. This pathetic realm was his, after all. But for now he'd enjoy the show, just like he did at the Helicarrier. The previous time he made the mistake of attempting to destroy the Avengers. This time he'd let the Avengers do the destroying for him. For Loki actually learned from his mistakes.

After having convinced Thor that he was dead twice, after witnessing just how hard the god of thunder still fought to 'bring him back to his senses', Loki wondered if his so-called brother's inability to learn was a second trait they didn't share.

Loki didn't want to be sane. He didn't want to go back home, which was only a pathetic place where even the man who was supposed to be his father hated him. No, that was no home, that was not his family – he'd never had either. Chaos was Loki's only home. Why not embrace it?


Natasha lost the first place she called a home violently. After that Red Room was her home for a very long time. Too long. Until Clint Barton marched into her life and showed her what a home was supposed to be.

She owed him, for that and so much more. Debt that couldn't possibly be repaid in one lifetime. And then, all of a sudden, he was gone.

After seeing him there on her hotel bed, as though asleep although she knew that he wouldn't be waking up, Natasha didn't call anyone. She didn't approach him, couldn't bring herself to touch him. It would've made the whole thing far too real. It would've shattered her, and she couldn't afford to break down.

So she turned and walked away, her heart a dead weight in her chest, and disappeared from the world.

That night she dyed her hair jet-black, packed up all the weaponry she could get her hands on and began on a dark, lonely path. She'd failed Clint, spectacularly. But she could still make HYDRA pay for what they've done – and made her do. The blood of both Clint and Pepper soiled her hands, one's more literally than the other's.

Natasha had no idea how many HYDRA-agents she killed. It wasn't enough. While the world around her slipped further and further into a chaos her mind remained horrifyingly focused and chillingly lucid.

She was Black Widow, no longer Natasha, because it was the only way to stay sane, or just insane enough.

The sun was setting when a bullet flew. It found a home. She watched how the HYDRA-agent slumped down and wished that she would've been able to feel satisfaction. Instead she kicked him further, as violently as her disgustingly revealing little black dress allowed, and slipped a small handgun to the holster fastened high on her thigh.

Pity that he noticed it so soon. She would've wanted him to a more… compromising position before revealing her true colors. Perhaps he would've been able to give her some answers. Well, there was little she could do about it now.

To her shame Natasha didn't hear the second man entering and approaching. Perhaps he was in the hotel room all along. The hair in the back of her neck stood up reflexively when she heard the voice. "I have been looking for you for a long time. I was summoned to get you."

Natasha prepared herself for a fight. "To get me where?" she demanded sharply while peering over her shoulder. She got the chance to catch a glimpse of the Winter Soldier's face. Then something struck her, and all she knew was darkness.


There was a time – a surprisingly long, beautiful time – when Laura Barton was truly, genuinely happy. She had a husband who adored her, a home and eventually beautiful children. Everything she ever dreamt of, even if Clint's missions threatened to drive her out of her mind more than once.

But these days, thinking about the past and then the ruins that'd become of her happiness… Laura mused with a great deal of bitterness that she was beginning to understand the pity on her mother's face when she yelled at the woman that she'd never regret Clint. Of course Laura still didn't regret. How could she have, with their children and all those fond memories? But she was forced to admit that this all hurt worse than death. That there were still far too many days when it was only the kids which kept her from losing her mind from the sheer agony. She had to stay strong for them, had to pick herself up every single day and carry on. She still made that decision consciously every morning, when she opened her eyes with a sigh to face a new day. Torn from dreams of Clint's familiar arms around her.

Laura had no idea where she would've taken her remaining family if Tony hadn't allowed her to stay at the Tower. She didn't know if it was out of good will, pity or loyalty towards Clint. Tony gave her a good hint one night, when the man was too drunk to hold it in anymore.

/ "I couldn't protect my own family, but…" There were tears in the billionaire's pained eyes. "But… Maybe I can protect Feather Head's. At least I wanna try." /

At first they didn't know how to be around each other. The wounds, the memories, were still too fresh and bitter. But the loss and grief tied them together, and as they stood at the top of the Tower screaming their lungs out they were the only ones who could've understood. It was some bittersweet comfort, at least.

But they were also painful reminders for each other. Her family, her ties to Clint – and a man who fought beside her husband, who was a member of something of a second family. The Tower was a prison to them both yet they had no idea how to leave.

Fate decided to play a yet another hand for them.

Laura had just gotten the kids to sleep. Or well, Cooper was in his bed when she peered into the room, feigning sleep although his trembling gave him away. Lila slept soundly for fifteen minutes until Laura was summoned back by hysterical screaming. Hugging her daughter close, trying with all her might to offer comfort, Laura asked in a whisper what was wrong. In her arms, clinging to her desperately, the child wailed only a single word. / "Daddy…!" /

It took forty-five minutes to get Lila to sleep again. Laura waited for another twenty before leaving her room. She almost bumped into Bruce and frowned at the dangerously clearly visible emotions on the scientist's face. "Bruce? What's wrong?"

Bruce swallowed. "Take the kids. I have to get you out of the Tower, right now."

Laura shivered and balled her fists. All her maternal instincts kicking in full force as adrenaline spiked up. "What…?" She never got the chance to finish.

The was a terrifying, hissing sound the direction of which she couldn't pinpoint. Then a sudden and sharp bang. And all the Tower's electricity went down.


Natasha woke up with a horribly aching head and dizzy. She listened for a moment, tried to get some sort of an idea of her surroundings. A sterile reek assaulted her nose.

Was she in some kind of a laboratory?

Her eyes opened halfway. The first thing she managed to make sense of was a plexiglass. And then she distinguished two blurry figures stood on the other side. It took too long before she recognized Loki and the Winter Soldier. Violent cold shivers went through her and it took her all not to let the fear show. Her eyes narrowed.

Loki smiled at her. "Funny, how the tables turn, isn't it?" He ran a hand down the plexiglass. "The previous time it was me on that side. I'll admit that this side is far more appealing." The trickster looked towards the Winter Soldier. "Be a good boy and join the others at the Tower. I have no further use for you."

The killer nodded and walked away almost soundlessly, not looking back. The room's little light shone on his metal arm. It was stained by blood.

Natasha took a deep breath. She could only hope that he didn't see how she was trembling from rage and something far more embarrassing. "What have you done to me?" she hissed.

"Nothing yet." Honest, for once. Loki's eyes were those of a lurking serpent, though. "When we last met you played me for a fool. I'll ensure that you'll come to regret it."

Truly pissed off, Natasha pushed herself up faster than would've probably been advisable. She stepped as close to the glass as she could and glared at him. "Lay a single finger on me…", she growled. "… and I'll tear it off."

Loki's nose wrinkled. "What do you make of me? I have no desire to touch you." The trickster's sinister smile was that of a monster which had seen too much – she'd know. "You lied to me, that day… But not about everything. You've allowed your heart to become compromised, Natalia. It will be your downfall, and I will enjoy every second of watching it."

Natasha wanted to punch him. Wanted to grab a knife and use it on him. Wanted to scream at him in every single language she knew exactly what she thought he was.

Instead of giving him the satisfaction of a violent reaction, however, Natasha merely glared at him. Memorized the exact look on his face at that very moment. And swore to herself that she'd make him pay dearly for it.

They were so worked up by their little exchange that they shivered when the sounds of thunder met their ears. A lighting after another clapped on the sky. A storm which had appeared out of nowhere. As though from some other world. Or realm.

This time the sinister smile was on Natasha's face. "What's the matter?" she purred. "Scared of a little lightening?"

Loki looked through the window and towards the sky, his eyes darkening. "I'm not overly fond of what follows…"


Steve's unnaturally blue eyes were hard and emotionless as he walked through a long hallway, one perfectly steady hand reaching out towards his ear comm. Shadows danced on his HYDRA uniform. "Team Alpha, are you in position?"

"Roger that."

"Team Beta?"

"Right here, fearless leader."

Steve's face hardened. Only the shadows around him witnessing pale traces of the good man he was, once upon a time, trying to regain control. "Are you certain that you and your sister are ready for this? This is your first mission…"

"We're not some scared, helpless children", the young man snapped. "So relax. Stark or his men will never see us coming."

Steve decided to accept that. He didn't have time for this infuriating bickering. "What about you, Haw…?" His question was interrupted violently by an arrow. It flew right past him, nearly hitting his neck on its way.

"Right behind you." Heavy, booted steps approached him. A hand that was protected by a black glove took the arrow from where it'd hit the wall. "Pretty sloppy, Captain. Shouldn't a backstabber like you know better than to let your guard down like that?"

Steve glared at the arrival. The burning in his veins, in his heart… They were caused by more than just anger. And he hated it, because he wasn't supposed to feel such things. "Were you hoping to kill me while Ford isn't watching?"

"If I wanted you dead you'd be dead." In the dark Clint Barton's eyes met his. Full of ice and bitter heartbreak. "You were supposed to kill me, back there in the ring. That was our deal." The archer's eyes narrowed at him. "For now you're still useful to me. You can help me slaughter those who took away my family. But when they've been handled… I'll come for you. I'll tear you to pieces with my bare hands if I have to." The man turned and began to walk away. "I have no idea why you wouldn't finish me off. But know that every minute I'm alive could be your last. How long will you force me to stick around?" With those menacing words the Hawk disappeared into the shadows.


TBC


A/N: SURPRISE! Well, there were several surprises, really… NOW, this story has come to the spot I've been seeing with my mind's eye from the start. A hurricane is blowing, and it'll hit HARD. Who will live through it and who won't?

Thoughts? Comments on this insanity? PLEASE, do drop a line or two! I'd LOVE to hear from you guys. (grins)

Until next time, folks! I really hope that you'll all stay tuned for that one.

Take care!