Title: Spiraling into darkness
author: Cindy Ryan
timeline: AU
notes and summary: see part one

Jane had thought she might use the disorientation of portal travel to free herself from Barton. No such luck. Having never traveled that way she had barely enough sense when they arrived at Asguard to keep breathing let alone try to escape. Jane could hear Clint's heightened breathing and knew he'd had the same tough experience adjusting. She wished she could appreciate the dazzling room around her and being on Thor's homeworld but all Jane felt was Clint's gun pressed against her head.

"Release Jane and you have my word I will honor our bargain."Thor stated.

Clint laughed. "Yeah, you'll just lead me to your brother and let me kill him. The good doctor stays with me, let's go."

Jane tried to give Thor a reassuring smile but she could tell by his expression that she failed. While she was worried about what would happen to her Jane was more concerned about what Thor would do when faced with the choice that was coming. Jane knew how ingrained family and honor were in Thor's upbringing. It wasn't just how he was raised it was who he was. As much as Jane didn't want to die she didn't want to burden Thor with a decision that would haunt him. She wanted to believe there was a good ending of this for everyone but right now Jane just didn't see how that was possible.

Steve had never felt less useful than he did in that bunker. He leaned against a wall watching Tony work. Hill was assisting and the others were checking the rest of the place to make sure all the traps had been deactivated. Steve would've gone with them but Tony had told him to trust in Jarvis as the AI had already cleared the area of threats. Watching Hill and Stark made Steve think of the battle on the helicarrier. Tony had given him instructions when the engine went down. Even with the guidance Steve had known he was out of his element but had also known he was the only one who could help Stark. So he'd worked through the frustration and struggled with the new technology. In the end he'd hit the right switches and buttons and cut the right wire but still it hadn't added to his confidence. It was another reminder like today that Steve was a man out of time. He'd never truly find his place.

Steve shook his head chasing the thoughts away. That wasn't true he had found a place. Fury had given him a good team with the Avengers. Yes they'd suffered some losses, hard ones. With any kind of battle it was inevitable that people you cared about would be lost. The trick was to honor their memory by moving on and winning, by making the world they had died for a better place.

"Jane Foster you are a better poker player than I gave you credit for."Stark muttered his attention intent on the device in front of him.

"Stark?"Hill prompted gaining Steve's attention and he walked towards them.

"This wasn't just nearly operational it was one step from being operational. Thor's portal just gave it a power jump."Tony explained.

"She was stalling just like Thor said she would."Steve interjected.

"How many can go?"Hill inquired as she pulled out her radio.

"When I'm done as many as we want."Tony responded.

Steve had to admire Jane's courage. To think on her feet when you're a hostage is never an easy thing to do. She'd known help was coming and didn't give in to Barton despite his threats. Steve hoped Thor could keep the situation calm until they got there.

Clint was on guard with each step he took. Constantly scanning the horizon and building skyline for threats. This was going way smoother than he ever anticipated. There was a catch somewhere, a fight coming was just a matter of when and where. Blood was blood Thor would not simply give up Loki to the executioner.

"I did not know Natasha long, but she was a strong and brave warrior."Thor commented as they walked through the palace.

"I don't want your sympathy."Clint snapped.

"You may think you're alone, but you're not."Jane added causing Hawkeye to tighten his hold.

"Save the warm fuzzy speech, doc."Clint replied angrily "S.H.I.E.L.D didn't give up on me I left on my own terms. The life I knew was over and yours will be too if your boyfriend doesn't start picking up his pace and hold up his end of our deal."

"We are almost there."Thor stated as he led the way towards a stairway leading down.

"I can have more agents there within the hour."Fury informed over the radio.

"Can't wait that long."Ironman replied. "Thor needs backup and we're it. Crazyhawk is more than likely going to meltdown when he comes face to face with reindeer games."

"I don't need to remind you that even confined Loki is..."Fury began but Stark interrupted as he activated the portal.

"Manipulative and evil, yeah we know. Hopefully once this is settled we can get back to normal saving the world business."Tony muttered.

"Good luck."Fury commented ending the radio call.

"Cap?"Tony offered gesturing to the open portal.

"Right."Rodgers replied as he gripped the shield tighter and plunged into the dark blue portal.

"He makes that look easy."Hill commented sarcastically as she took several steps forward.

"Just think of it as a door."Tony replied as he put his ironman helmet back on and lowered the faceplate."From one room to another."

Maria shook her head as she walked into the portal and Tony and the rest of Hill's team followed.