Previously:

"Loki's trial is today. We're supposed to meet the group in the hallway in half an hour to be briefed on the etiquette for the royal court."

He hugged me closer before sighing, "it's ok, we'll make it through this. Remember Madagascar? That was worse then this, and we made it out of that alive."

"Barely. You had to carry me out after I got shot, and if I remember correctly you had sprained your ankle. Not to mention the cuts that we both had."

"True, but this won't be anything compared to that. I'll be right beside you the entire time. Come on, we'd better get ready."

We both stood up and I went into the bathroom to change. I stared at myself in the mirror after I pulled my hair up into a high pony tail. I can do this. The worry in my eyes changed into determination, and I let my flame wash over my body, causing my skin to glow. I walked back into the main room and pulled on my boots before Clint embraced me. I snuggled into his arms for a minute before we separated to meet the rest of the group.

We found them in the living room area of the wing we all had our rooms in. Thor was there dressed in his battle armor, along with the rest of the group. We had all taken up residence on the various couches and chairs in the room. I was curled into Clint's side, Nat was next to Bruce, and Sierra was next to Steve. The others were each in their own chairs.

Thor's booming voice was the first to break the silence, "Friends, today we shall bear witness against Loki. There are Rules for participating or witnessing the proceedings in the Royal Court. They are few and simple, but the punishment for breaking them is harsh. First and foremost, you must respect the Royals. Bow when they enter the chamber, bow as they leave the chamber and bow before and after you speak your piece. Second, you must not speak out of turn. The All-Father will call upon you when it is your time to speak. Last, and most important, all judgements the All-Father makes are final. He knows what is best for his realm, and its people. Arguing comes at a price. Do you understand?" He looked at us deadly serious as he waited.

I glanced around at the group noticing all the faces were just as serious as Thor's, even Tony's. We all nodded our understanding and Thor stood, gesturing us to follow him. We all grouped behind him as he walked the maze of halls to get to the throne room. It had been redecorated at some point, there were now tables set up, one against the wall on one side of the room and a longer one set up opposite it. The chairs were positioned so that the occupant would be facing the thrones at the top of the hall. There were a few rows of chairs in the back area, behind the tables for witnesses.

"We will be seated here," Thor said gesturing to the longer table. "Loki will be across from us, with his guards. There will be witnesses present. Mostly trusted advisors, or nobility. The Warriors Three and Lady Sif will be here. They will begin letting people in momentarily, please find a seat my friends."

We had all nodded along with what Thor was saying before I moved to claim the seat next to Clint, who was next to the wall, on my other side Sierra sat next to Steve. Then there was Nat and Bruce, and Tony and Thor. I heard the doors to the hall open, and we all turned back to watch the masses flood the room. Sif and the warriors managed to get front row seats behind Thor. They sent smiles our way before turning back to the front. A minute after everyone was settled in their seats another door opened and Loki was escorted in by two guards. All of my friends tensed, and I twined my hand with Clint's. Loki smirked at our group before the guards forced him into his seat. After a few minutes we were asked to rise, and Odin entered the room, followed by Frigga.

Everyone bowed as they sat in their thrones, then Odin spoke, "Be seated. Today we shall witness the proceeding of Loki Odinson's case in his attempt at war against Midgard. Bearing witness against this criminal are the Champions of Midgard known as the Avengers. The first witness to testify shall be Thor Odinson."

Thor stood and bowed to his father before he gave his story of what had happened, starting with the events of New Mexico and the Destroyer. He detailed the battles that had ensued each time, and his own personal words with Loki. Odin asked him to clarify a few points, then Thor bowed again before returning to his seat.

We continued down the table in a similar fashion, each giving more details about the happenings. Nat gave information about Clint being brainwashed by Loki, and how she shut down the portal. Steve gave information about what happened in Germany.

When it got to be my turn Odin addressed me a bit differently, "Aura, what involvement did you have in these events against your new home?"

I quickly got rid of the confusion on my face before I stood and bowed respectfully to him. I detailed what happened in New Mexico, including the part that the Destroyer nearly killed an entire town full of people including Clint. I went on to the knowledge I'd had of the tesseract project, and what had happened with Loki's invasion. I was able to include his direct threats to me and Clint from when I had interrogated him in his cell. I spoke of how he kidnapped me, and held me hostage for a time in Stark's tower before I escaped. I detailed the Battle and how I thought I'd lost friends during it, and how many civilians Loki had killed during his visit.

Odin had noticed that I'd kept ahold of Clint's hand for my piece, "The accused used the power of the tesseract to control your One, did he not?"

Somehow I knew what this 'One' concept was. On Asgard they each have 'One'. A person's one is seen as a Soulmate, and essentially part of onesself. To harm one is to harm another, and I knew it was an offense to harm either person to try and manipulate the other.

I spoke clearly without hesitation, "Yes, All Father." There were a few quiet gasps at that from the audience, but Odin nodded at me to continue explaining, "Loki brainwashed, and controlled my Clint to harm people, and defy his Commanders, both of which are against his morality. Later in the occurrences, once we had Loki confined, Loki threatened to make my One kill me in all the ways he knows I fear.\ Then Loki would relinquish his control before killing my One himself."

That statement got more gasps. Using a persons One to manipulate them was awful, but making a person kill their One was unheard of. Odin nodded before allowing me to return to my seat. I bowed at them before sitting while Clint was called. He went into details about the control albeit reluctantly. I squeezed his hand to show my support and he shifted closer to me in thanks. Odin questioned him at length before letting him sit back down. During his testimony I had taken to rubbing comforting circles on the back of Clint's hand with my thumb. He glanced at me gratefully before Odin dismissed the room so he could deliberate. Everyone stood and bowed as he left with Frigga, then we all left to get food. The trial had taken till 2pm so we were going to have a late lunch.

Everyone was quiet until we reached the small dining hall, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Food was brought to us immediately and Tony decided to break the silence.

"Hey Brittney?" I hummed and directed my gaze to him, "What did Odin mean about 'your One'? And why did he call you Aura, and address you as if he knew you?"

I glanced at Thor and motioned for him to explain it which he began to, "On Asgard each person has what humans refer to as a Soulmate. Someone that they are destined to spend eternity with. Each person is destined to find their One, and once found it is difficult to live without. If one dies then the other is sure to follow shortly. Many years ago, before I was born there was a powerful Goddess named Aura, and like Brittney she could control the elements of fire and air. She was among the first to name the connection between two people, as the soulmate being the 'One'. She lived a long life with her One, and she was quite close to my parents for many years. One day they received word that her One perished in battle, Aura was distraught and she just disappeared. No trace of her at all. My father must think Brittney shares a connection to the Goddess."

I thought about this new information until Clint spoke up, "but that doesn't explain how she knew what Odin meant about me being her 'One'."

I shrugged, I couldn't explain it either. "I don't know what to say, it was just something that I remember from somewhere."

They all looked at me curiously, but they didn't say anything else on the subject. I knew that Clint would want to talk about him being my 'One', but I'd rather not do that in front of the group.

After lunch we were sitting in silence in one of the common rooms waiting for Odin's decision.

I stood up and tugged Clint's hand to get him to come with me, "Thor?" The god looked up at me curiously, "is there a garden, or a courtyard near here that I am able to walk in. I could use some fresh air."

He nodded, "Of course," he motioned over one of the silent guards from the wall, "please escort Lady Aura and Sir Hawkeye to the south garden, and be sure to inform their handmaiden of their new dwellings."

The guard bowed respectfully then led us silently down various corridors. He opened a door to reveal a vast expanse of flowers and shrubs with some trees dotting the area. We thanked him before exiting the palace and strolling through the beautiful space.

"Are you okay?" Clint asked me with worry in his voice.

"I'm about as okay as I can be. I'm not overly fond of recalling you almost dying. I just needed air, and I figured you would want to talk about the whole 'One' thing in private."

Clint grinned, "you know me well. What was the deal with Odin asking if I was your 'One'?"

I shrugged, "he's observant. Undoubtedly he noticed how we interact, and that we were holding hands during the trial. He probably also read it in my voice, you can't hide all your emotions when you're talking about someone you care for getting hurt, or killed, or brainwashed."

Clint nodded seriously, "and do you really think that I'm your 'One'?"

"I can't imagine it being anyone else." I spoke seriously with just a hint of teasing in my voice.

He responded with his usual snark, "gee thanks."

I smiled and stepped closer to him so our chests were only inches apart. I leaned my head back so I could look into his beautiful clear blue eyes, "I wouldn't want it to be anyone else either."

He leaned down bringing his face inches from mine. His eyes were flicking between mine, and my lips. I lifted my right hand from my side and used it to cup the back of his neck before I pushed myself up onto my tip-toes, closing the distance between our lips. His hands moved the instant my lips covered his, one wrapped around my waist to pull me closer, and the other twined in my hair. We both pulled back after a moment to breathe, then his soft lips once again met mine. his tongue ran across my lower lip, begging for access, which I granted before we were battling for dominance. He lightly tugged my hair to tilt my head back and gain a better position. The kiss itself wasn't demanding, or fiery. It was caring, and curious, but our natures still battled within the tenderness of the kiss. We both registered the need for air, and we pulled away from each other only to have Clint's forehead resting against mine.

He sounded breathless when he spoke a minute later, "wow."

I smiled, "my sentiments exactly."

I closed my eyes and relaxed into the warmth and comfort his body provided, until I heard a door open into the garden.

We both glanced up to see Samantha coming towards us, "Pardon the interruption, but the All father wishes to speak to the both of you."

We break out of the embrace, but Clint keeps ahold of my hand as we follow Samantha back into the palace and to the Throne room. Upon entering we bow before Odin and Frigga, who surprisingly are holding hands. Frigga thanks Samantha before dismissing her, and bade us to move closer to the thrones.

Odin speaks in a softer tone, but one still commanding attention, and one still filled with endless wisdom, "Aura, Hawkeye, I have invited you here because I wish to seek your counsel in the punishment against my son. It is rare, yes, but as you were both threatened to manipulate your 'One' I believe that you have a great stake in deciding the fate of Loki. I have decided upon two options for you to consider. The first is Loki being sentenced to Death," I flinched at his words. I was an assassin, but I didn't want anyone to die if there were another option. "The second is to bind Loki's life force to one of you. This means that he will travel where you do, and serve to help you wether it be to protect Midgard or to protect your team of heroes. Should you choose this option he will spend his time not assisting you, learning the customs of Midgard, and understanding the human race better. You may have the night to ponder, and discuss however I must request that this stay between the four of us. I shall send a handmaiden to gather you in the morn before I reconvene Court."

With that we bowed and they left the room. Clint and I moved back to our room in awestruck silence. We sat on the bed and I curled up into his side before I breeched the subject, "What do you think we should do?"

He sighed, "I don't know. On one hand I want the bastard to die for the pain he caused us, and our world."

"And on the other?"

He glanced down at me, "I've caused so much death already, I don't particularly want another one on my hands. Besides the fact that Loki deserves more then death. Maybe having him 'bound' to one of us would teach him more about the importance of humans, and give him a chance to repent."

I nodded, "I agree, of course. I believe that Loki should have the chance to serve Earth, and maybe in the process the brother Thor knew and loved will be returned. From my understanding if Loki does disobey the binding, then he will be teleported back here and scheduled for extermination."

Clint nodded and began absently running his hand through my hair, "We'll tell Odin tomorrow then that Loki will be bound to me."

I tensed and looked up at him, "No, Clint. I'm not putting you through dealing with Loki. He will be bound to me."

Clint's hand froze in my hair, "No way in Hell is Loki going to be tied to you. I won't have him hurt you, and I'm not going to put you through what I went through with him."

"Clint," I spoke in what someone had named my 'assassin's voice' "Loki has been inside your mind, he knows your weaknesses. He knows exactly what buttons to push to break you down. I'm not going to stand around and let him do that to you. You've only just begun to get over the nightmares he caused you. Yes, I've noticed the nightmares. You're not going through that again. Loki doesn't know what buttons to push, he doesn't know whats in my mind. Besides having him tied to me means that in an event of battle or disaster he has to protect me. Its an extra thing that would be keeping me safe."

Clint was royally pissed off. He pulled away from me and stood up causing me to stand on the opposite side of the bed, "No fucking way Brittney. No way in Hell am I letting that Evil psycho be tied to you. It's to dangerous."

I straightened my back, "Barton, you're compromised. Being bound to Loki will only further compromise you. I'm going to bunk with Sierra tonight."

I turned and walked out the door closing it softly behind me. I moved over to the room Sierra was in and I knocked lightly on the door. After a minute or so a sleepy looking Sierra opened it and looked blearily at me.

"B? What happened?" her soft voice asked innocently.

"Clint and I got in an argument, and he was being way to damn stubborn. Can I crash with you tonight?" I said softly back, trying to keep the emotions out of my voice.

She nodded and let me in, closing the door behind me. We walked over to the bed in silence and I snuggled into her hug, "do you want to talk about it?"

I shook my head, "not really, but since I'm invading your room I think it's only fair. The gist is that Clint doesn't want me to do something because he thinks its unsafe for me. I tried pointing out that if he were the one to do it then it would cause him pain, and trauma. He's only just recovering from New York, and I don't want that put back on him. I am perfectly able to do this, and it wouldn't hurt me nearly as much as it would Clint."

She had been rubbing comforting circles on my back like my mom used to do before she spoke, "Brittney, you really can't see it can you?"

"See what?"

"You are both making the same argument, both trying to protect the other. You're both worried for the other, even though both of you are master assassins, and tougher then anyone I've ever known. You care deeply for each other, and fighting like this isn't good for whatever relationship you have now, or you want to have in the future."

I mumbled, "when did you get so old?"

She laughed a bit before telling me to get some sleep, which I didn't. Little did I know, Clint was also laying awake pondering what had been said tonight.

The next morning I woke before Sierra, and I quietly left her room to return to my own. I knocked on the door softly, and after a minute Clint opened it.

I took in a deep breath, "Clint, I'm sorry for what I said last night. I'm just worried you'll be under duress if you have to be bound to Loki."

Clint spoke up, "I'm sorry too, I just don't want you to have to go through what I went through. But I thought about it, all night actually, and I know you're right. Loki did compromise me, and having to be tied to him, it would ruin me. Just know though, I'm not leaving your side with Loki around."

I smiled and stepped into his arms. I sighed at the peace that surrounded me, "I know, and I wouldn't want you to."

He leaned down and captured my lips with his own, and this kiss was almost unbearably sweet and tender. After a moment we both pulled away with smiles and we got ready to face the day.

A/N:

Ohh new chapter! We got Loki's trial, Some Background on Brittney, er Aura, I got to make some fluff, I got to create the 'One' concept that was fun. We FINALLY see Brittney and Clint kiss! 'Bout time. We got a fight, aome twin fluff, and Loki's punnishment. Oh and more kisses. Love Ya,

-AURA