Chapter 11

Rose had been with Tom Aengima for three months, and she hated him. She was now released into New York with a mission... cut ties with the Avengers. She had two days to gather the few things she had and leave them, not to return. She was to collect her things, and meet Tom's men back in Central Park. She knew the terms of her deal. Her heart broke every time she thought about it. She stood outside of Avengers Tower and went inside, up to her floor, hoping to only find Steve first, explain everything to him, and hope he would understand. But she exited onto their shared floor, and not a sound was heard. Even his soft snore from his room wasn't heard. She entered her room and gathered her things into her bag, put her bag on and went up to the Penthouse.

The Elevator Dinged. She took a deep breath and stepped out of the Elevator. All eyes snapped to her. Her eyes found Steve's almost instantly and she broke into tears as he moved towards her wrapping her into a hug as the two of them sunk to the floor. When she got herself together she explained everything to them and they were respectfully quiet while she told her story to them, never leaving the safety of Steve's arms from where they had sunk to the floor only minutes before.

"We can get you out of it." Tony suggested.

"No... it's an Unbreakable Vow. No way out." Rose replied through tears as her watery eyes locked onto Steve's. "If I didn't he would kill you... all of you."

"Impossible. You can't kill a God... can you?" Clint spoke, but both Thor and Loki nodded and both looked beyond worried.

"It's possible to force us into mortality. It's a potion, you would put into the God's drink once they drank everything they would have no idea they were mortal. It wouldn't affect their powers, strength, weakness, nothing. Only their mortality. But Asgard has kept the secret under wraps for thousands of years." Loki said narrowing his eyes at Rose.

"I think it was in some ancient book... it's the only way they would have figured it out." Rose shook her head. Before looking at Clint and Natasha. "They would have had you two kill each other in every way the other knew you feared. Once the one was done and saw their handiwork... they too would be killed." Natasha and Clint looked at each, clearly with fear in their eyes. She then looked at Tony. "They said they would have you kill Jane and Darcy. Then have you kill Pepper, once you killed Pepper they would allow you to see what you have done and kill you as well."

"They can't do anything to me." Bruce said.

Rose shook her head, "They think the same potion that would work for the Gods would work on you. Once the Other Guy is controlled they will kill you... once the Avengers were done they would take out SHIELD, leaving the world defenseless except for Mutants who many have already turned to their side."

"What was the deal you made?" Thor asked, clearly agitated.

"That I will abide by his rules and follow his every command. He in turn must keep his side of the deal... that none of you, SHIELD, or any one you love can be killed. Only Death can take you when Death decides it is time for you to leave this world." Rose said before her eyes fell on Steve and she aded, "The second part of the deal is that I will become his Queen when he takes over."

"We won't let that happen." Natasha said gently.

"How long do you have?" Bruce asked.

"Two days... I have to meet them in Central Park tomorrow night at 10pm." Rose said quietly.

"Are there any loop holes?" Tony suggested.

"If one dies the other is free of the bond." Rose said.

"So we just have to kill him... that could be easy." Clint said looking to Natasha who nodded.

"You're forgetting he is Dark Wizard." Rose shook her head.

"But he can't kill us." Loki pointed out.

Rose nodded and looked to Steve now. Steve gave a nod, and gently picked her up and took her back to their floor. Once on their floor he barely made it off the Elevator before he crumbled to the floor, with Rose in his arms. The two sat there for a long time, silent tears falling as they both knew that one guy tore them apart. It was Rose who started the kiss in an effort an to comfort him. Silently trying to tell him everything would be okay.

"Can we help her?" Natasha asked once the pair left the floor.

"An Unbreakable Vow is very old magic," Loki shook his head. "If one party breaks the promise they die and the other becomes free of their Vow."

"Can't we do something though?" Pepper asked now.

Loki and Thor shook their heads and Thor spoke, "The Unbreakable Vow is as old as Sacrificial Protection."

"What's that?" Tony asked now.

"Means you allow yourself to die to save others when you are given the chance to live, but yet you willing go with Death to save those you love." Thor explained. "It is very strong magic, everyone in Asgard knows that."

Loki nodded, "It was used in the beginning of Man as a way of protecting their loved ones, they didn't know at the time that what they were doing was actually helping their loved ones live. Now it has all but died out, very few have ever done Sacrificial Protection in this age... except you Tony. You did something similar, however you did not die, so the Protection was not fully completed but it was very closely almost done had you died that day when I attacked New York."

"We have to find a way to help her." Natasha spoke now, irritation evident in her voice.

"What do you suppose I do? I couldn't locate her. Once I did we arrived and nothing was there in the house. They moved. We have tried countless times once I locate her and every time they move before we get there." Loki spat out, "Even if I could find them what makes you think I could kill him before he kills Rose and tries to kill us?"

"I don't think he would kill Rose. I think he would want to make a statement..." Tony spoke before falling silent, "Have any of you ever played Chicken?"

"Tony now is not the time." Natasha huffed.

"No I'm serious." Tony insisted.

"Yes. I'm sure we all have." Natasha huffed.

"That is what he is playing with us. We're playing a game of chess right now. Once we Check-Mate him, he will be begin his game of Chicken, in hopes Rose will break her promise and in return he will be freed from his Vows and then be able to kills us and take over completely." Tony explained, and Loki nodded clearly agreeing with what Tony was saying.

"Even if that is what he was doing, who could we free Rose?" Pepper asked.

"Simple... we have to kill him before he attacks us." Clint spoke quickly and to the point, watching the others for a reaction.

Rose jolted awake next to Steve, who jolted a wake at the sudden movement beside him. Rose looked confused for a moment before a shy smile crept over her and he too gave her a shy smile. It was early in the morning, and she had until nine before she had to leave the Tower to make in time to Central Park so she wouldn't break her orders.