Chapter 14 –

Loki couldn't suppress the childish grin that spread across his cheeks at the sound of her words or deny the incredible sensation of bliss that filled him at the knowledge that his feelings for her were returned with equal measure. "Say it again," he smiled as he gazed down at her, his dark green eyes shimmering with a devilish gleam.

"I love you, Loki," she breathed as she traced her fingers seductively along his chest. A slight giggle escaping her lips as her sapphire eyes peered up at him adoringly under her long thick lashes.

"You're everything I believed you to be," he remarked thoughtfully as he took in the sight of her naked body cuddled against him.

"What do you mean?" she inquired. Natasha lifted her head slightly as she rested her chin delicately against his breast, her eyebrow raised quizzically as she continued to hold his gaze.

"Passionate, warm," he inhaled seductively as he brushed his finger gently along the edge of her bottom lip, "unguarded." He was still amazed that what had transpired between them this evening was not just another one of his strange and fantastical dreams. He had truly just made love to her, to the Black Widow. There were no other words that could be used to describe what had just occurred between them. The trickster god, after years of ridiculing fools and their silly little sentiments over the fairer sex, had finally fallen in love and with a mortal woman at that. Not merely a mortal, but an Avenger. They were the very group of people that he despised the most out of a race of beings that he found contemptible on their best day. The irony was not lost on him but he didn't care as he gazed at the gorgeous beauty at his side. "And crazy about me, eh heh heh heh," he jested the second before his mouth took hers in a greedy kiss.

"It's your turn," she murmured against his lips.

"My turn?" he puzzled. He felt her hand slide languidly along his abdomen until it rested against his hip. The yearning to have her for a second time thundered through his entire being.

"To say it again," she whispered between kisses. The sweetness of her lips and the softness of her body pressed so intimately against him drove him wild with desire. His smile deepened as he realized what she meant.

"I love you, my little spider. I'll say it as often as you like." He caressed her gently, eager to make her his all over again. He craved her in a way that he had never wanted or needed any woman before. In a way that he never knew was possible. He wanted to give himself to her, everything that he had. He pulled her even closer as she melted against him, thigh to thigh, sex to sex.

"Loki," she gasped, her face bathed in pleasure as he filled her completely. She looked radiant and beautiful. She was a part of him now and he would never let her go.

"What are you waiting for?" the soft whisper against his shoulder broke him from his daydream as he turned to gaze down at the beautiful woman at his side. She was wearing dark blue jeans and knee high black boots with a matching spaghetti strapped tee-shirt that accentuated the silhouette of her perfectly formed breasts pressed against the silken fabric. Even in casual attire she was a sight to behold. A sideways smile emerged upon his lips as his emerald eyes grazed along the olive green jacket sported on her shoulders. He knew that she wore the color for him.

"Patience, my little spider," the young prince intoned playfully. "It is unwise to jump in blindly to the unknown. I'm just trying to get a feel for our surroundings." He turned his gaze back down toward the building below as the men and women continued to file out the front doors and form lines along the sidewalk.

"It's an office building," Natasha told him wryly. "People walk in and they walk out. And right now they are all walking out since we set off the fire alarm, not much more to learn from out here. We've got a short window. There is no time to waste. If you've changed your mind I can always do this the old fashioned way."

"Give me your hand and let's get this over with," Loki sighed as he extended his arm out to her. He supposed he was stalling. The truth was this was the very last place that he wanted to be. There was no end to how much he abhorred this planet. Yet, here he was casting a teleportation spell to bring his wife into the heart of this Gynacon Corporation so that she could search for information on a few girls that she didn't even know. As the swirling colors of his enchantment ceased he noticed her falter slightly as if she were momentarily off balance. "Are you alright, my darling?" he prodded as she let go of his hand and began to look around the room.

"Are we invisible?" she asked calmly, completely ignoring his question. She moved swiftly towards the file cabinets that lined the walls and pulled open the first drawer.

"Yes, of course," Loki exasperated. He strutted across the room to stand at her side. "Not that it matters since we are the only two in the room." He watched as she ran her fingers along the folders that lined the drawer before slamming it closed and pulling out another. "What is it you are looking for?"

"A few things," she mused as she continued her work before leaving the cabinet and sitting down at one of the desks that adorned the room. She began tapping away at the keys as Loki observed her thoughtfully. He couldn't help but hope that she found nothing of interest. He just wanted to bring her back to Asgard and live their life the way they had before. "Well, that's one." Loki glanced over her shoulder at the sound of her words, his dark green eyes perusing the small screen in front of her.

"Natuska Shostakova," he read out loud. He leaned his hand against the desktop as he inclined his head closer. "Who is that?"

"It's me," the black widow revealed as she scrolled through the document with great speed. "Or it was me. It was the last alias that I was given by the red room right before they sent me on the mission to…"

"When you met Barton," Loki interrupted. His voice was cold and hollow. "Right before you joined with Shield. Yes, I remember now. But why does this company have information on you?"

"You sound surprised? Did you think Hawkeye was lying?" She probed as her bright blue eyes gazed up at him suspiciously.

"He isn't exactly my favorite person," Loki deflected. "I wouldn't put anything past him." Natasha quirked an eyebrow at him as she seemed to be sizing him up. Was she leery of him, he wondered. Did she suspect that he had a hand in Heimdall's visions? Then just as quickly she returned her attention to the document in front of her.

"Last known residence, 107 Prospect Park West," she read aloud, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. "Under the alias of Natalie Rushman… that was years ago. This can't be right. Clint wouldn't have even mentioned a file on me if the information was this outdated." She continued her ministrations along the keyboard, typing with furious speed as she perused the screens. "Wait, here we go… this looks promising… black widow initiates…" Loki placed his hand on her shoulder swiftly and cast his spell without hesitation.

"What are you doing?" she seethed as they rematerialized on the rooftop. Natasha rested her hands against the ledge as she sucked in a harsh breath before returning her stone gaze to her husband.

"Someone was coming," he answered as he scrutinized her closely. She seemed pale and there was that same imbalance to her movements that he had noticed earlier. "Are you sure you're alright, my little spider? You look like you might faint."

"Someone was coming? Wasn't that what your invisibility spell was for?" she needled as she regained her composure and let go of the ledge. "It is one thing if you don't want to help me but to purposefully sabotage…"

"We were unseen but I thought they might notice the keys and words moving of their own accord. There wasn't time to forewarn you," he interrupted. "We can go back if you wish it but first I want you to answer me. Do you feel unwell?"

"I'm fine," she snipped. "I just wasn't prepared for the sudden movement. You know I don't like it when you cast your spell without my permission. The offices are filling back up." She noted as she glared down at the sidewalk below. "We are going to have to go about this a different way."

"And what do you suggest, my little spider?" Loki sauntered towards her, a devious smile playing against his lips. He enjoyed this side of her, the cunning and manipulative agent. He feathered his fingers through her hair until he had one lush red ringlet twined between his fingers. She glanced down suddenly as she dug her hand into her front pocket and pulled out her cell phone. He could see the small device was trembling in her hand. Someone was calling her. "Why did you bring that with you all the way to Asgard?" the young prince snipped, his tone much harsher than he had intended. "It is useless there."

"But we're not in Asgard now, are we?" she replied as she flipped the phone open and placed it against her ear. "Hello… Not long... No, just doing a little reconnaissance... Yes, I got your message... I thought you already did that… I'm not on active duty, Fury." Her expression grew solemn as she listened closely to what was being said on the other end of the small talking contraption. "Alright, give me a few." Natasha clicked the phone closed and continued to stare at it in her palm before she directed her sapphire eyes up at him. "Take us to Central Park," she said simply. Loki's ire shot up a thousand degrees. It was obvious that she meant to meet them there. Damn that blasted agency, he thought as he tried to collect himself.

"Do you think that's wise?" the mischievous prince inquired. His voice more even and a slight smirk set against his lips as he regained his composure. "We came here for a reason, let us finish it and return home to our daughter."

"What did you do, Loki?" Natasha admonished with her cool stare. "Shield hasn't placed anyone on the inside yet. Fury was giving it a few more days to see if he could recruit me for the job. Hawkeye didn't send along any message to me, did he? God, I shouldn't be surprised, should I? I can't believe you. You made me think they had intel on our daughter." Loki hated the coldness in her eyes as she looked at him.

"Perhaps, it wasn't one of my better decisions," he shrugged. "I just wanted more time to ease your worries about living in Asgard. You can be so unnecessarily obstinate."

"And you thought lying to me was going to help with that?" the black widow bit off sarcastically. She pushed her cellphone back into her pants pocket and then crossed her arms as she stood before him. He attempted to respond but she cut him off abruptly. "Are you taking me to Central Park or am I going down the fire escape to hail a cab?" Loki stretched out his hand grudgingly. He did not want her involved with Shield but he also knew his wife well enough to realize that if he pressed the point now, in the mood that she was in, it would only ensure that she did just that.

Loki sat on the couch, his legs spread wide as he tapped his long slender fingers silently against the end table. He was beyond exasperated with the way the afternoon was progressing and he had a feeling things were only going to get worse. He did not want her working for that damned agency but what was he to do about it now. He seemed to have run out of ideas at the moment but he would come up with a new plan soon enough. Giving up on getting what he wanted was never an option. Unfortunately, his wife was equally as stubborn. She had agreed to attend some luncheon to attempt to help Shield infiltrate the organization. Natasha had insisted that she wasn't rejoining their cause. She would just help them on this one task and that would be the end of it. He knew that wouldn't be the case. She would not stop until those girls were returned. The red room hit too close to home for her to do anything less. He had to hand it to Fury. That one eyed fool had found the perfect way to lure her back. The click of heels across the hard wood floor caught his attention as he turned his gaze upward and caught sight of his wife as she entered the room. His jaw nearly dropped at the sight of her. She was wearing a form fitting burgundy dress with a sparkling silver ribbon that ran along the border of the sweet heart neckline. The tightness of the fabric showed off her hour glass figure and gave a tantalizing view of the swell of her breasts. The bottom of the skirt, which stopped well above her knees, was gathered to form puckers that looked almost like roses. The view of her body made him long to rip the garment off and ravish her right there on the living room floor. But an even more prevailing thought entered his mind.

"That dress…" he stammered as he stood up and strutted towards her, closing the distance between them swiftly so that he towered over her small frame.

"You don't like it?" Natasha replied coyly as she did a coquettish spin. There was a teasing flicker to her eyes as she awaited his response.

"You look exquisite." He told her as he ran his finger gently along her collarbone. He was all too aware of the way she used her charms on her unwitting marks. Men were so entranced by her beauty that they failed to realize that there was an extremely brilliant and cunning mind at work behind those sweet blue eyes and long red lashes. He tried to stifle the possessive feelings that were bubbling up but it seemed near impossible as she began to brush the small lip stick she held in her hand over her soft, lush lips making them the color of wine. He watched her place the cosmetic back in the small purse she held in her hand. Loki licked his lips expectantly as he gazed longingly at her mouth. The idea that one of these marks of hers might think to attempt to kiss those lips sent a spike of wrath straight up his spine. He would strangle any man who came near her.

"But, you don't want me wearing it." She remarked. There was a knowing look in her eyes as she moved past him and opened the draw of her desk.

"I didn't say that… it's just..." he tried to control his jealous thoughts but it was no use. There was no way he was going to sit here and watch her go off on some mission for Shield wearing that. There was no doubt in his mind that Barton would be attending this little cocktail party. "Wherever you are going I'm going with you." He said finally. His voice was becoming sterner with each syllable that left his lips.

"I'm pretty sure Fury would be opposed to that idea." Natasha stated nonchalantly as she took a pen from the drawer and began writing something down on a small notepad that was lying on the desktop.

"Then change your outfit." He snapped. The thought of Barton's eyes gazing over her body or worse placing a hand upon her bared shoulders made his blood begin to boil all the more.

"I don't think so." Natasha instructed calmly as she brought her attention back to him more fully. "This shouldn't take very long. Why don't you go check on Rowan? You can give her this." She held out the piece of paper for him to take.

"If you intend on distracting men with your beauty then I insist on escorting you," He commanded as he reached for the folded note.

"Why do I get the feeling that would be counterproductive?" She gibed as she moved towards the door. The sway of her hips was hypnotizing, the hunger for her growing at a rapid speed even as his ire for where she was headed burned through his veins.

"I don't mind men admiring you as long as they know you are mine," he insisted as his emerald eyes gazed over her body once more.

"I know what I'm doing. You need to trust me." The black widow raised her chin as she turned back to face him. She gave him a long look as she studied him, a mixture of wariness and determination set on her features.

"I'm as stubborn as you are or have you forgotten?" he asked icily. He was coming with her on this point he would not waver and he could tell by the shift in her sapphire eyes that she knew it.

"You're impossible and infuriating and a host of other adjectives that are springing into my mind at the moment, none of them good." She replied heatedly. "I can't possibly work with you glaring over my shoulder. Loki, you will stick out like a sore thumb."

"I beg to differ," the young prince revealed in his sultry accent, a wicked smile spreading across his features as his appearance suddenly altered. Gone was his long black hair, replaced instead by short dirty blond locks and the slight stubble of a day old beard. A dark black suit adorned his long, lean frame complete with a bow tie. He watched her eyes as they moved along his body appreciatively. "Too formal?" he smirked as his outfit changed once more. The demigod was now wearing black pants and a simple white shirt with a blue blazer as he grinned mischievously. He took the note in his hand and tucked it away in the pocket of his slacks. Natasha took a slight step forward as she reached out and ran her fingers along the lapels of his jacket. "Will this do?" he breathed, his voice soft and alluring as he reached out and placed his hand against her hip, pulling her flush against him in one swift motion. He slid his other hand around the back of her neck and put his clever mouth to better use, capturing her lips with hungry urgency. He felt her body surrender and melt against him as a little sound of pleasure rumbled in her throat. The sound of her soft moans as she returned his kiss eagerly set him on fire. He shifted their bodies towards the couch but Natasha pulled back, taking her luscious lips and sensual warmth with her. His entire body ached at the loss.

"If we don't leave now we'll be late," she told him in a voice that was all business such a contrast to the passionate woman that he had held in his arms just seconds before. He squeezed his eyes shut in frustration, irritation flaring in his gut at his current circumstances. They should be in Asgard, far away from this pathetic planet and all its problems. She would have never left their realm in the first place if it had not been for Odin's blasted punishments. He was quite aware that it was his own damned schemes that had gotten him into the predicament in the first place but the All-Father had made her believe that he would never get free and for that he would pay dearly. Still that was going to have to wait for another time. Right now, he had to concentrate on how to rid himself of his current troubles. He nodded in reluctant acquiescence to his wife as he prepared to take her to this little mortal gathering.

The crystal chandeliers sparkled along the tall ceilings of the chamber giving off a twinkling of light throughout the large room. At least he supposed it was considered grand by human standards. When this ostentatious establishment was compared to the ballrooms and dining halls of Asgard, it was nothing more than a glorified hovel. Loki strutted into the preceding with his arm looped through his wife's. Even in his earthly disguise he had the air of a king about him. It was in the way that he held himself and the self-assured air that seemed to flow with every motion that he made.

"Ms. Mathers, so glad you could make it." A cocky voice beamed from behind them. "I don't remember there being a plus one on the invite, though." Tony winked impishly as he lowered his voice slightly to ensure that no one else in the room could hear him speak. "I love the blonde look on you, Nat. Was it from a bottle or the work of your lesser half?" Loki narrowed his dark green eyes as he glared at the smaller man.

"My… my… my… what a surprise," Loki smirked, his own voice equally hushed but the tone much more biting. "Petty jibes from a tiny human, you are all so disappointingly predictable."

"You know I just… I just don't see it," Tony continued to taunt, his eyebrows furrowing as he rubbed his fingers against his goatee as if he were puzzling out some mysterious question. "What's the attraction here? Is it the bad boy thing? Cause I could…"

"Enough, Stark," the black widow ordered coldly. "I'm here for a reason and I'd like to get on with it."

"Mr. Ian McMasters is the one in the grey suit nibbling on the caviar with his pinky in the air to emphasize his high class breeding," Tony commented dryly. "Quite a piece of work, shall I introduce you?" Natasha nodded for him to proceed before she turned to her husband and placed a hand lightly against his chest.

"Go mingle, Loki," she instructed firmly. Loki's right eyebrow shot up slightly in confusion, a solemn look filling his emerald eyes as he considered her words. Although the gesture of her hand, now firmly placed against his upper body was easy enough for the demigod to decipher, she intended for him to stay behind.

"What does that even mean?" he inquired in his sultry accent. He was well versed in several Midgardian languages still there seemed to be many words and strange phrases that often left him completely dumfounded.

"It means I need a little breathing room so that I can do what I came here to do," his wife explained without emotion. "Just pretend this is one of your mother's celebratory banquets and try not to draw attention to yourself." The man of Iron didn't even attempt to hide the gleeful smirk on his face as he lead her away which only irritated the young prince all the more. He stood there like a statue staring after her until finally he glanced casually around the room attempting to calm himself. At least Hawkeye wasn't here, he thought absently as he moved towards one of the tables adorned with a myriad of strange cuisine. He noticed immediately that from this particular space he had a perfect view of his wife through the reflection in one of several mirrors that decorated the far wall. She was being presented to an older gentleman with silver hair, barely an inch taller than the irksome playboy. He watched through the mirror image as Stark walked away from the pair, leaving them alone. He wondered what they were saying as he watched a close mouthed smile appear along the edges of his wife's lips.

"Are you here for business or pleasure?" a voice like honey filtered through his thoughts as a woman moved to stand next to him.

"Neither," he snapped as he turned toward the origin of the interruption and scowled. Her hair was platinum blonde with a multitude of loose curls that stopped level with her chin. It was rather reminiscent of the way Natasha had worn her hair when they first met though not nearly as pretty. The woman's crystal blue eyes stared at him soberly, a stark contrast to the friendly smile that appeared along her lips. He felt a sharp pang of emotion ripple through their bond and he smirked as his dark green eyes glanced back up into the mirror. He could see his wife gazing his way, if only for a moment, before returning her concentration to the gentlemen at her side. The impression stirring along the bond grew fainter but the feeling never ebbed. His little spider was jealous. He rather enjoyed the possessive sensation that emanated from her. "And you?" he inquired, modifying his tone to a more amenable cadence as he turned his attention back to the female beside him. This could be quite fun.

"A little bit of both," the woman observed in her lilting timbre as she held out her hand in greeting. "I'm Melodi. It's a pleasure to meet you... um…"

"Tom," Loki answered as he shook her hand, mimicking the movements that he had often seen these mortals do when acknowledging a comrade. His eyes glancing back up at the reflection of his wife. "Are you employed by Stark Enterprises?"

"No, my interests lie elsewhere," Melodi remarked cryptically, a mischievous smile glimmering across her lips. There was something about her manner that seemed familiar to the young prince. The way she held herself like she was a cat and he was the mouse. It made him recall another blonde schemer. Though the eyes were all wrong, the temperament was the same. But Amora was fast asleep in a mystical prison; her days of mischief were long over. Besides, he sensed no magic in this one and for all her great powers the Enchantress had never been able to master the skill required to cloak her abilities. Still there was something about this woman that sparked his distrust.

"With Gynacon?" he probed.

"With whoever is best suited to help me achieve my goals," she divulged as she brushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "What about you, Tom?" she said seductively touching her hand to his arm. "What brings you here?"

"My wife," the young prince replied simply as he brushed her fingers away from him the way one might sweep dirt from their sleeve. All thought of stoking the fire of the black widow's jealousy was gone and replaced by an eerie feeling of dejavu. This human was up to something of that much he was certain.

"Is that the woman that you keep taking a quick glimpse of in the mirror?" Melodi commented as she brought her arm back to her side. "I had noticed the ring on your finger but so few men attach much importance to those things. I hope I haven't offended you." Her voice was filled with remorse but there was no mistaking the flash of ire that stirred through her pale blue eyes. "Your wife is a very fortunate lady."

"Bless you for saying that," Loki smiled in the best impression of a gentleman that he could muster. The trickster god focused his gaze intently on the iris of her eyes. There was a great deal of knowledge to be found there if one knew where to look, answers weren't always given in words. "You remind me of someone I used to know."

"And does thinking of this person," she began with an upturned smile, a soft laughter falling from her lips as she placed her hand against her chest. Her fingers gliding back and forth over a small pendant that hung from around her neck. "Bring a feeling to your heart that is good or bad?"

"Indifferent," he smirked as he watched the grin fall rapidly from her face before she caught herself.

"I suppose I should return to my work," Melodi articulated warmly as she glided a finger along the lapel of his jacket before moving away from the table. "There is so much to accomplish and so little time." Loki watched as she sauntered across the room and took a seat at a table where several others were seated. He quickly noted that the man of iron was among them before turning his attention back to his wife who was still immersed in conversation with the older man. Every second that ticked by was a second too long to be stuck in this realm. He wanted to return to Asgard, to their daughter. As the thought of Rowan reached his mind, he placed his hand in his pocket and pulled out the piece of paper that his wife had given him earlier.

Rowan,

Your horses are doing fine. Though I am sure you are right and they do miss you. Our visit with your grandparents has finally come to an end. Please tell your father that he must bring you with him when he returns. I will be waiting for you both at home. I love you, Sweetie.

Love,

Mommy

Loki felt his entire body grow cold with umbrage as he finished reading the small letter; so much so that for a moment he feared that he might have reverted to his Jotunn form. He crumpled the note in his vice like grip as his dark green eyes settled upon his wife once more. Was this how she had planned to tell him that she was staying on Midgard? With a second hand note? Her sapphire eyes locked with his from across the room. Perhaps, she had felt the sudden rage that was flooding through him. He watched as she placed her hands lightly against the grey haired gentleman's arms before leaning forward and giving him a chaste peck on either side of his face. The action deepened the resentment that was currently pressing against the demigod's self-control. The black widow moved towards him slowly, her dark blue eyes scrutinizing him closely until she was finally standing in front of him. He brushed his long slender fingers through his soft blonde curls in an attempt to calm himself. "Let's go," she stated resolutely in her usual stoic demeanor before turning towards the exit, leaving him no other choice but to follow.

"Where is this place?" Loki seethed as he paced around the small apartment. "And why did you instruct the driver to bring us here? I have had quite enough of these little mortal intrigues for one day."

"This is where Laura Mathers lives," Natasha informed him as she slipped out of her heels and took a seat leisurely upon the floral couch in the middle of the room. "It's the cover that Shield created. I needed to keep up the pretense for McMaster's driver. You can teleport us home whenever you'd like." Loki stopped in mid-step of his third loop around the confined quarters.

"And by home you mean that blasted minute cottage that your little birdman found for you?" the demigod snapped. He had held his tongue for the entire ride while his blood boiled but they were alone now and the time for pretenses had ended. "I think we have been gone from our daughter long enough."

"It has only been a few hours," she remarked calmly as she crossed her legs elegantly and settled herself back against the cushions more comfortably. "But you're right. After you've brought us back to the house than you should go get her and bring her home as well. Don't look so surprised, Loki, I know you read the note."

"Why do you want me to go back for her alone?" Loki rasped as he moved towards her. "Was that your plan all along, to have me take you here and then refuse to leave?"

"No, it wasn't." She peered up at him thoughtfully; her voice was soft and her expression almost melancholy. "I just… I realized that I couldn't go back… not after… you created that fake message… not that I'm surprised. If I go back now you will just think up some other scheme to delay our return. I know what you want Loki and I'm sorry that I can't give it to you but I'm not going to change my mind."

"And you couldn't just tell me that?" the young prince frothed as he loomed over her. "You intended for our daughter to be the one to inform me instead? Why?"

"I don't know," she sighed, laying her head against the back of the sofa. "I didn't want to argue." A slight chuckle left her lips as she spoke. "I guess I was just avoiding the inevitable. We want different things."

"No," he argued heatedly as he began to move once more about the room. There was something about the way she sat there so relaxed and undeterred that made him even more agitated. "We want the same thing. You are just too paralyzed by fear to admit it. You refuse to give me the chance to prove to you that we can have our life back the way it was. What happened before will never happen again, I swear it."

"I will never step foot in Asgard ever again and that is final." She professed as she finally stood with her arms crossed at her sides.

"EVER?" he gaped as he brushed his hand once more through the short blonde hair that still adorned his head. In his anger and frustration he hadn't even thought to dispel his enchantment. "Really? And how am I supposed to respond to that exactly?"

"However you like, Loki. I'm just being honest." Natasha observed him quietly, a look of total resignation on her features. It unnerved him even more, the finality of her words combined with her unaffected exterior. Never? He would not accept that.

"You are being unfair, to me and to our daughter." His voice softening as he tried to comprehend precisely what she was saying to him.

"You and Rowan can visit whenever you like." His wife contended as she relaxed her arms and moved closer to him. She placed a hand delicately against his cheek, her thumb brushing lightly against the stubble along his chin. "I'm just trying to keep our family together."

"By forcing us to try and pretend to be something we're not?" His eyebrows furrowed in confusion. His anger beginning to dissipate as despair threatened to take its place. He wasn't quite sure which feeling was worse. His emerald eyes sought out hers pleadingly as he tried to think of how to go about changing her mind. "I admit it was a mistake to play that trick with Heimdall. It won't happen again."

"Of course, it will." Natasha admonished as she withdrew her hand and took a step away from him. "I know if I asked you right now if you were going to make a play for the throne that you would tell me that all you want is to be with me and Rowan." She shook her head slightly as she spoke, the long blonde hair falling back and forth against her shoulders. "And the sad part is that I know that it's the truth. I know how much you love us, how much we mean to you."

"Then why won't you come home with me?" The edge completely gone from his voice and a wounded look upon his face.

"Because it's inevitable," Natasha insisted, her dark blue eyes filled with foreboding. "Something will happen and you will become so consumed by your anger or your jealousy that you will lose sight of everything else except for what you think you want in that moment." He turned away from her as she spoke and he began walking towards one of the windows along the far wall. He gazed outside as if to take in the scenery though in reality he could focus on nothing in front of him as her words settled over him. "What you think you have to have," she continued. "And to hell with everything else. You never worry about the consequences of your actions. You think you have an answer for everything, a scheme to solve any challenge that comes your way and you'll never stop. I told you, Loki, I won't go through it again."

"So I've already been tried and convicted in your eyes." He gazed down at his left hand, turning the wedding band in circles with his thumb before finally returning his gaze to his wife. "Why should I bother even attempting to behave if I'm already being punished for things that I haven't even done?" With a flick of his wrist he dropped the illusion spells, his face set in stone as he let his earlier fury rise back to the surface. Anger was much easier to manage than desolation. Without so much as a gesture of warning he cast the enchantment that would send her back to that small ranch before bringing himself to his daughter's room in the Royal Palace.

"Daddy!" Rowan's tiny voice squealed as she propelled herself into his arms. He returned her embrace tightly as he prepared to tell her of her mother's decision.

"Loki, we need to talk," Thor decreed in his baritone voice. He was sitting regally in a chair beside her bed, a look of great worry in his deep blue eyes. Loki knew the seriousness of that expression far too well.

"What has happened?" the young prince inquired anxiously as he let go of his daughter. "Is it Mother?"

"Mother is fine. We are all fine, brother," Thor soothed as he stood up slowly. "But someone went after Rowan. A sorceress of some kind. She was impersonating one of mother's servants, apparently for quite some time."

"What do you mean went after her?" Loki barked. "Where in Odin's name were you?"

"Daddy, I'm sorry," Rowan interrupted as she gazed up at him mournfully. "I meant to listen to you. I really did. It's just… I was so mad and I just… I kinda forgot to stay with Uncle Thor. Please don't be angry with him. It wasn't his fault. If he hadn't come for me… she was so scary, Daddy."

"Who was she?" Loki probed. He would find this so called sorceress and pull her apart limb by limb.

"We don't know," the thunder god revealed. "I can only tell you what she looked like as a servant. Rowan saw her true appearance for a small moment but she was too scared to remember any details. I am sure whoever she is that she must be in alliance with those three fools who attempted to free Tyr. Perhaps she thought to do a trade. Father has sent the inquisitors into their cells to see what information we can gain about her from them." Thor paused for a moment as a sudden realization came over his features. "Where is Lady Natasha?"

"She is waiting for us on Midgard," the young prince snapped. "Where else do you think she would be?"

"I see," Thor remarked cautiously. "I realize what a disappointment that must be for you brother but given the circumstances perhaps it's for the best."

"May I have a moment alone with my daughter?" Loki requested, purposefully ignoring his brother's words. He didn't care what Natasha said. He wasn't going to spend the rest of his days on that filthy planet and neither was his daughter. Thor nodded as he brushed his hand playfully along the top of his niece's soft red curls before walking swiftly from the room. "Too scared to remember details?" The mischievous prince raised his right eyebrow quizzically as he stared intently into his daughters sparkling green eyes.

"I didn't think you'd want me to tell him," Rowan told her father earnestly as she sat down on her bed. "I mean she must be the one who left you that rock, right? And you said that was a secret."

"Yes, you did the right thing." Loki praised as he moved to sit down next to her. "Now tell me. What did this woman really look like?"

"She had strawberry blonde hair and large green eyes, a thin face… pretty, I guess… and very powerful in magic, the strongest I've ever felt it in anything so far." Rowan divulged nervously.

"Powerful in magic? The physical description it sounds like… but her skills are so feeble. It couldn't be." Loki pondered as he thought about the woman at the party earlier that evening.

"Are we really going back to Midgard today?" Rowan's small voice broke into his thoughts. Loki turned his attention to his daughter and sighed audibly before he nodded his head reluctantly.

"Yes, for now." The young god admitted. "Do not tell your mother what happened today. It would only give her another reason to want to stay away from Asgard and she already has plenty enough of those all on her own. We don't need to give her anymore. It will be our little secret."

"Yes, Daddy," Rowan agreed as she reached out and hugged him once more. "I missed you."

"And I, you, little one." Loki whispered as he held her closer. "Don't worry. I will take care of this woman. She will never come near you again. And then I will bring our family home. Our real home. Everything will be the way it is supposed to be, I promise."