XxX

'Tasha?'

I looked up from my place on the bed; Cato had ever so gently grasped my finger, wanting my attention. Clint peered in, giving his best attempt at a smile, 'Are you ready?'He knew I didn't want to leave the safety of Asgard, but we needed to go home.

I nodded. Clint walked over and took Cato from me as I got my things together. I smiled as I watched him play with his godchild, I couldn't believe it had already been two weeks since he was born. I gathered the few things I had and placed them in my bag as Clint pointed things out to Cato.

Smiling, my hand gently touched the front cover of my baby book. It had been fun to collect pictures of everyone with Cato, to write in little tidbits with each one. Clint had made the perfect gift.

I picked my bag up, 'Ready. Here, I'll take him.' I said, walking over to the two.

Clint just shook his head, 'I got him, you just worry about yourself for a change.'

'Oh, ok.' A part of me wanted to insist that I take Cato, the other side told me that I could trust Clint and not to worry.

'So what is the plan?' I asked as we walked outside of the room, 'Won't the Avengers still be on earth?'

Clint chuckled, gently rocking Cato back and forth, 'Thor went ahead of us last night to try to calm them, Loki went with him.'

Panic ceased my heart, holding it fast in its tight grip, 'L-Loki went…where?' I tried to keep my voice even but failed completely. I felt my face go pale.

'He'll be alright.' Clint smiled down at Cato as he took hold of his finger, 'He just went to explain things more.' He said in a soft voice as he cooed at my son.

'What if Stark shoots him out of spite? You know he won't listen.' I walked over, trying to keep calm so Cato wouldn't start getting fussy.

'Thor will take care of him.' Clint said, looking up to me with honest eyes, a small smirk played at his lips, 'A boy needs his dad.'

I smiled, stroking Cato's cheek, 'Yes, even child needs a dad.'

XxX

Thor and Loki had just landed when Loki flew backwards, the wind getting knocked from him as he hit the concrete. Stark pinned him to the ground, armed to the fullest.

'Get off of him, metal-man!' Thor commanded, readying his own weapon.

'Stark!' Steve called, 'Let him be!' Banner stood awkwardly off to the side with Fury.

'Let him be, let him be? Yeah, I don't think so!' Stark snipped, that was all it took for before Mjolnir made contact with his helmet and sent him flying before returning to the god's hand.

And the two were at it. Loki stood up and brushed himself off. Captain America moved next to the god of mischief, wondering if he should interfere with the skirmish.

'Who do you think will win?' Cap said, his eye shifting to Loki. After staying up night after night, twisting his thoughts around the confrontation and the information he had gathered, he had come to the conclusion that if Natasha had come to trust him he couldn't be all bad. People deserved second chances, even if they screwed up royally.

Still, he kept his hand on the holt of his gun.

'Thor.' Loki nodded towards his brother, 'He'll last a lot longer than that suit.'

Cap nodded, 'Agreed.'

And the two continued until Fury stepped in. Instantly the two stopped to look at him, he looked at them like a disappointed father.

'You going to just shoot at each other or are we going to figure this out?' He finally said, taking a turn looking at each of them.

Fury then turned to Loki, giving him a once over, 'Nice haircut.'

Loki nervously ruffled his hair.

'We need to talk.' Thor said to Fury, 'She will be returning tonight…with their child.'

It almost seemed planned, the way everyone turned to Loki in synch.

Stark raised his hand, 'Can I hit him now?' Fury shook his head.

'Cato…Hawkeye?' Steve raised an eyebrow, looking at Thor.

'No.' Loki said. His eyes narrowed at the Captain. Cap threw his hands up, taking a step back from the Asgardian.

'I think it's time we hear the other side out.' Fury stated, he turned without another word and started back to the jet.

Loki looked to Thor who just shrugged.

Cap clapped him on the shoulder, 'Looks like we don't have to put you in chains this time.' He gave a hearty laugh before heading towards the jet.

Loki tried to laugh but failed miserably.

Stark glared the entire time to the agency, as did Hill. Banner kept darting his eyes to them, while Cap just enjoyed the ride.

Loki slid down in his seat; this was going to be a long flight.

XxX

'Wow.' Was all Cap, or any one for that matter, could say to the full story. They now had both sides and it was still hard for anyone to believe, Loki included.

'D-do we get to meet the…kid?' Banner asked, his arms crossed as his nervous eyes stayed on Loki.

Loki tensed, turning to Thor. His older brother placed a comforting hand on his shoulder before turning to the group, 'He will be returning this evening with Clint and Natasha. We want to give them some time to settle in before...you come to meet them.'

'And how do we know this…child…' The venom in Starks voice was very clear, 'Will not be a problem?'

Thor tightened his grip on his brother to keep him seated, 'It is an innocent child, nothing more.'

The silence grew until Stark stood and headed for the door. He stopped a few feet away and turned back, 'I still don't like you.' He pointed at Loki before turning once more and leaving. Fury stood and walked over to the window.

Loki sighed, running a hand back through his bangs. He looked around the table; he still didn't know how to react or what to do. He had caused so much pain.

'I know it means little, but I am sorry for what I have done. It was childish and done out of a foolish, naïve anger that I should have kept in check. I let it get out of hand.' Loki leaned back, thinking over every pain he had caused, 'It was stupid.' He looked up and looked eyes with everyone at the table.

'I will never be able to right my wrongs and I have no right to ask for forgiveness, but I wanted you to know that I do see the evil I have done.' He stated, his voice quiet as the humility filled him. Thor smiled with pride at his brother.

Fury gave a curt nod, 'Alright then.' He said and headed for the door, Hill stood and followed him out.

Loki turned to look at the remaining Avengers.

'Look, I am still…ya; there aren't words for how I feel about what you did.' Cap looked up with honest eyes, 'I still have the bruises from our tussle, but…Natasha is important to us, to me. If she is willing to trust you and give you a second chance…she must see something we don't so I'm going to trust her in that.' He paused, letting what he said set in, before standing and heading out.

Banner started to say something but stopped and headed out after the Captain.

'Well, that went better than I thought.' Loki said. Thor chuckled and just clapped his brother on the shoulder.

XxX

We had just made it out to the hall when Thor appeared. I wrapped myself around Cato as the wind hit us.

'Ready?' Thor asked, walking over to us. Clint nodded as he took my bag and his. My nerves grew as we got close to the place we would leave from.

Thor gently touched my arm; I looked up to him as he smiled, 'I will make sure he is safe.'

I nodded, putting my trust in him. Clint and Thor stood on either side of me, I smirked feeling like I had overprotective bodyguards.

Space and time pushed around us, the colors overtook us and we were gone.

The two made sure I was steadied as we landed. I felt Clint take Cato from me, I tried to protest but I knew I was putting him in more danger if I held onto him.

'Natasha!' Loki's voice said, I felt his arms around me as we moved to the couch.

'C-Cato…' I felt so light headed. I thought it'd get easier with time but it didn't.

'He's alright, Clint has him.' Loki said, gently rubbing circles in my back.

'Oh, ok…' I grabbed my head as the world started to blur a bit, 'C-can I never do that again?'

Loki smiled and nodded, 'Never again. Let me get you some water.' He stood and headed to the kitchen.

I sighed, leaning my head back against the couch. My vision started to clear and I realized we were in my apartment not Clint's.

My head shot up, which made me even more light-headed.

Clint had disappeared with Thor.

'Where is our son?' I asked, my eyes darting around in panic.

'Breath Tasha, he's right here.' Clint said as he walked out of the kitchen. He knelt down and handed me Cato, 'Gosh, how can someone so self-centered do a 180 into a doting mother in a month?'

I glared at him before looking back to Cato. His eyes were finally opening as he tried to take in those around him. First he looked to me, then Clint and Thor, before locking eyes with his Father.

Loki set the water on the coffee table as he looked over my shoulder, 'Hello, liten fyr.'

'What?' I asked, turning to him with confused eyes.

Loki just smiled back, his eyes gazing at our son as his small hand tightened around his finger, 'It means little guy.'

I smiled, looking back down at Cato, 'Welcome home, little one.' I looked up to Thor and Clint, 'Welcome to your family.'

XxX