Chapter 35 –
It had only been twelve days but it seemed more like twelve years to Loki as he paced back and forth holding his little girl tightly. Her green eyes watched him intently as she pulled on the collar of his shirt. "I'm sorry, little one," he whispered solemnly, "I had hoped to have brought your mother home by now." He had never encountered anything more frustrating in his lifetime. There were moments when he had been certain that he was getting through to Natasha. He could see a change in her eyes, if just for a few seconds, when she was looking at him not with coldness but with affection. He had even had the pleasure of seeing her smile but inevitably she slipped right back through his fingers. Now, on top of everything else, she believed that he had tried to use her to rid himself of Thanos. There was no doubt at all for him that the archer was involved with whatever was done to his wife's mind. But what could Loki do about it? That was the question he desperately needed to solve. If he laid a finger on Barton, he would only push her farther away from him. Amora was still in hiding, probably laughing as she watched him suffer from afar. Awaiting the moment when she thought him cowed enough to give her what she wanted. He longed to strangle her as well, but he didn't dare as things stood now. She was the only one that he knew for certain would be able to give his wife back her memories.
"Have you been avoiding me, brother?" Thor's baritone voice suddenly jarred Loki from his thoughts as he watched the thunder god enter their parent's chamber. "I asked mother to tell me the moment you arrived. I have been waiting days to speak with you. You fly in and out of here like a ghost."
"I only come here to spend time with my daughter," he replied as he kissed her gently on the forehead before placing her softly back in her bed. "What is it you want?"
"I want to help," Thor answered simply as he moved to look into the crib at his tiny niece. "Who is this man that you have ordered Heimdell to locate?"
"It is none of your concern," Loki snapped. He did not need his brother's high moral sensibilities getting in his way. "Thank you for taking care of her, Mother," he directed toward Frigga as she entered the room. "I will be back in the morning."
"I enjoy every minute with my granddaughter and she is safe here. You needn't worry," Frigga replied, her eyes filled with concern as she gazed at Loki," Have you slept at all, my son?" He made no attempt to respond as he maneuvered himself toward the middle of the room.
"I want to return with you to Midgard," Thor requested as Loki began to make the gesture to cast his teleportation spell. The young prince stopped in mid-motion as he gazed at his sibling thoughtfully. "I want to help you, Loki," the thunder god continued as he sauntered toward his brother.
"There is nothing you can do." Loki advised forlornly, "She will not even speak to me. I am only going to keep a watch over her from a distance besides there is another stop I must make first."
"Then send me there before you," Thor entreated, "If nothing else, I can look after her during your absence. Perhaps she will talk to me."
"You shouldn't be alone, Loki," Frigga insisted, "Especially with that beast locked up aboard the ship, what if he breaks free?"
"Very well," Loki advised as he raised his palm once more. At least, there would be another set of eyes to ensure her safety. He sent his brother to the hellicarrier ahead of him before the swirling motions began to encircle him as his body rushed towards its destination.
As the spell dissipated he found himself standing before a large cathedral window overlooking a rather dank and dusty village. Why anyone would want to gaze down at this view was beyond him. It was such a stark contrast to the radiating beauty of Asgard.
"And to what do I owe this great displeasure, young one? The fallen prince all adorned in his royal armor no less." Malekith inquired in his grating drawl as he sat upon his throne. The throne was a dark, lifeless marble with etchings of strange beasts carved along its sides. His long pointed ears twitched slightly through his lengthy white hair as he tapped his fingers meticulously on the arm of his chair.
"Did Amora not deliver my message?" the mischievous prince teased, "I thought you would have been expecting me."
"I've heard of your troubles," the dark elf slithered, his gravelly voice filled with arrogance as he continued, "But surely you don't imagine that my feeble skills could be of any assistance to one as powerful as yourself."
"Eh heh heh heh," Loki chuckled mirthlessly as he surveyed the room casually," No, I seek no aid from you. I'm sure this sad little kingdom keeps you quite busy. I'm only here to satisfy an idle curiosity."
"And what would that be?" Malekith grated as his tapping became more insistent in his discontent but he did not move from his resting place.
"Why do you want the Titan dead?" the trickster questioned with a devious grin, "What knowledge does he have that you fear the mortals will discover?"
"I have no time to waste on trivial human pursuits," the dark elf rasped indignantly as the iris of his olive green eye grew wider with impatience. "Is this how you plan to solve your problems by wasting the day with your pointless inquiries?"
"It is a fool who marks out only one path to reach his goals," the young prince remarked as he moved back toward the large window. "And I have never been a fool. There is a vast amount of knowledge to be gathered by simply observing your surroundings; answers aren't always given in words." Loki turned back toward the dark elf as he smiled wickedly. "For example, your face is very much an open book. Our conversation so far has been quite enlightening," he smirked.
Malekith rose from his throne as he sneered, his ears trembling in his anger, "Be careful, young one. While you waste the hour with me, it may be that the one who has your wife so enthralled might grow tired of waiting for their prize. Perhaps, they will find that she is no longer useful to keep alive."
In a heartbeat, Loki had brought forth his scepter. A vibrant green blast of lightning flying from its point toward the dark elf but Malekith faded into a mist as the scorching beam slammed into the wall instead leaving a large gaping hole in the granite.
"Temper, Temper," Malekith jested as he reappeared a few feet away from the young prince, his eyes glowing evilly before dimming back to their natural state. "Always so hot headed and easy to manipulate. Who is the open book now?"
"You have made a grave mistake making me your enemy," Loki seethed as he held the staff tightly in his grip. He longed to blast him into oblivion but the elf king was right, he had reacted hastily, he could not afford to kill him not before his wife had been cured.
"It was you who made the blunder when you decided to use Svartalheim in your pathetic campaign for the throne," the dark elf frothed as he observed the hole in his palace wall. "You should have never placed yourself on my radar, young one."
"Are you finally coming out of the shadows?" Loki retorted as he moved once more to the cathedral window," Admitting the truth outright? You were biding your time, plotting your ways into Asgard, long before your measly little water troubles. You can blame your own aspirations as the cause for your strife. It is you who should have never placed yourself in my mind's eye." His green eyes narrowing as he gazed out at the landscape. "Still, it must have been so difficult for your people for all those months without such a vital resource, such a dreary place this must have been. Not that I can tell the difference, it is such a gloomy world this little kingdom of yours, with or without water. I'm sure they would hate for it to happen again."
"I grow tired of your presence," Malekith boiled as he stepped closer to the trickster. "I'm sure time will reveal who has made the vaster miscalculation in judgment."
"Yes, I'm sure it will," Loki remarked as he continued to stare out the window, watching the elfin as they went about their daily business down below. "I'm not going to give you what you want but I do have a bargain for you. Prepare your people to gather up as much water as they can for I'm afraid another draught is on the horizon if my wife has not been healed within the hour." He turned toward the dark elf smiling broadly as he moved his long slender fingers in a circular motion in the air before disappearing from the chamber and returning to Midgard.
He kept himself cloaked as he watched her longingly while she sat in a chair before him. He had watched her often these last few days without her knowledge. She had no idea of his presence when he cast his invisibility spell which made him wonder. How had they disconnected her from their bond without it having any affect upon him? He still felt everything the same as he always had. He imagined that they must not have severed it but merely masked it from her somehow. How was he to reach past whatever program they had settled within her mind? Magic was useless; to use it on her would simply be doing the very thing that she already believed so strongly that he had done. She brushed a long lock of her red curls behind her ear before she turned another page of her book. He moved closer to her. Strange how it was possible to miss someone so desperately while they sat in front of you. He was certain that she would not approve of him taking away the water source for an entire planet just to try and get leverage to acquire what he wanted. He couldn't worry over such things now, let her be angry with him when her mind was unclouded and her own. He could not concern himself with the young children or the elderly of that pathetic elfin race that would have to do without. There were no depths he would not sink to in procuring her freedom from whatever they had instilled within her brain. No line he would not cross to bring her back to him. Natasha sighed suddenly as she closed her book and stood up. Loki wondered what the archer was up to that he was not at her side. He gazed at her curiously as she moved towards the glass and tapped her fingers against it lightly. He was surprised that they would have her guarding him after what had transpired a few days ago. There was a low moan from inside the encasement and Loki instantly dropped his spell as the sound reached his ears. Natasha turned toward him immediately, a look of pure hatred upon her face at the sight of him. It broke his heart to see that look in her eyes.
"What are you doing here?" she snapped. The young prince ignored her question as he peered inside the glass holding cell. Thanos seemed to be waking up, if ever so slowly.
"Shouldn't you be dosing him with something?" he inquired as he continued to watch the beast. His eyes were still sealed closed but Loki could see his large purple digits begin to twitch as another low moan escaped his lips.
"I have my orders," she informed him angrily, "now get lost. You don't belong here."
"I belong wherever you are," he advised simply as he continued to gape at the immortal lying before them. "Besides, there is no way I'm leaving you alone with that thing."
"I've been alone with him for a while now," she informed him pointedly as she sauntered towards the control panel. "I much prefer his company to yours."
"Yes, all alone and enjoying your little book," Loki replied as he took a step closer to her, "But he wasn't awake then was he?"
Natasha's blue eyes blazed even hotter as her gaze flickered towards the volume on the other side of the room where it lay underneath the chair that she had been sitting on a few moments before. "How long have you been here?" she asked coldly, "Have you been watching me?" She peered intently into his emerald eyes and her face grew even more heated as she seemed to find the confirmation that she sought. "You were? How often do you hover around me when I'm unaware? Get it through your thick skull I want nothing to do with you!"
"His eyes are beginning to open!" Loki inhaled as he brought the scepter into his grip. "Are you done with your little rant? Do you mean to let him wake fully?"
Natasha pressed a few buttons on the control panel as the door to the cell slid open before she entered the room. She reached for a syringe on a small table in the corner as she walked closer to him. Loki followed behind her which brought him more of her fury.
"What do you think you're doing?" she barked. "This is Shield business. Get out." He stared at her unmoving and she sighed in exasperation as she continued to move closer to the Titan. "You shouldn't be here," she murmured but she made no more attempts to make him leave. She injected the liquid into the immortals arm, his eyelids shot open completely as a snarl escaped his throat. She gasped in surprise as she backed up momentarily. Thanos' red eyes focused on Loki as his lips opened in a sneer.
"Soon, boy, soon." He rasped as his eyelids grew heavy and the power of the drug began to overtake his body once more.
"What the hell was that?" Loki seethed, "Why did you wait so long? Are you mad? You shouldn't even be here. Who knows what else Amora has planted in your mind for you to do?"
"Am I mad? Me?" Natasha shot back as she stormed from the cell. "The only crazy person in this room is you. I'm following Fury's orders. He wants to see exactly how long each dose lasts. I don't know why I'm explaining myself to you. Now get out of there so I can seal it."
"Fine," he agreed as he strutted through the doorway watching the glass slide closed once he was on the other side. "Fury is an idiot. He is playing a dangerous game."
"How often do you stare at me when I don't know your there?" she fumed as she moved to retrieve her book from the floor. "Have you been in my apartment? Have you? Are you going to answer me?"
"Do you know where Thor is?" Loki inquired casually as he sauntered towards the door, "I need to speak with him."
"You're going to just ignore my question is that it?" She frothed as she attempted to move beyond him at the entranceway, "Then I'll do the same. Go find him yourself you sick freak." A large sound rocked the hellicarrier suddenly as the entire ship quaked. Natasha fell forward as Loki caught her in his arms while the floors continued to rumble before stopping as suddenly as they began.
"Let go of me!" she exasperated as she tried to squirm from his grip. Loki felt the tickle of her hair against his face as he breathed in her scent before he released her just as distant sounds of gunfire began to echo from above.
"Someone's attacking your ship," Loki remarked as he stood there contemplatively. Was it someone mounting a rescue for the beast or here to finish him off?
Natasha placed her finger against her ear as she responded to a voice in her communicator. "I'm still here," she advised to whoever was on the other end, "I'll keep the titan secure." She released the button as she gazed at him once more, "What are you waiting for? Go find your brother."
"You will find that I am just as stubborn as you are," he grinned mischievously as he moved back into the room more fully.
They stood there in silence for a moment as the sounds continued above deck. Then a scraping noise began to descend upon the room as a large tare began to appear in the air in front of the doorway.
"They are opening a portal," Loki revealed as he gaped at the hole in shock. The first of the skrulls jumped through with an evil grin upon its face as it eyed the two of them. The Black Widow wasted no time firing her weapons at the strange gateway as Loki torched as many creatures as he could with the beam from his scepter. He used the blade of his staff on those that managed to get past but there were too many coming through and the gap had cut them off from the only exit. There was no way for them to leave or for any help to arrive by that doorway. For every one skrull that fell, two more made their way through the gateway, it was impossible to keep them back.
"It is time for us to go," Loki shouted over the commotion but she paid him no attention as she continued blasting her weapons towards the invaders. He noticed the glint from a golden dagger hurtling through the air in her direction. In a split second he pushed her out of the way, casting his spell the moment that his hands wrapped around her shoulders. He felt the pain in his waist the very minute that the swirling colors ceased. He let go of her arms as he watched her move about the cavern in a fury of rage before he glanced down at the gilded blade protruding from his left side.
"How dare you take me against my will!" she erupted as she moved about the dark space," I am not your little plaything. You do not get to decide anything for me. Send me back."
"The hell I will," he rasped as he pulled the dagger out and tossed it to the floor. He placed his hand against his side as he felt the blood begin to flow more steadily.
"You've been hurt?" her voice softening as she came closer to him, "Why did you get in front of me for? I can take care of myself!" She looked at the cut more closely as she puzzled," Why isn't it sealing up? Shouldn't it have healed by now?"
"It's an Asgardian blade. Much stronger than your earthly metals," Loki divulged quietly as his breathing became slightly labored, "It takes a little longer to heal."
"What were the Skrulls doing with an Asgardian dagger?" she inquired as she watched him carefully. "Shouldn't it at least begin to stop flowing so much? Couldn't you bleed to death?"
"Eh heh heh heh heh, Is that concern on your part or wishful thinking?" he jested while he looked down at his wound. His hand was covered in blood as he attempted to put more pressure on the gouge. She was right though; the flow of blood should have begun to slow down by now. He felt beads of sweat begin to form on his forehead as a light headed feeling began to settle upon him. He stumbled slightly before catching himself as he realized what must be wrong. "I'm afraid there was poison on that blade," his voice shaky as he struggled to remain standing, "Some kind of enchantment, I don't think it will stop."
"What are you talking about?" her voice filled with worry as he finally collapsed to the floor. "Can't you cast some kind of counter spell? Can't you heal yourself?"
"It doesn't work that way," he gasped in short erratic breaths. She kneeled on the ground at his side, placing her hands over his as she attempted to increase the pressure to stop the blood flow. He gasped in pain as she pressed down firmly.
"There must be something that can be done," she insisted, "take us to Asgard. Can't someone there help you?"
"Maybe," he whispered as he gazed up into her blue eyes.
"Then do it," she nodded forcefully as she pushed down harder. He closed his eyes against the pain and tried to focus as he prepared his spell.
"How long will he be asleep?" Her voice fluttered above him, the scent of flowers and leather cascading around him as he breathed in and out deeply.
"Until he has been completely healed. What we have placed over him is akin to the Odin's sleep, when the poison has left him completely his eyes will open." It was the sound of his mother he heard now and it left him a feeling of peace knowing that she was near. "It shouldn't be much longer."
"Would you like to see Rowan while you wait? I can bring her to you." Frigga's voice continued to wash over him like a strange distant dream.
"No. I only agreed to come here because he was so sick. This is not my home. I don't belong here." The sound of his wife flooded his mind, beckoning him to waken. Thoughts of his daughter pulled at him. He needed to open his eyes but he was not strong enough yet as the deep sleep overtook him once more.
He felt her fingers entwined with his as he finally found the strength to open his eyes. He was surprised to find himself lying in their bed but even more astonished to find her sitting at his side holding his hand. He smiled faintly as their eyes met. She released his hand quickly as she stood up from the bed.
"You're awake," she began nervously," How do you feel?"
"Alright. Hungry," he answered as he sat up gingerly and gazed down at his side. The wound had been completely healed without a trace that it had ever existed. He noticed a serving tray on top of the dresser that was filled with fruits as he stood up slowly. He was amazed at how good he felt as he strutted towards them grabbing a few of his favorites as he began to eat. He was wearing nothing but a pair of loose fitting pants that he normally wore for sleeping and he couldn't help but notice her gaze as her eyes surveyed him appreciatively. His smile broadened as he stared back at her before she turned away.
"You really do love me, don't you?" she asked abruptly as she walked toward the empty crib at the foot of the bed.
"Well, yes." He said simply before a sudden thought popped into his head as he moved away from the tray, "Did you remember something?" He watched her hopefully. Was that why she had been sitting vigil at his side?
"No," came her reply as he watched her glide a finger along the crib's edge. "It was just an observation. The way you jumped in front of me without a thought. You shouldn't have done that you know? You could have died."
"Better me than you," he said honestly as he turned back to retrieve another piece of fruit. He couldn't remember ever feeling so famished. He had hoped for a moment that being in Asgard had sparked her memory but he realized now what a long shot that would have been.
"I believe you," she told him pointedly as she moved further away from him, her eyes surveying the room uneasily. "Why must you make things so confusing for me?" she murmured under her breath before finally turning back to face him once more. "I would like you to take me home now."
"You are home," he instructed as he finished the last of the fruit, "But I will take you back to Midgard if you wish as long as Heimdall advises us that it is safe." He moved closer to her, relishing the nervousness that his nearness invoked as she moved her eyes uncertainly trying to look anywhere but directly at him. "What about me do you find so bewildering?" he questioned seductively.
"Most of the time I hate you," she admitted as her gaze finally settled upon him. "I can't stand the sight of you."
"Most? What about the rest?" He breathed expectantly, watching her intently as she stood unmoving before him, her blue eyes soft and alluring. He was surprised that she hadn't put any distance between them as they stood there only inches apart.
"I feel things for you that I know I shouldn't be feeling," she divulged hesitantly, "I keep telling myself that it's just…that it's not real. But now I find myself believing that you do love me and if that's genuine than what else of what you've told me is true?" She dropped her eyes to the floor as the last words left her lips before she continued, "I will let Frigga know that you're awake."
"Natasha," he whispered, "Please don't turn away from me. It's been so long since you've looked at me that way for more than a second." Her sapphire eyes glanced back at him slowly and he smiled deeply as he gazed down at her. She was so beautiful.
"Why do you always do this to me?" her voice breathless as he leaned closer. Staring at her mouth longingly but he remembered his promise and he knew that he couldn't kiss her as he remained lingering over her, only a hair's breadth from touching her sensuous lips.
"What are you talking about?" he asked as his emerald eyes roamed her face, his voice low and shaking with the desire to close that last fraction of space between them.
"You know what I'm talking about." She sighed deeply as she placed her fingers lightly against his chest. That small touch was like he had been struck by lightning as he felt his body tremble at the feel of her fingertips against his skin.
"Yes, I do." He admitted as he waited anxiously for her next move. Fearful that he might do something that would chase her away from him. Her enormous eyes were looking at him with such trepidation and anticipation as she pressed her lips lightly against his for a mere second before pulling away as her mouth still hovered closely over him.
"Loki," she breathed against his lips, "You have my explicit permission." He smiled wickedly as their lips met and his heart soared as he wrapped his arms around her. He felt her hands slide up his bare chest until her arms were around his neck, her hand roaming through his long black hair. He thought instantly that he must be dreaming then he felt the sharp pain of her finger nails as she gripped his shoulder while she moaned against his mouth. Her teeth teased his lower lip, sliding over to tug at his ear as he gasped. She pressed her body against him, rubbing her hips back and forth enticingly as she kissed her way down his throat. He broke away from her for a moment, licking his lips hungrily as he fingered the zipper of her black jumpsuit.
"Just tell me if you want me to stop," he entreated as he rubbed the zipper between his finger and thumb while waiting for her response. He didn't want to do anything that she might regret.
"Don't stop, don't stop," she pleaded as she captured his mouth in another kiss. He lifted her in his arms as he carried her toward their bed, their kisses becoming more urgent, more frantic with every step. He knew that he could remove their clothes with a single thought but he wanted the pleasure of unwrapping her as he laid her on the mattress. He had never wanted her more than he did at this moment but he was going to take his time. He wanted to give her every single second of pleasure that he had to offer. She sat up as she reached for him, her blue eyes wanton with desire as he placed his hand once more on the fastener of her suit. She didn't move, but he felt her sharp inhale and her breasts rose and fell against his fingers as he pulled the zipper down to her waist. He pushed the material leisurely off her shoulders for a slow unveiling of her gorgeous body. She reached her hands around her back as she undid the clasp of her black lace bra, smiling seductively as she let the garment fall down her arms before lying back down on the bed.
"You are so beautiful, my little spider, so incredibly beautiful," he murmured as he leaned down placing soft, wet kisses against her stomach while he moved bit by bit up her body. Her skin was flawless, so soft and tantalizing as he made his way to her honey soft breasts. He could feel her hands caressing his back as the hunger for her beat in his veins, a feverish need that echoed through every cell of his body. He saw the swift pleasure overtaking her, the flush of color in her cheeks, the slight glazing of her eyes as his lips brushed over the taut peak of her nipples. He travelled along her neck as she tilted her head, begging for more as he felt her hands tug at the drawstring on his pants. He smiled against her throat as he jested in his sultry accent, "my impatient, little spider." He slithered back down her petite form as he guided the rest of her clothing over her legs and tossed it to the floor. She watched him with baited breath as he discarded his pants and stood there naked before her. He froze for a moment as he gazed at her, a sudden fear coming over him that when he reached for her she might disappear. She seemed to understand his thoughts as she extended her arm out to him. Her fingers began tugging at his hand gingerly before pulling him to her more firmly as she reclaimed his mouth. She gave a joyful little gasp as his fingers found her inner thigh. Her breath became ragged as she arched into his movements. Natasha gripped his shoulders pushing him onto his back as she eased herself down onto him letting him fill her completely. "Oh my god," she panted as she pressed her hands against his chest, a look of elation spreading across her face while she attempted to speak, "I've never…Oh, Loki." She began a seductive ride, moving over him, muscles tight and silky with desire. He caught her hips in his hands, taking over the pace so that their movements were perfectly synchronized. His fingers tightened possessively against her waist as they moved as one. "I do love you," she whimpered, barely audible over their combined heartbeats and heavy breathing. The fire built between them to the point of gasping completion as he felt her spasm around him, the sound of joy escaping his lips with a growl as she released her sweet and final cry. She collapsed against his chest but she couldn't stop touching him, tracing her fingers back and forth along his arm. He ran his hand through her long red curls cherishing the softness. It had been so long since he had felt the beauty of it between his fingers.
"Is this what I've been missing?" she giggled against his breast as she placed a flurry of light kisses across his skin.
His grin was near bursting at the cheerful tone in her voice, his tongue playing against his teeth as he chuckled mirthfully, "Eh heh heh heh, my darling, your laughter is the sweetest sound I have ever heard. Tied very closely with that delicious moan that you make when you…" His next words were cut off as she placed her hand playfully over his mouth, her strawberry curls falling about his face as she smiled down at him.
"Shush," she commanded before she removed her fingers from his lips as she rested her head back against his chest. He held her closely as he let the feel of her body wash over him. He had her back, he thought happily. She was really here. She shot up suddenly and grabbed her clothes from the floor.
"What are you doing?" he gaped as she pressed her clothes to her body protectively.
"Your mother," she exhaled hurriedly as she began to redress, "What if she came in to check on you?"
"Oh, you had me worried for a second," Loki admitted as he rose from the bed, "I thought maybe you had a change of heart about being with me."
"Put your clothes on, Loki," Natasha insisted, "She always drops in to check on me. She'll probably be here any minute. You don't want her to walk in on you like that do you?" The young prince picked up his pants and did as she requested.
"Eh heh heh heh," he chuckled as he stalked toward her, "How do you know she hasn't already been here? Perhaps she heard the sounds coming from our room and decided to go away."
"Oh, she couldn't have. I mean we weren't that...noisy. Were we?" she fretted as she placed her hand against her lips, "Tell me you're just teasing."
He took her hand away from her face kissing her fingers gently as he gazed at them attentively. "There is something missing." He smiled as he moved towards their nightstand and pulled open the drawer, picking up her rings carefully he turned back to her. "I've been dreaming of putting these back on your finger ever since you threw them at me," he entreated, "May I?"
"I...I can't…I just can't, Loki," she sighed regretfully, "I'm sorry that I don't remember. I know it hurts you that I don't. But I can't pretend that I do and that's exactly what I would be doing if I wore those."
"I'm not sure I understand what you mean. You remembered you love me, what other memory do you need?" he inquired as he raised his eyebrow in confusion.
"I don't remember anything," she confessed, "I only know how I feel right now, right this minute, and I… I do … I… I care for you so very much. But marriage, children that isn't me. It's just not part of my plan for my life."
"Well, that's just too bad," Loki snapped, "You already have a child. Are you telling me that after what just happened between us that you still don't intend to be a mother to our daughter?"
"I hadn't thought about it." Natasha retorted, "I was just enjoying being with you. I didn't realize that I had to decide my entire future in this very instant. My mind is all jumbled up and tangled. It wouldn't be fair to your baby."
"OUR baby, OUR daughter," he directed as he squeezed the rings tightly in his hand, "And you won't even see her? Did you ever think that maybe everything would become clearer for you if you just held her in your arms? She brought you back to me once; it was the sound of her voice, that first night. I know it. But perhaps you don't want to remember?"
"Why are you so angry with me?" she asked heatedly," Why does it feel like it's all or nothing for you?"
"You're right. I'm sorry," Loki apologized as he set the rings down on the dresser. "I just hadn't realized… I just thought… but you are right, my darling. I'll try and be more patient. We can take things slowly." He drew a strand of red curls through his fingers before he leaned down and kissed her softly. "Perhaps we could go for a walk, just the two of us. I would love to show you the gardens."
"I would like to go back to Shield. I want to make sure everything is alright," She advised as she watched him cautiously.
"You mean you want to know that Barton is alright, don't you?" Loki inquired as he did his best to maintain an even tone to his voice. Things seemed to be heading in a downward spiral suddenly. He had been so ecstatic to have her in his arms that he hadn't really given much thought to how things would proceed. He had forgotten that to her their relationship was new. This had been their first time together, it was strange to think of it that way but for her that was very much the way it was.
"Don't you want to make sure your brother is safe?" she replied without emotion. "Besides, I have a job to do and I intend to do it."
"Heimdall would have informed me immediately if Thor was in need of assistance," he told her simply, "I will check with him and if it is safe for you to return I will take you, just as I promised."
"I would like to speak with him myself," she instructed frostily. She was annoyed with him, obviously. He was torn between being irritated himself and wanting desperately to make things right between them.
'"Don't you trust me?" he inquired, "Do you think I'm going to keep you here against your will?"
"I didn't say that," she answered simply as she sauntered through the bedroom door and took a seat in one of the chairs in the outer room.
"You didn't have to," he remarked as he sat down at her side. With a wave of his hand a bright pink rose appeared in his palm and he handed it to her before kissing her delicately. "Do you regret being with me today?"
"No," she shook her head as she held the flower gently in her hand, "I only regret fighting with you. I have to be honest, Loki. I'm still so very confused, there are so many thoughts going on in my head. "
"Sometimes thinking is overrated," he jested as he feathered light kisses across her jawline until he reached the tender spot behind her ear. "We have some time before Heimdall will be ready for visitors. I know how I would like to spend it." He reclaimed her mouth ferociously as he used his magic to bring them back to their bed. She gasped in shock as they materialized on the soft green fabric, giggling melodiously as she realized her clothes had vanished in the transition. She reached for him friskily as he began kissing her with even greater fervor, making love to her once more.
She had been quite surprised when he had informed her that he would be sending her to Midgard on her own. Of course, he would be following along soon enough but he had very important business to attend to and besides Thor was there to look out for her in the interim. He found that he was as confused by the current state of their relationship as she was. If he was a more patient man, he might be content with the knowledge that she cared for him, that she wanted him but he was not. His daughter needed her mother and he wanted his life back completely. So he had sent her to the hellicarrier while he brought himself to this god forsaken place in hopes that he could achieve just that.
"Я надеюсь, что я не прерывая." Loki's voice lofted across the room in his most charming tone, not that he really cared if he interrupted the man's work or not as he surveyed the laboratory with cold, piercing eyes.
"Ты кто?" the gentlemen in the white coat said angrily, clearly too caught up in his experiments to have realized that the young prince had materialized out of thin air. Loki looked down at him distastefully as he moved closer to the old scientist. He hated having to deal with these lower creatures they always seemed to think themselves so much more important than they were.
"Вы говорите по-англиский? " He asked impatiently as he watched the worry begin to settle in the elderly man's features.
"Yes, of course." The man answered nervously, "Who are you? Who let you in here?"
"I am Loki of Asgard," he smiled roguishly as he opened his palm and summoned the Chitauri scepter to his grasp. "It's seems I'm in need of your services, Grigor." He revealed as he pointed the blade to the old man's chest, a look of shock and horror spread across the scientists face before his eyes became a stone cold blue.