Chapter 50 –

Natasha stretched her arms over her head as she breathed in the scent of the flowers that wafted through the bedroom chamber. She could hear the sound of her daughters giggles coming from the sitting room and the sultry tones of her husband's accent. She grinned widely as she sat up in the bed. She leaned over the vase of pink roses that sat on her nightstand and breathed in deeply. Her eyes gazed around the room at the myriad of different types of flowers that filled their bedroom and her smile grew deeper. It had been a beautiful night. She felt refreshed. All of the craziness of the last few months was finally over. She grabbed her robe and tied it quickly as she followed the sounds of her family.

"Good morning, my darling!" Loki beamed from his place on the floor. "Our daughter was just showing me how well she can topple over any fortress I create." He continued to stack the brightly colored blocks one on the top of the other. The moment that he was finished Rowan swiped her tiny fingers across the small cubes and clapped her hands in glee as they tumbled over.

"Well done, sweetie," Natasha smiled as she knelt down in between them and kissed them both softly. "Why did you let me sleep so late? It will be time for Malekith's hearing soon, won't it?"

"Were you planning on attending?" the young prince inquired as he began constructing a new tower of blocks while their daughter giggled in anticipation.

"You weren't?" she asked in surprise. Loki twirled the final block in his hand as he eyed their daughter, a sideways smile upon his lips as he held it over the pile of blocks teasingly before finally setting it on top. "I thought for certain that you would want to see him sentenced. You were so angry when Amora's hearing was sealed from any spectators." The sound of clattering blocks and their little girl's laughter filled the room as the black widow observed her husband curiously. Why would he want to stay away from Malekith? "Is there something that you are afraid he might say?"

"I told you last night. What could I possibly have to fear from anything that he had to utter?" Loki stated calmly as he rose from the floor. "We can go if you wish. It doesn't matter to me. He orchestrated a coup against the All-Father. I'm sure his punishment will be severe." He stared blankly into space for a moment as if he were puzzling something out in his mind. His voice was overflowing in sarcasm as he spoke his next words. "It is not like Amora who merely tried to take away everything I held dear. She gets to sleep for all eternity." His resentment that her punishment wasn't more painful was more than apparent as his eyes narrowed. "I suspect Malekith will not be quite so fortunate. Now if his crime had been against me alone…"

"Fortunate? I highly doubt the Enchantress thinks that she is well-off." Natasha mused as she picked up her daughter who had crawled into her lap.

"She seemed well enough to me," Loki snipped as he strutted toward their bedroom.

"What do you mean?" She probed, following after him while her daughter played with the lush, red curls of her hair. "When did you see her?"

Loki froze for a moment and the black widow eyed him suspiciously. She could see the wheels spinning in his mind before he finally focused his gaze upon her. Clearly, that had not been information that he had intended to reveal.

"I received permission from Odin to speak with her in the mystical realms when I was searching for where Malekith may have taken you." He divulged but she could see the slight nervousness in his features, if only for a moment. He was keeping something from her.

"Is that how you found me?" Natasha prodded. "Did she tell you where Malekith had brought us?"

"In a matter of speaking," the mischievous prince remarked shrewdly. "She showed me how to use my powers to locate you."

"And why would she do that?" the black widow interrogated. She realized that she had been so happy to be reunited with him that she never bothered to find out exactly how he had found her.

"I threatened the life of her sister," Loki stated simply. "Let us talk of more enjoyable things. Besides, you should get ready if you wish to go to the Great Hall. But first you must eat. What would you like, my little spider? I can conjure up something for you or do you want me to have a servant bring you something from the kitchens while you bathe."

"What are you keeping from me, Loki?" Natasha asked forcefully, her expression stern. There was a long silence that followed or at least it seemed lengthy and drawn out to her when in fact it was barely a few seconds. It was the look in his eyes before he finally spoke that made those seconds seem like an eternity.

"Nothing," he told her. "What else is it you want to know, my darling?"

"How did you find me?" She continued to grill him. He was holding back something. She could feel it and she didn't like it.

"I had a duplicate of the portal stone made and I used the gauntlet to recast his spell and bring me to you." The young prince answered. He moved forward and took Rowan from her arms before placing her down on the rug where several of her toys were spread out for play. "Is there anything else?"

"And the Enchantress told you that was what you needed to do?" She questioned. Loki smiled softly as he threaded his fingers along a curl of her hair.

"I thought I already answered you about Amora? Wouldn't new questions be more productive?" He teased. There was an impish tone to his voice as he continued to twirl the strawberry ringlet languidly. The apprehension that she had sensed earlier was completely gone. He seemed calm and relaxed so much so that she began to wonder if perhaps it hadn't been her imagination. "She gave me the information that I required and now you are here safe and sound where you belong." He leaned forward and kissed her gently. "I swear to you, my little spider, I have no intention of keeping anything from you." He stared at her warmly, a look of pure affection in his dark green eyes. His love for her was boundless. This she knew with all her heart and she felt certain in that moment that what he told her was the truth.

Natasha walked along the corridors with Rowan enfolded in her arms. Loki was somewhere in the palace that much she knew. She wondered what he was up to. He had gone off after their breakfast and told her that he would meet her in the Great Hall. When she asked him where he was going all he would tell her was that it was a surprise for his girls and she would just have to wait. As she rounded the corner of the hallway she could hear Hawkeye's voice.

"Do you know much about the Jotunn as a race?" he was saying as her gaze fell upon him standing next to Frigga in front of one of the large cathedral windows that adorned the passage. She stopped walking. The spy in her deciding that listening for a moment would be much more lucrative than interrupting their conversation. "Are they all as magically inclined as your son?"

"Why do you ask?" The Queen remarked as she gazed out the window.

"I heard Odin talking about the casket that's missing. Is that the source of their power?" the archer investigated.

"It is a mighty tool when it is at their disposal but it is not the source of their power," The Queen divulged. "It is strange that you would request a meeting with the dark elf and come out of it with questions about Frost Giants. I wouldn't trust anything that the sorcerer had to say to you. I am surprised that my husband even allowed it."

"Your entire world is fascinating," Clint grinned. "I'm interested in it all."

"A quest for knowledge is to be admired," Frigga replied regally. "Unfortunately I cannot be of much assistance to you. Feel free to visit our Royal Library. I'm sure there are some books on the subject that might be of help to you."

Natasha had heard more than enough as she stepped forward, the heels of her boots resounding loudly across the tiled floor. Loki's mother turned toward her and smiled.

"Good morning, dear," Frigga greeted as she reached out her arms toward Rowan. "May I?"

"Of course," she answered as she lifted her daughter into her grandmother's embrace. Hawkeye was uncharacteristically quiet and she knew that he sensed her irritation.

"Are you attending the hearing?" The Queen inquired as she pressed a soft kiss against Rowan's forehead causing her to giggle.

"That was the plan," Natasha nodded, her cold stare falling on Barton as he continued to remain silent.

"In that case, may I watch her for you?" Frigga entreated. "I hope that I never see his face again. I would much rather spend the morning with my beautiful granddaughter."

"Thank you very much," she agreed. "That would be lovely."

"What do you say, pumpkin?" The Queen beamed as she bounced the baby in her arms before turning her attention back to Natasha. "We will see you in a little while then." She moved to leave and then paused as her gaze fell to Clint. "Did you need me to show you to the library?"

"No thanks," Hawkeye answered. "I'm good."

Natasha waited until Frigga and her daughter were nearing the end of the corridor before she turned towards the archer angrily.

"Why were you interrogating Loki's mother?" She snapped. "And what in god's name were you doing talking to Malekith?"

"Interrogating?" Hawkeye chuckled. "I was just asking her some questions, Tasha."

"About Frost Giants?" Natasha grumbled. "And the Casket of Ancient Winters? Why?"

"I'm just trying to find out the truth," Clint revealed. "Where's your husband anyway?"

"Don't try and change the subject," she remarked coldly, "The truth about what exactly?"

"Of what Loki did to you." The sound of Barton's words made her blood boil. She was tired of him accusing her husband of brainwashing her.

"He didn't do anything to me," Natasha spat out. "Let me guess was Malekith spouting out more of the same lies that Amora told you to get you to help her? You know the only person that you are causing me to distrust is you. Give me one good reason why I shouldn't believe that you are still working with them to hurt Loki?"

"Because I'm not," Clint said simply. "And you know I'm not. Do you want to know what he told me?"

"No," the black widow stated as she crossed her arms over her chest. "I don't care what claims he wants to make now."

"He told me the binding wasn't a spell," Barton continued despite her answer. "It's something more powerful than simple magic. I wasn't going to say anything until I had proof but…"

"Enough, Barton," She interrupted.

"Don't you want the truth? Cause you know your husband isn't going to give it to you." Hawkeye needled. "That bond of yours was made by Loki."

"I told you to stop it!" Natasha seethed. "Go back to earth, Barton, and leave me the hell alone." She stormed down the hall but the archer wasn't deterred as he followed along after her.

"Aren't you even curious," Clint persisted as he walked at her side. "What happened to the woman who would stop at nothing to uncover the truth? Who would do whatever it takes to get the job done? Malekith wouldn't give any details. He just spewed out a bunch of cryptic crap but he made one thing very clear and that was that Loki was responsible. Don't you want to know exactly what it was he did? How it affects you? What if there was some truth to what Amora claimed?"

"Drop this obsession that you have," the black widow rasped as she stopped abruptly, turning to face him with heated eyes.

"Then help me find the truth," He challenged. "Let's go to this library right now and see what we can dig up."

"No, I trust him," Natasha vowed. "It's you that I can't trust, Barton. You didn't stay here to see Malekith sentenced. You just saw an opportunity to try and mess with my head some more. This conversation's over." She noticed that people were beginning to file through the archway of the Great Hall. She could feel that Loki was coming closer. She took a step away from the archer but he placed his hand along her shoulder. She pulled her arm away from him furiously. "Loki's coming and you're the last person that he wants to see. Why don't you go inside and get a good seat for the show."

"So that's it, huh. Ignorance is bliss?" Hawkeye quipped. "Sorry, Tash, but that's not good enough for me. You can pretend like you don't really want to know but deep down it's going to eat at you until it drives you crazy."

"Goodbye, Barton." She replied frigidly as she started to walk away once more. The black widow stopped short as several guards began marching down the corridor. In the midst of them was the dark elf. His hands were bound together and she could see the glint of gold around his wrists from the bracelets that were supposed to keep him from accessing his powers. The sorcerer's eerie gaze fell upon her as the soldiers pushed him along the hall. The mismatched eyes and split face took on an even more jarring appearance in the luminous light that drifted through the cathedral windows. His long, pointed ears twitched with excitement as his thin lips upturned in an unnatural sneer. It unnerved her as he nodded toward her deliberately before the guards prodded him through the open doors of the chamber. A jumble of thoughts began to flood her mind.

"He told me the binding wasn't a spell. It's something more powerful than simple magic."

"She showed me how to use my powers to locate you."

"He has bonded you to him and from what I've heard about you I'm quite certain it was against your will."

No, she wouldn't let them plant seeds of doubt in her mind about Loki. He would never have done what they kept trying to accuse him of. She knew it deep down in her bones that he had told her the truth. He was as clueless as she was as to how their bond had come to be.

"Do you think I want you inside of my head? What kind of sorcerer would place such a curse upon himself?"

She felt his fingers glide lightly along her back and she jumped away from him without thinking. She peered up at her husband with wide eyes as he glanced at her in confusion.

"Are you alright, my little spider?" Loki inquired as he grazed his fingers gently along her cheek. She leaned into his touch, pressing her hand over his as she turned her head slightly to kiss his palm. "Shall we go inside?" Natasha noticed that Hawkeye was no longer in the hall. She imagined he must have already gone into the hearing or was he headed to do research in the library. It bothered her that she hadn't noticed him leave. It wasn't like her to get so lost in her thoughts.

"I'd rather not," the black widow replied quietly.

"Did something happen?" He probed as his eyes began to fill with worry. "You seem upset."

"It's just that I… I'd much rather find out what surprise you have in store for us than whatever might go on inside that room." She tried to clear her mind of the image of the dark elf and the anxiety that seemed to be threatening to overtake her.

"As you wish, my darling," the young prince grinned as he took her hand in his and began casting a spell to take them from the palace. As the strange sensation and swirling colors of his enchantment dissipated Natasha found herself standing in the open field of a mountaintop on the outskirts of Asgard. She could see the gorgeous golden city in the distance. She surveyed the landscape as she attempted to discern what the surprise might be.

"So where is it? Is it hidden somewhere?" she puzzled.

"What do you think of the view?" he remarked. There was a light and spirited tone to his voice as he walked closer to the edge and regarded the vista below. "It is the perfect vantage point to take in the seascape. Don't you agree?"

"Yes, it's gorgeous." She answered. Natasha moved to stand next to him and he put his arms around her immediately, kissing her forehead gently before taking her hands in his and leading her back towards the place where they had first materialized.

"You are standing on the very spot where our home will be built," Loki declared proudly. "The stonemasons will break ground tomorrow. It's going to be a dazzling castle not as large as that one, of course." He continued as he pointed down to the Royal palace. "But it will be a good size befitting of a prince and his family. What do you think?"

"I… I… I am definitely surprised." There were so many thoughts running through her mind she wasn't sure where to start. "I don't know what to say. Won't your parents be offended by you moving way out here? The palace is huge. We have plenty of room."

"I think Odin will be more than happy to have some distance placed between us," the young prince mused. "I grow tired of living in the shadow of others. I want something of my own."

"I know you want to stay in Asgard but…" Natasha began cautiously.

"You don't?" Loki interrupted. "I know it has been awhile since we've talked about it but it is truly the best place for us. Especially for our daughter. She is part human, yes, but she is so much more than that. She is going to be a powerful sorceress. To try and live on Midgard she would have to hide that part of herself. I don't want her growing up that way."

"When we left earth we were on the run from Thanos," the black widow continued, choosing her words carefully. "But things are different now. This feels like you never want to leave here and I'm not sure how I feel about that."

"So how do you envision our future?" His voice was sharp and his jaw clenched as he stared at her ominously. This was the calm before the storm. She knew her husband far too well not to be able to see the signs. He was trying to keep a hold on his anger but the jealousy and resentment that were bubbling under the surface were itching for release. He thought this was about Hawkeye that much was obvious.

"The three of us together and happy beyond that I haven't a clue," Natasha admitted. "For as long as I can remember my thoughts of the future never went farther than what was my next assignment."

"Are you proposing that you continue to work for Shield?" Loki gaped.

"I didn't say that," She began calmingly.

"Good, because you won't be," He snapped as he loomed over her. "I don't ever want you near them again, none of them. Your place is with us."

"If I were you, Loki, I would stop talking." She warned, her sapphire eyes narrowing in disgust. She didn't like being told what to do. A part of her wanted to dive back into a mission just to spite him as childish as she knew it was.

"And why is that?" An expression that she did not recognize darkened his eyes. His face was still stern as he stood before her unmoving. The last thing she wanted was to fight with him. She wasn't even sure why she felt apprehensive about having a home built here. The idea of returning to Earth hadn't even crossed her mind since she had been reunited with him. Hadn't she berated herself over and over for her foolishness in returning there in the first place? There was nothing she wanted more than to be with him. Earth held no real allure for her. Still she hesitated to tell him so.

"I make my own decisions." She responded with a long sigh.

"As do I," He rasped. His sparkling green eyes lowered slightly to her lips before slowly reconnecting with her gaze. It was such a small action on his part but as always it sent a jolt like lightning through her entire body. "Like my decision to make you my wife, a title that you chose to accept and quite happily as I recall."

"Yes, I did," She agreed, trying hard to hold back the smile that threatened the edges of her lips at the memory of his proposal. She could feel her earlier annoyance fading into oblivion under the intensity of his stare and she hated the idea of giving in so easily.

"You are mine, Natasha." He breathed. The predatory tone of his voice made her insides hum with excitement and desire even as the idea that he seemed to think he could tell her what to do ignited her ire. "I will never let anything take you from me, least of all those pathetic little mortals."

"Shield has no interest in coming between us." The black widow advised as she rolled her eyes and shook her head. "And I'm not going back to work for them. I decided that all on my own not because of you blustering like a caveman."

"Like a what?" he observed crossly, his eyebrow furrowed in confusion. "You Midgardian's and your strange speech, is that some sort of insult?"

"It means I don't like you trying to order me around like I'm a child," Natasha divulged. "If I wanted to return to Shield, which I don't, it would be my decision to make not yours."

"Then we are in agreement, you are through with Shield." He stated, a wickedly smug grin spreading across his lips as he clearly ignored everything else that she had said. He reached out and twined a loose curl of her hair around his fingers, the twinkle in his eyes deepening as he leaned closer. How could one man be so infuriating and soothing at the same time? "Do I have your word, my little spider? Are you truly done with them?"

"Sneaking away back to Earth was a huge mistake and one that I'm never going to repeat. Our daughter could have been an orphan because of my rash thinking. You warned me that it was a trap but I refused to listen," She admitted. "I wanted to prove to myself that I was still capable, that being married and being a mother hadn't changed me. But the truth is that it has and in a good way. My life isn't just my own anymore. You and Rowan come first." She stepped closer, inhaling his scent. So masculine and powerful and distinctly him. "Yes, Loki, you have my word. I'm finished with them."

"And what about Barton?" He released the strand of crimson hair as his hand dropped to his side, the smile melting from his face. She could see his mind churning and new exactly what he was thinking before he even said his next words. "If your hesitancy to stay here is not because of your work then is it because of him?"

"It's because of you." The words falling from her lips before she even realized it as a look of pure bewilderment settled along his features. "Loki, do you want to stay because you have family here? Your mother, Thor or is it so you can usurp the throne from Odin?" He raised an eyebrow as he studied her face. A quiet breeze brushed a cloud across the sun, casting a slight shadow along the meadow.

"If you are looking for me to promise you that I will keep myself out of mischief," he said with a smile. "I don't think even I could make such a lie sound believable." He shrugged his shoulders slightly as he continued. "I am not perfect. I am, in fact, imperfect but I love you with all my heart."

"I know you do," Natasha told him as she touched his cheek gently. "And I love you, Loki."

"Then it is settled." He enveloped her in his arms like a whirlwind, locking his lips on hers. Any ideas of protest, any need to assert that she had never agreed to anything were quickly snuffed out under the delightful movements of his mouth. Her hands clutched at the collar of his uniform, her fingers entwining in the long ebony hair that fell against his shoulders. "Shall we christen the grounds of our new dwelling?" He whispered seductively in her ear. His hand slid up underneath her shirt to cover her breast as his other hand cupped her bottom and pressed her closer to him.

She thought for a fleeting moment to remind him that she had never consented to living here but his powerful hands and mouth made her too wild with desire to attempt a protest. "Out here... in… in the open?" was the only sentence that her befuddled brain could seem to form in between the gasping moans that were flowing from her lips.

"A simple invisibility spell will take care of that," he smirked. As he moved to the ground and pulled her down on top of him. She heard the intake of his breath as she began working on the clasps of his top. She smiled down at him coyly, wiggling her body teasingly as she slowly undid the first leather strap. She could feel the hard pulse of his arousal beneath her through the fabric of his pants. It thrilled her, the power she had over him as her movements elicited a guttural sound low in his throat. She bit her lip provocatively as she moved to the next buckle. Natasha watched as the fastener vanished in her fingertips. She cast him a saucy look from beneath her lashes as she raked her fingernails along his now naked torso. "Eh heh heh heh," he chuckled, his eyes surging with a devilish gleam. "I thought I'd be helpful." His possessive hands stroked down her nude body until they captured her hips, sensations like threads of fire spread over her. It burned through her limbs, every cell of her body pulsating wildly at his touch. She could feel his hands trembling at her sides. He was as anxious for their joining as she was. God, how she ached to be filled by him. A hunger deep in her bones that only he could satiate. She raised herself up, meeting his emerald gaze as she positioned herself, sliding down upon him. "By the Nine's," he rasped, his eyes filled with turbulent emotion. Flesh to flesh, hardness to softness, they moved together in total harmony. She fought for more oxygen as the dizzying explosion of feelings began to build deep with her core. His face tightening in pleasure as the frenzied climax erupted in them both. She collapsed against his chest as the aftershocks rippled through her. She drew back slowly, trying to catch her breath as she moved to get up but he gripped her hard by the waist. His hands holding onto her hips, keeping his body merged with hers. "Don't move… not yet," he smiled between short, heated breaths. "I love feeling you like this. You are so beautiful, Natasha, and all mine. There is no power, no kingdom that I could ever gain that could compare to winning you, my little spider. You have given me the greatest gift that I will ever know."

Natasha felt tears begin to spring up in her eyes at the sound of his words and she cursed herself for a moment for her weakness. But she shook the admonishment from her mind as she let the feelings wash over her, the intermittent droplets descending softly down her face. She had yielded her heart and soul to him long ago and there was nothing that she had to hold back from him, least of all the emotions that he stirred within her. His long slender fingers stroked down her cheek and the curve of her throat. He sat up, threading his hands through her hair as he wiped away any remnant of tears with soft kisses along the sides of her face before drawing her mouth to his.

It was with great reluctance that he finally agreed that it was time for them to redress and head back to the palace. Only he did not use his magic to bring them inside the castle's walls but instead they materialized just outside the kingdom's gates. When Natasha questioned him as to why he simply grinned and told her that he wanted to walk through the city streets and show off his beautiful bride. At first he seemed to be in an incredibly good humor. No doubt because he had managed, as usual, to get her to agree to everything that he wanted. However, the further along they got the more inward and pensive he became. She began to wonder if there wasn't a reason why he wanted to delay returning to the Royal palace.

"Natasha," his soft voice suddenly breaking the silence that had fallen upon them. "I have been thinking a lot these last few days about the day we met. Do you remember it?"

"How could I forget? It is not every day that you see a horned demigod forcing everyone to kneel in a town square." She joked but his face remained serious.

"I'm sorry that was your first impression of me," the young prince lamented as he continued to saunter along the cobblestone road.

"Well, technically it wasn't the first time I saw you," Natasha revealed as she tried to discern what it could be that was bothering him. "I was shown pictures taken during your getaway from Shields testing facility at my first debriefing and then there was surveillance footage from the Stuttgart museum right before we came to subdue you."

"I had no images to go by, only the archer's words but I knew you instantly," Loki contemplated as he came to a halt and focused his dark green eyes upon her. "I felt something. It's hard to explain. I had wanted to wait to discuss this with you but it feels wrong to wait any longer." He reached forward and took her hand in his. "I recognized something in you. I didn't understand it at the time but thinking back I can see it more clearly. Did you?"

"I'm not sure what you're asking me." She admitted as she tried to comprehend what he had said to her.

"It's difficult to find the right words," he shrugged as his gaze dropped to her fingers. He brushed his thumb back and forth across her wedding rings as he continued to speak. "I sensed a familiarity, a kinship if you will. We are so much more alike than we are dissimilar. And our differences they complement each other well. I think I knew it deep down in that very first second. Did you not feel it?" She could detect his anxiety ripple through their bond. She wasn't quite sure what he wanted her to say or why he would be so nervous.

"Are you asking me if it was love at first sight?" she smiled, hoping to dispel his concerns whatever they were. "I was attracted to you even then but I pushed those thoughts from my mind as quickly as they came. You weren't exactly my favorite person."

"I didn't mean love… I couldn't stand you when I first met you." He let go of her hand and ran his fingers through his hair. "Though I realize now, it was more the feelings that you inspired that irritated me."

"What's bothering you, Loki?" she entreated.

"I remember the exact moment that I realized for certain that I was in love with you," Loki divulged, a faraway look in his eyes, a spike of fear thundering across the link that they shared before it was replaced with determination. Natasha suddenly became wary of his next words. What could he possibly have to say that would make him so scared even if it was for just a split second? There was a part of her that desperately wanted him to stop speaking.

"We should get back to the palace," the black widow stated calmly as she took a few steps forward hoping that he would follow suit. "I don't think your mother expected to have to take care of Rowan for this long."

"You were standing in a gazebo," he continued as if she had never spoken. "Looking incredibly gorgeous and staring at me with such desire and affection in those sweet blue eyes of yours. I felt the feeling come upon me so strongly that I almost said the words but I caught myself and instead I lamely told you that I would have missed you if I had left Midgard and then we made love. You were afraid you were falling for me."

"That never happened," she gaped as her body froze in mid-motion. Her mind reeling in confusion. Nothing like that had ever occurred between them at least not in the waking world. Why would he say such a thing? How would he even know about a dream that she had what seemed like a lifetime ago?

"But it did and I know you remember it," Loki insisted. "I knew that I loved you then because more than anything in the nine realms I wanted that moment to be real. I remember every dream we ever shared as I'm sure you do, too. Alone in my bath chamber that was our first, our first everything."

"Stop it, Loki," Natasha snapped nervously. "Since when have you been able to see into my dreams? And why are you telling me about it now?"

"Our dreams," he corrected. "It is part of the connection we share. You were right. There was something that I didn't tell you this morning. Amora didn't inform me where Malekith had taken you. You did." She remembered instantly the dream that she had of him in the Stuttgart museum. How real everything had felt and all the questions that he had asked her about the planet that she was on. How he had promised her that he would bring her home soon, the same words that he had told her when he had arrived in the cave.

"Why did you keep it from me?" She blinked as her conversation with Hawkeye came abruptly to the forefront of her mind. "What else have you kept from me?"

"I didn't know I could reach you that way until Amora told me," Loki explained. "It has barely been two days. I don't think that constitutes keeping it from you, I was merely waiting for an appropriate moment."

"I could think of a million appropriate moments before now," She spat out defensively. "Standing in the middle of a public walkway in the city's marketplace is not among them."

"You are angry with me and frightened." The young prince stated as he moved closer. "Is it because I didn't tell you fast enough for your liking or is it this new connection between us that scares you?"

"I'm not afraid of anything. I just want answers. I want to know that you've told me everything." She countered. "So Amora advised you about this dream thing, correct? How did she know about it?"

"From Malekith," Loki admitted almost reluctantly. She could see it in his face as clear as day. There was more he had to tell her. "It seems he did quite a good deal of research on me."

Her heart began to pound ferociously in her chest. Her thoughts jumbling in her mind as she thought once more of Barton's accusations. Please tell me it's not true, she thought desperately as the voices swirled in her head once more.

"He told me the binding wasn't a spell. It's something more powerful than simple magic."

"He made one thing very clear and that was that Loki was responsible."

"He has bonded you to him and from what I've heard about you I'm quite certain it was against your will."

"Natasha," Loki entreated, a pleading look held deep in his eyes. "There is nothing to fear from what I'm about to tell you. You now that I love you and that you can trust me. You do know that don't you?" He held his breath while he awaited her answer but she could not bring herself to respond. Was what Malekith told Hawkeye the truth? Was that why he had delayed returning to the palace? Why he didn't want to be at the hearing? Was it fear of what Malekith would say? Was he only telling her this now because he thought he had no choice? And what else did he have to tell her? That was the question that filled her heart with dread. Loki studied her, his face unreadable before he finally spoke. "I went about this all wrong," he grumbled almost to himself. "It's no wonder that you are looking at me that way. I've done nothing but confuse you." She crossed her arms over her chest, her face pale and filled with uncertainty. "My ancestors have an ability to form a link with their mates. I swear I knew nothing about it. It was purely instinctual. I was as ill-informed as you."

"A link?" her voice shook and her eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you saying… "

"The bond we share, it comes from me," Loki stated clearly. "That day on the Quinjet some primal instinct in me it sought you out and you… "

Natasha barely had time to process his words as she watched in horror while her husband was propelled across the sidewalk and slammed into the front of a brick building. "Loki!" she screamed when her eyes fell on the bleeding wound along his chest as he collapsed unconscious onto the floor. She moved to go to him but a large hulk of a man was suddenly in front of her blocking her way. It only took her a second to recognize the enraged face that loomed over her. She stepped back cautiously. Skurge growled as he backhanded her across the face. Blood spurted from the corner of her mouth as she tumbled over a table covered in fruits and vegetables. The bystanders who had been perusing the small market scattered in all directions as the weight of her body knocked the table over completely. Produce dispersed around her as her eyes caught the glint of metal on the ground out of the corner of her eye. It was lying in the midst of what looked like chopped peppers. The shop keeper must have been dicing them before the black widow had the misfortune of being pummeled into their groceries. A carving knife, she thought to herself, it wasn't much but it would have to do. She reached her hand out as she watched him close the distance between them, a menacing look on his features as he stalked toward her. Her fingers connected with the wooden handle of the sharp knife and she shoved the blade into his shoulder. Skurge roared in anger as he pulled the blade and tossed it to the floor. He switched his weapon to his other arm and swung the ax down toward her face. She flinched involuntarily, covering her arms out of instinct in a feeble attempt to block the blow. There was no time for her too move out of the way. The clang of metal startled her as she looked up to see the gigantic warrior take another swing while he slammed his ax into some invisible barrier that surrounded her.

"So Malekith was telling the truth," Loki intoned evilly. His hand pressed against the wound in his side. "What took you so long to come after me?"

"I was waiting for the perfect moment," His deep voice rumbled as he turned his attention away from the black widow and faced the trickster.

"In other words, you were afraid to storm the castle," the young prince jibed. Her husband was breathing hard, his chest heaving with each ragged pant as he held onto his side. She could see the blood along his fingers from his cut. He no longer had the scepter at his disposal and he was injured besides. What could he do against this monstrosity? He must have sensed her fear because his next words were directed toward her although his emerald eyes never strayed from Skurge. "Don't worry, my darling. The blade wasn't poisoned, it's nothing more than a little scratch." He took a few steps closer to the Queen's former guard as a smirk spread across his lips. "Pathetic really, you had a clean shot with that powerful weapon and this is all you could manage?"

"Where is your omnipotent staff now?" Skurge bellowed, a malevolent glimmer in his dark blue eyes. "It won't take much to finish you off." He swiped the ax towards Loki but the young prince dissolved into thin air and reappeared instantly behind him. He extended his hand and a bolt of energy flew from his palm sending Skurge sprawling into the dirt. "Do you even know how to use that thing properly?" he needled between erratic breaths. The large man stood up from the ground and aimed his ax as a fireball unfurled from the blade and flew toward the trickster. Natasha watched in amazement as with a flick of his fingers the ball of fire halted mere inches from her husband's face and went spiraling back towards its point of origin. Loki faltered for a moment as he doubled over from the pain of the gash in his side. She rushed to him, his eyes locking with hers as he began to rise. The young prince smiled softly as he ran one slender finger along her cheek before he grabbed hold of the charm around her neck and grinned widely. His eyes turning a deep blood red as he held her gaze before he returned his focus to Skurge who was moving toward them Ax in hand. Loki's entire body turned into his Jotunn form as he directed a thunderous surge of wind through his fingertips within minutes Skurge was encased in a block of ice. He let go of the charm and immediately pressed his hand back against his injury.

"He interrupted our talk," Loki winced as his skin slowly faded back to his aesir form.

"Move your hand away," she ordered, her voice without emotion. "I want to see this scratch for myself."

"There is dried blood on your lip," he scowled as he let go of his side and let her examine him. "Did he hit you? I should have killed him, well that is easily remedied." He replaced his hand along his belly as he took a step toward the frozen warrior.

"Loki, whatever you're thinking of doing, don't." The black widow commanded. "That is no little scratch. We need to get a healer to look at you. Take us to the palace." He nodded grudgingly as he cast his spell.

Natasha sat at the edge of their mattress and stared at her husband as he slept. He looked so peaceful. Frigga had given him some sort of herbal drink to ease the pain in his side and help him rest. It should be healed completely in a few weeks. She glanced over at the crib where her daughter was fast asleep and smiled. Her family was safe and sound at last. Skurge and Malekith had both been condemned to the dungeons of no escape. Hopefully, the prison would live up to its name. Still her mind was in a state of unrest. Loki had tried several times to resume their conversation but each time she had thwarted it successfully as she concentrated on making sure that he got the treatment that he needed for his injury. But soon he would wake up and she would no longer be able to avoid the inevitable. She heard a light knock on the outer room door. She got up quickly and moved to the sitting room. She opened the door to find Hawkeye standing on the other side. He took a step forward to come in the room but she pushed him abruptly back into the hallway as she shut the door gently behind her.

"Jeez, Tasha." Barton quipped. "What did I do now?"

"Loki is asleep. I don't want you waking him," Natasha stated evenly. "Are you here to say goodbye?"

"You still plan on staying?" Clint inquired. His hazel eyes fixed on hers. "Is this really the life you want for your daughter?"

"What do you mean?" She asked frigidly as she twirled her wedding band around her finger absently.

"He's never going to change, Tash," the archer continued. "He won't be happy until he's ruling over everyone and even then he won't be satisfied. Rowan deserves better and so do you."

"Loki is a wonderful father," Natasha declared proudly. "If there is one thing that I have no doubts about it is that."

"So what is it you have doubts about?" Hawkeye persisted. Natasha moved farther away from the door as she shook her head slightly. He was the last person that she should talk to about this. "Come with me back to Earth, Tasha. You and Rowan, even if it's just for a little while. It would be good for you to be away from him. Let your mind be free of him, you know. Clear your head so you can finally know what you really want."

"What makes you think I don't know what I want?" Her voice like ice as she turned toward him slowly.

"Because I know you," he insisted. "I told you that not knowing the truth was going to drive you crazy and it is."

"I know more than I even care to," she mumbled under her breath. "Look, Barton. I know that you care about me and that you're just trying to help but… "

"Care about you?" His eyes raised in disbelief as he moved closer. "I love you, Tasha, and I love that little girl of yours." He took his hand and laced it with hers. "I know you love me, too, and I didn't need to take up shop in your brain to make it happen." She pulled her hand away from his forcefully.

"You don't know what you're talking about." Natasha protested. The truth was neither did she. She hadn't let Loki finish what he wanted to say. He swore that he didn't even know about what he had done until a few days ago. But did she believe him? In the same breath she wondered after all that they'd been through together how she could not.

"I know enough," he insisted as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Come back home, Tasha." He leaned closer to her, his chestnut eyes gazing into hers hopefully until he was barely a hairsbreadth away from her lips.

"Take one step closer to her and I swear by the All-Father that I will kill you where you stand," Loki's voice echoed through the empty hall.

"I think that's her choice," Clint taunted, a cocky grin adorning his lips as he turned to face her husband.

"No, it's mine. Natasha belongs to me," Loki seethed. He was standing in the doorway in nothing but his pajama bottoms, his chest bare except for the large white bandage that covered the left side of his abdomen. His dark green eyes were filled with rage. She knew he wasn't spouting an empty threat.

"Clint was just saying goodbye," Natasha interrupted hoping to diffuse the situation. "He is returning to Earth. Loki, you shouldn't even be up. Go back to bed."

"Is that what he was doing?" Loki intoned forebodingly. "Because it sounded to me like he was trying to convince you to go with him. And it looked like he was planning on kissing you. Do you have a death wish, little circus boy?"

"Can't handle the competition," Clint smirked. Loki took a step forward forcefully as Natasha rushed between them.

"Okay that's enough," She ordered. "Loki, go back to bed. Clint, don't keep Heimdall waiting any longer."

"Tasha," Clint protested.

"You are right, Barton, the choice is mine and I've made it." She said simply.

"Alright, Tash." The archer nodded reluctantly as he leaned in and kissed her gently on the forehead. "Until I see you again. Stay safe."

"What was that all about?" Loki rasped as they watched the archer disappear down the corridor. "Were you actually considering leaving with him?"

"I thought I told you to go to bed?" the black widow inquired as she moved past him and back into their chamber.

"I have had enough rest," the young prince insisted as he followed her into the sitting room. "I think it's time that we finished our talk."

"Fine, what more do you have to tell me? Spit it out." Natasha replied coldly as she took a seat in one of the lush chairs along the far wall.

"The way that you are looking at me right now I'm surprised you didn't leave with him," Loki observed. "This is exactly what I was afraid of, that you would think that I did it against your will. That's what you are thinking isn't it? Still you're sitting here in front of me, why? Why not go with him, if even the tiniest part of you believes that I would do that to you?"

"Because despite what Barton thinks, I know that this sense of you in my head has nothing to do with how I feel about you." Natasha divulged. "I know what you're capable of, Loki. I've seen it firsthand. But the heart wants what the heart wants and mine wants you." Loki squatted down in front of her chair so that his eyes were more level with hers as he placed his arm tenderly upon her lap and grasped her hand in his. "There have been a lot of doubts and questions running through my mind since this afternoon but I trust in your love for me and for our daughter. I'm not going anywhere."

"This bond, this link that we share. It can only work if the desire is mutual," The young prince explained. "I wasn't aware of it. Some subconscious part of me initiated it, reached out to you and you responded. I would never do anything against your will."

"I believe you, Loki." She exhaled slowly as she stared into his troubled eyes. He lifted her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips tenderly against her ring finger before rising to his full height. "You really should be in bed."

"Will you join me?" A half-smile playing against his lips as he eyed her seductively.

"Your body needs rest," She chided but Loki was never one to be deterred as he tugged on her hand playfully in his attempt to lead her into the bedroom. "That little scratch of yours could have killed you."

"You know that I don't sleep well without you near me," He answered truthfully as he grasped her other hand and pulled her towards him. "In the interests of my recovery you have no choice but to get into bed with me." His emerald eyes shimmered as he gave her a long, lazy smile before his demanding mouth descended upon hers. Delicious tingles fizzed inside of her as her fingertips pressed against the hard, warm muscles of his chest. He was the most arousing man she had ever known. His hands dropped to the hem of her top as he quickly yanked the garment over her head and let it fall to the floor. He paused for a moment, sitting down on the bed as he admired her achingly swollen breasts that lay nestled beneath the lacey jade fabric of her bra. "I love it when you wear green," he breathed provocatively as he traced his finger along the lace. With a flick of his fingers the garment was gone. Natasha cried out as he began to make love to her with his mouth, suckling her languidly as if he had an eternity to delight in her body. Her knees sagged under the onslaught as he pulled her into his lap, his lips trailing up her throat before claiming her mouth once more as he leaned them both back onto the bed. She couldn't deny that this was all she wanted, to be with him, a part of him. She had felt the desire for him flood her in those very first seconds in the Quinjet as badly as she had tried to deny it for all those months. Deep down, she had always known that it was a losing battle. A futile fight. He only had to touch her and she was his. She knew it was the same for him. They were a perfect fit and as crazy as it was they belonged together. The feeling of his body so close to hers was paradise. He made love to her long and slow and unhurried. She nearly forgot how to breathe as the delicious sensations took over her body. When the room stopped spinning, she gazed up at him and smiled as she snuggled tighter to his side.

"This is everything," she whispered breathlessly. "You're my everything." She rested her head against his chest listening to his heartbeat thudding against her ear. "It's like a new start. No more enemies threatening our every move, no more secrets." He kissed the top of her head, his fingers roaming lazily back and forth along her arm.

"No more nights apart," He beamed down at her as he twirled a long, loose curl around his fingers. "I promise you will never regret staying here with me. You and our daughter are going to have everything that you could ever wish for. I'm going to make you very happy, my little spider."

"You already have," she grinned as she propped herself up on her elbow, taking in the sight of the gorgeous man at her side. He moved his fingers along the golden chain that hung around her neck, a mischievous glitter in his dark green eyes as his thumb grazed lightly against the heart-shaped emerald.

"Are you happy, my darling? Than that proves it all the more," a crooked smile forming against his lips as he spoke. "In the end I always get what I want."