As soon as Tony leaves, I see the man who Tony called out quickly return to his game. Natasha gets up to leave, I follow her.

"Where are you going?" I ask.

She simply replies, "Interrogation."

"I thought you got everything you needed from Georgi Luchkov."

"No, I mean our new prisoner."

I stop in my path. "Do you think that's a good idea? I mean he's a powerful being. He can read minds, create illusions, he's a skilled magician!"

She turns to look at me, a smile forming on her lips. I know that look. It usually means I gave her an idea—one that I would not like.

"Yes, it's a good idea. And since you know so much about him, you're coming with me."

I pale. I knew I wasn't going to like her idea.

Natasha takes me by the hand. "Don't worry, кроли. You can just watch, you don't have to say anything. And besides, you've been saying how much you wanted to see me do interrogations, right?"

I smile softly at Natasha's name for me. She started calling me that when we first met. She says my small build and bounce in my step reminded her of a bunny.

"I do want to see one of your interrogations! I just didn't think it would be with the God of Mischief."

She just laughs and pulls me along the hall with her. Before we enter, she places a finger to her lips, telling me to be quiet. I nod. She presses her thumb on the keypad and scans her eye. The doors open and we enter. We see Loki pacing his cell. The first thing I notice is how tall he is. Six feet at least, a giant indeed. He is wearing green and gold battle armor, and his hair is as dark as an inky black sky. He stops his pacing.

"Hm."

He turns to face us, and I'm shocked to see that he is smiling.

"There's not many people that can sneak up on me."

"But you figured I'd come." Natasha answers him.

"After. After whatever tortures Fury can concoct, you would appear as a friend, as a balm. And I would cooperate," he says, still smiling.

I glance at Natasha, she's unfazed by anything he says and gets right to the point.

"I wanna know what you've done to Agent Barton."

"I'd say I've expanded his mind," Loki says, innocently.

Natasha tilts her head and takes several steps closer to the cage.

"And once you've won. Once you're king of the mountain. What happens to his mind?" she asks, crossing her arms. I stay back, letting Natasha continue her interrogation.

Loki gives her a smile. "Is this love, Agent Romanoff?"

"Love is for children. I owe him a debt," she says.

Loki takes several steps back to sit on the bench in his cage and gestures. "Tell me."

Natasha licks her lips and unfolds her arms. "Before I worked for S.H.I.E.L.D., I uh well, I made a name for myself," she began while she sat herself on a chair. "I have a very specific skill set. I didn't care who I used it for, or on. I got on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s radar in a bad way. Agent Barton was sent to kill me, he made a different call."

Loki was looking down while Natasha was speaking, but when she finished, he looks up at her.

"And what will you do if I vow to spare him?"

"Not let you out," She said with a smile.

Loki leans forward, with his arms resting on his leg, a smile plastered on his face.

"Ah, no. But I like this. Your world in the balance, and you bargain for one man?"

"Regimes fall everyday. I tend not to weep over that, I'm Russian, or I was."

"And what are you now?" he asks her.

Natasha stands, refolds her arms, and walks closer to Loki, "It's really not that complicated. I got red in my ledger. I'd like to wipe it out."

"Can you?" he asks, "Can you wipe out that much red? Drakov's daughter? Sao Paulo? The hospital fire?" He stood and began walking towards Natasha. "Barton told me everything. Your ledger is dripping, it's gushing red, and you think saving a man no more virtuous than yourself will change anything?"

There is a look of horror on Natasha's face. I want to go to her, comfort her, but I couldn't. I know she wouldn't want me to. She had told me to just watch. I'm not allowed to do more. I knew Natasha's story. She had shared hers when I was scared to share mine.

Loki continues, "This is the basest sentimentality. This is a child, a prayer. Pathetic. You lie and kill in the service of liars and killers. You pretend to be separate, to have your own code‒ something that makes up for the horrors. But they are a part of you, and they will never go away!"

Loki slams his fist against the glass. Natasha and I jump back.

"I won't touch Barton! Not until I make him kill you. Slowly, intimately, in every way he knows you fear."

I can see the fear written all over her face as Loki growls at her.

"And then he'll wake just long enough to see his good work,"

She turns away from Loki in horror.

"And when he screams I'll split his skull! This is my bargain, you mewling quim!

Natasha hangs her head, and I can hear her crying.

"You're a monster!"

Loki grins at her menacingly, "Oh, no. You brought the monster."

I snap my attention towards Loki. Natasha lifts her head and turns to face him. I notice her face is completely dry. Oh, she's good.

"So, Banner? That's your play," she asks him.

"What?" He's confused. Natasha made him believe he had the upper hand which allowed him to give up his own play. Smart. Using the "women are helpless" card. One of the many reasons why I love Natasha.

Natasha starts to walk out of the room. I follow her.

She begins speaking into her earpiece, "Loki means to unleash the Hulk. Keep Banner in the lab, I'm on my way. Send Thor as well."

She turns towards me, "I'm going to need you to stay here with him."

"What? Why? Why me?"

"Cause you know what he is capable of. You know his powers better than anyone. Except Thor and we need him in the lab with Dr. Banner. Don't worry. You won't be down here for long. I'll get you as soon as we work this out."

I nod. She begins to walk out before turning around to face Loki.

"Thank you for your cooperation."

She turns and leaves.

I stand several feet away from the cage, with my back turned and arms folded.

Okay, I think to myself. I can do this, it's just standing guard. It's not that big of a deal. It's literally just standing. A thought occurs to me. Please don't let him talk to me!

"Don't you know that it is rude to have your back facing another?"

Shoot.

Don't you know it's rude to try and take over planets? Or were you not taught that in your etiquette class?

He laughs, "No, I do not believe I was ever taught that."

Dammit, Tera! You know he can read minds!

"Is that your name?" he asks me, with my back still facing him. "I wish to converse with you face-to-face, Tera, like civilized people."

Okay just don't think about anything! He can't read my mind if I'm not thinking anything, I try to convince myself.

He laughs again. "Please." he says, "I can do much more than hear your thoughts mortal girl. I can dive into your subconscious, I can learn your greatest fears and deepest secrets. And I will do so if you do not face me!"

I sigh in defeat. I slowly turn around to face him, but I keep my eyes downcast.

"Look at me."

"Or what?"

"Hmm. I think I will kill you myself when the Chitauri invade."

I snap my head to him, afraid.

"That's better," he says with a smile.

He goes back to sitting on his bench and gestures for me to sit where Natasha had been.

"I prefer to stand," I tell him coldly.

He smiles and bows his head in understanding. "You wish to remain standing to keep your guard up, yes? I will respect this decision child."

I ball up my fists. Child?! This is the third time today I've been called one, but I don't say anything in response.

"Since Agent Romanoff has completed her interrogation with me, perhaps I can ask you questions."

I frown at him. "You aren't going to be getting any answers from me."

He just chuckles. "No, no. You misunderstand. I simply want to ask about you."

I look at him in disbelief. "Me?"

"Yes, you. You may answer my questions to the best of your ability, and if you choose not to answer, I will respect that decision."

"What's going to stop you from reading my mind?" I ask, weary of what he's trying to do.

"I admire your skepticism mortal, but fear not. You have my word that I will not make any attempt to read your thoughts."

"Okay," I say quietly. " Can I think about it for a sec?"

"By all means."

I begin to pace, I can feel his eyes watching me. He said he wanted to ask questions about me, so that wouldn't compromise S.H.I.E.L.D. in any way. But what if he asks me questions I don't want to answer? He did say I don't have to answer if I don't want to. And reading my mind? I didn't exactly trust him just because he gave me his word. He is a criminal. But I'm curious to know what he wants to ask me, and besides, Natasha would be back soon. This is the only time I'll ever be alone with him, and it would only be for a few minutes.

I turn to face him. He was watching me with an intent look in his eyes.

"Have you made up your mind?" he asks me.

"Yes. You can ask me some questions, but remember, I don't have to answer if I don't want to and you can't read my mind. Agreed?"

He nods his head.

"Okay, what's your first question?"

"Your first name is Tera, yes?"

I nod.

"I notice you became annoyed when I called you a child. Is this true?"

"Yes."

"Well if you are not a child, how old are you?"

I became suspicious. "What will you gain by knowing how old I am?"

He smiles, "I will learn that you are not a child."

I glare at him before giving my answer, "I'm 19."

He continues smiling. "Yes, I suppose you are not a child."

"Humph."

"Alright, here's another question. How did you know I was able to read your mind? And what did Agent Romanoff mean when she said you know me better than anyone here besides the oaf?"

I smile to myself. "Well, before I met you and Thor, I believed you were myths, legends, stories of old. When I was younger, I was fascinated by mythology. Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse," I say giving him a pointed look. "I would try to learn anything and everything that had to do with mythology. I guess you could say it was a hobby," I shrug. "I was always reading. Any chance that I got, any free time I had, I would use it to read. Still do actually," I say with a small smile.

I look up at Loki. He holds my gaze. I quickly look away, feeling heat rising to my face.

What in the world?! I scold myself. He's a villain! Why are you blushing?

I'm brought out of my thoughts when I hear him laughing.

Oh great! He read my thoughts! I knew I shouldn't have trusted him!

"Perhaps you and I are not so different, Tera."

I scoff, "I'm sorry, what?"

"We are intellectuals, you and I. We both indulge in the joys of reading."

"Oh."

Oh, thank God! He wasn't reading my thoughts. Okay get yourself together! No more slip ups.

"What else do you know about me?"

"Oh, um, well you can read minds, cast illusions and spells, shape-shift, you have super strength. Yeah that's pretty much all I know." I actually know more about him. His past, his parents, crimes he's committed. But I decide now is not the best time to mention them.

"Shame," he says. " I liked hearing you list off all my abilities. They sound better coming from a mortal."

I look at him confused.

He sighs, "I was jesting. Do you mortals engage in this past time? Based on all the people I have met so far, I would think not."

I laugh. "You haven't exactly given a reason for us to joke with you."

He smiles, "No, I suppose not."

"Do you have any other questions for me?"

Loki hesitates before opening his mouth to speak, "Do you have any family?"

The smile vanishes from my face. "I don't wish to answer that question," I say quietly.

He nods, "I understand," he pauses. "I have enjoyed this chat of ours."

I give him a small smile. "Glad to know that we bonded," I tell him sarcastically. "Now I'm sure you're going to continue taking Earth over."

He chuckles, "You're not wrong."

I see him start muttering under his breath.

"What are you doing?" I ask, taking several steps away from the cage.

Loki waves his hand and I suddenly feel faint. I drop to the floor, heavy and unable to lift myself up. I can barely see him come to the edge of his cage.

He crouches and tells me, "For someone who knows so much about me, you should have known that I would be able to use my magic on you."

I'm able to whisper, "I hate you," before passing out. But before I do, I see a look in Loki's eyes. I'm confused because it looks, sad? No, regretful.