Author's Note - A little more of a scene than the usual interludes, but I needed this scene to take place, and it couldn't be from Darcy's POV. Most interludes will be like the others, not this one.

Sixth Interlude

Thor opened the door to step within quietly. Lady Natasha met him with an aimed gun and a cold gaze. He remained still, letting her accept and become accustomed to his presence. She blinked, lowering the weapon, and her expression thawed.

"Thor," she acknowledged quietly.

He gave her a nod, "Lady Natasha." He lowered his usual booming voice to a mere rumble in deference to the injured warrior. "How is the Son of Coul?"

"Well enough," she noted, frowning at the bed. "The doctors have said he will remain in the coma for a little while longer. His body is weak from the attack and the recovery."

He nodded. "I had expected to find our fellow warrior, Hawkeye, with you."

A real, if small smile graced her lips. She nodded to the back of the room and he turned to see his shield-brother looking at him through barely open eyes. Hawkeye nodded to him before letting his eyes fall shut. Thor frowned as he realized Lady Darcy lay with him. He straightened, folding his arms across his chest.

He turned to face Lady Natasha once more and she lifted an eyebrow. "Is this considered acceptable behavior?"

"They are very close," she acknowledged. "It is a good match."

"It would be unacceptable in Asgard unless they were betrothed," he noted.

She looked over at the sleeping pair. "Clint has never gotten close to a woman like he has Darcy."

"Save you?" he pointed out.

"We're different," she replied, shaking her head. "Clint and I…" She trailed off for a moment as she considered him. Something in her eyes shifted, much like a barricade being let down. "I don't even know if I can explain it properly. He saved me, from myself, from my past. He gave me the chance to make my own choices, to figure out my own destiny for the first time in my life." She glanced over at the pair before meeting Thor's eyes once more. "He was supposed to kill me. He didn't. We fought, nearly killed each other, before he managed to get the upper hand. I expected him to kill me. I didn't know he'd already had the chance. He just held me still and offered me another choice." She sighed. "I could never repay him for what he did, but he shrugs it off, saying I don't owe him anything."

Thor walked over to lean on the wall near her. "You are soul-bonded then." She started shaking her head, but he raised a hand. "I do not mean you are mates. Those who are soul-bonded share a connection, one which transcends normal boundaries, regardless of place or time. You were enemies, but should you ask him, I believe he would tell you he recognized something in you, something which caused his warrior's spirit to rest within him."

"He never said what he was feeling," she commented slowly. "He just thought I deserved a choice. SHIELD knew about the Red Room, knew how they treated their operatives, and he offered me a choice, an out."

"An excellent decision," Thor rumbled. His eyes rested on the pair once more. "You share a relationship with him such as I share with the Lady Sif or the Warrior Three. We have had many years to develop and deepen our connection, but it started in much the same way. A single glance may be all that is necessary in order to form such a bond if the souls are properly matched." He fell silent for a moment. "You believe this pairing to be a good match?"

She sighed, a happy note in her tone. "Yes, I do. She's his match in many ways."

"How so?" he inquired. She gave him a look and he nodded at the pair. "Lady Darcy is quite significant to milady Jane, much like a younger sister, both beloved and irritating at the same time." His thoughts went dark for a moment as he considered his own younger sibling before he shook it off. "She has proven herself to be a valuable friend and ally as well."

Her eyes narrowed. "Stark mentioned something about her being friendly with someone named 'Heimdall'?"

"The first guardian of the realm of Asgard," Thor acknowledged.

"How are they friends?" she asked. "He wasn't mentioned in the New Mexico reports."

"He would not have been," he replied. "He was not among those who visited this realm during my time in the land you call New Mexico." He turned a considering look upon her. "If the Lady Darcy has not spoken of this, it would be inconsiderate for me to do so."

Lady Natasha frowned. "Clint knows," she admitted reluctantly. "She told him at least."

"Perhaps she has reason to keep such secrets," Thor remarked. "It would be best to allow her to share them at her own pace rather than force the confidence."

"Probably," she agreed slowly. She waved a hand in acquiescence. "I shall attempt to head the others off. They've been sidetracked right now by Coulson."

"To return us to the previous question, you believe they are well-matched?"

She met his eyes for a long moment, but seemed to relax at something she found in his gaze. "He's a protector while she's a caretaker. She's so busy trying to take care of everyone else she doesn't always take care of herself, so he'll do it for her. Watch them for a while; they share an interesting dance. It's cute, really." Her lips twitched in amusement.

Thor nodded, momentarily satisfied. "I will talk to shield-brother Hawkeye at another time about this." He settled himself comfortably against the wall. "If you will permit, I shall share your watch until such time as I am needed elsewhere or another of our brothers may join you."

She gave a regal nod and settled back into place.