"Natasha, please collect Ms. Nystrom. I believe she's had enough rest for now." Fury watched as the red-headed assassin glanced at him in curiosity before walking out of the room.

He then directed his attention to the remaining Avengers at the table. Thor and Bruce were as interested in finding out why Natasha was the one leaving, instead of just asking one of the lower ranking agents. Fury answered them before either could say a word. "We need to figure out our next move with the Valkyrie and I feel that Agent Romanoff's opinion may be tainted with her goodwill towards her."

Thor spoke up first. "Clearly she should be back on Asgard. She has spent too much time on this realm and needs to learn her true nature."

Fury held his hand up, silencing the Asgardian Prince. "That part is a given, Thor. Once she is no use to us, then you are more than welcome to take her far away from here. What I meant is what our next step should be to align her with us long enough to kill Loki."

Bruce tried to feel surprised at Fury's blatant disdain towards Sarah, but considering the previous experiences he had with otherworldly beings, it almost became expected. Both Fury and Bruce were too caught up in their own thoughts to notice Thor's questioning look. "But Sarah has been raised as a human. What makes you think that she will want to leave? She might be a greater asset to us if we made her an agent."

Fury barely pushed down the feelings of annoyance and disgust at Banner's blatant attraction towards the Valkyrie. "While I understand your preference to have other supernatural women around, Banner, I would like to keep Earth's safety in the hands of its inhabitants. I think that we can ramp up her training and she'll be good to go within a month."

"I'm not, I don't, Jesus, Fury, all I am trying to say is that if we just kick her off this realm, she might not go as willingly as you hope. And why are you pushing her so fast? Loki is locked up in an Asgardian equivalent of a maximum-security prison." Bruce looked to Thor for verification, who nodded. "You can't possibly expect a woman who thought she was a normal human being yesterday to be ready to accept her full strength and leave the only place she's known as home within four weeks."

"I'm sorry but I must have missed when we went from being a first rate protection agency to a camp for the sad and lonely. The sooner we get Nystrom from human to Valkyrie, the sooner she can kill Loki, and the sooner my superiors get off my damn back about it!" Fury punctuated his last word with slammed fist to the table.

A silence settled over the three men. Thor looked between Fury and Bruce for a moment longer. "Director Fury, why are your superiors still trying to kill my brother? Last time we spoke about him, we made the agreement that Loki would face Asgardian punishment, which he has. My brother is no longer a threat to this realm. You led me to believe that I was needed here to transport this young woman to her rightful home."

Fury rolled his eye. "We have reason to believe that Loki, while still imprisoned, poses a threat to us due to your emotional ties to a certain scientist. If he escapes, he will certainly return here to exact revenge on you by destroying us. Now, I would greatly prefer if we act now instead of waiting until he has taken out countless casualties. Again."

Irate over Fury's condescension, Thor stood up and pointed at the Director. "Now listen here, you are deliberately breaking the settlement that we have made and are proving to be most untrustworthy. Do not make me revoke my word that I will protect this realm when you need it. It would be simple to find Jane Foster and take her with me, leaving you mortals to fend for yourselves."

Fury silently weighed his options. He wanted nothing more than to sleep better at night, knowing that Loki was finally dead and no longer a threat. However, at the moment he had a pissed off God threatening to break alliance. "And what would you have me do?" He finally inquired.

Thor gestured wildly. "Leave Asgardian troubles to me! You have made it clear that you do not have a problem with going against your superiors' orders before."

"That was for the protection of a major city, not for the comfort of one person!" Fury stood and frowned at Thor.

Bruce stood, not because he was upset, rather, he felt like he would be ignored if he hadn't. "As much as I disagree with Fury's plan, do we have any room for compromise? Fury, your way will burn a major bridge, one that we cannot lose. And Thor, your wish won't make the board change their minds. They will still want Loki dead."

Both men considered Bruce's words. Thor nodded with approval. "Very well, I can accept your proposal to continue your training with Sigyn…"

"Who the hell is Sigyn?" Fury's head was about to explode at the notion that they might have to deal with yet another Asgardian.

"The name that Sarah was given at birth was Sigyn. You may finish her training here, I do not care how long it takes. Once she is strong enough, I will take her to Asgard and act as a guard to Loki's cell. That way, if he tries to escape or threatens this realm in any way, she will immediately act on behalf of your safety." Thor sat and waited for Fury's counterargument.

He did not have to wait long. Fury snorted. "And how can we be sure that she will act accordingly when the time arises?"

Satisfied that the Director was not proposing anything outrageous, Thor crossed his arms and leaned back. "It is no secret that Sigyn is promised to my brother. However, since he is incarcerated for his deeds, she has the choice to break the engagement. This does not impact the power that she will have to be able to destroy Loki, though. So I can imagine that my father and I can propose a different arrangement in exchange for Sigyn's loyalty."

Bruce gaped at Fury. "That is the prophecy?! Sarah, or Sigyn, was placed in an arranged marriage to Loki? Why the hell are we telling her differently?"

Before Fury could answer, the door opened and Natasha entered with Sarah following closely behind. Instead of looking well rested, Sarah looked like she was about to keel over. Thor studied her closely. At first, with her light brown hair and short stature, he thought Jane was walking through the door. However, Sigyn had curiously bright green eyes and pale, fragile looking skin. She also carried herself differently, she seemed on edge and waiting for a brawl to break out. Thor knew that once Sigyn's true nature revealed itself to her she would become a strong leader. He could see what Odin predicted about the young Valkyrie and why he was so eager to pair her with his younger son. For a moment, Thor's heart mourned for his lost brother and knew that if Loki hadn't turned against Asgard, he would have been truly happy with his wife. Sigyn sat and looked expectantly at the small group. "Please tell me that we are skipping the hand holding and singing portion of the meeting. You all are a little too cheerleader cheerful for my taste."

Bruce and Natasha hid their smiles. Thor looked confused while Fury's scowl deepened. "If you wouldn't mind, Sarah, I would like to start this meeting."

So much for lightening the mood. Sarah thought as she claimed the chair closest to the door