A/N: Thanks so much to those who have reviewed/faved/watching/and reading the story. You guys are the best!

"Where the hell did Thanos go?!" Fury shouted at the Skrull who was seated across from him.

Fury's rage made Natasha wonder how long this interrogation had lasted. "How long has he been at this?" she asked to no one in particular.

"A little after I called you," Tony replied.

"About that-never call me that early again. You know I just assume you're drunk dialing me," she warned him.

Tony rolled his eyes. "Speaking of that, can I get a drink?"

"It's not even six AM yet," Steve reminded him.

"I need answers!" Fury demanded. His fist beat against the wooden table. "Thanos has the Tesseract-tell us where he is, along with the gauntlet!"

"Until we locate the three remaining gems, Thanos will remain hidden, waiting," the Skrull warned.

"Tell me you weren't drunk when you hid your gem," Natasha whispered to Tony.

"I keep it on me at all times," he winked.

Fury then leaned in closer to the creature. "Those gems are hidden away and protected by only my best agents, so you tell Thanos that there's no chance in hell he's getting what he wants!"

"So the costumed warriors have them?" asked the Skrull.

"And there's no way in hell you'll get anything out of them!"

Loki turned to Tony. "I believe staying sober is the best option, seeing as though you're a target."

"Unless one of those things tries getting into my pants, they're not getting anything!" remarked Tony.

Clint began to laugh quietly while Natasha, Steve, and Bruce groaned in annoyance.

"What? I'm joking!" he cried. "It's a joke!"

"Now is really not the time!" Natasha reminded him.

Nick Fury soon left the interrogation room, followed by Agent Hill and Coulson who led a hand-cuffed Skrull to a prison cell. "I want all of you to report back to your home base. You're on lockdown until further notice," he warned the seven of them.

"What happens when the Skrulls learn our location?" asked Steve.

"It'll certainly make things easier. I'm locking this place down and making sure all my agents are accounted for-we can't afford any more infiltrators here," Fury continued. "Speaking of that," he happened to glance at Tony and Bruce, "any way I can get you two to work on a DNA tracker?"

"Already on it," admitted Bruce.

Tony chided in. "It has its flaws, but we're getting there."

"Until you receive word from me, you're all under lockdown," Fury advised.

Loki leaned in and whispered into Natasha's ear. "This sounds like fun."

A genuine smile played at the corners of her mouth and she had to stifle a giggle.

"That wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be," Natasha commented before she plopped down on her bed, cat-suit and all.

Loki chuckled and accompanied her on the bed.

"Now I just want to sleep," she said as she unclipped the holsters on her legs and her belts.

Loki set her accessories on her nightstand for her. "Tell me, is 'lockdown' a term for-…"

"We're stuck here," she finished as she unzipped her boots.

"Trapped in a cage," he mused. "Although this cage is far superior with more diversions," he said as he gave her a once over.

She rolled her eyes and removed her wrist blasters. "Sorry, but I'm not in the mood to play with you now. Maybe later." She flashed him a smile.

"Play?" he blinked. "I was just simply helping you undress." He unexpectedly leaned in and grabbed her uniform's zipper between his teeth.

She pursed her lips and watched as he unzipped her uniform down past her breasts. "Later," she warned him. Her hand playfully smacked his face away from her bosom.

Loki awoke in the early afternoon. Natasha was still fast asleep at his side, so he decided to leave her be. He took a shower and made himself presentable before he left Natasha's suite. His usual Asgardian clothing were worn so he would be ready to take on any Skrulls if need be. He wandered around the halls of the Avengers Tower until he came across the Avengers gathered in the group living room.

"Still no word from Mr. Fury," Steve informed him.

"Good to see you joining us, Brother!" Thor exclaimed from the couch.

Loki couldn't help but frown at the sight of his Brother languidly lounging on the couch. Atop the glass coffee table, Mjolnir lay on its side. "Thor, show some respect to your host!" he warned him through half-lidded eyes. His hand casually swatted the hammer's handle and it moved ever so slightly under his touch. For a moment, Loki was taken aback. He curiously stared down at the hammer for a moment.

"Is there a problem, Loki?" Thor asked him. "Stark does not mind if I leave my weapon here…"

Loki grabbed Mjolnir's handle and managed to lift it with ease.

"Bring it here, Brother," smiled Thor as he outstretched a hand.

"You've made a most fatal flaw!" snarled Loki. Before Thor could react, he swung the hammer, striking Thor across the face and into the couch cushions.

"Shit!" Tony yelled, nearly dropping his glass of wine.

"Loki, what are you doing?!" cried Steve.

"Brother…" Thor rubbed his jaw and gave Loki a hurt look. His face had been badly bruised and blood began to trickle from his nose.

"Where is Thor?" Loki demanded as he tightened his grasp around the hammer.