The rest of the day passed quickly for both Natasha and Loki. Their friends were a little curious when Natasha slid out of the passenger side of Loki's Jeep, and the fact that Loki was wearing a t-shirt a few sizes too big. They didn't question the couple, but their suspicious were written all over their faces.
Pretty soon Friday came, and after Natasha's final period she went with the rest of the girl's over to Jane's house. Once the five teenagers settled down, Jane offered movies, popcorn, or shopping. After shopping through the entire Marvel County mall, eating at least twice their weight in popcorn, and finishing movies; "The Proposal", "Miss Congeniality", "Sleepless in Seattle", "Batman Begins", "The Dark Knight", and the "Dark Knight Rises" all because Natasha and Maria couldn't sand to watch another chick-flick.
Soon Friday came and went, the girls stayed up till 2 am, mostly with Peggy talking to Steve, Maria texting Clint, and Pepper talking to Tony. Jane and Natasha finally had a few moments to themselves.
"So what's going on with you and Loki?" Jane asked Natasha. Natasha blushes at the mention of his name.
"We're good friends." Natasha replies coolly, despite the growing blush on her checks.
"Well are you going to ask him to the winter dance?" Jane asks, becoming more curious by the second.
"No, he doesn't do dances and I don't really want to go." Natasha responds. Jane nods her head in understanding.
Soon the girls all fall asleep, and its soon noon on Saturday before Pepper wakes up and gets the rest of the girls up as well. Dr. Selvig comes in offering the girls pancakes, bacon, and juice, which they all accept kindly. Once they finish eating, and helping Jane clean up they all say their goodbyes. Natasha had ridden with Jane to her house since her recent rides have been Loki, so she decides to call her father up and ask for a lift. Then they'd have a chance to talk before tomorrow.
At 1:36 in the afternoon, Thor and Loki both show up at Jane's front door.
"Hello Lady Jane. How are you?" Thor asks in his deep voice, smiling sweetly down on the girl who's claimed his heart.
"Morning Thor. Or should I say good afternoon?" Jane asks teasingly, standing on her tiptoes to kiss the tall blonde's cheek.
"Natasha, Thor told me you needed a lift?" Loki asks, looking at the tired redhead and her bags.
"Sure that'd be great." Natasha replies, smiling tiredly at the tall dark haired Odinson. Loki grabs both of Natasha's bags and heads for the car, throwing them in the trunk. Natasha hugs and thanks Jane for the invite, and she slides into the passenger side of Loki's Jeep, him holding the door open for her.
The two start driving down Main Street, then Loki takes a detour to her house. He stops by the Park. He stops the car and Natasha gives him a confused look.
"I thought we could hang out before I drop you home. That's all right? I have to talk to my father, he's coaching the middle school soccer team." Loki replies, motioning towards the tall older man with an eye patch directing some kids on the bench. Natasha nods her head in agreement and gets out with him.
The two walk side by side towards the fields. There're several games going, and some have just finished, others just starting. The fields on Saturday are usually used till sundown, especially in the falls when cross country runners, football players, and other athletes use the park as their training grounds.
"Hey Loki! Your father's busy right now, but the game's almost over. Do you want to watch?" a tall woman with gold blonde hair asks the tall Odinson. Natasha can tell right off it's Loki and Thor's brother. She understands from Jane, that Loki is adopted, one of the many reasons why they moved away from Asgard and to Marvel County.
"Hello mother, thank you but I don't want to waste Natasha's time." Loki responded, motioning towards the short redhead beside him. He began to walk away, taking Natasha's hand in his own before his mother called out.
"Your friend is welcomed to stay." Frigga called back to her leaving son. Hoping he'd accept the warm gesture.
"Loki it's fine. I don't have to be home till tonight." Natasha said, smiling up at the dark haired teenager.
"Fine, but if you get bored or tired just tell me and we can leave." Loki said, smiling down at her and leading her back towards Frigga and some of the audience.
"Mother, this is Natasha Romanoff. Natasha this is my mother, Frigga." Loki introduced the two women, Natasha smiling nervously at the tall regal like woman in front of her. Frigga smiled back down at the redhead, noticing Loki still holding her hand.
"Hello dear. You may call me Frigga." Frigga said, holding out her hand to shake the younger girl's.
"Hi." Natasha replied, shaking the taller females hand.
Soon the sound of cheering parents and spectators could be heard, with one of Odin's athletes kicking a goal.
"That's my…father, Odin." Loki said, pointing towards the grey haired man with the eye patch. "I have something to discuss with him. It'll only be a little while." Loki said, walking off towards Odin, leaving Natasha with Frigga.
"So dear, tell me how do you know my son?" Frigga asked, pouring herself some lemonade and offering Natasha some.
"Thank you," Natasha thanked as she accepted Frigga cup for her. "He's in a few of my classes at school, and I am his student guide for this semester." Natasha said, taking a sip of the cool drink.
"Well he's certainly happy here at Marvel County High, happier then any other school we've put him in." Frigga said, smiling at the happiness of her youngest son.
"Well I am glad. MCH is a really nice school with lots of nice people." Natasha said, smiling at Loki, who looked back with a hint of nervousness in his eyes.
"He cares for you. He's never smiled so much until you came into his life. He needs someone. Thor's always had friends, teammates, or a girlfriend of some sorts. Loki's never really had anyone." Frigga said, looking over at her youngest son, talking with her husband.
"I'm sorry to hear that. But I'm happy to help him. He's a good friend. I care a lot about him." Natasha said, looking over towards Loki, who keeps on looking back towards the two women, smiling warmly at Natasha and giving his mother a quick wave. Frigga waves back as he continues his talk with Odin.
"He wants to move out. He's having Odin sign the papers to make it all legal." Frigga said, still watching her husband and son discuss the terms of their new agreement.
"Move out? Where is he going?" Natasha asked, curiosity building inside her and the pang of fear of losing Loki.
"He's worked and saved enough money to buy an apartment here in town. He's never been the same after learning about his true origins." Frigga commented, frowning slightly at the mention of his adoption.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure he won't be too distant. Marvel is a small county." Natasha commented, trying to brighten Frigga up. Frigga smiles at Natasha's attempts.
"Yes. I am just worried for him in all. Once you become a mother you'll understand." Frigga said smiling again at her son, who again turned around and waved at the standing ladies.
"Well I guess he got it all worked out. He seems really happy." Natasha commented as Loki began walking back, with a little skip to his stride.
"Yes he does." Frigga commented watching her son talk to some of Thor's friends, who are helping Odin and his soccer team. "If you don't mind me asking, but Loki hasn't mentioned your parents at all. He's mentioned you numerous times but he hasn't said anything about your parents." Frigga said turning towards Natasha and giving her a worried look.
"Oh um…my dad's in the Army so he's not around much. My mom left my dad a long time ago." Natasha said, looking down at the yellow liquid in the cup before looking up to see Loki walking back towards them.
"I'm so sorry dear. I didn't mean to upset you." Frigga said, setting her cup down and giving Natasha a warm, motherly hug. "Your mother made a mistake leaving. Daughters are a true blessing, I've never had a daughter but it was something I prayed for everyday. But I am blessed that both my sons have chosen wonderful girls." Frigga said, looking down at Natasha and giving her a warm smile.
For the first time in a long time Natasha actually felt loved by another woman. She hadn't felt the touch of a mother in so long it actually felt nice. Like something from a dream.
Soon Loki reached them, worry flashing across his face when he saw tears threatening at the corners of Natasha's eyes.
"Mother what did you say?" Loki asked, putting some papers in his pockets and wrapping a protective arm around Natasha's shoulders.
"Nothing dear, we were just having a girl talk." Frigga said, smiling at the couple.
"It's true Loki. She didn't say anything to upset me. She's a really great woman. Don't be so worried." Natasha said playfully, giving Loki a reassuring hug.
"Ok, you'd tell me if she did anything to upset you?" Loki asked, seriousness written upon his face, as he looked Natasha in the eyes.
"Of course I would." Natasha said, smiling back at the over-protective teenager. "Don't worry so much." Natasha added, moving a few strands of his hair away from his face and giving his check a warm kiss. His face paled a little before turning red as Natasha's hair. His mother smiled warmly at the couple before walking away towards her waiting husband.
"Natasha, there's something I want to ask you." Loki said, almost stuttering at his words but manage to get them out.
"Ok. Shoot." Natasha replied, smiling warmly at the taller teenager.
"Would you like to go out with me?" Loki asked. Suddenly he looked away from Natasha and unwrapped his arm from around her shoulder.
"I'd love to." Natasha said, smiling even brighter then before. She quickly grabbed Loki's hands and held them in her own.
"Great! Would you want to go out Monday night? We can go to a restaurant or something." Loki said, smiling and getting excited.
"Sure I'd love to. I'm up for anything." Natasha responded, the two began to walk back towards the parking lot. Both smiling from ear to ear.
"Ok. I'll pick you up after school?" Loki asked, smiling even brighter.
"Sure I'd love that." Natasha answered back smiling.
When they reached Loki's parked Jeep, Loki opened the door for Natasha and helped her inside.
"So would you like me to bring you back to your house?" Loki asked, turning the ignition on and backing out of the parking lot.
"Sure, I should get back. My dad's probably worried." Natasha responded, remembering Ivan's leave is tomorrow.
When the two arrived at her house, all the lights were on and Natasha could see her father's shadow dancing across the walls from the outside.
"Thanks Loki. I can't wait for Monday. Do you want to come in for a little bit?" Natasha asks, opening her own door before Loki could and closing it as he came around towards her.
"Sure, if you'd like." Loki responded, following Natasha up the steps and through the front door.
The sight of Ivan's bags sitting by the front door was a shock to both teens, and as they began walking further back towards the kitchen, Natasha noticed her father's jacket, and hat sitting on the counter. Once they fully entered the kitchen, Natasha saw the sight of Ivan, her father, dressed in his complete Army uniform.
"Dad what are you doing?" Natasha asks, noticing her father packing some things in boxes and placing them by the front door.
"Hey sugar change of plans, I'm leaving tonight instead of tomorrow. Just packing some last minute items." Ivan replied, loading some of the boxes into his SUV.
"Why the sudden change of plans?" Natasha asked, a little shocked at her father's announcement.
"I thought it'd be good to get to Arizona early, get settled in. You're welcome to join me." Ivan said, motioning towards some empty boxes laying by the stairs.
"Is this what this is all about? So I can join you?" Natasha asked, anger growing in her tone and in her eyes.
"No, I'm just saying sugar-bee it's not too late. I can call ahead and make arrangements to have a room for you." Ivan replied, facing his daughter and seeing the anger in her eyes.
"I told you dad I can't! My life is here, my friends are here, what am I going to do in Arizona anyways?" Natasha asked, straightening her posture, and hardening her eyes to face her father's taller form.
"Honey you'll be with me. I think it'd be a good idea. I mean we haven't been together lately and I miss my baby girl." Ivan persisted trying to step closer to his daughter, but she backed up.
"You said you were done with the Army after mom left! You promised we'd be together once you were out of the uniform! It's been six years since mom left and you're still in the Army! I've begged you to quit but you haven't! And you wonder why I haven't seen you lately?" Natasha yelled at her father, holding back the tears that threatened to escape.
"You're just like your mother. How do you expect me to make money and support this family if I don't work? The Army is all I know! I'm sorry if I that bothers you! But it's all I know!" Ivan yelled back at his daughter, anger boiling in his eyes.
The two Romanoffs stood across from each other, both unwilling to give any ground.
"Well then, I hope you have a safe trip!" Natasha replied to her father, venom and ice mixed in her tone. Suddenly she turned around only to almost collide with Loki's chest, and walked out the door, pulling Loki with her.
Once slamming the front door, and standing outside her house Natasha finally let the tears fall down her cheeks. Loki wrapped his arms around her and she suddenly felt the warmth of his arms underneath her legs as he carried her towards the car, opening the passenger door and placing her gently in the seat. Walking around towards the driver's side, he backed out of the driveway and drove down the road till they were parked in the parking lot of the soccer fields.
Getting out quietly, Loki opened Natasha's door and carried her out of the car, closing and locking the door behind them. He carried her over to the center of the fields, setting her down gently than sitting down behind her, pulling her close to his chest. Slowly Natasha's sobbing began to lessen and soon she was drifting of to sleep in Loki's arms.
Soon a few hours later, Natasha awoke in Loki's arms, he was laying back, his arms wrapped around her small body, and Natasha's hands were balled into fists, holding on tightly to his shirt. The sun had long since set and the air around them had turned colder. When Loki had also woken up from his small nap, the clock on the dash of the Jeep red 10:45 PM.
"Hey there." Loki said, smiling down at the small redhead, who smiled back.
"Hey. We should probably get going." Natasha said, frowning at the thought of returning to her father.
"You're right. Let's go." Loki replied, picking her up, bridal style, and carrying her back to the Jeep. Natasha smiled at his warm gesture.
Once the two arrived home, Natasha noticed the SUV was gone and the house lights were all off. Unlocking the front door and turning the knob, Natasha noticed all the boxes were now gone.
"He's gone." Natasha said in a whisper, barely audible for Loki's ears. "And he didn't even say 'goodbye'." She continued to whisper, mostly to herself. She stared at the walls, some of the pictures that once hung there were missing, and she noticed some of the picture albums were open on the dinning table.
Swift walking towards the table, she opened the books and noticed some pictures missing, some were of her, others her mother, and most of them were of their family, before her mother left and before her father's deployment.
"Natasha do you need me to stay?" Loki's voice broke Natasha out of her own little world. She turned to face the taller teenager and saw the worry written in his eyes, although his face was neutral.
"Yes, please." Natasha responded, walking up towards him and burying her face in his chest, while wrapping her arms around his waist. Loki's arms automatically wrapped around her small shoulders and he held her while she cried the rest of her tears out.
So chapter 6 is officially up! This is my Christmas present to y'all! I hope it's what y'all wanted! Well there's not much to say except I appreciate every single follower, reviewer, and favoriter (if that's a word)! Y'all really make me motivated to write more and better! So Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (in case I can't update sooner!) Hopefully chapter 7 will be up before the New Year but if not maybe the first week afterwards! Thanks y'all! So blessed!