Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel.

A/N: So I may have experienced some writers block, but I finally broke it! *Happy dancing commences*

Control

Natasha let out a soft moan and rubbed her face gently with her hands. Her hands…she twisted her neck to see that the pole she had been bound to was disfigured and bent. A groan to her left prevented any more thought on how her bounds had been broken.

"Are you alright?" Natasha knelt beside Tony.

"I think I may have bruised my ribs." Tony groaned. "Pepper is going to kill me."

"I highly doubt that." Natasha muttered as she helped Tony into a sitting position. If Tony was here, where was Steve?

As if on cue, the Captain appeared through the rubble. "Everyone okay?"

"I feel like I can barely move a muscle. So dandy, I'm doing dandy." Tony complained.

"You?" Steve nodded at Natasha.

Natasha touched her face gently. A bruise along her jawline was forming. "Nothing but scratches."

"That doesn't look like a-"

"We need to find Director Fury." Natasha interrupted.

"What I need is to get my hands on that son of a-"

"I think it's safe to assume Loki isn't on board anymore." Steve said dryly.

"He killed Coulson. I'm sure of it."

"That doesn't mean we rush into a fight with only one shoe on."

"No, but he made it personal." Tony said darkly, glancing at both Natasha and Steve.

"That's not the point."

"That is the point. That's Loki's point! He hit us all right where we live. Why?"

"To tear us apart." Steve said softly.

"Yeah, divide and conquer is great, but he knows he has to take us out to win, right? That's what he wants. He wants to beat us, he wants to be seen doing it. He wants an audience."

"Right. I caught his act at Germany."

"We were all there Steve" Natasha chided gently.

"Yeah, that was just previews. This is - this is opening night. And Loki, he's a full-tilt diva, right? He wants flowers, he wants parades. He wants a monument built to the skies with his name plastered…" Tony slowed his words, and gave Steve a incredulous look. "Sonofabitch!"

Natasha nodded slowly, understanding the reference. Stark tower. He would be at Stark tower. Natasha got up and started to walk away.

"Where are you going?" Steve shouted to her retreating figure.

"To get my partner back."

"Do you have a plan? Barton could kill you. I bet he's the only one who can." Tony added.

Natasha turned around without stopping. "Your worry is amusing. Start prep for battle, when you see me next I will have another addition to our team."

"And if you don't come back?" Steve asked.

"Not a possibility."

AAAAA

Loki could still feel Sigyn's lips on his skin. Her warmth as her fingertips had grazed his neck. It was good that she left so abruptly. He had a mission to accomplish. No distractions.

He opened the portal before he could even entertain second thoughts. The screams and war cries of the Chitauri rent the sky.

A Chitauri commander flew near Loki. "Orders Sir?"

"Do what you do best. Show no mercy."

The Chitauri commander grinned widely as he belayed the message through the troops.

Loki felt Erik approach him from behind.

"Behold a masterpiece." Loki announced.

"So that's what the other side of the universe looks like." Erik said in wonder as he gazed through the portal.

"Is it what you imagined?" Loki questioned. He had been consistently impressed at how his control over Erik had allowed a true expansion of the brain. Erik saw so much more now, and understood much more than a mere mortal.

"More beautiful than my imagination could possibly allow."

"You should see Asgard." Loki whispered softly.

AAAAA

Sigyn understood Loki. She understood his logic, reasoning, and feeling. She didn't always like them, but at least she understood him.

But Loki hadn't responded to her touch, and that scared her. It terrified her that he may be changing into something that she wouldn't understand.

"What exactly are we doing?" Agent Barton asked, standing impatiently to one side.

"We are out to get information."

"From who?"

"From them." Sigyn pointed to the sky where dozens upon dozens of Chitauri were pouring out the tear in the sky.

"So...do we just ask one to come talk or are we going for more a forceful measure?"

Sigyn pursed her lips. "I think forceful will be more productive."

"I was hoping you would say that." Barton smiled gleefully.

Sigyn watched him carefully as they set up their trap. She noted that bits of his personality seemed to be seeping through his blank facade. Sigyn wasn't sure what she thought about this development.

Sigyn crouched in a dim lit alley way waiting. She watched the sky. Clint was positioned on an apartment rooftop. She heard the tell tale rumble of a Chitauri engine. She watched as Clint jumped the Chitauri driver, and pushed him off the flying contraption. The Chitauri landed on his feet, only to be slammed against the wall by Sigyn. The Chitauri tried to struggle but stopped as Clint lightly landed next to Sigyn, pressing an arrow against his neck.

"I'm glad you noticed." Clint smiled, and cocked his head to the side. "This isn't a normal arrow. No, I designed this one myself. There is an explosive attached to it."

"Answer our questions, or else you'll find out how that feels inside your gut." Sigyn added, eyes flashing dangerously.

AAAAA

Loki enjoyed a drink as he watched Chitauri flow out of the portal. There seemed to be an endless stream of them. He wondered if it would be a good idea to attach guards to the Tesseract.

"Where is he?" A quiet voice interrupted his thoughts' ramblings.

"You survived. Impressive." Loki smiled, before turning around to face Natasha Romanoff.

"We all did."

"I thought the explosives would have done more damage. That's mortal technology for you." Loki offered her his drink. She studied him carefully before taking the drink.

"I can't help but notice that you are all alone. Have you abandoned your comrades?"

Natasha finished the drink in one swig, her eyes never left Loki. "For the moment."

"Fascinating. I admire your ability to switch sides with such fluidity."

"I don't know why you think I am here, Loki, but I'm not on your side." Natasha growled.

"I know exactly why you are here. Why you haven't attacked me, why your teammates aren't with you, and why you took that drink."

"I would be disappointed if you didn't know. I've heard a lot about your past manipulations, they're impressive. Liar to liar." Natasha shrugged nonchalantly.

Loki smiled softly as his eyes bore into Natasha's head. "He's not here."

"That's not the answer I wanted." Natasha stalked up to Loki. This was a moment when Loki enjoyed his height, as he was able to easily stare down the feisty red head.

"It's the answer I have."

"Where is he?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"We have your wife."

Loki laughed. "That's a pathetic lie."

"Not my best. I agree." Natasha grabbed Loki's arm, and stepped behind him, twisting his arm into a painful position.

Loki sighed. "I don't where Barton is. He is off somewhere with my wife. They left in a huff."

"Do you know where they're headed?" Natasha pulled his arm back farther.

"No. I have no bloody clue. But they're not here, and I have no idea when they're coming back."

"I don't believe you."

Loki twisted out of Natasha's grip, held her in a headlock. "You should." Loki whispered as he slid a knife into her gut.

Natasha gasped as he let her go. She stumbled into the wall.

"The door's over there. Good luck finding your lover."

"He's not my-"

"Don't lie to me." Loki poured himself another drink, and turned away. "No one believes that lie, not even you."

The throne room doors slammed shut as Sif and the Warriors Three stormed out.

"How dare him!" Sif yelled in frustration.

"Loki is the new King." Fandral cautioned.

Sigyn paused mid-step as four upset faces quickly turned towards her. Sigyn immediately wished that she was anywhere but there.

"Sigyn! Have you heard the news?" Volstagg asked.

"If you are referring to the fact that my husband has been named King of Asgard, yes I am aware. I found out earlier this morning."

"Do you know his stance on the banishment of Thor?" Sif spit through her teeth.

"No. But I can imagine it isn't pleasurable."

"He refuses to end Thor's banishment because that would undo Odin's last command." Fandral explained calmly.

"I am sorry that your husband is banished Sif, honestly I am. But Loki is right, it isn't his place to uproot something Odin wanted, especially such a recent command."

"And it isn't our place to question him Sif." Fandral added, "Not now anyways."

"Why not? He has always been a trickster, playing with things he shouldn't. Why should we believe him?" Sif burst out.

Sigyn glanced at the throne room doors and hoped Loki wasn't eavesdropping. Sif wasn't doing herself any favors.

"We swore loyalty to Asgard, not to Thor." Fandral face was set grimly. It was clear he didn't like what he was saying, but he said it nonetheless.

"Thor should be King!"

Sigyn intervened, "Thor isn't here, and Frigga chose Loki, and by default Odin chose Loki as well."

"Gah!" Sif stomped off to the side.

"If you can't support this new reign, then I would strongly suggest you join Thor."

"Is that threat?" Volstagg whispered

"I don't believe she has the authority to banish us Volstagg." Fandral answered stiffly.

"No I don't, but I know someone who does. I would never ask that of him, unless I truly felt there was a threat to the prosperity of Asgard." Sigyn narrowed her eyes.

Fandral folded his arms and stared hard at Sigyn. Sif whirled around, "The only threat to prosperity of Asgard is the unstable king whose sitting on that throne."

Sigyn stepped angrily towards Sif, and whispered quickly in her ear. "You think I don't know that? He has lost his brother and father, things are not stable right now. If you want Thor back, go get him yourself. Loki cannot help you."

Sigyn let Sif go roughly, and stalked away.

"What did she say?" Fandral asked.

Sif paused thoughtfully before she said, "I think we should help Thor ourselves."

AAAAA

Sigyn stood in the dark archway, and took a deep breath releasing her pent up anger. She softly stepped through the side door, and entered the throne room.

"So if you're King now, what does that make me?" Sigyn asked playfully.

Loki arched his neck back to see Sigyn walking up to him. He offered his hand, and helped her sit on the arm of the throne chair. Her feet rested between his legs.

"I believe, for the moment, you are the wife of the King. Mother is still Queen."

"Sounds like you two got married."

Loki rolled his eyes. "Maybe her title is Mother of the King or Queen Mother. She didn't give a preference."

"What? No preference? What was she thinking?" Sigyn said sarcastically.

Loki smiled softly, and rested a hand against Sigyn's knee. His fingers drew circles against the fabric.

"How are you feeling?" Sigyn's tone slipped into something quieter, more intimate.

"Tired. I didn't get much sleep last night, as you know."

Sigyn nodded. She didn't need to be reminded that she woke up alone to find out that Loki had visited Jotunheim.

"I meant about having the throne, being the King."

"It's great. I'm just not prepared for it."

"You had all the same lessons as Thor did."

"Oh I know, he wasn't ready either. That's why he was banished."

"I didn't know that."

"No one does, except perhaps Mother."

"But you weren't banished, perhaps you are-"

"I kept my mouth shut, and thus avoided Thor's fate." Loki interrupted in a burst of anger.

Sigyn placed her hands over Loki's. She slowly raised her eyes to meet his emerald ones. "If it's any consolation I think you're ready to be King."

Loki quirked an eyebrow at her.

"As long as I am by your side, you'll do fine." Sigyn added with a sly smile.

"I knew there was a catch."

Sigyn lowered herself into Loki's lap. "I am the best catch you are ever going to get."

"Hah!" Loki tapped Sigyn's nose. "You think too highly of yourself."

Sigyn shrugged innocently before she placed a light kiss on Loki's jugular, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Why are you here Sigyn?" Loki asked quietly as he ran a hand through her hair.

"To be with my husband." Sigyn murmured against his skin

"Why are you really here?" Loki unwrapped her hands from his neck.

"Think of what we could do on this throne." Sigyn moaned.

"That would hardly be comfortable. I'm pretty sure this is solid gold."

Sigyn raised an eyebrow, daring to contradict him.

"Besides you only use this tactic when you're trying to distract me."

"I am not trying to distract you."

"Please, Sigyn."

Sigyn sighed and sat up straight. "I was procrastinating, not trying to distract you."

"Mmmhhmm"

"I am here to tell you that Sif and Warriors Three will probably be visiting Earth soon with the intent of helping Thor. They might have gotten that idea from me."

Loki tensed beneath Sigyn. "Why would they have gotten that from you?"

"Uh, I thought it would be better to have them waste their time on Earth then to be riling up people against you here."

"Sound reasoning, I don't understand why you'd want to procrastinate telling me that...unless there is more." Loki sighed, "There is more, spit it out."

"And I am here to suggest that you speak with Thor, in person, before they do. Set the story straight before they have the chance to muddle it up."

Loki rolled his eyes. "I don't want speak to Thor."

"But you need to. He needs to hear about Odin from you, and only you." Sigyn reprimanded gently.

"If I go down there, Thor will beg to come back with me. He won't understand."

"Don't underestimate him, tell him the same thing you did the others. To retain control you need Thor's support, even if he's in another world."

"I liked it better when you were procrastinating."

"Well, you were the one who told me to get to the point of this visit."

AAAAA

Loki didn't visit Thor immediately. He watched from a distance as Thor broke into some government facility. He watched silently as Thor failed to lift Mjolnir, that was first time for him.

"Loki!" Thor's eyes widened at the sudden sight of Loki.

"Brother." Loki said slowly, clasping his hands behind his back. Though he had tried to rehearse this conversation with Sigyn, it wasn't the same.

"Did Father send you?"

"Not exactly."

"Hah! Off to your usual ways then. I am happy they are directed in favor towards me." Thor smiled brightly.

Loki looked to the left. "I am not here to rescue you from your banishment Thor."

"What are you here for? Are you here to taunt me?" Thor struggled against his restraints.

"No, Brother dear, I am not here to taunt you. Honestly, I probably wouldn't be here without Sigyn's urging."

"What has happened?"

"Father is dying. He has fallen into Odinsleep, and Mother fears he will not wake."

"Then you must take me back. The Kingdom needs me, Mother needs me." Thor pleaded.

"No they don't. I will take care of Mother, you have my word that nothing will happen to her. I have been crowned King in Father's absence."

"You've been-?" Thor stopped talking in shock.

"I'm sorry."

"Are you?" Thor eyed Loki carefully.

"Yes. I am." Loki hoped his face demonstrated how truthful he really was.

Thor nodded after a moment. "How fares Asgard?"

"Not superb. With the inevitable death of Odin, war with Jotunheim will soon be upon us, especially after that stunt of yours."

"You were apart of that stunt." Thor gritted his teeth.

"I was along for the ride." Loki waved a hand through the air.

"If Father really is to die, why can't you end this torture and bring me home?"

"I cannot undo our Father's last command. I have to respect his wishes."

"When have you done that in the past?"

"There's a time to grow up, and that time has come."

"I don't believe you."

"Try to. I wish you luck on this planet. I expect you will be receiving visitors soon, maybe that will brighten your visit."

"Loki!" Thor growled loudly.

The agent reopened the door and Loki was gone.

"That's not my name." The agent said dryly, with a raised brow and grim smile.

"That was the least helpful interrogation I've ever held." Sigyn growled as she stalked away from the Chitauri.

Clint turned around and shot the unsuspecting Chitauri. It's innards splattered against the alley wall. "Does that help?"

Sigyn couldn't help but grin. "Somewhat."

"We did learn about how to release the mind control."

"Cognitive recalibration. In other words, a real hard hit to the head or something life shatteringly shocking. Nothing I didn't already know."

"I didn't know that."

"Well, technically I don't think you're supposed to know."

"I can't cause that on myself. I value my head too much." Clint smiled grimly.

Though Sigyn was sympathetic to Loki's cause, it wasn't hers. She didn't have any energy to worry about the repercussions of Clint knowing how to be healed.

"I know. But your mind control and Loki's are different."

"How do you know that Loki is even being controlled?"

"Besides the fact that I know him very well?"

"Yeah."

"He has a trigger that makes it hard for him to think about a certain encounter with someone."

"So if he wanted to, he could forget that he was even being influenced?"

"I suppose."

"Then he has a better deal than I do."

Sigyn gave Clint a curious look. He was fighting the control pretty well by himself. Perhaps that was due to the lack of direct commands from Loki.

"I think I will try and snag a higher ranking Chitauri for more information. Why don't you head back to Stark Tower? I am sure Loki needs you by now."

"Yes Ma'am" Clint nodded, and started on his way.

Sigyn watched quietly as he left. It wasn't until he was gone that she realized she had no idea if Chitauri even had higher ranking officials and how they were distinguished from one another. Crap.

AAAAA

Rubble had already built up as the Chitauri attacked the citizens. Clint hopped over an overturned car as he made his way to Stark Tower.

"Help! Please help!" A woman pleaded to his left. He grit his teeth and continued walking.

Clint shoved a stray bench out of the doorway, and opened the door to Stark tower. As he walked slowly through the pale hallway he heard moans. Clint drew his pistol carefully as he crossed the corner.

"Natasha?"

His former partner stumbled out of the elevator. She looked up to see Clint walk up to her, gun still raised. She couldn't help but smile weakly as she slid to the ground.

As she slid to the ground, Clint saw the knife wound and the blood. His gun dropped, and he rushed to her side. Without a word, he tore a bit of Natasha's uniform, and pressed it against the wound. His hands soon had her blood stained on them.

"Stay with me, Nat." He growled.

Natasha laughed weakly. "He lied. Loki lied. You are here."

Loki. Clint stood up abruptly. He had orders to avoid Natasha. He pressed the elevator button, and did his best to not look at her fragile form.

"Clint?" He slowly met her eyes. "I am going to die if you go up there."

Die? Clint had never associated death as a true possibility for Natasha, even when he had been sent out to kill her. She couldn't die, it just wasn't possible.

"I have orders. You understand that." The words were hard to get out. There was a buzzing in his head that made it hard to think.

Natasha muttered something under her breath.

"What was that?" Clint did know why he was asking, but he couldn't help it, orders or not.

Natasha lifted her head up enough to whisper, "I love you."

The elevator beeped and opened. Clint didn't get in it, he couldn't look away from Natasha's face. His heart rammed against his chest. "You're lying."

She groaned as she clutched her stomach. "No. I've lied to myself for too long."

Clint believed her. For some miraculous and incredulous reason, unknown to him, he believed her. The shock and adrenaline pushed away any buzzing in his head. As Clint awoke to himself, Natasha slipped into the world of the unconscious.

A/N: I may have fallen in love with a Sigyn/Clint brOTP. So, Clintasha... procrastination... gut injuries...what do you think?

Next Chapter: Now, that would be a spoiler. That's no fun.