Chapter 6: Slipping Strength

A/N:

Hello again guys! Alright, we're going back to the story at hand and I'm sorry for not making sense for the last 2 chapters – which were supposed to be one whole minor chapter – being the longest and whatnot. Um so we return back to reality and not the dream world. Too much inception. Thank you though and hello to new readers and the one who last reviewed: smalsa. Anyway: enjoy!

Things were lost and slipping from there. Especially for Natasha. She had hit a point of lassitude from the one thing that expended her mind. It was an unwanted obsession with Loki but her mind told otherwise. Natasha couldn't sleep. She couldn't think. She couldn't look at anything without connecting Loki to anything and everything. He was an incubus that dictated over her sanity and it could never consent.

Obviously, it made things difficult with her day-to-day schedule aboard SHIELD's headquarters. They (Or more Agent Darcy) were still insisting on the search of the target within the 50 mile radius area of the old headquarters. It had succumbed though to a simple research investigation of questioning citizens who may have possibly witnessed or saw Loki for the past period of time. Search parties were still scattered elsewhere at international destinations especially the countries that were most nearby. Nick Fury had initiated more meetings for the Avengers in the headquarters so Natasha attached herself more to that business. She felt the urge to always be accompanied or around others so it would hopefully divert incessant focus of Loki but the best she was going to get was only feeling less fear or anxiety of his presence while around others.

She had arrived early at the same desk which held the conferences the next morning after a restless night. Thankfully that particular dream which left her haunted and did intensify Loki's effect in her mind didn't return. Perhaps without her falling asleep, it had no chance to creep its way into her subconscious imagination. Natasha looked and felt like hell but she made sure to try and hide it so no one would notice. She didn't want the attention. Though, it was getting hard to do so. As of lately, her eye bags were expanded; her eyes were blood-shot and even though no one ever saw this part under her uniform or jacket, her right arm was still present with the worrying sight of accented and exposed veins. She might've wanted to get it checked out by the medical team or something but only at a time when she was entirely free or alone. Natasha truly didn't want to draw attention or worry.

Looking around first for the sight of anyone else to come by, she took a seat and begun waiting. Surely everybody else was heading towards the meeting now. Natasha blearily rubbed her eyes and yawned. She cracked her neck and back to try and revive some energy through her body. She leaned forward with her elbows on the table and massaged the temples of her head to try and refresh her fuzzy mind. As soon as she closed her eyes for a second to try and focus, Loki shattered the whole muse as she saw a flash of him that appeared from his imprint in her mind. Natasha reacted from that sudden jolt of seeing his menacing emerald eyes. She had sat up straight and her eyelids flew open. She calmed down trying to compose herself again and weakly sat back against the chair.

"Stop" Natasha weakly pleaded as she felt the heavy weight of weariness on her sore body and head. It was a question of what it was directed to. She could say it was intended for Loki wherever he was but then again, it could apply as a beg for her own mind to halt. To end such torturous and taunting deviations that deprived her of a correct way to be able to live and function.

Gratefully, some of the other members began entering the room for the meeting. She sat up straight again and tried to act normal as Steve, Tony and Agent Maria Hill made their way to the table. Natasha cleared her throat. "Morning" She half saluted to the three arriving members who returned casual greetings back.

"Wow, rise and shine indeed Agent Romanoff. Normally Fury is first to reach the table but seems like you had some sleepover here…and not a good one" Tony had kicked off conversation with his normal type of remark. "You pull an all-nighter or something? It seems like you've been doing that for the past couple of days"

Natasha could always count on Tony to be extra observant. She knew it was a matter of time before Tony would finally tattle notice and cynical concern about her. Natasha shook her head and responded back a cover-up "I was just particularly punctual this time. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing really unless you're planning to gain a gold star title as Fury's teacher's pet. Oh no, you have competition Agent Hill" Tony's sarcasm kept flowing.

Basically everyone at the desk rolled their eyes. "Stark, learn to respect and not exaggerate what others do. You really keep rolling as the class clown even at this time of the morning" Steve had spoken up.

"It's too early in the morning for humor apparently but we can allow tedious criticisms. Wow" Tony muttered to himself.

"Have any of you seen Dr Banner or Thor?" Agent Maria Hill had settled seven files on the table after noticing the absence of the other two Avengers.

"Bruce should be coming any moment now but I haven't seen blondie at all this morning" Tony lazily stretched his back on the chair.

"I've seen Thor" Steve corrected. "He was on the rooftop but should be heading here soon"

They all heard a ring come from Agent Hill's pocket and so she took the call. "Agent Coulson" she began. "Is Director Fury with you?" The other three remained quiet. "I see" Natasha begun fidgeting with her hands while the other two guys were minding their own business. "That's fine, I'll make sure to run the meeting then in his absence" The other three couldn't help but glance at Agent Hill after hearing that statement. She hung up and made her way back to the table.

"So Fury finally got sick of us and ditched us?" Tony immediately commented.

"No. He was flown over towards the council's headquarters over night to settle confidential business. He'll return later through the day. Until then, I'll be the one commencing this meeting" She handed one of the seven files to each seat and person.

"That still counts as ditching" Tony added.

Natasha grabbed the file but suddenly felt a throb in her right arm. It made her arm twitch randomly and so she couldn't help but check. She moved her arm underneath the table and pulled the sleeve of her jacket to see her veins were almost glowing but very faintly. Natasha was slightly alarmed until the illumination descended and she covered her arm again. In that moment, Bruce and Thor had arrived and took their seats.

Agent Hill began the meeting.

Elsewhere, Loki was deliberately throwing his mind into full absorption of his work. A consequence that came to being though was that he was on the verge of actual fatigue. It seemed unbelievable but apparently, with the intentional lack of sleep, it was taking a toll on the god of mischief. His eyes were much more darkly rimmed than any of his workers. Loki couldn't afford any break of rest or this exhaustion. Time was a central excuse of course.

At one particular part of the day, he felt a throb in his head. It was uncalled for and his vision was being veiled by the color of mystical blue. Loki's grasp tightened on his scepter and tried to shake his head of possible hallucinations. The environment of his workers was suddenly gulped by darkness and then protracted to a duskier environment. This new place looked familiar and Loki was wondering how it all suddenly changed. The chill of the murky air and rock formations reminded Loki again what this place was. Most of all, who was in this place. The Other had wanted to see him.

"What is your reason of summoning a gathering and at short notification?" Loki wanted to surely exhibit his own vigor against his so called boss.

"Your progress is pitiful with this assignment" The blue, hooded figure spat at Loki irritably.

"Why so intolerant now?" Loki sneered.

"It is no laughing matter Asgardian! The Chitauri cannot wait that long for initiation. Yet, it is demanded of your leadership to be able to control and order them at correct and rightful expenses"

"Yes of course. I've heard all that before in the regulations address. I'm not that idiotic or ridden of simple senses to understand"

The other figure was still unimpressed by Loki "You should take this earnestly. Has your integrity of your part of the arrangement faded away?"

Loki was remaining cynical especially towards the Other as it was basic impatience being received "I am taking this earnestly and don't jump to conclusions so hastily. You truly have no faith in me which I'm quite disappointed at" He took slow steps across the ground apathetically observing the same ominous environment that he had signed this contract and do his current business on Midgard. This place was also the very reminder of the confronting situation of despair that he was in but here right now at this very moment, he wished to act as valiant and secure.

"We made an agreement Asgardian. We settled on the proposition to gain authoritative control over the humans and their world where we would equally achieve together of gaining the item of sole power: the tesseract and your pursued revenge. You were at such a low standard and quality after being casted out that we accepted and collaborated with you for your benefit especially. Even with your childish and spoilt disposition, we accepted you and soon enough, you brought to our attention an ambitious plan of yours. You demanded our service and our army which we in the end had to approve to and so you motioned forward your plan with our particular desired exchange of the deal. You've made us wait and we have waited longer than permitted. You asked of our service so we gave it but there is still no proper or fair trade that has been received in return!"

Loki's jaw clenched while listening. It all seemed as the same lecture and he couldn't help but counter back "Frankly, I should've also requested for your patience. Your expectations are whimsically high placed on this mission. I can't exactly just snap my fingers and you'll have your precious tesseract along with entrance, ownership and possible destruction of the planet Earth. Why don't we point out as well that you can't yourselves. This is Midgard we are talking about: a realm that is simply adequate in development comparison to all the other realms. Well, maybe in comparison to some higher ones" Loki couldn't dare utter Asgard again or he would relapse to his mood of distracted hate and despite. Plus in another argument, this very place of the other beings he was connected with through this arrangement or let alone Jotunheim were most climatically under-developed in contrast to Midgard. Loki snapped himself back to complete focus for the discussion.

"As I was saying, with what I have to work with for this task – a world of underprivileged species of a contrary dictated democracy and delusion – clearly proves as a slight disadvantage and accumulator of time. I apologize if it appears of a distasteful hindrance for you but do learn to bear some patience then. Have you overlooked at how there is a required amount of labor and time for this task? And a reminder, I am the one completing a majority of it back there as you just sit and spectate right here. How about a little commendation for the fact that I have at least completed half of the agenda: I have the tesseract in my hold but my workers are still finalizing the contraption to enable entrance and obliteration for the Chitauri. So I again suggest that you bear a little more patience. You say so yourself this is a two way proposition. I am efficiently doing my half and you're doing your own. A declaration of co-operation I say. Let it remain that way until we actually achieve and succeed over Midgard"

The Other stayed silent taking into account Loki's daring defense statement. Loki didn't exactly care if it enraged the other figure before him. As long as he was able to convey his point and stance of correction, Loki was satisfied.

"So you're simply blaming the lower class of species; of humans for the obstruction of your task's advancement? Might I just say then that you are dismissing your powerful capabilities or skills for this assignment because maybe if you tried harder, things wouldn't be so delayed in terms of time"

Loki was quite insulted by that statement brought forward. Of course he was doing everything to the mighty extent and best ability. Everything was running smoothly back at his private factory of workers. How could he be deemed of not trying hard enough? No. He couldn't further any more or else things would relapse to his distractive despite again involving his past. Loki cleared his throat and refreshed his thoughts deciding to return with a nonchalant response. "Fine. Maybe I can try harder starting now" Loki switched hold of the scepter as he begun walking away from the other figure wishing to exit this entire conversation.

The Other realized what Loki was doing and roared behind him "No one gave you authority to leave!"

Loki rolled his eyes before turning back. "You tell me that time is not being effectively used but as of now at this very moment, you're hoarding valuable time; my valuable time that can contribute for accelerated process for this mission. So if you would excuse me, I wish to return to my own doing"

"You dare display such hypocrisy Asgardian?"

He was bitterly taken aback "What?"

"What is this charade you beckon to play with that mortal?"

It was baffling at how they even found information on his personal activities. They truly were keeping track of him. "It's none of your business and if it worries you so much; it will not interfere with the ultimate operation" Loki revealed.

"I did not allow special time for you to get involved especially with a female. Just because you did not receive such petty affection or attraction while in your home realm doesn't mean you can manipulate inferior beings for your pleasure"

Loki scowled as he furiously tightened his fists. The mention of his life before was something he didn't appreciate. It felt rather invasive and rude along with the allegation of his type of involvement with her. With Natasha. Sure his dream may have uncannily captured what this allegation was suggesting but it was slightly more to the attraction extent and it was mainly only an imaginary simulation. Yet, repeating the reference of his damaged past may have crossed the line for Loki.

"How dare you try to apply my past in reason! I told you that I had decided to collaborate with you under different circumstances. One of the main ones being the desertion of my…old life and I have rekindled a different life and purpose through this alliance of ours. I'd request most reverently for you to not violate and refer back to my past as we focus only on our current plans. No sentimentality is required for our strategy so to correct you, I'm not involved with such business you suggest and assume I do with a female"

The Other growled "I think you beg difference Asgardian. What is so significant about that mortal then that requires your attention?"

He had to consider that question for a moment. Loki could ask it to himself to figure out why he certainly enjoyed visiting and communicating with her. For only two visits, one dream and loads of investigative information (That was received from Clint), Loki had deemed Natasha worthy of his concentration. It could be said she was a sort of distraction on the side but he wanted to find some strategic business through her. It was obvious of the fact that she was part of the team that was assembled to bring him down but there was more to that of Natasha that he could utilize. It was assumed then that it could be Loki's possible motive towards her and could partially explain the furthered business of lust in that dream.

"I asked you a question" Loki looked back up towards the Other after being lost in his thoughts to come up with an appropriate answer.

"Nothing as such" He begun. "She…is an ordinary mortal but her work relation is something I find interesting. She's part of a team that has been gathered to try and find me but as you can see, I've been hiding out well. None of them have found me but she is a way to infiltrate the opposition" It felt like an entire misty lie. "It's merely something I thought of doing on the side and I told you, it doesn't interfere with the ultimate operation. The mortals are weak and they have no way to inflict or rebound my plan in any other way"

"Hm" the Other scoffed at Loki. "You are tremendously confident and think you're sure of things but I know your thoughts well. You've honestly never felt more lost or misguided"

"Excuse me?"

"You're still a lost little child Asgardian. Your arrogance appears as a mask and you only execute abrasive acts of dominance to seem like you're properly doing work. It's a self-inflicted diversion then and another reason why your advancement of the mission is at trifling accomplishment"

Loki glared wrathfully "So you're saying that all this time I've been idly working on this mission with my lack of knowledge or belief?" He had slammed the end of his scepter on the ground before sarcastically continuing on "Wow, your concern and assumption proves precisely. Yet, if I'm so forlorn and lost, you've just responded unkindly by not assisting me or correcting me. Why the absence of that needed help? Because I don't need it!"

"Don't try to falsely illustrate yourself! And don't disrespect your established partners of the contract –"

"Then don't disrespect me in return" Loki was much more calm but strong as he interrupted the Other. He despised others looking down on him and always wanted to be at higher position or the lowest he could bear was equal ground.

The Other had remained silent until they broke out a smirk. They felt almost amused by Loki's address but Loki was far from laughing. "Your father must be proud to hear that you're learning to not be such an insolent hypocrite. Then again, who would that be?"

That had done it for Loki. On sudden impulse of rage, Loki raised his scepter and pointed it towards the Other. Before he could even think, the scepter released a powerful blue ray of energy that directly hit the target. Loki felt the environment shake as the same individual that he shot at fell to the ground with a thud. His realization caught up with his mind and Loki couldn't help but suddenly dread in shock and fear.

The world also felt like it was shaking for Natasha. She had gripped her forehead multiple times to try and wane a particular ache that was developing. She had to blink and rub her blurry eyes and stretch her back. Natasha was so consumed with trying to snap herself from the weary state that it took her focus on the meeting away. All she could remember was mentions of schematics and information on the tesseract and the jump of topic to other superheroes that could be tracked down to join the team. Through that limited collection of knowledge, she had remained quiet but everyone had noticed.

"Agent Romanoff?" Natasha was surprised at the call made by Agent Hill. "You seem to be particularly distracted and agitated" Everyone's eyes were on Natasha and she gulped down nervously. "And you don't look…as well to normal standard. Have you contracted any illness?" Natasha furrowed her eyebrows at the sudden conclusion suggested by Agent Hill.

"No, I'm – I'm fine" she timidly pulled the right sleeve of her jacket tighter to cover her whole arm.

"Well your eyes don't say it. Metaphorically speaking and literally" Tony stated.

Natasha tried to look down but they had all caught glance with her as she went from each member on the table to accidently reveal her blood-shot eyes.

"And same with your arm. It did not look normal" She glanced at Steve who was on her left.

"How did you…see?" Natasha was trying to figure out how Steve saw her arm even though it was under the desk and he was on a fair angle far her on the circular table.

"You know, the particular way you were looking and where specifically as in the region on Agent Romanoff could link to some questionable intention or violating accusation" Tony always wanted to point out particular things especially against Steve.

"Which I bet is something you're familiar with as you do those types of things day to day" He refuted against Tony. He properly turned to Natasha. "Ma'am, I'm sorry if it does seem uncertainly violating but you were acting rather guarded and hiding something personal. It was only then when I saw that it involved something health related that it was majorly an issue that had to be pointed out"

"I wasn't hiding it" Natasha lied. It wasn't necessarily violating of Steve to want to see what was wrong. After all, he was a team-mate and just looking out for her. To talk about violating intention, Loki fit the title especially in relation to her.

"Would you mind showing me your arm?" Bruce was sitting on Natasha's right. It was a delay due to reluctance that she placed her arm upwards on the table after removing her glove and rolled her sleeve down. Everyone was staring intently anticipating the sight which was Natasha's blue traced, veined arm.

They all reacted in surprise seeing the full sight of her arm. Bruce adjusted his glasses and traced her veins in observation. Natasha saw all the other members with nearly horrified expressions. The veins on her arm were so visible in juxtaposition to her pale skin. "That is unusual" Bruce muttered as he flipped Natasha's arm over and back.

"It's nothing that bad" Natasha mentioned.

"How long has that infection been present and why didn't you alert about the need of medical attention?" Agent Hill was flustered over Natasha's health state.

"It's not an infection and…I'm not sure when it started. Maybe two weeks or so" Natasha had retrieved her arm from the doctor's hold and hid it again under her jacket sleeve. This was exactly the type of situation she wanted to dismiss: with all of them being overly concerned and attentive towards her.

"In my opinion, it most likely could be an infection. It seems to have stretched and spread from your hand particularly as the veins are most intense there in exposure. Do you have any idea what could've caused the infection?" Bruce was also quite extra observant being able to already diagnose her health state.

"I don't – I don't know" Natasha lied again feeling the pressure of everyone trying to pry the answer out of her. It felt like a much harder interrogation considering her ultimate secret and to link from there, her health issue.

The whole table burst abruptly into various voices and conversations which were initiated with the commencement of Tony's cynical rambles which were trying to be silenced by Steve's corrections. Even Thor was contributing some observations while Bruce was muttering and suggesting some illnesses to associate with Natasha's symptom. Agent Hill was also trying to yell over which left Natasha inaudible feeling that her head was being consumed by the rising ache again. She rubbed her head but felt a stab of pain in unison at the temples of her head and arm again. Now seeing her hand properly which was bare of a glove, she saw the faint blue glow that was at her arm when she checked earlier. Natasha winced feeling the headache intensify.

"Okay!" Agent Hill finally shut everyone on the table of their chatter. "I think it's settled then of our discussion with Agent Romanoff's condition. I suggest that you go to the medical department now to fix up the infection because you can pose a threat of contagion especially for the fact that you've held that condition for more than two weeks! You are dismissed from this meeting to go to the medical department"

Natasha didn't want to leave and neither did she want her now known condition to get in the way of work or entitle her as a threat. "It's only an internal infection. Surely I couldn't have infected other people through normal contact –" She was interrupted by the searing pain again in her head.

"Agent Romanoff, I suggest you take this as an order. Director Fury would say the same if he were present. You must go to the medical department now before it could possibly get worse"

She decided to avoid argument and leave so they would stop worrying. Also, it was honestly excruciating pain in her head. Maybe she could just grab some medicine like panadol to clear her head if that was what the others were truly insisting. She still felt that her arm wasn't as worrisome or major even with its unsightly appearance. Natasha stood up with her hand still holding her forehead. Things started spinning again as she kept hold of her chair.

"Whoa, you alright Natasha?" The concern from whichever one of the guys gave was muffled as she attempted to walk. It was an unsteady step she had taken and was starting to feel dizzy. Her line of vision wasn't straight as it was hazed by her diagnosed ailment and fatigue. It wasn't surprising that the effect of pulsations was increasing. It was hard to hide it though as she was trying to make her own way to the medical department or let alone, her own way out of this room away from the others.

"Do you need assistance to escort you Agent Romanoff?" Natasha was able to decipher the inaudible offer that was from Agent Hill but wished to dismiss it again.

"It's fine" she took another step and let go of the chair. Natasha couldn't hear anything now except for the thumping in her head and the softer ones in her arm.

Loki couldn't believe what he had just done. He was shocked at such a rash action and never thought he would actually commit it. It was a mix-emoted reaction for him as he felt calmer and relieved after a huge release of anger but he was anxious to an extent as how he released it could cost him something valuable. Such as his life. Ever since, he knew his life was in the balance after crossing to new territories. With these two conflicting emotions in mind, it was hard to try and feel proudly mighty.

The other being was slowly getting up but the escalating fury from them could be heard through the low snarling. Loki was gripping tightly on his scepter making sure to keep a good stance from collapsing. His heart rate was racing preparing for possible worst. Yet, he wasn't going to go down against the Other's prejudice without defense.

"You can't kill me!" Loki shakily yelled in resistance. "I point out again that this is a two way agreement and you can't expect to succeed if you automatically kill me. With my work that will go to waste, you will fall back again to the beginning. We had a deal and it is inevitable that we agreed on our sustained lives to carry out and achieve this ultimate plan. It's the code of co-operation and primarily, we shouldn't push each other to our limits" It felt like a decent argument on Loki's behalf and it all came out sufficiently in the mixed sensation of adrenaline and alarm.

"Perhaps you're right, I can't exactly kill you" Loki's fright was still present in his expression as the other being stood straight before him.

"But I can punish and make you suffer" A blue hand was unleashed and grabbed Loki's neck. The tension and pressure on his neck disabled any other sort of defense for himself including his ability to speak and use his scepter which had already fallen out of his hold.

"I've figured it out now" The foreboding voice uttered dominantly with Loki's dire position.

"I've been fed up with your kind and how you all say you're upper than all other classes. It must be why my patience is so run down and yet you try to order me to have a little more. Not a wise choice Asgardian"

He was suddenly lifted with his limp form dangling above the ground in the Other's frigid clutch.

"You assert yourself to be higher over such creatures like the mortals but you are just the same as them! Weak minded and unfocused. Delusional and demanding for your own difficulty"

Loki was defenseless having to bear the same shivering pain he experienced earlier before. He hardly could breathe again and he felt his racing pulse in his neck against the cold hand. Still resilient and trying to fight but Loki felt it could stand no longer anytime soon.

"I leave you on one final reminder Asgardian: you better act and perform with more speed and hurry the progress of this task or else we might as well find our own way to achieve both desired outcomes part of the agreement with an additional one of you being completely destroyed! I can promise that if you don't try harder!"

Then that was it. Natasha and Loki both hit the ground as the world ceased to remain visibly around them. It changed to a blur and dimness was limiting their vision and energy.

They couldn't even get up as the scenery around them reacted at their fall. The guys had huddled around the close to passing out Natasha and Loki was mystically being transported as the environment adjusted back to Earth from his meeting with the beings that he worked for.

With one defeated breath, their consciousness slipped into obscurity and mercifully, only it alone. Natasha and Loki's strength needed to shy away from the broad light and recover in the lonely, still darkness.

S/N:

I apologize if the other Avengers characters were out of character for a bit. I tried to think of things they would say so hopefully I captured them right especially Tony or Steve or Bruce or even Agent Maria Hill. Basically, anyone who talked and I promise you chapter 7 will come soon. It will be less action packed though and more of a filler as this one was completely whoa. Thanks again guys!