The next morning was a late start for everyone after an evening of numerous bodies being successfully stuffed with warming alcohol and exquisitely mouth-watering food. A hasty breakfast had been scheduled due to the fact that today; the holiday began.

Even though the avengers were incredibly active and their power came from the variety of skills of member of the team possessed it was nice to mix things up a bit, so today the entire team were going to be endearing a Asgardian training session. Natasha was really excited, mostly because she'd excelled in Midgardian training for her entire life and it would be interesting to try something new. However, last night had dampened her mood slightly; 1 she was extremely tired from her...night with Rogers - which she couldn't help but smirk about - 2 Henderson was going to be there. Despite Steve promising he'd try to not act the same way, Henderson is basically a God so Natasha wasn't that sure on how Steve's plan would work out and 3 Romanoff was disappointed in the excitement she had for the chance to see Henderson again.
She would have been lying to herself if she tried to make out that she didn't want to see him again, he intrigued her. Mostly because she wasn't sexually attracted to him like everybody else had warned, she didn't know if that was because of her love for Steve or because Henderson didn't actually want Natasha. Why would he anyway? Sure Natasha is beautiful but she's a Midgardian. Maybe it was a mixture of both, but Nat couldn't help the pastry of anticipation baking in her stomach and she knew that it would only end up coming out burnt or raw.

The training room, or rather arena, was covered in a metallic like shine which fell from the ceiling to the floor. There were several large mats spread out in the top right corner and other than a hand full of weapons attached to the wall and a group of people the arena was empty. It was a very simplistic design.

Natasha and the avengers gulped stepping up to the Asgardians; Thor was stood with his friends, smiling brightly at all his friends. Instead of the God of Thunder leading this discussion though, Sif stood forward. "I hope you all had a pleasant evening." Sif gave Romanoff a side glance which said, I know you did. "To further welcome you to our realm we believe you should undertake some Asgardian training. It is also a tradition of ours to show the guests how it is done, therefore, fellow friends of Thor, prepare to have your arses kicked!"

Tasha felt the impulse of silenced laughter pass through both Stark and Barton's bodies but as soon as it began it was stiffened by a wisp of anger radiating off Henderson's towering physic. Nat could feel the tense building in the room and didn't need to be told that two of her teammate's emotions were being medalled with.

Sif was not amused by the God's attempt at defence and continued her explanation with little room for anything but cold to roll off her tongue and hit Henderson like an arrow to the heart. "You will each be paired up with an Asgardian based on strength, ability and intelligence." Sif then rattled off the pairs without missing a beat:

"Steve - Sif
Tony - Hogun
Clint - Fandral
Bruce - Volstagg
Natasha - Henderson"

Romanoff couldn't help but raise her eyebrows at being paired with Henderson, and she wasn't surprised when Steve's fists burned brighter than the sun, tension passed like a ball of gravity pulling the three stunned silhouettes together. Nat felt the need to reassure him but couldn't move for fear or stumbling or giving off the wrong impression. So Natasha asked the only question she hoped could dampen the scoring heat. "What about Thor?" Her voice came out in a tiny whisper daring to fill the massive stadium of silence before her.

Thor stepped forward, "I will be judging and correcting and..." he glanced at Stark and Banner "On first aid duty!"

Natasha was dressed in tight yoga pants - which left little to the imagination - a silky thermal vest with a wire of netting and silver armour over the top. Her soft crimson locks were tied back in a small ponytail. (She hated tying her hair up, however Steve loved it) She spaced out on the matt before Henderson, briefly seeing the rest of her team staring with worried glances. Thor almost looked nauseas.
Natasha smiled at Henderson and saw the concern in his own verdant hues; she felt a need to assure him and smiled fondly to say 'don't worry about them!'

However Romanoff didn't dare glance at Steve for fear for what she'd pull from his patronisingly innocent orbs. Sif strongly stood in the centre of the matt, her eyes barely glimpsing over Hender's now cowering figure but staring steadily at Tasha, almost like she was warning her.
Natasha just smirked and eyed Barton sharing and receiving a wink, just before turning her attention back to her opponent she cast her surveillance over a shadowed silhouette, she grimaced as Loki stumbling into the arena sniggering like a classic school boy.

'Oh, about to battle are we?' Loki stalked closer to the eye-rolling avengers.
Thor blurted out, beating Stark by a miler second, 'Just treating our guests to some Asgardian training.' Loki nodded eagerly exaggerating his pride at the avengers learning how to battle the way he learnt how to battle.

He spoke loudly, silencing the entire palace 'Well, I wish you good luck. I've seen this warrior in battle and believe me the odds aren't in your favour!' Natasha turned as if to bit off his head but Bruce muttered
'I think you're under-estimating Natasha's skills, after all she played a big part in saving Earth from your luny schemes!'

Loki grinned 'Not as big a part as mine! And actually I was advising my cousin Henderson of Ms Romanoff's specific skill set.' Nat growled and stared down at Loki and his bittersweet expression.

'Thank you Loki now if you're staying please be silent or else!' You could easily see that he wanted to bit Sif's head off but after the minute long glare they shared he remained silent. 'Natasha...Henderson...ready on three...one!" Natasha steadied her stance and watched Henderson stiffen his legs.
"Two!" She could tell he was trying to read her, see what her first move would be, she almost smiled.
"Three!"

She felt the room finally breathe when the pair lunged, as she rolled from the side of Henderson's punch. Kicking him hard in the chest she dropped backwards onto her back, flexing her legs over her head and then springing back to her feet. Henderson side stepped another kick from Tasha and grabbed her foot. Then letting his weight pull them backwards he rolled to the ground, pulling Natasha with him.

She felt her body collide with his for a second before straining to lift above his toned physic, cautious of Steve watching. Swiftly and quickly Tasha used his strength against him, resting her hands on his biceps and pushing off she managed to flip herself forward and landing on her feet. Momentarily pausing for breath and spying Sif staring at her, Nat felt a blush form on her cheeks and began to feel gratitude for Henderson aiming to flip her feet out from under her so she could dance in the gazes of her admirers without having to look at them.

She dodged and jumped as his legs elegantly swept against the floor. However she over measure one leap and whilst in mid-air he ceased his chance and wrapped his hand around Romanoff's foot. Yanking her to the ground, he hastily jumped down on top of her, pining her into the ground.
This is where Natasha began to struggle, she usually exhausted herself getting Steve's build off her body - and normally she didn't want to - but Henderson was a lot bigger and heavier.

For a long time nothing happened and what would have otherwise been awkward silence was filled with huffing and puffing. As exhausted lungs tried to catch up to the winning heart in the never ending race.
Her blood was sonic booms pounding in her ears and she again felt the similar feeling of being so close to an attractive, sweaty, hot beast and yet not feeling any need to flirt or try to catch his attention.

If anything Tasha felt almost...safe.

Her eyes met with Hender's and she smiled up, stealing his attention briefly and finally finding the strength within her fluttering stomach and aching bones to lift his waist with her hips and thighs, once he started to rise in the air she wiggled free from his grip and used his heavy weight and her discovered will - to prove to a undoubtedly frustrated Steve that she wasn't interested in Henderson or more importantly that he wasn't interested in her - to flip him forward.

Abruptly Henderson followed after her and their fight soon came to hand to hand. Involving a lot of dodging, ducking, rolling and jumping. Finally Natasha kicked him in the stomach, which stunned him slightly.
Taking her opportunity Nat kicked his head and shoved him down to the ground, however his right hand tangled itself in her arm and around her waist so they collided to the ground. With Natasha on top.

Anticipation bubbled in her eyes as they stared at each other, for a blink of a second Nat saw determination on the horizon of his hue. But then they both felt the stares of the huddled group staring down at them and collapsed against each other in exhaustion. Breathing heavily and in sync with each other, Tasha rolled off his chest and lay next to him, then their eyes met and a bundle of laughter escaped from their pounding chests.

His hand wrapped around Natasha's and he spoke in a proud voice
"You my friend are not to be messed with. I swear, with intelligence, strength and beauty as strong as yours...you must be a Goddess. Thor I'm surprised you haven't engaged with this one!"

What was attempted as humour only erupted a chuckle from Stark, Loki and Volstagg. Clint attempted to hide his grin from Rogers, Bruce as well as Thor's other friends had forlorn stoney canvases and as for Steve...he looked murderous.

The following battles were almost energy less, Black Widow's had definitely been the most tense and the longest: Clint and Fandral had been very entertaining; their battle had been quick, swift, elegant, graceful, a little rough around the edges, but all together neat and tidy. It reminded Natasha of a dance routine, the way their bodies had sort of worked together during the fight, so they could knock each other down by help each other up; so nobody actually got hurt. It was beautifully haunting.

Bruce and Volstagg's had been...non-existent. They'd looked at each other a minute before they were scheduled for the matt and just shook their heads and that had been the end of that.

A very entertaining 'battle' was Stark and Hogun, for a while they'd circled each other and then when Hogun took a step forward Tony would take one back. But when Stark had taken a step forward Hogun had held his ground and then Tony would back off again. Finally Hogun had gotten bored and charged Tony but Stark fell to the floor before Hogun reached him claiming to have twisted his ankle, this made Loki laugh and roll on the floor practically in tears. Which had sort of been a painful pleasure to witness.

The finale pair was Steve and Sif, it was obvious Sif was rearing to go. To prove that Asgardian's could in fact beat highly skilled Midgardians and Natasha got the impression that it was pointed slightly at her and Henderson. There was definitely unfinished business there.
Their battle was the second longest and at the beginning Steve was badly loosing, not because Sif was better; because Steve was a lifeless limp form with a plastered frown that made him look his actual age.

However as soon as he caught Henderson whispering to Natasha, Fandral and Clint he same how came to life. Like a puppet cutting the strings. Long story short he ended up kicking Sif's arse, which didn't leave her very pleased. Especially when it was obvious that Henderson was trying to multiple Steve so Sif would win, but to no avail.

However, when Henderson ran towards her after to see if she was okay and she devilishly ignored him she turned away from him with a smile brighter than the sun.