Author's Notes: I was apparently laughing too hard at Loki's prank on Tony when I proofed and posted Chapter 47 and I totally neglected to mention why the group did not have the tesseract with them on Midgard, and then when I sent them back to Asgard, I did not include Hogun in the group. My bad.

Fortunately for my peace of mind I discovered this error myself and went back and revised Chapter 47 online before my trusty readers could point it out to me. Phew! Much embarrassment averted! If you want to see how I handled the correction of those faux pas, go back and re-read Chapter 47. I wanted to get this note out there before you read this chapter, but I will have another note at the bottom!

Now…on to our regularly scheduled Chapter 48!

… …

The world disappeared in an unfortunately familiar flash of electric blue light. The nothingness pulled at her equilibrium and her stomach protested violently. Kara was so glad they hadn't eaten in the past few hours. She staggered as the Bifröst appeared beneath them, but managed to keep to her feet this time. Natasha was groaning in her arms; she set the other redhead down gently on the bridge and pushed her head between her knees. "Take deep breaths," she advised. "The nausea will pass in a minute or two." Hogun was helping Thor with Bruce and Clint while Loki held onto the Tesseract. She frowned and sent out a light projection of calm as she noticed how agitated the journey had made the scientist.

"Thanks, Kara," Bruce said quietly as the tenseness apparent in the set of his jaw eased. "I was about to lose it."

"That would be bad." She patted him absently on the shoulder as she looked around. Heimdall was standing, statue-like, his hands on the guard of his greatsword, those creepy eyes staring out into everything and everywhere. She grinned. "We're ba-ack. Did you miss us?" Loki choked back a laugh and shook his head with a grin. Thor stared at her, his mouth slightly agape.

"Asgard was not that same without you, your highness," the Guardian deadpanned. "I do not believe the crown received a single threat the entire span of your absence."

Kara laughed as she noted the twinkle in Heimdall's golden eyes. "Apparently everyone learned from my mistake. How is my father-in-law? I haven't had a chance to ask Thor."

"He is well, princess, and awaits you and your guests in the small dining hall. Prince Loki, welcome home," Heimdall greeted, turning his attention to her husband. "Will you introduce your new guests?"

"Thank you Heimdall. Yes, this gentleman is Dr. Bruce Banner, the Avenger who freed me from the Mad Titan. The lady is Natasha Romanov, known as The Black Widow. She is a skilled fighter and infiltrator, greatly respected by the organization that helped put the Avenger's team together."

"You are welcome, Lady Natasha, Dr. Banner. And welcome back to you, Lord Hawkeye. The All-Father and Lady Frigga will be well pleased by your return and to meet the rest of the team that has helped their sons."

Clint grinned. "We're glad they'll be able to, uh, enjoy Asgard's hospitality." Kara stared at him. "What?" he asked.

"So eloquent and so not like you."

She smiled as the archer flushed. "Well, Loki may have coached me."

Heimdall's chuckle rumbled about them. "You could do little better in a mentor when it comes to pretty speeches, my lord."

Thor was grinning as well. "There is a reason we call him Silvertongue," he agreed.

"Wait…it's because of how he talks? Huh, I thought…"

"Kara!" Loki scolded.

She gave him her best innocent look. "Yes?"

He sighed and turned her around to face the city. "You, my love, are in a rare mood." He leaned down to breathe in her ear: "Naughty girl."

"Don't pretend you don't love it," she murmured.

"Kara," he said in an equally soft voice. "I've already accepted I shall lose one of my titles to you, I'd rather not lose a second."

Laughing, she wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. "You won't. You will always be the best at mischief and the other aspects, too. I'm just in a weirdly giddy mood. I'm not sure what it is."

"You've come home, sister," Thor told her. "The very air is different in Asgard. Your body is now more Æsir than human and reacts accordingly; it revels in the feeling of being home."

She looked up at Loki who nodded. "He's right. Though it's not just the air, there is an energy in Asgard, in each of the realms, that resonates differently and welcomes those compatible with it." He shrugged. "I've never felt it as strongly connected here as my brother does, though now I know why. I felt the same connection, again, not strongly, when we followed Thor to Jötunheim, and now I understand that as well."

"Well, it's weird. You know I'm not usually this…way."

"I know. You'll become used to the feeling in time, and it will no longer affect you thus."

Clint snorted. "Good thing. I was going to ask Banner to check her out."

"Oh, come on. I'm not acting that off."

Natasha looked up from where she sat on the bridge, her face still pinched with nausea. "Yes, you are."

"Huh."

… …

Bruce frowned at the large horse they expected him to mount. He'd never been on a horse this big before. Actually, the last equine he'd been on had been a pony when he was a child. "This is not going to end well," he muttered to Hogun, who was holding the horse by its bridle.

Loki stepped close, shook his head and took hold of the…stirrup, that's what the thing was called. "All right; first, place your left hand on the base of your horse's mane and grab a good handful of it. Then place your left foot in the stirrup and place your right hand on the back of the cantle, that's the back edge of the saddle. You are going to push off, using the spring in your right leg and your momentum to propel yourself upright against the saddle so that you are standing, balancing on your left foot in the stirrup. Your hands should provide balance only, do not use them to pull yourself up. Once you are standing straight up with all of your weight in the left stirrup and your body resting against the horse's side, release your right hand from the cantle. You may place it on the horn if that makes you feel more secure. Then swing your right leg over the horse's back and gently lower yourself into the saddle and slide your right foot into the right stirrup. Got it?"

"Got it, I think." There was definitely no way this was going to end well, Bruce thought. He sighed and tried, really tried to follow Loki's instructions…and found himself lying on his stomach over the saddle. "Damn."

He heard a patient sigh from behind him. "You let your foot leave the stirrup. Grab the edges of the saddle on both sides of the horse and pull yourself upright and swing your right leg over. I'll guide your left back into the stirrup on this side. Thor, get on the other side and be ready to guide him there."

"Ready, brother," Thor told them. Bruce looked up at the beefy blonde who grinned at him. He was starting to understand why Loki hated that expression. It became irritating after a while.

"All right, doctor. Try it now," Loki advised.

He tried to do it; he really did, but found himself sliding off of the other side of the saddle. Fortunately Thor was prepared for exactly that and not only caught him but hefted him up into a seated position, straddling the beast. Loki grabbed him from the other side, and together the brothers stabilized his position. "Okay, I think I'm balanced now."

This time Loki's sigh had a longsuffering quality to it. "Don't try to take up the reins," he said as he lifted them up and over the horse's head. "Just hold on to the horn with both hands. We'll lead her."

Her? This huge horse was female? He looked around at the other horses. Hogun, Kara, Natasha and Clint were now mounted on horses about the same size as his that were either mares or geldings. Fandral, who had brought the string of them, was sitting on a slightly larger beast and holding the reins of two horses, one on each side of his, that were much larger still. The coal black one closest to him snorted loudly. Bruce looked down, yep, a stallion. The other, a cream colored behemoth, answered in kind while Fandral eyed them both nervously. Another stallion? Thor walked over and took the cream colored horse, mounted it smoothly and backed it away from the group. Another stallion, for sure. Loki moved to mount the ebony stallion, still holding the reins of his mare. "I thought it wasn't a good idea to have two stallions near a bunch of mares?" Bruce asked.

"It isn't, usually. But we raised and trained these two together. They tolerate each other…perhaps better than Thor and I do."

"Brother!" Thor called out, sounding affronted.

"Better than we have in the past, then." Loki tugged on Bruce's mare's reins and the horse obediently followed Loki's stallion. "We'll use a carriage on the way back," he promised.

… …

Odin smiled as he glanced at his excited queen. Frigga was all but bouncing in her seat. "One would think you had not seen our son in a century or more," he said.

She gave him a reproachful look. "Loki has been back amongst the mortals for a week with his magic restricted. While Heimdall says he has done well, I wish to know for myself how he fared…and in detail, not a dry report."

His smile turned indulgent as they heard a group approaching the doors to the small dining hall. "Well, then; you shall have your chance to ask."

The doors were thrust open by the pair of guards who waited without and Thor strode in, followed closely by Loki and his wife. The Warrior's Three and several mortals followed behind them, only one of whom Odin recognized. The two newcomers were staring at everything; the man quite blatantly, the woman's regard was more surreptitious. The one known as Hawkeye was smirking at the other two mortals, no doubt enjoying their awe. Odin reached for Frigga's hand as they stood. Thor dropped to his knees before them, pressing his right hand to his chest in salute. Loki bowed deeply and then followed Thor's example, and then whispered to his lady. "Kara, bow and kneel, you are a citizen of Asgard now."

Their daughter by marriage looked startled, but quickly bowed and then dropped to her knees and copied the brothers' salute. She looked up at him, wide-eyed. "Sorry," she said softly.

Odin smiled and nodded. "No need for apology, my daughter. It is our responsibility to instruct you as to your new obligations."

"Actually, All-Father," Loki said with a grimace. "It was my responsibility and you have my apology for neglecting it."

"I should have seen to it, father," Thor interjected. "The blame is…"

"Thor, will you stop taking the blame for my damned mistakes?" Loki snapped.

"I only thought to…"

"I know what you thought, and while I appreciate your having my back, I can and must answer for my own actions or lack of them. Please."

Frigga nudged him and he looked to her with chagrin. She had predicted the boys' actions yet again. Her smug smile was well deserved. "My sons," he said, turning back to them. "While it warms my heart to see the two of you supporting each other, no apology is necessary from anyone. This is not a formal court, no harm has been done; no offense has been given. Now rise and introduce your other friends."

Thor and Loki rose, as bid, and Loki gallantly assisted his lady in doing the same. The minx was biting her bottom lip, no doubt struggling to avoid voicing a complaint at what she likely considered to be an unnecessary courtesy, or a comment on the brothers' interaction. "Father," Thor began. "You remember Clint Barton, the Hawkeye."

"I do, welcome back."

The mortal bowed politely. "Thank you, your majesty."

"These good folk are the members of the Avengers that you had yet to meet. May I present Natasha Romanov, known as the Black Widow, and Dr. Bruce Banner, known as the Hulk," Thor continued.

The burgundy haired woman and the uncomfortable appearing man both bowed. "We have heard good things of both of you," Odin told them. "You, my lady, I am told are responsible for removing the Hawkeye from the scepter's influence. And you my lord, I am told, released my son from the Titan's reach."

The man flushed. "Uh, I guess you could call it that."

"What would you call it?" Frigga asked, sounding curious.

The other humans chuckled and the man looked even more embarrassed. "I-well, I just got a bit angry with him." They frowned and Odin gestured for him to continue. Banner shrugged. "We call it cognitive dissonance."

Frigga frowned and looked as confused as he felt. This time the hard-looking woman laughed outright. "He hit him in the head really hard," she said. "That's what I had to do to Clint, though I didn't need to make Clint-sized craters in a granite floor to do it."

Odin watched with barely suppressed amusement as Loki's eyes drifted shut and he sighed. "Do not think badly of him, mother. I did provoke him a purpose. He was the only one save Thor who could have done enough damage to free me." Loki looked at his brother, smiling slightly. "And Thor would have been too busy trying to win me over to do what I truly needed." He glanced back at the mortal. "I could have done without the puny god comment, however."

Banner grinned. "You were the one who gave the grandiose speech about being a god. It was deserved."

Loki smirked. "I suppose it was at that."

… …

Frigga could hear the affection in their voices. She smiled warmly and nodded to their guests. "We owe all of you a debt of gratitude and we thank you for visiting us. Have you recovered from the journey? If so, the evening meal is ready to be served." Only the woman called Natasha looked unsure about the prospect of a meal. She looked a bit queasy. "Perhaps we'll have mead brought in first. Lady Natasha, come with me and I'll get you something to settle your stomach."

The mortal redhead gave her a grateful look. "Thank you, your majesty. That trip was very unsettling."

"Some find it so; come with me. Kara, my dear, perhaps you should join us, I'm certain Eir would like to check on your progress."

"Yes, Frigga."

The young women followed her out the back exit and she led them toward the Hall of Healing. "Kara, I know forms of address are different on Midgard, but here in Asgard, you are now our daughter. Would it be too uncomfortable for you to call us mother and father?"

"Well, yes. On top of that, my parents abandoned me, so that would be kind of an insult."

That she had not known. Of course, other than Kara's love for her son and the girl's courage and honor, she knew relatively little about her. Their talk on her first visit centered mostly on Loki and how best to help him. "I see. Well, perhaps we can find some form of address you would be more comfortable with."

"Maybe."

She tried not to sigh at her new daughter's doubtful tone. The other woman's expression caught her attention. This Natasha was not feeling well at all. Missing a step as her vision shifted to the future, she felt Kara steady her. "Thank you dear." Well, well, she thought as she looked again at the mortal. Wasn't that interesting? They entered the Healer's wing and Frigga asked for Eir. The goddess came immediately.

"Your majesty, how may I be of service?"

"I have brought my daughter so that you may check on her progress. Also, this woman's stomach is unsettled after her journey to us. Could you find her a nausea remedy?"

"Of course, my lady. Your highness, please have a seat. And you, milady…ah…"

"Sorry, this is my friend, Natasha Romanov. She's a member of my team. Natasha, this is Lady Eir, the Norse goddess of Healing," Kara said quickly. "She's the one that healed my nervous system."

"Oh. Thank you for that. We were all worried about her," Natasha said.

"You are most welcome, Lady Natasha." Eir smiled at the woman's grimace. Frigga found herself smiling as well. "You are due honor here, my lady," Eir informed the woman. "Thus we shall address you as a noble of rank."

"I see. I find it…odd. The countries I have lived my life in do not recognize noble titles."

"Which doesn't mean Nat wasn't born to one. She was, she just didn't grow up having it used." The woman shot Kara an annoyed look. "She's directly related to the last emperor of one of the largest countries on Midgard."

"They didn't need to know that, Kara."

Kara shrugged. "It means something here; though they'd still consider you noble for your heroism." Natasha's frown was most thoroughly annoyed.

"Enough," Frigga decided. "Kara, come with me for a moment while Eir sees to your friend." As they passed the healer where she mixed a stomach remedy, Frigga whispered to the goddess "If I have seen a right, do not tell her yet." She touched her abdomen and waited for Eir to nod her understanding. "Come, Kara." She led the way into a back room, her daughter by marriage in tow.

… …

"Okay, mother, what are you up to?" Kara asked.

Frigga smiled gently. "Now was that so difficult?"

"Yes, excruciatingly. What's up with Nat, did you see something when you stumbled?"

"Ah, you've been told about my abilities. Loki?"

"No, Haakun. He told me you likely saw a pyrokinetic bride for Loki over a thousand years ago. I don't distract that easily, so spill."

"Spill what?"

Kara sighed. "Tell me what you saw."

"Answer a question for me first, my dear. Women who are warriors such as this Natasha generally give their heart to only one person or to no one. Which is it in her case?"

"Um, well, she loved her former husband until he went along with staging his death and then becoming an evil bastard. Now she's in love with Hawkeye." Kara shrugged. "She's as faithful to him as her job has allowed, from what she's said. Why?"

Frigga looked appalled. "Her job requires her to be unfaithful to the man she loves?"

"Her job with S.H.I.E.L.D. did, but she resigned. Having to do that was kind of a last ditch effort to get a job done, though. I don't think she's had to go through with it for a few years…again, why?"

"Ah. Good."

Kara's eyes narrowed. "Did you see…is she…?"

"I do not know if she is with child, but based on my seeing, she will have a child within the next year or so."

"Holy crap. And since her stomach won't settle down, she probably is. Wait, is traveling between the realms hazardous to a pregnant woman?"

"Not this early in the pregnancy, no. I would say after the first half it should be avoided."

"Oh, thank God. Uh…" Kara frowned. "I keep saying that, and it feels weird now."

Her mother-in-law smiled. "It shall be even odder when you are fully Æsir and are named a goddess."

"So you did see that." Frigga nodded. "Lovely. The team is never going to let me hear the end of it. That's assuming it happens in their lifetimes, it could be decades before I'm fully Æsir, right?"

"Normally it would be, but that's doubtful with you. Eir can tell us more after she's examined you. Now, shall we rejoin your friend?"

"Sure." Kara followed the goddess back into the main room where Natasha was sitting, looking less queasy. "Feeling better?"

"Much," Nat answered.

"Your highness, I'll take a look at you after your meal," Eir said and then turned to Frigga. "You are correct, as always, my queen."

"Ah, good. Kara, why don't you have a chat with Lady Natasha? Come along Eir."

Kara's jaw dropped as Frigga ushered Eir out of the room and firmly shut the door behind them. "That sneaky bitch," she fumed, yanking open the door. The two goddesses had already disappeared around a corner. "Damn it."

"Who are you calling a sneaky bitch, Kara?" Loki asked.

She turned to see him coming up the hall from the other direction. "Your mother. She just stuck me with…damn it to hell."

Loki's eyebrows rose. "Hmm. I'll agree she can be manipulative. But she is not…"

"Don't start. I'm pissed and I'm calling her a bitch in lieu of saying something threatening. I'm trying really hard to behave myself here."

He smirked. "I'll applaud your effort then. Can I help, love?"

"No, but thanks. I have to talk to Natasha. We'll be back in a bit." She pushed up on her toes to kiss him and then turned back to the door.

"I'll be waiting."

… …

"What's wrong?" Natasha asked when Kara returned.

"My mother-in-law just pissed me off."

"That much I could tell."

Kara stared at her, normally sparkling eyes dark and broody. "Have you and Clint ever thought about having kids?"

"Never; in our profession, that isn't an option. Any children are either a target for your enemies, or you die before they're grown. Plus, pregnancy makes infiltration or combat problematic."

"You're in a different profession now. No infiltration duties, you're a semi-public figure. Any kids you might have would be surrounded by superheroes, so would be pretty safe, and you could take time out from combat to have them and spend extra time with them while they're small."

She shrugged. "I've resigned myself to never having children. I suppose it could be an option now, but not one I've thought about."

"You need to start thinking about it, like immediately," Kara told her.

"Why? Oh, please. I was nauseous from that wormhole, I'm not pregnant." Natasha frowned as Kara lifted one eyebrow and stared at her. "Don't be ridiculous. All S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel receive a monthly contraceptive injection. It's more than ninety-seven point eight percent effective when only one partner receives it. When both are on it, the protection rate exceeds ninety-nine point nine percent."

"Nat, you're not S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel any more. When's the last time you got your shot?"

Natasha frowned as she thought about it. "The day Loki showed up in Central Park, that's why Clint and I were at headquarters and able to get a Quinjet and head out there so quickly."

"That was nearly two months ago, and I know you've had your cycle since then, you borrowed tampons from me nearly four weeks ago, so the drugs would be well out of your system already."

It had been that long. She looked down at her still flat stomach. "Bozhe moy."

"Your EPT came back positive," Kara said with a grin and shrugged at her sharp look. "Eir confirmed it, I mean. So…that means you have a decision to make."

"Krovavyĭ ad." She stared at the wall that was covered in a soothing blue material and resisted the urge to stalk over to it and rip it to shreds.

"Nat? Look, if you need time to think about it, I won't tell anyone. I'll make sure Frigga and Eir keep quiet too, even if I have to threaten their asses."

"Don't threaten your mother-in-law. Even I think her husband is scary."

Kara chuckled. "Well, don't tell them this, but they both scare the crap out of me. I guess I'm a little more quick with the threats when I'm afraid."

"That's normal." She shook her head, still trying to deal with the turmoil. "I need to tell Clint."

"Don't you want to decide what you want first?"

Natasha gave her friend a patient look. "It's his child too. I won't deny him the opportunity to voice his opinion. I won't let him dictate my final decision, but he has the right to know and help me decide."

"Okay. Do you need to deal, or should I go get him?"

"I-It's best not to delay."

"Got it. Stay put, I'll go find him."

She sighed as she watched Kara stride from the room. "Bozhe moy."

… …

Kara pulled the door closed behind her and stopped abruptly. Loki was leaning against the far wall with an expression that was a cross between astounded and gleeful. "You were listening," she accused.

"Of course I listened. I'm not deaf."

"You could have been polite and walked far enough away to not hear us."

He shrugged. "I could have, but then I would not know what had happened. This was far more fun."

She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine. Now you know why I'm pissed with your mother. She stuck me with telling Nat."

"I thought Natasha was your friend."

"She is."

"Wasn't it best that her friend shared the news with her rather than a stranger?"

Damn it. He was right. "Frigga could have said that instead of just taking off like a bat out of hell," she groused.

"True. Shall I go retrieve the Hawk for you, love?"

"Yes, please. Make sure he has a nice stiff drink first. And see if you can relieve him of his weapons without him knowing it."

Loki snorted. "The man has enough right to be paranoid in my presence without me attempting sleight of hand upon his person. But the drink I can manage. Mead was being served when I left to find you."

"Okay. Damn, too bad I can't get Nat drunk now; that would make this a lot easier."

"Really, Kara," Loki said as he headed back to the dining hall. "Use a projection to settle her down if that is in her best interest."

She shook her head as she turned to open the door. No, she wasn't going there. It smacked too much of manipulating people for her own comfort. She didn't have the right. The door opened and Nat looked up at her. The other redhead's eyes were dry but haunted. "Scared?" she asked.

"Terrified. How am I going to tell him?" She frowned. "Wait, I thought…"

"I ran into Loki before I got too far down the hall. He's going to get Clint for me."

"Ah." Nat bit her lip. Kara had never seen the woman this emotional; it was a hell of a blow to her own balance. "I have no idea how he'll take the news, whether he'll be angry, frightened…I don't know what to expect from him."

"And you are the one who almost always knows what to expect from everyone, no wonder you're nervous. Look, Nat…Clint loves you. He's not going to be angry. Shocked, sure; scared, no doubt. Hell, we'll be lucky if he doesn't faint on the spot."

Natasha gave her a wry grin. "That's a distinct possibility."

"Well, we're in the Healer's wing, so it's a good place for it." Nat was smiling now. The fear was still in her eyes, but she was starting to see the humor of the situation. "You up to breaking the news?"

The assassin snorted inelegantly. "Were you?"

"Good point. Do you want me to stay while you tell him?"

"Hmm. Not in the room, but could you stay nearby?"

"Sure. Eir's office is through that door over there. I'm sure she won't mind if Loki and I wait there. If she does, she can bite me. I'm not much happier with her than I am with Frigga just now."

"Thanks."

… …

"Can you hear them?" Loki asked, trying not to smirk too broadly. Kara was lounging in a comfortable reading chair that at by a small set of overloaded bookshelves.

"No, and you shouldn't listen," his lady informed him sternly. "They deserve privacy for this."

"Where is the fun in that?" he asked, chuckling when she glared at him. "Besides which, if Barton faints, they'll need our help."

"I doubt he'll faint, barf maybe, but not faint. And you won't be much help, you'll be too busy laughing at him to do him any good whatsoever."

"No? Isn't there a saying on Midgard that laughter is the best medicine?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "That's only true if the person who needs the medicine is the one laughing; being laughed at only makes things worse. Would you want him to laugh if I got pregnant and you were shocked into fainting?"

He stared at her, all of the humor draining from him. "I wouldn't be shocked into fainting. I'd be on my knees before you, either begging you to keep our child if you wished to do otherwise, or thanking you for giving me a child if you did wish to keep it." Her reaction did make him smile again, though sadly. Taking a step closer, he took her chin in his hand and guided her mouth closed. "You don't want children, I suppose."

"Loki, we can't. The power going back and forth like it does…even Odin said it would be too dangerous."

He sighed. "I know." Tugging her to her feet he took her place in the chair and pulled her back down and onto his lap. "One day, when my sentence is served, would you be willing to give me a child? I cannot tell you it would be safe, even then. We'd be mixing three distinct species…"

"No, only two by that time; I'll be fully Æsir in a couple of decades according to Eir. And your birth mother already managed it, so it should be okay."

"But that's just it," he said bitterly. "We don't know that she managed it. My birth could well have killed her, we do not know."

"Hela's mother was Jötnar and managed to carry a three quarters Jötnar baby. I don't think having a three quarters Æsir child would be any more difficult for an Æsir mother."

"But what if our child shifted forms in your womb? Your body might automatically try to warm you, both of you might die."

Her eyes closed and she sighed, then she tucked her head into his shoulder. "Loki, we can't even think about it for over a hundred years. I refuse to worry about it until then…that way literally lays madness. We can ask Eir to research it and think about it. She'll get it figured out long before we're free to start a family, it will be okay."

"And if it's not?"

His own eyes were closed at this point; he hadn't realized how badly he wanted a child with Kara until he listed to Clint Barton being told he had fathered a child. He felt his lady's soft lips caress his cheek. "If we can't have our own, and we want to raise a child, we'll find one we can adopt. If it is okay, then we'll have a baby together."

"I'd like that, very much, if you do not mind."

Kara chuckled quietly. "Oh, Loki, I absolutely insist."

… …

"Jesus, Natasha; are you sure?" Clint asked, trying desperately not to hyperventilate.

"The Norse goddess of Healing is sure. I imagine that's a bit more accurate than a test kit from a pharmacy."

"This is really bad." He frowned as she grimaced, turned away from him and headed for the door. "What did I say?" He hurried after her. "Nat, don't walk out on me, I'm in shock here."

"And you don't think I'm in shock?"

"Well, sure. But I'm not the one running away from you. Jesus. How could we keep a baby safe? What if someone comes after us and hurts our kid?"

She looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Is that your only problem with it?"

He didn't know what she meant by that. "Um, yeah. That's a pretty big damn problem."

"So, if we could reasonably guarantee our child's safety, would you want it?"

Clint frowned. A baby, his and Natasha's baby…a little life that was part of both of them. Wow. "I-I guess maybe I do."

"Maybe? Clint, you can't say maybe. A child is an enormous responsibility. If you aren't certain you want that responsibility, you need to say so, now. There are no second chances on something like this and you can't wait until later to decide."

"Nat, I love you. I don't want you to have to go through with a pregnancy just because I like the idea of a miniature one of us to spoil. Babe, it's your body, that makes it your decision. But if you want to go ahead, if that's cool with you, I-I think it's great. I'll do anything I can to make it easier for you."

Natasha pursed her lips as she stared him down. "You're changing the diapers."

"Huh? Uh, okay. But wait, what about the safety issue?"

"Seriously, Clint? We'll be living with a Norse god and a woman who will eventually be one herself and in the meantime could probably kick the ass of at least half of the existing pantheon. And the Norse god's brother will be coming and going. Add Captain America, Iron Man and the Hulk into the mix. No one is going to get close enough to our baby to harm it. If we find out anyone is even thinking about it they'll find themselves in a world of hurt."

… …

The assassins were taking a long time with their discussion. Kara could feel her stomach complaining, but she didn't want to disturb them so she had burrowed into Loki's shoulder and tried to rest. Finally the door flew open and they both jumped. "Hey, I'm going to be a dad!" Clint crowed.

Kara smiled. "You didn't faint, wow, I'm impressed."

"Yeah, well, it was a near thing. I almost upchucked too, but I kept the mead down…barely."

"Good for you. So you're both okay?" She leaned to the side to see past him. Nat was standing there, still looking nervous, but wearing a small smile.

"Yeah, we're great…uh," Clint turned to look at Natasha. "Aren't we?"

"We're good," she agreed, that smile widening.

"Congratulations, both of you," Loki said softly. Kara frowned as she felt his underlying sadness.

"Thanks, man." Clint was giving Loki an odd look. "Loki, you okay?"

Out of the corner of her eye she saw him nod. His mouth was tightly drawn and he said nothing. "Um, Clint…he's happy for the two of you, really. We were just kind of down for ourselves. Because of the whole key business, I'm not going to be able to have children until his magic can be released permanently. That's going to be a while. So I guess we're, well, envious."

"Oh, crap. Jeez, I'm sorry."

Loki stood and set her on her feet. He held out a hand to Clint who took it. Kara tried not to smile as they did the manly hand clasp, clap on the shoulder thing. "Kara's right. I do envy you, but I wish you all happiness. Please, let me know if there is anything I might do to help."

"Same goes for me, but I draw the line at changing diapers," she told them.

"Damn. I was hoping to pawn that off on you guys," Clint grumped.

"No such luck." They stood awkwardly for a minute. "Well, Nat, if you're stomach's feeling better; the food is probably ready for us. I don't know about you guys, but I'm starving."

"It's much better," Nat said and nudged Clint sharply.

"Huh? Oh, right. "Um…" he flushed and looked at Loki. "Look, I know I'm the last person you'd expect to ask you this, considering, well, everything…" he trailed off with an extremely odd expression.

"Clint," Nat said in a warning tone.

"Yeah, I'm getting to it." He looked up again. "I, well, we'd be honored if the two of you would agree to be our baby's godparents."

Kara took a half step back in shock. Clint was right; he was the very last person she'd have expected to ask Loki to be his kid's godfather. Thor, sure, even Tony…Steve and Bruce, well, maybe but not likely. But Clint? Whoa. She stole a glance at her husband. His shock was showing on his face; his eyes were wide and his jaw had dropped noticeably. "I…that is quite an honor," he half-whispered. "I do not think it wise under the circumstances, but I am grateful for the thought."

"Why not?" Natasha asked sharply.

Loki stared at her and swallowed. "I am a convicted criminal…the charges in a court on your world would have been multiple counts of murder, not to mention aggravated assault. Should aught happen to the two of you, the authorities on Midgard would fight my taking custody of your child."

Both Clint and Natasha looked shocked at that. Kara couldn't blame them, it wouldn't have occurred to her either. Nat licked her lips with narrowed eyes. "We'll get Stark Industries' legal counsel on it. If they can work it out, will you, both of you, accept?"

Kara looked up at Loki. She lowered her shields, just a bit, and could feel his yearning. Giving him an encouraging hug she turned to the waiting couple. "If legal can get it cleared, we'd love to."

… …

Author's Notes: SURPRISE! At least, I hope you're surprised. I was certainly surprised when I was well into writing this chapter and Natasha wouldn't let me write her recovering from her nausea. When I figured out why, I nearly fell over. I'm sure my reaction was nothing compared to Clint's. On to the next!