As they made plans for Thor, Tony, Barton, and Natasha to fly out to Sweden, where Thor's brother had last been seen, the thunderer filled them in on what was happening and why he'd lied to them about Loki's death. They'd taken up residence in the kitchen, Thor at the table, Tony and Clint sitting on the bar stools, facing the broad blond man, with Nat sitting on the other side of the table watching them stare at one another for some time. Were they going to say anything? Thor took a deep breath, looking down at his hands at first

"After my brother fell I searched tirelessly for him, and managed to find a hint of his magic. The three months I was gone and I told you that I'd gone to Asgard?" He asked, his brow pulled into a deep frown as Tony's expression darkened, not having liked being lied to. It certainly didn't help raise his ideals of the demigod, as though the man's crappy mood hadn't been detrimental enough.

"Yes, I remember it. We really needed you in one of our few team bonding missions." Well, they were supposed to be team bonding. What had resulted was a lot of cursing. Clint winced at the memory.

"Yeah, that sucked," he muttered.

"Well I apologize again for my absence," Thor said with a sigh, seated opposite the trio, Nat watching them each with an open expression. Huh. It must've been bad if Clint was frowning that way, his fingers tightening, then relaxing. The same, almost, how Tony's own fingers were tapping out a fierce rhythm. Did they have issues with sitting still when they were angry? It would surprise her, she supposed. From what she'd seen they worked pretty high risk jobs-the whole spy thing, and fighting thing that Tony was hinting at-so she supposed it made sense that they were always so high strung.

"Either way. I traced him back down to Sweden," Thor continued, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the table. "And he asked me to keep out of his business. He wishes to remain unknown, especially to SHIELD. Though I explained to him that Director Fury would rather know about him than for him to remain unknown and a possible threat, he made me swear not to break my silence. But for Natasha's sake I fear I cannot keep it quiet for very long, but we must not tell anyone else within the organization that we are visiting, or even that he is alive." His blue eyes sought theirs, keeping Tony's. The man looked scandalized.

"What?"

"C'mon Tony, you're good at a lot of things but not really at keeping secrets, if we're honest," Clint said. "You've got your strengths and you're amazing with weapons and inventing. But keeping your mouth shut?"

"I'm working on it," Tony growled, tensions rising once more. Nat frowned as she looked over to the pair of them, confused. Why were they so eager and quick to distrust one another?

"I thought we were supposed to be a team," she murmured, her head tipping ot the side. "That's what you said, Tony, that they were supposed to send you all on a way to build the team."

The silence deepened, mulled over between them all with curiosity and a certain sorrow, Natasha thought. The way that Clint's eyes flashed and Tony's lips quirked downwards, how Thor's shoulders loosened behind her. Had she said something wrong?

"You're right, Tash," Clint murmured. "You're right. We've just gotta work at it."

"And we'll get there," Tony muttered.

"Certainly," Thor agreed, not wanting to let the others down by not responding. Nat just smiled and nodded. Well, good. She hoped so. She didn't want to get her memories back and come to this craziness. She asked Thor to continue his story, smiling encouragingly as she reached out to take his hand in hers. He looked far too stressed for his own good.

"I hope that Loki is still where I left him," Thor murmured. "I am sure that he will know something to fix this problem, even if it is not magic in origin."

"You're sure?"

"I hope so. I know little else to do," he admitted with the shake of his head, squeezing Nat's hand tightly. "Though if there is anything else I can do to help please ask me and I will do all that I can to assist. I did not forget that it was you who sent Barton to assist in the defeating of the frost giants some few months ago."

Oh, well at least he didn't forget, because she obviously had no idea what he was talking about. So she simply smiled and nodded, assuring him it had been no problem before looking over to Clint. It hadn't been, right? He didn't say a word, just gave a one-armed shrug.

Jarvis came on the intercom moments later to tell them that the plane was ready for take off, the flight plan set for Stockholm, Sweden, a half day travel from where Thor thought Loki still was.

"When I get closer I will be able to find him via his magic," he assured them, and Nat gave him her most grateful smile. He returned it. "I am sure he would not hide from me again."

No one said anything. As Thor had said, there was little else to do besides hope.

Sweden, Natasha thought, was a nice country all around. The people seemed pleasant, and the traffic wasn't bad as Tony hailed a cab from the airport they'd landed in, smiling when he was rewarded with a shout of surprise at having Tony Stark in his car. Nat couldn't understand what the big hubbub was-it was just Tony, after all-but they got the ride free at least, Thor feeling out where his brother was supposed to be. Squished in next to Barton, Tony up in the front seat schmoozing the driver and Thor on the other side of the backseat, Nat watched the cars around them pass by, smiling to think how careless everyone else's lives must've been. It was curious that she should feel so care free, too, when there was so much at stake when it came to finding Loki.

"Are you doing alright?" Barton asked, leaning over to squeeze her hand. She nodded, smiling.

"Yeah. Just fine. Why?"

"Just making sure," he promised her with a wave of his hand as he smiled and went back to counting the minutes until they were supposed to be there.

They ended up in front of a police station, teeming with activity as sirens blared around them and cars came and went. Tony tipped the driver generously, despite the man's protests he didn't need it, and Nat suspected it was for his silence. The last thing they needed, she supposed, was word that Tony had come to Sweden. It would only attract attention, which Thor had said was the last thing that Loki had wanted. The blond led the way inside the tall police building, asking the responder at the desk for a Magnus Martinsson. She smiled and pointed them into the main room, where a curly haired blond man was bent over something or other. That was Loki?

She'd thought he'd look . . . well, more like Thor, she supposed. Asgardian, or whatever that meant. He was reserved, though, blue eyes turning almost immediately at the sound of Thor's voice as his lips pulled into a tight line. Uh-oh. That wasn't a good sign, was it? Nat shuffled near the back, hiding herself behind Barton, who squeezed her shoulder as the others came to stand in front of Magnus.

Another man, this one older, with sandy blond hair and glasses, looked confused as he stared from one group to the man working under him. "Magnus? Who are all these people?"

"It's alright Ken," the man-Magnus, murmured. "Acquaintances."

"I do not mean to interrupt but might we have a word with ?" Tony asked, deciding it best to take point. Magnus'-or Loki's, whoever's, eyes turned to him, and with a start of recognition they all seemed to realize at the same time who was standing in front of them.

"Uh, yeah. Sure," the other man, Ken, said. "Magnus take them to room number three? I think one and two are being used for interrogations still."

Oh, goodie. An interrogation room. Loki nodded and beckoned them to follow, his shoulders squared and his jaw set tight. Clint stayed close to Natasha the whole while, helping her keep the distance from the one who was supposed to help. She didn't mind. From what she'd heard from Thor he was a genius, but one with a nasty mouth and a tongue of silver used to pierce his enemies. She didn't want to be that. As promised the room they were led to was empty, and Loki brought in extra chairs before walking over to the wall and pushing a button. The lights dimmed a little, and Stark made some clever remark about mood lighting before Loki rejoined them.

"What do you want, Thor?" He demanded, his eyes locking onto the man said to be his brother. Nat supposed she could see it-the blond hair and the eye color and height, though for as built as Thor was, the other was wiry. She couldn't imagine he was any less lethal, though. "I told you to leave me alone."

"I know you did, brother-."

"Don't call me that," Loki hissed, eyes narrowed and taking a couple steps backwards. "I'm not your brother, Thor. I am, however, tired. Tired and wishing you were gone."

"We need your help, Loki," Thor said quickly, obviously not quite sure he'd get the chance to again. The man opposite him narrowed his eyes. He sighed and looked around to the group.

"Who's been cursed?" He asked, looking at them one by one.

Slowly, cautiously, Natasha stepped out from where Barton had been shielding her, her blue eyes unsure as they met Loki's. For half a moment she thought she saw his gaze soften, but whatever it was faded quickly. He took a couple steps towards her as well, and behind her Natasha could practically feel Barton tensing up. She looked back at him, trying to smile and say that everything was alright, when a hand reached out to take her chin and she was forced to look into Loki's blue eyes as well. Before her eyes he shimmered-actually shimmered with green light-and his appearance changed. He paled, considerably, his hair darkened and straightened out though she could see some curls near the sides and very back of his now pitch black hair, and his eyes became very, very green. She felt heat rising to her cheeks as she caught herself staring, openly, and the soft chuckle that resounded only fanned the flames.

"What happened to you?" He asked, tipping her chin further up and to the sides, as though looking for something, running a hand slowly through her red hair. Wherever his hand went the same green light followed, his long fingers tangling in her hair. The heat in her face only intensified, dammit all.

"Uh, apparently I can't remember anything about, well, anything," she said, tongue loose and mind wandering at what else he could do with those fingers. Ohhh that was awkward, and the quiet laugh that came from him told her that he had an inkling what was on her mind. Whoops?

"Obviously you have no recollection of what happened, where you were, who did this to you? No passing idea, or lasting glimpse of something perhaps you weren't supposed to?"

"No-she doesn't, or else we'd be following that lead rather than coming here," Barton snipped, his words like bullets as they made Loki's attention snap back to him. "And I'd appreciate it if you'd stop manhandling my partner."

"Partner?" Loki smirked, eyes lighting up as though the possibility of something far more sinister passed through them.

Nat swallowed thickly. Now she understood why Thor said to be careful. "We work together," she murmured. "That's all."

He nodded, and moved from her face and throat to her hands, checking the places between them as though expecting to find something, checked her wrists and arms.

"Should we, um, do this somewhere else? I don't think I have any markings or anything. It doesn't feel like it," she mumbled, looking down when he tried to catch her eyes again.

"Are you shy?" He asked, and something about his words made it sound like he was making fun of her. She scowled and pulled away. That wasn't very nice of him at all.

"Yes, actually. I just want my memories back, please." She said, rubbing her arms where he'd touched, where she swore was still burning from the connection of his skin on hers.

"It will take some time. I'll have to explain it to my SO," he said, looking to Stark. "And I'll look to you to pay for my time off," he said.

Stark shrugged, as though the concept didn't bother him. "Honey if I wanted I'd buy the damn police unit. Just get her memories back."

"Please, Loki," Thor added, noticing the way that Loki's jaw twitched, as if he was fighting back an urge to rip Stark apart, or something. Nat wrapped her arms around her midsection.

"It'll take a couple weeks, and it'll have to be just Natasha and I."

There was a clamor of disapproval, mostly from Barton, and Nat had to wait until Thor had silenced them before she managed to be heard. "How'd you know my name?" Natasha asked, surprised. She didn't think anyone had said it. His smirk was all she needed to confirm that, again, she really didn't want him ever angry at her or moving against her. That was a terrifying prospect.

"It's not hard to guess it. It's the only thing that you're sure about, and even then. I can see it in your mindseye, how you cling to it because it's all you've got left. I understand how important a name can be," he said, quietly. "And the two weeks is non negotiable. It is the length of time which the spell will ripen and take hold. It is not simple to call back one's memories when they've been locked away like this, though what is curious to me is what you knew that made you such a target," he confessed. "And for that I will take this on and help you. We'll need a place to stay, just Natasha and myself." He said. "You will all be able to stay nearby, but not all the time. There will be times when she and I need to be isolated." He said seriously, his eyes finding Thor's. The blond's widened.

Because that seriously made her feel better.

"Thor?" She asked, voice quiet, timid. She really didn't like that reaction.

"I know the spell of which he speaks, and can attest to its success rate." He assured her, smiling as warmly as he could manage. She didn't catch until it tapered off that it had never met his eyes. Her skin covered in goosebumps.

"I'll make reservations for one of the floors of a hotel. Any preference? Any sort of wind patterns or sun patterns you need to look for?" Tony asked, the sarcasm covering how worried he was. At least, Nat thought he was. It was so hard to tell with him.

"Just one where the rooms come equipped with an open bar," Loki muttered, slowly settling back into the persona of Magnus, shoulders tensing again as he ran a hand through the fluffy curls. He didn't look like he could hurt anyone like that, Natasha thought, looking more like a puppy dog than a serious threat. She was reminded of how his eyes had flashed with dark curiosity before and it made her shudder. She couldn't give him the chance to take her off guard like that. Brother, or friend, or whatever of Thor's that he was, she still had to be careful.

"Let's go, then." Magnus said, delving back into his other persona with a deep breath before allowing them out, bringing the lights back up.

"Why'd you dim them?" Nat murmured, curious. It hadn't really seemed to serve a purpose.

"It was a spell to keep any who were trying to look in from seeing me change," he murmured. "Appearances are everything."

She was quickly getting that.

A/N: Thanks for reading!