Chapter 15
2013, 1 November
Natasha is a spy, trained and raised in the Red Room. Not many things make her scream. Natasha is fire and light and grace and skill and muscles. Natasha is deadly and a canvas for others to project themselves onto.
But as Thor suddenly arrived, lightning and all, in the middle of the communal room, with a familiar god in tow, Natasha nearly, very nearly, shot him.
The Avengers stared at Thor as he yelled for a healer. Medic.
"Thor, big guy, is that-?"
"I have no time to explain, but I can vouch for my brother. He will not do anything to you, he will not try to conquer Midgard again. He needs a healer, he's been mortally wounded."
Bruce looks like he's about to turn green. Natasha gives him a reassuring gaze, and he relaxes just a notch.
Maria. She has to make sure Maria is safe and informed. And Fury, he'll need to know. S.H.I.E.L.D. may be destroyed (by her hands) but she's still got her loyalties.
First, Maria. Next, interrogate Thor. Lastly, if Loki wakes, interrogate him and report to Fury to determine if she needs to manipulate Thor to bring Loki away from earth peacefully, without engaging in combat, because no matter how good she was, Thor was a god.
Natasha thanks the lords that Clint isn't here and was currently visiting Laura.
Natasha sneaks out of the room to go check on Maria. She was currently having lunch with Pepper, if her usual schedule wasn't messed up.
Natasha, entire body tense and coiled, decides to relieve some stress by scaling down twenty levels to Maria's office.
2013, 1 November
"Natasha, come in," Maria says as Natasha slips in through the door after she rapped on the windows for Maria to let her in.
"Natasha, the dramatic entry really was not necessary," Pepper sighs.
"Loki. Thor brought him here, half dead, demanding for medical attention for him. Should I inform Fury, Maria?"
Maria stops sipping her coffee to contemplate.
"Yes, you probably should. Do we have to go check on the situation?"
"No," Natasha immediately replies.
Maria stares at Natasha.
Please don't, please let me handle this, Natasha's eyes practically beg with fear.
"I trust you can make the right calls. JARVIS, secure the tower. Implement additional security measures on my rooms and Natasha's. Pepper?"
"Do it," Pepper allows.
"Already did, Ms Hill. Fortified protection engaged, additional measures you and Ms Romanoff have added in place."
"Thank you JARVIS. Should we notify Barton?"
"We'll see what's the purpose of the visit first."
"Pepper and I will stay here, I suppose. JARVIS, inform the employers to stay put and stay in a protected room for their safety. Thank god today most workers are working off site," Maria murmurs.
"Make sure Tony doesn't do anything dumb, I trust he can make the right decisions but when science comes into place, he's usually more irrational."
"Understood Pepper. Maria, Pepper, stay safe."
They both nod as Natasha leaves again.
"So, you and Natasha?" Pepper asks.
2013, 1 November
Natasha sends a text to Fury, but he doesn't answer. Probably asleep.
She opens the doors to the communal room again, this time there's blood all over the floor. Bruce, Tony, Steve and Thor are missing, as is the certain godling who invaded New York a year ago.
Thor had better be right that he was trusthworthy.
"JARVIS, show records of what has happened so far," Natasha asks, and watches the replay. Steve, on guard, Thor worried, Loki unresponsive, Tony and Bruce cautiously giving medical attention as Tony simultaneously asked what happened.
"Where are they now JARVIS?"
"In Mr Banner's lab, since Tony's lab has Mr Barnes, they decided it would be safer if the two did not meet."
"Conditions?"
"Mr Laufeyson is currently very weak, vitals at 3%, unconscious, seems to have a spear wound and suffering from malnutrition. His condition has been stabilised for now. Mr Odinson is pacing and explaining what has happened, Sir is listening, along with Mr Rogers, Mr Banner is treating Mr Laufeyson."
"Let me see the footage JARVIS."
"I'm afraid I cannot, Sir has blocked all cameras and systems."
"Thank you JARVIS."
"You're welcome Agent Romanoff."
Natasha sighs as she heads to Bruce's lab to listen.