The air in this dark, dank chamber was so think Natasha felt she might faint from lack of oxygen. She could see the faint blue glow of the tesseract in the distance. Thor was stationed not far from her behind a large artifact, she had no clue as to what it might be. But it seemed to be the only thing big enough in the room to hide the guy. Clint, her closest friend and the deadliest archer she knew, was high above them, lurking in the shadows. All they had to do was wait, and pray their plans had not somehow been revealed.

Natasha thought about Loki in that moment, and the task he had been assigned. She hoped it went according to plan, and she hoped Loki wasn't having too much trouble.

Suddenly, the door to the quiet chamber opened, and a tall, dark figure emerged. It was Lady Sif, no doubt about it. She walked over to a large, stone wall and pressed hard in one spot, causing the stone to split in half and reveal a secret passageway. Three Chitauri stepped out, already expecting the woman. She led them over to the tesseract, "Now all that is left to do is for you to come back the way you came. I hope you will not take your time with this task," she said drearily.

"Oh no my lady, we plan to carry out the plan this very day. We thank you for your assistance." Then a surprise arrow shot seemingly from out of nowhere flew right past the lady's fast and right in between the eyes of the Chitauri who had just finished speaking. Natasha silently applauded Clint on his accuracy.

The Chitauri soldier who had been reaching for the tesseract dropped it suddenly and grabbed for his gun. Too slow. Natasha had rolled out from her hiding spot and hit him with a flawless leg sweep; the soldier tumbled to the ground and Natasha snapped up his gun. Just as she was about to pull the trigger a giant hammer flew past her and took out the third soldier. Natasha let off a shot, taking down the last of the intruders. Sif looked frantically, unable to fully comprehend what was happening.

The doors to the chamber swung open just then, and in walked Odin, Thor and Loki's almighty father.

"Lady Sif! What is the meaning of this treachery?" boomed Odin, great and powerful man that he was.

Just behind Odin, Loki himself stepped out and shot Sif a menacing look.

Yes! Odin had received Loki's message and had chosen to listen to his son. Natasha felt relief wash over her. Odin must have realized an escape attempt would be futile given Loki had been stripped of his magic during his prison sentence. Loki had no other reason to lie about this plot, so Odin brought him here to see the truth for himself. Plus it probably didn't hurt that Director Fury backed Loki's story. He strolled in behind Loki and Odin, looking quite satisfied.

"Well, well, well Natasha, it looks like you should get knocked out more often. I like this whole 10 steps ahead of the enemy thing," beamed Fury.

Sif turned on him, "What the hell is going on here? Why on Earth is Loki roaming free?"

Odin looked at her "Loki is on an important mission right this moment, capturing a traitor. A traitor who would give up the tesseract to Asgard's enemies for her own selfish purposes."

Lady Sif paled. "No, this isn't what it looks like!"

Loki chimed in, "Oh? But we have three witnesses who just watched you let these soldiers in here and practically beg them to take the tesseract."

Lady Sif quickly made a jump for the opening in the wall where the Chitauri soldiers had entered. But the Black Widow was too fast, she grabbed her wrist, threw her over her shoulder and pinned her to ground in seconds.

From there, Odin had several of his men come to escort the woman to a cell similar to the one Loki had once been held in while in Asgard.

"Honored guests," Odin said graciously as Sif was led away, "Please come join me in the dining hall so we can discuss what has just occurred."

Now that the action was over, Natasha was nervous about what Odin had to say. That was part of the reason she loved fighting, it took her mind off of everything else, she just lived in that moment. Now all she could do was worry.

Natasha and her friends took a seat at the most grand table she had ever seen. It had to be able to seat at least 30 people. It was made from what looked like beautiful, dark cherry with all sorts of decorative carvings ranging from trees and flowers to exotic animals. She also couldn't help but notice the spread before her. Plates and plates of glorious food! There were various jugs of what had to be wine, platters of different kinds of meats, and more chocolate than she had ever beheld. A mouthwatering smell permeated the air. Natasha wanted to dig in so badly. She wanted to try every single thing, but restrained herself, waiting patiently for everyone to be seated and for Odin to begin speaking.

Loki took the seat next to hers and placed a reassuring hand on her knee. She squeezed his hand, thanking the stars above he was here.

Servants made their rounds about the table, pouring a glass of wine for each one of them. Odin started, "I would like to propose a toast. To the Avengers, for saving us all from what could have been total chaos. And to Ms. Romanoff, for revealing this whole plot, for sticking to her gut, as well as for believing in my son. I knew he would not do such a thing a second time, for his regret is too great. However, had this treacherous set up been allowed to play out, we may have jumped to the conclusion that Loki was behind it, just as Sif desired. I am so thankful that you, Ms. Romanoff, have been by Loki's side, guiding him and accepting him, and that we can now all be here together in celebration."

Natasha nodded her head to Odin in thanks. Then they were all finally allowed to eat, and music began to play softly in the background. Thor left halfway through the meal and returned shortly thereafter with the rest of the Avengers. After all, they couldn't miss a party in Asgard. This had to be the best food she had ever tasted.

After filling up on so much food and wine Natasha thought she might explode, Loki led her out to a large dance floor next to the massive dining table. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gazed at him adoringly. She probably wouldn't be this quick to dance with Loki in front of everyone, showing so much affection, if she had not had quite so much to drink. Oh well, live in the moment, she thought. For their future was still so unsure.

"Natasha, I had a conversation with Odin before we caught Lady Sif," he started.

"What about?" questions Natasha.

"About how much you have to do with the change in me. My new found desire to be the prince Asgard deserves…the man you deserve." Natasha looked down at her shoes. Her heart was pounding.

"Odin told me he was satisfied that I had been rehabilitated. He told me…as long as I have someone watching over me at all times, I could be released from my prison on SHILED base." Natasha wasn't sure why, but she felt a twinge of sadness at that.

"I see, that's wonderful. That is the best we could have hoped for, a new start. I'm happy for you Loki." Her grip around his neck loosened, but his only tightened on her hips.

"I asked Odin if you could be my guardian…full time. For as long as it takes. Of course you may have to work with some Asgard soldiers as well, but I was hoping…would you accept the position Natasha? Would you continue to look after me, your ever faithful prisoner?"

Natasha was stunned, guard Loki? On Asgard? Look after him day and night, make sure he stayed out of trouble…

"I know it is a lot to ask of you, but I can't imagine my life without you now. You keep me sane, my little spider. I adore you, and I want to be there for you as you have been for me. I know technically I would still be under the watchful eye of Odin and his guards, but that may change someday. I want to start building a new life with you in it," he paused. "So what do you say, my beautiful Black Widow, will you continue to guard me as you have done so wonderfully in the past?"

Natasha ran a hand through that silky, dark hair. She made a face like she was thinking very hard, mulling over all the options. She could tell Loki was getting anxious. Then she stood on her toes and kissed him fiercely on the lips, sliding her tongue over his lips and inviting him to deepen the kiss. He took the bait. She felt her knees might buckle when suddenly clapping broke out at the table full of drunken Avengers, filled with cheers and a very large Thor passing out suffocating hugs to everyone shouting, "That's my brother!"

Natasha laughed, unable to really believe that this was how things had turned out. Her friends accepted that this man had changed. This man that had somehow stolen her heart with icy glares and snide comments, followed by deep, late night talks filled with emotions she never knew she could feel. What a world she lived in.

She looked Loki deep in his gorgeous green eyes, "You are my prisoner now, Loki, and I'm never letting you go."

THE END!