Spiderwebs - Chapter 3

Several seconds passed before Natasha found herself able to respond. When she did, it was sudden and violent.

"You!" she shouted, pointing accusingly at Thor. "You were supposed to prevent this! How has he escaped your people yet again?! Do you realize what you've done?"

"What I have done?!" The Asgardian was indignant. "See here, haughty woman, do not cast your words at me so errantly! You know not of what you speak--"

"We entrusted him to your people! Can't an entire realm of gods keep one man locked away? Or is that just too much to ask?"

"Our guard are the best in the nine realms! And our kingdom is infallible."

"Then how did your demon half-brother escape from his so-called--"

"Loki did not escape."

Suddenly everything came to a confused halt. After a brief pause, Thor continued. "He was set free."

The ensuing shocked silence was first broken by Tony.

"...The hell? We spend countless resources and, oh, human lives to subdue this guy and bring him before your kingly court of grievances, and you let him waltz right out the next day?"

"What he's saying," Nick Fury interjected, glaring at Stark with his one good eye, "is that we'd appreciate an explanation why the universe's most notorious war criminal is free and at large. Sooner would be better."

Thor let out a frustrated sigh.

"I don't know for certain what has transpired. My father had me away on diplomatic business during Loki's trial. When I returned, I found that my mother had interrupted the proceedings and granted him full amnesty. Though it has never been used, that power does reside with the Queen, and her will cannot be contested."

"So Loki's free and clear because your ma had a change of heart?" Steve ran his fingers through his neatly combed blond hair in exasperation. "I don't pretend to be any kind of genius, but when we're dealing with a man who can mess with people's minds, does that seem on the level to you?"

"You are not the only one whose suspicions lie with Loki, my friend. But the Queen's pardon cannot be undone. Even if he were to admit to all of his offenses, none of his past transgressions can be held against him now. He is free."

"Is there any way at all to get him back behind bars?" Natasha asked, trying not to let her face show the panic that threatened to consume her.

"Only if he were to turn himself in," Thor explained, trying to act as if it were less of an impossibility than they all knew it to be.

"Where is he now?" Everyone turned as Bruce, who had been silent to this point, asked the question they had all been afraid to.

"At the time of my departure, he remained in Asgard," Thor replied, instantly easing some of the tension in the room. "But as a free Son of Odin, he can come and go as he pleases. The power of the Tesseract has restored our Bifrost, and there are other secret ways I am afraid only my brother knows."

"He could be here right now then." Steve flexed his shield arm anxiously, an unthinking nervous habit of his in stressful times.

"Uh, that's a no," Tony interjected. "This room is 100% tricky superbeing-proof. Stark Industries security tech. You're welcome."

"Do not underestimate my brother's abilities in your arrogance, iron one. I fear even I do not know the breadth of his power."

The conversation continued around her, rising and falling in intensity as points were raised and argued, but Natasha was unable to follow it. Her mind was elsewhere, in the mirrored hallway where she knew suddenly she had been face-to-face with their enemy. Her fears had all been confirmed, and her world was perilously close to collapsing around her. Was there never peace?

She raised a hand to her head to stop the spinning, a gesture that didn't escape Clint's keen notice. He frowned and slipped to her side.

"Are you alright?" he muttered under his breath.

"Fine," she replied.

"Don't lie to me."

"Then don't ask."

"Natasha..."

"What?"

"I worry about you."

"Don't do that, either."

Clint's frown intensified. 

"You haven't been the same since I...since I came back. I don't know what you're trying to protect me from, but for both our sakes, give it up. I don't need saving anymore."

"I'm not having this conversation now, Clint." Natasha then turned to address the rest of the room. "I'm going to check security," she announced, drawing her gun.

"And I'm going with her," Clint added.

Fury regarded them both critically, then nodded before turning to the other Avengers to continue strategic talks.

Natasha pounded her fist on the door panel, opening the pneumatics into the secure corridor, and strode quickly ahead, refusing to acknowledge her partner. He grabbed her by the soldiers and spun her around to face him.

"We're having this conversation. Now."

The look in his piercing eyes told Natasha there was no avoiding it.

"Alright," she whispered, bracing herself for the pain that she knew was coming.