POST-CREDIT SCENE #2

Natasha Romanoff walked back into the hospital room and stopped sharply when she saw the bed was empty. She doubled back outside to see if anyone could have got their hands on the mutant.

Naz was in a coma the doctors believed she wouldn't wake up from. Natasha had heard them tell Tony after which he had had a shouting fit which included mouthing off both Loki and Steve.

And yet, so many people knew that Naz was a mutant. Now that they knew people were after mutants, Naz was in constant danger whether unconscious or not. Natasha had wordlessly positioned herself as her guard and it had been quiet.

Until she had got the phone call. A wrong number.

She swore sharply under her breath, who could have got to her?

"Natasha?"

She turned around at the whisper and ran back into the room.

In one corner, stood her friend, pale, bandaged but awake.

"Naz," she choked out. Running a hand over her face, she quickly closed the door behind her. "You scared the shit out of me."

Naz smiled tiredly, "It's not like I died."

"You did!" Nat glared. "Your heart stopped. You weren't breathing." She looked away, "For several seconds. It's good that the medics got there when they did."

Naz walked up to her and hugged her, "You look tired."

"You sound weird."

"I feel weird." She sat down on the bed, "And a bit dizzy." She reached for the panic button beside the bed but Nat pushed her hand away.

"Now, listen carefully to what I have to say. People think you're never going to wake up. The minute word gets out that you're up, you will be in danger. Remember Ajax?"

Naz's lips tightened at the memory, "Not easy to forget, Nat."

"There will be more like that and they will get to you if you do anything stupid." She took a breath, "You will not have a life of your own and I—we—don't want that for you. You didn't choose this path. You deserve to be able to live a normal life. Tony and I knew you would wake up—"

"That's sweet," Naz frowned wondering what Nat was trying to say. This didn't sound very happy.

Nat walked away and picked up one of the bright gold flowers, "He said not to tell you but I don't think you should be in the dark anymore."

Naz touched the flower and felt light-headed at the immense energy that pulsed through her. She drew back, "Loki's magic?"

Nat nodded and spoke before Naz could ask, "He's gone."

There was a tense pause before she spoke up again, "Tony and I knew you would heal. Steve and Thor believed you would but we knew you would. There was, of course, the danger that your body wouldn't be able to handle the magic but it worked well. All you need to do was wake up. Your body is nearly healed."

Naz sat down on the bed. She still felt light-headed and dizzy but that was clearing now, quickly replaced by shock and something like numbing sadness. She touched her cheek and rubbed away the stray tears quickly but her heart went on beating the message home. He left. He left. He left.

Not even a goodbye.

"Listen to me!" Nat whispered. "This is important."

Did she know? Did Natasha know that her friend had the most powerful feelings for the man whose name she didn't deign worthy to be even spoken of? If so, what did she think? Naz would have given anything in the world to have Nat talk about what mattered right now but she was hit by the realization that something else was happening.

Something larger than them and Nat knew that. There would be no time for talking and it was only then that she fully understood why Tony preferred to talk to a hairdresser rather than the other Avengers, why Steve needed a stranger to wrestle Sudoku talks with...this was how the Avengers rolled and she was now a part of it.

"I-I am listening," she said, turning to face her friend.

"You are a wonderful person, Nazneen," Nat smiled, "and you have done nothing to deserve all this. You shouldn't be lying here battling for your life. You have a life and I will do anything to protect that."

"I don't really—"

"We have everything ready. There is a safehouse in Bromley, retired agent, he's off the books. It is the safest place we know and you will be fine. As long as you don't draw attention to yourself so be cool, okay?"

"You are sending me away," she blinked and pressed backwards. "You know I wouldn't do that. Whose idea was this anyway? Clint's? Because I am going to break his nose. You remember what you said about me having a life? It is right here. In my dingy Lester apartments' one-bedroom flat, in my failing shop, with you guys."

"We endanger you, Nazneen. We bring attention to you and now that you're an active mutant, you can't have that. You could get killed or worse."

"Stop calling me Nazneen! Why are you being like this?"

"Don't try to run," Nat took a deep breath. "Please, you have to understand the danger you are in. The SHIELD want you as an active asset. Fury has been calling me non-stop and there are worse people out there who would do anything, anything to have you under their control and do their dirty jobs. You don't know nor do you understand what this means but we do. Don't try to run. You know I can easily take you down."

Naz squared her shoulders and stopped. She had been in the process of fleeing the room, armed with a pen she had picked up from the bedside table but she knew Natasha was right. The Black Widow could easily take her down, especially now that she felt what she was doing was for Naz's good.

"I get that you want to protect me. I seriously do but it is my life. You can't make decisions for me. How can you even imagine I would be happy with relocating my whole life? I know things now, I have seen things and I have done things. The world is changed for me. Yes, I am a mutant and yes, I can access powers that I didn't even know existed before but you have to realize you can't shield me from me. This is who I am and this is who I will be, whether I am here or in...Bromley, was it? Nat, talk to Steve, talk to Tony. They'll tell you how wrong you are. Just please, try to see it from my perspective."

Natasha looked perplexed and even angry that she was doing this, "I have talked with them. We came to this collective decision and we care for you. This is why you should understand that what we plan to do is your best chance at a normal, happy life and it—and it is going to hurt. I am never going to forget you even as you will have no recollection of me. You should know that you are the best woman I have known in my life and it was my luckiest day when I got to meet and befriend you and I would have done anything within my power to keep it that way. We all love you and if there was any other way—and believe me Tony tried, we all did—" She had tears in her eyes and Naz had never thought she would see Nat like this. "Tony is too ashamed to be here and Steve feels too guilty. I feel the same. We spoilt your life...and I wish I wasn't the one who had to do this."

Naz's eyes widened when she saw Nat take out what looked like a small camera, "What is that?"

"Please look where the light is beeping—"

But Naz was already in Natasha's head. She felt a now familiar pulling sensation and this time, she didn't even need to hold Natasha even though she had been in the process of grabbing her hand.

The memory was so clear.

It felt strange to see her friends talking, sitting in her mess of an apartment. Why would they come here? The answer appeared softly, they didn't have anywhere else to go and that was how it had been for a small amount of time that had felt more like forever or at least a promise of it.

"Loki's magic is working," Tony said with a flash of a smile that lighted up his tired face. "She'll be okay—" It destroyed something in her to hear his voice break. This was Tony, he was invincible. Just how long had she been out? How close had her encounter with death been?

They looked sad, angry and all kinds of broken and all she wanted was to reach out to them and tell them it was alright. It wasn't their fault, any of it.

"Judging by Loki's report of Ajax and our own intel, we know at least five organisations who could try to pull some sort of stunt for N-Naz." Steve looked worse for wear, his eyes betraying that he was still some place away, lost in some horrifying thought.

"I don't like this," Natasha was saying. "What sort of Avengers are we if we can't even help our own friends?"

"I don't like it either but this is us helping our friend," Steve said and looked at Tony who handed her the small camera.

"This will wipe the last couple of years from her memory and it should effectively turn off the active mutancy. She won't be on any radars and she will be safe...won't she?" He looked so angry as if he couldn't believe they were doing this. "Because it should...because we won't exist for her after this and it better work...because I am going to miss her."

There was a tense, calculative, fearful silence and then Natasha got up, "Why are you giving it to me? You're not going to be there?"

Tony smiled sadly, "I led her down this path. If I had let her alone, nothing of this would have happened. She wouldn't have been lying in a pool of blood dying if it wasn't for me. I can't bear to have my last memory of her be the look of hatred on her face when she realizes just how much of a hero I am not. I'm sorry."

He walked out of the door, footsteps echoing down the stairs.

"I'll be there," Steve said, walking to the door. "I keep telling myself this is right but it feels so wrong. At least, you never wronged her like Tony and I did."

Natasha pursed her lips, "But I will when I wipe her memories. She won't remember what I have done but it will haunt me for the rest of my life."

"I think I'll go down to the shop for a bit," he said.

Natasha walked after him a few seconds later, closing the door.

Naz slammed back into her own mind, staring at Nat who was in the exact same place holding up the camera, "—light is beeping. This won't hurt. Goodb—"

"Not so fast," Naz gritted her teeth and it was almost a joy to move her conscience out of her body. The world flared up in nearly hurtful brightness and then she was in Natasha's head, staring as her own body crumpled to the floor.

She held up her—Natasha's—hand and looked at the camera with disgust, "You guys are such sad idiots. You thought I would say thank you for this shitty plan and get my memory wiped?" She dropped the camera to the ground and shattered it under her—Natasha's—boots. "I hope you find this, Tony, and I hope you realize that I am Nazneen Naqvi, not your average hairdresser."

The makeshift plan that had begun to form itself the second Nat had mentioned a safehouse now egged her on. It wasn't a very decisive plan. In fact, it was more of a part of a plan—a plan in progress? Oh well, first things first, she—and her own body—had to get out of here. If Nat and the other were right, trouble could be arriving any second.

She walked out of the hospital room and was pretty sure someone would catch her. Look, look, someone's wearing Romanoff's body. That's not how she walks! But it went very smoothly. No one questioned her, no one stopped her and ten minutes later she was wheeling her limp body in a wheelchair. In fact, she kind of enjoyed being Natasha. Everyone immediately moved out of the way on seeing the agent's face and the confidence she felt was exhilarating.

"Sorry for taking you over, Nat," she whispered, unsure whether Nat could hear her when she was possessing her body. Ew, that sounded creepy. "But you did try to wipe my memories. Not your BFF moment of the year."

She was learning more about her abilities now. When she wheeled over the chair to the parking lot, she only had to think about picking the lock and Nat's knowledge came to hand. Nat had really handy knowledge too, like how to drive a car without keys.

She abandoned the car in a side-street beside Lester Apartments, hoping nobody would spot it amongst the garbage bins and then had to haul up her body to her apartment. Every few steps, she blessed Natasha for having muscles and cursed herself for being heavy. She nearly fell into her apartment, dragging along her body, hoping no one had seen this weird feat.

"Agent, fancy seeing you carrying Naz into her house."

Naz's—well, actually Natasha's eyes—widened and she whipped around at the silky, self-assured voice.

"Or is it the other way round?" Loki smiled from the sofa. "I think I can sense a very pesky conscience inside the agent's head. Naz, is this really the time to try out your new powers?"

"You!" she exclaimed.

He walked over to her and whispered, "Of course, I would like it if I was talking to your face instead of talking to the agent."

She blushed, "She'll create a ruckus."

He rolled his eyes and touched Natasha's temple. She fell forwards, unconscious.

"Oi," Naz sat up in her own body, "you could have warned me. I nearly got trapped inside when you put her to sleep."

"Yeah, you're welcome," he said.

She was about to come up with a sarcastic retort when she stopped and smiled brilliantly. "Loki," she said and pulled him into a hug. "You're okay."

He relaxed in her arms and brushed her hair, "You're the one who nearly died."

She pulled back, "I hear I have to thank you for the incredible recovery."

"Well," he looked away, "not really. It was the doctors who saved you. I didn't have any magic to help. I only helped later, to speed up the recovery and that too, was risky. So, I think you have yourself to thank because you did it, against all the odds."

Naz walked over to the unconscious Natasha and hauled her into the bedroom, placing her carefully on the bed, "I'm sorry but you look like you need a good sleep anyway. God, she's going to hate me for this."

Her eyes fell on the neatly organized stack of books and she frowned, "Loki, have you been cleaning up?"

She found him sitting on the sofa again, smirking as he handed over a finished Sudoku. She punched his arm playfully, "That was my thing."

He was quiet, as if musing over something.

"And I must thank you, of course, for the flowers, the magic and the healing," she smiled. She couldn't help smiling. Before she had walked into the apartment, she had been on edge, not knowing exactly what her next steps would be, all the hows and whys plaguing her mercilessly but seeing him had been like walking into an oasis in a desert and she just couldn't help the happiness taking control of her.

"Well," he finally spoke up, "I did owe you for that plate I broke. Consider us even now." He shifted uncomfortably, "In case you feel some extra gratitude, I do hope you will forgive me." He handed her a folder.

She frowned and opened it with the wariness of someone who had experienced that simple looking folders could actually do a huge amount of damage. She gasped as she saw the photographs and read the words, "This...this..."

"You have people who care for you," he gave a short smile, his hair falling into his eyes. "You have a family." And he had given her everything that would take her to them, address, phone numbers, contacts, money...she had a shrewd idea the God of Mischief had done a bit of stealing at the SHIELD headquarters. Times like these his talents came in handy.

Her eyes were lined with ecstatic tears when she looked up, "How—thank you, thank you for this, Loki." And then her smile dropped. She got up and backed away from him, "This...this is your farewell."

She finally understood why he was behaving oddly. It all made sense now. Of course, of course. "You are an illusion—"

"Please, Naz, listen," he reached for her hand.

"No! You stay from me," she retorted, pulling free. "You left. You actually did leave and you didn't even...Why am I even saying this to you? You are a fucking illusion!"

"More like an image actually, though you can call me a clone if you so prefer it. Nothing changes, however. I am Loki, he is me. I am the Loki you know, I'm just not physically here," he offered with poor humour.

"Wow, that makes it so much better," she said. She rubbed her temples, "Today just gets worse and worse."

"Naz," he started.

"Just go away or zap away or whatever it is that you do."

"You think I wanted to leave? I-I-I would give up the world to spend even a second more with you!"

There was silence and then Loki looked away, blushing profusely, "What? You look like this surprises you."

She opened and closed her mouth and then shrugged, "You never said."

"I thought you knew," he muttered. "You had to know."

"You're not easy to understand always," she frowned, "and then you left."

"You're the confusing one," he said with a small smile, as if remembering something. "That used to irritate me no end."

"Oi, I'm the adorable one," she laughed.

He walked to her and they were so close, so close. "Yes, you are."

A shadow passed over her face and she asked, "They put you in the prison? Are you hurt? Are you alone?"

He closed his eyes as if searching for something, "I'm okay."

"Just tell me."

He was quiet and then spoke up, "Not for now. They need me for something first but I'm never going to my cell again even though it was peaceful for a bit." He stepped back, flustered by his own actions and honesty.

"You come back then," she gave a watery smile, "as soon as you can."

"Naz."

"Don't be silly, I'll be waiting."

His eyes widened as he realized this magnificent woman would always surprise him. She would always be the most amazing person he would ever meet. She was true magic. He bent forwards and kissed her forehead, whispering, "So will I, Nazneen Naqvi."

She opened her eyes to find him gone and swore. She pushed up her sleeves and realized that even as she could still fill the lingering of the touch of his lips on her skin, even as her heart felt like it was punctured and her soul felt like it was crying out, there were a certain group of people she had to meet, another place to be, difficult things to be done. There was no staying in stasis for her. She took a deep breath. A hero doesn't stop.

It was late in the evening next day when she reached Delhi. She had been surprised there had been no complications at either of the airports. Either SHIELD had yet to find out or they were not searching properly. She realized with a sigh that by now Natasha was probably awake and horribly upset, not to mention venomously angry.

She shook her head and smoothened her clothes as she got down from the taxi. Nothing could take away this.

The little bungalow was both inviting and unnerving. There behind the doors lay something she had wished for all her life. A family. Her family.

All it mattered now was to see them, to know them, to tell them that she was here. Everything else would come later. She would deal with everything later. Right now, as she walked to the door with a thumping heart, she would finally be home.

Her hand stopped beside the doorbell as she spied the family watching something on tv. She had studied the folder Loki had given her throughout the flight but nothing had prepared her for this.

Because there they were.

Her parents, laughing at something and her twin brothers arguing over the remote. Her throat was filled with a need to cry but it was okay, here she was, finally.

Her fingers reached for the doorbell and something hit the back of her head. Even as she fell she cursed the unfairness of it all. So close, yet so far.

When she woke up she was in a dark room with a single bulb swinging over her head. She was on a chair but thankfully found that she could move.

"Good morning, Ms. Naqvi. I am Agent Phil Coulson and on the behalf of SHIELD, I have an offer for you. The world needs you and your powers so I suggest you listen very carefully."

---

A thousand lightyears away, Loki crossed into Jotunheim and took a deep breath, "This better not take a lot of time. I have an appointment with a woman who doesn't like to wait."

A rubik's cube rattled with a dagger in his bag.

THE END.

***

This wasn't supposed to be this long. 

Just kidding, it totally was. And so, DEADLOCK comes to an end. Thank you, everyone. You made this a pleasure to write this and 54,648 words later, I couldn't be more proud of how this story turned out. This has been an absolute wonder and you...you who stuck by till the end and made my writing meaningful, I love you. 

***

"Um, excuse me? I am Ironman and I am not leaving till I get some assurance that there is more!?"

Want more? Tell your friends about this story. Tell people to read this. Share it on tumblr, twitter, etc. If you want SEASON 2 let me know.

NAZLOK are waiting.

(see what I did there?)