Rose fluttered open her eyes and groaned loudly at the thudding pain at the back of her head. Her forehead throbbed too and her eyes felt heavy. "God! Did they have to hit so hard?" She thought as she tilted up her head. She tried to get up but found herself tightly secured to the chair she is sitting on.
"Look who's awake! Hi Babe!" Came a deep throated chuckle and suddenly someone grabbed her chin and tilted her face up. Her eyes met with the blue orbs.

Mark grinned, showing off his pearly white teeth and traced his thumb along her jaw. "Oh sweetie, say something." He mused, caressing her face. Rose scoffed and whipped away her face from his grasp. "Fuck you." She spat on his face.

Mark pulled back and wiped his face. He smirked and then swung his hand and collided it with her cheek, so hard that it made blood spurt from her split lips. Rose bit her cheeks hard, trying not to cry out in pain and blinked hard to get her vision focused.

That's going to leave a bruise.

"That should teach you a lesson, bitch." He growled, stepping back. Rose winced and then let her head roll down, a low chuckle escaped her lips as she looked up at the unamused man. "You're gonna pay for it, you sick prat." Rose grinned as blood trickled down her chin. Mark laughed. "Look! She's threatening me!" He turned to his bodyguards and laughed again, pointing at her. "Hahaha! She's threatening me! Foolish bitch."

"I think you're forgetting that you're not in any condition to threaten me, miss Rose. It will take just a bullet of my gun to end your pathetic life." Mark snarled, glaring down at her but to his annoyance, Rose didn't show any signs of fear or nervousness. He stared at her and she stared back, unblinking. Sighing, Mark cupped her face a bit too harshly and wiped away the blood from her lips.

"You're lucky that you are soo extraordinarily beautiful, Babe. And soo fiesty! I like fiesty women. I really don't want to damage your soo pretty face." He whispered, his lips near her face. Rose tensed and wriggled to move away her face from his but Mark's hard grip didn't allow her to do so. "Just give up this damned mission and surrender yourself to me. We can go somewhere far away and spend the life in luxury. I'll treat you like my Queen... Say yes."

He trailed his finger over her busted lip and Rose, finding a chance, bit his finger hard causing him to yelp and jump back. "First of all, don't touch me you son of a dog." She spat blood on the ground, grimacing. "And secondly, no." She shook her head. "I don't like this deal. So quickly untie me and fuck off because if I catch you, you will regret keeping me here."

Mark groaned in annoyance and then shook his head, somewhat a bit dejected with her response. "Well, listen here..." He pointed at her. "... I tried to behave like a good man and gave you a sweet chance but sadly, you didn't take it. But as a gentleman, I'm giving you more five minutes. More five minutes to think about this deal. Either give up this mission and join me or else... I'll have to use force which I don't want to use on you. Got it?" Rose kept quiet and just glared at him. Mark smirked and before she could realise it, he pecked her lips. Rose's eyes widened and she cursed loudly at him which made Mark laugh and leave the room. "Just five minutes darling! Think wisely."

Rose breathed heavily and fumed at her luck. "Why can't my life be easier? Fuck this life." She grumbled, twisting her wrists to free her hands from the tightly wrapped ropes but that only made her soft skin cut and bruised. She quickly protracted her claws and tried to cut the rope but cursed angrily when she failed in the attempt. "And where is Loki? Jesus! Help me out!" She tried to connect with Loki through telepathy as her mini earpiece seems to be missing. Luckily, this time she managed to get connected with Loki.

"Loki?"
"Rose! A-are you okay? Are you hurt?" Rose smiled, hearing the worry in his voice. "I'm fine till now, Loki. Just a bit scared but... What should I do now?"
"Oh my Love! Don't be scared. Hold on tight because I have tracked you down. Just wait for five minutes more darling. I'm coming." Rose sighed and lolled her head down, wincing at the pain. Her head was killing her.

"Loki... I have just five minutes in my hands. I don't know what will happen after that. Please don't be late."
"No no love, don't worry. I'm on my way to you. Do you want to keep talking to me, sweetheart?"
"Y-yes." Rose's voice quivered even though she used her telepathy powers. She wanted nothing more than a loving hug and a kiss from her loving boyfriend. She took in a deep breath.

"Loki?"
"Yes? Yes my sweet Pudding?"
"I love you. I love you Loki."
There was silence for a second or two and then..." I love you too my little Kitty. Just hold on. I will be there within three minutes. Did they hurt you?"

"No... I'm fine." Rose lied and gulped, wincing. She was thirsty and hungry. "Where is Natasha?"
"She's with me. Driving the car."
"Tell her that I hate her for forcing me to wear this dress. I feel so itchy." Loki laughed softly, hearing her complaint. "But you looked absolutely gorgeous in that, my Pud."
"I know... I'm so-" Rose was interrupted by the door being opened with a bang. "Loki! They are here! Come fast!"
"Rose? What-" Rose cut the connection off as Mark walked near her.

He grabbed her cheeks and forced her to meet his eyes. "So, what's your decision?" Rose clenched her jaws, trying to dampen the bubbling rage inside her. "No. I'll never ever join you, you fucking asshole." Mark groaned and slapped her face hard. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked her head up, earning a painful cry from her. "God! You are so stubborn! And stupid!"
He studied her face, leaning closer and then jerked her head hard pulling her hair. "Guess what, senorita? I swear I'll have you and if needed...Forcefully."

"You will die, you fucking swine. And I'll make sure of that." Rose growled, jumping and wriggling against her binds. She could feel something stir inside her conscience. She felt like she was losing her control over her own body. The men failed to notice the sudden change in the colour of her eyes.
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Mark yelled, his fair face pink with fury. He turned to face his guards. "Bring me the vial! Fast!" The guard broke into a run. Mark faced a nervous and angry Rose and grinned darkly at her.

"Don't blame me. I had warned you." Mark shrugged smirking at her. Rose gulped, trying her best to keep her voice steady and strong. "What do you mean? What are you going to do? Kill me?" Mark burst out laughing and then the guard hurriedly rushed into the dark room catching their attention.
"Sir! I brought it!" He handed something to Mark. Rose squinted her eyes to make out what it is and her heart skipped a few painful beats when she noticed what it was.

A syringe. Rose's face paled and sweat beads started to appear on her hairline and dripped down her temple. This sudden change in her demeanor didn't go unnoticed by Mark whose eyes glinted with pride and pleasure. He held the syringe filled with a grey cloudy liquid in front of her face like a prized possession.

"Ooh! What happened miss Fiesty? Cat got your tongue? Or..." He leaned over her face. "... are you a bit afraid of needles? Huh?"
"J-just move that thing a-away... P-please." Rose pleaded, her throat suddenly tight. And that proved to be a bad move as it triggered Mark's pride more.
"Oh I'm so sorry Babe but as I told you before, you had it coming." He cooed and grabbed her hair again. He tilted her head to the side, yanking at her hair and plunged the needle in her neck. Rose cried out loudly in pain and wriggled but in vain.

With a victorious chuckle, Mark stepped back and flung away the empty syringe away. Rose sniffed, groaning in pain. She was suddenly feeling so light headed. Black dots danced in front of her vision and her limbs felt heavy. Her head buzzed and in spite of how much she tried to keep her head straight, it continuously lolled on the side.

"Now now my Babe. You didn't forget that I was a drug dealer, right?" He chuckled as he traced his fingers across her bare back and thigh. "Now when you wake up, you'll find yourself in a different country and by my side. Now isn't that a good plan?" Rose tried to say something but she felt too weak to make a use of her vocal cords.

He leaned down again and this time placed his lips on hers, sucking and biting her lips in a forced kiss. No matter how much Rose tried to pull back, Mark kept her face secured in his hands, never breaking the kiss. She had almost given up fighting when suddenly, everything next happened in a rush and blur...

The door burst opened and Mark was peeled away from Rose and then thrown against the wall, hard. Natasha shot the guards down while Loki continued to kick Mark in his face. "YOU FUCKING QUIMSON! HOW DARE YOU TO TOUCH MY BELOVED!" He screamed, kicking the man again and again. "Loki! We don't have time for that stupid! Untie her first!" Natasha yelled, shooting another, dead.

Loki quickly kneeled beside the chair and started untying Rose's hands. As soon as she was free, she threw her fist and it collided with Loki's jaw. "OWW!"
"S-sstay away..." Rose slurred and tumbled down the chair. Loki tried to pick her up but she continued to throw kicks and punches to keep him away. All the while, her eyes were closed. And it was freaking Loki out. "Natasha! She isn't letting me to touch her!" He yelled, worried as he watched Rose scramble to the farthest corner, snarling at him. Why the hell isn't she opening her eyes!?!

Natasha grabbed a now semi conscious Mark's collar and shook him hard. "What did you do to her? ANSWER ME!"
"I-I-I drugged her... D-don't kill me." He pleaded. Natasha huffed, annoyed and with a solid punch, knocked him out cold.

Meanwhile, Rose has protracted her claws and when Loki tried to grab her shoulder, she slashed his right cheek. He let out a painful cry as he stumbled back. In an instant, Natasha was by his side and was horrified seeing Rose with long claws like nails. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS LOKI!?"

Loki gulped nervously and wiped the flowing blood with his sleeve. "Can we talk about it later please? Just help me with her." Nat glared at him and then kneeled beside Rose who was in a 'alert mode'. "Hey Belle, it's me! Natasha! You're safe now. Come to me sis." She cooed and Loki sighed in relief, seeing Rose drop her hands and calm down a bit.

"N-Nat?" Rose whimpered, her eyes still closed but her shoulders were slumped now, in relief maybe. "Yes it's me... let me come near you, okay?" Natasha said softly and started crawling towards Rose when she nodded slightly. As soon as Natasha hugged her, Rose sniffed her body. After she found the scent familiar, she melted into the hug. The claws were retracted back and Loki took it as a good sign. Oh c'mon Loki! All you have to do is talk softly just like Natasha did. He thought to himself.

He followed Natasha and crawled near Rose. "Hey darling! Come to me and- YIKES!!" he leaped back, scared when Rose slashed her protracted claws at him, missing his beautiful face nearly by a nail's breadth. "Norns! They made her crazy! Oh no!" He panted, worriedly only to have the back of his head whacked by Natasha. "Shut up Loki! Talk to her softly. She's drugged. Her senses are flogged at the moment."

Loki nodded and with a nervous gulp, started cooing in his softest voice. "Hey little Kitty! It's me, Blue Frosty... You know me." Rose fluttered open her eyes slowly and looked at him. Loki crawled near her and let her sniff him.
"Loki..." She mumbled, nodding her head and then slowly wrapped her arms around his body. Wasting no time, Loki embraced her back and with Natasha's help, picked her up. Rose wiggled in his arms for a moment and then after sniffing his scent properly, nuzzled her face into his chest, drifting off to unconsciousness.

Natasha clicked the earpiece. "We've rescued Rose. Send the agents for the knocked out Mark Pearl." Loki kicked the man once again and then walked out with Rose and Natasha.

▼△▼△▼ △▼△▼△ ▼△▼△▼

The drive was too silent. Natasha drove the car while Loki sat in the backseat with Rose on his lap. "So...care to tell me about the claw thingy?" Natasha broke the silence. Loki nodded. "She had made me promise not to speak about it but...as you have already seen it, I don't think I have any other option."
"That's right boy. You don't have any other option. So quickly fill me in."

"Okay...as much as I know, Hydra did something with her DNA and she has some traits of felines. I mean she's not a complete cat. She doesn't eat raw fish or kill mouse or-"
"Loki. I get it. Come to the main point." Natasha interrupted his stupid rambling. "Oh right..." Loki nodded again, his eyes never leaving Rose's sleeping face. "So she has sharp claws that she can protract and retract as per her own wish. Good eyesight and can see in the dark. Her sense of smell is far more advanced than us and she purrs." Loki smiled while adding the last three words.

"She what?" Natasha asked again, looking at him through the rearview mirror, a hint of a amused smile on her face. Loki laughed softly. "She purrs. Just like a cat. And it's really adorable."
"Oh! Wait! She's a cat and she sniffed me because she couldn't focus on me."

"Yeah... That drug, I think did something to her eyes because...she wasn't able to open them at that time." Loki stopped taking in a sharp breath. "You should have let me kill him Natasha. He deserves to be killed by me. For laying his dirty hand on my Rose." The words came out as a low growl. Natasha stared straight, her eyes on the road. "It's a strict order of SHIELD that we can't kill him, Loki. Trust me, my fingers are itching to cut his fingers. And..." She looked back at Loki's face. "You should heal your cheek or maybe clean it. It's a nasty gash."

Loki shook his head slowly. "It's fine. It's not paining but according to me, Pud's face needs a bit of help." He said, his fingers slightly brushing her bruised jaw. Loki gritted his teeth, trying not to scream and curse. Her lip was busted and smeared with dried blood. "Her right jaw and temple is bruised and that fucking bastard dared to raise his hand on her." He growled again, touching Rose's left cheek which was bright red with a handprint. It took all of Loki's energy to prevent himself from teleporting back to the man and blasting him off to any other realm.

He felt angry. He was furious at the SHIELD and at himself too. "I promised I would keep her safe but every time... every fucking time something happens to her and I fail to keep my promise." Loki started, his voice low and on the verge of breaking. "I-I don't think... Natasha I don't think I am good enough for her. I can't... I think I can't proceed with this relationship with her."

Natasha gave one look at Loki's 'about-to-cry' face and pulled the car to stop at the side of the road. She huffed and turned to face Loki with a stern look.
"You don't think you're good for her?" She asked to which Loki nodded slowly, avoiding her eyes. "Then who do you think is good for her?"
"I-I don't know..." Came his soft reply.

"First of all, look at me Loki." Natasha urged, placing her hand on his knee. Loki blinked quickly and looked at her. "So, if you want to leave her, what excuse are you going to give her for it? Have you thought about that?" Her question confused him. "I-I don't understand.... what you are trying to say... I-" Nat cut him off with a wave of her hand.

"Let me help you with this. So, when she wakes up, and looks forward for a comforting kiss from you, push her away." Loki's eyes snapped towards Natasha cold face. He looked at her skeptically and she continued. "Push her away and tell her that I am sorry, I can't continue with our relationship. Tell her that you are giving up on the relationship that matters to her more than anything else. Tell her that you are leaving her like a fucking failure. Tell her sorry for breaking her already scarred heart instead of healing her. TELL HER THAT YOU THINK THAT LOVE IS A JOKE!"

"STOP IT!" Loki half-yelled, his face pink with overwhelming emotions. He looked away from her, out of the window and took a deep breath. "Stop it Natasha. You don't understand-"

"I don't understand!? Seriously? And no! I won't stop until you get that you are behaving like a complete asshole. Loki think clearly! She was given a mission. A mission from SHIELD is not something where you have to cook food or play games. She can get hurt during such missions. It's a common thing! She is afterall an Avenger. We fight. We get hurt. But that doesn't mean that you'll try to wrap her up in a bubble wrap and if she gets hurt, you'll just think about leaving her! It's completely absurd!"

Loki kept quiet, staring out. "It's not your fault that she has got hurt. It's not her fault too. It's her job! And your work is to support her and keep her happy which you are doing very well, my dear." She squeezed his knee.

"She beams brighter than the sun when she's with you. She forgets everything, every pain when you're with her. She needs you Loki. You need her too. You love her and she loves you, we all know that. And never ever think about leaving her. Never. She will break apart. You know how vulnerable she mentally is, right?" Natasha asked softly, caressing the strands of Rose's hair from her face. Loki nodded with a sigh.

"What I am trying to say is never talk about leaving her alone. You both are anchors of each other's lives. And never blame yourself if she gets hurt. You can fret over her but always remember that it's her job. Give her the support. If you love her then try to be a responsible lover. Love is not a petty game, boy which you can quit whenever you feel like." And with that, she turned on the car and resumed her drive.

Loki leaned down to kiss Rose's forehead. "I spent almost ten minutes in giving you pep talk. Don't make me feel that I wasted my time. Understood?"
Loki smiled and nodded. "I won't. Thank you Spider." Natasha laughed. "You're always welcome, Antelope."

Rose stirred in Loki's lap. He immediately placed his hand on her forehead.
"Rose? Are you feeling uncomfortable?" Rose slowly opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Loki?" She croaked out, her voice hoarse.
"Yes my sweet Pudding?"  Rose tried to sit up but failed as her head started to spin. "Where are... we? I'm safe?"
"Absolutely safe, my love. We're on our way to the Tower. You need water?"

Rose nodded slowly. "Orange juice please. I-I don't feel good." Loki furrowed his brows, worried and conjured up a glass of orange juice. He helped her sit up and handed her the glass. "Loki, check her temperature." Natasha said, giving a quick glance at Rose through the rearview mirror. Loki placed his palm on Rose's forehead. "A bit warm." He said. After Rose finished the glass, he took the it from her hands and vanished it.

Rose fiddled with her bra, still half-asleep and took out the pendrive. "Here you go. The fucking pendrive." She mumbled, as she handed it to Natasha. She was about to lean back on Loki when her eyes fell on the gash on his cheek. She narrowed her eyes and traced a finger over it, only to stop when Loki hissed in pain.

"How did it happen? Who did it?" She asked, her eyes wide, lips trembling. Loki smiled. "Got hurt. Someone had something sharp."
"But it looks like someone slashed-"
"Let me guess, you're going to heal me, right?" Loki changed the topic, a genuine smile on his face. Rose blinked slowly before nodding. She placed her white glowing hand on his cheeks and in the next moment, his cheek was back to spotless porcelain skin without a scratch.

Rose tried to smile but ended up yawning widely. "I.... don't feel good..." She mumbled again. "Ssh! Hush my love." Loki pulled her on his lap, wrapped his arms around her body securing her properly. Rose laid her head on his chest and slowly Loki's humming lulled her to sleep.

"Fell asleep?" Natasha asked. Loki hummed. "The drug hasn't wore off till now." He said, placing his chin on her head as he swayed slowly, rocking Rose side by side. "And Nat?"
"Hmm?"
"No one should know about her cat like properties. She won't like it." After a few seconds, Natasha nodded. "Alright."

Loki kissed Rose's head and rubbed his cheek against her soft hair.
"I love you so much, my sweetheart. So so much."

Goody goody gumdrops! I can't believe it! 56 chapters! I-I don't know what to say! Thanks a lot for reading my story... Oh I love you guys! Thankie!

If you liked the chapter, do vote and obviously comment! I love comments. :) Till next new chapter, Bu-Byee marshmallows! Take care!
Hugs and kisses!!