LANA AND NATASHA were in the former's room and they were sitting on her bed. Lana didn't know what her sister wanted total about but she could guess and it would probably be right. "So any hot Russian guys I should know about?" Natasha asked.

"In this line of work there is no room for relationships."

"Ok, what about that guy here at S.H.E.I.L.D. What was his name? Graham?"

"Grant. No," Lana laughed.

"Come on Lana why not?"

"He's just not my type," Lana shrugged.

"Then what is your type?"

"Tall. Blond or brunette. Good personality. Someone normal, someone who will never know about my past."

"Good, you're so basic. And it's bad if they don't know, what if they get killed," Natasha said as she flopped back onto Lana's bed causing the younger woman to gape at her.

"First I'm not basic. What would you rather me go for some bad boy mafia leader?" Lana laughed.

"No, but at least don't be basic," Natasha smiled.

"Second, don't talk like that."

Natasha's phone beeped with a message, "Come on Fury wants us to talk with Loki." The two heaved themselves up and walked over to Loki's cell. They stayed hidden in the shadows as Loki paced, he stopped and smiled.

"There are not many people who can sneak up on me," he said.

"But you figured we'd come," Lana replied. She made eye contact with him and he paused before smirking.

"After whatever tortures Fury can concoct, you two would appear as friends as a balm. And I would cooperate."

"I want to know what you did to Agent Barton," Natasha asserted.

"I would say I've expanded his mind," Loki declared causing Lana to scoff. The most he could have done was brian wash him.

"And once you've won, once you're king of the mountain, what happens to the mind?" Natasha asked.

"Oh, is this love, Agent Romanoff? Loki asked jokingly.

"Love is for children. I owe him a debt," Natasha replied blankly.

"Tell me," Loki demanded.

"Before I worked for S.H.E.I.L.D., I, uh... well I made a name for myself. We both did," Natasha started and looked over at her sister, "We have a very specific skill set. I didn't care who I used it for, or on. I got on S.H.E.I.L.D.'s radar in a bad way. Agent Barton was sent to kill me. He made a different call."

"And what will you do if I vowed to spare him?" Loki asked.

"Not let you out," Lana replied before Natasha could.

"No, but I like this. Your world in the balance and you bargain for one man."

"Regimes fall every day," Natasha shrugged, "We tend not to weep over that. We're Russian. Or I was."

"And what are you two now?"

"Well I'm still Russian," Lana muttered.

"It's really not that complicated. We've got red in our ledgers we'd like to wipe it out," Natasha spoke.

"Can you? Can you wipe out that much red? Dreykov's daughter," Natasha kept a straight face, "Sao Paulo, the hospital fire? Barton told me everything."

"Contrary to popular belief, I am very much at peace with my inner demons. We're friends in fact," Lana smiled condescendingly. She lied. There were still days when the nightmares of her past plagued her mind. Natasha tried to wipe away her sins but Lana could never. She was too far gone, too corrupted.

"Really?" Loki asked. "You're ledger is dripping. It's gushing red and you think saving a man no more virtuous than yourself will change anything? This is the basest sentimentality. This is a child at prayer. Pathetic! You lie and kill in the service of liars and killers. You pretend to be separate to have your own code, something that makes up for the horrors. But they are a part of you. And they will never go away," he slammed his hand against the cage.

"I won't touch Barton not until I make him kill you. Slowly intimately, in every way, he knows you fear. And then he'll wake just long enough to see his good work, and when he screams I'll split his skull." Natasha turned away in horror while Lana grimaced at the image.

"This is my bargain you mewling quim," Loki continued.

"You're a monster," Natasha sniffled.

Loki chuckled, "Oh no. You brought the monster."

Natasha raised her head, stopping her tears, and turned around, "So, Banner. That's your play." Loki looked stunned.

"What?"

"Loki means to unleash the Hulk. Keep Banner in the lab we're on our way," Lana spoke into her earpiece as the two walked towards the exit, "Send Thor as well." The two stopped and turned back to Loki, "Thank you, for your cooperation," they said.