After End Game. All the Avengers plus Loki are still alive and well.

"Do you really think it's a good idea to keep him here?" Tony question Thor as the walk out of the magic debilitating cell they had just locked Loki in.

"The cells on Asgard are full," Thor explains, "where better to send him other than a cell in the tower of Earth's Mightiest Heros?"

"I donno Sparkles," Tony remarks and gestures to the building around them, "shit tends to get a bit messy here."

"True," the god agrees, "but we can handle him here. Besides, he's changed somewhat. This is only a precaution. I don't believe he would do anyone any harm if we were to let him out."

"Mr. Stark," Friday interrupts their conversation, "Director Fury and the rest of the team are in the conference room. The director would like you and Mr. Odinson to join them."

"On it, thanks, Friday," Tony calls back, "wonder what it's about."

The pair take the elevator and quickly go down the hall to the room where the others are all seated.

"You're both here, good," Fury says.

A small woman stands beside him.

She seems a bit timid, but keeps herself composed as many sets of eyes burn into her small frame.

"Take a seat," Fury gestures for the two new arrival to sit with the others.

They do so, taking glances at the nervous woman.

"This is Agent Maycroft," Fury gestures towards the woman, "she will be joining you on a new mission I have for you."

The woman nods silently to the group who return the nod, giving a few small smiles.

"Hydra is resurfacing," the director continues, "we discovered a base in the northern region of New Zealand," I map is projected on the wall behind him, "your mission is to go there, collect any information you can, and destroy it."

"You gotta be shitting me," Bucky groans, "how many time to we gotta get rid of these fuckers?"

"You haven't gotten rid of them," the woman finally speaks, her voice is soft yet has a firmness of authority to it, "they're like a weed. You can cut off the top, but they'll just keep coming back. Unless you tear out the roots."

"And where are the roots?" Natasha asks.

"We don't know yet," Fury answers, "which is why we will keep cutting off the tops until we find them."

"Okay," Tony says, after a moment, "but can I ask something? Why is Agent what's her name coming with us?"

"Maycroft. Agent Maycroft," Fury sighs, "why don't I let her show you why?"

He steps aside and allows the girl to step forward.

She takes a deep breath and a light green glow shines from her hands.

One by one, the group's vision goes dark and they loose all senses.

"What is this?" Steve says, reaching his hand forward to grab the table.

He is surprised when his hand can go no farther, stopped by the edge of the table, but he can't feel it.

Slowly, the woman releases the hold and the group regains their senses.

"All of your senses were stripped," she says, like it's the most casual thing in the world, "I have the ability to remove any and all senses of any living creature or, adversely, cause individual senses to become overwhelmed. Sound and pain being the most effective."

"I didn't like that at all," Tony says with a shiver.

"You're not supposed to," Fury deadpans, "she will be very useful. She can eliminate the guards quickly and quietly and you can get in and complete the mission."

"When do we leave?" Steve asks.

"One hour," Fury says, heading for the door, "suit up."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He can feel something.
A presence he hasn't felt in over a decade.
But he can't decipher it.

He feels like he needs to go to it. To whoever this person is. But where can he go while he's trapped in this box.

He lays on the small bed, staring up at the ceiling.

"I miss you, Darling," he says softly, speaking to his passed lover, "I wish I could hold you again. I will keep my promise, my dear. I will find you again. In this life or the next. And this time I will keep you by my side."

"Cute sentiment. Didn't think you were one to have a heart."

Loki sits up quickly, eyeing Tony with a scowl.

"It's behoove you not to listen when I don't wish for you to," he sneers at him.

"Mmhm yeah well anyway, were going on a mission," Tony says, ignoring the god's resentful tone, "Pepper is gonna be here to make sure you don't get out while we're gone."

Loki says nothing, laying back down on the bed.

I doesn't care what the group of self proclaimed heros do. His mind is occupied with other things.

Tony leaves to join the rest of the team, leaving Loki alone once more.

"I will find you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Agent Maycroft sits in the jet with the team, just wanting the mission to be over with already as they approach their destination.

"So what's your name?" Tony asks her as he leans against part of the jet.

"Agent Maycroft," she answers flatly.

"Yeah I know that," Tony waves it away, "but what's your name name?"

She rolls her eyes with a sigh and looks out the window.

"Y/n."

"Y/n?" Tony tilts his head a bit.

"Yeah. Y/n Maycroft," she looks back at the billionaire, "but you will still call me Agent or Agent Maycroft."

"What's with shield agents never wanting to be called their first name?"

"First name basis means friends. Friends mean vulnerability. Vulnerability means weakness," she answers looking back out the window, "we can't have any distractions. Making friends is a distraction and creates a target for anyone that has it out for us. An object is only as strong as its weakest point. People exploit that weakness and use it to break you," she looks back at him again, "ergo, no first names, no friends, no weak links."

"Well that's a pessimist way to look at it," Tony chuckles, "why not look at it as someone who's got your back?"

She raises a brow at him, contemplating his words.

Someone that's there for you.

It would be a nice change.