Loki and I made our way through the casino as I scanned the crowds looking for our target.

"I don't like this." I said.

"I know, darling." Loki smiled politely at a waiter as we passed him by. I was tempted to down a flute of champagne. "But this is our job."

"I hate you," I said as I found our target. I plastered on a smile as I let go of Loki's arm.

"No you don't, Maya."

"Perhaps."

---------

Hours later I was still sitting at the bar with Mr. Zhou who was graciously drunk as I drained the information from him.

I kindly excused myself, brushing past his guards as I met up with Loki who leaned against the wall next to a mirror.

"What did he say?" He said to me.

"He's only a little fish," I said reapplying my lipstick. "He gave up some names, mostly because he kept on bragging about selling drugs to the Triads."

"The Yakuza?"

"Nothing to it." I said with a frown. "But he's given the information we need."

"Should we go then?"

"Yeah," I said, scowling. "I hate how he looks at me. Think you can get us out of here without being seen?"

Loki placed an arm around my shoulder and snapped his fingers transporting us back to our hotel room. I muttered my thanks, cursing Agent Richards and Mr. Zhou for the shitty mission. I had the urge to punch something and I was lowkey hoping that Mr. Zhou and his minions would be willling volunteers.

Oh well.

Nothing we can do about that.

I stepped into my room and started to change. First I kicked off the heels not caring where they landed as I stripped out of the dress and pulled on some sweatpants that I packed.

My feet were aching and my body was too tired to go and take a shower so I promised myself I'd just write the report when I was on the plane. I stretched my arm out to set an alarm on my phone which was on my nightstand.

Instead I felt a sting.

I pulled my hand back to see a small cut on my index finger.

"A paper cut?" I said out loud . "What the-?"

I turned over, turning on the light to see a folded envelop on the nightstand with my name written in familiar handwriting.

I felt my stomach drop as I felt that familiar chill of fear slither up my spine. The room which had been so warm now felt like I had opened a window, letting in the winter air.

I knew--I fucking knew it.

My worst fear was confirmed as I opened the envelope.

The first words were:

Dear Maya,
We have your mother.

**********

Who knew a tiny piece of paper could scare the living shit out of you?

Loki called out my name, asking me for something. I didn't answer him as his voice rang like a distant bell. My eyes still lingering on the note that was given to me by Mr. Zhou just before he jumped.

"Maya?!" I jerked in my seat looking up to see Loki.

"Bloody hell," I muttered to my self as I placed my head in my hands. "Yes, Loki? What do you want?"

"You aren't okay." He stated.

"No shit, Sherlock."

Loki didn't care for my hostile tone or the way that I glared at him.

"Your eyes are red."

"The sky is blue. Water is wet. Humans are idiots. Any more obvious statements you want to make?" I asked getting up and looking for the mission report that I wrote out. "What do you want?"

"Were you......crying?" He asked me, this time he sounded surprise.

It might come to a shock to you but I'm not a fucking robot, I have these things called feelings (which I unhealthily bottle up) and sometimes they manifest themselves physically i.e. tears.

I grabbed my report, checking over it for any errors.

"Did you finish your report?" I asked instead hoping that he would just drop it.

"I've already sent my report to Richards." He said, waving it aside. "But you didn't answer my question."

"I wasn't crying, Loki. Leave it."

"Ah but I cannot. Maya Samantha Anwar-Crowley, I am the God of Mischief and Lies. I know when I'm being lied to so I'll ask my question again." Loki said, unusually persistent. "Were you crying?"

"What would you do if I said yes, hmm?" I asked.

"I don't know." He said. "I've never ever seen you break down nor have I ever seen you lose your temper---except that one time where you 'quit.' It's odd to see one of the most toughest human beings I know suddenly break down. It's almost unnatural to see you this weak."

Gee. Thanks, asshole.

"If I wanted to be insulted I'd go and look for my brother." I slammed the folder down. "And who said I'm breaking down?"

"You misunderstand me." Loki out his hands in the air. "You're very close to breaking down. Do you think I can't see it?"

"Gee, Trickster. Are you trying to be an asshole today? "

"I'm a professional, Maya. You aren't strong but you aren't weak either." Loki said as pulled out a chair and sat down across from me. "So I suggest that you stop acting like you can handle everything and tell me what--or who--bothering you."

"Why do you want to know?" I asked.

"I'm curious."

"Yeah." I scoffed. "I'm not telling you and don't even think about reading my mind."

Loki sat back in his chair, watching me intently. I did my best to think of other things than that one damned piece of paper. It was hard because by gods I was beyond terrified.

"You're being more stubborn than Thor. I thought we were partners." Loki sounded despondent and distant.

"We are."

"Then tell me who sent you the note."

Shit!

I would kick his ass later for reading my mind but gods I was close to my breaking point. The last thing I needed was to break down in front of Loki. Instead I nodded my head, not directly answering his question.

"Okay then. We're going to the Avengers." Loki said, suddenly standing up. "Right now."

"Absolutely fucking not." I hissed, standing up to block him. I must have sounded desperate but fuck it because this was my mom's life we were gambling with. "That's out of the question."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" He challenged. "Do you really think you can handle this on your own?"

"I....I don't know......." I said letting go of him. "I....."

"Pathetic." Loki brushed past me and I instinctively grabbed the sleeve of his jacket. He stopped, turning back to me with his expression all the same. "Are just going to stand here holding onto me or are we going to sneak out of the tower?" He asked.

"What?"

"I'm going with you," Loki said. "If you don't want the Avengers to help you then at least let me. We're partners after all."

"Like hell you are!" I growled.

"Then would you prefer me to tell the Avengers of where you'll be going?" He asked. I grabbed him by he lapels and pulled him down to my level so I could just glare at him. Loki made an odd noise. "Are you trying to intimidate me?" He said, trying to recover.

"Maybe."

"You're failing."

"Asshat." I let him go and grabbed the note from my draw as I threw on my jacket. "Fine. Just don't get in my way. Got that, Trickster?"

"Scouts honor, my dear."

I closed the door to my room and scrambled to the elevator. Loki was on my heels, quiet the entire elevator ride down. Of all people that I was going to trust to help me save my mother it just happened to be him.

I could've gone to Nat or Steve or Bucky but this was something I had to do on my own. No matter what people said this was my fight and I'm strong enough this time around. If Loki wanted to come with me he could.

So whatever my father had in store for me, he's gonna wish that he brought a huge arsenal because a giant shitstorm named Maya was heading straight his way to make sure that when he dies--he stays dead.

----------

"Anyone seen Maya today?" Bucky asked as he walked into the lounge.

Tony looked up from his tablet as he noticed the lack of a certain grump that usually haunted the tower.

"Nope," he said. "Haven't seen her since dinner last night."

"She was suppose to show up for training today." Bucket said. "It's not like her to skip."

"Maybe she's sleeping in." Steve walked in still dressed in civilian clothes. "Didn't her and Loki come back from that mission in China?"

"Loki has been unusually quiet as well." Thor laid back in the recliner as he paused the movie he was watching. "Usually he is in Maya's room isn't he?"

"Since fucking when?!" Tony chocked on his water. This was news to him. "I thought those two would try to kill each other."

"Maybe they're finally sleeping together," Pietro joked with Stark. Wanda promptly smacked him upside the head before he could duck out of the way. "Oh c'mon!"

"They were dancing on New Years." Clint pointed out. "And those two are rather cozy with each other now."

"Define cozy." Thor said.

"They were also trying to kill each other before that." Nat said, arms crossed over her chest as she scowled in disapproval. "There's no way that those two were sleeping with each other. Trust me. We would know."

Tony rolled his eyes and pulled up the trackers on Maya's wrist cuffs.

"Well.....I hate to be the bearer of bad news but looks like your ship isn't in the tower." He raised his eyebrow. "They're heading north."

"Ship?" Steve asked, quizzically.

"I'll explain later," Nat said. "It's fandom related."

"Oh."

"Towards Harlem?" Bruce asked. 

"No." Tony showed them the screen. "Up north, like really north."

"So......maybe the two lovebirds want to get away?" Pietro said. "I mean it's not easy bringing girls back to the tower to---ow! Wanda!"

"No offense to Maya, but is Loki even her type?" Nat asked, curling her lip in disgust.

"Upstate New York?" Bucky asked in confusion. "Okay. Sure, Maya can be reckless but she isn't impulsive. C'mon, guys. She isn't the one to cut training to go and mess around with some guy."

"And 'some guy' just turned out to be Loki." Steve groaned. "Look, it's Maya. She probably knows what she's doing. Maybe we've got the situation all wrong."

"Yeah......." Tony said making his way to the elevator. "How about a no?"

"I swear she's gonna kick out ass for following her. Can't we just trust her this time?" Steve asked, trying desperately pretly to be the adult here. "She's an adult. She can take care of herself."

"We're going after those two to make sure nothing stupid happened or happening." Nat said, grabbed the keys from her purse. "My car has room for three so let's go."

"I call shot gun," Bucky exclaimed as he pulled Steve along with him.