"Agent Coulson."

"Your Majesty."

The men stood staring at each other. Then Coulson outstretched his hand, perhaps realising that he was the one meant to subject to an Asgardian prince, rather than the other way round.

"I need to apologise for my actions on the Helicarrier," Coulson began, but Loki interrupted him.

"I understand," Loki said, smiling. "You couldn't go against Fury's orders. I admire your commitment to the cause."

"I admire your commitment to Stark," the man replied. "He is... difficult, at the best of times."

"Difficult but worth the effort," Loki commented, and shook the agent's hand.

Coulson smiled.

"I believe my employer had the same thought."

"Anyway, what can I do for you, Agent Coulson? I trust this isn't a courtesy call."

Loki raised an eyebrow and Coulson visibly sighed.

"Yes," he admitted. "We have a... situation, which calls for your unique set of skills. I don't believe you've used this particular skill on Earth yet, but myths tell the tale of a shape-shifter capable of adopting the faces of others, and that shape-shifter is, reportedly, you."

Loki turned his head to one side, calculating.

"You are correct," he said softly. "Shape-shifting is one of my specialities. What is this situation you speak of?"

"Can we go somewhere private?" The agent asked.

"Of course."

Loki showed Coulson into the nearest room and then elegantly sat on the sofa. Coulson remained standing. Loki knew the agent took the typical view of assuming that he held all the power, but the reality was that Loki held all the cards.

"This is.. tricky," Coulson said slowly.

Loki gave him a scathing look.

"I may be a master of words but believe me I prefer brevity above all else. Tell me it plainly or not at all."

Loki was, after all, a brilliant diplomat.

"Basically," Coulson said, trying to warm into his theme, "There is an arms dealer we need to catch in the act. How familiar are you with nuclear weapons?"

Loki gave him another look.

"A lot. I am Tony's friend, after all, and I did my fair share of studying all sorts of disciplines at university."

"Then you'll be all set," Coulson said, pleased, refusing to be cowed. "SHIELD needs you to infiltrate the dealer's lair and strike a deal. I need all the information you can get."

"Do you want me to dispose of this criminal?" Loki asked pleasantly.

"Detain, yes. Destroy, no. He may yet yield results during interrogation."

"Very well," Loki replied. "You have yourself a deal."

Coulson shook his hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"The honour is all mine."

Loki returned to the communal area with Coulson. The agent waved a hand at Natasha and Clint and they waved lazily back.

"I shall be away for an evening to help Agent Coulson with a... situation," Loki informed the others who were spread out on sofas before him.

"I'm offended," Tony said immediately. "I'm never called for missions."

"There is a reason," Natasha drawled. "I did write a report on you."

"I know," replied Tony. "What was most devastating is you didn't mention my dashing good looks or my amazing reputation or anything-"

Loki frowned minimally.

"This is a clandestine operation of the highest importance and requires disguises."

Loki instantly transformed into his female form.

"You're..."

Tony didn't know what to say.

"A shape shifter," Loki finished for him.

Loki's fashionista alter ego occasionally flicked through Vogue magazines and this was a look he'd conjured from several different models. He knew it looked good.

She was a tall woman with long wavy raven-black hair and startling eyelashes. She wore a glittering emerald dress.

"I thought I knew everything you could do," Tony said in an awed voice.

"Clearly you haven't read my Wikipedia page," Loki replied drily. "The mythology nerds know. Coulson knew."

"Hey, I'm a nerd!" Tony exclaimed.

"Prove it," Loki grinned.

"Doth mother know you weareth her drapes?" Tony asked, cocking an eyebrow at Loki's attire.

Loki twirled around in her dress.

"I can and I will suffocate you with my 'drapes'. It will hurt no less when I kill you in this form."

"Careful, Loki, someone might even think you're a villain."

"They might not be wrong..."

"Remember we don't like self-deprecating remarks in this house."

"You call this a house?"

"Tower, same thing. You would call this a home, right?"

"I would call a palace a home, Stark. I am a prince and heir to two thrones."

"And master of none," Tony muttered.

"Well that's just petty coming from you," Loki pointed out, hands on his hips.

"I'm a master at everything," Tony said proudly.

"So am I."

"Alright, girls, calm down," interrupted Natasha smoothly.

"Hey! Loki's the girl, not me," Tony protested.

"You're acting like a girl, Stark," Natasha said critically. "There's no use denying it."

"Speaking of palaces, though, could we ever go and see it?" Clint asked.

"See what?" Loki said, feigning ignorance.

"Your palace?"

"Oh, I have several - which one?"

"The gold palace."

"You could have said."

"Loki, stop playing around. There are two and they're not even yours," Tony commented, rolling his eyes.

"Yet."

"You were being facetious."

"Aren't I always?"

"True," Tony considered.

"About the mission?" wondered Coulson aloud.

"Of course, Agent Coulson," Loki said smoothly. "The mission."

*****

A.N. Does Tony fall in love with Loki's female form? Knowing him, quite possibly. But Pepper will always come first.

Thank you for reading and please comment!