Author's Note: The chapters have been much shorter than I usually write so far. Within the next chapter or two things should begin to pick up and the chapters will get much longer now that everyone is in one place and I won't be switching back and forth as much. Enjoy!

"Traveling today, my king?"

Fighting back a sigh, Loki did his best to ignore Heimdall's irritating, but not exactly unexpected, sarcasm. Bound by duty to the king of Asgard, and as Loki was constantly reminding him he was the rightful king now, Heimdall could not act against his orders. Loki had been quick to swear him to secrecy about his identity and sometimes when he couldn't sleep he passed the time until the early morning hours giving new commands to Heimdall to ensure he didn't find a loophole and reveal Loki's identity to Thor. A loophole he had no doubt been searching for ever since Loki ascended to the throne.

For now it seemed the gatekeeper was reduced to a subtle but biting sarcasm to express his displeasure.

"Why yes, how ever did you guess?" Loki snapped back. He looked like himself, having let his Odin disguise fall the moment he was alone with Heimdall. Heimdall looked slightly surprised to see the young god without his disguise. Usually he kept it up for appearance's sake and as a constant reminder that he was in charge. Today though, Loki saw no point in their little game. The gatekeeper saw everything, after all, and why use up his strength on a pointless charade?

"Where to then, King Laufeyson?"

Loki ground his teeth and considered banning Heimdall from speaking at all. He had tried his best to be patient with the man in hopes that one day he might be a more willing ally, but patience was not something Loki possessed an overabundance of.

"Where is my brother?" He asked, peering out into the great swirling vortex of space. Despite his silver tongue he still found himself slipping up constantly when it came to Thor. He couldn't seem to convince his subconscious that they were not related.

If Heimdall noticed the mistake, he chose not to comment on it.

"Thor is currently with Jane Foster," Heimdall answered, gazing out into space and seeing much more than Loki could. "It would appear they are on a tropical island indulging in what I believe the mortals would call a vacation."

Loki snorted. "He has all but abandoned his duties."

"You are complaining?" Heimdall looked at him and Loki frowned back.

"I am not. It is much easier this way. I only think it serves as a good reminder why Thor would never be a good king." He was grumbling more to himself than Heimdall but to his surprise and slight annoyance Heimdall chuckled.

"Thor has fallen in love, my king. Perhaps you too will find love one day also."

Loki felt his face redden.

"I would not get my hopes up," he snapped. "Enough of this pointless banter. Where are the Avengers?"

Heimdall studied him for a long moment before replying. "Where they usually are, at Stark Tower on Midgard."

"Then that is where I need to go," Loki replied. "Send me to Stark Tower. Only not too close. I need time to prepare a proper disguise before approaching. I do not fancy having my eye shot out by one of the Hawk's arrows."

Heimdall looked troubled. "You wish to battle the Avengers again so soon? Do you think that is wise, my King?"

"I did not wish to battle them," Loki answered crossly. "I wish...to seek their assistance. You said yourself you cannot see who or what is causing this plague that is taking more and more of my best warriors. I do not imagine it will be long before it spreads to the people of Asgard."

Heimdall looked troubled. "An honorable quest then. I fear though we may be too late. If we face a threat that even my sight cannot see, the enemy may be at our gates already."

"Thank you for the pep talk," Loki answered, rolling his eyes. "Now can we get on with this?"

"As you wish."

In a flash of light, Heimdall activated the bifrost bridge as he had down countless times before. Loki vanished and found himself flying through space at an impossible speed, heading for Midgard. As Tony Stark's tower, apparently the current location of the Avengers, began to materialize in the distance Loki couldn't help but think that Heimdall was right about one thing.

The enemy certainly was at the gates.