"What do you mean he escaped?"

Tony rolled his eyes are Clint's ranting. When Thor and he had returned from the coffee shop, unscathed and without Loki, the others confused…no, that's not correct. They were pissed.

Yeah, that's the word.

"Tony, this doesn't make any sense." Steve said as they all made their way back to the jet. "He just left? No plan, no fighting, no secret invaders wading behind the arm chairs?"

"Pretty much Capt." Tony breathed through his nose and forced the air out of his mouth; the largest sigh Steve had heard in years.

"He says he is on a 'Vacation'." Thor said. Every time they crammed themselves into the jet it seemed to get smaller. When Tony first created the stupid thing he said it would be able to accommodate all of them with plenty of room to spare…needless to say that was a lie.

"Bullshit." Clint spoke, his eyes gleaming like coals in the fire, "He's planning something. He's always planning something."

"Oh, right. And what is his evil plan huh? Drinking coffee and leaving tips? The fiend!" Tony shook his head. "If Mr. Antlers wants to give up on the "conquering the world" shtick, then let him."

"Man of Iron, we can't do that. Loki still must return to Asgard to face his punishment for-"

"Yeah yeah, we got that Goldie locks, but think about it. Loki's not doing anything, and wouldn't it be easier to just let him stew in…whatever it is he's stewing in, instead of chasing him down only to have him disappear?"

Tony could feel Clint's eyes burrowing into him through his armor, they still hadn't forgotten about Loki's quick escape, but what could Thor or he had done about it?

"And what if he's just biding his time until his real plan is gone in motion?" Steve asked. "Remember the last time he was here? He let us think he was captured, but really-"

"Yeah I know, but something tells me…" Tony licked his lips and closed his eyes "…he meant it." Tony punched a few buttons on the jet's monitor. "We can monitor him and if he does anything, and if he shows up again we'll know."

"But Man of Iron, what of the world at large? The nine realms, everything is-"

"Yes Thor, I know. Eternal peace and order I get it. But come on. It really isn't that bad." That was a lie. "And even still, which is worse? People acting a little strange, or a crazy maniac trying to take over the universe?"

Everyone fell silent.

"Exactly."

So it was settled then. When Tony got home he spent the entire day tracking Loki's signature and even expanding his machine so that it could detect Loki as far the moon. If something appeared to be out of order, they would check it out.

They'd leave Loki alone…for now.

Steve was still uneasy about the entire situation. Loki? On vacation? Really? But both Tony and Thor seemed so sincere, so sure, they he couldn't help but give them the benefit of the doubt, even if he didn't like it.

"You're worried too, aren't you?"

Steve jumped at the sound of Natasha's voice. How exactly did she manage to walk so silently?

"Well Rogers I know how you feel. I don't trust anyone or anything I can't cut up."

Steve smiled. "Well, we'll just have to wait and see."

And hopefully, they'll still be alive then.

Weeks passed and there was no sign of Loki. The world continued to spin. Crime was dwindling down to non-existence. Natasha and Clint joked that if this kept up SHILED would go out of business and Fury would have to find a new job. Thor began to have second thoughts about the entire venture. The mortals were happy, and the nine realms had never been more peaceful. Maybe Odin had overreacted. Maybe Loki's removal was his one act of kindness. Maybe everything was going to be fine.

Even Steve was beginning to think less and less of Loki's escape as a future attack, and more and more as a Godsend. Natasha was getting less and less gun practice, and Tony could focus more on his "inventing" (or rather, bringing home every girl he met off the street) now that he didn't have to worry about villains trying to rip his tongue out. Everything was fine.

And then it happened.

Steve sat down in front of the television, a towel hanging over his head from an early morning run. He flipped to the local news channel. New York had changed so much since the 40's and he wanted to keep up to date on as much as he could.

"Good morning New York." The one thing that hadn't changed was the overzealous news casters, their teeth whiter than baking powder. "Crime continues to plummet through the city, but there are still others who refuse to follow our laws."

The scene cut to the figure of a small young man, his hands chained behind his back. He sat upon a chair. His face was smooth like a child's. The room was crowded with people, old and young who looked on with blank faces. Regardless, justice was done. Steve knew what danger was, he knew what would happen if order was destroyed. Tyranny would rule, and because of that fact Rogers always believed in their system of justice, fair but merciful. Whatever this guy did, it must have been something despicable to warrant this much attention.

"This man has committed a grand crime and shall face his punishment." The news caster stated. "His crime?" Steve's ears perked up. "Disturbing the peace."

Steve's blood turned to ice.

"This man was caught playing loud music, disturbing the peace of downtown. That is something we cannot abide by."

This guy was sounding less like a bad journalist and more like an executioner. The people in the background only looked on, their faces devoid of any…character. No emotion, no disdain, just blank faceless nothings.

What was going on?

"He'll be executed by sunset."

Steve's ears began to burn.

"Execution? For disturbing the peace?" Not murder, not manslaughter, but ruining the peace that was slowly surrounding them; choking them like a noose. The news cast slowly faded; cold words echoing through Steve's hollow chest. Executed by sunset.

Peace was not merciful.