The plane set down a little roughly on the roof of Stark Tower, but that was soon forgotten. They had made it. Finally.

Loki stepped out to survey his good work. He tossed a nod to Selvig, if only to lull him into a false sense of security. He had yet to finish setting up the portal generator, and Loki needed him to finish it soon. Nothing could be done without it. With a sigh, Loki noted the unfinished product and proceeded inside.

Nancy watched him leave into Stark Tower. Stark Tower, of all places. Well, it was flashy enough for his tastes, she'd give him that. But, wasn't the Tower supposed to be all tech and robot surveillance? Stark could hack S.H.I.E.L.D. if he wanted to. But… all that probably still wouldn't be enough to stop a psychotic mythical god with a vengeance.

With a sigh, Nancy looked around her at all the former agents. Men she'd worked with. Talked to. Fought alongside… well, from her cushy swivel chair and grandiose desk. But, still. These were her teammates. Her comrades. Her partners. Those who were supposed to have her back no matter what.

"We're all on the same team, really." She chuckled nervously, glancing from one pair of glowing blue eyes to another. "Remember? Don't… any of you remember?"

There were no positive responses.

"You're agents!" Nancy cried, tugging on the remaining strap that chained her wrist to the plane. If only she could get loose. Maybe she could run for help. Where? Anywhere. Anywhere but here. She was beginning to panic. A jet full of brainwashed traitors. Who could tell what Loki might command them to do next? "S.H.I.E.L.D. agents! Snap out of it!"

Though they all stared at her strangely, one seemed to snap out of it long enough to reach and untie her hand. The others remained close, heeding their orders to not leave her side.

"What did he do to you?" Nancy whispered, stunned, as she rubbed at her wrist.

She was free, but where could she go? In an instant, she'd have a dozen S.H.I.E.L.D. hounds on her, guns drawn, ready for Loki's command to fire. No. She couldn't run. Not as long as he had them in his command. Yet they continued to stare with those glowing blue eyes. Light that seeped out of every vein and muscle. Light that commanded every synapsis and heartbeat. What had that monster done to them?

A similar confused expression made the rounds in the group of former agents. One shrugged. They all seemed very concerned with her question.

"Try to fight it! Don't let him win! Don't let him have control!"

One man chuckled at her outburst. The others stared blankly. They simply couldn't understand what her problem was.

Nancy sighed, realizing her pleas were in vain. "You're sheep. You're all sheep."

She stood and stepped out of the plane, timidly following the path Loki took. As she walked, a herd of brainwashed S.H.I.E.L.D. agents followed along behind her.

Loki stood before the enormous glass wall, his hands folded neatly behind his back, staring out at the city. The people. All would be his, soon. They went about their business as though nothing was wrong. Because they didn't know. And they wouldn't know until it was too late. It would all be his. Today. In a matter of hours. He only wished he hadn't had to resort to such extreme measures to guarantee it.

"I brought the herd." Nancy commented with a soft chuckle. She walked forward until she was standing a few feet behind him. That's when she noticed his hands were behind his back. A posture that was both passive and authoritative. It showed power, yet passivity. As if everything was only a grand experiment. An observation to make. And there he stood with his hands behind his back, observing all the lives he was about to ruin. Nancy glowered at him, regarding him with scorn, and let her eyes land on the window. All of New York stood outside, unexpecting. Unprepared. Her world, the world she loved and cherished, the world she vowed to protect, to serve, was about to face the worst enemy it'd ever had. "All those people…."

"...And only one Agent Nancy McAllister in here with her enemy." Loki paused to watch a group of young people dash down the street as fast as their ridiculous shoes would take them. He shook his head and returned his attention to the woman behind him. "Tell me, why do you think you are here?"

Nancy took a step forward, unafraid of him and his purposes. Let him turn and face her. Let him come. She was ready. "Because I'm the only one brave enough to defy orders to face you." She boldly admitted.

Loki chuckled at her audacity. "An interesting theory, to be sure." A theory that only stated he had brought her because she had disobeyed him. But there was so much more to it than that. He turned to face her, then slowly made his way toward her. One step at a time. Each footfall clicking against the hard floor. "Why would you like to be here?"

Now that was a question. Why would she like to be there? Why would she prefer to be there with Loki, an alien war criminal, prince of Asgard, than anywhere else on earth? Why? Because he was fascinating. And intriguing. And the best challenge she'd ever faced in her life. He thrilled her to her core. That's why she liked to be there.

"Because I'm not scared of you." Nancy finally replied, standing her ground. "I find you interesting. As interesting as you find me."

"Oh? You think you are here because you interest me? How quaint." He was close enough to see every minor detail of her face now. Every muscle that twitched. Holding in a mischievous smile, he reached forward and fingered the strap of her satchel. Pulling, twisting slightly, and running a single digit along the soft leather.

Nancy's breath caught as he toyed with her satchel. She timidly glanced down and watched him pulling at it. She knew he was trying to distract her. And, man, was it working. She glanced to his face again, trying not to think about how close his hand was to the rest of her.

"If you wanted my notebook," she stated, trying to sound as bold as she had before, "you would've already taken it. Same with my body. You enjoy my mind."

Oh, so that's what she thought. That he had no patience. No self-control. That if he wanted something he would have it immediately. Little did she know that was not how he worked. Not always. The good things took planning. He smiled at her amateur attempt to understand him. "You've no idea how I work. But, then, that's why you entered here, is it not?"

"That's mostly true. I do want to know more about you. But, I also know more about you than you realize… Odinson. Or, maybe you don't go by that now."

Nancy smirked up at him, hoping her new tidbit of information would be enough to stun him, if nothing else.

Loki chuckled softly. She meant to surprise him, but it didn't. Not really. "Thor has been talking." And his interest in the satchel strap had run out. Loki looked for something else to do and found her hair. Soft, irresistibly so, and just asking for him to caress it. He reached to it and moved it off her shoulder. Yes, he was right. It was soft. "You know less than you think and only what I allow."

Nancy's eyes fluttered momentarily as he touched her hair. His touch was so soft and light. No. She had to snap out of this. He was only toying with her. She glanced to his hand again, noting how close it was to her face. How close it was to her neck. He could strangle her if he wanted. Snap her neck like a twig. But he hadn't. He wanted to toy with her. She entertained him. She knew that for a fact.

"You allow more than you know." The boldness in her voice was fading with every move of his hand. She tried to keep as much professionalism as she could muster. Perhaps this was why she never went out in the field. She couldn't handle it. "Thor only told us you're his adopted brother. Nothing more."

She wasn't very good at ignoring him, was she? Her glance to his hand was more than noticeable. And the way her eyes shuddered closed at his touch. She hadn't even tried to hide it. It was downright obvious. And it only egged him on. "Distracted?" he asked as he moved his hand down to toy with the clasp to her satchel. Who knew what goodies would spill out if he opened it? Perhaps he would learn something.

"Not a bit." Nancy quickly removed her bag, fed up with his distractions and not wanting her papers to scatter. "You're trying to distract me. But, I know you're dying to know what I've learned about you." She had to change the subject. Had to say something to keep herself from being distracted by him.

"If you say so." Loki let her have her peace for a brief moment as he glanced over his shoulder at the window. Still no sign of the Metal Man, which left nothing to do until the portal was opened. He sighed. "I have time to waste." His gaze turned back to her, and he weighed his options. Perhaps allowing her to study him, just for a bit, was not too much trouble. "You can steer the conversation or I can allow my imagination to roam." Oh, the places he could let it roam after being away from his home for so long.

"I think it's roamed enough." Nancy stepped closer, closing the small distance between them. "You have daddy issues," she whispered in his ear, "And a god-complex."

She had gathered nothing else? S.H.I.E.L.D.'s files could have told her that much. Loki laughed. "Is that all?"

"You have a lust for power that's almost as big as your ego." Nancy placed one hand on his waist, taking note of the tension she was causing. If only she could keep him distracted with her whispers and coos, maybe she could pick one of his daggers from him.

Loki glanced down to the hand she had rested on his waist. Interesting. First, she pushed him away and called him names. And now... she wished to draw him in? Only, why? Surely she must have ulterior motives, for she had no reason to be doing this as she was. She hated him, or so he had gathered. He raised an eyebrow and said not a word. Let her take this where she would. Loki only wanted to see what she thought she would get out of this inexperienced distraction.

Nancy instantly noticed his glance. Drat, he'd seen her. She'd have to be careful, lest she spook him or reveal her plan. She left her hand where it was, still trying to distract him. "You crave attention, great prince, and now plan to make a throne of earth."

"All hypotheses." Loki smirked. She could test him all she wanted with her words, he could see right through them. And she would never know more than he allowed. His attention returned to her attempt at distraction. Reluctantly, he noted it and decided it was best to put his curiosity to rest. He nodded at her hand. "What is the purpose of this tactic?"

Nancy's blood immediately ran cold. He was on to her. But, there it was, the hilt of one of his daggers. There was a whole belt of them, hidden under his armor. She gave a nonchalant shrug and dropped her hand away from him, cautiously slipping the knife up her sleeve as she did so.

"No. You told me so yourself." Now, for the whopper that would really distract him. The biggest secret of all. She'd deduced his whole life's story. "Like how you told me you want earth because Odin denied you Asgard. Seeking revenge on your brother, you decided to steal what he already cherished. Earth."

It wasn't all that difficult to tell his story. That's what she did. She read people. From his word choice and clothing she could tell that Loki was some sort of high ranking nobleman on Asgard. He liked to use passive voice – albeit passive aggressive voice – and large words, which were both common traits of a learned gentleman. The gold on his armor told his rank as a nobleman. Since he craved power with a vengeance, she deduced that he must have worked in the palace, most likely as an advisor to the king. Advisors to kings almost always want that little hop, skip, and jump to the throne. Knowing that he was adopted was the final piece to the puzzle. Thor was the son of Odin, so Norse Mythology says, which made Loki his adopted brother. Which would explain Loki's lust for attention as only natural, since Odin most likely favored his blood son over his adopted. And, naturally, as blood is stronger than family ties, Thor was to inherit the throne. Unable to have the Asgardian throne, Loki decided to come to Earth to claim it instead, making the blow doubly brutal for Thor since Thor had bonded so well with his lovely human friends when he was in New Mexico. Thus, Loki's simple tale was not as easy to hide as he'd like for it to seem.

Nancy smirked at him, waiting for his response.

True, all of it. But beside the point. Loki stepped back and extended his hand. "My dagger, pet." Was she so naïve that she thought he would not notice the missing weight from where it was usually kept? She would not best him, and especially not with his own weapon. She was clever, but he was the cleverest. And he noticed everything. It was high time that she took note of that.

Nancy gave a heavy sigh and let her smirk fall from her lips. She'd been found out, and with little fanfare, too. She shook her sleeve and let the dagger drop into her hand. "Here." She held it out to him.

Loki snatched the weapon from her hand, careful not to slice her in the process. Steal his dagger and use it against him? He thought not. How low could she stoop? Although, it hadn't necessarily been a plan that hadn't been thought through. So he would give her credit. "Clever of you to try."

A soft whine and whir reached Loki's ears, and he tilted his head to listen. There was no mistaking the owner of that machinery, and his distance was close enough to insist he would be there momentarily. "Unfortunately, a guest demands my attention." He nodded his men. "Keep her company."

Nancy nearly forgot they were there. The herd of brainwashed agents moved in tighter around her, ready to escort her from the room. Loki, in the meantime, turned from his new obsession and made his way to the balcony. He and the Metal Man were about to have a very interesting conversation.

Nancy sighed again and stooped for her bag. As she stood up straight again, the herd drew in closer, creating a human cage. She rolled her eyes and slipped her bag on.

"Well, we can't stay here." she announced, "If the Avengers are here, this front room will be a mess."

One of the agents shook his head and motioned to the elevator with a flourish. "After you."

Nancy gave him a look. What was with the flourish? And seriously? The whole herd and a not-that-skinny woman packed into one elevator? No way. "We're not all going to fit in there."

"We know," the same agent as earlier replied with a slight shrug. Half the men continued their path into the elevator, keeping a close watch on her, while the others opened a door and headed up a flight of stairs. They would reach the same level at approximately the same time, with less hassle.

"Well, excuse me." Nancy said, a bit irritated, "I didn't realize the herd remembered how to coordinate." She crossed her arms over her chest with a huff.

The lead agent chuckled loudly, causing Nancy to roll her eyes. "Glad to know your sense of humor is still intact."

The elevator arrived, just one floor up. The agent who seemed to be in charge stepped off, using a long arm to herd her along with the rest of the agents. He wasn't forceful, but he wasn't gentle either.

Nancy scoffed as she was herded along. She wasn't a sheep. There was no need in herding her.

He motioned with a nod toward the wall of windows, similar to those in the lounge the floor below. "He wanted you to be able to see the action."

"How thoughtful of him." Nancy said sarcastically. Of course he'd want his "pet" to see his wondrous display of power.

With a frown, she slowly turned and looked out the window. Outside, the day went on as usual. Birds were singing. People were having lunch. Children were playing in the park. Within hours, none of that would be there. Hundreds, if not thousands, of people would be dead. Women, children, innocents. All murdered in cold blood.

"Don't you care that all of those people are going to die?" she asked the lead agent.

"Humanity craves subjugation." he said with a shrug, "We just don't always realize it."

Nancy's mouth gaped open. How could he say that? So boldly say that? "Do you realize what you're saying?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Nancy frowned deeply. This agent, who was probably a very good and loyal agent at one time, was now so far gone. "I'm sorry for what he's done to you."

The agent didn't respond. In fact, he stared at her rather blankly.

With a sad shake of her head, Nancy looked back at the window again. So many people… and there was nothing she could do. Absolutely nothing. She was sworn to protect them, and yet here she was, locked away like a bird in a cage. A doll placed on a shelf ready to watch the main attraction.

But… she was still an agent. An agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. An agent among brainwashed agents. And this was the perfect opportunity to take a few observatory notes.

Nancy reached into her bag and grabbed her notebook again.

"Is there anyone here that's okay with being a guinea pig?" she asked, looking around at the men.

No one answered.

Frustrated, Nancy leaned her head against the cool glass of the window. "Whatever."