Loki had known he had to do something the moment he was left alone. He couldn't just leave those good men in prison, not when they were there because of him. And now Thor was back, which meant he could be taken to Asgard any moment. Thinking about it... what was the point of him being there when Bob was long gone? No, he needed to show Stark and the others that he was still useful, that it was a good thing he was there. That he could be an asset for the Avengers, even if not part of the team itself.

The first thing he did was inform himself of what was happening. He found one of those electronic tablets and quickly connected it to the computer Stark was using in the living room and to the server he had hacked. He quickly read the info (like where Rogers and Banner were being held) and some data of Bolton's men and plans.

He started setting his plan in motion when he found the visiting card from the taxi driver that had picked him up after he escaped Fury. "If you ever need a cab again, you only need to call" the old man had said. He had transport. So he could get to the place but he would need a disguise or else he would be recognised before being able to fix anything. Looking in the room and on the one next to it, he hit the jackpot.

Like Tony had mentioned, Amanda, the owner of the house, had cancer. Not only that, she also had a shelf full of quality wigs to hide the effects of chemotherapy. Loki suddenly remembered Stark's words, those that said he would love to see him as a woman. The perfect cover. No one would suspect it was him unless they looked real close. He took one of his hostess' bras and some socks to fill it and added a pair of black boots in which surprisingly enough his not so feminine feet could fit and some eye shadow to complete the disguise. He chose a long black wig with bangs, to hide his face better and called the taxi. He told the driver to wait for him some houses away, to avoid alerting Thor or Stark.

In the way to SHIELD head quarters, Loki used his tablet and considerable skills with the digital world (that had been improved during the days in the bunker) to forge a document in which Agent Bolton demanded the two prisoners to be transported to a classified location, that only the Agent in possession of document could know. The success of a scam was often in the details, Loki knew, and he wasn't going to let loose any ends.

He also used the taxi drive to get into character. As a shape-shifter he knew how to act like someone or even something else. You have to forget yourself. Your troubles, your whole existence forgotten to become this other person. In this case, he would be one of Bolton's Lady Agents. Efficient, quiet, unreadable. He thought of Lady Romanoff and her mannerisms. He needed to be someone like that. Ah, deceit. He had missed it so much.

The cab left him on the door where he'd been found nearly a week prior, after his escape from Fury, close to the west wing where RVG operated. He instructed the driver to wait for him two streets behind, not to raise suspicion. The driver nodded and wished him luck. He had no idea what that kid was going to do, but somehow he knew that it was dangerous. But he was a friend of the Avengers (he remembered having the famous Bruce Banner on his cab) then he wished him all the luck in the world.

He took out his items and waited for the woman he knew would come out, Agent Travers, who according to Bolton's files had been admonished three times for disappearing from her position to smoke and disabling security cameras to avoid being caught. Perfect. Just perfect. As he expected, it wasn't long enough before her silhouette appeared behind the door, cigarette and lighter already on her hands. Before she could light the cigarette she was struck from behind and fell unconscious on the ground.

Loki smiled. He still had it.

"You should consider giving up your smoking, Agent Travers. It had proven most harmful for you health... and your wallet." He said, as he took all the money she had in her wallet along with the ID cards and electronic keys to open the needed something to pay the taxi driver. He called an ambulance for the agent with her own phone and also took her uniform jacket (that way she wouldn't be able to interfere when she woke up, being in a hospital possibly miles away), her weapon and cap and after getting in the building he quickly entered a toilet to put on the disguise. The boots, the hair, the make up. The cap helped maintain the wig in its place - one less thing to worry about.

At least this time he could put his not-so-muscly build to good use.

He got out and headed where he knew the Captain was being held, walking with his head held high - just another person doing his job. Act like you belong, and no one will look twice.

In a special holding cell, Steven Rogers was getting tired. He had woken up shortly after being left in there and was fuming mad. They had him handcuffed and the glass in the cell was something not even him could break. A hero, imprisoned by the very same government he was serving. This was so not right. It was madness. After a couple of hours (in which he asked more than once to speak with whoever was in charge) a woman came in and approached him.

"Finally! Miss, I need to speak with your superiors, this is outrageous - you have no evidence against me or Doctor Banner and..."

But as the Agent approached she felt more familiar.

The limp. The height. The other-worldly paleness.

As she got close and opened his cell he saw it. Green eyes.

Steve opened his mouth to speak but Loki indicated him to be silent. Of course, there would be cameras and microphones. He would keep up the charade.

"I demand to speak to Director Fury." He said, trying to hide his relief. Loki was there and he was okay. He'd wondered if he'd been taken prisoner, too.

And if this operation was succesful they would leave the place before they had time to question him or experiment on Banner.

"My orders are to transport you and Banner and that is the only thing I will do" Loki said. His voice was rough but soft. Like a woman, somehow, but a woman who was recovering from losing her voice. "Come on, move." He said and indicated the direction he had to follow with his (well, Travers') gun. Steve complied, hoping everything to turn out all right.

They retrieved Doctor Banner next, showing the guard outside his cage the forged document on the tablet. He didn't pay much mind and let Loki in as soon as he saw Bolton's name. Banner was still a bit groggy but aware of what was happening. He didn't speak, but it was obvious he was relieved.

And then, when they were almost free, it happened.

"Hey, you, where do you think you're going with my prisoners?"

Damn. Bolton himself. His document, his story, had no value with the man. He had to act fast. A quick glance told him that he had no guns with him, at least none he could take too quickly. Ok - it was time for his legendary speed.

Loki approached quickly a very confused Bolton and after a couple of bows he was on knees, gasping for breath. Loki took his weapon and pointed it at face of the man.

Steve looked around, nervous. If anyone walked in on them all would be lost.

"Well, who's kneeling now?"

Bolton's eyes widened.

"Yes, it is I, undesirable number one. And I have some terrible news for you. I, being the monster that I am, will not put you out of your misery..." he said and landed a blow to his head, knocking him out "I'll leave you to rot in jail with us bad guys. And you'll live each to regret ever crossing paths with me."

Gracefully, he stood up and left Bolton in the corner, going back to Banner and Rogers and starting again their journey. They had at least ten minutes to the door because Banner's cell had been quite far. If anyone went to that corridor they would be screwed. If the security guards had caught on camera what had just happened they would be screwed. It was going to be more difficult than expected.

And then they crossed someone, a man, going the unconscious Bolton's way.

Fuck.

"Hey, what you doin' with the earth's mightiest heroes, hun?" The man asked Loki.

"Was told to move them." He said, and then added. "Sorry, bad throat."

"I don't know you, do I?" The man said, shamelessly checking Loki out. Bruce looked at the agent, anxious. There was no way they got rid of Bolton just to be discovered by random agent number one. "You one of Bolton's people?"

After a nod, the man continued.

"And how's that going? Though, right? I heard that Casey has gone missing. And Hart was supposed to be on holiday but his family called and they don't know where they are. Everyone who speaks against him is mysteriously gone."

"That's why I don't ask twice when I get orders." Loki answered. "The man's a sadist."

"I know, right? Mind if I walk with you? I'm James, by the way."

Loki could not believe his luck. The man was offering to walk away from the unconscious Bolton and escort them into freedom.

"Why would I mind?" Loki said and smiled. James continued with his rant.

"You heard what he was planning to do to Loki this morning? I mean, what kind of madman has a bottle of acid with him to disfigure people? A guy who we don't know if is guilty or not! I was in Operation Stark tower, and Stark shouted that the guy just saved us all. And that one (he said, pointing at Steve) is convinced he's a hero, too. What if they're right? What if all he did was save us from Belveroth?"

"You think there is something strange about all this. I think so, too." Loki's comment only encouraged James more. He was happy to finally find a person who was not scared to point out all that was wrong with what they've been doing last week.

Loki was happy, too, seeing how close they were to the door. To the taxi. But he could not let his guard down. James continued talking.

"Yes! Even taking into account the invasion. Did you fight Loki? I didn't. I only saw like a million ugly aliens and they told us it was all Loki. Why, 'cos he gave a speech about enslaving people and let them in? The way I see it, there was a million of 'em and only one of him. He could have easily been a hostage, forced by those Chitauri things to play the part of the conqueror and serve as a red herring. I know, that is maybe what he wants us to believe 'cos mind mischief is like his thing, but... I mean, if the guy is smart enough to escape Fury in ten minutes why was he so much easier to defeat than Belveroth? And it's taking down this guy worth all of this? Casey, Hart. Imprisoning the god-damned Avengers?"

"I hardly think so myself." They were reaching the door. Finally. "Well, James, I fear this is good bye."

"I never got your name."

Damn. He couldn't use Travers' name because he probably knew her. He needed something else.

"It's Lorelei." He said, remembering a woman that had worked with Selvig.

The agent took a paper from his pocket and a scribbled a number.

"A name almost as pretty as you are. That's my number, if you ever want to have some coffee or bash Bolton or whatever... just give me a call, kay?"

Loki smiled as an alarm sounded. They'd probably found Bolton.

"Agh, work again! Call me! " James said, and went to were the rest of the agents seemed to be gathering.

Moving quickly now, Loki, Steve and Bruce left the building. In a matter of minutes they were safely inside the taxi and driving to Potts' safe place. Steve smiled. Bruce breathed, relieved. Everything had gone perfectly. And the info James had given about the missing agents could prove very useful to take Bolton down.

Loki felt his battered body catching up to him as he took out his disguise and tried to clean the make up. All that moving around had not helped his wounds one bit and he was really tired. He threw Travers' ID through the window and passed the money to Rogers.

"This is for the driver, tell him I am most grateful for his assistance. I think I will rest a bit now, if you don't mind."

"Sure."

A couple of minutes later, Loki was already half asleep. To prevent him from falling forward, Steve put the god's head in his shoulder.

"Rest well now, soldier."

The captain said, looking at his rescuer with a mix of admiration and gratitude.

"Mission accomplished."

A/N: Too long? Too boring? I added the conversation with this James (my little tribute to Bucky, from Cpt. America) to show that A) all people of SHIELD are not evil or stupid and B) if they haven't talked it's because Bolton is a killah who eliminates any opposition. Also, flirting. So, that's that. And what you thought of rescuer Loki? I kind of love him. I imagine him giving Bolton those crazy-crazy eyes while saying who's kneeling now? Pleeeeeeease, tell me your thoughts, I live and write for your lovely feedback!

Reviews are love! ^^