Summary:

A search party is formed. Loki is found by someone that isn't an Avenger...

Chapter 13:

It was still raining two days later when the S.H.I.E.L.D agents returned to Stark Tower.

Clint was slightly on edge by the lack of activity in the common room. He called out, "JARV, where are Thor and Bruce?"

Mr. Banner is speaking with Doctor Xavier and McCoy about Mr. Laufeyson on the 50th floor. The A.I. said without any further explanation. I have informed them that you have returned.

"Thank You, Jarvis." Steve replied, while pressing the button for the elevator. The 50th floor was where they had their observation rooms. Why would they be there? The Super Soldier probably already knew why but did not speak. He knew what Clint's reaction was going to be.

They were greeted by both Doctor Banner, Thor, and a bald man in an electric wheelchair with his back to them. The man turned around as Bruce spoke. "Hey guys, welcome back." Bruce greeted them. "This is Charles Xavier in charge of his school for...gifted children."

"You mean mutants, right?" Clint said, shaking the Professor's hand and chuckled. "Yeah, I've heard of the Institute. What brings you to the Tower?"

"We're..." Bruce rubbed the back of his neck, but Xavier spoke up.

"Mr. Laufeyson decided that he no longer wanted to be in his brother's presence. Since we were to meet him later this week, I was asked if we could aid in finding Mister-"

"Wait a sec, hold the phone!" Clint interrupted, holding up his hand, "Are you telling me that maniac is wandering around New York City?"

"Watch your tongue, Barton!" Thor seethed, but another raised hand stopped their argument.

"I understand your concern, Mr. Barton. We are thoroughly searching for him." Xavier assured him with a firm look.

"Couldn't you just..." Barton pointed to his head, "Use your psychic abilities to find Loki?"

The mutant's mouth pursed, "I would rather not, invading an unwilling mind would be violating his rights. If Loki doesn't want to be found at the moment, then it is in our purview to at least monitor him and make sure he's safe."

"With all due respect Professor Xavier, he has no rights!" Barton protested angrily.

"He is under my protection as well as the protection of the Avengers, so Loki does indeed have the right." Xavier said rather hotly. Controlling his tone of voice, he continued. "We will do everything in our power to locate Thor's brother and help him in any matter we can."

Wielding Mjolnir, Thor remarked, "I will go search for my brother. My eyesight is better than you mortals, so I will be able to see in the rain."

"He might not have gone far, I'll go look around too." Bruce agreed.

The archer, noting the seething anger from Thor's eyes, and the disappointment in Bruce's, finally threw up his hands.

"Fine, I'll help look for him too. I'm just gonna borrow the Avengers Jet….just don't tell Tony."

Loki perched shivering in the crook of a forlorn alleyway. He was perhaps miles away from Stark Tower now, constantly moving to avoid being thrown out of it by a rival vagrant or store owner. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him, and he found himself more asleep than awake most of the time. Hunger began to gnaw at him fiercely, as it had perceived it to be two days since his escape from Avenger's headquarters. He had to find food soon.

His head swimming, the Trickster lifted himself heavily from his crouched position. Begging was out of the question, he as a prince would not stoop to that low.

Former Prince he reminded himself. He shook his head, "A being" he whispered. A being that like all species needed food in order to survive.

He was so hungry that anything would be preferable to starving to death. Shivering from his rain-soaked clothes and stepped onto the sidewalk.

It was a flash of a red cape that seeped through his feverish haze that garnered Loki's attention. Was Thor looking for him? Loki partially felt he should call out to him, to beg forgiveness, but pride got the better of him. He would not go back to those who would just use him.

There was still the matter of food, and Loki felt the pangs of hunger sharply now. Perhaps that person with the cape would be easy pickings...

Without hesitation, he picked up a somewhat slower pace, he attempted to cross the busy two lane thoroughfare. It was these cautious steps that brought about the beeping from the mortal vehicles, some angry shouts from said mortals, none of which deterred the former demi-god from his goal. That is until he heard a screech, and turned to see a bright blur hurtling towards him. Loki suddenly felt rooted to the spot, his fever-addled mind going in different directions as to what to do.

It was that same flash of a red cape that swept him out of the street at the last moment, an arm wrapping around his shoulders and tugging him to the safety of the pavement.

When Loki's eyes focused again, he did not see the shining golden hair and bright blue eyes of his brother, but one that looked more like Stark, albeit much taller. The man had the same slicked back brown hair that was streaked on either side with gray and a similar colored chestnut colored beard and mustache. His face was chiseled with sharp cheekbones and a hardened expression. The man allowed himself to loosen his grip on Loki before he spoke.

"You really must be careful crossing the road young man. I-" He stopped mid-sentence to look Loki up and down, his eyes narrowing. "I have seen you before."

Loki looked the other man in the eyes, "I am...new to this city." A pause, then, "Thank you for saving my life. I am indebted to you. For whatever my worth...in any realm."

The stranger did not speak. Before the demi-god could speak, the caped man pressed his pointer finger on Loki's forehead.

Loki writhed, trying to get away from this strange man, trying to escape, but his strength didn't want to serve him.

The demi-god felt all the memories of his life being read as if they were lines in a book. He looked up at the man with widened eyes, though the caped man's face remained impassive. A dim fog swept through his mind, making his muscles weak. Unable to support himself, he began to crumple to the ground, only to be caught by the stranger and lifted as if he weighed nothing. Finally, the darkness encroached Loki completely, and his final thought was where he was being taken by this mysterious caped man.

TBC...

A/N:.

any guesses as to who the 'mysterious stranger' is? ^_^
Thank you to everyone who, comments, follows and faves this story, I always appreciate it!