The Soldier and the Spy.

Chapter 10

****Loki****

I walk down the corridors of the S.T.O.W. base. The corridors were silent other than the sound of my boots on the floor as I entered my room. These petty mortals could be very useful, with the right incentive. I had originally planned just to attack the helicarrier, but the arrival of Natasha's sister had complicated things.

Her power was formidable, and she could prove to be a powerful opponent. She was also extremely pretty, like a goddess, and didn't seem to fit with the rest of them. She was like a rose in a garden of dandelions. But a very tough rose- one made out of diamond. However, she wore horrible clothes, all black and baggy.

She seems like she's on my brother's side, but I saw darkness in the depths of her eyes. I'm sure she can be, ah, persuaded to see my side of things once I help her realize how alike we really are. Two shapeshifters? What are the odds?

I will have fun with her. The security footage S.T.O.W. provided me gave me enough information to mess with her. She must be traumatized by all those memories. And she seems to be close with that Captain America. I could make some threats to him also. Or, even better, I could get the two of them alone, and watch them squirm.

"Sir," one of the many agents calls, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Do you need anything?"

"No," I say with a glare, sending the man scurrying for cover like the rat he is. I shake my head with amusement. I love the power that leading S.T.O.W. gives me. Boris was just a figurehead, because I had long ago taken control of his mind. The men fear him, and he soon put me in charge. Being held in the Asgardian prisons only served to sharpen my mind, because I had plenty of time to plot my brother's demise. And then, of course, there was the occasional visit from my oh so perfect brother. It had been fun and fairly easy to escape, a simple game of mind tricks. I could almost hear my "father's" roar of fury when he learned of my disappearance. Disguised as one of the guards, I was impossible to distinguish from those around me.

"My Lord, there have been some new developments that I believe you would care to see."

"What?" I bellow, annoyed at my thoughts being interrupted once more. The man gulps before replying.

"Well there are two things, sir. The first, and most important, the Avengers have left the helicarrier, although our spy could not tell us where. The second, and probably not as important to Your Lordship, is that Variel has her suit."

"Show me," I demand, impatient with the man's incessant talking. He runs to a desk and brings me a tablet, showing me some pictures that our spy had caught of her. I flip through all of them, stopping at one taken just before they took off. I look at her in astonishment. Is this the same woman?

She had an amazing figure, one that I know Sif would kill for. The back was open, showing an elaborate scar in the shape of a lion. It was slightly glowing, a soft golden color that matched the stitching in the suit. But what struck me the most was the look in her eyes. They were hard and cold, full of hate and determination. She looked willing to do anything to get revenge and ensure the safety of all those mortals that live on earth. They issued a silent challenge, daring anyone to get in her way. I smirk. Finally, some fun.

****Captain America****

I recline against the wall in the huge helicarrier, the thrumming of the engines almost lulling me to sleep. Fighting a soldier's instinct to catch a nap whenever possible, I turn to Variel.

"Are you ready for this?" I ask, remembering how nervous I was when I went on my first mission from Fury.

"I've never been more ready in my life," she informs me, fire in her eyes. "If I can repay these people even a tiny bit of what they've taken from me, it will be worth it."