Still In the MCU...They Can't Get Rid of Us (Follow up to story Into the MCU)

The Devil of Hell's Kitchen

"Lilo and Stitch?"

"You could see them doing something like this."

"Remind me to have Tony remove the coffee pot whenever you're coming down here."

"Point is, this is cool and fun."

"It's fine, I understand," he said kindly, "I do enjoy this. I guess I just thought you'd have loved to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway more, but this is definitely more---"

"WHAT?" you whispered loudly, nearly crossing into the realm of actually shouting.

"It was going to be a surprise, but then I came down to be rushed into a car so---"

"You coulda mentioned it!!!"

"Why would I when this is a great deal more fun? You're right, I'd hate to be cooped up in a beautiful theater," he taunted.

"You asshole."

"That'll teach you to break our date night."

"I thought I was passing up a dinner for a physical activity, and we could go eat after!"

"Relax, Darling," Loki chuckled, "We'll go see it another night, it's Stark's money anyway. You're right, this is our first mission together, just the two of us."

"See? I'm such a romantic."

There was a pause, and you were certain Loki was looking around his own grungy rooftop.

"Yes, a real charmer," he said, "You really know how to plan a venue."

"I do, don't I? I mean, would ya look at that view. Talk about sketchy."

"So why is this of importance?"

"Oh yeah. So, basically, remember that tracksuit gang y'all tackled after you chucked me mercilessly through a portal?"

"Yes," he sighed, used to your teasing about his dramatics, "But they were only of interest because they stepped on the wrong toes. Politics never ceases to play a role, and that asshole Ross could only say no to money for so long."

"God, I hate Ross," you grumbled, "Not Everett, he's an angel."

"Who?"

"Another day," you dismissed his query, "But, yes, the tracksuit guys were not that big a deal until they started becoming noticeable to some higher-ups. But Tony always thought there was something bigger going on. When he has a funny feeling, he can't shake it. Since then, he's tried finding the supposed individual, or individuals, who shuffled the money and tips over to Ross."

"To no avail?"

"You could put it that way. The man responsible knew Ross personally, though they weren't on great terms. Who is with Ross? Ross owed the man though. His name was Daniel Fisher. So, like it or not, Ross had us help him out and investigate Fisher's allegations that his company was affiliated with our not-so-friendly mafia. Still took money to convince Ross, as that man probably couldn't stand lowering himself to such a task, even when all that required was pushing it on us. Or you guys, I should say."

"So what's so strange? Did Tony find Fisher?"

"Yup. In the obituary column of the local news."

"I see," Loki said in a contemplative fashion, "And the company he worked for?"

"I'm told they were caught in the scandal after the Avengers exposed the tracksuits. People 'faced the consequences', or so the executives of the past company like to claim."

"Past company?"

"Union Allied Construction, which was making a pretty penny off the reconstruction efforts from...well, uh, since 2012...anyway, they uh, they were liquidated after the whole conspiracy. Though it's doubtful whoever took the fall is really to blame."