Higgs stopped dead in his tracks, just before the portal.
"Loki. I liked you, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Call it southern hospitality." He didn't turn to look at the man, his gaze remained fixed on the portal, straight ahead. "I'm sure you've realised by now that even with the stones you would have had to have fought me and you could have lost, that's why you hid them. I'm sure you've also realised that that means without them and the dwindling power you kept from them, that you can't beat me even if you do try. I will anticipate everything you try, even if you get help."
He turns towards Loki now, "So I have a proposition for ya. If you want to save yourself and your family, all you have to do is jump. Help me find the gem and we can call it even."
He clasps his hands behind his back, the deep black wells of the eyes of the mask emanating a horrible, sinking feeling that penetrated all the way into the small intestines, as though the world had dropped from under their very feet. "However, if you would prefer to see your suspicious and altruistic streak through. Then all you have to do is take that knife, drive it into my flesh, dismiss me from this place and warn everyone."
He laughs, leaning forward. "Oh sure, you'll be the stations saviour... But at what cost are you willing to maintain that illusion?"