Later we go our separate ways, Tony and Bruce ask if I'll join them in the lab to talk about the scepter. When I dismiss the request Tony asks about Ultron. I deny again, but ask for updates later. The party is soon, I don't want anything to do with the lab when Loki's scepter is just in reach. I shower and clutch my damp hair with a towel. It's wavy still but not as wet as before.

Steve slides in after a polite knock, "You getting ready?"

I nod, "In the middle of it, yes."

"I apologize, I wish I did more than knock." He blushes slightly.

"Nothing you haven't seen before." I laugh a little remembering our last big battle regarding the fall of S.H.I.E.L.D, "Recognize the messy hair? Sams shower may have done me dirty as well as my own."

"I wouldn't call it messy." He compliments.

"What would you call it?" I smirk a little.

"You're always asking questions." Steve laughs before trying to escape my room to give me privacy, "I'll answer at the party."

I nod before he leaves, "Looking forward to the answer, Solider."

-

After I slip into something suitable for the party I join the mingling. Thor and Tony are chatting while Maria and Rhodey are uncomfortably leaving the scene. As I walk and scan the area I find Sam and Steve walking up steps. "I don't think I can afford a place in Brooklyn." Steve is saying.

"Well, home is home, you know?" Sam replies.

"Moving to Brooklyn? Sounds exciting!" Steve clenches his jaw at the sight of me. I adjust my stance and smile, "Cat got your tongue, Solider?"

"He's seemed to have a loss for words." Sam laughs as he shakes my hand gently.

"Well he better find them quick, I never got my answer for earlier." I smile as Sam lays a hand compassionately on my shoulder. He strides off after the polite interaction.

"You look amazing." Steve sounds breathless, "Um not that this is unlike you everyday. I mean you always look great."

I laugh as he stutters, "And you look very handsome, Steve."

When he hears his name his cheeks flare red, "Uh thanks."

We glide toward the bar, "Should we reminisce?"

"It's like I'm reliving many of our fondest moments." Steve chuckles, "The cute wet hair and the drunken night I can only remember."

"Oh so you call it cute? Thanks for answering my question." I return leaning against the bar beside Thor.

"You two are flirtatious as always." Thor grins, "I admire the attire Isabelle Short!"

"Thank you Thor, we were just talking about that night after New York." I inform, "No flirting here, as of now."

"Ah the night I missed, still not aware of the event?" Thor recalls the secrets Steve holds. Drinks slide our way before the conversation continues.

"I keep a lid on it." Steve shyly replies.

"Some things you gotta have all to yourself!" A older man joins in.

"Ah stories are fond when shared though." Thor answers, "I tell tales to family and friends seconds after it occurred!"

"Yes secrets are unbearable." I click my tongue at Steve but still smile as I sip the alcohol.

"Its fun to meet kind strangers to reminisce with." Another man says joyfully.

Thor pulls out a container to pour in his drink catching the eye of an old man, "I gotta have some of that!"

Thor grins but denies, "Oh, no, no, no. See this, this was aged for a thousand years, in the barrels built from the wreck of Brunhilde's fleet, it's not meant for mortal men."

"Neither was Omaha Beach, blondie. Stop trying to scare us. Come on." One bold man replies as Thor gives Steve and himself the enhanced alcohol. I continue to slurp my own knowing I can't participate. The man gets abnormally drunk and sings a tune. I chuckle as I chug the rest and another drink in that time. Steve holds me up supportively as we continue to mingle.

"You doing alright?" Steve questions as we slowly walk.

"I'm not the bold man that's singing as we speak am I?" I chime making my glass of alcohol dance, "Does any of the ring a bell?"

"Oh do not start that with me. I told you I enjoy teasing you about that night." Steve laughs.

"You're evil. Letting a girl be oh so curious for all these years." I dramatize leaning into him tipsily.

"Run with it, right? Or, did he...was he...? What did he do that was so wrong to you?" Bruce struggles at another bar close by.

"Not a damn thing. But never say never." Nat smirks as she passes us, "Hey lovebirds."

"That nickname is getting old." I say with a smile under my breath. Nat just winks and walks off.

Steve is taking to Bruce, "It's nice."

"What, what, what is?" Bruce stammers.

"You and Romanoff." I reply heat from the beer fueling my face.

"No, we haven't. That wasn't..." Bruce defends.

Steve smiles kindly, "It's okay. Nobody's breaking any by-laws. It's just, she's not the most... open person in the world. But with you she seems very relaxed."

"No, Natasha, she...she likes to flirt." Bruce smiles to himself.

"I've seen her flirt, up close. This ain't that." I explain.

"Look, as maybe the world's leading authority on "waiting too long", don't. You both deserve a win." Steve walks off after rubbing my arm warmly.

Bruce stammers again, "Wait, what do you mean, "up close"?"

"I'm one of her best friends, I've seen everything." I tell, "Not to worry."

Bruce hands me another drink before we start walking and talking, "I'll take your word for it. Not that I couldn't believe in you Isabelle."

"Touché." I laugh and take a gulp of my drink. "What happened in the lab while I was away."

"Oh just Tony being Tony." Bruce rolls his eyes, "He wants to create Ultron so badly, poor guy."

"I actually like his passion." I admire, "Ultron is a sweet idea to ponder."

Bruce stutters, "Yeah well he's aiming for artificial intelligence and wants to apply power to it that I'm afraid-"

I interrupt Bruce's pessimism,"Yes it sounds like a fantasy but I can guarantee we'll stumble onto some form of intellect that will fit Tony's idea. There's no way but up."

"I disagree." Bruce says as we glide into the room where the last of us are chatting. We both find comfortable places to relax and I finish my drink. Everyone is discussing something that I assume is Thor's hammer.

"But, it's a trick!" Clint shouts.

"Oh, no. It's much more than that." Thor replies.

Clint mocks, "Uh, "Whosoever be he worthy shall haveth the power!" Whatever man! It's a trick."

"Well please, be my guest." Thor gestures to the still hammer on the table.

Tony nods amused, "Come on."

"Really?" Clint is taken back.

Thor roars with a belly laugh, "Yeah!"

"Oh this is gonna be beautiful." Rhodey chuckles as Clint stands and walks to the intimidating weapon.

"Clint, you've had a tough week, we won't hold it against you if you can't get it up." We laugh as Tony jokes.

"You know I've seen this before, right?" Clint struggles but then looks at Thor pathetically, "I still don't know how you do it."

"Smell the silent judgment?" Tony teases.

"Definitely reeks." I include.

"Please, Stark, by all means." Clint offers.

Nat shakes her head, "Oh, here we go."

"Okay." Maria joins Nat.

"Uh-oh." Rhodey laughs at his friend.

"Never one to shrink from an honest challenge." Tony defends at everyone's dismissal.

Clint scuffs, "Get after it."

"Here we go." Nat repeats troubled.

Tony explains, "It's physics."

"Physics!" Bruce repeats while Tony grabs the hammer.

"Right, so, if I lift it, I...I then rule Asgard?" Tony cockily asks.

Thor chuckles, "Yes, of course."

"I will be re-instituting Prima Nocta." Tony attempts but is too weak, he gets an idea, "I'll be right back."

Tony And Rhodey try and even use the iron man suit hands to pull. And even Bruce hilariously fails causing sad reactions from all of us, "Huh?" He chokes out.

Tony chants, "Let's go, Steve, no pressure."

"Come on, Cap." Rhodey joins as Steve stands to his feet.

"Show off for Isabelle." Nat teases and I gleam red. Steve grasps the handles strongly. He's confident as he pulls with his might. Veins are seen from his flexing muscles but it doesn't lift. He huffs with exhaustion before dismissing it politely.

"Nothing." Thor laughs slightly.

Tony is still eager, "And?"

Bruce adds, "Widow?"

"Oh, no no. That's not a question I need answered." Nat smiles.

"Izzy, you should try." Steve suggests with a warm smile.

I shake my head, "I think Maria should give it a shot."

"No I think I'm alright," she protests, "But Isabelle would preform beautifully."

I groan as I stand to my feet, I slowly make my way to my doom, "I guess I'll be queen then?"

"It would be an honor." Thor grins.

"Sounds fine with me, I've always wanted to go to Asgard." I grab the handle as it taunts me, the heaviness is magical. When I pull my brain flickers of snow. Hail Hydra.

"All deference to the man who wouldn't be king, but it's rigged." Tony interrupts and I'm pulled back. I see I am exactly where I was, but no snow or winter is in view. I gulp down my anxiety and look at Tony.

"You bet your ass." Clint huffs.

"Steve, he said a bad language word." Maria jokes.

Steve shakes his head, "Did you tell everyone about that?"

Tony returns to Thor, "The handle's imprinted, right? Like a security code. "Whosoever is carrying Thor's fingerprints" is, I think, the literal translation?"

Thor stands smoothly walking up to the laying hammer, "Yes, well that's, uh, that's a very, very interesting theory. I have a simpler one." Thor cockily grabs the magical weapon with ease, "You're all not worthy." There's a loud screeching noise, causing us to flinch.

"Holy shit." I grit my teeth as my anxiety fades to alert.

A raspy voice echoes the silent room, "Worthy... No... How could you be worthy? You're all killers."