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It has been over a year since Izzy discovered her powers. She has been training almost every day with Steve or Nat and had gotten really good. No new memories had surfaced, and she was doing good. She and the others had applied to get into MIT which they all did. Right now was still summer break but they moved the last week of August. She was finally cleared to begin coming on missions too. She had gotten her powers under control, which Peter had helped with a lot. They had spent a lot of time outside of school together. He had not told anyone else he was Spider man, but he would come over after his “Patrol” as he called it. Today was Steve’s birthday, and Izzy had planned this party for weeks. She had sent out invites, telling people it would be a 1940’s party. She wanted Steve to feel home, and she knew he missed the 40’s. She had ordered decorations that were being put up right now. She had even baked a cake. Steve was out with Natasha right now as they got the last things set up. She had bought Steve a gift. She had bought him a record player. She remembered Steve complaining he has trouble getting the music player to work. She had told Tony and Sam who had then gotten him two different records. Now she was getting ready. It was going to be just the avengers for the first hour. That was when they were going to eat cake and give him the gifts. Then at 8 PM other guests would arrive and the party could truly start. Tony had agreed to let her stay even though she was not old enough to drink. She had promised not to drink, Peter had been invited too but had declined since he had school the next morning. She put on her 1940’s dress and did her hair to the best of her ability like they did in the 40’s. Her dress was this long dress in red silk, Tony had gotten it made for her when he first heard her idea. She then went down into the living room. The people setting it up was on their way out. “You have done a good job kid” Tony said coming over. He had on a tuxedo. “Thank you. And thank you for the dress” she said smiling up at Tony. Sam, Bruce, and Clint came in, all in suits. “Looking good boys” she said. She turned to Tony “Do you think Thor will come; I didn’t know how to invite him” “Oh I was told that Heimdall would let him know if he was needed so he might come” Like called the sound of the Bifrost sounded. It was not only Thor coming through the door but Loki too. Loki was wearing totally black suit, and Izzy could not stop thinking it suited him. Loki looked at her and smirked. “Thor I am glad you could come” Izzy said deciding not to ask why he had brought Loki. “I am happy to be invited” HE was not wearing a suit like everyone else, but Izzy let I slide. “Yeah happy you could come point break, but why did you bring reindeer games?” Tony said, obviously not letting that slide. “Loki has changed man of iron.” “Fine but if anything happens it is on you” Izzy was still looking at Loki, and saw he looked a bit hurt, but it only lasted for a second, then his devious smile was back. Her phone pinged “Okay everyone Steve and Nat is arriving in 5 minutes” Izzy yelled. Everyone went to the elevator to greet them. The elevator doors opened and Steve and Nat came out as they all yelled “Happy birthday” “Thank you guys” he said looking around. His eyes landing on Izzy “40’s?” he asked and she nodded “Now go change into suit” she said, Nat had already gone to change into her outfit. He came back 10 minutes later. “Okay, now we have an hour before the other guests arrive” Izzy said, “I have baked a cake” Clint came out with the cake in hand and candles lit. “happy 95th birthday” He said “Now blow out the candles and make a wish” Izzy said. “Isn’t that for kids?” Steve asked looking at her “well if you don’t want to” “No, no, I didn’t say that” He blew out the candles. Tony poured some drinks for everyone, and Nat cut the cake. Izzy got a virgin drink. They sat and talked while they ate cake. “Anyone want another drink” Izzy asked as she got up. The bartender that had been hired for the party had just arrived. A few people said yes, and Izzy got up. Steve got up with her to help with the glasses. “4 beers, a whisky on the rocks, one martini and a virgin tequila sunrise” Izzy said to the bartender. He began pouring the drinks. “Thank you for the party” Steve said to her. “You are welcome” she said. “Now when I went to change into my outfit I was a record player in my room you wouldn’t happen to know anything about that would you?” He asked “Happy birthday” Izzy said, smiling at him. He hugged her “Thank you Iz. This means a lot to me” he said. The drinks had been made and Steve helped carry them to the table. Music started playing and people started arriving. “Steve” someone said behind them. Steve and Izzy turned around, to see a blond woman dressed in a beautiful black dress. She had not kept the theme, even though almost everyone else had. “Sharon, hi” He went over and hugged her. “You look beautiful” he said to her. Izzy felt a pit in her stomach when Steve complimented her, but she had to admit he was right she did look beautiful. “You know it won’t make it better if you just stand and stare at them.” Someone whispered in her ear. She turned around and looked directly into two emerald, green eyes. “I don’t know what you are talking about Loki” Izzy said and tried to walk past him. “I think you do mortal” he said walking after her. “Why are you here Loki?” She asked, “What do you mean?” He asked lowering his head to look at her face “I mean why are you here on earth, at this party?” She said not bothered by Loki. A year ago, she would have been scared to talk to him, but much had happened since the battle of New York and she was not going to let him intimidate her. “Thor brought me” He simply replied “Why? You do not have to go simply because Thor want you too. So why did you come?” She asked getting closer to the god. “I was intrigued” He replied, “by the party?” Izzy asked but Loki shook his head. “Not by a mere mortal party” Loki said, but before he could continue Thor came over “Loki, you have to try the Midgardians mead. Oh, hi lady Izzy” “Just Izzy Thor we talked about this” “Yes sorry, Izzy. I am sorry but I am going to steal my brother for a moment.” “Go ahead” and with that Thor and Loki left her standing alone. Tony was drinking and mingling. Bruce was sitting at the bar talking to Natasha. Steve was talking to the woman Sharon. Sam and Clint were playing pool so Izzy decided to join him. “Hi Sam, Hi Clint” she said “Hey Iz” Sam said, “Want to take a shot for me?” He asked, “What are you full or half?” She asked “Half, and Clint here is a hawk at this” he said pointing to Clint. There was only 3 full left and almost all of the half was still on the table “Well he is called Hawkeye Sam” she said and took the cue stick Sam held out for her. She positioned herself and shot the ball. It went straight in “Wow, Sam she is better than you” Clint said, “Beginners luck, although I am not complaining” He said “try again, we get to continue since you got it in” Sam said to her. Izzy repositioned herself, making sure she got the right angle for the ball to go in. She had to make sure not to hit one of the other full balls either, so this shot was more difficult. She took the shot, and the ball got in. “She is on fire” Sam yelled. “I will just let you continue until you miss” he said taking a sip if his drink. She repositioned again. This time thinking a little longer about which ball to hit. Right when she took the shot she felt a hand getting placed on her lower back. The ball got into the hole. “Are you helping Sam win?” Steve’s voice was heard. She stood back “Yeah, he needs all the help he can get” She said “Hey” Sam said but the other two laughed. She moved to hit the next ball. Just as she started hitting she heard “Steve? Where did you go?” she didn’t hit the ball right which meant it missed the hole. “Damn, it was almost impressive” Clint said, he then hit ball after ball until he won. “Man, I need a rematch” Sam said. Izzy saw Sharon and Steve talking again. “Hey want do teams?” Sam said, Clint had gone to get a beer. “Weren’t you going to get a rematch with Clint?” Steve asked “Nah, he wanted to get a beer and talk with Nat.” Sam answered “Sure let’s play in teams” Steve said. He looked at Izzy but Sharon grabbed his arm. “Want to team up?” She asked and Steve nodded “Nice, I know my partner can hit the holes” Sam said “Yeah I hope you are better this time” Izzy said with a big smile. “Oh, so this is how it is going to be is it?” They put all the balls in the triangle. “Who is breaking?” Izzy asked, “Oh and she is using correct terminology” Sam said giving her a big smile, “I think we should let them get a chance don’t you?” Sam said, and Izzy smiled. Steve gave the cue stick to Sharon, “Ladies first” he said. “Such a gentleman” Sharon broke and a ball hit the hole. “Okay, okay, you are half we are full” Sam said. Sharon hit once more and another ball reached the hole. “Oh shit” Sam yelled “she is good too” he said. “Don’t act so surprised Sam why wouldn’t she be? You didn’t assume she would be bad just because she was a woman did you?” Izzy teased. She tried not to feel the pit in her stomach as she saw Steve looking and helping her. “Well said…I am sorry I didn’t catch your name” Sharon said “Izzy, I organized the party” Izzy said extending her hand. “Sharon, nice party I am sorry I didn’t stay on theme. I didn’t have a dress that matched the theme. But you look great” She said “oh don’t worry about it. I really love your dress” Izzy said. “Thank you” Sharon took another shot but missed. “Okay my turn” Sam said. He took a shot and got one ball in but missed the next. “Birthday boy, you are up” Izzy said. He positioned himself, hitting the ball. As he repositioned himself Izzy felt someone coming up behind her. “Now mortal, don’t make it so obvious” Loki whispered, Steve had seen this and missed the ball completely. “Ha, the great Cap missed the ball” Sam said laughing. Izzy turned around looking at Loki “Excuse me it is my turn to shoot” She said “Uhh feisty” he said as Izzy walked over and positioned herself. She hit the ball and it fell in the hole. She repositioned herself again, and the next ball also hit the hole. She positioned herself, then felt a hand on her elbow “Just a little to the right” Loki said. Her body tingling from where he touched her. She took her shot and another ball hit the hole. She stood up “Thank you Loki, but I could have done it without your help” she said, “I beg to differ, your shot would have missed” he said. Izzy took another shot but missed. Loki walked closer to her “See” he said, Steve stepped in between them. Not saying anything just getting some space in between them. Sharon took her shot and got another ball in “good shot” Izzy said. “Excuse me for a moment, I need something to drink” She said giving the cue stick to Sam “You are not old enough” “not that kind, just a normal nonalcoholic one” she said “Okay are you coming back, I don’t think I will win without you” he yelled after her. “Hey” Nat said, she was standing behind the bar now “Why are you behind the bar?” She asked “The bartender had a family emergency” she said “What? But you will miss the party” Izzy said “It is fine I like having something to do at these kinds of parties anyway. So, what can I help you with” “Anything I just needed to get a bit away from up there” Izzy said and gestures to the pool table. “Why what happened?” Nat asked “Just too much testosterone” Izzy answered. “Well get ready for some more” Nat said and before Izzy could ask why someone sat down next to her. “Hey sorry for that up there” Steve said. “Oh, it’s fine?” Izzy was not sure which part he was apologizing for, but it didn’t matter. “No, it is not, if you want to talk to Loki I shouldn’t stand in the way. It is just hard not to see him as a villain” Izzy was confused now. Izzy guessed she looked confused because Steve clarified “I saw you talking to Loki earlier, and then again at the pool table. It almost seemed like you too were flirting” “What? I was not flirting” she protested “Maybe not but he definitely was” Steve said. “He was not. You know what it doesn’t matter” Izzy said, putting her glass down. “I think I will turn in. Goodnight Steve I hope you had a lovely birthday” “Do you want me to walk you back?” Steve asked “No enjoy your party. I don’t think your guests are done talking with you” she said, pointing to Sharon that was walking towards them. She saw Loki behind her looking straight at them. Izzy walked to the elevator “Jarvis can you take me to my room” “Right away miss” He said the elevator doors were about to close when a hand stopped them “Can I join you please” Loki went into the elevator and it started going down. “It seems only my brother wants me here, so I don’t really feel like trying to socialize anymore” he said, “Do you know if Stark has some books anywhere?” Loki asked her “No I don’t I am sorry” She said Loki looked a bit disappointed, so before she could second guess her thoughts she said “I have some in my room if you want to come look at them” “I would love to thank you” he said.