When we collide (Book 1)

Asgardian wine

Music blasting throughout the walls of the compound, the gang is hanging out in the kitchen as Cate finishes making dinner. Thor had left the kitchen for a few moments saying he brought something from his trip to Asgard this week. When he came back to the kitchen, he dropped a box on the kitchen island and pulled out a bottle of wine. Cate never even realized it as she was occupied with the cooking and singing along to the music. Thor, to get her attention, stood beside her and dropped the bottle in front of her on the counter. She laughed, put her spoon down and grabbed the bottle.

"Oh my lord. Thor is this Asgardian?!" She examined the bottle with curious eyes.

"It is m'lady. And tonight we shall have some for dinner. I feel we need to celebrate your return to the compound." Thor grabs Cate in a big embrace and lifts her up. She laughs hysterically.
"Guys, help me!" She joked around.
"Put her down big guy or dinner will burn." Clint laughed as he pointed to the stove. Thor immediately set her down and Cate checked on the pasta sauce. Natasha walked beside Cate and casually smelled the aroma of the sauce.
"Smells absolutely amazing, sweetie." Cate smiled at the pretty red head. "We're all going to get fat having you around aren't we?"
"Not with the amount of training we've been doing don't worry." Steve laughed. Tony got the bottle opener from the top kitchen drawer and handed it to Thor for the wine.
"Fat or not, please feel free to feed us anytime you wish kiddo." He said as he gave her a wink and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Cate smiled at him and noticed Loki walking into the kitchen.
"I hope I'm not late for dinner." He asked keeping his eyes on Cate as he got closer to the group. Steve gave a big tap on Loki's shoulder.
"You've come out of hiding! I'm assuming you and Cate made up?" He asked him.
"Yes well, as undeserving as it was, she did indeed forgive me." Loki looked straight into her eyes from across the kitchen island and she blushed slightly as she smiled back to him. She walked to the counter and reached over to grab his cheek and give him a very light tap on it.
"Couldn't stay mad at him. Look at that face." She smirked at him.

Bruce and Natasha set the dining table for the group and Thor brought the bottles to the table. Tony got out the wine glasses as Cate finished prepping the plates. Tony and Thor took their seats at both ends of the table, Loki, Cate and Nat on one side and Clint, Steve and Bruce on the other. As the bottle starts to pass down the table to be served in each glass, the bottle stops in Loki's hand.
"Oh brother, tell me this is from Asgard?" He said with a pleased grin on his lips. "Finally something that's got a bit of a kick to it."
"Why yes it is. I wished for Cate to try it and she definitely needed something strong today." Thor raised his glass to Cate who tilted her head, smiled and looked down.
"Why do you need something strong today?" Bruce asked her concerned. Everyone looked at her from their seat.
"I lost two children patients today.. but honestly I really don't want to talk about it. It's part of my job and it's a reality I'll go through again. But that's ok, I'm fine." She took a deep breath in and Natasha caressed her back. Loki wanted to comfort her in that moment, but he held back since they were in front of the others.
"I'm sorry, sweetie. If you don't want to talk about it, then let's drink!" She said aloud as she raised her glass. The whole table raised their glasses and took a sip from them.

As the evening progressed, the avengers were having a real good time. Telling stories, making jokes, typical night except for the wine kicking in. Everyone was starting to get tipsy, but Cate, who wasn't used to it was more drunk then any of them. She started to slur her words as she was telling a story to Nat, who tried not to laugh but couldn't help herself.
"Looks like the wine had the desired effect on you, Cate?" Clint smiled.
"No ideas of what it is you are refering to, Clint." She winked at him as she took another sip of her third glass.
"If I may, princess, you might wish to slow down a little." Loki grinned at her. Thor gave Loki a slight push on his shoulder.
"Brother, let her have her fun. Besides, I'd like to see how she is drunk." He said with a big smile. Loki turned to face Cate.
"Hadn't thought of that. Could indeed be very amusing." Cate was finishing another sip and put her empty glass on the table. She looked back at Loki.
"What was that reindeer games? I wasn't listening." And then she started laughing for no apparent reason. The gang cracked up watching her laugh.
"Well I think she's already drunk." Tony added as she poured himself another glass. Clint took the bottle from Tony and poured some/more into Cate's glass.
"Thank you kind sir." She slurred. She put her head on Loki's shoulder.
"You feeling alright there princess?" Loki asked her. He was very much enjoying their proximity. Seeing her let loose a little was also a great relief. When she smiled, Loki felt intensely better. He wanted her to be happy. Cate looked up at him.
"You guys make some really good sh*t."
"Language." As Steve said it, Cate sat back up straight, raised her hand to her forehead and saluted him.
"Yes captain. Sorry." And then she burst into laughter.
"Seems if we want Lady Cate to laugh we give her asgardian wine. It is a good thing I have brought a case."