The Before [Prequel- Part 1]

Coffee

~~~Loki's pov~~~

I had just gotten to the Tower after my run-in with Catherine when Thor told me that the team had managed to find my scepter. 

"Good to know it isn't in the hands of Hydra anymore," I said, making my way back to my room. I didn't want to deal with him right now. I needed to figure out what this feeling was.

I had some Asgardian books in my possession that I thought might explain some things-

"Before you go, Stark wants to see everyone in the conference room for a meeting." 

Of course, he does.

~~~Tony's pov~~~

"Where is she?" I mumbled, pacing back and forth in the empty conference room.

I sent my daughter, Catherine, out to get coffee for the meeting, but she wasn't back yet.

When she left, I didn't realize how cold it was. It was only after she was gone that I noticed it was snowing.

I was about to call her phone again when she walked through the conference room doors.

"Where were you?" I asked, turning to her.

"Why, hello to you too. I was getting the coffee like you asked me to." She rolled her eyes.

"Well, you could have at least called me to let me know where you were." I crossed my arms.

"You called me, and I told you I was on my way back. I just ran into a little trouble." She shrugged.

Trouble?

"What kind of trouble?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

"Nothing I couldn't handle." She said dismissively. "How about we talk about what you have planned? Dad, seriously? Another party? For fighting a battle that took all of ten minutes?" She crossed her arms. 

 "Yes." I nodded. What can I say? I love to party. 

I sighed, noticing her glare. "Fine, how's this? You're invited." 

 ~~~Catherine's pov~~~ 

My eyes widened in shock. Dad has never let me go to any of his parties before. 

"Just two things, stay out of trouble and keep your last name under wraps. I have an announcement to make at the party, so I would like it if you were there." He said, reminding me of what I already knew.

"Wait, really? I get to go? Thanks, Dad!" I hugged him. "And I promise I'll keep the last name a secret. I've been doing it all my life. A full 22 years." 

"And you'll stay out of trouble, right?" He raised an eyebrow as I released him from the hug.

"We'll see what the night brings," I smirked. "What's fun without a little bit of mischief?" 

I saw Dad roll his eyes, and then I heard someone coming. 

"Okay, I'll get out of your hair now. Have a good meeting!" I smiled before walking out.

I get to go to the party!

~~~Tony's pov~~~

Well, the party will be interesting, that's for sure.

It'll raise some questions, though. Why would Tony Stark's assistant be at an Avengers party?

I'll admit, I haven't thought this out completely.

I was thinking of possibly changing my mind when the team walked in. 

"What the hell do you want now, Stark? I was this close to beating Natasha in sparring!" Clint asked, annoyed.

"First off. We both know that's not true. And second. Steve doesn't like that kind of language." I said, sitting at the meeting table.

Steve shook his head. I bet he really regrets saying that.

~~~Natasha's pov~~~

"In other news, we are having a party in three days, so clear your schedules," Stark said casually before getting up to leave.

What the hell?

"Tony, it's not that I don't like your parties. I do. Well, sort of... But do you honestly think that now is the right time? I know we just got the scepter back, but-" Steve started, but Stark interrupted him. 

"I am announcing a new addition to the team, and a party would be the best time to do that. Especially since they don't know I'm instating them."

Wait, what?

"A new Avenger? Why weren't we told about this?" Clint glared at him.

"You were told. Just now. And, hey! To smooth things over, my assistant got you all coffee!" Tony said, already out the door.

"Are you serious?! You drop a bomb like that and expect to make everything okay with coffee?" Clint called after him.

"It's from Pershing Square!" His voice could be heard faintly at the end of the hall.

Wow. He really knows how to play us.

"You know what? On second thought, a new team member could be a wonderful thing." Clint smiled and took a cup of coffee from the table.

"You can be bought that easily? It's a cup of coffee, Barton!" Rhodey said, waving his hands dramatically.

"It's Pershing Square coffee! You're crazy, and I'm leaving." Clint pointed to the coffee and left.

I scoffed at his actions. "Yes, while it is a concern that Clint's opinion can be swayed by a cheap cup of coffee, I think it's more concerning to think Stark made his assistant go all the way to that cafe in the snow."

I've met Catherine a few times. She seems like a sweet kid. I have no idea how she ended up working here, though.

Maybe she'll be at the party. Who knows? I would love the chance to get to know her better.

Everyone on the team knows her. Well, almost everyone. Loki's never met her, and Steve's only ever talked to her twice. But the rest of us were actually pretty close with her. That's why I get so concerned when Stark sends her out for useless errands like getting coffee two miles away in the snow.

He's not the best boss. I should know. I was Natalie Rushman for a good while before Fury outed me.

After conversing with the others for a few more minutes, we left the room one at a time, each grabbing a coffee on our way out.

As much as I hate to say it, Clint's right. This coffee is delicious. 

What struck me as odd was that when Loki took his coffee, he looked confused.

Maybe they don't have coffee on Asgard...

"Hey, Mischief. That's coffee. You drink it." I said, walking out.

"I just thought it looked familiar, that's all." He shrugged and followed me out of the room.

Okay?

~~~Loki's pov~~~

I could have sworn that was the same coffee Catherine had been carrying, but it's probably just my imagination.

On another note, I would very much like to meet Stark's assistant that Romanoff was talking about. I've never met them.

I ran into Thor again on the way back to my room, so I decided to ask him about it,

"Since when does Stark have an assistant?"

"For about four years now. She started as an intern a few months after New York. Since then, she's worked up to Stark's assistant. I don't see her often, so I doubt you've ever met her. Stark keeps her busy most of the day." He answered before walking away.

Interesting.