Just when things couldn't get anymore extraterrestrial, a rip in time merges two universes together and The Avengers face villains who are just as confused as they are- and just as powerful. So what does the zippy SHEILD Air maintenance worker have to do with this?
"I DON'T want her!"
Everything inside the mansion seemed to quiet at the sudden outburst of Barry, who now was huffing in frustration staring up at a thin lipped Bruce who was equally strained. The billionaire squinted at his acquaintance-if he had to call him that- and was about to continue on his own banter when a throat was cleared beside them. Both heads snapped to the archway to see Alfred straight faced holding the hand of the subject of their argument.
A small child of five numbly kicked at the polished floor with a red shoe as she mindlessly swung her hand in the butler's own, brunette hair held high in a ponytail with matching eyes watching her feet. Her attire was just as dull, a worn out, dirtied yellow sundress hung limply on her slim shoulders that seemed to quiver just the slightest.
"Miss Ellie has made a request, Master Bruce" Alfred again broke the silence, wary eyes straying to the slimmer gentleman who refused to look him in the eye before politely meeting Bruce's hard eyes.
"Go on, Alfred" he gestured to him, running a hand through his gelled hair, face softening just a tad when he saw his butler squeezing the girl's hand in encouragement before she slowly released her hold on his hand and stepped forward, ringing her rough fingers together.
Huffing to herself, Ellie finally met Bruce's eyes with a tired determination, "Mr. Wayne, I-" she glanced at Barry, her lips quivering when he refused to look at her, "-I would like to stay". When said man stared at her with an expression she couldn't identify, she began to panic, "Alfred- I mean Mr. Alfred has been kind, he said I don't bother him and-and I will be good, Mummy always-"
At that Bruce's hand shot up and Ellie's jaw snapped shut with an audible crack, brown eyes welling up with tears as her chest tightened with realization of the inevitable, of course a complete stranger wouldn't want her, not even her own Dad wanted anything to do with her…
"Leave" Bruce suddenly barked out and Ellie jumped, tears spilling over as she looked at Alfred for guidance when she heard Bruce get up from his leather couch, swiveling around expecting pain she was surprised to see the billionaire's back to her, his suit perfect despite the two hour dispute with her Dad, and facing the accused man. Arms crossed and a cool set upon his features he stared down at the still sitting speedster. Quirking a thick, dark eyebrow, he stepped forward only to stop when, with a blur, Barry was standing and walking himself out without a second glance.
"And Barry?" Bruce continued cracking his neck with his hands stuffed into his slacks, "I never want to see you around here, never want to hear a whisper of your name, either of your names, and when I see you at the station, expect everyone to have wind of this".
"Got it, Bats'" and with a step he flashed out, banging the wooden door behind him. Turning his attention to the expectant child staring up at him, Bruce crouched down and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"That goes for you too, Little Lady" he stated reaching out a big hand to take her chin in his hand and turning it left to right, "not a peep of that sorry excuse for a human being, and Alfred?" he looked up at his butler to see him silently beaming at the youth, "get her cleaned up and into an adequate room to be hers for her stay here, away from busy areas if you will". Chucking the girl's chin he stood, grinning when Ellie jumped with the first smile he ever glimpsed on her small face as she ran to Alfred, grasping his pant leg and jumping in spot while whispering pleas to have a big, yellow room, and before they could exit the doorway Bruce once again grabbed her attention.
"Yes, Mr. Wayne?" Ellie asked, flashing him white teeth.
Scratching the back of his head sheepishly, he asked in a low voice, "Your Mother talk about me?"
Ellie bit her lip, eyes saddening before flashing back to eager happiness, "She told great stories about you, Mr. Wayne, though most were about her stealing a new valuable of yours".
Chuckling at the memories he nodded, "And Ellie? Call me Bruce, alright?" With a vigorous nod she was led out by Alfred, swinging his hand in hers in anticipation. Turning towards the door, Bruce shook himself and started making plans to test out his new energy supplement as well as how the hell he was going to raise a child, a girl at that…
"Miss Pennyworth?"
Looking up from her sketch, Ellie grumbled when she sized up the uniformed man in front of her, Logan standing behind him with an ever growing scowl and Petre glancing up from his book from the table across from hers.
"Yeah?" she asked ringing her hands numbly, waiting.
"I'm Director Fury, from S.H.E.I.L.D., I would like to propose an opening position for you, concerning your… ongoing predicament"
Should be doing something esle-but shouldn't we all? Any questions.. question away (?).