Bridges

DJ Dubois

August 2011

Notes Part 1: This story takes place after "Late Dance" and before The Avengers. It crosses over between the "Thor" and "Captain America" movieverses.

Notes Part 2: The characters from the Marvel Universe belong to Marvel Comics. Any other characters included are of my own creation and fictitious.

Chapter 1 [A Week Following "Late Dance"]

[Stark's Lab—New York]

As the leaves continued to change color and fall in the suburbs surrounding New York, activity continued in the high tech lab right under the denizens' noses. Sparks flew from equipment and admittedly between the two collaborators on their project.

Oftentimes, passing interns and SHIELD agents would hear raised voices and could almost smell the attitude coming therein.

To help things along, Steve Rogers played peacemaker. Pepper Potts had flown in from the west coast to soothe nerves and remind a certain employer/boyfriend of the bigger picture.

Such was the state of affairs while devices came into existence…..

Tony glared at Jane yet again. While he admired her initiative and drive, he knew her design wouldn't work. For one thing, there wasn't enough power to punch through a dimensional wall. The wiring and network they had, despite the full resources of the American government, wouldn't hold said power.

Then again, where would they aim the gateway even if this worked? All they had was a few scattered reference in archaic literary sources and the hints of some lost blonde muscle man. And the mathematical computations took several leaps and had errors.

She eyed the apparatus they'd cobbled together. It stood about ten feet tall and three feet wide. The grey metal and various light displays remained cool to the touch. The thick cable remained unplugged from its power source. "Remind me why we don't try again?"

He rolled his eyes. "This isn't like playing darts or fishing, Foster. You don't just cast several lines out and hope we catch something good."

She shook her head. "We have to keep trying though."

"And what happens if something else comes through that portal in the bargain? Have you thought of that? What would your big man think of that mistake?" he challenged.

Her eyes blazed fire at him. She hated to admit that he had a point. She recalled the Destroyer's devastation of that town in New Mexico before Thor had stopped it in its tracks….

…sacrificing himself and being reborn in the process….

…and proving himself worthy of his father's respect and her heart in so doing….

"No he wouldn't want that." She got up. "I need a break. Want something from the mess hall?"

He shook his head. Aw hell…. "No thanks. By the way, Foster, it's okay to miss someone. Just don't go off half assed."

She recognized the concession even if it was crassly put. "Point taken, Mr. Stark, thank you." She stalked out of the lab.

He looked down at his chest. Through his shirt, he could see the arc reactor glowing. Despite the new version's increased capabilities, he still felt his heart tightening. "Barriers. They do suck." He glanced toward the fridge and the booze bottle he had there. He hadn't touched it since his talk with Fury a couple of weeks earlier. He set the modulator he was working on down and followed Jane's path out of the room.

He had more to think about…and he needed a certain girlfriend to think with…..

[Balcony]

Having grabbed a cup of coffee from the old batch remaining in the mess hall, Jane wandered out onto the balcony overlooking Times Square. As she had done over the past week, she marveled at the activity on the streets below. But of greater importance, the stars above remained active.

She studied the darkened skies overhead searching and finding a particular yellow star overhead….

…his star. The one the god of her heart had shown her. The way to Asgard and the other half of herself.

"Going to catch cold, you know."

She turned to find Fury watching her. "A little past your bedtime, isn't it?"

He admittedly bristled at the words. "Don't want one of my team catching cold. Look, Foster, we're doing you a favor by letting you onboard. Don't let your heart cloud your judgment."

She chuckled sarcastically. "I suppose Stark told you about our latest collaborative exercise?"

"No. I just watch with my good eye here," he retorted while keeping his cool. "I want the big guy back too. But I don't want to open more problems in the process."

"You've let Captain Rogers go off again to London. He and Mrs. Simmons are enjoying each other's company," she reminded him.

"True but Cap is on point. MI-6 is letting him work out at their facilities during his visits. He's grounding himself in this time. He's being balanced, Foster. You might consider that," he pointed out while letting a little more steel into his voice. "This ain't a soap. I do have an agency to run here."

"So you don't think I can help?" she doubted.

"I never said that. My agents in the field admire your drive and determination. That's what got you in the door. I'm not telling you to forget. I'm telling you to keep the bigger picture in focus. That's all." He shrugged. "Just think on that. And get a coat. I don't want you laid up with the flu." He headed back into the facility.

She sighed deeply and drank from her cup again. I will get you back. Count on that!