Chapter 2: Dinner at Stark's
The wind breezed through her long locks as she stood upon the roof top over looking the city. New York, in its rather odd way, was stunning and there was no denying it. Behind her she heard the sound of footsteps so that was where her gaze went, over her shoulder. As she did she was met with deep brown eyes, a slight smile, "Hey Tony." The man smiled back at the girl before him, ruffling her brown hair with slightly dirtied hands. "Hey Ella, what you doing out here?" He pressed the glass of whiskey to his lips that he had in hand, he too staring out at the sun soaked skyline. "Thinking, planning, drafting and redrafting," His sister replied with a hint of sadness to her voice. "In that order?" Ella nodded at her brother's question as her eyes were set on the horizon, her fingers fiddling with a blue envelope in her hand. It had been a while since her father had called on her, if anything it had been years and she knew why, deep down she knew. Tony tilted his head a little as he glanced down at the envelope in his sister's hand. "Mail came this morning?" He gestured to the item before smiling a little.
Well if anything he had been smiling a lot recently in this past year, he was a real man now. There was no arc reactor in his chest, no more metal shards daring to tear his heart open, he was just human now. Of course this never boded well for Ella, it was a curse of the Time Lords according to her father, having a human at your side but then again Tony was before her father and she loved him. "Yea, came just before you woke up." Still the envelope danced between her fingers as she spoke, turning clockwise on the tips at each end. It revolved like earth did on its axis, turning as time passed. "Alice's birthday is in a few weeks. I said to Tilly that we should organise a little tea party with her nursery friends." Ella had told Tilly countless times that she needed to let Ella look after Alice, after all Li could help out now she was eight, her world was now becoming an oyster for learning. If Li could teach what she knew to little Alice then there was no way her family would be caught off guard. "Well, matter of fact Ella, I have just the plan." Tony planted a kiss on Ella's cheek before heading back inside, leaving his sister on the roof top to think about things.
Tonight was the family dinner, and like every Thursday night Ella laid out a plate in case her father showed. Tilly had showed up with Alice, Li and Sereda where comfy in her presence and enjoyed the company. However Narfi was not to show tonight, something to do with his family back on Asgard. It was nice though, to have all the Starks together and not a single threat in their way. Just like a regular family.
The wooden spoon stirred within the pan, mixing the thick white sauce, bubbling away like a spring. A soft sigh escaped Ella's lips as she stared into nothing while working over the pan. A set of fingers gently grasped her shoulder, forcing a flinch from the girl. "Hey… hey it's only me." Tilly smiled at her sister, those red locks of hers falling around her shoulders. "Just seeing if the cheese sauce was done, ready for the pasta?"
Ella glanced from Tilly to the pan then back again, "Y-yea, it's all done. Is the pasta done then?" Tony glanced up from the other side of the counter and nodded, "Best call the girls to dinner." He gestured to the next room with a shaker full of spices.
Tilly took a hold of the spoon that lay in Ella's hands, "Go on you, I can handle this." She nudged her sister to one side playfully, leaving Ella to stand there for a moment in silence before walking into the lounge. "Hey girls… Uncle Tony has dinner nearly ready." Li glanced up with a grin; it seemed as she grew older she was coming out of her shell. Ella gently scooped Sereda into her arms while Li did the same with Alice, doing as her mother had taught her. The group walked over to the table, Ella setting Sereda in a high chair before taking Alice from Li's arms and doing the same with her. "Li be like Mummy one day!" The young girl exclaimed as she watched her mother tend to the smaller children. "Yes you might be sweetie." Ella replied, trying to act as if there was nothing on her mind but pure happiness.
Tony came waltzing into the dining room, a huge pot of Macaroni cheese in hand, that stupid grin on his face. "Coming through!" He laughed, plonking the glass dish in the centre of the table. "Shocking, food that isn't Shwarma for once." Ella playfully nudged her brother as Tilly walked in behind him with a plate of bread. "Hey, it's some good stuff. You'll be surprised of the places you see when you're in the middle of combat." Ella rolled her eyes as she took up a seat between her two daughters. Tony on the other hand took up the end chair and Tilly the other side of the table with Alice. "So how was your day Tilly?" Ella asked, serving up a plate for her and the girls before passing the pot over to her sister. "Reasonable, you know how it goes. Big battle then nothing for a few years, that or everything is rammed into a few months." All three of them chuckled because they all knew this was true. One minute Tony was an average guy selling weapons then suddenly he was a weapon and doing all he could to save humanity. Tilly had suffered a tragic change in her life and a few losses within months of being part of the family and Ella… well she had lost her to be husband, found out that the Norse gods existed before becoming a Stark. However it simply fell silent again, their lives became regular nine to fives, family was top priority and none of them had suffered a single threat in the past year. It never stopped them from being on high alert though; they were waiting for the day to come when they'd have to pick up their weapons again to fight.
Ella liked to keep some things to herself when it came to family meals, a few issues she wanted to sit on before even discussing it. Tony could see that his sister was certainly thinking on something and it had been to do with that letter that he had seen her with earlier. "So you wanna tell us about the letter you received this morning?" Ella glanced up at her brother and swallowed the forkful of food in her mouth. Her fingers curled around the napkin, picking it up to dab her lips. "It's nothing." Well that was certainly and A+ lie. Tony raised a brow, seeing that Ella's gaze was now back on her food. "A fancy envelope like that and you say it's nothing? Ella I know you, I've known you for four years now to know when you're lying."
Tilly glanced between them for a moment, the spoon in her hand not far from Alice's lips. Ella didn't look up once; she kept her eyes dead set on the plate, trying to think of a lie good enough to keep them quite. Her head lifted up slowly, eyes closed and a breath of air leaving her lungs, she softly spoke, "I've been called away to a meeting back on Asgard." Ella didn't want to say anything further but she had to make the lie believable. "The people of Vanaheim wish to speak with AllFather and I need to be there to take notes. I'll be gone for a few days."
Tilly nearly dropped the spoon from her hand where Tony nearly choked on his food, "But they haven't called for your attendance at meetings in a year… why now?" Tony questioned in a flash, wondering if this had something to do with Ella's latest change in titles. The girl had gone from one of the lower ranks as a human to a Lady before being thrown into the world of a Princess since she had married Narfi. His sister shrugged before eating once more. "Ella, what about the girls?" Tilly nodded to Li and Sereda, "Want me to look after them?" Silly question in all honesty because she knew that Narfi wouldn't allow Sereda to be babysat by anyone but himself. "Thanks but I'll leave them with Narfi." Ella's fork nudged the food on her plate, she was starting to wish she cooked herself some fish fingers and custard. Tony took a swig of water from the glass that by his plate, he had seen through Ella's lie and quite frankly he wanted to know why his baby sister had to develop such a lie.
The Starks finished up their food eventually, swaying away from Ella's trip and discussing the birthday's for the little ones this year. Li was determined that she wanted a pink princess theme for hers and if Ella didn't agree then she'd ask Narfi and damn did she have that bloke wrapped around her finger. Tony had suggested it would be a good idea but Ella was still not sure.
The night rolled on though, the kids were settled down to sleep and Ella found herself bound to the balcony of Stark towers once more, whiskey in hand. It seemed her thoughts were far away, not even picking up the sounds of the television from the lounge. Her mind rested on the thoughts labelled, 'Dad's death' because often at times when he thought he was to die, he'd call Ella his Little Pond and he had done so in the letter countless times. It kind of hurt, she wasn't going to deny herself that but it was true she was hurting like hell right now.
One thought popped into her head, the story of the death at Lake Silencio where a good man who had gone to war had finally died. The astronaut that stole his life had always bounced around Ella's mind trying to figure out who it could have been. Then again, it was just a story from her childhood, just like the story of Demon's Run and that of when time stopped, all just stories. The whiskey was harsh against her throat as it hit the back and trickled down into her stomach. Ella shook her head a little to shake away the sudden burn before glancing back up at the night sky. "Where are you dad?" She mumbled before taking another swig of her drink.
Tony had awoken from his light slumber; the welcoming warm breeze from the balcony drifted in to the lounge as he slowly sat up on the couch and rubbed his tired, weary eyes. After a few moments of sitting there recollecting himself, he glanced to his right to see Tilly curled up asleep in the chair but Ella was gone from the seat beside him where he swore she had fallen asleep against him. Tony glanced over his shoulder to see a figure in the doorway, staring out at the city skyline, the stars shining above.
He got to his feet and sleepily strolled over to what he assumed was his sister. As he reached her, he placed a hand on her shoulder and glanced down at her while she finally tore her gaze from the landscape to look at her brother. "Something's bugging you and before you start lying to me, don't. I can see something is on your mind because you are drinking the strongest whiskey I own." He gestured to the glass in her hand while the contents swirled within it. Ella simply shrugged before knocking the last swig back, swallowing the fiery liquid in seconds. A sigh escaped her as she stared at the now empty glass before speaking, "I lied about the letter…"
Tony couldn't help but scoff, he knew all too well that she was but all he wanted was to hear her admit it, for it to come from her own mouth. He placed an arm around her and pulled her to his side, "I know you did… so what's the truth then?" He was rather worried for Ella but he couldn't show that too much right now in case she ended up disconnecting from him. "It's dad…"
"Benjamin?" The name 'Benjamin' came about when Tony finally met Ella's dad and decided he needed an actual name rather than 'The Doctor'. Ella nodded a little, her finger brushing against the rim of the glass. "The letter was from him and the way he wrote it… it sounded as if he was in trouble."
Not that wasn't unusual but why would you call upon your daughter if it was something he could easily get out of? Tony gently kissed Ella's head, his fingers running through her hair. "Then go to him, if he needs you then go to him. I can deal with the girls and I can speak with Narfi. Just go to your father because he is more important right now." He gave another kiss on Ella's head before unwrapping his arm from her. Ella nodded, yet again sighing in slight worry.
In all the times that Tony and her father never got on, it seemed that Tony still wanted her to sort things out with the Doctor. "It's not that though, he mentions Trenzalore. In the stories I can remember from my childhood, it's where the eleventh falls." Ella stayed leaning against her brother, eyes slipping shut in order to comprehend the words she had read. Tony lay his cheek upon the girl's head before replying, "The eleventh as in your father?" His sister nodded silently. Tony knew of the many faces of the Doctor now, knew what regeneration was and why it was needed and even how the Doctor came about having it. He'd learnt in order to understand his sister's biology better in case anything happened. "It's probably something else; maybe he just trips up there…" He shrugged a little trying to keep Ella from dwelling on it further.
The siblings stood there for another hour or two before Tony finally forced Ella to go to bed. After all she had drunk some damn strong whiskey and he was surprised she was still standing. Ella stumbled a little as they made their way back into the lounge, Tilly still fast asleep on the chair. "Tony… bro... I love ya loads… ok?" Ella poked her brother in the chest, glass still in hand. He couldn't help but laugh even though her drinking was due to sadness. "I know, you've said a ton of times now but you need sleep because you have a lot to do tomorrow." Tony practically dropped his sister on the couch nearby before grabbing a spare blanket from the draws. "Tony… what if he dies?" Ella finally sounded like she was sobering up but then again. Tony paused as he pulled out the blanket. For a moment he had no idea what to say, no idea what to do because he really had no clue of how Time Lords lived. "He's the Doctor, he never dies." He clenched his teeth a little because that was possibly a lie and his sister probably knew that too. Ella sighed, not saying anything else as she let a silent tear slip down her slightly rosy cheeks, turning into the sofa in order to sleep. Tony got to his feet and draped the warm blanket over Ella before kissing her head. "You'll be fine, you're always fine. Stark by name… Pond by nature," He murmured before heading to his room, hitting the lights on the way out.
A shrill beep rang out, the darkened windows were now brightening as the sun light was allowed in. "Good Morning, It is nine A.M in New York and today the weather will be relatively dry." The girls moaned and stretched as they got their wake up call from J.A.R.V.I.S. Tilly frowned, one eye open as she glanced over to find Ella stretching before scratching her scalp. "Morning Ella," Tilly mumbled as she bought her legs down from the curled up position she was in and rubbing her face. Ella on the other hand stayed lying on the sofa, eyes staring up at the light coloured ceiling.
She hadn't wanted to be awake right now because it meant venturing off into the unsafe lifestyle of her father so simply laying still where she was allowed that thought to be far away, "Morning sis.." She murmured, finally sitting up and running a hand through her rather disobeying locks of hair. Tilly watched her sister sit up, eyes narrowed at her as the sun shone into the room. "Is everything ok? You seem… not wanting to get up." Tilly waited for her sister to answer, watching her fiddle with her tangled locks. "I've got that meeting today; I have to be there a few days early." And with those words Ella was pulling the blanket back from herself and heading to her room in order to change.
The towel fell to the floor, her bare yet damp feet padded across the lush, white carpet to where her dresser sat. A naked Ella sat down in front of the mirror that resided upon her dresser top, her sea blue eyes simply staring at her reflection. She took in a deep breath before turning her right shoulder towards the mirror, seeing the top part of the three scars that sat across her back. Her jaw tightened, the vivid and horrific flashback from that day hit her suddenly. Her hand gripped the edge of the dresser while she suffered a mini anxiety attack before finally calming down. It seemed just thinking about that day caused Ella to still panic.
Now calm, she reached for the brush, the soft blue handle glittering a little in the sun rays that shone into the room. It was probably going to be the most relaxing thing she would do for the next few days. The pins on the brush gently untangled her boisterous, brown, curly locks that were still damp from her shower she had. Her eyes slid shut as she brushed her hair; the world around her was dead silent. It was the calm before the storm.
Ella grabbed two bands from the dresser, pulling her hair into a pony tail before plaiting it and finishing the end off with yet another band. The bowtie hung from the side of the mirror, her eyes focused on it the whole time she pinned her hair up. It seemed to be a tradition, an ode to her father, a tribute to what she never had while she grew up. It would be the last thing she put on, just like her father did.
Ella got up from the dresser and head over to her draws, pulling out her black lace underwear and slipping into them before heading to her wardrobe to take out something she never thought she'd wear again.
The black, cat suit fell upon the bed, Ella staring down at it. Since she last wore it, she had managed to rip off the ranking badges that were woven into the fabric. Now the only thing that remained upon that uniform was the red lines that traced her curves. Hydra always seemed to find a way back into her life no matter how many times it was over for her. Her fingers trailed along the neck line before she tugged it from the bed to put it on.
It was chilly on her bare skin, slipping over her perfected curves. It had been far too long since she had worn this, naturally she wanted it gone but this was now her uniform that she trained in and therefore fight in. The zip groaned as it trailed up her side, Ella closed her eyes as she remembered every moment that had been spent wearing this.
Once the girl was suited out, the knife in her leg garter, arrows on her hip and the bow on her back, her fingers grasped the red bowtie from the side and gently slipped it around the top part of her plait before tying it neatly. A small smile was on her red painted lips, it was odd how her father had always been there for her even when she never realised this. "Even though that whole uniform represents the people that tried to kill you, took so much from you…" Ella froze at the voice; her brother obviously heard her wake up. She bought her arms down, the slightly raggedy bow now in her hair. "… You still look stunning in it."
Ella scoffed at his last few words and turned to him. "Even though I was on the side against your people once, I guess I could take that as a compliment." She smiled at him, fixing the bow that sat across her. "Tony, If… If I don't come back from this, make it damn good funeral ok?" Her jaw muscles tightened as she spoke, it was hard to say these words but she needed him to know. Tony chuckled, his arms crossed his chest as he leaned against the door frame, "It'll be hell of a party Sis." He didn't want to admit it, didn't want to say it but he couldn't really do much about it. His sister nodded a little, murmuring 'thanks' as she did.
"When do you set off?" Tony asked, watching his sister stand before her looking far less worried than she should do. "In about an hour, if I time it right I will end up within the TARDIS as it floats past Jupiter." The coordinates she had on the letter had ended in 00 which translated into ground zero- The TARDIS. The rest of the coordinates were just simple numbers for the position and timing. Tony pushed off the door frame and walked over to Ella, grasping her hands in his. "I love you ok, and I don't know what I'd do without my crazy sister." He gently pressed his forehead against hers, both at eye level. "I want you safe ok." Ella nodded a little but never promised this because it was just not plausible. "I'll try."
Tony kissed her forehead before letting go of her, "The girls are in the lounge if you want to say goodbye to them." He suggested, wondering if she'd be able to do so. Ella wasn't just going to up and leave without saying goodbye; she wasn't going to do what her father did even if it wasn't his fault. "Thanks…" She smiled, patting his chest before slipping past him.
The wand swished through the air, the sparkly ribbons flickering around behind it. A sound of twinkling echoed out in the lounge as Ella stood there and smiled as she watched Li dance around the room in her pink tutu. Narfi really spoilt the girl. The little girl turned on the spot to see her mother in the door way, "Mummy!" She raced over to Ella who bent down to pick the girl up as she dived into her arms. "Hello Sweetheart." Ella chuckled softly as she nuzzled her nose against Li's hair, arms wrapped around her. "Is mummy going out?" Li asked, pulling back from her mother to look at her. "Yes, mummy has been called to work and daddy might need my help." She couldn't lie to Li but she just didn't understand yet.
Li grasped her mother and sighed, pouting as she did. "Li understand. Does Li and Serry stay here with Uncle Tony and Aunty Tilly?" Ella glanced behind Li to see Alice standing there holding Sereda, a small smile on her face. "Yes, until daddy or I can come and get you ok?" Ella pressed a kiss to Li's forehead, feeling sick knowing that she was to leave them behind. Li was soon placed back on the floor, Ella ruffled her hair a little before straighten out and turning to Tilly. "Take care of them, please?" Her sister nodded with a smile, gently reaching out and rubbing Ella's arm. "Of course I will. Tony is here too so the most that will happen, will be too much ice cream and having tea parties." The girl chuckled at Tilly's comment knowing all too well Tony would do that. "Thanks…" Ella bent down and kissed Sereda on her head before kissing Tilly on the cheek. "I love you both. I'll be home when I can."
Behind them, Li had run over to Tony, diving at him like she would normally. He picked her up and walked into the lounge, chatting to her about upgrading her toy wand. Ella rolled her eyes, that were something she didn't want to be hearing, "… but only if mummy allows it ok." He winked at Li who giggled, knowing all too well that he'd do it without Ella's permission anyway. Ella glanced at her watch, checking the time, she had to be perfect at this or she'd end up in space with no air. Tony bent down, Li still on his hip as he grabbed for an apple from the fruit bowl. He studied it for a moment, a brow raise before shrugging and taking a bite. Ella furrowed her brow as she watched Tony eat the fruit, a fruit she didn't touch that often because they were just horrible. It made her laugh in a way because before her first regeneration she loved apples, ate them every day and now? Apples were just there to look pretty. Blame the father she supposed.
Her watch beeped, it was nearly time. With one deep breath she glanced at her siblings and gave them a warm yet highly unsure smile, "Right, Tony… do not get in trouble when I'm gone. Tilly, be safe and look after the girls please..." She glanced down at her time vortex manipulator, seeing the green light by the screen flickering. She tapped in the coordinates; the numbers had been playing on her mind for sometime now. "Ella, if you get in any trouble, don't hesitate to call for us ok?" Tony needed her to know that no matter where she was in all of time and space, they were still here for her. "Of course, what's the point of having you all here if I can't call on you?" She chuckled softly before letting a tear roll down her cheek, "I love you all." She murmured before hitting the button required.