Hello everyone! How are you doing? I went and saw The Secret Life of Pets last night with my grandparents and it was adorable. So if you're looking for a movie to see, go see it! I highly recommend it. Anyways, here's your next chapter.
Disclaimer: Hmmm... Has anything changed? Do I own anything? Have I met Sebastian? Am I going to Comic Con? Nope, no, unfortunately no, and nein.
Warnings: This is just a fun chapter for the most part, but language and some angst.
"I guess we should head back to the tower," Jess says as it starts to get dark out, "I didn't really expect to find him on day one. New York has changed so much, though."
"What do you plan on doing after finding him?" Gabrielle asks as they head back towards the tower.
"I don't know. I'll cross that bridge when I get there," Jess says, "I just really need to see him again."
"He won't be able to go back with you."
"Then I'll stay here," Jess says, "I've got no family left back home. I need to be with him."
"Umm...I have..something to tell you..."
"What is it?" Jess asks as they reach the tower. Gabrielle takes a deep breath and tells Jess everything that happened to Bucky.
"Oh my God… My poor Bucky," Jess says, "now he definitely needs me."
"I know, Steve was devastated when he found out. And it didn't help that Bucky kidnapped me."
"It's not his fault by the sound of it," Jess walks into the elevator, "I wonder where everyone is."
"They are still all in the living room, Miss Arnold. But not for long," JARVIS replies, "many of them are ready to head to bed."
"Does that thing answer all rhetorical questions?" Jess asks.
"Not if they don't sound like actual questions," Gabrielle says.
"Alright. I'm gonna meet back up with the others from my time," Jess says and they head up to the living room as the others are heading to the elevator.
"Hey guys," she says, "I didn't realize how late it was." Jess hits the button for the guest floor once her companions are in the elevator and they go up to the guest floor.
"This has been a very odd day," Jarvis says, "although, those video games were fun."
"How was your day, Jessica?" Peggy asks.
"Unsuccessful," Jess says, "although, I did get to see a lot of the city. The framework is the same, but it's changed quite a bit. How was shopping?"
"It was nice, the clothes are certainly different."
"Yeah, I noticed when we were searching," Jess says, "people dress really casually. And a lot of the women wear really tight and revealing clothing."
"Natasha said that women have more rights now and can do whatever they wish."
"That sound nice," Jess says, "being able to do whatever job you want. I might be able to get used to this time."
"Well, I learned that Jarvis is even good at driving cars in a virtual world. This one track I must have fallen off 30 times but he didn't fall off once. Not even Clint was that good," Daniel says.
"That is amazing."
"I've driven all sorts of cars for Mr. Stark," Jarvis says, "it wasn't that hard. Plus, I've had plenty of practice driving in dangerous situations since I met Miss Carter." They soon get to the guest floor and begin to split off to rest.
"There's only four rooms and there's five of us," Jarvis points off, "someone is going to have to share."
"Why don't Peggy and Jessica share," Howard says.
"That works for me, but if you have any snide comments about the evening's activities in the morning, you won't have a son anymore. Because it won't be physically possible," Jess threatens.
"Okay," is all Howard says as he enters one of the rooms. Jess and Peggy take the room furthest from the one that Howard picked.
"Tony, Bruce," Gabrielle says, walking into the lab, "found anything yet?"
"No," Bruce says, "not a single thing. It's impossible, for lack of a better word."
"But Hydra was able to, if we get the machine would that help?"
"A lot. But we would have to get back to the 40's to do that. And we can't get back without the machine," Bruce says.
"I bet I can find the machine in this time. It has to exist somewhere."
"Well, if you can find it, it would make our job a lot easier," Tony says.
"I will start searching right now."
"No. Wait until morning. It's late. Get some sleep," Bruce says.
"I'll be fine, I can't sleep anyway," Gabrielle says, "I will get some sleep if I get tired."
"At least go talk to Cap," he says, "tell him what you're up to."
"I will," she says, heading up to her shared floor. Steve is sitting in bed, reading a book, waiting for her.
"Hi Stevie," she says going over and kissing his cheek.
"I'm guessing your search went as well as mine?" Steve asks her, putting his book down.
"I doubt he's even in America anymore," Gabrielle replies, sitting next to him.
"Who knows," Steve says, "I just hope we find him. I wish there was an easy way to find him. I guess we have to be patient."
"We will find him, you should rest. You look very tired."
"I was waiting for you to come to bed," Steve says.
"I won't be sleeping anytime soon, you get some sleep okay?"
"Don't do anything dangerous, okay?" Steve says, "I can't lose you."
"I'm not going to, I'm just going to locate the machine Howard messed with."
"Watch out for Hydra agents," Steve warns her, "they'll be all over that thing. Maybe we should wait until morning and send a team."
"I'll be fine, hon. It's not going to be like last time," Gabrielle smiles.
"You can't be sure of that. Maybe I should come with you," he says.
"You have gotten very little sleep lately, you need sleep. I promise, if I need help, I'll ask my brother and Nat."
"I'm Captain America. I don't need any sleep," Steve jokes, "please take someone with you."
"Even the Captain needs sleep. I'll go ask my brother."
"Good," he says, "good night, then. I hope you find it." She smiles and kisses him before leaving the room. He falls right asleep as soon as she's gone. She was right about him not getting a lot of sleep. He's been too busy looking for Bucky.
The next morning, Howard, Daniel, Peggy, Jess and Jarvis are the first awake. When they get to the shared living room they see Clint and Gabrielle there.
"You two are up early," Jess says, "what's up? Is something wrong?"
"We have been looking for the machine that brought you here," Clint replies, "so far, no such luck."
"We already figured out we'll be here a while," Peggy says, "just keep looking. Maybe we can help you find it."
"That would be great, maybe you can tell us what it looks like."
"I can draw it for you," Howard offers, "I got a good look at it."
"Thank you."
"No problem. I just need some paper," Howard says, "where might I find it?"
"Here," Gabrielle hands him a notebook and pencil, "I better go and make breakfast before the others wake up."
"Alright," Howard sits down and starts drawing the machine. He draws all the little details and draws it from all four sides. While he does that the girls go into the kitchen to talk as Gabrielle cooks.
"I guess I'll spend the day searching for Bucky again," Jess says, "maybe I'll head into Long Island or New Jersey."
"I can help you Jessica," Peggy says, "since Gabrielle will be busy today."
"Did you ever meet him?" Jess asks her.
"I have, he hardly left Steve's side. Especially after he found out about the dummy grenade incident."
"I never did find out who told him about that," Jess says, "he was always looking after Steve like that."
"I believe Hodge told Bucky."
"That was a stupid move on his part," Jess says, "I just want to see him again. Even if he doesn't remember me."
"We will find him," Gabrielle says, "it's just going to take time."
"I know. But if I can't find him, am I supposed to stay here or go back to my time?"
"That is up to you."
"He's my soulmate. I know it," Jess says, "what's for breakfast, anyways? It smells good already."
"I am making a classic American breakfast," Gabrielle says, "Bacon, eggs, pancakes and hash browns."
"That's a good idea," Peggy says, "do you do all the cooking around here?"
"Steve and I usually do, I handle breakfast and snacks while Steve handles lunch and dinner."
"I would help, but I'm rubbish at cooking," Peggy says.
"And I hate cooking. It's too much work and someone always complains, no matter what," Jess says.
"I love cooking," Gabrielle smiles, "I grew up around it before the accident. My family owned a butcher shop in Iowa, my mother taught me all of the family recipies."
"A butcher shop? That's kinda gross," Jess makes a face, "I love meat, but I'd rather not see where it comes from." Gabrielle laughs a little as she finishes cooking and places the food on serving plates.
"JARVIS, can you tell everyone that breakfast is ready?"
"Right away, Miss Barton," JARVIS says. Soon everyone is in the dining room, eating breakfast together. The tension from the day before is almost completely gone, but they could still feel the awkwardness. But the new arrivals are already making friends with the Avengers. It's nice for all of them to get to know one another, of course, during the conversation Tony and Howard try to out do each other with sarcasm. The winner? Gabrielle, seeing as she literally had to talk in sarcasm with her adopted family. Daniel and Steve are seated next to each other and making a bit of awkward conversation with each other.
"It's very…. Nice to meet you, Captain," Daniel says, "Peggy tells me a lot about you and your team."
"Please, call me Steve," Steve says, "it's an honor to meet you, Chief Daniel."
"You can just call me Daniel," he says, "it's weird how casual everyone is with names, but I'll get used to it."
"It is strange, I understand that it is hard to get used to. When I woke up I was very confused."
"I can understand that. This world is a lot different from the one we came from," Daniel says, "I suppose it's good in a way, but I do miss my own time."
"I miss the 40's at times, but this time isn't so bad."
"Well, I'd invite you to come back with us, but that would complicate things quite a bit," Daniel says.
"It would. So, are you and Peggy?"
"Together? Yeah. Two years now," Daniel says, "I'm sure you remember the story about the hover car and the Zero Matter?"
"I do."
"Well, she and the others saved me from being sucked into the rift while I was trying to close it. That closed the Isodyne case. She was going to go back to New York after that, but I guess she decided she had a reason to stay," Daniel says.
"I'm glad she is happy, she deserves to be happy after what happened."
"How long have you and Gabrielle been together?" Daniel asks him, "you seem happy together."
"We've been together for a year, but we met when I first woke up. She helped me adjust to this time."
"That's good. It probably helped a lot," Daniel asks, "you ever think about getting married?"
"I've thought about it, Gabrielle makes me extremely happy after I felt like I lost everything. But right now...is not a good time. It's my fault she was experimented on and given the powers."
"I'm sure that's not true," Daniel says.
"If I hadn't let her get involved last year she would have been safe from Hydra," Steve says, remembering that day.
"Steve, you and I both know that you can't stop women from doing things that they want to do," Daniel says.
"I know, but I should have stopped Bucky from taking her to Hydra."
"I'm sure there was nothing you could do, Steve. If there was, you would have done that. Stop focusing on the past. It doesn't matter anymore."
"You're right, she's alive and well that's what matters."
"Exactly," Daniel says. They finish breakfast and both Steve and Peggy volunteer to clean up, so they work together while the others go separate ways.
"How are you, Steve?" Peggy asks him as they clean up.
"I am well, how are you, Peggy?" Steve asks.
"I'm good, considering that I'm in the wrong time period," she replies honestly, "it's actually pretty interesting to get a real glimpse of the future."
"I am glad that you are doing so well with this," he says, "I had a hard time at first."
"Well, I've got my friends with me. And your team is very welcoming," she replies.
"So, you and Daniel have been together for two years?" Steve asks, putting the dishes away after drying them.
"Yes. I had been working with him before that. We worked together in New York and then when they opened up an office in LA, Daniel moved there to lead it," Peggy says.
"I see, I'm glad you found someone after what happened. I am sorry for leaving you."
"It's alright, Steve. I'm happy now," Peggy says, "and you clearly are as well with Gabi. I'm glad you and Daniel get along. It's very important to me."
"I am happy, Ellie is the one who helped me adjust after I woke up. Daniel is a good man and I am glad he's making you happy."
"I'm glad we have the chance to talk again. Things left off a bit suddenly," Peggy says.
"It did. I had to do it though Peggy."
"I know that, Steve. I've realized that. And it all happened for a reason. You and Gabrielle were supposed to meet. I can tell you belong together."
"I found my right partner, she is my soulmate," Steve smiles.
"I'm really happy that you get to live your life out. You saved the world. You deserve it more than anyone."
"Bucky deserves it too, I need to find him."
"I'm sure once you do, Jess will never let him out of her line of sight," Peggy says, "I'm going to miss her. She's one of the few people that can give Howard a run for his money."
"Don't worry, Maria will be able to do the same."
"Is that your friend Tony's mother? She must have been something. I couldn't ever actually have imagined Howard getting married and reproducing."
"Tony says that his mother was an amazing woman. She was kind and gentle but would be firm when she needed to be."
"I look forward to meeting her in my time," Peggy says as they finish cleaning, "I told Jess I'd help her look for Bucky today. I'll see you later."