Chapter 10

For a moment, he stood still and looked at her. Bailey stiffened as his hand stretched toward her. Then his eyes widened and he fell back. He sat down and rapidly grew smaller and smaller and his skin regained a much more human tint. He looked down at her, eyes narrowed quizzically. Then Bruce let out a half laugh, half cough, "Why didn't you tell me you're –" He paused, " that you're mine?"

Bailey stretched, wincing as her cuts flared painfully and her skin began to knit back together slowly. She sat up, smoothing back her hair. Her answer was brutally honest, "I thought you'd have been smart enough to figure it out. Besides, I thought it would be good ammunition for a surprise if I needed it."

"I thought – I didn- I wasn't planning on having kids."

"You didn't plan me. A rogue government agency took a sample of your sper-" She saw his face begin to redden, "Found some of you DNA and used it to make me."

"How did they get my," He almost gagged, "DNA?"

"You'd be surprised what they can do with alcohol."

She looked up as Arvid and Terry appeared. He grabbed her wrist and jerked her to her feet. Bruce looked at him, sizing him up, then asked, "Are you dating?"

Bailey looked at Arvid thoughtfully. Then she rolled her eyes, "No." Her eyes gleamed even though her face stayed blank, "You almost killed him when he kissed me."

Arvid looked annoyed, "I was nine."

"And she was five." Terry pointed out. Justin and Lofi appeared and started grinning. They'd heard the story hundreds of times, but it never ceased to amuse them.

Bruce looked darkly at Arvid. Arvid smiled nervously and stepped behind Bailey, "You already punished me once. I haven't done it since."

Bailey blinked, looking at Bruce then looking at Arvid. She turned, grabbed him by the back of the neck and jerked him down. His eyes widened as his lips collided with hers. After a moment, Bailey pushed him away. She looked at Bruce curiously, "You reacted much differently when I was little."

Bruce sighed, "I suppose I'm not used to being a dad yet."

"That might be true." Bailey put her head on one side, looking a little sad, "You didn't even look upset."

"Thank Odin for that." Arvid muttered. He stared at Bailey as if she was a goddess.

Terry shook his head, pulling Arvid to one side. "You're wasting your time. She's not interested in anyone or anything."

Justin muttered, "It's too bad her computer isn't human. She'd be in love." Then he grinned, "I think I could make that happen."

Arvid glared at him. Bailey ignored their conversation and instead turned to Bruce, "You always have a problem with my tactics. Men are always easy to manipulate. I have to work much harder on women." Her quick smile flashed, but this time there was something predatory in her eyes.

Bruce decided it was prudent not to ask what she meant.

Steve appeared. He spoke curtly, "We need to get below ground." He gave Bailey a hard stare, "You didn't mention that Loki would come after us."

She blinked at him three times, obviously considering her answer, "I thought it would be a rather obvious course of action for him to take."

The sky above them was thick with aliens. Bailey looked at her father, then at Arvid. "Get him below ground."

Bruce grabbed her shoulder, "Where do you think you're going?"

"I'm going to go kill at least six dozen of them. Then get close enough to Loki to snap his neck."

Lofi looked at her, eyes wide. Bailey patted his head, "I like you. I don't like you father."

"But he's still my dad."

"He also tried to kill me. I don't like him."

Arvid and Terry exchanged glances. They moved as one and grabbed Bailey. Arvid wrapped his arms around her torso, pinning her arms down and rendering them useless. Terry grabbed her by the knees. They lifted her up and started toward the sewer. Bailey sighed, "You're both so stupid."

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Once they were underground and relatively safe, Justin clarified for the bemused grownups, "Not many of you actually like us kids." The whole team looked at him, not speaking at all as he continued, "But you never tried to kill us. Loki tried to kill Lofi a few times. He never liked that Lofi had chosen us over him. The last time he tried, Bailey shattered both his kneecaps and smashed his jaw." He glanced up at Thor then looked away quickly as he mumbled, "She also slammed you through a mountainside."

Bailey smiled at Thor as she caressed her machine lovingly. "You deserved it. You tried to stop me. No one stops me when I want to do something."

Thor didn't bother to reply.

The subway suddenly shook and dust fell from the ceiling. Bailey looked up briefly. Justin knelt and asked, "Do you need any help?"

Bailey nodded, "Put in the date." Justin looked at her blankly. Bailey sighed, "May fourth 2012." She looked at the others, "Go find our things."

Justin did as he was told, as did the others. Soon the time machine was whirring happily. Bailey petted it, eyes tender. She smiled at the group, "Say goodbye."

The boys did as they were told. Pepper smothered Justin with kisses and warnings of what she would do to him if he got hurt. Thor and Arvid had a sedate goodbye. Terry hugged both his parents. Lofi stood back, looking at the floor. Natasha noticed him and walked over. Bailey looked at Bruce and said, "I don't see why they're getting emotional. Once I fix everything, none of this will matter and none of you will remember it."

Bruce gathered her into a tight hug. Bailey stiffened, eyes going wide, then she wriggled free, nose wrinkled in annoyance. She muttered, "Stupid, emotional, human creatures."

She waited for the boys to grab hold of her, then flipped a lever on the machine. A blue bubble seemed to encompass them. There was a flash. Their parents faces blurred and they all shut their eyes against the flash of blinding light. Bailey felt a hand wrap around her waist and muttered, "Let go Justin."

Justin looked over at her, "I'm not touching you," He grinned, "But if you'd like me to oblige…"

Bailey slapped at the hand and Arvid yelped loudly as he jumped back. Bailey spoke softly, "Hands off."

"As you wish," Arvid murmured softly.

Justin muttered into Lofi's ear, "He's got it bad."

Lofi mumbled a reply, "He's had it bad since he was five."

Arvid slapped them both on the back of the head. "Shut up."

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Here's ten! Yay me! Thank you to: Raychaell Dionzeros for their reviews!