Wow it's been a while! I'm sorry this has taken so long, I'm a bit overwhelmed with college and just trying to adjust to everything. I will never abandon this story but updates may be a bit more spaced out. And I've been struggling with writer's block, I know what I want to say and how I want it to sound but it just hasn't been flowing. So here it is the much awaited trip to the 40's, I hope you guys like it. This adventure will most likely take several chapters. For the people who asked I will include Guardians of the Galaxy, I already have an idea for how they will fit in. Once again if anyone has ideas for one-shots just let me know. I really want to know what you guys think of this one, so let me know. Thanks for reading! =D
Usually when I jumped somewhere it was fast, this time it felt different this time. Like I was drifting through a murky fog, something was off this time. Then I heard a familiar voice.
"Anna, are you there?"
"Yes I'm here, where are you?"
As the room became clearer, I could see that it was the library in Asgard, and a blurry figure started to appear in front of me. It was Loki! I ran over to him attacked him with a hug, well I tried but I went straight through him. He laughed at my confusion.
"It is good to see you again little dreamer." I grinned back at him.
"Likewise, I missed you. But why are we in the library and why can't I hug you?"
We're not, neither of us are really here. This more like a dream than anything, so physical contact is not possible. As for how, I was able to lock onto the magical signature of your bracelet. When I felt it activate I pulled you here, a place we both enjoyed coming. Though it will only last for a minute or two. The bracelet is too powerful for me to hold you here for too long, I won't be able to do it often."
Well that's new...
"Oh okay, how long has it been since I saw you last?" He frowned.
"Only a couple of weeks but I..."
"I missed you too Loki. How have you been?" He sighed.
"My punishment could be worse, my cell is nicer than others. Don't worry about me."
So for his sake I put it out of my mind, and we talked about everything. I told him about Peter and how we'd met and how much I worried about him. But he always diverted the conversation when it turned to him, I could tell he still held a lot of anger at his family. So he kept things focused on me.
"If the soldier ever hurts you I will end him."
"Loki! Steve would never hurt me." I could tell I was turning red by the smirk on his face.
"If you say so Anna."
Before I could reply I felt a tugging on my wrist along with the library beginning to fade away.
"What's going on?"
"The bracelets power is overriding mine, you're going wherever it was sending you before I intercepted you. Good bye little dreamer, until we meet again."
I put my hand up and he put his against it. Feeling a cold sensation, somewhat like the feather light touch of a snowflake.
"Bye Loki, take care of yourself. " He rolled his eyes.
"Of course, and you do the same." As the room started to disappear I heard him whisper something.
"No matter what Anna."
I'd been trying to call Anna for hours and she wasn't picking up. After what happened at Oscorp last night I needed to make sure she was okay...I can't lose anyone else. Knowing her she found a way to hurt herself or get in some kind of trouble. And I really need to talk to her, she always knows how to make me feel better and I could really use some of that right now.
She always answers no matter what time it is, unless she's with Steve, but he's out of town. So when she didn't pick up after 15 tries I started toward Stark Tower to see if I could find her. The receptionist recognized me as a friend of Anna's and let me in but I couldn't find her anywhere. Just as I was starting to panic I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Peter, it is Peter right?"
I whirled around to be met with the tired looking face of Tony Stark.
"Uh, yeah. Where is Anna? I can't find her anywhere and she's not answering her phone."
He sighed and rubbed his eyes.
"Well she can't answer her phone seeing as she doesn't have it."
He dug around in his pocket and pulled out Anna's phone. I narrowed my eyes.
"What happened, why doesn't she have her phone?" He groaned and looked away.
"Why me? Okay look, this isn't really my story to tell so you're gonna get the abridged version. Lisey is... special, and sometimes she has to leave suddenly without notice. It sucks, it really does but there's not anything I-any of us can do about it. This is one of those times, I don't know when she'll be back or where she is because she left her phone here."
I frowned.
"So she could be gone to who-knows-where for who-knows-how-long?"
Tony smiled bitterly and nodded.
"Like I said, it sucks. But she always comes back, that is the one thing you can count on. She wanted me to tell you goodbye and that she's sorry."
"She knew she was leaving?!" He rolled his eyes.
"She just gets a feeling sometimes and sometimes she doesn't. So don't get mad, I spent a long time being mad at her for something she had no control over."
"But that doesn't make any sense!"
"And she never will. Now Lisey said something about you have skills with a camera, and it just so happens I need some publicity shots taken. You up for it kid?"
This was too much to process. Tony's explanation really didn't make sense but this would (somewhat) explain all the weird stuff going on with her. One things for sure, Anna certainly has some questions to answer when I see her next. At least I know she's alright, kind of anyways.
"Um, yeah sure, maybe sometime later this week."
I was still pretty beat up and needed time to figure things out. But maybe spending time with Tony would help me not to worry about her. I started to leave when he stopped me.
"Hey, I know how you feel, believe me I do. So try not to worry about her, it would just tick her off. She's probably more worried about us, you know how she is. If you want, when you have free time you can hang out here, I need all the help I can get to keep Bruce from going full on emo-depression."
I smiled, he was absolutely right. It would tick her off to know I was worrying about her. So I'll just have to wait for her to get back. But I wonder...
"Just out of curiosity, what's the longest she's been gone?"
The smile fell of his face and I could see by the pain in his eyes it was a tender subject.
"Too long."
Then he plastered a fake looking smile on.
"So I'll have someone contact you about taking those pictures alright?"
"Okay...I guess I'll see you around then."
A real smile crept back on his face.
"Yeah, bye Peter."
Walking out I could only wonder where my sister was and when she'd be back.
When I opened my eyes again I was wearing different clothes, it looked like a retro nurse's uniform. The first thing I did was search my pockets for my phone and to my despair I couldn't find it, Tony would be so ticked that I lost it. I must have dropped it when I saw Peter fall. Oh God Peter! I hope he's okay, I feel terrible that I didn't get to say goodbye, and now I don't even know if he's alright. I felt tears roll down my face, missing my family; almost sick with worry for them.
Trying not to break down in the alleyway I found myself in, I walked around the corner only to bump into someone. I felt hands on my arms steadying me, keeping me from pitching backwards. I looked up to thank whoever I had run into, to see I was face to face with a somewhat familiar looking man. He was tall with brown hair and mischievous eyes. He was with a another, much shorter man with blonde hair and striking blue eyes. Wait a second...
"Whoa there, where's the fire?" Before I could say anything his friend spoke up.
"Ma'am are you alright?" Then the man who had stopped my fall looked me over.
"Hey, are you crying? What's the matter?"
"Bucky! Can't you see she's upset?" I wiped the tears off my face and smiled at them.
"Sorry for running into you like that."
"That's no problem, I'm Steve Rodgers and this," He pointed to the guy beside him.
"Is my best friend Bucky Barnes. Are you sure you're okay?"
Even though he was shorter and skinnier this was still the Steve Rodgers I know, or knew...I'm not sure. He still had the bluest eyes that I couldn't help but get lost in. Stop it Anna! This Steve has no idea who you are and besides he was just a friend, I think.
"I'm Annalise Harrison but call me Anna, everyone does. I'll be fine, I just..."
Bucky cocked an eyebrow.
"Just what?" I sniffled, thinking of Peter.
"My brother, I'm worried about him." Both of their faces softened.
"Is that why you're a nurse?" I glanced down at my uniform.
"Uh, yes. I just want to do what I can, and not feel so helpless for once." Steve frowned.
"You're not alone in feeling that way Anna."
Bucky rolled his eyes and I could tell this was something that was frequently argued over.
"Well, we were headed to the Expo to see the sights. Wanna come along?"
"Are you sure?"
"Sure, in fact Steve here doesn't have a date for tonight. So you could go together, what do you say?"
"Bucky!" Both Steve and I were blushing.
"Actually, that sounds like fun." Bucky grinned.
"Swell, just make sure you save a dance for me."
With that we headed down the street toward the sound of a crowd.
When we reached the Expo, after having played a rousing game of would you rather (my idea) there were already lots of people there. A large crowd had gathered around a large stage, on it was a sleek looking car with a sharply dressed man standing next to it. Then an announcer introduced him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Howard Stark!"
Well it's obvious where Tony got his looks from. So this was the Howard that knew me, well not yet I guess. As he started his presentation, I saw Bucky wave over a girl about my age. She looked at me funny and then turned her attention to Bucky, acting like a twiterpated ninny. As the presentation started I became lost in all the excitement, I found myself separated from Steve. So I wandered around looking for him. I kept looking during the presentation only to see that it had ended and Steve and Bucky were on the other side of the large open area. So I headed over there, only to run into someone. I've got to stop doing that.
"Hey there dollface, what's the rush?"
I backed up to see who I'd run into this, to be met with the grinning face of Howard Stark.
"Gosh I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going an-" He cut me off with a laugh.
"Slow your roll baby, it's fine no harm done. What's got you in such a hurry?" I smiled sheepishly.
"I got lost and I just spotted my friends and didn't want to lose them again."
"Well it'd be hard to lose someone like you, at least I wouldn't. So you here with someone?"
The way he said it made me blush, he was so much like Tony; a constant flirt. I glanced over to Steve and back to Howard. I really couldn't say I was here with someone, (I wish I was) but I didn't want to open to what saying I was unattached would entail.
"Well, ah I came with a group." He smirked at me.
"Say, what's your name doll? I'm sure you already know mine."
I grinned at him, remembering the first time I met him the pieces falling into place.
"Harrison, Annalise Harrison. Nice to meet you Mr. Stark." We grinned at each other.
"Well nice to meet you Miss Harrison, how's about you and me go and have a good time?"
I laughed, my little brother's dad was asking me out! This is so messed up...
"Sorry Mr. Stark I've got to be going, but I think we see each other again. Oh and call me Anna."
"Only if you call me Howard."
"Alright, see you around Howard."
As I walked off I could hear him laugh.
"Oh I'll definitely be seeing you Anna."
After leaving Howard I headed over to where I had seen Steve and Bucky. It was right next to an enlistment tent, so when I didn't see them I started to go inside. But I was stopped by a hand grabbing mine.
"Anna, there you are! Steve was freaking out, he likes you ya know."
I turned around to see Bucky, his date nowhere in sight.
I blushed and ignored the comment about Steve.
"I was looking for you too. I just got a bit lost."
He grinned.
"You seem like the type, now come on you still owe me a dance."
He tugged me out onto the makeshift dance floor and proceeded to whirl me around. It was actually a lot of fun, and he was a great dancer unlike me. It was over before I knew it and we were outside cooling off.
"That was so much fun, thanks Bucky!"
"No problem sweetheart, the pleasure was all mine."
In the distance I saw the girl that he came with waving at him.
"Hey, I think someone's looking for you."
He saw her and waved back before turning back to me.
"Yeah, I ought to go, can't have it said that I abandon my date. You're a swell girl Anna, take care of Steve for me will you?"
"I will although I don't think I would do much good. Be careful over there Bucky, don't get yourself killed."
He rolled his eyes and smiled.
"I already went over this with Steve, I can handle myself, so don't worry."
I grinned and reached up and kissed him on the cheek and turned to walk away. As I walked away I could hear him muttering.
"Steve's a lucky guy."
I laughed and went in the tent to find Steve.
I didn't have a chance to look because a nurse grabbed my arm and pulled me towards a room, while scolding me.
"Where have you been? Dr. Erskine has so much to do and he needs help! To think that his head nurse would be this late!"
Head nurse? And why does that name sound familiar?
She shoved me into the room where I almost collided with an older man wearing glasses.
"Ah, you must be the nurse assisting me I assume?"
I looked at him in surprise, and nodded.
"Uh, yes sir, sorry I'm late." He just smiled at me.
"It's fine, I think I've found our man. If you'll follow me I'll introduce you."
I followed him into another room, smaller than the other; to see Steve sitting there looking happy and a bit confused when he saw me.
I stood behind the doctor waiting to see what happens next.
"I can offer you a chance. Only a chance." Steve glanced at me briefly and then back to the doctor.
"I'll take it." This earned him a smile.
"Good. So where is the little guy from? Actually." Steve grinned.
"Brooklyn."
"Congratulations, soldier." Then he motioned to me.
"Oh this is my head nurse..." I jumped in then.
"Anna."
"Anna, she will be here throughout the entire process. Now I must go, see you soon."
With that he left, and Steve and I were alone.
"Anna what are you doing here?"
I smiled and shrugged.
"I really don't know, but I'm just gonna go with it."
He grinned.
"I know what you mean."
Just then Dr. Erskine stuck his head back in the room.
"Oh Anna, you will be staying with Agent Carter. She will meet you outside and take you to base camp. See you then."
Okay then...
"Well I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other then."
"Yeah I guess so. I'd better get going, don't want to miss my ride. See you Steve."
He smiled at me as I left to go wait for Agent Carter outside. While waiting I could only think, what have I gotten myself into this time?