Lost in a whisper

And

Hung on a prayer

If you don't know where you're going

Any road will take you there…

Fragile Minds – Silent Theory

-o-

Chapter 137: Falling Free

Falling free of the contraption that held her, the collar around her neck disconnecting from the most sensitive part of her, she stumbled a bit as her body shifted to its smaller stature. She was trembling as she felt a hand wrap around her arm and hold her steady.

"Mrs. H?"

The voice that spoke was one she wished wasn't here but it was too late for that train of thought. He already was so there was no point in lashing out to him, even if she wanted to. Her heart was breaking at the thought that they were on another alien spaceship. It was heading off to the Titan's home planet and there was no way of knowing if they would be able to turn the damn thing around…

Her children…

Her family…

She had been so close to getting home to them.

So close to getting Bruce home…

She took in a shuddering breath as she straightened and turned around to face Peter. She reached up a trembling hand to place it against his cheek, the worry and slight fear was clear in his eyes. "I'm fine, petit frère."

He reached up to take his hand in hers, his gaze flicking between hers. "Mrs. H. I'm s-"

She shook her head once, a quick sharp movement. "Non, it is done…"

He swallowed back his apology and nodded quickly.

A grunt from behind Peter caught Ana's attention and her heart gave a jolt at the sight of the Hulk lingering behind her little brother. She gave Peter's cheek a gentle stroke before she pulled away and moved to her mate. The moment she was enveloped by his strong arms, she reached up to wrap her arms around his thick neck. She squeezed so tightly as she felt the sob coming. "Mon amour," she said, her throat tight with emotion. "I tried… We were so close…"

The Hulk let out another grunt as his hold tightened around her, picking her up to hold her closer against him. "…Not… your fault," he muttered against her curls. He let out a huff and then another before his form began to shrink, the green fading from his skin as his muscles twitched and contorted to the smaller form of Bruce. His breath came in a shuddering gasp as he buried his face in her copper brown hair. "We'll find a way back to them… We've come this far… We can't give up."

She closed her eyes as she nodded, her hold around his neck tightening as she fought back the urge to cry although the tears fell…

"Can we find a way to control this thing?" asked another voice, one Ana recognized as her teacher's. "See if we can find a way to turn this thing around and fly us home?"

She reluctantly pulled away from her husband, though she remained firmly tucked against his side. Her arms had wound themselves around his bare waist while her fingers dug into the waistband of his tattered pants, her head nestling under his chin as she sought comfort and strength within his embrace. Her gaze had flicked to Strange before looking to find her big brother making his way over to them. Though she wasn't happy with the situation, she could admit it was a relief to find that she was not alone in this like before.

Tony didn't respond to Strange's questions, he simply stopped in front of Bruce and Ana and looked at the both of them. "All right?" he asked, the concern and worry all wrapped in one question as it trickled between the familial link amongst them. Ana didn't dare voice her worry, though they all could feel it. Instead, she gave a sharp nod in reply, her face blank of any emotion.

A muscle ticked in Tony's jaw, his hazel eyes flicking between the two of them, before he finally turned around to address Strange. "I'm… not so sure we should…"

Strange, whose gaze had not-so-subtlety been lingering on Ana, focused it on Tony. "Under no circumstances can we bring the Time Stone and the half of the Space Stone we have to Thanos," he said, taking several steps toward Tony. "I don't think you quite understand what is at stake here."

"No Mysterio," said Tony, turning around to face the wizard. "I don't think you do." He moved to close the space between them as he reached out to point to the Time Stone that hung from around Strange's neck. "Thanos has been inside my head for six years since he sent an army to New York and now he's back." He paused, his gaze flicking between Strange's as they stared each other down. "Now, I don't know what to do." He took in a breath to calm his racing heart; the situation was all kinds of fucked. "So, I'm not so sure if it's a better plan to fight him on our turf or his… But you saw what they did… what they can do. If we fight him on his turf, he's not expecting it. So, I say we take the fight to him… Doctor." The title at the end was unexpected, considering that Tony never addressed Strange by his appropriate title. "Do you concur?"

Strange took in a breath and eased it out in a strained sigh, his eyes had flicked to Ana and Bruce before they moved to Peter. After a heartbeat, he looked back at Tony. "All right Stark… We go to him… But you have to understand… If it comes to saving you, any of you, or the Stones, I will not hesitate to keep the Stones safe. I can't… because the universe depends on it."

Tony was quick to read between the lines and he wondered just what Strange would do if it came to Ana. It was no secret the wizard had a very soft spot for his little sister and he could understand that keeping the half of the Space Stone that Ana had in her possession safe meant keeping her safe in turn. Tony hoped that Strange would be more subtle about his feelings for Ana around Bruce. The last thing any of them needed right now was a fight between a wizard and a raging Hulk in the middle of a flying donut in space.

"Nice," said Tony as he reached out to slap a hand against the wizard's arm. "Good. Moral compass… We're straight." He stared meaningfully at Strange, his hazel eyes trying to convey what he could not get out in words.

Tone it down.

He turned away from the wizard with a heavy sigh, not bothering see if Strange caught the message, as he glanced at Ana and Bruce, who were still tightly embraced but now focused on each other. He studied the couple, his own heart aching for them, for Pepper, for his godkids, before he continued on toward Peter.

"All right kid," he said as he stopped in front of the teenager and raised his hand, his palm sideways as if in a slicing gesture. He thumped Peter's left shoulder and then his right in a mockery of a knighting ceremony, looking suddenly very tired. "You're an Avenger now." He moved away from Peter, not waiting to see the look of surprise and sudden pride that filled the young man's face as he straightened his posture.

-o-

"How can you still be alive?"

He was pacing the length of the room, his fingers running over and over his beard while his single eye glanced over at the only living Olympian he had ever met in his life.

"You should be dead," he said. "You are older than my father, older even than my grandfather." He paused in his pacing and turned to face the blonde. "How could you still be alive after all this time? Do you not know what happened to your children? To your descendants? How much they had suffered?"

Lytta had remained silent as she let the Asgardian vent, not allowing the accusing tone in his voice to affect her. She knew that he was lashing out because of his own pain and loss at the hands of the Titan. She empathized with him. Yet, she also felt the stab of guilt and pain at those words, knowing that her children had suffered because of her and her mate's choice to remain only in their memories.

"She is alive because of me," a new voice had joined the conversation and Thor whirled around in surprise. "She is my mate and her life is linked with mine." There was another woman in the room, one who had not been there before. She looked to be a purebred Pyragian who stood a head taller than the blonde and even himself. Thick black hair hung like a sheet of fine silk about her face, her skin tone a deep russet color that Thor had seen in a good number of Lyttans on Asgard. Her ears had a slight point to them, giving them an elven quality, yet the most prominent feature were the yellow glow of her eyes, which a typical Pyragian did not have. She looked achingly familiar as well…

"Lady Erin?" he asked in surprise, his gaze flicking between the Lytta and the newest member of their little group.

At the sound of the name, both women visibly tensed and the dark-haired woman took a step forward. "How do you know that name, Asgardian?"

Thor's eye studied her, his fists clenching and unclenching as he tried to understand what exactly was going on. He swallowed against the dryness in this throat as he gave a single shake of his head. "She is a descendant of yours, Lady Lytta," he added, looking at the blonde. "She was the first of the Lyttans to be known on Asgard, the first one to break away from that dark realm in which they were imprisoned." He cleared his throat as he looked at the dark-haired woman "She is permanently merged with a Midgardian woman because of her journey from that dark realm. The human woman is named Ana. She had saved Erin's life. Ana and Erin are one being we call the Red Lady and one of my greatest allies. She and her mate had been on the ship with our people before Thanos attacked."

Lytta let out a small sound as she looked at the other woman, her deep blue eyes filled with horror. "Ragia…"

The woman named Ragia glanced at Lytta, a deep frown of concern twitching between her brows. She looked back at Thor and took a step toward him. "Erin is our daughter, the youngest of our children. Her and her twin Erai… They were not with the others when we took them and you from that ship. You will tell us everything we need to know Odinson about our daughter and son and in turn we will tell you our story."

Thor frowned thoughtfully as he folded his arms across his chest, wondering just what he had inadvertently found himself in. These two women bore an uncanny resemblance to Erai and some resemblance to Erin in her enraged state. Perhaps they spoke the truth… If so, maybe they would assist him in his journey for revenge. "All right," he said after a few moments of silence. "I will tell you what I know of your children but I also require your assistance. Thanos killed half of my people. He killed my brother and my best friend… because he is after the Infinity Stones. One half of which is in the possession of Lady Ana and Erin as of this moment. If I am to stop Thanos, to help your daughter, I will need a new hammer. You will take me to Nidavellir."

The two women glanced at each other, an unspoken communication passing between them, before Ragia looked at Thor. "Consider it done, Odinson," she said. "Now, speak."

Thor, seeing the conviction on the woman's face, nodded in agreement and took in a breath to begin his tale…

A siren blared all around them, a flash of white lights catching everyone's attention.

Ragia glanced up at the ceiling, the look on her face going unfocused for a heartbeat before she looked at Lytta. "Another ship is approaching. Speak with Odinson, I will see to these intruders."

Lytta gave a grave nod as the taller woman quickly moved over to her and they shared a brief kiss. Ragia then pressed her forehead against Lytta's for the briefest of moments before her form wavered and disappeared in a swirl of familiar deep red liquid energy that Thor had seen before.

Thor frowned in confusion. "Where did…? How…?"

Lytta glanced at him. "After your story Odinson, then we will speak ours."

Thor studied the Olympian before he gave a single nod. It was going to be a long story…

-o-

"I thought I told you to check in," said Natasha as she slammed her fist against the button, the hatch of the Quinjet closing behind her as it took to the air. Her hair, now short and dyed blonde, whipped about her face as she turned around to face Wanda. Her gaze flicked to Vision and Jenn, who sat in a corner of the Quinjet as Jenn attempted to fix the gaping hole in his abdomen with her nanites. "You know not to take any chances. Ray was the one who called us. I would have expected to hear from you first."

Wanda felt a flush rise into her cheeks but her frown was deep as she stared defiantly at the Black Widow. "I apologize… They wanted more time… so I allowed it. I didn't see the danger." She ignored the hand on her shoulder, her twin offering his silent support.

"Do not blame Wanda," said Jenn as she carefully worked on Vision's wound. "The attack was sudden; she would not have known."

Natasha glanced at Jenn, a spark of annoyance appearing in her eyes. "Then what happened?"

"I was distracted," said Jenn as she finally looked up, her pale blue eyes flashing with anger. "The links to four of my family members were suddenly ripped away at the same moment the aliens attacked. You can forgive me for not immediately checking in amidst the mental pain and the fighting."

Natasha's lips thinned as she folded her arms beneath her breasts, not rising up to the bait. Though Ana, Jenn and their group had helped the rest of the Avengers throughout the two years they had been on the run, Jenn held no warm feelings toward the Black Widow. After discovering what the Black Widow had done back in Sokovia, she kept the former assassin at a far distance. Only dealing with her if absolutely necessary.

"That's enough," said Steve Rogers as he stepped in between them, his gaze focused on Natasha. "We got here in time. The Stone is safe and everyone is accounted for."

The silence was heavy and Steve relaxed just a little once it was established no verbal barbs would continue between the two women.

"Where to, Cap?" asked Sam Wilson from the cockpit of the jet, glancing over his shoulder to look at Captain America. He didn't look at Natasha, who had moved to take a seat in the copilot's chair.

Steve tucked his thumbs into his belt, his face grave as he thought over their options. After a heartbeat, he looked at Sam. "Home."

Sam gave a nod and turned around to face the control panel.

-o-

"I remember your signature on those papers, Colonel," said a Secretary Ross, his holographic image moving to stand in front of Rhodey, who had his arms folded across his chest.

"That's right," said Rhodey, his face remained impassive as he took a step toward the edge of the holographic line along the floor of the lab he was in. "And I'm pretty sure I paid for that." He shifted on his feet; the braces that helped support him visible.

"You have second thoughts?" asked Ross, his brow furrowing.

"Not anymore," said Rhodey with a shake of his head.

A ping could be heard and Ross pulled out his phone, glancing quickly down at it. A heartbeat later and his frown had deepened, his hold tightening over his phone as sneer appeared. "Damn her… Banner…" He stuffed his phone angrily back into his pocket as he looked at Rhodey, a muscle ticking in his jaw. "You find them. Arrest them."

"All over it," said Rhodey, trying not to let the smirk show visibly on his face. He raised his hand to wipe away the hologram, the control in his right hand beeping as the line with Ross was disconnected. He couldn't have been more grateful for the timing of whatever message Ross had received. No doubt Ana's doing. Whatever she had done over year ago after the Mojave Incident had helped to keep the Secretary on a tight leash. He felt a pang of sadness in his heart at the thought of Tony and the woman Tony loved as his little sister. Rhodey hoped they were all right…

The computer nearest to Rhodey beeped, no doubt the court martial order, but he ignored it in favor of the sound of the door to the lab opening. He turned around to face his guests, a welcome smile on his face. "Welcome back, Cap. It's great to see you." He moved forward to greet Captain America, who smiled in turn and reached out to take the Colonel's hand.

"You too Rhodey," said Steve as he gave Rhodey's hand a firm shake.

Rhodey chuckled before he turned his attention to Natasha, who had moved over to greet the colonel in a hug. Despite the history between the Black Widow, Tony and Ana and her family, Rhodey had maintained a professional yet warm friendship with the former assassin. He returned the hug before he focused his attention on Jenn. "Ross got a message just before you arrived. Something about Banner?"

Jenn let out a sniff in disgust as she remained firmly tucked against Vision's side. "He needed a reminder."

Rhodey chuckled with amusement before he focused his gaze on Vision, the smile fading from his face. "So… How bad is it?"

-o-

(A/n) Merry Christmas, I found time. See you all as soon as I can, thank you for all the feedback!