Clint really wished Hill had given him a little more time. They'd just gotten the girl here. She was hurt. She didn't trust them yet. Pushing her too fast was going to send her running for the hills. Literally. Then Maria would expect him to chase her down all over again and he got it. He knew why she was here, he was just… way too old for all this.

He adjusted the hearing aid, twisting it a little deeper in and adjusting the battery pack over the top of his ear.

"What do you mean?" He watched her eyes flash over Maria's gun then towards the door behind for a split second.

Bruce cut in, about as gentle and unsure as always. "Two copies of the same person in one universe might make things go…" he mimed an explosion.

The instant way she stiffened had the doctor backpedaling.

"Oh. No. Uh," Bruce looked between Clint and Maria. "We can just send you back. I think."

"You think?" Maria grumbled.

Clint crossed his arms and glared at Maria. She lifted an eyebrow back. Come on, Hill. This could've waited. If the universe was going to explode, it would've already.

Ember shook her head.

"I don't know. I don't–"

"We just need to know your real name," Maria said. This time her tone had an edge of sympathy, of understanding. "So we can check."

"I…"

It was Clint's turn to speak up. "Rayner knew you."

She winced.

"That means there at least was a you in this universe. If she's running from him, we can help her, help you."

Ember shook her head and Clint got the sense that she knew more than he was letting on. He wasn't convinced that their version of her was still alive. For one, nothing had exploded. Bruce wasn't really sure how it all worked, but if Back to the Future had taught him anything, it was that the relationship between time and space was a weird, weird thing. More importantly, Rayner had said that she was supposed to be dead. That whole mad scientist spiel made so much more sense if there actually was another her from this universe.

Pressure started to build behind his eyes.

The girl pulled a breath in through her nostrils, eyeing him like she was sure she was going to regret this.

"Alex," she said after a moment. "My name is Alex."

Alex. Alex or Alexandra? Alexandria? Alexis?

"Alex what?" Maria asked.

"Alex… Bah-Bobbin."

Her hesitation didn't seem like a lie. It seemed more like she'd forgotten her name. How long had it been since someone actually asked her? Since she'd gotten to use it?

"Nice to meet you Alex." Maria glanced down at her own palm. "I'd offer a handshake but.."

Alex shook her head, waving her left hand in front of her as if dismissing the suggestion.

"So your ability works by touch?" Bruce was straight back into science mode.

Alex gave a hesitant nod.

"Can you control it? Stop it from happening?"

She shook her head, obviously not sure just where this was going to go.

Bruce nodded. "I, uh, tested some of your blood."

If Clint didn't know better, he'd have sworn there was a flicker of anger in her face. It was forcibly extinguished as soon as it came.

"I tested it with a small bit of my own and your blood seemed to…well, copy mine." Banner held his hands apart, bringing them together on the word 'copy.'

Alex ran her tongue over the edge of her teeth, pausing on the canine and then slipping it back inside.

"What do you mean copy?" Maria sounded a little alarmed now.

"My cells are laced with a certain kind of radiation," he said, more for Alex than Maria. "Your blood copied the effects of that radiation."

Alex's eyes hardened, her fingers flexing together and then open again. Maria straightened and Clint felt his own muscles tense.

"It's a good thing she's here, then," he said before Maria could add anything.

Hill shot him a look.

"Well, it's quiet here." He shrugged. "Fewer people."

He could tell that Maria didn't like what he was getting at. But she was already caving. Clint could see it in her eyes.

"We still have a few more questions for Rayner," Maria said, turning back to the other two. "We'll keep him in custody at least long enough to search his training facility."

Alex's hand squeezed into fists. Her jaw clenched.

"You," Maria pointed at Alex, "stay here. And don't touch the big guy here."

Bruce winced.

"There aren't enough margaritas in the world for this," Hill mumbled as she turned on her heel.

The door opened and two guards flanked Maria on her way down the opposite corridor.

Clint let out a sigh of relief. They had time.