Hey everyone I just finished this chapter and it covers a lot. Nora Time Jumps. Aya interferes again. Nora… well you'll read it. I was trying to update on Steve's Birthday but I just couldn't stop writing. Let me know what you think about the new developments. And as always thank you for reading. Enjoy :)
The rest of the weekend didn't exactly go according to plan. I got back to the hotel from Disneyland around 1am. I got a text from Dad saying he was taking Pepper to the airport. By the time he got back I was knocked out.
The next morning we had breakfast and he saw a few of the sights and had lunch at Dad's favorite burger place before I flew back home. Dad dropped me off at the airport where my new car was waiting for me. I stopped by Sam and Jess's place to check up on Connor.
I parked in their drive way and knocked on the door before using my key to step inside.
"Hey guys." I said.
"Aunie." Connor said running for me. I picked him up into a hug and spun him around.
"Hey buddy." I said kissing his cheek.
"Hey Nora when'd you get back?" Wren asked.
"Plane landed half an hour ago." I said.
"Nora, I thought you were Jess." Kate said walking looking annoyed.
"She isn't here?" I asked.
"No she said to wait for her here. We ended up taking Connor for the night." Wren said.
"Did you have fun?" I asked Connor. He just shook his head no and buried his face in my neck.
"We had a long night." Wren said.
"If you guys want I could stay here with the little guy and you can go home." I offered.
"No, we can wait."
"Wren, we have early dinner reservations." Kate reminded him.
"We can do it another time." Wren said. "How about we make dinner for everyone?"
"That sounds good." I said.
"Wouldn't it be better if we just ordered pi…." Kate started.
"No, I mean we had pizza two days ago." Wren said rather quickly.
"I'm going to see what Jess has in the kitchen" I said putting Connor in his high chair and giving him some of his snacks. I looked around and saw Jess has some chicken and potatoes along with some mixed veggies.
"Find anything?" Wren said walking in.
"Yeah I found some chicken and some potatoes and veggies." I said. "Fried chicken?"
"Chicken and waffles." Wren said with a smile.
"You get started on the batter I'll do the chicken." I said.
"Anything I can do?" Kate offered.
"Sure. Can you do the salad?" I asked.
"Uh yeah." She said grabbing the veggies. I fried the chicken and Wren finished the batter and made waffles. By the time we were done Jess and Sam were back.
"Hey guys." Sam said.
"Hey." We all greeted.
"You two should wash up, we'll set the table." I said.
"You guys made dinner?" Jess said.
"Yeah, we figured you'd be tired." Wren answered.
We set everything up and sat down. Everyone served themselves and we ate.
It had been a while we had all had dinner together well one where we all didn't either end up drunk or it turned into an intervention.
"I think I'm going to head out," I said after I finished helping Jess clean up.
"You sure? You can always stay in the guest room." Jess offered.
"Thanks but I'm beat and Axl deserves some time quality time together." I said.
"Okay but text to let me know when you get home." Jess said I will.
"We're heading out too." Wren said.
"Thank you for having us." Kate said.
"Don't mention it." Jess said.
We walked out and we walked out to the car.
"That's your car?" Kate said surprised.
"Yeah, birthday present from my Dad, wouldn't let me say no." I said shyly.
"Drive safe." Wren said.
"I always do, unlike some people." I said giving Wren a look.
"I ran one red light." Wren said.
"That's one more than the rest of us." I answered. "Night." I said getting in and driving off.
I picked up Axl from the dog hotel and took him home. Just as I was walking in I started getting the chills.
"You've got to be kidding me." I said as I started glowing.
I closed my eyes and waited for it to pass. When it was finally over I was in the kitchen of some house somewhere and it was daytime.
I heard someone walk in and I saw gramps.
"Grandpa." I said.
"Nora." He said smiling. I went over and gave him a hug. "It's good to see you kid."
"Missed you too Gramps." I said. "What'd I miss?"
"I moved to Los Angeles and I'm making a movie." Gramps said. "You?"
"Just turned twenty one and got home from Los Angeles." I said.
"Happy Birthday." He said.
"Thanks." I said. "You haven't built any weapons of mass destruction right?"
"No, Come on. I was just about to have brunch." Gramps said.
"How's everything?" He asked.
"Really good. Got to see two of my favorite bands. Spent some time with my Dad. Had a family dinner that didn't end in an intervention." I said.
"How's Wren?" Gramps asked.
"He's good. He moved out and is living with his girlfriend." I said. "How about you? Met Grams yet?"
That just made him laugh. "No, not yet."
"Sir you're car is ready." Jarvis said. "Miss Stark, a pleasure to see you again."
"Jarvis I thought we were over this. Just Nora we've been through way to much for you to keep up the formalities." I said.
"Forgive me Nora, It's a habit. That I can understand, How's Anna?" I asked.
"She's doing spectacular. She's been enjoying the sun." he said.
"Good for her." I said. "The beaches here are amazing."
"Yes they are and the swim suits. I think I died and went to heaven." Gramps said.
I had to laugh. "It's good to see some things never change."
"I have to go, it's casting day." Gramps said with a smirk.
"Just remember not to shit where you eat Gramps." I said as I started getting the chills.
"What do you mean?"
"If you sleep with the lead actress you still have to work with her for months." I said as I started glowing. "Till next time."
Then I was back in the mudroom. Axl was sitting up looking right at me.
"Sorry Buddy, so much for quality time together." I said. "Want to go upstairs and cuddle?"
Axl barked and spun around chasing his tail before heading up for the stairs. I showered before I got into my Jack Skellington pjs I had gotten at Disneyland.
"Night Axl." I said shutting my eyes.
The Next Day-
I decided to take Wren's and Doctor Matthews words into consideration and took it easy. I only performed one major surgery and did an angioplasty that thankfully did not have any complications.
I got home early and started on dinner when the stone started glowing again.
Time to go to my second job. I turned off the stove made sure Axl had enough food and water before going outside. I was taken to the Aesir where Heimdall immediately ushered me to the palace. The battle to regain peace in the nine realms was almost over. There was just one more left to win. Vanaheim.
I changed into my armor and met up with everyone else. The Marauders had been scouring through the realm and destroying village after village. Heimdall sent us to a village in the middle of an attack. Thor started swinging Mjolnir and the fight was on. I took out a pair of marauders that went after a woman carrying a baby and holding her daughter's hand.
One of them took advantage of my distraction to try and swing a sword at me. I put a shield up in time to block him before throwing him up as Thor swung Mjolnir at him.
The battle was under control until their leader showed up.
"He's all yours," I said moving aside.
Thor moved forward and the giant through his club on the ground.
"Hello." Thor greeted. The giant just roared.
"I accept your surrender." Thor said. The others started laughing. Thor spun Mjolnir and then swung it upwards causing the giant to shatter to pieces.
"Anyone else?" Thor asked and everyone just dropped their weapons.
"Perhaps next time we should start with the big one?" Fandral asked.
"All the remaining Marauders were arrested and we headed back to Asgard with the exception of Hogan who decided to remain on his home world.
Thor went to report to his father and I got dressed to go home. As I was heading out Thor, Sif, Fandral and Hogan insisted I join them for drinks. I didn't go in to work until noon so I had a bit of time.
Along the way we saw Frigga and I stopped to say hello.
"Nora, you look well." She said. "Are you returning to Midgard?"
"I was until I ran into these four." I said.
"Mother." Thor said.
"My son." She said. "I am glad you are well. Are you sure you would rather not spend a few days here?"
"Thank you but I have responsibilities to attend to. Maybe some other time." I said.
"You are always welcome here." She said. "Enjoy your night."
"Thank you." I said. We walked down the streets until we reached a tavern. I listen to Fandral and Volstagg try to out brag each other. Watching these two bicker was hilarious. After I finished my drink I decided it was time to go. I went to say my goodbyes. Volstagg picked me up in a bear hug. Fandral tried flirting like always. I went to the balcony where Thor and Sif were talking.
"Am I interrupting."
"Not at all" she said giving me a sad smile.
"I just wanted to say good bye for now. I have to head back." I said.
"Until next time old friend." Sif said giving me a handshake where we grabbed each other's forearms before a short one-armed hug.
"Take care of these oafs, we both know they need it." I said making her laugh.
"I shall." Sif said with a smile.
"I shall accompany you Nora. Mother would have my hide if anything were to happen to you." Thor said.
"Okay then." I said we walked out and I started walking down the street before Thor stopped me.
"Let's save ourselves some time shall we. Hold on." Thor said wrapping an arm around me. He swung the hammer up and flew us to the Aesir.
"Whoa." I said when we landed. "That's a rush."
"Aye it is. There's no better feeling than the wind flowing through one's hair." Thor said.
"How does your hair stay so perfectly tamed if you fly that fast." I said.
"I do not know. I have never had that problem." Thor said flipping his hair making me laugh.
"Time to return already?" Heimdall asked.
"It is, duty calls." I said.
"I must tell you that it might not be possible for you to travel to Asgard. The convergence is starting and the boundaries between the realms will be merging." Heimdall said.
"Meaning the nine realms will be connected and it could be easy to slip from one realm to another without the Bifrost." I said.
"Precisely. You must be careful, who knows how it shall affect your abilities." Heimdall said.
"I'll keep that in mind. Until next time." I said before returning home.
I walked back inside and I saw it was pretty late in the night. So much for an early dinner.
Next thing I know Wren teleported in.
"Hey."
"Hey what are you still doing up?" I asked.
"I should be asking you that" Wren said.
"I just got back from Asgard. The Nine realms are finally at peace." I announced.
"Great, no more surprise summons." Wren said.
"I have a feeling that's not going to be the case," I answered before my stomach started growling.
"Did you eat anything?"
"I had an apple before the battle."
"Okay let's go." He said grabbing his coat.
"I thought you were quitting fast food cold turkey?"
"Yeah fast food actual food I'm all for." Wren said putting a hand on my shoulder before teleporting us out.
"Where are we?"
"London. Had a craving for fish and chips figured you'd be locked in the lab or asleep on the couch like always."
"How depressing that I'm so predictable." I said.
"Predictability is synonymous to familiarity. I just know you too well." He said.
"Don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing."
"As someone who knows you too well, it's a really good thing." He said leading me out of the alley.
We went inside a diner along the Thames. Wren got his Fish and Chips while I got a steak pie and chips. Halfway through we swapped.
"It annoys the hell out of Kate that we swap plates at lunch." Wren said.
"We're picky eaters." I said with a shrug.
After we ate Wren dropped me off at home and went back to his apartment.
The Next Day-
I left work around noon and made it back home in time for lunch. I had the next day off so I was relaxing. Well I was until the stone started glowing.
I really hope they're just calling me back for a feast or something. We had just achieved peace after a year of fighting.
I went outside and waited for Heimdall to do his thing. Not even a second later I was back at the Aesir.
"Please tell me the nine realms are not at war again." I said.
"No they are not." Odin answered.
"Oh, Odin, Allfather… I'm sorry we never really discussed the proper way I'm supposed to address you." I said awkwardly.
Odin was not amused. "Follow me." He said.
"Yes sir." I said.
We rode in a carriage back to the palace and I followed him to the infirmary.
"Heimdall explained the Convergence to you?" Odin asked.
"Yes he did."
"The mortal my son has fallen for slipped through one of the veils to another realm and has been brought here. Heimdall tells me you have knowledge of such things." Odin said.
"I'm a time traveler with powers. I have experience with both." I said.
"You are to assist in ridding the human of this energy so she may return to Midgard as soon as possible. Is that understood?" Odin said.
"Yes sir." I said as we entered.
"What's that?" I heard Jane ask Eir, one of the healers.
"Be still." Eir said trying to get her to stay still.
"This is not of Earth. What is it?" I saw Thor say as he saw the readings.
"We do not know. But she will not survive the amount of energy surging within her." One of the healers told him.
"That's a quantum field generator, isn't it?" Said Jane probably curious about the glowing lights around her.
"It's a Soul Forge." Eir answered probably annoyed of Midgardians showing up.
"Does a Soul Forge transfer molecular energy from one place to another?" She retorted.
"Yes." Eir answered impressed.
"Quantum field generator." She whispered making Thor laugh. That's when we got closer Odin probably having the worst timing ever.
"My words are mere noises to you that you ignore them completely?" he said chastising Thor I sent him an apologetic look.
"She's ill." Thor said.
"She is mortal. Illness is their defining trait." Odin said.
"I take offense to that." I said. Going over to look at the readings Eir had gotten. Jane was so busy listening to Thor and Odin fight she didn't even notice me.
"I brought her here so we can help her." Thor said pleading with his father.
"She does not belong here in Asgard any more than a goat belongs at a banquet table." Odin said raising his voice.
"That's enough!" I said getting their attention.
Jane sat up and looked at all of us. "Did he just… Who do you think you are?"
"Jane…" I said trying to warn her.
"I am Odin. King of Asgard. Protector of the Nine Realms." Odin said sternly.
"Oh. Well I'm.." Jane started but allowed to finish.
"I know very well who you are. Jane Foster." Odin said with a glare.
"You told your dad about me?" Jane said a bit shyly.
"Something's within her father. Something I have not seen." Thor said.
"Her world has its healers, they're called doctors, let them deal with it. Guards! Take her back to Midgard!" Odin said out of annoyance.
"Sir I don't think that's a good idea." I said. The guards approached Jane. Thor stepped forward trying to stop them.
"No I wouldn't.. " Thor said but the guard that touched jane got zapped. "touch her. Jane, are you alright?"
"What the hell?" I said. That looked exactly like… me.
Odin caught my eye and walked forward and ran his hand on her arm and a strange red glow.
"It's impossible." Odin muttered.
"Is that?" I asked and he just gave me a look. At that moment I saw a green glow and Aya appeared.
"Nora, leave now." Aya said.
"Why?" I asked.
"She's right. Lady Nora you are to return to Midgard at once." Odin said.
"But what about…" I started.
"They'll handle it. We're leaving." She said before fading away and I began glowing.
When it finally died down I was back home.
"What the hell Aya?" I said and she appeared again.
"You're not going back to Asgard until you are summoned and don't even bother trying to call Heimdall until they call on you."
"Aya what's going on?"
"Stay away from him"
"Him?" I asked confused.
"The girl is currently the host of another infinity stone. And thirteen billion years is not long enough to have to see him again so I'll say again… stay away." She said before disappearing.
"ARH" I groaned annoyed.
Then my phone started ringing.
"Hello!" I answered.
"Is this Nora Martell?" A woman asked.
"This is she." I said.
"I'm calling from University of Texas Medical center do you know a Wren Spencer?"
"Uh yes I do. What's going on?" I asked worried.
"Doctor Spencer was brought into the ER you are his emergency contact."
"Is he okay?"
"He's in surgery, his appendix burst."
"I'm on my way." I said. I grabbed my keys and purse and ran to the garage. I must've broken at least twenty traffic laws. I've never been thankful for dad's obsession with sports car. The BMW was incredible. I got to the hospital in record time and I ran to the ER waiting room.
"Hi I'd like a status update on Wren Spencer." I said.
"And you are?" the nurse told me.
"I got the call earlier that he was here."
"You must be Nora." She said. "Doctor will be right out."
"Great." I sat down and waited. Waiting rooms made me anxious. The other side is a lot less nerve wracking.
"Family of Wren Spencer." A doctor said coming out.
"That'd be me." I said.
"Miss Martell" he said.
"Doctor Martell and Wren is Doctor Spencer we're surgeons how is he?" I said.
"He's out of the OR. His appendix burst but he got here in time and we were able to remove all of it. We're prescribing a course of broad spectrum antibiotics. It was successful and went off without a hitch. We're moving him into a recover room." He said.
"When can I see him?" I asked.
"As soon as he's in his room someone will come get you."
"Thank you." I said.
I pulled out my phone and called Kate. I was sent straight to voicemail. I told her what was going on before texting Sam and Jess in our group chat. By the time I was done someone was there to take me to Wren's room.
I walked in and he was still unconscious. The first thing I did was pick up his chart and read through it.
"That's for the Doctors" one of the nurses said as she came in.
"I am a doctor just checking everything's being done right I said before placing it back at the end of the bed and sitting down.
I sat down and flipped on the TV. I turned on the news and watched a recap on local sports events.
"That was a waste of forty dollars." I heard Wren say.
"Hey, you're awake. How do you feel?"
"Groggy, like there's a cotton ball in my mouth." He said.
"That's what happens after surgery." I said.
"I had surgery?" He said.
"Yeah, you're appendix burst." I said. "Must've been bugging you for a while. Why didn't you say anything?"
"It didn't feel too bad." He said making me give him a look.
"Liar." I said. "I got a call from the hospital. Turns out I was your only emergency contact."
"Yeah, I figured we live together and work together you're probably the best person to call in an emergency. Plus if I went into surgery I trained you so I know you'll make sure no one messes up." He said flinching.
I leaned over and reached for the call button but he grabbed my hand.
"Don't I'm fine."
"Wren you just had surgery, stops trying to be strong and take the help." I said pressing the button. The nurse came in an adjusted the dosage to what I told her to. We had a staring contest until she gave.
"That's also why you're my emergency contact." Wren said.
"Well you may want to update it cause I called Kate to let her know you were here and she's probably not going to be thrilled she isn't even on your list." I said.
"She'll understand. Thanks for being here." He said.
"Well I got kicked out of Asgard so there's no where else I'd rather be."
"You got kicked out?"
"Aya intervened." I said. "I'll explain later get some sleep"
"Okay." He said dozing off.
Six Hours Later-
Wren woke up and could finally eat jello. We were watching the news when Kate walked in.
"Wren Baby are you okay?" Kate said running to his side.
"I'm fine." Wren said.
"He's not fine. He had appendicitis and ignored the pain until his appendix burst and he passed out." I said. "He's a stubborn idiot"
"It wasn't that bad." Wren defended
"Nora you can go." Kate said giving me a pointed look.
"I'll stay in case you need anything." I told Wren.
"Thanks." He said reaching for my hand.
"Anytime except next time, if something hurts tell someone."
"Yes mother." He retorted.
I just rolled my eyes and smiled.
Third Person POV- Wolfram and Hart Law Firm, Dallas, Texas.
Lawyer Alex Miller was working another late night in his office. Most of his colleagues had already left for the night but he had paperwork to finish.
"Late night Mr. Miller?" One of the janitors asked when they came into his office. Alex looked up and recognized him as Felix, he started working there around the time Alex started interning at the firm.
"Just a lot of work Felix." Alex said exhausted.
"Immigration paperwork is a hassle." Felix answered as he emptied put the trashcan behind Alex's desk.
"The law is paperwork." Alex answered.
"Don't worry I'm sure you're just about done." Felix said in a British accent.
"Maybe in another …" Alex started but he was interrupted by Felix strangling him with a power cord. Alex struggled but he couldn't save himself.
Felix moved the body out of the chair and looked through Alex's files. Clicked on the search icon and typed in Wren Spencer. He plugged in a flash drive and copied all of the files onto it. Once he was done he deleted the files. He looked through all of the hard copies Alex had lying around and found all of Wren's files he grabbed them and hid them in his jacket. Then he got the cart and walked out whistling a tune.
Thanksgiving 2013-
This year Jess, Sam, Wren and I decided to keep Thanksgiving casual, which for me meant olive jeans, a black tank top, black studded ankle boots topped with a black blazer.
And just in case I ended up crashing at Sam and Jess' house, I brought a change of clothes and some pjs. I loaded all the food and my things into the SUV and drove to their house.
I walked in bringing in the first of the dished.
"Hey." I said.
"Hey." Jess said. "Need a hand?"
"Yes please. Where's everyone?"
"Out back teaching Connor football." Jess said.
"Aww." I said.
"Just wait until he starts throwing the ball in your house." Jess said.
"Take it easy." I said. "How about I finish the cooking and you sit down with a glass of wine."
"That does sound nice." Jess said.
"It is. Now sit." I said.
I got everything ready and I called everyone in.
"Hey." I said
"Nora." Sam said hugging me. "Can I get you anything? Beer? wine?"
"Its okay Sammy I helped myself." I said. "Hey Wren, how you feeling?"
"Better. I told you, you were worried over nothing." He said.
"Burst appendix is something to worry about." I said "Where's Kate?"
"Out of town visiting her parents." Wren answered.
"And you didn't go with her?" Jess said.
"We agreed it might be to early for us to meet." Wren answered.
"You've been dating for eight months." Jess said.
"Exactly. Maybe after we date for another few months." Wren said. "Better for me, gives me time to see how to get on her father's good side."
"Are you on his bad side already?" Sam asked.
"I'm dating his daughter, of course I'm on his bad side." Wren said making us laugh.
As we were eating Jess and Sam decided to start a new tradition.
"Since it's Thanksgiving I was thinking we go around the table and say what we're thankful for." Jess said.
"I'll start" Sam volunteered. "I'm thankful for everyone at this table. Someone once told me family doesn't end in blood and I'm glad he was right."
"I'm thankful we're all healthy and here another year and I'm grateful we got to be with those that aren't here anymore." Jess said tearing up.
"I'm thankful for so many things but if there's anything I had to choose it'd be the unconditional support of everyone at this table. You guys have seen me at my best and my worst and haven't run for the hills." I said.
"I guess I'm next. I'm thankful for all of you. You three hardly knew me but welcomed me into your home, your lives and your family with open arms. Thank You." He said.
Christmas 2013-
I went through my usual Christmas shopping list. Jess didn't even bother to try and put a gift limit since she knew Wren and I wouldn't listen.
I wore a black and gold patterned dress with pearl earrings and black heels.
I grabbed the last of the dishes and headed to Sam and Jess's house. Christmas was a little different this year. I hacked Jarvis and found out that Dad was going to be on his own for the next two weeks while Pepper was away on business. I told him I would be working on Christmas Eve and day and he was bummed out. What I didn't tell him was that I was taking a red eye to New York and surprising him.
I had told Jess and Sam my plans and they were glad my dad and I were spending more time together.
So as a compromise we decided we were going to open presents later tonight instead of tomorrow morning.
We ate dinner and had some laughs before we opened gifts.
We each got our own mountain of gifts and started opening.
"Oh my god are these Jimmy Choo"S" Kate cried out.
"Yes." We all answered used to the freakishly expensive gifts that were handed out.
"Thank you." She told Jess.
"No thank you's until the end and those were from Nora." Wren said repeating the newly implemented rules.
By the end I had new hoodies, an original Star wars poster from when it was first released autographed by George Lucas himself and a bunch of other things.
We all thanked each other. Kate awkwardly hugged me thanks. I left my gifts in the guest room before grabbing my coat.
"Well I got a flight to catch." I said.
"You're leaving? Where are you going?" Wren asked.
"New York, I'm surprising my Dad tomorrow morning." I said.
"Really? What about work?" Kate asked.
"I already talked to Doctor Matthews, He said he doesn't want to see me until after New Years." I answered.
"I'm off" I said.
I got to the airport in time to board and I was off. The plane landed and I went to baggage to get my bag. Then I went to grab a taxi to Manhattan. In the cab I hacked into Jarvis and saw that Dad was in his lab. I knew the perfect way to surprise him.
I had the driver drop me off next to the back entrance I hacked my way into the garage. Then I got into the elevator to the common room and went into the bathroom to change clothes. I wore a cream and black polka dot top with a bow on the back and a navy skirt with a tan leather belt. I wore some tan heels.
After I was ready I had Jarvis alert Dad that there was an intruder on the common floor. I went to the bar and served myself a glass of wine.
"Hands where I can see them." I heard Dad say.
"Seriously? You wore the entire suit for one trespasser." I said turning to look at him.
"Nora?"
"Surprise." I said.
"What are you doing here?" dad said pulling me into a hug.
"Christmas is our day remember?" I said.
"When did you get here?"
"Ten minutes ago. I took a red eye and cab here. Merry Christmas." I answered.
"Merry Christmas. How long do we got?" Dad asked.
"Until after New Years. Doctor Matthews says he doesn't want to see me in the hospital until then. So I'm all yours."
"I didn't plan or get you anything."
"Dad relax, we're winging it remember? We'll figure something out." I said. "Until then how about I make us some breakfast?"
"I'll go take off the suit." He said.
By the time he was back I was done making pancakes.
"Pancakes and scrambled eggs and bacon." I said followed by a beep. "And that'd be the coffee."
"How do you all this?" He said.
"You were gone a while, I had time." I said.
"That's not all I did, you ever been to Sydney?" Dad asked.
"Australia?" I said. "No why?"
"Did you bring your passport?" dad asked.
"Of course. I always carry it if I'm going to see you." I said.
"That's good." He said. "Now which movie are we watching first?"
"What do you think?" I asked.
"Nightmare Before Christmas it is." He said taking out plates over to the coffee table so we could eat and watch TV.
December 29th, 2013- Honolulu, Hawaii
"Dad what are we doing on Hawaii?" I asked.
"It's just a pit stop. We're kidnapping Rhodey." Dad said.
"What? If he's working…"
"He's on leave I checked." Dad said.
"Cool where is he?"
"Still on base?" dad said.
"Can we even go on the base?"
"Of course we can." Dad said. He pulled up in a sports car and showed our ID's to the guards and they just let us through like it was nothing.
"This place has a golf course?" I said surprised.
"Yeah come on. I have a feeling I know where he is." Dad said.
We found Rhodey on said golf course wearing plaid pants and a funny hat.
"I think the club would be better for that shot." I said.
"Nora?"
"You look like plaid threw up on you." Dad said.
"What are you two doing here?" Rhodey asked.
"We're kidnapping you." Dad said.
"What? Why?"
"Nora's free until after New Years we're going to Sydney One of the world's best firework shows. Let's go." Dad said.
"Tony I just can't leave."
"You have two weeks off." Dad retorted.
"Come on dad, quality time together, we don't get enough of that." I said guilt tripping him. "Please, you missed my birthday."
"No don't do that." Rhodey said.
"Don't do what?" I said.
"Uh fine, Let me go pack."
"Yay." Dad and I said.
December 31st, 2013- Sydney, Australia
Dad pulled some connections and got us a penthouse suite at one of the best hotels in the city with a view of the opera house. We got a front row seat to one of the best firework shows in the world from the rooftop bar.
"Happy New Year!" I said in a video of me with the opera house and firework show in the background. I sent it to Sam, Jess, and Wren before going back to the party.
At three am we ended up back in the suite really drunk. Rhodey passed out on the couch. Dad and I just sat down and talked.
"Have you told Pepper yet?" I asked.
"Haven't really had the chance to. She's been in and out of the country dealing with global acquisitions." Dad said. "You seeing anyone?"
"God no. I think I'm better off alone." I slurred.
"Why? You're amazing, funny, smart…"
"You're my dad you're supposed to say that."
"But I promised not to lie to you so you know I'm telling the truth." Dad retorted. "Don't think I didn't catch you flirting with the blonde at the bar."
"I was drunk and he reminded me of someone. It was nothing." I said.
"It didn't look like nothing. If you went back to the bar I'm sure he'd probably still be there…" dad said.
"Dad drop it. Let's just leave it at I'm emotionally unavailable." I said. "I'm kind of hung up on someone."
'Nora don't even think about it' Aya said.
"Spinster huh?" dad said.
"What? No. I've already told you strictly platonic." I said. "There's someone else you don't know about and we're never going to talk about because it ended kind of badly."
"You dated someone and didn't tell me?" dad said shocked.
'Nora!" Aya said in warning.
"It was from when I was… away." I said.
"How did you find time to date in Afghanistan? Wait who did you date?"
"Doesn't matter he kind of died." I said. Well it was half right. Steve kind of died and then came back.
"Oh," dad said not expecting that.
"Yeah, so again emotionally unavailable." I said.
"Nora it's been I'm guessing more than a year, I know it's hard but if he loved you as much as I'm guessing he did he would want you to be happy." Dad said.
"I know, I'm just not ready." I said.
"It'll get easier kid."
"I know," I answered. I leaned my head against dad's shoulder and fell asleep.
January 2014-
"Doctor Matthews I wanted to speak to you about this email I received." I said as I found the chief of walking out of a meeting.
"Doctor Martell, yes about the charity date auction." He said. "It's for a very good cause."
"Yes I know but I don't think I should be auctioned off. I'd be more than willing to help with something else." I said.
"I'm sorry Nora but every other position has been filled. We just need people who are willing to go out on dates." He said.
"But…"
"It's for a new MRI and CT machine for the ER. It's smaller and fast. Think of the lives we could save. Think of the children." He said. Damn he was good.
I sighed. "What do I need to do?"
"Just show up dressed up and let some rich guy treat you to an expensive dinner." Doctor Matthews said.
"I guess I'll be there." I said.
"Thank you." He said.
I pulled out my phone and texted Jess.
I need a dress for a Charity Date Auction.
She replied back almost immediately:
Does this mean what I think it means?
I replied.
That I'm a sucker for a good cause?
She replied:
You have a date. For the first time since I've known you, you're going on a date.
Uh, What did I get myself into?
Saturday Night- Date Auction Night
After a shower and making sure my hair was curled I put on a bit of make up and finally got dressed in a white body con dress with silver embellishments. The long sleeved of the dress were sheer and it had a small cutout at the top of my bust that was a silhouette neckline.
I drove my car to the hotel the event was being held at. I showed my ID and went inside.
I saw Wren and Kate talking to an elderly couple. Wren spotted me and gave me a save me look.
I just waved at him to let him know I'd be by the open bar. I spotted Doctor Matthews and his wife. He introduced me and she said that he talks about me often. He introduced me to some people but I decided I had let Wren suffer enough.
"Hey Wren." I said.
"Nora, good to see you. Let me introduce you. This is Mr and Mrs. Maxwell." Wren said.
"Pleasure to meet you." I said shaking their hands.
"Do you also work at the hospital?" Mr. Maxwell asked.
"Yes, I'm a trauma attending and a cardio fellow." I answered.
"That's impressive." Mr Maxwell said.
"How old are you dear, you don't look a day over eighteen?" Mrs. Maxwell said.
"I'm twenty one ma'am." I answered.
"Twenty one?" She said shocked.
"I get that reaction a lot." I said chuckling a bit.
Kate didn't like the attention I was getting so she tried changing the subject. "I graduated top of my class at UCLA." She said.
"They have an excellent program." Mrs. Maxwell said. 'And how old are you?" that shut Kate up.
"What school did you go to Doctor Martell?" Mr. Maxwell asked.
"I went to Harvard and I also graduated at the top of my class." I said.
"It's true you could probably find her speech online." Wren joked making me playfully elbow him.
"Please don't look that up." I said making them laugh.
"Come on it wasn't that bad." Wren said.
"I regret ever showing you that footage." I said.
"Aren't you two adorable?" Mrs. Maxwell said.
"We won't take up more of your time. Let's go find that chief of yours" Mr. Maxwell said walking away with his wife.
"You got dragged into this too?" Wren asked.
"Yeah, Matthews made a good argument and it's for a good cause." I said.
"So he guilt tripped you?"
"It was for the children Wren." I said in the most dramatic voice I could making him laugh.
"Doctor Martell It's time." Doctor Matthews said.
"I'll see you later." I said before walking back stage.
About twenty minutes later it was finally my turn.
"Next up is Doctor Nora Martell. She works in the hospital as a trauma surgeon and also happens to a cardio thoracic surgery fellow. Shall we start the bidding at Five hundred?" The MC asked.
"Five hundred. Someone called out.
"Six hundred."
"Six hundred do I hear seven hundred?" the MC asked.
"Seven hundred." Someone called from the back.
"A thousand." Someone called.
"Twenty five hundred!" Another shouted.
"Five thousand!" Some old guy bid.
"Six thousand."
"Seven thousand."
"Ten thousand!" Someone shouted from the back again.
"Ten thousand, do I hear eleven thousand." The MC started. "Ten thousand going once. Ten thousand going twice.. SOLD to number 185."
I walked off the stage and walked to the bar where I saw Kate and Wren talking.
"Well that was something." I said.
"Just look at it this way, when you're on your date with whoever bid on you think of how you don't have to wait in line for a CT or MRI anymore." Wren said.
"That does make things better." I said.
"Doctor Martell." Someone called out for me.
"Uh yes?" I said confused as to who he was.
"My boss would like to speak with you. He was the one who won the date with you." A young man wearing an earpiece asked me.
"Oh right then. I'll see you two later." I said.
"Have fun." Wren said tauntingly.
I followed Jonathan, as he later introduced himself as, to the hotel restaurant. There was a private room in the back that his boss had apparently reserved.
"Please sit he'll be here shortly." He said before walking out.
I sat down and took a drink of water. A moment later some one walked in.
"Sorry for the delay. Had to take a call." I heard them say in a British accent. Why did he sound familiar?
"I know you." I said.
"You do we met a few months ago. You and your friend were having girls night I believe you called it?" He said.
"Aidan right?" I said.
"You have a good memory. Good to see you again Nora." Aidan said.
"You bid on me?" I said.
"I'd rather go on a date with some one I've talked to than a stranger." Aidan said.
"Funny, so when do you want to go on this date."
"Are you free now?" He asked.
"Right now" I asked.
"Yes, I'm quite famished and in the mood for some ribs." He said.
"Uh Okay." I said.
"I know a good place." He said.
I followed him to the valet where his Porsche was brought out. I got in and he drove off.
We ended up at a barbeque place we were way too dressed up for but we didn't really care.
"How've you been since I last saw you? Still not talking to you're best friend?" Aidan asked.
"We didn't talk for a month after I met you. It took our friends banding together and tricking us into having dinner for us to talk and even then it was hard." I said.
"So what happened?"
"This is kind of embarrassing." I said.
"How bad could it really be?" Aidan said.
"Our friends got us drunk so we'd talk and to make it up to me he decided to drunkenly Karaoke "You've got a friend in me."" I said.
"No." He said.
"Yes" I said. "We made up and I sang part of the song with him and as we were getting off the stage we both tripped. Now our best friends have material to black mail us with because they recorded the entire thing." I said.
"Got to love friends like that." Aidan said.
"They're the best. How about you talked to you're what was it best mate?"
"I called him and we chatted for a bit but I don't think there's anyway to mend that friendship." He said.
"I'm sorry. The fiancé?" I asked.
"Not worth it. Now that I think about it, I rushed into things." He said.
"What do you mean?"
"I met Karen when I was still mourning Beth, my soulmate. After she died it was like…"
"Like the world was upside down and everything was pointless." I said.
"Exactly." He said. "How did you…"
"I have experience in the losing soulmates department."
"I'm sorry." He said.
"Don't be, they were amazing and the time I spent with them was the best time of my life but life isn't fair." I said.
"It most certainly is not" he said.
"To being left behind." I said raising my glass.
"To being left behind." He said linking his glass with mine.
We left the restaurant and walked to a nearby park.
"How long have you lived in Dallas?" Aidan asked.
"My entire life. I moved to Boston for school but moved back about a year ago."
"Seems like a great place to live." He said.
"Traffic is hell but the foods great." I said making him chuckle. "What about you? Where's home for you?"
"I don't really settle in one place long enough to call it home." Aidan said. "I'm originally from London."
"I always liked London." I said.
"I haven't been in ages." He said.
"Ever get annoyed with asking for Chips and getting crisps instead?"
"Too often." He said looking at me with a smile. I felt my face getting warm.
Slowly he lifted his hand and tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear. He started leaning closer looking down at my lips before looking at my eyes. Is he doing what I think he's doing?
Then he softly kissed me and I closed my eyes. I kissed him back and his kiss became firmer and more confident. It wasn't until we both needed air that we broke apart.
Did I just do that? It felt strange. Not bad. I didn't feel guilty I just felt confused. I mean Aiden was great. Funny, good taste in food. We had stuff in common and yeah it had been a while but isn't this technically cheating?
On the other hand Steve was probably seeing someone else considering he thought I was dead and it had been a while and Aiden's a great guy.
Time to go with my gut.
"Wow." I said.
"That's one way to put it." He said. "We should get going. It's getting late."
"Yeah."
"Do you want me to take you home?" He asked.
"I left my car at the hotel." I said.
"I'll drive you back." He said he took off his coat and handed it to me. "You look cold."
"Thank you." I said before we started walking back to the car
We got back to the hotel and I was about to go to the Valet to get my car but Aiden stopped me.
"I don't normally do this but would you like to come up to my room?" Aiden asked.
Shit what do I do?
"That's a really tempting offer but let's not ruin a perfect night." I said. "I believe this belongs to you." I said handing him his coat.
"Can I get your number?"
"Mhm, I don't think so." I said with a small smile.
"Then how am I supposed to see you?"
"You know where I work." I said just as my car was brought out.
He stepped forward and opened the door for me.
"See you around." I said before driving away.
The Following Monday-
I was updating charts at the nurses' station when a flower arrangement was set in front of me.
"Cute Flowers." I told Jenna.
"That's good because they're for you." She said.
"For me?" I said surprised.
"Your name's on the card." She said handing it to me. I opened it and saw who it was from.
Thanks for an amazing night.- A
I turned the card around and saw that his number was written on the back of it.
I pulled my phone out and texted him.
Thanks for the flowers.
He replied back:
Thank you for your phone number.
February 12th 2014-
I was in the OR replacing a valve of a patient's heart. I was working on this patient alone. My first patient since I passed boards for the second time. That's right I was now double board certified. I was working with Ames and about to place the last stitch when some one's voice came on over the coms.
"Nora you need to hurry up." Wren said.
"I'm almost done just placing the last stitch." I said. "What's going on?"
"Your watch just went off." He said.
"Then turn it off." I answered.
"The one that always gets the timing off." Wren said. I turned to the window to see what was going on and I saw the pocket watch necklace glowing.
"Shit." I muttered. "Give me a minute. Call up to cardio and have them send another surgeon. Ames it's your fourth year right?"
"Uh yes ma'am." He answered.
"Good I'm going to give you the chance of a lifetime. You're going to close up." I said.
"You mean…"
"Yes you're screwing the ribcage back on." I said. "Watch what I'm doing." I placed the first three screws and then handed the drill over to him. "Not too deep or it'll stick out."
Then another attending walked in.
"Hi sorry for springing this on you but something came up and I have to go." I said. "Ames is a fourth year most of the surgery is done he just needs to screw the ribcage back on and close up."
"So I'm just here to babysit" He answered.
"Essentially, I'll fill out the charts later and tell the family I'll be back as soon as I can." I said.
"Okay go." He said and I was out.
Wren met me outside and pulled me into a supply closet before teleporting me back home.
"Thanks Wren." I said. I walked over to the grass on the same spot as always before calling Heimdall. "Heimdall."
Not even a second later I was beamed up and appeared in the Aesir.
"Heimdall you're timing is as impeccable as ever." I said.
"Forgive me but King Odin has summoned you and Lady Sif to the throne room. You are to meet him there at once."
"Is it safe for me to be here?" I asked.
"The Aether is no longer on Asgard. You are here because the Lorelei has escaped and is currently on Midgard." Heimdall said.
"Who's Lorelei?" I said confused. Worst of all how was I supposed to find her if I'm still wearing scrubs?