"Snow isn't after me or trying to tie up loose ends, He's after you." Aiden said.
I grabbed the file out of Aiden's hands and teleported to the interrogation room. Abernathy didn't even look surprised at my sudden appearance.
"Ferdows." I said throwing the file onto the table
"Finally put it all together. You live up to your reputation scourge." He said
"Where's Snow?" I asked
"I don't know. He's been watching you for a long time waiting." Abernathy said.
"Waiting for what?" I asked.
"You, this version of you. Wren, Aiden, the division, it was all part of the plan. You surround yourself with these lost souls and try to fix them so you can make yourself feel better for all the death and carnage you leave behind but in the end they were the ones that paid the price. How does it feel Nora? To know that you're the reason the man you loved was forced to do unspeakably things? That your roommate was forced to watch his soulmate be killed and was turned into a junky and the monster who tried having you killed ah!" Abernathy yelped as he was suddenly pulled out of his seat.
"I've had enough." Aya growled slamming Abernathy against the wall. "I was the one that put Nora in the position to make the call in Ferdows."
"But she was the one that pushed the button on that detonator and brought that city down on Snows son. She made the choice. No one forced her to push that button." Abernathy said.
"Where is he?" Aya growled tightening her hold on him.
"He's not going to give you the satisfaction. An eye for an eye. He lost everything he ever cared about that day and he'll destroy everything and everyone you love too. Don't worry he'll spare your son, he'll be an even greater asset than his father" Abernathy said with a chuckle.
"You are not going anywhere near my son!" I shouted.
"Nora!" Steve said running into the interrogation room and I put my hand up to stop him.
"Where's snow!?" Aya growled and I could feel the air around her shift and her hands started glowing.
"Aya" I said trying to get her to cool it
"Butt out" Aya said. "Start talking or I'm going to break every bone in your body before I put you back together and start all over again." She threatened as she broke his ankle to prove her point.
"Ah!" Abernathy cried out in pain.
"Aya stop!" I said
"No!" She growled with a distorted voice and suddenly the room started shaking. The air around the room started whirling around breaking the glass of the interrogation room.
"Aya!" I shouted as the air pushed Steve out of the room. I got knocked into a wall at the same time Abernathy did. He had a gash on his head and he was unconscious but still breathing.
"Ah!" Aya shouted.
I pushed myself forward and grabbed Aya's hand. She started forming an energy orb and it didn't stop growing.
"Steve get everyone out! Now!" I shouted.
"Nora!" He shouted back.
"Just do it!" I shouted "Aya listen to me you're out of control if you don't stop you're going to kill everyone."
"I can't it's too much," she said through gritted teeth
"Then let me help." I said "Focus on me, deep breath in."
She groaned but did what I said.
"And out" I said the energy started to get smaller. "Okay that's it " I said putting my hands over hers but suddenly it shot out to me and I flew towards the wall as I started glowing.
"Ah!" I shouted as the light got brighter and I couldn't see anything. Next thing I knew I hit a wall hard enough to break through it and landed on the floor. "Uh!"
"What the hell?" Someone said.
"Friday?" Someone else asked.
"I believe we have a code Cronus boss." Friday answered.
"Ow" I said rolling over and sitting up. "Oh the rooms spinning" I said looking over and seeing three strangers standing in front of me. There was a tall brunette with hazel eyes wearing what looked to be like one of dad's iron man gauntlets. He looked to be in his late twenties or early thirties. Next to him was a red head with bright blue eyes and a stern look. Kind of reminded me of Wren when we first met he was standing protectively in front of a shorter blonde woman who held his hand while his other hand was glowing green like when I used my powers.
"Aunt Nora?" the brunette said.
"What did you just say?" I said trying to stand up and swaying a bit before collapsing. Next thing I knew the red head was holding me up and checking my pulse. I moved out of his grasp and stayed against the wall holding myself up. I got a better look at the room and realized I was in the common room in the compound but all the furniture looked different. "Aya what the hell?" I whispered and got no reply.
'Aya not the time for the silent treatment' I thought. That's when I felt it or more like didn't feel it. I don't remember the last time I was alone in my own head.
"Mom?" The red head said staring at me with wide eyes.
"Hey we came as soon as we heard..." someone said as they ran in.
"Dads." The redhead said and I turned to look at them.
"Steve?" I asked. I recognized the voice but not who I was looking at.
. .
"Nora?" He whispered.
"Doll?" Bucky whispered.
"Wow you are pulling off the lumberjack look really well." I said looking at his longer and darker hair with the full beard he was sporting. I turned to look at Bucky who looked pretty much the same as the last time I saw him except his hair was shorter similar to how he would style it in the fourties but more modern.
"Oh shit." Someone blurted our from behind me. I turned around and saw Aiden standing there staring at me with wide eyes. That was the last thing I saw before everything went black.
"How can this be happening?" I heard Steve whisper.
"Don't look at me I'm just an engineer and a biochemist who knows first aid." Someone I didn't recognize answered.
"Have you asked…" Bucky asked.
"She went with the same thing as always." Someone else whispered annoyed.
"Oi, I think she's starting to wake up." Aiden said. "Nora?"
"Uh… too bright." I said trying to open my eyes.
"That's probably the concussion. Brain scan was clear of any bleeds." Someone else said.
"I am so sorry I blasted you through a wall." I told Steve making him let out a chuckle.
"What?" The brunette, blonde and red head from before said.
"He deserved it." Bucky and Aiden said at the same time.
"Why do you all look like you're seeing a ghost?" I said suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable at the way everyone was staring at me.
"No reason it's just been a while since they've seen us time jump" another version of me said. I looked at her and she had a few wrinkles. Our hair was lighter but the instant I looked into her eyes I knew that wasn't me.
"Wait..." I said starting to realize something. "You two are older." I said looking at Steve and Bucky. "And he called me... this is the future isn't it?" I said
"Wow aunt Nora was gorgeous." The blonde woman whispered to the redhead. I took another look at her and then at the tall brunette they had the same eye shape and lips except he was really tall and she significantly shorter. She gave me a smile and that's when it hit me.
"Ellie?" I said.
"Only dad calls me that." She said with a smile.
"Then that makes you..." I said turning to the tall man giving me a grin "Connor"
"Right again." He said with a smile.
"And you're…" I said sitting up and looking the red head.
"You should lie back." He said putting his hand on my shoulder and gently trying to nudge me back.
"Wren..." I said putting a hand on his cheek and looking into his gorgeous blue eyes identical to his father's. "You look just like your dad."
"You… you have a minor concussion, no brain bleeds. You're a bit dehydrated so I gave you some saline. As soon as you finish the bag Connor will take out the line. I have to go." He said.
"Wren…" Bucky started but he had already teleported away.
"Sorry he's busy at work." Ellie said giving me a sad smile.
"Yeah, I've been there." I said trying to ease her worry.
"I'm going to check on him" She said before leaving the room.
"I have to go fill in everyone so no one flips out." Connor said following after his sister.
"So when are you sending me back?" I said looking at future me.
"About that, can you jog my memory and tell me exactly where in the timeline we're at?" She said.
"Uh… we're after Snow. Captured Abernathy who knew more than he should about our past. Turns out we killed Snow's son in Ferdows. Aya," I said giving her a glare. "Lost control and when I tried to calm her down she blasted me through the wall. When I got to the other side I was here."
"Oh." She said.
"What oh?" Steve asked.
"You remember when we kept blasting ourselves to stop time jumps and Aya kept warning you… I mean us not to do it?" Not future me said.
"Yes." I said not liking where she was going with this.
"It wasn't just because it hurt us, it kind of wears down the connection between us… I mean… you know us and Aya. When she blasted you she unintentionally severed the connection between you two." She said.
"Meaning?" Aiden and I asked at the same time.
"You and Aya have been split. You're no longer her host." Not Future me said.
"That explains why it's really quiet in my head and why I'm not healing as fast as I normally do. But that shouldn't be a problem once you send me back, right?" I said.
"I can't send you back. I'm… you… we're not the host anymore." She said.
"Cut the shit Aya send me home." I said.
"What are you…" She started and I gave her a look before she turned into the form I remember her taking. "What gave it away?"
"Posture, the reflection of the light in your eyes at certain angles and the fact that Bucky is doing everything he can to avoid looking at you and Steve clenches his jaw every time you talk. Send me back." I said.
"I can't, I can only send my host through time. Only the me from your time can send you back." Aya said.
"That's total bullshit. You've done it before. You sent Wren to the future with me that one new years." I reminded her.
"That was a one shot thing and it was a complete accident. It only worked because intersectionality of time and space. You have any idea how rare of an occurrence that is to pull off?" Aya started.
"Wren teleported to me as I time jumped." I said.
"Exactly, it's like trying to shoot a bullet at already speeding bullet." Aya said.
"So she's stuck here?" Bucky said.
"I can't send her back and time machines haven't been invented so yes." Aya said.
"That doesn't work for me." I said.
"Nora." Steve said.
"No, I have a six month old son, my dad, my soulmate, people I love and care about waiting for me. I have a deranged beaten old man locked in an interrogation room waiting to fess up to another deranged asshole's location. Said deranged asshole has sworn revenge on me and will come after everyone I love and plans on turning my baby into a brainwashed assassin, so I don't care if I have to break every law of nature, I don't care if you don't think you can, hell I don't care if you tear the universe in half you are going to get me back there and you're going to do it, now!" I shouted.
"Nora if I could I'd send you back you know I would." Aya said.
"If it's any consolation your father, Bucky and I are looking after Wren..." Aiden started.
"Well at least he's with family, of course dad thinks Kill Bill is a good bed time story for a baby so… there's that." I said starting to panic.
"Nora he's six months old," Aiden deadpanned.
"Last time I got stuck out of my own time I missed three weeks and lived through thirty years." I deadpanned. "I'm going to miss seeing my baby grow up." I cried.
"Not to mention you're going to age this time." Aiden said
"Not helping." Steve said giving him a look
"I'm so screwed." I said, "Wait! If there's anyone who knows a way to get back no matter what the cost is it's me. Where's future me?"
That made them go quiet. They exchanged concerned and maybe even sad looks.
"You're not here." Aya said appearing again. "You're out on a mission."
"Where am I?" I asked.
"Uganda."
"Vietnam."
"El Salvador."
Steve, Bucky and Aiden answered at the same time.
"You guys want to try that again?" I asked.
"You can't see yourself, and you know why. We've been over this before." Aya said.
"Yet you've broken that rule how many times since I've met you?" I retorted as I moved the IV closer so I could shut it off.
"You shouldn't…" Steve started and I shot him a glare to shut him up.
"Who here has an MD? That's right me. I'm done sitting around." I said.
"Doll you got shot through time and a wall. You're not healing as fast as you're used to. You need to take it easy." Bucky said.
"I will, just not here where the three of you are doing a crappy job of lying. I'm going to see dad, I'm guessing he's in the lab?" I said and they all suddenly looked nervous.
"Nora the less you know about the future…" Aya started.
"You're not going to help me get back to my own time fine but if you think for one second you're keeping me prisoner…" I started.
"Nora you know we wouldn't do that. You just need to take things slow. You can barely stand longer than a minute before getting lightheaded and I'm guessing you haven't been sleeping either. Just please get some rest." Bucky pleaded. Damn it, thirty odd years later and I still can't say no to that puppy eyed look.
"Can I at least go home, or wherever Future me lives?" I asked.
"That's not a good idea. Elle already set up one of the spare rooms for you and left some clothes." Steve said.
"I'll show you to your room." Aya said.
"Actually I'll do it." Steve said. "I'm sure you have better things to do" he added with a pointed look.
"Right I have a host to lecture. I'll check on you tomorrow." Aya said before disappearing.
"Good to see some things never change." I said.
"Come on I'll take you to your room." Steve said.
"Night I guess." I said.
"If you need anything just ask Friday." Aiden reminded me.
"I know." I said before following Steve out of the room not missing the sad smile Bucky gave me as I walked out.
Walking out of the medical room and following Steve, I couldn't help but notice all the differences. There was the beard, maybe a wrinkle but not as many as some one in their early fifties should have. He was still in tip top shape though. He was also wearing jeans and a T-shirt under a flannel.
"What's wrong?" Steve asked noticed the look I was giving him.
"I have to ask what's with…" I said waving my hand up and down gesturing to his new look.
"What's wrong with how I look?" Steve asked.
"Nothing! You look great for a guy in his fifties or a hundred and forties... I just mean I'm used to seeing you in button ups and khakis and this is... different." I said "not a bad different I mean great view all around." I said as I may have been admiring his butt in those jeans again. I'm really glad some things don't change.
"Times change Nora and I thought it was time I changed with them." He said continuing to lead the way.
"Well as long as the Stars and Stripes on your suit are the same... the classics are always the best." I said as we got to what I recognized as Wanda's room... "Isn't this Wanda's..."
"She moved out years ago." Steve said.
"Oh." I said. "Natasha and Clint?"
"You should get some sleep we have a lot of things to work out tomorrow." Steve said.
"You mean you need to get your stories straight with everyone and Aya has to say what you can tell me?" I corrected.
"Nora..." Steve started.
"It's okay Steve I know how this works." I said resigned to having to go through this again.
"Get some rest." He said hesitating for a moment before hugging me and kissing the top of my head.
I just stood there not knowing what to do. I awkwardly pat his back and stepped inside the room.
"Night" I said before closing the door.
Yeah...almost thirty later and I still wasn't over everything Steve had done. I knew how to hold a grudge. Not sure that's something to be proud of...
I looked around the room and it was still the same grey color scheme with small lights hanging on the walls. I saw the pajamas laid out on the bed. A white tank top and some blue and green flannel pants.
I changed and left my clothes neatly folded up on the desk chair before getting in bed.
I stared up at the ceiling waiting to drift off to sleep but nothing. My mind kept wandering to what was probably going on back in 2016. My son was alone probably spending the night at Sam's place. Aiden was probably interrogating Abernathy. Dad was getting drunk with past me or crying over Pepper, maybe both.
"Uh." I groaned.
Last time this happened I had Aya whispering in my ear and the reassurance that I had all the time in the world. Now I'm stuck out of my time, completely lost, everyone is doing a crappy job of keeping things from me and Wren...
"Uh…" he grows up to hate me... how did I fuck up the best thing in my life. I've disappointed everyone except Wren and now I unintentionally abandoned my baby...
"Doctor Stark your vitals indicate you are in distress. Do you require assistance?" Friday asked
"No I just... uh I'm such a screw up. I should have let Aya kill Abernathy." I groaneds
"You don't get to say that." Aiden said.
"How long have you been standing there?" I asked.
"Sometime after the third time you called yourself a screw up and the fourth groan." He answered coming in and setting a mug of what looked like hot chocolate down on the bedside table before dragging the desk chair closer and taking a sip of his mug "Figured you wouldn't be sleeping. Hot chocolate with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkled on top just the way you like it"
I couldn't help but smile at the gesture. I picked up the mug and took a sip.
"So how bad?" I asked
"How bad what?" Aiden said.
"How bad are things back in 2016?" I asked
"We're handling things. Don't worry." He said but that did nothing but make me worry more.
"Easier said than done. This was always what scared me about the time jumps getting stuck and leaving everyone behind. And the timing couldn't be any worst." I said.
"Is it ever?" Aiden retorted.
"Normally Aya knows where and why she's sending me this was unintentional and by the looks of it she had no idea where she sent me meaning she also has no idea where to bring me back from." I said.
"You'll find a way back." Aiden said.
"Well unless you have a time traveling DeLorean I don't think I'm going anywhere." I said.
"Okay first off this is not Back to the Future or Season twenty five of Doctor Who…" Aiden started.
"That show's still on?" I asked.
"It's a show about a time traveling alien, time continues and they have more things to cover... Not the point. You're not the same person who got trapped in the 1950's anymore. You have over thirty years of experience, you're more prepared and you're not alone. I've seen you do the impossible before and I know you'll do it again." He said. "And also you don't get to go dark and wish someone was dead, that's my job, your job is to bring me back from the edge and keep me from going dark again. I've got your six, you've got mine remember?"
"I'm the reason Snow brainwashed you and Wren, tortured you, and that Beth died. Why are you still on my side?" I said.
"You're also the reason I have a home and a family. You did what you had to do and anyone who in your position would have done the same thing. Snow's a sadistic asshole and he… needs to be stopped" Aiden said.
"Why'd you pause?" I asked.
"Needed to think of the right tense to use." Aiden answered. "No spoilers."
"You're right." I said.
"I usually am." Aiden said with a smirk.
"No I meant about sugary drinks not helping with the insomnia." I said.
"It's not the drink that helps it's the conversation." Aiden said getting up. "When that doesn't work…" he said taking something off the desk and handing me a very familiar red notebook. "Sometimes a change of perspective helps."
"You know what would really help?" I asked.
"You know I can't tell you about the future." Aiden said.
"Bouncing ideas off of someone normally helps. Another time traveler per say…" I said.
"Weren't you the one that taught Connor the physics behind how that could create a paradox and rip a home in the universe?" Aiden reminded me.
"Weren't you the one who said rules were made to be broken if you have a really good reason?" I retorted,
"Good night Nora." Aiden said walking out.
I picked up the red notebook and opened the first page…
People assume time is a strict progression of cause to effect but in reality it's a nonlinear, nonsubjective, big ball of wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff. Or in Scientific terms it is a bunch of seemingly unrelated events that are connected by one thing or another…
'Or connected by someone' I thought before I kept reading.
Thirty pages of heartbreak later and I still had nothing so I flipped through it until I landed on the first entry I made in the 1950's. Maybe I wasn't as screwed as I thought I was.