"How long have you been here… now?" Bruce asked confused as to what tense he was supposed to use.
"I've been in this time for about a day and a half." I said, "How long have you been back?"
"Back?" Bruce asked confused.
"Last time I saw you was Sokovia and you flew off on an untraceable quinjet." I said.
"Right. Uh… I took an extended vacation." Bruce said.
"How extended?" I asked.
"A few years." He said.
"They were well deserved." I said understanding. Bruce and the Hulk took most of the brunt of the Ultron disaster they totally deserved a break.
"Here we are." Bruce said before opening the door.
"Lady Nora." Eir said curtsying and bowing. I recognized her from the many times I ended up in the infirmary on Asgard.
"Eir you don't have to bow and I thought you'd patched me up enough times to just call me Nora?" I asked.
"Of course Milady." She said blushing.
"Need me to hop on the soulforge?" I asked snapping her out of her daze.
"Yes of course." She said straightening up and walking towards the controls.
I hopped on and lied back waiting for the projection to start. Slowly the table started glowing and lifted up to create a golden projection of my body. As far as I could see everything was completely normal.
"Is that...?" Bruce asked looking at the readings.
"A minor gamma reading." Eir said.
"I did get blasted here by Aya so it could be residual energy from that." I said so they wouldn't think much of it or freak out I might have gamma poisoning.
"Possibly." Eir said fiddling with the controls
"As far as I can tell everything's normal." Bruce said looking through the projection.
"Aye." Eir said agreeing.
"Figures." I said knowing this wasn't going to get me anywhere.
Third Person's POV-
"Does she know?" Thor asked Steve Bucky and Aiden.
"No. She doesn't." Aiden lied.
"Wren?" Thor asked.
"He had work." Bucky answered not hiding his concern.
"He's having a hard time with... this." Steve said sadly.
"He's is not the only one." Thor said making the three of them sigh.
"Everytime I look at her I want to hug her and never let her go and I feel like I got punched in the gut every time I see her." Steve said
"It doesn't help she's from the time where she's still mad at Steve." Bucky said
"Or that she's going to die." Aiden said with a grimace.
"I forgot how young she was when it all happened." Thor said.
"Don't know what we're going to do if we can't find a way to get her back. She's asking about Tony and her future self. She's going to catch on eventually." Steve said and Aiden frowned.
"What was that?" Bucky said giving him a look.
"I'm tired haven't been sleeping great." Aiden deflected. "I'm going to check on Nora." He said before walking away
Bucky and Steve exchanged looks.
"I shall have someone gather all the information we can about time traveling but all texts relating to the matter are about the time stone." Thor said.
"T'Challa and Shuri said we should stop by." Bucky said. "They don't know much but they might be able to figure something out."
"If anyone can it'd be them." Steve said.
"Think we should also call him?" Bucky asked.
"I'm surprised he hasn't shown up already. He should have sensed the disturbance in the cosmos." Thor said leading them inside to the great hall.
Nora's POV-
I sat down and watched Bruce and Eir look over the scans and the blood work the soulforge automatically took. I already knew they wouldn't find anything but it never hurt to look.
"Hey done with testing already?" Aiden asked.
"Yeah nothing came up." I said
"You don't sound surprised." He said
"The same thing happened last time I got stranded." I said
"Thor's going to put someone on research to see if anything comes up but..." he started
"Besides stories about the time stone they've got nothing." I said. "Okay let's head back to New York or actually London it's closer."
"London?" Aiden asked confused.
"Time to visit an old friend." I said.
"You may want to hold off on that, I think Thor ordered a feast in your honor." Aiden said obviously deflecting.
"Spill." I said.
"I have no idea what…" Aiden started.
"Aiden we've been through way too much together and worked together long enough for me to know when you're hiding something so spill." I said before glaring at him.
We stared at each other in silence for about a minute before he caved and sighed.
"Nora, I understand that you're the time traveling expert and that you've been in this situation before…" He started
"Exactly I've been in this situation before I know what bases to cover." I said.
"But that's the thing it's not the same situation. You've been stuck in the past where you knew who you could trust, you knew how things were going to turn out, you knew who was around. This isn't your time. Things have changed and," He said before whispering. "You already know too much about your own future."
"You want me to just wait around for everything to just resolve on it's own?" I said getting angry.
"Of course not, I just think it'd be best if you let us take point at least until you get your bearings." Aiden said.
"I thought it was a bad idea to start digging for info?" I said confused.
"When has that ever stopped you?" Aiden said with a smirk.
"Hey," Bucky said coming in with Steve.
"We came to check in on you." Steve said. "See if anything came up."
"Nothing came up as predicted." I said.
"She's right, clean bill of health." Bruce said.
"That's great." Bucky said.
"Guess it's time to go raid the library." I said.
"Actually, Thor already put someone on it. He'll let us know if they find anything." Steve said.
"Oh." I said not knowing what to do.
"We should…" Steve started.
"Want to go look around?" Aiden suggested.
"You mean inside the palace or outside?" I asked.
"Outside." Aiden said.
"Are you sure that's…" Steve started.
"Let's go." I said before Steve could finish.
Maybe it was it wasn't the best idea to venture out into the unknown where everyone thought I was dead but if it meant getting away from the sad longing looks Steve and Bucky kept throwing my way I'd risk it. Twenty-five years later and I still cracked under the stare of their gorgeous blue eyes.
"We'll be back for feast." Aiden said.
"There's going to be a feast, sweet." I said as we walked out of the infirmary.
Third Person's POV-
Bucky and Steve stood in the infirmary watching as Aiden and Nora walked out. As soon as they were out of earshot Bucky turned to Steve.
"They're hiding something." Bucky said.
"What makes you say that? Nora taking every chance she can to get away from us or Aiden giving her the out when she needs it." Steve asked.
"Now we know where Wren gets it from." Bucky said. "I lived with those two long enough to know when there's something going on, something they're not saying."
"Aiden is acting more secretive than normal." Steve said.
"We just need to know what." Bucky said.
"What do you two need to know?" Wren said appearing out of nowhere.
"Hey, how was surgery?" Steve asked.
"Good, simple valve replacement. Where's mom?" Wren asked.
"She's out with your uncle." Bucky said.
"Again? Wait, she's outside the palace in the city?" Wren asked.
"Yeah." Steve said.
"Is that really a good idea?" Wren asked.
"Tell that to your uncle." Bucky said.
"Is it just me or is he acting strange? I don't remember him ever being so attached to someone, well except Abby." Wren said.
"Your mom and Uncle went through a lot of things together." Bucky said.
"You mean they dated?" Wren said.
"No!" Bucky and Steve exclaimed at the same time.
"Why would you think that?" Steve said.
"Why are you both so on edge? I was just asking jeez." Wren said.
"You know if you're so curious you could always try talking to your mom." Bucky enticed.
"No thanks." Wren said. "You guys have things under control. I'm going to head back, Connor, Elle and I are having a night out so if you need anything call by phone."
"You three could always come by, Thor's throwing a feast." Steve said.
"Dads just stop okay. I don't want to talk to her, I just… I can't." Wren said before teleporting away.
"Remind you of anyone?" Bucky said making Steve glare at him.
Nora's POV-
"You know this place is actually a lot like the old Asgard." Nora said.
"You don't say?" Aiden said sarcastically.
"I don't just mean the way it looks because obviously Thor had to draw his inspiration from somewhere. I meant the people, the liveliness, the…" I said but was interrupted by some drunk flying out of a pub…
"Drunks flying out of pubs because I think that's the same no matter where you go." Aiden said.
"And stay out you blundering oaf!" Someone shouted.
"Asgard does have the best ale?" I said.
"Eh, it's five pm somewhere." Aiden said going inside. I followed after him. Aiden sat down at the almost empty bar and ordered some shots. We took them before I ordered us some mead.
"Tastes like Guinness but fruitier." I said. "Thanks for getting me out. Don't know how long I'm going to be able to take their longing teary eyed looks for."
"I didn't do that just for you. This situation isn't exactly easy for me either." Aiden said.
"I'm sorry." I said.
"None of this is your fault. You didn't ask to be sent here." He said.
"I don't mean this. I mean for putting you in this situation." I said.
"I've put you through worse." Aiden said taking a shot.
"At least I knew what I was walking into." I said.
"You think I didn't?" Aiden said.
"I know Wren asked you to look after me." I said.
"Nora you married your best friend and stood by him even after he confessed to being a former assassin and that his brother was out to kill him, you convinced Wren to save me, helped rehabilitate me and welcomed me into your home after I killed you. You're a bloody danger magnet, around you anything that can go wrong will go wrong and I knew that when I promised Wren I'd look after you." Aiden said.
"Then why'd you do it?" I asked.
"Don't know, I'm a bit of a masochist." He said making me laugh.
"Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, best description of my life." I said laughing.
"It wasn't all bad." Aiden said.
"Sure I got to meet my soulmates, then got to watch them die and come back. Got to fall in love then get my heart ripped to shreds, repeatedly. And if I had to do it all over again I would so maybe you're not the only masochist." I said.
"You can't keep avoiding them, they're starting to suspect something's wrong." Aiden said.
"Did they say something?" I asked.
"They didn't have to and like I said before you're not the only one having a hard time with this." Aiden said.
"So what am I supposed to do? You're the best liar I know and if you can't handle it how am I supposed to?" I retorted.
"You do it because that's the only way to protect everyone. That's what you've always done and that's what you're good at." Aiden said.
"I'm really starting to doubt that." I said.
"Look you're protecting the time line. With or without Aya you know that it's the right thing to do." Aiden said.
"There's one thing you haven't thought of, they still think I think future me and my dad are alive. If we can't find a way to get back soon how are we going to keep up that lie?" I said.
"I actually have a few ideas about how to handle that and it may actually help with out current predicament." Aiden said. "Just focus on the next few days and looking for a way home and if nothing comes up I'll handle everything."
"Well well well, look what the Bilgesnipe dragged in." Someone said. I turned around to see a woman with long brown hair and a white tattoo under her eye walk towards us.
"Val, should have known you'd be here. It's been a while." Aiden said as his laughter started dying down.
"It has, Hello?" Val said turning to me before turning to Aiden.
"Nora meet Val, Val This is Nora." Aiden said.
"Hi." I said chuckling a bit. Judging by the way they greeted each other I'm guessing she's one of Aiden's one night stands.
"Nora as in…" Val asked.
"Yes." Aiden said taking a drink. Val just turned to looked me up and down.
"Another round over here and keep them coming." She ordered. "You're a long way from home."
"You have no idea." I said taking another shot.
"Am I missing something?" Val asked.
"You're better off not knowing." Aiden said.
"Ignorance is bliss." I said taking another shot.
"If you say so. Are you the reason there's going to be a feast tonight?" Val asked making us laugh again. "Looks like I need to catch up." She said doing a handle pull.
"Whoa." I said watching her finish an entire bottle in one go. "Rough day?"
"She's just getting started." Aiden said.
"Can Asgardian's get alcohol poisoning?" I asked.
"How should I know you're the doctor?" Aiden retorted.
"If the goddess of death couldn't kill me I doubt a tiny bottle of ale can." Val said. I looked at the bottle and tiny is not the word I'd use to describe it.
"Valkyrie, you better not break my wall again!" The bartender said.
"Wait, Valkyrie? As in the Valkyries, the fiercest warriors in all of Asgard?" I asked.
"Uh, not another one." She groaned.
"Sorry, but you and your sisters are legendary." I said remembering the stories Frigga used to tell Thor and Loki and me when I was around.
"Were legendary." Val said.
"Were?" I asked confused.
"Val's the last Valkyrie, the rest of her sisters died thousands of years ago battling the goddess of death." Aiden explained.
"Oh, sorry." I said.
"Don't worry the witch is dead." She said.
"Good to know." I said not mentioning the irony of that statement.
"We should start heading back before they send out the search party. You are the guest of honor." Aiden said.
"What's the point everyone's just showing up to gawk at me?" I said.
"Free booze." Val said and Aiden nodded in agreement.
"Guess I better enjoy the little things while I still can." I said getting up.
"Will we see you there?" Aiden asked.
"I never miss a chance to raid the royal reserves." Val said.
"See you later then." I said before following Aiden out of the pub. "So you two…"
"Drinking mates and nothing more." Aiden said.
"Really?" I asked.
"I am capable of keeping it in my pants you know." Aiden retorted.
"I was just asking no need to get defensive." I said.
"So we on the same page about what we're going to do?" Aiden asked.
"Protect the time line. Keep up the lie." I said.
"We'll find a way to get you back Nora, just be patient." Aiden said putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
"I've got your six, you've got mine." I said.
"Always." Aiden said before we continued walking.
Bucky and Steve were waiting for us at the entrance when we got there.
"Hey." I greeted not expecting to see them.
"Hey." They greeted with forced smiles on their face.
"Any news?" I asked.
"Not yet." Steve said.
"Thor had someone bring over some clothes for you to try on for the feast." Bucky said.
"Oh, I was just going to wear this but I'm guessing it's not feast worthy." I said.
"Come on, I'll walk you to your room." Bucky said.
"Okay." I said following Bucky.
Third Person's POV-
Steve waited until Bucky and Nora were out of earshot before turning to Aiden.
"Where were you?" Steve asked.
"I told you, we went to look around." Aiden said turning to walk inside but Steve stood in front of him and stopped him.
"You shouldn't be taking risks like that. She already knows more than she should." Steve said.
"I know that but keeping her locked away and treating her like she's made out of glass is only going to make her more suspicious." Aiden said.
"What aren't you saying?" Steve said.
"I don't have anything to say." Aiden said.
"You're acting strange and you and Nora are practically attached at the hip." Steve said.
"You do remember she's my best friend and practically my sister right?" Aiden said.
"This is different than before." Steve said.
"Of course it's different she's been dead for almost twenty five years. You're not the only one that misses her." Aiden said.
"Are you sure that's all that's going on?" Steve asked.
"What else would this be about?" Aiden said.
"She doesn't know right?" Steve asked.
"Of course not, I know how this works." Aiden said. "You should stop focusing on me and focus on yourself."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Steve said.
"The way you two are acting around her, the longing looks, that's a dead giveaway that something's wrong. Nora was trained to be a spy and how to read people. The way you and Bucky are acting, she's going to notice eventually. Get it together man." Aiden said. "Also where the bloody hell is Wren? I thought he'd be here by now."
"He stopped by a while ago. Said he was going out with Ellie and Connor tonight." Steve said.
"And now we know where he gets it from." Aiden said.
"We can't really blame him." Steve said.
Third Person's POV- New York City
"Connor let's go already!" Elle called out.
"Elle give him a minute." Wren said with a smile. "You know how he is when he's talking to Morgan."
"He should just ask her out already." Elle said.
"I think that's what he's trying to do." Wren said. "Besides more time for just us." He said putting his arms around her.
"I thought you were going to Asgard today?" Elle said turning to put her arms around his neck.
"I did, they have it handled." Wren said.
"How's aunt Nora doing?" Elle asked.
"Fine I guess." Wren said. "She was out with Aiden when I stopped by."
"Again?" Elle said. "Didn't know they were that close."
"Absence does make the heart grow fonder." Wren said stepping away.
"Wren…" Elle started.
"Hey sorry about that, got caught up talking to Morgan." Connor said blushing slightly.
"Was that all you were doing?" Wren asked making Connor blush even harder.
"I asked her out and she said yes." Connor said.
"About damn time," Elle said.
"Only took you a year." Wren said.
"What can I say Aunt Nora gave me some really good advice and I decided to take it?" Connor said.
"Right, you two want to stay local or pop over overseas?" Wren asked.
"I'm in the mood for Thai." Elle said.
"Tokyo after?" Connor suggested.
"Works for me." Wren said putting an arm around Elle and then putting a hand on Connor's shoulder before teleporting away.
After dinner, the three of them decided to forgo their original plans and just stay in Thailand for drinks.
"I was thinking a trip to the observatory." Connor said discussing his plans for his first date with Morgan.
"Boring." Elle said.
"She's a physicist, she loves the stars." Connor said.
"It's a date not work, do something fun." Wren said.
"Like you two did?" Connor retorted.
"Wren took me to Paris." Elle said.
"Not all of us can teleport." Connor said.
"But you can fly." Wren pointed out. "You get to hold her close and wow her."
"That's a good one, I can work with that." Connor said.
"Just make sure she's not afraid of heights." Elle said.
"She's been sky diving before, and storm chasing when she worked under Doctor Foster." Connor said.
"Should be good then." Wren said.
"You heard from the uncles yet?" Connor asked.
"They're still working on it." Wren said before taking a shot.
"What's wrong?" Connor asked.
"Nothing." Wren said taking another.
"Wren." Elle said giving him a look.
"You two wouldn't understand." Wren said taking a sip of his drink.
"Then explain it to us." Connor said.
Wren took another shot and took in a deep breath.
"She's been dead for almost twenty five years and she just appears out of the blue like nothing ever happened." Wren said angrily.
"Dude she doesn't know what happened. She's out of her time as far as she knows future her is on vacation somewhere." Connor said. "And you resent her for something she still hasn't even done yet."
"Well that's not technically wrong." Wren said bitterly.
"She's your mom Wren. She loves you." Elle said.
"Maybe she does but she still died. You got eight years with her." Wren told Connor. "Eight years of her making you French toast before important soccer games or science fairs. Of her baking you cookies," he said before turning to Elle "Of taking you to ballet and making your crazy Halloween costumes. I barely remember my mom. The last memory I have of her, is her sending me away to your house while she went to go fight to save the universe. Next thing I know she's dead. She left me behind. You got to say good-bye and all I got was a promise she couldn't keep. How is that fucking fair?" Wren said tearing up.
"You're an ungrateful asshole." Connor said angrily.
"Connor." Elle said giving her brother a look.
"No." Connor said stopping his sister from speaking. "You have no idea what you're talking about. You weren't there when my mom died and you don't remember because you were too young but I do. Dad was a train wreck and left to go deal with his feelings but Aunt Nora and uncle Wren stepped up and took care of us. She would stay up with me when I woke up screaming because of my nightmares or when I was throwing a tantrum. Whenever mother's day came around she would show up to our school events so we wouldn't feel alone. And when she found out she was going to have you, you became her world. There is not a single thing she wouldn't do for you Wren. She was my second mom and she doesn't deserve the way you've been treating her especially when you don't know how things really happened. You get a second chance with her to get to know her, to say goodbye. You have any idea what we would give to have that with our mom?"
"He's right." Aya said appearing out of nowhere.
"Aya." Elle greeted.
"I though we agreed you were going to give me some space and also stop looking like her! You're making this worse than it already is." Wren said annoyed.
"Stop acting like a brat." Aya said walking over to him. "It's not your mom's fault things turned out the way they did. It's mine."
"What are you talking about?" Wren said.
"It's time I showed you what really happened." Aya said putting two fingers on Wren's forehead making him pass out.
"Oh shit." Elle said holding Wren so he wouldn't collapse on the ground.
"Check please." Connor asked the waitress.