There's a full-length mirror at the end of the row of lockers. Ellie's never been in this locker room before. Substation Zero is fucking huge. This area's been reclaimed for 2-tachyon experimentation. This locker room is functional but deserted. She stumbled upon it after gearing up. She chose it because it's empty except for her.

She looks at herself. Her hair is tied back in a bun. It had been tricky to get her bound arm intot the suit, but she'd managed. Now her cuff is connected to her collar by a band, holding it in place. She's still got cuts and bruises on her face from yesterday, and there are bags under her eyes, but she actually slept well last night for the first time in a while. There were no dreams.

She's wearing a suit the SHIELD techs had given her. It's a full body protective suit, designed to withstand whatever dangers she may encounter in the in-between. Nevermind the fact that last time she was wearing jeans and a button-down.

It starts in boots and covers her legs, torso and arms in loose but well-made fabric. Strong gloves cover her hands, and a metal collar around her neck is designed to interlock with the helmet. It's a sleek, full helmet straight out of a sci-fi comic. Standing there with the helmet tucked under her arm, the semblance to the early astronauts preparing for pioneering voyages into space is unmistakable.

Almost against her will, she smiles.

"What's so funny?"

Ellie looks over to see Kamala approaching her. She's wearing capris and a sweater; she won't be joining Ellie on the trip.

"Life," says Ellie. She looks back at her reflection. "When I learned about space and space travel when I was young, it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. They had a couple video tapes from the old world at my school in Boston. One of the teachers let me use the TV during lunch breaks, and I probably watched those old tapes about the first astronauts two dozen times. I was obsessed for a while-" She chuckles. "People thought I was such a dork, but I didn't care."

Kamala wears a big smile. "I know the feeling." She looks at her reflection as well. "Now you get to be a pioneer."

Ellie nods. "Yeah. Never how I imagined it, though."

"What's wrong? After what you just said, and everything since you came here, I thought you'd be more excited."

Ellie's brow is wrinkled. Joel used to tell her if she scrunched it up like that all the time, she'd get wrinkles like his. She'd found it annoying at the time, now she feels a familiar pang of longing. She rubs her forehead with the back of her hand.

"No guarantees this will work."

Kamala screws up her lips and nods. "Well, for what it's worth, if anyone could make it happen, it's you."

Ellie snorts, then meets her eyes. Kamala really looks up to her, she can tell. "Thanks."

Kamala smiles, and they share a nice moment. "Hey," she says, "I guess this is the part where we say goodbye."

An uncomfortable feeling moves through Ellie's chest, and she looks away nervously.

"Ellie…"

When Ellie looks, Kamala's making an exaggerated sad face, pouting her lips.

"Don't," says Ellie.

"El-lieee…" Kamala moves in and hugs Ellie from the side.

"Nope," says Ellie stubbornly. She does not feel like crying today.

Kamala rests her head on Ellie's shoulder and they look at each other in the mirror. Kamala considers her. "You were really afraid for me to know about your past, huh?"

Ellie's taken aback. "W-what?"

Kamala releases their embrace and turns to face Ellie. "I could tell, yesterday, when they gave you your passplate. You really didn't feel like you deserved it."

Ellie screws up her face, but in the end, she doesn't argue. "No," she admits, "I didn't."

"Don't judge yourself so harshly, Ellie," says Kamala. "I'm sure you've made mistakes, I'm not gonna act like that's not true. But that doesn't change the fact that when you landed with us, you worked so hard to do what you felt was right. Things you didn't have to do. And with Mephisto messing with your head, too, I-"

Ellie winces, frowning at the anger and the painful memories.

"I'm sorry," says Kamala, "should I not-"

"It's fine," says Ellie. "He's got no power over me anymore. Just bad memories, now." She shifts her weight, repositioning the helmet under her arm. "You know, my past is the number one weapon he used against me."

"Really?" asks Kamala.

Ellie nods. She hasn't talked about it that much, and she doesn't intend to, but for the first time, it feels like it would be good to share a little of it. "Growing up in my world is dangerous. Ugly, a lot of the time. It's-" Riley's face flashes in front of her and she winces. "It's hard, sometimes. I had to do some things I didn't want to. And after I got older… I did some things I didn't need to. Things I regret."

Kamala's eyebrows are arched. Now her face firms into a soft frown. "Don't beat yourself up for things you had to do to survive."

"I didn't have to do them, Kamala," says Ellie, a little sharper than she'd meant. She takes a breath. "Some of them I did… and I don't regret. But other times, I let my anger get the better of me."

Kamala's frown deepens. "I think I understand."

"You don't, and you shouldn't."

"Don't do that, Ellie!" says Kamala, indignant now. It surprises Ellie. "Don't write me off! I know I'm young, and goofy, but I get angry, too!"

It gives Ellie pause.

"It's hard, to fight for what's so clearly right, for other inhumans, and see things go the other way, over and over." Kamala's teeth show as she stares at some distant menace. "And sometimes it really gets under my skin. And when I hear…" She huffs in anger. "When I hear Monica say the inhumans out there would be lucky to fall into AIM's hands, I just…" She wrestles with something invisible. "I just want to make sure that never happens again."

A day may come when all you need to do is to tell someone else that you've been there, too. They're Nat's words, in Ellie's memory.

And that there is still a better way.

"And I-" Kamala starts.

"You're doing it the right way," interrupts Ellie.

"What?" says Kamala.

"You're doing it the right way." Ellie feels that surety she sometimes does, when it feels like there's only one thing to say. "Fighting the clean fight. I know you're angry, and you have every right to be. It's when you make decisions out of anger that you end up like me."

Kamala frowns attentively. "End up like you… but I like-"

"You don't know what it feels like to be me, Kamala." The steel edge in her tone gives Kamala real pause. "It's one thing to fight for who and what you care about. It's another to hurt, or kill, people on purpose. Out of anger. Revenge. Righteousness." An ugly ball wells in Ellie's stomach but she pushes on. "When you do that, you end up with feelings that don't go away. Regrets. And regrets take your life away, Kamala."

Kamala's brow is knit. She's confused, and concerned. She listens.

"So it's okay to feel anger. But don't choose that anger. Keep doing the hard thing, and fighting with your integrity intact. Even if that means you lose."

"Ellie…" says Kamala. She grabs her thumb with her other hand.

Now that she's done, Ellie's a little embarrassed, but she decides to act like she's not. She holds her head up high, and turns her body to face Kamala, and lays her free hand on her shoulder.

"Thank you for being my friend in a place where I thought I'd lost all of them," she says plainly.

Now, Kamala's eyes glisten. "Ellie…" She moves in and hugs her, and this time Ellie hugs her back. Her hair smells of sweat and sunflowers. Ellie smiles to herself.

They part, and it feels like there's nothing left to say. And for once, Ellie's comfortable with it.

There's a knock at the locker room and the door opens, revealing Nat in jeans and a salmon zip-up sweater. "Did I choose the right time to interrupt?"

Smirking, Ellie nods.

"Good, because it's showtime."

On the other side of the thick glass plates, there's a huge, circular chamber. The floor is largely open, with some heavy cables strewn about the edges. The center is smooth cement. The ceiling of the room draws more attention.

Some serious equipment has been installed along the ceiling. Power routing boxes and heavy cables are scattered about, interconnecting like a huge spider's web or something. Dominating the view are four spires of a light, silvery metal jutting from the roof into the air over the center of the chamber, like an inverted version of the tower Ellie saw at that AIM site on that first day. In the middle of them, there's a glass case connected to all the cables, and in the center of that, just barely visible, a sliver of crystal that glows with a strange, pink light.

"Don't worry," says Tony behind her, "it's not as messy as it looks."

"Sure that thing isn't gonna fry us?" Ellie asks drily, looking over her shoulder.

"99.9%. But hey, if it does, we'll definitely capture the data for posterity."

Ellie snorts.

The ant guy, Hank, is busy at work behind one of the consoles. Maddy's there, too, looking less hyperactive, but vigilantly monitoring a couple screens.

"Power sequences?" Hank asks without looking at her.

"Nominal," Maddy replies.

"Phasic lock?"

"Intact."

"Va–"

"Vapor levels are ideal," says Maddy. "We're good to go, Hank, same as the last ten times. As long as we fire in the next ten minutes."

"I kind of want to cycle it through again," says Hank, taking his eyes from the console to observe the machine as he finely turns a dial. "Just to be sure."

"Well, for my part, I don't think conditions are getting any better." Maddy gives Ellie a subtle look of exasperation that makes her smile.

"Yeah…" says Hank, distracted by his tuning. He scrunches his cheek. "You're probably right." He looks at the others. "Looks like it's time."

Ellie knows what that means. She decides to get ahead of things. She turns around and walks right up to Steve. He's writing some stuff in a tiny notebook. He looks up in muted surprise, putting the notebook away.

"Thanks for saying that stuff about me," Ellie says. "It helped me."

He snorts softly and smiles. "My pleasure. Thanks for all your help. And just to be clear," he leans in, "if you ever feel like helping more, I'm sure we can use you. Since this tech seems to work both ways."

Ellie blinks. She hadn't expected that and she doesn't know what to make of it, so she just smiles and nods.

Kate and Clint are next to him. Kate's blowing a big bubble, and Clint has his head cocked.

"Thanks for target practice," Ellie says to Clint. She turns to Kate. "And… thanks for letting me use your bow?"

"I mean that was kind of Clint, too," says Kate, giving him side-eye. "But you're welcome."

"It was great having you, kid," says Clint.

Next to them, Bruce is kind of there. He's at a hospital in Dallas or something, but there's a hologram of him in his bed, and he can see them, too.

"See you, Bruce," says Ellie. "Sorry about the dam."

He frowns in confusion for a second, then smiles ruefully. He shakes his head. "You did what you needed to do. I'm glad you were there."

Then, it's Thor. He stands with his arms crossed, looking imposing, but his expression is serene. He smiles warmly at Ellie.

"Thanks for taking me to Valhalla," says Ellie.

Thor frowns and cocks his head. Then he smiles. "Asgard, you mean."

"That's the place."

"It was my pleasure."

"And thanks for yesterday, too."

"My honor," he inclines his head.

She doesn't know what else to do, then he reaches out his right arm and clasps forearms with her. Ellie smiles big, squeezing him back.

Then, when Ellie turns, it's Nat. She freezes for a second. She hasn't been looking forward to this.

Nat's got a little smirk and Ellie's pretty sure she knows. She's got a few little scars on her face as well. Of all the Avengers, Nat's definitely the one she's felt closest to in spirit.

Ellie feels a wave of emotion and she has no intention of crying, so she sucks in a breath and starts talking.

"Thanks for all the time in the HARM room. And showing me around the caf. And for that first day, with Taskmaster… and then explaining everything in the conference room. And also–"

Nat laughs. "I get it, Ellie. You don't even have to thank me."

To Ellie's relief, Nat actually pulls her into a hug. Ellie's cheek ends up on Nat's collarbone.

"Thank you," says Nat, softer. She releases her.

Thinking, Ellie frowns. "For what? All I did was take."

"Yeah? Well, sometimes we make when we take," says Nat.

"Huh?" says Ellie in honest confusion.

Nat smirks again. "You'll understand someday."

Ellie tries to piece that out while she turns away, then Kamala's right there.

They already said everything, so Ellie just smiles and they share a tight hug.

"Have a big breakfast burrito for me," says Kamala.

Ellie chuckles. "No worries there." They let go.

"Alright, Sunbeam," says Maddy, "time to fry this egg."

"Not sure I like that choice of words," says Ellie. She steps in front of Tony. "Well, dude, looks like this is it."

"Are you sure?" says Tony. "Cause I'm planning on taking a thorough look around." Suddenly, Ellie realizes he's wearing his suit. He picks up his helmet front he table next to it, pulling it over his head while the faceplate snaps into place.

"Wha…? You're coming with me?!"

"Better believe it."

"For how long? You're not staying at my place!"

"Easy, Ellie," says Tony, "I'm just gonna check things out, maybe establish some diplomatic ties in Jackson. You know. Usual Avenger stuff. I'll be back by sundown. Probably."

"What if you can't get back, though?"

"Well, that's why they're sending a scientist with the know-how. Tell me, are nano capacitors hard to come by where you're from?"

Ellie gives him a dubious look and nods slowly.

Tony tosses his hands like it doesn't matter. "Eh, I'll figure it out."

"But in all seriousness," says Hank, "we've got that part covered. If this can get you there, it'll bring Tony back."

"Speaking of which…" says Maddy.

"Right," continues Hank. "We've only got about two minutes left in the cycle. So…" Hank gestures toward the ominous open space below the big metal spires.

Ellie takes a deep breath. Guess it's showtime. It's at this point that she finally admits to herself that she's really nervous.

She doesn't let it show, though, pulling on her helmet over her bun and locking it into place. Fully encased in the suit, she feels kind of invincible. She looks at her gloved hands, then up at Tony. "Is this what it feels like?"

"Without the flare, maybe, yeah." With that, he uses his hand and feet boosters to lift him a foot off the ground, hovering smartly to the central platform.

Ellie tosses her head, rolling her eyes dramatically, then tromps her way to him on foot. She takes her place by his side.

He pats her back firmly. "Easy. It'll be over just like that."

"For the record, your glib humor doesn't help too much." Ellie looks up at the inverted spires. She saw some pretty awesome energy come out of those things at that AIM site on her first day. What was it Tony said? 99.9%?

"Alright, Beavis and Butthead," says Maddy, "maiden voyage in 3… 2… 1…"

Ellie sees Hank mouth in disbelief. Beavis and–

Then everything goes white.

The white flashes over her, replaced by pure blackness, then Ellie is falling up. Despite her protective suit, it's still really disorienting. She raises her arms and kicks her feet, but it doesn't help that much. Not far away, she sees Iron Man doing something quite similar.

She looks up and sees the small light in the distance, like last time. It's getting bigger.

How fast are they moving? Freefall? The speed of light?

The light is about to run into them and Ellie figures that's about to be down. She flails, turning herself over.

Then there's a blinding flash, Ellie squeezes her eyes shut, and then there's an impact in her arm and leg.

She's not exhausted, but she's panting. She opens her eyes. Her visor is half fogged, but underneath her glove, there's rocks and dirt. She scoops some up into her palm, trying to decide if they look familiar.

She landed on her hands and one knee. She pushes herself up, standing.

Iron Man is on his side. He pushes himself up to a sitting position. "Could really use a handrail or something…" he quips, perhaps to play down his disorientation. He looks up at her on her feet.

"Don't worry," she says, "it was your first time. I'm sure you'll improve."

He snorts in annoyance, and begins climbing to his feet as well.

With a pop, Ellie disengages her helmet and pulls it off. Immediately, she's assaulted by the smells of late Jackson Summer.

Standing now, Tony glances her way. Seeing her with her helmet off, he retracts his faceplate. He takes a long sniff. "Won't do much for the allergies. That's wide open air, though. Nice." He looks at her. "How's it looking, kid?"

Ellie scarcely hears him. She's looking at the surrounding peaks. There's many. The rocks, the bushes, the trees–it's unmistakable where they are. But she needs to pinpoint their location.

"You trying to get your bearings?" Tony asks. "Cause I can probably help with that. I mean, it would be nice to have a satellite in range…" He trails off as he stares at a hologram over his wrist, frowning.

Ellie's heartrate is quickening. This should be right. She should be home. That was the whole point, right? But what if… what if it's not her Jackson. How could they know for sure? She needs to see. She needs to see for herself.

Her eyes drift across a familiar rock formation and go wide. "Tony!"

He starts, looking around for an instant as if for a threat. "What's up?"

She points at the peak. "Hoback!"

"Huh?"

"Hoback Peak! I know where that is!"

"In relation to Jackson, I take it?"

"Yes, dude, let's go!" Ellie turns and starts jogging that way. She stops after a few steps.

Based on their position… they're miles away. Miles and miles. And they don't even have horses.

She bounces on one foot for a few tics, then turns around. "Fly us."

He's doing some kind of math between his head and his wrist holo. His eyes snap to her. "Come again?"

"It'll take hours to walk. Just fly us there."

He doesn't say no, but he frowns deeply. "Ellie, that's more of an emergency-only type situation."

"Tony!" she says, exasperated. "Look, I can't–" She lets out a breath, running a hand through her hair. "I just need to know, alright? I can't stay in this suspense. Can you please? Just this once?"

He takes a long breath. "Alright. Alright, come over here."

She does.

"Listen carefully, now. We're not going anywhere if you don't. Arms go here, hands clasped firmly. I probably don't need to remind you that you just recently survived a near fatal fall."

Ellie's brow knits as she's taken aback. "No… actually, you don't, Tony–"

"Good. Hands clasped. Ankles locked there. Now…" He turns to her, so they lock eyes. "I should warn you, there will be a jolt."

She huffs. "Damn it, I'm not scared, Tony."

His faceplate snaps shut. "Touché."

There's a boom and a huge jolt, and Ellie's arms squeeze Tony with all their strength as they leave the ground.

Dina's walking down Baker street, a basket full of fruit, some butter, and a loaf of fresh baked bread from Ernie's when she hears a meteor tearing through the sky.

Edna Laudry and her husband are walking her way down the sidewalk when they all turn as one and look to the sky.

It's late evening, less than an hour till sunset and the sky is turning gold. Against that gold there's a bright light and a thin trail of smoke behind it. It almost looks like a meteor, but honestly the ripping, whistling sound reminds Dina more of RPGs she heard during the heaviest fighting while running with her mom and sister.

Her stomach twists, but she's powerless to do anything. Why is this happening? Is she about to die?

The meteor tears right toward town and ends up landing about a block over. There's no explosion; the roar gets louder, then there's a dull thud. It must have landed in Baker Square.

Dina blinks. Are there going to be more? Are they under attack? She scans the sky, but it doesn't seem like it.

She exchanges a look with Edna, who looks equally out of her element. Edna's husband wordlessly scratches at the thinning hair on the side of his head with his fingers. Then, they all just turn and start walking across the street in the thing's direction.

By the time they turn the corner around Tyler's Pharmacy, a small crowd is gathering at the landing site. There are shouts, but Dina can't make anything out. More than one person has a gun in hand.

Dina tenses inside. She does not carry weapons around town. No need for that. But what now? Does she need one?

"Stay right there! You stay right there!"

Dina's brow wrinkles. It's Tucker Bailey. He's a bit of a hothead. Who's he talking to?

Then a face appears between the heads of onlookers that touches Dina deep in her chest. Her heart skips a beat and she stops walking. She stares, listening and waiting for the face to reappear. She pushes breaths through her nose.

The face doesn't reappear, but she hears a familiar, throaty voice in the crowd.

"Take it easy, Tucker! Jesus!"

At that, the basket handle falls from Dina's fingertips and she finds her legs carrying her swiftly the remaining distance. She arrives at the back of the crowd and begins pushing her way through.

"Enough of that, Ellie, I want to know what this is about!"

"Maybe if you'd shut up for half a second, I'd tell you!"

"I see Alisande never got around to diplomacy lessons."

"Who is this? Why's he pointing… what's he pointing at us?"

"Damn it, Tony, put your hands down. These people can't hurt you."

"I mean…" There's a sound of shifting machinery. "Sorry. Force of habit."

"Tucker, enough of this bullshit. I want to talk to Maria."

"Fucking shit you will, coming in town with some kind of space man in tow."

"I'm gonna send you to space if you don't–"

The words fall from Ellie's lips as Dina breaks through and they make eye contact. Ellie's features soften and her teeth lock together.

Words fail Dina. It's the Ellie she knows alright, down to her hapless 'oops' face. Her hair is tied back uncharacteristically neatly, and she's wearing… she's wearing… like a space suit, or something. There's even a huge, sci-fi helmet hanging from her belt.

For a second they just stare at each other. Tucker looks between them but declines to continue ranting.

Ellie holds up a hand. "I can ex—"

But she doesn't get a chance, because Dina moves in and grabs Ellie, giving her a huge kiss on the cheek and pulling her in for a crushing embrace, tucking her head into Ellie's neck so tightly the metal collar around her neck hurts Dina's cheek. Ellie grabs her back fiercely with thick, gloved hands.

Dina becomes aware of the figure standing next to Ellie. He's wearing some kind of full suit of armor. He shifts his feet in mild discomfort.

"This is a bit awkward," he says.

Still holding Ellie, Dina looks up at him, confounded. He gives her a friendly wave.

"Hi!"

"You can talk?" says Tucker, still holding his .38, aimed at the ground for now.

"I've been talking this whole time, dude."

"Most people's lips move when they talk."

There are some sharp, mechanical whirs, and the man's faceplate pops outward and then retracts over the top of his skull revealing, indeed, a regular man's face underneath it.

"That better?"

Tucker tucks his jaw-length sandy blonde hair behind his ear, his brows knit together. "…not sure I'd say that…"

There's a brief hubbub as a gap is made in the crowd.

"Step aside. Step aside, now!"

The row of onlookers part to reveal Maria leading a small retinue. Her eyes immediately snap to the man in full plate armor. Her left eyebrow climbs as she looks him up and down. She looks about ready to ask what the hell is going on when her eyes fall on Ellie.

Her features soften uncharacteristically and the air seems to go out of her. "Ellie," she breathes.

"Hey, Maria," says spacewoman Ellie, sheepish, but still plucky.

Maria let's out a gust of air and she walks up and pulls Ellie into a one-armed embrace, sighing with both eyes closed once Ellie's head is against her chest. She releases her, takes her by the shoulder, and gives her an intent look.

"From here, I suspect you're in for a long debriefing."

Looking younger than her years, Ellie nods eagerly.

Maria lets out another breath. Finally, she turns to the man in the armor next to her.

"You look like you're in charge," he says. With more mechanical whirring he extends his hand. "Tony Stark."

Eyebrow still cocked, Maria takes his hand and shakes it firmly. "Maria Hiskieau."

"Charmed. I'm sure you have many questions."

"You'd better believe it. I understand you flew into town?"

"Don't worry," says Tony, gesturing to his hands and feet. "I designed them all myself. Five star safety ratings."

Maria is nonplussed.

Tony tries to stroke his goatee but can't reach it due to the suit. He recovers awkwardly. "Probably not the last joke that won't land, I imagine. Maybe we should talk somewhere…"

"Discreet, yes, you'll be joining me in my office. Both of you," Maria finishes, looking at Ellie.

Dina can all but see the feeling move through Ellie. Ellie sucks in a breath and shifts her feet. "Maria, you know I've got to go—"

"You don't got to go anywhere, Ellie," Maria snaps.

"Maria, please. I can't… I… It's been so long… I've got to…" The feelings are tearing Ellie up inside, now. "Tony can tell you whatever you want to know!"

It seems to piss Maria off. "Tony's a stranger. Tony hasn't lived here for years. Tony hasn't left his loved ones in the lurch for months just to come back out of the blue under inexplicable circumstances, Ellie!"

Ellie screws up her face. That clearly hurts. So much that Dina thinks about jumping between them to defend Ellie.

Ellie works her lips. "Damn it, Maria, please!"

Maria scowls, but thinks better of speaking. She turns away in consternation, hands on her hips. She bares her teeth in a grimace. She snorts, then spits into the dirt. She closes in on Ellie. "Why did you stay away so long?"

Ellie's taken aback.

"If you could come back, why didn't you do it sooner?" Maria asks pointedly.

Ellie clearly didn't expect that. "I… Maria, I couldn't, okay? I would have come back in an instant, but I couldn't. I needed their help. It's only just now, just today that we could do it, okay?"

Maria searches Ellie's expression.

"Damn it, I didn't run away, Maria!"

"Can you blame me for wondering?" Maria asks.

This, too, hurts Ellie, but she doesn't make any smart remarks.

Maria sighs, hands on her hips. "Tucker, Gina."

The two named startle, not expecting to be called on. They step forward into the circle awkwardly.

"Please accompany Ellie wherever it is she feels she needs to go. She's to come see me by the end of the night. Make sure she remembers. Give her distance, but watch her. Front and back entrances, people."

"Yes, ma'am," they say at once.

Dina can see the defiance in Ellie at the escort, but she sucks it down and the moisture in her eyes makes her gratitude abundantly clear.

Maria just looks at her for a second, sternness belied by the love in her eyes. "Well, go!" She gestures sharply.

Ellie even salutes Maria, then turns to dash out of the crowd.

For a second, Dina's hurt. Ellie doesn't so much as give her a second look. That fucker has completely forgotten about her. And she was about to jump to her defense…

Then Dina has a thought, and a warm feeling fills her from her head to her toes, and she even chuckles, a single tear welling in her eye.

She realizes she's not Ellie's whole world anymore. She has lots of people to see.

Tucker and Gina jump after Ellie, but all three stop in short order when on the way out of the parting crown Ellie finds herself face to face with Lev.

He just stands there with a big smile on his face.

"Shit," Ellie says.

"Great to see you, too, Ellie!"

Ellie hesitates, half wanting to run. She laughs absurdly, then pulls Lev into a quick, fierce hug. She lets him go.

"I'll come see you soon, okay?"

"You better!"

With that, Ellie turns and runs, breaking free of the crowd and with Tucker and Gina sprinting after her.

"Well," says Maria, breaking the new silence. "If that wasn't an Ellie entrance." She turns back to Tony. "Shall we?"

"Certainly," Tony replies. He shows a muted enjoyment for the entire spectacle. He offers a hand and inclines his head. "We could fly there, if you prefer."

Maria stares back at him like… well, like he just said what he just said.

"Sorry," he says with some sincere humility. "Sorry, just another bad joke. Let's hoof it."