Hey everyone, just finished this chapter. I have to admit it starts off a bit slow but it picks up about half way through. This chapter is a bit lighter but she's still dealing with a lot. You can tell with the moments of melancholy and then her forcing to be happy. Anyway I have a feeling you're all going to like the ending of this chapter. I've been waiting for weeks to get to it. So here it is enjoy.
So I told them my story. Every single thing. Amara giving me the stone in Dublin, what happened with the super collider, getting captured by Hydra, meeting Steve and Bucky, all of my drunken adventures with Gramps, My time on the battlefield and how they died, I told them about Asgard and I showed them my abilities. The only thing I left out was Dad saving me in Geneva. Sam and Jess still didn't know who my dad was or what my real name was and I was going to keep it that way. Dad made a lot of enemies when he became Iron Man. If they were to find out I was his daughter, I'd have a target on my back and they'd use Sam, Jess and Connor to get to me if they had to. I couldn't let that happen.
"So you can time travel?" Sam started.
"Yeah." I said.
"And you have-had two soulmates." Jess said correcting herself. "Both from the 1940's and both died in the war."
"Yup." I answered.
"And you glowing that's a time leap?" Sam asked.
"Time Jump but yeah." I clarified.
"And you've been doing this for the past six months, since Geneva?" Jess asked.
"Yeah, the stone reacted when the malfunction started." I explained.
The room was silent. I was expecting one of them to call me insane but considering what they saw, they're taking it pretty well. Jess got up and walked over to me. She then punched my arm.
"Ow what the hell Jess?" I yelled.
"Damn it Nora, we're family, if someone in this family gets super powers I expect a damn phone call." She said. Then she hugged me. "I'm sorry sweetie."
"It's okay Jess, it is what it is." I said sadly.
"That doesn't make it fair." She said.
"I got more than I was supposed to. I was never supposed to meet them but I got to be with them for over a year. We even got engaged," I said crying a bit and showing her the ring on my right ring finger.
"Aww Nora…" Jess said tearing up.
"This sucks," I said crying.
"We need wine, lets get wine drunk." She said.
"You can't you're still breast feeding." I reminded her.
"I know which is why Sam's drinking for me." She said with a devious grin.
"I'm doing what?" Sam said.
"You two are drinking. Sam go buy enough wine so both of you can get hammered and get the crying out of your system. Meanwhile we'll get started on dinner." She said. So I had been gone a few hours. At that instant Connor started crying.
"I'll go…" Jess started before I interrupted.
"I'll get him, I need to cram in as much Connor Time as I can before I leave anyway." I said smiling a bit and heading over to my nephew's room.
Connor was crying in his crib. "Hi sweetie," I said picking him up. He calmed down a bit but was still sniffling a bit.
"You're probably hungry huh?" I cooed. Then I smelled it. Dirty diaper. I'm starting to regret volunteering for this. "Poopy diaper huh stinky butt." I said blowing a raspberry on his cheek making him laugh. "Let's get you cleaned up."
I changed Connor and brought him out so Jess could feed him while I got started on the salad.
"So Dean came by while you were… out?" She said not sure of the term she used.
"Oh…" I answered.
"I told him you went back to Boston so expect a few messages from him when you check your phone." Jess said giving me a heads up.
"Right… So how much are you judging me right now?" I said.
"I'm not judging you, you got drunk and you were in a really bad place. You made a bad choice but Dean was the one I'm really judging right now. Nora he knew you were in a bad place and not making good decisions. He took advantage of that and no guy should ever do that to anyone, especially someone he says he loves." Jess said.
"I feel horrible. I mean I betrayed Lisa. I broke girl code." I said making Jess laugh.
"First of all, Dean betrayed her long before last night so don't feel like you messed up their relationship. He did that all on his own. And second of all you're my sister from another mister, I'm with you no matter what. If you murder someone, I'll help you bury the body. If someone breaks your heart or hurts you, they're a dead man walking. I love you sis, no matter what." She said.
"Love you too sis." I said wiping away tears. The stone was right, I was a moron. I still had a lot left to live for. I may spend a lot of time on my own, but I was never truly alone.
November 8th 2011
I'm not going to say that after I hit rock bottom everything got better right away. There were times I still got sad. There were days I didn't want to get out of bed. And there were a few times I was on the roof and I looked over the ledge and thought about how easy it would be to just end it all but I didn't. Just like Gramps said, life isn't easy, It'll knock you down and tear you to pieces but that just means you have to stand back up and build yourself up again.
A week after I got back from Dublin I flew down to DC and went to see Peggy for the first time since my last visit. I wish it was a happy visit but it wasn't. It was for Dum-Dum Dugan's funeral. I got to meet some of his children and grandchildren who had followed in his footsteps and went on to follow careers in the military or so Peggy told me.
I met some of the other Commando's families. Everyone went on to live on amazing lives, A few continued their service to their country while others took a different path. As it turns out Jim Morita took my advice and after he came back from the war, took his GI Bill and went to Medical School. Dernier went back to France and opened up a restaurant, now one of the best restaurants in Leon.
I apologized to Peggy about everything. She said she understood. She then told me about her life. Not her work for the SSR, but her family. Turns out one of her collegues from the SSR, Daniel Sousa was her soulmate. They worked together for two years before he finally had the guts to tell her he had her mark. Peggy knew from the beginning but decided to wait until he was ready. Said it was a woman's job to be chased not do the chasing, not because they couldn't but because a woman should know her worth. Classy as always Pegs.
It was my birthday and as per tradition I flew down with Axl to the ranch for dad and I's yearly retreat. I hadn't talked to him in a few weeks and I was really looking forward to spending time with him.
A week before I had decided to start of another year of life with some changes. The first being a haircut. My hair was long, It reached my lower back and I thought it was time for it. I had a few inches cut off, leaving it to reach mid back. It was cut in layers and I also got fringe bangs. It took some getting used to but I liked how the bangs looked when I had my hair up.
The second was I cut down on the junk food and started exercising. I did yoga in the mornings and took Axl on jogs in the morning and the afternoon. I made sure I ate at least two full meals a day and had snack in between. During my mourning period I had actually lost a ton of weight to the point I was actually underweight.
As I drove to the ranch I enjoyed the view of the clear blue sky and grassy hills. Axl was sticking his head out the window, enjoying the air. It was a nice day.
I got to the ranch and was surprised that dad was already there. I saw his convertible in the driveway. I was surprised the license plates hadn't been personalized.
I walked into the house and was hit by the amazing smell of coffee. "Welcome Home Boss." Friday greeted. "And Happy Birthday."
"Thanks Friday, Where's dad?" I asked.
"In the kitchen making breakfast, you might want to give him a hand, he already started two fires." She said.
"Yikes, thanks for the heads up." I said walking to the kitchen. As I walked in a cloud of smoke hit me and I started coughing.
"You know you're supposed to smoke the bacon and ham not the kitchen?" I said sarcastically.
"HaHa, very funny." Dad said sarcastically. I went around and opened all the windows.
"Friday activate kitchen ventilation please." I said. That's when we heard the fans turn on.
Once the smoke cleared dad finally got a good look at me.
"You got a haircut." Dad says.
"Yeah figure new year new me. It was time for a change." I said throwing out the burned pancake.
"It's different, makes you look younger," dad said.
"How much younger could I look I'm 19?" I said chuckling.
"It looks similar to the haircut you had as a kid." He said with a weird look in his eyes.
"Hmm, well seeing as the kitchen is still smoky, how about we eat out." I said.
"We can still do brunch." Dad mentioned.
"Sounds good. Grab your keys." I told dad. "Nice car by the way. Is it new?"
"Yeah its new." He said giving me a weird look. "Why you like it?"
"Yeah it's cool. Went shopping again?" I asked.
"Something like that. I've had a lot of down time lately since I'm no longer CEO and the terrorists are on vacation so I'm mostly just supervising construction of the tower." Dad said as we walked out. I was still tying the belt on my coat when he handed me the keys to the car.
"Here" he said.
"Dad I already have the house keys." I said.
"They aren't for the house they're for your new car." Dad said.
"Dad I have a car."
"Nora that's a Grandma car, this is the car you want. The Audi R8 GT. My gift to you. Would have gotten you the Spyder but I think this is better for Boston." He said.
"Dad I can't take this. It's way too much."
"Nora, billionaire remember. Your over eighteen so I'm under no obligation to buy you gifts. I'm doing this because I want to. And don't even think about saying…"
"But the price limit." I said making him roll his eyes.
"Take the car." He said.
"I can't." I said
"You can." He said
"I shouldn't," I urged. Man that car looked awesome.
"You should." He said nodding.
"Daaaad." I said putting emphasis on the a.
"Noraaaa" He said mocking me.
"I can't." I said handing him back the keys.
"How about this? Take it out for a spin for the day. If after today you still don't want it, I'll send it back." He said.
"Promise." I said putting up my pinky.
"Promise." He said as we pinky swore.
I took the keys and walked over to the driver's side. I looked at the car as I walked around it. It was white with a black panel next to the door. I really liked the car but it was too much. But I could see myself driving it and it was nice. I got inside and saw the leather interiors. It still had that new car smell.
I sat down and put my hands on the steering wheel. I couldn't help but smile.
"Still want me to return it?" dad asked.
"Shush let me enjoy this beautiful German Masterpiece." I said petting the dashboard.
"How about you start the car and see what it can really do?" dad suggested.
I started the car and sighed. "It's so pretty."
"It can be yours just say yes." Dad said.
"I'll think about it." I said driving it out. Wow it felt amazing to be behind the wheel.
We finally made it to this café we visit whenever we're in town. It was pretty empty and I used to think that was a normal thing but apparently dad called ahead. We walked in and were seated at our usual table.
I decided to have an omelet and dad ordered his usual pancake and eggs combo.
"So what's going on with you." Dad said.
"I've been good. I got back from Dublin a few weeks ago. Oh here, I'll show you pictures of Connor." I said.
"New boyfriend?" dad asked.
I had to laugh at that. "No, He's uh, he's my godson." I said handing over my phone.
"You have a godson?" Dad said shocked.
"Yeah, Jess and Sam had a kid, Connor." I said.
"When did this happen? I didn't even know she was pregnant." Dad said.
"Well I found out when you were dealing with the Palladium poisoning and then Geneva happened so I probably forgot to mention it." I said. The mood got really quiet after I said that.
"We've been through a lot this year." I said.
"We have and we're still standing." Dad said.
"Life knocks us down and we build ourselves back up again." I said.
"And better than before." He finishes.
"Are we better than before?" I asked.
"Of course we are." Dad said, "Why wouldn't we be?"
"uh- nothing ignore me, it's probably just the jetlag and sleep deprivation." I said.
"Still having sleeping problems?" dad asked.
"Not that, My internship has me working weird hours, its just hard to readjust."
"You need to take it easy you still have another year left, you have time." Dad said.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you…" I said cringing a bit.
"Tell me what?" dad said.
"Don't freak out." I said.
"I'm not freaking out. I don't freak out." Dad said getting a bit tense.
"So, I'm graduating a bit early again." I said.
"How early?" He asked.
"May." I said.
"You're graduating from Medical School a year early?" dad said surprised.
"Apparently they're sick of me falling asleep in class so I tested out of a fourth year without knowing." I said.
"But you're not even old enough to drink yet." Dad argued.
"But I'm qualified enough to prescribe pain meds. Irony huh." I said with a shrug.
"You're going to the ceremony this time." Dad said seriously.
"Of course." I kept forgetting I'd never been to the previous ones. Something always happens. Fingers crossed this time. "Do you want to come?"
"No I was thinking of vacationing in St Barth's, I think I need a vacation, maybe work on a tan," He said sarcastically. "What day? I need to make sure I don't miss it."
"How are you going to explain being there?" I asked.
"I'm your mentor remember." Dad said.
"Whoever said honesty is the best policy has never met us." I answered.
We finished breakfast and dad decided on where we were going next. He put the GPS on and it navigated as we drove. We were driving down the street when I saw something that caught my attention. I cut a car off and drove into a strip mall abruptly interrupting dad's rant on electromagnets.
"What was that?" Dad said surprised.
"Need to do something, be back in a bit." I said getting out of the car.
I walked into a tattoo shop and walked in. I tall middle aged man with full sleeves done and tattoos on his head.
"Welcome." He said gruffly.
"Hi, I was wondering if you do piercings?" I asked. At that moment dad walked in.
"Nora, why are…" He started.
"Holy Shit you're Tony Stark!" The guy said happily.
"Uh hey, fan of mine?" He asked.
"You are amazing." The guys said.
"Thank You, I try." He said.
"C-can I get a picture?" He asked.
"Sure." Dad said. The man ran around the counter and handed me his phone.
"Take the picture." He said rudely before giving dad a side hug.
"Sure." I said annoyed.
I took a few and then handed him back his phone.
"Thank you so much, this picture is going on the wall." He said looking at the photos he had of celebrities that had stopped by. "So what can I do for you two?"
"Yes Nora what can he do for us?" Dad asked me.
"I was wondering if you do piercings?" I asked.
'Yeah we do. What were you thinking of getting?" He asked.
"I was thinking an industrial, if you can?" I asked
"Sure follow me." I followed him and sat down in a vinyl chair. Dad just sat there wondering what was happening. I signed a waiver as he sterilized the needle and put on gloves.
"I'm going to need to see some ID" He asked.
"It's the bangs isn't it?" I asked.
"You look young, got to make sure." He said as I handed him my ID. "Happy Birthday. Left side?" He asked.
"Yeah." He wiped my ear and I turned so he got a better look. I didn't feel anything until he tried the second piercing. I felt my cartilage crunch and then he said. "Okay just need to put the earing in." He told me.
I looked over at dad and he looked pale. Ten seconds later it was done. I gave him a one hundred dollar bill and told him to keep the change. I walked back to the car and got in.
'What was that about?" Dad asked.
"Something I've been thinking about for a while." I said.
"Where to now?" I asked.
"If you could be anywhere in the world right now where would you be?" He asked.
"A beach, you know I've never been to the beach."
"We went to Cancun last year." Dad said.
"And all we saw was the inside of that bar." I said.
"The time we went to Orlando when you were eight." Dad said.
"Only saw the inside of Disney world and their beach resort was under construction." I said.
"I have a beach front property in Malibu and you've never been to a beach." He said.
"I'm surprised you've never noticed." I said
"We're fixing this." He said pulling out his phone and making a phone call. "Pull over I'm driving."
Five Hours Later-
"You know I would've been okay just going down south." I said
"It's your first time going to the beach, you don't get clear blue water and white sandy beaches in texas."
"Maybe but the Bahamas Dad." I said.
"What too much?" He said looking up as his sunglasses slipped down his nose.
"A bit."
"So tell me, how was your trip to Dublin?" He said.
I got the chills just thinking about it. We were on the beach sitting on a towel on the beach of some resort. I was siping my drink and Dad was having a scotch.
"It was uh, fine." I answered.
"Just fine?" He asked.
"mhm." I said taking another drink.
"Say it." He said.
"Don't know what you're talking about."
"Nora, you got a haircut after years with the same hair style. You only ate a salad at dinner and skipped dessert. You've lost at least twenty pounds since I last saw you And today you almost crashed a brand new car to get a random piercing you had never said you wanted and didn't even flinch when getting it. The last time something like this happened I was kidnapped by terrorists. So I have to ask, what's going on." He said.
"I slept with Dean." I said.
"You did two years ago." Dad said.
"No I slept with him two weeks ago." I said finishing my drink.
"You slept with loverboy!"
"Ugh please don't call him that." I groaned.
"Why?" dad asked.
"Why what?" I said
"You know what."
"I was lonely and very drunk."
"What is going on with you kid? One minute you're a ray of sunshine the next your dark." He said.
"I'm fine." I said.
"No you're not."
"I'm dealing with it okay. I'm having a good day dad. The first one I've had in a while can we not do this." I said
"Is this about Geneva?"
I could tell him the truth or I could keep lying to him. I choose both. "I could've died but I didn't. I don't remember what happened in there but it's made me feel like I lived for a reason but I don't know why. Everything just seems pointless."
"Nora…"
"Relax, I'm not doing anything crazy. I just want to stop living in fear. Stop saying maybe and say yes. Which is why I got the haircut and the piercing. As for the salad I've been eating out a lot and it's time I started eating healthier." I answered.
"Are you sure?" He said.
"Yeah."
"Okay. There's something I wanted to talk to you about."
"What is it?" I said confused.
"Pepper wants to spend our first Christmas together in Vermont." Dad said.
"That's good. I'm happy things are going well with you two." I said.
"You're not mad?" dad asked.
"No why would I be." I said
"Christmas is kind of our thing." Dad said.
"It is but maybe it's time to change." I said. "This is a big step in your relationship. If you want to do this then do it. I can spend Christmas with Jess and Sam, it'll give me an excuse to buy Connor more gifts." I said forcing a smile. I was going to miss dad but after the past few months I know he needs someone who can be there for him more than I can.
"Are you sure?" He said.
"I'm sure."
Two Days Later-
I was back in Boston getting things ready for the following day when It started again. I started glowing and I closed my eyes. I opened them and I was back in Peggy's apartment.
"You're back." I heard Gramps say.
"I'm back." I said.
"What happened to you? What's in your ear?" Gramps asked.
"It's been two weeks since I was here. I got a haircut and a piercing." I said. "Where's Peggy?"
"She's out, I sent her to steal one of my weapons." Gramps said.
"Which one?" I asked.
"Blitzkrieg Button, cause blackouts by destroying the power grids." He said fiddling with his collar.
"Are you ever going to stop trying to lie to me?" I said
'I never learn do I." he said chuckling.
"Yeah well neither do I. I just spent the last three days lying to my dad's face and telling him I was okay." I said. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
"Can you just trust me this time when I say you're better off not knowing?" he said and at that moment a very angry looking Peggy walked in.
"You get it?" He asked her.
"What's in the vial?" Peggy asked fuming.
"What vial?" Gramps tried to deny.
"What is in the vial?" Peggy said raising her voice.
"You opened it." Gramps said.
"Opened what?" I asked.
"You know how uh- dangerous that could be?" Gramps tried to argue.
"What's in the damn vial?" I cried out.
"Okay, you're both angry." He said.
"I'm not angry, just curious. What's in the vial?" Peggy said.
"You know. We all know." He said. No it can't be…
"I don't tell me" Peggy said.
Gramps glanced over at me before saying, "Steve Rogers' blood." When I heard that, I felt cold. Everything moved in slow motion.
I saw Peggy raise her arm and then Gramps was on the floor. Steve was not kidding about Peggy having a mean right hook.
"You used me, you lied to me!" Peggy said outraged. The feeling was going around.
"You hit me." Gramps said grabbing an ice pack.
"You got off easy." I said.
"You too!" He said.
"No shit Gramps. " I said angrily.
"You don't get to use my reaction to your lies as the reason for your lies." Peggy told him.
"Exactly" I said agreeing with Peggy.
"Yeah, I do," He said looking at me. "I knew how much Steve meant to you two, because I know how much he means to me. I was protecting you."
"That wasn't your call Gramps. If you haven't noticed I've been doing pretty well on my own."
"You tried to kill yourself three times in the last six months." He argued.
"Tried being the key word here. I hit rock bottom but I'm pulling myself together. And this, this just cracked the foundation of all of that. Not that you had Steve's blood but the fact that you lied to my face about it." I said tearing up.
"You weren't doing this to protect us, you were doing it to protect you." Peggy said angrily.
"Yeah, I didn't want to see this turmoil your both in." Gramps said
"We Trusted you Howard!" Peggy yelled.
"Yeah, I know and I was wrong. But you have to understand a kid like me doesn't get to where I am by doing…" Gramps started defending himself.
"What? Being wanted for treason." Peggy retorted.
"I grew up on the lower east side. My father was a no good drunk and my mom barely managed to scrape us by as a seamstress. I've been on my own since I was fourteen. Let me tell you, you don't get to climb the American Ladder without picking up some bad habits along the way. There's a ceiling for certain types of people based on how much money your parents have, your social class, your religion, your sex." He said knowing that would strike a cord with Peggy. "And the only way to break through that ceiling sometimes is to lie, so that's my natural instinct…to lie." He paused for a bit before continuing, "I shouldn't have lied to you, to either of you. For that trust me I am truly sorry"
"How did you get Steve's blood anyway." I asked.
"I was one of the lead scientists on project rebirth. Eleven vials went to the government, one vial went to me." He said. "Does the SSR know they have the vial?"
"Why shouldn't they have it?" Peggy asked.
"When has the US military ever had a weapon they didn't use?" I answered.
Gramps nodded. "The government's almost through their supply. If they know they have mine, they'll never give it back, even if you clear my name."
"That still doesn't mean that you deserve to have Steve's blood." Peggy argued.
"I believe that sample SR-53, that blood, Captain America's blood, holds the key to vaccines, medications, possibly even a cure for the common cold." Gramps said.
"It also holds the key to creating an army of super soldiers who in the wrong hands will start another war we don't stand a chance of winning." I said.
"The good out weighs the bad, Nora think of what Steve would've wanted." Gramps said.
"Steve wanted to die and he did. That blood should have died with him." I said
"Erskine himself never wanted the serum to be mass-produced." Peggy said, "How many dollars are you set to gain from this?"
"What the hell do you think of me?" Gramps said offended.
"I think you're a man out for his own gain no matter who you're charging. You are constantly finding holes to slither your way into in the hope of finding loose change, only to cry when you're bitten by another snake. You're a man who says, "I love you," whilst looking over a woman's shoulder into the mirror. Steve Rogers dedicated his mind, his body, his life to the SSR and to this country, not to your bank account. I made the same pledge, but I'm not as good as Steve was. I forgot my pledge running around for you like a corporate spy. So thank you, Howard, for reminding me who Steve was and what I aspire to be. For all I know, you did steal your inventions."
"Peggy…" Gramps started.
"I need some air to get rid of your stink. When I'm back you'll be gone." She said grabbing her pocketbook.
"where to I'll get caught." Gramps argued.
"You're the genius figure it out." Peggy said walking to the door.
"Pegs wait for me." I said following after her.
"Nora please." Gramps said grabbing my arm.
"I don't even know you anymore Gramps. I've seen you lie to girls all the time. I've seen you lie to get out of trouble and when doing business but you want to know something. I knew there was good in you somewhere. I always thought there was a line you wouldn't cross. I thought I was that line Gramps but I guess I was just another blonde bimbo. I can't even look at you right now." I said walking out and slamming the door.
We walked down the street and saw Jarvis.
"Did you know?" Peggy asked.
"I truly regret the way this was handled." He apologized.
"That's a yes." I told Peggy
"Don't ever play poker, you rub your ear when you lie." Peggy said.
"Gramps tries to fix his collar when her lies." I said.
"Only when he lies to you. With everyone else he's very good." Peggy said as she walked.
"Mr. Stark respects you, Ms. Carter as do I." Jarvis said. He was being honest about that. "Is there anyone else alive that hold you in such high esteem?"
"I can trust the actions of men who don't respect me more than those who do. At least when they ask for something they mean it." At those words I started getting the chills.
"Crap I need to get out of here." I said.
"Nora?" Peggy said concerned.
"It's starting again." I said.
Peggy and Jarvis pulled me into an alley, once in there I started glowing. "Until next time." I said waving, Before I was gone.
I was expecting to be back in Boston but instead I was back in the future. The compound where I saw dad last time.
"Nora," Wanda said surprised.
"Wanda?" I said confused.
"What are you doing here?" She said shocked.
"I don't know I was in 1946 ten seconds ago. I thought I was heading back to Boston." I said.
"Hey Wanda you ready for girls night? Nora?!" Natasha said as she came in.
"Natasha." I greeted.
"Friday we have a code Cronus." She called out.
"Cronus protocol initiated, Nora age nineteen from the end of 2011." Friday said.
"Wow she's thorough." I said.
"Who do you think designed it?" Natasha deadpanned.
"Since you're here you're staying for girls night." Wanda said happily.
"Don't really have much of a choice do I?" I said.
"No." They said at the same time.
"I figured, since I'm here how about I bake us some cookies." I offered.
"Cookies!" I heard someone yell before I was tackled into a hug.
"Oh." I looked down and saw an older version of my nephew. "Hey Buddy." I said hugging him back.
"Nora?" I heard someone say confused. Sam walked in holding Ellie in his arms. She was slightly bigger than the last time I saw her
"Sam?" I said.
"Nowa!" Ellie said loudly as she reached for me. I reached over and took her in my arms.
"She said my name." I said happily.
"Yeah, it was one of her first words. What are you doing here?" Sam said.
"Me what are you doing here?"
"Your dad hired me as a legal advisor. How old are you?" He said.
"Just turned nineteen two days ago. You know about Dad?" I said.
"Yeah, found out a few months ago, thanks for waiting to tell me?" He said sarcastically.
"I didn't want to put you guys in danger. People around dad tend to have targets on their backs." I said.
"Yeah I know, Just would've been nice to know not get caught by surprise."
"How did you…" I started
"No, don't answer that. No interfering with the timeline remember." Wanda said.
"Right." Sam said.
"I got to head back to work. Come on Connor." Sam said.
"But dad, your office is so boring. And Auntie Nora's making cookies." Connor whined.
"Connor," Sam started,
"Sam its okay, I'll watch the kids. You go finish whatever you're doing."
"But what if you…" He said referring to the time jumps.
"We'll be here." Natasha answered.
"Are you sure?" Sam said.
"Of course, Come on Connor, lets make some chocolate chip cookies." I said guiding my nephew towards the fridge.
"Save me some' Sam called out.
"Don't count on it." Natasha said.
Connor and I started on the mix while Wanda and Natasha kept Ellie entertained. Then someone opened a bottle of wine and poured us each a glass. It was very good wine.
"Auntie Nora, what are you drinking?" Connor asked.
"It's wine, sweetie." I answered.
"What's it taste like?" he asked.
"It's kind of like grown up grape juice." I said making Natasha and Wanda snort.
"Can I have some?" He asked.
"Not some of this one but how about I get you some of that grape juice from the fridge." I offered.
"Yes please." He said. I went over and poured him cup." I was looking for a top but I couldn't find one.
"I don't need a top, I'm a big boy." He said.
"Okay." I said laughing a bit.
After the cookies were done I made Natasha and Wanda Pizookie sundaes and kept a few on the side for Sam.
"I'll be back in a bit, just going to leave these with Sam. Mind keeping an eye on Ellie?" I asked looking at the little sleeping angel.
"Of course not but do you know how to get there?" Wanda asked.
"I'll show you Auntie Nora." Connor said getting up and pulling me towards the door. He was still holding a cup of grape juice. Apparently it was his favorite.
I was walking down a hallway following Connor who was running ahead. At a turn he bumped into the blonde woman from the last time I was here. The one who gave me the stink eye because of some relationship trouble she was in. She was wearing a white dress. I say was because Connor spilled his cup of juice all over the front of her dress.
"Ah, My dress." She cried out. "Look at what you did you stupid brat." She said.
"I-I'm Sorry." Connor said scared and about to cry.
"You just ruined my dress." She said. Everything that happened next I saw in slow motion. I saw here lift her arm as if she was going to slap my nephew.
Oh hell no. I used my powers and formed a force field around Connor. When her hand touched the shield there was a loud booming sound and she was pushed back. She slid to the other end of hallway on the floor.
"Ow! My arm!" She yelled out. She said clutching it to her chest. From the bruises I saw forming on her hand it was definitely more than one fracture.
"What is wrong with you?" She sneered at me.
"Me, what the fuck is wrong with you that you think slapping a kid is okay?" I yelled making Connor shake.
"H-He ruined my dress." She said looking terrified.
"I don't care if he ruined your dress or crashed your car. You never hit a kid. They make mistakes. It happens. If I ever see or hear that you tried doing that to my nephew or niece or any kid for that matter. That hand won't compare to what I'll do to you. Do I make myself clear?!" I said raising my voice.
She just nodded. Still shaking and possibly going into shock. "Friday, can you get some medics here for her." I said.
"They're on their way." Friday answered.
"Good." I said walking away. Connor was still shaking and was hugging my leg. When we were far away enough I stopped and kneeled down to check if he was okay.
"I-I'm s-s-sorry auntie." He said crying.
"Oh sweetheart. It wasn't your fault. It was an accident. Are you okay?" I asked as I wiped tears off his face.
He just nodded. "Connor listen to me. I'm not mad okay. Not at you anyway. No one should ever lift a finger to hit you or any kid. If that happens again tell me or tell your dad. Okay."
"Okay." He mumbles before throwing himself at me. "I love you Auntie Nora." He said.
"Love you too buddy." I said. "Now come on, lets get these cookie to your Dad."
Connor led me to Sam's office where he was still buried in paperwork. I left the cookies and told him what happened. He was angry at the woman but was relieved I was there to stop her.
He still had a lot to do so I took Connor back to the common room. Connor was still a bit shaken up so I wanted to cheer him up.
"Hey Connor, you want a piggyback ride?" I said.
He just gave me the biggest smile and hopped on my back.
As we were walking Connor just randomly said, "Your eyes are so cool."
"My eyes?" I said confused.
"Yeah, they're pretty and they were glowing back in the hallway." He said.
"My eyes were glowing?" I asked shocked to hear it.
"Yeah." He said "You're my hero Auntie."
"Aww sweetheart. Just for that you can have as many cookies as you want, hell I'll even make you another batch just for you." I said, this kid makes my heart melt.
"Can you make peanut butter cookies?" He asked.
"I don't have a recipe but we can find one." I said.
"Okay, I'll help you clean." He offered. Damn, Jess and Sam raised him right.
We walked back in and Wanda and Natasha were sitting on the couches.
"You two were gone a while." Wanda said.
I saw a flash of a camera. I looked over and saw Natasha with a smirk holding a camera.
"Auntie Nora stopped a bad guy." Connor said. As I put him down
"Really?" Wanda asked.
"Yeah, I'll tell you later." I said. Right then the chills started.
"Shit." I said.
"What?" Natasha said.
"It's happening again." Wanda answered her.
"You're leaving?" Connor said.
"Yeah, I'm sorry sweetie. Let's take a rain check on those cookies okay?" I said.
"Okay." He said sadly. He gave me a hug and pulled away just when the glowing started.
"Take care of them for me." I told Wanda and Natasha. They nodded and I was gone. This time when I opened my eyes I was back in my apartment. Future me probably has a giant mess to clean up right now. Oh well, that a problem I'll deal with in five or six years.
I looked over at the clock and saw that I was only gone half an hour. Not bad.