Aiden and I sat in the car which was still parked in the middle of the road still processing the realization that I died/will die willingly.
"We can't tell anyone." Aiden said breaking the silence. "It's hard enough knowing you're going to die this will just…"
"Reopen old wounds." I said my voice cracking a bit. "Yeah let's not do that."
"Are you okay?" Aiden asked.
"Um not really sure." I said.
"Do you want to drink or cry over a pint of Ben and Jerry's?" He asked.
"I don't know." I said. "I think I'm in shock."
"You're not the only one." He said starting the car.
"Where we going?" I asked.
"Well first, we're going to drop off your new wardrobe and then we're going to work through some of this…" He said not knowing what word to use.
Aiden sped into the compound and we grabbed everything, threw it into my room before running right back out only stopping to slam the company credit card in front of Connor and to tell him we would be back later. We drove for a few hours until we made it to Long Island and drove into the cemetery.
"This is morbid." I said.
"We once got drunk and went to go sing happy birthday to Jess's grave. This is by far the most normal thing we've ever done in a cemetery." He retorted pulling over and getting out.
"There's an entire holiday dedicated to doing that." I said.
"I know I saw the movie." He said walking up the hill and passing grave markers and stopping once we got to the top. Turns out it wasn't a hill as much as it was a cliff with a view of an isolated beach and a lighthouse. At the top there was a statue of me holding out a torch with green flames.
Nora Eliana Stark
Mother, Daughter, Savior of Worlds
"That's a bit over the top don't you think?" I said.
"You're not actually buried here. Your grandfather, grandmother and Father are buried in your family's crypt here so the powers that be thought it would be fitting to put a memorial here for you." Aiden said.
"Publicity stunt." I said calling it for what it really was.
"Closure." Aiden corrected. "Let's just leave it at that. I come here when I need think things through."
"I thought you said I wasn't buried here." I said.
"I can't teleport to Dallas whenever I want." Aiden said. "And it's a great view."
"I'm guessing dad had something to do with this?" I said.
"He said he shouldn't have waited until you were nineteen to take you to the beach for the first time." Aiden said. "Guess he was trying to make up for it. So let it out cry punch a tree, scream do what you need to do."
"I always knew it was a possibility, hell I even tried to off myself a few times but it never stuck. I don't even care if I die I just can't believe Wren grows up alone." I said tearing. "And he becomes Aya's host what the fuck?!"
"My brother asked me to do one thing, one, and I fucked that up." Aiden said.
"And I'm pretty fucking sure Aya knew this from the beginning…" I said.
"And now I have to help send you to your death, I have to help kill my best friend." Aiden said.
"I'm your best friend?" I asked.
"Who else would it be?" Aiden said tearing up. "Shit I haven't cried since you died."
"My dad turns back into the douchebag alcoholic he was before he became Iron Man and let Connor take up the mantle. I promised Jess he'd be safe and now he flies around in a weapon of mass destruction." I said crying. "I'm a failure as a friend, aunt and mother!"
"I fucking hate time traveling!" We both yelled at the same time as Aiden's phone started ringing.
"It's Steve." He said before answering. It was strange to them actually get along. He actually called him by his name instead of the captain or spangles. "Hey… We're about an hour away from the compound… because she needed the distraction… We'll head back in a bit need me to pick up something for dinner? See you then."
"At least you two get along now." I said.
"More like we understand each other." Aiden said. "What are we going to do about this?"
"I don't think there's anything to be done." I said wiping the tears off my face. "I've been dead for almost twenty five years and by the looks of it everyone took it hard, I don't think them knowing I died is going to do anyone any favors."
"Are you going to be okay?" Aiden asked.
"Not the first time I've faced the inevitable, I'll manage." I said. "I'm definitely going to yell at Aya when I get back."
"I'll yell at her after you leave, it'll help with the pent up rage." He said.
"So what am I walking into?" I asked.
"Family dinner, don't worry Elle didn't cook." Aiden said.
"So about an hour of Connor tearing up. Bucky and Steve looking at me longingly and my son trying to avoid looking or speaking to me. Great." I said.
"There's a stocked bar in the common room." Aiden said.
"Small blessings." I said following him back to the car.
"Where are you with them in your time?" Aiden asked.
"Uh… I'm not angry at Steve anymore I gave him the ultimatum and he hasn't answered so I'm taking that as a no. Things with Bucky are okay. I get him weekends and weekday visits." I said.
"That explains the passive aggressiveness." Aiden said.
"I am not passive aggressive." I said.
"You avoid him like the plague." Aiden said.
"It's a really complicated situation." I said. "It's been twenty five years for him but it feels like just yesterday he broke my heart."
"Bloody hell Nora he loves you, you love him do you really want to spend the last few years of your life holding on to a stupid grudge?" Aiden said.
"I already said I'm not angry. I've yelled, I've blasted him through a wall, I made him sit through an awkward dinner with a former one night stand but he's giving me the silent treatment." I said.
"For fucks sake your son calls him Dad, isn't that enough of an obvious answer for you?" Aiden said. "That's not an issue."
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do." I whined as we got to the car.
One Long Drive Later-
"You shook me all night long…." I sang as we pulled into the compound's garage and the radio shut off.
"You do realize that song's about having sex right?" Aiden asked.
"How do you think my dad gave me the sex talk?" I retorted as I got out of the car.
"You ready?" He asked.
"As I'll ever be." I said but not moving.
"Do you need a minute?" Aiden asked noticing I wasn't following him.
"It was worth it right?" I asked and I didn't have to explain what I was talking about.
"Was dying, coming back to rehabilitate me and taking me into your home worth it?" Aiden retorted and I gave him a 'Can you be serious' look. "I think only you can figure out the answer to that question. Now put on your game face, we have a dinner to get through."
"Think you can buffer?" I asked.
"I've got your six, you've got mine." He said giving me a wry smile.
"How do I look?" I said.
"Like one of my classier one night stands." Aiden said and I punched his arm. "I missed this." He said before we walked down the hall to the common room.
"Look who finally showed up." Ellie said.
"Traffic." I said with a shrug.
"Where'd you two go?" Bucky asked.
"Went to go get gelato in Jersey, your aunt has a big sweet tooth." Aiden said.
"Hey sorry I'm late." Wren said teleporting in. "Surgery went a bit longer than expected."
"It's okay, your mom and uncle just got here." Steve said. "Friday can you tell Connor it's time for dinner?"
"Yes boss." Friday answered.
"We got through to Thor." Steve said.
"And?" I asked.
"We're heading over in the morning." Steve said.
"Is he with Jane in London?" I asked.
"No they broke up." Bucky said.
"Oh." I said. "That sucks."
"I'd hold off on that." Aiden said and I gave him a confused look.
"Hey Auntie, Uncle. What'd you two do all day?" Connor asked.
"Shopping." I said.
"Gelato and Sushi." Aiden said.
"Same old same old." I said and everyone just looked at us weird.
"I love that dress." Ellie said breaking the silence.
"I wasn't too sure about it when I saw it on the hanger but once I tried it on totally worked for me." I said.
"I have a few things I'm working on for my new collection I think you'll like, you should come by the studio after you get back tomorrow." Ellie said.
"Studio?" I asked.
"I'm a fashion designer." Ellie said pulling out her phone and showing me an online boutique. "It started off as a hobby and when I was getting my masters in accounting I realized I hated it so I went into it full time. I took my inheritance and opened up a boutique, and it just grew from there."
I scrolled down the website and started looking through the pictures and some of the reviews.
"Wow, they're gorgeous. Oh that yellow dress reminds me of that dress Beyonce wore…" I said.
"In the Hold up Video." Ellie said. "It was my inspiration. I nicknamed it the Bey."
"I can't wait to see what else you're working on." I said handing her back her phone.
"Lasagna's done," Steve said putting the dish on the table. "It's your mom's recipe." He said giving me a smile.
"It's not actually mine." I said. "I got it from Aiden."
"I got it from Wren." Aiden said passing the salad to Connor.
"Peanut butter cookies, you haven't made those in ages." Connor said.
"Uh that sounds so good." Ellie said.
"I told you it was a good thing we stopped by the bakery." Bucky said.
"I'm fairly sure it was more for you than anyone else." Steve said making everyone laugh.
"How's your dad?" I asked Connor and Ellie.
"On his second honeymoon, decided to take Charlotte on a European tour, last I heard they were in Florence." Connor said.
"Romantic." I said.
"I just remembered Gramps called and he said he's stopping by next week." Wren said.
"Is he flying or are you picking him up?" Steve asked.
"Gramps teleporting? That'll be the day pigs fly." Wren said taking a sip of his wine.
"Stranger things have happened." I said making everyone go quiet.
"Like the morning we woke up handcuffed to the stove in the beach house?" Aiden retorted.
"And Sam swallowed the key." I said.
"He didn't." Ellie said.
"He did." Bucky said.
"We spent half the night flying around trying to catch up with them." Steve said.
"I still can't go to that bar. The bartender's son took over the business and he still recognizes me." Aiden said laughing.
"You know where I can't ever show my face again, that pub in Belfast." I said.
"I can't either." Aiden said.
"Another wild night?" Connor asked.
"More like collateral damage of the job." I said.
"I should get going." Wren said.
"Shit, so do I." Ellie said.
"Really, it's still early." Connor said.
"I have a meeting with barney's in the morning." Ellie said.
"I have rounds early tomorrow." Wren said.
"Are you going with us tomorrow?" Bucky asked.
"Not sure, I'll meet you there if I can." Wren said pulling out Ellie's chair.
"Say hi to everyone for me." Ellie said.
"Will do." Steve said before they both teleported away.
"They make a really cute couple." I said.
"They balance each other out." Connor said.
"What about you? Anyone special in your life?" I asked and he blushed.
"Did you finally ask Morgan out?" Bucky asked.
"Morgan? Who's Morgan?" I asked.
"She's a physicist I met at a convention a few months ago. We exchanged numbers and have been texting and emailing. She got a teaching job at Columbia and just moved here." Connor said.
"Then why haven't you asked her out already?" I asked.
"She just ended things with her boyfriend and she mentioned she doesn't think she's going to start dating anytime soon. She told me about a few blind dates she went on but none of them turned into anything." Connor said.
"How long ago did they break up?" I asked.
"Like a year, I think." Connor said.
"Oh sweetie," I said. "The first six months is the rebound window after that she's back on the market."
"You think?" Connor asked.
"Yes." Everyone said.
"And the fact that she's telling you about the blind dates is her testing to see how you react. She likes you." I said.
"She never said anything." Connor said.
"She didn't have to. When you guys skype, facetime or meet up in person does she look nice? Like actually put an effort into how she looks?" I asked.
"She always looks nice." Connor said with a smile.
"Aw, you're so into her." I said.
"Okay does she wear anything like what you're aunt's wearing right now which by the way you look beautiful Doll." Bucky said with a flirty smile.
"Oh, thank you." I said with a friendly smile.
"Uh maybe not as showy but a lot of V-necks and low tops." Connor said.
"She's trying to get you to make a move." Aiden said.
"And you keep friend zoning her." I said.
"I don't." Connor said.
"Didn't you call her your best friend once?" Bucky said.
"Uh… Oh crap." Connor said getting up. "I need to go fix this."
"Good Luck." I called out after him.
"How are you doing with everything?" Steve asked.
"I'm dealing. I miss dad and everyone but I'm sure Odin or Heimdall will know how to fix this or at the very least they can steer me in the right direction." I said and they all exchanged looks. "What?"
"Doll, there are a few things we need to catch you up on." Bucky said.
"Like?" I asked.
The Next Morning-
Aiden, Bucky and Steve and I got on a quinjet early in the morning and headed off for Norway. It was a bit ironic but whatever works. I sat down in the back and put on some headphones to drown out the sound of the engine. Whenever I looked up I could see either Steve or Bucky, sometimes both staring at me.
Guess seeing their soulmate twenty-five after she died brought up some feelings for them. At least they still have each other, those two need someone to balance them out and keep them from either going dark and disappearing or doing something stupid like crashing a plan in the Atlantic.
I leaned back and closed my eyes for a bit. It wasn't until I felt someone gently nudging my shoulder that I opened my eyes startled a bit. I pulled out my earphones and looked at Steve.
"We're here." He said nodding his head toward the window. I looked out and saw that though it was a bit smaller it didn't lack any of Asgard's grandness.
"It's nice. They even built a rainbow bridge." I said.
"Welcome to New Asgard." Bucky said.
"Well it is new." I said as the plane started descending. The plane landed behind the palace that looked identical to the original. Everyone unbuckled themselves and the back door slowly lowered. I stood up and straightened up the long sleeved green dress Ellie had picked out for me. She said it was chic and really brought out my eyes. Once I deemed myself presentable I walked out behind Steve and Bucky with Aiden at my side.
/images/2007_8_trends_autmn_wint/shop_miss_
We were greeted by the royal guard all dressed in golden armor. Slowly someone walked toward us. It took me a second to recognize Thor. His hair was shorter and he had a scar that looked like someone had slashed out his eye.
"Captain." Thor greeted Steve.
"Thor, it's good to see you." Steve said shaking his hand.
"Thanks for having us, we know you're probably busy." Bucky said shaking his hand.
"Nonsense it has been too long since anyone's visited." Thor said "Though may I ask if there's a particular reason you chose now to visit?" With that Steve and Bucky step aside and Thor's eyes landed on me.
"So let me get this straight, you were king for like five minutes and you let the place burn to the ground?" I said but instead of saying something he picked me up in a bear hug. "Oh, good to see you too buddy."
"I-It's really good to see you old friend." Thor said with a smile though his eyes said other wise.
"Nora?" Someone else said.
"Bruce?" I asked not expecting to see him.
"Time travel?" he asked Steve and Bucky.
"Time travel." They said at the same time.
"Literally crashed through a wall." Aiden said.
"When are you from?" Thor asked.
"2016 and I'm stranded here." I said. "Apparently the connection between Aya and I got severed and this time's Aya can't send me back because I'm not her host."
"We'll help out as much as we can. It would be best to consult our healers to ensure there were no after effects of severing the connection." Thor said.
"Sounds good to me." I said.
"I'll show you the way." Bruce said.
Third Person's POV- 2016
"Steve get everyone out! Now!" Nora shouted.
"Nora!" Steve shouted back fighting against the gale force winds that seemed to come from nowhere. The building started shaking and he was having a hard time staying on his feet.
"Just do it!" She shouted back.
Steve ignored her and tried to get closer.
"AH!" Nora screamed.
"Nora!" Steve shouted before there was a bright flash of light and the building stopped shaking. When Steve finally opened his eyes he ran into the room and saw Nora. "Nora." He said walking in and immediately checked her for injuries.
"She's gone."
"Aya?" Steve asked and her eyes started glowing.
"Nora." Aya answered.
"What do you mean she's gone?" Steve demanded.
"She took the blast and she's not here. I can't feel her." Aya said looking terrified.
"What does that mean? Aya! What does that mean?!" Steve shouted.
"Steve." Bucky said running in. "What's going on? Where's Nora?"
"I don't know." Aya said.
"How can you not know?" Steve shouted.
"The blast was pure temporal energy. I pulled out too much and couldn't control it. Nora was helping me channel it but it was too much and it severed our connection before blasting her through time." Aya said.
"Meaning?" Bucky said.
"I lost Nora." Aya said.
"What?!" Steve and Bucky shouted at the same time before Aya started walking to the common room.
"How do you lose a person especially one you live inside!?" Bucky yelled.
"What do you mean you lost someone? Where's Nora?" Aiden asked Aya.
"The time stone lost Nora… in time." Steve said.
"What?!" Everyone yelled.
"Then go find her." Sam said.
"That's the problem I don't know where to look." Aya said. "Time is infinite meaning there are infinite places she could be. Not to mention there's the slight problem that I need a host to be able to move through time."
"Can't you just look through time to see where she is?" Clint suggested.
"I see outcomes not every single specific detail of time and even then there are limits. Not all points in time are fixed, that's only the big ones. Most time is fluid and constantly changing. I can see Nora's life because she's a fixed point in time and a giant one at that. Everything else is fuzzy because it's constantly changing." Aya said.
"Then how about we get someone that can move through time." Natasha said.
"Past Nora." Bucky said realizing what Natasha was getting at.
"Friday call Tony." Steve said.
"I'll call Rhodey and let him know what's going on." Sam said.
"Boss isn't answering." Friday said.
"Keep trying." Steve said.
"Just leave him messages, those annoy him so he'll answer faster." Clint said.
"Tony, we need you to bring Nora back. Call as soon as you get this." Steve said.
"I'm going to try him." Bucky said.
"Rhodey isn't answering." Sam said.
"Damn it." Steve said.
"You find Tony." Aiden said getting up.
"Where are you going?" Bucky asked.
"First I'm going to go get Wren and bring him here where Snow won't be able to get to him then I'm going to get Abernathy to talk by whatever means necessary." Aiden said.
"What about Nora?" Steve asked.
"Handle getting past her back here then we'll figure out what comes next." Aiden said walking out.
"Stark get our soulmate back here Now!" Bucky yelled into the phone. Steve took the phone out of Bucky's hand before he broke it.
"Tony just call us back please." Steve said before hanging up. "Buck, listen to me. We're going to get her back but you need to calm down."
"How do you know? She literally got set so far in time the freaking time stone doesn't know where to look!" he yelled.
"You're going to get her back because her future hasn't changed." Aya said. "Meaning she's alive and she's safe where ever she is. Nora will come back."