Hey everyone I'm so sorry this has taken so long to update. I had a really tough year and I lost my inspiration. It's going to sound crazy but when I started writing this story I did it as a way to work out some of the issues I was dealing with at the time. Nora, the undying optimist is who I wished I was and Hayley the girl who tried running away from her problems until they finally caught up to her and had to face them is who I am. Of course now I ended up writing Hayley into a coma I'm working very hard to write her out of, and the shit storm that was 2017 is finally behind me, I'm now back in school and I've found some inspiration again. I'll be updating when I can switching off between fated marks and time travelling is complicated. Updates won't be as often as before but rest assured I have no plans of abandoning this story. I wanted to thank everyone who commented and checked up, trying to see when the next chapter was coming out. You were all a big reason I started writing again so thank you. And now for the very long awaited chapter… Enjoy.
Nora's POV- One Month Later
"So I have to ask…" I started.
"Nora I promise you the past version of all of us are working to get you back." Aiden said.
"It's been a month, what is taking so long?" I whined.
It had been a month since all the leads dried up. Thor and all of Asgard's scholars couldn't find anything on getting back to my time. Shuri and Connor were toying with the idea of using something called the quantum realm but after some further research they thought it would be to risky and even attempting it would end up killing me.
"Come on." Aiden said putting his phone away and standing up.
"What?" I said.
"Get up." Aiden said standing next to me where I was lying on the couch.
"Mh," I groaned but sat up anyway.
"All the way up. Let's go." Aiden said.
"Are we going somewhere?" I asked.
"Yes the gym." Aiden said leading the way out of the common room.
"I'm really not in the mood for a workout." I said.
"You're not in the mood for anything these days." Aiden said.
"Mh." I shrugged.
"You're acting like a moody teenager." Aiden said.
"Sorry I'm not a bright ray of sunshine lighting up whatever room I walk into." I said sarcastically.
"Oh sarcasm there may be hope for you yet." Aiden said as we walked into the compounds gym. "What is going on in that head of yours?"
"Nothing." I said.
"I seriously doubt that." He answered going over to open on of the cabinet's along the wall.
"I just feel… out of place." I said.
"You're a time traveler, I thought you'd be used to it by now." Aiden said turning around. "Catch." He said throwing something at me.
I reacted quickly and caught the fencing sabre by the handle and swinging it around to test the weight.
"You still fence?" I asked.
"I've had a lot of things to work through in the past thirty years." He said. "I don't like shrinks but I do like swords."
"Have to agree with you there." I said.
"Ready when you are." Aiden said putting on his helmet.
I slipped mine on. "Engarde." I said before throwing the first move. Aiden quickly deflected and threw his own which I dodged by moving away. Aiden took a step and threw a point, which I spun out of the way of and slashed towards him but he ducked and swept my feet out from under me.
"You always leave your side open on a backhand." He said offering me his hand. I took it and stood up.
"Not always." I said before we started going at it again.
"So what's really going on in that head of yours?" Aiden asked swinging at me.
"Nothing much." I said deflecting his non-stop swings.
"You're moping." Aiden said.
"I'm thirty years ahead of my own time, with no powers, no way to get back, I left my six month old son while we were in the middle of taking down a sociopath who could potentially go after him while he's defenseless." I said swinging at him and spinning out of the way of a quickly blocking a hit he was aiming at the opening I always left. "I'm entitled to mope a bit don't you think?"
"You don't mope. You're the undying optimist, the universe tries to shit on you and you get up taller and stronger than before." He said ditching the saber and signaled for me to do the same before getting ready to spar. "So what's really bothering you?"
"Did Wren ever tell you why he prefers going to the past instead of traveling to the future?" I asked getting ready and waiting for him to throw the first punch.
"He likes seeing how much everything's changed. He likes seeing Tony," He said throwing a few punches.
"When you're in the past you're in control." I said throwing a punch and a kick that he dodged before I ducked and blocked a kick that pushed me back. "It's easy to figure out what's happening. And you know what's coming next. You know what to avoid and what not to change. You can live a pretty normal life and even help out a bit before it's time to go." I said throwing a bunch of punches and a few kicks Aiden was having a hard time keeping up. I faked him out a bit and landed a few.
"But when you're in the future, you don't have a clue and you can't interfere because when you do…" I said ducking throwing more punches.
"You learn too much about your own future." Aiden said.
"You can't do anything, you're a sitting duck just watching everyone go about their day until it's time to go. Occasionally you run into someone who will impart some wisdom but you won't understand it at the time and by the time you do it's too late. And it's even worse when you don't have a way out and you have to tip toe around everyone you know. Gramps, Peggy, the commandos and I were partners in everything we did but here I'm useless!" I said making Aiden drop his guard so I landed a strong kick that sent him flying into the wall.
"Oh!" He groaned.
"Shit." I said before running to him. "Sorry, I thought you were going to block it"
"I think something broke." Aiden said.
"Yeah the wall." I said rubbing his back as he tried to catch his breath.
"You're not useless Nora." Aiden said panting a bit.
"I sure feel like I am." I said. "I can't read or watch the news, I'm not even allowed to watch the next few seasons of game of thrones. I can't go outside unsupervised and whenever I walk into a room Friday announces my entrance so everyone can stop talking. Aya sends me to where I need to be but this was a mistake that was never supposed to happen."
"You once told me that everything happens for a reason, mistakes, accidences, it all adds up to something. I think you're here for a reason, you just can't see it yet." He said groaning a bit as he sat up. "But you're right, you being cooped up here day after day with everyone tip toeing around you isn't helping. So let's do something about that." He said trying to get up but groaning in pain.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"You may have broken one of my ribs." Aiden said clutching his side.
"Shit. Okay, Need me to call medical?" I asked. "Friday?"
"No!" Aiden said. "I need you to help me stand up. I can just wrap them tightly and take a painkiller."
"Aiden you need x-rays if they're out of place and heal wrong…" I started.
"Fine but you're doing it." He said.
"Did you sleep with someone in medical or something?" I asked.
"No they just love giving me everything through an IV." He said. "At least you give it to me without me noticing."
"Okay," I kneeled next to him and put his arm around my shoulders before pulling him up as I stood up.
"Ah, don't ever think you're useless Nora, you're anything but." He said.
"Come on let's get you checked out." I said as we walked to medical.
We walked in and I put Aiden in one of the beds.
"Friday where's the x-ray?" I asked. Instead of an answer a beam of light shot down from the ceiling and scanned Aiden.
"X-ray imaging of Mister Mathis boss." Friday answered bringing them up in a projection.
"Well you don't have any complete breaks but you do have a few cracks." I said grabbing a pen light. "Look at my finger." I waved around the pen and his pupillary responses were normal. "No dizziness?"
"No just a headache." He said.
"Okay, It doesn't look like you have a concussion but I'm gonna keep an eye on you and no driving which I doubt you're going to do with how sore you are." I said grabbing gauze to wrap his ribs. "I need you to sit up for this next part."
"Yeah." He said moving so he was sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I have to make this tight and…" I started.
"Not the first time this has happened Nora, I know the drill." Aiden said.
"Lucky you, no needles this time, non opioid painkillers should be enough." I said wrapping his ribs.
"You're going to be doing the driving today." He said handing me his keys.
"Are we going somewhere?" I asked.
"You, your grandfather, and Peggy Carter were a team and you worked well together. You even helped save the world a few times. You have more experience than anyone else when it comes to recon, technology from other worlds, espionage and you're a trained field surgeon. I do recon missions and I've been looking for a partner for a while now. You have my six and I have yours. There's no one I trust more than you to watch my back. What do you say partner?" Aiden asked.
"There's no way Bucky and Steve are gonna go for this." I said.
"Let me worry about Bucky and Steve. You don't need to know all the details to grab intel since that's the whole point so you don't have to worry about knowing too much." Aiden said.
"What about me being recognized?" I asked.
"That's what we're going to do today." He said standing up.
"Can I get a chance to shower first?" I asked.
"Might be a good idea." He said shifting uncomfortably.
After a quick shower and I changed into a flowy striped cotton peplum and some ripped jeans with some light beige booties. I finished off the look with a navy coat and a scarf just in case I needed to stay hidden later.
.
I had to re wrap Aiden's ribs before we headed out. The GPS had me drive into the city and into Brooklyn. We finally stopped at an old warehouse.
"Is this another one of your errands?" I asked not knowing why we would need to be at an old warehouse.
"Don't judge a book by its cover." Aiden said stepping out. "You coming?"
"Yeah." I said getting out and locking the car. I followed him in and the first thing that I noticed was that the interior of the building did not match the outside. The warehouse was actually an office building. We went straight to the freight elevator and headed upstairs. The second floor was a complete contrast to the first floor. Everything was bright and there was a lot of natural light. There were a few offices with glass and rail walls but for the most part everyone had free range.
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I noticed there were mannequins everywhere with different fabrics draped over them and sketches everyone had on their desks.
"Hey Sheryl." Aiden greeted.
"Mister Mathis, I didn't know you were coming in today." She said.
"It was a bit of a last minute thing, is she busy?" Aiden asked.
"You know Elle," Sheryl said cracking a smile. "Go ahead and wait in her office I'll go get her."
"Thanks Sheryl." Aiden said. Sheryl smiled and took a look at me seemingly surprised before she shook it off.
"So this is Ellie's office." I said as we walked in.
"It is, started about a year after she finished school. Took some of her trust fund and started her online boutique and its been growing since." Aiden said.
"She has her mom's eye for art." I said looking around the office. I saw a photo on the shelf behind the desk of her with Connor and an older looking Sam. I'm guessing by the tux he and Connor were wearing it was taken the day of Sam's wedding. Connor and Ellie looked to be in their late teens or early twenties. There was another one, more recent of Connor, Ellie, and Wren on a rooftop with the Brooklyn Bridge in the background.
"That's from the night Wren got his board certification." Aiden said. "Connor and Elle had to drag him out because he was convinced he hadn't passed and wanted to study for the next time he took it."
"And he ended up getting a perfect score." Elle said with a smile as she came in.
"Well the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." I said. "I hope you weren't busy."
"For family never." Elle said. "What's up?"
"We need our help, well more specifically your Aunt." Aiden said.
"Sure, what do you need?" Elle asked.
"Your aunt needs a makeover. Something so she isn't so easily recognized." Aiden said.
"How drastic were you thinking?" Elle asked.
"Enough to hide in plain sight." I said.
"Okay, I can think of a few things." Ellie said typing in something into her computer and turning the flat glass screen towards us. "Okay the things people automatically describe you with would be your hair and your eyes. We change those and change your look a bit more."
"Am I dressing like Steve when he came out of the ice to you guys?" I asked.
"Your fashion choices are very minimalistic which is classic but you just need a little more flare. Don't worry Auntie you're in good hands" Ellie reassured me before grabbing her coat. "We can take my car, since I'm sure you brought your car."
"You would be right. Actually why don't you two go on ahead I have a few things I need to take care of." Aiden said.
"You sure that's a good idea?" I asked giving him a look.
"It's not that long of a drive." He said before handing me a credit card. "Have fun."
"Come on Auntie, I know just where to go." Ellie said.
I followed her to her car where we drove off to midtown Manhattan. We showed up at a salon.
"Miss Winchester we weren't expecting you." The receptionist said surprised.
"It was a last minute thing, is Gustav in?" Ellie asked.
"He's just finishing up with a client and should be out in just a moment. Can I get you anything while you wait? Coffee, Water…" She asked very attentively.
"No we're okay thank you Shelley." Ellie said before we sat down.
"Come here often?" I asked.
"Well he's my personal hairstylist but I also hire them to work on any photo shoots or shows. Gustav is the best at what he does you are in very good hands." Ellie said.
"Hope you're right." I said noticing the curious glance the receptionist kept throwing my way.
"Elenora!" A tall man with platinum blonde and gold eyeliner said coming to greet us.
"Gustav!" Ellie greeted as they gave each other air kisses on each cheek.
"I didn't know you were coming by." Gustav said.
"It was a very last minute thing, You're not busy are you?" Ellie asked.
"For you, never." Gustav said. "And who might this be?"
"This is my… Au-friend." She corrected quickly.
"Anna Martell nice to meet you." I said offering my hand.
"Oh come here you any friend of Elle is a friend of mine." He said hugging me.
"Oh." I said surprised by the sudden affection.
"So what can I do for you two lovely ladies?" Gustav asked.
"I'm giving Anna here a makeover." Ellie started.
"How much of a makeover?" Gustav said eying me up and down.
"Full makeover, a completely new look and like she doesn't want to recognize herself when she looks in the mirror look." Ellie said.
"Hm…" He said eying me up and down. "You remind me of someone."
"I must have one of those faces." I said.
"You do get that a lot." Ellie said playing along.
"Did you do anything to your hair?" He asked.
"Nope. Dyed it a few months back but only the tips." I said.
"Ombre… how retro." He said picking up a lock of my hair to get a better look. Man I feel old.
"I have a few idea," Gustav said.
"You and Ellie are the experts, I'm in your very capable hands, and just you know don's shave my head I don't think I can pull that look off." I said making them laugh.
"Don't worry I won't hurt a single hair on that pretty head of yours." Gustav said leading us to the back. He sat me down and put a cover over me. "Just lean back, relax, and let me work my magic."
"Okay." I said resting my head back.
"So how did you two meet?" Gustav asked.
"Through Ellie's boyfriend Wren. I'm a nurse." I lied.
"Oh." Gustav said.
"Wren had a last minute surgery one day when we were supposed to have lunch and there was only one seat left at the cafeteria. Anna kept me company, we talked and that was it." Ellie said.
"How is that boyfriend of yours?" Gustav said.
"He's great. Workaholic as always." Ellie said keeping her answers short.
"What about you Anna? Any guys in your life?" Gustav asked.
"Uh… it's complicated." I said.
"Sounds like there's a story there. Soulmate or non-mate?" Gustav said.
"Uh soulmate-adjacent?" I said confused. "It's an on again off again thing."
"With your soulmate?" Gustav said.
"Like I said complicated." I said.
"Honey nothing can be as complicated as having two soulmates one of which is asexual and the other well it's been a year and I still can't figure him out." Gustav said.
"It's been like… well it feels like almost a century that I've met them and I've loved him, I've hated him, I've had him thrown into a lake, I've cried and yelled, and I still don't know what's going on." I said. "Is love really supposed to be this complicated?"
"I don't know." Gustav said reaching for a comb when I noticed his ring. It was a clock without minute or hour hands and at its center was an arc reactor symbol except the middle was a green gemstone.
"I like your ring." I said.
"Oh thank you my mom gave it to me for protection." He said. "I'm not religious but if it makes her feel better. Okay time to treat your hair, close your eyes and don't open them until I'm done, it'll make the surprise better."
"Okay." I said closing my eyes. It took over an hour while he washed my hair again and styled it before he was done.
"Wow." Ellie said. "You are the best."
"Go ahead and open your eyes." He said. I did and once I looked in the mirror I almost didn't recognize myself. My naturally wavy chocolate brown hair was gone and instead I had a short straight blonde bob. My hair that that was normally parted in the middle was now parted at the side.
"What do you think?" Gustav said.
"I'm trying to figure out of this is actually me." I said making them laugh. "I've never been blonde before, it's really bright."
"Makes your complexion lighter too." Ellie said.
"I like it. You truly are the best at what you do Gustav." I said.
"Why thank you." He said as I stood up.
"No thank you, especially for doing all of this so last minute." I said.
"Anything for Elle." He said.
"We should probably get going." Elle said.
"Right how much do I owe you?" I asked.
"Already taken care of." Elle said.
"Oh well, thank you so much and I'll be back when it's time to cover up my roots." I said.
"Uh." Gustav scoffed. "There's no way they're coming back."
"Huh?" I said confused.
"Special dye, your hair now grows that color unless you use a special shampoo to make it go back to your natural color." Ellie explained.
"Oh, well that's even better." I said.
"I expect you back for a trim." Gustav said.
"I'll be here if I can." I said. "You know how work can be."
With that we were off again.
"Where to next?" I asked.
"How about we grab a bit to eat and then we head back to the studio. We need to update your wardrobe and we just restocked the boutique's warehouse." She said.
"Sounds good. Any new food trends I need to catch up on?" I asked.
"I know just the place." She said with a smirk.
After I was pleasantly stuffed we drove back to Brooklyn and headed to the fashion closet.
"So metallic accents are really in right now along with appliques." Ellie said as we walked through the closet and she started pulling stuff out. "Also different fabrics in the same piece like leather sleeves and a wool vest coat."
"Uhuh." I said as I looked around at some of the outfits.
"You have a great figure so you could probably rock anything." Ellie said as I followed her to the fitting area. And she started pulling out some glasses from drawers. I looked around her desk and noticed there was a mannequin wearing a very familiar jacket. It was still unfinished missing a few details but I was sure it was the same coat.
"Layers will never go out of style but…" She started.
"Hey Ellie did you make this?" I asked.
"Huh. Oh! Yeah that's still a work in progress. It's for the next show. I actually got the idea from you Auntie. Your uniform from back in World War II. A good military jacket never goes out of style." Ellie said.
"No it does not." I said gently touching the fabric. "I like the gold accents."
"I'm still not done with it. I was thinking of adding frills on the shoulders but the it would look like a marching band uniform." She said.
"No that would be too much." I said agreeing. "I'm sure whatever you come up with will look great. You know I'd wear something like that."
"I set up a few outfits in the dressing room go try them on." She said.
"Okay." I said walking in.
"So what you told Gustav before about your on again off again soulmate…" Ellie said.
"Uh, well you probably know the story since you lived part of it." I said.
"I know some of it." Ellie said. "So if you wanted to talk about it…"
"Sweetie I really appreciate it but with the whole time traveling thing I don't want to push my luck here and they are your uncles there are some things you really don't need or want to know." I said.
"I know, we're been through this before with Wren just try talking to them Auntie. I don't think I've ever seen two guys love someone as much as uncles Steve and Bucky." Ellie said.
"Love was never our problem." I said coming out in the first outfit. "Fur collar on a black and blue color block tunic with an exposed zipper. I thought it would be too much but it works."
"Looks good with these booties." She said passing them to me. "You've got a perfect Fall/Winter outfit or as I like to call it any day in New York. Now make up… silver or gold eyeliner is in but you can never go wrong with the classics. What you have on right now is perfect."
"I'm not wearing any." I said.
"Seriously?" Ellie said looking closer. "Wow perfect skin and complexion. I'm kind of jealous."
"Good genes and drinking lots of water." I said.
"Elle, Sheryl said you two were back here…" Aiden said before stopping and taking a second look at me. "You're blonde…"
"Yeah, it's really bright." I said.
"You said to make her blend in and I did. Just one last thing." Elle said slipping on some glasses on me.
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"Don't you think the glasses are a bit much?" I asked.
"Tap the corner of the frame." Ellie said.
I looked at her confused but did as she said. Suddenly the glass darkened and information started popping up. Ellie's age, height and weight. I turned to Aiden and the same thing happened. I looked around and it scanned the room for all potential exits, the temperature and everything else I could possibly ever need.
"Smart glasses." I said. "Dad was working on something like this…"
"Well he did and while they're not mass produced yet Connor asked me to help with some designs to make them look better." Elle said tapping the corner so the shut off. "The other side just turns them to shades."
I tapped the opposite side and they went darker.
"I like." I said.
"Well now that you're officially unrecognizable I expect to see you a lot more around here." Elle said.
"You can count on that." I said.
"We should actually get going we have that meeting." Aiden said.
"Right." I said. "Thank you so much, you are incredibly talented."
"Aw, thanks auntie." Elle said hugging me back. "You should come over for dinner, I promise I won't even step inside the kitchen."
"I will." I said.
"Oh here." She said picking up two huge bags of clothes. "I separated them by outfit and if you want to mix and match the glasses will tell you what'll go together well."
"Who said covert spy tech and fashion don't go well together?" I said making her laugh.
"Thank you Elle." Aiden said.
"Anytime." She said before we took off. Aiden loaded everything into the car and we headed back to the compound.
"What was that errand you had to go do so urgently?" I asked.
"Eh, I'll show you later. Steve and Bucky are back from seeing Sam. So when we get back to the compound go to your room and pack up your things." Aiden said. "I'll handle Steve and Bucky."
"I thought your errand involved telling them?" I said.
"No my errand involved getting your new apartment ready so you can move today." Aiden said.
"You got me an apartment?" I said.
"Right next door to me which is going to be a selling point when I tell Steve and Bucky you're moving out." Aiden said. "You said you needed space and you were right. We're not going on any missions yet because you've been out of the field for a while and I need to whip you back into shape."
"I cracked your ribs this morning." I retorted.
"I meant other aspects of espionage. But your endurance could use some work too. No powers means you're going to have to exert yourself more now." Aiden said.
"Oh right…" I said. "It's been a while since I've been able to go out on a morning run."
"Well we're close to the park so you can take your old route like old times." He said.
"That'll be nice." I said as we pulled up to the compound.
"Meet me in the common room when you're done." Aiden said.
"Sir yes sir." I said saluting him.
We each headed out in separate directions. I walked in my room and didn't even bother to fold my clothes. I just shoved them into the duffle bag I found in the back of the closet and once it was full I picked it up and walked to the common room. No one was there yet so I turned on the glasses and started playing around with them a bit.
"ARE YOU INSANE!" Steve shouted.
"THERE IS NO DAMN WAY WE ARE LETTING YOU TAKE HER OUT OF THE COMPOUND OR THE FIELD!" Bucky shouted.
Looks like they're taking the news well…
Third Person's POV-
Aiden waited outside the door of Steve's office. He already knew how this was going to go but he knew keeping Nora locked away was doing more harm than good so he sighed before knocking on the door.
"Come in." Steve called out.
Aiden opened the door before walking in. Steve and Bucky were sitting on the couch smiling as they looked over old photos.
"Hey." Bucky greeted.
"Hey How's Sam?" Aiden asked.
"Same as ever." Steve said. "He's actually coming up for a visit at the end of the week along with Rhodey."
"Did you tell him about…" Aiden asked.
"That was the whole point of the visit." Bucky said with a sad smile. "Is she doing better?"
"She's in better spirits than she was this morning. We spared, talked a bit and then she spent the day with Elle." Aiden said.
"You left her on her own?" Steve asked.
"Relax, I kept tabs on her they just went shopping and stayed at the studio. No phantom appearances of Saint Nora will be anywhere on the news. There is something we need to talk about though." Aiden said.
"What's wrong?" Bucky said.
"I finally got Nora to tell me what's really bother her, all it took was her cracking my ribs but she talked." Aiden said.
"Are you alright?" Steve said concerned.
"I'll be fully healed by tomorrow but what's really messing up Nora is the fact that she has nothing to do." Aiden said.
"She's bored?" Bucky asked.
"More like she feels useless since she's in unknown territory and not in control. Everyone keeps making decisions for her and treating her like she's made of glass, constantly hovering over her and she feels like the walls are caving in on her." Aiden explained.
"We're doing everything we can but there's not a lot we can do. Aya said it was all up to past us and you know how hard it was to get her back." Steve said.
"I remember very clearly Steve I was there." Aiden said.
"Well actually you spent most the time in the interrogation room trying to get Abernathy to talk." Bucky corrected.
"I was still in the compound and I was updated." Aiden said. "Point is I figured out a way to not only solve Nora's issues but a problem we've been having as well?"
"Which problem?" Steve asked.
"You keep nagging me to find a partner and Nora wants to feel like she's a part of something…" Aiden started.
"You can't be serious." Steve said.
"She has experience, she's a trained surgeon and if we're being honest probably the only person that can handle working with me." Aiden said. "I got her an apartment next door to mine…"
"ARE YOU INSANE!?" Steve shouted.
"THERE IS NO DAMN WAY WE ARE LETTING YOU TAKE HER OUT OF THE COMPOUND OR THE FIELD!" Bucky shouted.
"Guys you can't keep her locked away forever. It's been a month and still no sign of that she's any closer to getting home. She needs to live her life." Aiden said.
"Are you forgetting about the fact that she's dead?" Steve whispered harshly. "How are you going to keep that hidden if she's out there? She was declared a saint by almost every church on the planet. Some people consider her a god, you really think no one's going to notice her?"
"She's a trained spy she knows how to blend in and don't you think she should get a say?" Aiden said.
"This isn't her time." Bucky said.
"But it's her life." Aiden said.
"The answer's no." Steve said.
"Good luck telling Nora that." Aiden said.
"You told her already?!" Steve shouted.
"What the hell Aiden?!" Bucky shouted.
"You know she actually predicted this was exactly how you were going to react." Aiden said. "
"Do you have any idea what would happen if she were to find out?" Steve said.
"I know very well Steve but I also know Nora, her undying optimism, her strength of character is what made her a hero to the entire universe and if you keep her here that hopelessness we've seen in her eyes the past month is going to start eating away at her and then it won't matter if she knows or not because she won't be same." Aiden said. "There's a limit to how many times she can put herself together after you break her Steve. She's been through hell, give her a win."
"No." Steve said marching out. "And I'll tell her why myself."
"You don't think he's…" Bucky started.
"Doubt it." Aiden said before they headed after him.
Nora's POV-
I was sitting in the common room reading a book about two AI's that fell in love and did everything they could to become human so they could be with each other. It was surprisingly really well written. I was so into the book I had almost forgotten about all the screaming going on down the hall. Almost.
"Steve." Bucky said.
"You know we can't let this happen Bucky." Steve said.
"I know but you need to calm down." Bucky said before he tensed. "Steve who's…"
"Uh…" He said confused. "Ma'am excuse me but may we see your clearance badge?"
"I've been here a month and now you worry about my clearance level?" I answered.
"Nora?" Steve said surprised.
"Yeah, starting to see what Aya said about you not being to observant." I said.
"You're… blonde." Bucky said.
"Yeah figured if I was going to be out in public and working undercover a change of look might be a good idea so I'm not recognizable." I said as Aiden walked in. "Ready to go?"
"That your bag?" Aiden said.
"Yup." I said.
"Doll look we understand that you're tired of being cooped up in here but going out and being in the field is too risky." Bucky said.
"I get that you're worried but it's not the first time I've been in the field and I'm not going alone." I said.
"This isn't your time." Steve said.
"Maybe but it's still my life. I can't be here watching everyone tip toe around me waiting for something that by the looks of it isn't going to happen anytime soon. I need to do something." I said.
"Then work in the infirmary. You're a great surgeon." Bucky said. "We could use someone with your bedside manner."
"I don't want to work in the infirmary. I want space. Guys you hover a lot. I'm not a kid and I'm not helpless." I said.
"We know that but the timeline…" Steve started.
"I call bullshit." I said. "If me being out in the field was a timeline issue Aya would have been here the instant Aiden suggested it and I haven't heard a peep out of her all day. The real risk is me staying here. Future me could pop in at any minute and cause a tear in the space-time continuum and as someone who's relying on the space time continuum to get back home I'm not taking that chance. I'm leaving, and I'm going out into the field with or without your approval. Let's go."
"Nora." Steve said grabbing my arm but I quickly shrugged it off.
"You know where I'll be feel free to visit." I called over my shoulder as I walked out behind Aiden.
"Nora!" Bucky called out but I ignored him and kept walking.
We got in the car and Aiden finally said something.
"That was…" he started.
"I know, it was a low blow." I said.
"I was going to say brilliant, you have any idea the shouting I could have saved myself if I have come up with that?" He said and I gave him a look. "They'll get over it."
"Maybe but I seriously doubt I will." I said.
"You want to know what the problem really is between you and Steve?" Aiden asked.
"We both lack filter?" I asked.
"You're both too stubborn." Aiden said. "The same reason you haven't gotten back together already."
"Ellie tried talking to me about it earlier. Said she's never seen anyone love someone the way Steve and Bucky love me." I said.
"She's not wrong." Aiden said.
"Love's never been our problem," I said.
"Then what is?" Aiden asked.
"Timing." I answered looking out the window at the setting sun.