Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last chapter. I appreciate all the feedback and encouragement. All of you are lovely.

This is a mixed timeline chapter, but we will begin with the beta timeline.

Conversation 66: A cross-timeline conversation that will only make sense in hindsight

Tosha: Where is your not-a-wife? The window opens in three minutes.

Tosha: Actually, where are you? Are you together? Or are you somewhere else? I do not have the energy to get you out of the vents again. I don't even have cookies to bribe you with this time.

Francis: I'm getting coffee first, but I'll be there in a minute. Laura is going to follow along from in her room because other me just emailed her, and she wants to get a response to him before the window closes.

Tosha: Smart. That way, she won't have to wait for another window.

Francis: Exactly.

Francis: Although Laura thinks that you should lead the call, not May.

Tosha: Because Phil will be giving an update?

Francis: Potentially. He is the Acting Deputy Director.

Tosha: Fine but just get in here.

Xx

Tony Stark-Rogers gamma 2018: Greetings Beta timeline. I've already seen that it's been a very busy couple of days on your side. Congratulations on figuring out the secret to cross-timeline time travel.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: For your side as well. Friday just received an 82-page report from the Princess.

Tony Stark-Rogers gamma 2018: That is less than I thought it would be. Although Ana recommends you check page 3 first.

Tony Stark-Rogers gamma 2018: It will be me, McKenzie, and the Princess today. Dr. Leopold is too far out for real-time communications. Agent is currently with the president, trying not to hit his head against a wall. Others are reading, but no one else can comment to keep things from descending into chaos.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: That is probably for the best. I'm assuming Ellis doesn't believe that Thanos is a threat?

Tony Stark-Rogers gamma 2018: Not at all, even after Coulson got kidnapped by the confederacy last week. Ellis has a call with the King tomorrow, but I doubt that will change things.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: It probably won't. Although, at least Ellis won't get dusted at a campaign rally.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Wait, the other guy did a campaign rally after Thanos did heavy damage to New York? I know the attack on New York was described in the report.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: Yes. After he ensured his property was fine, he didn't care.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Dr. Leopold really did make the right decision in keeping the Russians from interfering in the 2016 election.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Anyway, I am dropping off McKenzie to see if he can do better.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: I only met Agent Mackenzie once, so I'm not sure how persuasive he will be.

Agent Mackenzie gamma 2018: Once you read page 3, you'll understand why I am taking over. I personally think we're on our own.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: That's the Princess's consensus as well. That's why the team is relocating to Wakanda to continue work on the time travel GPS.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: Potts wants to know if you got his notes and are working on things?

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Yes, we received everything last night our time. Now that we have secured access to Pym particles, we hope to begin testing as soon as Saturday. Per Ann the details can be found on page 18 of the report. The Princess has the lead.

Princess gamma 2018: My team in Wakanda are creating the necessary components to attempt time travel. Once everything is assembled, we will do a trial run. As the Director said, we should be ready by Saturday.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: That's sooner than we thought.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: We were on the same track. We just needed to fine-tune slightly.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: Have you secured any additional [redacted]?

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: You really do have strict security.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: We do, but I understand what you mean. We have three in our custody. Of the remaining three, we know where to go to get one when the time comes. Unlike everyone else, this guy is on our side and not hostile.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: OK, he's an asshole but definitely willing to help.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: I assume you are referring to Dr. Strange?

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Yes. We're working on the other two and may have something soon. Although I feel like Team Asgard will be more successful than Team Guardians.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: Rocket is disappointed you doubt him.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: We're paying him in precious metal, so I have reason to doubt him.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: Rocket would like me to pass on that his team is good at what they do, and we'll get you the [redacted].

Tony StarkRogers gamma 2018: We will see. With us having our hands on that many "ring pops," we need to get them out of this timeline. Otherwise, we will have to use alpha timeline Tony's idea, and I would like to survive this apocalypse. I have a wedding that I really want to have. I've already changed names.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023:?

Princess gamma 2018: Check out page 24 of my report. Essentially, we found another variant. This one is a Steve Rogers. His timeline also fought Thanos and lost.

Tony Stark-Rogers gamma 2018: But they eventually beat him by getting the ring pops and using them against Thanos. It just killed me in the process.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: You'll need to take the purple one out.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: I'm well aware of that. And I doubt it will be as easy as chopping off his head this time.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: Definitely more complex than that, especially if he gets his hands on any of the stones. But at least you now realize to go for the head.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: I have given orders to always go for the head.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Any additional information you have regarding the battles, please pass it to us. We need to know more about his fighting style and his allies.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: We will put something together. Nebula already passed some additional background regarding her former father. We will add anything else missing and push it through as soon as we can.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Thank you.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: Other than your long executive report, what else have you sent through?

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: It's not that long.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: 82 pages with 12 attachments.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: OK, maybe it is long.

Tony Stark-Rogers gamma 2018: Is my sponsor on this call? I have yet to hear Laura say anything. I'm hoping that we could have 5 minutes. Both sides seemed smart enough to pre-write out the important stuff so we don't have to quibble over little things.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: She received a letter from her husband and decided it was best to respond immediately. We also decided it was best that you only spoke to me. Otherwise, Tony would bombard you with questions about the other variant.

Tony Stark-Rogers gamma 2018: I have already received them because we can do multiple conversations. Which means you can send me to a breakout room with Laura. Other me, read the report and then ask more questions. Really are you surprised Steve created another timeline just to make sure we didn't die? We really are hopeless in every timeline.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: Extremely hopeless.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: You know, don't you? Someone skipped ahead to page 3.

Natasha Romanoff beta 2023: Know what?

Friday: Agent Laura Barton is aware of the loss of your teammate, but no one else outside of former Agent Barton. I will connect her to you now for a private conversation.

Xxxx

"Clint, what is he talking about?" Natasha said, turning to her friend.

"Seriously, Friday, did you have to tell them that?" Clint glared at the ceiling.

"I did not give the name of the teammate who died." The AI explained. Clint was still annoyed.

"Because you asked me not to speak, I have a good idea of who was lost. How did I die in the other timeline?" May asked.

"To get the soul stone, you must be willing to sacrifice someone you love. Apparently, sacrificing yourself also meets the qualifications. She iced Consultant Fitzsimmons and Agent Leopold before jumping off the cliff herself." Clint explained.

"Fuck." At least six different people said that simultaneously, including Natasha. Unfortunately, she had to continue her conversation with the other timeline. Although at least she was talking to the Princess now, and they focused on coordinating the test for Saturday.

Xxxxx

Tony Stark-Rogers gamma 2018: So I heard that you know. And because we were so efficient in passing everything to the other timeline, we had some time left for me to talk to you.

Tony Stark-Rogers gamma 2018: OK, and the AIs have figured out how to do multiple conversations with different groups. We're in a breakout room right now. I assume the princess is now talking science with my counterpart.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: Is this off the record?

Tony Stark-Rogers gamma 2018: A version of it will be on the record, but Ana will alter things. Agent is in a situation room with the president right now, so it's not a problem.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: How are you doing?

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Not the best. I ended up holding a bottle of Jack for a good 15 minutes before Steve found me. And that's before we found out about May.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023:?

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: So you know the comic book artist responsible for most of the Pre-2000s captain America comic books is a Steve Rogers variant.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: I still need clarification about that. I got a little in my letter.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: I was there and I'm still very confused.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: In another timeline, the Avengers lost because they were fighting like toddlers. It was even worse because Steve and Tony never mend fences. Not even in a babysit each other's kids type of way. At least the beta timeline idiots have play dates with their kids. Of course that Steve didn't have children but whatever. Maybe the family K didn't dust in that timeline.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: In their timeline, Natasha threw herself off the cliff to get the ring pop. Other Tony snapped his fingers to make the purple prick disappear for good. Both ended up dead for their good deeds. When he was putting the ring pops back in their original timeline, the Steve that would eventually become Grant Roth decided to take a detour to 1948? To make a better timeline. Although the only thing he succeeded in was making sure Howard would be cool with a pansexual son and keeping Uncle Daniel alive until the 80s. Although I'm positive Howard would have fainted at the sex tape.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: If he was still alive at that point, the sex tape wouldn't have happened.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: At least not with Ty. That whole relationship was a grief reaction. Along with too much cocaine.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: Honestly, I think your dad would've made anybody disappear who tried it.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Probably. I'm still convinced Aunt Peggy was responsible for the broken hand that Ty ended up with a week after the tape came out. The two of them, together with mom, would've been dangerous. Also, Jarvis would have been the getaway driver.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: Did you drink any of that bottle?

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: No. Steve got to me first. I was getting ready to unscrew the cap when Steve texted me. I don't want to get drunk because I would be letting May down. But after this, I will need to check in somewhere for a little while.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: Me too. The other reason why I didn't want to be with the others right now is I couldn't take the smell of the beer Thor is drinking. Thankfully it's making me wanna throw up.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: That's better than making you want to drink.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: Seeing beta May will do that.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Definitely.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: We will get through this, and then we will cry.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: And do at least a two-week rehab program.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: I want a whole month. But I have to at least get through the semester before leaving the kids again. I hate being away from them right now.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: I promise all the kids are being looked after.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: Good to know. I wrote letters to everyone, including two to my husband. I want to write a condolence letter to Phil, but I don't want him to find out via my letter if it gets sent to him immediately.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: You should hold off a little bit. Simmons is bringing the kids down to DC. They don't know why they're stopping in DC before heading to Wakanda.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: So, you will tell everybody together?

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Everybody on the East Coast doesn't know yet. We considered recalling Daisy since she is actually with Robbie right now, but May would be mad at me if I pulled her off the mission.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: Probably.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: So, we will make sure Loki's favorite toy is secured before I bring her back to cry a lot. Joey agreed to join team Asgard in her place. Yo-Yo is willing to go too.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Or potentially quake every bone in my body in anger. You remember how we met in person for the first time.

Agent Laura Barton of gamma in beta 2023: She definitely did not do well with losing Lincoln. So it's probably best to wait until a safer time to let her know about May. And maybe you should have Suarez or Cruz there.

Tony Stark Rogers gamma 2018: Good call.

Xxxx

"I brought you tea," Steve said as he knocked on the door to May's room.

She left after they found out that her gamma counterpart died for the soul stone. Steve couldn't blame her. Steve wonders if the super serum was the only thing that kept him from throwing up. The thought of May being gone in any timeline makes him sick.

"Thank you. You can put it on the coffee table." Melinda opened the door to allow him inside. Technically, this was still his room, but he hadn't stepped inside since she asked for a divorce. He decided to move elsewhere and let her keep this place. Somehow his clothes found their way into his new room in Tony's wing of the compound.

"Has the text message window ended with the other timeline?" Melinda asked.

"Just a couple of minutes ago. When gamma Stark-Rogers talked to Laura; Tony, Natasha and the Princess worked out details for the tests. Thanks to being able to scan the time GPS unit from Grant Roth, they have a better idea of what we need to do. It should take them only about 24 hours to prepare the monolith infused Pym particles.

"Do you understand what that means?" Melinda asked.

"Not at all, but Tony and Simmons do."

"I didn't think she was at the meeting?"

"She was reading along from her room. We decided it was best for her not to be around Thor this early in her recovery. That's how the AIs figured they could do multiple conversations and feeds," Steve explained.

"I'm glad they were able to do that. I don't know what's worse, Thor openly drinking beer during the middle of a meeting or Simmons having a water bottle filled with vodka."

"Probably the water bottle of vodka because she was trying to cover up the drinking. It seems like being a functional alcoholic would be worse." Steve responded.

"Probably." Melinda sighed before taking a drink of the tea. It was her favorite blend. The one she kept a secret stash of that only she and Steve were aware of.

"I don't want to ask if you're OK because

finding out you died in another timeline is hard. Especially when you're wondering why it happened."

"I know why. Gamma May wanted to bring Daisy back to me. And she wanted to keep Natasha with her Daisy. And maybe she didn't want to watch somebody else she loves die for the greater good. I know I don't want to go through that again." May's voice was filled with sorrow.

"You seem sure that's what happened," Steve commented.

"There's a lot you're willing to do for your children, even if it's another version of that child from a different universe," Melinda explained.

"I understand that." Steve stated as he made his way back to the door. "I will just let you enjoy the tea."

"Make sure I get the notes from Potts for the part of the meeting I missed. I feel like there's a lot I don't get yet." She called out to him as he was leaving

"I will," Steve promised as he shut the door.

To be continued…