Stuck in The Multiverse

Chapter 2 - A rather lively first day

A moment later, Natasha comes back with clothes. A black tank top, matching sweat pants and a grey hoodie. "That's all I could find," she tells me, "the hoodie might be a little big but I don't wear those so I had to...well...borrow some, we'll say."

I thank her. "What do you mean by 'borrow some', I don't want someone to think I stole something."

"You'll be fine, don't worry all the time, I know he wouldn't mind," she retorts, "plus, you don't really have a choice, it's quite cold in there."

"Oh gosh, I swear I'll blame you if someone comes at me," I joke, well, almost.

"Yeah, whatever you say, I gotta go, see ya!" And with that, she leaves. Like that. No explanations, no nothing. I really hope that I won't be in trouble because of her. Well, it truly is really freezing in here and quite frankly I'm already in trouble so it's not as if it would change much.

I turn around to see if I can hide behind something to change. I'm not the exhibitionist type and I'm pretty sure Stark has some sorts of cameras in here. I'm, for sure, not gonna give him a free peepshow. I see a bed and a blanket. It'll have to do. I get up, take the blanket and wrap it around me, undress and put quickly back on the clothes Natasha gave me. She was right, the hoodie is way too big. I have to roll the sleeves twice and it still gives me sweater paws. The owner of this must be huge. I mean, I'm only 5'3 but it's at least three times my size.

A few hours later I have lost track of time. I could have been waiting for either two hours or six, I don't know. Suddenly as my stomach rumble one more time, the door opens and Natasha walks in with a food tray.

"I'm bringing you lunch," she exclaims, "you should thank me I prevented Stark from cooking, it wouldn't have been edible, the man can't cook for its life." We both laugh.

"Thank you, Natasha, you're my saviour, I am forever in your debt," I state theatrically. She chuckles before continuing, "wait before thanking me, it might not be that good."

She takes the plate from the tray and passes it to me. It's simple but it's perfectly cooked and surprisingly it's my favourite meal, pasta and salmon.

"It's my favourite dish, I hope you like it," she tells me shyly. "No way, that's my favourite too," I squeal, "that's so surprising."

She smiles as I start eating, "you made quite an impression this morning I may say."

"Why," I ask, still eating.

"Well Clint was so troubled he left right after we put you in this cell, and trust me it doesn't happen often, I've already seen him go through worse and he hadn't been this shaken." I don't say a thing as she shifts in her seat. "Stark hasn't left his office also since, so it's fair to say that I'm quite alone right now," she giggles.

"How come? Aren't you like ten or something in here," I tilt my head.

"Pff, they are all over the place right now, Thor and Loki, the gods, are on Asgard for duty, Wanda, our witch, is in Europe with Vision," she suddenly looks sad, "the Hulk is in Seoul and our dear soldiers, do-gooders, are on a mission with–" she wiggles her eyebrows–" Little Bug Man." She lifts her head back up and I can see the hurt in her eyes for a brief second before she adds more playfully, "but, sush, don't ask me what mission, it's top-secret, oh and I almost forgot, the kid is at school, not that we get along very well but he is quite entertaining to watch."

"Well, if you want we can discuss, it's not like I have much to do in here as well," I say comfortingly, "I would very much like to learn to know you." I smile at her.

"Why not," she agrees, "you could, that way, explain to me how you ended up here." She lifts her eyebrow.

"To tell the truth, I don't even know myself, all I can remember is suddenly appearing in your living room and the next second Barton is pointing his bow at me."

"Tony is gonna ask you too, you know, I understand that you want to keep it secret, but it could cause you some problems."

I know that I can't tell her that, from where I am, they all are comic books and movie characters. No one would believe me. The only one who might be able to understand is Dr Strange but I suppose they don't know where he is and it would sound suspicious to ask.

"Well, if you've finished eating I will take that back," she continues. I can feel she's upset I didn't tell her anything.

"Natasha, I really don't-"

"See you tonight, I'll try to bring you dinner," she replies sharply before leaving.

I know she's upset and to be honest, I am not happy with myself too. Natasha was the only one to not be as cold and now I hurt her. I'm off to a great start! I think about what she told me, Stark is gonna ask questions that's for sure, because behind his sarcasm and his I-don't-give-a-fuck attitude he is really discerning. Fuck, in what mess am I.

I try to recollect my memories. Go backwards, Inès, go backwards. I was in the Avengers living room, just before I was, I was, damn it. I know I come from a place where they are fictional, and I have lived my whole life there, but I can't remember how I ended up here. The more I try to cast my mind back to it the more I feel it escapes me. Like if I was to keep water with my hand. I start to have a headache thinking of about it. I wonder what time it is?

"6 pm, Miss."

I'm startled by the voice before recognising the AI. I must have thought aloud. "F.R.I.D.A.Y.?"

"Indeed Miss."

"You scared me, are you in the cells too?"

"I'm sorry Miss, and to answer your question, I am yes, one of my duties is also to watch prisoners."

"Oh, yeah, I suppose it makes sense," I mutter. Stark really did think of it all. Well considering Natasha is not gonna talk to me anymore might as well talk with F.R.I.D.A.Y.. "Can you play music in my cell F.R.I.D.A.Y.?"

"I'm allowed to, yes, what would you like Miss?"

"No need to call me Miss F.R.I.D.A.Y., please call me Inès, and do you know Dynasty by MIIA," I ask.

"Yes Miss, I'll play that."

"Thank you very much F.R.I.D.A.Y., oh, and after that, you can play what you'll want."

I sing along the whole song, and another one, and another until I lose count. I eventually stop singing at one moment and just chill on the bed, talking about anything and everything with F.R.I.D.A.Y.. We discuss literature, science and F.R.I.D.A.Y. even tell me about the news. While explaining to me the complexity of a piece of theatre, she abruptly stops and I turn around. Natasha is standing at the entrance of the room carrying a tray like at lunch. She smirks before declaring, "I'm bringing you dinner."

"Thank you, Natasha."

"I see that you've learned your way around F.R.I.D.A.Y."

"Yeah...well...I had a good scare at first but now we're good, aren't we F.R.I.D.A.Y?"

"Yes, Miss Inès. May I add, Miss Romanoff, that M. Stark is looking for you."

"Well I guess it's my cue then, I will let you eat. Bye, Inès!"

"See you, Natasha."

I take the tray she left. Tonight it is pizza it seems. I eat the food silently and think. How long are they gonna keep me here? I mean Stark had the whole day to look at whatever information he collected on me. I guess he still wants to ask me questions. My dinner is finished so I head to bed. It isn't too uncomfortable and I only slightly shiver under the blanket. As I feel myself drift off to sleep I remember, "F.R.I.D.A.Y. I wanted to tell you I had a great day conversing with you, thank you for keeping me company."

"A pleasure, Miss." And with that, I am completely asleep.