The Girl Out of Time

Chapter 41

Before we knew it most of the team was at the complex. Nat had left to find Clint while Rocket and Bruce went to get Thor. Sarah and I worked on packing our bags so we could go stay with Pepper and Morgan for a few days. We didn't know what was going to happen so it was best I got Sarah somewhere safe.

"Take the car. You two be safe." Steve said handing me the keys.

"We'll be fine. Watch your back out there Stevie." I told him softly.

He hugged me tightly then kissed the top of my head. He turned to Sarah then picked her up in a bear hug.

"Watch out for your mommy for me." He told her with a smile.

"I will" she beamed a smile at him.

He sat her feet back on the floor. We turned to leave when Sarah suddenly turned back to Steve.

"Are you going to get my daddy?" She asked him.

He gave her a small sad smile. I watched him kneel in front of her and gently grab her hands in his.

"I'm going to do everything I can to bring your daddy home. I don't know if it will work but know that I'm going to try everything I can." Steve told her in a serious voice.

He hugged her again then kissed the top of her head just as he had done for me. We both waved goodbye then went to the car. The ride to the cabin was quiet. Sarah had never looked so lost in thought before. She stared out the back window chewing on her lip. It was moments like this I wish I could read minds.

When we pulled up to the cabin Pepper and Morgan were sitting on the porch. Morgan was running to the car the moment I opened my door. I helped Sarah get unbuckled then let her go play with Morgan as I got our bags.

"Let me help." Pepper said as she took one of the bags from me.

"Thank you" I told her softly.

"It's no problem Willow." She smiled at me.

"Really Pepper, thank you for letting me bring Sarah here." I told her seriously.

"It wasn't a hard decision. You're apart of the family plus I know Morgan's going to love having another kid around at least for a little bit." Pepper chuckled.

"I think Sarah will also enjoy that." I laughed.

Pepper showed us to the guest room then left us to settle in. I put our things away while I sent Sarah to go play. I sat on the edge of the bed.

"Please let this work." I whispered to the empty room.

I took a few minutes to just sit there in silence and clear my head. Once I felt a little better I made my way downstairs to find Pepper on the couch with a glass of wine in her hand and another on the table. I silently sat down beside her.

"I thought you could use this." She said quietly handing the second glass to me.

"Thanks" I chuckled.

I took a slow sip as I watched the fire crackle.

"Do you think this is going to work?" I asked her suddenly.

"Tony seemed extremely confident about figuring out time travel." She said with a small smile.

"God, time travel" I said in astonishment.

Pepper chuckled.

"It's certainly a strange world we live in but if I know anything I know the look that was on Tony's face. Every time I've seen that look he's achieved success." She smiled.

"That actually eases my worries." I chuckled softly.

"I truly hope this goes the way you want. I pray you get James back both for you and for Sarah. I'm sure it's been hard without her dad." Pepper said softly.

"It has been hard without James but I was lucky enough to have Steve. He stepped in without even being asked to. From day one he was there helping me do anything and everything when it came to Sarah. I know he loves her like his own daughter." I told her as I watched the fire.

"I'm glad you had him. I couldn't imagine raising Morgan alone." She sipped her wine.

The sound of the girls laughing and playing echoed into the room. Just listening to it made me smile. Pepper seemed to feel the same way.

"It is nice to hear those two laughing like that." Pepper said in almost a whisper.

I nodded in silent agreement. The two of us sat on the couch sipping our wine and listening to those two girls laughing. It was one of the better moments I've had in the past five years.

The next day Happy arrived at the cabin with a message. Pepper and I met him on the porch so we could keep the girls from listening.

"They did it. They got the stones but now it seems Thanos from the past has caught wind of them. It's probably going to get messy." Happy told us.

"I have to help them." Pepper said frantically.

"What about Morgan?" I asked her.

"I won't let anything happen. I'll come home to her but they need all the help they can get." Pepper told me.

"Then I should go too." I told her.

She paused as if debating it.

"You probably should but I'm going to ask something very selfish. Please stay here. Stay with those girls and Happy. If, god forbid, we all get wiped out they're gonna need you." Pepper looked completely serious.

I nodded. I watched her hurry back into the house most likely to tell Morgan. Once she left it was just me and Happy alone with the girls.

"Any ideas on how that fights gonna go?" I asked trying to make conversation.

"I'd like to think it will end in our favor but considering what happened the last time I don't have high hopes." Happy said quietly.

I took the spot of Pepper that night to tuck Morgan into bed. I sat on the edge of the bed as I tucked the blanket around her.

"When will my mommy and daddy be home?" She asked me.

"I hope they will be home soon sweet heart." I told her softly.

"Mommy" Sarah's voice came from the doorway.

"Yes baby" I said looking up at her.

"Can I stay in here with Morgan tonight?" Sarah asked quietly.

Morgan seemed to perk up at that.

"Can she?" Morgan asked excitedly.

I smiled at both girls.

"I don't see why not." I gestured for Sarah to come in the room.

I moved so Sarah could climbed next to Morgan in the bed. I tucked the blanket over both of them.

"Get some sleep you two I'm right down the hall if you need anything." I whispered.

I kissed each girl on the forehead then switched off the lamp.

"Goodnight" I said softly then closed the door.

That night was the longest one of my life. I laid in bed trying to sleep but all I could do is imagine Thanos wiping out all of the heroes. All of the people I know and love being turned to dust. Sometime late in the morning I got up to go downstairs. To my surprise Happy was still awake and sitting on the couch.

"Can't sleep either?" I asked as I sat next to him.

"Not even a little bit." He grumbled.

He handed me a bottle. I took it without even looking at what it was. I knew it was alcohol and that's all I needed to know. I took a large gulp of it hissing at the burn.

"What do we do if they don't come back?" I asked quietly.

"Then we'll have to get use to being parents together for those two little girls." He said simply.

"Let's hope they all come home." I said then took another drink.

"Agreed" Happy grumbled.