Lost in Time

Twenty-Six

Elle chuckled, watching the two of them from the mirror dimension. Tony was slouched back on the chaise, talking over what happened with Killian, while Banner looked fed up on the couch... 'So, you heard none of it?..'.. Tony sighed disappointedly, while doc clearly wanted to get out of there.

'I'm sorry, I'm not that kind of doctor, I'm not a therapist..'.. Banners tired plea had Elle shaking her head... 'Its not my training..'.. He sat forward.

'So?..'..

'I-I don't have the-..'..

'What? The time?..'.. Tony cut him off, pouting.

'Temperament..'.. Banner sighed. Elle decided to step out, while Tony continued his little rant.

'You know what? Now that I think about it-..'..

'Tony..'.. Elle knew she just made them both jump as she appeared in front of the two of them.. 'Give it a rest. Doc looks like he'd rather take a concrete dive right now than listen to you prattle on..'.. Elle smiled at Banner, seeing relief in his face... 'Sorry about him doc, I'll handle him..'

'Not even going to ask where you've been..'.. Tony sat up... 'But I'm guessing you're here for something..'

'Its always something Tony, don't you know by now..'.. Elle chuckled... 'I've also come to tap in, and let doc have a break from you..'.. Elle jerked her head to the door... 'If you want to run, go now while you have the chance..'.. She winked at Bruce, who quickly got up, and headed to the door... 'Oh, and doc?..'.. He turned back to her... 'Jarvis will call you back shortly, want to talk to you about something..'

'Uh, ok..'.. Bruce looked between them, and then slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him.

Elle huffed out a little breath and took the seat doc had left... 'So, how's things going your end?..'

'You actually here to talk, or..?..'.. He turned to face her.

'Talk, updates, catch up. Whatever you want to call it..'.. Elle watched him... 'Rhodey knows, only the same as what I first told you, and I proved it to him..'.. She saw shock flit across his face... 'I decided to tell him the basics, because he was already looking into me. Last thing we need is anyone finding out the truth..'.. She sighed... 'He can't say anything about it to you, even if he wanted to..'

'What do you mean? And why Rhodey?..'.. He asked, watching her.

'He physically can't talk about it, to anyone but me. If you told him, or tried to talk to him about it, he'd forget instantly..'.. She looked down at her hands.

'You did something to him, didn't you?..'.. She could hear the irritation in his voice.

'Yes. Look Tony, I know this isn't ideal..'.. She looked back up at him... 'But it's a way of protecting him too. I can talk about it to him, in front of you, but the moment I'm gone, he'll forget he even knew in the first place..'

'Damn it Elle..'.. Tony ran his hand over his face... 'Having someone else knowing, I'd have someone else to talk to about it all..'.. He shifted and laid back down, shaking his head.