Ice Princess

42

Melinoe had gotten no sleep that night, dawn was breaking and the kitten had fallen asleep in her lap as she talked with her father. So many things were making sense now. Quickly, she changed into some athletic gear and went out for a run around the lake, but went around where her shrine was. Really, she would have to talk to someone about taking it down. It made her feel uncomfortable that it was still there. Perhaps Rocket could make an accident happen, she thought coming back to the compound. Coming back, she showered and dried her hair, still in a robe, she chose something that could be worn at the lab if she really was to go back to work or at least for searching the internet for a job. Maybe they'd let her stay until she got a place of her own. The kitten followed her around the apartment.

"Don't worry, little one. I'll think of something for you." She bent down and filled the cat's bowls with water and food. "Some toys would be nice for you as well. I'll see what I can find or make today."

Melinoe made her way towards the kitchen. Usually by dawn everyone would be up, but it was unusually quiet. Then she heard the various snores combing from the living room area, the tv was playing static. Each one was sleeping in a different position of disarray. They were like puppies. But, Love shouldn't see her father passed out like this on the couch. Looking over the bodies, Sam wasn't there. And he went home shortly after Matt did. She hoped he was following his normal schedule when he was at the compound. The workout room. She scurried her way down to it, thankful he was predictable.

"Sam?" She called as she entered. "Can you help me with something?"

"Well, it's the pint-sized princess. What can I help you with?"

"That's not even close to being accurate." She crossed her arms in front of her her trying to be serious but laughed any way. "Most of the guys are passed out upstairs in the living room. I was wondering if you could at least help me move Thor to his rooms so Love doesn't see."

"I thought you could woo woo them?"

"I can only do that for myself."

"What Wong and Strange didn't give you a sling ring, revoke your magicians card?"

"Since I can do it for myself, they didn't feel I needed one. I'll be sure to ask him next time I see him. Please, Sam, no little girl deserves to see her father like this."

"Ok. I'll be up in a second. What about Banner?"

"Apparently, he had some of what Thor was serving up and was all humanned out. I could probably get him and Bucky to their rooms but Thor's a big guy."

"Don't let the others hear that. I'll be up in a second."

They got Thor into his room just as Love was coming out.

"Pancakes! How about pancakes for breakfast?!" She told her, trying to distract Love from her father's door.

"But daddy said that we were going to have cake for breakfast." Love pouted.

"He did? Let's see if anything is left." Melinoe mouthed sorry to Sam who got Bruce to a room, but left Bucky out in the living area, not that Melinoe would know because she was already in the kitchen trying to find the rest of the cake. "I'm sorry Love, I didn't see any cake left anywhere. Would you like pancakes?"

"No, can I have a smoothie?" Love asked.

"Ok, what would you like in it?" Melinoe began getting out a selection of fruit and some veggies.

"Vegetables, yuck."

"I can put them in there and magically make it taste like they aren't in there at all. Deal?"

"I guess so." Melinoe started putting things in and started up the blender.

"Here, take a sip and tell me what you think?" She handed Love a small glass of smoothie.

"It's really good, much better than Daddy makes, he just throws everything in." Melinoe started to make more when Bucky stumbled and staggered in.

"Who the he... Oh, good morning Love." Bucky topped what he was about to say because Love was there.

"Do you want something? Smoothie, bacon, eggs, pancakes, fresh toast, oatmeal. Kim-chi?" She said the last one and he looked like he was about to turn green and groaned. She placed a big cup of black coffee in front of him. "Do you need tail of the dog?"

"Eewww, Uncle Bucky you really aren't going to eat a dog's tail are you?" Love asked.

"No." He was gruff but trying. Melinoe took pity on him and didn't use the blender again. Instead, she busied herself and make toast and set it out for him. He looked so miserable. Sausages, bacon, eggs various ways, pancakes, French toast, biscuits and gravy, she set out a widespread.

"Damn, if we knew you could cook, we wouldn't have let you go before." Sam said earning a smack upside his head from Bucky, who now was attempting to make himself a plate. "At least not so easily." Sam had to duck as Bucky threw a biscuit at him hitting him, but he caught it before it hit the floor and bit into it. "Mmmm, so good."

"It is good, thank you." Bucky mumbled. Melinoe refilled his coffee and sat oranges juice out for him as well.

"You need to get your sugars up to prevent the headache." She told him.

"Doctor's orders?"

"They can be, but I doubt you'll follow them." She smiled at him. "Make me happy, drink the orange juice." He did.

"I never got this sort of service when I was hungover." Both of them glared at Sam.

"How come your not?" Bucky asked. "And you had more than enough to drink at the match and the bar beforehand."

"It's not Maclellan's." She shrugged. "Perhaps, I got an upgrade?" She laughed but both men looked at each other, then at her and she stopped.

"When Bruce wakes up, you're getting a full work up and then we're quizzing Thor to see if this is even possible." Bucky said sipping his coffee.

"You're serious." Her eyes held surprise in them. "And what if there is nothing wrong with me except a higher tolerance?"

"What's a tolerance?" Love asked.

"I'll explain later." Melinoe told her. "Can't I just have one normal day? No, grandmother mad at me for who I am or being exiled from my parents and their home for a thousand years. Just one normal day. And today was going so nicely." She started cleaning the dishes up and putting things away. When she was finished, she made her way down to the lab. God, they were idiots, they didn't take out any of her passwords or anything. Melinoe began to answer emails and reviewing projects.