Lost in Time

Thirty-Three

Elle had changed her appearance, and her clothes. Banner knew her as Tonys goddaughter, Thor knew a little more, Sam met her a few times, but even that was a different look. The rest, they'd only met her once, and she didn't want to bring too much attention to herself. Tapping her foot slightly, she waited for Tony to bring them up, so the two could discuss it with the team. She came at 9am, like she said, then her and Tony going over their story, making sure it was tight, so there wouldn't be any suspicion. She hated that she had lied to him, about Bucky, but she had already lived through it once, when he knew the truth, she didn't want there to be a falling out again.

Glancing to the door behind her, that held Tonys private lab, she felt her anxiety lessen slightly, and relief start to seep in. She was getting closer to saving him. Hearing the elevator stop on the floor, she dropped her arms and stood straight, ready for them. When the doors opened, she smiled, as they stepped out... 'Thank you for this meeting, Mr Stark..'.. She slipped into her new persona, and Tony smirked at her.

'No problem Miss Collins..'.. Tony gave her a nod, with her fake name. They all came to a stop in front of her, while Tony moved to her side... 'Look, I know I said I'd explain things, but this is important. I didn't keep this from any of you, for any other reason than safety. I had to, we had to..'.. Tony gestured between him and her... 'Until we could save him..'

'Stark, I have no idea what you're talking about, and I'm sure they..'.. Nat jerked a thumb to the guys... 'Don't either. Who are you talking about?..'

'Mr Stark, Tony..'.. Elle nodded to him... 'Was given a case of his father's belongings, from his time in SHIELD a few years ago. In the case, he had files, and he found something hidden in them..'

'A lot of strange writings, but I worked it out..'.. Tony continued on... 'It was a location, that no one knew but him. Miss Collins here, is an investigator, and quite knowledgeable, came highly recommended actually. I didn't want to being attention to the location, so I asked her to check it out for me. She found something, well, someone..'.. Tony glanced to Rogers.

'Perhaps we best show them..'.. Elle turned to Tony and he nodded... 'Follow us please..'.. She headed to the door behind her, and waited while Tony unlocked it. They all filed in, as the lights flicked on, and she stepped to the side.

'What the hell is that?..'.. She heard Sam ask.

'That's a cryo chamber..'.. Doc said, and she gave him a smile.

'It is. I found someone, at Howard Starks hidden location. There were files, and items, but this was by far the most interesting. I read the files on him, and found out that he had been captured by Hydra, many years ago. After SHIELD was founded, they managed to get him out, but unfortunately by then, he had his memory wiped a few times, conditioned to be their weapon. Tortured, abused..'.. Elle sighed, looking over to the chamber... 'Howard didn't have the capability, to break the conditioning to get him back to himself, so he kept him in cryo. I don't think Howard expected him to be in it for so long..'.. She looked back at the team... 'Tony here, he did it. For the last few months, he's been working on this in secret. He didn't tell any of you, anyone really, just in case it didn't work..'

Nat walked over, and wiped at the glass, looking at the person in side... 'Oh my god..'.. She whipped around to Rogers... 'I think you should see..'