Lost in Time

Forty-Nine

Tony had double checked everything, and had Dr Cho run a second set of tests along with Friday. He had to be sure that Elle was ok. After the meeting on the helicarrier, which Fury wanted a rundown of what happened, the guy didn't seem surprised at all, and Tony knew then, Fury knew of Elle. They all still had questions, which Loki assured that he would answer as best he could, once they had returned to the tower.

Glancing out the window of his lab, and down to the rest of them on the main floor, Tony had no idea as to what to say or do. Barton and Loki were up here with him, but his eyes strayed to Barnes, who was sitting forward on the couch, drinking something that may help to take the edge of or drown him in his despair.

'I told you not to speak of this!..'.. Lokis angry voice behind him, snapped Tony out of his thoughts. Turning, he saw Loki tower over Barton, anger radiating off the guy... 'You had no right!..'

'I had no right?..'.. Barton shouted back... 'You say she's my daughter, so that gives me every right!..'

'Whoa..'... Tony got between them, shoving them apart as best he could... 'You two, back up and settle down. Elle wouldn't want this..'

Barton scoffed at him... 'As if you know what she wants. She's not your kid..'

'And she's not yours either..'.. Tony snapped at him, shutting Loki and Barton up... 'This Elle..'.. Tony pointed to the bed... 'Is a product of the shit she went through. Things, that haven't happened for yet, so her father is a different Barton, not you..'.. Tony pointed at him... 'They've already had their relationship, she grew up with her own father. You may share DNA, but dont take that away from her, she's already lost enough..'

Loki let out a breath... 'Stark is right. You and the father she had, are the same but you're different. You have a chance to be there for your own daughter, and what I know of you..'.. Loki nodded to Barton... 'You can ensure that your daughter Lila, does not grow up to be like Elle..'

'I don't even know how to phrase this..'.. Clint ran a hand over his face... 'Am I that bad of a father? Will be? Or was that bad?..'... He threw his hands up... 'I don't know..'

'None of us know. Look..'.. Loki stepped forward... 'Elle is situated and safe here. We go downstairs and I will explain it all as best I can to everyone..'

'I can't believe the words are coming out of my mouth, but I agree with him..'.. Tony jerked a thumb to Loki... 'Cho, you got this, right?..'.. He leaned slightly, looking past Barton and to the woman who was checking Elle over.

'Yes, Mr Stark..'.. She have a small smile... 'If anything changes, or she wakes, I will have Friday notify you..'

Tony nodded, and gestured for the two to follow him out of the lab, and down the stairs. Pepper got to him first, hugging him tightly... 'How is she?..'.. She asked, moving to his side, rubbing his back.

'No change, but Friday says there is brain activity. We just need to give her time..'.. Tony kissed the side of her head... 'Let's sit down. Lokis going to explain..'
Everyone moves to the couches, but Loki remains standing.

'Alright..'.. Loki took a breath... 'I understand this will be had to hear, but I will tell you what I know..'.. And he began. He explained how they met, and what had happened for him to be here on earth. The missions they did together, and what Elle wanted to change up to this point. He did leave out certain points, such as Coulson being alive and his team, Loki wasn't sure if he should say. He went on to tell them about Elle explaining who Jaces father was, her time in Asgard, and how she had saved his mother. The stones she had locked away, and about what he knew of her life, before she came to this time.