Lost in Time

Fifty-One

Tony let out a breath, as him and Bruce headed to join the others, leaving Elle in the med bay, while Loki had gone to grab her a bag of clothes and necessities from her apartment. The three of them had filled Elle in on everything they knew, and watching her visibly retreat into herself, at the mention she had a child, made Tony feel a little uneasy. He didn't know what had happened in her life to not react well at being told she was a mother, but he wanted to find out, to help her.

When they got to the main floor, the doors opened, seeing the others all gathered at the couches, but Pepper had shot to her feet, rushing over to hug him... 'Friday said she was awake, but didn't tell us anything else..'

'Yeah she's awake..'.. Tony slipped his arm around her as she moved to his side and walked over to join the others. He sat on the couch with Pepper next to him... 'One minute she was asleep, next thing, she had a wire around Lokis neck trying to strangle him. I think that was an instinctive reaction..'

'She said the last thing she remembers, is suiting up for her test run, everything after that is a blank..'.. Bruce said from the couch across, Nat sat on the arm next to him.

'Woah, that's a big gap to have, right?..'.. Sam looked between them.

'Yeah it is..'.. Tony took a deep breath... 'She aslo issued a warning. That it doesn't matter who we are, if we call her anything other than Elle or Sarge, she will kill us. Considering what Lokis told us, she really would..'

'What did Loki tell you?..'.. Steve frowned, folding his arms as he stood off to the side.

'She punched a guy in the chest so hard, she ripped out his heart and shoved it down his throat as he died. The look of fear on Lokis face when he said it, tells me enough..'.. Tony ran a hand over his face and looked to Barton... 'I don't know what happened to her, but its clear she has some demons and darkness. When she was told about Jace, she had this look on her face, and it was like she just..'

'She disappeared into herself..'.. Bruce finished off... 'She was scared. Loki vanished to go get some of her things from home, and then bring her up here..'

'Clint, are you ok?..'.. Nat moved to sit next to her friend. He was sitting, hunched forward resting his face in his hands.

'No, I'm not ok, far from it. My daughter from the future has clearly been through hell. My wife is having a breakdown at home, and I'm worried this will be too much for her. I can't be in two places at once..'... He sighed, sitting up... 'I have so many questions, and I don't know what to do..'

'May I suggest you return home, to your family?..'.. Vision spoke up... 'There are many of us here, than can assist Sergeant Grey, and any answers she is willing to give, agent Romanoff can inform you. At this moment, your wife and family need you more, and you need time to process what you now know..'

'Hes right..'.. Tony nodded to Vision... 'There's not much you can do here, and we'll keep you updated with everything..'

'Laura needs you..'.. Nat put a hand to Clints shoulder... 'I'll find out what I can, I promise..'

Clint nodded, his mind going a hundred miles a minute with everything that had happened in the last few days... 'Yeah, yeah. Going home would be best..'