Lost in Time

Sixty-Six

Elle rolled her neck side to side as she stood in front of her bathroom mirror. It had been a long few days, and to find out when she returned earlier with Pietro, that Morgan was here, had been here all this time alone, it was just another load of guilt and sadness piled on top of what she was already feeling. The two had talked for a few hours, away from everyone else, and she had missed her little sidekick so much.

Though she wasn't happy to hear that the team now knew of her reasons for hating Rogers, she was surprised to know that it seemed none of it was true. Lark even showed her the footage of Loki and Wanda down in the cell, looking through his mind, and yet neither one saw anything that corroborated the information she had. Elle didn't believe for a second that there had been another Rogers in the past, or that anyone pretending to be him was there, something deep down, was telling her that there was only one Rogers, but she had to guess, she'd find the answers in her memories, if she ever got them back.

Grabbing her hairbrush, she started on her hair, while running through her thoughts. Both Morgan and Lark updated her with what they knew of her plan, but Elle was sure that both didn't know everything. Her instincts were telling her that there were secrets, that no one else knew.

Scrunching her nose up, she could smell something. It was faint but deliciously mouth watering, that her stomach rumbled, reminding her to eat. She quickly finished with her hair, and grabbed her robe off the back of the bathroom door, and tied it around the vest and shorts she was wearing. Cautiously opening her door, she walked out through her bedroom of the tower, and to the open kitchen and living area.

Stopping in the doorway, she watched as Barnes set pizza boxes down and a bottle of wine. He dipped down to the floor, to a bag that was at his feet, and pulled out a single flower setting it on the table.

'What are you doing?..'.. She didn't move, just watched him.

'Uh, sorry. I figured you'd want to be alone, but you haven't eaten since this morning I was told..'.. He gestured to the food, not looking at her... 'Just wanted to make sure you had something. I'll go..'.. He picked up the bag, heading to the elevator.

Elle sighed, rubbing her forehead... 'We might as well have that talk now. Sit, and eat with me..'.. She moved into the room, taking a seat at the small table, and started looking through the pizza boxes. She couldn't help but chuckle a little, at the bottles of hot sauce and mayo in the middle of the table... 'You do know me..'

'I know you Elle..'.. He moved to sit across from her and she could see he was wary... 'I'd like to think I got to know YOU, this past year..'

She took a deep breath, grabbing a slice of the meat lovers, and set it on the little plate in front of her, before grabbing the sauces... 'How's Jace? Is he ok? Does he need anything? Are they taking care of him?..'

'Elle breathe..'... Bucky saw her get worked up more and more over each question... 'Hes ok, mostly worried about you. He knows what happened, and I think he threatened me with his little sword to come take care of you..'.. Bucky let out a little laugh, shaking his head, but he saw the small smile on her face... 'They love him in Asgard, and he really is safe there. He doesn't need anything, except you, but he's ok with waiting..'

'I feel like I've failed him..'.. Elle set the sauce down.. 'I'm trying here, I really am, I just don't know why I can't get him home..'

'Hey..'.. Bucky leaned forward, holding back the urge to hug her... 'You're not a failure Elle, far from it. Everything we've all learned about you, before and after we found out, you are strong, amazing, selfless, kind, compassionate-..'