Avengers - Time Rift: Iron Maiden

Chapter 4 - No Place Like Home

Tonya stepped through the portal as it opened carrying two large duffel bags and dropping them in the lab. Juliet, who currently was in control of the Iron Maiden armor followed close behind her with two more bags and two large cases. "I'll inform you when everything is moved over and the portal is closed Miss" Juliet said as Tonya made headed toward the door to the lab. "Try and do it quickly, I don't want that portal open too long. And remember the special case" she said before stepping out the door and making her way to the elevator and up to the common room. "I can't believe they stuck me on my own for housing, and it's not like I can just take my suit to run down to the corner for milk" she thought flopping back onto the couch and putting her feet up on the table flipping on the television. Juliet spoke up "Everything is moved in and is placed out of the way as much as possible" she said "I suggest informing Agent Coulson and Mr. Stark of the current situation as well as finding not only a domicile but employment as well". Tonya stretched out on the couch with a groan "Yeah, let Coulson and Stark know what the deal is and I'll be looking for an apartment and a job. Might want to inform Tony that until I get a decent place I'll be leaving some gear here too. Also tap into their satellites and start scanning for energy signatures similar to the Mind Stone and the coding crystals we've already found containing Ultron's data. While you're at it check the local papers ... help wanted ads and the apartments for rent, as cheap as possible that includes utilities. I can't very well get anything in my name until we fabricate an identity and credentials. Not to mention I have to be able to afford it". The news switched to a street reporter doing a piece on street violence in the Bronx and it's relation to the increase in drug dealers in the area, the camera panning over equipment from various labs that have been raided as well as evidence bags full of cash. Tonya smiled to herself as she sat up and leaned closer to the television "Well hello there beautiful" she said quietly, "Juliet, I think I just found a way to subsidize our income but we're in for a long first night". The police received three anonymous tips that night of street level dealers being assaulted. Each was found unconscious and bound with their narcotics still in their possession as well as a flash drives that captured them selling to several people that evening but no money was found on any of them. All three reported a young girl with red hair approaching them and without a word dragging them out of the view of the general public and everything going black resulting with them waking up in police custody.

Tonya found an inexpensive one room apartment in the Bronx. The rent was low and everything was included plus the tenants kept to themselves so that worked out in her favor. She slowly began developing a cover starting with birth records and a social security number then moving onto a high school diploma, vocational school, work history, drivers liscence and even giving herself a few speeding and parking tickets for the sake of her background being viable. Now that she had all the needed credentials she could look for a regular job and spend less time knocking over street thugs. "It took more time than I'd expected but the last thing I want is Fury and his bunch of ass clowns breathing down my neck if I set off red flags" she thought as she closed out her files anxious to print up her paperwork in the morning at Tony's lab and start looking for work "And knocking over these low rent hoods is easy money". Juliet spoke up "Yaya, you know you're free to pursue a hobby now right?". Tonya nodded and hooked her toes into the handle of the heavy case under her bed pulling it out as she extended her leg "Yeah, even if this place is a total heap of crap it's got it good points, at least this era does". She opened the case and pulled out the guitar and the small amp and speaker combo. Plugging them in she thought back to how she had found them in the trash outside her building and had snuck parts to repair them in her spare time keeping them hid under floorboards of her small apartment back in her town time. She sighed contently as she ran her fingers over the neck of the neck of the guitar and leaned back against the wall. Her fingers slid over the strings as she sang 'Temporary Home' by Carrie Underwood, one of the first songs she had found lessons for on the infonet in her own time. Being able to play freely without fear of prosecution for owning unauthorized materials made it that much more enjoyable for her as she began to tap her bare foot against the rusty bed frame. The song came to a close Juliet yelled "Encore! Encore!" and played the sound of a full stadium cheering as Tonya stood and took a bow smiling at the small pink glowing data stream orb's projection "Always leave em wanting more" she said as she put her guitar and amp away and slid them back under the bed "Besides we have to be up early to get my papers printed. I want it all done before Stark catches me fiddling with the system". Tonya fell onto the shabby second hand mattress she'd covered with garbage bags and duct tape before throwing a couple blankets donated by Barton on top of it. Tonya stretched out one arm and clicked the lamp off, "Good night Yaya. I love you" Juliet said making Tonya smile bigger than usual "I love you too JuJuBee, see you in the morning" she replied as she rolled over and faded to sleep.