Sneaking Suspicions

Head Trauma and Atmospheric Anomalies

Part One

"Not that I don't love visiting Jane, but what was so urgent that we had to fly overnight?" Elaine asked, handing Dr. Selvig his next boarding pass as they stood in line at the gate.

"Some atmospheric anomaly she needs my opinion on." He shrugged absentmindedly as he squinted at the ticket and readjusted the bag on his shoulder. The much-younger assistant stared at him blankly while the line started to move- as if that truly told her anything. But she didn't press, she knew that getting him to further explain would only result in a headache and several other, off-topic lectures. Once on board the plane, they parted ways as it was cheaper to buy seats separate from each other. Immediately plugging in headphones, she situated herself in her seat and closed her eyes.

Traveling to New Mexico wasn't hard as much as tedious, the long transatlantic flight, then flight hopping to New Mexico, riding from Albuquerque to Puente Antiguo (the tiny town in which Jane was residing these days) all in all took at least a full day if not two of traveling. Working with her Uncle Erik, there wasn't much Elaine Sigrid Selvig could complain about. Well, maybe the eccentric middle name, but that was also thanks to her equally eccentric uncle: Dr. Erik Selvig. (Her mother had lost a bet to Erik and therefore he got middle name rights to his first niece).

They had a deal, as long as he housed and fed her, he'd never have to train another college-age intern- a deal that Erik was especially thankful for after meeting Darcy. Elaine graduated with a degree in marketing from an average American University, but the job market was tough, so even without the slightest clue about Astrophysics, she became Dr. Selvig's official assistant. Through him, Elaine met many people: students, government officials, and scientists- Like Jane Foster. So as long as she was taken care of, Elaine didn't mind crisscrossing the map with her uncle to all the various universities, campuses, and conventions he attended or just hanging around his lab while he worked.

After their last flight landed in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis arrived thirty minutes late to pick them up in a ratty old van. Hugs and Greeting were exchanged, Darcy said her witty comments, and the newly formed gang went on their way. Jane and Erik sat in the front, going back and forth in scientific language that meant absolutely nothing to the assistants in the back. Darcy and Elaine scrunched in the back with all the scientific instruments, luggage, and other junk that had accumulated in the hollowed out 'back seat'. Even though Darcy was a good five or six years younger than Elaine, the older still enjoyed her company- it was a stark difference from the usual people she interacted with.

The sun was setting and with Jane going twenty over the speed limit, the van blew straight past the exit for Puente Antiguo and into the desert. Elaine's neck snapped to the back window as the exit sign became smaller and smaller in the background, whining in protest but Jane cut her off.

"No time to stop if we're going to catch this anomaly." She informed, gassing it a little more as she veered off road and further into the desert. Selvig shot her an apologetic look in the rearview mirror before returning his attention to Jane's driving. Another twenty minutes later, and the sun had disappeared under the horizon leaving dark purple clouds and bright twinkling stars. As if finding the perfect spot, Jane slammed the van into park, dumping Darcy and Elaine into the floor off of their jury-rigged seats.

"Darcy you take the wheel. Me and Dr. Selvig will monitor the spectrometers and instruments." The female scientist ordered, swiftly exiting the driver's side as Erik did the same. Darcy and Elaine simply climbed into the front seat. Jane put some sort of instrument on the roof of the van and looked to the skies, Dr. Selvig joining her while Darcy killed the engine. After about three minutes, the group settled again. And then, the waiting began.