In My Head

Chapter 10 - A Bond

I pace back and forth in the lab as I wait for Tony to open the portal. Over the last few months Tony had worked on perfecting the positioning of where the portal would be without my knowledge. He told me that he had a feeling I would be going back. I didn't know how to thank him enough. Natasha was going this time, mainly because I knew she secretly wanted to kick Geralt's ass. Thor was going because he quote-unquote 'Wanted to kill monsters', but I knew he was secretly worried for me.

"Almost got it." Tony calls out from behind a machine he was tinkering with.

"Are you sure about this?" I hear Wanda ask and I nod.

"I need to be there. I can't explain it, but I need to be there."

"What about Geralt? What if you see him again?" She asks and I sigh.

"I honestly don't want to, and I'm sure Cintra is the last place on Earth he'll be."

"What if you're wrong?" Natasha asks from beside me her eyes focused on what Tony was doing.

"If I'm wrong?" I pause thinking about the possibility of seeing him again. The hurt was still fresh in my heart but I quickly push it aside. "I'll cross that bridge when I get there."

"Alright, it's ready." Tony calls out as he pushes a button causing the portal to appear. I look toward it to see the halls of the castle and my heart pulls me towards it. I turn back to everyone and give then a soft smile.

"Thank you," I say as I look each of them in the eyes. "You'll have to come visit me sometime."

"Of course," Tony interjects pulling my attention to him. "You can't get rid of us that easily."

"I love you guys." I add tears stinging my eyes.

"Here," Tony adds handing Thor, Natasha, and myself a wristband. "If and when you all want to come back or whatever, these will do it."

"And don't worry about things here," Steve calls from the corner of the room. "We've got things covered." He adds and I know that he is also referring to Bucky.

"Thank you." I add one last time before I turn and with a hopeful heart head through the portal.

In an instant I can hear Pavetta's cries filling the halls causing me to instantly rush towards her. Reaching the outside of her room I see Duny pacing back and forth outside her door. Worry and concern filled his entire being. Hearing our footsteps his head turns towards us and a new fear fills his face.

"Please, don't claim my child." He pleads and I just shake my head.

"I'm not here to lay claim to anything. I don't want to take your child from you. I just want to be able to be here and watch the child grow up. That is all."

Relief washes over him as he visually relaxes.

"Thank you for not taking them from me."

"I would never do that." I repeat as Pavetta lets out a loud cry. "Why aren't you in there?"

"The midwives won't let me." Duny replies making me roll my eyes.

"She needs you." I reply as I instantly walk forward and pushing the door open draw attention to ourselves.

"What are you doing here?!" Queen Calanthe cries out as she places herself between me and Pavetta.

"A father should be able to watch his child being born." I announce moving to the side as Duny rushes over to Pavetta's side and taking her hand starts to soothe her reassuringly. "I understand that you do not like me. I don't really care, but I assure you I mean no one in this room harm. I just want to be here and watch this beautiful child that is about to grace us with their presence, grow up into a wonderful human being. That's it."