Fishing the Multiverse

Bruce was the first one to notice it — a sign that read: The Toymaker's Games and Giggles. Within was a huge arcade.

He grabbed everyone's attention.

"Oh, the arcade!" Jonas remarked. "Yes, lots of fun. For the family and everyone."

Everyone got up and headed over. Though adults, some of them couldn't help but enjoy the experience. There were all types of games — holographic chess from Star Wars, three-dimensional chess from Star Trek, punching games, shooting games, and even a small holodeck.

Everyone found something and played around, working off their large lunch and having a great time. Even Nick picked up a shooting game and worked it over for a while.

Eventually, they regrouped — cheerful, energized, and ready for the next part of the tour: the library.

For some reason, they noted, Jonas seemed particularly excited about this part.

He guided them down another branching corridor away from the food court and introduced them to the TARDIS Library.

He opened the doors, walking in first.

"Index, we have some new cardholders," he announced."Standard protocol. No spoilers. Keep available text within a century ahead of their civilization level.""Affirmative," came a feminine voice.

The Index, unlike the TARDIS itself, actually could speak out loud. Maybe the TARDIS did too, but it had never chosen to — if it could.

Then the Pages appeared — small floating robotic assistants — and hovered before each of the Avengers.

"Just tell them what you're interested in learning, and they'll take you there," Jonas said.

At first, they were stunned. They'd expected a large collection of books, but this was so much more.

Tony and Dr. Banner, being the scientists of the group, immediately rattled off several fields of study they were interested in. Natasha mentioned a few topics too. Fury offered his cryptic interests. Clint was more interested in sports records.

Captain America wasn't sure what to ask for and requested a suggestion from his Page.

Jonas and Patch watched as everyone scattered into the halls of knowledge, marveling at what they were seeing — audible oohs and aahs floating back from the stacks.

"You see, Patch," Jonas began, "this is exactly why you have library cards. It's why we built such a large library. It can't just be for us. It's got to be open to others — to use, to enjoy."

Patch nodded slowly.

"I wondered why we put so much work into this. Of course, we needed the knowledge ourselves… but it could have been less grandiose. More efficient.""Exactly," Jonas said. "But I was going for experience, not just efficiency."

Patch tilted his head.

"I see. Experience is what helps capture the imagination — what helps people learn. What helps them want to learn."

"Exactly!" Jonas grinned. "Once you've connected with someone's imagination, you've opened a door. Knowledge rushes through. Wonder and learning feed each other. The more you know, the greater your imagination becomes. The more imaginative you are, the deeper your curiosity."

He motioned toward Tony and Banner.

"A person like Tony, with his endless quest for the perfect armor, or Banner, chasing a cure for the Hulk — they need imagination. Not just formulas and data. They need wonder. And the cure? It's closer than Banner realizes. He just can't see it yet."

Patch gave a subtle, thoughtful nod.

"Understood."

Now, what's a library, well, a modern one at least, without a little café? Something to get coffee or a drink, tables to sit at, and read. Jonas was sitting with a tome of his own in hand.

For Patch, the library was one of the least interesting aspects of the TARDIS. He could just know things. He could download whatever knowledge he was lacking. He didn't entirely understand the reasoning behind the library, although he did understand that for organic species, it seemed to allow them to chase after knowledge. As an android, he didn't chase anything. He either acquired knowledge or he didn't.

He excused himself and returned to the bridge to do whatever it was Patch did when he wasn't around Jonas. R2, similarly, had long since gone off to do his own thing.

The Avengers sat quietly, reading for hours. Finally, they began to ask Jonas, "Can we check these out? Can we purchase these books?"

Jonas smiled. "Depends on the book. Ask your Pages. If it's something you're allowed to take out, then you can. You can even purchase a copy. Although," he added with a smirk, "I've given you the ability to have anything you want for free today. That won't be the case in the future. You'll have to exchange something.

That's unless you're working as a companion for me," he added. "Companions get a general run of the TARDIS without needing to pay. Consider it compensation."

Speaking of which, he looked at Fury. "What would all of you think about taking a tour in the TARDIS? Bring your families if you'd like."

"A tour?" Tony asked. "You mean… space, time, possibly another universe?"

Jonas smiled. "It's just a one-time thing. But I don't know… what do you think?"

Fury realized this was his time to step in. "Could broaden our view of the world. Maybe create a few opportunities." He looked at Banner and Stark, who were already calculating.

"We can't just leave. People will miss us," Cap said.

"This is a time machine," Jonas said. "We can leave and spend a hundred years away and return five minutes before we left."

"I don't think we'll be gone a hundred years," Tony muttered.

"No, of course not. But you get my point."

"Let me know," Jonas said. "If not, Patch and I have other places to be."

Fury led the six Avengers off to the side to have a discussion. Finally, Tony turned and said, "Okay. I agree."

"Great! Is it just us, or anyone else?" Jonas asked.

"Can I bring my kids and my wife?" Clint asked.

The Avengers were shocked.

"You have a wife and children?"

"Yeah. It's been kind of a secret. But you know… this is pretty amazing. How could I deny my kids the opportunity to see this?"

"I'll bring Pepper," Tony said.

Cap didn't have anyone to bring, so he just sat quietly.

"Dr. Banner, would you like to bring Betty?" Jonas asked.

"I'm concerned that you know about Betty," Banner replied. "But… Betty and I are no longer a thing."

"Oh, she just used you to irritate her father? That sort of thing?"

"Yeah… I guess something like that," Banner said, clearly uncomfortable.

"Black Widow—anyone special to you?"

"Just Clint's family," she said.

"Fury?" Jonas asked.

"That will remain a mystery," he said flatly.

Thor thought about it. "Could I bring my girlfriend, Jane?"

"Sure," Jonas said. "But let's get this done quickly. I get bored easily."

The Avengers scrambled to make arrangements. Loki needed to be sent to Asgard, but with something fun to do, he had Heimdal take care of it.

Natasha stayed aboard, and so did Steve. Neither had anyone they wanted to bring. Fury made some last-minute orders, just in case things didn't go well and the time traveler, Jonas, couldn't get them back on time. He didn't know why, but he suspected time travelers weren't always reliable in that department.

Bruce continued reading in the library while everyone else went to bring their kin.

Jonas told everyone to feel free to return to the food court if they were hungry, stay in the library, or, if they wanted to go to quarters, ask one of the Pages for an escort.

Jonas stood up, book in hand, and left the library.

He found his way down to his favorite reading nook: the Eye of Harmony. He sat there and read, thinking, feeling the low vibrations of the Eye as it pulsed behind massive doors that looked like solid concrete, quietly hiding what it was.

He began reading his book as usual, but after a while, Jonas found himself staring at the Eye of Harmony. His gaze turned distant, unfocused. There were whispers—just at the edge of hearing. He was completely enchanted. Lost in it. Time slipped away. The book in his hand remained open, fingers still holding it, but Jonas had gone still. Empty, almost.

"So this is where you hide yourself..."

The voice, feminine, familiar, cut through the trance like a knife through silk. Jonas startled slightly, blinking himself back into awareness. Natasha Romanov stood at the entrance, studying him with careful eyes.

She noticed the shift in his posture. How odd. Something about the way he'd been standing there... it didn't feel right.

"Would I be interrupting?" she wondered aloud.

Jonas smiled faintly. "Ah, Ms. Romanov, of course it's you. You've found me in my little reading nook."

She stepped forward, her gaze drawn to the great glowing Eye. "What is this thing?"

He turned to look at it. "That, my dear, is the power source for our TARDIS. The Eye of Harmony. An ancient technology that allowed the Time Lords to stretch across time and space. This version… is far more advanced."

Her eyes scanned the structure, zeroing in on a small, strange artifact connected to the system. A golden object with a familiar hourglass shape, it was the Time Turner.

She felt it didn't belong.

"And this part?" she asked, pointing toward it.

Jonas didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned slightly. "Did you need something, Miss Romanov?" he said coolly.

She raised an eyebrow. "Just curious. You left us to our own devices. Thought I'd see what you were up to."

"Ever the spy, I suppose."

She chuckled. "It's why they pay me the big bucks."

"It's also why you end up facing down the Hulk," he said, almost too casually.

That made her uncomfortable. Something in his tone... he was teasing, perhaps. Or probing.

She folded her arms. "So. This tour. Where are you taking us?"

Jonas closed his book, slid a worn bookmark into place, and set it on a nearby table. "Ah, the tour. Yes, well… I have no idea."

Natasha raised a skeptical eyebrow. "You don't know?"

"I could choose a destination," he said, "but I think it would be far more interesting if we used the randomizer."

"The what?"

"A marvelous little device. If you're undecided—or trying to stay off certain radars—the randomizer selects a location at, well, random. No planning. No idea where you'll end up."

"Isn't that dangerous?"

"Less than you'd think," he said. "The TARDIS has a certain... veto power. She won't drop us anywhere suicidal. Just dangerous enough to be interesting."

He gave a small laugh. Natasha found herself smiling too.

"So, you're a thrill-seeker."

"That's one way to put it. I like to see what's out there."

"You just show up on battlefields? That's your thing?"

"I'll have you know, I had no idea I was landing in the middle of a fight," he said, feigning offense.

"Did you use the randomizer?"

Jonas didn't answer right away. "I just happened to arrive when you all were being attacked by Hydra—I mean, Loki."

"Hydra?" she repeated.

"No, I meant Loki." His correction came too quickly. Too forced.

She tilted her head slightly. That wasn't just a slip. He was giving her something—maybe unintentionally. Something to file away.

Maybe I'll ask Cap, she thought.

"Anyway," she said, changing the subject. "Is there anything else I can help you with, Ms. Romanov?"

"You can start by calling me Natasha. I think anyone who's saved my life deserves that much. Don't you?"

He gave a small nod. "Fair enough. Natasha."

"Was there anything else?"

"Well… I followed you here, but I don't know the way back. Would you mind helping me find my quarters?"

"Of course."

He turned and walked briskly down the corridor, not checking if she followed. Natasha rolled her eyes and trailed after him.

As they walked, she tried to get him talking, asking about the TARDIS, his background, anything—but Jonas deflected each attempt with vague answers or polite shrugs. He wasn't interested in sharing.

Eventually, they reached a curved silver door.

"These will be your quarters," he said. "If you need anything, press this button here."

He gestured to a glowing pad on the wall. "Someone will come to escort you to wherever you want to go.

Our next group gathering will be after everyone who brought friends or family arrives."

"All right," she said. "Thank you."

"Have a nice day, Natasha." Jonas gave a faint smile, then turned and walked off.

Natasha stood there for a moment, watching him disappear down the hallway.

"Huh," she said to herself. "He doesn't give me much to work with. I'll change that."

Jonas walked briskly away from Natasha's quarters, his expression unreadable, until he reached the bridge. There, Patch was hunched over a console, wires and glowing circuits splayed out in a mechanical nest.

"Patch. Two things."

Patch straightened instantly. "Yes, Captain?"

Jonas pointed at the small emblem pinned to Patch's chest. "First… I noticed your Starfleet communicator. We're not in Starfleet. We're not even in the same universe half the time. If we wind up somewhere with a Federation, someone might take that the wrong way."

Patch looked down at it. "I thought it was classic. Historical flair."

"I don't need to be court-martialed in the wrong galaxy because of your fashion sense. We need our own logo. Something simple. Maybe a 'T' for TARDIS. Or..." He paused, a faint grin tugging at his lips. "Maybe a fish."

Patch blinked. "A fish?"

"I am the fisher, after all."

Patch nodded slowly, thinking. "Minimalist fish logo. Very mysterious. I like it. I'll work on it."

"Good." Jonas turned toward the door, pausing just long enough to nod at Patch. "Second thing—I'm going fishing."

"Understood."

Above the exit, mounted on a rack like a prized weapon, was Jonas's rod. He took it down with care, as if it were alive. Then, with a simple step, he exited the TARDIS and found a quiet spot just outside.

He walked toward the Iron Man landing zone where Tony would disrobe his armor. He cast the line, and the pond appeared stretching past the confines of the pad.

He stretched, quiet, wind gently blowing through his hair. It was evening in New York, he liked the city at night with all of its lights on. He sat down and cast the line into the multiversal pond that shimmered nearby like a tear in reality.

It had been days since he'd last fished.

And who knew when he'd get another chance?

He leaned back, the rod in his hand, and let the silence take him.