Betty Ross's curiosity was obvious. Even though she kept her distance, Daniel could see the wonder in her eyes—especially after she'd seen the brief magic between him and Drum. Magic wasn't some secret joke anymore. Ever since Tony Stark announced he was Iron Man, superheroes were in the news every day, and people were starting to talk seriously about things like magic and powers.
Daniel didn't mind her curiosity, or the way she kept glancing at him like she wasn't sure whether to trust him. He'd already sensed her watching, just like Drum had. Drum had only left so quickly because he was sure Daniel could handle whatever came next.
Now, Daniel took in the sight of this soaked young woman—slender, clearly pretty, her drenched clothes clinging to her in the rain. He thought, just for a second, about using a memory charm to wipe her mind—but he stopped himself; tampering with someone else's memories could lead to trouble, especially now that magic was on people's radar.
"I just got back from… far away," Daniel said, putting as much warmth and reassurance in his tone as he could, letting a little magical charm ride his words. "Could you tell me where exactly I am, what month it is, and maybe help me make a phone call?"
Betty hesitated, confused, but nodded. "I still have an apartment near the university. You can come with me. We'll get you sorted out."
"Thank you, Miss Ross," Daniel said, adjusting the umbrella to keep more of the rain off her as they started toward the glow of streetlights in the distance.
That simple act—just being considerate—made Betty smile a little. She peeked up at the oddly-dressed man beside her and said, "Actually, you can call me Betty."
Of course Daniel was wearing a heavy leather robe. In Jotunheim, even a normal day was colder than any winter on Earth—some places were so cold he sometimes wondered if it was as bad as absolute zero. He'd survived wrapped in fur-lined robes made from fierce local beasts, reinforced with magic. He wasn't a Frost Giant who could just wander around shirtless in ice storms.
Everyone on Earth would freak if they saw what that robe could do, so Daniel wasn't about to hand it over anytime soon.
He smiled gently, glancing at her again. "Alright then… Betty."
He suddenly stopped, his face freezing.
Something was off. The name had tripped a memory.
He looked at her carefully and said, very slowly: "Betty Ross. But… didn't you say your name was Elizabeth Ross?"
She nodded, puzzled by his reaction. "Is that a problem?"
"My full name is Elizabeth Tarbert Ross," she said. "Everybody just calls me Betty. Elizabeth, Beth, Betty—it's all the same."
It was a common enough nickname, but hearing "Betty Ross" hit Daniel like a live wire.
Betty Ross. General Ross's daughter. The woman Bruce Banner had loved.
He could never forget that name.
Daniel's senses went on high alert, stretching out to scan the area. Was she being watched? Were there S.H.I.E.L.D. agents nearby, or military guards? Surely, if this really was Betty Ross, she'd be under surveillance or protection.
But he found nothing. No agents, no military. Only clusters of students wandering between the dorms, late-night lights in windows, and a bit of harmless mischief here and there.
Still, Daniel stayed tense. His years surviving among the Frost Giants in Jotunheim had made him careful. Being the odd one out among giants who barely trusted him, he'd learned to sense danger early and often. He'd been challenged, underestimated, and targeted again and again. Only after years of practice and effort did he become skilled enough for the Frost Giants to leave him in peace.
Now here he was—yanked back to Earth unexpectedly. Heimdall and Odin were clearly playing games again.
But why bring him back now?
He had dabbled in Asgardian rune magic, maybe just enough to be a problem for them. Was this exile supposed to be his punishment? Or did his return signal something bigger happening on Asgard itself?
Daniel shot another cautious glance at Betty. Maybe he was overthinking it. Maybe it was just a coincidence—a girl with a famous name. In a country as big as America, it was bound to happen sooner or later.
Still... he had to be sure. He chanced a question: "Betty… by any chance, do you know what happened to a Dr. Bruce Banner?"
She looked at him, puzzled. "Who?"
He repeated, "Dr. Bruce Banner."
She thought for a moment. "The name rings a bell. I think I read an article by him a while back. But no, I don't know anything about him, not really. I don't think anyone around here does."
She seemed honest—Daniel couldn't sense any hint of a lie.
It made sense for her to have at least heard of Bruce Banner; he was once a huge name in the scientific community. But for her to have no personal connection at all? That was… weird.
Maybe this Betty Ross wasn't the one he remembered. Names repeated all the time, after all. Still, the coincidence nagged at him.
He could push harder. He could ask about her family, even about General Ross himself. But a cold worry tugged at his thoughts.
If this was General Ross's daughter, and she didn't know Bruce Banner, then something in this world was very, very different.
That could only mean one thing:
Daniel had returned to a time before Betty and Bruce had ever met.
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