Shades of Green: One Month
Not Scary
Avengers Mansion
The Kitchen
Shego found herself in a conversation with several women, most of whom she was meeting for the first time since she arrived at the mansion just a mere four days ago. In all honesty, she was really enjoying her conversation with the four female heroes, all of whom she could relate to on one level or another. She couldn't remember the last time that she had a decent conversation with another human being, let alone anyone who could better understand or relate to her on some level.
It was good to actually have some new friends, and besides, her flirting and attempts to make Hulk fall for her were proving to be more difficult than she originally imagined. Still, she wasn't about to give up on seducing the Green Goliath; even if it would take months to accomplish, Shego wasn't going to quit until the Hulk was completely under her control! Only then would she be able to set her plans into motion, but for right now, she was more than capable of waiting.
One of the women seated at the table was a beautiful African-American named Ororo Munroe, who's a mutant with the ability to control elements of the weather of the entire planet, thus it is the reason why she was given the codename Storm by her mentor Professor Charles Xavier. Her long flowing white hair and lovely blue eyes seemed only to add to her exotic beauty, her very appearance like that of some beautiful storm goddess dressed in casual women's clothing.
The second female, who was seated beside Ororo in a chair of her own, was an attractive blonde haired woman with light blue eyes. She is a member of the Avengers, her powers derived from the Kree Warrior known as Captain Mar-Vell, which resulted in her becoming the heroine known as Ms. Marvel. However, Carol was not in her usual Ms. Marvel attire, but was instead dressed in a pair of khaki pants and a navy blue short sleeve t-shirt.
The third female, who was seated beside Janet Van Dyne, was another attractive blonde with green-blue colored eyes. She is a close friend of Clint Barton/Hawkeye and is an agent of the global organization known as SHIELD. Her name is Barbra Morse, otherwise known by the name of Mockingbird or Bobbi to her friends and companions. Much like Carol, Bobbi wasn't in neither her SHIELD uniform or her Mockingbird outfit, but was instead dressed in a light blue tank-top t-shirt and a pair of jeans.
All three of these women, four if you count Janet, Shego could relate to on one level or another. She wasn't bothered by the fact that Ororo was a mutant, because she knew all too well of the prejudice that mutants had to deal with. She never told anyone, but in her high school and college years, Shego was often accused of being a mutant and treated just as harshly. It was one of the many reasons why she supported mutant rights, because she believed that they were as human as anyone else on the planet, and that they did not deserve the treatment that was forced upon them.
But Ororo wasn't the only one that Shego could relate to, because Carol Danvers/Ms. Marvel was another example of a person who was once a normal human that was given powers that she had no choice of rejecting. Just like how Shego was given powers from a comet, Carol Danvers inherited powers through the combination of an accident and contact with the Kree Warrior Captain Mar-Vell. If any person could understand what Shego went through when she obtained her powers, that person would have to be none other than Carol Danvers.
Now in regards to how she could relate to Barbra Morse, who still currently works for SHIELD, Shego knows what it was like to work with a group of people out to protect the world. She worked with her annoying brothers on Team Go for sometime, which ended with her leaving the team and setting out on her own. Then there was when she was working for the idiotic Dr. Drakken, who annoyed her just as greatly and most likely despised just as much, if not even more, than her own brothers.
If it wasn't for the good salary and the free trips to any spa resort of her choice, not to mention beating th snot out of Kimmie, she would have quit working for the moronic Drew Lipsky long before she did four years ago. Besides, it was more profitable and better when she worked alone, which meant she listened and followed nobody but herself. Still, she could not deny that it felt great to be around individuals who could relate to her and understand what she went through in her life. It was one of the first things she noticed about the Avengers, which was the fact that unlike Team Go, they all treated each other as equals rather than arguing about who was the leader.
"So tell us, Sheena, how are you adapting to living in the mansion?", Storm asked, taking a sip of coffee from her cup as she finished her question.
"It's not too bad. Pretty good, actually. It definitely beats the socks off most of the resorts I've visited.", Shego answered, getting up from her seat to pour herself another cup of coffee.
"Well, in that case, it's gonna put me at ease once I go on vacation.", Carol remarked, releasing a heavenly sigh at the thought of her two month vacation.
"Do you really have to leave, Carol?", Janet asked, wishing that her friend and fellow teammate could stay around.
"Sorry, Jan, but after our ordeal with the Kree and the Skrulls, I think now is the best time to take my vacation before something else happens. Besides, I can't even remember the last time I went to a nice relaxing resort on a sunny beach.", Carol stated, relaxing back in to her chair.
"Sounds good. I wouldn't mind a nice trip to a spa resort myself. Heck, I would be tempted to join you, but I've got a certain emerald someone that I have to win over.", Shego responded, smiling slyly at Carol and the other three women before taking a sip of her fresh mug of coffee.
"You're serious? You actually want a relationship with the Hulk?", Bobbi asked, awe and disbelief evident in her voice.
Unknown to everyone else, Hulk was right outside the entrance to the kitchen, listening in on the conversations. Intentionally, Hulk came down to get a snack from the fridge, but once he heard the voices of several women including Shego, he stealthily made his way near the entrance before coming to a stop. When he heard Shego's response to Bobbi's questions, Hulk found himself surprised and touched by Shego's answer before shaking his head clear of those thoughts and feelings. The last thing he wanted or needed was to become close to Shego.
"Yes, I want a relationship with Hulk. What's so wrong about that? He's powerful, handsome, and he interests me... in more ways than one.", Shego stated in answer, much to the surprise of the three female heroes.
"See, Bobbi, I told you that I was telling the truth.", Janet added with a smug smirk.
"Well, if you want my opinion, I think it's wonderful that you've taken an interest in Hulk. Everyone deserves someone who is willing to show them love and compassion, and to be honest, I couldn't think of anyone else who would be better suited than you, Sheena. Besides, Hulk needs someone like you in his life.", Ororo stated sincerely, a warm and understanding smile forming on her features.
"Thanks, Ororo. Unfortunately, Hulk doesn't exactly see it that way. He's playing hard to get, but I don't mind. I always did enjoy a challenge.", Shego replied, setting her coup of coffee on top of the counter.
"I have to give you credit, Sheena. Most women are too intimidated of the Hulk to actually admit he's a good guy, let alone tell him that they want to be something more than friends with him. I should know, because every conversation I've had with him either involved him growling, snarling, roaring, or making offensive sarcastic remarks directly at me.", Carol remarked evenly.
"Yeah, he's not the easiest person to have a conversation with. I mean, yeah, Hulk's a good person deep down, but even I have to admit that I'm a bit intimidated by him. Heck, Natasha is still afraid of him.", Bobbi admitted, resting her hands on top of the table.
"I must admit, I've faced many threats and dangers, but few of them could intimidate me as much as an enraged Hulk.", Ororo confessed, her mind recalling a past confrontation that the X-Men had against the Green Goliath a few years ago.
"Yeah, well, I'm not.", Shego stated confidently, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned back against the counter.
"So... you're not intimidated by the Hulk?", Ororo asked, looking directly at the pale green-skinned woman.
"Not in the least.", Shego answered firmly.
"Not even a little bit?", Bobbi asked, with a raised eyebrow and a mischievous smirk.
"Nah! Besides, I think Hulk's kinda cute when he's angry.", Shego answered with a light chuckle.
Upon hearing Shego's latest remark, Hulk let a low savage growl escape his throat, anger coursing through his veins. If there was one thing that Hulk wouldn't allow or tolerate, it was the thought of others thinking that he wasn't powerful and intimidating. He was the Hulk! The Strongest One There Is! And he wasn't going to allow anyone, not even Shego, to think that he was weak! He was going to prove her wrong!
Without so much as a second thought, Hulk walked into the kitchen, causing the females to become silent for the time being. It was then that Hulk adverted his gaze away from the women at the table in order to focus his green eyes on Shego, who seemed more amused than intimidated by his sudden appearance. Without hesitation, Hulk proceeded to walk closer to Shego, coming to a stop directly in front of the former female mercenary.
"Hey, green & handsome, what's up?", Shego greeted, a teasing yet affectionate smile gracing her features.
"Hmp! You should listen to them, Shego. You should be afraid of me.", Hulk replied, narrowing his eyes at her.
"Oh, yeah? Why's that?", Shego asked, resting her hands on her hips.
"Because I'm The Hulk! The Strongest There Is! I could tear this stupid planet apart with my bare hands!", Hulk roared, clenching his massive hands into fists.
"So you've got a bad temper. Big deal! True, you are the strongest one there is, but you're not the only one with a bad temper. If you haven't noticed, I've got a bad attitude as well, Hulk.", Shego retorted, not showing the slightest hint of intimidation in the presence of the Green Goliath.
"Don't make me smash you, Shego!", Hulk snarled in a threatening tone of voice.
It was then that Shego's eyes traveled up and down Hulk's form, taking in every single detail of his muscular body. She had to admit, Hulk definitely had a very appealing physique, which gave new meaning to the saying that size matters... in more ways than one in Hulk's case! She allowed a playful smile to grace her features as she locked gazes with Hulk, knowing that she was going to have some fun with him.
"You can smash me anytime you like, Hulk.", Shego replied in a seductive voice as she winked teasingly at the Jade Giant.
This remark caught Hulk off guard, his eyes widening as his expression changed from one of anger to one of bewilderment. It only took a few seconds for Shego's innuendo to register in Hulk's mind, causing his mouth to open ever so slightly as his eyes became a bit wider, a warm rush of blood nearly coloring the green skin of his face. It was only when Hulk heard the giggling of Janet, Bobbi, Carol, and Ororo did he shake his mind of those thoughts and focus his glaring eyes upon Shego once again.
"You don't get it, do you? I'm a monster! I could smash this entire planet and crush the life out of you with ease, Shego!", Hulk snarled menacingly, trying to scare the pale green-skinned female that stood before him.
"First things first; you're not a monster. Secondly; I know you won't hurt me, because even though I've only know you for less than a week, I trust you. And finally; I'm not intimidated by you, because let's face it, you're just not scary, Hulk.", Shego responded confidently, refusing to be intimidated by the Green Goliath.
"Is that so?", Hulk snarled between clenched teeth.
"Yes, it is. It doesn't matter how powerful or vicious you are, because I'm never going to be afraid of you. I don't fear anyone, least of all you, Hulk.", Shego declared defiantly, causing Hulk to finally lose his temper.
"GRAAAH!", Hulk roared, startling the other four females in the kitchen, but the tactic failed to make Shego even flinch.
"Loud, yes. Scary? Not so much.", Shego remarked nonchalantly, taking pleasure in seeing the look of anger and confusion on Hulk's face.
"GRRAAAAAH!", Hulk bellowed once again, his roar even more higher in volume that the first, though the result on Shego was the same as the last.
"Oh, yeah. That was really terrifying. I think I felt myself actually shake a little. Oh, wait... no that was just my pulse.", Shego replied in sarcastic mocking tone of voice.
"GRRRRAAAAAAAH!", Hulk roared for the third time, his volume even more thunderous than the last.
"Still not scary.", Shego replied with a mock yawn, a teasing smirk remaining on her face.
In an act of frustration, Hulk slowly wiped his right hand down his face, much to the amusement of Shego as she watched on. It was then that Hulk decided to give it one last try, because he knew that if this wouldn't intimidate Shego, then nothing would. Turning away, Hulk took a step away before quickly turning and unleashing his most powerful roar directly in Shego's face, its sheer volume scaring the living daylights out of Janet, Bobbi, Carol, and Ororo. Once finished, Hulk began inhaling and exhaling oxygen, his massive chest rising and falling ever so slightly as he stared deeply into Shego's emerald green eyes.
"Roar.", Hulk huffed, continuing to slowly inhale and exhale oxygen.
Once again, Shego was unfazed by Hulk's thunderous roar, an amused and triumphant smile gracing her features. It was just then that Hulk realized that their faces were only seperated by a few inches of space, his mind wondering what Shego was thinking about and what she would say or do in the next few moments. Then, without any warning, Shego leaned close and planted an affectionate kiss on Hulk's cheek, causing his eyes to widen in surprise from this unexpected token of affection.
"Cute. But not scary.", Shego stated, gently caressing Hulk's face with her fingertips.
"I don't need this.", Hulk grumbled in a low voice, swatting Shego's hand away as he proceeded to take a seat at the table.
Shego soon followed, taking a seat directly beside Hulk, who refused to even acknowledge her presence. Shego merely smiled in amusement, looping her arms around Hulk's right forearm before proceeding to temporarily rest her head against his upper arm. Despite herself, she couldn't help but feel comforted by Hulk's presence, which seemed to sooth her in ways that nothing or nobody else could.
"It's okay, Hulk. I still like you all the same.", Shego assured, looking up at her Green Goliath.
Hulk briefly locked eyes with Shego, a ghost of a smile appearing on his face before quickly vanishing. It was then that Hulk began to wonder if Banner actually had a point in their last conversation. Would it be so bad to actually allow Shego to become closer to him?
Author's Notes
The first of many short stories that revolve around Shego's first month staying at Avengers Mansion. Basically, these events take place during Shades of Green, but before their confrontation with The Leader and the Masters of Evil. It also gives more insight on how the relationship between Hulk and Shego develops. Be sure to look out for more, because I've got quite a few planned out.
