After the battle of New York, the team known as The Avengers had gone their separate ways for the time being. Thor went home to Asgard, Hawkeye, Black Widow, and Captain America went back to S.H.I.E.L.D., and Tony Stark and Bruce Banner went back to Stark Tower.
After cleaning and remodeling the tower, including giving it a new name, Nick Fury and some of S.H.I.E.L.D. moved into the new and improved Avengers tower.
At first, Tony was less than enthusiastic that S.H.I.E.L.D. was living in his new home, but after a while he liked being the center of attention (surprise). Even the elusive Hawkeye and Black Widow had made a home in the tower; however, the most surprising tenant was the Hulk himself, Bruce Banner.
Bruce was the first to move in, other than Tony and Pepper. Tony was confident that Banner would stay if he were given a state of the art science lab, so that's exactly what Tony did. Those who thought Banner would disappear like he had tried before, were surprised to find him still in Avengers Tower three months later.
"You like it here, right Bruce?" Tony asked one day.
"What?" Bruce looked up from his experiment. "Oh, yeah. The lab is great." Bruce looked down knowing Tony wouldn't be satisfied.
"I mean in Avengers Tower. With me, Pepper, Natasha, Clint, and Fury, even if he is a buzz kill. Do you miss being alone?" Tony was serious and Bruce could tell.
Dr. Banner relaxed from his experiment and removed his glasses. "When I disappeared, at first it was about helping me. As I moved from place to place it became about helping others. Now that I'm here, it's still about helping others just not as Dr. Banner." Bruce finished his answer, then looked at Tony and laughed. "I didn't answer your question did I?"
"Nope not at all, but…I like you being here. Someone who finally understands what I'm saying." Tony clapped Bruce on the back. "See you at dinner."
"Bye, Tony." Bruce continued his experiment once Tony had retreated to the elevator in the back of the lab.
Two hours later, J.A.R.V.I.S. broke Bruce from his trance. "Sir, I'm sorry to bother you, but dinner will be served in ten minutes.
"Oh, uh, thanks J.A.R.V.I.S."
"You're welcome, sir." The voice clicked off and J.A.R.V.I.S. disappeared into thin air. Bruce cleaned his workstation only to reveal his reflection in the glass. His curly hair was straining in different directions, his dark, coffee colored eyes looked tired, and his button up shirt was wrinkled.
With only minutes before dinner, Bruce took a quick shower, towel drying his hair as best he could. His eyes looked fresher after a few eye drops and he picked a bright colored shirt to make him seem happy.
Bruce made it to the pent house of the tower right as the other guests were finding a seat. Tony sat at the head of the table close to the kitchen while Fury sat at the other end to keep his "eyes" on Tony, so to speak. Pepper sat to the left of Tony with Clint next to her, and Natasha sat to the left of Fury leaving one space available for Bruce between her and Tony. "There's my favorite scientist! Come sit next to me!"
Bruce walked quickly to the seat not wanting to keep the others waiting. "Sorry I'm late. I lost track of time." Bruce explained, sitting down.
There was a moment of silence as the assassins at the other end stared at him. "Well, it must be a scientist thing. Tony never knows what time it is." Pepper announced, breaking the silence.
"I know what time it is. J.A.R.V.I.S., what time is it?" Tony mused.
"It is 7:02 p.m., sir." J.A.R.V.I.S. announced.
"Thank you, J.A.R.V.I.S." Tony smirked.
"I stand corrected." Pepper proceeded to take her napkin and place it across her lap. Tony took the hint and asked for the food to be brought in.
The meal went by quickly with Tony cracking jokes at the expense of everyone else. Even Fury laughed at the millionaire, playboy and his quick wit. The only one who wasn't into the chatter was the Russian assassin seated next to Bruce.
He noticed her eyes stayed glued to her plate. Natasha didn't even look up when Tony joked about her red hair. Bruce was about to ask if she was all right, when Natasha excused herself from the table.
Fury and Clint glanced at each other, having a silent conversation about the woman who had just left them. Tony stopped Bruce from investigating any further when he asked if everyone wanted dessert. The offer went unanswered and the rest of the table members went their separate ways.
In the darkness of his room, Bruce began his usual string of nightmares. Usually, they consisted of flashbacks of him as the Hulk. This time was no different. He saw the green rage monster crush a four-door car as he landed on the roof.
Next, he could see the Hulk extending to his full height and bringing his fists down to the asphalt; the solid rock obliterated. Suddenly, the creature paused and stared at a person standing a few blocks away. The monster moved toward the person until he was standing toe-to-toe with Bruce Banner. The alter egos took in the sight of each other. Neither side moved until…
It happened so fast; Bruce wasn't sure what took place. The beast grabbed Banner and hefted him above his head. In one swift motion, the beast slammed Banner back toward the Earth. Bruce raced toward the ground and then…
Bruce woke with a start. His face was covered in sweat, but it seemed the beast had stayed inside his dreams. Determined to avoid other nightmares, Bruce made his way to the kitchen of the pent house.
Once he arrived, Dr. Banner found an apple to munch on and a glass to have some water. "Shouldn't you be in bed?" A voice called from the shadows. Bruce looked around, but didn't see a person in the room. " Over here, Dr. Banner."
Stepping out of the shadows, Natasha Romanoff became visable. She walked toward him from her dark corner across the room. At one point, Bruce thought he saw a tear roll down her cheek, but Natasha didn't seem like one to cry.
"I had a nightmare. Couldn't sleep." He explained.
"I thought I was the only one with nightmares." Natasha attempted a smile that looked more like a grimace.
"Are you okay? At dinner you seemed…distracted." Bruce chose his words carefully, knowing he was facing a master assassin.
"Nothing you need to worry about, doctor." Natasha patted his shoulder and strolled out to the balcony.
Bruce watched her saunter to the ledge and lean against the rail. He contemplated what he should do considering that if she became angry with him she could attack him. Realizing he was the bigger threat of the two, Bruce sat down his glass and half eaten apple on the counter. His curiosity was forcing him out to the balcony to speak with Natasha. Opening the door, Bruce joined her at the ledge.