Bruce Banner was startled awake by the heavy noise of AC/DC emanating from Tony's room, the young billionaire's alarm clock. He sighed and rolled over, using a pillow to try and block out the loud music that assaulted his innocent ear drums. Finally he gave up and stumbled out of bed, throwing on a shirt and pants over his boxers before trudging down to the kitchen for breakfast.

Where he found a cooking super soldier, clad only in American flag boxers and a big white shirt with a pink apron over it. While Clint and Natasha were at the table and awake as well, Clint had his head halfway into his syrupy pancakes and Natasha was snickering as if debating whether or not to rouse him. Bruce just grabbed some orange juice and sat down at the table.

"Oh, Bruce. A letter came for you yesterday, you were in the lab so I didn't want to disturb you."

Steve spoke suddenly, grabbing a finely crafted envelope from the counter top and tossing it to Bruce. He instinctively caught it and was surprised by the address on the front. So surprised he didn't notice the half dead genius-playboy-philanthropist who dragged himself into the kitchen to plop down in one of the chairs and smash his head on the table, startling Clint who jerked out of his pancake pillow to then glare at Natasha as she openly laughed.

Bruce mean while was still staring at the letter. 'Why would Social Services send him a letter?' He thought, puzzled. As he split open the letter with the sharp nail of his thumb. And unfolded the note it contained.

'Dear Mr. Robert Bruce Banner

It is our deepest regret to inform you that Mrs. Elizabeth Ross has passed away due to

health related issues.

It was one of the written desires of Mrs. Ross for her eight year old daughter to live with her father should anything happen to her.

There for you shall be granted custody of Miss Gabriella Ross, effective immediately.

Please come to retrieve Miss Ross as soon as possible.

Sincerely, The board of Social Services.'

Bruce's heart sunk to his knees and he was glad he was sitting down because his legs felt like wet rubber. Betty was dead? Betty can't be dead! He-he had a daughter? Bruce hadn't realized he was staring into space with tears sliding down his cheeks until Steve's fingers were in front of his eyes, snapping to try and bring him back into reality. Bruce looked up sharply, spilling orange juice down his front as his elbow knocked into the glass.

"Bruce, what is it?"

Steve asked, concern for his friend evident on his features and everyone else at the table looked at them. Bruce paled instantly and was shaking his head within mere moments.

"No-No! I'm fine! Totally fine!"

He stammered, waving his hands as if they would prove the fact. So he didn't notice Tony, snatching the letter out of his hand until it was gone.

"No Tony!"

Bruce snapped, lunging and grabbing it from Tony and his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Bruce?"

Tony asked, causing glances of concern from around most of the team that was at the table. Bruce just stared blankly up at Tony.

"I've got to go do something important later today, okay? In fact I'll be going now."

Bruce quickly stammered, pushing himself upright and hurrying out of the kitchen. The concerned eyes of most of his team following him out.

-TheTimeSkippyThingieGoesHereDudes-

Bruce just stared at her, he couldn't help it, she just looked so...wow. Gabriella Ross sat silently in a huge office chair that made her feet dangle at least two feet off the ground. She was small for her eight years, that much was obvious. But it was her features that had startled Bruce so very much. The child had long black hair pulled back in two simple braids, her nose was small and button like, her cheeks dusted lightly with freckles. But her eyes were what had sent Bruce reeling, they were a vibrant green color, the same color as The Other Guy's when he changed.

"Hi..."

Was the first thing Bruce had managed to force out as he looked upon his child. The girl merely eyed him with politeness and solemnity. She just waved and that was it, she hadn't moved from her spot, only followed him with guarded eyes.

"Your Bruce Banner right?"

She whispered, shyly. Her voice reminded him of his, clipped and reserved, like she was trying to keep something calm.

"Um...Yes. Your Gabriella?"

He stammered then mental berated himself, for being so nervous. She gave the barest hit of a smile.

"Gabriel. Most people just call Gabriel or Gabe. Others call me Hop-a-Long."

She explained softly and Bruce's brow furrowed in confusion.

"Why 'Hop-a-Long'?"

He asked gently and she opened smiled at him, but it was a sad little smile. She bent over and began rolling up her blanket on her legs, to expose twin metal braces, strapped securely onto both legs. Bruce stared in shock, then a little voice in his head reasoned that that was the reason her legs hadn't bent in the chair. She reached down to expose a folded thin metal cane near her backpack.

"Cerebral palsy. It's mainly localized in my legs."

She explained and Bruce nodded numbly. He had seen patients like her before but this was his daughter, his child. It made a lot of difference.

"Gabriel, do you want to come live with me? In Stark Tower?"

He asked and her eyes widened and brightened. A real happiness filled grin spread across her face and Bruce could only think of Betty, she had Betty's smile.

"You live in Stark Tower with the Avengers?! That's so cool! I LOVE Ironman! But Captain America has to be my favorite!"

She squealed and Bruce found himself laughing at her excitement.

"Can we go now?!"

She added hurriedly and looked up at him like a puppy and he knew he was going to relent, no matter what. He quickly looked and the Social worker who watched them in the corner and she nodded. So he nodded to Gabriella. She grinned even bigger and pushed herself off her chair, she wobbled at first but unfolded her cane and was soon supported. Bruce without question lifted up her backpack and set it squarely on his shoulders and he led his daughter out of the room. A secure hand on her shoulder as she hobbled stiffly.

-TheTimeSkippyThingieGoesHereDudes-

Bruce looked at her as she leaned against the sturdy metal of the elevator. She was looking as if she would burst from excitement. Then the doors opened to a blissfully empty living room.

"Sir, it appears as if Dr. Banner has returned along with a child."

Bruce winced as he heard the familiar british voice of J.A.R.V.I.S through the ceiling. And of course that sent all of the Avengers running. Clint arrived first, Natasha in tow. Then came Steve from the Gym, Tony from his Lab and Thor from wherever he had been rummaging for pop tarts. All of them looked from Gabriella to Bruce with shocked eyes. Tony was the one who recovered first.

"Who's the kid?"

He asked and Gabriella grinned at him, extending a small hand, but keeping a firm grip on her cane. Tony saw the issue and hurried over to shake her hand.

"Hiya! You must be Ironman, right!? I'm Gabriella Banner!"

She chirped happily and Bruce could've face palmed then and there.

"Wait, Bruce is your dad?"

Asked Steve as he walked forwards to meet the young girl. She nodded happily and Tony stared at her leg braces and cane.

"What's with the braces?"

He asked crudely and Natasha and Clint both glared at him for being rude but Gabriella just shrugged it off like she was used to it.

"Oh, yeah. I've got Cerebral palsy, so the leg braces and cane are to help me walk."

She explained. Tony nodded, as if thinking and Natasha moved forwards next.

"Who's your mom and where is she?"

Natasha asked, roughly, and once again Gabriella just brushed it off as nothing.

"Elizabeth 'Betty' Ross, she's dead."

She sighed and Bruce winced. Thor then laughed loudly.

"BANNER? WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME OF YOUR CHILD?!"

Thor bellowed and Bruce just shrugged apologetically. Gabriella just leaned against her father, smiling.