Hi, guys!
I know what you're thinking. "She's starting another story?!" Yes, I am! But let me explain.
A few weekends ago, my friend and I went to see The Avengers. After the movie, the wheels began turning in my head and all I could think of were stories. Well, I've finally had enough. I'm stopping the annoying, nagging thoughts in my head and getting it out here on FanFiction.
Because I'd like to keep my sanity, thank you very much.
Also, as of this point the only Marvel movies I've seen are The Avengers andIron Man, although I hope I'll be able to rent Thor, Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, and Captain America soon. So just bear with me for a while. This'll probably be really OOC, at least a first. Please give it a chance!
Enjoy!
Prologue
"Tony?"
Tony Stark looked up from his computer screen. His best friend, Dr. Bruce Banner, stood in the doorway of the 3rd floor lab.
"Hey, Brucie," Tony greeted. He noticed that Bruce didn't move further into the room, and that the man had an odd look on his face. "What's up?"
Bruce seemed to hesitate for a moment. "I've got something to show you."
"Alright." Tony was surprised when Bruce entered the room and pulled up another screen, typing in the code for access to the security cameras. He selected the camera for one of the unused labs and stepped back.
Tony started when he saw the image. A little girl, only four years old at most, lay on a bed of cushions and pillows. She was swathed in blankets, but with the high definition camera, Tony could see the sheen of sweat covering her face. This girl was obviously very sick.
He turned to stare at his friend. "Who is she?"
Bruce swallowed nervously. "Her name is Sydney. She's three years old."
"And why is she in my tower?"
"You know how the other day I found out about that low-income orphanage in Brooklyn the other day, and I decided to go there and see the kids?"
"Yeah..." Tony wasn't sure he wanted to know where this was going.
"Well, I went earlier today. The lady who runs the place asked me if I knew of any doctors who would be willing to help one of the kids for little payment - the orphanage isn't doing very well; they can barely afford to feed all the kids. I told her I'm a doctor and I'd be glad to help.
"The room she led me to was in the back of the house - because that's all it is, an old broken down house. Inside was a little girl. I could tell from just looking at her that she was gravely ill. I knew what it was, too; I'd seen it before, when I was in the Middle East. It's not common in the US, and it's highly contagious to other children.
"Since I know the treatment she needs, I offered to take her someplace where I could cure her without risking the health of any other kids. I wrapped her up, brought her here, and put her in the basement lab, where there's no risk of anyone else contracting the illness."
Tony stared at Bruce, who shifted uncomfortably. "It's not very contagious to adults. And besides, I'll be the only one who goes down there. I had it once, a long time ago. I can't get it again. I know I should've talked to you first, but she needs help now. If she doesn't get the medication she needs soon, she'll die."
Eventually, Tony nodded. "Alright. As long as she stays down there until she's not contagious, I don't have a problem. But keep your phone with you while you're with her in case you need anything. I'll supply you with whatever you need."
Bruce visibly relaxed. "Thank you, Tony."
He nodded again. "Of course. Want me to tell the rest of the team?"
"Please. I've gotta get back to Sydney."
"Go ahead." Tony tilted his head. "You okay there, Big Guy?" Bruce seemed a bit tense still. And was that nervousness he detected?
"Of course I am." Bruce nodded and left.
Tony sighed. Something was definitely going on. He wished Bruce would talk to him, but that's the thing about isolation: no matter how many people surround you, you're always alone.
~Isolation~
"There you go," Bruce murmured as he held the bottle to Sydney's lips and watched as she latched on and began drinking.
It had been three days since Bruce had brought Sydney to Stark Tower, and he had yet to leave the basement lab. Tony had sent down a constant supply of food, clothes, and the various herbs required to make the three-year-old's medicine. He'd supplied Bruce with a cot when the doctor refused to leave Sydney's side.
Sydney's fever had yet to break, but at least it wasn't sky high any longer. The medicinal drink was obviously doing its job. The child was now able to keep down regular 2% cow milk, apple juice, and orange juice, as well as pieces of fruit and cups of yogurt. Bruce was confident that the girl would soon be back to normal.
He'd had Steve make a trip to the orphanage for Sydney's file. He was curious about the child's family and why such an adorable kid was an orphan. He'd been shocked when he read that Sydney had been abandoned at the hospital the day she was born, and no one had been able to locate her parents. She had no other family to look after her and was sent to the orphanage a week after birth.
Sydney finished the bottle and let out a small burp. Bruce laughed. "Excuse you!" he said. He looked to the side and picked a book from the stack on the table. "Let's read If You Give A Mouse A Cookie," he told Sydney.
The girl clapped happily. She had yet to speak, although Bruce knew she should already be at her age. She communicated her emotions through sounds and movement. He would have to teach her how to talk soon.
Bruce was startled at his thoughts. Since when did he start making plans concerning Sydney? She wasn't his daughter; as soon as she was healthy again, she was going back to the orphanage.
His thoughts were interrupted by Sydney yanking his brown hair. He quickly opened the book and started reading.
~Isolation~
"I did it!"
Everyone looked up as Bruce came jogging into the room, obviously worked up. They were shocked to see him: he hadn't come up from the basement for a week.
"Did what?" Natasha Romanoff asked.
Bruce's face was lit up. "Sydney's fever broke last night."
The Avengers looked at one another. They all knew how much this meant to their teammate.
"That's great, Big Guy," Tony said. "So she's all set to go back?"
Bruce's face fell. Everyone could see him debating something.
"Actually," Bruce began. "I was thinking of adopting her."
It was a rare sight to see the Avengers silent, but it was one of those moments. Everyone was trying to wrap their heads around Bruce's announcement. They'd always thought he needed someone to occupy him so he didn't spend all his time in the lab, but a child? Bruce had always been wary of children, fretting over the Hulk's reaction to their oftentimes rough behavior.
Steve Rogers finally spoke up. "You're sure?" he asked.
Bruce nodded confidently. "I know I've said I don't feel comfortable having kids around me all the time, but after spending the past week with Sydney, I don't think I could bear to let her go. She's such a sweet girl, and I think she'd like it here. Besides, she's not getting the education she needs at the orphanage. She's almost four years old and can't even speak yet. She needs better care than what she can get there. I really think it's the right decision."
Everyone let the thought of a child at Stark Tower sink in. It was hard to imagine, but then again, it hadn't seemed likely that the six of them would all get along if they lived in one place, but there they all were, completely content. Well, all except for Thor, who alternated between his people on Asgard and his girlfriend Jane in New Mexico.
Ultimately, they all knew it was Tony's decision; they were, after all, living in his tower. Everyone turned to him.
After a moment, Tony nodded. "If you think you can handle caring for a toddler, then she's welcome to stay."
No one had ever seen Bruce happier.
~Isolation~
If you're reading this, you decided to give the story a chance! That definitely makes me happy.
I know Tony sort of acts like Bruce's dad or something, but I figure that, with everything Bruce has been through, he might need a bit looking after.
Please leave a review and tell me what you think. I'd really appreciate it!
Peace, Love, Joy