Chapter Two:
Nikki's cup was refilled frequently in the short period of time while she sat with Bruce Banner and Tony Stark. Unlike before, Bruce begun to drink his liquor more "casually" around Nikki.
"You should have fainted by now," Tony teased.
"Why would I?"
Bruce nervously rubbed his hands together between his knees. "So how long have you been working here?"
"You obviously don't know who I am." Tony chewed on ice displeased.
Nikki became confused quickly, forming a frown. Before she could figure out what they were saying, a bald man with glasses on his face and a cigarette in his hand had grabbed her arm and yanked her out of her chair.
Disappointed he said, "You know Tess won't like this. Get back there and get ready! You're on in five or else Georgia will go on for you again."
Nikki rolled her eyes with attitude and turned to the booth, glancing back and forth between the two men that she didn't recognize as famous supernatural people.
Bruce smiled slightly, "Well, I…uh-I guess you have to go back to work then?"
Tony held his glass up slightly to say goodbye before putting it to his lips to get the last drop out once again.
Nikki nodded. "Enjoy the show." She smiled at Stark and gave a wink to Bruce before walking quickly towards the back room.
xxXXxx
It was the usual noise level outside of the Burlesque Lounge when they walked out, two hours before the lounge's closing time. Horns were honking, people were shouting, and lights flickered in various places of the large city.
When out of ear range Tony stated, "I was expecting a bit more from it," and shrugged.
"I liked it."
"You liked her?" Tony pointed to a metal staircase that was above the Burlesque entrance. On the landing of the staircase was Nikki, smoking a cigarette and watching them leave.
Bruce and Tony stopped walking and looked back.
Bruce sighed pleasurably.
"I watched as you gazed after her. Admit it, you like her."
Banner shook his head, watching his feet, not wanting to look back at her, or at Stark. Bruce's hands were in the pockets of his dress pants, keeping them from the breeze that came at the end of summer.
"Come on, big guy, we aren't in junior high."
"She's appealing."
"Good, we'll go back next week. Hell, we'll go back tomorrow."
As Tony made the plan of returning to the club, Bruce looked up above the Burlesque entrance to see if she was still inhaling the cigarette; she was. Once Tony said the last of his plans, Bruce snapped into reality.
"Uh-no…no." Banner took his hands out of his pockets and started waving them frantically to his rebellion.
"It'll be a party."
"I don't see how that would be a party."
"She's hot. Look at her!"
Bruce looked up at her. He focused on her curving figure but noticed her focused eyes and a smirk as if she was looking at prey.
"Okay, fine. Next week." He stayed focused on her, giving a slight smile.
"Good." Tony swung his hand around, grabbing Bruce's hand and shaking it.
Just as Stark had done so, his phone went off. Tony took it out of his jacket and answered with one of his breath taking greetings and talked steely for a few moments, only replying with "mhmm" and "okay."
When Tony began to speak to Pepper, Bruce walked the way he came, getting closer to Nikki. He finally reached the sidewalk before the metal staircase where Nikki stood. The cigarette she previously held in her hand had burned out and she now rested one wrist over the other, watching him stroll over.
"Back to watch more of the show?" Bruce shook his head and lets out a slight, nervous laugh. "What a shame, hoping you would stick around for the after show," she said and winked.
"This really isn't my scene, but don't get me wrong. You're a great dancer."
"Why thank you."
"You're very welcome." Bruce smirked shyly.
"Come back and watch again. We'll get drinks afterwards."
"How does next week sound?"
"I'll be waiting." Nikki smiled and headed back inside, throwing a glance over her shoulder.
Bruce stays standing there for a moment before he feels a hand on his shoulder.
"We gotta go." Tony began walking, tugging Bruce along behind him.
"What's going on? Who was that?"
"Pepper. Someone came around the tower asking where you were. They blew a hole in my wall." Tony stopped and furrowed his eyebrows. "I just fixed that wall." He began walking again, releasing Bruce's shoulder finally.
Bruce had stayed calm while receiving this message. He always has to go into hiding at unexpected times. It was his life now; it has been his life for… ever.
"After we go to the tower and pick up your stuff- which will be already packed- I'll drop you off at the airport. Go to New Zealand. That's where Pepper is making your reservations and whatever."
Tony then proceeded to pull out a cell phone. "Here. Keep this with you. I'll be able to track it. I made it and hacked the signal towers so you don't have to worry about payments. All on me."
"I can't take this. It's easy for me to just… adapt to the world around me without help."
"It's New Zealand, not India or wherever the hell you disappear to." Bruce nods his head in silence, taking the phone. Tony had been going over the speed limit by 40 mph in the open.
Bruce noticed this, "Where is everyone? All of the cars?"
Stark shook his head, "Don't worry about it," he speed up.
xxXXxx
Back at the tower, Pepper was sitting in the living room, going through files when they had walked in. She stood up, handing Bruce the papers. "Passport, plane ticket, and some money."
"Money's not necessary."
"My gift." Tony slapped his arm and walked by him, picking up his bag.
"Thanks," Bruce muttered, taking the papers.
Bruce sighed in the car.
"Exhausting night, isn't it?"
"I guess I won't be partying at the lounge anytime soon."
"I'll deliver the news that you had to… leave on an urgent business trip. High-class stuff." Tony smirked.
"No. I'm not getting her involved in lies, Tony."
"What? You're attached to her now?"
"No… but, in case something happens, I don't want anyone to get hurt. I had a single interaction with her but that's good enough for someone to use her as bait to get me. Just don't speak of me to her."
"Fair enough."