AN: Hey there! Here's another chapter, since the other one was ridiculously short. This chapter has a lot of movie dialogue in it, but for the sake of the story line, it kinds needs it. I'll try to keep that sort of thing to a minimum, but I need Penny in some of the situations from the movie, since it's set during then.

Enjoy!

Xxx

~Fen~

1. Meet The Patient

'Oh. Er…not much, I'm afraid. My talents lie more along the lines of preventing disease, outbreaks…mammalian health and psychology. Specifically human emotion. Although I suppose gamma radiation is irrevocably linked to health, I mean, the implications alone. But I – ' Penny stopped herself, realising that her words were falling on deaf ears. 'I'm sorry. I'm rambling. You probably don't have the time to listen to m – '

'You're right. I don't have the time,' Fury said shortly, and Penny tried not to flinch. At least he was honest…

'Of course. Is there anything else you need from me? Anything you'd like me to do in preparation?' Penny pushed her glasses up her nose and fiddled with the end of her long, dark brown plait that hung over her right shoulder.

'Well for starters, read up on gamma radiation. You're gonna need the know-how. Aside from that…' Fury seemed to think for a moment. 'May I inquire as to how good your people skills are, Doctor?' The conversation took a sharp swerve, and Penny struggled to remain focused on what he was asking.

'Uh…they're alright, I suppose. Well. I am a scientist, so I wouldn't say it's my strongest suit, exactly…'

'What about dealing with distressed animals?' he inquired. It was just one strange question after another with this man.

'Well, animals are an entirely different story. Animals and I get along just fine.'

'Excellent. Then you won't mind me asking if you'll accompany an agent of ours – and several operatives – to India tomorrow?'

Penny couldn't handle it anymore. 'P-pardon?' she asked timidly. 'India, did you say?'

'Yes, India,' Fury said, sounding irritated. 'That's where we'll be collecting your patient. Time is of the essence, Doctor.'

'Patient?' she inquired, voice rising in pitch. 'Uh…'

'Indeed. I promise everything will be explained once he's on board, but I need to know that you are on board, more metaphorically speaking, Dr Masters.'

Penny let a puff of air out. Well. That was the million-dollar question, wasn't it? Was she prepared to go down whatever mysterious path this mysterious organisation had mysteriously asked of her? The lab alone was enough to make her wonder just how much money the government was throwing at SHIELD, and now a shadowy cure that she had to concoct? Everything screamed secret government agency, and she didn't know if she wanted to go down that path. Penny and governments didn't really get along…

But didn't she want to know what Fury was talking about? Therein lay the hook. There was so much mystery surrounding her currently, it would be impossible for her scientist's mind not to reach out and snatch at the opportunity to learn something new. Perhaps Fury didn't realise, but just by omitting to tell her everything, he'd caught her interest in this enigma wrapped in an unknown, disguised as a mystery.

Of bloody course she was on board.

The Next Day:

Penny felt sick.

It wasn't that she hated flying. Penny loved flying. She had fond memories of travelling by plane to Germany to visit her grandparents when she was a child. No, it was her destination that worried her. They were flying headfirst into a sprawling Indian city, in the hopes of finding one of the – apparently – most elusive men that SHIELD had ever tried to find. Then they were to extract him, and then bring him back to Penny's lab for her to develop a cure for. With as little fuss as possible. She still had no idea what she was supposed to be curing, but she doubted it was anything cheerful.

All that she'd read about gamma radiation over the past twenty-four hours screamed: warning, danger, wrong way, turn back!But apparently, that didn't stop Fury from wanting what he wanted. Penny had no idea what he wanted from her.

It didn't help that they had what appeared to be an entire garrison of soldiers with them. That only increased Penny's unease further. All she'd been told was that they were trying to talk to a man somewhere in Calcutta. She knew nothing about him, knew nothing about Calcutta, and with every second that passed, her fear grew. Why did they need so many soldiers just to speak to one man?!

The woman who was in charge of the mission – someone called Agent Romanoff – spoke over the speaker system and Penny jumped at the sudden noise in her headphones that cut across the sound helicopter blades.

'Alright, we're about to land, Dr Masters. Director Fury wants me to let you know that you're going to be coming in with me to speak to Banner.'

Banner? Was that the man's name?

Hold on. Did she just say that I would be accompanying her? 'Pardon?' Penny exclaimed, gripping the strap of her harness tightly. 'Did you just say I'd be going with you?!'

The woman nodded in the front seat, and Penny caught a glimpse of her scarlet hair, bouncing with the motion. 'Don't ask me why. Director's orders.'

Right. And whatever the Director asks, gets done, Penny thought bitterly to herself. In the past two days, Penny had come to the realisation that she didn't like Director Fury. Not one bit. He was far too mysterious for her. And bossy.

'O-okay,' Penny said softly, and then louder so Romanoff could hear her. 'Alright!'

Romanoff nodded in acknowledgement and then set about the task of landing, organising the copters, and generally making sure everything ran smoothly. Penny had to admit, she was slightly in awe of the agent. She was so confident and self-sure in everything she did. Not to mention she totally pulled off the leather bodysuit look flawlessly. If Penny tried that, it would simply hang off her.

Pulling her silk shawl – part of a disguise that both she and Romanoff were wearing to blend in – around her tighter, she prepared herself for landing. Or, she thought she did. It was only when Romanoff opened the door on her side that she realised they'd already landed. Romanoff was that good.

Penny unbuckled herself and stepped out of the helicopter, glancing around her. They were in a fairly spacious area, although the city sprawled in all directions just beyond the rundown house that the SHIELD agents were proceeding to surround from the back. She followed Agent Romanoff until they came to the back door of the building, and the agent glanced her over.

'Are you alright?' Romanoff asked, and Penny nodded. 'You look kinda pale,' the Russian observed.

'Oh, it's nothing, Agent Romanoff. I'm just a bit nervous. I just know nothing about the man we're about to meet,' she said honestly. 'My…patient.'

Romanoff shook her head in astonishment. 'Nothing? Fury really chose to keep the kiddie wheels on with you, didn't he? Either that or he's trying to get you killed,' she said with a joking laugh, and Penny smiled weakly. That was an encouraging thought.

Romanoff pushed the door open, making sure there was no one there, gun at the ready, and then stepped inside. She beckoned for Penny to follow, and she followed suit, feeling the heavy weight of her own gun at her hip, loathing that it had been forced upon her by the other woman. 'Just in case,' Romanoff has said. Just in case what? Just in case one man managed to overpower Agent Romanoff, and the countless other men outside? Yeah, because that was so likely, Penny thought with a smirk.

Romanoff ducked behind a hanging sheet from the ceiling, and gestured that Penny do the same on her side. She complied and ducked behind the dirty, but brightly patterned cloth just as she heard small footsteps approaching. Small footsteps? Who were they there to see, a midget?

Romanoff held a finger to her lips to signal quiet, and held up her gun, gesturing that Penny should pull hers out. Grudgingly, Penny gripped the cold metal gun and brought it to shoulder height.

Over the day, someone had taught her to use it, although its presence just added to her unease. Just as she pulled it out, a small girl with long, dark hair dashed past her, brushing the edge of the cloth she was hiding behind. The child disappeared into a hole in the wall, and Penny heard the sound of heavier footsteps following, slowly coming to a halt.

She turned her head back to look at Romanoff and realised that the sheet had been completely dislodged from its fastening to the ceiling. Romanoff's eyes widened as the sheet fell, almost in slow-motion, and softly landed on the ground, leaving Penny completely exposed, gun in hand.

'I should have known,' said a soft voice, tinged with sadness.

Penny's glance slid to the man now facing her, and she smiled weakly. Shit.

He was quite handsome. Tall height, broad shoulders, a square, kind face and dark brown, curling hair.

'H-hi,' she said shakily, and moved to push her glasses up her nose with her hand when she remembered the gun. 'Oh!' she exclaimed, and realised that the man was looking at it with a stony expression. 'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to – '

'Why can't you people just leave me alone?' he interrupted. His voice was exasperated and he took a step forward, anger clouding his handsome face. Penny didn't know why, but she moved back, putting one foot behind her. Instantly, she realised her mistake as her foot caught on the edge of the cloth that had been concealing her. She stumbled backwards, falling and landing on her behind with a soft thud. She dropped the gun and landed with muffled squeak of surprise, more than pain.

Shakily, she got back on her feet, gun forgotten, and she glanced to her side, seeing Romanoff staring at her, eyes wide with apprehension. The agent signalled something at her, but she had no idea what it meant. Then Romanoff mouthed: 'Convince him to join SHIELD.'

What?

Quickly, Penny turned her gaze back to the man in front of her, and saw his sceptical look. 'They sent…you?' he inquired.

'Uh…' she began. 'Hello,' she started, pleased there was no quiver in her voice. 'My name is Penny Masters. Doctor Penny Masters, I mean. Sorry. I'm not very good with introductions.' Out of the corner of her eye, Penny thought she spied Romanoff rolling her eyes. Penny stuck her hand out. 'And you are…?'

The man looked at her hand dubiously, and then pointedly ignored it. Well then. If he wanted to play it this way, that was fine with Penny. She tossed her dark brown hair slightly, her plait falling over her right shoulder. His refusal to shake her hand gave her a righteous sort of courage. 'Something Banner, I presume,' she said with a slight glare.

'Dr Banner,' the man said and nodded at her, although he was still giving her a strange look. Oh? So he was a fellow scientist, then?

'Well, Dr Banner, I'm here as an emissary of SHIELD, and I…' Lie, she scolded. Not an emissary. A scientist, who is way out of her depth. She faltered.'I'm here to ask you if you would consider – '

'No,' he said shortly, his intelligent, dark brown eyes flashing. 'I've already told you people a hundred times – No. I've been happy. I've been working, healing people, helping people. I haven't had an incident in over a year.'

Incident? 'Well, I'm not sure about any incident, but I am sure that if you'll just listen to my proposal, I can convince you…?' It sounded more like a question than an argument, but the doctor seemed to pause. Penny cleared her throat. 'Like I said, I'm an emissary for SHIELD, and I – '

'Don't lie to me, please, Dr Masters,' Banner said suddenly, and Penny saw his jaw clench. 'You always lie, every single time. And it never, ever works.'

Penny fumbled for words. 'I-I'm not sure I know what you're talking about, Dr Banner, but I can assure you that – '

'If you're an emissary then I'm the gentle giant,' he said quietly, but there was something behind his words, something darker, although Penny didn't know what. She sighed, and stared at her feet momentarily.

'You're right,' she said with a defeated slump to her shoulders. 'I'm not an emissary. Anyone could tell that. Have you noticed my people skills? I'm usually much more eloquent.' She took a few steps towards Dr Banner, and saw his brown eyes widen. 'But I do want to convince you to join us, or at least talk to someone who really knows what's going on. I certainly don't. I didn't even know your proper title until just moments ago.'

Banner was still staring at her strangely. Penny took this as a good sign and pushed on. 'And I do work for SHIELD. They just want to talk to you. Something about joining them, something about me trying to find a cure for you – whatever that means – and something that the agent standing behind the cloth over there knows much more about than me.' Penny pointed towards where Romanoff was still hidden and almost heard an audible growl of frustration from the Russian.

Seconds later, the red-haired woman stepped out from behind the screen, gun nowhere in sight.

'Hello Dr Banner.' Romanoff's voice was steady, although from where she was standing, Penny could see her eyelids flickering nervously. The impressive agent was nervous? Just who was this man? 'Dr Masters here is telling you the truth.'

Penny turned back to Banner, whose expression had fallen, now gazing Romanoff. Penny took a step away from him. She hadn't realised she was less than a metre away from him now, and Romanoff seemed to notice it too.

'Dr Masters, if you could join me on this side of the room, please,' she suggested.

'Oh, no, don't bother yourself,' Banner remarked. 'I wouldn't want to trouble either of you.' He shook his head in disgust. 'Military scientists and agents. With you, it's just lie after lie.' He took a step forward. 'That little girl, she was a lie, wasn't she?'

Romanoff remained silent, and Penny recalled the small girl who'd accidentally broken her cover. 'Oh, actually, her father really is sick,' Penny began. 'But we've already sent doctors as payment for her servi – '

'Dr Masters, if you would be quiet and let the real emissary talk now, that would be great,' Romanoff snapped, and Penny scowled at her. Fine. 'Should have got paid up front, Banner,' the doctor murmured to himself, his mouth pulled in a tight smile.

Romanoff continued, talking to the other doctor now. 'You know, for a man who's supposed to be avoiding stress, you sure picked a hell of a place to settle.' The agent looked completely calm now, wrapped in the Indian silks that Penny and Romanoff had donned to blend in. Penny knew there were multiple weapons hidden beneath those silks, though.

'Avoiding stress isn't the secret,' Banner said evenly, putting his bag down.

'Then what is it? Yoga?' Romanoff asked sarcastically. Penny frowned. She had no idea what they were talking about, but she guessed it was something big. She was clearly missing a vital piece of information here somewhere.

'You brought me to the edge of the city. Smart,' Banner congratulated, although his voice was bitter as he peered out the windows. 'I…uh…assume the whole place is surrounded?' he asked, glancing towards the door.

Romanoff shook her head, and removed her silk shawl, tossing it to the side. 'Just you and me. And her,' she nodded towards Penny, who resented the third wheel afterthought she was referred to as.

'And your actress buddy, is she a spy too? Do they start that young?' At first, Penny thought Banner was talking about her, but then realised he meant the little girl from earlier.

'I did,' Romanoff said shortly, shrugging.

'Who are you?

'Natasha Romanoff.' So her first name was Natasha? Penny almost smiled. It was pretty. She liked that name.

Banner looked down at his hands. 'Are you here to kill me, Miss Romanoff?' he inquired and Penny blanched.

'What? No!' she exclaimed, but it was like she didn't exist anymore. Banner and Romanoff were having their own little private discussion without her.

'Because that's not gonna work out for everyone,' Banner said and Penny felt her eyes widen. What was he talking about?

'No, no,' Natasha protested, 'Of course not. I'm here on behalf of SHIELD. Like Dr Masters said.'

'So it really is SHIELD,' Banner mused, as if he'd thought Penny was lying. 'How did they find me?'

'We never lost you, Doctor. We've kept our distance. Even helped keep some other interested parties off your scent,' Natasha explained. Oh? This was news to Penny. She'd been told that Banner was almost impossible to find. Guess that was one of many lies she'd been told by SHIELD. She tried not to hold it against them. Secret government organisations and all that jazz.

'Why?' Banner asked suspiciously.

Natasha shrugged. 'Nick Fury seems to trust you. But now we need you to come in.'

Nick? What was it with first names around here?

Banner smiled tightly. 'What if I say no?'

'I'll persuade you,' Romanoff said confidently. Her entire approach had been formal, strict, but also…gentle? Why would the agent be gentle? It didn't seem like it was her nature to be so.

Banner nodded. 'And what if the…Other Guy says no?'

Other Guy? Was there someone else in the room? Penny frowned. 'Other Guy?' she asked softly, and Banner sent her a fleeting look of confusion.

'You've been more than a year without an incident. I don't think you wanna break that streak,' Natasha said with a smile.

Again with the "incident". What the hell was going on here?

'Well, I don't every time get what I want,' Banner admitted and Romanoff glanced at Penny.

'Doctor, we're facing a potential global catastrophe here,' she said persuasively, taking a mobile from her pocket and scanning through it for something.

Banner laughed weakly. 'Well those I actively try to avoid.'

'This is the Tesseract,' Romanoff said, pulling up a picture of a blue, glowing box. 'It has the potential energy to wipe out the planet.' She sat down at a table and put the phone down in front of her.

Penny gasped. This was the first she'd heard of it. Something that powerful…Banner glanced at the female doctor briefly again as he slid on a pair of glasses, before refocusing on the image, picking up the phone. 'What does Fury want me to do, swallow it?' he said sarcastically, and Penny smiled, although she didn't know why. Him swallowing the box would be physically impossible, after all. She was even more surprised to see that he returned her smile. Her face went blank. She hadn't realised that he'd been watching her so closely.

'Well, he wants you to find it. It's been taken,' Natasha continued. 'It omits a gamma signature that's too weak for us to trace.' Banner sent her a look and she shrugged. 'No one knows gamma radiation like you do. If there was, that's where I'd be.'

Interesting. The entire situation was getting more and more mysterious, if possible.

Banner seemed to mull things over in his mind, and he pulled his glasses off. 'So, Fury isn't after the monster?'

Monster? Okay, this is just too weird.

'Not that he's told me,' Natasha admitted, and Penny sent her a look. What on earth was she talking about?

'And he tells you everything?' Banner inquired with a knowing smirk. Jeez. This guy was a little bit of a douche. Although it appeared that all he wanted was to be left alone. Penny could appreciate that.

Agent Romanoff ignored his words and pushed on. 'Talk to Fury,' she suggested. 'He needs you on this.'

'Needs me in a cage?' Banner inquired politely, and Penny felt the uneasy feeling in her stomach return. What was he talking about? Incidents, Other Guys, monsters, cages? Just who was this guy? She started to get the feeling that she was completely out of her depth…

Romanoff cast a worried glance at Penny, who was still standing close to the doctor. 'No one's gonna put you in a – '

Banner brought his fists down the table. 'Stop lying to me!' he shouted.

Penny jumped about a foot in the air and gave a squeak at the exact moment that Romanoff pulled a gun out from beneath the table top. Banner slowly looked at the agent up then stood back, smiling almost boyishly, raising his hands slightly in defence. 'I'm sorry, that was mean,' he apologised. 'I just wanted to see what you'd do.' He held his hands out to her in a peace-offering and Penny noticed for the first time that there was fear in the agent's eyes, her entire body tensed to shoot. What had Natasha so scared? Surely it wasn't this guy?

Penny felt her confusion spiral out of control. Why was Natasha aiming at a clearly unarmed man? She took a step between the agent and the doctor, facing Romanoff. She saw the agent's eyes widen and Penny spoke as she placed a hand on Banner's arm before speaking to Natasha. 'Now, just hold on for a second, Agent – '

Banner ripped his arm away from her and Penny spun with a small intake of breath. She swore that his eyes flashed a different colour and he took a step backwards. Green? What on earth was going on here?

The doctor stared down at her hand, which was still outstretched towards him, and Penny hastily lowered it. She felt his gaze boring into her and she glanced away, uneasy under his open stare.

After a long second of further staring, Banner glanced up at Romanoff and tilted his head. 'Why don't we do this the easy way, where you don't use that, and the Other Guy doesn't make a mess? Okay?' Banner suggested, speaking to the agent like it was she who had a gun pointed at her. 'Natasha?' he prompted, and Penny saw the agent's gun waver slightly.

After a pregnant pause, Romanoff lowered her gun, and she brought her hand to her ear. 'Stand down. We're good here,' she said softly. Almost instantly, Penny heard multiple clicking sounds and realised that the run down shack had indeed been surrounded. And aimed at.

Banner rose an eyebrow. 'Just you and me?' he admonished the agent, and while Penny thought she might have some kind of witty comeback, all Romanoff did was stand there, looking at Banner…nervously.

'Uh…I don't know if you hadn't really noticed but I…' Penny felt both the gazes of Dr Banner and Agent Romanoff fall on her. Penny swallowed hard, her mouth gone strangely dry. 'Would it be possible for someone to tell me what the hell is going on here?'

AN: Phew! So. There's your first proper chapter. I hope you enjoyed it, and this is the more what the usual length of the chapters will be. Hope you thought everything was alright – Bruce personality-wise. I think Penny's in for a rude shock, don't you? ;)

Please read/review/follow/favourite! It makes me so very happy :D

Xxx

~Fen~

AN: I just realised I totally spelled the Black Widow's name incorrectly 0_o

So I fixed it. - SORRY!

xxx

~Fen~