I LOVE FLUFF! :) Alright so this is just a nice little filler before the real action starts. Flashbacks play in to the story so don't get too confused! Special shout out to: ladymoonscar, Amber-Jade James, badwolfette21 and XxXWolfDemonKimaXxX thank you for the reviews! I seriously love all my readers, you guys are the only reason this story is being put out there! :)
/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/**/*/*/*/**/*/*/*/*/*/**/**/*/*/*/*/*/*/**/*/**/*/**/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*
(FOUR MONTHS AGO)
"We have to do a press conference." Pepper announced at dinner one Tuesday night. I had made my mother's famous Tatter Tot hot dish for the whole crew and we were all either sitting on the coach various chairs or on the island in the kitchen munching away happily.
"Why?" Natasha asked from the coach, Clint grunted with agreement his mouth full of food.
"Because not only are Steve and Lizzie the only two Avengers who are seen publicly cleaning up on a regular basis, but pressure is being put on government, which puts pressure on SHEILD, who puts pressure on me." Pepper answered her face slightly flushed. She didn't like the idea more than anyone else, but she knew that it needed to be done. Tony wrapped an arm around her, eyes meeting mine.
"I can do it," I answered looking at Bruce. He sighed letting a hand comb through his hair.
"I don't think I can," he answered Pepper.
"I agree with the Doctor," Natasha started. "For safety reasons Clint and I are out too."
"I should be out for safety reasons." I shot back eyes narrowed. "They made me a mask to protect the people I love along with the people who would reveal who I really am. You're afraid that you can't handle a social situation. I thought you were tougher than that."
Natasha stood quickly her plate thrown across the room. Her red lips in a hard line. She reached at her belt for something, but second guessed herself, which gave me enough time to pick my defensive position. Bruce stood as well body in front of mine to protect me.
"Whoa guys seriously," Tony said his arms in the air. "I just got this place remodeled the way I like it. If one of us is going to go green within the next six seconds and ruin my new living room, I'm not going to clean it up."
I snickered still level with Natasha. She looked confused as to why she hesitated, while I knew how far I had come in training. Fury suddenly burst through the elevator a grim expression on his tried face.
"What's going on here?" he asked his tone slightly angry.
"I told them about the press conference," Pepper said still pushing my casserole around her plate.
"I see," Fury said rolling his good eye. "We will ALL report to the garage tomorrow at 0900. Steve your story won't be much different from the original except for the fact is that you tried to get sent to Afghanistan instead of Europe. Liz, Natasha, and Clint just spit out a lie that will work without giving to many details up. Tony don't ruin this and Banner just try to stay calm."
"I'll try my hardest, Director!" Tony barked saluting Fury as he twisted on his heel marching around the living room. Fury glared at Tony in response walking out of the room without another word. Tony stopped at the bar pouring himself a large brandy looking at the rest of us to join in. Natasha sent one final glare at me before signaling to Clint that they were leaving.
"You should probably fill Steve in about Afghanistan." I said to Tony picking up the plates around the room. Pepper nodded in agreement while Bruce loaded the already full dishwasher.
"Alright Capsicle, there is only three things you need to remember about Afghanny, its hot, dirty and the women are so modest you might want to think about moving." Tony winked draining his first glass.
"No," Pepper said looking at Tony her eyes narrowed. "Tell him about what happened to you, why it happened, and everything you know about that place."
Tony drained his glass again his good-natured smile fading. His fist clenched onto the bar, his knuckles white. It was different to see him this way. Nothing ever rattled Tony's cage. He was Ironman, the guy who wouldn't be moved, but this wasn't something he wanted to talk about. Bruce stood walking over to his new friend, but Tony waved him off looking right into the Captains eye.
"If there is a hell it's in Afghanistan." he said through gritted teeth. "I'll tell you what happened, but not here. Not in front of Pepper or Liz."
Steve nodded standing while Tony sped out of the room his brandy glass left behind, but I knew he had taken the bottle. Bruce looked from me to their retreating forms and he quickly followed. Someone needed to monitor Steve and make sure he didn't upset Tony.
"What do you think is up Natasha's butt?" I asked sitting down on the coach next to Pepper.
"She's just upset because she might have to wear a mask and she's worried about Clint he still has people he cares about." Pepper said her eyes level with mine. "SHEILD is working on her covers and operations. They don't want anyone getting hurt."
"Clint needs to get it together."
"Agreed," Fury said from somewhere behind us. Pepper and I turned not surprised he had come back. He dropped a box on the island "Clint will wear a mask, he still is holding on to a few covers. Natasha can disguise herself better than any agent so she'll be fine. Everyone needs to be in full dress tomorrow besides Dr. Banner and Stark. Make up a story for Thor, I'll be on the sidelines making sure you morons don't mess this up."
"It's alright, Director, I can keep them in check." Pepper answered a smile on her slightly amused face.
"I know you can, Ms. Potts. I just need to be there to make sure a certain green man doesn't hurt the public." He walked out of the room the elevator signaling his departure. I jumped up from my spot on the coach reaching for the box. It was light and more than likely held Clint's mask.
"I'll go drop this off." I sighed looking back at Pepper. "When Bruce comes back tell him I'm in bed."
/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/**/**/*/*/*/*/*/**/**/*/**/*/**/*/*/*/**/*/*/*/
"Good morning, everyone." Pepper said her voice chipper yet serious. She demanded your attention yet she was still being nice about it. "I am Virginia Potts, CEO of Stark Industries and liaison for the Avengers. You all received a list of questions you cannot ask yesterday via e-mail and if any topic listed is mention by any of you, your device or paper in which you recorded this interview will be destroyed and you will be escorted from the building. Please try direct your questions to all of the Avengers. Thank you and lets all have a good day."
Pepper signed for us to come on the make shift stage the good people of the Hilton hotel had set up for us in one of the largest ballrooms. The place was packed with cameras, news crews, reporters, cops and even some higher power politicians. Everyone wanted to know who we were and what we were planning on doing. Bruce walked out first followed by Tony. They were the lucky ones able to wear classy grey and black suits. Steve followed Tony and I followed him while Clint and Natasha brought up the rear. I was dressed in the same outfit that I had worn during the battle but they added on a mask which according to Tony switched colors depending on what element I was using. Something of his own creation, but I hadn't seen it work yet. As of this moment it was black.
The flashes of the cameras were blinding as we took our seats. I tried to smile hoping I was hiding some of my nervousness. The crowed suddenly started yelling begging for us to take a question. Tony quickly pointed at someone and the rest sat down suddenly quiet.
"Brad Allan, from The Evening Sun, what brought you all together? I mean most of us didn't even know people like you existed before June."
"The need for hero's of course." I answered right away.
"Yeah," Tony agreed. "Who else was going to save your sorry asses from the aliens? The government? I don't think so."
"America needed us," Steve added looking from me to Tony. "We just were there to answer the call."
Tony picked out another crazy reporter as more cameras flashed. I looked down at Bruce who was concentrating very hard on something on the table. I knew the flashes weren't making the other guy happy.
"Alicia Emerson, New York Times, who exactly brought you together?"
"Tripping very close to the list aren't you sweetheart," Barton answered a smile on his newly masked face. It was much like mine, but Tony said it didn't light up. "A government organization that has the recourses and power. That's all you need to know."
"Jenny Green, People Magazine, who designed the outfits you all are wearing right now?"
"Gucci, for the suits. My father designed the Captains and I'm sure someone down in my labs designed the rest." Tony answered rolling his eyes.
"Bob Smith, Daily News, what do you all call yourselves? I mean what is your superhero name?"
"Ironman, of course." Tony answered flashes catching his trademark smirk.
"Captain America." Steve said slightly blushing.
"Black Widow." Natasha responded her seductive smile firmly in place.
"Hawkeye." Clint smirked his eyes betraying nothing.
"Bender." I said looking towards Bruce. He hadn't said a work yet.
"He calls himself the Hulk." Bruce answered a sarcastic tone prominent in his voice.
The flashes ensued catching Bruce's face and the anger clearly displayed on his already tight features. Fury signaled from the sidelines for him to excuse himself, but he didn't breathing heavily he regained control.
"Emily Anderson, Newsday, what are your powers?"
"I created a suit that is powered by the only clean energy source known to man, it can fly, emit weapons and protect all of you from certain harm." Tony said his eyes betraying boredom.
"I'm a science experiment gone wrong. I'm just trying to be good." Bruce sighed. I couldn't help but shake my head. His annoyance with everyone was causing to beat himself up. To blame himself for what was happening.
"I was a spy," Natasha said winking towards the crowd. "Now, I just use my skills for different reasons."
"A highly trained archer." Clint answered simply taking a swig from the water bottle in front of him.
"I was a soldier in the army, Dr. Banner tried to discover the formula for the super soldier serum along with many other scientist, someone and I'm not at liberty to say who did. They tested it on me and it worked. I have outstanding skills that I wish to use only for good." Steve said his voice and chin strong looking each camera in the eye. Flashes erupted catching what could be an important moment in history.
"I was just a small town girl. One day fire, air, water and earth obeyed what I commanded. No explanation, no reason, I was just blessed with something that could either be bad or good. I obviously choose to be good." I shrugged.
Questions continued to pour in. We were all taking a beating, especially Steve, he was supposed to be the leader and sometimes he didn't understand the references which caused Tony to have to pick up the slack. Natasha kept acting very coy and sexy like she was trying to win over most of the people, meaning the male population. Clint talked more than anyone could have suspected answering most of the question about SHEILD, without every saying its name. Questions about Thor came as quickly as they left concluding that he was an human like alien, only here to help us, but couldn't be here today because he was back on his home planet. My lying skills were scary sometimes.
"Alex Grimm, The Post, why are Captain America and Bender the only two so called 'hero's' ever seen in the public?"
"Captain America is a symbol of the very values on which this country was built on. I strive to show the people that this nation is still ready to fight and that there are still people out there like me willing to protect them." Steve answered. He was getting rather good at being in front of the camera.
"I'm just out there with him to make sure he doesn't hurt himself." I answered gaining a laugh from everyone in the audience.
"Becky Rose, Gotham Gazette, are the Avengers interested in allowing the masked vigilante known as Spiderman, who defeated the Lizard in early January, into their team of hero's?"
"Let's clear something up real quick," Tony said his arms up. "Ironman would have defeated that scaly beast without so much damage to this city, but he was busy fighting terrorists in the middle east."
"Be nice, Tony." Natasha smirked.
"I'm up for a new member." Clint said leaning back into his chair.
"Like we need anymore testosterone on this team." I sighed. "He seems like hero material, so why not?"
"Alright we have time for one final question," Tony said which was greeted by lots aggravated sighs and protests. Tony covered his eyes pointing at a tall blonde in the front row.
"Christine Everhart, Vanity Fair," I could hear Pepper back stage calling security yelling that she wasn't even on the list. Who was this chick that caused so much anger in Pepper? "Are there any romantic relationships between any of the Avengers? Like between the Captain and Bender?"
My eyes bugged out of my head at the question. I could see Steve's face turning a tomato red. He opened his mouth to deny any claims, but someone beat him.
"Of course," Natasha said slyly. "Why they have been holding hands underneath this table the whole time!"
A gasp filled the room as Steve removed his hand from his lap only causing Natasha's claim to seem true. I stared straight ahead as flashes engulfed us. Bruce stood leading the team out. More questions were fired at us as we left none to be answered. Fury was standing just inches from the stage a grim expression on his slightly paled face. I could see Tony and Bruce walking out of the building through the emergency exit where a car for all of us was supposed to be waiting. I tried to follow only to be held back by Clint who eyed me wearily.
"What the fuck were you thinking Agent Romanoff?" Fury asked his steel gaze meeting hers. She shrugged clearly not afraid or aware of the ramifications her words had caused. "I have a mission for you, a car is waiting outside. Don't screw it up."
He handed a her a white folder which she accepted walking out of the exit without bothering to look back.
"She's just upset that no one cared enough to keep her covers." Clint said solemnly looking from Fury to me.
"It doesn't matter. It just means I'm giving her a week to cool down and if she doesn't return with a better attitude, things will not be pretty." Fury scoffed leaving Clint, Steve and I in the presence of highly agitated Pepper Potts who was furiously doing damage control. She waved us off towards the door where a third car had been waiting for us. We piled in, me sitting in the way back, Clint and Steve sitting in the middle.
"Lizzie," Steve started looking back at me. "I hope you know that I respect your relationship with Dr. Banner more than anything else. I would never try hurt your relationship intentionally."
"So basically he's saying that he would fuck you, but only if Banner bit the dust first." Clint said laughing. "I can take him out for you Captain all you have to do is ask."
I slapped Clint so fast you would have thought I had super speed. He didn't have time to react before I was hopped over the seat throwing punches at the newly speaking asshole. The driver was yelling loudly only to be drowned out by Steve's louder protests. I felt the car stop, which only made me fight harder. I wasn't really sure if Clint was fighting back, but when Steve finally pulled me out of the car into Stark Towers garage there was more than Clint's blood on my face.
"I don't give one shit that you were mind fucked by Loki!" I screeched at the bloody man getting out of the suburban. "But if you ever speak like that to me or Steve again I will kill you!"
"Lizzie, please." Steve starting pulling towards the elevator. He was so much stronger than me, but I was angry.
"I'm fucking serious!" I screamed again fighting against the Captain. "Just because you think you're so much better than anyone else Barton doesn't give you the right to treat us like dirt!'
The elevator doors swished open revealing an already dressed down Tony who seemed slightly bemused by what was happening in his garage.
"Capsicle, stay with bird boy make sure his ego isn't as hurt as his face. I'll take Ms. Hellfire up to her doctor." Steve nodded his head handing me over to Tony who clamped on to my arm with more power than I thought he had. The doors swished closed as Tony released me handing me a towel along with a box of tissues.
"Is he," I started wiping off my face and looking at my image in the reflective steel of the small space. I had a small bruise forming on my check along with a quickly swelling jaw. I couldn't feel any pain which usually wasn't a very good sign.
"He's in the green room. I thought we would never get any use out of the place since he wasn't willing to run any tests, but the other guy is out and angry. I didn't want to disturb the rant that he was going off on so I went to find you."
"My appearance won't help anything," I sighed standing up clean of any blood. "I look like I just got in a fight and he'll be more made about that then the fact that I might have cheated on him. "
"Did you?"
A simple punch in the stomach wiped the grin off Tony's already smug face.
"I'll take that as a no," He grimaced reaching the 25th floor. This floor was solely dedicated to the containment of an unruly Hulk. The chamber was as big as a football field and tall as three floors. Heck Stark at even removed those floors for this purpose alone. The chamber was built of the same material that me and Thor were thrown in. It was supposed to be unbreakable. Tony had also throw in things like large heavy objects the he could smash.
The big guy just was standing near center of the room. His chest heaving while scatters of broken stone littered the floor around him. I entered the chamber boldly he heard me only to turn away from the very slight of me.
"Hey," I said bounding over to him. I stood at his side only to be swatted at by his giant green hand. "Whoa, what's got your panties in a twist?"
He huffed at me turning around again. He didn't want to meet my eyes. I tried to move around and face him but he swung at me. His forearm made contact sending me fly across the room. I smacked into the wall my head spinning. I waved off Tony who was already making his way into the chamber. He stopped his lips in a firm line.
Hulks eyes met mine. He was fighting off his anger punching into more of the objects around him. He never had wanted to hurt me, I was the only person who wanted to understand him.
"Hulk?" I asked standing on my feet rubbing the now sore spot on my head.
"I hurt Lizzie." He answered looking at his feet.
"No, I'm fine! See?" I said walking towards him my hands in the air.
"I hit you. Hulk bad." he said through gritted teeth.
"Don't make this about you when we both know this is about me." I huffed crossing my arms now standing in front of the nine foot tall man. "You're mad because you think I cheated on Bruce."
He nodded his head still not looking me in the eye.
"I didn't cheat on him, just so you know. I also know you didn't like all the camera flashing at you. I love Bruce, you know that. I love you too. I couldn't handle a third man in my life."
"Lizzie love Hulk?" he asked his eyebrows knitting together.
"Of course," I replied reaching out for his hand. He didn't flinch like he used to but he didn't grab back. "I love every part of Bruce and you're a part of him. Why don't you like the flashes?"
"Flashes mean pain. They come for me last time. Tony said they no come." he shrugged looking at me his eyes sad again. He yawned tall me that he was finally getting tired.
"Who is they?" I inquired sitting on the hard ground. I patted the space next to me and he plopped down causing me to rise a little in the air. I giggled which made him smile.
"They attack Bruce and try kill him. I try help but they hurt me." he yawed again his eyes dropping.
"The army came after you didn't they?"
"Yes, they take Betty away."
"Betty? When was the last time you saw her?"
"Long time. Hulk like you better." he stretched I could hear a few cracks and creeks.
"What about Bruce?" I begged feeling like a loser asking my boyfriends alter ego about past girlfriends.
"Bruce loved Betty. Betty no love me. Lizzie love Hulk. Lizzie love Bruce. Bruce love you. Why it matter if Bruce see Betty?"
"I'm jealous of her. I mean have you seen the woman? She's gorgeous!"
"Lizzie more pretty. Lizzie nicer. Won't give Hulk to them." he started to lean over his eyes closing now. I let him fall asleep his snore loud and almost rumbling. Tony let himself into the chamber the smug smile back on his face.
"Jealous of a woman who hasn't been in the picture for how many years?" he winked holding a robe in his hands.
"Have you seen her?" I exclaimed throwing my hands in the air.
"Yeah, she hasn't got anything on you, kid. Go get something to eat, he'll be up in about twenty minutes."
/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/**/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/**/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/
"Hey," Bruce said walking into his room. I was sprawled onto the bed, my laptop and a bag of girl scout cookies next to me.
"Hey," I responded.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing," I lied shutting my laptop. Thanks to Natasha I had gotten better at hacking and was looking through SHEILDS file on Betty Ross.
"Tony showed me the footage from the incident and I kind of remember what happened." his right arm wrapping around me.
"So you know that I would never cheat on you? And that I would never pick anyone like Steve?" I suggested burying my face in his chest.
"Yeah, I do. I know that, I was just more agitated by the cameras, but do you know that I don't plan on ever speaking to Betty again?"
"I didn't want this to be about me!" I almost yelled burying my face deeper.
"It isn't," he sighed rubbing my back. "I'm still almost livid about you not cheating on me."
"Don't make fun of me." I sighed.
"I'm not." he said grabbing my face and making me look into his brown eyes. "I just want you to know that you are so much better than Betty was. I love you."
"I love you too." I muttered letting our lips meet.
"Did you really beat up, Barton?" he asked breaking away from the kiss.
"He's not as tough as he looks."