Chapter 2!

And this fic seems like it's going to be VERY random-in both posts and content.

Hope you enjoy-I'm introducing some characters here I've never written before. Please let me know how I portray them!

His boots drew heavy echoes through the metal halls of the underground SHIELD compound. The few agents that passed him by did so with a curt nod or a full salute. He briefly wondered when he had become considered a militaristic superior to them.

Upon landing in the mountains that served as natural protection for the hidden fortress, he had been met with several alarmed cries from various directions, most shouting "Halt! Identify yourself!" or "Don't move or you will be fired upon!"….

Thor had felt the amused smile grace his lips when the guards recognized his armor (and the unmistakable weapon that hung at his side) and lowered both their rifles and their heads.

He did not presume to call himself their better—in fact, he applauded their tenacity at protecting the advanced complex from any form of intruder—even one considered regularly welcome.

Coulson had met him at one of the entrances, allowing him inside with no hesitation, but nevertheless questioning his sudden appearance.

"What can we do for you, Donald?" Thor found his Earthly nickname to be popular among the SHIELD agents—Barton and Natasha often teased him with it as well.

"I merely came to check in with my teammates—I have not heard from you or Fury in some time. Is Rogers here?"

Thor did not make mention the actual reason he sought Captain America's company.

Now wandering the brightly lit hallways alone, Thor took several twists and turns, his memory of the vast building guiding him ever deeper, toward the training areas.

The weight room was his destination—the Captain could often be found there, meticulously hammering away at a punching bag or mock-boxing with one of the agents.

The curve of the hall had him turning left.

His head snapped to look into one of the adjacent rooms as he passed.

"Thor?" The scientist seated at the pristine, shining desk pulled his head from the microscope to look out the door at him.

Bruce Banner was certainly a surprise to see.

"Banner? What are you doing here? Working full time for SHIELD now?"

The smile that graced the man's face completely contradicted the image of his alter-ego. Even standing in the doorway, several feet from him, Thor could feel the chaotic energy that swirled within Banner's body. The beast called The Hulk was always there, just on the surface, watching everything from behind human eyes.

Mjolnir always responded to the invisible force that radiated from Bruce Banner; even now, it hummed at his side. Normally, Thor would take his weapon's encouragement to heart and attack.

But he had grown to respect this troubled, vexed mortal-even like him.

Banner shook his head and motioned to the microscope.

"Nah, just helping Fury out with a few things. Pretty complicated stuff—but I can show you if you want-" He suddenly broke off, a look of alarm crossing his features.

Thor did not miss the flicker of bright green in his eyes.

"Wait…what are you doing here? Did Fury call you? Has something happened?" His voice grew suddenly lower, a growl slipping into it against his consent. "Is your brother trying to destroy the universe again?" The Hulk rumbled through Banner's mouth, briefly.

The scientist closed his eyes quickly, and reopened them to continue his questioning gaze. The panicked rage was willed away, back to the recesses of Banner's mind.

Thor felt no fear at seeing his friend struggle with the creature inside of him. The Hulk itself had proven to be a worthy ally.

Mjolnir quieted at Thor's silent command.

"No, my friend, nothing has happened. Loki is secure, in Asgaard. I actually came to seek assistance. I had initially come to see Steve Rogers, but…." He trailed off, unsure of whether or not he wanted to broach the subject of the "Jane Issue" with Banner. Certainly, he considered the man his friend and ally, but….

He was more comfortable with Rogers as a confidant.

During their battles Thor had found a close companion in the Captain.

Thor fidgeted in the doorway.

Banner noticed it.

"Come in, Thor. What's going on?"

One coffee and several more bouts of fidgeting later, and Thor was beginning to think that Bruce Banner was not the type to seek advice on women from.

The physicist stared blankly at him for a moment, apparently pondering his story.

He looked down briefly, staring into the lens situated in the microscope.

Then he chuckled. Thor was not pleased.

It was the chuckle of defeat.

"Honestly, Thor….this is not my area of expertise. Women, I mean. Only one has ever caught my interest and I spent most of my time avoiding her like a plague because of…you know…" He gestured to the entirety of himself. "I don't know if Steve could help you more, but, I'd recommend you find someone other than me, that's for sure. I do good keeping a giant green behemoth from taking over my body and destroying the nearest parked vehicle." He shook his head at himself, and resumed peering into the lens in front of him.

"All I can say is good luck; women are hard to get a bead on. There's no formula to help figure them out."

Thor nodded his understanding. Banner did not look up to see it.

The prince took it as his cue to leave; the scientist was ever the man to need time alone, despite his warm personality.

"I see. I will take your words to heart. Thank you for your time, Doctor Banner." The use of his title had Bruce looking back up at him.

Thor inclined his head respectfully and pulled the metal door shut behind him as he left.

He had not learned much from his short visit with the scientist, but what he could pull from the conversation was that most men found it difficult to read women.

He was glad he was not the only one.

A/N: Hulk is one of the Marvel/Avenger characters I'm pretty unfamiliar with. In fact, I will be attempting to advise our beloved Asgaardian through several characters I know little about. Please be honest in your reviews-but perhaps also merciful, lol!