Hello again. This is probably going to be the last chapter i can get out for a while- as much as i'd love not too, I have to revise for 2 exams when i get back :( The update rate will probably slow down (dramatically) but i do intend to finish it. Thankyou to only-one-of-my-kind-7 for reviewing, and thankyou to InsertBoringNameHere, Lorelee13, Xx Falcon's Eye xX, krage and only-one-of-my-kind-7 for following! (You guys are the best. Ever.) So,on with the show!
No one spoke; it was almost like they hadn't heard him. "The council wanted him in" Steve eventually replied absently, sounding like he was preoccupied with his thoughts. Tony snapped back angrily "And that's the Law is it? I don't see why should the council decide everything! Bruce shouldn't be here- did you see the state of him, he's more fucked up then when he left! He's skin and bones, and he's acting like a God damn zombie; it's clear he still thinks the whole bloody mess was his fault. We need to talk to him, get his mind straight before we go waltzing in and deal with this new problem of Loki."
Barton stood up, snapping "The whole mess was his bloody fault! We're lucky we're all alive. You're right, he shouldn't be here; he's too dangerous. We should've left him in the jungle- clearly he liked it there." Tony glared at him furiously "Funnily enough I don't recall Bruce ordering several tanks to try blow the shit out of him. But wait, silly me of course he did, we all know how he simply adores losing control and attacking people!"
Tony had moved closer to Clint as he was talking, until he was practically snarling in his face. "It's his fault the Hulk was created in the first place!" Clint roared back. Tony looked just about ready to punch Clint, who was looking eager for a fight himself. Before they could come to blows, Steve interrupted "Enough. We need to work as a team, and the council's decided that includes Bruce. Sort this out later- we've got too much to worry about now" He'd picked the photo up, and was staring at it, looking troubled. Clint turned away from Tony, breathing heavily. Abruptly he stormed out the room.
Natasha sighed, a pained look on her face. "He hasn't been the same since Loki took over his mind. I think he's afraid." No-one replied, but Steve offered her a sympathetic look. "He doesn't need to take it out on Bruce" Tony grumbled angrily. "I know. He's just venting his emotions on an available target. He doesn't know how to cope; he's used to being in control. He's not really one for sharing his feelings either."
Everyone was quiet for a moment, reflecting on Natasha's words. "He'll understand eventually. I guess I should go check on him" With that she stood up, walking away without a sound. Only Tony and Steve were left in the room; Fury had walked out several minutes ago. Seeing Steve was still absorbed in his thoughts Tony decided to find his way to the cafeteria and grab a coffee, before attempting to deal with Bruce. Clapping Steve on the back, he stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for the right floor. Guess I'm not going back to that party he reflected, sighing heavily.
As she'd suspected, Natasha found Clint in the range, reducing the target to splinters. Waiting patiently for the magazine to empty, she sat down on the floor and took in her partner's appearance. His eyes were ringed by inky shadows and his muscles twitched occasionally from the level of tension. He'd been slowly getting worse since the Chitauri attack two years ago; she dreaded to think what affect Loki's return would have.
The sound of gunfire stopped suddenly, leaving only a fading echo. Slowly, Clint lowered his gun. "Hey" he greeted her quietly. He hesitantly walked over and sat down next to her. She gently rested her head on his shoulder- a rare sign of affection from the Ice Queen. She could feel tremors wracking his body.
"I'm scared Tasha" He whispered, closing his eyes and hanging his head at the admission. "I know" she murmured quietly. "And now that bastards back... what if he tries to control me again? What if he succeeds? I can't..." He trailed off, breathing harsh as he struggled not to cry. "He won't. We're ready for him now- we beat him before and we'll beat him again. And I won't let him touch you." With her words Clint's breathing eased slightly, and they sat together in companionable silence.
Taking a gulp of coffee to steel his nerves, Tony flung open the door and breezed into the lab. "Hey Bruce, long time no see." He stopped suddenly trying to see the physicist amongst the sea of equipment. His eyes narrowed when he saw over in the far corner, head bent over a spirometer; he gave no indication that he'd even heard Tony come in. " Bruce" Tony called, walking over. Again, Bruce ignored him. Tony huffed angrily. "Quit being childish and ignoring me. You can at least turn round and face me"
Slowly, Bruce reached up and removed his glasses before turning round to look at Tony, a resigned expression on his face. Tony examined him closely. "You look like crap". Bruce had lost at least a stone since he'd last seen him, and his skin had acquired a strange tinge due to exhaustion. His eye sockets were hollowed and bruised; a result of his fractured nose and too many sleepless nights. He emitted a quiet aura of defeat and resignation too. Overall, he looked like a person who had tired of the world.
"What are you doing here Tony?" Bruce asked quietly, rubbing his eyes blearily. "I came to check on my friend. You know, the one who upped and left suddenly without a word of goodbye, then vanished for eighteen months!" Bruce winced as Tonys voice grew louder. "You know why I left. It was safer that way. I couldn't bear the thought of being a danger to anyone else..." He trailed off, his eyes growing dull. "Nobody wanted me anymore, anyway. It's not like I was missed."
Tony grabbed Bruce by the shoulders, forcing him to look him in the eye. "Bullshit. It wasn't you're fault- it was Ross', and good riddance to him." Bruce winced at the memory. "And people did miss you- I did, and so did Steve!" he shook him slightly, trying to get his message across. It wasn't working; Bruce's eyes had glazed over, and it was clear he wasn't really listening to him. "Clint didn't-" "yeah, but he's just pissed off about Loki, he doesn't actually blame you" "- and something like that was bound to happen. Time bomb, remember? Anyway, I have to figure out this weird radiation..." Tony released his shoulders, acknowledging defeat. Bruce turned and began fiddling with the equipment, oblivious to his presence again. Mentally promising himself that he would get Banner to see his point of view, Tony left him to get on with his work.
The moment Tony left the lab Bruce sighed, and his head sunk into his hands. The visit had been much worse than he'd imagined. He wished fervently that Tony hadn't bothered. Although he was surprised that he still wanted anything to do with him, he didn't believe a word he said. Nobody wanted him- how could they? He was a monster. And the incident eighteen months ago was his fault- Tony was trying to be kind, insisting it wasn't.
Wishing longingly for the peaceful life of the Jungle, Bruce leaned back and closed his eyes, switching his thoughts back to the problem of the radiation. It was certainly a puzzle- as far as he could tell it had no similarities to gamma, despite everything indicating it should. It didn't even appear to do anything- it was just a colossal amount of energy without a definable form. He couldn't even re-create it; the only things he had to go on were the reading's taken from the previous spectres that had appeared.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he stiffened in surprise when his stomach growled. He hadn't noticed how hungry he'd become. Mentally preparing himself he left the lab, making his way towards the cafeteria. I wish I could turn magically invisible he thought as he felt the piercing stares of the S.H.I.E.L.D employees. He stopped suddenly, his eyes widening. Magically invisible. Magic! Thoughts of food forgotten he whirled round, sprinting off to test his theory.
So that's that. Hope you liked it- it isn't really my favourite chapter :/ ah well. The action will get faster now- the backstory is pretty much done :) As always, reviews make my
