Author's Note:

Alright my dears, here's Chapter 4! A heartfelt thanks to shippolove844, Azura Soul Reaver (I know. I actually really can't think of anything that would bug me more than getting drugged and dragged off to some secret government base… though if Banner was there it might be worth it), Twiloco, Poplar-kat (I'm glad I made you laugh. I always think those scenes in movies are so funny XD), Anon (Consider me fazed my friend :P), caros24084u (Hugs for you too my dear), Melbizz (Thanks love!), KrazyForYourLove (You're most welcome, thanks for reading!), Cotton Strings (I couldn't agree more. The man makes me melt.), Tinker178, Mac n' Meez (Respect. I do not have the dedication to type on my phone, that takes some serious skill. Also, there's another flashback in this chapter so I hope you like it), AngelVamp6688, and last but not least A (I hope this tides you over for your layover. It's not super long but it's what I could manage this afternoon.) Alright, that's all folks. Please enjoy!

As we walked down the hall, going deeper and deeper into the core of the SHIELD flying base, my mind began to wander. The gentle hum of the electric lights and wires that threaded the walls blended with the rhythmic swinging of our entwined fingers, pulling me out of the present and back to my freshman year of college.

The water was icy cold, but what else is one to expect for the middle of December? Honestly I was lucky the stupid stuff wasn't frozen solid. My teeth chattered as I reached into the frigid water, my fingers sifting patiently through the muck that had built up at the bottom of the fountain. The fountain was old, as old as Culver itself, and located smack-dab in the middle of the main quad. My fingers closed around a cold metal cylinder and I grunted happily, pulling my pen from the sludge. I rinsed it of thoroughly before wading to the side and setting it down next to a collection of my other things that I had found in the grime: a few sticks of chap stick, a bottle of my shampoo, my toothbrush, three of my favorite t-shirts that now boasted burn holes, my textbooks and notebooks, my wallet which had been emptied of everything except my ID card, and a few other odds and ends.

Truth be told, I didn't own much, but absolutely all of it seemed to have ended up taking a swim. And that was how I found myself knee-deep in crud while other students jeered at me from the relative safety of their dormitory windows. I hummed tunelessly as I worked, locating another pen and my alarm clock. "What are you doing?" asked a faintly amused voice. I straightened stiffly and let the muck drip from my fingers and back into the water. I glanced over at Banner and smiled, sloshing my way over to him.

His pants were wrinkled, his shirt only half-tucked in, and his thick winter sweater had the most hideous Christmas design I had ever seen but he still had the most charming smile on the planet. "What are you doing, Sophie?" he repeated, pulling down his red woolen scarf so that his warm breath clouded the air, "You'll get sick. And besides, shouldn't you be studying for your finals?" I laughed abashed, rinsing my hands off in the water.

"Well, I am preparin Mister Banner, in a manner of speakin," I said jovially, "I ain't gonna be able ter do my testin without no pens, am I?" I showed him my latest find and set it down next to the others. His eyes scanned my things before coming to rest on the open cover of my physics text book. I rushed to close it, getting myself soaked in the process, but he had already seen the words "Go home hick" that some student had written in bright red permanent marker. I laughed nervously, waiting for him to say something, but he merely firmly took my arm and pulled me from the water.

"Come on Sophie," he said, his voice gravelly with anger, "Let's get you warmed up." I collected my things and he led me back into the George T. Davenport Science Center, the gentle pressure of his hand against the small of my back propelling me forward. I dripped all the way to his office where I stood shivering, looking for all the world like a drowned cat, while he rummaged through the bottom drawer of one of his many file cabinets.

"Set your stuff down on the floor," he suggested over his shoulder as he began to pull things from the drawer. I complied, putting everything in a great, water-logged heap before straightening just in time to catch whatever it was that Banner was throwing at me. "Nice reaction time," he praised as I examined what turned out to be a pair of pants, a Culver University sweater and some threadbare boxers. "Sometimes I sleep at the office and don't have time to go home," he explained, "Now go change." I followed the gesture of his arm to a processed wood door, my slick fingers opening it with some difficulty. Inside was a small bathroom furnished with a toilet, a sink, and a mirror.

Shyly I stepped inside and closed the door behind me with a soft click. I quickly peeled of my soiled clothes, letting the garments fall one after another into the sink until I was standing naked in front of the mirror. I stared at myself, running a hand along my side as goose pimples bubbled across my skin. "I'm so soft," I thought absently before slipping on the clothes Banner had lent me. The pants and boxers were tight in the hips and the sweater was baggy in the shoulders but they would do just fine for now.

I stepped back out into his office and immediately was assailed by the hiss of boiling water and the tickling scent of a dark roast. "I made coffee," he said rather obviously, pulling two mugs from a different file cabinet, "Do you like milk?" I watched as he busied himself, his gaze never drifting upwards to meet mine. He was nervous, I realized, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Ya'are very kind te me, Mister Banner, but if I'm makin ye feel uncomfortable I kin leave. No hard feelins." He looked startled for a moment and then chuckled, crossing the room to a small mini-fridge the color of cherry gloss.

"So you picked up on that did you?" he murmured ruefully, pulling out a carton of half and half before closing the mini-fridge firmly, "I keep forgetting what a clever girl you are." I wrinkled my nose.

"Not clever," I protested, "I just use ma eyes'n'ears more'n most folk." I paused considering. "Still can't talk worth a damn though."

"Oh hush," scolded Banner, pulling the tab and letting the creamy white liquid flow from the carton into the mugs, "The way you speak is fine. It's a part of who you are." He finished pouring the cream and set the carton down on his desk, sinking heavily into his chair and leaning back to the point I thought he'd fall over. I sat down across from him and pursed my lips.

"The point of language is communicatin Mister Banner," I informed him dryly, "And most folk can't understan none when I get to gabbin. I think that's a problem, don't ye?"The coffee pot beeped and Banner reached over, pouring the strong, hot liquid into both mugs before passing one to me. For a moment we sat in silence and simply sipped, letting the heat warm our chilled bodies.

"Sophie who dumped your things in the fountain?" he asked finally, the anger barely contained in his dark eyes. I sighed, breathing in deeply to let the rich aroma of coffee fill my nose.

"Chittlins wi' far too much time on their han's, I s'spec," I mused, taking another swallow of coffee, "What's that sayin'? Idle han's are the devil's workshop, innit?" I cracked a smile but Banner was not amused.

"Sophie, If you don't tell me who it was I can't help you." His voice was serious and the concern exhibited in his face touched me.

"Mister Bruce Banner!" I exclaimed with a tender smile, "Do I really and truly look that weak'n'helpless? I gotta hide harder 'n uh shell bark hickory. It gonna take a whole lot more 'n a few pranks n' unkind words to scramble my eggs, ye hear me? Now I am pleased as punch ter call ye my friend, Mister Banner, but sometimes a gal's gotta fight 'er own battles, don't she?" Banner stared at me for a moment before letting out a heartfelt laugh.

"I suppose she does," he said when he finally calmed down, a smile splitting his warm face, "What a brave girl you are Sophie Crowe."

"Watch your step," advised Bruce, yanking me back to the present. I narrowly avoided stubbing my bare toes against a low step, hopping up onto the higher level as we continued forward.

"Thanks," I said softly, relishing in the heat generated by our kissing palms, "My mind was… well, elsewhere."

"Not a problem," he replied with a soft smile. "It's really good to see you again Sophie," he continued after a while. I simply squeezed his hand but it was all of the answer he needed. "Your accent's gone," he noted after another moment. I nodded.

"Yeah, I got a language coach a year or two back. It's surprisingly difficult to beat the hillbilly out of one's tongue." Banner was silent a moment.

"I liked your accent," he said finally. I cast him a withering glance and was about to respond when we reached the brig and all speech was stolen from me.