I apologize for how late this chapter is. I've been really sick this past week and a half and haven't had any energy to do much of anything. Hopefully the length and content of this chapter will make up for that! I hope you all are still reading and still interested. I've had time to think some of the plot over and have a few ideas that I'd love to write out. I'm not as sick as I was anymore so I'm hoping the next chapter will come a tad bit faster than this one. :D

Chapter 4

The next day Metty felt apprehensive about the nights event. "Well you never go out, Met, and she's right it'll be a lot of fun. You're a great dancer anyway!" Kate tried to justify while brushing her teeth in the bathroom. Metty was laying on the couch in their living room playing with the fringe on one of the pillows. Kate was right. And Metty had even told herself that her New Years Resolution would be to try things more. Get out there and live life a little more. What was the harm in starting that a month early? "Yeah I guess you're right" Metty said while blowing her bangs out of her face. Kate leaned out of the bathroom and yelled down the short hall "Wow can I get that in writing?" she half laughed. Metty just smiled to herself. Maybe tonight wouldn't be as bad as she was thinking.

Kate came out of the bathroom and Metty sat up so Kate could sit with her. "Plus who knows..maybe you'll find someone at the club. Your Knight in Shining Armor, perhaps?" she elbowed Metty a little. Kate was set on finding her soul mate and sometimes liked to live that through Metty as well. Metty made a face and Kate laughed at her "Or should I say 'scientist in a white lab coat'?" Metty just smiled at her. "Our relationship is strictly professional, Kate. You know that. I mean sometimes it's like he barely registers I'm in the same room with him. I'm just there to work under him and assist him. That's it." she seemed to be trying to convince herself more than she was trying to convince her roommate.

"I have to get going." Metty said while standing up. "Dr. Banner said he needed me in the lab early today to get some work done." she gathered some of her things and started to head towards the door. "I'll just give you a call and let you know when you can come over. Just come through the back entrance of the tower." Kate just flopped over on the couch and gave her a thumbs up. Metty shook her head and walked out the door towards the tower. It was cold outside and she gripped her jacket to her so the wind wouldn't cut through her. She actually remembered to bring her scarf this time and was thankful for the extra warmth it brought to her. She decided to skip the bustling front entrance and walked through the back instead. The elevator took her smoothly to the 12th floor and she stepped out into the quiet sitting room.

She looked around and found Dr. Banner in the small kitchen making himself a cup of coffee. At least that's what it appeared he was doing as she moved closer she saw he had no idea how to operate the coffee machine. To his defense it was rather high tech for something that produced a simple drink. "Here..let me do that." she took the filter from him and placed it inside the machine. He jumped a little at her sudden appearance next to him. "I can never figure these things out." he said while he scratched the back of his head. She chuckled "Funny..it's always the simplest things that the smartest men can't figure out." she started to scoop coffee grounds into the filter and pour the water into the machine. Shutting the little door it hummed to life and started to release the smell of fresh coffee.

"So what did you need me so early for?" she asked while placing the lid back on the coffee container. He wasn't sure how to begin explaining to her what he had been working on and what he was finally discovering. "Just something I've been working on. I need your steady hands for this last test." she gave him a quizzical look. "I just don't want to mess this up that's all." he turned to walk back to the lab "Could you bring the coffee with you? Two-" she cut him off "Two sugars no cream. I know." she leaned against the counter and smiled at him. He stopped and looked at her. Of course she knew, Banner, she brings you a cup every day he thought to himself. She always seems to know these small things about you. He didn't realize he had been staring until she finally spoke up "Dr. Banner? Are you okay?" she asked slowly. He shook his head a little and blinked. "Yeah just..lost in thought with the work I've been doing." he turned and headed back to the lab.

She filed into the lab about 10 minutes later carrying a tray with a cup of coffee for him and an english muffin. "I forgot to stop by the cafe for your bagel so I figured an english muffin would be just as good." she said as she placed the tray down on his desk for him. He looked up from the packet he was reading, looked at the tray and then looked at her. She had picked up a few things and started organizing his desk."So what did you need help with exactly?" she asked casually. "Should I get the gloves and goggles out?" He set down the packet and examined everything that was laid out. "Goggles yes..I don't think you'll need the gloves. Tony and I have been researching a new energy source for his suit and possibly to run the building among other things. Today we'll be running a little test to see how stable it is." She just nodded her head in understanding while grabbing a pair of goggles and placing them onto her head.

They continued to work in silence for a few hours. After a few failed tests and explosions Metty finally pulled her goggles off of her face. There was a ring of black soot around her eyes where the goggles had been resting. "Dr. Banner..I think we should call it a day. I don't know if Pepper is going to be thrilled about the whole in the wall." she pointed over her shoulder to a large smoking ring on the wall behind her. He took his goggles off and removed his glasses. Rubbing between his eyes and smudging black on his face he sighed "Yeah..you're right. What time is it anyway? I think my watch..might have..exploded." he looked at his wrist and tapped what used to be a watch. She grabbed her phone and looked at the time. "It's 6:30. I think I should probably give Kate a call actually. She's supposed to go out with us tonight." she plopped down in the chair at her desk.

He wiped his hands on a rag as he sat down at his desk and stared at the data they collected. "Are you looking forward to the club?" he asked curiously. He wasn't sure how he felt about her going out. What if she met someone there? Why would that matter, Banner? She works for you. She's just a lab assistant. That's it. His logical self said. The emotional side of him wasn't so sure if that's all she was to him. She shrugged. "Yeah actually I am. The more I think about it the more I feel like I deserve to go out and just have fun. Kate's right..I never go out and I should more. It's my New Years resolution, too." she crossed her arms and nodded at him. He thought to himself for a bit. "New Years Resolution, eh? I haven't made one of those in forever." she sighed "Yeah I make one every year. Usually the same thing 'no fast food all year' or something trivial like that. Bug I figured this year I'd do something more about bettering who I am. Not just physically."

He nodded his head in agreement slowly thinking things over in his head. She seemed to have read his mind when she asked "What would yours be?" he looked at her and then finally spoke. "Mine? I guess it would be to just..go for it." she tilted her head questioning him. "Just go for it? Go for what?" He studied her face for a few moments. He could swear through the pungent odor of the sulphuric acid and smoke in the air he could smell the violet perfume she always wore. It clouded his mind as he tried to answer her question. "Just um..I don't know. Like just go for things..and not be so hesitant?" he wasn't sure if the answer even made sense. She got up and started to collect her things. "Well that sounds good to me. I guess it would do us both good to not be so hesitant about things." He laughed in agreement.

She got up and collected her things "Well I need to get going. I'm sure Kate is waiting for me to call her so she can come over. She has a thing for Captain America." she chuckled and took her cell phone out to call Kate. He got up and started to clean up his desk a bit while she talked to Kate on the phone. "Yeah just come around the back entrance. Yes. Yes. I don't know if he's here. He probably is. Yes I know, Kate. I know..Okay just come over." Kate could still be heard talking on the other line as Metty pressed the end call button. Dr. Banner gave her a funny look to which Metty responded "Like I said..she has a thing for Captain America. She loves the whole super hero thing. She's on her way over so I should probably wait out there for her." she started to walk towards the door when he spoke "Wait..." she turned and looked at him "Yes?" she waited for him to speak but he never did. He watched her for a full moment and she stared back smiling waiting for him to say something to her. "Um..nothing..it's nothing. Have fun tonight." he sat at his desk and started to write some things down hoping she'd just forget. He wasn't sure what he wanted to tell her.

Metty walked into the large sitting room where Natasha was talking with Clint about something quietly. Clint looked to be a little upset about something but assumed a stoic expression when he noticed Metty. "Sorry..I'm just waiting for Kate to show up." she felt uncomfortable with them both staring at her. Natasha gave Metty a small smile "Does Cap know she's coming over? Should he hide somewhere?" Clint chuckled. Metty rolled her eyes "It'll be fine. She's not some raving fan-girl or anything." Just then the elevator made its usual tone signaling the arrival of someone. Kate stepped out and waved to her friend "Hey Met. Excited for tonight?" she poked her friend on the shoulder playfully. Metty sighed "As ready as I'll ever be. Oh I don't know if you've met Clint or Natasha before, Kate." she motioned towards the two spies who were whispering something to each other. They nodded to her

and Kate responded with a small wave. Metty and Kate started to discuss the subject of what Metty would be wearing tonight. Kate was of course insisting Metty wear something more revealing than what she normally would and of course brought a few dresses and skirts with her. She was grabbing one from the pile on her arm when Steve walked into the room. Kate looked up and her face turned red. "Oh hey Steve. Steve this is my roommate Kate. I don't know if you two have met before. Kate is a real big fan of yours." She grabbed Kates shoulders and pushed her towards Steve. "Uh..hi" he held his hand out awkwardly for her to shake it. She just stared at him with her mouth opened until she finally squeaked out "Hi." He smiled sweetly at her "It's nice to meet you." she continued to gape at him and he started to feel a little awkward. "Well I'm going to head to the gym..Clint and I have some training to do." Clint was chuckling with Natasha over Kate's reaction to Steve. "See you around." Metty said to the two men as they left for the elevator. Natasha had her arms crossed and was leaning on the couch. "It seems someone has a slight crush." she said to Kate. Kate's face flushed "I could say the same about you with Clint." she retorted. Natasha looked a little taken aback but decided not to respond.

"Metis, Pepper is asking for you to join her in her dressing closet." JARVIS spoke over the room. The sudden sound made Kate jump. Metty never realized how accustomed she had become of the AI. "We'll be right there, JARVIS, thank you." Kate followed Metty and Natasha onto the elevator and made their way to the lower level of the tower where Pepper was. They joined her and soon decided on their outfits. "I think you'll really like this place, Metty." Pepper spoke confidently. "It has a great atmosphere. It's not too crazy or too loud. And there's always some very interesting people to meet. We'll be meeting a few of my friends there, too." she turned and adjusted her necklace around her neck. Pepper had chosen a very classy black dress to wear tonight. Kate was wearing a lavender colored short dress. It had a low neckline but still looked very becoming on her. Metty had decided to wear the violet colored dress. She had always had a soft spot for the flower and the color. It was a little tight fitting and came to above her knees. She felt comfortable in this dress and didn't feel like she was as exposed as she was in the black dress Kate had lent her before.

When they all finished getting ready they met in the lobby of the building. Natasha had already made her way down there and was waiting for them along with Tony and Bruce. Tony gave Pepper a disapproving look. "I left a perfectly good outfit on the bed for you." he crossed his arms as she approached him. "Tony that was a sack..Literally.. it was a pillow case..." she crossed her arms as well and gave him a look. He smiled sheepishly and started to defend his case literally and figuratively. Kate and Metty were talking about the night out on the town when Bruce approached them. "Well you two look nice." he tried to sound casual as he looked at them both making sure his eyes didn't linger too long on Metty. "Aw thanks, Dr. Banner." Metty said politely. Kate interrupted her "Doesn't purple look great on her? I always tell her that but she never listens to me." Metty knew exactly what Kate was trying to do. Kate was sure that Metty and Dr. Banner had a thing for each other. She was determined to spark something between them. Steve appeared at the elevator and Kate straightened up "I'm going to talk to him. He probably thinks I'm an idiot or something." Metty looked at her friend "Trust me..He has zero experience with women so I'm sure he didn't think that." She felt bad for saying it that way but it was the truth and it was almost endearing the way he stumbled over his words sometimes. He did it even more so with girls he liked or found pretty. Come to think of it, she thought in her head, Dr. Banner was the same way. She turned slightly and looked at him from the corner of her eye. Did he change his shirt? Is his hair combed? He turned and looked at her as if he somehow felt her eyes on him. "So uh.. are you going to try and find that knight in shining armor?" he asked her hoping her answer would be something that would reassure him a little. She chuckled and turned all the way towards him. "I'm not sure he'd be in the club. I'm thinking he's probably somewhere else in this city." She caught her breath a little as she noticed how he had been watching her. "You have that look again. Like you want to tell me something." she cocked her head curiously. He sucked in a breath and was thinking in his head how to start his sentence. He wanted to tell her what was really on his mind. "I uh..I figured out how to stabilize the energy source." Great job, Banner, he thought to himself. Her face lit up which brightened his melancholy mood. Her smile seemed to change her whole face brightening her eyes. "That's great Dr. Banner! That's great news. You were working so hard and finally some pay off." she hit his shoulder gently to emphasize her excitement.

"Well you helped a lot. I read over your notes with the theories on everything. You did a great job, really." he gave her a small smile and let his eyes meet hers. She blushed a little "Thanks, Dr. Banner I mean coming from you that really means something." Kate walked back over to them and put her arm around Mettys shoulders. "Well I redeemed myself with him. You were right he's very sweet and he seems very nervous." Metty nodded her head "Yeah he can be a little shy. We should probably get this night started." Kate walked over to Pepper and started chatting with her as the limo pulled up out front. Dr. Banner cleared his throat a little. "I guess you should get going." he put his hands into his pockets. "Yeah I guess so. I'll see you tomorrow morning?" he nodded and then joked with her "Of course unless you indulge too much tonight." She scoffed at him. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, Dr. Banner." As she walked away towards the limo outside he caught the scent of violets in the air again. She got into the limo with Kate, Pepper and Natasha unsure of what to expect from tonight. She had a mix of apprehension and excitement rolling around in her stomach.

When they arrived in front of the club Happy walked around to the side of the vehicle and opened the door for them. "Thank you, Happy." Pepper said politely as they got out of the limo one by one. Kate linked her arm with Metty's. "Aren't you excited? This is going to be so much fun!" They followed Pepper and Natasha into the club. Inside it was dark with colored lights on the walls. The music wasn't loud but had a deep base to it. There was a lowered portion of the room with comfortable looking couches and small coffee tables spread around on a plush carpet. Towards the left was a bar and around the room were scattered tables. Most were occupied with couples and groups of friends. There was a dance floor in the back of the room that was filled with people moving along with the music.

They grabbed a table where Peppers friends were standing around. Introductions were made and Natasha offered to go order everyone some drinks. Metty hadn't planned on drinking but figured one would at least help her loosen up a little. Everyone was talking at the table and after a while a few guys came over and started to chat with a few of them. Kate was talking with a taller blonde haired guy. He asked her to dance and she leaned over towards Metty "Hey I'll be back, okay?" she smiled and big and took the suitors hand and moved toward the dance floor. Natasha came back and started to look around the room. Soon a waiter came over and set glasses down in front of everyone. Pepper started to sip her glass of white wine. Natasha had ordered two Vodka Collins for her and Metty. She grabbed her drink and sipped it slowly. She had no interest in getting drunk at all tonight but didn't want to be rude towards Natasha. Metty started to people watch for a little when she noticed a dark haired guy was watching her from the bar. She glanced around and started to feel a little uncomfortable. He was leaning against the bar and finally stood up straight and started to walk towards her. "You look like you're bored." he said to her as he stood next to her.

She wasn't used to guys approaching her unless they were asking for last classes notes. "Do I?" was all she managed to think of as a response. "I'm Jerome." he offered his hand for her to shake. She took it and shook his hand out of politeness. She wasn't sure if she wanted to talk to him. That's not hair, Met. She scolded herself. He's being nice. You can at least talk to him. "Metis..everyone just calls me Metty." He smiled coyly "Ah..Titaness of wisdom and deep thought, right?" she was genuinely taken aback. The only other person who knew what her name meant was Dr. Banner. And of course he would know. "Uh yes.. That's right. My parents were kind of..hippies..They believe that a persons name is what ultimately helps decide their path in life. They wanted me to be driven by my wisdom and mind." He nodded "So are you?" She couldn't believe she was actually talking with a guy and not embarrassing herself. He actually seemed interested in her. "Well I guess so. I'm in school right now. Studying chemistry and math. So I guess so far so good." she laughed and he did as well.

He was very handsome from what she could tell in the dim lights. He had dark hair and crystal blue eyes. He must have had a cleft pallet as a baby because he had the scar on his lip. She talked about how she worked alongside Dr. Banner and what they usually accomplished in the lab. He seemed very interested and it made her feel a little more confident. "I mean ultimately I'd love to work for SHIELDS research and development area. But we'll see where this job with Dr. Banner leads me. I think he wants to offer me a full time position with him after I graduate next year." She smiled as she thought about working alongside him all the time. They made a great team and she felt like there was still so much she could learn from him. "Oh you work for Bruce? That must be pretty interesting." Metty looked at him quizzically. Jerome spoke so casually about him "Do you know him somehow?" she asked him. He shook his head quickly "Oh no..I just uhh.I've read a lot about him. I'm a huge fan of his work." he justified.

The two of them talked for a while as Metty tried to avoid the looks Kate was giving her. He finally asked what she knew was coming. "So can I get your number? Maybe call you sometime?" Metty's heart started to race a little and the butterflies were making their appearance in her stomach again. Her voice was a little shaky as she responded to his question "Yeah of..of course." she turned around to grab a napkin but realized she didn't even have a pen with her. When she turned towards him to mention this he already had one out in his hand "Here you go" he said quietly as he watched her. She felt a little nervous since she knew he was watching her. Her hand shook a bit while she wrote her name and number on the napkin and handed it to him. "Great, thanks. Can I call you tomorrow? Are you busy?" she swallowed and shook her head. "No..I mean I have school but I'm free after classes since he doesn't really give me a specific time to be there." he chuckled a little at how fast she was talking "You seem nervous. Do I make you feel nervous?" He was much taller than she was and she had to look up at him in order to meet his eyes. She wasn't positive but she had a feeling he had moved closer to her.

Metty cleared her throat more so to buy herself time to think of how to answer. "No..I mean..A little..I'm just not used to, you know, talking and flirting and all that." she absent-mindedly scratched her arm. He just smiled at her and folded the napkin placing it in the pocket of his sport coat. "Well I'll call you tomorrow." he winked at her which made her face feel hot and walked away. Metty turned towards her table again to find Pepper and Kate staring at her. Natasha was watching the man walk away through the crowd of people. "I thought you were dancing? When did you get back?" Metty tried to steer the conversation from the inevitable. Kate just smiled mischievously at her "I got back long enough to see this whole thing go down. What's his name? He was cute wasn't he? You gave him your number didn't you!" Kate was grabbing Metty's arm excitedly. Metty took a deep breath trying to ease the butterflies in her stomach. She wasn't sure if the people in the club were dancing to the bass of the music or to her own heartbeat at this point.

Jerome made his way through the crowd of people and went through the front door of the club. Outside there was a black limo waiting for him. As he approached it the driver came around the side and opened the door for him. "Thanks" he said as he stepped inside. He sat on the seat across from a few other men. One in particular was smoking a large cigar and he spoke with a heavy Russian accent "Did you find her?" smoke seeped out of his mouth as he spoke. Jerome simply pulled out the napkin that Metty had scribbled her number onto. He held it between his middle and index fingers so the older gentleman could see. The older man took another puff off of his cigar and gave a deep laugh "Excellent..I can already tell this is all going to work out perfectly."