A/N: Two updates in one day! Mostly because I still don't like the last chapter, so I wanted to put one that I remotely like up. :P
Edited a few hours after updating... Scene replacement!
I can't escape this hell
So many times I've tried
But I'm still caged inside
Somebody get me through this nightmare
I can't control myself
-Animal I Have Become; Three Days Grace
Bruce was fairly certain that being used to waking up in restraints with a bad headache was a sign of needing to change professions. He bit back the groan that came with consciousness and tried to remember what happened. He remembered being mad at Tony, although he wasn't sure why, he remembered walking in the desert, and trying to tell Peter to run. After that everything was a blank. Even some of before that. He just really hoped someone remembered to give the children medicine.
"Are you sure he can't move?" And there was Ross. Of course.
"Yes, I'm sure. I designed these specifically with him in mind." Well, that was a new person, if voices were anything to go by. Whoever it was, was an idiot. The Hulk couldn't be constrained.
"Good. And the other one?" What other one? Of course, Peter was an idiot and got himself captured as well. One more person on his already filled conscience. Although Bruce had a feeling that pretty soon he wouldn't be nearly as worried about his conscience.
"We haven't determined exactly who he is or what he was doing with Banner. He claims to not have any powers, and even Jerry couldn't get anything out of him." Bruce stiffened involuntarily at the thought of what they had probably done to Peter. He didn't deserve that, he was just a stupid kid.
"Banner, you're awake, aren't you?" Of course Ross noticed that little stiffening, he was a military genius. The next moment there was an almost punch to his side and Bruce reluctantly opened his eyes. He was strapped to a table with Ross and another man in a laboratory coat standing over him. The room he was in had high ceilings with metal rafters, and he thought absentmindedly how much Clint would love it. He was jerked back to the present with Ross looming over him.
"Well, Banner, who's the kid?" The general demanded.
"Nice to see you to, general. I'd shake your hand, but I seem to be otherwise occupied." Even as the slap came Bruce contemplated that maybe he was spending too much time around Tony, if he was sounding that much like him.
"He's no one, just someone I befriended while I was here." Bruce ground out, his cheek still stinging. Ross leaned over a little.
"Well, I'd hate for your little friend to get hurt, so how about you cooperate with us?" He asked. Bruce was fairly certain that Peter could take care of himself, but it never hurt to play along.
"I don't have much choice, now do I?"
Peter was fairly certain this was what hell was like. Blow after blow had landed on his body, and he really wasn't sure how much longer he could last.
"You gonna tell us who you are?" The man beating him leaned over, mouth pulled into a perpetual sneer.
"Tourist." Peter gasped out. It was a matter of pride now, not telling him. The man barked out a laugh. It sounded rusty, like he didn't use it enough.
"A tourist would be offering me everything in his bank account by now."
"Not. Enough. To, interest you." Breathing hurt, and he was fairly certain that his arm was at least sprained, if not broken.
"I don't know if you're stubborn." Another punch to the gut, "or just plain stupid." A kick to the head had him plunging into merciful darkness.
Nobody but Tony knew how he had set up a command center in the jet. If you asked him, he would just say that he was a genius. Which was probably true. He currently had two tracking systems going, one for Bruce, and the other for Ross. Apparently Peter wasn't as traceable as the other two. He was on the phone with Pepper at the same time, and Natasha and Steve could really only watch.
"Yeah Pep, this really is important…..I'm not being ridiculous!...Aw c'mon, it can't be that hard, I have like a thousand jets, just fly one out!" A long pause, with him fiddling at a keyboard, then in a wheedling voice; "It's for Bruce….And the children! Think of the children!...Thanks Pep, I owe you a steak dinner."
"What was that all about?" Steve asked.
"Huh? Oh, it's just a thing I'm working on for-" Tony was cut off by one of the computers beeping. "Gotcha! Looks like we have General Ross near here, in an underground bunker. Perfect place to hold a Hulk." He rolled his eyes at their accusing glances.
"If I wanted to hold one. Not like I would, but I'm just saying." He said, then grabbed pushed the button to put on his suit.
"Let's go kick the general's butt."