Over the course of the next couple of months, life remained much the same for the two scientists. Bruce and Tony continued to work side-by-side, whether it was serious S.H.I.E.L.D. business or they felt like seeing what would happen if they mixed this dangerous chemical with this other equally dangerous one. Tony occasionally would pester Bruce about his secrets, and Bruce would brush it off and try not to grab him by the collar and smash their lips together. He found that he was now beginning to fantasize about his science bro constantly, and it often led to some pretty awkward moments where he was staring off into space while Tony tried to get his attention.

He was pretty sure that Tony could tell that he was smitten for him, but the man never said anything. It made Bruce wonder if he cared at all.

Things were going very well, despite the constant longing for something he couldn't have. Bruce had made significant progress on his gamma research, he'd been successful at helping Fury on a few random side projects, and he still hadn't had an incident since Fury picked him up that first day. Perhaps S.H.I.E.L.D. was a blessing in disguise.

And then, suddenly, life changed drastically when the Power Struggle began. In other words, it was the Fury versus Stark war.

Of course, Tony was the first one to actually make it a big deal, even though Fury was the instigator. The director had rather politely requested in front of the entirety of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s agents that Tony help with constructing new missiles for S.H.I.E.L.D. to use on major threats. Of course, since Tony was all anti-weapons-of-mass-destruction, he stormed out, started throwing a giant fit in his lab, and used Iron Man to blow up enough of his tools and chemicals to accidentally cause an explosion that destroyed that entire corner of the base. Luckily, since there had been a meeting on the opposite side of the building, nobody was hurt. Only Tony sustained damage, but it was minimal because of his suit. He came out with a sprained ankle and a scratch on the side of his face that would leave a decent-sized scar.

Fury had been livid though. The first time Bruce was finally allowed to return to his somehow salvaged lab—in a hazmat suit, nonetheless, since radiation had flooded the hallways and the labs that were damaged—Tony was already there with Fury, who was screaming at him at the top of his lungs and swearing like a sailor. Tony looked mildly bored, but a few minutes after Bruce slunk off behind him—to begin inspecting his own tools, despite the fact that his lab had been untouched—he finally announced, "Fine, I'm done with this bullshit. I can't work with you anymore, not when you're going to treat me how Obediah did." He swiftly began packing up the things that had been left in Bruce's lab. Thankfully, since the doctor's lab was much larger, most of the Iron Man models Tony had created were stored there, so they'd been safe from the explosion.

"Fine with me!" Fury shouted. "Don't expect for me to be paying you any more money. In fact, you will be giving me money, to pay for the damage you caused."

"I'll have Pepper write you a check," he snapped sarcastically as he stuffed something that was clearly Bruce's into his own bag. Bruce just didn't have the heart to tell him.

"And also," Tony added, lifting his head up to look at the director, "Brucey-boy is coming with me."

"W-what?!" Bruce sputtered. His eyes quickly flickered to Fury's face, watching nervously to his reaction. The director's face was stormy, but he was now keeping his composure maintained.

"Why, exactly, is that?" he asked, his voice tight. "It appears as though he wasn't even aware of this plan. So why do you think he's coming with you?"

"You never give him a break!" Tony shouted, jabbing his finger at his employer. "Not even a day-long vacation!"

"I'm fine with working," Bruce tried to interject, but Tony just continued talking over him.

"All you do is take advantage of him. He's willing to do everything you ask of him, so you just assign him all of the important tasks, when S.H.I.E.L.D. has other perfectly capable scientists."

Standing stiffly, with his chin lifted higher, Fury responded, "We ask Doctor Banner for assistance because he is one of the best."

Arguments, even if he wasn't directly involved in them, tended to get the Other Guy riled up. He was waking up, preparing to fight for control over Bruce's consciousness. Bracing himself by leaning heavily against a counter and locking his jaw, Bruce closed his eyes, ready to ward his monster off.

"Being the best is no excuse for him to not have social life or leave the premises! I mean, look at how pale he is!"

Bruce snapped his eyes wide open. "Hey!" he protested, giving Tony a glare.

Turning around long enough to roll his eyes at the doctor, he retorted, "Shut up, I'm trying to help you out."

I didn't need help, Bruce fumed, forgetting how it was probably not a good idea to get irritated when the Other Guy was active. He had to tightly grip the table to focus long enough to regain control. He could practically feel his eyes shifting from brown to green.

And then, he heard Fury say, "Fine. Take him wherever, Stark. Just make sure it's okay with him, and you return him." When Bruce slid his eyes open, he saw a single eye fixed on his face. Chills ran up his spine.

Ignoring that Fury wasn't even looking at him anymore, Tony responded, "Great!" before beginning to bound off with his stuff. Turning when he reached the doors, he told Bruce, "Meet me by the main entrance in an hour-ish. Bring whatever you might need." And, before Bruce could even begin to ask how long he'd be staying, the doors were already sliding closed behind the genius.

"You almost lost control, didn't you?"

Bruce turned his gaze, momentarily surprised to hear his director's voice, as if he had forgotten he was there. "Yeah, so?"

Crossing his arms, he blatantly asked, "He's been getting stronger, hasn't he?"

Shrugging, Bruce's eyes trailed along the wall as he said, "He's just restless."

"You need to be here, where there is a room specially prepared for when the Hulk reappears. It's safer for everyone, do you understand? Just go tell him you're not going with him to Malibu, and then you will be safe. Everyone will be safe."

Malibu. That actually sounded good. Especially since he could be with Tony.

Just the thought of that was more comforting than any protection S.H.I.E.L.D. could provide.

"Nah, I'm good," he said, actually beginning to pack some of his basic lab supplies. "I think a vacation is what the Other Guy and I need. Now, excuse me, but I need to go see if any of my clothes are Malibu-appropriate." Giving a Fury a devious grin that Tony would've killed to witness, he waved at Fury, saying, "Goodbye!"

[This is not a problem right now, but I just wanted to begin warning everyone about what's approaching. I'm moving into my dorm on the 15th, and since this fic was WAY longer than I thought I would go, there's a possibility I might have more gaps around them while I adjust to college. Just getting that idea in your head so you're not shocked.

I hope my fic is going okay-ish.]