Chapter 6: The Catalyst
New York City, New York – Avengers Tower
Bruce sat at his computer, looking at his recent analyses of the gemstone, all of which brought up nothing. The stone sat on the table nearby, still dull and lifeless. "JARVIS, is there anything you can tell me about this thing? So far, I'm comin' up with nothin'."
"As Prince Thor mentioned before, it may very well be one of the infinity stones," JARVIS said. "The more you've attempted to research the gem, the more I believe his hypothesis may be correct. Just as I revealed to Agent Romanoff and you all on the mountain, the gem is not constructed of any jewel or element known to Earth."
Bruce rubbed the bridge of his nose from slight frustration and lack of sleep. "Yeah, I'm willing to bet money that it's an infinity stone. What I'm trying to figure out is how Nat was able to unlock its power."
"Of that I'm not sure, Dr. Banner. The second Agent Romanoff released the stone, its power ceased. Even the glow it once had has completely dimmed."
"There's got to be more to this thing. HYDRA wanted it for a reason."
"That's another thing that's puzzling, Dr. Banner. They were already in possession of the scepter. According to the records obtained from the recent mission, they have already used it to experiment on people, and have even had success with a pair of orphaned teenagers as test subjects."
"Yeah, but if they could do that with just one infinity stone, imagine what they could do with two. HYDRA is all about world domination, and now that their organization has been outed, they'll be a lot more blatant with how they go about it. That's why we need to find out exactly what this stone does and how it's powered."
Just then, Clint's face appeared on the computer screen, smiling. "What's up, Doc? I figured you'd be up this early."
Bruce chuckled. "Up? I never went to sleep. I see you guys forgot to call me to let me know you got in okay."
"Hence the reason for me using our fancy Skype-esque system. Besides, we were about to call you, but we got a little distracted."
"By what?"
Clint rolled his eyes. "The minute we got here, we found out that Nat had turned the guys' weekend into a couple's retreat."
Bruce started to laugh. "You're kidding."
"I promise you I'm not. Jane, Pepper and Maria pulled up seconds after we did."
Bruce laughed even harder. "What would she have done if I came?"
"Oh, she said, and I quote, there was really no reason for you to come since you were doing what you loved and Helen was still up there with you anyway."
"Is Laura up there with you guys?"
Clint shook his head. "No Laura."
"Why not?"
"She had to work."
Bruce grinned from ear to ear. "Right."
Clint was slightly taken aback. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm sure you know what it means. I think the question that everyone's been asking is when Nat is gonna figure out what it means."
"Bruce, Nat and I are just friends."
"Right," Bruce repeated.
"Note to the socially awkward: a guy and a chick can actually be best friends."
Bruce stifled his laughter, not at all affected by Clint's ribbing. "Firstly, the only reason I'm socially awkward is because I'm scared the other guy'll make an appearance."
"Trust me, that's not the only reason. Nerd," Clint joked.
Bruce ignored him. "Secondly, I'm well aware that a guy and girl can be just friends…it's just crystal clear that you and Nat are much more than that."
"Whatever. I'm gonna let you and the other guy go. I'm sure that the two of you are busy, and I have to brush up on my target practice."
"Anybody that can shoot an arrow behind their back and hit the target dead on doesn't need practice."
"There's always a need for practice, old man. Keep those skills sharp. Talk you to later."
"I agree with your assessment, sir," JARVIS said once the video feed went dead.
A dumbfounded look appeared on Bruce's face. "Which one?"
"About Agent Romanoff and Agent Barton. They have feelings for one another."
Bruce chuckled. "You're absolutely right. You can see it; I don't know why they can't."
"Matters of the human heart are extremely complicated, Dr. Banner."
Bruce nodded and rose from his chair. "That's very true. If you'll excuse me JARVIS, I'm going downstairs for a cup of coffee."
"Might I suggest breakfast and a few hours rest, Dr. Banner? It's been over 24 hours since you've slept, and it's been just as long since you've eaten. A good meal and sleep are essential, sir."
"I'll get something out of the vending machine, and I'll sleep when I'm dead," Bruce said as he headed out of the door. "Thanks anyway, JARVIS."
When Bruce got to the break area, he saw Helen standing near the vending machine, drinking a Red Bull. "I heard those are really bad for you," he said.
Helen lowered the can and smiled. "It's the only way I can stay awake. Coffee never worked for me."
Bruce went over to the coffee pot and poured a cup. "You've been pulling an all nighter too?"
"Yep. Just putting the finishing touches on my nanomolecular therapy research. I was running on pure adrenaline for the last twelve hours. I started winding down about ten minutes ago, so I came here for a Red Bull. Thank God Tony has this machine in here."
"I believe he drinks them more than anyone else here. I have a question, though. Why are you doing more research? I thought you ready to actually start applying the therapy."
Helen shook her head. "You can't just jump head first into these things. All my test subjects have been successful, but before I really try it out on a human subject, I want everything to be in place." She paused and took another sip of her Red Bull, deep in thought. "I just need everything to be perfect."
Bruce placed his hand on hers. "It will be perfect. I've gone over some of your notes. You're brilliant. What you're doing is going to be revolutionary."
Helen smiled, her cheeks turning bright red. "You calling me brilliant has to be the best compliment I've ever had."
Now Bruce was the one to blush and turn his head away to hide his smile. "Thank you, Dr. Cho."
"Helen, please."
Bruce looked at her, smiling even harder. "Thank you, Helen."
Still blushing, Helen drank the remainder of her Red Bull and tossed the can in the trash. "I'll tell you what," she said. "Why don't we get out of here for a few minutes and get some real breakfast? I haven't eaten in almost a day, and I know you have to be hungry."
"Sounds good," Bruce said, nodding.
"When we get back, maybe I can help you with your research."
"You sure? I wouldn't want to put you out."
"Trust me," Helen said with a gleam in her eye. "It'd be my pleasure."
"After you," Bruce said, gesturing towards the door.
With a sexy grin, Helen walked with a bit of a sashay in her step as Bruce held the door open for her. Bruce's heart raced and the blood rushed to his groin as his eyes diverted their way to her ass as she walked. Don't turn green, he thought to himself as he followed her out. His stare still fixated on her ass, he took a deep breath in an attempt to steady himself. He felt his member harden as he watched he walk. Don't do that, either.
Harleyville, Maryland – Clint's Farm
In the barn behind the farmhouse, Natasha was training, using a small knife to take her frustrations out on the wooden dummy that faced her. After she woke up from her dream the previous night, she had trouble getting back to sleep, and when she did, the mysterious blonde appeared once again, still threatening her and everyone she held dear.
Natasha was often plagued with nightmares. She had horrible dreams of the Red Room, and the first mark she was assigned to kill. Usually she could shake those terrors away when morning came…but not this time. The blonde's face was burned in her mind, and every time her face appeared, Natasha would bring the blade of the knife squarely into the dummy's throat, chest, or cheek.
As she pulverized the dummy, she sensed someone behind her. She continued her workout without so much as a pause. The figure slowly crept behind her, taking great care not to be heard. Once he was close enough, the person extended an arm to grab Natasha by the shoulder. Without breaking stride, she quickly grabbed the person's arm and bent his wrist backwards, while quickly turning to face the intruder. She then swept his leg and sent him on the floor hard, causing the wind to be knocked out him. Once he was down on the ground, Natasha pounced on him, holding the training knife to the side of his throat.
"Good morning, Clint," she said with a smirk.
Clint groaned with his eyes winced in pain. "Mornin'." He opened his eyes and saw her sitting on his chest, still wielding the knife. "Damn, this is sexy," he said, grinning as his eyes took in the slinky black sports bra and matching pants she was wearing.
"Did you honestly think you could sneak up on me?"
Clint groaned again as he felt the pain in his back and wrist setting in. "I forgot. You're Dionne Warwick now."
"Correction. Dionne Warwick wasn't psychic. Her friends were."
"Whatever. Do me a favor and get that knife out of my neck."
Natasha pushed the knife further against his throat and leaned against him so they were eye to eye. "Or what?" she whispered.
Clint found his member standing to attention. "Or I won't make you my famous pancakes," he whispered in reply.
Natasha removed the knife from Clint's neck and stood up, extending her hand to help him to his feet. "When you ask like that, how can I say no?" Clint grinned and took her hand, hoping she wouldn't see his massive erection as he got up.
"What are you doing in here, anyway?" Natasha asked as Clint brushed himself off.
"The same thing you are. Training."
"Of all people, I doubt if you need it."
Clint laughed. "Bruce just said the same thing a few minutes ago."
"Oh, you talked to him. He wasn't pissed about us not calling last night, was he?"
Clint waved his hand at her. "Nah. He was fine."
"Any progress with him and Helen?"
Clint laughed as he grabbed his bow and arrow. "Nat, has it ever occurred to you that not everyone wants to be set up? Besides, he's there to study the stone, not her."
Natasha gave him a sly smile. "Give him time. Now show me your ritual. You never let me in on the secret."
"You're not gonna put that knife to my throat if I don't, will you?"
Natasha glanced at the bulge in Clint's pants. "From the looks of it, you might actually enjoy it."
Clint looked down at his still protruding erection and looked back at Natasha, his cheeks bright red. "You didn't see that."
He then walked over to a lever on the left side of the barn and pulled it back. As soon as he pulled the lever, a dummy popped up out of the furthest corner of the barn. Clint shot an arrow into the dummy's head in an instant. Another one popped up on the second level of the barn. Clint got him in the heart. Another dummy appeared a few yards from where he and Natasha were standing . It received a quick arrow to the throat. The dummies continued springing up from various areas of the barn and Clint delivered kill shots to every one of them the second they showed themselves.
Natasha smiled in awe once Clint was finished. "Impressive."
Clint raised his eyebrows and grinned back at her. "Thanks. Wanna try one?"
Natasha sexily walked over to him and took the bow out of his hand. Clint handed her an arrow from his case. Natasha positioned the arrow and aimed at the dummy on the second floor of the barn, as Clint stood behind her with his hands on her bare midsection, helping her with her posture.
The feel of his breath and calloused fingers on her skin sent chills up Natasha's spine, just as they had in Italy. "Don't lift your arm so high," he said, guiding it downward. "Keep it parallel to the ground."
Natasha tried her best to keep her aim on her target as Clint's soft touch continued to excite her. "Take aim," he said in her ear.
"I have," Natasha said, turning to face him. Clint returned the smoldering stare, with his hands still on her arm and midsection.
"Just let go," Clint said, still looking at her. Natasha released a shuddering breath and released the arrow, never taking her eyes off Clint. The arrow found its way into the dummy's heart, right beside Clint's.
Clint broke his stare to look over at the dummy. "Impressive," he repeated with a smile and nod.
Natasha turned to see her handiwork. "Pretty good for my first try."
"To be honest, I didn't expect anything less."
Natasha smiled. "Thanks."
"So why were you really in here?"
Natasha's smile faded. "You already know why I was here."
Clint shook his head. "It looked to me like you were battling some demons."
Natasha said nothing in reply as she gathered her training knife and headed for the door. Clint quickly followed. "So what is it? The stone or the bad dream?" he asked.
Natasha held open the door for Clint. "You don't give up, do you?"
Clint leaned near the doorway. "I never give up. Ladies first."
Natasha's smile returned as she walked out of the door and Clint followed, closing it behind him. "To answer your question it's the stone and the dream," Natasha finally answered.
Clint wrapped his arm around Natasha's waist as they walked back to the house. "What exactly did you dream about?" Clint asked.
"I was back at my wedding."
"The same one where I was mysteriously absent?"
"Same one. Anyway, this blonde woman showed up-"
Clint piped up. "You were marrying the blonde? That's hot!"
Natasha chuckled. "No. I think she was there to kill my husband, or you, assuming she hadn't killed you both already. I don't know. All I know for sure is that she wanted us all dead."
"Nat, it was just a shitty nightmare."
"I know. Something about it just really hit home."
"What about your psychic abilities? Are they getting stronger?"
"I took you down in the barn didn't I?"
"Yeah…but truth be told, you probably would've been able to do that without touching a possible infinity stone."
Natasha chuckled again. "Well, last night I heard Thor and Jane have a conversation that I'm sure was meant to be private."
"Ugh, you heard their kissy huggy talk?"
"It was actually a little more graphic than that."
"Gross," Clint said, cringing as he and Natasha made their way to the porch. He went to the door and opened it for her.
"Thank you," Natasha said in Russian as she walked inside. "You're such a gentleman."
"I try," Clint said, as he walked in the house.
They headed in the kitchen and Clint began taking out the ingredients to make his pancakes. "Look Nat," he said as he laid the flour and eggs on the island, "I really don't think you should stress yourself out any more about these side effects. Helen already gave you a clean bill of health."
Natasha took a seat at the island as Clint laid out what he needed. "Yeah she did, but I'm still feeling uneasy, and I hate that. Everything that's happened-the dreams, the heightened senses, the things I did when I had the stone in my hand…" her voice trailed off for a second.
"It's scaring me," she finally admitted. "And I hate my fear."
Clint took her hand. "It's gonna be okay, Nat."
"You don't know that."
"No, I don't. But I know you. I have faith in you. And I know you'll bounce back from this. You just have to have faith, too."
Natasha looked up at him and smiled, as she grasped his hand. Clint returned her smile as he took her hand and softly kissed it. He went back to gathering his ingredients when remembered the kiss they shared in the cave.
Clint placed the butter and baking powder on the table with a sigh. "Nat…there's something else that happened on the mountain that I never got to tell you."
Natasha stiffened. "What?"
"It's nothing horrible. It was just-" Before he could finish, Thor and Jane came downstairs, still not able to keep their hands off each other.
"Oh God," Clint groaned. He then looked over at Natasha, who was still looking for an answer. "Maybe we should discuss this later," Clint said under his breath.
Natasha sighed and nodded begrudgingly as Thor and Jane entered the kitchen hand in hand. "Good morning," Thor said, taking a seat beside Natasha. Jane sat on Thor's lap and absentmindedly played with his long blond hair. "Are we disturbing anything?"
"Nope," Natasha answered. "As a matter of fact, you two came just in time for Clint's pancakes."
"How'd the two of you sleep?" Clint asked as he grabbed a mixing bowl from one of the cabinets. "Assuming you slept at all, that is."
Jane blushed. "Um…we slept very well." Natasha tried her best to stifle her chuckle. You're a terrible liar, she thought.
"Why would you assume that?" Thor asked.
Clint scoffed. "It stormed all night."
Thor looked around the room, proving himself to be a worse liar than Jane. "Did it?"
Clint rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I just hope you have enough energy leftover to go to the lake today."
"Fish fry?" Natasha asked.
"Nah," Clint said, cracking eggs in the bowl. "The fish fry is tomorrow. Today's just gonna be a barbecue at the dock."
"Did someone say barbecue? We love barbecues!" Tony announced, walking into the kitchen with his arm wrapped around Pepper's waist.
"Good morning, you guys," Pepper said.
"Mornin'," Clint answered.
"Barton, I didn't know you were a domestic," Tony said upon seeing Clint mixing the pancake batter. He followed Thor and Jane's lead and sat on the other stool, lowering Pepper onto his lap.
"I've got a lot of talents you don't know about, Stark."
"Pray tell?" Tony asked.
"Clint's a great bowler," Natasha said.
Clint smiled as he poured drops of pancake batter onto the waiting griddle. "Yeah. I can bowl about 70 after six beers."
"And he can manage to walk away from Chipotle with free guac," Natasha added.
"Guac?" Thor asked.
"Guacamole," Jane whispered.
Thor piped up. "Ah, yes! I love guacamole. Are we having that today?"
Clint flipped the pancakes over. "I doubt if that would taste good with pancakes, Thor. By the way, how many do you want?"
Thor thought for a second. "Twenty will suffice, my friend."
Clint turned and looked at him, incredulous. "Twenty?"
"Yes, twenty."
"Don't tell me you're surprised," Tony said.
"No," Clint said. "It just means that I have to mix more of this stuff up."
"I could take about twenty myself," Pepper said. "I'm starving!"
Tony stared at her. "Seriously, Pep?"
Pepper playfully hit him. "No, not seriously. I'm joking." She turned to Clint. "But I could eat about six of them, if you don't mind please, Clint."
Clint smiled. "Six it is, Ms. Potts."
"Morning, everyone!" Maria's voice proclaimed as she made her way down the stairs. "Do I smell pancakes?"
Clint placed three of the finished flapjacks on a plate as Maria entered the kitchen. "You sure do. How do you like 'em?"
"Can I just have them old fashioned?"
"As long as you don't ask for twenty or more like the gigantic demigod over there, you can have 'em any way you want."
He placed a short stack of pancakes topped with whipped cream and blueberries in front of Natasha. "Here you go, Nat."
Natasha smiled. "Thank you very much, Clint."
"Wait a minute, Legolas," Tony said. "Why does Hot Pants get served first?"
Pepper glared at him. "What?" Tony asked when he saw her scathing look. Pepper's scowl never faltered. "It's just a friendly nickname, honey!" he whined.
"Nat was here first, and I know what she likes." Clint said.
Tony grinned. "I'm sure you do."
Now Clint was the one to glower at Tony. "So Maria," Natasha began, making sure she turned her back to Tony, "what happened last night? You got to bed hours after I did."
Before answering, Maria looked around for Steve. "Steve hasn't gotten up yet?"
"Nope," Clint said.
Maria nodded. "I must've worn him out last night."
Everyone looked over at her, stunned. Maria laughed. "We sat up most of the night talking."
Natasha couldn't have been happier. "I'm glad to hear that Steve was a gentleman last night."
"I didn't expect anything less," Maria said. "He even escorted me to my room when we decided to turn in."
Tony stroked his goatee. "The old man and I definitely have to have a talk on how to properly escort a lady to her room."
"And how is that exactly?" Steve asked, walking into the kitchen.
"Don't ask," Clint said, before Tony could give his answer.
"Yes," Thor added. "I learned long ago that the metal man knows very little when it comes to matters of the heart."
"Says the guy that didn't know what a date was until I helped him out," Tony muttered.
"Good morning, everyone," Steve greeted, remembering his manners. He then turned to Maria with a sexy smile. "Hi, Maria."
Maria gave him a smoldering look. "Morning, Captain."
"How'd you sleep last night, Cap?" Clint asked.
Steve smiled. "Great. But I noticed that a storm was raging most of the night. Did you and Tony hear it?"
Thor and Jane looked over at Steve, puzzled, while Tony uncommonly remained silent. Natasha could only shake her head. "We heard it," Clint grumbled.
Steve grinned. "Just making sure. By the way, did you guys remember to call Bruce to let him know we got here okay?"
"Clint called him earlier," Natasha said.
"How's my boy doin'?" Tony asked.
"Looks like he could use some sleep," Clint said.
"Don't worry. Helen'll take care of him," Natasha said.
Clint grinned as he piled the twentieth pancake onto Thor's plate. "I bet she will. Big guy, you're up," he said as he handed Thor the super stack.
"Thank you, my friend," Thor said as he took the plate. As soon as he set it down, Jane poured syrup on top of it and began to feed him.
"Do you remember the day we met?" Thor asked her. "You took me to a dining area near your lab and bought this very same meal for me."
"I remember everything about that day," Jane said, placing a light kiss on Thor's nose. "I don't think you ate twenty of these at one time, though."
Thor laughed and returned Jane's kiss. As Natasha ate her pancakes, she watched the two of them fawn over each other. She loved seeing Thor happy, but at the same time she was envious. It occurred to her that no man she had ever been with worshipped her as Thor did Jane. She never had a man beam with joy upon seeing her or rush into her arms and crush her with passion. Natasha always believed that love was never in the cards for her. After all, it was a fairy tale; a trick mother nature used to make human beings reproduce. It was a fine notion for her friends, but not The Black Widow. She was far too damaged and dangerous to be with any man, so she completely stamped the idea out of her head. But yet, there she was, inwardly wishing she had what Jane Foster had.
New York, New York – Avengers Tower
Bruce and Helen returned from breakfast about an hour and a half later, both laughing. "I can't thank you enough for taking me out," Bruce said as they entered his lab. "It turns out I actually did need a little break from this place."
"The pleasure was mine," Helen replied. "I had a great time. Besides, even when you do what you love, it can start to get a bit cumbersome. Some time away doesn't hurt anybody."
"So you think I should've gone to Clint's house for the weekend?"
Helen shrugged and began to fix Bruce's shirt collar. "I think you did what you felt was best for you. At the end of the day, you know better than anyone else." She looked up at him and smiled. "Either way, I'm glad you're here."
Bruce blushed and felt his pulse racing once again. Don't turn green. His member began to stiffen once again. What the hell!? Just because I wanna stop the other guy from showing up, doesn't mean I want the other hulk to make a stand by default!
"Uhh…you wanna see the stone?" Bruce asked.
Helen smiled. "Sure."
He took Helen's hand and turned to lead her where he left the gem, when he stopped dead in his tracks. "Holy shit," he spat out.
Helen looked at him. "What?"
He pointed at the stone. "Look."
Helen looked over at the desk and saw that the stone was suspended in mid-air, glowing.
Once she laid eyes on it, she couldn't turn away.
"It wasn't doing that before," Bruce said. Helen didn't answer him. She stared at the gem's bright pink glow and slowly began to make her way over to it.
"What's the catalyst?" Bruce wondered aloud. "Natasha's the only person that set it off, and now-" He cut himself off when he finally realized that Helen walking over to the stone with her hand extended.
"Helen!" he called out. She didn't turn around or answer him. Entranced, she continued walking towards it.
"Helen, don't!" Bruce cried, rushing over to grab her.
Before he could get to her, Helen grabbed hold of the stone and tightly wrapped her fingers around it. The stone emitted an even more vivid pink flash, causing Helen's body to jerk backwards.
Helen looked around. She was seated in a large banquet hall that she had never seen before. There were other people there, all elegantly dressed. She looked down and saw that she was wearing a black, strapless evening gown. Helen looked over to her left and saw Bruce sitting beside her, dressed in a tuxedo. He smiled at her and took her hand, lightly caressing her fingers with his thumb.
"You nervous?" he asked.
Helen stared at him. "What?"
Bruce lifted her hand and pressed his lips to it, making Helen shiver. "You'll be fine."
Before Helen could say anything else, a presenter had come up to the podium and began to speak. "And now we present the Nobel Prize for Medicine. This year's recipient is a geneticist that has been making strides in her career ever since her early years in her native country of South Korea. She is a child prodigy, who graduated from college at the young age of seventeen. After receiving her doctorate from Yale, she provided her talents to many organizations, mainly SHIELD, an establishment that is known for protecting the world from countless enemies, be they terrorists or adversaries from distant lands we have never heard of. With her contributions to the fearless warriors that guard us on a regular basis, as well as her work with charitable organizations and other medical endeavors, this lady is a true Avenger. I am pleased to award this year's Nobel Prize for Medicine to Dr. Helen Cho."
Helen lost her breath. The guests began to applaud as she looked around the room, completely dumbfounded. Bruce rose from his seat and helped her out of her chair. He had a smile on his face that could illuminate the room. Helen took the stage, although she had no idea what the hell was going on. This can't be real, can it? she thought.
Helen stood at the podium shivering as the audience stared at her, waiting for her to give her speech. She was at a complete loss for words, only possessing the ability to stare back at all of them. The presenter walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's alright to be a bit nervous, Doctor," he said. "It's a great honor. Just speak from your heart."
Helen licked her lips and took a deep breath as her heart dropped into her stomach. She looked out at Bruce, who was giving her a reassuring look. Just talk, she thought.
"I'd like to thank the Nobel organization for nominating me for this award," she said, shakily. "I've never been more proud. I'd like to thank all my friends and family for their support, but most of all, I'd like to thank my biggest supporter and my fiancé, Dr. Bruce Banner."
The second the words escaped her mouth, she covered it with her hands as if she could take them back. No one in the audience seemed to notice, as they were all giving Helen a standing ovation, with Bruce clapping the hardest of them all. Helen stood at the podium, still shocked at what she had just uttered. Fiancé!?
"Helen!" she heard Bruce's voice say.
Helen looked over at Bruce, who was still applauding. "Helen!" she heard again. It was Bruce's voice, but he wasn't actually speaking. It was coming from another place. "Helen, can you hear me?"
Bruce shook Helen frantically, trying to snap her out the trance. He tried to pry the stone from her hand, but it was as if it were fused to her palm. Bruce shook her again and lightly tapped the side of her face. "Helen, speak to me!"
Helen's pink irises moved toward Bruce's direction. She still had the same empty look on her face as she stared at him. Bruce took her by the face, looking into her eyes. "Helen, say something. Speak to me."
Helen just looked at him in silence. Without warning, she pulled him close to her and kissed him, hard and passionate. Bruce didn't know what hit him. Bewildered, he pushed her off him. "Helen, what are you doing?" he asked, slightly dazed.
Helen responded by kissing him again, more deeply than before. Bruce kissed her back, losing himself in the moment. Helen led him over to a nearby cot and pushed him down on it. The second Bruce hit the makeshift bed, Helen climbed on top of him and continued kissing him until both their lips were swollen. She still held a death grip on the infinity stone, which was glowing brightly inside her closed palm.
Bruce's heart beat at an abnormal speed as Helen sucked his tongue and began to rip off his clothes as well as hers. His member was already at attention, but he could start to feel other parts of his body began to grow in size. Bruce's body jerked, and he clenched his fists in a futile attempt to halt his transformation. His eyes and skin tone were starting to turn green. He was becoming the Hulk.
Helen stopped kissing Bruce once she noticed him changing. "No," she said.
She stared at him with her pink eyes as Bruce squirmed and groaned, trying his best to fight off the change. Helen kept staring, holding her concentration. Just when Bruce was certain he was reaching the point of no return, he felt his body start shrinking back down to size. His natural skin color came back and his eyes went from green to brown. His pulse slowed down, but his whopping erection remained. Out of breath, he looked at himself, seeing that he was back to normal again, just like with Natasha in the mountains. Helen was still straddling him, her pink eyes still glued on him.
"I want you this way," Helen said, stroking the side of Bruce's face. She kissed him again, removing the last few articles of clothing between them. She sat up, giving Bruce a full view of her breasts. His pulse quickened again, but he didn't feel his body begin to change. Instinctively, he grabbed Helen's breasts and squeezed them, causing her to moan. As Bruce massaged her, Helen positioned herself on his throbbing dick and lowered her body onto it. They both let out a gasp as she slid Bruce's member inside of her.
Wasting no time, Helen moved her hips back and forth at a moderate pace, moaning in sync with her strokes. Bruce tilted his head back and sighed in content, still kneading Helen's breasts. Helen sped up her stroke by bouncing up and down on Bruce's manhood, and her death grip on the gem became even tighter. She pulled Bruce upwards to face her. As she went back to her original pace, she kissed him as if she hadn't seen in him years. Bruce greedily returned her kisses, reveling in every minute of their lovemaking. Helen lowered him back onto the cot, her lips never leaving his. Bruce's hands made his way to Helen's ass and groped it as she humped him, hard. Helen finally broke her kiss and she stared into Bruce's eyes, never interrupting her stroke. Their gaze increased the intensity of their lovemaking, and Helen sped up her strokes once again.
They were both moaning so loud they were practically screaming, but neither of them cared who would hear them or who may walk in. They didn't even notice that light emitted from the gem was now bright enough to engulf the lab. At that moment, their only concern was each other, and fulfilling the erotic desires that both of them had for so long. As Helen rode Bruce to sheer nirvana, she more than proved that the reality of them being together was much more pleasurable than they ever dreamed.
I'm so sorry it took me so long to update the story for you all. This year has been really tough for me, and between personal stuff going on in my life, dealing with a horrible job, and starting a new blog, I haven't really had the time to write. That's why I decided to make another BIG update for you all. I hope you enjoyed these chapters, and I wanna thank everyone that's left comments and has read the story so far. I really appreciate all your love and support. I'm going to do my best to finish this story, because I made a commitment to myself to see this through to the end! It may take a while, but I'm going to do it! Thanks to you all once again!
