"Rachel!" My coworker rushed up to me, shoving a bouquet of flowers into my arms. "Who's the special guy?" She gushed, bouncing on her heels as she admired the brightly colored assortment of flowers.

Confused, I searched for the card. "I don't know." My coworker looked just as puzzled by my response. Bruce was always kind to me, but this seemed too far out of character for him. There would be no reason for him to send flowers.

"Enjoy your evening. –Love always, James" It was as if someone had just pumped ice water into my veins. The unexpected flowers now seemed to have a threatening air to them as I read the card over again. Why would my ex be sending me flowers? I'd just filed a temporary restraining order against him the other day.

"No wonder you've looked so happy lately." Apparently my coworker had forgotten what personal space was while she was reading over my shoulder, but I didn't care. "I didn't know you two had gotten back together."

"…We didn't." I said flatly, tossing the flowers into the nearest trash can.

"Well he clearly wants you back." She wrinkled her nose with distaste. "He does know that you can't just buy someone back with flowers, right?"

"Right." I scoffed at the idea, gathering my things to leave for the night.

What if he showed up at my apartment again? I had to go. Work was safe, but home wouldn't be if he came by. Maybe I could stay in a small hotel or something until the court date where the order would be finalized. Once again, my hand reached for my phone before I knew what it was doing. I needed someone to help me think clearly.

"Uh…Hello?" Bruce sounded as if he'd been sleeping. I felt a twinge of guilt for waking him, I knew he'd been up very early and had a tough week, but I needed something to keep me from going insane.

"Bruce, do you think you could help me grab some stuff from my apartment?" My words almost ran together, but I think it was somewhat coherent. I could hear my own heart beat as I rushed out of the building as quickly as possible.

"Hmm?" I heard him move to sit up, "Yeah." He sounded like he was struggling to wake up, "Why are we moving stuff?"

"I'll explain later, okay? I just want to grab some stuff from my apartment and go somewhere." I wouldn't have too much to gather really. I just wanted to see him. Simply being in his presence was calming for me which I desperately needed right now.

Alarmed by the urgent tone in my voice, he agreed, "Okay. What's your address?" His footsteps were uneven as he groggily searched for a piece of paper and a pen.

Nothing seemed out of place as I entered the apartment, making sure to lock the door as I went. I just wanted to get in and pack as quickly as possible. Clothes, toothbrush, soap, my laptop…it shouldn't take too long to collect what I needed. Bruce would be here soon to help me gather my things and then I'd be out within the hour. Draping my jacket over a chair as I started to head back to my room, I saw something move out of the corner of my eye.

The light in the kitchen turned on and I froze like a deer caught in headlights. "Did you get the flowers?" He took a step closer and smiled, "They are still your favorite, aren't they?" He pulled a few folded pieces of paper from his back pocket and held them for me to see, "You're really going to get the courts involved?"

I wasn't going to play this game. Bolting for the door, I tried to undo the locks, but he caught me by the hair and shoved my head forward into the frame. I grit my teeth at the sound of my head thumping against the frame, feeling the pain radiate from the point of impact and spread as it intensified. Stunned, I was pulled away from the door and pushed into a chair at the kitchen table.

"What is this?" He slammed the papers down in front of me.

I was still too dazed to flinch, staring blankly at the papers; it felt like my brain had turned to mush for a moment. My silence seemed to anger him and he snatched the papers up from the table, bringing them closer to my face.

"Why won't you just answer me? All I wanted to do was talk." He laughed bitterly as if it were that simple, tossing the papers across the floor.

"How'd you get in here?" Finally finding my words, I watched him pace and tried to think of a way out. I wasn't going to try for the door again, at least not just yet. Maybe I could get my hands on another knife and bluff my way out like I had before.

"Spare key. You forgot to get it back." He grinned at how simple it was. The thought sickened me. He'd been able to come and go freely? How had I not asked to have the locks changed?

As he paced over towards the sink, I saw something that didn't belong. There was a bright red gallon of gasoline sitting on the counter. Was he going to kill me? I had no time to think of a plan, I needed to get out now.

Reading the panic on my face, he stopped pacing next to my chair and kicked it over, kneeling down beside me as I tried to catch myself. "Who is that guy anyway, your new boyfriend?" He gripped my arms tightly and held me in place, "I saw the two of you chatting away. I saw the way you looked at him."

He'd gone off the deep end, his face distorted by an almost animalistic snarl. I couldn't let this happen. I had just started to be happier for the first time in a long time. No, I couldn't go without a fight. Kicking wildly, trying to wriggle my way out of his grip, I screamed and hoped someone would hear me.

"Shut up!" Before I could draw another breath to scream again he slammed my head against the floor and pulled me up just far enough to shake me. I was going to die here.

I couldn't afford not to try getting someone's attention. As I tried again to take in a deep breath he repositioned a knee just below my ribs and leaned down, effectively ensuring that I didn't have the air to scream with anymore. All I could do was take in short, unsubstantial gasps.

"Now that I've got your attention, just talk to me." He remained in the same position, only letting up occasionally to make sure I wouldn't pass out, "So help me, if you scream again, Rachel."

I was trembling, but I managed to nod. I needed him to let his guard down if I were going to try to get out of this somehow.


Why had Rachel sounded so worried earlier? Bruce was now fully awake and on his way to her apartment. He had no reason for a car, so he'd settled on getting a motorcycle when he'd come to work with Tony. Nothing too flashy, but also not the one he'd taken the first time he'd arrived when the city was under attack; it was just something simple to get around quickly. It'd taken him only a few minutes to get ready and out the door. She just sounded so scared. The only time she'd seemed that way was when her ex was at the café. Had he shown up at her job?

The thought of the guy angered him, but he remained collected. He hated to think of what Rachel had gone through with him. Whatever happened had damaged a part of her, he could tell, and she had only just started to put the pieces back together. Only once before the café incident had she mentioned the relationship and when she had, she was very vague about it.

Pushing the thought aside, he continued on his way. He hoped that she would be okay; he knew he might just lose it if something were to happen to her. No, nothing was wrong. He wouldn't allow the idea into his head. He was just going to help her grab her stuff and then when the restraining order went through, that chapter of her life would be over and there would be no need to worry. Using this idea to steady himself, he continued on.

As he grew closer, the feeling of dread returned as he saw a dark cloud of smoke rising into the sky. It was night, but the smoke could be made out easily, black against the glow of city lights. The smell of smoke was thick in the air and from a distance he could see flames and smoke billowing out of the top floor. It couldn't be the same building…but it was. The numbers matched the ones he'd scribbled onto the paper. Quickly, he used his phone to call 911 and then Tony, telling him that there may be a need for Iron Man to assist. It had to have been spreading quickly for there to be that much smoke and no emergency service vehicles on the scene yet. Not once did his slow down while entering the building, passing others as they hurried out.


The front of my apartment was engulfed in flame. He didn't want to chance me getting out of this alive. He'd poured gasoline all across the front, paused at the door, looking back at me I assumed as I lay there playing possum, and left me for dead as he made his escape. After he had gone, I opened my eyes. It hurt to move, but I had to try.

My head was pounding and I thought my skull would crack under the pressure. I don't know how many times I'd hit my head, but when I reached back I could feel my hair matted to a wet spot on my scalp. It was hard to think, almost as if I'd just woken up from some sort of anesthesia.

Smoke was building up fast as the flame spread to the walls and furniture. Coughing to clear my airway, I pulled the collar of my shirt over my nose. Still sluggish, I reminded myself that I needed to act now.

Forcing myself up, I stumbled my way towards the back and away from the fire. My only hope was that the fire department would make it in time. Grabbing the sheets from my bed, I began to tuck them under the door to try and keep the smoke out. I was almost certain I was going to die before anyone got here, but at least they would know that I tried.

Not having the energy to keep going, I dragged myself away from the door and leaned against my bed, fighting to keep my eyes open. Choking on the air only worsened the headache that was progressively getting worse, but forced me to stay up. Calling once more on my will to live, I moved to the window, opening it and trying to breathe the fresh air. My head was spinning, making It hard to judge just how far down the ground was, but I just might consider jumping if the fire got too close. I heard a loud crash and the floor shook violently. Was the foundation crumbling or was the fire department smashing their way in? They were much quicker than I expected.

There was a deafening roar and more crashes could be heard as the floor continued to shake. Whatever it was, it wasn't the fire department and it was getting closer. Although most of my concentration had gone to staying awake, I felt like my heart had leapt into my throat, preventing me from screaming as the wall in front of me burst open to reveal what looked to be a giant green man? The Hulk?

Our eyes met and for a moment time stood still. I didn't know what to make of it. More fear mounted the growing mix of emotions, leaving me confused. It hurt too much to think. It hurt too much to move. I simply stared, eyes wide as the giant approached slowly, shaking the floor with each step. Was he trying not to scare me?

Slowly and carefully, he picked me up and pulled me close almost like one would cradle a doll. My life was in the hands of this green giant now as he made his own door through the back of the building, shielding me from the debris as we went, and landing on the ground effortlessly. Despite his attempts to be gentle, the landing still managed to shake me and send new waves of pain through my head.

If he were going to kill me, I'm sure he wouldn't have wasted the time to save me from the fire. From what I could hear, we were away from the commotion that had formed at the front of the building as neighboring residents and EMTs were just starting to gather. We observed each other in the pause.

Breathing was still difficult, as if my airway had begun to restrict the amount of air that could pass. It took a lot of effort to not panic. Crying would only make it harder. Looking up, I studied the giant as he debated on his next move. From what I could tell he seemed to look just as confused as I was with a strange mix of emotions on the large green face. His eyes…they seemed almost familiar, not in color, but I'd seen the expression before. No, I was delusional. I must have hit my head harder than I thought.

A heavy metallic thud sounded just off to the side, breaking the quiet and bringing me back to the situation at hand. Stirring at the noise, ready to be on the move again, the giant regarded the red and gold metal man. "Easy big guy…" The plate over his face retracted to reveal Tony Stark taking in the scene before him, eyes stopping at me.

Clearly still deliberating over what to do, the Hulk watched as Iron Man approached to get a better look. "Your friend doesn't look too good." He observed. Then gesturing to the flashing lights and shouting that could be heard from the front of the building he continued, "They want to help her – let them help her…"

The Hulk looked over towards the lights and back, pausing only for a moment before slowly lowering me to the ground. He took a step back, again stopping to look between me, Iron Man, and the crowd. I willed myself to stay awake just a bit longer, feeling nauseous as the world spun and the red and blue lights made the shadows dance.

"It's okay. They'll take care of her." Tony reassured, "But she needs help now, so you should go before they see you and I'll have them come over and get her." With one last look, the Hulk made his leave as the mask face and he flew in the opposite direction towards the lights.

I didn't move, too tired to do so. What had just happened? All I knew was that I was safe for now and that was all I needed to know. Unable to keep my eyes open, I slipped away into a dreamless sleep.

There were a few times where I was semiconscious , but everything blurred together, too muddled for me to realize what exactly was going on around me for more than a moment. First a somewhat painful and highly uncomfortable sensation as what felt like a tube was hurriedly passed through my airway before I could gag, but then relief as breathing became easier. I felt one eye being opened only to be blinded by a light. Then I was laying flat with my head held in place inside of a tunnel. And darkness.


Tony had gone to find Bruce after all of the people had been cleared from the building, checking the apartment the Hulk had gone through to make sure there wasn't any definitive evidence of the Hulk left behind before taking off for good. He had gotten one of his cars and a set of clothes, then after Bruce changed and made a quick stop to his apartment, they headed to the hospital.

If he hadn't just come down from being the Hulk, Tony would swear the doctor was just about to turn green all over again. Bruce remained silent for the most part, too angry to hold a conversation, too angry to think clearly. He was struggling to keep some form of composure as he sat rigid in the waiting area.

"Bruce, she's going to be—she's safe." Tony finally spoke up from the neighboring chair. "I don't know how you keep things in check, but know that at least for her sake, she needs you as you are and not-" He glanced around, "Well you know." Only they could hear the last part.

It took a moment for Tony's words to sink in, but he'd heard them and pieced it together between the raging thoughts fueled in part by the Other Guy. "Yeah." He released a long breath, repeating the words to himself mentally, "You're right."

They were quiet again, but Tony stayed with Bruce while the doctors ran tests to make sure Rachel was okay. After a long while a doctor approached, letting them know that she was for the most part fine, and that although it would take a bit for her to recover fully, she would be released very soon. For now, however, she was resting, not yet awake. In most cases, this information would go to immediate family, but Bruce and Tony were the only contacts the hospital had for her at the moment.

Tony could see that Bruce was still tense after the doctor left, but he was noticeably relieved with the good news. Bruce sighed, he could breathe a bit easier now. He was still angry, very angry, but he'd managed to regain his composure, grasping at Tony's advice and the news to pull himself out of the darker corners of his mind where the Hulk was lurking uncontrolled and with only one target in mind.