(A/N) - Here we are again with another one-shot! This time, it's Bruce Banner, so we can get more of that amazing Jarella stylist love!

Thanks to sailorraven34 and WhoPotterAvenge-X Kane for the reviews! And don't worry; as soon as we can, we'll scratch that ITEYAK itch ;)


Jarella Of Kai

Bruce Banner

Written by Miran Anders


"I'll be at charges for a looking-glass

and entertain a score or two of tailors to study fashions to adorn my body:

Since I am crept in favor with myself, I will maintain it with some little cost."

- Shakespeare


Bruce stood at the window with his arms crossed tightly across his chest, staring down at the bustling hive that was the Capitol. He'd never seen so many people, and it had an unreal quality. As if the window were just another video screen, giving a version of reality – but not reality itself. He shrugged a little shiver when he heard the door open, but kept staring at the view. Darcy Lewis gave him a practiced smile.

"Bruce Banner, this is Jarella Kai. You're terribly lucky that she's your stylist."

He remained where he stood. "Am I."

Darcy refrained from sighing. "Yes, you certainly are. Jarella is the daughter of Jaras Kai." She waited for a response that didn't come. "Jaras Kai? The designer? Come on, I know Six is a little backward, but surely you've heard of the House of Kai fashions! Her father dresses the most affluent citizens of Marvel!"

"Really." Bruce finally turned, a snide comment on his lips. "Well, I guess I just don't get to see that many well-dressed citizens back in –" He stopped, startled, as he saw the girl standing next to Miss Lewis. She noticed his expression and smiled as she looked him over appraisingly. He couldn't help but stare.

Jarella Kai was a strikingly beautiful girl. Her long, flowing hair was yellow – not blonde, but yellow, like the petals of a forsythia. Her lips were full and smiling, her form most definitely feminine. She wore a long, slim gown of purple and red that followed her form perfectly, and her skin was like silk. Green silk. Bruce had never seen anything so amazing in his life, and she was smiling. At him.

Lewis cleared her throat. "Jarella is using this opportunity to prove to her father that she's ready to design her own line." The escort waited for a response, but the two were still staring, only now into each other's eyes. She couldn't help but chuckle. "Okay. I think you two will get along. I'll let you… get to know each other." She left quietly, leaving the room in slightly awkward silence until Jarella broke it.

"Mr. Banner." She extended a delicate, green-skinned hand. "I realize my appearance might seem odd to someone not from the Capitol –"

"No, no, you're beautiful. I mean, it's beautiful. Your appearance. It's…it's… " His eyes widened as he put a hand to his forehead, realized she was waiting, and then put out his hand and shook hers solemnly. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Please… call me Bruce."

The young woman's smile grew warmer, and Bruce only realized at that moment that she was probably just about his age. "Hello, Bruce." Her voice was soft, but had a confident power behind it. Clearly she had been in professional situations before. "Shall we sit down? I have many ideas for your outfit…"

They moved to the small table in his room and sat. Jarella appeared to be completely self-assured; although a more practiced observer might have noticed her breathing was quick, and her heart was pounding. Bruce, although he was usually a 'practiced observer', felt like he was thirteen again. She pulled out a tablet and stylus, crossed one long leg over the other. A spill of green skin caught his eye as he noticed the high slit in her gown. "Do you have a favorite colour?"

Without thinking, he blurted out, "Green." She might have blushed as he mumbled further, "And, ah, blue. I like those. But anything, really. Whatever you want to do to me is fine. With me. No, I mean… " He rubbed his hands on his face and decided to shut up.

She gave a soft laugh, and then squinted at him thoughtfully. The stylus danced on the tablet as she drew.

Bruce tried to watch her sketch but found he was much more interested in her eyes and the way they shone like emeralds when she glanced at him, the way her lashes fluttered when she blinked. Even the way she bit her lower lip when she was concentrating. At one point, she reached over and touched his arm, squeezing his bicep through his loose shirt.

"So you have muscles under there. You hide them?"

Bruce laughed. "I wouldn't say I have muscles, really… I mean, we have to do these crazy workouts every day at the school, but –"

"Can you remove your shirt, please? Just so I know what I'm working with…"

He blinked but stood and pulled the long sleeved shirt over his head. He left the tank undershirt on and was about to speak when he saw a disappointed look in her eyes. At first he thought it was his build that disappointed her – but realized with a start that she was staring at the gold heart hanging against his chest. Oh, God. Betty.

"You hold someone's heart, I see?" She tried to sound breezy and casual, but failed rather miserably.

He tried to start a thought once or twice, stopped, and exhaled a deep breath. "Honestly? I'm not sure. If I win the games, I don't think she'll ever look at me the same way… and if I die…well… I just… I don't know. I don't think she knows, either."

Jarella brightened slightly as she saw the look in his eyes, and she spoke softly. "Then she's a fool." She gave his arm a more gentle squeeze before releasing it and going back to sketching, adding in a very professional tone, "You have a very nice body, Bruce." She lifted her eyes to him once more, tracing the proportions from his shoulders, to his waist, to his hips. "Very nice."

He definitely blushed.

Fifteen minutes later, she turned the tablet and showed him a drawing. He squinted at it, then sighed. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out his glasses. With an almost apologetic look at her, he put them on. She tilted her head.

"You must wear those?"

"Only when I'm doing detail work. I know, they look –"

She stood and adjusted the glasses on his nose, then teased her fingers through his curls, styling his hair. "Yes. They're perfect. You're an academic in them, a scholar. You must wear them for the interview - with a more formal suit, of course. You will stun the crowd! Intelligent, but humble, so accessible…" She reached into her bag and pulled out a notebook, opening it to scribble down things she would need.

Bruce opened his mouth, realized he had nothing to say, and closed it again with a shrug. For a moment he waited, then sat down and looked at the image on her tablet. It was clearly him - perhaps a bit more muscular than he would admit to – wearing a form-fitting outfit of purple and deep blue. The pattern looked familiar to him. Abruptly, it clicked.

"Wait. You can't put me out there in Sentinel armor! They'd kill me before I ever got to the arena!"

She frowned thoughtfully. "But it won't be armor, you see? It will be sleek, like a bodysuit. It will show how fearless you are! How bold! How the ones in power could never fight like you. You, who are forced to fight for their pleasure." He frowned, and she let out a breath. "Alright, I admit. I want to say something. I want to make a statement – but you! You're perfect for the image I want to portray."

He shook his head nervously. "I don't know, Jarella. I'm all for making a statement, but I don't think I want to look anything that much like a Sentinel. Not the best inspiration for me."

She blinked, nodded, and tapped a few controls on the tablet. For a moment she hesitated, biting her lip, then made one more adjustment. "There. What do you think?"

Bruce looked at the picture. Now, the figure was in purple and green… the exact green that she was. He looked up at her, and she glanced away, almost embarrassed, to focus on the image again with a sigh.

"I'm afraid it will be a bit like wearing my skin…"

Bruce swallowed hard. He looked at it again for a few moments, and then smiled. "I like it. The colour. I mean, the whole thing…" He exhaled a small laugh. "I think you're very talented."

"Thank you." She let a little smile out and reached into her bag. "I'll just need some numbers." She pulled out a measuring tape, tapped a few times on her tablet and brought up some kind of form. Her voice deepened slightly as she spoke to it. "Client; Bruce Banner. Male, fair, dark curly hair, seventeen." She turned and looked at him, squinting slightly. "Brown eyes. A comfortably muscular build." She frowned and looked at the tablet. "Hold."

It was Bruce's turn to frown. "Hold?"

"It waits. A very agreeable assistant. Do you know what size shoes you wear?"

"Well, I –"

"Nevermind. I have this." She scooped up the tablet, laid the tape measure next to his foot and pointed the tablet at them. A brief second later, it beeped. Jarella turned it over and nodded. "Good. Now let me measure you…"

Five minutes later she was still taking measurements, calling out names and numbers in an order that she was clearly familiar with, but totally puzzling to Bruce. When she got to things like inseam, girth and rise, he found himself trying desperately to think of anything but this beautiful girl confidently wielding a tape measure… in the hope that he wouldn't change any of his measurements while she was measuring. If she noticed his unease, she was gracious enough to ignore it. Finally, she was finished, and he let out a long breath.

"Thank you, Bruce. I'm sure this will look amazing on you!"

"No, thank you…" He looked down at the floor, tilting his head, not quite knowing what to say. "I… I appreciate your work. I do. Thank you."

She smiled, pursing her lips slightly. "We're not finished yet. I may have to do a couple fittings with you before it's ready to go…"

Their eyes met again, and he grinned. "Whatever it takes, Ms. Kai."

Jarella's grin matched his. "Far too formal for a woman who will be dressing you."

He exhaled a laugh. "Okay."

She looked up at him again, her emerald eyes shining. "If you like, you can call me 'Ella'."