"She can't do this." Ororo repeated for the fifth time. She was sitting on the couch after having gotten off the phone with Professor Xavier. She was furious that Rogue had volunteered to act as bait for the Shadow King. Bruce was standing off to the side, and attempting to stop her from getting up and pacing.

"Rogue volunteered." He said.

"It's not her fight." Lightening flashed outside. "The Shadow King is my cross to bear, not hers."

Ororo stood and began walking towards the bedroom.

"Ororo, what are you doing?"

"I'm getting my uniform." She said. "I'm flying back to the institute and taking on the Shadow King myself."

Bruce threw himself in front of her and blocked her path. "You can't. You're not ready, you have to heal and –"

Ororo pushed past him and opened the closet door. "Bruce, this isn't a discussion.

Bruce felt a wave of frustration. Hulk was furious that Ororo wouldn't listen to reason.

"Ororo, he wants to hurt you, probably kill you." Bruce growled. Hulk was trying to push himself to the forefront. Bruce knew he had to make Ororo see reason before the other guy took over.

"It's my battle. Not hers." Ororo said stubbornly. She grabbed her uniform. Turning she seemed surprised to find Bruce still blocking her path. "Either help me, or get out of my way."

"No." Bruce saw a flash of green in front of his vision. Ororo flinched slightly then crossed her arms. "Does Hulk want me to stay?" She asked.

Bruce closed his eyes. "He thinks it's stupid that you're putting your life on the line."

"So it's okay for Rogue to risk her life instead?" Ororo hissed.

(YES the Hulk shouted). Bruce was barely holding on to his control. Turning he rushed out of the house. Ororo followed him.

"Ororo stay back." Bruce threw up a hand. "The cabin's strong enough to keep him out."

Ororo stopped and put her hand on her hip. "Let me talk to him." She said.

Bruce shook his head. "I…I can't let you do that." (Stupid Banner, the Hulk roared).

Ororo walked forward Bruce tried shrinking away from her, but she was too fast. Grabbing his hand she lifted his head so he was looking her in the eyes. "Bruce. I want to talk to Hulk."

The noise in the back of his mind grew louder and his vision went green. The Hulk threw back his head and roared, then looked down at Ororo. She hadn't moved. She just stood there and looked up at him, her arms crossed.

"RORO STAY HERE WITH PUNY BANNER AND HULK." Hulk shouted.

"I can't hide here forever." Ororo said gently. Reaching for his hand she took hold of one of his fingers. "Running from my problems isn't going to make them go away."

"SHADOW KING HURT RORO." Hulk insisted. "LET AVENGERS HANDLE."

"He's not going to stop until he gets me." Ororo said. "Having the people I care about be hurt, hurts me." She looked up at him. "Do you understand?" she asked. "I can't just stand back while he threatens everyone I hold dear."

Hulk appeared to ponder her words. Sitting heavily on the grass, he pouted.

"Roro not afraid of Hulk?" he asked.

"No." She said. "I actually find you…cute."

Hulk frowned. "Hulk not CUTE." He growled.

Ororo moved forward and sat on his lap, reaching up she began rubbing his shoulder. Leaning down, Hulk gave a little sigh as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"Hulk told puny Banner that Roro brave." Hulk smiled with satisfaction.

"Let me tell you something." Ororo simled. "Bruce is a brilliant man, but for some things, he's not as smart as you."

"Roro think Hulk smart?" His entire face lit up with a giant smile.

She nodded.

"Roro nice and pretty." He said. "Banner not mess this up or Hulk mad."

Ororo gave him an affectionate smile. "I'm sure you won't let him." She paused. "So, will you come with me back to the institute?"

Hulk growled, but nodded. "Hulk want smash stupid capeman."

"Thank you." Ororo gave him a kiss on the neck. Hulk flushed and let out a contented hum. He began shrinking down. A few seconds later Ororo was sitting on Bruce's lap.

He shivered and looked at her in horror. "Why would you do that? Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? There's no telling what he could have done to you."

"Bruce, how mad are you right now?" She asked.

"FURIOUS." He yelled. Then paused. "Wait…I'm furious but…"

She laughed. "It would appear the Hulk disagrees with you."

He kissed her. "You are amazing." He said. Then he looked down at himself and blushed. "My…my pants are no longer existent."

"I've noticed." Ororo grinned, and leaned against his shoulder.

"You haven't healed and I don't want to cause more damage." He said. "But…" His eyes widened. "I might have a solution for that problem. Dr. Helen Cho, a friend of mine has done amazing work with tissue regeneration. She's been looking into accelerated bone reparation. I can give her a call."

"Well," Ororo said. "You sure are eager…and excited."

Bruce shifted uncomfortably. "It's strange. Usually I'm not so alert after a Hulk out. Normally I'm ready to collapse." He looked at her, "Though I don't usually come to with a beautiful woman in my arms."

Ororo arched an eyebrow. "Usually?" She asked, her voice deceptively sweet. Bruce gulped as the clouds above darkened.

"Never." He said quickly. "No…no other women."

"Correct answer." Ororo said, smiling. The clouds cleared. "So now that there's no opposition to my returning to the institute."

Bruce groaned and put his head on top of hers. "I guess I've been out voted."

"And you'd better get used to it." Ororo said. "Hulk and I have an understanding."

Bruce fidgeted nervously. "But what happens on the day you can't reason with him?" He ignored Hulk's insistence that he'd never hurt his Roro.

Ororo kissed his cheek. "How about we cross that bridge, if we get to it." She ran her fingers through his hair. He hummed.

"You know, Hulk had a very similar reaction to having his hair touched." She chuckled. "You are not as different as you believe."

"Hmmm." Bruce said. He pouted as she removed her fingers and stood.

"Come on Bruce." She smiled "We're leaving for the institute."

Bruce frowned.

"So you can call Dr. Cho and she can fix me up, so we…" She looked down at the shredded remnants of his clothing. "Can have a more in depth…discussion about the progression of this relationship." She winked.

Bruce groaned. "You are actually trying to kill me…Roro." He smiled as her face brightened at his use of the Hulk's nickname for her. "By the way." He said. "You're not flying. The other guy's carrying you."

"Bruce." Ororo sighed in exasperation

"I'm sorry." He grinned as Hulk voiced his agreement. "You've been outvoted."