I was finally able to breathe a little easier once we returned to Avenger's Tower, as easily as I could with the fresh bruising over my ribs. Perfect, more down time to heal. It didn't matter; it was worth it to keep my father safe. Somehow it felt almost too easy, but for now we could only keep our eyes open.
"I don't even know where to begin. What is going on, Rachel?" My dad asked after the shock wore off. He kept his voice low, but it was strained. We were off to the side in the living room while Clint and Tony explained to the others what happened in Maine.
I shook my head, at a loss for words. "It's…a really long story. I know I said I'd explain, but I'd rather do that when we have more time." Pausing, I glanced over my shoulder to the larger group occupying the couches, "They're all good people, dad. Don't worry about that."
"And the other people that showed up?" He was wringing his hands nervously, trying desperately to put the pieces together.
His face softened and I knew my expression had said a thousand words on its own. "They're a group known as Hydra…I got really sick a couple of years ago. Again, I'll explain later, but they tried to use me to get to Dr. Banner over there."
"And me to get to you." He frowned deeply, using the bits of information to get a general idea of what was happening.
I nodded solemnly, "That's why we're going to have to move you somewhere safe. I don't know where, but we'll figure it out."
Tony cleared his throat as he approached, "Well it's nice to know you have some faith in my security program." He cut in, trying to lighten the tone of the conversation, "She's right though, we've got to find a safe house for you until things blow over." He extended his hand towards my father who after a hesitant moment, offered his own, "Sorry we couldn't meet at a better time, Mr. Brooke."
My dad nodded, looking over Tony's shoulder as Clint began to make his way over as well. "Sir, I know everything is a mess right now, but I need you to come with me and I'll take you to a safe place."
"No, I've only just been reunited with my daughter after years..." He protested, taking a step back in my direction.
With a heavy sigh I placed my hand on his shoulder and hugged him when he turned to me, "I'm sorry, Dad." I murmured, shutting my eyes to conceal their watering. Drawing a deep breath, I willed myself to sober up and be strong before opening my eyes again and pulling away, "I need you to go with him."
"Will you be there too?"
The worry in his tone came close to breaking my resolve, "No, but I'll come find you as soon as I can." I urged him to go with Clint, nodding as he looked to me to tell him it was okay.
"I love you, sweetheart." He returned the nod, trusting my judgment as he stepped forward.
"I love you too, Dad." I managed to stay composed, only showing just how distressed I was as he turned his back to me. I turned in the opposite direction just to be sure, hiding my face away from everyone.
I began to walk. I needed to be anywhere but there as they left. Heaving a sigh, I let out a shaky breath as I made my way to my room and collapsed on the bed, cringing as my ribs throbbed. With another breath, I steadied myself and rolled over onto my back. Now was not the time to cry, I needed to be strong until this was all over.
A knock at the door broke the silence. For a moment I debated with myself over answering. I wasn't in the mood for much else right now. After a little bit, there was another knock, "Rachel, are you okay?" Bruce called from the other side of the door, "Can I come in?"
I sat up, gathering the energy for another interaction. I was exhausted. Physically I was sore, but mentally I was drained. "It's unlocked." I finally answered.
He made his way in, shutting the door behind him before setting down the ice pack he carried on the bed. "You didn't get time with…I'm sorry." He shook his head as he decided to keep his comment short.
"At least he'll be safe." I remained stoic, watching as he retrieved a small bottle of medication from his pocket, extending the other hand with a glass of water towards me.
After a moment he responded, "…I'm glad you made it back too." He was looking at me now, sadness held in his eyes.
"I didn't want anyone to worry." I answered his silent question, "I knew if anyone else came, if you came, they could use it against me." I swallowed the medication he gave me with a gulp of water.
"Mind if I…" He trailed off as I lifted my arms to let him get to my ribs. Gingerly, he pressed his fingertips to either side, watching my face for expressions of pain. Frowning as I tensed, he continued checking along my sides, moving slowly towards my back and along the section that had been previously injured. Finishing up, he stood straight once more, "It could have been much worse." He picked up the previous conversation, voicing his concern once he determined that I was alright.
"It could have." I agreed, holding the ice pack to the side with the fresh boot print. "They want me scared; that's why I'm back in one piece for the most part. Did Tony show you the video from what he saw?"
With a grim expression, he nodded, waiting for me to continue with my point.
"I doubt those are the only people Dr. Sterns mutated. If they were serious about killing or capturing, they would have sent more and continued to chase us down. They want all of us to know what they can do, what they can unleash here in New York or anywhere else." I paused, "They want to get in our heads and they want me scared enough to give in."
He tilted his head, assessing my view of the events as I continued.
"There were missions where because of my own mistakes, getting caught in the beginning, that people died or were taken to work for Hydra when it all could have been avoided had I been stealthier, faster, and so on. Eric knows it would eat me up inside to think about it. He knows the idea of anyone getting hurt because of me specifically is something I can't stand."
"So they think you'll go back to avoid that?" There was a quiet anger in his tone as he thought about it. His face fell, worry creasing his brow until his hand came up to massage the bridge of his nose.
At that I shrugged, "I don't know, maybe. Now that Dr. Sterns can make as many enhanced agents as he wants, I can't see them having much use for me. They just don't want to leave any loose strings I guess." He looked to me, eyebrows raised at my tone, "You're what they really want; I'm just in the way."
There was another break in the conversation as he stared at me, waiting for me to understand something I'd missed. After a moment he shook his head in disbelief, eyebrows furrowed as he regarded me, "No, they won't kill you unless they had to." He continued before I had the chance to ask him for his reasoning, answering me, "I'd still do anything to keep you safe and they know that."
"Bruce-"
"I had this sinking feeling when Tony rushed out earlier and wouldn't say anything about it. Then you all come back, I see the footage and even though I knew you'd made it back already, I still panicked seeing you in front of…whatever that was. Everything came rushing back, the loss, sadness, and anger I'd felt when I'd thought you were gone before. I can't let that happen again, Rachel."
"What happened wasn't your fault. I don't want them to ever get to you, so no matter what you can't jeopardize yourself. That's why I wanted to go alone, I knew it was a trap and we made it back. You can't risk yourself for me because of what happened."
He shook his head again, still waiting for something to click in my mind. "It's not because of guilt, Rachel, it's more than that."
My next words stuck in my throat as I looked back at him, his features softening and my own heart fluttering as it quickened. The feelings he'd just stirred were distracting, clouding my logic. All I could do was shake my head, trying to convince both of us that he didn't mean that.
He took a step closer, turning to seat himself on the bed next to me as I leaned away to create a little space. I certainly wouldn't be able to think straight with him sitting there, still with that same look on his face. His eyes strayed to the space I'd put between us and back as he continued to face me, "Tell me if I'm wrong, but I get the feeling that you want to try and protect us all…to protect me. You're trying to figure out a way to do it alone because you're not motivated by guilt alone, but also by something else you have yet to put words to. You care."
I couldn't look away as he spoke; looking into my eyes and reading me like a book. "…Yes." I breathed quietly.
Bruce watched Rachel's guarded expression shift to one of surprise as he spoke, disregarding the space between them. She'd taken up the habit of trying to be strong and stoic most of the time; however, she didn't have to be that way with him. He preferred she be herself around him and was trying to reach out to her.
"So why is it such a foreign idea for me to care about you?" He used her words against her, "I don't think I can take losing you again, I really can't." Her eyebrows furrowed slightly and she drew in a breath to protest, but he finished his thought regardless, "It would be ridiculous for me to ask you to hide away until all of this is settled, but since we're all in this, both of us especially, I just ask that you let me be there with you." It crushed him to think of her in any dangerous situation, but he acknowledged the changes in her since they'd met. He knew there was no way she'd not be involved one way or another, so he tried to reason for the option where she'd be most safe.
"You and the others could get hurt, Bruce."
"You could get hurt." He shook his head to clear his mind before the idea was given too much thought, "I'm worried about it too, Rachel." Quietly he admitted it and she stilled. He heard her breath catch before being exhaled shakily as he waited for her to consider what he'd said, "Please let me be there for you…" Again he asked, eyes lingering on the faint scar across her cheek as he reached up, gently stroking over it with the pad of his thumb as he wished he'd been there sooner.
She didn't pull away, still rooted in her spot as she scrambled to put words together. He was so close now, his breath tickling as it swept past her collarbone while he touched her cheek, fingers hovering over her jaw and neck. Before the words made it out, she nodded, "Okay." He didn't remove his hand as she leaned into it slightly, finally letting her guard down as her shoulders relaxed.
His eyes were warm as a small smile touched his face, easing some of the worry as he traced over the scar once more before allowing his thumb to rest just beneath it. Pausing, he noticed just how small the space between them had become, her eyes making large leaps as they danced across his face and fixed on his smile for a moment. Inhaling deeply and holding it momentarily he considered recreating the space she'd originally made, but instead remained still as she straightened, leaning forward slightly.
He could feel his heart pick up in pace, his own eyes drifting down her face and back to find her looking to him again, waiting. Releasing the breath, it only took a few seconds for his pulse to even out when he realized she was waiting to see how he felt. The answer to that was clear, it had been for a while now and he wanted her to know while they were together for however long that would be. Finally he moved forward and eliminated the space between them with a soft kiss.
Turning to face him more fully as he mirrored her, she brought a hand up to cover his, settling at his wrist while he wrapped his free arm around her gently, drawing her in carefully. Together with their eyes closed they remained in the moment, letting the rest of their worries stay on hold. Breaking away, Bruce kept his hands in place as he regarded her quickly. She replied with a small smile and it was enough to put him at ease as they recaptured the moment with another, deeper kiss. Everyone was safe. They were both there. That was all that mattered.
AN: So sorry for the long wait for those of you who are still reading. I promise I didn't forget, I've just been so busy and tired from these late shifts at work. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it, my first time writing this sort of thing so I was a bit hesitant, but I did want it to start somewhere. Thank you so much for reading and bearing with me.
