Hello Everyone! Of course I want to say thank you to all that reviewed, viewed, followed and favorited so far. I love you all so much and I can't thank you all enough! Again all avengers character belong to Marvel. I own only Alicia Dacia/Biotica, Amy & Desire, Tedrich, Almarich and Ernsta Morius. I now present Chapter 12 :D!
Chapter 12: Therapy Session
'Is Bruce still in the lab?" Alicia asked Tony as she ate lunch with Steve and Thor. "It's been five days!"
"Yeah, I have been trying to get him out of the lab but he keeps insisting on working on your serum." Tony said eating his muffin.
"Is it possible for one man to work like non-stop for days?" Thor said eating into some chicken.
"I know when Howard was working on the super-solider serum, he and his team worked on it for days-on-end. But this seems different." Steve said.
"Of course it is! My father was obsessed with that project but he wasn't avoided anybody. Bruce is hiding in the lab avoiding everyone since your birthday party Cap. Tony explained.
"Is he really upset over this?" Alicia asked Tony while losing her appetite.
"Yeah, he was really upset and confused when Pepper and I tried to talk to him. Since then he has gotten even more reserved and quiet."
"Did you try to talk to Friend Banner on why he is this upset?" Thor asked still eating.
"I tried but I couldn't get anything out of him." He said lying for Steve's sake.
"Well, someone should talk to Dr. Banner. Alicia, you are good friends with the doctor so many you can talk to him." Steve suggested.
"I've tried but I have been denied access to the lab every time." Alicia sighed.
"JARVIS, Allow Alicia full permission to the lab at all times unless I say so." Tony said.
"Yes Sir." JARVIS replied.
"There, now you can see Bruce and talk him out of the lab. I gotta head out to a meeting. Pepper is making me go to this one so when I come back I better expect some results!" Tony said getting up and leaving for the elevator.
"I need to go too. Phil wanted me to meet him around this time to o our weekly check-up on what I have missed sessions." He said getting up as well to hug Alicia. "Don't worry Alicia, you out of everyone here can get through to Bruce."
"Thanks." She said heavy-hearted as Steve left as well leaving only Thor and Alicia at the table.
Thor noticed Alicia didn't leave and looked upset trying to eat her food. He walked to Alicia and sat next to her find out what is wrong.
"What is wrong Lady Alicia?" Thor asked Alicia. "Are you still upset over Friend Banner?"
"Yes, I am worried." She said looking Thor with sad eyes. "When Bruce went back inside and Tony and Pepper came back out I noticed he wasn't there. I turned around and I saw Bruce looking at me with the strangest look in his eyes."
"What kind of a look was it?" Thor asked her.
"He looked confused and worried. Like he didn't know what was going on." She said still confused about herself. "The thing is, the way he looked at me it made me think I had something to do with it. I am worried that I did something to make him act like that."
"You amongst all other people could never do anything to make Friend Banner act like that. Your heart is too pure to anything wrong." Thor said pointing to her heart.
"As much as I would like to agree with you Thor, I have done some wrong things in my past that I regret." She said rubbing her hands together in a way that she is wiping something off that isn't there.
"I have as well, everyone has done things they wished never done." He said to Alicia but she looks at him thinking he could never understand. "But the best thing to do is to learn from our past mistakes and move on to a brighter tomorrow. "
"I think about that sometimes. It makes me want to stay here and not go home sometimes."
"What do you mean?" Thor said immediately concerned.
"Well, let's just say there is something back on my earth that always haunting me." She said in a serious tone but smiled shortly after. "But here, I can start over. I might finally be able move on."
Thor didn't know how to respond. He looked at her in disbelief wanting to tell her about Tedrich being here but noticed Amy and Desire appeared behind her glaring at him.
"Thor? Why are you looking at me like that? Do you have something you want to tell me?" She said making Thor realize he had to think of something fast.
"Not at all young one, I am just hoping you thought it though and will not make a rash decision." He said and saw Amy and Desire nodded in approval.
"I didn't say I was sure I wanted to stay here. All I said was that I could start over if I came here." She said getting up and hugging Thor. "But thank you Thor, But please don't worry about me. I need to go talk to Bruce so I'll talk to you later."
Alicia walked to the elevator and Amy and Desire simply turned back into orbs leaving Thor alone in the kitchen a little shaken from Amy and Desire's glares.
He wants to warn her of Tedrich's return but hearing what everyone said about her outburst a weeks ago left him with an uneasy decision of not telling her for everyone's and Alicia's safety.
Bruce was in his lab coat working on Alicia's serum for days without much sleep. He looked very tired but wasn't sleep deprived. He hid back in the lab because this would be an excuse to avoid everyone after the party incident.
"What if Alicia asks me what happened?" Bruce thought as he sat down and pinched the bridge of his nose together. "What can I even say? I almost lost control because I didn't like the way Steve was holding your hand? Of course not!"
He sighed and continue working on her serum with all sorts of beakers around him. It was a tricky thing to make because one mistake and it could hurt Alicia and he did not want that to happen. But with Tony's help and mathematical skills they are already half way done with the serum with no fall back yet.
But the Hulk still angry in the back of his head has given him an absolute headache. There was no way of calming him down without Alicia's help but doesn't want to see Steve and accidentally Hulk out on him. He didn't want that and he knew Alicia wouldn't want that either.
"Bruce?"
Bruce looked up to find Alicia walking into the lab with a surprised look on her face.
"Alicia! How did you get in here?" He asked wondering how she did get in here.
"Tony let me have full access to the lab." Are said crossing her arm and walked to the table. "But why are you doing locking yourself in the lab? Did you get any sleep as well? You look exhausted."
"Well aren't you observant." He chuckled.
"I had to be when I was back home doing everyone's work for them."
"If you must know, I have been working on your serum." He showed Alicia a large green test tube. "It's already half way done so hopefully it will be done before you need it."
"That's great and all but you have been working on it not-stop and you will work yourself to death! You are a doctor and you can't even take care of yourself!" Alicia yelled and the Teserin glowed along with her anger.
"I am not that kind of doctor..." He said softly hoping that could justify his actions.
"Bruce, you are making a type of medicine for me and everyone comes here looking for you if they are sick or hurt. I know your profession isn't that kind of doctor but everyone treats you like you are also a doctor in that kind of a sense."
"Hm, you really think so?" Bruce said arching an eyebrow. "So why did you come in here looking for me?"
"I wanted to know if you are okay. You have been in here since the incident at Steve's birthday. Did you find out why the Hulk wanted to come out?" Alicia asked him in concern.
"Of course I am okay, I mean I feel better. But I didn't find out why the Hulk wanted to come out. I hid here because I didn't want to randomly Hulk out without figuring out first." Bruce lied to Alicia.
Alicia just stared at Bruce for a moment analyzing the way Bruce said his words. Bruce felt slightly nervous having someone staring at him like that.
"You're lying." Alicia said bluntly to Bruce and he just looked at her in shock. "But I can tell you don't want to talk about so I won't pester you about it. But please, answer me this..."
Bruce gulped in anticipation waiting for Alicia to ask him what she wanted to ask him.
"Did I do something to make you want to Hulk out? Because if I did I am sorry!" She told him with a guilty look.
"Why would you think that?" Bruce said in disbelief taking off his coat and walking across the table to Alicia. "If anything you are one of the few things that can calm me and the Hulk down."
"It's the way you looked at me at the party during the fireworks." She admitted. "You looked so confused and worried. It went right through me and I was upset that I couldn't go and help you."
"Please, don't be upset for me." He said putting a hand on her shoulder causing to Alicia to look up at him ashamed. "I am a grown man, I can handle my problems you know?"
"But should you really be doing it alone?" She refuted in frustration. "I have done that, sometimes I still do and it never works! All it does is worry the people that care about you Bruce! Pushing us away won't help you. It never helped me."
Bruce didn't know how to respond to this. He wasn't used to someone who was this open and worried for him. It was comforting to him but it hurt him watching her get upset. All he did was stare at her his hand still on her shoulder.
"I can also tell that the Hulk is making a mess in your head." She said pointing to his forehead. "You have a look of "I have a serious headache and it really hurts" on your face. Do you need any help?"
"Yes, I could use your help." Bruce said putting his hand back to his side. "If you wouldn't mind."
"No I wouldn't. Now come on, to the piano room." Alicia said.
Bruce followed Alicia into the room as she hurried to the piano. She gestured to Bruce to sit on the couch and Bruce did so hoping this works.
"Just tell at any point if it works or doesn't. Sometimes therapy works and sometimes it doesn't. Then I gotta think of something else. You okay with that?"
Bruce simply nodded and sat back on the couch waiting for Alicia to play the piano. She started playing it right away. It was a simple but soft tune that she played. She hoped it could calm him down.
"It's not working..." He said putting his hand on his head. "I'm sorry..."
"No, it's fine." Alicia said in a comforting tone sitting on the couch next to him on his right. "Quick question, when the Hulk wants to come out you get a headache but doesn't your rate increase as well?"
"Yes it does. Why do you ask?"
"I think I might know how to make you feel better. It's a little unorthodox but I need you to lie down and rest your head on my lap." She said nonchalantly.
"That is unorthodox. Why am I doing this?" Bruce asked a little taken back by her request.
"Just do it." She smiled. "I have done this my friends and family before so I know what I am doing. Trust me, think of it a form of therapy."
Bruce thought about it for a moment then slowly lied down and rested his head on the younger woman's lap. He looked unsure and uncomfortable doing this but if it will calm the Hulk down he will do what he has to do.
"Alright so what I am gonna use my healing abilities to sooth the Hulk in your head and lower your heart rate because it seems elevated." She said resting he hands against the side of Bruce's head and chest.
'I don't think that is because of the Hulk..." He awkwardly chuckled still not able to look at her in the eyes.
"If it becomes uncomfortable for you I will stop okay?" Alicia said and Bruce simply nodded.
"Now close your eyes." She said and Bruce did as she said. Alicia then closed her eyes and her hands and the Teserin started glowing blue.
Bruce felt a cooling sensation through his body. He felt his breathing getting deeper and his muscles getting less tense. His heart was beating less frantically even though Alicia's hand was directly on it.
He also felt Alicia's hand rub against his hair and scalp but he didn't mind it. It was a nice feeling and the Hulk was immediately calming down and the lack of sleep finally caught up with him.
"It's working..." He said becoming exhausted. "Why are you going through all this trouble for me?"
"You act like you don't deserve it." She said eyes still closed. "After getting my gem I haven't been treated differently. People feared me for a long time. I haven't felt such compassion and welcoming from people until I came here. So I want to show my appreciation to you all. I hope Natasha and Clint come around but I should say this to you at least, thank you Bruce."
She waited for a response but felt something clasped the top of her hand against his chest. She opened her eyes to find has Bruce fallen asleep and he was holding on to her hand.
"He looks so...peaceful." She thought stopping her powers but still keeping her hands still in his curls and underneath his hand. "He seems so calm as well. I never thought watching Bruce sleep could look so..."
She turned red and stopped the thought before it was finished.
"No, no, no. Don't be thinking like that Alicia. Come on, he must think you are a kid to him." She said then looking back to Bruce. "But..."
Alicia saw his glasses where falling from his face and carefully took them off of his face. She looked at them for a moment, looking at the thin metal frames. She decided to put them on.
She couldn't put them on the whole way because her eye hurt when looking through them so she put them on to the end of her nose. She rested her hand back against his hair and shortly fell asleep afterwards.
"Wow Cap, if what Agent says is true then you should be ready for a cellphone in no time!" Tony cheered as they left the elevator.
"I don't know about that Tony..." Steve sighed as they headed for the lab.
"Where's Brucie?" Tony asked looking in the lab. "Did Alicia get him out of the lab?"
"Well she is over there so let's ask." He pointed to the back of Alicia's brown tightly curled hair.
Tony and Steve walked to the other side of the couch and found Alicia sleeping with Bruce's glasses on and Bruce passed out on her lap. Steve went horribly red while Tony just laughed at his reaction.
"Well those aren't the results I was expecting." Tony whispered to Steve.
"Why is he-? Can you ask JARVIS what happened?" Steve asked confused.
"Miss Dacia tried to help soothe Sir Banner down with music but it did not work. She then used her powers as therapeutic treatment and they eventually fell asleep. The Hulk has also calmed down."
"Oh okay..." Steve said looking at Alicia in a peaceful slumber. "But why is she wearing his glasses?" He thought to himself.
"Don't be jealous Steve. It was to help him." Tony patting Steve on the back and Steve cracked a nervous smile. "I'll be back later. I am working on upgrades on my suit. So if you need me my workshop is the floor down."
Steve watched as Tony left and kept watching Alicia's face as she slept. He sat on the couch across from them and took out his sketch pad and began to sketch Alicia.
It took him 10 minutes when he got to Bruce. He tried to think of drawing her myself but it didn't work out so he drew Bruce as well. It took only twenty minutes to draw them both with a partially drawn couch. He felt his stomach grumble and decided to head to the kitchen for some food.
Bruce slowly woke up from his hour long nap. He yawned and put his hand on his face to rub his eyes to notice he wasn't wearing his glasses.
"Where are my glasses?" Bruce thought to him self moving Alicia's hand to get up. He turned around to notice Alicia was asleep wearing her glasses.
"Why is she wearing my glasses?" Bruce said looking at her fast asleep. "She looks cute with them on though..."
Realizing what he said he carefully took his glasses back and put them back on fast.
"Why did I think that? She likes Steve and he likes her." He thought then noticing the Teserin was glowing in pace of her breathing. He just stared at and couldn't help but carefully hold the gem and get close to observe it.
It was warm to the touch. He wasn't expecting that since her powers felt so cool before. He saw energy glowing in it that flowed in a similar energy to the Teseract and the scepter. He was mesmerized by the Teserin and it's soft glow. Wondering of it's origin and true capabilities.
He looked up at Alicia and she woke up and looked very pink and Bruce froze with the Teserin in his hand become just as pink.
"B-Bruce? What are you doing?" Alicia said trying not to freak out about how close he is.
"I was just...looking at your gem." He said backing off pushing his glasses to his face. " I am sorry if I startled you."
"You didn't it's just.." She started getting up from the couch. "If you want to see my gem you are more then welcomed to ask."
"Alright. But just saying, if you want to see my glasses please ask and not take them and wear them." Bruce said to her poiinting at her with his glasses.
Bruce headed upstairs to eat leaving a bashful Alicia standing there bewildered from embarrassment.
Dr. Banner, It's nice to see you out of the lab. Are you feeling better?" Steve ask Bruce as Steve was finishing eating his hamburger.
"Yes I am. Thank you for your concern Steve." Bruce said relived that the Hulk doesn't want to lash out on him.
"We were all concerned for you. We want to help you Bruce, you are a valuable part of this team and a friend to us."
"Thanks Steve. I appreciate it." Bruce smiled shaking his hand.
"Also check out this drawing of you and Alicia he drew Bruce!" Tony said showing off the piece of paper ripped in one hand and Steve's sketchpad in the other.
"Tony! Why do have that? Also, don't you have any respect for anyone's personal privacy?" Steve said snatching the sketchpad from his hand.
"What? It was just lying around and you are a great artist Captain." Tony smirked.
"When did you..?" Bruce began to ask Steve.
"I meant to draw only Alicia sleeping but it didn't work out so I drew the both of you sleeping on the couch. I didn't mean for you to know. That sketchpad is personal to me and holds a lot of memories." He sighed to Bruce. "I am going to the gym. Get me if you need me."
"You really like pulling pranks on him don't you?" Bruce said to Tony as they took their food to the lab.
"It's all in good sport Bruce." Tony replied as the entered the lab. "Plus seeing him freak out is the best."
"You are unbelievable." He chuckled slightly agreeing to his statement. "So are we working on the serum again today?"
"Of course! The well-being of Alicia is the first thing on the agenda!" Tony said getting ready for work. "But first, I gotta go to the little boys room. I'll be right back."
Tony left leaving Bruce in the lab for a moment. Bruce grabbed the notebook with the information on the serum and noticed the drawing of him and Alicia was next to it. He picked it up and noticed the faint, peaceful smile on her face.
He felt strange looking at the photo. The Hulk was even acting strange in his head and couldn't get why. The Hulk seemed happy, Bruce put the paper and put it in the back of the notebook as he heard Tony walking back in.
"Alright, let's do some science!" Tony said clapping his hands together.
Bruce sighed and the two scientists began working. Tony noticed that the drawing he left out went missing. He knew right off the bat that Bruce said and smirked to himself in a slight victory.
"Yup, this is going to get real interesting." Tony thought as he saw Bruce working vigilantly through the night.
MORE ROMANCE xD! Or slight :P. Thor is kinda scared of Amy and Desire haha. I hope you all liked this chapter. Next chapter the plot will thicken so expect it soon! Of course I ask all of you to please review! Also to follow and favorite if you haven't already. Until then~
Updated 2/27/13
