AN: Thanks to La'Rae and Ninjas Incorporated, blackhawk 68, The Yoshinator, shilo moore, Saphem, midsize, shellyjb, and Katsu Shade Nakamara for reviewing/subscribing to my story.

The Yoshinator, the flashback took place when she was about 14-15 years old.

I don't own anything affiliated with Marvel, The Avengers, or the following song lyrics.

I have died everyday waiting for you
Darling don't be afraid I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me
I have loved you for a thousand years
I'll love you for a thousand more

-A Thousand Years-

[Christina Perri]

Jericho's eyes were swollen with the tears from last night. She couldn't remember the last time she cried. Memories of her mentor and father flooded her leaving her helpless, lost, alone, and scared. Feelings that hadn't visited her since she was a little girl. She had used the rage and loss of her father, and her parents as a band-aid from all those feelings. Now she was exposed, vulnerable and she hated every second of it. Footsteps out side her door alerted her, putting her on high alert. She felt her muscles coil as she primed herself to shift forms at a split-seconds notice.

Bruce's voice sounded from the other side of the door "Jericho, did you want some breakfast?"

She relaxed at the sound of his voice and replied "Yes, give me a minute Dr. Banner."

Jericho quickly brushed her long tangle of hair up into a pony tail, brushed her teeth, adorned the clothes that now filled her closet and did a final check of herself. Her clothes were form fitting, and made her slightly uncomfortable, she was dressed like she was ready for combat at a moments notice. Maybe they expected another raid?

She opened the door and said quietly "Ready when you are."

He gave a shy smile and replied "Follow me, and you're part of the team now…You can call me Bruce."

The corner of her mouth turned up and she replied "Alright Bruce…"

The silence between them wasn't awkward, it was a comfortable silence that followed them till they reached the kitchen. She was a little blown away by the size, and cleanliness of the place. Everything was made of stainless steel, and everything was labeled. Everyone was already seated and eating, they greeted both them with nods and grunts, obviously they weren't morning people. All of them except the talkative Metal Man…

Tony greeted them with a wave and said with a smile "So, how is our new recruit this morning?"

Jericho gave a small nod and replied "Good, you?"

Stark gave a Cheshire smile "Well, we're going back to Brazil…I thought you'd be better than good since your going home. I however, am in the dog-house currently-"

Thor cut him off "I do not think she is interested in your relationship problems Stark."

Jericho frowned slightly " Why are we going back to Brazil?"

Tony replied "Alright, totally skipped over the first part of the conversation…straight to the second part…Because the President said so that's why."

Bruce watched the conversation while munching casually on a piece of toast. Jericho's body language was very defensive, like she expected one of them to lunge at her and attack her. She indeed was very primal, but at the same time she seemed like she had a tight grip on her humanity and oh, how he envied it. He noticed her swollen eyes, and wanted so much to comfort her, let her know that she wasn't alone. His shyness stopped him…and so did the other guy. Hulk wasn't interested in his new found interest in this woman. He watched the intensity of her eyes, the color changes, and how the slit when her anger was provoked. An animal in many forms, but a beautiful creature in this one.

He was pulled away from his trance by Nick Fury's booming voice " Debriefing in 10 everyone, and please…try to get along."

He looked over everyone, and walked away with his hands behind his back. Now, the silence was awkward as everyone finished up with breakfast and cleaned up after themselves. Everyone's eyes on the primal woman like she was a ticking time bomb of fury and rage…Bruce knew how she felt, he still received those looks whenever he had an outburst. He tried time and time again to prove that he wasn't an animal, and he knew Jericho wanted the same. Jericho felt the eyes on her, and ignored them all expect or one pair. The warm, kind brown eyes of Bruce; she looked up and gave him a small smile.

Tony walked next to Bruce and whispered to him quietly "You have been following her like a puppy dog ever since she got her. When are you going to make a move on her huh?"

Bruce frowned and replied "I don't know what you are talking about Stark, she is a teammate now. Haven't you ever heard the expression 'Never date your co-workers?' Of course not, I forget you have no boundaries."

Stark feigned shock "You talk as if I am a playboy Bruce, I do have boundaries. I am with Pepper now-"

Bruce cut him off "Who is a co-worker, and those relationships can get complicated…Wait, why am I talking to you about this? Your life is complicated as it is and so is mine. It doesn't need to be further complicated by-"

Nick Fury cut them off "If you gentleman are finished, I'd like to start the debriefing now… Anyway, We are going back to Brazil on orders from the President. I presented this information to him this morning, and after much debate he decided it was in the best interest of the United States, and the innocents of Brazil that the Avengers handle this matter till we think we need military interference. We can do this operation cleaner and faster if there are less people involved. I would hate to have civilian and military casualties. Questions?"

Natasha replied succinctly "What is our objective?"

Fury replied "Detain and question President Rodriquez."

Captain America responded with a frown "You know how hard that's going to be Director?"

Fury replied "Extremely, especially with his security being the way it is but we have an advantage that he doesn't have."

Clint replied "And that would be?"

Fury answered with a small smirk " Jericho Day, our woman on the inside."

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