AN: Okay, so I got a new phone and it's taken me a while to get it set up to let me write on it. Hopefully, I won't have anymore problems so I can continue with all my fanfiction. And yes, it isn't word for word! I can't write it word for word, otherwise Rogue wouldn't be in it! And I'm changing some of the events from...NOW!

Neutral POV

Silence had fallen. A deafening silence that echoed throughout the lab. Bruce took a seat upon a stool, leaving all others standing. Eerily, Tony and Steve crossed their arms in unison – waiting for the explanation. Rogue leaned against a desk, hip cocked and arms folded over her chest. She already had her answers, however with the testosterone bath around her, she was coiled ready to diffuse any situation. Fury stood with his back to the door, hands clasped together. He's stalling, Rogue thought, growing increasingly agitated.

"Yah stalling, Fury...Get on with it. We all have a basic knowledge about the Tesseract, and they have the right to know why their hunting for yah new weapon," Rogue stated. Eyes snapped to her, Fury glared with his one eye.

Natasha stood beside Thor, her statuesque form dwarfed by the broad Asgardian. Her own expression masked by her rapidly darting eyes. Something happened with Loki, Rogue thought, Natasha never looks this shifty.

"Ever since Thor's initial visit to Earth, S.H.I.E.L.D became aware of the countless threats to the planet. Our weapons were useless against the Destroyer: we needed a higher form of warfare," Fury stated, ignoring the intense glares being shot at him.

Arguments broke out amongst the Avengers. Tony and Steve bickered between them, their voices echoing throughout the lab. Thor made the observation that Earth had directly upgraded itself, making it a future battleground for advanced warfare – about how the planet wasn't ready for it. Natasha scoffed and rolled her eyes at the pathetic nature of the arguments. Rogue had had enough.

"Don't roll yah eyes, Romanova! Yah knew the whole time, so get off yah damn high-horse, yah emotionless robot! Thor's got a point!" Rogue yelled, clenching her fists. Miscellaneous items around the room began to shake, increasing in its intensity. She was rapidly approaching her breaking point; if the arguing didn't stop, then she was prepared to render everyone unconscious.

"Enough!" Bruce shouted, bringing all eyes on him. He was holding Loki's staff, the gold glinting dangerously at the heighten emotions in the room. A surprising look passed over Fury's face: one of fear. Slowly, Fury and Natasha began to reach for their guns, sliding the catch down to release them from the leather confines.

"You want to know the secret to how I stay so calm, Agent Romanova?" Bruce turned to Natasha, smiling slightly at the fear in her own eyes. Rogue whirled round, momentarily losing her focus on Tony and Steve, who were attempting to square up to each other. The atmosphere was thickening with the smell of fear, as the quiet doctor appeared to lose control of his anger.

Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the hellicarrier, throwing the Avengers off balance. Tony and Steve grasped each other's shoulders, keeping the other upright – Thor and Natasha caught in a similar scene. Fury leaned heavily on a nearby table.

Bruce dropped the staff, Rogue just managing to catch it before it hit the ground. What was that?! Rogue mentally exclaimed, as she staggered into Bruce. His large hands landed on her waist, trying to stabilise her. Cracks appeared in the ground beneath their feet; the metal caving in, sending them plummeting into the deck below.

Rogue POV

Heavily, she landed on her chest – the air being knocked from her lungs. Heavy metal pipes landed on her legs; a silent scream caught in her throat, as her femur splintered. Minute bone splinters embedded themselves inside her muscle, dampening the pain of dozens of gashes – which blossomed across her body.

Pained grunts came from the darkness to her left. Who was closest to me? Rogue thought, attempting to shift the metal off her legs – momentarily forgetting her telekinetic abilities. The grunts turned to cries, mingling with the tearing of cloth. Inhaling deeply, Rogue smelt sandalwood. Bruce had fallen with her.

Looking over her shoulder, the sight of Bruce's contorting in pain made Rogue gasp. Tearing at his shirt, Bruce roared. A green tint exploding beneath his skin, darkening until none of his tanned skin could be seen. Reaching out a hand, Rogue tried to grab hold of his arm - slightly fearful of the damage that could be done.

"Dr Banner? Can yah understand me? Bruce, yah gotta calm down, sug!" Rogue coaxed quietly. It didn't work, Bruce roared again – deep and loud, like a lion. He was too far gone to be called back from the deep sea of unleashed rage.

Doubling in size, the transformation swept over the physicist. Muscles erupted across his body, spreading and tearing the remaining clothing. Within seconds, Bruce had become the Hulk. Rogue began to panic: the volatile nature of the Hulk could do an immense amount of damage. Levitating the last pipe off her leg, Rogue pulled herself into the shadows. Logan's healing factor working too slowly to dull the throbbing pain in her leg.

Bathed in the laboratory light above, Bruce's changed figure reared up from its hunched position amongst the mangled metal. A ferocious roar ripped from his throat, resembling a wounded lion; eyes snapping in her direction. Rogue held her breath, anticipating the famous destruction that left a permanent mark on Halem. Oh my gosh, she thought as she quivered slightly, I've never felt so small!

Rising onto massive feet and legs, Hulk noticed the disarray around him. Rolling heaving shoulders, he caught a glimpse of a tiny foot retreating into the darkness of a corner. Curiously, he cocked his head to the side – taking a step towards the hidden figure out of that curiosity, only to be propelled through the triple-reinforced titanium that Bruce despised.

AN2: Right, so this chapter is split into two parts. I'm gonna do it that Thor knocked Hulk out the path of Rogue, whilst Black Widow helps her move. And Rogue is going to witness Coulson's 'death' (for those who have seen Agents of SHIELD, you get me!) And that will bring her closer to Bruce after the Battle of New York. Okay...everyone following so far? Because I'm now lost!