AN: So I haven't updated in over a month and I am truly sorry. My real life has exploded around me and I have been trying to keep it together. Basically, I'm going to give you a little personal info because I feel like you all deserve it. I was engaged. I was happy. The dude went crazy and now I'm single. That's the short version of it. And when I say crazy, I mean something you see in the movies. So I am really sorry for the long wait. I will try to do better. Much love to you all who are still with me.

I realized something while I was writing the other day. Bruce is really had for me to write. Just putting it out there. I know he is completely OOC but I feel like with the way the story is going (and the way the next couple of chapters display him, he will be very OOC. Plus, does anyone really know how Bruce is? I've done reading on this. I do not follow the comics even though I have read synopsis. So I can't get an idea from that. I am going completely off of the Avengers movie. I am trying here. Anywhosville, I hope you all like the direction I am dragging him. I am trying. As always, please R&R. Thanks.

Chapter 13- Only If

Hayden's POV

I don't want to be your friend. Those words kept playing over and over in my head like a late night re-run of a television show that got canceled after the first season. I don't want to be your friend.

I stood there staring at him for ten long and tense minutes trying to understand what I did to him that was so terrible that I wasn't even worthy of friendship. I don't understand. People like me. I am a likeable person. I can be a little a neurotic, yeah. More so now that I haven't slept eight hours since I found out I had a sister but hey, we all have our faults. Looking away so he can't see how much the rejection hurt, I simply say "Oh" and go to sit back down. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice that Bruce is moving to the door. Not understanding anything from the past half hour, I can't stop myself from asking "Why?"

"What?" Bruce says as he stops and turns around to face me.

"Why? What is so horrible about me that we can't even be friends? I understand if you don't want to be in a relationship with me but what is the harm in being my friend?"

I sneak a glance over at Bruce and watch as emotions dance across his face. Confusion to understanding and then…amusement? That can't be right. Is he laughing at me? "You thought that I didn't want to be your friend?" Bruce laughs. "I may not be proficient in social situations almost every time I stumble across one but you have this all wrong." He just stands there laughing. I'm so confused. I feel like there was a joke told and I missed the punch line.

"How so?" I say. I stand up and put my hands on my waist in a defensive gesture.

Bruce walks up to me, so close that I can see an almond color that blends his eyes into a chocolate color brown. "When I said I didn't want to be your friend, I meant it as a compliment. I don't want to just be your friend. I want to be in a relationship with you. I like you, more than I should." His voice gets quieter the longer he talks. As if he can pretend his confession didn't exist by whispering it.

Well, I kind of feel stupid now. It wasn't pity that he was displaying but concern.

I stay silent as I look up at him. I don't want to jinx the moment with my blubbering or the millions of questions that are running through my mind. My heart is pounding so loud that I am sure Tony can hear it upstairs, sound proof rooms or not. I feel the heat come off him in waves as he steps closer to me, so close now that our bodies blend into one. A sad smile plays across his face as he whispers "This is a bad idea." while he brushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I felt a hitch in my breathing on contact, a gesture so gentle yet so electrifying. I swear if I don't kiss him soon, I'm going to explode.

"Why?" Although I asked the question, I don't give him any time to answer. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his lips to mine. As our lips touch, the heat that was radiating off him courses through my body. The last concrete thought was that he tastes like stale coffee as he deepened the kiss. He pins me against the back of the door, our tongues wrestling. He holds my hands, almost like they're invisibly handcuffed, above my head as his kisses travel from my mouth to my neck. I try to hold back a groan as he tenderly sucks on a sensitive part of my neck. Somehow, I notice that he is shaking uncontrollably. "Bruce…" I rasp.

He looks at me, eyes clouded with desire and tinted with something else. Oh fuck! "It's okay." I say. He pulls away from me, moving to the other side of the room. "Okay? Okay! It's not okay. You don't understand. Nobody ever does."

"Caring about you? What is so horrible about that? Help me understand, because I clearly am missing something!"

"I'm a monster. I can kill you without even blinking. Is that what this is about? Do you feel like killing yourself? Because getting in a relationship with me is pure suicide."

"No it's not. You can't see beyond the hate you have for yourself, for you to realize how wonderful you are. If you haven't realized, we all have inner demons. Each one of us on the team does, no matter what mask it may wear. Do I need to list them off for you or are you going to stop running from a chance at happiness?"

Bruce looks at the door and back at me. "I don't want to hurt you. I can't control him. He always wins. Always. I'm sorry." He starts towards the door again as I shout out.

"Cap is stuck in the past with everyone he knew and cared for either dead or on their way there. He is always confused. Not to mention he is strong enough to knock out a heavy weight wrestler. Natasha never smiles, NEVER. She has enough blood on her hands that if she permanently bleached them, they would still be crimson. Clint's brain got hijacked by Loki so he drinks to help him forget. Thor is freaking Norse God! Not to mention his brother is psycho and tried to kill everyone in New York a year or so ago while declaring he is fit to be a king. Through it all, He still manages to find love. As for-"

I must have said something that worked because Bruce turns back to me, smiling. "Okay. Okay, I get your point."

"Do you? Because don't even get me started on Tony."

Laughing Bruce slips his arms around me and we stand there hugging each other and staring into each others eyes until I hear Tony's voice come over the speaker. "Wahoo! It's about time! I thought I was going to have to lock you guys in an elevator or something."

Rolling my eyes at Bruce, I whisper. "I thought there wasn't camera's in here."

"There is in living area but not in the bedrooms I guess. Good to know." Bruce says as he winks at me.

I hear Tony say "Anytime you want to analyze my brain, or any other part of me, feel free."

"Good Night Tony!" Bruce and I say together. Rolling my eyes, I walk Bruce to the door.

"So we're good?" I say. "No more avoiding me?"

"Yeah we're better than good. How about you come down to the lab on Friday around five and we can go out for an early dinner?" Bruce asks with a blush.

I give him a soft peck on the lips good night and respond with a big smile. "Sounds like a date."

I wake up covered in sweat and shaking with the faint sound left over from my dream of my sister's laughter ringing in my ears. I shake my head and push it to the back of my mind as I climb out of the bed. I glance at the clock noticing that it is still dark out, which seems to be a theme when I get up lately. One thirty AM! "A personal best." I mutter bitterly to the empty room.

Do I really want to spend the next five hours watching late night television again? Tony's got the best cable there is but after a week of watching that, I could use a change of pace. Hmmm, I could always explore.

I change into a graphic t-shirt and some sweats and get going on my way. I've already explored this floor. Who the hell needs over ninety floors? I'd be happy with two, shit.

I get into the elevator and try to decide if I feel like going up or down. Hmmm, choices…

"Um, Jarvis?" I ask.

"Yes, Miss Caldwell?" The A.I. responds.

"What does this tower have for entertainment?"

"Can't sleep again?" He says. He almost sounds sorry for me. That's…odd. "There is an indoor heated pool, a hot tub, a gym, a game room, a home theatre, and a bar but of course. Mr. Rogers seems to enjoy the gym when he stays here and cannot sleep. Would you like me to direct you to the correct floor?"

"Yes please. Thanks Jarvis."

"My pleasure, Hayden."

I smile at the use of my name as we descend in the elevator. Before I realize it, we have stopped on level fourteen. I walk out to a hallway with walls made of glass for viewing in and out of the Olympic sized pool fit with a deck area and lawn chairs. Currently, the room looks like it has never been used and as far as I know it hasn't. I walk down the hall while writing a mental note to buy a bathing suit if these nightmares continue. I approach the gym or at least I assume it is. It is the only area on this floor that is closed off without any glass window like walls. I push through the heavy oak door and stare at every kind of exercise equipment known to man kind. Is that the machine I watched a half hour infomercial on last night? Holy shit! When I said he has everything, I mean it. He has a bike, treadmill, elliptical, a rowing machine, weights, a couple of Yoga balls and mats, an ab rocket thing, and a punching bag. That's just the things I know the names of. There are a couple of things that look mysterious to me as if they would be the plat form for a rocket deployment. Not to mention this one thing that looks like a seat on stilts.

I should have brought my Ipod. Too late now. I jump onto the elliptical and set the timer while in my mind I set up an exercise plan for the morning. If I could be quicker, I can outrun Vivian's horrid laughter. If I can become stronger, I can defend myself from another attack. If I can…Sigh.

Sunday February 9th

Layla's POV

"This is odd." I say as I walk into the main living area that houses a fire place with a love seat and two arm chairs while behind the chairs is a collection of books on a bookshelf that even the New York Public Library would be jealous of. Walking past the large family table to Loki, who is reading in the window seat parallel to the fireplace, I attempt to get Loki's attention. "Hello?! Loki! Doesn't this seem strange to you? There are usually at least three people in here at a time, not including one of us and tonight the place is empty. Do you know what's going on?" I motion to the vacant room with my arm.

Finally paying attention to me, Loki looks up at me. "I didn't realize that everyone left. I was reading." He just stares at me like I am someone's used and left behind gum that he stepped in. "And no, I don't know what is going on. I wish you would stop asking me that every single time something happens around here. If you wish to know what is going on, why don't you speak to the man and woman behind this organization that you love so much and find out for yourself what is going on?" Loki raises his eyebrows as if he is challenging me. I break the stare and go to sit in one of the chairs by the fireplace. Loki softly chuckles as he goes back to reading and ignoring me. Feeling frustrated and bored, I look around the room while listening in an attempt to figure out what is going on. Tapping into my abilities or the futile fortune-teller as Loki loves to call me, I zero in on the couple that threatened my life less than a week ago in an attempt to see what is going on.

Hmm, I guess they selected Danielle instead of Samantha. Interesting. Their setting up the guy who always takes orders from the boss like a lap dog to be the main point of contact. What was his name? Ah, that's right. It's Cain. At least I know that much, now where are they tonight?

I try to focus on some of the few informants I have met while residing here but mostly come up empty. It probably doesn't have to do with either of us or else I would have flashed on it right away. Looking back at Loki who is still absorbed in his book, I figure if we have the place to ourselves for once, why waste it reading and staring off in space like every other night? With a mischievous grin, I get up and skip into the next room, which is basically a kitchen but you wouldn't know that by looking at it. There is a cooler instead of fridge, folding tables with chairs and paper products instead of real dinning sets. We don't have a stove yet we do have a couple of rinky dink microwaves. The thought was after a couple of our safe houses got raided, we set everything up so we could just grab things and go incase any of the Avengers showed up on any of our security footage. The books and furniture didn't matter to them much. I understand the logic behind this but I would kill for a full coarse meal of pretty much anything right now. There are only so many times you can eat a PBJ and still find it delicious.

I reach into the third cooler and pulled out three bottles tequila, some berry flavored vodka and a bottle of jager. I then pulled two shot glasses off of the shelf as well as a regular sized glass and walked back into the living room. I dump everything onto the oak dinning table before walking over to Loki. "Hey. Want to play a game I learned on one of my assignments a year ago?" I say as I grab a deck of cards off the bookshelf.

"I don't play impractical games with mortals." Loki states without looking up from his book.

"Uh huh. It's probably for the best anyways. Concerting I have a have a high tolerance for alcohol and all, I would probably win."

Loki snickers as I walk towards the table. "I am God or have you forgotten this, petty human? You cannot beat me. You never could."

Seeing that I have his attention now, I work on him a little more. "I wouldn't want to lose if I were you either. I mean, if everything I tried to do in my life turned up to fail, I would play it safe and hide behind books too. Even when it is just a simple game between friends."

Loki's just studies me as I hold my breath and wait to see if I am going to get my way for once in this backwards relationship. He flicks his eyes to the table and then back to me and says "So this game? What does it involve?"