Waking up was tiring. She almost didn't want to. But she was warm and comfortable and the feeling of warm breath hit her face. But she slept alone...she always slept alone. Her eyes shot open and there so close to her was Bruce. He was sleeping soundly and his arm was around her waist and the other was tucked under his cheek. She sighed and gazed at him for a bit before a smile came on his lips.

"It's rude to stare." his eyes cracked open and she smiled for a moment before it fell. The memories returning.

"I couldn't help it. You looked so peaceful." she quoted him from not that long ago.

"I do feel peaceful right now. I think whatever you did helped."

"I'm sorry about your mom." she whispered and he swallowed hard.

"It's not like you..." he couldn't finish and he rolled onto his back the warmth of his arm retracting from her and he covered his eyes with the backs of his hands. Mia thought for a moment he was going to get angry but instead he let out a choked sob and Mia saw tears leak down his face from behind his hands.

"Oh Bruce." she sat up and reached over taking his hands from his face. He tried to turn his face away but she reached up turning his cheek and making his brown eyes look at her. "Look at me."

He did.

"You cannot blame yourself. You can't keep on hurting yourself the way you do. Please...for me. Let the anger go. He may not deserve it but forgive your father so you can start forgiving yourself. Start living for your mom. She gave her life for you."

"I can't. I can't because the moment I do I let her go. I make all the things he did to her alright. And they aren't...none of it is. I watched that man hurt her, over and over again!" he shut his eyes for a moment and she knew the anger was there. Since mind control wasn't working she opted for his heart and she slid her hand down over his chest and forced the adrenalin in his body to subside back to normal.

"No one said it was okay." Mia said sternly. "But the weight is not on you. Live for her. That's all I'm saying. Just like I live for Stephan. My brother fed me, nurtured me, gave me love so I would know what love was in this world. Just like your mother did for you. Don't let those good memories go to waste. Cause if you can't be strong then I definitely can't be."

"You right." he finally said and he placed his hand over hers over his heart.

"Good." she smiled. "I'm going to spend the entire day with you. We're going to take the day off and we're going to stay and relax and do whatever we want. If that means we finger paint or clean or whatever...we are doing it."

"Can we start with food? Cause I'm hungry." he said that familiar crooked smirk returning and Mia ripped her hand away before lightly smacking his arm and pushing herself out of the bed.

"I'll cook something. You stay." she hopped out off the bed, straightening her dress before disappearing out the door.

When Mia came into the kitchen she sighed before taking her phone out of her purse and dialing a number. It rang a few times before Pepper picked up.

"Hey."

"Hey, I had a pretty intense therapy session with Bruce. He's going to need the day off and so am I."

"Is he alright?" Pepper's worried tone echoed in her ear and Mia smiled as she pulled eggs and bread from the fridge and cinnamon sugar from the cupboard

"He's fine. Nothing a little TLC won't fix and some down time away from the lab. I've been using my powers on him to dive into memories that will hopefully help with his condition. Since it's the first time for me trying to do this it's taking a lot out of me as well."

"Well notify me when you guys will be back and send my best regards. I'll also let Tony know."

"Thanks so much Pepper."

Mia hung up her phone and tossed it on the counter, thankful her employers were so good about letting them take the time they needed for things. If not then this situation would be a lot more stressful. Mia whipped up some French Toast and took it on a serving trey back to the bedroom. Bruce still lay in bed but he was sitting up against the headboard and pillows behind him. He had on his glasses and was going through his data pad when she came in. He looked up at her and she came over as she settled the trey in his lap and sat down on the edge of the bed next to him.

"French toast?"

"It was simple and yummy. I also didn't want to keep you waiting." she placed her arm over his legs and lent on him a bit as she sighed. "I called Pepper, she sends you her best wishes and a speedy recovery."

"Thank you." he said gently and Mia shrugged.

"I just...I think I understand you a bit better." she said staring down at the blanket. "I felt things...things I felt myself before concerning my own life. The moment you lost your mom, and then the moment I lost my brother kind of blurred into one really painful feeling. I couldn't stop crying last night. I couldn't stop wanting to reach inside and take all your pain away for you. It's stifling."

"I can live with it." he said lowly as he took a bite of his food and then pushed some of it around his plate.

"There's living with it and then holding onto it."

"I can't let it go. I already kept my mouth shut and my dad walked free from his trial. I can't just not let it go...it makes everything he did and I did okay."

"But your mom, would she be happy to know her son is suffering?"

"I could say the same about you."

"I'm coping and I'm learning to let go. That my guilt and anger about my brother is nothing more than hindering my powers rather than triggering them properly. A memory of his smile is a lot more effective than the memory of is death. The same could probably be said for you and the Hulk. Think of every one happy memory that is more powerful that a hundred bad ones and it makes things bearable."

"I'll try." was all he could say.

"I suppose that's all I could ask of you." she said and she watched him finish his breakfast and then let him get up and shower as she took the plates to the kitchen. When done she dashed downstairs and grabbed a new pair of clothes, which was a pair of shorts and a white tank top. throwing her hair up into a messy bun she pushed her glasses onto her face and headed back to the elevator only to have Steve stop her.

"Hey, you didn't come home last night...is everything okay?"

Mia sighed as she turned around and faced him.

"Yes and no. Bruce and I had a therapy session. He's having a hard time today. I'm just going to spend the day, keep him company and monitor him."

"Oh, okay. Do you want to reschedule our gym plans then?" he asked shoving his hands awkwardly in his pockets and Mia groaned.

"I am so sorry. I totally forgot about that. Yeah, let's try for tomorrow night."

"It's fine I understand. You're one of the only people in the world qualified to help Dr. Banner. I'm glad you are able to do so."

"Thanks Steve, I'll see you tomorrow." she then turned and walked towards the elevator and Steve watched her go with a little jealousy. But his friend was in need, and if anything Mia could provide some very good soothing company when the time calls for it.

When Mia arrived Bruce was already out of the shower and sitting on the couch a throw blanket on his lap and hugging a pillow. His eyes were on the TV and he was watching a History Channel program about World War II. Mia came over and sat on the couch and silently and comfortably they watched it together. Occasionally Bruce would glance at her when she wasn't looking and Mia would do the same for him. And one documentary turned into a movie, that turned into popcorn and another movie. It was nice being a couch potato for a day...Mia couldn't remember the last time she allowed herself this kind of comfort or laziness.

When their third movie ended Mia stretched and looked over at Bruce. His eyes were closed and his arm was on the arm rest his hand propped against his cheek holding his head up. Mia smiled amused as she listened to his breathing and knew he was fast asleep. It was good he needed the rest. Scooting closer her wonder got the best of her as she reached out gently and placed her hand against his opposite cheek. Closing her eyes she was instantly transported inside his head where he was deep inside his dreams.

It was the first day of work again. She was in the medical examination room with Bruce and her hands diligently checked his vitals and examined his overall health. She felt the excitement bubble in her as she watched her hands touch his chest from a third person point of view. Her heart beat pick up naturally and butterflies float about in her stomach. Then she watched Bruce's eyes take in her face, the extreme detail in the curve of her neck.

Mia felt his attraction to her.

Next was the moment he found out she was a mutant. The almost kinship he felt towards her...that they shared something other than science in common. The feeling of her hands against his skin again and the steady thumping of an already fearful heart. But then that heart calmed down and all he saw was beautiful hazel eyes staring at him in worry. Worry that she trusted the wrong person with such a secret.

And then her explaining to everyone about Stephan and the pain she endured and the neglect. Bruce had noticed her downcast look, the lines and age that was brought about by the pain and the internal need and desire to see her smile again. That he would do anything to make her smile.

Mia then watched more scenes fly by and then the growing of guilt but the intensity of feelings that came with it. It was almost too much to bear. She watched as he would watch her with Steve, as Steve would talk about her, as they rode the elevator to their flat they shared. The pain and jealousy he felt at their relationship and the abandonment he felt.

Then she watched the two of them lying in bed together not but several hours ago. His eyes staring at her face, examining the curve of her nose and the way her eyelashes kissed her cheeks almost. She watched his arms come around her and lips press against her forehead.

"Don't ever leave me like she left me, I couldn't bear it." he whispered and Mia sat down on the bed and then lay down becoming one with herself in the dream.

Her eyes opened and she smiled at Bruce.

"I couldn't leave you if I tried." she said back.

"I love you." he said to her and Mia couldn't speak for a moment. It was a dream, but this might be his real feelings...she didn't know how to respond so she responded on how she felt he would like her to in this fantasy made from a moment in reality.

"I love you too. Let's stay here and sleep some more, okay?"

"Alright, anything you want. I want to give you anything you want."

Then even in his own dreams he was asleep. But Mia was the one watching him this time and almost seeing him in a new light.

Opening her eyes she was back in the living room and Bruce was still asleep. She watched him sadly for a moment before getting up and heading out to the balcony. She looked over New York and sighed.

Did she care for Bruce in the same way? It was so hard to judge her own feelings right now when she was being bombarded by everyone else's problems or feelings. The only feelings as of late she would even consider were those she had for Steve. She knew they were close, and shared close private moments with each other that no one would understand if they looked in. She felt comfortable around him and happy.

But around Bruce, she was excited, unsure and nervous. Nothing about them was easy or comfortable and it was like they were waiting for a bomb to go off any second.

She wasn't sure what was good or not...and Pepper was getting married so she didn't want to bother her with any of her own personal endeavors. And she be damned if she went to Natasha for anything.

Mia honestly didn't know what to do. It wasn't the first time, but concerning her feelings it was. She had never dated before and this was all brand new territory to her.

She wish Stephan was here...he would have given her just the right kind of advice for all of this.