A/N: So, without spoiling the chapter, I wanted to add a bit of humor in this one.

Rights and What-have-yous: Pepper's "I'm not panicking" comment is based off of megamind.

Thanks for reading! Love you guys! 3 :)

"Arizona?! And you're absolutely positive that Pepper is still there?" Fury has a wide eye, even his patch seems to react to what Bruce was telling him.

The physician shrugs, "I'm just the messenger."

He nods, "Of course,' he turns towards Maria Hill, 'Set course for Arizona. Looks like we're not finished yet. Banner, tell your friend to suit up. I'd like to stay out of this one as much as possible. Do you know whose at fault?"

Bruce just shakes his head, "No idea."

"We'll figure it out. Thank you for being calm about the ordeal and tell Stark we'll be there in 5 minutes. Oh! And did you see Romanov?"

"She's in the lab, but I think she needs a good week to recover."

"That bad?"

Bruce tugs on his fingers, "It's just a precaution."

He sighs, "Can she do anything? Romanov usually bounces right back up when she falls down."

"She- No, you wouldn't want to aggravate something like that." It was a little bit of an exaggeration over a somewhat minor wound, but to keep her completely out of harms way was his number one priority. Should Ross pull an unexpected stunt, as least she was still strong enough to fight for herself. Who knows what would happen if Natasha should get another more serious injury.

Fury just shakes his head a second time, "Keep an eye on her, make sure she takes care of herself. I'm glad she at least got help but I'd feel better if she wasn't so...choosy."

He shrugs, ready to run off until the director stops him, "One more thing Banner,' Bruce turns around, tongue over his cheek, 'I've been meaning to ask you something about General Ross."

Bruce glances over his shoulder, hands nervously shoving and pulling out from his pockets before he starts with his wringing again, "Uh, what about him?"

He lowers his voice to a whisper for the doctor's sake. He knows dragging him into a privet room will only frighten him more, so he keeps his comments lighter, "I've heard a few things about your past affiliations and I just wanted to ask your feelings on the matter. Some people think it's best to take, 'rash action' over his mistakes, but to do so without your knowledge, wouldn't be professional."

Banner just bites his cheek eyes focused down, "What would be the purpose of exhuming a dead issue...it's- No. If you're looking for my consent, you don't have it. I'm going to ask that you just leave it alone and move onto something more important."

Fury gives a sympathetic expression, "Are you sure?"

He nods, though inside his gut is twisting for Natasha's sake. His head is spinning, already getting agitated by the empathy in Fury's stare, "Positive. I think it's more important that he doesn't bother anyone else don't you? Besides, Pepper should be your top priority right now."

The director nods, "It's important, but it's not more important and yes, you're right. And tell Stark we're about 3 minutes from our destination."

His head is still low, fingertips going numb from his tugging as he runs off.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Horgan, Bruno Horgan."

Pepper tries not to snicker in her odd predicament, twisting her face, "Um, Pepper? Pepper Potts."

He holds out his hand, shaking in an uncharacteristically gentle manner before he urges the guards to let her loose. Potts narrows her focus, orange hair swaying with her graceful movements;

"Mr. Horgan, if you don't mind me asking what I was captured for?"

He smirks, holding his hands behind his back, "Captured, isn't the word I would use. More like 'hired' without pay."

She crosses her arms, "I never volunteered for anything."

Bruno points an open palm, "Shall we take a walk around my facility? We can talk on the way."

Pepper nods hesitantly, following him through the elaborate mansion, "Um, very extravagant Mr. Horgan."

He points to a device, "Look familiar Ms. Potts?"

She narrows her focus, blue eyes peircing over the small item before she recognizes it, "Yes. It looks...slightly different from the way I remember it. What is it?"

"I'm starting a professional industry on weapons and chemicals, except mine are much more elaborate than Stark's, don't you think?"

"How did you get these?"

"I invented them. Me, I, myself. I suppose you want to know the purpose? Simple. To lead in a campaign of industrial sabotage against Stark."

She rolls her eyes, unaffected by his ridiculous ideas. "Okay."

He glances at her, "Okay? That's all you have to say is okay?"

Pepper shrugs, "Then what's the point of me being here?"

"To create. You do help Stark create his inventions do you not?"

She hesitates to answer, "Sometimes."

"Good."

She releases a snicker, "You're a delusional individual."

"Delusional? I prefer the term visionary."

"How do you expect to sabotage one of the top leading industries in the nation?"

He smiles, "By recreating, reinventing, oh! And eliminating competition. Once your boss finds out where you are, he'll come flying to your rescue. Especially once I explain the ways I have planned to kill you."

Pepper rolls her eyes as if to say whatever. Horgan slips his hand into his pocket, removing her phone, "Well Miss Potts, what do you say we dial up the inventor right now and tell him where you are?"

Pepper tries hard not to snicker, eyes still focused on his latest creation, "$30 says he's already aware of my currently location."

Bruno shrugs his shoulders as he dials the telephone, "I accept."

...

Thor looks down at the vibrating flat object of technology, "Metal Man, I hate to disturb you, but it would appear Lady Potts is trying to contact you."

Tony widens his stare, reaching his hand to grab the phone from Thor, "Hello! Pepper?"

A voice from the opposite end alerts the entire team currently gathered in the lab that Pepper has definitely been kidnapped;

'Hello Mr. Stark. Horgan here. How are you this afternoon?'

Tony snaps, "Where's Pepper you lousy piece of no good-"

'Uh uh uh, no need for swearing. Pepper's on the verge of being tossed into the lion's den...'

Natasha covers her mouth, trying not to laugh when she hears Pepper loud and clear from the opposite end;

'No worries, Tony. I'm not panicking.'

'She is panicking! She's dying Mr. Stark!'

'I'm fine Tony, everything cool.'

'NO! She's suffering! Brutally! You must hurry!'

'Take your time.'

'If you don't hurry I will kill her!'

'He might, but seriously, it's not important. Take your time.'

Tony wrinkles his brow, rolling his eyes, "Another delusional fantasy of yours Mr. Horgan. No worries, I'm about a minute away."

Click.

Steve lifts his eyebrows, "Is he serious?"

Stark keeps a stern face, "Very. He can be brutal but according to Pepper's comments it sounds like he took his medicine this morning. Rogers, you want to come with me? This shouldn't take long."

"What's the plan Stark?" Steve follows behind, picking up his shield.

"We go in, get Pepper, arrest the loser, and leave."

His eyes widen sarcastically, "Oh, is that all."

"That's all."

Barton crosses his arms, "And when do I get off this damn thing?"

Tony waves his finger in imitation of his current enemy, "Uh, uh, uh, no swearing."

Bruce swipes the screen, "Tony, you have a tracking device on you?"

He smirks, "Don't I always? You'll keep an eye on me?"

He nods, "Just in case."

"Brucey, you worry too much."

Natasha leans forward in an attempt to stand up from the simple coach she'd been moved to. Banner widens his expressive brown eyes in her direction. Without a word, she huffs out a sigh and parks herself back down. She crosses her arms, eyebrows lowered as she glares at him in a fit frustration;

"For the record, Vrach Banner, the hulk doesn't scold me."

He gives her a look, knowing she's bound to smirk within a matter of seconds. He knows she can only be legitimately mad at him for so long before softening up on her tough exterior.