*General disclaimer

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/Jenny's POV\/\/\/\/\/(The scientist)

Tony pulled us into the garage and was complimenting my interior design.

When he parked he got out while continuing his rant and Bruce just continued to look amused when I rolled my eyes and once again he held the door as I walked on the seat to jump out although neither of us looked at the other.

"Tone, want to show Bruce to his room? I was thinking guest suite one."

"I'm heading to the labs but Bruce is welcome to join me."

For the first time as I put my bag on my shoulder I looked at Bruce for him to make the call and he shrugged, "I'll drop my bag off and then meet you there?" He stated, or well asked, as he looked between us for verification of the right answer.

Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry
You don't know how lovely you are

Tony shrugged as we all got into the elevator and it closed, "It's all up to you, I just need to get some work done." The elevator moved in silence before opening at the public labs level. Tony made to get out and turned only once he was out, "I could use your help too Jay!"

The elevator closed and so began an awkward moment as I felt his eyes on me.

Keeping my face perfectly kept as I do to the papers, I began to speak, "We are giving you a one floor suite fully stocked," The doors opened and I stepped out first followed by him. It was open with a kitchenette and dining area and lounge place with television and coffee table and sleek looking couches. The paint was all bright neutral browns and tans, "How is it?"

Bruce still hadn't taken his eyes off me till I asked and once he did to look around, "It's... very nice, thank you Jenny."

"You're welcome Bruce." I said simply and went to move past him to the elevator.

I had to find you, Tell you I need you
Tell you I set you apart

His voice stopped me, "I figure I can catch a flight to be out of your hair by morning."

\/XXXXXXXXXXXX Third Person XXXXXXXXXXX\/

Jenny only turned back to Bruce by a fraction, "Alright, good luck with that."

"Jenny?" Bruce asked with a sigh knowing this was going to be more difficult than that, "Can we talk about this?"

Jenny turned to face him and threw her hands in the air a little for emphasis, "About what Bruce? I'd like to know."

Tell me your secrets
and ask me your questions

Bruce looked at her trying to measure what exactly she was feeling. Her face was still with an innocent expression and her eyes well controlled as she watched him. Bruce took one step forward and opened his mouth before thinking better of moving closer and took two steps backwards and was twiddling his thumbs, "Jenny I-"

Jenny had seen his movement as him not wanting to come closer and she clasped her hands in front of her politely, "I agree, and me too." (She may have forced Tony to watch High school musical with her one too many times.)

Bruce saw her smile the smile he had perceived in newspapers but before he could question if she was actually genuine she had turned and her heels were clicking on the floor of the elevator. The doors closed on her but he saw her smile drop right before they closed.

Oh lets go back to the start
Running in circles, coming up tails
Heads on a science apart

Meanwhile Tony was in the labs, he had forgotten about Jenny's blood test but now that he saw it he wished he could forget it all over again, "Jarvis, discard."

"Sir?"

"Discard Jarvis." He had made the decision he made ten years ago, not to tell her.

Nobody said it was easy

"Hey Tone!" His sister chirped as she walked in and he spun, blocking the test while he heard it be discarded with a slight pop.

"Hello Jay!" He replied back mocking her cheerfulness.

Ton noticed she was in her blue dress and heels still as she walked towards him, "What are we starting with?" He looked at her for a moment before moving around the lab table and hugging her which she got very tense from but soon relaxed, "Um why are you hugging me?"

It's such a shame for us to part
Nobody said it was easy

"I just died, I can't hug my sister?" Jenny laughed and hugged him back.

"Thanks Tone, but you wanted me here for a reason?" And just like that the entire issue was thrown behind them.

They worked in peace for a while before Bruce came down; even then he joined their fine and precise work without a word before Tony started making his usual jokes and comments.

Now Tony is insensitive but the unusual silence between Jenny and Bruce did not go unnoticed by him… and honestly he found it hilarious.

"Miss Stark," Tony froze while Bruce looked up a bit frightened, "Director Fury calling."

Nobody ever said it would be this hard
Oh, take me back to the start

Jenny was unaware of either man's reaction to Jarvis as she responded, "Put him through Jar."

Fury's voice cam in loud and clear, "Jennifer-"

… and was promptly cut off, "WHAT IN THE ASS SHITTING WORLD WAS GOING THROUGH YOUR FUCKING HEAD?" Jenny was leaning against her work counter and looking up at the ceiling for the answer with a sardonic smile on her face, "Because I'd like to know."

Bruce and Tony both looked at her with wide eyes, Tony slowly began "Langu-" But as soon as Jenny's finger went up to cut him off he stopped. Bruce slowly looked at Tony and Tony patted his friend's shoulder, "Let's show you around, Jay join us when you're done."

Once the two had left the lab Jenny crossed her arms, "I'm waiting."

A heavy sigh was heard before the tired tone of Fury who was expecting something along this line, "Jennifer I had no say in the matter; if I had, that nuke wouldn't have gone off."

"You had no say in the matter huh? Interesting, seems to be happening to you a lot."

"Jennifer…" Fury's warning tone kicked in but Jenny was having too much fun.

I was just guessing
At numbers and figures

She held up her hand even though he couldn't see her, "Firstly you had to make weapons, then I have to go to therapy and then you had to blow up NYC; I'm so glad you have as much control as you thought."

"I have enough."

"Oh really? Oh fucking really? Then where the fuck were you?"

Fury knew she wasn't shouting this to him but just venting so he sighed, "Yep."

"You didn't do shit inside that helicarrier!"

"Yep."

"There were people there Fury, people that if they had died then no helicarrier could've saved you."

This response took a bit longer because as much as Fury knew she was venting, she told the truth. If Tony or any other of her teammates had paid the price of that nuke exploding on NY, then Jenny would've hunted him down, "Yep."

…

"Better now?"

Pulling puzzles apart
Questions of science, science and progress

"A bit, yea."

"Good, now you never came for debriefing."

"I did that purposely."

"I don't appreciate it."

"I didn't appreciate the nuke heading towards my location thanks."

"Jennifer! Do you think I would've done that purposely?"

"Do I have any fucking idea what you would do Fury? Will I ever?"

… "You're right, sometimes you won't be in control or in full knowledge of what I am deciding despite the fact that you are generally knowledgeable in my deciding factors."

"But I'm not Fury! I don't know shit about you or how you decide because some days I'm like 'I get it' other days I'm like 'excuse me!' because I am just confused."

… "I'm sorry." Fury knew he wasn't going to win with her but needed to make sure of one thing, "I am sorry Jennifer but that doesn't make your point valid. I am sorry you don't like being confused but you will continue to be until you accept, that you like others; myself included; are a microscopic piece in relativity."

… "I'll be there tomorrow morning Fur." Jennifer hung up after speaking. It wasn't a question, it was a statement and Fury knew the emotion in her voice wasn't one he should poke while flaring.

None speak as loud os my heart

Jenny simply smiled and shook her head taking deep breaths, she knew therapy was not going to be fun tomorrow but she also knew she was undermining Fury for something he didn't deserve.

She walked re-gathering her stride and composure as she got in the elevator to go meet Tony and Bruce, "Miss Stark, Tony is asking if you want Chinese or Thai."

Sighing she was going up anyways so she just responded by asking a question to Jarvis, "Jarvis what would I do without you?"

"Answer your own phones miss?"

Jenny's laugh could be heard as the door opened and Bruce and Tony turned to look in surprise as she walked out of the elevator and threw off her heels on the hardwood, "I suppose that would be one of the many my friend."

"Jay, are we having conversations with ourselves again?" Tony asked humoring her sarcastically and Jenny purposely hit him over the head and gave an eyebrow raise to Bruce as she walked behind her brother at the counter while Bruce sat at the bar thing on the other side.

"I was talking to Jarvis obviously."

"I forget you have that…thing?" Bruce asked in a way that made Tony feel bad because he knew what was coming.

Tony took a breath and waited as Jenny didn't think twice before an apple darted through the air and nailed Bruce in the head, "Bruce Banner!" Her voice was hurt and scolding.

Bruce never wanted to hear that voice again because as much as he chuckled at the apple being thrown he knew that Jenny was serious in this, "An apple, really Jenny?"

Jenny pointed to the fruit bowl that was within easy reach before speaking self-assuredly, "Jarvis is a 'he'! And I won't stand for him to called an 'it'." Bruce felt the normalness of this situation- Jenny arguing with him over something he didn't understand.

"Dr. Banner can refer to me however he likes." Jarvis's neutral voice pitched in and Jenny smirked.

Nope, Jarvis set her up for this one and she looked out of the corner of her eye at Tony because they both thought it at the same time. Jenny spoke first, "Jarvis that's my line!"

But tell me you love me,
Come back and haunt me

Bruce laughed at the girl, definitely normal- him arguing with Jenny over something he didn't understand while she found some way to flirt with him. Tony just sat back and watched the way Bruce looked at his sister. Normally he was totally ready to unleash Happy on men that looked at her for more than ten seconds but with Bruce… Happy didn't seem needed, "So, dinner?" He snapped them out of their side conversation.

Jenny shrugged, "I like both."

Bruce raised his hands, "Don't mind me."

Rolling his eyes Tony decided for them, "Jarvis call the thai place and get our usual, plus…" He looked directly at Bruce whose eyes widened with a shrug.

"Panong Curry?" Tony nodded satisfied with the answer before Jenny spoke up, "And I'll have fried rice today with chicken please."

"Sounds delightful Miss Stark." Jarvis commented and Jenny smiled, okay she may be a little attached to the program but neither man was arguing with her now as the order was placed and they were all standing around.

None of them really felt like going to the labs and Tony was just relieved that Jenny still hadn't remembered the blood test, "So Bruce, what are your plans?"

Jenny tilted her head as if she was interested while she tapped on her phone pretending to be busy although Bruce felt watched, "Well I, I was intending to catch a flight early tomorrow morning."

Things just went on from there.

Oh and I rush to the start

He discussed plans with Tony and Jenny until it got to the point that he had to admit that Jennifer Stark belonged on a movie screen.
She did.

Granted he had on more than one occasion admired her hair, her face and shamefully her shape but that wasn't why she deserved to be on television. Today was the day that Bruce saw just how well Jenny could act. Every swipe on her phone, every smile of encouragement and every helpful comment, he almost believed that her heart was in it.

In fact he did believe it. He believed her actions but he KNEW her all too well.
And yes, there is a difference between what you believe and what you know. And Bruce both believed and knew Jenny, just in this case they contrasted.

Running in circles,
Chasing our tails

Food came and the night continued with the group talking over the commonest of things that any other family would see as normal. Jenny excused herself after dinner under the notion she had work to do and Tony took that as normal as he brought Bruce to their living area to hang instead until Pepper came home and Bruce soon found himself alone as he was supposed to be going to bed so he could catch a flight tomorrow.

Now he only had to deal with 'her'.

(A/N If anyone can tell me what the following few paragraphs are a reference to I swear I will owe you a million virtual cookies! HINT I referenced it in the first chapter of this entire story.)

Coming back as we are…

To Bruce she was always "The Woman".

He had talked about her to many people in the places he went but he seldom called her by any other name. Bruce was an intelligent individual and knew the risks that came with being who he was. He had gotten very used to running away from things and staying far away in order to keep everyone safe. But there was one woman, of extreme and questionable capability who refused to let him do so.

And that was the Miss Jennifer Stark.

He had met her as she was a girl but the day she broke into his government showing he knew she was going to be more trouble than originally assumed. And he was only proven right. On that day she made him feel welcomed and comfortable, even before she ran off with all his information. She had hugged him as though they were close friends before she stole research from him. At the time her motives were unknown but honestly, he couldn't stop wondering what would happen to her.

When he invited her to see the gamma bomb in action, her cold attitude scared him and he hoped it was an act. Bruce and her weren't the best of friends and she was acting, honestly bitchy, so the last thing he expected when he woke up from his Hulk-induced faint was Jenny. She helped him and gave him everything he needed. She cared yet could act as though she didn't and there were many times in his travels he was in desperate need of her ability.

In South America he hadn't listened to her, and she left him- rightfully, she left him. Then she came back, right when he needed her because who knows why.

Bruce was still utterly ashamed of fighting her in the helicarrier, even though he had no control. He can hear her bones snapping, her small quiet groans of pain before the healing came and he can see the blood and bruises. He never wanted to see this woman hurt but now he had- and he caused it.

Then, last night… he didn't even know how to approach the subject. Honestly he felt stupid and immature for thinking as much as he had on it. He had… perhaps imagined or speculated on just how kissing Jenny would be but her actually kissing him felt better than anything his imagination could've concocted.

(A/N -Really, someone please get this reference because I absolutely love it)

And now he was leaving.

"Jarvis, where is Jenny?"

"In her library sir."

Bruce got in the elevator and nodded, "Take me there please."

Nobody said it was easy

The ride was short and when the doors opened and Bruce was greeted by a Victorian styled library that instantly made him feel at home with the smell of fall even though it was about mid-summer.

Then he caught the shape of Jenny leaning against the door on opposite of him in her blue dress and hair up in a ponytail. The lights rose and he saw her raise a single eyebrow, "Can I help you with something?"

Bruce took a deep breath knowing her couldn't stutter because she would pounce, "Are you okay with me leaving?"

Jenny's smile was one Bruce couldn't place a finger on as she stepped more into the room and laughed, "Am I okay with it? Bruce I hate to break it to you but I really have no right not to be okay with it."

Again Bruce felt immature for even trying to talk about it before it hit him, he was the one being mature and Jenny was being immature for avoiding it, "Jenny I care about you-"

"And?" Jenny cut him off knowing exactly how to make him nervous although that was not her intention, "I care about my sour patch kid watermelons but if they wanted to go to India I wouldn't stop them." Bruce gave her and look but she just shrugged, "What? I'd respect their life choices, just like I'd respect yours."

With a sigh, "I don't think that's quite the same thing-"

"Isn't it Bruce? Look," She took a few steps closer, forcing him to look her in the eye, "If going and leaving will make you happy; then go."

Bruce focused on the green of her eyes and the sincerity in them that he hadn't seen all night, "But will it make you happy?"

"Are you asking me if I want you to go?"

"Yes."

"No."

"You don't want me to go?"

Jenny rolled her eyes breaking a bit of the tension with her laugh, "Do you think I want to be chasing you down next time Fury needs to send someone?" Bruce only had to narrow his eyes and she sighed, "Plus, you're my friend, you could stay here."

Oh it's such a shame for us to part

Bruce chuckled at her calling him a friend, because she had in the past and each time used it against him in a way, just like now, "Why does it matter that much?"

Exaggerated the woman ran her fingers through her hair sighing and turning from him before looking back at him, "Because I like you!"

Her loudly spoken words sunk into the silence of the room while the two looked at each other unmoving, "What?"

"I won't say it again."

"What?" This time Bruce shouted and Jenny furred her eyebrows together in confusion and growing frustration.

"You heard it the first time." She settled with a smirk of clear acting.

"You like me? That's," Bruce didn't know how to respond although his heart had just picked up although he had to bring his eyes from her lips back to her eyes to finish the statement, "That's a nice sentiment." His voice was bitter but Jenny understood why. That didn't mean she had to stand for his self-loathing.

The harsh glare sent at him knocked away any confidence he had said with that statement, "Bruce Banner are you mocking me?"

Her voice had been lowered as she had spoken in anger whereas his rose only a small amount, "Shouldn't I? You can't like me; I don't even understand how we are friends!"

It took a moment. Because of Jenny's always confident personality she never quite got that some people weren't like that and Bruce was one of those people. She always just saw him as Bruce as while that was a part of him she remembered what he said in the helicarrier as his words hit her all over again, "You don't get it."

For being a genius she knew she had said the wrong thing.

Nobody said it was easy

"I don't get it!" His voice only rose to the point he shouted and stepped back from her angrily, "I don't get it?"

With her voice still normal she took a deep breath, "You are smart, very smart. You are gentle and kind and have this air about you that I am too comfortable with. You have the twinkle in your eyes where you get the joke but you're afraid to laugh although I wish you just would. You have the look of concentration in your eyes that knows you can complete separate yourself from the world and focus on your work and the determination to do whatever you want." She let out a small laugh walking around her library as she ran her fingers through her hair again.

Bruce's reply took a while but Jenny was looking over her book titles idly so she didn't mind him taking his time, "You heard Loki, I am a monster."

Whatever book Jenny was holding snapped shut and she sighed, "Bruce, don't ever let someone tell you who you are."

"Isn't that what you're doing?"

"No, I'm telling you why I like you and that's not even half of the reasons although even I could not find words for the other half so I won't try." She was getting tired but kept leafing through books to keep her calm.

"I don't even like myself." His voice that had risen dropped now and Jenny looked at him putting the book back and moving towards him a bit.

"Truly? I don't find it that difficult." The look on her face was meant to be teasing and it made Bruce smile despite himself at the woman who had always been able to make him smile even when he was trying to hate himself or the circumstances.

With a smile he pointed to her, "I have tried to kill you more than once!"

Her teasing look went to one of complete seduction as her hand took his and placed it on her waist before putting her own behind his head slowly and softly with a tilt of her head, "I have always liked playing rough, plus I'm a big girl; I can handle myself don't you think?"

Bruce took a quick intake of air and a solid step back from Jenny who had moved right up against him. The effect this younger woman was having on him with that and the fact that he couldn't have her was more than enough to feel the need to get away, "Jenny you're younger than I am, by more than I think would be a wise solution." His hand pried hers away from him and placed them at her sides as a regretful smile came on her lips as she took a respectful step away at the excuse.

"Do you want to leave?"

Silence. He knew he should leave but that and what he wanted, seemed like two different things.

No one ever said it would be this hard

Nodding Jenny took up her role, "Alright, well why would you leave?"

Bruce caught the frustration yet understanding in her tone and he easily remembered her psychology credentials, "It's safer."

She simply got it and moved on, "And why would you stay?"

There was really only one thing different now than any other place Bruce had ran from but now he found difficulty saying it. Quietly he murmured, "You could come with me." He knew it was ridiculous the moment he said it.

The ultimate ability of Jenny to hear as she chuckled almost regretfully and Bruce looked up with the hope lessening in his eyes as his met hers. She touched his cheek gently as she looked up at him and shook her head before taking a dangerous step away and letting her hand fall from his face and neck to his chest before falling to her side completely, "I think I've done enough chasing for a while."

He looked to the ground avoiding her gaze because he knew she was right. She had done a lot for him and he had done very little for her, to be honest he never even thought why he might deserve to have her.

Jenny's smile faded but in one fluid motion she leaned upwards and he closed the distance between them as her lips met his and he was more than eager to respond. His hands wrapped all the way around the small of her back lightly holding onto her as if she were china glass. All worries or excuses were forgotten and he noticed just how right this seems as her hands rested on his chest and curled into fisted holding onto his shirt before they both pulled away breathless.

He stepped away from her completely and she smiled again as she spun to walk towards the door she had originally been standing in before he came down, "Promise me one thing?" He nodded but her back was to him although she spoke like she already knew his answer, "If you leave, leave. Don't look back, just go and get out by noon."

That's what Bruce did.

I'm going back to the start

Went to Fury at ten in the morning in a taxi, neither of the Stark siblings seemed to be awake when he left with his bags on the seat next to him although two hundred dollars in cash was conveniently placed in an envelope and taped to the elevator door with his name on the envelope.

When he got to Shield he told the taxi to wait as he went in and mimicked Jenny's pressing of thirteen as the other business people silently left the elevator, this being their floor or not. When he got to their floor he looked around not quite sure which direction to go in; he knew rooms were down one hall but Fury was a different matter.

"Bruce?" An uncertain voice said and the dark haired man turned to see Steve Rogers in official looking workout clothes as he responded.

"Captain, I was looking for Fury, do you know where he may be?"

Motioning to a hallway to his left Steve nodded, "Jenny usually goes that way to see him."

Bruce looked down the hall before looking back to his teammate, "Thank you Steve I'll just head down there."

With brief goodbyes Bruce walked down the aforementioned hallway and wrung his hands while looking for the darker man. Finally he saw the man speaking with a woman who looked younger twenties, "Director?" Bruce spoke apologetic to the young woman, "Excuse me but I am just coming to sa-"

"Dr. Banner, good morning, may I introduce you to Kathryn Brandt, Kate this is Bruce Banner."

Bruce recognized the name from Jenny's whining but smiled at the woman, "Nice to meet you Miss Brandt."

Nobody said it was easy

She held out her hand for Bruce to shake which he took as she spoke in a lulling voice of sorts, "Pleasure Doctor Banner."

Before Bruce could get another word in Fury spoke again, "Where is Jennifer? I told her to come in today."

Bruce stifled a laugh, "Jenny? She was up late last night, and she figured she'd be up around noon, for her this is still midnight." Kate let out a small laugh at the comment.

"How do you know Miss Stark?" She asked and despite the strange question Bruce didn't think twice about answering it.

"We're friends, why?"

Fury dismissed the whole conversation before Kate got the chance to continue quizzing Bruce, "Sometimes she should ju-"

"Director," Bruce cut him off and Kate looked between the two sensing the tension as Bruce changed subject again, "I just came by to tell you I'm leaving."

Fury looked at the doctor confused, "But you were staying with Stark?"

With a nod, "Yes and now I'm off."

"You've been living with Miss Stark?" The new-be asked off to the side but this time Bruce caught her.

He gave her a questioning glance noting that despite her comforting voice he didn't trust her and scanned his answer carefully, "For the past day with her and Tony, yes."

The three of them all looked at each waiting for someone to speak before Fury finally stepped up, "Alright then, if you want to go we won't stop you but," Fury gave a look to Kate and nodded as she nodded back and walked away without looking back, "Flamel will kill you if you don't say goodbye."

Shaking his head Bruce waved it off, "She told me if I was leaving to leave before she came downstairs."

No one ever said it would be this hard

Fury took a step back and nodded, "Alright, if she told you, then by all means." Bruce nodded his thanks before he started to walk away.

He was walking away from it all. Like he always did.

"Doctor Banner." Fury's voice commanded when he was about ten yards away and Bruce turned, "Friends?"

He turned and began walking again without another comment to be said. He was walking faster now and for once he had a destination.

I'm going back to the start

….(A/N Here starts a new song... Carry on, by FUN)

Jenny woke up as she normally did in her robe and tank and shorts although this morning she staggered on her feet for once before catching herself on her bed. She yawned and listened as Jarvis read the stats for the day before looking outside at the cloudy but not quite rain weather.

Well I woke up to the sound of silence
The scars were cutting like knives in a fist fight

Getting up she decided to get some breakfast before showering today as she got in the elevator groggily as Jarvis just knew where to take her after greeting her good morning. She knew without asking that Tony was still sleeping. Her hearing seemed like her ears were popped but that along with the dizziness she attributed to getting over the fight two days ago since no other major repercussion had hit her.

The doors to the elevator opened and she walked through the kitchen living area opening the refrigerator before she caught the familiar smell of apple-ness as she closed the refrigerator and turned around.

And I found you with a bottle of wine
Your head in the curtains
And heart like the fourth of July

Sitting at the bar was Bruce Banner; he had a Starbucks coffee in front of him and a bagel he hadn't touched while there was a plate next to him with a cup of something as well although the plate had a honey glaze doughnut.

"Good morning?" He said unsure and Jenny beamed with a scoff.

"Good morning, what's this?" she gestured to the place setting next to him and he shrugged.

"I may have made a call to Jon, Macchiato light foam and extra espresso shots? With a honey glaze just in case you're extra tired because it's going to rain." Despite the patronizing and joking tone Jenny still smiled as she moved to the other side of the counter to sit next to him and inspect her usual order.

Taking a bit of her doughnut and almost sighing into how sweet and perfect it was to start the morning she nodded, "Not bad, not bad at all."

Bruce smirked as he got the feeling of fitting before shrugging, "Well it was your two hundred bucks."

Choking on her drink Jenny laughed and hit him causing him to laugh as she regained speech and remarked dryly, "Worth it for breakfast already being made."

For a while they just sat there before Jenny had decided she had drunken enough of her drink to be coherent for the day, "So, the glittering lights of the tower won out over the luxurious streets of Calcutta?"

Bruce nodded, "I'll be taking a loss for sure but I think I can manage."

You swore and said,
"We are not… we are not shining stars"

The two looked at each other for a moment before Jenny just twisted in her bar seat and kissed his lips tenderly. Before he could even think about kissing back she pulled away again, "God knows that's what we do." She went back to eating her breakfast, while Bruce hid a smile in his coffee and shook his head at the woman.

Because despite everything, that title would always belong to her, "The Woman."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXJenny's POVXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Life didn't get easier; we weren't out of the deep water yet.

This I know,
I never said we are

Well… I wasn't out of the water.

"Tone, I'm taking the motorcycle." I said into the lower lab as I walked through it searching for my keys.

Bruce and Tony were both working on something or other, one of Tony's projects that I wasn't quite involved in but both turned to my boots clacking on the floor, "Alright, this is New York remember."

"City of people who either can't afford cars or those who can't drive them owning them." Bruce spoke in a low tone as he returned his concentration to the work as Tony had done and Jenny went around opening drawers.

Though I've never been through hell like that,
I've closed enough windows to know you can never look back

"Too true, but I swear I had them upstairs but last time I had taken her out, and-" I stopped talking as I pulled out the lanyard with my motorcycle key and smiled, "Perfect, now I'm all set."

I was making a quick exit before Tony spun around, "Jay," He held out his hand, "The lightsabers?"

Donning an innocent expression I gasped, "You couldn't think I woul-"

"And the scythe?"

Expression lost and replaced by one of frustration I reached into the boot and pulled out all the aforementioned items before handing them to Tony, "I wasn't going to use them." I muttered quietly.

Tony nodded and pointed to the elevator before turning and I made a face to his back while he talked, "Then good luck." Bruce laughed and gave Jenny a nod of appreciation.

If you're lost and alone
or you're sinking like a stone

Turning with the slight smirk I began to make my exit again, glad he hadn't caught my last resort as I got in the elevator. Now I just had to get it by Fury.

I rode through the streets as fast as I would in Malibu by cutting and swerving a lot but that's what a motor bike did well. Arriving with a dangerous turn into the building's garage I parked and walked through the many other cars to the side entrance. It was strange how this was so much of a second home to me that I knew it just as well as my first by now.

Slipping the stress ball from my other boot I knew that this meeting would not be easy. Whoever this chick was going to be she'd try to talk to me like we were working through an issue when the fact of the matter is that I don't have any issues.

"Jennifer." Fury's voice came and I moved to see him half standing in a doorway before he took a step out and motioned into the room, "Have fun."

With an eye roll I smile at him before walking in and hearing the door shut behind me, I already hated this. I hated the clear shiny wooden table and the black comfy office chairs and the fact that, "Good Morning Miss Stark, or, well Afternoon."
Wait a second… Turning all attention to the woman sitting in a professional skirt and jacket with her legs crossed and a file in front of her I smiled suddenly very happy as she put down the file and stood reaching out a hand, "Pleasure to see you again."

Carry on,
May your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground
Carry on , Carry on…

Kathryn Brandt... As most knew her, Kate.

We went to the same college for our psychology degrees. She was obviously more into it than I was and I spent only a small percentage at the school compared to the amount of time spent at MIT for my engineering but nonetheless I was going to two colleges at once and any time spent at the other, I spent with Kate, my classmate and professed empath.

I would recognize her blonde, almost strawberry blonde hair anywhere, even though she had it in a ponytail and her timid yet strong voice. I hit her hand away, "I'm not shaking your hand Brooklyn." And with that I hugged one of my past partners in crime before laughing at the ridiculousness of it all, "What the hell?"

"Hello to you too Malibu." Taking the seat she had previously offered me across the table I got comfortable while she spoke, "The director was looking for someone you were familiar with, but someone good at the trade, hence me." It made complete sense that Fury expected me to lower my guard to an old friend, except I really had nothing to hide

So I met up with some friends at the edge of the night
At a bar off 75

"Whatever the reason, you know this doesn't change a thing?" I was much younger than her in college and she was often a motherly figure away from home that was appreciated so she did know most of my beliefs already.

"I know you don't like therapy unless it's the song, but that doesn't change the fact that half the population of the world now sees Jennifer Stark as this superhero, would you care to explain?" I hadn't thought about that to be honest. I had forgotten people didn't know of my abilities.

"I have these capabilities well beyond normal human capacity, Shield uses them and put me on the taskforce labeled Avengers. We were called to duty. Despite usual tendencies, when it comes to Shield I rarely worry about cameras." When I'm fighting for my life, it's true, cameras aren't my first priority.

Kate nodded empathetically to no great surprise seeing that she probably already sensed my surprise and annoyance, "Alright, well we've got a cover story coming to you for the press conference in the sure to be near future. Now, take me back a bit please. Fury says you were in New Mexico?"

"Aren't I always?" I muttered before smiling and nodding in actual reply, "Yes I went there earlier in the mission."

"Alright and you became ill correct?" I had forgotten how weird it was to be therapy-talked, like really, maybe Kate was just as good as I was if not better but her eyes never left mine as I tired to return her stare.

"I did experience brief vomiting."

"Anything that could have caused this?"

I knew by the quieter way she asked the question she already knew what happened and I was getting very tired of the patronize Jenny game, "Look Kate, can't we talk about this out rightly? Yes I have this condition and I sure as hell don't help controlling it although you could actually help me if I knew you weren't going to pull some therapist bullshit."

Kate smirked, "Tony would say language."

"Anthony's not here."

And we talked and talked about how our parents will die,

Reluctantly she shrugged and leaned forward, "Okay Malibu, explain the condition and the stimuli, please."

Much more comfortable I began to ramble, "The gamma radiation in my blood can enhance my muscles and nervous system greatly and is activated by friction, or fast blood movement."

Kate sort of had her eyes narrowed in thought as she nodded, "Okay so that's the physical aspect, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't more than that."

Rolling my eyes I shrugged, "Brooklyn, you do know of my PTS right?" She nodded, "In your professional opinion, what are the chances of a dormant split personality?"

With skeptical look Kate sat back in her chair and looked at me thinking which I knew as her method of figuring me out a bit more which I was okay with. Finally when she spoke it was in a higher tone and I knew my proposition had piqued her interest, "Besides your constant misuse of the term split personality I understand you; and are you considering the idea that your abilities bring out this personality or your PTS?"

Using hand motions as I talked, "I think the personality was brought on by PTS but remained dormant until the proper stimuli came along, in my case intense fear of situations similar to that of the root of my PTS. The personality seems very personality-less and simply based on instinct, I would assume misfiring nerve impulses to the amygdala."

It clicked in Kate's head as she pointed, "The council doesn't think you're in control, because you aren't."

I resisted jumping out of my seat, "No, no! See on the helicarrier when I was fighting the Hulk, I'm sure you've been briefed, I was in control. Not… I don't know how to explain it. It's like my mind and personality, all higher processing was there but it was directly controlling the instincts or the strength of whoever else I could have. Before this persona was silent, smart and deadly. But the helicarrier and instance yesterday both left me with a considerable amount of influence on the resulting actions."

Thoughtfully nodding she shrugged, "Interesting. Those chances are all very low although your conclusion explains most of it, and the violent reaction after every event are your body's slow systems' methods of slowing you down enough to catch up."

I snapped my fingers with a point, "Exactly!"

"You know I could try and find ex-"

I spoke quicker and harsher than I meant to, "Don't you dare!" I didn't want someone messing with my head, even if I did trust her relatively I didn't need her ruffling through my brain.

Kate looked at me for a second longer and nodding understanding my complete distaste for the idea before looking at her professional looking watch, "Well we've still got twenty minutes really, and if you walk out of here with more than ten minutes left Fury already told me he would drag you in here."

All our neighbors and wives

"He wouldn't dare." I sloughed and sat with my left leg bent under me, "So where you staying in New York?"

"A tiny apartment up on twelfth street, pretty nice actually."

I threw my phone to her which she had fast enough instincts to catch thankfully as I spoke, "Put in your number, we have to get together outside of this building, you should come by Stark tower sometime."

She typed furiously and nodded before she handed the phone back to me, "For sure." Taking the phone from her she asked another question, "Who is there now exactly?"

Sitting comfy I counted on fingers, "Just me, Tony and Bruce."

"So, Dr. Banner returned?" I knew the look in her eyes. It's that smirking I-know-something-you-don't look. And coming from Kate it's even better seeing how she is usually so humble and shy but with me, it was always a bit different.

With a kidding point glare, "Don't give me that look, and yes he bought me coffee and a doughnut."

She grimaced at coffee but didn't miss her chance, "Breakfast in bed?" Kate asked suggestively and I laughed with her.

Shaking my head I responded, "No, nothing like that, just a nice welcoming sight in the kitchen."

But I'd like to think,
I can cheat it all

She raised any eyebrow and looked in another direction with that look again and I sighed before she broke down and spoke, "He did seem to speak of you fondly when he came by this morning."

Again I laughed, "Yea just because he chose the tower of over the streets of India." I joked back and she got that it was more than that before I heard a three knocks on the door.

"Come in?" Kate replied and the door opened to reveal Steve Rogers looking rather like this was the equivalent to marching although he became MUCH more aware as Kate stood and moved to shake his hand, "Captain Rogers good day, me and Malibu here were just finishing up." I definitely knew that look.

Standing I smiled to Steve and gave him a half hug, "Hey Steve have fun," turning to Kate I pointed to her and backed out of the room, "And Brooklyn, I'll be in touch."

With a wink, I was gone down the hallway to find Fury.

I walked to the newsroom and found Fury to be the only one in there, "Bad day?"

He turned to me quickly and surprised before sighing, "Jennifer, how'd it go?"

To make up for the times I've been cheated on
And it's nice to know…

"Well thanks, and have you talked to the council?"

"They are supposed to call any second actually." Rising an eyebrow I was cut off by Fury, "And no, you can't stay in here."

Reluctantly I sighed knowing that it wouldn't go over too well- well, ASKING wouldn't go over too well, "Fair enough." But Tony did always say, better to ask forgiveness than permission, "So wh-" I was cut off by a message on the big screen. It read 'connecting in 5' and was counting down so I promptly turned around and headed towards the door with only a nod to Fury.

When I reached the door I opened it and closed it without leaving the room but it didn't matter because Fury wasn't looking back, instead he was focused on the dark shapes on the screens, the infamous council I presumed, "Good afternoon director."

"Afternoon." Fury greeted coldly with his hands behind his back.

"How is the after math?"

"A lot of questions being asked but a press release in two weeks should rid the tension of the public."

I knew the shapes mattered little, and the voices may even be changed but I still had my eyes glued to the screen of the actual people to which my anger at SHIELD should be directed at, "And the Avengers?"

"Captain Rogers is looking to move out soon, Barton and Romanov are available, Banner is with Stark and Flamel."

"And are they undergoing debriefing therapy?"

"They are."

"I still don't see why Captain Rogers and Flamel shouldn't be stu-"

"Neither would stand for it, and take my word for it, you don't want either of them going after you."

"Captain Rogers is a soldier, he would do anything we required for the good of the-"

"That doesn't give us the right to do so." Fury's voice rose a little as I stepped closer to him but still out of view.

"And Flamel?"

I saw Fury open his mouth and get one word out, "Flamel-"

And it's nice to know,
When I was left for dead

But I spoke confidently, "Is not a guinea pig."

Fury turned to me with a furious look but I ignored it walking to his side and smiled not sure how they could see me or weather I was a shape like them, "Director Fury this is-"

"Not his fault. Despite your egocentric beliefs you do not own this world and every human being in it. You don't even have the right to define human being or forfeit them at your word. This is something you group of individuals better learn quickly or pay the price."

"We will not be having this conversation with this… child."

Glaring at the screen that spoke I took a deep breath, "Oh so you can't have a conversation with the child that saved all your sorry asses? The child you were willing to blow up along with half of the New England coast? The child who would be able to create that bomb better than you can make your own breakfast? Wow, someone's priorities are out of wack," I paused before finishing, "And yes, even a child like me knows that."

I wasn't a child but trying to convince them of that would have been worthless, "Agent Flamel you are dismissed."

"Agent Flamel is unavailable at the moment; you are speaking with Jennifer Stark. Jennifer Stark, the woman on almost every newsstand with more economic influence than half of congress; And she is very upset that you were so willing to destroy her pretty new tower and everyone around it."

I was found and now I don't roam these streets
I am not the ghost you want of me

Fury's voice snapped me out of the tension thick conversation with a deep shout, "Jennifer!" Respectfully I turned to him innocently smiling, "It's time for you to leave." My smile dropped as he gave me a I'm-being-completely-serious look.

Nodding to him I turned to the screens, "It is time for me to leave ladies and gents, splendid talking to you today. I only wish to say one more thing; next time I'm called in if I am not briefed by one of you, then I refuse the mission." With a carefree wave contradicting to my message I backed out of the room and this time I did leave.

If you're lost and alone,
Or you're sinking like a stone
Carry on

I waited outside the door patiently while simply focusing on breathing as all my senses were just a little out of focus today, "Jennifer." The stern tone of Fury came eventually and I looked up with a hand leaning on the wall still into his face which looked stone cold… and honestly, a little proud.

"Fury." He broke out into a smile and held out his arms which I hugged into quickly with a laugh, "Thank you, I try."

"Never do that again." Were his mumbled words but he was laughing at it so I saw no reason to listen, not in the long run.

May your past be the sound of your feet upon the ground,
Carry on

With a shrugged I backed out of his arms and moved backwards, "No promises." Throwing a wink in his direction I blew a kiss and began to walk back to the elevator.

One ride home later I walked into the lab to see Tony and Bruce still working diligently; to the point neither noticed me. I was able to get basically in the center of the lab until Tony spun and saw me, "Jay! What's up?"

Because we are
We are shining Stars
We are invincible

Smirking at my ability to frighten him I shrugged, "I spoke with Brooklyn for the first time in a while and yelled at the mysterious council for once because they needed to be yelled at." Seriously? Who throws a bomb at one of the biggest cities in the world? How did they even think they would be able to pull that off? 9/11 started a war- what would this do? 'District-13' the place?

"Brooklyn is that senator's daughter isn't she? And really? The council?" Tony had known Kate because I had known Kate, he often visited me and it's a friendship of cross-association.

We are who we are
On our darkest day,

I nodded hopping onto the metal counter and began to regale to two of them on my adventure of the day. How Kate is the newest head sorter, and explaining to Bruce just who Kate was, and I told them all about how the council only had ambiguous pictures and how they seemed so annoyed while I kept calm and cool.

Tony laughed along and we discussed plans of moving back to Malibu for a little before reminding me that I had a conference call soon and I wrinkled my nose before going off and explaining to Bruce how I have to talk to a bunch of geniuses a few times a month.

But my bragging didn't matter because this was home in this lab with my brother and Bruce.

So we will come
We will find our way home

After my story I went down to my lab/library area to work on my witch blade project. I had music blasting and was casually conversing with Jarvis.

"Jarvis why can't I access my medical logs?" I figured I would use my own neurological process to figure out this project because I didn't really want to look into anyone else brain until I learned more about what I was trying to do.

"Unknown Miss."

-My scream broke the heavy silence as I jumped back with a deep breath scared out of my mind as I threw the hot pan to the ground with the rest of its soupy contents. After less than a second the burning pain had left and I was simply sitting partially on the old cupboard and calming my heart with breathing when Bruce appeared at my side asking "Are you okay?"

"Fine, I just, wasn't expecting it to be hot." I nodded back to him with a forced smile.

Bruce smirked at me unsure, "It's a metal pot Jenny, how didn't you figure that out?"

Motioning to the pan on the ground, "It has a rubber handle!"

"Let me see." Bruce took my hand although reluctant to let him see it I did. The red burn was already disappearing, "How hot was the pan? It looks like you barely touched it."

"I heal quickly." I wiggled my fingers with a satisfied smile.

-"Jenny you really need to calm down." There was a slight hint of fear in Steve's voice

"Why? So I don't blow a fuse, oh hun it's much too late for that." My head came to rest on his shoulder again.

Slowly and hesitantly he put his arm around me, "Jenny, it's important alright, you just need to breath and calm down a bit."

"They don't care, it's not important. Right now Fury is wondering if a bullet in my head would kill me. "

Steve sighed and quietly said it, "I care." I stared ahead, "Jenny?"

"I care too."

- "And the princess returns." The sarcastic tone was evident. I turned to see Clint watching from on top of a truck.

He jumped down and I smiled to my friend, "Did you ever doubt I would?"

Silently he hugged me and I know he had already checked me over for marks or bruises, "I had my hopes."

I stuck my tongue at him, "Didn't sound that way over the comm."

"Distortion, it happens." I shook my head but played along.

If you're lost and alone,
Or you're sinking like a stone,
Carry on

I shook out of my strange moment and thought.

Unknown? "Jarvis, you know all."

"The logs seem to be misplaced." He's an artificial intelligence, of 'course he didn't lose them. But that would mean Tony overrode my control. Why would Tony do that? What purpose would that serve?

"Well you know the protocol, whens the last time we had them?" My patronizing voice shone through as I took a rubex cube from my main desk and paced a little.

Tony wouldn't just override my commands to Jarvis unless he had something to hide.

But what would he hide from me in my own medical records?

…

-I pushed my luck slowly easing into the gas and just as it started going forward I heard it sputter and tried to change gears but soon enough it slammed hard onto our cement floor garage with a clank.

"Jen!" Tony shouted with concern and I shook my head.

"Fine." He was already a yard away and I got out defeated, "I think I'm done for the week, maybe I'll head to the gym."

"Jennifer." Tony looked exhausted as I looked back at him scathingly, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"It's not nothing."

…

"Unknown Miss."

The blood test.

That's the last time I would've had them opened.

I put the cube down and stopped pacing to look out my great windows, "Jarvis, override code 091305. Read results of blood test taken a couple days ago." Looking across the city of New York with all its buildings I added, "Please."

May your past be the sound of feet upon the ground
And carry on
… No one is ever going to stop us now!

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Hey everyone!b Sorrry this one took like double the time! I'll make it up to you I promise!

ACTUALLY you leave a song in the review I'll make a chapter to it. (Anything from "I want that puppy in the window" to "Super bass" to "Kiss") (I am suffering major writers block) This is your chance to tell me what to write without saying it :D Good luck and please do REVIEW!

Alright so what'd you think? I'm thinking two more chapters till Iron man 3 cause I need the dvd before I can write it :P I gotta at least see it again!

Also… should I consider this one "Done"/"Completed" And just make the next series of events a sequal? What do you think?

Thanks for reading! Please REVIEW

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Piacine: Thanks! How was this one?

Laura Fxox: I am glad, I was a bit effy on the third person but once it was finished it worked out best. And how was this?

Achlys: Thank you! I hope you like this resolution just as much :P Well half resolution. Bruce is still insanely cautious but I think he would be even though she's telling him otherwise. I even included a domestic moment :D
And oh yea, Iron Man 3… talk about foreboding- let me tell you; I am afraid. Although very excited, let me just say that one line that I insert will change the whole story… it's a line from Star Trek 2 (If you've seen it, I am using the first sentence that Khan speaks) ;) Oh I know Shield was completely looking the other way that entire movie. Hahahahaha I know I loved that ending scene completely and been thinking of all the ways I can do it.
I am glad the hulk seemed to like Jenny, that's what I was going for since she would impress even a rage monster I think.
Fury… well… yea…
After this chapter I promise, the car will make a return… sort of.
LONG LIVE JUCE!

Converselover20204: I will be! Or do you think I should make the next series of movies into a sequel?

Fellowship of the Avengers: Hi there! :D I'd love to hear who you think each title in the last chapter belongs to with this is war! How were these songs? Jenny will always be flirting in a fight, then again… maybe not anymore- who knows? (Well, I do but still!) a lot of that last chapter was me being sarcastic which was very fun to add. Oh and her outfit- its modeled after Belle from Once upon a time (tv show) but if you type in Belle once blue dress youll see it and I love it so much!

Aanndm20: Thanks! You too!

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"Read and review XD"

No but really :P